As part of the Bank’s contribution to national policy direction, the Country Office of the World Bank has supported the University Of Sierra Leone to establish the Center for Policy Studies (CPS) a semi-autonomous ‘Think Tank’.
The Bank provided research materials (mostly Bank publications) on various subjects; computers with UPSs; tables and a printer for the CPS Development Information Centre. Also, the Bank has linked CPS with CEPA- one of the leading Think Tanks in Ghana for the purpose of experience and knowledge sharing. As a result of this linkage facilitated by the World Bank, the Chief Advisor to CEPA, a former Bank Country Manager in Sierra Leone, Dr. James Sackey, flew to Freetown to give the keynote address during the official launch of CPS.
Deputizing His Excellency President Ernest BaiKoroma, the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning- Dr. SamuraKamara officially launched the Centre for Policy Studies and the Development Information Centre at the Seminar Hall of Parliament’s Administration building. Several statements by stakeholders and partners including the World Bank preceded the launch.In his remarks, Chairman of the launching ceremony, Prof. V.E.M Strasser-King recognized the Bank’s and Dr.Sackey’s support so far and expressed profound gratitude for what he described as “the unfailing interest in the establishment of the CPS.”Prof.Strasser-King was Principal of Fourah Bay College when the idea of CPS was first conceived more than five years ago and he recalled the assistance given to them by Dr.Sackey who was then Country Manager of the World Bank here in Sierra Leone.
Mrs. Bernadette Cole- Chairperson of the CPS Planning Committee- in her vote of thanks also expressed similar sentiments and again extended her gratitude to both Dr.Sackey and the World Bank and congratulated Prof. Thompson of IPAM under whose initiative CPS was revived.
In her statement and in response to several CPS and university officials, Dr.Bidemi Carol, representing the Country Manager, expressed satisfaction for the recognition of the role of the Bank in the establishment of CPS. She registered the Bank’s willingness for continued collaboration.
The keynote speaker, Dr.Sackey, gave an overview of the evolution of think tanks over the years and in the various regions across the world. Speaking on the topic: ‘Think Tanks and the Political Economy of Sub-Saharan Africa.Roles and Future Expectations’, he specifically reviewed the emerging roles of think tanks in Africa, identifying policy research and advocacy, symbolic function and promotion of global integration as the three outstanding functions. He stated that the reasons for the rapid expansion of think tanks include: “democratization, increased demand for independent information and analysis (beyond the civil service), rapid growth of international actors interested in helping resolve the poverty and the growth dilemma in the region and the emergence of better and cheaper technology for dissemination”.
Dr.Sackey emphasized the need for independence of think tanks with special reference to what he called “organizational & behavioural independence and the avoidance of conflict of interest as well as protection from external influence.”
He concluded his keynote address by dealing with the “risk of sustainability” of think tanks in Africa. Think tanks, he said “need to adapt and evolve into hybrid institutions: part academic research centre, consulting firm, advocacy group and policy enterprise”. The Acting Director of CPS, Dr. Michael Kargbo, said that being a semi-autonomous body the institution would not depend on external support alone; it will be self-sustaining with some support from the University of Sierra Leone. The think tank will be engaged, among other things, in research and advocacy as well as assist in national policy formulation. The World Bank has supported two members of CPS to go on a week study tour to CEPA.
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