United States Ambassador designate to the Republic of Sierra Leone Bryan Hunt last week visited the Embassy of Sierra Leone in Washington, DC.

After a closed door meeting with Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to the United States His Excellency Sidique Abou-Bakarr Wai, and the Head of Chancery of the Embassy Ms Rakie Macarthy on the second floor of the Embassy Building, the new U.S. Ambassador Bryan Hunt met with the Embassy staff at the Embassy conference room where he assured all present that he will continue on the relationship built over the years between Sierra Leone and United States.

“ I am not coming to Sierra Leone to dictate to the government and its people. Sierra Leone and United States are traditional partners and have collaborated on many pertinent issues”, U.S. Ambassador designate Hunt said.

According to Ambassador Bryan Hunt, Sierra Leone has contributed hugely to the well-being of United States, and United States intend to keep that relationship intact. “I want to pay back in the same vein whilst in Sierra Leone “, Ambassador Hunt noted.

He further went on to say that United States and Sierra Leone need each other. “United States will have to work with Sierra Leone at the Security Council, especially on global peace and security”, Hunt said, exerting that he will ensure the people benefit from his tour in SierraLeone

In his conclusion, the newly U.S. appointed Ambassador to Sierra Leone Bryan Hunt reiterated the importance of the Sierra Leone diaspora, expressing the need to work with them in the development of Sierra Leone.

The Cultural Attache’ at the Embassy of Sierra Leone in Washington, DC Ibrahim Labor Fofanah admonished the new Ambassador about the culture and landscape of Sierra Leone, its beautiful beaches, as well as the hospitality of the people of Sierra Leone. Mr. Fofanah encouraged the new Ambassador to try to step out of the Capital City Freetown so that he will be able to understand the country better.

The United States Ambassador designate to Sierra Leone Bryan Hunt was accompanied to the Sierra Leone Embassy in Washington, DC by Sarah Krech, Desk Officer for Guinea and Sierra Leone at the U. S. Department of State.

PEL Koroma
Embassy of Sierra Leone
Washington, DC

President of United States Chamber of Commerce International Affairs Scot Eisner was at the Embassy of Sierra Leone in Washington, D.C. last week expressing interest in investment opportunities in Sierra Leone.

His Excellency Sidique Abou-Bakarr Wai, Ambassador of Sierra Leone to the United States assured Scot Eisner that Sierra Leone has a friendly investment climate. He allayed the fears of Scot Eisner, noting that Sierra Leone is looking out for credible partners to tap into the untapped business opportunities.

The Head of Chancery at the Embassy of Sierra Leone, Rakie Macarthy, impressed on the President of United States Chamber of Commerce that the Sierra Leone Investment Board is chaired by President Bio himself.

“It was deliberate that President Bio decided to become the Chairman of the National Investment Board so that he will be able to protect the interest of investors in Sierra Leone”, Rakie Macarthy asserted.

President Scot Eisner reiterated the importance of demystifying the current information about Africa, and at the same time raise awareness among American investors what actually obtains beyond the headlines in the 54 countries in Africa.

“We will help to magnify what business opportunities Sierra Leone can offer. There should be an enabling environment for business to thrive”, President Eisner said.

The President of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce International Affairs was assured of security, irrespective of the current political impasse.

Mohamed Kosia who is the Trade and Investment Liaison Officer at the Embassy emphasized on the potentials in Agriculture in Sierra Leone, stressing that Agriculture is the flagship program of President Bio. He further informed the U. S. Chamber of Commerce President that American Investors should not be just looking at Sierra Leone alone for marketing, but that the Mano River Union that comprise Guinea, Liberia, Cote d’ Voire, and Sierra Leone has a population of over 34 million people, and the ECOWAS Region generally that has a population of over 424 million.

In his contribution, Mr. Frank Conteh who is the President of U.S -Sierra Leone Diaspora Chamber of Commerce requested the U.S. Chamber of Commerce President for a Trade Mission to Sierra Leone, where they will meet the Sierra Leone Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He appealed to President Scot Eisner for collaboration with the Sierra Leone Diaspora Chamber of Commerce in United States.

Present also at the meeting at 1701 19th Street, Washington, DC were Embassy staff, and Dr. Fuaad Sheriff,  Sierra Leone’s diaspora entrepreneur.

PEL Koroma
Information Attache’
Embassy of Sierra Leone
Washington, DC

Through the network and relationship of His Excellency Sidique Abou-Bakarr Wai, Ambassador of Sierra Leone to the United States of America, the Sierra Leone Police will today receive a consignment of 500 Bulletproof Vests from the New York Police Department in United States.

In April last year, Ambassador Wai engaged his long standing friend Eric Adams who is the Mayor of New York City for support to the Sierra Leone Police. Mayor Adams agreed to help in equipping and training the Sierra Leone Police.

“With the generous support of our New York City Mayor Eric Adams , the NYPD was able to donate 500 ballistic vests to the Republic of Sierra Leone Police Force ”, NYPD Acting PC Edward A. Coban noted.

The NYPD Acting PC  further reiterated that anytime they have the opportunity to help fellow Police Officers from around the world to stay safe, the NYPD will always be there.

Sierra Leone and the United States have enjoyed consistent bilateral relations, and Sierra Leone keep enjoying the generosity of the United States of America.

Present at the handing over ceremony in New York City were Deputy Chief of Mission Sheku Mesali, and Mohamed Kosia, Trade and Investment Liaison at the Embassy of Sierra Leone, Washington, DC.

*PEL Koroma *
Information Attache’
Embassy of Sierra Leone
Washington, DC