The Minister of Finance, Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura, on Monday, 25th September 2023, played host to the New United States of America Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Bryan Hunt and the Deputy Assistant Secretary for West Africa and the Sahel, Michael G. Heath, at his George Street office in Freetown.
Welcoming his guests, Minister Bangura briefed them on the current economic situation, reforms on domestic revenue generation, expenditure management, public debt and the overall economic management programmes with partners like the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
He also informed the Ambassador and the Assistant Deputy Secretary of the big five priorities of the government on Agriculture, Human Capital Development, Youth Employment, Digitalisation and Public Sector re-engineering, and how these five areas of transformation can impact the lives and well-being of Sierra Leoneans.
Sheku Fantamadi Bangura stressed the significance of the MCC compact and how it can help to address the challenges in the energy sector with not just the financial resources but also the reforms that will bring efficiency in the management of the utility company.
He assured them of the government’s commitment to deepen the ongoing dialogue to resolve issues around the elections and to reforms to strengthen electoral systems and processes.
Ambassador Bryan Hunt thanked the Minister for the meeting, sighting that the US is keen on seeing progress in the dialogue with the opposition and a clear road map of an inclusive electoral reform process.
He advised the minister and government to address the concern of the MCC before going to the board for approval of the Compact.
Assistant Deputy Secretary for West Africa and Sahel Michael Heath highlighted concerns on mining, fisheries, forestry (Timber) and other areas of collaboration between the United States of America and Sierra Leone.
Credit: MOF Communications
