By: Membui Emmanuel
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Tower Hill, Freetown, 16th August, 2021. Chief Minister, Honorable Jacob Jusu Saffa has engaged with Ministry of Foreign Affairs leadership in a visit he said was part of his tour to MDA’s in order to discuss his mandates as Chief Minister, but also, to understand the successes and challenges of different Ministries, Departments and Agencies. Highlighting his mandates as Chief Minister, Hon. Jacob Jusu Saffa said his responsibilities were to communicate and follow-up on Presidential visions coordinates and supervise Ministries, Departments and Agencies with focus on sectoral policies, Strategic plans and annual work programs of MDA’s.
The Chief Minister said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is one of the key Ministries but over the years lack domestic knowledge. He said with Professor Francis, the Ministry is now becoming more functional and reflective to the level that citizens now understand what the Ministry stands for. He thanked Professor Francis for aligning President Bio’s vision with the Ministry by introducing a new shift in Diplomacy. “The Development Diplomacy”
Welcoming the Chief Minister, the Director General and Ambassador-at-Large in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Amb. Prince E.O Cole said the Ministry was happy to host the Chief Minister for the first time after his appointment by the President. He Congratulated Hon. Saffa as he assured him of the Ministry’s fullest support.
In his response, Professor Francis, the Minister of Foreign Affairs said he was pleased that the Chief Minister has not changed the mandates of the office of the Chief Minister, which to him shows continuity in Governance. He thanked Honorable Saffa for his support to the Presidency.
Professor Francis said the mandates of the Foreign Ministry were to lead on Sierra Leone’s Diplomatic and foreign relations at both multilateral and bilateral levels, Supervise 24 Diplomatic missions and 35 consulates, sign agreements on behalf of Government’s Ministries Departments and Agencies and to serve as the face of Sierra Leone to the global community.
Highlighting the achievements made in four months as Foreign Minister, Professor Francis said the Ministry has secured Cabinet approval for the first ever foreign policy acts.
“We have also constituted the MoFAIC advisory team to draft Foreign Service commissions’ acts, and a new Foreign Service career diplomats policy acts. We have restructured the Ministry to 13 directorates with a new organogram with workable Strategic plans, sector policies and work plans.” He stated.
These according to the Minister has been lacking in the Ministry from 1961 to date, even though 26 Ministers have served in the Ministry. He highlighted many other challenges in his Ministry to the Chief Minister.
The Chief Minister thanked Professor Francis for what he referred to as exceptional leadership in transforming the foreign Ministry. He asked that the Minister consider looking into the issues of local staff in our missions so they can be opportune to visit Sierra Leone annually, the Construction of Embassy buildings, viva fees and protocol trainings for Ministers and other diplomats representing Sierra Leone abroad.