Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, at this point I particularly want to recognise the contributions of Dr S B Nicol-Cole who was the first Chairman of the Board of Trustees, and who only took leave of us last year. His contributions during the very critical teething period for the Trust was truly valued and we want to thank him for his services and wish him well in all his future endeavours. Let me also recognise the pioneering efforts of Dr J D Rogers, erstwhile Governor of the Bank, who recently retired from the services of the Bank of Sierra Leone. I want to assure him that his efforts in this area will not go in vein. In that same vein, I want also to congratulate Prof. Aiah A Gbakima, the new Chairman of the Board of Trustees, who was elected Chairman by his colleague members of the Board, after acting in the capacity for one year. I have no doubt that with Professor Gbakima’s drive and commitment, the Charity will continue to grow from strength to strength. I will be remiss in my duty, if I did not recognise also our development partners who have made valuable contributions towards realising the Trust’ Aims and Objectives. On behalf of the Board, Management and Staff of the Bank of Sierra Leone, I wish to register our profound appreciation for their collaborative efforts and financial support towards the Charity.
Mohamed S Fofana: Bank of Sierra Leone Charity Trust Fund Keynote address by Mr Mohamed S Fofana, Deputy Governor of the Bank of Sierra Leone, at the Scholarship Award Ceremony of the Bank of Sierra Leone Charity Trust Fund, Freetown, 25 January 2008. *  *  *  Mr Chairman Members of the Board of Trustees of the Bank of Sierra Leone Charity Trust Fund Board of Directors and Management of the Bank of Sierra Leone Officials of the Ministry of Education Heads of Commercial Banks and other Financial Institutions Members of the Fourth Estate Distinguished Guests, including the Awardees Students and pupils It is my honour and privilege to warmly welcome you all to the Scholarship Award Ceremony of the Bank of Sierra Leone Charity Trust Fund. The idea of a Charity Trust Fund was conceived by the Bank of Sierra Leone in the wake of the devastation caused by the decade old civil conflict in every sector of our society, the education sector, being key. We were convinced that the future for a better Sierra Leone and a decisive turnaround in the state of the economy, lie largely in education taking its rightful place in the development plan. As the nation’s Central Bank, we have a pivotal role to play in the development aspirations of the country. That is why as a corporate body, we have recognised our responsibility in the discharge of our duties to honour our corporate social responsibility.