Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio Commemorates Independence Anniversary with African Heads of State, Talks About Common Interests and Threats in the Sub-region

_State House, Freetown, Tuesday 27 April 2021_ – His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio has commemorated Sierra Leone’s 60th Independence Anniversary with eight foreign dignitaries and reminded the occasion of the countries’ common interests as well as threats they face in the sub-region.

Present at the day’s ceremony were His Excellencies President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of Ghana, who is also Chairman of ECOWAS; Professor Alpha Conde of Guinea; President George Manneh Weah of Liberia; President Adama Barrow of The Gambia; Nuno Gomes Nabiam, the Prime Minister of Guinea Bissau; Vice President Professor Yemi Osinbajo of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and other representatives of Heads of State.

After they observed a minute of silence in honour of Idriss Deby Itno, the late former President of Chad who died recently, President Bio officially welcomed his colleague Heads of State on behalf of the Government and people of the Republic of Sierra Leone to the commemoration of the country’s 60th Independence Anniversary.

“Your presence here, even as the world is battling the COVID-19 pandemic, is a demonstration of profound solidarity. For that and more you have consistently demonstrated, we are immensely grateful for your kindness,” he said, adding that countries in the sub-region were tied together by geography, a common history, shared values, shared interests and a common future.

“We face similar peace and security threats and we must stay collectively vigilant in protecting our common homestead. We share other common threats. Climate change and fragile ecosystems threaten biodiversity and food security in the sub-region. A burgeoning youth population is a threat insofar as irregular migration, crime, drug trafficking, and threats of a restive and marginalised population are concerned,” he said.

He said the country saw a growing youth population as an opportunity, hence his government’s investment in human capital development – quality education and skills development, quality healthcare services, and food security, adding that Sierra Leone identified with the inclusive and sustainable development focus of ECOWAS’ Vision 2050.

While delivering a goodwill message from his colleagues, President Akufo-Addo expressed appreciation to the government and people of Sierra Leone for the reception they had, noting that they were indeed honoured to grace the country’s 60th Independence Anniversary.

He confirmed that in the face of human challenges, no West African country was showing resilience like Sierra Leone had, from overcoming the civil war, to dealing with Ebola, mudslide and managing the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic in the world.

“On this 60th Independence Anniversary of Sierra Leone, I wish all of you can come together to build a new Sierra Leone,” he urged, and further admonished Sierra Leoneans to work hard toward peace, progress and the development of the country.

Afrinity Production draw cognizance to Famara Fofana , a native of Jokadou Dasilami, North Bank Region. He helped found the UTG Writers Club which seems to be dormant now for reasons he don’t know. He is also a founder and member of the Satebakano Youth Development Association in Jokadou Dasilami which seeks to promote community development undertakings in the NBR community.

His journey to where he is today hasn’t been easy just as it has been the case for many others born to penniless farmers in rural Gambia. It was never plain sailing – so many rough and tumbles. Episodes of being sent out of the classroom during exams for late or non payment of school fees are still fresh in the mind. “But what is life without those sort of challenges? Those experiences kept us going. On the flip side, I must say there have been certain people whose support and guidance brought me to the not-so enviable position I am today” he said.

With his Aspiring Communications outfit, he has also fronted several voluntary media clinics and mentorship programmes for high school press clubs and even Gambia College where they have taken aspiring journalists on the rudiments of the trade.

In the past, he had also teamed up with his friend Sang Wisdom Mendy to offer journalism training to budding reporters on some critical areas of the trade. He may not have been part of many organizations but when it matters he do help advance the cause of the less privileged and/or marginalized groups through his writings. Telling stories is one of humankind’s abiding and defining impulses.

Let’s dive into his storytelling, so far, he has done two major literary projects: ‘When My Village Was My Village'(a fiction) and ‘Recollections of an African Child'( a creative non-fiction). He believes that we all have a unique perspective, now more than ever and our voices need to be heard.

He has also contributed modestly to ‘The Long Road to Democracy in The Gambia’, an anthology of poems on the 2016 political impasse and the events that preceded it.

On top of those works, he also has been actively doing creative essays on a range of social issues in the last few years and some bits of poetry here and there. These days however, he is more into public affairs commentaries and scholarly works relating to journalism and the media in general.

Famara likes to write because by writing he become self expressive. It brings the best out of him in terms of his creative endowments. He also do so to not just inform the readers but to entertain them in a way that’s both enriching and stylish.

His career in the media started with GRTS and that was also where he has been for about a decade, doing almost everything. From reporting, editing, newscasting, documentaries and even sports analysis and presentation. His time at GRTS didn’t stop him from writing articles for the print media too. In fact, he sees himself as more of a newspaper person than broadcast even though television is where he came to be known.

Fofana can’t do without friends and family . “I am all about people. I am a huge lover of attaya, football , the internet and spicy write-ups by others. I feel energized by those things”, he said..

His late father was his first source of inspiration by the way of his humility and service to his community. Despite being poor, his faith in God was unshakable.

Professionally, Famara normally mention a certain Sheriff Bojang of The Standard Newspaper, Nana Grey-Johnson, and Ardy Fatty as persons who inspire him to this day. Although a young person, the personality of one Hatab Fadera also speaks to the very core of his being.

Right now, he is a just a storyteller, a freelance journalist and an ordinary scholar, pursuing his master’s degree in Media and Communications Studies at the Graduate School of Social Sciences, Ankara University, Turkey.

In the next five years, he would love to have grown into an academician of the highest pedigree as well as a champion of the rights and welfare of the poor and the less privileged through humanitarian work.

By Amie T. Camara

GAMBIAN PRESIDENT JETS IN

Gambia and Sierra Leone have had a long common history.
During the colonial era, The Gambia and Sierra Leone were being administered together by the British. Since 1816, The Gambia was ruled under the crown colony system of colonialism with its administration answerable to the Governor in Sierra Leone.
The Gambian territory was governed from Sierra Leone from 1821 to 1843 and from 1866 to 1888.
Gambia, which attained Independence on February 18, 1965 is in full solidarity with Sierra Leone to commemorate our 60th Independence anniversary.
President Adama Barrow becomes the first Head of State to fly in to join President Bio and the people of Sierra Leone to celebrate the Diamond jubilee.

Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio Continues 60th Independence Anniversary Celebration with Christian Prayers

_State House, Freetown, Sunday 25 April 2021_

– His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio has prayed with Christians at State House ahead of the country’s 60th independence anniversary on 27 April.

In a brief sermon, Rev. Dr. Abraham George said that God would always be the sustainer of the world, adding that in the eyes of the Sierra Leonean, they would rise again.

“God has a plan for Sierra Leone and it will surely come to pass. Demon will not stop it in the mighty name of Jesus,” he prayed.

He continued by saying that with Sierra Leone at 60, God would continue to lead the country and heal the people, adding that the anniversary would end the old and begin a new cycle of unity and development.

“A new Sierra Leone demands a complete change of attitude and behaviour. All our differences most come to an end during this celebration,” he urged.

In his remarks, President Bio told the Christian gathering that the service was held to acknowledge that “God is good and that all things created are made by God, including Sierra Leone”.

He thanked God for the many things He had done for the country, saying that no country had ever succeeded without their own obstacles. He, therefore, asked all citizens to work together in unity, freedom and justice.

“God is a righteous God. He will lead us through. As a nation we have made progress and will continue to make progress. We are a better nation when we work together with experiences from the war, Ebola, mudslide and now Coronavirus,” he said.

He concluded that with Sierra Leone at 60, people needed the peace and national cohesion that would provide the ecosystem for development in the country.

For More Enquiries:
State House Media and Communications Unit
info@statehouse.gov.sl

Gambian president HE Adama Barrow has landed safe at the Lungi International Airport ahead of Sierra Leone 🇸🇱 Independence Commemoration

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SLFA President Madam Isha Johansen and Executive Committee members receive FIFA Secretary General Madam Fatma Samoura at Freetown International Airport ahead of the Mano River Peace Forum which will be held later today at the Bintumani Conference Hall in Freetown.

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A hearty welcome awaits West African Presidents ahead of Sierra Leone’s Independence Commemoration at Lungi International Airport
Salone@60

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