The European Union Ambassador in Sierra Leone and delegation has met the country’s media in a working Lunch on Thursday at Country Lodge, West of Freetown.
Welcoming various newsmen and women at the event, Ambassador Tom Vens stated that the event of having lunch with members of the Fourth Estate is already becoming a tradition in Sierra Leone.
He emphasized that the Press has a critical role to play in terms of working towards an open society and also setting the agenda for various rights issues.
Ambassador Tom Vens disclosed that the European Council and the various members of the Council have changed with a new leadership and dilated on the new priorities of the Leadership which, according to him, looks at priority sectors like women’s empowerment, inclusive economic growth, amongst others.
The EU Ambassador pinpointed that they are happy to understand that the new EU leadership is paying great attention to the issues of women’s empowerment.
The EU, according to him, has been supporting various programs towards supporting women in leadership positions.
The EU, Ambassador Tom Vens continued, has supported the Parliament of Sierra Leone through the Women’s Parliamentary Caucus and many other empowerment programs.
He also disclosed that the EU has been supporting the fight against Sexual and Gender Based violence by supporting institutions engaged in providing supports for victims of SGBV through institutions like Rainbow initiative and many more.
This, according to him, is a national agenda and has their fullest support.
The well-attended press lunch is often used by the European Union Ambassador and his delegation to discuss with the country’s media with a view to exchange ideas and share issues of national concern, as well as issues affecting the growth of the media in the country.
The EU is a major donor contributor to Sierra Leone in the areas of health, roads and infrastructure, environment and Government’s Free Quality Education.
Secretary General, Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), Asmieu Bah, appealed on behalf of SLAJ for the EU to give direct support to the organization rather than through third parties.
EU Ambassador and Delegation Raps the Press
