Britain takes its relationship with Sierra Leone very seriously and continues to provide budgetary and other extensive support to the government and people of Sierra Leone. Former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair. took Britain’s relationship with its former colony to a completely new level that saw closer ties and cooperation being forged in the areas of trade, investment, social and cultural development. Sierra Leone is one of 5 countries in Africa where Tony Blair’s Africa Governance Initiative operates, to help in the prioritization, planning, and performance management of government. Britain’s outstanding DFID plays a huge role in supporting development projects across the country.
Prime Minister David Cameron recently stated that international aid and support to Sierra Leone and other countries will not be affected by his government’s overall spending cuts. This is clear manifestation of Britain’s commitment to international assistance for developing countries.
The announcement of Mr. Peter West as Britain’s new High Commissioner to Sierra Leone, comes at a time when President Ernest Bai Koroma has initiated an Agenda for Prosperity to continue on his promise to deliver efficient economic policies that will impact on growth and development across all sectors of the economy. And Britain has, and continues to play, a pivotal role in the implementation of the Agenda for prosperity.
Mr West will succeed Mr Ian Hughes, who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment. Mr West will take up his appointment during February 2013.
Mr West’s first posting was to Argentina in 1980. He has since worked in a range of countries including New Zealand, Denmark, Thailand, Australia and most recently Nigeria.
On his appointment as British High Commissioner to the Republic of Sierra Leone, Mr West has said “It is a great privilege to have the opportunity to work in Sierra Leone at this exciting and important time. The UK and Sierra Leone are the closest of friends. I look forward to building on the wide and strong range of bilateral ties, developing further our shared political, economic and security interests.”
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