ABC Secretariat excels in Kenema
In rounding up the sensitization of regional headquarter towns on the drawbacks of bad manners and deeds, the Attitudinal and Behavioural Change Secretariat (ABC) on October 31st, 2011 started extensively engaging community members of Kenema Town. (Photo: Mrs Nanette Thomas, National Coordinator and Second-in-Command maintains that positive attitudes and behaviours is everything for sustainable development)
The week long awareness building course which commenced with a workshop at the Kenema District Council Hall attracted participants from all walks of life within the township and its environs.
Chairperson, Mada Bintu Vangahunm
Unveiling the ceremony, Madam Bintu Vangahum who served as Chairperson remarked that President Koroma’s Agenda for Change is a big blessing to the national desire for progress. Madam Vangahum praised the government for their present effort in decentralizing the operations of ABC Secretariat. According to her, bad attitudes and behaviours, which the Secretariat intends to change, are in every nook and cranny of Sierra Leone. As a result of this she registered her dismay over the management style of the past ABC Secretariat executives, who are currently appealing corruption convictions, for limiting the Secretariat’s work to Freetown. She said their actions did not only sabotage President Koroma’s vision of rebranding postwar Sierra Leone, but reasonably substantiates how they misused meaningful funds. Madam Vangahum encouraged the newly appointed executives of ABC Secretariat to be courageous, focused, and above all, determined in their work to sensitize Sierra Leoneans. She informed those present about the degree of difficulties the ABC Secretariat is facing and called on all to lend them their meaningful support.
Permanent Secretary, Sheku A Tamu
“We (Sierra Leoneans) have to shy away from negative attitudes and behaviours. If not our yearning for sustainable development will remain a mirage”, the Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Information and Communications, Mr. Sheku A. Tamu stressed in his keynote address. He revealed that the ABC Secretariat operates under his Ministry’s supervision in a bid to properly spread the ideology of the “Agenda for Change”. He described the Secretariat as the nucleus of President Koroma’s vision which he said will soon be dispersed to all regions, sectors, communities and institutions.
Cross section of participants in Kenema
In his statement the Resident Minister East, Hon. William Juanah Smith joined the people of Kenema in praising the ABC Secretariat for visiting the people of Kenema. He encouraged participants to make good use of the sensitization session(s) since he claimed bad attitudes and behaviours are the main causes of the past war. Their present prevalence Hon. Smith asserted still renders Sierra Leone unprogressive. According to him due to bad attitudes and behaviours, government’s efforts to alleviate the suffering of her people remain stifled. He exemplified these negative repercussions with the rampant misuse of Free Health Care facilities, grabbing of state lands, and misuse of government policies, among others. The Resident Minister highlighted that bad manners in politics have not only forced citizens into exile, but has scared away a lot of investors. Based on these untold effects, he called the drive to instill positive attitudes and behaviours by the ABC Secretariat as judicious.
Dr Ivan Agibola Thomas, Executive Director of ABC making his presentation
Educating his audience on the ABC concept, the Executive Director of the ABC Secretariat, Dr. Ivan Agibola Thomas assured that with their preparedness and willingness positive changes are bound to happen in their lives and country at large. He attacked the practice of inferiority complex, pride, pessimism and pull him/her down syndrome as negative attitudes. The ABC Secretariat Dr. Thomas said is oblivious of the fact that changing human beings is a time consuming process. However, he noted that with the collaboration of traditional, religious leaders and other stakeholders the process of change can be fast tracked.
The National Coordinator and Second-in-Command of ABC Secretariat, Madam Nanette Thomas maintained that positive attitudes and behaviours is everything for sustainable development. She urged civil servants to refrain from the misuse of time and government funds. Nanette Thomas called on the people of Kenema to start putting up good manners especially at family levels. She warned women to be respectful and helpful to their husbands. She encouraged parents to serve as role models for their offspring. Much of parents’ time Madam Thomas urged must be directed towards the monitoring and supervision their children. Children she said must value their studies above all other engagements since it is what guarantees their future. Madam Thomas concluded by cautioning men, especially teachers, from sexually abusing school going girls. She encouraged all and sundry to demonstrate positive attitude at all time without which socio-economic development will be difficult to achieve.
By Aminata Tholley and Momoja Lappia
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