MoPED Engages Sorogbema Residents on Chiefdom Development Priorities

The Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED) in collaboration with the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs (MLGCA) and supported by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) recently hosted a development planning consultation in Fairo, the headquarters town of Sorogbema Chiefdom. This consultation follows an initial pre-engagement held in Jendema on September 12, 2026. The event brought together traditional authorities, local council representatives, government officials, community leaders, and youth and women delegates.

The consultation aimed to empower local stakeholders to translate identified community challenges into specific, actionable, and prioritized development interventions. Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Kenyeh Barlay, addressed the gathering and emphasized the importance of local ownership in national progress. She encouraged participants to take responsibility in identifying top priorities, stressing that effective development planning must reflect the real-world needs and aspirations of the communities it serves.

Deputy Development Secretary Mr. Usman Cherry Conteh led the technical team and challenged attendees to align their chiefdom’s goals with the Government’s “Big Five Game Changers” and the Medium-Term National Development Plan. He urged stakeholders to propose practical solutions that address local realities while advancing national objectives. Mr. Conteh emphasized that strong community commitment is crucial to converting plans into tangible results.

The consultation was guided by a technical structure for the Chiefdom Development Plan, outlined by Deputy Director of Planning Policy and Research at MoPED, Mr. Joseph Samah. Proposed interventions were categorized into Social Projects, which aim to meet immediate basic needs and expand access to essential local services, and Developmental Projects, which are revenue-generating initiatives that aim to expand economic opportunities and create a sustainable pool of funds.

The event was chaired by Baindu Tshombe, District Planning Officer for Pujehun District, and participants divided into breakout groups to articulate sector-specific concerns, debate potential solutions, and rank the chiefdom’s most pressing interventions. This exercise is part of MoPED’s effort to decentralize development planning, ensuring grassroots priorities directly inform district and national policy frameworks.

The Sorogbema Chiefdom Development Plan will serve as a roadmap for guiding future investments and fostering sustainable local development once finalized. Regional leadership expressed strong support for the initiative, which aims to ensure that local priorities are reflected in national development plans. The plan is expected to have a positive impact on the community by addressing pressing needs and creating economic opportunities.

The Ministry of Planning and Economic Development’s efforts to engage local communities in development planning reflect a broader strategy to promote sustainable and inclusive growth. By involving local stakeholders in the planning process, the government aims to ensure that development initiatives are responsive to community needs and priorities. The consultation in Sorogbema Chiefdom is a significant step towards achieving this goal.

Key points

• The Ministry of Planning and Economic Development leads development planning consultation in Sorogbema Chiefdom
• Local stakeholders identify priorities for community development
• The Sorogbema Chiefdom Development Plan will guide future investments and foster sustainable local development