Ernest Koroma takes Agenda for Change to Germany

In an effort to improve infrastructural development and provide basic social needs for the people of Sierra Leone, President Ernest Bai Koroma has taken it upon himself to market the country and its rich potentials to the international community. (Sierra Leone’s President Koroma after his meeting with German President Christian Wulf)

One recent move was the President´s state visit to the Federal Republic of Germany, where he highlighted his government’s achievements and appealed for more investment and development programmes in the country.

His messages ranging from the Agenda for Change to ongoing development programmes in the country, spellbound German authorities and private business tycoons. They are now prepared to take development and investment projects to Sierra Leone.

On his arrival at the military section of the Tegel International Airport in Berlin, Sunday 13, President Koroma received a rousing welcome by senior executives of the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, and the delegation of the Sierra Leone Ambassador to Germany, H.E. Jongopie Siaka Stevens.

The presidential entourage was later taken to the Adlon Hotel, one of Berlin´s most prestigious hotels, for accommodation.

The next day on February 14, the German military personnel mounted a guard of honour for President Koroma at the Castle Bellevue of the Presidential Palace, followed by intense discussions with the German President, Christian Wulf.

Though it was an indoor meeting, the fact that President Koroma came out with smiles on his face – was an indication that the talks were fruitful.

He later proceeded to another two-sided talks with the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel. The outcome of their meeting was partly conveyed in a press conference. Merkel, being a center right leader of the Federal Republic of Germany, did not mince her words when she undoubtedly made an open pronouncement of Koroma’s success in governance and his role as a peace ambassador to the Cote d’Ivoire political deadlock.

As Merkel rightly put it, ” President Koroma has played an active role in the Ivory Coast crisis. And it is very important to have peace in the African region in order to foster development.”

The German Chancellor emphasised Koroma’s vision to create not only the enabling environment for the people of Sierra Leone, but his commitment in consolidating peace.

She pledged her country’s support to heighten Koroma’s vision in creating better conditions for the social well being of the people.

When the APC leader finally delivered his report card to his spectators, an aura of enthusiasm gripped the panorama. His message was primarily based on his government successes including ongoing developmental programmes in the country.

They include among others, the health reform, major and feeder roads construction, education, and energy including large-scale agricultural activities.

President Koroma said his government’s programmes and policies are a fulfillment of the people’s expectations through his Agenda for Change. “It is a mandate to embark on activities that would impact and transform the lives of the people who elected me to power,” he stated.

The rapid electricity supply in the country within 100 days in office, he elucidated, was a clear manifestation of his readiness to restore hope in the people. “We decided to quickly embark on our set goals because we believe there is no economic sustenance without electricity supply,” he opined.

President Koroma said, his government has almost completed the 30-year-old Bumbuna hydroelectric project in the country. He has repositioned his priorities, placing emphasis on agriculture, which he now places at the pinnacle. The reason, according to him, was geared towards transforming the lives and creating job opportunities for his compatriots.

Other key successful areas include the educational sector, which has also been restructured in a bid to enhance adequate, professional and human resource capacity.

He has opened doors for private sector development in the country, citing examples of many areas of possible intervention. “We need more support in the agricultural sector, health and infrastructural development in the country.”

In all his meetings and discussions during his two-day state visit in Germany, Ernest Koroma motivated respondents who showered praises on his administration and expressed appreciation over his government successes.

By Umaru S. Jah, Berlin

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