By Hassan Osman Kargbo
The Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Alhaji Timothy Musa Kabba, has commissioned DSTV and high speed internet connectivity for the Mass Media Faculty at the Fourah Bay College, marking a significant boost to media education at the institution.
The commissioning ceremony, held at the university, was described as a major step toward equipping mass communication students with the tools needed to operate effectively in today’s fast changing global media environment. The newly installed facilities are expected to provide students with continuous access to international news channels, research materials, and real time global developments.
Speaking at the event, Minister Kabba stressed that modern journalism requires constant engagement with reliable and diverse sources of information. He said future media professionals must be well informed if they are to form balanced opinions and contribute meaningfully to national and international discourse.
He noted that access to global news and research platforms would help students understand international trends, diplomacy, and world affairs, thereby strengthening their analytical skills and professional competence. According to him, the media plays a critical role in shaping public opinion and projecting the image of a country beyond its borders.
During his address, the Minister also took time to explain the mandate and structure of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation as outlined in Section 10(c) of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone. He explained that the Ministry is responsible for managing Sierra Leone’s bilateral and multilateral relations, mediating in regional and international disputes, reviewing treaties and conventions, and promoting and protecting the country’s interests globally.
He described the Ministry as the primary institution through which Sierra Leone engages with the international community and upholds the rules based international order, adding that multilateralism remains central to the country’s foreign policy approach.
Reflecting on global history, Minister Kabba recalled that the Second World War resulted in the loss of an estimated thirty million lives and led to the creation of major international financial institutions such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. He said these institutions were initially established to support post war rehabilitation and economic recovery.
While acknowledging that African countries currently benefit from financial support from these bodies, the Minister expressed concern that some of their policies now work against the interests of the very nations they were meant to assist.
On global governance, he spoke about the role of the United Nations, noting that it was created to maintain international peace and security. He pointed out that although the UN has 193 member states, decision making power largely rests with fifteen countries through the Security Council.
Faculty members and students welcomed the initiative, describing the DSTV and internet connectivity as a transformative development that will significantly enhance teaching, research, and learning. Many said the upgrade would help produce well informed and globally conscious journalists capable of representing Sierra Leone effectively on the international stage.
The commissioning forms part of the Minister’s broader commitment to investing in education and building the capacity of young Sierra Leoneans to compete and contribute in a globalised world.
