The Sierra Leone Ambassador Extra Ordinary and Plenipotentiary based in Berlin, Federal Republic of Germany, Dr. M’Baimba L. Baryoh on Friday 30th April 2021 engaged registered NGOs in Germany. The purpose of engagement was to map out strategies how to collaborate with these NGOs in their contributions towards the Human Capital Development Goals of His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio. The engagement was done virtually and it attracted lots of registered NGOs with the Embassy.
It is glaring that NGOs are Organizations through which development aid from the Federal Government are normally channeled. According to Ambassador Dr. Lamin M’Baimba Baryoh the Embassy has decided to engage the registered NGOs because they are development partners. Ambassador Baryoh added that the meeting will focus on how the various NGOs that are registered with the Embassy can continue contributing towards the Human Capital Development Goals of the government of Sierra Leone. “I know some, if not all of you, are engaged in one of these priority areas and would want to encourage you to continue your good work,” Ambassador Dr. Baryoh told members of the NGOs, adding that he has had the opportunity to take part in one of their Virtual meetings and that he was very impressed about the way they interacted with each other to solve common challenges.
He thanked them on behalf of the government and people of Sierra Leone for their continued engagement in contributing in making the lives of people better. “You are building schools and training centers, digging bore holes for pure drinking water, providing jobs for youth in Sierra Leone,” he said, adding that the Bintumani group for instance sends pediatric surgeons every year to perform free pediatric cases in the country. He adds that they have also been very active in providing clean energy. The SHR Hochschule in Berlin, he said has signed an MOU with Fourah Bay College to improve standard of teaching. He appealed to them to continue to give out support to the people of Sierra Leone.
Ambassador Dr. Baryoh further informed members of the various NGOs that the meeting is timely and important, adding that it will help them to hang heads together on how these various NGOs can help to achieve Sierra Leone Government’s Vision on Human Capital Development, which he said, are all aligned with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’S) of the United Nations to be achieved by 2030. He said that the Human Capital Development has three main flagship programs such as education, agriculture and health. He added that apart from these, all-other areas like Infrastructure, Clean energy , Innovation, Technology, Industry, etc, are high on Government agenda. All of these, he stated is to reduce poverty.
In closing, he encouraged them to extend their activities to other disadvantaged areas in the country. On her part, the Deputy Ambassador, Madam Fatmata Kargbo described the event as very laudable; adding that the event has given her an insight of what Germany is doing through the NGOs in support of the people of Sierra Leone. She went on to say that they are very much proud to say that the NGOs are doing extremely well, adding that she is impressed that they have done so well in supporting the people of Sierra Leone. She told members of the NGOs that the Embassy will start giving them support.
She said that from the contributions so far made by members of the NGOs, most of them are operating from Bombali and in the Peninsular but that she is happy that they are supporting the people of Sierra Leone. She called on them to extend their operational area to other places. The Disadvantaged Women, she said from their contribution is making huge progress in Makeni and Bo. She said that Ambassador Dr. Baryoh has great passion in supporting development activities in Sierra Leone especially in the health sector. “Don’t fear to tell us what is going wrong,” Deputy Ambassador told members of the NGOs, adding that it might go wrong but they will find a common ground to find a solution to what it is. She said that they haven’t made any promises but they will give their support to them and that they will make sure that the NGOs do their work without any hindrance.
Responding, Dr. Pastor Christopher Haus, General Secretary of EBM International Organisation thanked the Ambassador for calling such a important meeting. He informed that his organisation is in partnership with Baptist Convention in Sierra Leone and supporting 62 public schools in training teachers, head teachers and pedagogical coordinators, support Baptists Eye Clinic hospital in Lunsar and victims of Susan Bay’s incident. Mr. Michael Miezel, President of International Mission and Cotton Tree Foundation appreciated the Ambassador for convening such a developmental oriented meeting and assured of his organisation’s continued support in the area of Education (Bombali Schools for the Blind in Makeni, ),Schools near Lunsar, Rural Development Projects in Kamakwie etc. All other NGO’S applauded Ambassador Baryoh’s initiative and expressed similar sentiments.
All Diplomatic staff of the Embassy in Berlin participated in the Zoom meeting. The online meeting was moderated by the Head of Chancery Mr Obai Taylor-Kamara.
Idrissa Hilton Gogra Information Attaché Embassy of the Republic of Sierra Leone to the Federal Republic of Germany
