The staff of the Embassy of Sierra Leone, the Sierra Leone Community members in the United States, and Faith organizations gathered at the Sierra Leone Chancery Hall yesterday, 2/7/25 to celebrate and bid farewell to the outgoing Head of Chancery of the Sierra Leone Washington, D.C. Mission, Ms. Rakie Macarthy.
Recalling the spectacular achievements of the outgoing Head of Chancery, Minister Counselor at the Embassy Mr. Victor Sheriff, described Ms Rakie Macarthy as a fine diplomat who has served her country in an exemplary way. Mr. Sheriff said the standards set by Ms Rakie Macarthy will serve as a roadmap for the administration of the Embassy. He went further to thank Rakie Macarthy for her kind and respectful attitude toward her staff. Mr. Sheriff ascribed special gratitude to the outgoing Head of Chancery for according him the opportunity to earn a Second Degree while serving under her in United States
“I will never forget all what you have done for me. I will surely have to rely on your support, and I will not let you down”, Mr. Sheriff concluded, noting that Ms. Rakie Macarthy’s professional experience from the Sierra Leone High Commission in Nigeria was exhibited in her tour as Head of Chancery at the Washington, D.C. Mission.
Speaking on behalf of the Local Staff of the Embassy, the Secretary to the Head of Chancery, Ms. Marjorie Shaiza registered her appreciation in working with the outgoing Head of Chancery, Ms. Rakie Macarthy. Ms. Shaiza said that she was very grateful that it was with the help of the outgoing Head of Chancery that they were able to get salary increment. Moreover, the HoCs Secretary stressed that in all the time of her service to the Embassy, she was highly impressed with the leadership provided by the outgoing Head of Chancery Ms. Rakie Macarthy, citing the 2022 U.S. -Africa Leaders Summit, Presidential Visits, Investment Conferences to which the Head of Chancery will be very meticulous, ensuring diligent diplomacy and seamless coordination.
Rev. Gloria Cline-Smythe thanked the outgoing Head of Chancery for being there for community people, especially when the ‘chips are down’. Rev. Cline-Smythe hailed Ms. Macarthy for her motherly attitude, and humility which she has served the Washington, D.C. Mission.
“Rakie gave more than 24hrs service to the Sierra Leone grassroots in the diaspora“, further referring to the outgoing Head of Chancery as a home maker, a peace maker – with no acrimony- no grudges. “Rakie Macarthy, you have the support of all the women in the diaspora “, Rev Cline-Smythe said.
The Winners Chapel Children’s Church representative thanked Rakie Macarthy for her service to the church and the children of God.
Charge d’ Affaires of the Embassy of Sierra Leone in Washington, D.C. applauded the outgoing Head of Chancery for her commitment and dedication to serving her country. “I enjoyed working with Rakie”, Charge d’ Affaires Sheku Mesali said. He said he feels elated that the out-going Head of Chancery played a critical role during the MCC, COVID-19 Fund Raiser in the U.S. to support the fight against COVID in Sierra Leone, the Education Basket Fund for the construction of School of Excellence in Sierra Leone, and the lifting of the U.S. Sanctions on Sierra Leone. Mr. Sheku Mesali thanked Ms. Rakie Macarthy for her compassion, especially towards the welfare of her staff.
In responding to her staff and Sierra Leone Community members, the outgoing Head of Chancery thanked God for taking her through her diplomatic tour in the United States. Ms. Rakie Macarthy thanked her staff, and expressed satisfaction that she was able to get the best of all her staff members. “I am very proud of you all for supporting me during my tenure as Head of Chancery”, Ms. Rakie Macarthy said. She thanked Rev. David Vandi in particular, whom she referred to as the unpaid staff of the Embassy for his services to the Embassy. She recognized the support the Embassy has enjoyed from the Sierra Leone diaspora, and went on to say that she will always remember the support she got from the Sierra Leone diaspora members when she lost her husband.
The outgoing Head of Chancery thanked her Mum – ‘Chief Mum’, and her elder sister Hon. Dr Hannah Sao Kpato Max Kaine, who was also at the farewell ceremony for inspiring her all throughout.
Prayers were recited for the outgoing Head of Chancery by Immam Teslim Alghali, Cannon Prince Decker, Rev Dr. Bangura, Rev. Cline-Smythe, Rev. David Vandi, and Immam Abu-Bakarr Wurie.
PEL Koroma, Embassy of Sierra Leone, Washington, D.C.
