The Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Madam Fatmata Kargbo, on Friday 16th February 2024, visited the National Consumer Protection Commission of Sierra Leone’s office at 28 Siaka Stevens Street in Freetown, where she had fruitful discussions with the Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Lawrence Landi Bassie, and later toured the facility, interacting with its staff.
During the engagement, the Deputy Minister and the CEO discussed the implementation of the ECOWAS Grant Agreement that was signed by the Hon. Minister of Trade and Industry Hon. Alpha Ibrahim Sesay with the ECOWAS Regional Competition Authority (ERCA) delegation on 22nd January 2024 to support the promulgation of a National Competition Law for Sierra Leone.
They also discussed the implementation of the ECOWAS Country Data Collection process in support of the ECOWAS Competition Information System (ECIS). Minister Fatmata Kargbo and the CEO deliberated on the regulation of the activities of Consumer Protection CSOs and CBOs in the country, to promote professionalism in Consumerism which will ensure consumer satisfaction and enhanced decision-making in accessing basic goods and services.
The visit was climaxed by a conducted tour of the various departments of the Commission and interaction with its staff. The Minister was impressed by the gender balance in the Commission and commended the CEO for taking cognizance of the GEWE Act 2023 in the NCPC recruitment process. She admonished staff to support the CEO in the work of the Commission and contribute to promoting Human Capital Development. Group pictures were taken with the dynamic Deputy Minister.