Delivering his farewell speech at the Bureau’s conference hall, the outgoing Executive Director Ing. James Saio Dumbuya described the event as historic. He gave a historical background of the institution, the achievements and challenges during what he referred to as “difficult moments” but said he was able to bring Standards Bureau to where it is today with modern food micro biology and chemical laboratories, as well as petroleum laboratories among other developments and initiatives.
Mr. Dumbuya spoke about the institution’s memberships to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML), Africa Organization for Standardization (ARSO) and the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and other affiliate bodies.
He also spoke about the challenges facing the institution such as “lack of political will over the years and over-centralization which he said has been seriously affecting the institution. He congratulated his successor and wished him well.
Responding, the incoming Executive Director of the Bureau, Professor Thomas Yormah expressed his profound gratitude to President Julius Maada Bio for the confidence reposed in him to allow him serve his country. He commended his predecessor for his service and urged the staff to work with him.
He warned that in his tenure as Executive Director there would be no sacred cows and “as a religious person, I would be a God-fearing individual by treating everyone as equals as I would want all to “do on to others as you would want them do on to you.”
Professor Yormah noted that the Bureau had been facing serious criticisms in terms of publicity and marketing, and that many people in the country including intellectuals do not know much about the Bureau; a situation he promised to change. He added that as a professional and university lecturer he believes in hard work, discipline and “meritocracy”, stressing that he is adamant on ensuring that staff get what they deserve or merit and that motivation would be among some of his policies. He admonished staff working at the laboratories to maintain professionalism at all times.
The Acting Minister of Trade and industry, Rev. Abraham Sesay-Jones commended the outgoing Director, Mr. Dumbuya for what he referred to as “his remarkable work over the years.” He described Mr. Dumbuya as a professional and a patriot who worked hard at uplifting the Bureau’s former lowly status. He welcomed Professor Yormah to his new position and wished him well.
The climax of the event was a conducted tour of the Bureau facilities including laboratories.
