Sierra Leone, June 16, 2023: On the occasion of the International Day of the African Child, the UBA Foundation has partnered with the National Commission for Children (NCC) to donate books, aiming to foster a culture of reading among students. This initiative is part of the Foundation’s Read Africa Initiative, an annual undertaking that promotes literacy and provides educational resources to selected secondary schools.

In this year’s donation drive, the UBA Foundation has collaborated with the NCC to maximize the impact of their philanthropic efforts, aligning with the NCC’s scheduled activities for June 16, 2023. By joining forces with the NCC, the Foundation aims to reach a wider audience and ensure that more students benefit from access to literature. Over 500 copies of “The Deep Blue Between,” a literature written by Ayesha Harruna Attah, a Ghanaian-born writer living in Senegal were donated.

During an event at the NCC Head Office at Bass Street Brookfields where the books were handed over to the Commission, Sallieu Sesay, the Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications at UBA Sierra Leone, expressed the Foundation’s belief in the transformative power of education and emphasized the importance of promoting a reading culture. He stated, “By providing literature books to secondary schools, the Foundation aims to inspire a passion for reading, improve literacy rates, and contribute to the overall educational development of students in Sierra Leone.”

Through this partnership, the UBA Foundation and the NCC are reaffirming their commitment to investing in the future of Sierra Leonean children and equipping them with the necessary tools for success. By providing these valuable educational resources, the UBA Foundation hope to contribute to the intellectual growth and academic excellence of students nationwide, aligning with the Government’s agenda of promoting free quality education in Sierra Leone.

Upon receiving the books on behalf of the Commissioner, Theodora Hanciles, the Resources Manager expressed gratitude to the UBA Foundation for selecting the NCC to donate the books to schools. She also acknowledged the bank’s confidence in the commission and highlighted the significant impact their collective efforts would have on the lives of countless students who will benefit from the books. “Together, we are taking significant strides towards building a literate and empowered generation in Sierra Leone, setting the stage for a brighter future for all,” she revealed.

The NCC is a Commission established by an Act of Parliament to monitor and implement the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and Part 3 of the Child Right Act 2007, with the aim of protecting the rights of children in Sierra Leone and monitoring the state’s responsibilities in upholding these rights.

The occasion was witnessed by members from the Children Forum Network, UBA’s Corporate Communications team, Addie Valcarcel (Head of Advocacy and Communications-NCC), Mamoud Keita (Outreach Officer-NCC), Louie Watkins (M&E Officer-NCC), other NCC volunteers, and members of the press.

About UBA Foundation

United Bank for Africa (UBA) PLC, Africa’s global bank, is committed to being a socially responsible company and role model for all businesses in Africa. As the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of the UBA Group, UBA Foundation is committed to the socio-economic betterment of the communities in which the bank operates, focusing on development in the areas of Education, Environment, Economic Empowerment and Special Projects. The UBA Foundation was incorporated in January 2004.