The Deputy Head of Mission to the Kingdom of Belgium and Strategic Advisor of the Government of Sierra Leone to the European Union, Harold Bundu Saffa has called on Sierra Leoneans living in the Netherlands not to use the safety of foreign land to invite violence in Sierra Leone.

The Deputy Ambassador made this statement as the guest of honour at the Inauguration ceremony of the Executive of the Sierra Leone Central Union (SLCU).

The Ambassador praised the Sierra Leone Central Union members for the initiative to work together for their common interest. Stating that the work of the Embassy in Brussels which is also accredited to the Kingdom of the Netherlands will be much easier if Sierra Leoneans work together for the common interest of all.

He further called on Sierra Leoneans to be strategic partners in national development. Sierra Leone, the Ambassador went on “is in a hurry for development”. He implored Sierra Leoneans to help identify and tap into the huge potentials that the kingdom of The Netherlands has.

Adding that Sierra Leone is in need of technical expertise in various fields ranging from agriculture to water engineering. The country is open for Business, and called for a concerted efforts to attract inward investment into Sierra Leone.

Ambassador Harold Saffa said the duty of every Sierra Leonean should be to ask, “what can I do for Sierra Leone, not what can Sierra Leone do for me”?

In congratulating the newly elected Officers of the Sierra Leone Central Union, Ambassador Saffa said they have been entrusted with a huge responsibility of managing the welfare of their compatriots and encourage them to rise to the occasion. He expressed the readiness of the Embassy to work with the new Executive.

The President of the SLCU Mohamed Alie Bah in his statement said his re-lection shows they respect and trust him and promise the general membership he will restore their dignity and respect.  Stating that last two years has been challenging because of the COVID pandemic.

The president spoke about some of the project the community had undertaken which the solidarity fund and the school in Lungi which has now got a senior secondary school with 100% passes by the children in all public exams.

Earlier in the week, Ambassador Harold Saffa received a group of post graduate Sierra Leonean students studying Water engineering in the Netherlands at the Sierra Leone Embassy in Brussels.

Receiving the students, Ambassador Saffa said the preoccupation of the government of President Julius Maada Bio was the Human Capital Development. He expressed joy that the students have taken time to visit the embassy and brief him on their studies.

The students briefed the Deputy Ambassador about the courses they are pursuing, as well as some of the constraints they are facing. They also extended an invitation to the Deputy Ambassador to witness their graduation in May 2022.

Whilst accepting the invitation from the students, the Deputy Ambassador promised to give feedback to the Head of Mission, His Excellency Ambassador Samuel Tamba Musa.