MTC & ICMS Certify 38 NMA Professionals
2,588 Trained on Occupational Safety on 11 global cohorts
By Kadiatu Sankoh
On Friday 5th December 2025 at the Bintumani Hotel in Freetown, Milestone Technology College (MTC), in partnership with the Imperial College of Mines and Safety (ICMS), Ghana, held an Executive Graduation and Official Launch of the Occupational Safety and Health Management Training Programme for Professionals. The ceremony, graced by the Honourable Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, Mr. Julius Mattai, and the Director General of the National Minerals Agency (NMA), Ing. Hadji Dabo, marked a significant milestone in advancing professional capacity within Sierra Leone’s mining sector.
Delivering the welcome address, Mr. Gideon Okeesi Acquaah highlighted the importance of the occasion, describing it as a landmark achievement that celebrates the academic and professional development of the graduating cohort. He noted that the event symbolizes dedication, resilience, leadership, and a commitment to lifelong learning—values deeply rooted in both institutions.
“The graduates we celebrate today represent a new generation of professionals equipped to influence policy, transform organizations, and contribute meaningfully to national development,” he stated.
Mr. Acquaah also extended appreciation to all stakeholders, facilitators, and partners whose efforts ensured the programme’s success.
In his keynote remarks, Nii Drolor Okweesi Acquaah Gideon, Lead Consultant and CEO of ICMS, emphasized the significance of the 1st Cohort of the Occupational Safety and Health Management training in Sierra Leone. The programme, completed by 38 NMA professionals, is anchored on 51 internationally recognized competency frameworks aligned with ILO Convention C155 and Recommendation R164.
Over the past three months, the participants engaged in rigorous practical and theoretical training, including an impressive 124 real-world mining industry case studies designed to strengthen practical application.
Mr. Acquaah announced that with the inclusion of this cohort, the programme has now trained 2,588 Occupational Safety and Health professionals across 11 global cohorts, demonstrating the expanding international impact of the initiative.
“This ceremony is not only a celebration of academic success but also a testament to the strategic support of the NMA and the growing relevance of this training worldwide,” he said.
Speaking at the event, Madam Fatmata Binta Jalloh, Chief Executive Officer of Milestone Technology College, expressed profound pride in the graduates and gratitude to ICMS for its strong regional collaboration.
“This milestone reflects MTC’s unwavering commitment to excellence, innovation, and transformational leadership,” she stated. She commended the NMA for its consistent investment in human capital and for empowering its staff with essential competencies required to improve workplace standards.
Madam Jalloh encouraged both public and private institutions to continue prioritizing human capital development, noting that it remains a critical driver of organizational growth, competitiveness, and national progress.
Addressing the graduates directly, both institutions emphasized that they now carry a solemn responsibility to promote safer mining environments across Sierra Leone. The graduates were urged to apply the knowledge and values acquired to elevate industry standards, enhance regulatory oversight, and safeguard lives.
“To our graduating class: You leave here not only with a certificate, but with a profound responsibility to transform the mining industry, improve workplace safety, and uphold the highest standards of professional practice,” Madam Jalloh emphasized.
The event concluded with warm congratulations to the 1st Cohort Graduating Class in Sierra Leone. The leadership of MTC, ICMS, and the NMA reaffirmed their commitment to fostering a culture of safety, continuous learning, and professional excellence across the mining sector.
The ceremony marked both a celebration and a call to action—a reminder that sustainable mineral development begins with empowered leadership, skilled professionals, and unwavering dedication to safety.