On July 24, 2025, His Excellency Ambassador Amara Sheikh Mohammed Sowa presented his letter of accreditation as Sierra Leone’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to President Donald J. Trump of the United States of America.
Ambassador Amara Sowa delivered his Letters of Credence and Predecessor’s Recall to President Trump on behalf of His Excellency Rtd. Brigadier President Dr. Julius Maada Bio wishes President Trump continued good health and success in bettering the lives of Americans.
Ambassador Sowa spoke about Sierra Leone’s century-long relationship with the United States. He informed President Trump that Sierra Leone’s ties to the United States go beyond the Atlantic Slave Trade, and that while many African slaves shipped to the Americas ended up in the Caribbean and South America, the majority of those from Bunce Island in Sierra Leone were taken to Georgia and South Carolina because of their rice cultivation skills. His Excellency Ambassador Amara Sowa went on to say that the cultures and traditions brought by Sierra Leonean slaves to the United States have persisted among their descendants, some of whom can trace their ancestry back to Sierra Leone.
His Excellency Ambassador Sowa admonished his audience at the White House that his country’s historical connections to the United States have led to the establishment of excellent relations between the two countries, particularly the Gullah people, who are descendants from Sierra Leone, and the story of the Amistad, which he said adequately demonstrate the early connections between the peoples of Sierra Leone and the United States.
Sierra Leone and the United States, both UN members, have similar goals of promoting international peace, human rights, and development. Ambassador Sowa emphasized that the Sierra Leone government values the United States’ support during Sierra Leone’s bid for the United Nations Security Council. “Our Country continues to enjoy excellent collaboration in the Security Council”.
Furthermore, Ambassador Sowa stated that when President Bio assumed his second term in office in June 2023, he introduced ambitious policy guidelines to transform Sierra Leone’s economy, which largely border on boosting agricultural productivity for food security and inclusive economic growth, developing human capital for 21st century industries, implementing youth employment schemes, revamping public service architecture for efficiency and professionalism,
Ambassador Sowa emphasized President Bio’s commitment to fighting corruption and fostering a business-friendly environment in the country. H. E. Sowa stated that Sierra Leone is fortunate to have thriving American investors in the country, and that the Sierra Leoneans are grateful to the United States for significantly contributing to Sierra Leone’s socioeconomic development programs, particularly in health and democracy, as well as US financial institutions such as the DFC and the MCC. Ambassador Sowa emphasized that President Bio’s administration will continue to collaborate closely with the United States to the benefit of both countries.
According to Ambassador Sowa, Sierra Leone’s government is committed to maintaining internal and regional security, and it applauds the United States’ efforts to combat terrorism, transnational organized crime (TOC), and promote public safety.
“As I prepare to embark on my diplomatic tour as Ambassador of your beautiful country, I am confident that I will always rely on your support and guidance to make my mission successful”, commented H.E. Sowa.
The Sierra Leone Ambassador to the United States was accompanied to the White House by his wife, Ms. Sowa, as is customary in the USA.
