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Government’s Free Quality Education supported by Japanese Food Aid of 2,717 Metric Tons of Rice

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Japanese food aid to support free quality education

Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation on Thursday 25th June, 2020 handed over 2,717 metric tons of rice worth about $1.15M in support of the free quality education to the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education at Kennedy Street, East end of Freetown.

In his statement, the outgoing Deputy Director General-Policy, of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mr. Sahr E. Johnny said the purpose of the gathering was to formally hand over the Japanese Food Aid to the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education.

Addressing the ceremony, the Deputy Director General-Operations, Mr. Duwai Sellu Lungay thanked the Government and People of Japan for such a laudable donation towards one of His Excellency Dr. Julius Maada Bio’s Flagship programmes, the Free Quality Education.

The Deputy Director General-Operations stated that the handing over ceremony was another history making event as it has indicated His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio’s effort in reaching out to the country’s bilateral International partners to see how he can actually mobilise supports towards providing the Free Quality Education; (the school feeding programme).

Speaking on behalf of the Consul and the Ambassador of Japan to Sierra Leone, Mr. Ram Shankerdas in his handing over speech said the Food Aid from Japan is an indication of the strong bilateral relationship between Sierra Leone and Japan.

This bilateral tie, he said was further strengthened by His Excellency Brigadier retired Julius Maada Bio during the 7th Tokyo International Conference on Africa Development (TICAD) in August last year.

He added that, the Food Aid to Sierra Leone is in line with the Japanese Government commitment to the SDG-2 vision “ending hunger, achieving food security and improving nutrition and promoting sustainable agriculture”.

Mr. Shankerdas disclosed that the Government of Japan has approved a Grant Aid of $3.6m for the provision of medical equipment for Sierra Leone as support to complement the efforts of the Government and of Sierra Leone towards the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Receiving the rice from Mr. Duwai Sellu Lungay, Deputy Director General-Operations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Senior Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Mr. David W.S. Banya, said school feeding is a critical component of the Free Quality Education programme of Dr. Julius Maada Bio.

The donation, he said came in at no better time than now. He assured that with the rice in the possession of the Ministry of Basic Education, will be utilised for the intended purposes.

He expressed thanks and appreciation on behalf of the beneficiaries, Minister and Government of Sierra Leone to the Government and people of Japan for the timely gesture.

 

(MFAIC Press Office Freetown)

Institute of Mozdahir International Support Government’s Free Quality Education With Construction of School Buildings at 6 Mile

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Institute of Mozdahir International Meeting

The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Solomon K. Jamiru ESQ on Tuesday 25th February, 2020 chaired the Institute of Mozdahir International Meeting in Crossing Town, at Six Mile, in the Koya Rural District.

In his welcome statement, the Deputy Minister, Solomon Jamiru Esq said that the delegates are in town to complement one of the major priority areas of the Government of His Excellency, President Julius Maada Bio, which is education.

He cited President Bio as saying that children should be given an opportunity to have Free Quality Education, which is presently benefiting over two million children in Sierra Leone.

Giving the purpose of the meeting, the Deputy Minister of Social Welfare and Children’s Affairs, Mr. Mohamed Haji-Kella explained to the gathering that the delegates are in Sierra Leone to construct school facilities at the Six Mile Resettlement Camp in order for the children in that community to benefit from the Free Quality Education Flagship programme.

Mr. Haji-Kella added that the major priority of President Bio is to enhance Human Capital Development for all Sierra Leoneans.

In her brief reference to the background of the Institute of Mozdahir International, the Executive Director of Mozdahir Sierra Leone Mrs. Diaraye Barrie who is also a Civil Engineer, explained that the Senegal-based Institute is a non-profit and Non- Governmental Organization.

According to Mrs. Barrie, the objective of the institute is to assist residents of deprived rural communities to rebuild their moral strength and self-confidence as well as to increase the capacity of the community to assume responsibility for its own resources and actively participate in its own development while preserving the environment.

The Vision, the Executive Director said, is to act as partner in the sustainable development of the community by being present and providing counselling, making contributions and taking actions that promote the well-being, soft-skills and knowledge of the community people.

Engineer Barrie further revealed that the institute has been operating in the field of agriculture, education, reforestation, health and solar energy within the sub-region.

Supporting the endeavor, the Deputy Minister of Lands and Housing, Mr. Rex Bhonapha encouraged the residents of Six Mile to embrace the laudable venture and offer their hospitality to the delegates during the construction phase, adding that the youth of the community will benefit from the project in diverse ways.

In his contribution, the president of Aid Comfort pledged his organization’s commitment to the construction of the primary school as well as a secondary school in the future.

Delivering the Keynote address, the president of the Institute of Mozdahir International, Mr. Cherif Mouhammed Ali Aidara thanked the President, Government and people of Sierra Leone for the warm hospitality accorded them during their stay in the country.

He maintained that they are working with the Government of Sierra Leone in establishing the primary school at Six Mile and reiterated his Institute’s commitment in realizing its mission and vision for the needy.

Mr. Aidara concluded that his institute is intended to benefit everyone regardless of political, ethnic, religious or other affiliation.

 

(MFAIC Press Office Freetown)