Yesterday, the Ambassador of the Republic of Ireland to Sierra Leone, Lesley Ní Bhriain, held talks with Sierra Leone’s Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Dr. Francis Kai-Kai at his Tower Hill office, in Freetown.

The aim of the visit, the Ambassador said was to discuss Ireland’s support for the Government of Sierra Leone COVID-19 response, especially in key areas such as nutrition, gender equality, education provision, governance and human rights responses implemented through multilateral organizations and non-governmental organizations.

Sierra Leone, the ambassador said is one of the key beneficiary countries worldwide of this new policy, aimed at Ní Bhriain said that notwithstanding the impact of covid-19, Sierra Leone needs a renewed effort towards the realization of its Medium-Term National Development Plan (MTNDP 2019-2023), as the country has to deliver in a slightly different way to achieve progress on the MTNDP (2019-2023), especially as the government has set 2020 as the year of delivery.

In response, minister Kai-Kai noted the important role that Ireland is playing in supporting the Sierra Leone government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Deputy Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Dr. Robert Chakanda, speaking about his experience gained across the country, noted the significant role NGOs are playing in the most vulnerable communities in the provinces, including those supported by the Irish government

Also present at the meeting were: Mary O’ Neill – Head of Development at that Embassy of Ireland, Peter Sam-Kpakra – Development Secretary at the ministry of planning and development.