Freetown, 30th July 2024: Today, at the Bintumani Hotel in Freetown, the Minister of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED), Madam Kenyeh Barlay, witnessed the official launch of the Enhanced Resilience of Rural Communities through Women-led Conservation, Financial Inclusion, and Livelihood Diversification Project. This initiative, spearheaded by GOAL-SL and funded by Jersey Overseas Aid, aims to bolster the Blue Economy sector in Sierra Leone, specifically targeting the Western Area Rural and Kambia Districts.
The project is designed to mitigate the effects of climate change on food security and biodiversity, enhance community resilience, and improve nutrition and economic livelihoods.
Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Kenyeh Barlay emphasized the project’s alignment with Sierra Leone’s Medium-Term National Development Plan 2024-2030 and the Blue Economy Strategy.
She highlighted, “The launch and implementation of this project is a crucial step in operationalizing our Medium-Term National Development Plan and the Sierra Leone Blue Economy Strategy.
Our profound gratitude goes to GOAL Sierra Leone for their efforts in complementing the government’s initiatives.”
She further elaborated on the project’s significance, stating, “This project resonates with our Blue Economy strategy, particularly in promoting food security, economic diversification, and ensuring a sustainable coastal and marine environment. It underscores our collective commitment to inclusive sustainable development.”
Kjartan Atli Oskarsson, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Iceland in Sierra Leone, praised the initiative, saying, “The Blue Economy is vital to us as an island nation. Our collaboration with Sierra Leone, which began in 2018, has always focused on sustainable development, particularly in coastal communities. We are keen to see the impactful development of this project.”
Foday Suma, Paramount Chief of Samu Chiefdom, expressed his enthusiasm for the project’s timely implementation. “Kambia is well known for rice production. We are ready to support mangrove conservation and are committed to the sustainability of this project,” he said.
In her keynote address, Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Madam Princess Dugba, expressed her honor in launching the project. “This initiative, supported by a £1,500,000 grant from Jersey Overseas Aid, will enhance the productivity and conservation practices of small-scale fisheries in Western Rural and Kambia Districts,” she said. The project aims to improve food security, nutrition, and economic resilience in these communities.
She also recounted on an existing project supported by GOAL Sierra Leone, worth approximately US$676,000 and running until 2026, focuses on diversifying livelihoods and building capacity in fish processing and community management. “Helping communities cope with climate disasters and supporting fishermen with safety tools and awareness to minimize illegal fishing practices are crucial aspects of this project,” noted Minister Dugba.
Minister Dugba concluded by urging all stakeholders to support the project and focus on the health aspects of beneficiaries, particularly fishermen. “Our Ministry is committed to collaborating in forging sustainable fisheries within a diversified Blue Economy to ensure food and nutrition security for our people,” she affirmed.
The event culminated in the signing of the Service Level Agreement for the new project by Minister Princess Dugba, witnessed by Minister Kenyeh Barlay.
For further information, please contact the Ministry of Planning & Economic Development Communications Team at +23279174027 or visit the Ministry’s official social media handles: @moped2024 on Facebook and Twitter.