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Sierra Leone’s Director General and Ambassador-at-large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Dr. Victoria M. Sulimani, paid a courtesy call on Mr. Reginald B. Goodridge Sr., Director General of the Gabriel L. Dennis Foreign Service Institute at the Foreign Ministry in Monrovia, Liberia.
The visit aimed to strengthen the bilateral ties between Sierra Leone and Liberia and to exchange ideas on the development and operation of their respective Foreign Service Institutes.
During the meeting, Dr. Sulimani explained that Sierra Leone’s Diplomatic Academy, established in 2023, focuses on training staff from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other government ministries and agencies.
Mr. Goodridge provided an overview of the Gabriel L. Dennis Foreign Service Institute, which was established in 1951 to ensure that Liberian diplomats are well-prepared for their roles. He highlighted the Institute’s three primary training programs: an orientation/refresher training for new appointees and staff from various ministries and agencies, a comprehensive nine-month course requiring a minimum GPA of 3.0 and a panel interview to assess candidates’ competence, and an upcoming specialized school for female diplomats focusing on key areas such as negotiations, conflict resolution, climate change, feminism, and gender issues.
Dr. Sulimani expressed gratitude for the informative visit and acknowledged that the Sierra Leone Diplomatic Academy, being relatively new, is still in the process of establishing its structures and programs.
Madam Sulimani stated that the Sierra Leone Foreign Service Academy, inaugurated by President Bio on January 5th 2023, began its operations in May. She emphasized that the visit to Liberia’s Foreign Service Institute aimed to leverage their extensive experience, as the institute has been established for over 53 years, whereas Sierra Leone’s Academy is just starting. This collaboration is expected to help the Academy train and produce seasoned diplomats.
Following the discussions, Mr. Goodridge led Dr. Sulimani and her delegation on a tour of the Institute’s facilities, providing a firsthand look at the various sections and their functions. Dr. Sulimani was accompanied by Mr. Aiah E. Mbawa, Director of Administration at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Sia Tejan, Head of Chancery at the Sierra Leone Embassy in Liberia, and Col. John R. Tucker, Defence Attaché at the Sierra Leone Embassy.
In another engagement, Dr. Sulimani held a meeting with His Excellency Ambassador Eddie S. Massally and his staff at the Sierra Leone Embassy in Monrovia. Ambassador Massally expressed his appreciation for the visit, acknowledging the support of his staff, particularly the former Head of Chancery, Mr. Aiah Mbawa, and the current Head, Mrs. Sia Tejan, for their diligent work. Dr. Sulimani thanked the Ambassador and his team for their dedication and the warm reception.
