REFLECTION TIME: President Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma, President Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma, the fourth President of Sierra Leone, is leading his country forward through his ambitious Agenda for Change programme. Widely revered for his dedication, fight against corruption, and efforts to better the lives of Sierra Leoneans while also stimulating his country’s economic growth, the president is fulfilling the campaign promises he made before assuming office in 2007. President Koroma Runs His Country Like A Business Leader of the All People’s Congress (APC), President Koroma has received support from a broad spectrum of political parties, tribes and other groups in his country. His administration has also garnered praise from international funding organisations as well as business and political leaders worldwide, including former British Prime Minister Tony Blair – who has described Ernest Koroma as “an exceptional president who will lead his country to a bright future” — and billionaire George Soros. The Soros Foundation recently announced that, thanks to its confidence in President Koroma’s leadership, it would launch a banana plantation project in Bo, Sierra Leone, which will be budgeted at around US$50 million (l36.4 million)and will generate up to 10,000 jobs. Commitment to continuing reforms President Koroma’s leadership is considered to be a blend of the old and the new – he is dedicated to a new future for Sierra Leone while still respecting the country’s culture, environment and traditions. He has proved that he is committed to reform and will tackle tough decisions. His administration has proven to be accountable, democratic and transparent; any officials who have failed to live up to the president’s high standards have been replaced. “It is through action and implementation that we create positive impact for the people of this land that we love.” President Koroma came to power promising to transform a country still scarred by civil war. Since then, the former business man has been making sure that the world knows that Sierra Leone has put the war and ‘blood diamonds’ years behind it and is now open for business, ready to welcome foreign investors. One of the President’s current projects is to establish a private, special economic zone outside Freetown, where some 20 hectares of land are being cleared to welcome foreign enterprises. A World Bank report in 2008 ranked Sierra Leone the easiest place to start a business in West Africa, just one of the successes already achieved by the President’s Agenda for Change. President’s progress report in September 2010 In September 2010, on the third anniversary of the beginning of his presidency, President Koroma published a progress report on his administration’s accomplishments to date. He said, “On assumption of office in September 2007, I promised a progressive turnaround for Sierra Leone in three years. I articulated my vision and firmed up the people’s aspirations for this turnaround in ‘An Agenda for Change’. The Agenda for Change prioritises four key areas: enhancing national electricity; developing the national transportation network; enhancing productivity in agriculture and fisheries; and sustaining human development through health and education. My government is not only about intentions; it is about actions, because it is through action and implementation that we create a positive impact for the people of this land that we love. From agriculture to roads, energy, health, education, investment, mineral resources, decentralisation, job creation and other sectors, transformative action is now visible all over the country.” Long history of service Born October 2, 1953, in Makeni, Bombali District, Northern Sierra Leone, President Koroma attended the Sierra Leone Church primary school, the Government Secondary School for Boys, and the renowned Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone, from which he graduated in 1976. After serving as a teacher at St. Francis Secondary School in Makeni, he joined the Sierra Leone National Insurance Company in 1978 and became CEO of Reliance Insurance Trust Corporation (Ritcorp) in 1988, a post he held until the 2002 elections. Known as an astute businessman, President Koroma is a Chartered Insurer, a Fellow of the West African Insurance Institute (WAICA), an Associate of the Institute of Risk Management in the UK, and a Member of the Institute of Directors in the UK. He is married and father of two university age children. His business experience enhances his role as his country’s visionary political leader. In his September 2010 speech, after detailing some of the many major projects which have been completed or launched in Sierra Leone since 2007, President Koroma concludes, “Fellow Sierra Leoneans, my government shall sustain this turnaround. Today I am renewing my pledge unto you; we shall not tire, we shall not rest until this country lives up to the true extent of her potentials. Within three months of my taking power we fulfilled our pledge to bring electricity to our capital. Within two years of my rule, we proved our ability to complete projects by completing the 30 year old Bumbuna hydroelectric project. Within three years we launched the boldest health initiative ever in the history of this country. In every year of our rule, we proved our commitment to live up to the pledges we made to the people of this country. Today the signs of the transformation are everywhere in Sierra Leone. In hospitals, roads, schools, mineral resources, farming — the transformation is taking place.
Posted on: Thu, 30 Jan 2014 02:44:11 +0000
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