President Bio and Sierra Leone’s outgoing World Bank Country Manager, Dr Abdu MuwongeFREETOWN, Sierra Leone – Sierra Leone’s outgoing World Bank Country Manager, Dr Abdu Muwonge, was today honoured with the country’s highest national honour, the Grand Commander of the Order of the Republic (GCOR), at State House, Freetown.
The investiture, which took place at State House, marked the end of the mission of Dr Muwonge in Sierra Leone and was in recognition of his contribution to the strengthening of the cooperation between the Government and the World Bank in support of the national development priorities. Presenting the citation, Presidential Press Secretary Yusuf Keketoma Sandi Esq. said the award was in line with section 40(4)(f) of the 1991 Constitution, which empowers the President to confer national honours on persons whose service merits national recognition.
The award, he said, was a recognition of Dr Muwonge’s dedication and service to the people of Sierra Leone. Dr Muwonge thanked President Bio and the Sierra Leonean people for the recognition. I wish to take this opportunity to thank His Excellency the President and the people of Sierra Leone for acknowledging my contribution to this country.
“I am proud to serve my country, and I do not take this recognition lightly,” he said. In his remarks, the outgoing Country Manager praised the spirit of collaboration he had seen across government ministries, departments and agencies, and said the partnership with the government had enabled the implementation of key national development programs. He also commended President Bio for his leadership and dedication to improving the lives of Sierra Leoneans through investments in infrastructure and women empowerment initiatives. It has been a very successful working relationship with Your Excellency’s administration.
“Every time I went out with you in the field to commission development projects, I saw first-hand how passionate you are about your people and your commitment to providing good service to them,” said Dr Muwonge. His time in Sierra Leone was “deeply meaningful and emotionally resonant,” he said. “I can’t say goodbye because Sierra Leone will always be home to me and very near to my heart. President Bio, for his part, thanked Dr Muwonge for his service and the role he played in strengthening the ties between Sierra Leone and the World Bank.
“Dr Muwonge is a dependable development partner whose leadership has a strategic vision and deep understanding of Sierra Leone’s development priorities,” the President said. He noted the previous manager’s readiness to listen and engage in constructive dialogue with the government and other stakeholders. How You Listen? was the biggest inspiration for me. Your contributions in our strong partnership with the World Bank have been very significant. You have been a good partner and a true champion of Sierra Leone’s development,” President Bio said.
The President said the relationship between Sierra Leone and the World Bank has moved from individual projects to a bigger partnership based on a common vision for national development. He expressed gratitude to Dr Muwonge for his service on behalf of the Government and People of Sierra Leone and wished him well in his next assignment. Looking ahead, President Bio welcomed the incoming World Bank Country Manager, expected to commence in September 2026, and reiterated Sierra Leone’s commitment to strengthening its long-standing partnership with the institution as the country pursues sustainable development and expanded opportunities for its citizens.
