In a powerful and forward-looking event that blended scholarship, experience, and vision, Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to Türkiye, Dr. Francess Virginia Anderson, launched a collection of five landmark publications—including four scholarly journals and a strategic book titled “Framework for Economic Diplomacy and Bilateral Growth: Lessons from Ghana.” The event, held at the Foreign Service Academy in Freetown under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was more than a ceremonial unveiling—it was a statement about redefining diplomacy as a tool for Africa’s development.
Unlike the typical book launches that celebrate literary merit alone, this event served as a national and continental reflection point. Dr. Anderson’s works tackle the evolving role of African diplomats in the 21st century and make a compelling case for embedding economic strategy within the core of foreign missions.
Standing before a room of foreign service professionals, government officials, and academics, Dr. Anderson reflected on her diplomatic journey, from High Commissioner in Ghana to Ambassador in Türkiye. She shared how those years in the field inspired her to document, analyze, and ultimately propose a new path for African diplomacy—one rooted in economic pragmatism and measurable impact.
“I never saw diplomacy as merely ceremonial,” she explained. “From the very beginning, my goal was to push the boundaries of traditional practice. Diplomacy, when intentionally structured, is a formidable tool for national growth, investment attraction, and regional cooperation.”
Drawing heavily on her tenure in Ghana, Dr. Anderson outlined the pivotal role Sierra Leone’s mission played in driving trade dialogues and investment opportunities. It was there, she recounted, that she spearheaded the establishment of the first Economic Desk within a Sierra Leonean foreign mission—an initiative that led to the organization of Sierra Leone’s first investment seminar in Accra.
“This wasn’t just a conference for handshakes and speeches,” she said. “It created a platform for real engagement between investors, policymakers, and local business stakeholders. It was about taking Sierra Leone’s value proposition to the regional marketplace.”
Dr. Anderson’s new book is not just a memoir of her diplomatic service, but a carefully constructed framework for a new type of diplomacy—one that transcends protocol and emphasizes impact. She argues that modern diplomats must be more than emissaries; they must be analysts, innovators, and facilitators of economic growth.
“Africa’s diplomats must evolve,” she said. “Our engagement with the world must be rooted in data, policy insight, and strategic economic thinking.”
According to her, the book draws key lessons from Ghana’s approach to diplomatic service, citing how policy coherence, institutional vision, and strategic partnerships enabled Ghana to align its foreign missions with its national development priorities. The publication, she added, is her contribution to helping Sierra Leone and other African states craft their own models tailored to their unique economic aspirations.
The launch attracted high-level political figures who echoed the urgency and relevance of Dr. Anderson’s message. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Timothy Musa Kabba, praised the ambassador’s bold rethinking of diplomacy and acknowledged how the lessons within the book would inform not only his Ministry’s strategic focus, but also the entire architecture of foreign engagement.
“Today I’ve gained a new understanding of how diplomacy intersects with economic policy and national security,” Minister Kabba said. “This is more than a book—it’s a manual for every government actor seeking to place Sierra Leone on the global economic map.”
In a gesture that underscored the legislative relevance of the book, the formal unveiling was done by Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Segepoh Solomon Thomas. He described Dr. Anderson’s work as a timely and necessary intervention into the national discourse on development.
“This book is a must-read for policymakers, diplomats, and entrepreneurs alike,” he declared. “It shifts the conversation from abstract diplomacy to tangible strategies that can transform Sierra Leone’s engagement with the world. It challenges us to build a uniquely Sierra Leonean model of diplomacy—one that reflects our ambitions and responds to the realities of a rapidly changing global economy.”
Drawing inspiration from literary giant Mark Twain, the Speaker quoted, “The man who does not read has no advantage over the man who cannot read,” before emphasizing that Framework for Economic Diplomacy is not merely academic—it is grounded in real-world application, rich with data, and bolstered by case studies that demonstrate what’s possible when diplomacy meets deliberate strategy.
Dr. Anderson concluded the launch with a poignant call for African states to prepare for new global realities. “We are entering an era shaped by geopolitical shifts, digital disruption, and demographic change. To thrive, we need diplomats who think critically, act boldly, and write thoughtfully. That is the spirit behind these works I present today.”
As Sierra Leone continues to strengthen its global partnerships and refine its approach to diplomacy, Dr. Anderson’s publications are expected to serve as both a practical guide and a source of inspiration. They push for a redefinition of diplomacy that aligns foreign engagement with domestic development goals.
More than just a personal milestone for Dr. Anderson, this launch signals a moment of institutional reflection—a rare opportunity to rethink how Sierra Leone and other African countries conduct diplomacy, not just as an art, but as a science of economic growth and international relevance.
