Josephus J. Ellie

Very positive meeting with @ecowas_cedeao Ambassador John Azumah today, discussing recent positive developments with 🇸🇱’s Agreement for National Unity. Ireland and ECOWAS are both proudly working towards Sierra Leone’s peaceful development.

Peaceful nation, fragile politics. 65 years later, our independence depends on trust. Let’s honor it by choosing cooperation over conflict, law over power, and Salone over party. The flag raised in 1961 still asks us to protect the democracy. Happy Independence Day 🇸🇱

We were honored to host @NealRichmond8, Minister of State for Overseas Development and Diaspora, and his team, including @AmbassadorFitz, the Irish Ambassador to Sierra Leone. They engaged firsthand with our 'More Than A Woman' project, funded by @Irish_Aid @IrlEmbFreetown, which aims to strengthen women's participation in governance and development. The delegation received insights into our community-centered initiatives, hearing touching testimonials from local stakeholders and beneficiaries on how the project has empowered women, challenged gender norms, and enhanced local governance. They also shared how the project had empowered to challenge traditionally held practices like FGM in their communities. Visiting Nyapui Radio, they discovered the station's pivotal role in promoting gender equality. A live interview highlighted the Irish Government's commitment to supporting Sierra Leone. At Kenema Credit Union, discussions focused on financial empowerment for women, applauding efforts to boost economic inclusion through savings and credit opportunities. The visit culminated with a meeting with our One Family VSLA group, where members shared inspiring stories of economic empowerment through small businesses and improved household incomes. We extend our gratitude to the Irish Aid delegation for their support and recognition of our impactful work in Sierra Leone

This morning, Minister of State for International Development and the Diaspora, Mr. Neale Richmond, was delighted to meet with his excellency, President Bio of Sierra Leone, to formally hand over the agrément for the establishment of an Embassy of Sierra Leone in Ireland. @nealerichmond @dfatirl @dfatirl

In Sierra Leone, local governments play a critical role in delivering essential services and fostering community development. However, persistent challenges in transparency and accountability undermine effective service delivery and weakening public trust. Recent findings by #SENDSierraLeone and #BudgetAdvocacyNetwork, with support from @Irish_Aid @IrlEmbFreetown, reveal significant gaps in financial oversight and procedural breaches relating to some provisions of local government Act of 2022, across 13 local councils in Sierra Leone including Kailahun, Kenema, Kono, Bonthe, Falaba, Port Loko, Moyamba, Karene Tonkolili and Kambia. Key issues from the findings include: 🚨 Failure to establish Audit Committees in all councils. ⚖️ Legal and institutional inconsistencies affecting audit accountability. 📑 Lack of public access to audit reports. 📢 Failure to present audit findings in council meetings. 📰 Weak oversight by media and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs). Addressing these challenges is crucial for improving financial discipline, ensuring better resource allocation, and restoring public confidence in local governance. 📌 Read the full report here: storage.googleapis.com/send-backend.a… Together, we can advocate for stronger audit mechanisms to enhance accountability and service delivery for our communities.

Pleased to have presented on behalf of donors, Action Aid Sierra Leone’s 2025 Work Plan and Budget to government, beneficiaries and other stakeholders. Congratulations #AASL for show of commitment to accountability. #NGOaccountability is key to the achievement of the SDGs.

As we look forward to a wonderful and grace-filled 2025, Josephus and Frank gladden your hearts with this thankful song in our local Kono language. January 7, 2025 youtu.be/c4DSSq0LseM?si… via @YouTube

Delighted to meet with the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion last week, with very positive discussions on strengthening the overall peace architecture in Sierra Leone. @IrlEmbFreetown

Glad to have joined colleagues and stakeholders for consultations on the development of the National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights for Sierra Leone. #IrelandEmbassy #UNDPSierraLeone #HRCSL.

IrlEmbFreetown was delighted to attend UN #PeaceDay. This years theme #CultivatingaCultureofPeace highlights the importance not only of the absence of conflict but active facilitation of dialogue and cooperation.

Paid a visit to the @ECsalone warehouse and data centre in Freetown today. @IrlEmbFreetown and other development partners provided funds towards the renovation of this facility and installation of solar panels, as part of our ongoing support to the electoral process in #Salone

So it was at the 2024 National Policy Dialogue organized by #TalkingDrumStudio with funding from #Ireland. Great conversations on #Ireland’s contribution to the Women, Peace and Security agenda, implementation of the GEWE Act, and local-level accountability and service delivery.

Pleased to have joined the 2024 EU Bus Tour. In Kenema, we spoke about #Ireland’s support to the political, social and economic enhancement of women, young women and girls.

Visits to the field allow our team to engage partners, meet beneficiaries & assess impact 📝 Thanks to @SendSierraleone 🇸🇱for series of engagements in Kono & Bonthe, where we saw how @Irish_Aid-funded initiatives enhance economic empowerment & political participation of women 👩🏽‍🦱

We welcome the @IrlEmbFreetown team as they assess how @Irish_Aid support has enhanced access to finance through the VSLA & Credit Union structures, increased participation in governance & politics & built the self-reliance capacity of women across 5 districts in Sierra Leone 🇸🇱

The Gospel train got to Waterloo yesterday and it was superb. We will get the message across every corner of Sierra Leone this year. Many thanks to the Waterloo community for the huge support. We are in Kenema next. April 28th.

@SoeMarrah @marrahandassos All the best Augustine.

Hello friends! I’ve today declared to contest for the presidency of the Sierra Leone Bar Association in the upcoming elections during its annual general meeting on 17-18 May 2024. I am running on a vision to RECLAIM THE BAR. In the coming days and weeks, I shall be sharing with you critical aspects of my manifesto. I sincerely promise that with the help of God Almighty, the membership of the bar will reclaim ownership of the bar association and direct its destiny and no one else. I thank you, and God bless you. 🇸🇱

The @IrbFreetown @Irish_Aid supported radio station,Nyapui Radio,was proud to host @EUinSierraLeone Ambassador as a panelist on the popular evening talk show as he discussed the strategic projects the EU Delegation has funded & were commissioning to serve the people of Kenema

We continue to strengthen the capacity of local partners to reach the furthest behind. The localization agenda must be kept alive. #SENDSierraLeone #IrelandEmbassy