Dr Robert Taliercio O’Brien, World Bank Country Director for Sierra Leone, Ghana, and Liberia, paid a courtesy call on His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio at the Presidential Lodge in Hill Station, Freetown. The focus of the meeting, which was chaired by Mr Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura, the nation’s finance minister, was the government’s priority agenda and investment plans for food security.
Throughout the discussion, Dr. O’Brien conveyed how happy he was in Sierra Leone and restated the World Bank’s commitment to the nation’s progress. He underscored the Bank’s dedication to offering support in vital domains like sustenance security, infrastructure, and youth employment. As he welcomed Dr O’Brien and his group, President Bio complimented the Bank for its assistance amid the Covid-19 pandemic and other difficulties.
President Bio made it clear that, in his second term, his administration will place a high premium on agriculture. He stressed the significance of reducing youth unemployment, fighting malnutrition, fostering economic growth, and achieving food security. The President pledged to build on the accomplishments of his first term’s flagship initiatives, which were especially successful in the field of education.
President Bio also spoke about the government’s initiatives to combat inflation and deal with new problems besides agriculture. In addition to expressing gratitude to the World Bank for its support, he underlined the significance of ongoing cooperation in advancing sustainable development in Sierra Leone.
In general, the meeting between President Bio and Dr. O’Brien highlighted the value of cooperation and partnership in furthering Sierra Leone’s development agenda. The government’s priorities are aligned with the World Bank’s commitment to supporting food security and other critical sectors, which is a step in the right direction towards attaining sustainable growth and prosperity for the nation.
