Former President Ernest Bai Koroma Departs Sierra Leone for High Level Engagements

By Abubakarr Harding

In a Press Release dated 13th July 2022 issued by the Communications Team of Former President Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma, it was revealed that the erstwhile Head of State has departed Freetown for Lusaka, Zambia to attend the Advisory Board meeting of the Brenthurst Foundation scheduled for 14th to 16th July 2022.

It was further revealed that the Brenthurst Foundation is a think tank with “a focus to attract the investment needed for continental regeneration and prosperity.”

Added was that former President Koroma will join other leaders, diplomats, and policy experts who make up the Advisory Board from across the continent, to continue deliberations on development and investment in Africa.

Also stated was that while in Zambia, the Foundation will pay a courtesy call on host President Hakainde Hichilema.

And from Zambia, the former Sierra Leonean leader will proceed to Arusha, Tanzania where he will deliver the keynote address at the Africa Drive for Democracy Conference slated for the 20th to 22nd of July 2022. According to the Press Release, under the aegis of the Strategic Litigation, MS Training Center for Development Cooperation and the Institute Security Studies, the conference brings together participants from over thirty countries to renew commitments on the promotion of democracy viz a viz the guaranteeing of a safe space for democracy activists, as well as to share experiences on the trends on the rapid decline of democracy in Africa.

President Ernest Bai Koroma, it was mentioned, will be sharing his rich experience in building peace and democracy in Sierra Leone, as well as the ECOWAS sub-region.

The Communication Team revealed that as the organizers put it: “we would like your Excellency to reflect on your experience in Sierra Leone and what lessons could be replicated in the continent. Based on these reflections, for your Excellency to discuss the role of civil society on the continent (notwithstanding all its limitations) in the democratization process…”

It was disclosed that the former President will return to Sierra Leone on July 24 2022.