The Diplomatic Drivers Association of Sierra Leone (DDA-SL) has formalised the informal network of drivers who serve embassies, United Nations agencies, and international organisations in Sierra Leone. On Saturday, June 20, the official inauguration took place at the New Brookfields Hotel, attended by representatives from the diplomatic corps, the UN system, government institutions, and professional driving organisations.
The new organisation, which arose from 25 years of informal collaboration among drivers in the diplomatic and development community, aims to raise professional standards, improve coordination, and play a positive role in national road safety efforts. The launch was attended by a large number of distinguished guests, including the Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Madam Kenyeh Barlay, and the United Nations Resident Coordinator, Seraphine Wakana, as well as the Gambia’s High Commissioner, the Deputy Ambassador of Germany, representatives from the British High Commission and the Russian Embassy, and senior representatives from UNDP, UNICEF, IMF, UN Women, WFP, and the World Bank.
Mariama Jalloh, President of the Diplomatic Drivers Association of Sierra Leone, stated in her welcome remarks that the Association was founded to improve professional standards through discipline, road safety, and continuous training, as well as to provide a clear platform for coordination and constructive engagement with diplomatic missions, government institutions, and relevant authorities. Her comments positioned the association as both a professional organisation and a link between the drivers it represents and the larger institutions they serve.
Sulaiman Kamara, the Association’s President, described DDA-SL’s formation as “a commitment to excellence” while providing an overview of the organisation’s goals. He went on to say that the association aims to create “a strong network of professional drivers who uphold safety, discipline, and respect for the institutions we serve, while constantly improving our skills.” These remarks highlighted the association’s dual emphasis on operational professionalism and ongoing capacity development.
Existing national professional driver organisations expressed their support during the launch ceremony. A representative from the Sierra Leone Motor Drivers Association praised the initiative and emphasised the importance of working together to improve road safety across the country. “Road safety is a shared responsibility,” the representative stated, emphasising the importance of initiatives such as DDA-SL in improving compliance and awareness and expressing a desire to collaborate with the new association to strengthen road safety culture nationwide.
On behalf of the United Nations, Resident Coordinator Seraphine Wakana welcomed the association and emphasised its operational and public safety importance. She emphasised that diplomatic drivers are critical to the day-to-day operations of the United Nations and its partners, and that their professionalism and commitment directly support safe and effective service delivery.
In her keynote address, Minister Kenyeh Barlay congratulated the association and framed the establishment of DDA-SL as an important contribution to national development and service excellence. She emphasised the importance of ongoing skill development and collective responsibility in raising service delivery standards across all sectors, highlighting the government’s interest in initiatives that promote accountability and professionalism.
At the event, members of the association pledged to actively support national road safety efforts by promoting defensive and responsible driving practices, ensuring strict adherence to traffic regulations, raising awareness about road safety measures, and collaborating with relevant national stakeholders. The association has also announced plans to hold regular training workshops, peer-learning sessions, and other capacity-building initiatives centred on driving safety, customer service, and diplomatic protocols.
The formalisation of DDA-SL is a significant step forward for drivers who have long supported Sierra Leone’s international engagement. The association’s goal is to professionalise a critical service group while also contributing to larger efforts to make Sierra Leone’s roads safer for all by establishing an organised platform for training, coordination, and engagement.
