President Koroma in New York for 66th UN General Assembly

21/09/2011 Othman Sheriff

Dennis Kabatto, CEN, USA

The President of the Republic of Sierra Leone Dr. Ernest B. Koroma accompanied by his wife Mrs. Sia N. Koroma and some of his key cabinet officials arrived in New York late Monday afternoon to attend the 66th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) which commenced in Manhattan on September 13, 2011.

While in New York, President Koroma is scheduled to attend an Africa America Institute (AAI) African National Reconciliation and Peace Award honoring the People of The Republic of Sierra Leone at its 27th annual Awards Dinner Gala. The event will take place today Tuesday, September 20th, 2011 at 7 pm at The Light House at Chelsea Piers in New York City.  Tickets to this mandatory Black Tie or National Attire event are $500 – $1,000 and Tables $5,000 – $100,000.  Pupa Baja and the Dry Eye Crew – a Sierra Leonean group are slated to perform at tonight’s Awards Dinner Gala.

AAI say the award is in recognition of the remarkable strides that Sierra Leone has made in the almost 10 years since the end of the 11-year civil war that killed and maimed thousands and all but destroyed its formal economy.

President Koroma will deliver his 3rd address to the 66th Session of the UNGA on Friday, September 23, 2011.  According to the Department of Information and Public Affairs at the Sierra Leone Mission to the UN, President Koroma will also ring the Closing Bell of the NASDAQ Stock Exchange at One Liberty Plaza in downtown Manhattan’s Financial District on Friday, September 23, 2011.

The event is sponsored by American Foundation for African Children’s Organization which claims to work directly with local African organizations to provide a suitable learning environment for underprivileged children.

On Saturday, September 24, 2011 President Koroma will proceed to the Garden State of New Jersey for a Retreat and Working Lunch with members of the All People’s Congress North America (APC/NA) at the Ukranian Cultural Centre located at 135 Davidson Avenue in Somerset, New Jersey.  

APC/NA officials say the Retreat and Lunch will kick off  at 2 pm until 6 pm.  Following the Retreat, President Koroma will preside as Grand Chief Patron at a Fundraising Banquet in his honor from 8 pm – midnight at the Ukranian Cultural Centre.

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About Othman Sheriff 350 Articles
Othman Sheriff is an experienced Sierra Leonean development professional, peacebuilding practitioner, professional journalist and human rights advocate with over two decades of engagement in community development, youth empowerment, education, humanitarian assistance and international development cooperation. Born and raised in Kenema District, Eastern Sierra Leone, he has dedicated much of his professional career to improving the socioeconomic conditions of vulnerable and marginalised populations, particularly disadvantaged young people, women, children and underserved rural communities. As the Founder and Programme Director of Youth in Action for Development (YAD), Sheriff has played a leading role in mobilising international development assistance and coordinating community-driven interventions aimed at poverty reduction, sustainable livelihoods, social inclusion and grassroots development. Over the years, he has facilitated the mobilisation and implementation of development projects worth billions of Leones, supported by international development partners, including European development institutions, humanitarian organisations and United Nations agencies. A committed advocate for free and inclusive Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), Sheriff spearheaded the establishment of the Youth Resource Academy (YRA) in 2018, through which he has championed access to practical, employment-oriented education for underprivileged youth, particularly young women, school dropouts, single mothers, widows, unemployed youth and individuals from economically disadvantaged households. So far, the Academy has provided vocational, technical and entrepreneurship training opportunities to more than 2,000 youth helping them acquire marketable skills, pursue self-employment and improve their economic independence. He also solicit funds to provide start up kits for the youth who graduated from the academy. In addition to his development and humanitarian work, Sheriff serves as the Editor-in-Chief and CEO of Critique Echo Newspaper, using journalism as a platform to promote accountability, responsible governance, social justice and public awareness of critical socioeconomic and human rights issues. He is a dedicate member of many international peacebuilding networks including the United Religions Initiative (URI), International Association of Educators for World Peace (IAEWP), Intercultural Leaders Network of the United Nations Alliance of Civilisations (UNAOC)`s Youth Solidarity Fund, and the alumni Association of King Hamad Youth Empowerment Awards. Through his leadership, advocacy and international partnerships, Sheriff continues to champion a vision of Sierra Leone in which disadvantaged young people have equitable access to education and economic opportunities, women and girls live free from violence and discrimination, human rights are respected, and communities are empowered to pursue peaceful, inclusive and sustainable development.