In a high-level meeting with various Government Ministers and their permanent secretaries, the Ministers of Finance  Planning and Economic Development briefed their colleagues on the policy guidelines for the 2025 budget.

The Minister of Finance, Sheku Fanta Madi Bangura, stated that in addition to the Budget Call Circular sent to all Ministries Departments and Agencies that provide guidelines in the budget preparation, he thought it necessary to inform them of the policy directives so that they can participate fully in the preparation and execution of the budgets of their respective ministries.

Mr Bangura continued that, Ministries, Departments and Agencies should align their budget with the Medium-Term National Development Plan and ‘’Big Five Game Changer Agenda of the Government’’.

He admonished his colleague ministers to focus on government priority areas for 2025, such as Feed Salone, jobs Creation, Energy Production, the Free Quality Education Program, and road construction.  He continued that , such narrative would help to boost the economy and promote Human Capital Development.

Mr. Sheku Bangura encouraged MDAs to comply with the Budget Ceilings provided in the Budget Called Circular document and at the same time,he asked MDAs to present a clear picture in terms of the cost of their activities for 2025. This will help the  Ministry of Finance through further engagements to plan and prioritise activities for the year under review.

The Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Madam Kenyeh Barlay, noted that this is the second year of the Medium-Term National Development Plan.She furthered that, this is the year that they should deliver on priority projects with tangible outcomes for the people of Sierra Leone.

She disclosed that Local Councils have submitted 2024 Projects to the Public Investment Program (PIP). She also called on MDAs to stick to their Deliverables in the Medium-Term National Development Plan and the Big Five Game Changer.

The Financial Secretary, Matthew Dingie explained the two parts of the budget, which are the  Recurrent and Capital  Expenditures.

He  further advised MDAs to capture Utility bills, Supplies, Travel, and impresses as recurrent expenditures so that the Ministry will make a one-off transfer of these expenditures to the MDAs’ account to avoid frequent PET Forms requests.

The FY2025 Budget Preparation Process will commence with a National Policy Hearings on Thursday, 15th August 2024, at 9:00 a.m. at the New Brookfields Hotel, Freetown. At the Policy Hearing, Ministries, Departments, Agencies (MDAs), and Local Councils will discuss and review sectoral policies as contained in the Medium-Term National Development Plan.

The Bilateral Budget Discussions for all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) will commence from   19th to 30th August 2024 at  8:30 am to 6:00 pm daily, at the Ministry of Finance Conference Rooms.

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