OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT PRESS RELEASE 4th July, 2014 The wife of the Vice-President of the United States of America will pay an historic visit to Sierra Leone from Sunday 6th to Monday 7th July, 2014. Dr. Jill Tracy Biden, an accomplished Educator, Author and former University Professor is visiting the country together with the US Ambassador-at-large for Global Women’s Issues Catherine Russell and other senior officials, indicating the high regard the USA Government holds its Sierra Leone counterpart. The visit by the senior USA delegation will provide support for the inclusion of Gender issues in general, and specifically empowering women in all aspects of national development, reflecting Dr. Biden’s long commitment to female initiatives in her country. The wife of the Sierra Leone Vice-President, Mrs. Kadie Sam Sumana will host her counterpart, on behalf of the first lady, Mrs. Sia Nyama Koroma and all the women of Sierra Leone. Meanwhile, the Gender Adviser to the President Ms. Naasu Fofanah is coordinating the visit, in collaboration with officials of the American Embassy in Freetown, key women representatives and other relevant agencies. The programme of the visit by Dr. Biden’s delegation will include a reception by women leaders, hosted by the Government, an interactive session with a representative group of female secondary school students from the western area and the regions, to be held at the saint Joseph’s Convent in Freetown. The women issues to be discussed at this session will be reflected at the US-Africa summit due to be held in Washington next month. An important aspect of Dr. Jill Biden’s visit to Sierra Leone will be a courtesy call and discussions with President Ernest Bai Koroma at State House, to be preceded by special honours provided by Women in the security sector at State House premises. A special visit and viewing will be made to the historical cotton tree in central Freetown by Dr. Jill Biden and her American team, accompanied by President Ernest Bai Koroma, with members of female organizations providing a guard of honour, in their own way. Other aspects of the two-day programme will include closed meetings with the American Peace Corps in Sierra Leone and engagements with American Embassy officials in Freetown. ENDS For further information, please contact: The Communications Unit, State House Tel. 076.606011
Posted on: Fri, 04 Jul 2014 18:55:51 +0000