The Minister of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED), H.E. Madam Kenyeh Barlay, and the ECOWAS Resident Representative to Sierra Leone, H.E. Ambassador Haroun Moussa, led a high-level engagement with stakeholders in Bonthe Island. This visit was part of a weeklong sensitization campaign to raise awareness about ECOWAS development interventions in Sierra Leone and planned commemoration of the upcoming 50th anniversary of ECOWAS, celebrated on May 28, 2025. The event took place at the Bonthe Island Municipality Council.

The delegation, including staff from the ECOWAS National Office within MoPED, and a representative from the Ministry of Trade and Industry traveled along the Jong River to reach Bonthe Island, underscoring their commitment to connecting with hard-to-reach communities. Their mission was to inform residents about ECOWAS-funded projects, understand local development priorities, and explore potential initiatives to promote sustainable growth.

In his opening remarks, Haroun Keh-Turay, the District Officer of Bonthe and chairman of the occasion, commended the minister and her team for prioritizing the people of Bonthe. He particularly praised the ECOWAS Resident Ambassador for personally visiting the island, acknowledging the daily challenges residents face.

Mayor Mohamed M. Robinson of the Bonthe Island Municipality expressed deep appreciation for the visit, highlighting Minister Barlay’s ties to the island as a “daughter of the soil.” He applauded MoPED’s efforts in coordinating development projects across Sierra Leone and encouraged participants to become ambassadors of the valuable information shared about ECOWAS interventions. He also extended gratitude to ECOWAS and Sierra Leone’s government for recognizing Bonthe’s development needs.

Addressing the gathering, Ambassador Haroun Moussa reaffirmed ECOWAS’s dedication to community-driven development. He emphasized that ECOWAS has transitioned from being solely an “ECOWAS of States” to an “ECOWAS of People,” increasing its visibility and direct engagement with communities. He highlighted the significance of the upcoming 50th anniversary, noting that ECOWAS remains committed to regional integration, security, peace, and economic cooperation among its member states, all aimed at improving livelihoods and promoting sustainable development.

Delivering the keynote address, Minister Kenyeh Barlay expressed joy at returning home and lauded local governance structures for their efforts in sustaining the island’s progress. She emphasized that Bonthe, once known as the Christmas Island, must now be transformed into a development hub—an island where economic opportunities thrive year-round.

She highlighted the alignment of ECOWAS interventions with Sierra Leone’s national development agenda, as outlined in the Medium-Term National Development Plan (MTNDP) 2025-2030 and ECOWAS Vision 2050, which envisions a fully integrated, peaceful, and prosperous West Africa with strong institutions and a commitment to inclusive and sustainable development. Minister Barlay emphasized Bonthe’s historical significance in West Africa and its potential for growth. She noted that ECOWAS has been instrumental in Sierra Leone’s development, citing past and ongoing interventions such as ECOMOG’s peacekeeping efforts during the civil war, the construction of the ECOWAS Logistics Depot in Lungi, the development of joint border posts to facilitate trade, and support for education, health, and infrastructure.

She underscored the importance of making ECOWAS programs more visible and impactful, especially in remote areas like Bonthe. She reiterated the government’s commitment to the “Big Five Game Changers,” which are being translated into the MTNDP 2025-2030. She outlined Bonthe’s district priorities, including mechanized agriculture to boost food production and economic resilience, support to the health sector including advocacy for improved remote area allowances for workers, and youth employment and entrepreneurship initiatives to create business opportunities for young people.

She also revealed plans to expand the existing market infrastructure by introducing cold storage facilities, which would significantly enhance local economic activities, particularly in fisheries. Additionally, she spoke about the importance of the District Development Coordination Committee (DDCC) and the potential for alternative hosting arrangements between the island and the mainland council.

Komba Momoh, Deputy Development Secretary III and Head of the ECOWAS National Office, provided an overview of ECOWAS’s key development projects in Sierra Leone, including the Human Capital Development Project, support for women affected by fistula at the Aberdeen Women’s Center, investment in agriculture and food security, construction of Kono University, scholarship programs for exceptional female students, and the construction of joint border posts and markets in Jendema and Wai Village, Sorogbema Chiefdom, Pujehun District. He also highlighted the ECOWAS Volunteer Program, the West African Power Pool (CLSG) Project, the introduction of the ECOWAS Biometric ID Cards and Brown Card System, and ECOWAS’s role in election observation missions in Sierra Leone.

Minister Barlay concluded by urging stakeholders and community members to actively participate in shaping Bonthe’s development trajectory. She emphasized that continued collaboration between the government, ECOWAS, and local communities would drive tangible progress. The engagement in Bonthe Island marks another step toward inclusive development, ensuring that no community—no matter how remote—is left behind in Sierra Leone’s journey toward prosperity.

For more information, please contact Alfred Kabia at +23279174027 or visit MoPED’s social media platforms: Twitter (@moped2025), Facebook, or the official website (moped.gov.sl).