By Alimatu Jalloh
The Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Freetown, led by Ambassador Jens Kraus-Masse’ has on Wednesday 14th December, 2022 opened an exhibition on the nations reunification at a programme held at the National Museum in Freetown.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, German Ambassador Jens Kraus-Masse’, mentioned that during the exhibition they will show that people could achieve a lot more when they work together peacefully towards common goals, as exemplified by what the German people have been able to achieve after Germany regained unity.
He emphasised the peaceful striving of the people in the former GDP for freedom, democracy and the rule of law as a particularly impressive example of that, and admitted that the German diplomatic mission in Sierra Leone wanted to bring Germany closer to the people of Sierra Leone and especially show pupils and teachers that Sierra Leone is not alone in its striving for freedom, democracy, the rule of Law and sustainable development.
“In Germany too these goals have moved people to take joint action and continue to do today” he disclosed.
The Ambassador furthered that they would like to deepen Germany’s long and fruitful cooperation with the National Museum, adding that cultural exchange between the people of both countries and knowledge of the other are at the core of the friendly relation between the countries and it is important that they be strengthened.
The Minister of Tourism, Memunatu Pratt said that due to peace between the former East and West Germany, lot of support has come to many countries including Sierra Leone who has benefited immensely.
“What is important particularly this evening is to be able to use the opportunity in terms of promoting peace, social cohesion and to also try to build partnership and cooperation between Sierra Leone and Germany,” she said.
She however disclosed that Sierra Leone has also had its own history of violent conflict such as the civil war, and the post conflict development which Sierra Leoneans are also trying to commemorate.
“So once we do and demonstrate this together as a country, we are promoting cultural diplomacy of what brings countries together” she said.
The Minister stated that the Museum is a critical component of what happened because it is where people can go and learn about the history and culture of people. She however on behalf of President H.E. Julius Maada Bio congratulated the German Ambassador while acknowledging the importance of peace of generally and particularly for the development of tourism. “We started it sometimes ago and we are going to use it as a hub in terms of promoting cultural development I want to invite our diplomats in to be part of they are doing as you can use it as an opportunity to be able to tell people of what you are doing and sharing the culture which you have,” she stated.