Government Opens Big Window of Opportunity with Omrie Golley as Ambassador to South Korea

Just few weeks ago after the Government of Sierra Leone secured the biggest grant-in-aid loan ever given to an African nation by the Republic of South Korea, the architect behind the scenes, Lawyer Omrie Golley (in photo), has been appointed as Ambassador to South Korea.

The Government made the appointments public over the weekend, subject to the approval of Parliament.

The grant-in-aid loan agreement between Sierra Leone and the Republic of South Korea was signed on Tuesday 8th October 2013 in the Conference Room of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. According to Ambassador Jong-hyun, Ambassador to the Republic of Korea in Abuja, Nigeria, the loan will be the biggest loan agreements that his government has ever signed in Africa and to indicate to the people of Sierra Leone and the Government how committed the South Korean government is to strengthen diplomatic and technical relationship with Sierra Leone.

Mr. Golley has been bringing in Korean investment Companies into the country since 2008, the largest being a large private investment Company called Make Group South Korea who have already successfully completed  and signed Memoranda of Understanding Agreements with various Government Ministries in the Country covering Energy, Finance and Economic Development, and Internal Affairs covering large infrastructural projects under these line Ministries.

Mr. Golley, married with five children, is a pragmatic democrat and one with penchant to serve his country in whatever circumstance he faces, according to sources. This, according to another source, is reason for his continued lobbying with international stakeholders for opportunities for Sierra Leoneans in the country.

“He is one of the major individuals for the loan agreement between Sierra Leone and South Korea,” an official in the Ministries of Finance and Foreign Affairs said, adding that his interest in seeking opportunities for the country shows his love for his people.

Mohamed Jalloh, a teacher at Congress Secondary school said the President’s appointment of Golley is one of his best decisions so far.

“Golley is one who believes in success and for the President to appoint him to represent Sierra Leone in the diaspora will bring positive dividends for the people,” he said, adding that for Sierra Leone to again regain her lost glory, the leadership must be embracing and not dividing.

“President Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma has proven to be a leader with an eye for success and that is what we want for this nation,” he said.

The Director of the Network for Democracy and Human Rights (NMDHR) and also Chairman Western Area Human Rights Committee, James Mathew, said the appointment of Omrie Golley is a sign of extension of President Koroma’s government peace initiative to members/supporters of past regimes.

“This means that the Government is not just concentrating on appointing its past supporters but members of other parties,” he said, but asked when will the Government appoint a member of the opposition to a strategic position.

He said if at all that is done and the SLPP still refused to work with the Government it means they are doing bad politics.

Aminata Kamara, a business woman at Abacha Street, said the appointment of Golley means a lot to women in Sierra Leone; stating that the mere sacrifice to lobby with international stakeholders to develop the city means he cares for the welfare of children and women.

“Many of us have traveled and see what is happening in other countries. All the people who seek the development of their countries always have the support of women and youths,” she said, adding that they stand by Golley and will support him when he faces Parliament.

The appointments are as follows:

• Amb. Andrew G. Bangali – Director-General and Ambassador-At-Large, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation;
• Amb. Osman Keh Kamara- Ambassador to Ethiopia, the African Union and the Economic Commission for Africa;
• Amb. Rasie Kargbo – State Chief of Protocol, Office of the President;
• Amb. Soulay Daramy  –  High Commissioner to the Gambia;
• Alhaji Mohamed Sillah Kargbo -Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,
• Inspector- General (Rtd.) Brima Acha Kamara – Ambassador to the Republic of Liberia;
• Mr. Omrie Golley- Ambassador to South Korea;
• Mr. Ismael Koroma – Deputy Ambassador to Ethiopia, African Union and the Economic Commission for Africa;
• Major-General (Rtd.) Alfred Claude Nelson-Williams – Deputy High Commissioner to the Federal Republic of Nigeria;
• Mr. Y.T. Sesay – Chairman, Board of Directors Road Maintenance Fund Administration;
• Mr. Arthur S. Harvey – Chairman, Board of Directors, Sierra Leone Roads Authority;
• Mr. Winstanley Bankole Johnson – Chairman, Board of Directors, Sierra Leone Commercial Bank;
• Mr. Sulaiman Kabba Koroma – Chairman, Board of Directors, National Revenue Authority;
• Dr. Michael Kargbo – Chairman, National Commission for Privatisation;
• Dr. Tom Obaleh Kargbo – Chairman, National Telecommunications Commission.

By Alpha Bedoh Kamara

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