Accra, Ghana – December 16, 2025 – Former Sierra Leone President Ernest Bai Koroma and prominent politician Dr. Kandeh K. Yumkella appeared together on stage at the African Summit 2025, held at the Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City in Accra.
The high-profile appearance underscored a rare moment of cross-partisan collaboration between figures from opposing political backgrounds, amid ongoing discussions on continental unity and integration.
The two-day summit, organized by the African Union Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC) in partnership with the Government of Ghana and the Center for Strategic African Development (CENSADEV), drew nearly 1,000 participants, including African leaders, policymakers, innovators, and development partners. Themed around moving “from talk to action” on African unity, the event focused on deepening political and economic integration, implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and proposing reforms to AU governance and institutions.
Former President Koroma, who led Sierra Leone from 2007 to 2018 under the All People’s Congress (APC) party, described it as an “honor to speak in Ghana, the birthplace of Pan-Africanism.” His participation highlighted Ghana’s historical role in fostering continental solidarity.
Dr. Yumkella, a former United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Director-General of UNIDO, currently serves as Chairman of Sierra Leone’s Presidential Initiative on Climate Change, Renewable Energy, and Food Security under President Julius Maada Bio’s Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) administration.
A respected agricultural economist with extensive global experience in sustainable development, Yumkella delivered remarks emphasizing unity, inclusion, and shared prosperity. His presence alongside Koroma symbolized bridge-building leadership, transcending Sierra Leone’s traditional political divides.
The shared stage comes against the backdrop of Sierra Leone’s polarized politics. Yumkella, who ran as presidential candidate for the National Grand Coalition (NGC) in 2018 (securing 6.9% of the vote), has a history of engagement across party lines. He previously supported aspects of Koroma’s administration, including chairing an investment summit, before shifting toward opposition and later aligning with the current SLPP government.
As speculation builds around the 2028 general elections, with President Bio term-limited, analysts view Yumkella as a potential unifying contender, praised for his cross-regional appeal, technical expertise, and commitment to pan-African ideals.
The summit reinforced calls for collective action on Africa’s challenges, with leaders stressing that fragmentation hinders progress. Sponsored by various African and international institutions, the event aimed to lay groundwork for a more interconnected continent.
This joint appearance by Koroma and Yumkella has sparked optimism among observers in Sierra Leone, who see it as a model for national reconciliation and forward-looking governance ahead of future elections.
