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The Sierra Leone Standards Bureau marked World Standards Day on Monday with a focus on the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in driving industry, innovation, and infrastructure.
The event, themed “Achieving Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure through Artificial Intelligence (AI): Our Shared Vision for a Better World,” underscored the importance of AI in shaping sustainable growth.
Mr. Rashid Conteh, chairman of the occasion, highlighted AI’s potential to reshape global industries and infrastructure. “The integration of AI into various sectors is no longer an aspiration but a necessity for sustainable growth,” Conteh said in his opening remarks, emphasizing the technology’s relevance in today’s evolving global landscape.
Dr. John Paul Kaisam, Executive Director of the Sierra Leone Standards Bureau, emphasized that standards are critical for fostering innovation and prosperity.
“Our gathering today is a testament to the hard work of individuals dedicated to ensuring that our industries are built on solid foundations,” Kaisam noted. He echoed the sentiment of inclusivity, quoting Chief Minister David Francis’s slogan, “This is the time for radical inclusion,” emphasizing the importance of collaboration for national growth.
Representing the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), Mrs. Mariatu Swaray reiterated the significance of standards in ensuring safety and quality across industries. She noted that this year’s theme resonates amid rapid technological advancements, highlighting the role of standards in shaping a better future.
Dr. Farmer, representing the National Standards Council, praised the bureau’s skilled scientists and engineers. He called for a legal expert to join the council to manage expected legal cases related to standards, further strengthening the organization’s capacity.
Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Madam Fatmata Kargbo, delivered the keynote address, highlighting President Julius Maada Bio’s commitment to upholding standards. She acknowledged the critical role standards play in everyday life, noting their impact on consumers and industries alike.
Kargbo announced that the Ministry of Trade and Industry, in collaboration with the Sierra Leone Standards Bureau, is drafting a National Standardization Strategy (NSS) to support key government initiatives, including the Feed Salone program and infrastructure development.
The event celebrated the collaboration between international bodies such as the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), which collectively work to address global challenges through standardization.
This year’s celebration highlighted AI’s growing role in achieving sustainable development and the need for global cooperation in creating standards that ensure quality, safety, and innovation for all.
“Standards bureau” One of the most useless government entity you can think of. With all the substandard building materials and spare parts, expired foodstuffs all around the country when they’re having offices @ the quay,airport and boarder crossings. Shame on you!