His Excellency Ambassador Amara Sheikh Mohammed Sowa has yesterday 24th, July 2025 presented to President Donald J. Trump, President of United Staes of America his Letter of Accreditation as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Sierra Leone to the United States.

Presenting his Letters of Credence and that of the Recall of his Predecessor, Ambassador Amara Sowa conveyed to President Trump on behalf of His Excellency Rtd. Brigadier President Dr. Julius Maada Bio’s best wishes for President Trump’s continued good health and success in improving the lives of the people of America.

In his presentation, Ambassador Sowa recalled the long-standing relationship between Sierra Leone and United States, spanning over a century. He informed President Trump that Sierra Leone’s connection to United States go beyond the Atlantic Slave Trade, and that many African slaves shipped to the Americas went to the Caribbeans and South America, but most of those from Bunce Island in Sierra Leone were taken to Georgia and South Carolina due to their rice cultivation skills. His Excellency Ambassador Amara Sowa went on to say that the cultures and traditions brought along by the slaves from Sierra Leone to the United States survived among their descendants, some of whom have traced their roots to Sierra Leone.

His Excellency Ambassador Sowa admonished his audience at the White House that his country’s historical connections to United States have led to the establishment of the excellent relations between the two countries, particularly the Gullah people who are descendants from Sierra Leone, and the story of the Amistad, which Ambassador Sowa said adequately demonstrate the early connections between the peoples of Sierra Leone and United States – “The Amistad revolt, led by Sengbeh Pieh, was the first human rights case before the U.S. Court, and marked a united front against slavery. President John Quincy Adams, who argued for the slaves’ freedom, is fondly remembered in my country”, Ambassador Sowa noted.

As a member of the United Nations, Sierra Leone and the United States share common goals in promoting international peace, human rights, and development. Ambassador Sowa reiterated that the government of Sierra Leone appreciates the support that was given by the United States during Sierra Leone’s bid for the United Nations Security Council. “Our Country continue to enjoy excellent collaboration in the Security Council”.

Moreover, Ambassador Sowa mentioned that upon President Bio’s assumption of his second term in office in June 2023, he introduced ambitious policy guidelines to transform Sierra Leone’s economy, which largely borders on  boosting agricultural productivity for food security and inclusive economic growth, developing human capital for the 21st century industries, implementing youth employment schemes, revamping public service architecture for efficiency and professionalism, and investing in infrastructure, technology, and digitization.

Ambassador Sowa asserted President Bio’s commitment to fighting corruption and creating a conducive business climate in the country. H. E. Sowa said that on economic diplomacy, Sierra Leone is blessed to have American investors in the country that are thriving, and that the people of Sierra Leone are very grateful to United States for significantly contributing to Sierra Leone’s socio-economic development programs, especially in health and democracy, as well as U.S. financial institutions like DFC and the MCC. Ambassador Sowa admonished that the administration of President Bio will continue to closely collaborate with the United States for the mutual benefit of both nations.

According to Ambassador Sowa, the government of Sierra Leone is determined to maintain internal and regional security, and welcomes U.S, efforts in combating terrorism, Transnational Organized Crime (TOC), and promoting public safety.
“As I prepare to embark on my diplomatic tour as Ambassador of your beautiful country, I am confident that I will always rely on your support and guidance to make my mission successful”, H.E. Sowa concluded.

The Ambassador of Sierra Leone to the United States was accompanied to the White House by his Wife, Ms. Sowa, keeping with the United States Practice.

Long live the United States and Sierra Leone relationship.

PEL Koroma
Embassy of Sierra Leone
Washington, DC

United States Ambassador designate to the Republic of Sierra Leone Bryan Hunt last week visited the Embassy of Sierra Leone in Washington, DC.

After a closed door meeting with Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to the United States His Excellency Sidique Abou-Bakarr Wai, and the Head of Chancery of the Embassy Ms Rakie Macarthy on the second floor of the Embassy Building, the new U.S. Ambassador Bryan Hunt met with the Embassy staff at the Embassy conference room where he assured all present that he will continue on the relationship built over the years between Sierra Leone and United States.

“ I am not coming to Sierra Leone to dictate to the government and its people. Sierra Leone and United States are traditional partners and have collaborated on many pertinent issues”, U.S. Ambassador designate Hunt said.

According to Ambassador Bryan Hunt, Sierra Leone has contributed hugely to the well-being of United States, and United States intend to keep that relationship intact. “I want to pay back in the same vein whilst in Sierra Leone “, Ambassador Hunt noted.

He further went on to say that United States and Sierra Leone need each other. “United States will have to work with Sierra Leone at the Security Council, especially on global peace and security”, Hunt said, exerting that he will ensure the people benefit from his tour in SierraLeone

In his conclusion, the newly U.S. appointed Ambassador to Sierra Leone Bryan Hunt reiterated the importance of the Sierra Leone diaspora, expressing the need to work with them in the development of Sierra Leone.

The Cultural Attache’ at the Embassy of Sierra Leone in Washington, DC Ibrahim Labor Fofanah admonished the new Ambassador about the culture and landscape of Sierra Leone, its beautiful beaches, as well as the hospitality of the people of Sierra Leone. Mr. Fofanah encouraged the new Ambassador to try to step out of the Capital City Freetown so that he will be able to understand the country better.

The United States Ambassador designate to Sierra Leone Bryan Hunt was accompanied to the Sierra Leone Embassy in Washington, DC by Sarah Krech, Desk Officer for Guinea and Sierra Leone at the U. S. Department of State.

PEL Koroma
Embassy of Sierra Leone
Washington, DC

President of United States Chamber of Commerce International Affairs Scot Eisner was at the Embassy of Sierra Leone in Washington, D.C. last week expressing interest in investment opportunities in Sierra Leone.

His Excellency Sidique Abou-Bakarr Wai, Ambassador of Sierra Leone to the United States assured Scot Eisner that Sierra Leone has a friendly investment climate. He allayed the fears of Scot Eisner, noting that Sierra Leone is looking out for credible partners to tap into the untapped business opportunities.

The Head of Chancery at the Embassy of Sierra Leone, Rakie Macarthy, impressed on the President of United States Chamber of Commerce that the Sierra Leone Investment Board is chaired by President Bio himself.

“It was deliberate that President Bio decided to become the Chairman of the National Investment Board so that he will be able to protect the interest of investors in Sierra Leone”, Rakie Macarthy asserted.

President Scot Eisner reiterated the importance of demystifying the current information about Africa, and at the same time raise awareness among American investors what actually obtains beyond the headlines in the 54 countries in Africa.

“We will help to magnify what business opportunities Sierra Leone can offer. There should be an enabling environment for business to thrive”, President Eisner said.

The President of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce International Affairs was assured of security, irrespective of the current political impasse.

Mohamed Kosia who is the Trade and Investment Liaison Officer at the Embassy emphasized on the potentials in Agriculture in Sierra Leone, stressing that Agriculture is the flagship program of President Bio. He further informed the U. S. Chamber of Commerce President that American Investors should not be just looking at Sierra Leone alone for marketing, but that the Mano River Union that comprise Guinea, Liberia, Cote d’ Voire, and Sierra Leone has a population of over 34 million people, and the ECOWAS Region generally that has a population of over 424 million.

In his contribution, Mr. Frank Conteh who is the President of U.S -Sierra Leone Diaspora Chamber of Commerce requested the U.S. Chamber of Commerce President for a Trade Mission to Sierra Leone, where they will meet the Sierra Leone Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He appealed to President Scot Eisner for collaboration with the Sierra Leone Diaspora Chamber of Commerce in United States.

Present also at the meeting at 1701 19th Street, Washington, DC were Embassy staff, and Dr. Fuaad Sheriff,  Sierra Leone’s diaspora entrepreneur.

PEL Koroma
Information Attache’
Embassy of Sierra Leone
Washington, DC

Through the network and relationship of His Excellency Sidique Abou-Bakarr Wai, Ambassador of Sierra Leone to the United States of America, the Sierra Leone Police will today receive a consignment of 500 Bulletproof Vests from the New York Police Department in United States.

In April last year, Ambassador Wai engaged his long standing friend Eric Adams who is the Mayor of New York City for support to the Sierra Leone Police. Mayor Adams agreed to help in equipping and training the Sierra Leone Police.

“With the generous support of our New York City Mayor Eric Adams , the NYPD was able to donate 500 ballistic vests to the Republic of Sierra Leone Police Force ”, NYPD Acting PC Edward A. Coban noted.

The NYPD Acting PC  further reiterated that anytime they have the opportunity to help fellow Police Officers from around the world to stay safe, the NYPD will always be there.

Sierra Leone and the United States have enjoyed consistent bilateral relations, and Sierra Leone keep enjoying the generosity of the United States of America.

Present at the handing over ceremony in New York City were Deputy Chief of Mission Sheku Mesali, and Mohamed Kosia, Trade and Investment Liaison at the Embassy of Sierra Leone, Washington, DC.

*PEL Koroma *
Information Attache’
Embassy of Sierra Leone
Washington, DC