By Chernor Alimamy Kamara
The outgoing Secretary- General of the Mano River Union (MRU), Madam Medina A. Wesseh has handed over the Secretariat’s documents to her successor, Maria G. Harrison.
The ceremony took place on Thursday, 10th November, 2022 at their Secretariat at Spur Loop in Freetown.
In her farewell speech, Madam Wesseh noted that each of the MRU member states had been faced with existential economic and political challenges at various points during the 1980s, 1990s and even 2000s. She said the founding leaders had the fortitude to shield the union by way of consensus building mechanisms, to put forth protocols, processes and procedures to conduct its affairs and its institutions against their respective domestic turmoil and convulsions.
“This generation therefore has a responsibility to sustain the dream and vision of the mano river union,” she said.
She expressed gratitude to the Heads of State, responsible Ministers and Agencies for taking a stance that member states uphold the processes, procedures and protocols of the union. She further commended the Governments and people of the MRU for the support given to her to conduct the affairs of the Secretariat over the last five years.
She thanked her staff for their support over the years and wished her successor well and prayed for guidance in her work.
The new Secretary- General thanked the President of Liberia, George Weah for submitting her name for nomination to the position for the remaining term of their country’s tenure. She also thanked the other member countries for endorsing her nomination as the 9th Secretary General of the union.
Madam Harrison reaffirmed a deep sense of responsibility to serve and provide visionary leadership in moving the MRU forward.
She pointed out that her top priority was to continue the work of promoting peace within the sub region and work to improve regional integration in the sub-region through infrastructural development in the areas of Agriculture, Energy, Information Technology (IT), health and education.
She added that, she will work to make the MRU more visible to its citizens and ensure that they benefit from economic developments throughout the sub- region.
She noted security governance at the MRU borders as a challenge faced which she said a robust central and local oversight should be developed to ensure that the security entry regulations are implemented. She also spoke of having an effective mechanism to communicate in border communities.
Madam Harrison promised to engage the national regulatory authorities and mobile network operators to ensure that one sim card will be used by MRU states. She promised to ensure that access to health services be paramount in the sub- region.
She also promised to establish a student exchange programme for knowledge and cultural appreciation. She concluded that she will improve capacity- building in the secretariat so that a translator will not be hired .
Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Dr. Francis Kaikai, in his statement noted the diligent service of Madam Wesseh during her tenure. He said, his ministry shared an excellent relationship with her in up-keeping the union’s mandate of peace, security and climate change.
He pointed out that, they have secured a permanent location for the incoming Secretary –General throughout her tenure.
A representative from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Relations, Aiah Edwin Mbawa said Madam Wesseh served at a time the MRU bloc had to grapple with COVID-19 and the economic meltdown around the world.
He said they are grateful as a ministry and prayed that her future endeavors turn out fruitful.
Mbawa on behalf of the minister heartily welcomed the new head of the secretariat and looked forward to enjoying a very good working relationship with her.
MRU aims at achieving greater unity and solidarity and enhancing cooperation between member states and peaceful coexistence among its people.
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