China-Sierra Leone 50th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations, Professor Francis Commends Chinese Government

/in /by
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the Chinese Embassy in Sierra Leone have jointly organized China- Sierra Leone 50th anniversary of Diplomatic relationship to promote more bilateral ties.
The celebration which was co-chaired by the Director General of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mr. Prince E.O Cole was to deepen the Diplomatic relationship between the two Countries which have existed since 1971.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International cooperation Hon. Professor David John Francis congratulated the Government of the People’s   Republic of China for the immense contributions towards the China-Sierra Leone Diplomatic Relationship in areas of Development for national interest and core values. He said the work of China is evident at  every sector in Sierra Leone, ranging from Infrastructure, Agriculture, mines, Health and Education. The Minister also commended the Chinese Government for the offer and ongoing construction of the Foreign Service Academy. He said the Ministry was at an advance stage in working on the soft infrastructure that will match with international standards of foreign service. 
The Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone, H.E Hu Zhangliang thanked the Minister for outlining China’s good work and efforts to Sierra Leone.  Ambassador Hu Zhangliang said China’s Policy towards Africa is ‘‘Transparency and Mutual Benefits’’. He encouraged the Sierra Leone Government to promote more of foreign investment as this according to him will help boost the Country’s’ Economy.

Courtesy call on the Honorable Minister by the Special Representative of UNOWAS

/in /by

Courtesy call on the Honorable Minister by the Special Representative of UNOWAS

The Special Representative of the Secretary General and Head of United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), Mr. Annadif Khatir Mahamat Saleh pays courtesy call on the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Professor David J. Francis. 

SIERRA LEONE AND GAMBIA TO ENTER INTO FRAMEWORK AGREEMENTS

/in /by

The Government of the Republic of Sierra Leone and that of the Government of the Republic of The Gambia are to enter into Frame Work of Cooperation Agreement for the Establishment of a joint Commission between the two countries. 
A team of Cabinet ministers from Sierra Leone headed by the Internal Affairs Minister, David Panda Noah over the weekend landed in Banjul The Gambia to sign the agreements. The principal objective of the agreement is to support each other’s development aspirations and promote socio economic and technical cooperation between the two countries.
These agreements are to strengthen ties of friendship and understanding between the two countries and to further promote and develop relations in the economic and technical fields.
The General framework of Cooperation Agreement will be guided by the principles of mutual respect for each others national sovereignty and independence. 
 
The Agreement shall encourage cooperation in  but not limited to the following areas; Economic,Trade  investment 
Financial services, information and intelligence sharing, Education, Health,Tourism and culture, infrastructure, security, Agriculture among others.
In his statement, the head of delegation from Sierra Leone Hon. David Panda Noah spoke about the relationship between the two countries which dated back to the colonial era. He said  the sisterly relationship between Sierra Leone and The Gambia was not just a product of two countries foreign relations or their Diplomatic ties, but one that is of importance and goes beyond just opening High Commissions in the two countries. 
The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hon. Mamadi Gobeh Kamara said the similarity between The Gambia and Sierra Leone in the educational sector was a hallmark in their relationship. She said during the colonial era, majority of Gambians received secondary school education in sierra Leone.
 Similarly, there was also a very strong  trade relationship between the two countries she stated.
After signimg the agreements, they shall enter into force by an exchange of notes between the two parties notifying each other of the compliance with the conclusion of their respective procedures.

Ambassador Kao De’ Nero Pays Courtesy Call On Sierra Leone’s Foreign Minister

/in /by

The Ambassador of Entertainment and Investment, Ambassador Kao De’ Nero, a Sierra
Leonean hip-hop artist, who was recently appointed by His Excellency the President, Rtd. Brig. Julius Maada Bio pays courtesy call on the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Professor David John Francis.

Speaking to the honorable Minister, Ambassador Kao De’ Nero introduced his recently appointed board members to the Minister. Stating that, each member of the board was from a different sector of the entertainment industry in order to ensure inclusiveness cross the entertainment sector.

“I have set up this board to see how we can mobilize and put our industries together. I signed an MOU when I visited the United States with an investment firm that is looking for investment in entertainment and agriculture. They have helped so much in creating the platform of television stations that can get us DSTV coverage where our content can go international. This is an area that is critically needed because our music is great, we have so much great talents but we just remain local. We cannot compete with the rest of Africa as we don’t have this platform, we are waiting for the delegation from the United States but there are a lot of areas that we need Government’s support” he explained.

Making his brief remarks, the honorable Minister congratulated Ambassador Kao to his new office and for his visit to the Foreign Ministry. He reiterated on the shift in the foreign policy from Economy Diplomacy to Development Diplomacy. Acknowledging the work by Ambassador Kao, he referred to his entertainment move as “cultural Diplomacy” for which he applauded him.

“Cultural Diplomacy is about presenting the best and the heart of the Country, to entice people to come and explore opportunities and investments in our Country, now that you have come onboard I want you to be not only the Ambassador of entertainment in Sierra Leone, but also an ambassador of the Foreign Ministry, we want to promote and create a gallery in the foreign Ministry whereby we will be hosting arts and crafts experts in the Ministry in order to design portraits of our Foreign dignitaries with different untapped talents and investment opportunities by the country’s entertainment
sector.” he said.

The honorable Minister concluded by assuring ambassador Kao of the Ministry’s commitment in
facilitating visas for members of the entertainment industry as long as all the documentations are in place.

 

 

China- Sierra Leone Diplomatic Relationship Clocked 50, Ministry of Foreign Affairs And Chinese Embassy In Sierra Leone Hosts Trade and Investment Symposium.

/in /by

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the Chinese Embassy in Sierra Leone have jointly organized China- Sierra Leone Trade and Investment Symposium in Celebration of 50th anniversary of China-Sierra Leone Diplomatic relationship.

The symposium which was chaired by the Director General of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Mr. Prince E.O Cole was to deepen the Diplomatic relationship between the two Countries which have existed since 1971.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International cooperation Hon. Professor David John Francis congratulated the Government of the People’s   Republic of China for the immense contributions towards the China-Sierra Leone Diplomatic Relationship in areas of Development for national interest and core values. He said the work of China is evident at  every sector in Sierra Leone, ranging from Infrastructure, Agriculture, mines, Health and Education. The Minister also commended the Chinese Government for the offer and ongoing construction of the Foreign Service Academy. He said the Ministry was at an advance stage in working on the soft infrastructure that will match with international standards of foreign service. 
Professor Francis said the two Presidents, His Excellency Rtd. Brig. Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone and President Xi Jinping of China on 7th May, 2021, had a 30 minutes telephone discussion to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Diplomatic ties between Sierra Leone and China. This he said was to promote equity, and to support each other in areas of Economic and trade rerelations. 
The Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone, H.E Hu Zhangliang thanked the Minister for outlining China’s good work and efforts to Sierra Leone. He said he was honoured to attend the symposium jointly organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and international cooperation and the Chinese Embassy in Sierra Leone. The ambassador disclosed that the Chinese have invested over USD $30 Billion in Sierra Leone since 1971 and that those investments have made greater impact in boosting the economic, Agricultural, health and educational sectors of Sierra Leone.  Ambassador Hu Zhangliang said China’s Policy towards Africa is ‘‘Transparency and Mutual Benefits’’. He encouraged the Sierra Leone Government to promote more of foreign investment as this according to him will help boost the country’s’ Economy.
Other speakers at the symposium were representatives from the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Resources, Ministry of trade, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Security and representatives from Chinese investors in Sierra Leone.

German Federal Economic Development Minister visits Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation

/in /by

The Federal Minister of Economic Development of Germany, Gerd Muller, together with his delegation has made a maiden visit to the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MFAIC), Mamadi Gobeh Kamara and discussed a range of issues that would strengthen the existing friendly relationship between the two sister countries.

In his statement, Gerd Muller expressed gratitude to the Deputy Minister for meeting with him and his delegation, adding that it was their maiden visitation to the country and that it was a two-day trip. He continued that he was excited over the fact that the Government of Sierra Leone gives premium to the principle of gender equality as it is in Germany.

Speaking on the bilateral relationship between the two countries, Gerd Muller requested the support and cooperation of the Government of Sierra Leone in bringing back Sierra Leonean immigrants/refugees who are currently based in Germany, suggesting that the identification certificate process in verifying the immigrants as citizens of Sierra Leone would be the best method to be used.

“My Government is always committed to supporting Sierra Leone. On that note, there are plans of setting up a program called “returning to new opportunities” which will help empower and improve the lives of the returnees” he said.

In her response, the Deputy Minister thanked Minister Gerd Muller and his delegation for their visit and noted that the Government of Sierra Leone is aware of the presence of Sierra Leonean immigrants in Germany, and that the Sierra Leonean Government is currently putting modalities in place to ensure the safe return of its citizens.

She maintained that MFAIC is closely working with other stakeholders like the Ministry of Social Welfare, Police and the National Civil Registration Authority (NACRA) to implement a verification program for the immigrants, adding that her Ministry has faced embarrassment in the past for accepting immigrants without doing the required background checks and verifications.

”My Ministry is very mindful of the situation, and we assure you that after the verification process, if it is proven that the immigrants are citizens of Sierra Leone, the Government will do the needful to bring them back home,” she assured.