THE HONORARY CONSUL OF THE KINGDOM OF THE  NETHERLANDS OPENS IN FREETOWN, SIERRA LEONE

On a classy evening filled with the glitter of Government officials, Ambassadors, Consuls and Honorary Consuls, representatives of International Organizations, the Dutch Community, corporate executives, and special guests, gathered at the Country Lodge Hotel, into the warm embrace of the host, the Honorary Consul of the Netherlands Madam Binta Jalloh who in her usual radiant smiles welcome guests to the opening of the Honorary Consul of the Netherlands in Sierra Leone.

The well-attended event testified to the continued strong bilateral relations between the Netherlands and Sierra Leone.

Speaking at the occasion, Madam Jalloh, highlighted her early days as a 15-year-old on arriving the shores of Europe and the culture shock she experienced but held on to her dreams with reference to Walt Disney’s words that, “All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them.” “If you can visualize it, if you can dream it, there’s some way to do it.”.  

Furthermore, she emphatically noted, to the admiration of the audiencethat “I have come a long way and I must say that my confidence has never wavered, especially when it comes to serving both Sierra Leone and the Kingdom of the Netherlands; My appointment as the Honorary Consul for the Netherlands in Sierra Leone undoubtedly shows a promising good relationship between the two countries. Being that I am the daughter of both countries.”

Madam Binta Jalloh expressed her willingness to work hard within the dictates of the rules that govern her position and to showcase the opportunities available for partnership and cooperation in the various sectors that include but are not limited to the construction of megastructures, roads, bridges, dredges, logistics equipment, and water.

And she also promised to consolidate the ties between both countries through various opportunities for foreign direct investment.   

It would be recalled that the former Dutch Ambassador Rom Strikker during one of his visits to Sierra Leone did express plans to establish an honorary consulate in Freetown, which has become a reality.

The event was attended by dignitaries such as Katja Lasseur (Deputy Head of Mission) and Bram Van Opijnen (First Secretary and Policy Adviser), both from the Dutch Embassy in Accra Ghana.