ACDI-VOCA Launch (20 Nov 08)

Honorable Minister of Presidential Affairs Alhaji Alpha Kanu,
Honorable Acting Minister of Agriculture Benjamin O. Davies,
Honorable Deputy Ministers,
Directors-General,
Representative from the Food and Agriculture Organization Dr. Kevin Gallagher,
USAID Mission Director for Guinea and Sierra Leone Mr. Clifford Brown,
USAID Implementing Partners,
Ladies and Gentlemen
Good Afternoon.

Thank you for joining us here to continue towards Sierra Leone's development.  As with any new beginning, we will try to harness the lessons we have learned in the past to build a brighter future.  United States' foreign assistance to Sierra Leone has promoted security, good governance through democratic policies and institutional reforms, and helped to rebuild the economy for many years. 

One of the lessons learned over time is that programs which address development in a holistic manner have a much better chance for success.  Children can not focus on their educations if they do not have sustenance.  Institutions of government can not function if they can not work with a populace interested in governance.  Farmers can not thrive if their natural surroundings are crumbling.  ACDI-VOCA has committed to addressing these issues with the big picture in mind, over the next four years, to help the people of Sierra Leone shape their futures.

Through the Promoting Agriculture, Governance and the Environment program, what we call "PAGE," ACDI-VOCA will work with a cross-section of Sierra Leonean society as well as with our other USAID partners -- World Vision International and the Associates for Rural Development -- to link democratic governance, economic growth, and natural resource management, while empowering women and youth and building institutional capacity in Sierra Leone.  To do that, the United States government has committed over $13 million through one of our federal agencies, USAID.

While ACDI-VOCA is new to Sierra Leone, they have tremendous experience around the world in working to promote community development through local to global linkages.  The Associates for Rural Development also brings a wealth of experience in natural resource management, introducing and maintaining environmentally sound development practices.  Alongside these two new partners, World Vision International will provide a continuity of knowledge of the Sierra Leonean context as well as informed innovation. 

I want to thank the representatives of all three members of the consortium who have joined us here today and thank the Acting Minister of Agriculture for his presence given the concentration on agriculture, lands, and resources.  I wish you all the best in this new endeavor and look forward to working with all of you.

In recognition of the long standing partnership between the Republic of Sierra Leone and the United States of America, I am pleased to present this certificate of appreciation to Minister Benjamin O. Davies.  The citation reads as follows:

"The American people are pleased to present to Minister Benjamin O. Davies, Acting Minister of Agriculture and Minister of Lands, this certificate as we officially launch the Promoting Agriculture, Governance, and the Environment (PAGE) Program at the United States Embassy in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

Signed, Ambassador June Carter Perry
Ambassador of the United States of America to the Republic of Sierra Leone