By: Saidu Jalloh
In a powerful demonstration of partnership and grassroots healthcare support, the Honourable Minister of Social Welfare, Mrs. Melrose Karminty, alongside officials from the Health Education Programme under the Ministry of Health and Sanitation, officially inaugurated the Royal Agape Medical Centre at Ogoo Farm, Freetown.
The medical centre established by UK-based Sierra Leonean medical professional Madam Hawa Sesay serves as a heartfelt gift to her homeland. It symbolizes resilience, faith, and a deep sense of national pride.
During the inauguration, Madam Sesay delivered a moving testimony about her journey, marked by personal sacrifice and determination.
“I have gone through fire and water, but I’m not down,” she shared, giving glory to God and acknowledging the many who supported her vision.
Her decision to build not just a home, but a life-saving medical facility for her community, highlights her unwavering commitment to service and patriotism. She described the centre as both a personal dream fulfilled and a symbol of her enduring love for Sierra Leone.
In her keynote address, Minister Karminty praised Madam Sesay’s generosity and courage, describing her as a woman with a “big heart” and a role model for Sierra Leoneans both at home and abroad.
“Choosing to leave the comforts of the UK and invest in maternal health here in Sierra Leone is a bold and noble act,” the Minister stated.
She further emphasized that true success lies not in material wealth, but in the number of lives one touches. In that respect, she said, Madam Sesay has already created a lasting legacy.
The Minister also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting community-driven initiatives, particularly in key sectors such as healthcare and education. She highlighted the importance of such partnerships in achieving Sierra Leone’s human capital development goals.
Now operational, the Royal Agape Medical Centre stands not only as a healthcare facility, but as a beacon of hope, perseverance, and national pride for generations to come.