History was made on Monday 15th March, 2021 during the official opening of the Sierra Leoneans Unite office in Helsinki, Finland pioneered by the Sierra Leone Music Ambassador Mr. Sorie Obai Kamara (Obi Phrase) and team.
This is unprecedented among the African diaspora in Finland, being the first African community to have established an office that will address the welfare of its citizen, channel development projects and business opportunities to Sierra Leone. This is the first and only Sierra Leonean’s diaspora’s office in the Scandinavia/ Nordic Europe.
The opening of the Sierra Leonean Unite office. Photo credit: Jukka Luoma
The just opened office can be accessed by other African communities in Finland as a platform for meetings, conferences, symposia and cooperation in strengthening the African diaspora in a bid to properly position ourselves in Finland and work towards achieving the African Union Agenda 2063 among others.
The office premises is situated at 13 Koroistentie, Helsinki ( Ruskeasuo ) where a cross-section of the planning team officiated the opening ceremony followed by viewers online. Among those who participated online are the Sierra Leone High Commissioner in UK, His Excellency Dr. Morie Manyeh, Deputy High commissioner Her Excellency Mrs. Yvonne King, Head Of Chancery (HOC) Sierra Leone Embassy in Belgium Mr. Albert Coker, Sierra Leoneans living in Finland and at home, Finns, well-wishers and journalists. The moderator of the ceremony was Nana Boateng, CEO Nana’s TV International.
The beautiful cake
Photo credit: Jukka Luoma
Music Ambassador Sorie Obai Kamara stated that the said office will welcome business cooperations from members of the public. He further urged Sierra Leoneans to make use of the facility in the best possible way emphasizing on unity as the bedrock of community growth, he also narrated how the journey began.
In her statement, the Sierra Leone Deputy High Commissioner in UK Mrs. Yvonne King first of all conveyed her warm greetings on behalf of the Sierra Leone High Commissioner His Excellency Dr. Morie Manyeh and the Commission. She also expressed satisfaction in witnessing the commissioning of the Sierra Leoneans Unite office in Helsinki, Finland. Mrs, Yvonne made it clear that this office is one that will unite and address the welfare of Sierra Leoneans living in Finland. It is an office that will help promote development, an office that will coordinate and support our people particularly those in need out there in Finland. ‘I believe this is the start of greater things to come’, she emphasized.
Music Ambassador Obi Phrase
Of all the discussions l had with Mr. Sorie Obai Kamara (Obi Phrase) one could attest to the fact that he has been doing a great work both with Sierra Leoneans living in Finland and in Sierra Leone. She thanked everyone and expressed her appreciation to Mr. Sorie Obai Kamara Sierra Leone Music Ambassador to Europe and his team for making this historic event possible. She further thanked the Finnish government for supporting the Sierra Leonean people in their country. “We look forward to a strong ties between the Finnish government and Sierra Leone”, she said.
Head of Chancery of the Sierra Leone Embassy in Belgium Mr. Albert Coker mentioned in his observatory statement that meetings have been held between the Sierra Leone and Finland government on how to cement the bilateral relationship and ensure that Sierra Leone is fully present in Finland. ‘All l can say is that, we look forward to the realization of all the steps that have been taken’, he said.
In his comment, Mr. Borje Mattsson reiterated that we are hoping that Sierra Leone will be properly positioned in the Finland’s new strategy for Africa. He mentioned the very hard work done with Music Ambassador Sorie Kamara for the realization of where we are now. “This office is open to all in building a tighter cooperation between Finland and Sierra Leone. Also, Mr. Keijo Mikkanen threw light on Sorie Obai Kamara’s persistent attitude in building this Finland/Sierra Leone connection. He sited the visit of the Sierra Leone Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs on 2019 machinated by the Music Ambassador Sorie Obai Kamara which he supported.
Group photo
Photo credit: Jukka Luoma
Musical performances were done by Juita Kouppamaki who also gave a testimony of her visit to Sierra Leone few Months ago, Charlotta Kerbs and Maarika Autio the balophonist. Mr. Osman Bangura a member of the planning team did the cutting of the door ribbons which symbolizes the official opening of the office to the public, Mr. Mayele Kitari another planning team member did the cutting of the opening cake and added that since he get to know Mr. Sorie Obai Kamara he has never gone on stage during his musical performances without the Sierra Leone flag. ” Sorie Obai Kamara has been an ambassador ever since with a strong passion and love for his country”, he said. Mr. Akibo S. Kamara the Program Manager gave the opening remarks, Mrs. Teresa Mabinty Diop Assistant Program Manager gave an opening prayer and lit the Sierra Leone candles whereas Mr. Sheku Kamara gave the closing statement.
( Visit Sierra Leone)
From the Sierra Leoneans Unite Office Management
Koroistentie13, Helsinki Finland
1 comment
BLESS to the Finland 🇫🇮 organization may the ALMIGHTY GOD PROTECT the unity as one big family in future.