Richmond B. Tholley
The Liberian Ambassador to Sierra Leone, H. E. Angie Kolue Nynemah Lavela Von Ballmoos, was in the northern city of Makeni to grace the ongoing annual Education Week organized by the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education in collaboration with the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education at the Fatima Campus of the University of Makeni.
The four-day celebration is bringing together education stakeholders in the country, international partners, and school pupils to various educational activities that began on Monday, 20th January, 2025, and will continue until January 24th, 2025.
The theme for the 2025 Education Week is “Artificial Intelligence and Education: Preserving Human Agency in a World of Automation.”
During her stay in the city of Makeni, Ambassador Ballmoos had engagements and discussions with community and local authorities, leaders of various organizations taking part in the ongoing Education Week, the education ministries, and some international partners.
She reiterated the importance of education, laid emphasis on the girl child, and commended the government of Sierra Leone for what she called a laudable venture that would boost the country’s human capital development. On behalf of the government and people of Liberia, she said she’s impressed with the initiative and urged the citizenry of Sierra Leone to not only embrace it but also support the government for its sustainability.
An advocate for the rights of women and girls, H.E. Ambassador Ballmoos partnered with the Commonwealth Business Women, Diaspora Focus, and Katanya Women Development Association to celebrate the occasion, which manifested her passion and resilience for the growth and emancipation of women in Africa.
She encouraged young girls to focus on education and engage in entrepreneurship that will make them become self-reliant and contribute to the development of Sierra Leone, Africa, and the world over. The foreign diplomat also showcases her country’s image and shares a lot of ongoing development in Liberia.
Dressed in typical African attire, the Liberian ambassador was widely praised not only for gracing the occasion but also for going down to the extent of shaking hands with local authorities and residents. Before leaving for Freetown, Ambassador Ballmoos promised to share with others her experience in Makeni, especially on the importance of the annual Education Week.