President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone has received a certificate of national recognition in Ghana in acknowledgement of his leadership, commitment to democratic governance and service to the people of Sierra Leone.

The recognition was presented by Rev. Kennedy Okosun, Executive Chairman of KRIF Ghana Ltd. and Founder of the KRIF Foundation, during President Bio’s visit to Ghana for the Consultative Conference on Regional Cooperation and Security for Heads of State.

According to Rev. Okosun, the citation was conferred in the context of the Regal Influence Summit, a platform that brings together leaders from government, business, civil society and diplomacy to engage in dialogue on leadership, governance, enterprise, diplomacy and social transformation. He said the recognition reflects President Bio’s exemplary leadership and his steadfast commitment to democratic values.

The citation also highlighted Sierra Leone’s historical role in Pan-Africanism and its significance as a homeland for freed Africans. Rev. Okosun explained that the summit seeks to develop practical and sustainable solutions to Africa’s development challenges, place the continent at the centre of its own transformation and build resilience for future generations.

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Receiving the citation, President Bio expressed appreciation for the honour and commended the organisers of the Regal Influence Summit. He noted that the objectives of the initiative align closely with his priorities as Chair of ECOWAS, particularly in promoting regional cooperation, security and development.

President Bio reiterated his long-held view that Africa must take responsibility for addressing its core challenges. He said that after more than fifty years of post-independence efforts, African countries must lead their own transformation through practical cooperation that delivers measurable results.

In his remarks, the president pledged his support for the Regal Influence initiative and confirmed his readiness to host a future Pan-African Regal Summit in Sierra Leone. His commitment, according to the organisers, signals a willingness to translate dialogue into concrete action, especially in the areas of economic integration and security cooperation.

Sierra Leone’s High Commissioner to Ghana, Mohamed Hassan Kaisamba, represented President Bio at the Regal Influence Summit. His participation, organisers said, underscored Sierra Leone’s continued engagement in Pan-African dialogue and its legacy of principled leadership.

Two citations were presented during the ceremony. One recognised President Bio personally for his leadership and service, while the second was presented on behalf of the people and government of Sierra Leone. Both awards were handed over by Rev. Okosun following a briefing on the summit’s objectives and the reasons for the recognition.

Organisers of the Regal Influence Summit said the initiative will continue to convene leaders across sectors with the aim of turning dialogue into action. They expressed hope that President Bio’s endorsement and the prospect of a future summit in Sierra Leone will help accelerate efforts toward deeper economic integration, strategic investment and sustained regional stability across Africa.