For political tolerance – Diana Konomanyi assures ABC Secretariat

The Chairman of Kono District Council, Madam Diana Konomanyi has on Wednesday March 14^th this year at the New Kono City Hall pointed out that in her move to epitomize President Ernest Bai Koroma’s vision of an ‘Agenda for Change’ she is determined to transform her locality into a heaven for all political parties to campaign without restrains.  (Photo: Lady Diana Konomanyi delivering her keynote address)

She made this statement in reaction to allay the fears of opposition Sierra Leone People Party (SLPP) members and sympathizers who are expecting their flagbearer, Retired Brigadier Julius Maada Bio within the district anytime this month.

Making these utterances during a one-day workshop on Political Tolerance that was organized by the Attitudinal and Behavioural Change (ABC) Secretariat proved that the Iron Lady of the Eastern Region of the country is resolved in transforming Kono District, which has been marred by political upheavals in the recent past, into a fair playing ground for all contesting political parties before, during, and after the November 2012 Presidential, Parliamentary, and Local Council elections.

Prior to making this resounding promise, Madam Diana Konomanyi in her keynote address that preceded the official opening of the ABC Secretariat’s sensitization workshop, damned politicians who snare youths with monies and drugs to unleash violence against their opponents.

“Do not vote for any political aspirant who barters drugs, money and violence for your votes,” the Kono District Council Chairlady warned the youthful electorates of her constituency. “I have never, and will never, do so,” she continued and added that “If I do such at any time in my political sojourn campaign please vote against my candidature,” she insisted to the youths.

Ahead of the 2012 elections, Madam Konomanyi registered her disapproval of ongoing violent episodes, more so professed by students whom she said are proving to be a disappointment.

She maintained that if the development of Kono District is going to be anything to write home good about, students are expected to behave morally rather than their present disregard for law and order.

Madam Konomanyi used the session to call on her constituents to imbibe the values inherent in relevance of political tolerance which she said are being silhouetted by poor manners and deeds and commended the ABC Secretariat for engaging her people whom she said are culpable of misconstruing political campaigning with criminality. This misconception Madam Diana Konomanyi attested has not only deprived her compatriots from effectively benefiting from their precious mineral deposits, but rip family bonds apart. These cheerless episodes the Kono District Chairlady stressed should be brought to rest. The resolution which she tendered could change Kono District from a politically tense precinct into an amicable society where peaceful coexistence reigns is by adopting President Ernest Bai Koroma’s uncontestable cry for a change in the omnipresent negative attitudes of his nationals.

Wonders never cease

It is no exaggeration, but the SLPP Representative, Gbondo Penipai and others apprehensive opposition dignitaries were catapulted into the frenzy of Alice’s Wonderland when the assuring words of the Kono District Chairwoman flowed unadulterated for all to hear and understand to the letter. The perpetration of violence Madam Konomanyi said is a misfit for politicians to espouse. To her contemporary multi-party politicking respect for each other is a major requirement.

The assurance of ensuring a peaceful political atmosphere for the inhabitants of Kono District and elsewhere heralded a new peaceful coexistence among the people. Thus speaker after speaker showered praises on the President Koroma’s new corps of resilient ABC Secretariat officials whom they decisively classed as square pegs in square holes.

The only way out

The Chairman of the sensitization workshop who also doubles as the Senior District Officer of the region, Moses Gbettu in his opening remarks said the only way out for the country to have a better welfare platform is for her citizenry to imbibe, practice and glorify putting up polished attitudes and behaviours.

He called on the participants to be patriotic, hardworking, patient, courageous, God-fearing and hospitable, because these features constitute the true nature of Sierra Leoneans which he said has been dropped because of taunting materialism.  The SDO pleaded with those present to crave for the lost identity of Sierra Leoneans which he said revolves around hospitality, honesty, unity, justice and real freedom. According to Mr. Moses Gbettu until these bold steps are taken the progress of the country will not only remain unsustainable, but a real mirage.

Positive change at all cost

All political representatives, security officials, traditional and religious leaders, Civil Society activists and others present declared that President Koroma’s initiation of the Secretariat is a move in the right direction. Concertedly, the stakeholders emphasized that although positive change in attitudes and behaviours are time consuming, inundated with fear and varies according to the mindsets, it is a must for the country to progress.

Justifying this proclamation, the NGO Representative, Mrs. Sai Dunbar informed that since poor attitudes and behaviours have been decoded as major deterrents to national progress since the attainment of independence, this provokes the need for consultations and total inclusions of all actors in the decision making processes. This methodology she said is the only possible means by which the duplication of actions, waste of resources and uncustomary interventions could be nip in the buds for the essence of collective advancement.

The Koidu Holding representative, Mr. Henry Vagg classed poor attitudinal and behavioral trends as the major causes why developing nations are not realizing the commensurate values from their mineral endowments. He informed that the working attitudes of employees and perception of locals about investors as swindlers is a major bottleneck to certain exploration ventures. Henry Vagg thanked the Secretariat for reaching the locality of their operations and envisaged that the sensitization on the dividends of morality will help the Kono District from falling in the quagmires of the Delta State in Nigeria among others whose stabilities have been shattered as a result of misconceptions.

More determined

In their lectures the Executive Director and National Coordinator and Second-in-Command of the ABC Secretariat, Dr. Ivan Ajibola Thomas and Madam Nanette Thomas stressed their determination in awakening the conscience of their nationals over the backlashes of the poor ways of demonstrating thoughts, desires and feelings.

They pointed out that although these mishaps are presently skewed in politicking they are still entrenched within the educational, law making and effecting, civil service, security and household sectors. The ABC Secretariat bosses vowed that the commitment will not wane in seeing that the country strives ahead based on moral ethics and disciplines.

By Momoja Lappia

Stay with Sierra Express Media, for your trusted place in news!

© 2012, https:. All rights reserved.