Executive Director of the African Development Bank to Sierra Leone, Rufus N. Darkortey, on his first official visit to Sierra Leone, has shared his vision with the Minister of Finance, Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura, who is also a governor at the bank, in a courtesy meeting on Tuesday 28th February 2023, at his George Street office.
Rufus Darkortey is a Liberian national who serves as the Executive Director for Five African countries, the Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Sudan is on a three-day working visit in Sierra Leone.
He thanked the Minister of Finance for making time in his busy schedule to meet with him and congratulate him on his appointment, counting on his experience in the sector during this challenging period.
Mr Rufus further stated that he is in Sierra Leone to engage on plans for his constituent countries and Sierra Leone, in particular, to share his vision and access portfolio performance.
He stated that areas of interest have to be domestic revenue mobilisation through strengthening tax administration systems, private sector development, agriculture and other programmes on gender, youth and African legal facilities.
Minister of Finance Sheku Bangura thanked him for his visit and stated that the economic situation is tight but committed to deepening reforms.
He updated him on his engagement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
The Minister commits to both revenue mobilisation and expenditure reforms in the short and medium term.
He applauds the Executive Director for his vision and notes that the President wants to redirect economic development through agriculture.
Also, as part of the Minister of Finance’s continuous engagement with development partners, bilateral and multilateral partners, he met with the Economic Counsellor and Head of the Regional Economic Service from the French Embassy, Daniiel Gallisaires.
They discussed the current economic situation in the region and Sierra Leone. They also discussed government fiscal position, budget deficit, debt and revenue generation.
Minister Bangura provided an overview of the current economic outlook and outlined government commitments to deepening engagements and reforms
