Finance Minister Affirms Commitment to Dialogue With APC After Talks With New US Ambassador

In a visit to the Ministry of Finance, the United States (US) Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Bryan Hunt expresses America’s interest in seeing progress in the dialogue that has been set to take place between the Government of Sierra Leone and the main opposition All People’s Congress (APC).

The visit was also witnessed by the US Deputy Assistant Secretary for West Africa and the Sahel, Michael G. Heath who underscored importance of inclusive national dialogue to rebuild confidence in Sierra Leone’s democracy.

The Minister of Finance, Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura, briefed them on the current economic situation, reforms on domestic revenue generation, expenditure management, public debt and the overall economic management programmes with partners like the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

He also informed the Ambassador and the Assistant Deputy Secretary of the big five priorities of the government on Agriculture, Human Capital Development, Youth Employment, Digitalisation and Public Sector re-engineering, and how these five areas of transformation can impact the lives and well-being of Sierra Leoneans.

The Finance Minister stressed the significance of the MCC compact and how it can help to address the challenges in the energy sector with not just the financial resources but also the reforms that will bring efficiency in the management of the utility company.

He assured them of the government’s commitment to deepen the ongoing dialogue to resolve issues around the elections and to reforms to strengthen electoral systems and processes.

Ambassador Bryan Hunt thanked the Minister for the meeting, sighting that the US is keen on seeing progress in the dialogue with the opposition and a clear road map of an inclusive electoral reform process.

He advised the minister and government to address the concern of the MCC before going to the board for approval of the Compact.

Assistant Deputy Secretary for West Africa and Sahel Michael Heath highlighted concerns on mining, fisheries, forestry (Timber) and other areas of collaboration between the United States of America and Sierra Leone.