Bamako – November 20, in celebration of the Department of State’s Global Recognition Day for Local Employees, the American employees at the U.S. Embassy in Bamako held a party to honor and thank the more than 300 Malian employees at the U.S. Embassy and USAID Mission in Mali. On behalf of the United States Government and the American Foreign Service diplomatic corps, Ambassador Hankins said, “As we tackle the most important challenges together in our daily work in Mali, I want to thank all of the Malian employees at the U.S. Embassy for how much the United States and the American people appreciate your contributions. Your work is vital to everything the United States and the American people do in Mali. Because of you and your hard work, we are an incredible multicultural team.” The Human Resources Office at the Embassy began the special day hosting a coffee for Malian colleagues, and then for lunch, the entire American community gave donations and provided their time to thank Malian colleagues for their support and achievements. The day was completed by an inter-staff soccer match on the embassy campus.
Beginning in 2020, all U.S. Embassies will hold Global Recognition Day annually the 2nd Wednesday of November to recognize the important contributions to local work forces who staff American embassies around the world.
“In Bamako, as with U.S. Missions around the world,” Ambassador Hankins underscored that Malian staff serve as the foundation of U.S. – Mali our mutual efforts to promote peace and prosperity. “Your contributions here on the Embassy compound, with Malian government, civil society, business, and international contacts in Bamako or across the country, are advancing prosperity, promoting peace and helping to secure a brighter future for everyone,” said Hankins.