By Amin Kef (Ranger)
Sierra Leone’s President, H.E. Julius Maada Bio, was named “African President of the Year 2023” at the 8th annual London Political Summit and Awards (LPSA) held on Friday, 20th October 2023. The ceremony took place at the magnificent Capthorne Tara in Scarsdale, London, marking an important milestone in the three-day summit that started on October 18, 2023. Accompanying the President are Chief Minister Dr. David Moinina Sengeh, philanthropist and business magnate Mohamed Gento Kamara, and several other dignitaries.
The summit, moderated by Nobel Peace Prize recipient Professor Pauline Long, commenced with a parliamentary discussion hosted by the Rt Hon. Paul Bristow, MP for Peterborough, in the British House of Parliament. The discussion revolved around the theme: “How can the People, Politics, and Power Sustain Peace?”
Upon receiving the 2023 Governance Leadership Award, President Bio expressed his gratitude to the Rebranding Africa Forum and emphasized that the award symbolizes the united efforts and dedication of all Sierra Leoneans. He acknowledged that the award is not the end of their journey but a significant landmark towards a brighter future.
President Bio highlighted the importance of unity and collaboration in achieving progress and positive change. He dedicated the award to the countless individuals who have dedicated their lives to uphold the principles and values that guide their work. Furthermore, he emphasized his renewed commitment to these values in facing the trials ahead.
Despite the joyous occasion, President Bio remained aware of the existing challenges facing the country and the continent. He restated his dedication to solving these issues and pledged to uphold the values that have shaped his leadership, embracing resilience, compassion, and a shared vision for a brighter tomorrow.
The event was attended by prestigious panelists, including the Sierra Leone High Commissioner to the United Kingdom H.E. Dr. Morie Komba Manyeh, Professor Kishan Devani BEM, and the Rt Hon. Jonathan Michael Graham Ashworth, MP for Leicester South, among others.
In his acceptance speech, Dr. Morie Manyeh praised President Bio’s achievements in reestablishing Sierra Leone on the global education map, empowering Sierra Leonean women, and removing historical legal barriers to democracy and good governance. He also highlighted the successful implementation of the Free Quality Education policy and a revolutionary agricultural initiative under President Bio’s leadership.
Despite facing global challenges, Sierra Leone has maintained peace and cohesion under President Bio’s leadership. The Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP) ranked Sierra Leone as the 3rd most peaceful country in sub-Saharan Africa and the 47th most peaceful country globally in its 2023 Global Peace Index.
This is the second time President Bio has been honored by the LPSA, having received the “West African President of the Year 2021” award. The LPSA, established in 2016, serves as a vital platform for addressing contemporary social and political issues and recognizing the positive contributions of business and political leaders on the African continent and in the diaspora.
President Julius Maada Bio, already recognized as the Chairperson of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) of Heads of State and Government of the African Union and the ZAWYA “African Person of the Year 2022,” continues to receive national and international accolades for his dedication to placing Sierra Leone on the global map. The recent LPSA accolade adds to his growing collection of honors.
