By Reporter J
Presidential Spokesman Alhaji Alpha Kanu has revealed that he was unable to travel to Geneva, Switzerland, for a scheduled presentation at the United Nations headquarters due to visa complications, admitting he applied late. He instead delivered his presentation online.
Kanu disclosed this during an interview on Radio Democracy while discussing the Julius Maada Bio administration’s human capital development agenda. He said the UN invitation, received in November 2025, was for him to present Sierra Leone’s education reforms, particularly the plan to expand free education to include early childhood learning from age three.
Despite missing the trip, Kanu said the invitation itself was a strong endorsement of the government’s policies, noting that international interest reflects progress in human capital development and explains why President Bio received recognition from the UN Secretary-General.
His reference to “visa restriction” has raised questions, as there is no known Swiss visa ban on Sierra Leonean officials. However, the issue comes amid a tightening global travel climate for Sierra Leoneans.
From January 1, 2026, the United States suspended entry for Sierra Leonean nationals, citing deficiencies in identity management and deportation cooperation. While U.S. measures do not apply to Switzerland, observers suggest they may contribute to heightened scrutiny of international travel by Sierra Leonean officials.
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