Very busy day in New York for President Koroma : Attends bilaterals , participates in Discussion program with Ouattara and receives coveted AAI Award

By Kabs Kanu :

Sierra Leone’s President Ernest  Bai Koroma, who is in New York to attend the 66th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, had one of his busiest days in the Big Apple on the second day of his stay in the United States yesterday, September 20 .

 PRESIDENT KOROMA (CENTRE ) AND PRESIDENT OUATTARA ON LEFT WITH MODERATOR ON THE STAGE

The President attended bilateral meetings with former British Premier Tony Blair , His Highness the Prime Minister of Kuwait, Sheikh Nassaer Munammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah ;  and the the Chairman of Sierra Rutile, Mr. Jan Castro .In his closed door meetings with Mr .Blair and the Kuwaiti PM, President Koroma discussed with them matters of national interest . He later described the meetings as successful . President Koroma was quoted by the Kuwaiti News Agency as saying that  Sierra Leone and Kuwait decided to consolidate the good bilateral ties between the two nations and he lauded the Government of Kuwait  for “giving a lot of support for our development efforts, and opportunities like these we use them to strengthen our ties further.”

PRESIDENT KOROMA GREETS FANS AFTER COUNCIL OF FOREIGN RELATIONS FORUM

The President’s discussion with the Chairman of Sierra Rutile included talks on production and capacity-building in the Sierra Rutile Company .The Chair assured President Koroma that the Company is operating within the development aspirations of the country. Present during the bilateral talks  with the Kuwaiti Prime Minister was the Permanent Representative of Sierra Leone to the United Nations , H.E. Shekou M. Turay amd Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to Kuwait, H.E. Ibrahim Kamara .

President Koroma then attended an Afternoon Session at the Council of Foreign Relations in an event that featured him and the President of Ivory Coast, Mr. Alhasse Ouattara in a discussion on the topic : “Challenges of post-conflict reconstruction -Maintaining the peace, rebuilding Civil Society and attracting foreign investment. ” During the question-and -answer session, the two leaders shared with the huge audience their experiences in post-war national reconstruction and effects they are making to rebuild their countries through national development efforts and stimulating local and international investment.

 PRESIDENT KOROMA (SECOND FROM LEFT ) ENJOYING A CHAT INVOLVING THE FIRST LADY , MR BLAIR ( RIGHT ) AND GUESTS DURING THE AWARDS PROGRAM BREAK

The Ivorian President recounted efforts made in restructuring the Ivorian armed forces that was tribalized by the former leader Laurent Gbagbo along the lines of equity , justice and equal regional representation.

President Koroma, for his part, recounted efforts being made in Sierra Leone to avoid reverting to the issues that caused the war and his task in taking responsibility and pushing the nation forward through security Sector reform , lauding the assistance provided by DFID and IMATT in the training of new security forces , integrating former combatants and restructuring the armed forces. He said that Sierra Leone was busy with peacebuilding and professionalizing the army .He noted that IMATT has helped to provide a training academy which is now training Sierra Leonean, Liberian and Gambian soldiers.He also spoke about efforts he had made to revive and develop the national economy which he met in a parlous state and briefed the audience about his AGENDA FOR CHANGE and reforms in agriculture , private sector reforms, revival of mining activities ,reduction of infant and maternal mortality through free health care .He also spoke about the investment forum he staged in the UK in 2009 during which his government told the world that Sierra Leone was now open for business and investment. ” Our policy had been rebranding the country, creating the atmosphere  for trade and commerce and stimulating investments .” WE WILL BRING YOU FULL REPORTS ON THIS PROGRAM IN ANOTHER ARTICLE.

PRESIDENT KOROMA CHATS WITH MRS. ZAINAB BANGURA DURING THE AWARDS BANQUET

LAST EVENING, The Africa-America Institute held its grand 27th Annual Dinner and Awards Gala that featured a celebration of Sierra Leone and saw President Koroma given the coveted  AAI African National Reconciliation and Peace Award on behalf of the people of Sierra Leone and the Minister of Health and Sanitation, Mrs.Zainab Bangura  the AAI Distinguished Alumna Award .

Actor Jeffrey Wright , who introduced the program, described it as a celebration of Sierra Leone and he said he was privileged to respresent an aspect of Sierra Leonean life–The Taia Resources, through which he is expressing deep feelings for Sierra Leone and the enthusiasm for business .He described Sierra Leone as a beautiful country with spectacular  natural beaches , saying that the capital, Freetown , is a beach city. He denounced the potential damage done to Sierra Leone by the film, BLOOD DIAMONDS .He also questioned America’s reciprocity at a time when Sierra Leone ‘s attempt to connect with the U.S. was greater , manifested by the many youths he saw in the countryside wearing OBAMA T-shirts. He spoke of the benefits Sierra Leone was about to derive from the landing of fibre optic internet cable and the discovery of oil and called on the U.S. and other countries to commit themselves to Sierra Leone’s development drives.

Former British Premier Tony Blair, who introduced President Koroma, described the Head of State as somebody he admired enormously and that President Koroma has grown as a leader of his country who does not only have the interest of his people at heart but is able to dliver for his people. He lauded President Koroma not only for his development initiatives like electricity and health care  but said one of the first things he remembered about Ernest Koroma was the essential humility and understatement of a president that he found surprising for a leader but assuring as a human being.  

Receiving the award, President Koroma thanked the AAI for the award and Mr. Blair for his kind sentiments . He said he was accepting the award on behalf of the people of Sierra Leone because the country was founded on reconciliation. Even the name of the capital, Freetown was founded on reconciliation between freed slaves and the local people .He explained steps he had taken to promote reconciliation in Sierra Leone and called on investors and international businesses and investors to go to Sierra Leone and invest.

WE WILL BRING YOU THE FULL STATEMENT IN A SEPARATE ARTICLE.

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