25/03/2026
US Ambassador Pays Courtesy Visit to Bo City Council.
The United States Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Jared M. Yancey on Wednesday 25 March 2025 paid a courtesy visit to the Bo City Council, reaffirming the strong bilateral relationship between the United States and Sierra Leone, and exploring opportunities for enhanced cooperation at the local governance level.
The Ambassador was warmly received by the Mayor of Bo City, and senior administrative staff at the mayor’s palor. The visit according to the ambassador was to work outside Freetown to engage with local authorities with focus on strengthening democratic governance, service delivery, and community development.
In his welcome remarks, Mayor of Bo city, Kobba Musa expressed appreciation for the visit, describing it as a significant gesture of partnership and mutual respect. He highlighted key development initiatives undertaken by the council, particularly in areas such as infrastructure, sanitation, health, and community participation in governance, referencing council deliberations being done at community level. He requested for capacity building programs to boost the human capital in not just Bo city but the country adding that, with human capital being strengthened, programs and projects would be sustainable and achieving self reliance in the country.
The US Ambassador, Jared M. Yancey commended the mayor and council for its efforts in bringing governance closer to the people and promoting inclusive decision-making while effecting efficient service delivery. He emphasized the importance of transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement in achieving sustainable development. He expressed key areas of collaboration, particularly in the health sector. “We are pleased that our programs especially those focused on malaria prevention, as well as maternal and child health will continue to move forward”, he affirmed.
On the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) compact, which he said has the potential to expand access to electricity in underserved areas, Amb. Yancey said the initiative will not only improve livelihoods but also stimulate job creation and encourage private sector investment. Overall, Ambassador Yancey said they remain committed to advancing these priorities together and making meaningful progress. “We are very optimistic about what lies ahead”, he noted.
“Local councils play a critical role in national development. The work being done here in Bo city reflects a strong commitment to improving service delivery and empowering communities,” he ended.
Chief Administrator of Bo City Council, Henry Powell expressed deepest gratitude to the United States Government for its unwavering commitment and generous support to the people of Sierra Leone, a partnership he said has endured through some of our most difficult moments as a nation.
“In the aftermath of our brutal civil conflict, it was the United States, through USAID, and other that stood firmly beside us. From post-war reconstruction and rehabilitation of communities to investments in health, education, water and sanitation, agriculture, and governance, USAID-funded projects have transformed countless lives across this country, including right here in Bo city. These interventions did not merely rebuild infrastructure; they restored hope and dignity to a people who had suffered immensely”, he affirmed.
He further drew special attention to the Fulbright Scholarship Program, he added that, it is a beacon of academic excellence and international exchange. Mr. Powell said through Fulbright, people from Bo city have had the privilege of accessing world-class education in the United States, returning home equipped with knowledge, skills, and networks that continue to benefit our institutions and our nation. This program he said is a testament to the depth of the people-to-people bond between our two nations.
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