Britain’s Outstanding Contribution to the Social and Economic Development of Sierra Leone

Gordon Brown - British Prime Minister

Britain has always been a friend to Sierra Leone. And Sierra Leoneans around the world should be very proud of the outstanding contribution the British Government has been making to improving the way of life of all in the country. Sierra Leone is the biggest recipient of DFID assistance per capita in Africa.  British direct assistance has come in several ways .And most of them in crucial times of need. The UK government is keen to see Sierra Leone succeed in its efforts to recover from years of brutal conflict that left its economic and social infrastructures in tatters. Tony Blair who was Prime Minister of the UK for over a decade, laid the foundations for British direct involvement in Sierra Leone. When in office, Tony Blair always made Sierra Leone an integral part of Britain’s overall assistance program for Africa. Apart from Sierra Leone, Tony Blair has a passion for Africa and that desire to help has been maintained even up to now when he has left office.

Gordon Brown who is the current UK Prime Minister has built on the foundation Blair has left, on putting Africa at the center of British Foreign Policy. And Sierra Leone is now the recipient of over 48 million pounds of financial assistance from Britain every year. Gordon Brown has identified the importance to have Africa as a vital partner in the current global economic environment. The recent discovery of oil in Sierra Leone will ensure the country will become a strategic economic partner with Britain. Britain itself stands to benefit a lot from the Mineral wealth of Sierra Leone. British based African Minerals Company headed by the consummate business strategist , Frank Timis, have invested heavily in the country’s mining sector. African Minerals has recently discovered the largest Iron Ore deposits in the world in Tonkolili north of Sierra Leone. African Minerals have taken a deep interest in the development of the social and medical infrastructure of the country and has embarked on the building of new schools and medical centers that will serve the underserviced constituencies in the country.

Britain’s Department For International Development (DFID) has implemented a health program that will ensure free medical care for pregnant women and children across the country. The British government also has expatriates working in government departments alongside the country’s civil servants to help ensure vital services is delivered to the country’s needy and offer professional advice to the government administrators in the effective and efficient running of departments. Tony Blair’s Africa Governance Initiative (AGI) also has a hands on in the country’s overall governance. The former Prime Minister has a team on the ground offering first-hand support to the presidency to help lift the country from the effects of the global downturn and to provide important guidance as to the implementation of government policy.

Britain is indeed a friend, as when the country faced the worst period of civil strife in its history, it was Britain against all odds, who sent military assistance to intervene and stop the most vicious atrocities experienced by any African country. Rebels led by the arrant Foday Sankoh, waged a terror campaign against the people of Sierra Leone and many people lost their lives and limbs and some still have not recovered from the scars of that brutal conflict. If it was not for Britain’s timely intervention, the country would have been enveloped by anarchy. Once again, Tony Blair who was then Prime Minister, risked British lives to help the people of Sierra Leone. The Labour government headed by Prime Minister Gordon Brown, continues to play a lead role in the overall development of Sierra Leone; assistance that has become vital as the country takes steps through its current leadership with Dr Ernest Koroma as president, to ensure a better way of live for its people. The people of Sierra Leone would like to say thanks to the Government and people of the United Kingdom. You have stood by them at times of need and they will forever be grateful for all you have done for them as a country.

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