Will London 2009 Beat Glen Eagles 2005?

Yesterday, a high-profile government delegation led by President of the Republic of Sierra Leone arrived in London to market the country in various ways in the up-coming Trade and Investment Conference scheduled for the 18th & 19th November 2009.

A similar marketing forum was held in 2005, in Glen Eagles headed by the then Vice President of the Republic Hon. Solomon Berewa aimed at forwarding the country’s paper on poverty reduction-PRSP. Although some termed it as success when the then VP was able to garner some 800 million dollars targeted at reducing poverty in various sectors in the country; but post Glen Eagles saw only few commitments coming through in the 800 million-package that was embedded in the PRSP packet. 

Agreeably, the PRSP package was donor driven and as such was subject to compliance by the Donor bodies to their various commitments. Frankly, not much was realized from the Glen Eagles as many of the donors could not bring themselves to fulfill their roles in the grand reduction of poverty as was enshrined in the PRSP in 2005. The Change of Government from the SLPP which masterminded and took the PRSP to Glen Eagles; to the All People Congress contributed in a very large way in ensuring that contracts in the PRSP are foiled. Each government has got its development partners and for one reason or the other, the change of government usually brings its own interest to the fore, altering many other foundations that had been laid.   

Now that the PRSP is totally loosing grip, we are only left with the Koroma initiative to this time around don’t beg from donors but to market the country’s investment potential to all those that might be interested. It is hoped that government of Sierra Leone is able to attract foreign investment into the country as well as encouraging donor agencies to make more financial commitments to boost the Sierra Leone economy.

This though seems very much formidable if and only if the Sierra Leone PR is good enough to woo investors. Among other things, the Government delegation it hoped will use the country’s newly acquired electricity wealth, its agricultural potential, tourism and fisheries.

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