By: SLENA

Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) has recently launched its alumni association in Sierra Leone in an effort to strengthen the bilateral relations and to further the diplomatic and cultural relations between the two countries.

The official launching was done by the Deputy Country Director of International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) Korea Baik Hyun-kiand Delegation.

Welcoming the Delegation, the Minister of Planning and Economic Development Madam Kenyeh Barlay appreciated the KOICA representatives for their supportive endeavour in improving the education and bilateral cooperation in Sierra Leone and to congratulate the KOICA scholarship returnees. ” The partnership between Sierra Leone and South Korea especially KOICA is uniquely growing and becoming very crucial to the development of Sierra Leone”, said Minister Barlay

Minister Barlay further reflected the Memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the former Director of KOICA and the then Deputy Minister of Planning and Economic Development on the official development cooperation and diplomatic ties and Training which activated the Intervention of KOICA to Sierra Leone. Madam Minister Barlay unveiled that KOICA has given Sierra Leone the opportunity to nominate forty (40) Sierra Leoneans for the 2025-2026 KOICA scholarship Programs, which will contribute to a successful towards the educational sector of Sierra Leone.

“Given the recent progress in both the scholarship and the capacity building Programs, I believe the establishment of the KOICA Alumni Association in Sierra Leone is both timely and beneficial,” she continues* she also encouraged the scholarship returnees to domesticate what they have learned and to improve social economic development in Sierra Leone and diplomatic Trainees to also experiment especially on diplomatic Mission Assignment.

Minister Barlay finally thanked the Aligning Ministries including Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Health and diplomatic Training beneficiaries.

Peter Sam Kpakra, Development Secretary MoPED marvels the developmental growth of South-Korea from a developing country to a donor country. Sharing his experienced during their diplomatic Training, like other speakers he admire the South Korea educational Patriotism and cultural approached, which captures global recognition and more modernised System. Mr. Kapra finally wished for practice to be actualized in Sierra Leone.

Mr. Eric Massally Director NGOs, MoPED appreciated the diplomatic Training which created civic diplomatic awareness, and ethical Standard of protocol and bilateral engagement, despite of this achievement, he also mentioned the unique cultural influence of South Korea and appreciated the interactive Session among colleagues and the Korean nationals.

KOICA scholarship returnees presented ideas, especially in areas of Technological Advancement, Information Technological, Environmental Management, Cultural Importance, Diplomatic, Protocol, Tourism and Business Entrepreneurship as a guiding tracks to global development for a developing country like Sierra Leone.

Madam Abie Kamara Kamara, newly elected KOICA Alumni Association Director, Directorate Assistant Coordinating Office ( DACO) joyfully appreciated, and thanked South Korea through KOICA for always given Sierra Leone the opportunity to benefit from South Korea cultural, economic and diplomatic experienced for over three decades, and she Look forward to more cooperation to sustain the bilateral cooperation between Sierra Leone and South Korea..

Mr. Baik Hyun-ki Deputy Country Director KOICA Acknowledged the achievements and challenges Face by diplomatic Training participants, and KOICA scholarship returnees, and assured them to improve on many areas. He further emphasized that during the last South-Korea / Sierra Leone summit which President Bio was in attendance advanced more scholarship Programs including bilateral cooperation and diplomatic Programs.

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