Africa-Press – Sierra-Leone. Vice President, Hon. Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, is currently leading a series of high-level engagements in London as part of a broader strategy to deepen international partnerships and mobilize the potential of Sierra Leoneans in the diaspora.
Since arriving on Thursday, July 24th, Dr. Jalloh has held a full schedule of strategic meetings, diplomatic dialogues, and community outreach events, all aimed at advancing the national development agenda of President Julius Maada Bio’s administration.
On Friday, July 25th, the Vice President joined Sierra Leonean Muslim worshippers at the Brixton Mosque for Jummah prayers, where special invocations were made for peace and progress in Sierra Leone. Later, he visited the Sierra Leone High Commission at 41 Eagle Street, Holborn, where he met with High Commissioner Dr. Morie Komba Manyeh and diplomatic staff over a working lunch. The discussions focused on strengthening the Mission’s institutional ties with UK-based partners and aligning diplomatic efforts with Sierra Leone’s national priorities.
One of the most notable moments of the trip was a follow-up meeting at the offices of British International Investment (BII). Building on previous discussions led by President Bio, the Vice President and BII officials focused on sustainable investment in agriculture, electricity, and water. A BII technical team is already in Sierra Leone conducting feasibility studies in these critical sectors.
Later in the day, Dr. Jalloh held a vibrant town hall-style meeting with a diverse group of Sierra Leoneans in the UK including professionals, investors, and community leaders at the Taj Hotel in London. He used the forum to outline key achievements of the government and encourage diaspora collaboration.
During his address, he highlighted Sierra Leone’s progress in health, particularly the reduction in maternal mortality and the installation of dialysis machines at Connaught Hospital. He also spoke on gains in agriculture, noting that the country has moved toward commercial and export-oriented production, with cooking oil now among its exported products.
The Vice President commended diaspora-led investments, particularly actor and entrepreneur Idris Elba’s transformative project on Sherbro Island, calling on more Sierra Leoneans abroad to contribute through organized investment, joint ventures, and development-focused fundraising.
Dr. Jalloh further elaborated on President Bio’s “Big 5 Game Changer” priorities, with an emphasis on food security and the Free Quality Education (FQE) initiative. He urged citizens to report illegal school fee collections, reaffirming the government’s commitment to accessible education for all. He also praised the rise in the number of girls pursuing science-related degrees, attributing the shift to policy incentives and scholarships.
He acknowledged the challenges posed by the country’s growing population on education and food programs but reaffirmed the government’s commitment to sustainable planning. He cited the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) Act as a milestone now reflected in the composition of Parliament and Cabinet.
Deputy Minister of Social Welfare, Mr. Haji Kella, also addressed attendees, providing insight into the government’s rehabilitative approach to the ongoing drug crisis, especially with regard to the substance known as “KUSH.” He clarified that addiction is treated as a public health concern rather than a criminal issue.
The event also recognized Mrs. Isata Sesay Jalloh, CEO of The Health Show, for her tireless advocacy in cancer awareness and her support to the Connaught Hospital cancer ward.
Audience members raised questions on key national issues, including port concessions affecting the shipment of educational materials and strategies for sustainable investment in rural Sierra Leone.
Dr. Jalloh is expected to continue informal community engagements over the weekend. His visit will conclude with official meetings on Monday, July 28th, at the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the Commonwealth Secretariat before returning to Freetown.
The Vice President’s engagements in London reaffirm Sierra Leone’s position as a serious partner in global development, investment attraction, and diaspora inclusion an image central to the Bio administration’s international outreach strategy.
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