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The Ministry of Technical and Higher Education (MTHE) has held a high-level meeting with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to explore ways of bridging gaps in Sierra Leone’s education sector while advancing regional development priorities.
Speaking during the engagement, Deputy Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Sarjoh Aziz-Kamara, reaffirmed government’s commitment to human capital development, citing the establishment of the Kono University of Science and Technology (KUST) as a landmark initiative.
He appealed for ECOWAS’ support in completing the project and highlighted ongoing efforts to expand Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), promote gender inclusion, and upgrade technical institutes into community colleges.
On behalf of ECOWAS, Dr. Robert Moikowa, Acting Head of the ECOWAS National Office in Sierra Leone, explained that the team’s visit formed part of the review of the Medium-Term Strategic Plan (2023–2027). He noted that the exercise is aligned with ECOWAS Vision 2050 and aims to engage stakeholders, track progress, and discuss implementation strategies.
Mr. Gbogboto Musa, Director of Strategic Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation at the ECOWAS Commission, said the review was mandated by the Council of Ministers in December 2024 and is being implemented in five-year phases beginning in 2023.
He outlined the five key pillars under review: peace and security, governance, economic integration, connectivity, and social inclusion. He also disclosed that independent consultants have been engaged to ensure credible assessment across member states.
Adding to the discussion, Dr. Jonathan Sandy, Institutional Consultant for the Mid-Term Review, stressed that the process is not only about policy design but also about implementation, results, and accountability. He underscored the importance of evaluating Sierra Leone’s role in human capital development and social inclusion, while drawing lessons from ongoing projects.
During the deliberations, MTHE’s Director of TVET, Abdul Senesie, raised concerns over the potential impact of ECOWAS’s proposed single currency on weaker economies, calling for stronger cooperation on skills development and qualifications frameworks. Sia Fasuluku, Acting Deputy Chief Technical and Higher Education Officer, further emphasized the importance of linking education to industry in order to address graduate unemployment, while appealing for ECOWAS’ technical support to strengthen Sierra Leone’s TVET sector and fast-track the construction of KUST.
In his closing remarks, ECOWAS Resident Representative, Mr. John Azumah, emphasized the coordinating role of the ECOWAS National Office and called for stronger collaboration with national ministries and institutions. He reminded Sierra Leone, as the current chair of ECOWAS, of its responsibility to champion the review process, while reaffirming ECOWAS’ continued support for the country’s education priorities.
