UK Permanent Under-Secretary of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Sir Philip Barton has made a virtual visit to Sierra Leone, according to a statement from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.
This was Mr Barton’s first trip to Sierra Leone and to Africa as PUS.
Barton met Minister of State Francess Alghali and Minister of Education David Sengeh and representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ambassador At Large Bangalie in the Office of the Vice President, to discuss the UK-Sierra Leone partnership.
Mr Barton also watched a short video from a British Council funded project with Freetown Film Lab. It provides Sierra Leoneans in the creative industries with access to improve the skills and networks which support their careers.
The UK and Sierra Leone share a close and historic relationship, and as part of his visit, Mr Barton met the Minister of State in the Office of the Vice President Frances Alghali and the Minister of Education David Sengeh and Ambassador at Large Bangalie to discuss important development and diplomatic objectives for the work of the UK Government in Sierra Leone.
Mr Barton also paid a virtual visit to UK aid-backed Invest Salone, an organisation working to advance trade and investment opportunities in the country. His visit was also an opportunity to discuss shared values on important issues such as 12 years quality free education, human rights, climate change, economic development and healthcare, as well as celebrating our strong partnership, according to the statement of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.
Speaking after his visit Mr Barton said: “It has been wonderful to visit Sierra Leone virtually, my first to our African posts. Although a virtual visit, I had the opportunity to meet the Minister of State Francess Alghali, Minister of Education David Senegh and Ambassador at Large Bangalie to discuss and reflect on our shared values, building on the historic relationship between the UK and Sierra Leone. We covered issues of importance to both our countries, including human rights and climate change.
I look forward to the UK working closely with Sierra Leone on our ambitions for COP26 next year. I welcome the Government of Sierra Leone’s ambition to increase inclusive education, with a focus on girls, an important priority for the UK.”
Mr Barton congratulated Minister of State Francess Alghali on the repeal of the criminal libel law, an important step forward in progressing media freedoms and human rights in Sierra Leone.
The FCDO has funded a long-term project to support Sierra Leone’s Independent Media Commission on policies and procedures which promote free speech, strengthen media regulators and support the public’s access to factual news reporting.
Sierra Leone British High Commissioner Simon Mustard said: “The UK and Sierra Leone share a long history and many shared interests. I am delighted Sir Philip Barton, our Permanent Under-Secretary for the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, has been able to visit virtually, to meet Ministers and some of our key partners here.”
“During these meetings, we discussed our shared interests and collaboration on climate change, education and building back better from COVID-19.”
The UK and Sierra Leone are already working closely on climate and green recovery in the lead-up to UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow next year. During their meeting, Mr Barton and the Ambassador at Large Bangalie discussed the importance of protecting the world’s climate and building the resilience of vulnerable countries.
Mr Barton finished his visit by meeting the team at the British High Commission. The Permanent Under-Secretary watched a video from the British Council funded project Freetown Film Lab. The video was produced and directed by Jamieu Bakarr, Camarah S. Kamara, Isha Sheriffe, Abdulrahman Bangura and Musa Islam Kamara. The video showcases the capital city of Freetown through the eyes of a visitor to the country.
By Sallieu S. Kanu
7/12/2020. ISSUE NO: 7963