Ambassador Kargbo deserves respite
Very recently, Ambassador Dr. Christian Kargbo was in the media spotlight for all the bad reasons despite his tireless efforts in propagating President Koroma’s Attitudinal and Behavioural Change anthem among Sierra Leoneans and non-Sierra Leoneans in mainland Europe. His detractors and the APC government saboteurs continue to cast a slur on his efforts to rebrand the image of Sierra Leone in a constituency which continues to provide the largest international donor support to Sierra Leone – the European Union.
Since President Ernest Bai Koroma ascended to the Sierra Leone presidency almost three years ago, he has never paid an official visit to mainland Europe, but the country’s budget and infrastructural support from the European Union continue to flow unabated. Why, you may ask? The answer is simple – as long as one has a reliable, efficient and hardworking servant, no need to be present for an assignment to be accomplished. That is Dr. Kargbo in Ernest Koroma’s administration.
The allegations against Dr. Kargbo carried in certain online newspapers, could best be described as the work of desperate character(s) wanting to score a goal at all cost. The writer’s aim is probably to assassinate the character of the Ambassador through malicious propaganda and fabrication of statements to suit the purpose.
Read this allegation as published on the internet, “…since this Ambassador arrived in this country in April 2008, he has never called a single meeting of Sierra Leoneans any where… his priority is to raise loans from the banks and buy jeeps…â€.
The so-called writer who purports to be a local staff working at the embassy (this is very unbelievable since no sane informant will ever attempt to disclose his/her identity), might be living in a different world or has deliberately ignore the realities, because various news organs have been carrying news items of activities undertaken by Sierra Leoneans in which the Ambassador sometimes ensures not only his financial support through his meagre salary but his physical presence too.
The President of the Sierra Leone Central Union in The Netherlands, Mohamed Telisma Bangura, during this year’s Independence Anniversary reception organised by Ambassador Kargbo at his official residence, admitted that “this is the first time I am attending a function organised by the embassy for the past 15 years I have been living in Europeâ€. Similarly, on May 1st when Ambassador Kargbo was in Breda, Holland to participate in the Independence Anniversary organised by Sierra Leoneans in that part of the country, they too confessed that Ambassador Kargbo is the first envoy who has always been honouring their invitations. What more evidence is needed?
On the bank loans, may I inform readers that in Europe, individuals are encouraged to obtain bank loans as long as the bank is satisfied with your status. And in my personal opinion, it is better to obtain a bank loan which you are sure of repaying, than engage yourself in pilfering with government money?
The anonymous writer further alleges that “…the embassy is filthy with no repairs. I wonder what they are doing with the Other Charges that are sent quarterly…â€. This is not only preposterous but utterly ridiculous. The writer merely exposes his/her ignorance in the running of a diplomatic mission. The Embassy indeed needs major repairs. However, both the Ambassador and the Head of Chancery, since their assumption of offices, have constantly been harassing and bringing to the attention of the relevant authorities in Freetown the need to carry out the exercise.
The ‘’Other Charges’’ the writer suggested should be utilised for repairing the building is not even sufficient to pay the necessary bills and for the Ambassador to honour some important international assignments under his domain. That is why I find it incomprehensible when the writer stated that I am only here to be following the Ambassador wherever he goes. If wishes were horses, that should have been my mandate. But as the Krio people say, ‘’trucky wan box, but e han shortâ€.
The writer’s main motive is to sow a seed of discord between the Ambassador and his close allies including the President, the Finance Minister, Dr. Samura Kamara and Bank Governor, Sheku Samba Deen Sesay. Unfortunately, all those people are mature and intelligent enough to sieve between facts and fiction.
Journalists too have grave responsibilities in the discharge of our duties. As journalists, we must be able to digest properly articles sent to us for publications, especially when the said articles carry no name or proper form of identification. We expose ourselves to public ridicule if we continue to allow disgruntled and frustrated individuals to be using our media outlets to publish anonymous articles full of hatred and malice. We must accept the fact that if the writer has genuine intentions as he/she purports, there should have been no need to hide his/her identity. Every patriotic Sierra Leonean has the moral obligation to bring to the attention of government the wrongs in our different areas of responsibilities, but this must be done with sincerity and honesty devoid of any ulterior motives.
By Chernor Ojuku Sesay, Information Attaché, Sierra Leone Embassy, Brussels/EU
Stay with Sierra Express Media, for your trusted place in news!
© 2010, https:. All rights reserved.
