President Koroma

EXTEMPORANEOUS KEYNOTE DELIVERY
Delivering the keynote address extemporaneously (without a prepared text), President Koroma welcomed all present ( including diplomats, ministers, civil society activists, and journalists) to State House, stating that the  press conference was a follow-up to the London Conference, which was the sixth donors conference as a nation.

THE AGENDA FOR CHANGE: A CLEAR DIRECTION

“As a government, we came in with a clear direction as to what we have to do to turn this country around based on our party manifesto, based on the promises we made to usher in a change. This change and the aspirations of our people were all captured in the Agenda for Change,” he narrated. The President said that “in order to succeed, the private sector has to take its rightful place in the development sector,” which was why the Trade and Investment Forum was held prior to the Consultative Group meeting to attract private investors.

“We went out there to tell the world that Sierra Leone is ready for business, to tell the world that the stories about Sierra Leone in the past should remain history; that they should learn a new story about Sierra Leone, a Sierra Leone that is ready to move forward, a Sierra Leone that has accepted democracy, a Sierra Leone that is transparent, a Sierra Leone that is prepared to adhere to international standards expected of any country in doing business.”

The Head of State said the government was out there to present the Agenda for Change and to seek support, and was happy to report that Sierra Leone has been recognized and has received acceptability: “The efforts we have made, the strides we have taken, have been accepted, not out of sympathy but because of our tremendous commitment and determination to make a difference,” noting that both at the Trade Forum and the Consultative Group meeting, Sierra Leone was given recognition in terms of improvement in governance.

He made mention of the ratings by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation which has rated Sierra Leone as one of the countries that has madethe greatest improvement in governance, the World Bank’s high rating of Sierra Leone in terms of accountability, the country having progressed by at least 20 points in enabling a conducive business environment, in the fight against corruption at least 12 points forward, and “in the ease of doing business, we are leaders in the sub region.

This is how prepared we are, and this is our story, this is our new story. The world has appreciated Sierra Leone; the donor community has endorsed the Agenda For Change.”

BEYOND OUR EXPECTATIONS
On the conference proper, President Koroma said it went very well, “even beyond our expectations as a government and as nation. And we must all be proud of these achievements”. He noted that the objective was for the Agenda For Change to be accepted, and it was accepted; and for the donor participation and donor base to be broadened, and it was broadened, mentioning the active participation of the Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC).

He also noted that the conference would not have been a success without the support of good and great friends who believe in the commitment of the government to change Sierra Leone’s circumstances, making mention of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair,  international business tycoon George Soross, and the Prince of Wales Prince Charles of Great Britain. “I must single out the UK government for the commitment and support given to us throughout the period of preparing the Agenda For Change and the general coordination of the conference,” The President maintained.

IT’S TIME TO CAPTURE THE MOMENT
Turning his attention to Sierra Leoneans, President Koroma said, “As Sierra Leoneans, it’s time for us to rally round and support Sierra Leone. This is not time for politicking; it is time to capture the moment. It is time for us as a government, as political parties, as civil society, as members of the fourth estate, to promote the cause   of Sierra Leone. We should not be looking for grants or for charity all the way; but we should be looking for business partners that will support our development. We have to take full responsibility of our future. We will call everybody to come and help, but the ultimate responsibility of moving this country forward ests on us as Sierra Leoneans.”

NOT THE END OF THE STORY
The President further said that “we have come out of the conference very, very successful… singing the same song as the most successful and most supported conference; but it is not the end of the story. That is why we are here, that is why we have mapped out a programme to further improve on our ratings by continuing to deepen the democratic process, fight against corruption, demonstrate more transparency and accountability that would provide the expected confidence.”

THE SPIRIT SHOULD BE CHANGED
President Koroma said he has challenged government to put in place a unit charged with the responsibility of designing projects: “Like I mentioned at the Consultative Group meeting, the spirit should be changed.” He said Bumbuna has now been completed, but the work should continue until all the major towns and villages are given access to electricity supply; road construction is on-going, but more work needs to be done, that is why he has decided to put in place a follow-up or implementation unit that would continuously monitor projects.

THE LIFE OF THE ORDINARY MAN
“We will not allow the confidence to slip; we must sustain the moment. It is great moment for all of us We must ensure that we translate the statements made at the conference into issues that will impact the life of the ordinary man. The man in Boedu, the man in Krubola, the man in Mattru must experience and feel the impact of the Agenda For Change,” President Koroma told his audience.

THANKS
The President thanked all those that contributed to the success of the conference, including government  officials, the donor community, and the British government, noting that, “This is a high point for Sierra Leone, a time for Sierra Leoneans to look at it as a moment to move Sierra Leone forward. If we are committed and sincere, we must lend support to this programme–whether as government, or civil society, or the fourth estate–we must commit ourselves to making Sierra Leone a different place. I thank you all.”

QUESTION-AND-ANSWER SESSION
There was a question-and-answer session wherein journalists were given an opportunity to ask questions  directly to the President. Among others, questions were asked on the following lines, and the President  answered each accordingly.

SACRED COWS IN GOVERNMENT: The President reiterated one of his first pronouncements when he assumed office–that there is no sacred cow in his government. But he said he will not work on rumours, but on evidence and substance before taking action. While placing absolute confidence in justice and the judicial system, he stated that if the law-enforcement agencies like the police and the Anti Corruption Commission need unfettered access to his ministers, he would readily let that happen as he has done in the past. He said members of his family are not above the law, but they are also Sierra Leoneans who have the right to do business legally.

SECURITY, VIS-À-VISTHE SITUATION IN GUINEA: He said he was very much concerned about the situation in Guinea: “it is important to us as to the Guineans themselves, as anything there would have an influence on us.” He however said he is working within the sub-regional framework of peace in the context of the positions taken by both the MRU and ECOWAS, revealing that there is a pending meeting to be held this week in Burkina Faso on the Guinean crisis.

THE WAY FORWARD: President Koroma said this is no time to rest, but to continue to build on the gains already realized. Sierra Leone needs good roads, Sierra Leone needs increased agricultural productivity, Sierra Leone needs electricity, Sierra Leone needs health facilities, Sierra Leone needs good educational amenities. The pursuing of the achievement of these, and many others for the ordinary man, the President posited, is the way forward.

SIERRA LEONEANS IN THE DIASPORA: The Head of State said a good number of Sierra Leoneans abroad participated at the conference, and that he has great interest in stimulating them to contribute to national development, stating that Sierra Leoneans should take the lead in the government’s development drive.