President Bio and cabinet ministers held a strategic planning retreat at Tokeh on Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd June 2018.

The event was sponsored by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and DFID.

According to the State House Communications Units, the purpose of the retreat which is the first full session of the cabinet was to set the government’s priorities in delivering on the New Direction promises to the people.

Minister of Finance, Jacob Jusu Saffa, noted that to manage the country’s resources efficiently requires team work.
Facilitator, DFID’s Sir Michel Berber said from the experience gained from working in 50 to 60 countries on development issues, he would be able to pass on the lessons learnt that lead to effective delivery.

Chief Minister, Dr Francis said the retreat offered the opportunity to understand the priorities and how to deliver on them. He said they require a high performance team.

Giving the opening address, President Bio said the New Direction sets high standards that require professionalism and that he will provide disciplined leadership; adding that there should be no excuses. He called on his ministers to feel free and endeavour to work seamlessly. Let us go down in history as the government who saved Sierra Leone he goaded his ministers.