By Marion Rion Bangura
The First Lady of Sierra Leone reaffirmed the critical role of the country’s diaspora in shaping national development as she joined hundreds of Sierra Leoneans in Edmonton, Alberta, for a Town Hall meeting aimed at strengthening engagement between the Government and citizens living abroad.
The meeting, organized by the Sierra Leone Association of Alberta, brought together members of the Sierra Leonean community alongside a high level government delegation that included Cabinet Ministers and Members of Parliament. The gathering provided an opportunity for open dialogue on national development, diaspora participation, and strategies for enhancing collaboration between Sierra Leone and its citizens overseas.
Addressing participants, the First Lady emphasized that Sierra Leone’s development agenda cannot be fully realized without the active involvement of its citizens across the world. She noted that while significant progress continues to be made in areas such as healthcare, human capital development, women’s empowerment, and social welfare, the knowledge, expertise, professional experience, and investments of Sierra Leoneans living abroad remain essential to accelerating sustainable national growth.
Speaking in her capacity as both First Lady and President of the Organization of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD), she reiterated her longstanding commitment to improving the lives of women, children, and vulnerable communities through initiatives focused on quality healthcare, education, and gender equality. She stressed, however, that meaningful and lasting transformation requires collaboration that extends beyond national borders
According to the First Lady, Sierra Leoneans in the diaspora possess valuable skills, innovative ideas, and international experience that can contribute significantly to the country’s economic and social advancement. She described the diaspora not merely as citizens living outside the country but as strategic development partners whose contributions remain indispensable in building a stronger and more prosperous Sierra Leone.
She encouraged participants to continue investing their talents, knowledge, and resources in national development, noting that their shared identity and commitment to Sierra Leone remain powerful forces regardless of geographical distance.
The Town Hall meeting served as an important platform for frank discussions between government representatives and members of the diaspora. Participants openly shared their experiences, concerns, aspirations, and recommendations on issues affecting Sierra Leoneans living abroad, while also discussing opportunities for expanding their involvement in national development initiatives.
The First Lady underscored the importance of listening to citizens and ensuring that government policies reflect the realities and expectations of all Sierra Leoneans, including those residing overseas. She stated that effective governance depends on sustained dialogue, transparency, and inclusive decision-making that embraces the voices of citizens wherever they may be.
She further explained that the Government remains committed to creating structured mechanisms that enable the diaspora to contribute more effectively to policymaking, investment, entrepreneurship, education, healthcare, and other strategic sectors. Strengthening these partnerships, she noted, will help bridge the gap between the Government and Sierra Leoneans abroad while fostering greater trust and collaboration.
The First Lady also highlighted the importance of transforming diaspora engagement from occasional consultations into an institutionalized partnership capable of producing tangible national benefits. She emphasized that the Government values the perspectives shared during the meeting and intends to incorporate many of the ideas and recommendations into future discussions on national development priorities.
She encouraged Sierra Leoneans living in Canada and across the world to continue serving as ambassadors for their country by promoting its investment potential, cultural heritage, and positive image internationally. According to her, every member of the diaspora has a unique role to play in advancing Sierra Leone’s global reputation and attracting opportunities that can support economic growth and social progress.
Reflecting on the discussions, the First Lady described the Town Hall meeting as more than a routine engagement, calling it an important milestone in strengthening the relationship between Sierra Leone and its diaspora community. She said the conversations demonstrated a shared determination to work collectively toward achieving a common vision of national transformation.
She assured participants that the concerns, suggestions, and aspirations expressed during the meeting would not end with the discussions in Edmonton but would be carried into government deliberations back home. She reaffirmed that the voices of Sierra Leoneans abroad deserve representation in national conversations and should continue to inform policies that affect the country’s future.
As the meeting concluded, the First Lady called on all Sierra Leoneans, regardless of where they reside, to remain united by a common purpose of building a resilient, inclusive, and prosperous nation. She stressed that sustainable development is a shared responsibility requiring cooperation between government, citizens at home, and the diaspora.
The gathering ended with renewed optimism and a collective commitment to deepen collaboration, strengthen national unity, and ensure that Sierra Leoneans across the globe remain active partners in the country’s ongoing journey toward inclusive growth and sustainable development.
