Diplomatic Drivers Association Launches in Sierra Leone

By Ibrahim Sahr Komba

The Diplomatic Drivers Association–Sierra Leone (DDA-SL) has officially launched, marking a significant milestone in promoting professionalism, road safety, and the welfare of diplomatic drivers across the country.

The launch ceremony brought together representatives of diplomatic missions, United Nations agencies, government institutions, development partners, and transport sector stakeholders, all of whom reaffirmed the critical role diplomatic drivers play in supporting international cooperation and national development.

In her keynote address, the Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Madam Kenyeh Barlay, commended diplomatic drivers for their professionalism and dedication to road safety. She described them as ambassadors of Sierra Leone and frontline representatives of safety and efficiency whose work helps protect lives, prevent accidents, and facilitate the smooth operation of diplomatic and development activities.

Minister Barlay reaffirmed the Government of Sierra Leone’s commitment to improving road infrastructure, strengthening driver training, and promoting adherence to traffic regulations. She emphasized that driving is a highly skilled profession deserving of recognition, respect, fair working conditions, and continuous professional development.

The minister further called for stronger support from diplomatic missions and development agencies for the newly launched association, noting that road safety requires a collective effort involving government, drivers, law enforcement agencies, and other stakeholders. She praised the commitment of diplomatic drivers and encouraged them to continue setting high standards of professionalism and responsible road use throughout the country.

Addressing the gathering, DDA-SL President Sulaiman Kamara revealed that the association traces its roots to the United Nations Drivers Association (UNDA), which was established more than 25 years ago. He explained that the organization has since evolved to include drivers from various UN agencies and diplomatic missions operating in Sierra Leone.

According to Kamara, the association seeks to promote road safety, professionalism, unity, and improved working conditions for its members through training, advocacy, and strategic partnerships. He highlighted the association’s key priorities, including professional development, women’s inclusion and leadership, member welfare, accountability, and stronger collaboration with diplomatic and security institutions.

United Nations Resident Coordinator Seraphine Wakana congratulated the association on its official launch and praised diplomatic drivers for their invaluable contribution to the work of the United Nations and development partners in Sierra Leone.

She described the drivers as indispensable members of the diplomatic community whose professionalism, discretion, and commitment to safety enable international organizations to effectively carry out their mandates. Wakana also commended the association’s efforts to improve members’ welfare and professional capacity while maintaining high standards of service delivery.

Reaffirming the UN’s support for the association, she noted that diplomatic drivers play a vital role in advancing peace, development, and prosperity across Sierra Leone.

Mariama Jalloh, a UNDP driver and Vice President of DDA-SL, encouraged more women to consider careers in professional driving.

With more than 18 years of experience in the field, Jalloh said women can thrive in the traditionally male-dominated profession through determination, professionalism, and proper training. She explained that diplomatic drivers receive regular security and cultural orientation training and serve as key facilitators in supporting international organizations and visiting diplomats.

Jalloh noted that one of the association’s goals is to increase female participation in the profession by providing mentorship and training opportunities for aspiring women drivers. She urged women to seize the opportunities available in the sector and help increase female representation within diplomatic driving services.

Mohamed K. Conteh, Deputy National Secretary-General of the Commercial Motor Drivers Union, praised the professionalism demonstrated by members of the Diplomatic Drivers Association and called for greater collaboration between the two organizations.

Conteh observed that many commercial drivers enter the profession through apprenticeship rather than formal training, creating challenges in maintaining professional standards. He emphasized the crucial role drivers play in supporting trade and economic activities while ensuring road safety.

He appealed to the Diplomatic Drivers Association to share its expertise and experience in training commercial drivers and stressed the need for collective efforts to achieve the United Nations target of reducing road traffic fatalities and injuries by 50 percent by 2030.

Conteh also commended the growing participation of women within the diplomatic driving sector and expressed optimism that stronger cooperation between the two organizations would contribute to improved professionalism, safer roads, and a more efficient transport sector nationwide. The Diplomatic Drivers Association–Sierra Leone (DDA-SL) has officially launched, marking a significant milestone in promoting professionalism, road safety, and the welfare of diplomatic drivers across the country.

The launch ceremony brought together representatives of diplomatic missions, United Nations agencies, government institutions, development partners, and transport sector stakeholders, all of whom reaffirmed the critical role diplomatic drivers play in supporting international cooperation and national development.

In her keynote address, the Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Madam Kenyeh Barlay, commended diplomatic drivers for their professionalism and dedication to road safety. She described them as ambassadors of Sierra Leone and frontline representatives of safety and efficiency whose work helps protect lives, prevent accidents, and facilitate the smooth operation of diplomatic and development activities.

Minister Barlay reaffirmed the Government of Sierra Leone’s commitment to improving road infrastructure, strengthening driver training, and promoting adherence to traffic regulations. She emphasized that driving is a highly skilled profession deserving of recognition, respect, fair working conditions, and continuous professional development.

The minister further called for stronger support from diplomatic missions and development agencies for the newly launched association, noting that road safety requires a collective effort involving government, drivers, law enforcement agencies, and other stakeholders. She praised the commitment of diplomatic drivers and encouraged them to continue setting high standards of professionalism and responsible road use throughout the country.

Addressing the gathering, DDA-SL President Sulaiman Kamara revealed that the association traces its roots to the United Nations Drivers Association (UNDA), which was established more than 25 years ago. He explained that the organization has since evolved to include drivers from various UN agencies and diplomatic missions operating in Sierra Leone.

According to Kamara, the association seeks to promote road safety, professionalism, unity, and improved working conditions for its members through training, advocacy, and strategic partnerships. He highlighted the association’s key priorities, including professional development, women’s inclusion and leadership, member welfare, accountability, and stronger collaboration with diplomatic and security institutions.

United Nations Resident Coordinator Seraphine Wakana congratulated the association on its official launch and praised diplomatic drivers for their invaluable contribution to the work of the United Nations and development partners in Sierra Leone.

She described the drivers as indispensable members of the diplomatic community whose professionalism, discretion, and commitment to safety enable international organizations to effectively carry out their mandates. Wakana also commended the association’s efforts to improve members’ welfare and professional capacity while maintaining high standards of service delivery.

Reaffirming the UN’s support for the association, she noted that diplomatic drivers play a vital role in advancing peace, development, and prosperity across Sierra Leone.

Mariama Jalloh, a UNDP driver and Vice President of DDA-SL, encouraged more women to consider careers in professional driving.

With more than 18 years of experience in the field, Jalloh said women can thrive in the traditionally male-dominated profession through determination, professionalism, and proper training. She explained that diplomatic drivers receive regular security and cultural orientation training and serve as key facilitators in supporting international organizations and visiting diplomats.

Jalloh noted that one of the association’s goals is to increase female participation in the profession by providing mentorship and training opportunities for aspiring women drivers. She urged women to seize the opportunities available in the sector and help increase female representation within diplomatic driving services.

Mohamed K. Conteh, Deputy National Secretary-General of the Commercial Motor Drivers Union, praised the professionalism demonstrated by members of the Diplomatic Drivers Association and called for greater collaboration between the two organizations.

Conteh observed that many commercial drivers enter the profession through apprenticeship rather than formal training, creating challenges in maintaining professional standards. He emphasized the crucial role drivers play in supporting trade and economic activities while ensuring road safety.

He appealed to the Diplomatic Drivers Association to share its expertise and experience in training commercial drivers and stressed the need for collective efforts to achieve the United Nations target of reducing road traffic fatalities and injuries by 50 percent by 2030.

Conteh also commended the growing participation of women within the diplomatic driving sector and expressed optimism that stronger cooperation between the two organizations would contribute to improved professionalism, safer roads, and a more efficient transport sector nationwide.Play