Freetown, Sierra Leone, 4-5 July 2024 – The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN-DESA), in collaboration with the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) and the Government of Sierra Leone, through the Presidential Delivery Unit (PDU), Ministry of Public Administration and Political Affairs (MoPAPA), and the Ministry of Communication, Technology and Innovation (MoCTI), successfully conducted a two-day capacity development workshop on data governance frameworks and digital government on 4-5 July 2024 in Freetown, Sierra Leone. Funded by the UN Peace and Development Fund (UNPDF), the activity is part of the ongoing efforts to enhance Sierra Leone’s digital infrastructure and governance capabilities.
The overall objective of the workshop was to strengthen institutional frameworks for digital government, foster collaboration among stakeholders for effective data utilization, and enhance national capacity for data management and governance.
H.E. Amara Kallon, Minister of Public Administration and Political Affairs emphasized the critical importance of embracing digital government in Sierra Leone to enhance public services, improve governance, and foster sustainable development. He highlighted the necessity of a robust digital governance framework for efficiency, transparency, and inclusivity, underscoring the role of effective data management in driving evidence-based decision making. Stressing the need for clear standards for data handling to ensure integrity and accessibility, the minister committed to empower public servants with digital skills. He acknowledged the support of development partners like UN-DESA and called for active collaboration to build a digital ecosystem that drives public service reforms, economic growth, and social development. He envisions a future where all citizens can easily access services and trust in governance is strengthened.
In her keynote address, Minister Salima M. Bah of MoCTI highlighted the importance of digital transformation for better governance and public services delivery in Sierra Leone. She called for increased use of technology to boost effectiveness, openness, and responsibility in government activities, from getting licenses to paying taxes. She emphasized the need for good data management standards and protocols and said the government would use data to guide policies, improve education, and handle public health emergencies. The Minister also highlighted the importance of collaboration among different ministries and development partners to achieve these goals and make the government more efficient and accountable to citizens.
Speaking on behalf of UN-DESA, Mr. Juwang Zhu, Director of the Division for Public Institutions and Digital Government (DPIDG) at UN-DESA, and Mr. Wai Min Kwok highlighted the significant strides Sierra Leone has made in digital development, noting the country’s effective use of technology during the Ebola and COVID-19 outbreaks and the impressive 90% national ID registration rate. They emphasized the critical role of data as a resource for governance and the importance of high quality, well governed data for the effective deployment of AI systems.
Madam Laurie Mandarine from the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office reiterated the global priority of effective data governance for innovation, informed decision making, and empowering citizens. She assured the UN’s commitment to supporting Sierra Leone in building an inclusive, transparent, and resilient data-driven society.
Mr. Jean Yves Adou, representing the APRM Continental Secretariat CEO, Amb. Marie-Antoinette Rose-Quatre, commended Sierra Leone’s digital governance initiatives and their connection with sustainable development goals. He further highlighted the need for cooperative efforts to advance good governance and socio-economic development across Africa.
A significant highlight of the workshop was the presentation by Mr. Jibril Ibrahim-Kano, who spoke on Africa’s readiness for digital and data governance. He emphasized the continent’s progress in adopting digital technologies and the need for robust frameworks to support further advancements.
For more details on the workshop, please visit the Awoko Newspaper or contact: info@aprm-au.org
