As Reforms at Immigration Heightens…
Hon. Alusine Kanneh Appointed Immigration Boss
By Mohamed Konneh
You have come to the official website of the Sierra Leone Immigration Department (SLID) which is responsible for matters relating to immigration. This covers the issuance of passports and other travel documents, visas, resident permits and regulates the movement of people in and out of the country
The public reaction to the design – decided on by the immigration department without public consultation and intended to raise the animal’s profile to boost tourism – placed the spotlight on Sierra Leone’s western chimpanzee population with an intensity not seen since 2006. In that year, a male chimp named Bruno successfully led the escape of 31 chimps from the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary near Freetown, the country’s capital, killing one person in the process.
Throughout January this year, images of the critically endangered primate were trending among Sierra Leonean Facebook communities in reaction to the new travel document.
The former SLPP Member of Parliament for Constituency 013 in the Kenema district, Hon. Alusine Kanneh, has been appointed as Chief Immigration Officer. He succeeds Chief Andrew Jaiah KaiKai.
Hon. Alusine Kanneh served as Member of Parliament for Constituency 013 between 2012 and 2023. He was the Deputy Chief Whip of the SLPP in Parliament and he also served as Chairman of the Parliamentary oversight committee on Internal Affairs.
The new Chief Immigration Officer is a senior member of the ruling SLPP and an avid supporter of His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio.
Hon. Alusine Kanneh has a vast experience in Immigration matters. He has a post graduate degree in Governance and Leadership. He worked for the Norwegian Immigration for a long period of time. He is a seasoned administrator.
