The Director General of the West African Monetary Agency (WAMA), Mr. Boima S. Kamara, paid a courtesy visit to the Governor of the Bank of Sierra Leone (BSL), Dr. Ibrahim Lahai Stevens, on January 28, 2025.
This meeting in Freetown marked one of Mr. Kamara’s first official engagements since his appointment as WAMA’s Director General.
Accompanied by BSL’s First Deputy Governor, Dr. Joseph Ansu Tucker, and senior officials of the central bank, the meeting offered Mr. Kamara an opportunity to introduce himself in his new role and outline key initiatives for the agency’s future.
During the discussions, Kamara expressed profound appreciation to the Government of Sierra Leone for its unwavering support of WAMA and the hospitality extended to the agency over the years. He acknowledged the significant challenges ECOWAS member states face in meeting macroeconomic convergence criteria, particularly in light of economic shocks that have tested the region’s resilience.
Kamara reaffirmed his commitment to advancing WAMA’s objectives, specifically on accelerating the implementation of the ECOWAS single currency roadmap, known as the ECO. He highlighted his dedication to forging strategic partnerships with central banks and other stakeholders across the region and raising public awareness of the ECO initiative through an enhanced communication strategy.
As part of his vision for WAMA’s future, Kamara revealed plans for a comprehensive 4-Year Strategic Plan, which he said would address the key challenges hindering economic progress in the region and lay the foundation for sustained collaboration among member states.
Governor Stevens, in response, congratulated Kamara on his appointment and commended the unanimous endorsement he received from the Committee of Governors. Stevens lauded Kamara’s extensive experience at the Central Bank of Liberia and Liberia’s Ministry of Finance, which he said positioned him well to lead WAMA in its mission to achieve regional integration.
Reiterating Sierra Leone’s strong commitment to the ECOWAS agenda, Stevens emphasized the importance of regional cooperation in addressing the challenges of convergence criteria while advancing trade integration. He expressed confidence in Kamara’s ability to navigate these complexities and assured the Bank of Sierra Leone’s full support for WAMA’s initiatives, including the forthcoming strategic plan.
Dr. Tucker, the First Deputy Governor, echoed similar sentiments, noting that Kamara’s leadership offered an opportunity to harmonize policies and statistical frameworks critical to the region’s progress. Other senior officials and directors of the Bank of Sierra Leone also congratulated Kamara, pledging their cooperation in achieving WAMA’s goals.
