Hon. Alpha Kanu talks about SLPP & “Mi Yesterday Betteh Pass Tiday.”

Attending the largest Africa event organized for Africa by Africare, an organization headquartered in Washington, DC whose mission is to improve the quality of life of the people of Africa, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Mines and Political Affairs, Hon. Alhaji Alpha Sahid Kanu, a distinguished guest, joined a host of government, corporate and international leaders at a fund raising dinner held on Tuesday, November 3^rd, 2009. (Anthony Kamra and Hon, Alpha Kanu in Washington DC)

Receiving the 2009 Bishop John T. Walker Distinguished Humanitarian Service Award was six-time Grammy Award winner John Legend. The award seeks to recognize “the work of an individual or individuals who have made a significant impact on raising the standard of living in Africa.”  In John Legend, young people are called upon to understand “the importance that a young voice brings to the efforts of improving the quality of life for the people of Africa.”

In his remarks to all present, Julius E. Coles, President of Africare, lauded Legend’s artistic style calling him “a superstar.”  Outlining reasons why John truly deserves such an honour, “he is a humanitarian, a fantastic entertainer and he is a person who is very concerned with ending poverty in Africa,” he maintained.

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia,  former Secretary of State, Colin Powell, ex-President Mandela, Graca Machel, former Presidents Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter and George W. Bush, Ambassador Andrew Young, Dorothy I. Height, and philanthropists Bill and Melinda Gates are all past recipients of the Bishop John T. Walker Distinguished Humanitarian Service Award.

As he departed the United States, Hon. Alpha Kanu responded to a series of questions I posed to him about Emmerson’s “Mi Yesterday Betteh Pass Tiday,” Karamoh Kabba, SLPP’s Kadie Sesay, his ministries among others.  Here now is my interview with Sierra Leone’s most eloquent and persuasive minister.

PV: What brings you to the USA? You were here a few weeks ago.

Kanu: Let me thank you for the opportunity to talk to you.

The last time we were in the USA, it was to attend the General Assembly of the United Nations as part of H. E President Koroma’s entourage. This time, I am a guest of Africare attending their annual fund raising dinner as one of the guests at the Head Table alongside Mr. Johnny Carson, Assistant Secretary of State for Africa, Dr. Darius Mans,  Acting CEO of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), Dr. Julius Cole, President of Africare, Ambassador Andrew Young- who confirmed to me that his DNA has shown that he is of Mende extraction, General Ward, Commander of AFRICOM- who met President Koroma recently in Freetown and the Africare Honoree for this year, the famous musician, John Legend .

PV: This must be a networking opportunity for you with regards to Sierra Leone meeting the MCC threshold, right?

Kanu: Yes! The essence was to afford me an opportunity to meet and talk with those people who take critical decision on the activities of the MCC i.e. the Secretary of State and the CEO of the MCC. It was good opportunity and Sierra Leone is now firmly on the Agenda for the December Board meeting of the MCC to be chaired by Secretary of State, Hilary Clinton.

It has been a good trip and I am very hopeful.

PV: Have you listened to Emerson Bockarie’s recent album which includes a track called “Mi Yesterday Betteh Pass Tiday?”

Kanu: This is a non event. The people of Sierra Leone saw through the intent of the album of which the lyrics are fallacious; the release is untimely and the effect has been an athema to the hopes of those who sponsored this puerile political commentary.

It is very clear that the SLPP have been defeated flat out and are now groping in the dark for something to hold on to in a sea of success stories for the APC’s performance.

We do not begrudge them these attempts. Like a drowning man, they would clutch at any straw. Only this time the current is too high and they have caused Emmerson to be swept along in their waves of mounting unpopularity.

PV: You would agree with me that this song has divided Sierra Leoneans both at home and abroad. In fact, it is clear the division has been between your party and the opposition SLPP. Some have said it is a wakeup call for the government of EBK to do more and run the country the way he promised to as “a business entity.” Of course, members of the opposition have seized upon the moment to claim that the music effectively underscores what the people of SL are experiencing. What is your view of this whole thing?

Kanu: I said this was a non event and it is just that. It has not divided Sierra Leoneans. In fact, it has succeeded in exposing the SLPP that their Leadership lacks a credible and acceptable political platform. None of its Leaders is an MP, councillor or Mayor. Where will they practice politics? On the streets of Freetown?  Bo, Pujehun and Kono?  Tell me, Mr. Kamara.

No!  No longer will our people allow wanton politicians to play on their innocence and desires to whip up political sentiments be they tribal, regional or partisan. Sierra Leoneans have resisted this and will continue to do so till the opposition learns that the only way to win the hearts and minds of your people is to do the right thing for them.

PV: Do you think the APC has changed SL? If yes, in what ways and what are the major accomplishments that your government can boast of?

Kanu: This question is rhetoric. Everyone can see the difference in the country. You only have to look at the way of life of the people, the rising Happiness Index and you can tell that people are hopeful about the future and of better things to come.

In just 24 months, President Koroma’s Government has completed Bumbuna and provided electricity to the darkest city in Africa. That we are no more!

He has increased agricultural production to an extent that we were able to ride the storm of the global food crisis unscathed.

We are improving the road network. Infrastructure and Technology now allows e-learning, e-government, television reception nationwide, internet coverage even in Bambaworo, the Gola Forest and Outamba Kilimi.

On education, we are introducing the concept of community colleges to provide a staging post, a collegiate for those wishing to achieve tertiary education, maternal mortality has fallen by 30% since 2007 and infant mortality rates about the same proportions.

PV: What can you tell us about the new Mining Policy that your ministry recently released?

Kanu: This is a policy that will create opportunities for companies and communities to work together harmoniously. It will increase revenues to Government. It will provide better conditions for rehabilitation and provide a level playing field for all those, big or small to enter into the minerals industry. No longer will one company hold large swathes of land for very long without demonstrable activity that will impact on the population.  The list goes on and on.

PV: Without a doubt, many believe that you accomplished a lot during your stint at the Ministry of Presidential and Public Affairs? What have you accomplished so far as Minister of Mines?

Kanu: The review of the mining laws is the key to better management of the sector. The resolution of the impasse between African Minerals and London Mining. The transformation of Cluff Gold from explorer to a potential producer, the release of the no.11 tailings to the communities and the launching of the mining cadastre system to avoid concession overlaps are a few that the ministry under my leadership has worked hard to achieve.

PV: You also are charged with the responsibility for the newly created Ministry of Political Affairs. What is this ministry about and what have you accomplished in this ministry?

Kanu: This is the link between central Government and all the political parties in the country. We resolve disputes and also control potential areas that could lead to violence. In short, it strengthens our democratic process.

PV: How is SL in terms of meeting the MCC goals? Do you think our country will meet the threshold the next time we are evaluated? Why is it that SL has been slow to meet the requirements needed to gain the MCC’s recognition?

Kanu: I have answered this. We have done a lot and even the ACC is making a serious impact. We believe if the indicators include recent actions and policies set up by the Government of Sierra Leone, we will meet the threshold.

PV: Was Karamoh Kabba fired from the office of Open Government Initiative? If reports out there are true that large sums of money disappeared during his tenure as director, many (including me) are wondering why is he now working for you at the Ministry of Mines and Political Affairs?

Kanu: Karamoh Kabba was never dismissed.  He was on a year’s contract with the UNDP and this contract was not renewed on expiry. The question of the missing amount is the subject of a departmental inquiry that is ongoing. He is currently the Director for Political Affairs and he is doing just great.

PV: What is the state of the Marampa Mines in Lunsar?

Kanu: The London Mining company is mobilising. They have completed a 19km haulage road from Mammy Nancy to Thofayim on the Port Loko Creek for the badge loading of Iron Ore. I understand they will be repairing the old quarters at European compound ready for mining commencement in early 2010.

African Minerals are working on their own part of the concession. Cape Lambert who together with Africa Minerals operate Marampa Iron Ore are preparing to rehabilitate the railway to Pepel and the port. This may be ready for first shipment by end 2010.

PV: What was this thing between you and Kadi Sesay of the Opposition SLPP?

Kanu: Nothing serious! She was asked to grade the APC’s performance in the past two years. She failed the government in every respect including the famous energy success story. I said I was not surprised as I did not expect that my papers would be given to my mother’s mate for marking.

PV:  I know you are in a hurry. Have a safe trip and thanks for your time, sir! 

Kanu:  Yes, I am!  I must catch my plane back to Freetown now to be present for the big event of the Bumbuna launching. Thank you and good-bye.

Courtesy of Anthony Kamara, Jnr. – PV’s USA Bureau Chief.      

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