London, 28 July 2026
A delegation from the *Mabohanday UK & Ireland* Organisation today paid a courtesy call on His Excellency Dr. Morie Komba Manyeh, Sierra Leone’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, at the Sierra Leone High Commission, 41 Eagle Street, Holborn, London.
The delegation was led by Mr. Lamin Bangura, Chairman of *Mabohanday UK & Ireland*, and included Ms Cecelia Kamara, Assistant Organising Secretary; Mr. Joseph Kamara, Deputy Welfare Lead; and Mr. Kelleh Conteh, Media Team Consultant.
The visitors were welcomed by Head of Chancery, Mrs. Juliana S.H. Fallah, who introduced members of staff before inviting the delegation to engage with the Mission’s leadership.
Speaking on behalf of the organisation, Mr. Bangura thanked the High Commissioner and staff for the warm reception and explained that the visit was to formally invite the High Commissioner and officials of the Mission to the *Mabohanday UK & Ireland 10th Anniversary Dinner and Dance*, scheduled for 15 August 2026 in London.
He explained that *Mabohanday*, meaning “*togetherness*,” was founded in the United States 45 years ago in response to a community need to support one another during bereavement. Since then, it has grown into an international organisation with chapters across several U.S. states, as well as the United Kingdom and Ireland. Established in the UK in 2016, the organisation has undertaken charitable initiatives in Sierra Leone, including providing school furniture and constructing a water well, while also supporting elderly Sierra Leoneans in the UK through home and hospital visits. Mr. Bangura reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to community service, youth engagement and promoting unity among Sierra Leoneans.
Welcoming the Mabohanday representatives, Deputy High Commissioner Mrs. Yvonne King Odigboh thanked the delegation for the visit, describing the High Commission as “home” to all Sierra Leoneans. She underscored the importance of stronger collaboration between the Mission and diaspora organisations, noting that community engagement remains central to the High Commission’s work. She also highlighted ongoing efforts to build closer relationships with alumni associations, business leaders and other Sierra Leonean groups to foster greater unity and collaboration.
Responding on behalf of the Mission, His Excellency Dr. Morie Komba Manyeh thanked the delegation for their thoughtful gesture, lightening the atmosphere with the rhetorical question, “*What took you so long to visit us?*” The remark was met with warm laughter from those present.
Dr. Manyeh spoke appreciatively of his longstanding relationship with the Limba community and praised its reputation for loyalty and honesty. He encouraged the organisation to maintain close ties with the High Commission, emphasising that Sierra Leone’s progress depends on unity, collaboration and the collective efforts of its people, both at home and in the diaspora.
The visit concluded with prayers led by Mr. Joseph Kamara, Deputy Welfare Lead, for all present, the High Commission and the peace and prosperity of Sierra Leone.
Abdulai Braima
Information Attaché