The outgoing Ambassador of the European Union (EU) to Sierra Leone, Manuel Müller, praised the progress made by the Government of Sierra Leone in its Human Capital Development drive.

During a farewell visit to the Ministry, Ambassador Müller acknowledged the efforts of the government and emphasized the importance of long-term investment in education. He commended the government’s commitment to education, highlighting initiatives such as the school feeding program, efforts to bring girls back to school, and the free quality education program as transformative steps.

Ambassador Müller also expressed gratitude for the strong cooperation between the EU and Sierra Leone’s education sector, noting the relationship has been built on mutual respect and shared goals. He specifically appreciated Minister Conrad Sackey’s hands-on approach and thanked the ministry for its dedication to improving education in Sierra Leone.

In response, Minister Sackey praised Ambassador Müller for his dedication to Sierra Leone’s development, particularly in education, and wished him the best in his future endeavors. As a token of appreciation, the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education presented Ambassador Müller with a gift representing Sierra Leone’s rich culture.

Ambassador Müller, visibly moved, expressed his deep affection for Sierra Leone and its people, promising to carry fond memories of the country back to Europe. He will be returning to Germany for a brief period before taking up a new posting in Berlin in 2025, reassuring the gathering that the EU’s commitment to supporting Sierra Leone, particularly in education and governance, would continue unabated.

Ambassador Manuel Müller is a staunch advocate of gender equality and women and girls’ empowerment. Before his assignment in Sierra Leone, he has been German Ambassador to South Sudan, and Deputy Head of Division for Sahel, West and Central Africa at the German Foreign Office. He has also been assigned to the German Embassies in Bolivia, Ukraine and Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). He holds a Master of Arts in Political Sciences from the University of Trier in Germany.