By Kemo Cham
The outgoing Resident Representative of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Sierra Leone has expressed hope about the future of the country, despite current economic turbulence.
Dr Iyabo Masha, who is about to leave the country after about five years tour of duty, bade President Julius Maada Bio farewell on Monday where she spoke about her experience working with two different administrations in the last five years. She said the experienced taught her how a little shift in policy decisions can make huge difference.
“There are some challenges but the policy package here is very good and all we have to do is to ensure that we are reminded of some of the things the government made policy to implement,” she told the President.
“Sierra Leone has come a very long way. Life expectancy has increased greatly and by the time the next Human Development Index is undertaken, there will be very strong outcomes by what I have seen in education. I have had the honour to work with a very strong team here that reflects gender balance. I believe in a very few years to come we will see a truly transformed country,” she ended.
Masha arrived in Sierra Leone about the same time the 2014 Ebola epidemic struck. Sierra Leone was one of the three countries, including Liberia and Guinea, hardest hit by the epidemic.
Finance Minister Jacob Jusu Saffa, who accompanied Ms Masha to State House, hailed Masha’s role in dealing with the consequent economic challenges caused by the epidemic, including the collapse in the price of the iron ore, which brought activities in the mining sector to a near halt.
Masha was notably credited for her effort in re-launching the extended credit facility programme which was halted after a disagreement between the Fund and the administration of ex-president Ernest Bai Koroma.
Ms Masha said her experience during the period made her understand and appreciate some of the challenges countries in Africa face and how small changes in policy direction could make the difference.
“I appreciate the fact that even though there has been a change in political leadership, your government has decided to retain most of the counterparts who have been doing a great job and that is one of the reasons we have been able to get results,” she told President Bio who in turn hailed the Nigerian for her part in stabilising and helping the growth of the Sierra Leonean economy.
© 2019 Politico Online
