By George M.O. Williams
In a bid to implement the Medium-Term National Development Plan 2024-2030 (MTNDP) and one of the Big Five Game Changers, office of the Chief Minister in collaboration with the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED) on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, validated the Sierra Leone Stand-Alone Human Capital Development Strategy.
This validation exercise took place in the auditorium of the Foreign Service Academy in Freetown. Undertaking
the validation exercise was undertaken by experts across Ministries Departments and Agencies.
The Director of Human Capital Development, Presidential Delivery Unit, Office of the President, Madam Namisa Kramer regarded the document as a pivotal framework in the nation’s journey towards a sustainable and prosperous Sierra Leone.
“This strategy is not just a roadmap; it is a crucial commitment to empowering our greatest asset which is the people of Sierra Leone. Human Capital Development is essential for driving economic growth, reducing poverty, and enhancing social cohesion. By investing in education, healthcare, and skill development, we are laying the foundation for a resilient and competitive workforce, capable of meeting the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century,” she said.
According to her, this stand-alone HCD strategy signifies their collective recognition that the well-being and potential of the country’s citizens must take precedence in their national development agenda.
“As we validate this strategy today, let us reaffirm our commitment to working collaboratively across all sectors and with all stakeholders to implement initiatives that uplift our communities and strengthen our nation. Together, we can ensure that the aspirations outlined in this strategy translate into tangible outcomes for every Sierra Leonean,” she urges participants.
According to the Presidential Adviser on Human Capital Development Dr. Alpha Wurie, Human Capital Development takes place at every level of human development, from pregnancy to birth, to early childhood into adulthood, noting that different sectors play crucial roles at different stages.
He highlighted the gains made by President Bio’s administration in the area of Human Capital Development, particularly in the health and education sectors.
“As a government adviser, I want this discussion to focus on gaps to ensure that there is interconnectivity from one sector to the other,” he said.
Giving the keynote address, the Minister of Planning and Economic Development Madam Kenyeh Ballay stressed the importance of the Stand-Alone Human Capital Development Strategy to the Medium-Term National Development Plan 2024-2030 (MTNDP) and the Big Five Game Changers.
“Human Capital Development is vital in our development agenda. Because whatever we do today is about our people; when we talk about achieving middle income status in 2039, it’s the people’s income, when we talk about reducing poverty it’s for the people, whatever is contained in our development agenda its for the people,’ she said.
He said even in the 1st Term of this administration the flagship program was on Human Capital Development and so much was achieved like the increase in enrollment rate, gender parity at both primary and secondary education, reduction in dropout rate and the implementation of the Radical Inclusion Strategy.
She reiterated the gains made in the health sector, among them including the reduction in maternal mortality rates.