The Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, National Tourist Board and Monuments and Relics Commission (MRC) on Monday 23rd April 2023 organized a Heritage/Civil Education and Business Development Workshop for 35 African-Americans who have traced their roots to Sierra Leone.
The workshop was held at the Family Kingdom Resort, Aberdeen in Freetown.
The Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Memunatu Pratt said Africans were forcefully taken abroad as slaves, that many died on the way and that they contributed to build America and Europe but discriminated against with no equal rights and opportunities, that they fought for their freedom adding that those who fought back through civil rights movements were killed.
Dr. Pratt went on to state that DNA is a great and beautiful technology that brings people together and commended the African-Americans for taking their DNA tests to return home which she underlined is a real sacrifice that cannot be overrated and went on to reveal that the Ministry has been organizing such programs for the past four years and that many African-Americans have gone through it.
She said Ghana and other countries are doing similar programs, affirmed that development is not only about Sierra Leoneans at home but also those in the Diaspora.
Dr. Pratt continued that the African Union has declared the Diaspora as the sixth region of Africa and that African-Americans have contributed to the development of Sierra Leone in various areas like agriculture, tourism and education reiterating that the country needs them and would be given the space to operate.
She said Sierra Leone is built on descent and was identified as the free or melting pot for slaves, that Sierra Leonean Ambassadors are building a community in America concluding that the venture is a pilgrimage worth taking.
Earlier, Ann Marie Kamara, Administrative Officer at MRC called on the participants to sing the National Anthem and National Pledge while Mohamed Faray Kargbo, Education and Communications Officer MRC, in his welcome address, commended the participants for tracing their roots and taking the bold step to return to Sierra Leone.
Mohamed Faray Kargbo also recalled that their ancestors were taken by force to America and other parts of the world, their identities changed but now returning home, hoped they would enjoy the best and not regret their coming and further revealed that a lot of African-Americans are returning home.
Francis Momoh, the Research Officer at MRC disclosed that one of their functions is to bridge the gap between Sierra Leone and the Diaspora, lamented the dangers of slavery and colonialism and underscored that Sierra Leoneans have to tell their own history.
He continued that the African-Americans who have traced their ancestry to Sierra Leone were descendants of freed slaves, stressed that we have to take responsibility to bridge the disconnections underscoring that it is a spiritual and cultural journey and assured that government is doing all it can to support them.
According to Francis Musa, a lot of developments are going on in the country.
The Chief Immigration Officer, Mr. Andrew Jiah Kaikai disclosed that for one to become a naturalized citizen of Sierra Leone he/she should have residence in the country for eight years but that the African-Americans have been exempted as their passports would be processed at the event.
He assured them that they are home and not tourists and that they would not be discriminated.
Abass Kamara, Director of Legal Affairs in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation dilated on the vision and mission of the Ministry including the promotion and protection of Sierra Leone’s national interests, signing and respecting conventions, treaties and agreements as well as protection of human rights.
He furthered that they are developing a Civil Service Bill that is now with Cabinet, constructed a Foreign Service Academy, established a Foreign Languages Department and that the country is vying for a permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council.
He added that Sierra Leone has diplomatic missions worldwide that are strategically located.
Mrs. Hillary John from the National Council for Civil Education and Democracy, Sia Fasuluku from the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education, Mr. Joseph Sama from the National Revenue Authority and representatives of other government Ministries, Departments and Agencies all made PowerPoint presentations about their various functions and responsibilities.
Highlights of the workshop were presentation of certificates to the participants, living in Sierra Leone panel discussion (testimonies) and musical performances by the National Dance Troop.
