Members of the 50/50 group of which Mrs. Abator Thomas is President, Cabinet Ministers and a host of personalities graced the occasion.

President Kabbah congratulated the Ministers on their appointment and assured them that he would personally work with them to ensure their success.

The role of a Minister,President Kabbah noted,is,according to the constitution ,one of collective responsibility in which the entire government takes responsibility for the action of any Minister. He therefore urged them to always look up to him and the Vice President for advice, but to be frank and critical when they think it necessary.

The President said the appointment of Mrs. Abator Thomas was in line with government's policy of getting more women involved in governance. This, he stated is not new, as it was something the SLPP government had pre-occupied itself with for a long time, citing as example Mrs. Constance Commings John and Madame Ella Koblo-Gulama, who, he noted,had distinguished themselves in an exemplary manner.

The new deputy Minister of Agriculture, the President stated, equipped himself well at Njala University before working in Botswana for eight years.

He said while in Botswana, Mr. Karim-Sesay was an active participant in the private sector.The President further expressed the hope that Mr.Karim-Sesay would cause his rich experience he has acquired to bear on his new job.

The President told his new ministers that there were a lot of challenges ahead.He adminished them on the need for transparency and accountability,and especially against graft.He advised them to be cautious in their dealings with the general public,noting that in Sierra Leone,one always wins false friends and true enemies.

Another challenge the President outlined was that of negative press reports given by some sections of the media which tend to repel well-meaning individuals wanting to render true service to the nation.

In this vein, the President Kabbah cited as example a report in the Exclusive newspaper which spoke of another cabinet reshuffle . Sierra Leone, the President maintained, is in the process of consolidating peace,and as such,bias and untrue reports would only serve to distabilise the country further.

He reiterated that there was not going to be any reshuffle and expressed the hope that Ministers would continue to perform in their respective capacities satisfactorily. "I would not sack a person, while he or she is in middle of implementing government policies",the President observed.

On a concluding note,the President wished his ministers well and advised them to be a bit patient with the people.

Mrs. Abator Thomas who described the occasion as a solemn and happy one, thanked the President for the confidence reposed in them and for also giving them the opportunity to serve their country. She assured the President that they would do their best to support the President's pledge to all Sierra Leoneans and prayed for continuing wisdom and understanding ,as well as for peace, stability and prosperity.

Mrs. Abator-Thomas is a professional Librarian. She worked as librarian in the UK, the Sierra Leone Library board and the MMTC.

She also worked as Librarian for five years at the British Council, and then served as Deputy Director of the British Council for six years. She was also acting Director British Council for two years before retirement.

Mrs. Thomas is a Gender activitist and initiated gender programs, during her time at the British Council as well as the university links program.