Ambassador Perry's Speeches

MSI Lessons Learned Session (20 Nov 08)

Ladies and Gentlemen good morning.

I am delighted to join you here to discuss the outcomes of the United States Government's efforts to Strengthen Democratic Governance in Sierra Leone.  This $4.5 million grant demonstrates the strong U.S. commitment to development in Sierra Leone, and Management Systems International (MSI) has done a great job over the last four years. 

Democracy is a government, as we all know, of the people, by the people, and for the people.  For "the people" to have input and access to their government institutions and officials is critical to the strength of the democratic system.  To help Sierra Leoneans work better with their government, and to take ownership of the governance of the country, the United States supports decentralization efforts in conjunction with the government of Sierra Leone’s desire to bring democracy to the doorstep of the ordinary citizen.

For democracy to work, individual citizens must step up to participate.  The MSI program operated in four districts bringing local council members, community leaders, and stakeholders together to plan, make decisions, and engage in contracts for the betterment of their communities.  By strengthening participatory governance, individuals learn that they are in control of their own destinies, and we hope they are encouraged to take action to improve their situations.

This Program has helped citizens and their local leaders in Kono, Kailahun, Koinadugu, and Tongo Fields understand their roles and responsibilities, promoting transparency and accountability for elected officials.  Many of the communities who participated in the program now understand why they should pay their taxes, attend community meetings, and seek explanations from elected officials or chiefdom authorities if they do not understand their decisions.  As a result, these communities have developed the ability to identify their priorities and request services in areas such as agriculture and health.

We are proud to report that the project has already inspired citizens in those four districts to initiate improvements in their own communities, including wells, schools, and sanitation facilities.  We hope that they will continue to build on the skills they have gained to embark on additional projects.

I look forward to our continued engagement with those communities, and am optimistic that the people of Sierra Leone will make for themselves a future bright with hope and promise. 

Thank you.