“The children of Sierra Leone recognize the contribution of the World Bank Group in helping our government and the country to defeat Ebola,” said Edmond Alima Fornah, executive director of KAN. “We particularly appreciate the personal commitment and support of the World Bank Group President, Jim Yong Kim, and former Country Manager, Mr. Francis Ato Brown, for his tireless effort on the ground.”
Edmond recalled that the WBG provided funding for drugs, personal protective equipment, ambulances and hazard pay to health workers among other things that helped in the fight against Ebola.
All NaCDA awardees, Edmond said, were chosen through voting mainly by school children and child-led organizations across Sierra Leone.
The award event, held December 9th 2015 at the National Stadium’s Atlantic Hall in Freetown, included an audience full of school children, the chairman of the Conference of Principals, media practitioners, and high profile representatives of private and public institutions.
On behalf of the Country Manager, Parminder Brar and his colleagues, Operations Officer Sheikh Alhaji Sesay expressed appreciation for the award and reiterated the WBG’s continued support to the government and people of Sierra Leone. Sesay said the WBG has ongoing projects aimed at addressing issues facing young people and will develop more youth-focused projects in the future.
In appreciation, Brar said the award was for teamwork and commitment.
“My colleagues will be hugely inspired by this and will continue to work diligently with the government to address serious development issues facing Sierra Leoneans,” he said.
NaCDA is an initiative of the children of Sierra Leone through KAN to “reward, recognize and appreciate individuals and institutions that are contributing to the development of Sierra Leone.” This is their eighth annual award-giving event.
For more information on the World Bank Group’s contribution to the fight against Ebola in West Africa and President Jim Yong Kim’s statement on the end of Ebola transmission in Sierra Leone.