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The Problem with our Development is Lack of Cultural Identity

Why is culture vital in a nation’s development?

By Amin Kef Sesay

Looking to the examples of Japan, China, South Korea, Thailand and other culturally conscious countries around the world where culture plays a big role in not only identifying them as a people but also marks them out as huge tourist attractions, Sierra Leone due to the relentless influence of westernization has seemed to shelf its fine, invaluable cultural inheritances.

Culture has mainly to do with the traditions and customs. In this vein, one of our biggest development partners, the European Union has said that in 2021 it wants to give fresh impetus to the partnership between EU and Africa that is not limited to economic and political issues but also culture and cultural exchanges because significantly culture is an important economic resource.

The Oxford Dictionary defines culture as “the quality of enlightenment and refinement arising from an acquaintance with and concern for what is regarded as excellent in arts, letters, manners, the sum total of the ways of living built up by a group of human beings and transmitted from one generation to another”. Thus a person can be described as being cultured or uncultured.

Culture is one of the main pillars of development and sustenance of communities. No society can progress in its absence. It is the identity where common values, attitudes, preferences, knowledge are attributed to the behaviour in a particular social group, and has a positive influence on social development in any given country.

As such, the quality of our lives depends, to a great extent, on our being able to take part in, and benefit from our culture. We instinctively know, with no need for explanation, that maintaining a connection with the unique character of our historic and natural environment, with the language, the music, the arts and the literature, which accompanied us throughout our life, is fundamental for our unity by providing a sense of who we are.

Traditional celebrations are some of the core aspects of any culture. Whether it is a wedding, a harvest festival, a religious holiday, or a national observance, our celebrations are woven tightly into our overall cultural identity.

Cultural events are fun, entertaining and educative. They allow individuals to integrate physically and mentally.

Celebrating our traditions – Poro, bondo, matorma, gunugunu, orjeh, hunting, etc – offers excellent opportunity for intercultural exchange and understanding.

In the Caribbean, their cultural traditions (clothes, food, music, entertainment) form an essential component of their huge tourist attraction as at the same time they contribute to an increase in the intellectual potential and build conscious, open and tolerant society.

Identity expressed through culture is necessity for all human development. It creates the fundamental building blocks in our personality and in the ties that link us to communities and nations.

Culture is a powerful driver for development, with community-wide social, economic and environmental impacts. Peoples’ lifestyles, individual behaviour, consumption patterns, values related to environmental stewardship and our interaction with the natural environment are mostly influenced by their cultures.

If development can be regarded as the enhancement of our living standards then efforts geared to development cannot ignore culture.

As such, economic growth will take more than an infusion of investment capital, more than an import of the latest technology, even more than dependable political and economic institutions.

The role of culture in creating green jobs, reducing poverty, making cities more sustainable, providing safe access to water and food, preserving the natural resources such as forests, and strengthening the resilience of communities in the face of disasters, is truly major and irreplaceable.

Politically, culture plays a natural part in a development policy that is serious about human rights. A free and strong cultural sector will promote other rights and values such as freedom of expression, diversity and debate about needs in society. Culture ensures unity during crisis, influences identity, debate and dialogue. It is important for nation building and for peace and reconciliation.

Over Generator Saga… Chinese Embassy Clears the Air

By Amin Kef Sesay

Since the release of the 2019 Audit Report and the COVID-19 Audit Report there had been a lot of public debate in relation to the 50KVA generator that was donated by the Chinese Government in order to help in the fight against COVID-19.

In a telephone conversation with the Head of Political Section in the Chinese Embassy, Hu Aimin, he disclosed to The Calabash Newspaper that the debate that has been generated over the donation of the Chinese Government donated 50KVA generator came about as a result of a typographical error which took place during the documentation process, furthering that it was indeed a 65KVA generator that they donated but during the documentation process it was tagged as 50KVA and none of the two parties checked to ascertain.

The Head of Political Section at the Embassy, Hu Aimin, confirmed to this medium that it was a technical error during the documentation process of the donated item further revealing that it was a 65KVA generator they donated to the Ministry of Health and Sanitation.

This clarification came in the wake of generator saga that has dominated arguments among Sierra Leoneans as to whether it was a 50kv or 65kv generator that was donated by the Chinese Government to the Government of Sierra Leone geared towards the fight against the COVID-19 in the country.

On their part, the Audit Service Sierra Leone (ASSL), during a Press Conference convened on Thursday 7th January 2021 to make certain clarifications on issues raised in the 2019 Audit Report and the 2020 COVID-19 Report, the Deputy Auditor General, Tamba Momoh revealed that something is supposed to be missing when as per record it is supposed to be there but not being there is considered to be missing, adding that on the 19th March 2020 the Chinese Embassy in Sierra Leone made a donation to the Government of Sierra Leone towards the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic in the country which included the generator, furthering that the Ministry of Health prepared a receipt note which was signed by both parties demonstrating that they have received the following items: Five Hundred (500) Set of protective gowns, five Hundred (500) N95 Masks, One Thousand (1000) Surgical Masks, One Thousand (1000) medical gloves, two Hundred (200) medical goggles and one (1) 50KVA Generator.

He added that when the auditors requested for the said generator to be made available they were told by the Ministry of Health officials that the Generator has been taken to Zimmi and when they went to Zimmi they found a 65KVA generator which according to them was contradictory.

In another development, during a Press Conference, convened by the Anti-Corruption Commission on the 12th January 2021 which was held its Conference Room on Gloucester Street, the institution’s Commissioner, Francis Ben Kaifala updated members of the media on the Auditor General’s Report 2019 as well as the COVID-19 Audit report.

He disclosed that as far as they are aware the Audit captured a 65 kva generator that was seen and not a 50kva generator which led to suspicion that the latter was missing.

Ben Kaifala said they acted on that saying their findings were the same with Audit-Sierra Leone stressing that the Certificate relating to the generator that was provided to the auditors proved that it was a 50kva generator that was donated by the Chinese Government.

The ACC boss said they thoroughly investigated the issue and after looking at it in its totality they were clear that it was indeed the 65kva generator that the Chinese donated which is the same that was discovered at Zimmi. He said there must have been a discrepancy in the recording on the certificate.

ECOPARL Speaker Expresses Optimism for Building a Stronger ECOWAS

By Abdul Malik Bangura

Speaker of the regional Parliament of the Economic Community of West Africa State (ECOPARL) has expressed optimism that the region will rise again stronger and more resilient in the wake of the global COVID-19 Pandemic which has greatly affected the operations of the regional parliament.

The Rt Honourable Sidie Mohamed Tunis made this optimistic comment whilst delivering his opening speech at the 2020 second (2nd) Ordinary Session of ECOWAS Parliament held via virtual conference on Wednesday 13th January 2021.

Whilst dilating on the theme of the session otherwise known as the “Budget Session”, the Honourable Tunis said that the session provides the opportunity, in accordance with provisions of the Supplementary Act, for Parliament to consider the Community’s Budget, adding that specifically Parliament is expected to ensure that the estimates are directed towards programs that address the needs of the people.

In addition, the ECOWAS Speaker further cautioned regional Members of Parliament (MPs) to put into consideration whilst debating the budget that they are now responding to the worst global pandemic in a century. “We live in an era of great uncertainty and increasing risk,” the Speaker stated, furthering that “overcoming these challenges in the interests of our fellow citizens should be our major priority. It is also not enough that the budget surmounts the immediate threats brought upon us by COVID-19, it should also advance efforts to make progress on other fronts and priorities which our region continues to value: democracy, rule of law, peace and conflict resolution, the fight against terrorism, poverty reduction and climate change.”

Furthermore, the ECOWAS Speaker said that another important highlight of the session is the presentation of the Strategic Plan of the 5th Legislature (2020-2024) of the ECOWAS Parliament, which he said has been drafted by the Administration of the Parliament under the supervision of their outstanding Secretary General. He said, the document, which is guided by the provisions of the Community Strategic Framework (CSF 2016 – 2020) and the current ECOWAS Vision 2020, identifies program areas, with themes and priorities that would systematically assist the Parliament in executing its mandate, as defined by the Supplementary Act.

He assured that he will constitute “an Ad-hoc Committee to consider this robust plan within the weeks following this session and report to the plenary during our next session for its consideration and adoption.”

Also, Speaker Tunis added that despite the ravaging effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in the ECOWAS Region last year, the final quarter of 2020 was a very engaging period for the Parliament. He said, they conducted three Joint Committee meetings including: the Meeting of the Joint Committees on Administration, Finance, and Budget; Macroeconomic Policies, Economic Research; Public Accounts; Trade, Custom & Free Movement; the Meeting of the Joint Committees on Agriculture, Environment & Natural Resources; Industry and Private Sector; Health; Energy and Mines; Social Affairs, Gender & Women Empowerment; and the Meeting of the Joint Committees on: Education, Science and Technology; Telecommunications and Information Technology; Political Affairs, Peace, Security and Infrastructure.

He said these three committee meetings were crowned by a Meeting of the Ad-hoc Committee on the study for the Direct Elections of Members into the ECOWAS Parliament. Thus in said during the session, they will adopt the report of those meetings.

The Speaker ended by saying the task they face amidst the absence of physical contact due to COVID019 prevention measure is daunting, but remains optimistic that with resilience, ECOWAS will remain stronger again.

Several other remarks were made at the opening session including a statement from the President of the ECOWAS Court of Justice, Honourable Justice Edward Amoako Asante who called for continued collaboration between the Parliament and the Court.

The session was later adjourned as the video conference is to last from 13th to 19th January, 2021.

Bolloré Doles out 27 Scholarships to Deserving Students

By Foday Moriba Conteh

As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility and support to Government’s Human Capital Development initiative in the country, the Bolloré Transport & Logistics Company has on Wednesday 13th January 2021, dished out scholarships worth Le79, 023,000 to twenty-seven (27) University students who are residents of both the Moa Wharf and Sea Side communities. The awarding ceremony took place at the company’s Queen Elizabeth II Quay office at Cline Town in Freetown.

The 27 beneficiaries were selected from different universities across the country namely Fourah Bay College (FBC), College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences (COMAHS), University of Makeni (UNIMAK), Institute of Public Administration and Management (IPAM), UNITECH etc.

In her address, the Human Resource Manager of Bolloré Transport & Logistics, Claunnda Morgan, disclosed that the company is pleased to assist the students as they pursue their courses, adding that after being in a similar position like them she understands what it means to acquire education in a nation like Sierra Leone. She furthered that the beneficiaries were selected through an interview panel conducted by Bolloré Transport & Logistics among dozens that applied.

She inspired beneficiaries to utilize the opportunity by making sure that they focus on their studies underscoring how education is the key to success.  “Education is a process of learning that one goes through in order to become somebody in society,” Claunnda Morgan maintained

She encouraged them to take the opportunity the organization has offered them in order to achieve their dreams and become great people in society who will in return give back to society as they are currently doing.

M’balu Mohamed Bangura, a final year student at Institute of Public Administration and Management (IPAM), who is one of the beneficiaries thanked Bolloré Transport & Logistics for the kind gesture which she graciously said is not only important but very timely in the midst of  the COVID-19 pandemic.

She noted that her aim is to contribute positively to her community stating how the scholarship would serve as a stepping stone to achieve their dreams. “I pray that your company will yield more fruits for being one of the sponsors of my journey,” she expressed gratitude.

Faud Ali Bangura, who is also one of the beneficiaries and a 3rd-year student of the College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences (COMAHS) said after applying numerous times he is happy to be among the selected few to be granted the scholarship Bolloré Transport & Logistics.

He disclosed how it had been difficult for him to raise his fees this academic year saying that but with the support from the Freetown Terminal that will take him a long way in pursuing his studies.

Position in Implementation of Government White Paper Revealed

By Foday Moriba Conteh

The Ministry of Justice has given an update on the implementation of Commission of Inquiry recommendations during a Press briefing. The Ministry categorically stated that they will confiscate all properties belonging to Persons of Interest as ruling already delivered in Fifteen (15) out of the first 20 Cases involving houses and land.

Justice Lahai Momoh Farma, who happens to be the Principal Legal Consultant in the Attorney General and Minister of Justice office, said the deadline period was December 24th 2020, for all those that were indicted in the Commission of Inquiry reports by the three (3) Judges.

He said documents of 20 order that was taken to court are presently with the Master and Registrar for final approval and onward submission to Government printer gazetting adding that immediately the document is gazetted they will announce all the names and location of the confiscated properties for the public to know.

Justice Lahai Momoh Farma furthered said if anyone of the 85 appellants win the appeal against the Government all what was taken from them will be returned. But if on the other hand any appellants lose the appeal to the Government they will forfeit everything and same way so pay interest on the principal they are supposed to pay plus cost.

He urged all the 136 Persons of Interest found wanting by the Commission of Inquiry to fully adhere or face the full force of the law saying the Government of Sierra Leone will use all peaceful or aggressive means to recover all the stolen monies from the Commission of inquiry reports.

The Principal Legal Consultant said the bank accounts of all persons of interest had been frozen, except for those who have been given clearance to access their monies.

He said if it for any means it causes the Ministry of Justice to take monies in Persons of Interest bank accounts to repay their loot they will do it, and if on the other hand the monies are not enough or commensurate to what they looted they will definitely confiscate properties belonging to them and sell until they fully repay the loot.

Government Provides Le50B for Micro-Credit to SMEs

By Theresa Kef Sesay

The Government of Sierra Leone, headed by the President, Julius Maada Bio, has provided Le 50 Billion for Micro-Credit to Small and Medium Enterprises in fulfilment of the President’s Manifesto Commitment.

In its quest to promote economic livelihoods and develop the private sector, the Ministry of Finance in the 2020 allocated the sum of Le 100 billion to SMEDA (Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency) through the Ministry of Trade and Industry as Government’s support to SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises).

The scheme, known as the MUNAFA FUND, is a fulfilment of His Excellency President Bio’s campaign promise – “Support to SMEs for growth, productivity and competitiveness.

The fund will be piloted for 4 years – 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2024.

For this year, the Ministry of Finance through the Ministry of Trade and Industry and SMEDA will be rolling out the fund with an initial amount of 22 billion.

This is targeting 6000 SMEs in all sectors across the country.

In addition to the Le 100 billion, the Ministry of Finance in the 2020 supplementary budget further promised to boost the initial Le 100 billion allocation with an additional Le 50 billion.

The implementation of the fund will be guided by an Operational Manual developed by a technical consultant on Micro Finance Development as the fund is a revolving fund.

The lending, according to the Manual, will be in two fold – SMEDA will lend to Financial Service Providers (FPS) while FPS will further lend to SMEs.

The interest rate, according to the manual, is settled at 9% which cannot be compared to any micro finance scheme in the country.

SMEs, as we all know, are the biggest employers and the main drivers of economic growth.

This scheme is expected to change the economic narrative of the country’s SMEs being challenged to access finance at low interest rate.

His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio is expected to launch the scheme on the 22nd of January 2021, in Magburaka town, the district headquarters of Tonkolili.

Supreme Court Rules on Government & Horse Fishing Company Matter

Honourable Chief Justice, His Lordship Justice Desmond Babatunde Edwards

By Elkass Sannoh

The empanelled Supreme Court Justices have on the 13th January 2021 unanimously ruled on the matter between the Government of Sierra Leone represented by the Attorney General and Minister of Justice versus Horse Fishing Company.

Presided over by the Honourable Chief Justice, His Lordship Justice Desmond Babatunde Edwards, the Supreme Court Justices ruled that the appeal from the Appellate Court succeeds and therefore ordered that the Principal Lease and Supplemental Leases Registered as No. 150/2003 at page 11 volume 96 and No. 241/2014 at page 106 in volume 112 in the Book of Leases kept in the office of the Registrar General were declared null and void.

The Hon. Chief Justice went on to order that the Lease Horse Fishing Company, the Respondent in the matter, is allowed to continue occupation of the reduced portion or acreage granted to them courtesy of Justice Wright Judgement of 12th September, 2017.

“The Board is hereby directed to convene within 30 days and prescribe terms and conditions of a License which should be incorporated in a new lease agreement between the Government of Sierra Leone and Horse Fishing Company Ltd. For the new acreage of land occupied by Horse Fishing Company,” the Hon. Chief Justice ordered. He went further to order that the Appellant’s Lease with SABCO Fishing Company was valid and subsisting and separate from the Respondent’s current occupation and will continue unabated for the duration granted by the Appellant.

According to the Hon. Chief Justice, SABCO shall take possession of the area granted to them, subject to no obligation to the Respondent for payment of rents or Appellant. He concluded that the parties herein shall peaceably coexist in the separate portions of land allocated to them by the Government with the demarcation wall already built while they share the same jetties.

On the usage of the said land, the Supreme Court ordered that, “The Defendant/Applicant now Respondent shall have full and unfettered access to the jetties at the Jui Fishing Complex and shall work out a timetable of operations with SABCO Fishing Company on the usage of the said jetties.”

The empanelled Justices were, Hon. Justice Desmond Babatunde Edwards CJ; Hon. Justice Nicholas Browne Marke JSC; MF Deen Tarawally JSC; Alusine Sesay JSC and Alhaji Mohamed Momo Jah Stevens JA.

It could be recalled that the said land was by an indenture of a lease dated the 20th October, 2003 leased to Horse Fishing Company for a term of fifty (50) years. The Attorney General and Minister of Justice who doubles as the Principal Legal Adviser to the Government of Sierra Leone was the Lessor of all the portion of the state land at Jui-Hastings.

Anti-Corruption Commission’s Czar Talks Tough 

By Mary Kabay

Francis Ben Kaifala, the Commissioner of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), has issued a stern warning for those named in the recently published Auditor General’s Report for 2019, reiterating his commitment to investigate and where the need arises prosecute in accordance with the Commission’s mandate those named in the report.

Speaking during a Press Conference, the Commissioner assured that the Commission would use all its constitutional powers, which include arrests and detentions and even prosecution, to ensure that people who were linked to issues raised in the report were held accountable and brought to book.

“Now the issues I have raised here and the institutions I’ve named here are put on notice that we’re coming and we’re coming strong. We’re not going to accept excuses. There is a tendency when we move in, institutions will gang up and say the ACC is interrupting just as they did in the 2018 Audit Report,’’ he warned.

He added: “People are going to pay, people are going to go to prison, people are going to be arrested in the most brutal form, people are going to be prosecuted, and of course hold people where I think it hurts the most, their pockets, we’ll go after properties and their persons. It’s not a threat, it’s a fact,’’ he affirmed.

Mindful that Parliament is also mandated to look at the country’s annual audit report, Commissioner Kaifala noted that the Commission and the House had reached a common understanding to formally meet next week to see where and how the mandate of both institutions could be effectively carried out in the best interest of the country.

He told journalists that following the launch of the 2019 Auditor General’s Report, the Commission put together a team to review the issues raised therein and to decide on what the next line of action would be.

He went on to note that the Commission however launched an immediate investigation into some of the issues raised in the 2020 Audit Report.

In commenting on the issues raised in respect of certain items procured by the National COVID-19 Emergency Response Center, he said that all such items including the 47 laptops and 50 KVA generators had been recovered. He said their investigations had proved that there was misinformation regarding the documentation of the items at the time of procurement, but assured that all laptops and the 50 KVA generator were intact as procured.

Acknowledging that there was faulty procurement between the procurer and the supplier which resulted in the supply of products different from what was actually procured, the Commissioner said that a payment agreement had been reached between them and the response team for which the sum of Le 284 million had been paid in cash to the Commission.

He, however, acknowledged that it was not timely to draw up conclusions that the 30 or so SUVs procured were all new or not, as investigations were still ongoing into the procurement.

The ACC chief used the occasion to call on the Government to continue to support the work of the Commission as the country’s reputation for zero tolerance for corruption was at its zenith which he said must be guarded.

He said his leadership of the Commission and the Government’s commitment in the fight against graft had made corruption a risky enterprise and a low income venture which he said accounted for the international recognition the country had been achieving.

SLANGO & INGO Steering Committee Receive 2020 Annual Report from Director of NGOs

By Edward Vamboi

On the 13th January, 2021, during two separate meetings, held at the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, the National Director of NGO Affairs, within the Ministry, Eric Masallay presented the Directorate’s Annual Report for the year 2020 to first, the Sierra Leone Association of Non-governmental Organizations (SLANGO) and a cross section of National Non-governmental organisations (NNGO) and then, the International Non-governmental Organization (INGO) Steering Committee.

The report, which entails the key achievements, targets met, challenges and also key deliverables for 2021, including emerging issues that are to be addressed was presented for onward distribution by SLANGO to all NGOs operating in the country.

Making the presentations, the Director, thanked NGOs and partners for their support and cooperation with the Ministry, which according to him has strengthened the relationship as partners. He said the initiative to present an annual report for the first time would serve as an inspiration to partners in giving more support and complement Government’s effort in the development process.

“As a Ministry, we really appreciate your commitment to national development,” he expressed appreciation furthering that they know they had challenges in 2020 that were mostly surmounted and a few are still being addressed.

He said that requires them all to continue the constructive engagement and moving forward with activities and policies that are being planned.

He said on their part, the Head of SLANGO, Sheillac Davies, thanked the Ministry for their role in creating the enabling platform for NGOs to operate and assured the Ministry of the NGOs continued support to the development of the nation and on behalf of the people of Sierra Leone.

The Director said, Austin Kannan, Country Director Concern Worldwide and Chair of the INGO Steering Committee noted the significant role the Ministry played in recognising them as worthy partners in delivering basic social services to the people of Sierra Leone.

He said the partnership must continue closely to ensure mutual trust, confidence and transparency within a strengthened partnership.

Eric Masallay also updated both meetings of upcoming activities for 2021, and emerging issues including the Labour Law, SLA and M&E were also discussed.

Big Brouhaha Rocks APC Party  

By Amin Kef Sesay

In a letter dated the 13th January 2021 written by Dr. Richard Konteh, aka D-UNIFIER, who poses as a Presidential Aspirant for the 2023 Presidential election, addressed to the Chairman and Leader of the All People’s Congress (APC) party, he expressed his wish to draw the latter’s attention to some unfortunate developments in the Social Media relating to steps taken by some members of the NAC and National Executive of their revered APC Party to endorse one of the Presidential Aspirants of the Party for the 2023 Presidential Elections in breach of established democratic tenets and directives issued by the Leader at the NDC in Port Loko admonishing elected officials against taking sides at this stage in the elections.

Dr. Konteh said he believes that as Chairman and Leader he made that admonition because such actions have the propensity of fomenting chaos and divisiveness in the party’s internal democratic process.

He furthered that what is more disturbing is the fact that the Acting National Organising Secretary, Sidi Yahyah Tunis stated at his declaration, that even if elections will be conducted to determine the new leadership for the Party and the Flagbearer, they will dictate to voters who and how to vote.

The 2023 Presidential aspirant continued that what such public pronouncements will imply is that no level playing field can be guaranteed and that senior members of the Party are determined to impose a Flagbearer on them for the 2023 Presidential elections.

He stated that as Chairman and Leader, he will observe from the videos forwarded to him via WhatsApp that these National Officials have not only endorsed one aspirant, but that they have gone further to make derogatory remarks against other contending aspirants.

“The less than complimentary ways in which we have been characterized cannot foster the much needed peace and unity which has eluded us since 2017,” he pointed out.

He said the Chairman and Leader will observe from the videos that Ms. Diana Konomanyi (Regional Chairperson for the East); Hon. Chernor Maju Bah (Acting Regional Chairperson, West; and Sidi Yahyah Tunis (Acting National Publicity Secretary) have gone ahead to endorse one aspirant and are campaigning publicly for him.

“It is also an established fact that Lansana Fadika is serving as National Campaign Chairman for Dr Samura Matthew Wilson Kamara,” he raised concern maintaining that he will agree with him  that while his campaign acknowledges the right of every member of the APC to support the candidate of their choice, having National Officials, including members of NAC openly campaigning for one aspirant could potentially derail the democratic process and undermine any outcome from an already flawed electoral process.

“This does not bode well for peace and stability in our Party,” he admonished stating that he wishes to let the Chairman and Leader know that the four names mentioned above are not the only National Officials that are openly traveling with Dr. Samura Kamara and campaigning on his behalf.

He said some have even invited other District and Constituency Leaders and put undue pressure on them to support their preferred candidate.

“My campaign team is investigating these reports and will be coming up with documentary evidence in due course,” he added also maintaining that the letter will therefore serve to bring such to his notice and to further demand that the four officials mentioned above resign their current positions and recuse themselves from participating in their internal electoral processes because they have lost confidence in their ability to be neutral arbiters and that they can only undermine the credibility of the process.

Dr. Konteh revealed that his campaign team has full confidence in the Chairman’s leadership and trust that under his leadership, prompt action will be taken to relieve those four officials of their official positions in the best interest of the Party.

“It is our expectation Sir, that the actions taken by NAC against Hon. Ibrahim Bundu and Hon. Alimamy P. Koroma in the run-up to the 2018 Flagbearer elections will be replicated in this case,” he expressed hope and thanked him in advance for his prompt action and  unflinching dedication to the APC Party.

In a concern raised by a senior member of the APC, Lawyer Kalokoh, said it could be recalled that four highly placed and massively influential All People’s Congress 2018 flag bearer contenders have emphatically and unanimously endorsed the 2018 Presidential Candidate for the APC for the 2023 polls.

According to him, those endorsements effectively mean that these personalities are no longer going to throw their hats into the 2023 flag bearer ring for the sake of Dr. Samura Kamara.

He said those endorsements, according to Hon. Chernor Bah, Dr. Sam Sesay, Frank Kargbo and Madam Diana Konomanyi, have been informed by a number of compelling reasons.

First, they consider Dr. Samura Kamara as the fittest person to lead the party in 2023 because of his vast experience in national governance or administration and diplomacy. Second, they consider the accomplished diplomat and economist as someone voters already know saying there is no time to market a new candidate.

Third, these endorsements represent conscious attempts to prevent what obtained in 2018 where the flag bearer contest produced several candidates to end up making the contest acrimonious or bitter.

According to Lawyer Kalokoh apart from the endorsements from these 2018 flag bearer aspirants, Dr. Kamara has also received nods from Members of Parliament.

He said it is widely rumoured now that Councils and Councillors will soon follow the trend of endorsing the man many believe will deliver victory for the APC and salvation to the country in 2023.

“Also, following another endorsement of Dr. Kamara by one of 2018’s running mate favourites, Sidi Yayah Tunis, it is believed that four more massive endorsements will soon be made,” he pointed out stating that those endorsements reflect the determination of the individuals to lay a solid foundation for the return of the party to power and to effect the general will of the grassroots who are desirous of seeing Dr. Kamara on the ballot paper in 2023.

Lawyer Kalokoh said when a national party official prematurely endorses a candidate for flagbearer, that official acts in a despicable and reprehensible manner.

He said the conduct of a few APC national Executive members over the past few days epitomizes a sad display of naïveté and immaturity.

The APC strongman maintained that they swore to uphold the constitution, bylaws, rules and regulations of the party adding how they have abrogated that fundamental obligation of theirs.

He said each displayed conduct that is emblematic of uncontrollable desperation and irreparable sycophancy.

Lawyer Kalokoh said considering the foregoing, Hon Chernor Bah, Comrade Diana Konomanyi and Comrade Sidi Yaya Tunis must now (expeditiously) step down and resign their national executive positions saying they no longer enjoy the trust and confidence of the rank and file membership of their great party.

He continued that at this juncture, their core goals are: to unify the APC, adopt a new (democratic) constitution; and choose their party leaders in an open, fair and credible manner saying those who do not share the aforementioned core values must step aside and give peace a chance.

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