After a busy week of high-level engagements at the United Nations in New York, Sierra Leone’s Chief Minister, Dr. David Moinina Sengeh, joined the Sierra Leonean community in Maryland for a friendly football match.
The event went beyond recreation. It was a deliberate effort by the Chief Minister to connect with Sierra Leoneans in the diaspora, listen to their perspectives, and strengthen the bond between them and the government of President Julius Maada Bio. Against the backdrop of President Bio’s “Big Five Game Changers” agenda, the gathering reinforced the government’s belief that the diaspora plays a central role in Sierra Leone’s transformation journey.
Dr. Sengeh noted that the diaspora community is not only a source of remittances but also a reservoir of knowledge, skills, networks, and opportunities that can contribute to Sierra Leone’s social and economic progress. He encouraged Sierra Leoneans abroad to actively align their efforts with the government’s vision for human capital development, technology-driven innovation, and inclusive growth.
“President Bio’s vision is one that unites Sierra Leoneans everywhere. Whether at home or abroad, we are all part of one nation with a shared responsibility to drive development. The diaspora is not on the side-lines you are key players in our collective progress,” the Chief Minister remarked during his engagement.
The Maryland football match was therefore symbolic: while it provided a platform for relaxation and camaraderie, it also embodied unity, teamwork, and national pride values that Sierra Leone needs to achieve sustainable progress. Through laughter, sportsmanship, and open conversations, the event reminded participants of the strength that comes from togetherness.
Community leaders in Maryland expressed appreciation for the Chief Minister’s willingness to spend time with them after an intense diplomatic week. They described the engagement as both refreshing and inspiring, noting that it reaffirmed their sense of belonging and their role in the national development agenda.
The Chief Minister’s outreach reflects the Bio-led government’s broader policy of radical inclusion and diaspora engagement, ensuring that Sierra Leoneans, wherever they reside, remain part of the country’s development conversation. By blending formal diplomacy with informal community connection, Dr. Sengeh demonstrated that governance is not only about policies and speeches but also about genuine human engagement.
As the sun set over Maryland, the football match left behind more than a score line it left renewed energy, shared optimism, and a strengthened partnership between the government and Sierra Leoneans in the diaspora.
