Freetown, Sierra Leone– 17 November, 2022- UNFPA on 17 November concluded an annual review of its Country Programme alongside its implementing partners. The review took stock of the results achieved in 2022 and focused on planning for 2023 priorities, informed by emerging issues, opportunities and challenges.
Speaking at the event, UNFPA Representative, Ms. Nadia Rasheed appreciated the joint efforts of UNFPA and implementing partners, and commended the Government of Sierra Leone for providing the enabling environment for strengthening efforts aimed at accelerating progress towards the attainment of UNFPA’s three transformative results of ending preventable maternal death, ending unmet need for family planning, and ending gender-based violence and harmful practices.
Ms. Rasheed noted that the review was an opportunity to jointly reflect on achievements and successes in 2022, as well as to identify priorities, challenges and opportunities for accelerating results in 2023. She emphasized the importance of strengthening use of data, evidence and monitoring to guide programmes and assess progress, and called for greater cross-sector collaboration and synergies to sustain and scale-up results. She further underscored the need for prioritization of interventions and investments to contribute to the development aspirations of Sierra Leone and achieve the vision of transforming the lives of women and young people.
Officially opening the annual review meeting, the Development Secretary in the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, Mr. Peter Sam- Kpakra, commended UNFPA for contributing to the achievements of the National Development Plan priorities and advancing achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals in Sierra Leone.
“Next year, the current Midterm National Development Plan- MTDP will come to an end. As a result of this, MoPED will start preparation for the successor MTNDP in 2023. What will come from this Annual Review will guide us in our preparation for the next MTNDP,” Mr. Kpakra said.
The Development Secretary noted that UNFPA’s support is primarily focused on the health and well-being of Sierra Leoneans and therefore, encouraged the implementing partners to adequately and efficiently utilise resources to achieve the desired results.
The two-day review provided participants with an opportunity to jointly reflect on achievements, review challenges and lessons learnt, and identify key opportunities for strengthening programme delivery and achievement of priorities. The review is also informing the development of 2023 strategic programme interventions, in line with UNFPA’s 7th Country Programme for 2020-2024.
Written by:
Mohamed Macarthy | Communication Intern | UNFPA Sierra Leone | Tel. +232 78947229 | e-mail: macarthy@unfpa.org
