By Amin Kef Sesay
On Tuesday 19th January 2020 the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) in Sierra Leone, led by Dr. Babatunde A. Ahomsi, visited the Inspector General of Police (IGP), at his George Street office at Police Headquarters in Freetown.
During the meeting with the IGP, Dr. Babatunde acknowledged and commended the collaboration which the UNCT has maintained with the Sierra Leone Police, which include: the working relationship in some of the UN projects concerned with Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV), giving support to SGBV survivors through one-stop centers such as, providing legal support to SGBV victims and preventing conflicts in several parts of the country.
Dr. Babatunde maintained that UNCT appreciates the role of the SLP especially on its participation in peacekeeping missions around the world. He also commended the SLP for its support to the United Nations Department for Safety and Security through their integrated night patrols, and the provision of armed personnel during the period of curfew in Sierra Leone.
He praised the quick response of the armed wing of the SLP for the prompt security provision for its staff, their premises /residences and medical emergencies. He further applauded the professionalism displayed by security personnel during the visit of the UN Deputy Secretary General and her delegation to Sierra Leone in November 2020. On a final note, he observed that the UN in Sierra Leone sees the SLP as an important partner to support the Government and people of Sierra Leone in the quest to recover from the impact of COVID-19 and get back on track of becoming a middle-income country by 2035.
“I am willing to further strengthen the UN’s already healthy and harmonious relationship with the SLP,” he concluded.
Responding to the team, the Inspector General of Police appreciated Dr. Babatunde and his entourage and expressed his willingness on behalf of the SLP to work with the United Nations Country Team. He emphasized on the need for team work and institutional collaboration between the two organizations.
