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24 October 2023

Managing Director of Sierra Leone Commercial Bank (SLCB), Yusufu Abdul Silla, was amongst the government dignitaries, international partners and thousands of farmers who gathered from across the country to commemorate this year's World Food Day held at the Pujehun Town main field, Pujehun District, on Monday 16th October, 2023.

As part of the commemoration, His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio launched the “Feed Salone Programme,” an initiative among his 'Big Five’ Development Agenda during the campaign for his second term bid.

In his keynote statement, President Bio said he would ensure the country becomes self-sufficient in food production and to export surplus abroad before he would leave office.

Other speakers were the Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Henry Kpaka, the Country Representative of Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), Saeed Abubaker Fancie, and the World Food Programme (WFP) Country Director, Eva Bonsion.

World Food Day is an annual event held on October 16 to celebrate the founding of the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) in 1945, to raise awareness on issues concerning food, poverty, and hunger, and also towards inspiring global efforts to provide sufficient food for the world's population.

The 2023 theme is 'Water is Life, Water is Food. Leave no one behind.' It is important to create awareness of the importance of water related to food production and the existence of humanity.

Sierra Leone Commercial Bank is a 100% indigenous bank owned by the people of Sierra Leone, and its presence is a manifestation of the support it gives to the government and its people by way of providing agricultural finance to farmers and agricultural-related support institutions.