Postmark London: Eddie Turay’s Message!

Those who know or have heard of the name Edward Mohamed Turay, can certainly confirm he is one of the finest and highly respected barristers cum politicians Sierra Leone has ever produced. (Photo: Sorie Sudan Sesay)

By courtesy of President Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma, Turay has just had a new lease of life changing gear from an active political figure to a diplomat.

His appointment as Sierra Leone’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom indeed came as a surprise to many considering the strategic importance of the office of Majority leader in Sierra Leone Parliament he once held prior to his posting.

However, knowing fully how strategic and powerful United Kingdom is, it is obvious that the President’s decision to appoint Turay was obviously an appropriate and a very timely one.

To me, apart from any other fact, this explains how important and strategic the United Kingdom mission is to the government and people of Sierra Leone.

Komba Koedoyoma of the opposition Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) described Turay’s departure from Parliament as a blessing to the country, but also a major loss to the House.

If you read between those lines, then you’ll be able to see where the opposition Member of Parliament was driving towards.

I agree that Turay is not a seasoned diplomat like his predecessor Melvin Chalobah, but he has been a successful lawyer and politician who have gone through the thick and thin in public life in Sierra Leone to make a successful mark to serve in any capacity whatsoever.

This is why if you ask me I will tell you without hesitation that he is the kind of personality we need to drive Sierra Leone forward from this end.

Edward Turay has always been a man who marches words with action. This is one reason why I do not foresee failure to be an option for him as far as his new appointment is concerned.

Yes, he has a daunting and challenging task ahead of him – one that has the tendency to either boost his hard earned reputation or bring him down like a pack of placards. I’m not quite sure of the latter.

We have just heard him addressed Sierra Leoneans in London at a well attended gathering – less than a month after taking up office.

Among other things, the new High Commissioner said he was going to open what he referred to as a ‘surgery’ to address the concerns and problems of Sierra Leoneans living in the United Kingdom. That is where he hit the nail on the head.

His message was clear-cut and simple: “come, let’s sit and talk and take Sierra Leone forward.”

Such an open door policy is what we need here in the Diaspora in order to be au-fait with developments back home and brainstorm on the way forward for Mama Salone

From the moment the new High Commissioner appeared in the hall one could sensed the spirit of enthusiasm in him – and he sounded very much like a man desperately in a hurry to make an impact.

His address was a bang – he did not speak like the politician he used to be – he spoke like a seasoned diplomat carefully mincing his words with utmost care and responsibility.

I know Turay very well and I have no doubt about his ability and determination to succeed by successfully selling the message of the President where ever he goes.

This is a brilliant and positive step in the right direction – something every Sierra Leonean would be proud of and would embrace with open hands.

This is quite unprecedented in the history of our High Commissioners in the United Kingdom. Isn’t it?

The author is the Information Attaché at the Sierra Leone High Commission in the United Kingdom and also Publisher of SIERRA Update magazine

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

---

© 2010, https:. All rights reserved.