Sierra Leone Telegraph: 27 April 2022:
UN Resident Coordinator in Sierra Leone – Mr Babatunde Ahonsi, has today congratulated the people of Sierra Leone on the country’s attainment of 61 years of independence from Great Britain, which took place on 27th April 1961. This is what he said in his statement:
On the occasion of the 61st anniversary of the independence of Sierra Leone attained on April 27, 1961, as Resident Coordinator and on behalf of the United Nations Country Team, I wish to send our sincerest congratulations to the Government and People of the Republic of Sierra Leone.
Throughout the past six decades, the United Nations and Sierra Leone have maintained a strong partnership and a strategic relationship that is bonded by the desire to maintain international peace and security, give humanitarian assistance to those in need, promote shared prosperity, protect human rights and uphold international law, fight pandemics and public health threats, and work against climate change.
Sierra Leone partners with the United Nations for realizing its Medium-Term National Development Plan (2019-2023) and the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (2020-2023), seeking to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all humankind as prescribed in the global 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. (Photo: UN Resident Coordinator in Sierra Leone – Babatunde Ahonsi).
As an example of the strong collaboration between the UN and Sierra Leone, the UN Country Team and other stakeholders are helping boost food production in school settings, through a programme now piloted in 17 schools, even against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic. Plus, more than 14 000 children can now access water and sanitation facilities in schools, and an additional 100 000 Sierra Leoneans have access to basic water and supply.
Furthermore, support from UN Country Team in 2021 contributed to a significant increase in children enrolled in basic and secondary education from 2020 to 2021, with specialized educational materials provided to 23 300 pre-primary school children and routine vaccines to 2 million children. The UN also contributed to improved access to renewable energy, building more than 80 mini-grids in rural areas benefiting nearly 300,000 people.
Even with these advances, as the country celebrates Independence Day 2022, efforts should be made to address long-standing weaknesses in the fundamentals of the national economy, to provide greater access to economic opportunity and empowerment for all Sierra Leoneans, regardless of region, gender, generation, or disability status.
Lastly, as Sierra Leone is now effectively into the 2023 elections cycle, it is my hope, and that of the entire UN Country Team, that the country will maintain the path of inclusive politics that builds bridges. Only with this approach will the country continue along a sustainable development trajectory of peace, inclusive economic growth, and social transformation.
Let me renew the UN’s commitment to working together with you and keeping focused on our shared priorities of peace, good governance, gender equality, environmental sustainability, and ensuring that no one is left behind in accessing basic services and economic opportunities.
Once again, I wish you all a happy Independence Day, and God bless Sierra Leone.
Thanks to our United Nations Resident Coordinator Mr. Babatunde Ahonis for his congratulatory Independence message. That’s the least anyone can do. Sierra Leone basically received our Independence on a “Silver Platter” as compared to other countries like present Ukraine, where the citizens are still sacrificing their blood for their freedom and total independence .
Sierra Leone became the 100th member of the United Nations after our independence. With the first 6 years of our independence, we were rated as an example in our region. Unfortunately 25 years later, the United Nations has to intervene to restore peace and stability due to the 11 years civil war. Now within only 4 years of governance, I personally believe that President Bio is on track with the “Shared Priorities” of the United Nations. In terms of peace with the formation of the Peace Commission, good governance based on the MCC score, no one left behind with the Free quality education program .
Accessibility of basic services like electricity and water is still a work in progress , and economic opportunities are still challenges due to the IMF conditions, the ongoing Pandemic and the Russia/Ukraine war. Gender Equality is also steadily improving through the “Hands Off Our Girls” program and the 50/50 group.
May the almighty continue to bless President Bio and the citizens of our Great Nation.