According to President Bio, Sierra Leone diplomats are expected to maintain high pedigree and must always be alert to issues consistent with Sierra Leone’s foreign policy under the New Direction of His Excellency the President, Julius Maada Bio.
President Bio started by informing the ambassadorial and related foreign mission appointees that serving one’s country is the highest honor any one can wish for.
“If I am not mistaken, this is the first time ever the Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation is organizing an induction workshop for High Commissioners and Ambassadors,” President Bio told his audience, adding that he is very delighted to be given the honor of addressing his High Commissioners and ambassadors.
He went on to say that the essence of the induction workshop was to ensure that the new diplomats that would be representing Sierra Leone abroad in different capacities are instructed by trained professionals on diplomatic protocols so that they would be au fait with international guidelines, rules and protocols for international diplomats to observe.
He added that the induction process is part of his broader vision in foreign policy trajectory for Sierra Leone as articulated in his New Direction.
“When I took the reins of government, the institutions that are charged with serving Sierra Leone in international relations and the promotion of our national interests were barely capable to make significant landmark on the international scene in enhancing Sierra Leone’s image abroad and the world stage,” President Bio told his audience.
He added that this made it difficult for Sierra Leone; the reason why he is now warning his High Commissioners, Ambassadors, Deputy Ambassadors, Press and Financial Attaches to Sierra Leone’s various diplomatic missions not to misuse or abuse diplomatic privilege.
He admonished them to do all in their power to ensure that they attract good things for implementation in Sierra Leone and that are fit for our situation. He warned that he would not take lightly to any diplomat who does contrary to his instruction.
He mentioned that due to the low caliber of people appointed as diplomats for Sierra Leone in the past, “this constituted a precarious challenge to increasing the gains from the country’s diplomatic and foreign relations.” The reason why according to President Bio, that he decided to ensure that henceforth Sierra Leone diplomats of all categories are well trained and groomed in carrying out their roles and responsibilities as High Commissioners, Ambassadors, Deputy Ambassadors, Press and Financial Attaches.
Other speakers at the event were the Chief Minister, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and other personalities.
Present at the occasion were government functionaries, diplomats, media and other guests.
