Sierra Leone’s Members of Parliament on Tuesday 20th October, 2020 hailed the Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mrs Florence Nyawa Bangalie for her exemplary work and professionalism exhibited in her career as Administrator.

The MPs showered praises on the Foreign Ministry’s Director General in the Well of Parliament during the debate and approval of the 15th Report of the Committee on Appointment and Public Service.

Among the eleven (11) Presidential Nominees, the Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation was up as Ambassador-at-Large following her appointment by His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio on the 23rd of September, 2020.

Reading the profile of the Director General and Ambassador –at-Large, the Leader of Government Business, Hon Sahr Mathew Nyuma said, Mrs Florence Nyawa Bangalie is a Career Civil Servant- Diplomat with vast years of affiliated administrative experiences; a Master’s degree holder and the current Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. He read that, Mrs Bangalie had served as Director in different capacities within the Ministry and as Minister Councilor and Head of Chancery at the Sierra Leone Embassy in Brussel, Belgium respectively.

Responding to the Committee on Appointments and Public Service on how the new Ambassador-at-Large would rejuvenate the Diplomatic Corps, Hon. Sahr Nyuma reported that, Mrs Bangalie responded that she would endeavour to ensure that Sierra Leone is recognised globally and that the Ministry is working on three documents: the Management Functional Review, the Foreign Service Act and the Foreign Service Policy.

During the debate session, Opposition Member of Parliament, Hon. Hassan Sesay described the Foreign Ministry’s Director General, Mrs Bangalie as an accomplished career civil servant and diplomat who has served the Ministry the longest time.

He went on to describe her as one of those who came from the old school of diplomats, trained within the Ministry and has flown within the ranks to where she is now; adding that with such a vast experience, the DG is more than competent and capable to serve in the capacity as Ambassador-at-Large.

The Chief Whip of Parliament, Hon. Dickson Rogers described DG Bangalie as a friendly individual who cuts across tribal and party lines and that she is down-to-earth. Hon. Rogers stated that he is confident that Mrs Bangalie will deliver her best in her new dispensation and continue to transform the Foreign Ministry.

Hon Josephine  Makieu in her contribution commended the Foreign Ministry DG adding that she had no doubt that, Mrs Bangalie would work assiduously in her new position as Ambassador-at-Large.

The Leader of C4C, Hon Sahr Emersson Lamina maintained that DG Bangalie is a hardworking civil servant who would give her best in her position as Director General and Ambassador-at-Larger of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Leader of the Main opposition in Parliament, Hon. Chernor M. Bah also made salient commendations and asked the House to support and approve DG Bangalie stating that, with her expertise as an Administrator, she would continue to give the Foreign Ministry a facelift.

The Speaker of Parliament, Dr Abass Bundu encouraged the Presidential Nominees to give their best while serving the people of Sierra Leone and live up to the expectations of the House of Parliament and of the President.

(MFAIC Press Office Freetown)