Hon. Kemoh Sesay lures Diaspora
In the wake of the speech delivered by the Political and Public Affairs Minister, Hon. Alhaji Ibrahim Kemoh Sesay at the Ministerial Conference on Diaspora and Development in Geneva on 18 – 19th June, 2013, Sierra Leoneans in the Diaspora have disclosed that it was one of the best speeches ever delivered on Diaspora development by a Sierra Leonean Minister. (Photo: Hon. Alhaji Ibrahim Kemoh Sesay,Political & Public Affairs Minister)
This statement has triggered debate among Sierra Leoneans in the Diaspora on how they can contribute to the development of the country.
Speaking to this reporter yesterday, Hon. Kemoh Sesay disclosed that now is the time more than ever that the country needs all hands on deck for its development including those in the Diaspora.
He called on Sierra Leoneans to take the lead in the development of the country by investing in all sectors citing the Domestic and Expatriate Nationals Investment Programme which is a people-driven initiative for the good of all Sierra Leoneans at home and abroad.
Hon. Kemoh Sesay further revealed that Sierra Leoneans in the Diaspora are the greatest offshore assets of the country underscoring that they can play the role of development catalysts if disposable income is invested in the local economy as well as becoming major players in capacity-building, brain gain and purchase assets that would yield perpetual dividends for their kith and kin.
The Minister further enlightened that the DENI Concept that is a mobilization initiative to attract Diasporas home and home-based resources is a combined effort to create indigenous ownership of State owned enterprises up for privatization.
He continued to state that Sierra Leoneans at home have been caretakers of national assets and deserve an ownership share in them stressing that their joint ownership would ensure the circulation of capital within the country.
Highlighting the benefits of the initiative to Sierra Leoneans and the country as a whole, the Minister articulated that it would not only provide a mechanism for home-based and the Diaspora citizenry to invest in the country but would create an unprecedented sense of national unity and ownership of national assets that are up for privatization and at the same time provide funds for the Government of Sierra Leone to undertake development projects.
He continued that another advantage would be creating an environment for locals to own institutions instead of selling all parastatals to foreigners underscoring that Sierra Leoneans must appreciate the goodwill or intention of Government in introducing a novelty not only in the country, but the continent as a whole.
Concluding, Alhaji Kemoh Sesay called on his compatriots, both at home and in the Diaspora, to take advantage of this opportunity to ensure that all contribute to the development of the country citing the progress some Sierra Leoneans in the Diaspora, who through the office of the Diaspora Affairs, have occupied some critical positions in the transport, health, agricultural and some other key sectors in the country.
By Abdul Rahman Bedor Kamara
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