Accra, Ghana
Officials from the Sierra Leone High Commission in Accra, Ghana, have completed an official site visit to Lomé, Togo, to evaluate the readiness and suitability of a proposed facility for the establishment of Sierra Leone’s Honorary Consulate.
The delegation, led by the Minister Counsellor and Head of Chancery, Aiah Edwin Mbawa, carried out the assessment on Wednesday following instructions from the Government of Sierra Leone and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. The visit marked a significant step toward strengthening Sierra Leone’s diplomatic presence in the West African subregion.
During the mission, the team inspected a modern office complex situated at Agoe Plateau–Commune Agpegnyive 1, premier, which has been proposed to house the consulate. The facility includes several offices, a reception area, and a conference room designed to accommodate consular operations and serve Sierra Leoneans residing in Togo.
Mr. Mbawa explained that the purpose of the visit was to determine whether the proposed site met the standards required for an official diplomatic mission. He noted that the Head of Mission in Accra, H.E. Mohamed Hassan Kaisamba, had tasked his team with carrying out a thorough inspection and reporting back to Freetown.
“We are here on behalf of our High Commissioner, H.E. Mohamed Hassan Kaisamba, to carry out the directive from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and assess whether this facility is indeed fit for purpose,” Mr. Mbawa said. “We appreciate the work that Dr. Makouvia has been doing for Sierra Leoneans in Togo, even before his nomination. His efforts reflect true friendship and commitment.”
He praised the proposed Honorary Consul, Amb. Dr. Johaness Makouvia, for his longstanding support to Sierra Leoneans in Lomé, noting that his humanitarian and logistical assistance over the years had helped address the needs of the Sierra Leonean community in Togo.
“I want to sincerely thank you, Dr. Makouvia, for your continued service to our citizens here,” Mbawa added. “When your appointment is finalized, I encourage you to continue working in the best interest of Sierra Leone, while also promoting strong relations between our two nations.”
Mr. Mbawa also called on the Union of Sierra Leoneans in Togo to remain united and supportive of the incoming Honorary Consul. He reminded them of the importance of respecting the laws of their host country and cooperating with the consulate once it becomes operational.
In response, Amb. Dr. Johaness Makouvia expressed deep gratitude to the Government of Sierra Leone for the trust placed in him. He acknowledged the recommendations from the Sierra Leone High Commission in Accra and members of the Sierra Leonean community in Togo that led to his nomination.
“I am humbled by this recognition and remain committed to serving Sierra Leone with sincerity and dedication,” Dr. Makouvia said. “I will continue to support our brothers and sisters here in Togo and work closely with the High Commission in Accra to ensure that the interests of our people are well represented.”
He assured the visiting team that he would uphold the values and principles of Sierra Leone’s foreign policy and maintain close coordination with the High Commission to facilitate effective bilateral engagement between Sierra Leone and Togo.
Members of the Union of Sierra Leoneans in Togo who attended the meeting joined the High Commission officials in congratulating Dr. Makouvia. They expressed optimism that the establishment of the consulate would enhance diplomatic and social ties between the two countries and provide much-needed consular services for Sierra Leoneans living in Togo.
The visit concluded with a reaffirmation of Sierra Leone’s commitment to expanding its diplomatic footprint in West Africa and ensuring that its citizens abroad continue to receive strong representation and support.
Princetta Williams
Information Attaché, Sierra Leone High Commission, Accra
