After a successful trip to Sierra Leone, the Special Envoy Duwai-Sowa has returned to Canada. During the trip, the SEIRTI met with multiple ministries to further understand their needs, identify gaps, areas for collaboration, and explore potential partners and resources available to fulfill President Bio’s ‘BIG 5’ priorities.
Some key needs and goals identified across the ministries included capacity-building, comprehensive training, research, data protection, digitization and logistical support, guidance counselling within the academic sphere, psychiatric training for youth struggling with substance abuse and further empowering women in Sierra Leone by establishing gender leadership training.
public service reform and the implementation of the Digital Service Act to enhance efficiency within the public sector. He also highlighted the necessity for robust support from stakeholders to bridge existing gaps in the public sector, specifically addressing the resistance from certain agencies towards women occupying strategic governmental and decision-making roles. laptop computers to aid in data generation and to streamline workflow processes within the sector. He also stressed the need for online training courses to foster career development among public sector professionals, emphasizing their pivotal role in actualizing data-driven outcomes.driving growth and innovation within the private sector.jumpstart progress across key sectors including agriculture, human capital development, technology and infrastructure, thus empowering citizens and helping propel the nation towards sustainable prosperity.
The Special Envoy affirms that there will be ongoing engagement between the Office of the SEIRTI, and the aforementioned ministries to ensure effective collaboration. In regards to the trip, the Special Envoy remarked,
“The trip provided great insights into the needs across key ministries, as well as an understanding of how Canada can play a pivotal role in supporting the government’s strategic priorities, especially within the public sector. It is also reassuring to see the expertise and talent that currently exists within the country. It holds tremendous potential for the future growth and development in Sierra Leone.”
The SEIRTI team, led by the Executive Assistant and Project Coordinator, Margaretta Kanu, is working diligently to facilitate the implementation of the discussed priorities.
The Special Envoy intends to embark on future tours to engage more ministries, directories and agencies (MDAs).
Duwai-Sowa represents Sierra Leone’s Office of the Special Envoy for International Relations, Trade, and Investment (SEIRTI), which is based in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Born in Sierra Leone and now living in Canada, Special Envoy Duwai-Sowa holds both Canadian and Sierra Leone citizenship.
