By Alpha Abu
Sierra Leone’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Professor David Francis has held bilateral talks with his Japanese counterpart Yoshimasha Hayashi during the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) that took place in Tunisia over the weekend.
Discussions between the two men focused on issues that are of mutual interest to both Sierra Leone and Japan. The role of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in Sierra Leone’s development programmes were also discussed at the meeting, which was also attended by a JICA delegation from Japan.
JICA in Sierra Leone provides technical support to the Government in the health, energy and agriculture sectors. Prof. Francis also discussed governance issues with a Japanese Parliamentary Delegation and the Foreign Ministers of the Committee of 10 African Countries on the Reform of the United Nations Security Council. Sierra Leone is seeking election into the non-permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council in 2024.
At TICAD the foreign minister led discussions on the peace and stability of the African continent. He presented the various reforms the government of Sierra Leone has made in different sectors including education, judiciary, and other development initiatives in the health, agriculture and energy sectors.
He said the country should take advantage of Japan’s US$ 30 Billion investment on Human Capital Development for Africa and a further US$48 Billion, targeting Green Growth in the continent.
Prof. Francis highlighted the need now for Sierra Leone to develop a Strategy Paper that would direct how to leverage and access the new funding opportunity being provided by Japan. He said such a venture should be explored by the Ministries of Agriculture, Finance, Environment, Education, Trade/Industry, and Economic Development.
He also used the summit to present Sierra Leone’s position as still one of the most peaceful countries in the world despite its war past, and the recent violent protests in few areas of the country that he blamed on a few people.
The conference ended yesterday Sunday in Tunis, the capital of the North African country
Copyright © Politico Online (29/08/22)
