FBC and Guinea Embassy Partnership impact Fifty-Two Guinean Public Servants

6 February 2026

Fourah Bay College (FBC) and the Embassy of the Republic of Guinea in Sierra Leone have embarked on a shared journey of capacity building, welcoming the first cohort of fifty-two public servants from the Guinean Ministry of Finance and Budget for a specialised English language programme. This initiative, born from diplomatic engagement between His Excellency the Ambassador of Guinea to Sierra Leone and the FBC College Administration , represents a meaningful stride in regional cooperation and the cultivation of human capital.

The first cohort commenced their programme on 19 January 2026, embarking on a month focused short course to acquire essential linguistic tools.

His Excellency the Ambassador of Guinea to Sierra Leone, Julien Yombouno, visited the college on Friday, 6th February 2026, to observe the participants’ progress, during which a courtesy call was made to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of FBC to reaffirm the spirit of partnership. In his remarks, the Ambassador expressed profound satisfaction and envisioned the collaboration progressing to include cultural, scientific, and broader educational exchanges. He further indicated plans to potentially extend this valuable opportunity to other public sectors across Guinea.

In his response to the ambassador’s remarks, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC) of FBC, Associate Professor Andrew C.M. Baio, stated the college’s honour, noting how this partnership aligns with FBC’s core mission of impacting development across borders. He expressed eagerness to explore further avenues, including staff exchanges that would bridge linguistic divides by allowing FBC academics to enhance their French proficiency in Guinea.

This sentiment was echoed by the Head of Language Studies at FBC, Mrs Elizabeth Kamara, who highlighted the potential for reciprocal academic opportunities for FBC’s staff and students, possibly paving pathways for advanced postgraduates engagement in Francophone academia .

Speaking for his peers, participant Mr Sidiki Sano, extended sincere gratitude to the Government of Guinea and the dedicated tutors from FBC. With a view toward deepening their newfound skills, he humbly proposed extending future courses to three months, allowing for even more substantial mastery.

This gentle partnership weaves a common thread through the power of learning, building a legacy of brighter understanding and shared tomorrows for both nations.

©️ Maa-Oul-La-Neine Tunis