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16th October, 2007
Freetown:
Communities in Pujehun District have been strengthened by the Pro-Poor Growth for Peace Consolidation Project (GPC) of the National Commission for Social Action (NaCSA).
The one-day sensitization workshop at the Pujehun Community Centre focused on widening the development initiatives of communities to prioritize, implement and manage their own programmes.
According to the GPC Resident Adviser, Daniel Lallemand, the programme aims at stimulating and supporting new and innovative ideas for business development in four districts, namely Kailahun, Koinadugu, Pujehun and the Western Rural Area.
He disclosed that the programme will identify, assess and facilitate the translation of innovative and feasible ideas from conception to implementation. Mr. Lallemand said it is expected that business ideas and start-ups become marketable and growing, with the goal of increasing incomes by supporting new business ideas, as well as extending existing ones, and at the same time reviving defunct businesses with a large employment potential or introducing innovative technologies or processes that will stimulate growth.
On behalf of the District, Chairman of Pujehun District Council Councillor Nasiru Deen Magona expressed appreciation to Government, through NaCSA for the sensitization session and for including Pujehun District in the Pro-Poor Growth Peace Consolidation programme which, he said, will contribute positively to the development of the District. He urged his colleague councilors from the 22 wards in the District to be innovative and propose brilliant ideas that will benefit the district.
Chairman Magona assured that council will continue to work with NaCSA to ensure that funds are utilized according to the project.
During the plenary session, Participants were divided into five groups, with the Consultant Facilitator Michael Yamba and the GPC Programme Manager Aiah Lebbie Sosokoneh leading discussions on the various project proposals. They disclosed that the fund will be a risk capital, providing pre-investment capital that an investor normally will be reluctant to mobilize and also reduce the risk for private investors, thereby making investment attractive.
The two Development Experts stressed the importance of the selection criteria that proposed activities must generate employment, especially in favour of youths and women. Also, the initiatives must result in a major innovation in an existing activity, leading to significant added value “as shown by increases in incomes and productivity”.
The various groups developed brilliant business ideas, observing that the availability of electricity is a priority for successful implementation.
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