The Pa’s gaffes
There are certain statements that should come from the lips of subordinates rather than directly from the head of state. In the event of an error or public outcry then a statement could always be put out alleging misinterpretation or some similar escape. In the case of his Excellency President Ernest Bai Koroma I am often restrained in personally attacking him, rather so often I have tended to blame or criticize his government or his advisers either for errors of judgment or for downright incompetence. Where I have referred directly to my distinguished nephew, even my most vocal critics and detractors would agree that my criticisms have been muted. Today will be no exception even where I’m convinced that HE has done what I would describe as the wrong thing. (Photo: Dr Sama Banya)
One of the President’s gaffes when he took office was that the out-gone SLPP government had left nothing in the kitty. I was sure at the time that even he did not believe what he was saying and that he merely wanted to show us badly in the eyes of the public. It was left to former minister of Finance John Benjamin and the erstwhile Central Bank Governor to refute that statement, backed by figures and the latest comments from the IMF and the World Bank. In Kenema the head of state had to admit that “yes indeed the SLPP did leave some money behind but that it was not enough to carry out the development projects that his government had undertaken. Even where a lot of the funding for some of the had been solicited by the SLPP. The APC government took credit without the courtesy of any reference to the SLPP; typical examples of this were in the almost completed Bo to Masiaka road and in the Kenema to Koindu road projects. What led to the President admitting that we left some money behind? Could it have been that he was nudged by his conscience or a concern that as always we would come out with appropriate figures?
I will with respect remind our head of state to consider the eleven year period of the SLPP in government. Does it ever occur to them that those were turbulent years in the life of this country? Would they admit that we were unique in pursuing a brutal rebel war while at the same time actively involved in development? Have his Excellency and his team taken cognizance of a very successful disarmament, demobilization and resettlement programme? Have they been blind to the rescue programme for what would have been a lost generation but for the introduction of a unique special education project for many thousands of young people who missed schooling because of the war and who would otherwise have joined a bulging youth unemployment problem that has been aggravated because of their nonchalant attitude to that serious problem? How long has this government been ‘tidly-tad-ling’ with this problem? The APC government inherited the most peaceful atmosphere in the post war history of this country and instead of expressing appreciation for that they keep repeating that the SLPP carried out no development in their eleven years in office. That kind of propaganda is appreciated only by blind supporters of the red sun. The Apc’s mouthpiece the New Citizen newspaper is advocating a truce in the current exchanges. We have no objection to the newspaper’s suggestion but he should be bold enough to admonish his patrons to desist from making those provocative statements for propaganda purposes as they will only invite suitable response from a very proactive SLPP opposition that is fully aware of its achievements under the most trying conditions in our country. If the government can’t help themselves then I would plead with his Excellency to let them come from his spokesmen or from some other minister.
Fare the well Heigor
A very full and solemn Requiem Mass was celebrated yesterday June 16 at St. Anthony’s Church, Brookfields, for my brother the late Edward Heigor Kai Banya who passed away on Sunday June 5. My family and I felt very proud and very humbled at the large number of Eddie’s friends and acquaintances who turned up to bid him farewell. It was a cross section of the political and social strata of society and spoke volumes about the man’s popularity. To all of them who couldn’t make it to the church as well as to the even larger number who sent messages of condolence and in very many cases followed by the traditional ‘casanke’, like the rest of us, my brother had his weaknesses, but in spite of them we all loved him. To every one of you all I say thanks, but in reality no thanks of ours could enough show our gratitude. Eddie’s remains are on their way to Kailahun for internment in the family compound. We pray that his soul will rest in perfect peace and that perpetual light will shine on him. Once again thank you everyone.
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There are certain statements that should come from the lips of subordinates rather than directly from the head of state. In the event of an error or public outcry then a statement could always be put out alleging misinterpretation or some similar escape. In the case of his Excellency President Ernest Bai Koroma I am often restrained in personally attacking him, rather so often I have tended to blame or criticize his government or his advisers either for errors of judgment or for downright incompetence. Where I have referred directly to my distinguished nephew, even my most vocal critics and detractors would agree that my criticisms have been muted. Today will be no exception even where I’m convinced that HE has done what I would describe as the wrong thing.
One of the President’s gaffes when he took office was that the out-gone SLPP government had left nothing in the kitty. I was sure at the time that even he did not believe what he was saying and that he merely wanted to show us badly in the eyes of the public. It was left to former minister of Finance John Benjamin and the erstwhile Central Bank Governor to refute that statement, backed by figures and the latest comments from the IMF and the World Bank. In Kenema the head of state had to admit that “yes indeed the SLPP did leave some money behind but that it was not enough to carry out the development projects that his government had undertaken. Even where a lot of the funding for some of the had been solicited by the SLPP. The APC government took credit without the courtesy of any reference to the SLPP; typical examples of this were in the almost completed Bo to Masiaka road and in the Kenema to Koindu road projects. What led to the President admitting that we left some money behind? Could it have been that he was nudged by his conscience or a concern that as always we would come out with appropriate figures?
I will with respect remind our head of state to consider the eleven year period of the SLPP in government. Does it ever occur to them that those were turbulent years in the life of this country? Would they admit that we were unique in pursuing a brutal rebel war while at the same time actively involved in development? Have his Excellency and his team taken cognizance of a very successful disarmament, demobilization and resettlement programme? Have they been blind to the rescue programme for what would have been a lost generation but for the introduction of a unique special education project for many thousands of young people who missed schooling because of the war and who would otherwise have joined a bulging youth unemployment problem that has been aggravated because of their nonchalant attitude to that serious problem? How long has this government been ‘tidly-tad-ling’ with this problem? The APC government inherited the most peaceful atmosphere in the post war history of this country and instead of expressing appreciation for that they keep repeating that the SLPP carried out no development in their eleven years in office. That kind of propaganda is appreciated only by blind supporters of the red sun. The Apc’s mouthpiece the New Citizen newspaper is advocating a truce in the current exchanges. We have no objection to the newspaper’s suggestion but he should be bold enough to admonish his patrons to desist from making those provocative statements for propaganda purposes as they will only invite suitable response from a very proactive SLPP opposition that is fully aware of its achievements under the most trying conditions in our country. If the government can’t help themselves then I would plead with his Excellency to let them come from his spokesmen or from some other minister.
Fare the well Heigor
A very full and solemn Requiem Mass was celebrated yesterday June 16 at St. Anthony’s Church, Brookfields, for my brother the late Edward Heigor Kai Banya who passed away on Sunday June 5. My family and I felt very proud and very humbled at the large number of Eddie’s friends and acquaintances who turned up to bid him farewell. It was a cross section of the political and social strata of society and spoke volumes about the man’s popularity. To all of them who couldn’t make it to the church as well as to the even larger number who sent messages of condolence and in very many cases followed by the traditional ‘casanke’, like the rest of us, my brother had his weaknesses, but in spite of them we all loved him. To every one of you all I say thanks, but in reality no thanks of ours could enough show our gratitude. Eddie’s remains are on their way to Kailahun for internment in the family compound. We pray that his soul will rest in perfect peace and that perpetual light will shine on him. Once again thank you everyone.
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