ECOWAS Mission On Energy Pays Curtesy Call On Deputy Minister Of Foreign Affairs.

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Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, OAU Drive,Tower Hill, Freetown, 24th August, 2021. A delegation of ECOWAS mission on energy led by the Commissioner of Energy and Mines of the ECOWAS Commission, Sédiko Douka, have paid courtesy call on the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Madam Mamadi Gobeh Kamara at her Tower Hill Office in Freetown.

Commissioner Sédiko Douka in his address said they were in Sierra Leone to monitor and evaluate the successes and challenges of the implementation of the ECOWAS emergency Electric Power project. He said the sum of USD $21.8 million grant was provided in 2013 for the implementation of this project. This he went on, has not being achieved because there has been several challenges and bottlenecks that delayed the implementation of the project.
‘‘we are here to have discussions with relevant stakeholders to get clear understanding on these issues’’. He noted.

Commissioner of Finance, ECOWAS Commission, Madam Haja Halima Ahmed, in a brief remark said that, the project has seven components which includes, supply of parts of engines, supply of pre-paid meters, supply of transmission and distribution equipment, supply of lubricants, among others. She added that, the project should have been completed in 2014 but up till now there are still challenges in achieving that.

‘‘So, my team and I look forward to actionable steps towards the successful completion of the Project,’’ She noted. She said the team has met with the Minister of energy and his technical team and heldsuccessful discussions on how to address the issues.

In her response, The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Madam Mamadi Gobeh Kamara said energy remains a key priority in President Bio’s led Government, which is why concrete steps have been taken to address the narrative in the sector. She acknowledged ECOWAS support to the sector, particularly with the support of funds for the upgrade of the Transmission and Distribution Networks, as well as other aspects of the supply value change. She further acknowledged ECOWAS support to the west African power pool project, the development of renewable energy and energy efficiency policy through ECOWAS center for renewable energy and energy efficiency, securitization of the cross-border power trade which includes six ECOWAS Least Developed Countries, the development of the liquid power gas strategy, among others. She notes the concerns raised by the ECOWAS team regarding the delay in the implementation of the project and assured them that the necessary actions will be taken to address those concerns.

The Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mr. Prince E.O Cole thanked the delegation for their support to Sierra Leone. He said the Ministry doors will always be open to their service in supporting them achieve their mission. He assured them of a wonderful stay in Sierra Leone during the course of their work.

Membui Emmanuel
Manager, Strategic Communications.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation

Madam Mamadi Gobeh Kamara Rates Government High.

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Golden Tulip Hotel, Aberdeen, Freetown, Sierra Leone, 24th August, 2021. The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and international Cooperation, Madam  Mamadi Gobeh Kamara, has hailed Sierra Leone Government high in what she referred to as progressive and deliberate address of critical cultural issues affecting women in a joint refresher capacity building workshop organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in partnership with Center for Human Rights, at the University of Pretoria in South Africa, on strengthening states’ compliance on reporting obligations under the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa.

 

Speaking to the event, Madam Mamadi Gobeh Kamara thanked the female wing of the center of Human Rights at the University of Pretoria in South Africa for partnering with her Ministry in hosting such a very important workshop that will create refinement in reporting procedures.  She said the current gains in the human rights aspiration was a clear indication of President Bio’s commitment and determination to promoting the rights of girls and women in Sierra Leone. Stating that, the Sierra Leone Mid- Term National Development Plan was enshrined in cluster 1.1.5 sub-cluster 1.5 on social protection and cluster 5 on Empowering women, Children, Adolescents and Persons with Disability. These policy objectives according to the Deputy Minister geared towards the promotion of the overall empowerment of women in political, social, economic and cultural spheres.

 

She said the Government of Sierra Leone has enacted what has been popularly labelled the three “Gender Liberation Acts” which includes: the Domestic violence Act 2007, the Registration of Customary Marriage and Divorce Act 2007 and the Devolution of Estate Act 2007. She stated some of the Government institutions held by women and the increasing number of female enrollments in both the Sierra Leone Police and the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces.

 

The Deputy Minister concluded by welcoming the visiting team from South Africa, while thanking the Inter- Ministerial Committee, CSOs, Human Rights Officials and all others who in diverse ways supported the programme.

Membui Emmanuel

Manager, Strategic Communications.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation

Workshop on strengthening states’ compliance on reporting obligations under the protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa

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Workshop on strengthening states’ compliance on reporting obligations under the protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa, scheduled 24th-26th August 2021, at the Golden Tulip Hotel Freetown.

Sierra Leone’s Foreign Minister Assures Chancellor of America International University of Government’s Support, As He Express Interest To Start Operations In Sierra Leone

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Sierra Leone’s Foreign Minister, Professor David John Francis has on Monday 10th August, 2021 assured Chancellor Dinesh Shukla of America International University of Government’s support to the Private sector in promoting Sierra Leones’ Education. 
Welcoming Chancellor Shukla, Professor Francis thanked the Sierra Leone High Commissioner to The Gambia H.E Lucrecia Mariam Shereef for the good leadership. He said education is at the heart of His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio and the New Direction Government’s agenda. He mentioned the Government’s Proactiveness in allocating 21% of the National Budget to education.  Stating that, millions of children in Sierra Leone have benefited from this progressive reform by President Bio.
The University according to Chancellor Dinesh Shukla will be model in line with the United States system of education where at a given point  of their studies, Students  in the medical sector particularly will be obliged to sit to some International US based examinations.  He revealed that they shall be offering a wide range of programmes such as Medicine, Pharmacy, Nursing management and information technology among others. The mission of the University according to him is to provide curriculum that tailored to meeting the requirements of industries and train students to be academically, practically and professionally prepared to hit the ground running in the Medical industry.
He said the Board of Directors at the America International University have already approved the establishment of the University in Sierra Leone.

Sierra Leone is a priority for British Foreign Aid says Sierra Leone’s Foreign Minister

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The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Professor David Francis was part of President Bio’s delegation that attended the Global Summit on Education in July 2021. Co-hosted in the United Kingdom by the UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, the 2-day event attracted high profile government officials from across the African continent, private foundations, and development banks to raise funds that will ensure that millions of children in low-income country like Sierra Leone access education.
During engagements on the margins of the summit, President Bio held fruitful bilateral discussions with the UK’s Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab on issues bothering on development assistance, Post Brexit Trade deals and strengthening the bilateral relations that exist between the two countries. 
After making a passionate case for Sierra Leone, the British government according to UK’s Foreign Secretary Raab has considered Sierra Leone as a priority country and will not be affected by the 80% ODA cuts. 
It could be noted that the Covid 19 outbreak forced Developed Nations including the United Kingdom Government to drastically cut its Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget by 80% for low-income countries.
The Official Development Assistance (ODA) is UK taxpayers’ money that supports aid and development in low- to middle-income countries like Sierra Leone.  
Most ODA’s are grants given to promote sustainable social and economic development and welfare of citizens in developing countries. 
Sierra Leone has been a beneficiary of the ODA support from the UK government; this according to Professor Francis has contributed immensely to building strong institutions in Sierra Leone as well as cement the cordial and friendly relationship between the UK and Sierra Leone.
The United Kingdom is Sierra Leone’s largest bilateral donor therefore this move to consider Sierra Leone as a priority country for development assistance is a welcome news and as a country, we will continue to partner with them to ensure win-win outcomes of the development aspirations of our two nations, Prof Francis noted.
On the issue of the Brexit Trade deal, Professor Francis said  that he will have further  discussions with the UK Foreign Secretary, the UK’s International Trade Secretary and Africa Minister on Post Brexit Trade to deepen the conversation and negotiate more advantageous trade deals with Britain.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Professor David J. Francis speaks on the benefits of Sierra Leone’s participation at the Global Education Summit in London.

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Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Professor David J. Francis speaks on the benefits of Sierra Leone’s participation at the Global Education Summit in London.

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