By Foday Moriba Conteh
On Wednesday 12th August, 2020, the King’s Foundation International through their Global Impact Awards simultaneously awarded Dr. Denis Sandy as “Government Minister of the Year” and the Ministry of Lands ,Housing and Country Planning as “Government Ministry of the Year”. Dr. Sandy was awarded in recognition of his commitment and relentless efforts to nation building. The award ceremony took place in the Ministry’s Conference Room at Youyi Building in Freetown.
In her statement, the Chief Executive Officer of King’s Foundation International, Mrs. Bealah Michaels expressed appreciation for the Minister’s strides in serving humanity.
She disclosed that King’s Foundation International was founded in 2014 as an indigenous organization that continued to blaze the trail by employing multi-strategy approaches in order to advance its core objectives which include community development, social reformation, capacity building etc.
She noted that, as an organization, they are also striving to aid and rescue children’s lives, fight for their rights, empowering women through skills training and help them fulfill their potentials. She added that they are changing the lives of deprived, excluded and vulnerable children, empowering women and promoting national cohesion for development.
Disclosing their key values, she said they provide educational opportunities to deprived, excluded and vulnerable children and women, adding that they also promote national cohesion through their Global Impact Awards for men and women for their dedication and commitment to nation building.
She concluded by saying the Global Impact Awards seek to bear recognition for those individuals, communities and institutions whose actions have contributed immensely to change action in line with the sustainable development goals, especially during the past few years when Sierra Leone and the world are faced with the adverse effects of change.
Station Manager of Star Radio, who also doubles as the Chairperson for King’s Foundation International, Patricia Ganda, noted that the organization thought it fit to recognize the Minister for his tremendous work he has been doing.
With regards the Ministry, she highlighted that the Lands Ministry has provided leadership as they have completed 45 Leadership and Senior Management meetings held every Mondays which have positively impacted a lot of staff , adding that the Ministry has also completed and operationalizing a new structural organogram for the Ministry to effectively and efficiently provide quality service delivery etc.
She said these and many other things the Ministry had done was what motivated them to award the Minster in particular and the Ministry in general.
Receiving the Award, the Minister of Lands, Housing and Country Planning, Dr. Denis Sandy expressed gratitude to King’s Foundation International for recognizing his efforts and commitment to nation building.
He said since he took over the Ministry he has committed himself to serve the people of this country, adding that the Ministry had embarked on several activities aimed at complementing the efforts of Government in its strides to make Sierra Leone a better place for its citizens.
The Minister furthered that the Ministry has resolved over 150 land disputes and over 150 development control and enforce issues in the Western Area and the provinces, and that the Ministry also conducted over 2000 state land interviews for selection of state land applicants.
He maintained that these are among many other things that his Ministry has been doing and that with all what they had been doing he was not surprised to be awarded as Government Minister of the Year.
The Minister then dedicated the award to the entire staff of the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Country Planning for their support towards achieving the mandate of the Ministry.
