The United States Ambassador to Sierra Leone Michael Owen has made his first official visit to the provinces to look at the U S Government funded projects.
He described the World Vision supported projects as impressive and economically viable for the transformation of war ravaged communities in the Kailahun District for economic growth and sustainable development.
The US Ambassador made this statement after visiting World Vision /PAGE funded projects implemented in one of the most difficult terrains and deprived Chiefdoms in the Kailahun District.
The Ambassador was greeted by hundreds of cocoa farmers along the deplorable roads leading to Kailahun Town.
Upon arrival he was welcomed by the Kailahun District Council Chairman Tom Nyuma and other stakeholders.
They discussed several developmental issues on trade, agriculture, education and health. The US Ambassador assured that the United States Government remains committed in their continued support towards the sustainable development of Sierra Leone.
Ambassador Owen was also taken on a conducted tour of the Sinava Farmers swamp development experience site where he met with enthusiastic farmers supported by World Vision and PAGE.
Sinava farmers comprising of 25 people in the group have cultivated 7.6 acres of swamp land for rice with the hope of commercializing their harvest to the local market or WFP.
He also commissioned a Cassava Micro Processing Centre at Tongea in the Sande Yalu Section Kailahun District with funds from the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and launched the Power of Cassava in Africa (UPOCA).
Most of the beneficiaries had lost their homes during the war and the project is geared towards providing them with income generating activities for their livelihood.
The National Director of the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Sylvanus Fannah and Dr. Brima James expressed optimism over the sustenance of the project.
The US Ambassador said his Government will continue to support World Vision and PAGE projects in Sierra Leone because most of the projects are making huge impact on the lives of the ordinary people, and also empowering the youth for economic growth and sustainable development.
At a dinner organized in honour of the visiting Ambassador, several stakeholders expressed gratitude to the United States Government for their support to the people of Sierra Leone and gave a gift of a traditional dress to appreciate the US support to Sierra Leone.
In the Ambassadors’ keynote address at the dinner he said the US Government will be sending more Peace Corps Volunteers to Sierra Leone and that plans are in progress to increase the number of volunteers to 100 and the US Embassy will also be launching a five year nutrition and agro project on the 10th of this month which demonstrates their commitment to support Sierra Leone.
The Ambassador was briefed by Dr, Tom Roberts of World Vision the brain behind the PAGE Project and the status of various World Vision supported projects in the Kailahun District while the Chief of Party for PAGE, Jeam Dean also highlighted the impact of the PAGE project since it was launched in Sierra Leone two years ago.
The Promoting Agriculture, Governance and the Environment (PAGE) program is a four-year USAID-financed project that builds on previous USG projects in the sectors of agriculture, democracy and governance (D&G) and natural resource management (NRM).
A consortium of international NGOs is implementing the program: ACDI/VOCA is the prime organization, with ARD, Inc. and World Vision International (WVI) as the sub-grantees.
The program is improving the incomes derived from agriculture for 29,000 farm households, and will directly benefit 147,150 people, including 88,000 women and children.
The program will establish 375 new farmer field schools (FFS) and support the existing 600 FFS to become marketing associations.
The program is currently working in four Districts Kono, Kenema, Kailahun, and Koinadugu respectively targeting 250 communities.
By Saidu Bah just from Kailahun
He described the World Vision supported projects as impressive and economically viable for the transformation of war ravaged communities in the Kailahun District for economic growth and sustainable development.
The US Ambassador made this statement after visiting World Vision /PAGE funded projects implemented in one of the most difficult terrains and deprived Chiefdoms in the Kailahun District.
The Ambassador was greeted by hundreds of cocoa farmers along the deplorable roads leading to Kailahun Town.
Upon arrival he was welcomed by the Kailahun District Council Chairman Tom Nyuma and other stakeholders.
They discussed several developmental issues on trade, agriculture, education and health. The US Ambassador assured that the United States Government remains committed in their continued support towards the sustainable development of Sierra Leone.
Ambassador Owen was also taken on a conducted tour of the Sinava Farmers swamp development experience site where he met with enthusiastic farmers supported by World Vision and PAGE.
Sinava farmers comprising of 25 people in the group have cultivated 7.6 acres of swamp land for rice with the hope of commercializing their harvest to the local market or WFP.
He also commissioned a Cassava Micro Processing Centre at Tongea in the Sande Yalu Section Kailahun District with funds from the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and launched the Power of Cassava in Africa (UPOCA).
Most of the beneficiaries had lost their homes during the war and the project is geared towards providing them with income generating activities for their livelihood.
The National Director of the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Sylvanus Fannah and Dr. Brima James expressed optimism over the sustenance of the project.
The US Ambassador said his Government will continue to support World Vision and PAGE projects in Sierra Leone because most of the projects are making huge impact on the lives of the ordinary people, and also empowering the youth for economic growth and sustainable development.
At a dinner organized in honour of the visiting Ambassador, several stakeholders expressed gratitude to the United States Government for their support to the people of Sierra Leone and gave a gift of a traditional dress to appreciate the US support to Sierra Leone.
In the Ambassadors’ keynote address at the dinner he said the US Government will be sending more Peace Corps Volunteers to Sierra Leone and that plans are in progress to increase the number of volunteers to 100 and the US Embassy will also be launching a five year nutrition and agro project on the 10th of this month which demonstrates their commitment to support Sierra Leone.
The Ambassador was briefed by Dr, Tom Roberts of World Vision the brain behind the PAGE Project and the status of various World Vision supported projects in the Kailahun District while the Chief of Party for PAGE, Jeam Dean also highlighted the impact of the PAGE project since it was launched in Sierra Leone two years ago.
The Promoting Agriculture, Governance and the Environment (PAGE) program is a four-year USAID-financed project that builds on previous USG projects in the sectors of agriculture, democracy and governance (D&G) and natural resource management (NRM).
A consortium of international NGOs is implementing the program: ACDI/VOCA is the prime organization, with ARD, Inc. and World Vision International (WVI) as the sub-grantees.
The program is improving the incomes derived from agriculture for 29,000 farm households, and will directly benefit 147,150 people, including 88,000 women and children.
The program will establish 375 new farmer field schools (FFS) and support the existing 600 FFS to become marketing associations.
The program is currently working in four Districts Kono, Kenema, Kailahun, and Koinadugu respectively targeting 250 communities.
By Saidu Bah just from Kailahun
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