(SLENA, 25th October, 2022).Sierra Leone Deputy Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Sarjoh Aziz-Kamara has received a standing ovation after making an excellent presentation on how Sierra Leone has used Science, Technology and İnnovation to rebrand Sierra Leone’s Educational sector.
Minister Kamara was delivering a statement on Thursday 20th October 2022, at a three-day maiden conference organized by the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation in collaboration with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The *African Research and Innovation Forum* (FARI) is set up to promote the development of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) among member states.
The Abuja conference’s main objective was for member states to share experiences on how they have fully utilized Science, Technology and İnnovation in the attainment of certain development benchmarks especially in the areas of Education, Health, and Agriculture, among others.
In his presentation, Minister *Sajor Aziz-Kamara* underscored how the government of *President Julius Maada Bio* has prioritised Human Capital development taking full advantage of Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) in tandem with goal four of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Speaking on the theme of the conference “Science, Technology and Innovation for a more competitive ECOWAS”, the Deputy Minister of Education stated that
“Africa must take full advantage of ICT facilities in a bid to expand educational opportunities, promote access, and ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all » by 2030.
« Sierra Leone’s vision for a more competitive ECOWAS in terms of development is in line with the vision of the African Union which is an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven and managed by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the international arena through its Agenda 2063”, Minister Sarjor Aziz-Kamara stated.
He maintained that one of the key goals for the ECOWAS region with its vast potentials for agriculture is the eradication of Hunger and achieving regional food security.
He stated that *President Julius Maada Bio’s* vision is to increase access to quality and inclusive education. The Minister added that to achieve this goal, the President has launched the Free Quality Education Programme (FQSE) which will in turn create sustainable and impactful outcomes for the Human Capital Development incubator that is entrenched in the DSTI.
The theme of the Forum, “Science, Technology and Innovation for a more Competitive ECOWAS” brought together Ministers of science and technology, and over 60 experts from fifteen member countries in order to reflect on the many challenges as well as the positives in the world economy as ECOWAS member states look inward for a better and more sustainable sub-regional development.
At the closing courtesy of the forum, organizers presented awards to distinguished participants and the Deputy Minister of Education, Sarjor Aziz Kamara was highly recognized for that award for his outstanding participation at the event.
