The Commonwealth’s working relationship with the Republic of Sierra Leone has won plaudits from the President.
His excellency Dr Julius Maada Bio thanked the Secretary-General for the role the Commonwealth has played in helping his country’s development. The President referred to the Commonwealth as “a relevant stakeholder” in Sierra Leone’s progress during the Secretary-General’s official visit to the west African nation.
President Bio expressed his gratitude to the Secretary-General for making the trip to Sierra Leone despite the pandemic, observing that Sierra Leone “has always enjoyed a good working relationship with the Commonwealth”.
The President thanked the Commonwealth for the technical assistance it provides - expertise, he said, which is used to the full for the benefit of Sierra Leone’s citizens.
Commonwealth support in Sierra Leone
During her four-day visit, the Secretary-General also met with government ministers to talk about the reforms they are making in health, education, environment, and trade - and how the Commonwealth can continue to support them.
The Secretary-General commended the Minister for Health for keeping his country safe during the pandemic, with effective measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Returning what she called the President’s “warmth of applause” for the Commonwealth’s work in Sierra Leone, the Secretary-General said: “As a HeForShe Champion, I also want to congratulate you for what you are doing for women since you became President.
“The Commonwealth will continue to work with Sierra Leone to achieve the SDGs.
“Having seen first-hand what your ministries are doing, I am so impressed by the commitment that the government is making, to strive even harder to deliver the best for the people of Sierra Leone.”
Commonwealth Says No More Campaign
The Secretary-General also called on the First Lady Fatima Maada Bio who agreed to join the Commonwealth Says No More Campaign-an initiative to eliminate domestic and sexual violence - and merge it with her own, ongoing “Hands off our Girls” campaign to become ‘Sierra Leone Says No More- Hands off our Girls’.
The Commonwealth Secretariat is working with Sierra Leone in the areas of:
- Anti-corruption
- Human rights
- Law Reform
- Good governance
- Ocean governance
- Youth
- Debt Management
Media contact
- Temitope Kalejaiye Assistant Communications Officer, Communications Division, Commonwealth Secretariat
- T. +44 (0)20 7747 6316 / M. +44 (0)74 2345 3835 | E-mail
