Sierra Leone’s President Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma ended his New York trip in grand style when he was honored with two Proclamations given by Congressman Charles  B. Rangle and the New York City Council through Deputy Majority Leader Leroy Comrie during the Open Government Initiative (OGI ) Banquet at the  Riverside Church Convention Centre in Harlem last Saturday.

President Koroma was in New York to attend the 65th Session of the United Nations General Assembly but his outstanding leadership in Sierra Leone and the many achievements his government has scored in just three years of governance  have attracted the attention of the International Community and this led to the honours granted him by New York last Saturday.

The Proclamation from Congressman Charles Rangle was presented to President Koroma  on his behalf by Senator Bill Perkins in appreciation of the President’s promotion of multi-party democracy and open government in Sierra Leone and for his contribution to the world of modern leadership.

Deputy Majority Leader Leroy Comrie gave President Koroma a Proclamation on behalf of the New York City Council in appreciation of  the President’s promotion of open government in Sierra Leone. According to the NYCC, “Deputy Majority Leader Comrie knows government must be responsive and provide opportunities for positive interaction with citizens. Therefore, he is focused everyday on providing quality education, guidance and support for youth; ensuring quality healthcare and services for seniors; and, creating economic development projects to create employment opportunities and affordable housing for all New Yorkers.”

President Koroma , receiving the Proclamations, thanked Congressman Charlie Rangle and the NYCC through Deputy Majority Leader Comrie and assured them that he will continue to work in the interest of the Sierra Leonean people . He spoke about the turnaround that his government has brought about in Sierra Leone in just three years of governance and he hoped the proclamations will pave the way for mutual relationships  between Sierra Leone and  New York .

PRESIDENT KOROMA GIVING THANKS DURING THE SIDE EVENT AT THE BANQUET . STANDING BY HIM IS FIRST LADY SIA NYAMA KOROMA . RIGHT IS DEPUTY MAJORITY LEADER LEROY COMRIE.

President Koroma also commended the OGI Team composed of OGI Director Khadija Sesay; Minister Plenipotentiary Leeroy Wilfred Kabs-Kanu ; Fatu Fofana , Madina Rahman, Foday Mansaray and Leslie Allen for their sound planning and organization of the OGI Program in New York.

The President and party left New York for Sierra Leone late Saturday night . They have since arrived in Freetown.

© Copyright 2005, Freetown, Sierra Leone.