August 3, 2016 By Ibrahim Tarawallie
In his move to re-affirm his organisation’s commitment to support the Government of Sierra Leone in its activities to foster inclusive agricultural development and rural transformation, President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) will arrive in the country tomorrow (4 August) on a two-day visit.
Dr. Kanayo F. Nwanze’s visit is as a result of a special invitation from the government and people of Sierra Leone.
He would be able to better assess the extent at which the fund has contributed to improving the quality of lives of the rural poor.
During his stay in the country, he would also pay a courtesy call on President Ernest Bai Koroma at State House, where they are expected to deliberate on ways of exploring new opportunities for joint investments in the country’s agricultural sector.
Dr. Nwanze will be hosted by the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Security, Prof. Monte Jones, to further discuss issues relating to improvement of agriculture in the country.
Also, the IFAD President would address members of the United Nations Development Programme, staff of IFAD projects in Sierra Leone, projects beneficiaries, officials at the relevant ministries, departments and agencies, the Bank of Sierra Leone, Road Maintenance Fund, Sierra Leone Roads Authority, Sierra Leone Agricultural Research Institute, and journalists before his departure to neighbouring Liberia.
Now a household name in the country, the partnership between Sierra Leone and IFAD has been significantly strengthened since the Fund initiated its first project in the country in 1980.