By Hassan Osman Kargbo
Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to the State of Kuwait, Haja Ishata Thomas, has reaffirmed President Dr. Julius Maada Bio’s call for deepening national consciousness and unity, urging Sierra Leoneans abroad to commit to fostering peace and cohesion as the nation marked its 64th Independence Anniversary.
Speaking during a well-attended ceremony organized by the Sierra Leone Embassy in Kuwait on April 28, Ambassador Thomas congratulated her compatriots and encouraged them to embrace reflection and prayer as central themes in this year’s celebration.
“Let me take this opportunity to congratulate you all on this historic occasion marking the 64th Independence Anniversary of a nation that we so cherish,” she said. “This year’s celebration calls for not only a deep reflection on our nation’s history but also our collective efforts in driving the country’s development aspirations.”
Ambassador Thomas called on Sierra Leoneans living in Kuwait to offer prayers—each in their respective faiths—for the continued peace, unity, and stability of Sierra Leone. Her remarks mirrored the message delivered by President Bio in his national Independence address, which emphasized the importance of national cohesion amid economic challenges.
Highlighting the progress made under President Bio’s leadership, Ambassador Thomas pointed to key achievements in gender and youth empowerment, infrastructure development, education, agriculture, energy, and health. She emphasized that despite global setbacks, including the COVID-19 pandemic and a struggling global economy, Sierra Leone has made notable gains under the current administration.
In his national address, President Bio also acknowledged the economic hardships affecting Sierra Leoneans, including high inflation, energy shortages, and food price hikes. However, he noted that his government had implemented short-term measures to alleviate these challenges. These include a new pricing formula for essential goods like petroleum, rice, and cement, as well as investments in agriculture and mining under the “Feed Salone” initiative, which has contributed to a projected 4% economic growth rate.
The President further celebrated the country’s declining maternal mortality rate, the rollout of new energy projects, and other developmental strides as evidence of progress and resilience.
In line with the spirit of unity and celebration, the Embassy, in collaboration with the Sierra Leone Union in Kuwait, organized a “National Cohesion Football Tournament” over the weekend. The sporting event brought together Sierra Leoneans from various parts of Kuwait to mark the independence milestone in a lively, patriotic atmosphere.
The tournament opened with interfaith prayers and religious readings, including Quranic and Biblical recitations, symbolizing unity across religious lines. The matches, played in a spirit of camaraderie and togetherness, concluded with joyful celebrations as attendees chanted popular Sierra Leonean songs and waved the national flag.
Participants described the football competition as a fitting tribute to the day, fostering solidarity among Sierra Leoneans in the diaspora and reinforcing the ambassador’s message of peace and national pride.
“This celebration has brought us together as one people, and we are grateful to the Embassy for organizing such an event,” said Mohamed Sesay, a participant in the tournament. “It reminds us that no matter where we are, Sierra Leone remains home.”
As the nation reflects on 64 years of independence, Sierra Leoneans in Kuwait have reaffirmed their commitment to national progress and unity, echoing the call of both their President and Ambassador for a future built on shared values and collective effort.
