By Kadiatu Sankoh
On Thursday, 25th September 2025, African Global Logistics (AGL) proudly celebrated Solidarity Day at Queen Elizabeth II Quay, Cline Town, Freetown.
This special day serves as a reminder of the importance of unity, cooperation, and shared responsibility in building a sustainable and inclusive future.
The Sub-Regional Manager of AGL for Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea, Captain Fabjanko Kokan, warmly welcomed all workers from AGL SAL and the Ferry Terminal. He encouraged everyone to work together, speak up, and be visible to the community.
“This is our responsibility as workers and as ambassadors,” he said.
In an interview, Captain Kokan explained the purpose of the gathering:
“The reason for bringing all AGL staff in Sierra Leone together today is because of our traditional Solidarity Day, which we celebrate every September. The idea is simple — the world today is more divided than ever, and we need solidarity, understanding, and tolerance.
Solidarity is not just a word; it means nothing without proper action. It is about coming together, supporting one another, being tolerant, and helping those in need. That is why we start from within — building solidarity in our company. Once we achieve that, we can extend it to our neighbors, our communities, our country, and beyond.
We may not be able to change the world overnight, but if we do not try, nothing will ever change. Together, we can make a difference — not just in our company, not just in Freetown or Sierra Leone, but across Africa and even the world.
Solidarity is about willingness. Look at how one patient with COVID-19 changed the entire world — if that is possible, then change through solidarity is also possible. The destiny of change lies in our own hands. It is easy to blame others, but change must begin with ourselves. Nothing is impossible — things are only impossible until they are done.”
When asked about activities planned for this year’s celebration, Captain Kokan shared:
“This year, our focus is on health. We are carrying out donations to improve medical care in our surrounding communities. Everyone will benefit, directly or indirectly.
As businesspeople, we know that running a company is important, but without people, there is no business. Our philosophy is to focus on development, solidarity, and people. We hope our efforts will inspire others to do the same.
My message to staff is simple: do not think individually, think collectively. Do not worry only about your minor problems when your neighbor is suffering from something far greater. Selfishness is dangerous — it destroys not only families and companies but also countries and the world at large. We must first lead by example.”
The General Manager, Mr. Maroun Abradad, delivered the keynote address, highlighting the importance of unity, teamwork, and health:“It is with great pleasure that I welcome you all to the celebration of the 2nd edition of Solidarity Day. This year, our chosen theme is Health — a topic that concerns us all and one that lies at the heart of sustainable development, dignity, and human well-being.
Health is not only a personal matter; it is a collective responsibility. On the African continent, where many communities still face challenges in accessing basic health care, the importance of solidarity becomes even more essential.
Today, through our humble action, we are proud to support a local health care centre, with the hope of enhancing access to medical care for the surrounding community. This is just a small step, but it reflects our commitment to being a responsible partner and an active contributor to the community we operate in.
This day is also a moment to gather, reflect, and celebrate through a series of activities that remind us of the joy of being healthy together. Let us also not forget that health and safety go hand in hand — whether in the workplace or outside, staying healthy means staying safe and vice versa.
So, dear colleagues, take care of yourselves, support one another, and let us continue to build a culture of health, safety, and solidarity.”
During an interview, Yvonne Elliot, HR Manager for AGL Entities in Sierra Leone, emphasized the importance of the celebration: “Solidarity Day is a very important day set aside across the AGL Group. It gives us the opportunity for all staff top management, middle management, and every level — to come together and mingle. Looking at our operations, we are always very busy, and there is hardly any day set aside for relaxation or fun. Solidarity Day fills that gap.
This year’s theme is health, and we are celebrating under the slogan ‘Health is Wealth.’ We have brought in gym equipment for staff to try out and organized fun activities such as music, dancing, and competitions like musical chairs. We also extend this spirit beyond our walls by identifying nearby hospitals that lack essential tools and equipment and making donations to support them.”
The program continued with group activities designed to energize participants and foster collaboration. Friendly competitions such as dancing, tug-of-peace, music and chair weight lifting, and other interactive challenges created an atmosphere of joy and teamwork.
The day ended with a collective reading of the Solidarity Commitment Statement, declaring: “We, the employees of AGL, SAL, and Freetown Terminal Limited, stand together in unity and mutual respect. We commit to supporting one another, fostering teamwork, and upholding the values of safety, integrity, and excellence. Through solidarity, we strengthen our workplace, our community, and our shared future. Together, we are stronger!”