“Sierra Leone in an enviable state” says APC Australia Chairman, as he pays tribute to Ambassador Foh for “successes of the APC since 2007”
Chairman, All People’s Congress in Australia, Mustapha Bangura (in photo) has spoken that, since the APC led government took the governance of Sierra Leone in 2007, the country has been gradually transforming itself “into an enviable state once more with outstanding economic performance, good democratic practices, proactive approach to alleviate corruption, improved infrastructure, increased agricultural output, increased electricity supply…”
In an exclusive interview with this writer, Mustapha Bangura said, there have been laudable achievements in Sierra Leone under the stewardship of His Excellency, Dr Ernest Bai Koroma for which Sierra Leoneans should be proud of.
Australia, being one of several countries the Sierra Leone Embassy in China is accredited to, Mr Bangura also used the interview as an opportunity to “welcome and congratulate Ambassador Victor Foh for his recent appointment”, saying his appointment was not a surprise “considering his hard work and the patriotism he has demonstrated to all Sierra Leoneans”
In this interview, a range of issues were discussed; from the status of his party’s branch in Australia; how they worked with the national secretariat in Freetown during the past elections and their commitment to supporting the Agenda for Prosperity, amongst other issues.
Bangura was first asked to give an update on his branch in Australia, “in terms of membership status and the branch’s relationship with the national secretariat in Freetown”
The APC Australia Branch was formed by few but committed members in Sydney prior to the 2007 Presidential and Parliamentary Elections in Sierra Leone. Since then, we continue to disseminate the values and philosophy of the party to the different states and territories across Australia including Western Australia, Queensland and Tasmania with Sydney being the headquarter. The membership of the Branch continues to grow and we have created substantial momentum in Australia that could be transformed to a pool of invaluable resources for the development of our country and the party. As a Branch of the APC, we believe that working with APC National Secretariat in Sierra Leone is strategic in whatever we are doing. We were working closely with the former National Secretary General of our party who is now the Sierra Leone Ambassador to PR China, HE Victor Foh and after the APC Party mini convention that was held in May this year, we initiated collaborative and positive working relations with the new Party officials particularly the new National Secretary General, Mr Foday Yansaneh. As I am talking to you now, the Vice-Chairman Sydney Chapter, Mr Michael Shamsu Mustapha is in Freetown to further strengthen relations with the Party Secretariat.
Were you visible, as a branch, during electioneering periods?
The APC Australia Branch has always being and will continue to provide logistical, financial and morale support to the National Party. As a lead up to the 2007 Presidential and Parliamentary Elections, within a short time frame, members of this branch collectively made some financial contribution to the Party which we believe added significant value to the elections campaign that landed victory to our Party. After the 2007 elections, our branch continued to drum-up support and started thinking ahead of innovative and unique ways of contributing to the 2012 elections. Eventually, the branch presented shopping bags as campaign material that was made up of “first class silk and waterproof materials” which carry the portrait of His Excellency, Dr Ernest Bai Koroma, the party colours and symbol and a succinct and powerful campaign message all on both sides of the bag. In deciding this, we took into consideration some key factors such as the uniqueness of the campaign material in the political history of our country; the environmental impact the campaign material will have on our society; the weather in Sierra Leone and the impact the campaign material will make among Sierra Leoneans during electioneering. In addition to this campaign material, there was a team of APC Australia members that were actively involved in the campaign activities of the Party across the country and one of our members from Western Australia, Hon Alhassan Kamara contested and was elected MP for Constituency 96 in Eastern Freetown.
Let us talk about the prosperity drive being led by President Koroma who is also Party Leader and Chairman of the APC. How supportive have you, as a branch to this agenda?
I must state that as a Branch, we believe that what happens between elections is more important than what happens during elections. As a Party, we breezed through the 2012 elections because of the outcomes of the Agenda for Change in the country. We are convinced that the Agenda for Prosperity is a well thought-of development blueprint and will consolidate gains from the Agenda for Change. To achieve this, all Sierra Leoneans irrespective of political alliance, location, region or ethnic belongings should put their hands on the wheel to transform the objectives of the Agenda for Prosperity into practical reality to continue to transform the living standards of Sierra Leoneans. As a Branch, we will continue to provide the relevant support to Sierra Leone community organisations in Australia that usually take development programs to Sierra Leone. We have initiated discussions with the Sierra Leone Consulate in Sydney to work collaboratively to explore possibilities of soliciting support from local, state and federal governments and institutions as well as private institutions and organisations to contribute to the Agenda for Prosperity. We also have members who have the required qualifications, expertise in different fields and extensive experience ready to make inputs to the different programs embedded in the agenda.
Ambassador Foh has been in China for over a month now as Sierra Leone’s Ambassador, with accreditation to Australia. What plans have you to work with him?
Let me use this opportunity to welcome and congratulate Ambassador Victor Bockarie Foh for his recent appointment. To me, his appointment was not a surprise considering his hard work and the patriotism he has demonstrated to all Sierra Leoneans. If we are to recount the successes of the APC since 2007, we must acknowledge the pivotal role of the gentleman at the helm of party affairs during those years. Congratulations Ambassador Foh!!! As a Branch, we plan to engage the Ambassador in strengthening relations between Australia and Sierra Leone. We are willing and prepared to work with him to explore investment, trade and development opportunities in Australia. We can also work closely with the Ambassador in promoting Sierra Leone in Australia, its natural resources, its culture and values, its landscape and its people as well as promoting the affairs of Sierra Leoneans living in Australia.
What is your impression about developments back home?
Despite living away home, patriotism, love and concern for Sierra Leone have enabled some of us in Australia to keep close eyes on the trend of development in our country. Since the APC took control of the corridors of power in 2007, Sierra Leone is gradually transforming into an enviable state once more with outstanding economic performance, good democratic practices, proactive approach to tackle corruption, improved infrastructure, increased agricultural output, increased electricity supply, improved Medicare, improved education, unprecedented press freedom and remarkable poverty reduction. These are laudable achievements under the stewardship of His Excellency, Dr Ernest Bai Koroma. Having said that, there are still some challenges in the country that require significant improvement.
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