APC charts way forward in Australia
The Australian branch of Sierra Leone’s governing All Peoples Congress (APC), on Sunday 27th October 2013 had their first ever national meeting to collectively discuss issues pertinent to the branch. This is the first meeting that brought together representatives from all the States in Australia. Primarily, the meeting was aimed at mapping out ways to promote the APC in Australia.
The meeting, which was held at Bankstown Police and Community Youth Club (PCYC), Sydney, brought together representatives of the party from Victoria, South Australia, Queensland and Tasmania.
In his opening remarks, Chairman for the Branch, Mustapha Bangura spoke about how the governing APC is the only political party in Sierra Leone capable of holding all the tribes together in a cohesive harmony.
Bangura further referred to his party, the APC as “the only party and government in the history of Sierra Leone that has given prominence to Sierra Leonean women and youth and it is a party of progress, a party of dynamism in every aspect of the word, and a party of love and peace.” Speaking specifically on the relevance of the meeting, Mustapha Bangura described it as a turning point for the Branch “which has set the stage for a new beginning and a rekindling of the branch’s spirit to move forward.”
Statements were also made by representatives from Tasmania, including a statement by Ansumana Usman Koroma who underscored the sacrifices people have made over the years , stating, “the sacrifice and commitment demonstrated today is a clear sign of the love and concern that members have for Sierra Leone”, also referring to the APC as a party for the common man.
Isaiah Lahai, also from Tasmania, dispelled fears that politics in Sierra Leone is no longer about regionalism, tribalism, religion or sect “but more about love and loyalty to our country Sierra Leone which the APC as a party has clearly demonstrated in recent times.”
Sulaiman Kamara from Adelaide South Australia commended all present for the brotherhood shown within the Branch, which he said, “is the right attitude to achieving the goals outlined in the strategic plan of the Branch”
Various speakers from other states like Alhaji Sankoh, the APC youth leader in Melbourne Amadu Koroma and Sulaiman Forna from Queensland praised the contributing role their party is playing today in Sierra Leona’s development. They also called for continued unity as within the struggles for the growth and development of the Branch, not all will become leaders but all should work and fully support the leadership of the Branch.
They all noted that progressive change does not come if members are not prepared for it and there was, therefore the call for members to hold together and remain focus for the good of the party and country.
Sulaiman Forna from Queensland described the meeting as being very inclusive which according to him, was something he had been looking forward to all these years. APC in Australia, he suggested should be seen and felt everywhere in Australia and called for a rotational annual general meeting to strengthen the membership.
During a conference call made to the National Secretary General of the APC, Ambassador Osman Foday Yansaneh, he informed the party membership in Australia that, the APC as a party will continue to rely on the support of Branches across the globe.
President Ernest Bai Koroma, Ambassador Yansaneh informed, is always looking forward to APC Branches gaining prominence in their respective communities. The President, according to Ambassador Yansaneh believes in empowering women and youth and therefore advised all Branches to continue to provide the relevant support and guidance to these cohorts so they can contribute meaningfully to the development of Sierra Leone.
One big outcome of the meeting was the cohesion and willingness shown by members to progress the APC in their respective states. It was an opportunity to get to know, meet, greet, and interact with each other.
Members of the executive include, but not limited to Amadu Kargbo- Organising Secretary, Amadu Bangura, Secretary General, Morlai Yansaneh Advisor, Paul Bangura, Youth Leader, Benjamin Sidique, Financial Secretary and Abdul Rahman Bundu Publicity Secretary II. Women’s Wing members include, but not limited to Fatu Bangura and Manehneh Lilian Sawaneh. David Allieu, the Branch’s Auditor, gave the vote of thanks.
Formed in 2007 by few but committed members, the APC Australia Branch was largely operating within Sydney, New South Wales until October 2011 when His Excellency President Koroma visited Perth Western Australia for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Summit which expedited the formation of the APC Chapter in Perth.
Elected this year as Chairman, Mustapha Bangura has made it a priority to roll-out the party’s Branch in Australia to all states and territories within his tenure of office. This, according to Bangura, is as a result of the fact the “the APC is a party for all and as such both actual and potential members from every nook and cranny of Australia should be part of the comradeship”
Written by APC Australia
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