By: Kadijatu Bangura, Reporter, D.S
The Country Manager of the World Bank Group in Sierra Leone, Abdu Muwonge, emphasized the need for collaboration during the opening ceremony of a one-day validation exercise for the National Climate Finance Strategy, held at the New Brookfields Hotel on Tuesday, June 17, 2025.
This exercise attracted stakeholders from various government ministries, development partner organizations, civil society organizations, educational institutions, and local council representatives.
In his remarks, Muwonge stressed that the strategy should prioritize the interests of the people of Sierra Leone rather than individual institutions. He urged participants to take ownership of the document and develop a practical strategy. He also noted that this validation is just the beginning, requiring legal, institutional, and administrative frameworks to ensure full implementation.
Sellu McCarthy, head of the Climate Finance Unit at the Ministry of Finance, explained that this exercise follows various stakeholder consultations held prior to the development of the draft strategy. He added that the validation will allow stakeholders to scrutinize the draft and provide input before the final document is produced.
Deputy Minister of Finance I, Kadiatu Allie, emphasized that the strategy represents more than just a policy; it is a collective commitment by the government to mobilize, manage, and direct financial resources toward enhancing resilience, reducing emissions, and safeguarding the well-being of citizens, the economy, and the environment.
She highlighted the pressing climate change vulnerabilities facing the country, which are straining public finances and threatening development gains. Allie stated that the National Climate Finance Strategy aims to scale up investments in climate adaptation, mitigation, and resilience, while also unlocking and coordinating public and private funds, strengthening institutional capacity, and aligning with global commitments such as the Paris Agreement.
Allie concluded by thanking the World Bank for its technical and financial support, as well as the various stakeholders collaborating to shape this important document.
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