President Kabbah Addresses Parliament

My duty today is to formally open the Fifth Session of the Second Parliament of Sierra Leone. However, since time is fast approaching to perform another very important constitutional duty, that of dissolving this Parliament in conformity with the requirements of the Constitution of Sierra Leone, so as to pave the way for the next General Elections, I have thought it fit to proceed as follows.
My Address today will concentrate on my relationship with Parliament and on some of the major achievements of my administration over the past 10 years as President of this Republic. Next year, on the occasion of the dissolution of Parliament, I shall report to our people through you the progress we have made as well as the challenges we faced during my Presidency.
I had sworn to protect and defend this Constitution, which provides for Presidential two five year term limits. I will have reached my term limit in May, 2007, and will pass on the baton of leadership to another pair of elected and deserving hands. Many of you will seek re-election to Parliament. I am here to wish you well. I am sure your thoughts are already in your constituencies, but I nevertheless ask you to kindly listen attentively to what I have to say.
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(23rd June 2006)

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Social Safety Net Scheme Launched

The National Social Safety Net, a social assistance scheme which was conceived by His Excellency, the President, Alhaji Dr. Ahmad Tejan Kabbah was on Thursday 29th June, 2006 launched in Freetown by His Excellency the President at the Miata Conference centre .
In a bid to addressing the poverty alleviation issue, the Social Safety Net scheme was conceived to ensure support in the promotion of the general wellbeing of the vulnerable population of Sierra Leone.
Officially launching the programme, President Kabbah stated that "Post-conflict countries like Sierra Leone often face a range of social protection needs, which may include:
" an increase in the number of persons without work or income support;
" the emergence of vulnerable groups such as widows, widowers, orphans, disabled, etc.
Therefore, an appropriate social protection system is crucial in promoting social justice and peace that support the vulnerable amongst us."
Click Here For President Kabbah's Speech
(29th June 2006)

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St. Paul's Major Seminary Chapel Opens

The President, Alhaji Dr. Ahmad Tejan Kabbah was on Thursday June 29 2006, guest of honour at the official opening and dedication ceremony of the St Paul's Catholic Major Seminary Chapel, Regent, where he unveiled the plaque of the Chapel.
The St. Paul's Major Seminary which was founded in Gbarnga, Liberia by the Bishop of the Inter-territorial Catholic Bishops Conference (ITCABIC) of Liberia, Sierra Leone and the Gambia in 1974 for the training of Catholic Priests for the three countries, was relocated in Sierra Leone in April 1990 when the rebel war intensified in Liberia.
Since then, the Seminary locations until government of Sierra Leone allocated land in 2003 for the construction of the Seminary and in 2004, the Seminary took possession of its new location.
The ceremony attracted Catholic Priests, Nuns, Bishops both national and international from Africa and Europe, including His Eminence Cardinal Anthony Okoye of Nigeria.
On Tuesday June 27 2006, the visiting Priests and Bishops led by Archbishop Joseph Ganda paid a courtesy call on President Kabbah at his Hill Station Office.
Click Here For President Kabbah's Speech
(29th June 2006)

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Chinese Delegation Meets President Kabbah

A delegation of the Communist Party of the Peoples Republic of China on Wednesday 28th June 2006 paid a courtesy call on His Excellency, the President, Alhaji Dr. Ahmad Tejan Kabbah at his Hill Station Office in Freetown.
The delegation, led by the Vice Minister of the Communist Party, Mr. Ma Wen Pu is in Sierra Leone as guest of the Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP).
Introducing their guests to President Kabbah, the Chairman of the SLPP Alhaji U.N.S. Jah said the delegation is here to pay a return visit, a visit which they made earlier on to strengthen the relationship between the Communist Party and the SLPP. Alhaji U.N.S. Jah informed President Kabbah that during the visit to China they learnt a lot of good things including the effect of peoples' participation in the achievement of self-reliance especially in areas like food security.

(28th June 2006)

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Italian Envoy Meets President Kabbah

His Excellency the President Alhaji Dr Ahmad Tejan Kabbah, on Tuesday, 20th June 2006 received the new Italian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and special envoy Vittorio Michele Craxi who was visiting the country for the first time after his appointment as deputy minister in Romano Prodi's New Government.
Mr. Craxi delivered a special letter from the new Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi to President Kabbah. In his message to the President the Italian envoy reiterated Italy's commitment to the bilateral friendship and relationship between his country and Sierra Leone. He cited Italy's contribution to peace in Sierra Leone and the Bumbuna Hydro-electric project and other contributions made through different international organizations such as the UN and EU.

(21st June 2006)

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President Kabbah Attends CEN-SAD Conference

The President, Alhaji Dr. Ahmad Tejan Kabbah has returned home after attending the 8th Ordinary Session of the Leaders and Heads of State of the Community of Sahel-Saharan States (CEN-SAD).
The conference which was held in the Libyan capital, Tripoli from the 1st-2nd June 2006 under the chairmanship of the Libyan Head of State, Col. Muammar Ghaddafi, was attended by the twenty-three member states that make up CEN-SAD. Formally welcoming colleague Heads of State at the opening ceremony of the conference, President Muammar Ghaddafi among other things said that CEN-SAD is about the biggest economic community on the African continent, and that it is a foundation for the strengthening of the African Union and regional states. He therefore expressed hopes for concerted efforts to be made so as to achieve economic progress for member of states. CEN-SAD, he said, is in the natural resource base for Africa's development. He urged member States to make use of the Sahel-Saharan Bank for Investment and Commerce, a subsidiary of CEN-SAD, as the bank will provide assistance for development including assistance to women and children affected by war, rural crop production, combating AIDS etc.

Click Here For President Kabbah's Speech
(7th June 2006)