By Alpha Abu
At the Mezzanine hall within the Bank of Sierra Leone, in Freetown, serving and past members of staff of the institution, executives of other commercial banks and other invited personalities converged last week to heap praises on the country’s central bank for its resilience and successes as it starts commemoration of 60 years of service.
The historic emergence of BSL had its roots back in March 1963 and by then serving as the centre for the issuing of bank notes for all former british colonies in West Africa.
It became formally established as Sierra Leone’s Central Bank on 4th August, 1964. The financial institution has since over the last six decades encountered varied experiences, and which speaker after speaker at the launch of the celebration, recalled.
They spoke of how BSL has adapted and evolved over the years amidst the external and internal dynamics and challenges within and outside of Sierra Leone. .
The Governor of BSL, Ibrahim Stevens in his keynote address paid tribute to his predecessors, recognizing their legacies, saying they all demonstrated exemplary commitment and diligence, making the bank today something that they are all proud of.
He spoke of the operational challenges of the bank in the recent past due to the geo-political happenings and global health issues.
Stevens said the bank has demonstrated unwavering resilience, steadfastly holding on to its core mandates. He spoke about their 2024-2028 Strategic Development Plan which he said is the blueprint of their operations that is being rolled out to achieve sound financial systems and policies. The governor asserted that they will be guarded by that plan for the next 5 years. He said BSL is committed to embracing evolving financial technology, and supporting the government’s economic policies.
Despite the ebola, covid and other stumbling blocks he said BSL has carried on, and that the bank’s working environment is like that of a strong family. ‘’We shall continue with that tradition’’, the governor assured.
Deputy Finance Minister, Bockarie Kalokoh in his statement spoke about the need to respect the environment, highlighting the torrential rains that he said have even affected revenue generation by financial institutions this July.
Heads were turned when probably one of the few workers still around since the outset of the establishment back in 1964, Melvin Tucker was invited to the podium as a distinguished speaker.
Addressing the gathering Tucker recalled the enthusiasm they were filled with at the start of operations as the country’s central bank. He said the institution was nurtured in a way to be able to face challenges, mentioning the political instability and other trying times it encountered over the years.
He said they were collectively as staff, able to surmount those trying times making it ‘’a bank of excellence’’.
Tucker served in various capacities including Secretary to the Board. He went on voluntary retirement in 1994 but was recalled some four years later in 1998 during which he rose to deputy governor and even governor before finally retiring.
A somber moment was then observed as a lengthy list of the names of workers who passed away during active service was read out, and a minute’s silence observed. It touched almost every department or category of workers-from cleaner, security, stenographer, gardener, to typist, cook, banking supervisor, director and senior manager.
Also the names and years of service of all the Governors of the bank were read out starting with the first British Governor Gordon E Hall that was later succeeded by the first local citizen Sylvanus B. Nicol Cole in 1966.
Celebrations to mark the 60th anniversary will commence in earnest next month, starting with a symposium on 1st August to be followed by a Governor’s banquet the following day. The subsequent Friday and Sunday will see services at the Hill Station Mossque and St. George’s Cathedral in Freetown.
Copyright © 2024 Politico (29/07/24)
