Speaker of Irish Senate, H.E. Jerry Buttimer visits Sierra Leone for St Patrick’s Day
The Cathaoirleach received a warm welcome from high level government officials as well as Irish Aid-impacted communities across the country.
Programme included calls on High Level Government Officials as well as field visits to Irish Aid projects
On Tuesday 21 March, the Cathaoirleach or Speaker of the Irish Senate, H.E. Senator Jerry Buttimer, concluded a four day visit to Sierra Leone on the occasion of Ireland’s national day, St Patrick’s Day. The visit included meetings with Vice President, H.E. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, Speaker of the Parliament, Hon. Abass Bundu and Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs, Hon. Manty Tarawalli.
The Cathaoirleach joined also Minister for Basic and Senior Secondary Education, David Sengeh at Municipal Primary School, Murraytown meeting pupils and teachers who are supported by the Free Quality Education Programme, to which Ireland provides funding via the Multi Donor Trust Fund.
Speaking about the visit, H.E. Senator Jerry Buttimer said, “I was delighted to be nominated by the Irish Government to travel to Sierra Leone in honour of St Patrick’s Day, our national day.
Sierra Leone is an important partner for Ireland, with shared values and priorities, particularly education, gender equality and food security. My visit has been an excellent opportunity to review with my Sierra Leonean interlocutors our bilateral relationship, and to discuss how we can best advance it.
The fantastic partnership of local, national and international organisations in implementing Irish Aid funding has been critical in the empowerment of Sierra Leonean women and girls, with a particular focus on reaching the furthest behind first
Ahead of the upcoming elections on 24 June, it was an important opportunity to discuss our shared commitment to free, fair, inclusive, peaceful and multi-party elections.”
The Cathaoirleach visited Irish Aid funded projects in Pujehun, Kenema and Freetown to meet beneficiaries and partner organisations. The delegation, led by Ambassador Claire Buckley and Head of Development Carol Hannon, first visited an Agriculture and Nutrition Project in Macca Community, Barri Chiefdom (Pujehun) with Welthungerhilfe. They held a working dinner with representatives of the SEND SL Women in Governance Network representatives. The Speaker was interviewed on Nyapui Radio and met with Kenema Cooperative Credit Union and members of Gbortima Village Savings and Loans Association, which are supported by SEND SL.
In Freetown, he visited Susan’s Bay to meet with beneficiaries of Concern Worldwide’s support for community disaster management and rehabilitated WASH facilities. He met with the Rainbo Initiative Executive Director and staff at the Freetown Rainbo Centre to hear how it is assisting survivors of SGBV. Finally, he visited the GOAL Liquid Waste Management plant, which has received funding from Irish Aid.
An all-female traditional Irish music group, Airneán accompanied the Speaker and performed at the National Day reception. They also had a musical exchange with Ballanta Music Academy, whose esteemed co-founder, Dr Kitty Fadlu-Deen is an Irish citizen.