Postmark London: The October 20 Investment Conference The last time President Ernest Koroma made a public show in London was in November 2010. That was at the 2nd annual private Equity in Africa organised by one of Britain's most renowned newspaper institutions Financial Times. It was a high-profile event - one that brought together the cream-de-la-cream of the British and business community including of course the media. So much has been said about Sierra Leone's infrastructural and economic transformation under the present administration. And no matter what one may say, this is quite unprecedented as far as Sierra Leone’s political history is concern. The country's infrastructure continues to wear a major physical face-lift; the economy has been successfully maintained in the midst of a terrible global economic recession that did not spare the mighty powers. Free health care is now guaranteed for pregnant women and children; the once darkest city in the world (due to bad governance from previous governments) has now been transformed into a city of light – and the country has been classified as the safest place to do business within the sub-region. With such achievements in just under four years, naturally one would expect President Koroma to be the man at the centre of attraction in a conference that eventually provides so many boosts for Sierra Leone. Although President Koroma will not be around when the country comes under the spotlight in yet another investment conference scheduled for Thursday 20th October 2011, the London Investment Conference is bound to take Sierra Leone to another level in the international scene. When the conference starts on Thursday, the beauties of Sierra Leone are expected to be show-cased in a positive light. So far, momentum is gradually gaining by the day as expectations remain high of how much impact this will have on the country’s economy within the next couple of months. Sierra Leone, no doubt, is rich in natural mineral resources – and investors and potential investors need messages of assurances and security that would inspire heavyweights to deep hands into their pockets to invest in the country. This is where the Sierra Leone Investment Promotion Agency (SLIEPA) will have to tell the rest of the world that Sierra Leone is not only the safest place for business within the sub-region, but it also has a responsible and committed leadership which has ensured that people wanting to establish business in the country can do so within a 48 hour period. This is also why Minkailu Mansaray as Minister of Mineral Resources should be able to convince investors that apart from London Mining, African Mineral or Gruff Gold to mention but a few, Sierra Leone is still a virgin land to accommodate more investors into the mining industry. And being rich in mineral resources will also include fisheries where Dr. Soccoh Kabia would be pleased to inform the business community that the European market is ready to open doors for Sierra Leone’s rich marine resources. Victoria Kamara, as Tourism minister, should also be able to tell the business community that Sierra Leone can boast of some of the best beaches in the world. They need to be convinced – messages that would encourage the hard-nut-to-cracks – that is where Alpha Kanu comes in. By and large, the London Investment Conference scheduled for Thursday 20th October is bound to be a success story that will eventually impact on the economic growth of our country. Better days are definitely coming. Trust me. God bless Sierra Leone!