His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio on Thursday visited the exhibition booth of the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED) during his tour of institutional displays at the Salone Civic Festival organised by the Ministry of Information and Civic Education (MOICE). The President expressed satisfaction with MoPED’s presentation, describing the Ministry as a central driver of the Medium-Term National Development Plan (MTNDP 2024–2030), which anchors his Big Five Agenda. During his earlier keynote address at the Festival’s opening ceremony, President Bio highlighted the significance of the Sierra Leone National Development Tracker (SL-NDT)—a newly launched online platform that consolidates reliable data, interactive dashboards, and key development resources. He emphasised that the SL-NDT enables government and partners to monitor progress on the MTNDP’s Game Changers and Enablers, while strengthening transparency, accountability, and data-driven decision-making across sectors. The President also underscored the critical role of digital governance and evidence-based planning in accelerating development outcomes, noting the country’s recent advancements in national data systems. At the MoPED booth, President Bio was warmly received by the Deputy Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Rev. Dr. Jonathan Titus-Williams, the Development Secretary, Mr. Ambrose James and senior staff of the Ministry. They expressed appreciation for the President’s visit and his commendation of MoPED’s leadership as co-runners of the Civic Festival, as well as its ongoing efforts to champion development reforms and interventions nationwide. On display were several key policy and planning documents, including national frameworks and flagship materials that capture Sierra Leone’s development priorities. The President browsed through the documents with keen interest, acknowledging the Ministry’s commitment to promoting coordinated planning, strategic monitoring, and accelerated service delivery. MoPED’s strong presence at the Festival reflects its mandate to engage citizens, showcase national progress, and foster a culture of accountability and participatory development. For further enquiries, contact: Alfred Kabia — +232 79174027 Follow MoPED on Twitter (@moped2025), Facebook, or visit www.moped.gov.sl