Sierra Leone marks 60 years of independence

The West African country officially received independence from British colonial rule in 1961.

CAPE TOWN, April 28 (ANA) – Sierra Leone on Tuesday celebrated its 60th year of independence.

The West African country officially received independence from British colonial rule in 1961.

According to the Sierra Leone Telegraph, President Julius Maada Bio welcomed West African leaders to the State House in the country’s capital of Freetown, where official commemorations took place.

Leaders in attendance included Adama Barrow of the Republic of The Gambia, President Nana Akufo-Addo of the Republic of Ghana, President Alpha Condé of Guinea, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo of Nigeria, President George Manneh Weah of Liberia and Prime Minister Nuno Gomes Nabiam of Guinea Bissau, according to reports.

“Our freedom fighters went through countless suffering to give us our freedom. April 27 is a day of remembrance and honour to our heroes,” Bio said at a ceremony, according to Xinhua news agency.

The president went on to say that the Sierra Leonean people had learnt to live together as a nation over the past 60 years and felt the pain, learnt the lessons, used the lessons as opportunities to learn, and drawn strength from those opportunities to become a better nation.

Meanwhile, Togo commemorated 61 years of independence on April 27.

According to Togo First, to commemorate the day, a large military parade, preceded by a ceremony of taking up arms, took place at the Place des Fêtes of the Presidency.

As part of the celebrations, President Faure Gnassingbé inaugurated the Kekeli Efficient Power thermal plant.

Located in the port area, this infrastructure is expected to increase Togo’s power production capacity by 50%, reported Togo First.

– African News Agency (ANA); Editing by Yaron Blecher