Sierra Leone has been honored to deliver talks on regional integration and general cooperation, to 182 newly trained and graduated immigration officers at the Gbarnga Regional and Security Hub in Liberia.
Sierra Leone’s Chief Immigration Officer, Alusine Kanneh, emphasised the importance of ECOWAS initiatives in fostering unity and development across the West Africa sub-region.
As the newly graduated immigration officers begin their careers, Hon. Kanneh urged them to uphold the values of unity, cooperation, and mutual respect, emphasizing their roles in realizing the full potentials of ECOWAS initiatives and building a more connected, secure, and prosperous West Africa.
Hon. Kanneh highlighted four key initiatives: the ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card (ENBIC), the ECOWAS Brown Card, the Free Movement Protocol, and the Mano River Protocol. He pointed out that these initiatives are driving regional integration, enhancing security, and promoting economic cooperation between countries with particular references to Sierra Leone and Liberia.
The ENBIC aims to streamline travel and bolster security using biometric technology for verifiable identities. Hon. Kanneh noted that Sierra Leone’s successful implementation, including registering 85% of the population during the 2017 Mass Civil Registration Exercise. Despite challenges like technical issues and funding, the ENBIC allows visa-free travel within the region.
The ECOWAS Brown Card ensures compensation for road accident victims involving vehicles travelling across member states, improving cross-border transportation and trade. Hon. Kanneh went on to underline that Sierra Leone adopted this system to raise public awareness and ensure compliance through regulatory support and stakeholder training.
The Free Movement Protocol allows citizens to move freely, reside, and establish businesses in any ECOWAS member state, fostering economic growth and cultural exchanges. The Mano River Protocol focuses on cooperation among Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea, and Côte d’Ivoire in economic development, environmental conservation, and peacebuilding.
In his well-received speech, Hon. Kanneh underscored the transformative power of regional cooperation between Sierra Leone and Liberia, facilitated by these initiatives, which strengthen family and business ties and promote joint efforts in environmental conservation and peacebuilding endeavors.
During his visit, Hon. Kanneh also paid a courtesy visit to the Sierra Leone Embassy in Liberia, where he met with Ambassador Eddie Massally and his staff. Hon. Kanneh thanked the Ambassador and staff for their warm reception and the Ambassador appreciated the visit, while applauding the sustained work, on all sides, to reinforce the strong bonds of cooperation and mutual respect between the two nations.
