David Francis
Inclusive politics
…Foreign Minister, APC Deputy Minority Leader to engage Sierra Leone Permanent Mission in New York*
Despite massive drama and flawed criticisms by members of the opposition All Peoples Congress, (APC) the government of President Julius Maada Bio is determined to reunify and strengthen the country’s democratic values by bringing opposition figures closer to the seat of presidency.
I.B. Kargbo
This time, the APC Minority Deputy Leader of Parliament representing Constituency 030, Bombali District northern Sierra Leone, Honorable Alhaji Ibrahim Ben Kargbo, who is also the Chairman of the Parliamentary Oversight Committee on Foreign Affairs is among the entourage of the new Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Professor David J Francis on an official assignment to Washington and New York.
Alhaji Ibrahim Ben Kargbo is one of the strong APC lawmakers and his appointment as Chairman of the Parliamentary Oversight Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation is a demonstration of President Bio’s continued commitment to inclusive governance in Sierra Leone.
His position in the House of Parliament is significant not only to the House of Representatives but to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperarion which was the more reason he was incorporated into the four-man high-powered delegation to Washington and New York.
Professor David J Francis and his delegation are expected to arrive in Washington DC on the 20th June 2021 and later travel to New York on the 23rd of June 2021.
This is the first official visit to the United States by professor Francis since his appointment by His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio. While in New York, the Minister is expected to embark on series of engagements including meeting with the Chairpersons of the African Group and the ECOWAS Group among others.
It could be recalled that only recently, Professor Francis disclosed to news men that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be shifting from Economic Diplomacy to Development Diplomacy which he said will look at the national interest as a very key driver towards national development. He further noted that his vision was very strategic in the implementation of President Maada Bio’s manifesto, adding that he was ready to work in collaboration with all sectors in order to transform the Ministry.
The Minister also noted that Sierra Leone needed a shift on foreign policy from Economic Diplomacy to Development Diplomacy that would position herself for a post COVID-19 era. He emphasized that he was very proud of the foreign policy shift based on the fact that development diplomacy was about putting diplomacy at the forefront to achieve the development aspirations of the people of Sierra Leone.
By Mohamed Massaquoi
Information Attache at the Sierra Leone Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York.
Email:[email protected]
Tel:9172940331
