The remarkable President Ernest Bai Koroma of Sierra Leone
Democracy took center stage last November when Sierra Leone conducted Africa’s most free and fair elections in over three decades. This major event took place on the watch of one of the continent’s most dynamic and successful leaders, Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma. The Sierra Leone Head of State presided over a crucial election process that was to position the country as a model for good governance and democracy in the region. The country is no more what it used to be, as under the leadership of President Ernest Bai Koroma, there has been a sudden social, political, and economic transformation that has seen the country emerge with the highest economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa; the most vibrant free-press environment enjoyed across the continent; and the easiest place to invest and do business in the entire continent.
Under the leadership of President Koroma, Sierra Leone has come to challenge itself and has excelled in the areas of anti-corruption, sound economic management of its resources, creative development in crucial areas of infrastructure, along with free health care and free education. Starting with the agenda for change in 2007, President Koroma has employed an efficient system of government that has taken on the social and economic ills of society head-on, with remarkable results as reflected in IMF and world economic indexes.
Despite the apparent obstacles it faces, the Sierra Leone leadership stands tall with an incredible achievement in the areas of agriculture, educaton, mining and the environment. Credentials that are uncommon across African leadership, and that has now become standard in Africa’s new success story. The outstanding leadership shown by President Ernest Bai Koroma has created an enabling environment that stands to thrive as the government introduces a new Agenda for Prosperity. President Ernest Bai Koroma is a living example of change, with a legacy enshrined in the selfless commitment to transform the poverty environment structure he inherited, into a viable and prosperous economic condition for his people.
It is in view of this remarkable contribution to the development of his country, and Africa as a whole, that President Ernest Bai Koroma has attracted the attention and accolade from world renowned institutions and bodies, to the leadership of the United States and other western governments.
In a press release issued by the White House in Washington, President Barack Obama looks forward to welcoming President Ernest Bai Koroma of Sierra Leone, Macky Sall of Senegal, President Joyce Banda of Malawi, and Prime Minister José Maria Pereira Neves of Cape Verde to the White House on Thursday, March 28. The United States has strong partnerships with these countries based on shared democratic values and shared interests. The five leaders will discuss strengthening democratic institutions across sub-Saharan Africa, and building on Africa’s democratic progress to generate increased economic opportunities and expanded trade and investment. The visit of these four leaders underscores the strategic importance the President places on building partnerships and substantive engagement with sub-Saharan Africa, and our commitment to working with strong and emerging African democracies.
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