The head of the delegation from the United Kingdom, Emily Poyser, who is also the Head of Strategic Communications, International Projects explained that UK Government Communication Service International (GCSI) was established in response to demand from partner governments to replicate effective and efficient government communications. She also stated that GCSI collaborates with partner governments around the world to help them build capacity and improve communications with their citizens.

“We are here to assess the current communications capability of the Government of Sierra Leone and make a report of the key findings with recommendations in the short and long term” Emily Poyser noted. Welcoming the delegation, Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman, Yusuf Keketoma Sandi expressed appreciation to the visiting team for choosing Sierra Leone at a time when the new President believes that engaging citizens on government activities and programmes is an enabler to participatory democracy. He informed the delegation that the new government inherited a weak government information infrastructure but that both the Office of the President and Ministry of Information and Communications.