2006 Press Releases

US Government Assists Koinadugu District

April 5,2006
Freetown

Contact:PAO
Tel: 226481

United States Ambassador Thomas N. Hull, on March 29^th commissioned the Regional Information and Community Center in Kabala Town. Funding came from the US Government through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), under the Democratic Governance program that is being implemented by the International NGOs MSI and CCF. The Regional Information Center will benefit the whole of Koinadugu district, providing a venue for ward committee meetings and other governance programs. Commissioning the center Ambassador Hull encouraged all to remember that the process of good governance and decentralization is not about power, but about bringing development to the doorsteps of the people.

Highlighting on another project, the Regional Director for USAID, Jack Winn, on March 30^th commissioned a health center at Dankawali Village, an event that was also attended by Minister of Presidential Affairs Sheku Sesay. This project was funded through the Ambassador’s Self Help Fund. The project cost $8,952 (Le.26, 856,000), and was undertaken by the Dankawali Descendants Association. The Association rehabilitated the health center, which was destroyed during the rebel war. The health center in Dankawali will benefit about 7,00 people living in eight surrounding villages. These people formerly had to walk 18 miles to Kabala Town to get health care services. In his remarks, the USAID Regional Director said, “Having a health center in Dankawali will certainly improve the quality of life; and with better health you can do more for your community.” Mr. Winn also visited youth groups from the Wara Wara Yenga and Sengbe chiefdoms in Kabala, supported by the USAID’s Linkages for Livelihood, Security and Economic Development (LINKS) project that is being managed by CARE International and CRS. The youths demonstrated gari and juice processing skills they have acquired through the LINKS project.

Also in Koinadugu, Ambassador Hull on March 31, commissioned a livestock project in Kabasia Village. The project was also funded by the Ambassador’s Self Help fund, with a grant of $5,161 (Le. 15, 483,000). This project provides two shed-houses and farm animals to be used as income generating resources for the development of the Kabasia community. The grant started a pilot project, which gives families in the community a male and female pair of farm animal for rearing in order to generate income.