News:
October 18, 2021
Minister of Sierra Leone’s New Western Region, Madam Nabeela Tunis has called on her counter Ministers in the Greater Accra and Central Region of Ghana, Henry Quartey and Justina Marigold Assan respectively.
According to the former Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister of Sierra Leone, the visit is to establish a firm relationship with her Ghanaian counterparts to enable them establish a smooth flow of exchanges.
Her first visit was to the Greater Accra to meet with Henry Quartey where they had productive discussions and shared experiences.
Mr. Quartey on his part pointed out the need to focus on collaborating with the local authorities in their respective regions and further pointed out his preparedness to collaborate with her counterpart.
Mrs. Nabeela Tunis noted that she is at an advantageous position because she would learn from mistakes and take into account new ideas, and added that the system in Sierra Leone is different from that of Ghana.
“One thing that is good in our own situation is that we have been given the liberty to build the ministry from scratch, so some of the challenges that they have been faced with will be dealt with from the get go”, she noted.
Madam Tunis also pointed out that she and her team has put all the necessary structures in place, carefully crafting a system that would lean on existing expertise. She reported that her outfit would liaise with officers designated within the various MDAs to avoid duplication.
She also disclosed that more focus will be placed on facilitation, collaboration, monitoring and evaluation of government programs rather than implementation.
Additionally, they would be looking forward to developing a regional plan with the people next year; a regional plan that will not only incorporate their inputs but also reflect the medium term national development plan.
Meanwhile, on her visit to the Central Regional Coordinating Council and Minister to the Central Region, Justina Marigold Assan, Minister Tunis reemphasized the importance of ensuring coordination with all stakeholders including the district heads, tribal and village authorities, elected officials, civil society, and the people to ensure ownership for development strides. She also noted that development is for the people and the only way they could take ownership is to get involved themselves.
“The Regional Ministry is a new phenomenon to Sierra Leone and I strongly believe in coordinating with all and sundry to achieve the ultimate goal of inclusive governance” Minister Tunis highlighted.
She used the opportunity to call for stronger partnerships across all spheres to achieve development for all, and noted that her outfit would support, complement and direct development for the people.
Ending her visits, the Central Regional Minister, Justina Marigold Assin applauded Minister Tunis for her wealth of knowledge in the new mandate given to her, urging her to ensure partnership with donor partners and local authorities. She assured her of a continuous relationship between the two institutions and extended an invitation to her for a visit and tour of her region.
The visit was climaxed with decoration and presentation of gifts to Minister Tunis, the former Planning and Economic Development Minister for leaving an indelible foot print as a hard-working person, hence her appointment by President Maada Bio as Minister for a New Western Region.
Ghanamps.com