Freetown:The Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED) has furthered the implementation of Sierra Leone's South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTrC) Strategic Plan 2026-2030. This advancement was marked by a one-day workshop that brought together representatives from various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) for an orientation and peer-learning session with Rwanda Cooperation.
According to Sierra Leone News Agency, the workshop, held on November 4, 2026, at the Foreign Service Academy in Freetown, aimed to clarify institutional responsibilities, strengthen coordination mechanisms, and draw lessons from Rwanda's experience in managing cooperation initiatives. The focus was on equipping government institutions with the necessary tools to transform the Strategic Plan into coordinated actions and achieve measurable development outcomes.
The event followed the launch of Sierra Leone's SSTrC Strategic Plan in September 2026, under the theme 'From the Freetown Declaration to Delivery.' The workshop was an opportunity to enhance institutional collaboration, identify cooperation opportunities, and align partnerships with the national development priorities outlined in the Medium-Term National Development Plan 2024-2030.
Robert Andrew Ganda, Director of the Directorate for South-South and Triangular Cooperation at MoPED, emphasized the objectives of familiarizing MDA focal persons with the Strategic Plan, exploring the proposed Inter-Ministerial Coordination Committee (IMCC), and facilitating knowledge exchange with Rwanda Cooperation. He outlined the expected outcomes, including the development of practical implementation tools and a proposed 90-day action plan.
Representing the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), National Economics Specialist Abubakarr Turay highlighted the importance of translating policy commitments into practical interventions and measurable results. He stressed the role of South-South and Triangular Cooperation in knowledge exchange, technical expertise, and institutional learning.
Magnus Conteh, a consultant and workshop facilitator, led the technical orientation, focusing on the Strategic Plan and proposed coordination arrangements. He clarified the roles of the Directorate and individual MDAs in implementing cooperation initiatives and highlighted the importance of appointing focal persons to maintain records and report progress.
Discussions on the proposed IMCC raised questions about its composition and authority. Samuel Morgan of the Ministry of Transport and Aviation emphasized the need for clear decision-making responsibilities. The peer-learning session featured contributions from Rwanda Cooperation, showcasing Rwanda's approach to development cooperation and institutional partnerships.
The workshop concluded with group presentations and a vote of thanks, marking a significant step towards enhancing Sierra Leone's development cooperation framework through institutional coordination, knowledge exchange, and practical partnerships.