Koya descendants form ICEPAK

For descendants of Koya chiefdom residing in the United States, it is all about making a difference in the lives of their people and their community. Through their 501(3) C organization, the Koya Progressive Association, which is also a registered NGO in Sierra Leone, members have contributed to nation building. (Photo: Anthony Kamara, Jr.)

Over the years, they have provided medical equipment to hospitals and clinics to enable residents of their community have access to decent health care facilities. In the educational sector, they have not only built and renovated primary and secondary schools; they have also shipped textbooks which have been distributed to schools in the chiefdom. In fact, another 20 foot container has just arrived in Freetown and the task of distributing the contents will soon commence. They also have provided agricultural subsidies to farmers in an effort to assist them meet the costs associated with increasing the food supply needed in the country.

However, as they try to support their community and improve the standard of living, it is clear that “the absence of a diverse, fair, coherent and transparent approach to solving the chiefdom issues” seems to be a major concern. At home and abroad, many are still grappling with the fact that, during the 2007 elections, Mawoma, Matheneh and Rokel sections of Koya Chiefdom were assigned to Masimera Chiefdom.

As they continue to assess the impact of such a decision to their chiefdom, it is the intention of Koya descendants “to prevent any future intrusion or reduction of political influence in their chiefdom for generations to come.”  In addition, they also hope to prevent “the systematic destruction of economic infra-structures and develop an investor friendly atmosphere for the creation of business opportunities and promote fair compensatory practices for all involved.”

In an effort to address the issues that have plagued their chiefdom over the years, Koya descendants plan to work with the government of Sierra Leone in enforcing applicable laws to prevent conflicts and promote unity among all nineteen sections of Koya Chiefdom. As they work together to strengthen the leadership structure to reflect the values that hold their community together, a new organization, the International Committee for the Economic and Political Advancement of Koya Chiefdom (ICEPAK). 

The aims and objectives of the organization are among others are as follows:

• To protect and defend the political and economic integrity of Koya Chiefdom.
• To recruit and support qualified candidates at home and abroad who, in theory and practice, reflect the values of ICEPAK, for political, civil, non-native administrative positions within the chiefdom.
•  Identify and promote viable economical and political initiatives with specific emphasis on planning, management and delivery of services within Koya Chiefdom.
• Promote inclusiveness among the nineteen sections in the Chiefdom and their respective Section Chiefs, and strengthen mechanisms leading to strong local representation through free and fair electoral processes.
• Participate in the establishment of adequate conflict resolution processes and/or systems for the security, health and environmental safety of the citizens of Koya Chiefdom.
• Present a unified response to non-traditional civil society concerns at all times.

Anthony Kamara, Jr., USA

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