On Monday September 11, 2023, during a Courtesy Call by the G7+ General Secretary, Helder da Costa, and the Communication and Media Officer, Helche Silvester, on the Minister of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED), Madam Kenyeh Barlay, critical discussions were held on strengthening collaboration and cooperation within the G7+ group. The engagement embraced a wide range of topics, including Sierra Leone’s role as the current chair of the G7+ and its commitment to advancing policy discourse aligned with the vision of this influential consortium.
Key areas addressed during the discussions included Sierra Leone’s upcoming commemoration of its 10th year as Chair, coinciding with the group’s 14th anniversary. Additionally, the parties explored avenues for heightened advocacy and policy initiatives to expedite the ratification of the Charter; a task undertaken by only four member nations so far.
Sierra Leone’s aspiration for formal recognition as an inter-governmental organization at the United Nations General Assembly, as well as its stance on advocating debt relief for conflict-affected nations, were also central to the talks.
They also discussed issues of mutual priority, strengthening of partnership and how to ensure collective delivery of their ambitions.
Madam Abie Elizabeth Kamara, Director, Development Assistance Coordination Office ((DACO), in her brief welcome address, cataloged the background of the G7+ and the significant role played in Sierra Leone’s peace and development stage.
Dr. Helder Da Costa, in his briefing, warmly congratulated Madam Barlay on her recent appointment as Minister of Planning and Economic Development and as the new chair holder of the G7+. He emphasized the group’s remarkable strides in consolidating membership as an inter-governmental agency, promoting stability, peace, and development across its member countries.
Dr. Da Costa underscored the pivotal role the g7+ played in facilitating policy dialogues with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank concerning debt relief for g7+ nations grappling with conflict. He reaffirmed the g7+’s core principles, encompassing peace building, state building, mediation, conflict resources, and election observer missions.
With Sierra Leone now occupying a seat at the UN Security Council, as Chair, the group aims to amplify its influence on the global stage.
Describing Sierra Leone as a “barometer of success” in post-conflict recovery, Dr. Da Costa urged the Chair to forge connections with the African Union and other development partners, fostering collaboration within their development programs.
In her capacity as Chair, Minister Barlay extended her heartfelt appreciation to the General Secretary and the government of Timor-Leste, for their unwavering support, particularly in Sierra Leone’s bid for a seat at the UN Security Council. She applauded President Julius Maada Bio’s tireless efforts in maintaining stability and peace within Sierra Leone.
Minister Barlay also shared insights into Sierra Leone’s renewed priorities, highlighting the “Big Five Game Changers” outlined in the 2023 People’s Manifesto. These include initiatives related to food security, the blue economy, eco-tourism, combating deforestation, addressing urban youth poverty, peacebuilding, and national cohesion strategies.
She pledged to work closely with the g7+ to disseminate its vision to the African Union, acknowledging the instrumental role played by the IDPS Secretariat in this endeavor. Minister Barlay emphasized the group’s commitment to addressing post-conflict issues, advocating for policy influence, transitional justice, and conflict prevention on a global scale.
Three core areas of focus emerged from her remarks: policy advocacy, fragility to fragility, and institutional strengthening.
Minister Barlay’s visit with the g7+ General Secretary and Communication and Media Officer symbolizes Sierra Leone’s dedication to the group’s objectives and its steadfast pursuit of peace, development, and prosperity within the g7+ community and beyond.
While underscoring the principles of inclusivity, participation, and empowerment in decision-making processes, especially with the fragile and conflict-affected states, Minister Barlay stated, “Nothing about us without us”.
In attendance also were the Deputy Minister, MyoPED- Rev. Dr. Jonathan Titus-Williams, Development Secretary, MoPED- Peter N. Sam-Kpakra, Technical Assitant-MoPED, Francis Momo Turay.
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MoPED Communications Team
