The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development in collaboration with the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) and the German International Cooperation (GIZ) has ended a four-day technical workshop for 80 participants on defining and shaping Local Economic Development (LED) in Sierra Leone at the Local Government Institute of the Eastern Polytechnic in Kenema City.
Delivering his opening statement, the Chairman of the session who also doubles as the Principal of the Eastern Polytechnic, Dr. Sandi A. Bockarie says local economies will only improve if there is good governance. He says as delegates develop the LED framework in Sierra Leone, it is very important that the gender lens be used in the course of its implementation, adding that women are the backbone of our rural economies.
He maintained that improvements in the local economies must address the needs and aspirations of both women and men and giving both equal opportunities. Dr. Sandi went on that the views and experiences of women and of men are equally important when it comes to matters of development in their localities, noting that women constitute 52% of Sierra Leone’s population, which is why they must be encouraged to work for the good of the country.
In his keynote address, the opening session the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Ambassador Dauda S. Kamara said the Local Economic Development (LED) is an essential objective of the Agenda for Change, to lift the people out of poverty, adding that local councils have a central role to play in this. He said the local councils are the highest development and service delivery bodies in their localities, with the role of coordinating all development programmes such as to ensure an environment conducive to improved economic activities for their people.
The Ambassador said LED is a new focus within the decentralization process, noting that the National Decentralization Policy recognizes the importance of LED, and that it needs to be anchored on the local councils.
The Local Government Minister pointed out that LED is essential to the development of rural areas and that the economies of the rural areas should be supported and boosted. He said local councils and chiefdom authorities must cooperate to ensure that developments reach the grass roots. LED, he noted, will improve the links between rural and urban areas, such as to provide markets for rural economies, boost skills and enhance investments. He stated that with the National Rural Development Policy almost complete, his Ministry is not set to move LED and Rural Development together.
The Minister paid tribute to development partners whom he noted, have provided so much support to the decentralization process in Sierra Leone. He particularly thanked those that are working in the area of local economic development, namely: the UNDP, UNCDF, GIZ, JICA, the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Local Governance Forum.
He explained that GIZ is supporting economic promotion programmes with local councils and communities in Kailahun, Koinadugu and Kono, while JICA is working with the Kambia and Port Loko Districts. IBIS is supporting programmes in Kono; UNCDF has undertaken the Kenema District Economic Recovery (KDERP) programme in Kenema District and City. The UNCDF, he further disclosed is starting a new LED programme with the Ministry to build on the successes in Kenema City and District.
He said the rationale for hosting the technical workshop was to build synergy between Ministry’s officials and experts in their various areas of operation by a having a shared understanding of the meaning of Local Economic Development for Sierra Leone.
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