Sierra Leone’s president drops in to Norwich

A presidential visit is usually greeted by red carpets, cheering crowds, muscle-bound security men in suits and a great deal of planning.  (Photo: Sierra Leone president Ernest Bai Koroma meets UEA chancellor Sir Brandon Gough during a surprise visit to see his daughter Alice graduate)

But all of that went out the window when the president of Sierra Leone made an unannounced visit to The University of East Anglia (UEA) to watch his daughter’s graduation.

UEA staff switched into organisational overdrive when his presence became known, arranging meetings with chancellor Sir Brandon Gough and vice-chancellor Prof Edward Acton.

But, essentially, Dr Ernest Bai Koroma was just another proud parent among the thousands who gathered on Thursday to see their sons and daughters reach the end of their educational journey.

The president, who has been in charge of the West African nation since 2007 and is chancellor of the University of Sierra Leone, made his surprise visit to the Earlham Road university to see his daughter Alice graduate with a 2:1 degree from the school of law.

She was one of 225 people graduating from the school, with many attending a post-ceremony reception in a marquee by the university broad.]

The 56-year-old visited UEA alongside his wife, Sia Nyama, and his other daughter Danke. He was accompanied by one armed guard and his personal aide.

Dr Koroma is the 4th and current president of Sierra Leone. He was born on October 2 1953 in Makeni, Sierra Leone, and graduated in 1976 from Fourah Bay College in the country’s capital Freetown, with a degree in economics.

In April 2009, Dr Koroma was confirmed by his party as its candidate for the 2012 presidential elections, when he will hoping to secure a second, five-year term.

Steve Downes, Norwich Evening News, UK

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