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Sierra Leoneans in Washington, D.C. to Observe 49th Independence Anniversary

   Ambassador  Bockari  Kortu  Stevens  says Sierra Leoneans are ready to
   once again make their country a part of the community of nations

   James Butty | Washington, D.C. 27 April 2010
   Map of Sierra Leone

   Map of Sierra Leone

   As  Sierra  Leone  celebrates its 49^th independence anniversary April
   27,  its  ambassador to the United States said the country is ready to
   return  to  its  once glorious days as a repository of knowledge and a
   beacon of hope in Sub-Saharan Africa.

   Ambassador  Bockari Kortu Stevens said that after enduring 11 years of
   civil  war  beginning  in  the early 90s, Sierra Leoneans are ready to
   once  again  make  their country an important part of the community of
   nations.

   âAfter  11  years of civil war which was a situation of total anarchy,
   destruction  and  loss  of  life,  I  would  say weâve come out of the
   woodsâ¦but  as a nation we want to put most of those vices behind us,â
   he said.

   Ambassador Stevens said President Ernest Bai Koromaâs agenda of change
   calls on all Sierra Leoneans to be part of the countryâs development.

   âNobody  else  can  develop  Sierra  Leone for us. Weâve seen a lot of
   misery,  but  right now I think we see light at the end of the tunnel.
   There  has  been  some physical development. Weâve seen development in
   the  provision of electricity, weâve seen development in the provision
   of  roads,  and  development in the provision of health care,â Stevens
   said.

   He  said  as part of Tuesdayâs Independence Day festivities, President
   Koroma will launch Sierra Leoneâs free health delivery system.

   âThe  president  is  going  to  make  a  landmark announcement whereby
   pregnant women and children from five years under will be entitled and
   will receive free medical attention from the health sector. Itâs a big
   achievement,â Stevens said.

   He  said  the  Koroma  government  hopes to in the future provide free
   health care and education for all Sierra Leoneans.

   As  part of the 49^th independence anniversary festivities, the Sierra
   Leone  Embassy in Washington is holding a symposium entitled âRise and
   Shine Sierra Leone, for a Better Tomorrowâ.

   Ambassador  Stevens  said  the theme was selected to reflect on Sierra
   Leoneâs once admirable standing in Sub-Saharan Africa.

   âSierra Leone used to be the Athens of Africa; Sierra Leone used to be
   the  repository  of  knowledge  in Africa. Furahbay College was a very
   significant  institution  in that area. We chose that the theme of the
   symposium  to  reflect on this idea that we were once a beacon of hope
   in Africa south of the Sahara,â Stevens said.

   He  said  through hard work by all Sierra Leoneans the country will be
   able to once again take its place in the world of nations.

   Ambassador  Stevens  said  he  values  highly  the contribution of the
   Sierra  Leone Diaspora in North America in the Sierra Leone's economic
   and social development.

   âThat  is  why  one of the things I did when I took over in the United
   States  was  to  develop  a data base of the Sierra Leone community to
   create  the  awareness  among the Diaspora population to let them know
   that  they  owe  a  duty to Mother Sierra Leone. Was it not for Sierra
   Leone  they  will  not  be  here.  They should not turn their backs on
   Sierra Leone,â Ambassador Stevens said.

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