APC National Convention Speech by AL- Aziz Turay
Chairman APC North America and Chairman, APC Diaspora Alliance 05/03/2013
Mr. Chairman/Leader & President of the Republic of Sierra Leone! Hon. Vice President! Party Elders! Hon. Ministers of Government! My fellow Members – Diaspora Alliance! Friends and well-wishers of the APC! Fellow APC members! Distinguish guests, Ladies & gentlemen, all protocols observed!I will start by thanking the almighty Allah for giving me the strength and opportunity to fly all the way from the United States to attend this convention and deliver a speech on behalf of the fifth (5th) province (Diaspora in general.)
It gives me the greatest honor to stand here today with all dignitaries and party members, as we observe another convention to elect or select a new executive for our party and to discuss importance issues. I am humbled to start by commending the outgoing executive for their exceptional work during the 2012 election that gave our party and the president Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma another term in office.
As we gathered here to brainstorm and forge a way forward, let us reflect our memories on certain lapses that we wished could have been handled better. As we map the way forward, let us create a way and take collective responsibility in improving the lot of not only our party and its membership but also our beloved nation Sierra Leone. Without any doubt, this convention signifies a renewal of our bond as a family in the APC as well as, a change in the way and manner we conduct business as it relates the affairs of our party.
Mr. Chairman and members,
The realization of the All Peoples Congress for sustainable and reliable support from the Diaspora, paved the way for the new political era when the mandate was extended to supporters of the APC living abroad. In support of this political mandate, several branches of the party were established worldwide in order to revamp the political struggle from the stance of an opposition to a part in governance.
In the last decade, these oversea branches created the right conditions, structures and programs for the effective participation of APC supporters in the Diaspora. Engaging those policies in the form of an Alliance was one of best ways the Diaspora could provide a consolidated support for an APC victory in the 2007 and 2012 elections. Demonstrating the effective reliance on the concept of collective responsibility whilst embracing the vision of the APC led government today.
As an Alliance, we wholeheartedly embrace the vision of the party, the Sierra Leone Government and its Development partners who believe in the concept of transformation for National Prosperity. As we move this agenda forward, the Alliance finds it necessary to focus on National Development and continue to play a greater role in the Political and Economic Development for a better Sierra Leone.
The thought of forming the Diaspora Alliance stemmed from the fact that speaking in one voice as a group of dedicated and committed supporters will create another milestone for the APC party. It is indicative that APC is slowly spreading worldwide. Fellow members with this I must point out, that it would not have been achieved, if not for the hard work of our Chairman His Excellency, the president Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma.
Mr. Chairman and members,
We want you all to know that Diasporans are patriotic Sierra Leoneans living abroad, but willing and ready to contribute to the development of our party and our beloved country. Diasporans are not aliens but your brothers and sisters and they must be treated fairly as any other party member living in Sierra Leone. Let us stop the stereotypical treatment perpetrated towards Diasporans, let us reframe from vilifying our fellow brother and sisters, but always remember “we should be our brother’s keeper.” Does that ring a Bell?
History tells us that political parties and other organizations do experience numerous challenges in intra party governance and managing expectations. Realistically, the APC Diaspora Alliance is no exception. But we should rise above the fray and provide competent leadership for the benefit of all.
Message from the diaspora:
- We want you all to know that Diasporans are patriotic Sierra Leoneans living abroad, but willing and ready to contribute to the development of our party and our beloved country.
- Diasporans are not aliens but your brothers and sisters and they must be treated fairly as any other party member living in Sierra Leone.
- Let us stop the stereotypical treatment perpetrated towards Diasporans.
- Let us reframe from vilifying our fellow brother and sisters, but to always remember.
“We should be our brother’s keeper.” – Does that ring a Bell?
We want to know who we are in this family party i.e. we have:
- The youth League
- The women’s congress
The APC student Union – they are all recognized within party structure, where do we stand?
Mr. chairman/leader,
During Thursday session – here are some observations made by my members:
- Speaker after speaker no mentioning of the diaspora
- During speeches/greetings – the area of the diaspora was excluded without any explanation
- During lunch, every constituency/District was catered for but deliberately excluded the Diaspora
Mr. Chairman/leader,
When I read the APC 2009 National delegate Conference themed: Attitudinal Change for National Development – I came across apportion that reads and I quote page 50 paragraphs 5-10
“The APC in governance – Consolidation of Democracy, Discipline and change of attitude, Peace and no Violence (and then, a communique was sent out that) “A robust and independent party with structures at all levels: Towns, Ward, Constituency, District, Region, and National Level and Branches and Chapters in the Diaspora”
Mr. Chairman/leader,
The Diaspora is capable of doing every and anything in a trickle of an eye!
- We have the human capacity
- We have the organizational skills
- We have the media at our finger tip
- We are capable of influencing infinite number of voters in just a phone call
- We have the financial resources
- We always answer when the bell is rang
- We always walk the walk and talk the talk too
We only hope the Diaspora is not being used here as a tractor or Bulldozer:
- Wherein we are called upon to construct a road in the thick forest after which, we are warned not to walk on the very road we helped to create because we might destroy it. WOW!
Mr. Chairman & leader! Comrades All!
The Diaspora is asking for a fair share of the cake!
We are asking this delegate conference to endorse the chairman & leader’s pronouncement for the Diaspora to be endorsed as the 5th Region.
- We are requesting for representation at the National Advisory Committee (NAC)
- We are requesting for a name within the party structure
As a region, we are entitled some benefits as such, we are requesting the following:
- Since the pronouncement for the Diaspora to become the 5th region, nothing is being done to make that dream happen. Therefore, we are requesting a resolution be adopted in this floor today to make that pronouncement a reality.
- We are requesting a flow of information between the party secretariat and the Diaspora branches.
- We suggest that the party secretariat make follow ups with activities of all APC branches and assist in its transitions to elections or selections their leaders.
- We are respectfully requesting that Diasporas are represented in the National Advisory Committee (NAC)
- We are informing you all that the already acquired office space will be utilized permanently as the new Diaspora office.
- Diasporas deserve recognition and it has to be done without hindrance or stereotypical connotation attached.
Let me once again applaud the outgoing administration and look forward to a continued professional work relationship with the incoming administration too.
Thank you all! May God Bless our party! May God bless our leaders! May God bless our beloved country, Sierra Leone. Delivered by: AL- Aziz Turay Chairman, APC- North America Branch Chairman, APC – Diaspora AllianceStay with Sierra Express Media, for your trusted place in news!
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