Chief Minister Dr David Moinina Sengeh convened a crucial meeting at State House with key stakeholders, including Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr Henry Musa Kpaka, and Acting Director-General of the Sierra Leone Agricultural Research Institute (SLARI), Dr Conteh.
The primary agenda was to discuss the implementation of the SLARI Act 2023 and address the urgent concerns of research personnel within the institute. During the meeting, Dr Conteh, representing SLARI staff, expressed heartfelt appreciation to Dr Sengeh for the opportunity to engage in dialogue and acknowledged the consistent support from Dr Kpaka and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.
He raised critical issues affecting SLARI, particularly emphasizing the necessity for a well-defined career progression system that aligns with academic standards prevalent in the country’s universities. Dr. Kpaka reaffirmed the ministry’s steadfast commitment to supporting SLARI, highlighting the pivotal role of agricultural research in achieving food security and promoting sustainable development within the sector.
He assured SLARI leadership that the government is dedicated to addressing their challenges and implementing policies aimed at enhancing research quality and improving staff welfare. In his remarks, Dr. Conteh drew inspiration from Dr Sengeh’s impressive academic background, particularly his notable PhD research at MIT on prosthetic socket design.
He underscored the significance of developing policies that attract and retain exceptional researchers in agriculture. The discussions highlighted the government’s vision for a dynamic research framework that fosters innovation, strengthens food security, and contributes to the broader goals of national development.
