Ambassador Bockari Kortu Stevens presents credentials to the President of the Federative Republic of Brazil
His Excellency Ambassador Bockari Kortu Stevens on Wednesday, May 5, 2010  presented his Letters of Credence to His Excellency President Luiz Inacio Lula Da Silva, the President of the Federative Republic of Brazil. The colourful ceremony was held at the Itamaraty Palace in Brasilia. (Photo: l-r HE President Luiz Inacio Lula Da Silva and HE Ambassador Bockari Kortu Stevens)
Presenting his Letters, Ambassador Stevens conveyed personal greetings from President Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma to his Brazilian counterpart.
The Ambassador spoke about the long historical connections between Brazil and Sierra Leone which he said, dates as far back as the era of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade as manifested with the presence of a good number of Brazilian populations being of African origin. He also expressed his delights about the mutual and cordial relations happily existing between the two countries and thanked the Brazilian President for numerous initiatives specifically approved by him during the visit of President Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma to Brazil in 2009, followed by a  high level bi-lateral meetings between officials of Brazil and Sierra Leone in Freetown in October 2009.
He also commented on the Brazil’s contributions on the international scene, particularly its pivotal role in promoting the South-South Cooperation.
Speaking on the socio- economic developments in Sierra Leone, Ambassador Stevens made mention of President Koroma’s Agenda for Change, involving, among others, the fight against corruption, energy development culminating in the recent commissioning of the Bumbuna Hydro Electric Power station, and the recent announcement made by the President for free health care services for pregnant women, lactating mothers, and children under the age five.
The Ambassador also held fruitful discussions with Ambassador Celso Amorin, Brazilian Minister of External Relations, who was also present at the ceremony. The Foreign Minster noted that, he was scheduled to visit Sierra Leone a couple of days ago to further strengthen the Bi-lateral relations but had to put the visit on hold due to urgent commitments. He however confirmed that he will be in Sierra Leone very soon.
 In another engagement, Ambassador Stevens met with Mr.Antonio Augusto Martins Cesar, Head of the African Division with direct responsibility for Sierra Leone. At this meeting, Ambassador Stevens raised developmental issues that came out of the Multi Disciplinary meeting held in Freetown in October 2009 including among others, the training of health personnel for HIV/AIDS and training on cassava processing and preservation in Brazil. Responding, Mr. Cesar said that the training possibilities are under very active consideration.
Concluding, Ambassador Stevens expressed the hopes that, efforts at encouraging trade partnership with Sierra Leone could be amplified, given the huge potential available to the two countries.
The Ambassador will be meeting with the Brazilian Ministers of Agriculture, Energy and Mines amongst others before returning to Washington D.C.
Elizabeth M. S. Foray, Information Attache, Permanent Mission of Sierra Leone To The United Nations, NY, USAStay with Sierra Express Media, for your trusted place in news!
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