The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has today in a ceremony held at the ministry’s conference hall, Tower Hill, Freetown, presented degree certificates in medicine to thirteen Sierra Leoneans who completed their studies at the Bolivarian Medical University in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

On behalf of His Excellency, Dr. Julius Maada Bio, Dr. Alie Kabba in his address congratulated the medical grandaunts noting that they had proven under difficult times that if Sierra Leoneans are given the opportunity, they can withstand all challenges and excel. The New Direction agenda, he said, is committed in enhancing the human resource capita through education.

Dr. Kabba also expressed sincere gratitude to the Government of Venezuela for the offer of thirty scholarships to the Government of the Republic of Sierra Leone to capacitate Sierra Leoneans in various disciplines including medicine, agriculture and engineering. ‘It is our hope (New Direction) to rekindle relations between the two countries, strengthen and deepen engagements and collaborations on matters of mutual interests through bilateral consultations’, he  added.

‘Many thanks to the parents and guardians for their support to their children and wards over the years, which has resulted in this laudable achievement; it is now your responsibility to put into practice what you have acquired and to serve as pioneers for quality health service delivery to this nation’, Dr. Alie Kabba concluded.

The Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation delivered the welcome statement and the vote of thanks was delivered by Foday Tejan Mansaray.

The certification ceremony was witnessed by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mrs. Nimatulai Bah-Chang, the Deputy Director General for Policy and Technical Cooperation, Dr. Michael Kargbo, Directors from the various divisions in the Ministry, parents and other distinguished guests.