Mr. Conteh said: “the diaspora is considered as the fifth region, added to the four Geographical regions in the country, and the contribution of diasporans matters in the development of their country of origin’’ He furthered that H.E President, Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma viewed the Sierra Leone diaspora community as an important component, and that is why he established the Office of Diaspora Affairs to harness diasporas contribution for the development of the country.

Whilst admonishing the participants to give their best to their various assignments, he stressed the active role and commitment of Government towards the success of the CD4D Programme in Sierra Leone.

ODA’s Deputy Director, Mr. Sorie Tholley also urged the two CD4D Participants to make use of the opportunity to register in the ongoing National Voter registration exercise, so that they will be able to participate in the 2018 General Elections.

The two CD4D Participants expressed optimism to perform their duties accordingly during the time of their assignments in the country.

Among the second batch of Participants who arrived recently in country to participate in the CD4D Project include: Mr. Akim Gibril is assigned to the Ernest Bai Koroma University to help them in the area of Curriculum Development, and Mr.Dauda Daramy is assigned to the Institute of Advanced Management and Technology (IAMTECH) to provide capacity in the area of Research and Development.

Sierra Leone is one of the six countries participating in IOM’s CD4D project. And this is the second batch of participant that has arrived in the country in order to participate in the programme. Through this project, IOM in collaboration with ODA acts as facilitator and mediator between the diaspora living and working in the Netherlands and the identified institutions in Sierra Leone. The project is funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.