The Korean Republic has donated equipment worth over $200,000 to the Foreign Service Academy (FSA) under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Sierra Leone.
The donation, which was held on Monday 16th October 2023 at Tower Hill in Freetown, is aimed at supporting Sierra Leone’s human capital development drive that was launched five years ago by President Dr. Julius Maada Bio.
The relations between the two countries, which began on June 25, 1962, have grown stronger with time, culminating in friendship and mutual benefits. The Sierra Leone Foreign Service Academy (FSA) is an institution established by the government of Sierra Leone to provide comprehensive training and education for individuals aspiring to join the country’s foreign service. It serves as a crucial platform for preparing diplomats and foreign service officers to represent Sierra Leone’s interests abroad.
The Korean Republic Delegation was led by the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Chung Hwang-Keun.
South Korean Ambassador to Sierra Leone, His Excellency Kim Young Chae revealed that the Korean Agriculture Minister’s visit to Sierra Leone shows that the bilateral ties between the two countries have further upgraded.
He further disclosed that his government will officially open a Korean Republic Embassy in Sierra Leone in 2024, which will serve as a milestone in the diplomatic ties and it will further boost a great partnership. The Ambassador thanked the Sierra Leone Foreign Minister for playing a pivotal role in the bilateral ties between the two nations.
The Korean Republic’s Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Chung Hwang-Keun revealed his meeting with President Bio and talks were also held with the Sierra Leone Foreign Minister, Timothy Musa Kabba.
He noted that both countries hope to boost relationships in areas like agriculture, food security, and technical cooperation. He said they have signed a memorandum of understanding with Sierra Leone on improving the K-rice belt project for a green revolution in Sierra Leone, which his country has achieved.
“I hope that the Foreign Service Academy will upgrade diplomats to enable Sierra Leone to play key roles in the international community,” the minister said.
Sierra Leone’s Foreign Minister, Musa Timothy Kabba expressed delight that the relationship between the two countries is moving from diplomatic to economic ties.
He recalled that the Republic of Korea concentrated on human capital development after its challenging days, noting that it has helped the country become one of the biggest economies in the world.
The Minister said Sierra Leone is implementing the Republic of Korea’s model of human capital development, which is why his government is spending 20% of the national budget on education.
“I am pleased and optimistic that Sierra Leone will learn from South Korea to be successful in the green revolution drive,” he said and assured that the donated equipment is an indication of preparing Sierra Leonean diplomats to represent their country in the multilateral space. This Foreign Service Academy will be a modern learning edifice,” he assured.
Head of the Academy, Ambassador Soulay Daramy thanked the Korean Republic for supporting his institution.
