Sierra Leone Celebrates Forty-Six Years of Independence Forty-six years ago on 27th April 1961, the British flag, the Union Jack was lowered from the soils of Sierra Leone and replaced by the Green, White and Blue flag ushering in the rebirth of Sierra Leone, a new independent country that was now free from the colonial administration of the colonial masters, the British.

Sierra Leone became a British Crown Colony in 1808 and on to the time of regaining their independence from the British Government it was ruled and administered from the Royal throne in England.

In remembrance of this historic day, April 27th is commemorated every year by the government and people of Sierra Leone as Independence Day. To commemorate the day and as part of the Independence Day celebrations, the President and Head of State of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Alhaji Dr. Ahmad Tejan Kabbah honours notable Sierra Leoneans who in one way or the order have contributed meaningfully to the development of this country in their various walks of life.

On the occasion of this year's Investiture held on the forecourt of State House on Friday 27th April 2007, an unprecedented number of Sierra Leoneans, a total of 158 received insignia and awards ranging from Grand Officers of the Republic of Sierra Leone (GORSL) to Grand Commanders of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Grand Commanders of the Order of the Rokel (GCOR) to Grand Officers of the Order of the Rokel (GOOR) etc. Several other Sierra Leoneans received Presidential medals and awards.

Among those that received the highest awards of Grand Officers of the Republic of Sierra Leone (GORSL) were Hon. Justice George Gelaga-King, Hon. Justice Abdul Gadri Koroma, Prof. Christopher Balogun Lynch and Prof. John Kamara.