A delegation from Sierra Leone is engaging with government officials in Vaughan, Ontario, and McMaster University leaders in Hamilton this week in a unique summit with roots in the Hammer.
The summit, spearheaded in part by May-Marie Duwai-Sowa, Sierra Leone’s sole special envoy in Canada based in downtown Hamilton, stems from President Julius Maada Bio’s appointment of Duwai-Sowa in 2023. The delegation from Sierra Leone, comprising approximately 50 members, including the first lady, chief minister, and foreign affairs minister, underscores the country’s keen interest in strengthening ties with Canada, as expressed by Duwai-Sowa to CBC Hamilton.
Organized by the BetehSalone Development Group Canada, which advocates for trade between Canada and Sierra Leone, in collaboration with various community organizations, the summit was facilitated by Dr. Lamin Massaquoi.
Duwai-Sowa, who originally hails from Sierra Leone and sought refuge in Hamilton following the civil war in 1999, now works to enhance international relations, trade, and investment between Canada and Sierra Leone through the Office of the Special Envoy for International Relations, Trade, and Investment (SEIRTI).
Running from Thursday to Saturday, the summit features a tradeshow, investment forum, and cultural showcase, along with discussions on youth employment, mining, and sustainable tourism. McMaster University’s vice-provost of international affairs, Bonny Ibhawoh, expressed anticipation about hosting the Sierra Leone delegation at the university’s Hamilton campus, where they are expected to sign a memorandum of understanding to guide future research collaborations in Sierra Leone.
Duwai-Sowa emphasized the mutual benefits Canada and Sierra Leone can offer one another, citing their longstanding historical ties dating back over two centuries to the settlement of Freetown by Black Nova Scotians. Despite past challenges like war and the Ebola crisis hindering Sierra Leone’s engagement with Canada, Duwai-Sowa is optimistic about forging substantive partnerships through the summit, showcasing Sierra Leone as a reliable business ally rather than a recipient of aid. She considers it a “privilege” to represent both countries close to her heart.
