Rationale for contesting for SLAJ Presidency
The driving force behind my candidacy is my desire to serve you in the topmost position of our noble Association, having been popularly associated with SLAJ for well over 10 years.
I also feel compelled to arrest the downward indices that have had negative repercussion on our Association. The indicators include:
- The Lack of transparency, accountability and probity in the management and administration of the Association;
- The high level of injustice and discrimination;
- The vindictive nature of the outgoing President who openly declared at a General Meeting in June 2010 that he would no longer work with me and continued to marginalise me despite the fact that he was compelled by the floor to withdraw the statement and apologise;
- The year-long animosity within the Association that has seriously weakened the media generally and the Association in particular.
MY VISION FOR 2011 & BEYOND
I envision a SLAJ of hope: unified, vibrant, truly independent, well resourced and capacitated to meet the current and future institutional and national development aspirations and challenges.
THE MISSION OF MY CANDIDACY
The mission of my candidacy is to solicit and enlist the support of other like-minded colleagues to redeem SLAJ from the claws of repression, double standards and maladministration – which have reduced the Association to an “Animal Farm” of unfulfilled promises, unfinished projects, media arrogance and press releases – and to clearly define a new future of prosperity and hope for her.
THE GOAL OF MY CANDIDACY
The fundamental goal of my candidacy is to restore constitutionality and responsible leadership to SLAJ, and promote active participation by the membership in the programme and activities of the Association.
WHY ME? BECAUSE I…
- am the Longest serving and most experienced executive member
- have a proven record of integrity, transparency and hard work
- have increased your access to and understanding of the SLAJ Constitution
- am a founder member of the Federation of African Journalists (FAJ)
- have developed and coordinated SLAJ projects for 3 years including the SLAJ Headquarters in Freetown
- have successfully managed/coordinated 20 SLAJ Projects
- have the time, energy and skill to serve you
- have won three legal battles for SLAJ
- have neutralised several campaigns of calumny against SLAJ
- am one of the two most educated nominated candidates.
- am the oldest serving executive member having served three SLAJ
Presidents as Assistant Secretary General and Secretary General.
- have hands-on experience in human right activism and social work
- have changed the face of the SLAJ logo
- delivered on my promises
- have always been there for you at the Secretariat.
MY PLEA
Colleagues, at a moment like this as in 2008 when I declared my intention to contest for the position of National Secretary General, I believe that certain aspirants will attempt to influence you with financial rewards or exceptional gifts – if they have already not done so. But as in 2008, I still urge you neither to surrender nor sell your votes to them. However, if you cannot resist their temptations, then accept their offers in bad faith, and when you face the ballot box on polling day, vote for people with integrity and the time and energy to serve you; those who will not wait until elections before extending such gestures to you.
Vote Mustapha Sesay to Restore Constitutionality & Responsible Leadership!
Mustapha Sesay, Outgoing National Secretary General, SLAJ
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