A Complete Success
Sierra Visions, a non-profit organization founded by four young professionals, held its second annual Business Conference on September 18, 2004 at Howard University . The theme of the conference was Development Strategies for Sierra Leone , African Minds Speak . The conference began with an introduction of the organization. The event then continued with the distinguished speakers that included Dr. John Karefa-Smart, scholar, doctor, and former Sierra Leonean politician; Papa N'diaye, from Emerging Markets Partnership; and Ester Dassanou from the Corporate Council on Africa. Along with these speakers, the program also consisted of panelists that discussed entrepreneurship in Sierra Leone .
Mrs. Gail Carew-Edwards introduced Sierra Visions to the audience. The organization's mission is to foster social reform and economic development in Sierra Leone . With this in mind, the members developed a plan in which they feel could contribute to the country's development. They called this plan the Five-T Model , which consists of: Training, Trade, Transportation, Technology and Tourism . The organization strives to accomplish the model by implementing new and innovative development strategies for Sierra Leone . One of these programs, still under development, is the SVIC program. Pending sufficient funding, this program will provide funds to entrepreneurs who want to start businesses in Sierra Leone . Another program that the organization has underway is Reverse the Brain Drain. This program encourages Sierra Leoneans living in the Diaspora to teach a course in their field or expertise when they go home for a visit. In addition to these programs, the organization also provides scholarships to students attending tertiary institutions in Sierra Leone . With increase donation, the organization would like to increase the amount of students who receive the scholarship. Last year, four students received scholarships. This year, three new students will receive scholarships to attend college. Moreover, the organization also administers a book drive. Books will arrive in Sierra Leone by December.
Dr. Karefa-Smart was the keynote speaker for the event. He spoke about the “vision” of the organization's members and his “vision” for Sierra Leone . He spoke of the Sierra Leone that was once considered the “Athens of West Africa” and his “vision” for it to once again be at the top. He stated that Sierra Leone was once not only considered the top of West Africa , but of Africa . Dr. Karefa-Smart continued with his vision and gave the audience guidelines on what they should do to help Sierra Leone achieve this “vision”. These guidelines are appreciation, influence and commitment. Dr. Karefa-Smart said that in order to help Sierra Leone reach the top again, we should have an appreciation of what is wrong with Sierra Leone . Only by recognizing the problems that the country faces, could we be able to solve them. Dr. Karefa-Smart also mentioned that we should become influenced by others, as well as influence others in our development strategy to help Sierra Leone . Those who want to help the country could learn from others and not repeat the same mistakes. Furthermore, influencing others will allow the work to expand and encourage more Sierra Leoneans to develop their country. The third guideline, commitment, is crucial to the country's development. He mentioned that without commitment, one could not be successful in helping Sierra Leone . The country needs committed patriots who are willing to strive for the benefit of the country despite the adversities that may come one's way.
Ms. Ester Dassanou from the Corporate Council on Africa 's West African International Business Linkages (WAIBL) Program discussed the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and how it applied to Sierra Leone . She mentioned that in accordance with AGOA, WAIBL matches U.S. and West African companies with potential business partners and covers 18 countries in West Africa . For more information on Ms. Dassanou's presentation on AGOA and how it could affect Sierra Leone 's trade, please visit www.sierravisions.org.
The third speaker was Mr. Papa N'diaye, a director from Emerging Markets Partnership. Emerging Markets Partnership is a private equity firm with over $500 million in committed resources dedicated to investing in Africa . He mentioned the investors of his company, such as AIG and the African Development Bank. He also provided crucial advice to those who would like to pursue entrepreneurial ventures in Africa . One of his advice was the importance of regional integration. He encouraged the audience to think regionally when conducting business in Sierra Leone . Instead of just stopping in your country, entrepreneurs could expand their business in West Africa and beyond. In addition, Mr. N'Diaye also encouraged the audience to promote Sierra Leone . Only when we say positive things about our country will others begin to invest and say good things about Sierra Leone .
The success of the event was not only due to our spectacular speakers, but also our panelists. We had three speakers (Evelyn Lewis, Aiah Fanday and Yaya Fanusie Jr.) who gave their experiences about starting businesses or non-profits in Sierra Leone. One particular speaker, Mr. Evelyn Lewis gave his experience of starting his IT business in Sierra Leone . He stated that Sierra Leone is not the negative stigma that the media portrays and developing in business in the country is attainable.
The conference ended with a new found optimism for developing Sierra Leone . It enabled Sierra Leoneans as well as other Africans to see the opportunities in providing assistance, both philanthropically and entrepreneurially, to their country.
