Ernest Koroma President of Sierra Leone Date of Birth: 02.10.1953 Country: Sierra Leone

1. Biography of Ernest Koroma
2. Educational Background
3. Political Career
4. Presidential Election and Controversy
5. Presidential Victory and Priorities

Biography of Ernest Koroma

Ernest Bai Koroma was born in Makeni, in the northern part of Sierra Leone, into a large family where he was the eldest of seven children. He completed his primary education in a church school in his hometown and then attended the Government Boys' Secondary School in Magburaka.

Educational Background

In 1976, Koroma graduated from college in Freetown and subsequently began teaching at a school in his hometown of Makeni. After two years, in 1978, he embarked on a new career in the insurance company "Ritcorp." Demonstrating his competence and dedication, he quickly rose through the ranks and eventually became its managing director. He served in this position for 14 years.

Political Career

In 2002, Koroma became the leader of the opposition party, the All People's Congress (APC), which was considered the most opposing political force in Sierra Leone. In the same year, he made an attempt to run for president, but was unsuccessful against the incumbent president, Ahmed Tejan Kabbah. After a break in his political career from 2002 to 2005, Koroma re-emerged as a member of parliament and a presidential candidate for the APC in 2005.

Presidential Election and Controversy

On July 23, 2007, on the eve of the elections, Ernest Bai Koroma found himself at the center of a scandal due to a failed assassination attempt on his life. According to one version, the attempt was made by Tom Nyuma, one of Koroma's staunch political enemies. Another version suggested that there was no assassination attempt and that Koroma himself provoked the incident. Regardless, Tom Nyuma was severely beaten by Koroma's security and hospitalized.

In the first round of the 2007 presidential elections in Sierra Leone, held on August 11, Ernest Bai Koroma received 44.3% of the votes, while his main opponent, incumbent President Solomon Berewa, received 38.3%. However, this was not enough for a direct victory, and a second round of elections was held on September 8.

Presidential Victory and Priorities

On September 17, 2007, the results of the Sierra Leone presidential election were announced, and Ernest Bai Koroma emerged as the winner with 54.6% of the votes. Despite opposition protests, Koroma was elected as the country's president and was sworn in on the same day.

His main goals as the elected president were to revive the economy through market expansion and private investment, as well as to combat corruption. The development of tourism in Sierra Leone was also identified as a priority for the near future.