On Tuesday, December 12, 2023, the Ministry of Finance, in partnership with the World Bank’s Multilateral Project Division, conducted the Annual Country Portfolio Performance Review (CPPR) for 16 national and three regional projects, collectively funded at $967 million.
The event, held at the Ministry’s main conference hall in Freetown, brought together Project Managers, senior members of Project Implementation Units (PIU), and representatives of beneficiary Ministries.
Deputy Finance Minister 1, Jeneba Bangura, inaugurated the workshop, urging project managers to adhere to project documents, World Bank policies, and Sierra Leonean law.
The Financial Secretary, Matthew Dingie, emphasized CPPR’s role in assessing challenges, achievements, and implementation status, crucial for the Country Policy and Institutional Assessment (CPIA) Rating.
Dingie stressed the significance of project success for obtaining additional resources and cautioned that poor performance could diminish the country’s rating, affecting resource allocation.
World Bank Country Manager, Abdu Muwonge, applauded Sierra Leone’s disbursement performance among 22 countries, urging knowledge-sharing among project managers.
Muwonge highlighted the workshop’s focus on aligning projects with the Medium-Term National Development Plan, anticipating positive adjustments in the review. Emphasizing salary harmonization and institutional reforms, he aimed to strengthen the country’s economy.
Sam Kpakra, Development Secretary at the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, underscored the vital role project financing plays in donor support. He attributed 20% of CPIA to project implementation, emphasizing its impact on the assessment.
Kpakra identified factors affecting multilateral aid returns, including delays due to poor project preparation, untimely payments, and insufficient knowledge among PIU staff, stressing the need for improved implementation processes.
