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Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Alhaji Timothy Musa Kabba, has welcomed a delegation from the African American Male Education Network and Development (A2MEND), using the occasion to outline Sierra Leone’s vision for human capital development, celebrate shared heritage, and call for sustained academic collaboration.
Speaking at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Minister Kabba emphasised Sierra Leone’s deep historical ties to the African diaspora.
He noted that the nation’s identity is closely linked to the story of liberated Africans who arrived from the Caribbean in the late eighteenth century and helped shape Freetown.
He highlighted the enduring significance of the Cotton Tree, describing it as a powerful symbol of the country’s founding legacy and resilience.
Reflecting on Sierra Leone’s past, Kabba revealed that he survived the civil war as a teenage combatant. He said the conflict resulted in significant loss of life and left lasting scars across the nation. Despite this history, he stressed that Sierra Leone has emerged as a respected advocate for peace, recently serving as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, where it contributed its peacebuilding experience to global discussions.
On national development priorities, the minister stated that President Julius Maada Bio has placed human capital development at the centre of government policy. He cited the Free Quality Education initiative, launched seven years ago, as a key pillar of this agenda, noting that it has significantly increased school enrollment accross the country.
Kabba also underscored Sierra Leone’s longstanding academic heritage, recalling that the country became home to the first Western-style university in British West Africa in 1827. He encouraged members of the visiting delegation to pursue partnerships that extend beyond formal engagements, focusing on long-term collaboration and mutual learning.
The A2MEND delegation included Dr. Terrence Elliott, Dr. Walter Jones, Dr. Jeremy Hart, Dr. Herbert English, Dr. Edward Brooks, and Dr. Royal Green, alongside students Timothy Tyson, AJ Underwood, Gideon Thelen, and Elijah Jankowski.
In response, members of the delegation expressed appreciation for the opportunity to reconnect with their shared heritage and reaffirmed their commitment to building a sustained educational partnership with Sierra Leone.
