AYV News, July 23, 2026
Sierra Leone’s Cabinet Ministers yesterday paid glowing tribute to President Dr. Julius Maada Bio in recognition of his leadership as the outgoing Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), celebrating what they described as a successful tenure that enhanced both the country’s and the region’s standing.
The appreciation ceremony, led by Chief Minister Dr. David Moinina Sengeh, brought together Cabinet Ministers who presented the President with a certificate of recognition and a commemorative cake in honour of his service and achievements during his chairmanship of the 15-member regional bloc.
The ministers commended President Bio for steering ECOWAS through a critical period while strengthening regional cooperation, peace, democratic governance and economic integration. They also praised his leadership in ensuring Sierra Leone successfully hosted the recently concluded ECOWAS Summit.
Receiving the honour, President Bio expressed gratitude to the ministers for the recognition and dedicated the achievement to the people of Sierra Leone.
He said the successful hosting of the ECOWAS Summit demonstrated the country’s growing capacity to organise international events of the highest standard.
President Bio noted that Sierra Leone welcomed more than 2,000 high-ranking delegates from across Africa, including Heads of State, government officials, diplomats and development partners, at the Julius Maada Bio International Conference Centre in Lungi.
According to the President, hosting such a major regional gathering was once considered beyond Sierra Leone’s reach, but the successful organisation of the summit reflects the significant progress the country has made.
“Sierra Leone is a good country blessed with good people. We successfully hosted over two thousand distinguished delegates from across Africa at the Julius Maada Bio International Conference Centre in Lungi, something many believed would not have been possible years ago. This demonstrates the transformation our country has undergone,” President Bio said.
He thanked the Cabinet Ministers for their confidence and support, describing the recognition as an honour shared by every Sierra Leonean who contributed to the successful hosting of the summit.
The ceremony marked the end of President Bio’s tenure as ECOWAS Chairman and celebrated Sierra Leone’s successful hosting of one of the region’s most significant diplomatic gatherings, further reinforcing the country’s growing profile on the continental stage.
