Ministry of Finance and Development Planning Heads a Study Tour to Freetown, Sierra Leone

Freetown, Sierra Leone - The Ministry of Finance and Development Planning on 30^th November embarked on a four day study tour to neighboring Freetown, Sierra Leone. The objective of the mission was to conduct a comparative salary and allowances analyses of teaching and other administrative staff at state-run universities in Sierra Leone. The outcome is expected to help inform policy makers in addressing some of the financial working conditions at the University of Liberia.

The decision to endorse a study tour came against the backdrop of protests and strike actions for salary increase and a better learning environment by the University of Liberia Faculty Association.

During the four day visit, the Liberian delegation headed by Deputy Minister of Fiscal Affairs, Hon. Dr. Samora Wolokolie and Julius Sarwolo Nelson Jr, President of the University of Liberia met with the Chairman of the Tertiary Education Commission of Sierra Leone, Professor, Dr. Aliyageen Alghali and other commissioners including the Executive Secretary Dr. Joseph Sherman-Kamara. The engagement shed light on the promotion, recruitment, allowances and basic salaries for teaching and other administrative staff.

During the meeting Minister Wolokolie expressed profound thanks and appreciation on behalf of the President of Liberia, H.E. Dr. George Manneh and the Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Hon. Samuel D. Tweah Jr., and to the president of Sierra Leone H.E. Julius Maada Bio and the people of Sierra Leone for the warm welcome.

The Liberian delegation during the four day study tour visited other higher institutions of learning in and outside of Freetown, the country’s capital. Some of the institutions of higher learning visited include the Canadian University of Management and Technology, Njala University, the University of Modern Technology and the University of Sierra Leone.

The interactive discussions with Chancellors, Vice Chancellors, Registrars, Professors, Associate Professors and others officials provided a broader insight into the state of affairs of higher education in Sierra Leone which by comparison is worth emulating in Liberia.

At the close of the tour, both countries agreed to prepare a joint report that will be used for the mutual benefits of the parties. It was also agreed that the final report will be shared with other member states of the Mano River Union (MRU) basin. The Technical Team set up by the two countries to prepare the report is headed by Dr. Plingloh Emmanuel Munyeneh, representing the Liberian side and Dr. Joseph Sherman- Kamara representing Sierra Leone

Other members of the team included the Deputy Director General of the National Commission of Higher Education in Liberia, Rev. J. Andrews Lablah, the Vice President for Fiscal Affairs at the University of Liberia, Mr. Isaac Garnett, the Associate Vice President of Human Resource, Mrs. Garmai Wilson. The meeting was coordinated by the Coordinator of the Reform Coordination Unit at the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, Dr. Plingloh Emmanuel Munyeneh and his team including Ms. Lynda Varmah and Mr. Spencer Weah. The Civil Service Agency was represented by the Deputy Director for Employment Service Directory, Mr. Richard Pewee.