Sierra Leoneans in Dubai elect new leader
Sierra Leone Nationals Association in the Emirates (SLNAE) last weekend elected its President in what observers described as a “free and fair” election conducted at Hawaar Hotel in downtown Dubai. Sierra Leone’s Press Attaché in Saudi Arabia was following the election and reports from Riyadh. (Photo: From left to right – President of SLNAE, Sec. Gen., and Vice President)
Ibrahim Bah, who had acted as Interim Chairman of the SLNAE for slightly over six months was overwhelmingly elected the first President of the association for a period of two years. He defeated his rival, Mohamed Mansaray by 33 votes.
Ballot boxes
Other members of his executive include: Vice President, Mr. Moses Fakeh, Secretary General, Mrs. Celia Danboyi, Treasurer, Mr. Chernoh Jalloh, Assistant Publicity/Organizing Officer, Mr. Laffia Tarawally, among others.
Voters queue to cast their votes
After the Head of the Electoral Commission, Sheik Mohamed Baryoh of Alpha Capital International and Financial Advisor of the Royal Emirates Group in Dubai declared Mr. Bah the winner; observers applauded Sierra Leoneans in the United Arab Emirates and all those who worked diligently to make last weekend’s election a true exercise in democracy.
The observers pointed out that the election proceeded in an atmosphere of calm and there were no indications of fraud. “Based on our observations, the election was conducted satisfactorily” the observers said.
Excited female voters awaiting the start of the electoral process
In his acceptance speech, the newly elected President thanked the electorate for the honour and confidence reposed on him and his executive. He promised that they will do their best in ensuring that their expectations and legitimate concerns are addressed accordingly. But he also hastened to say that his executive will work within the confines of the Union’s constitution.
He urged his compatriots to be united, creative and contribute positively to the development of Sierra Leone. He also admonished them to be law-abiding and respect the laws of the UAE.
Members of the Electoral Team counting the votes
The formation of the SLNAE in the UAE comes a few weeks after Sierra Leone’s President Ernest Bai Koroma officially visited that oil-rich Gulf State this year on the invitation of the Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. At the end of his three-day official working visit, the President addressed a cross–section of his nationals and urged them to be united and contribute towards the ongoing socio-economic development of their country of origin.
Voters listening to the election results
The newly elected leader was born in the mid 1980’s in the strategic eastern border town of Koindu in the Kailahun District. He went to Albert Academy Secondary School in Freetown from 1996 -2003. Owing to his penchant for academic excellence, he proceeded to Sunway University College, Kuala Lumpur – Malaysia in 2004 where he was certified with Chartered Accountant qualification after three years of hard work.
After graduation, he had six months internship in Singapore. In 2008, he secured his first job in Dubai with Jumeirah Group Dubai – a company owned by His Royal Highness Sheik Mohamed, the Royal King of Dubai as a Financial Assistant. He later rose to the positions of Internal Auditor and Finance Executive before he left in 2011. Bah is currently the General Manager of Uni-World General Trading LLC in Dubai with branches in Freetown and Beijing.
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