STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

PRESIDENT KOROMA – PRESIDENT FOR ALL SIERRA LEONEANS - VISITS BO

In a practical demonstration of his statement that the time for party politics is over and that he is a president for all Sierra Leoneans, irrespective of political affiliations, President Koroma visited Bo this weekend as a special guest of Njala University College.

The President arrived in Sierra Leone’s second city on Saturday 23 February and was immediately welcomed by large crowds.  On arrival, he inspected a smart guard of honour mounted by the SLP and RSLAF. He later proceeded to the Coronation Field where he conferred degrees on deserving graduates.

Speaking at the ceremony, the President appealed to graduates to put into practice what they had learned to further the development of their country.  He said that they, like their country, would face major challenges, but they were now well-equipped to overcome these and thrive.

The president then had a series of meetings with Bo’s political and social elite at the Presidential residence in Bo and spent the night in the city after hosting the Chancellor’s Reception.

On Sunday, the President welcomed a significant number of women from over seventeen women’s organisations, including Tegloma, Bo Grassroots Women and Sisters Unite as they converged on the Coronation Field. 

They were addressed by a number of speakers including, the Mammy Queen of the SLP wives organisation and Mrs Nancy Nicholas of Sisters Unite.

Addressing the women, the President said he was heartened and impressed by their turnout.  To cheering crowds he said:  “This meeting has touched me, it has touched my heart. It means the women of the Southern Province have heard and responded to my call for unity and development. The time for party politics is over; we now want to see development in our beloved country”. 

The President then reiterated his vision to transform the life of the ordinary Sierra Leonean, adding that at the end of his five-year term, he should be judged on his record.  He went on to say that he was determined to empower all the women of Sierra Leone through the provision of micro-credit and support to small business, among others.

The President left Bo, encouraged by the reception he had received from the people, more determined than ever to lead Sierra Leone to greater prosperity.