Sierra Leone Telegraph: 22 November 2019:
Yesterday, ministers and deputy ministers who were recently appointed by president Julius Maada Bio to help shore-up his government, following his snap reshuffle of the cabinet, took their oath of office in his presence at State House in Freetown.
The ministers include Brig. Rtd. Kellie Hassan Conteh as Minister of Defence; Dr David Moinina Sengeh as Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education; Denis Kpawoh Vandi as Minister of Agriculture and Forestry; Philip Karimu Lansana as Minister of Water Resources; Prof. Foday Moriba Jaward as Minister of the Environment; and Ms. Manty Beatrice Tarawalli as Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs.
The following two deputy ministers were also present: Col. Rtd. Muana Brima Massaquoi as Deputy Minister of Defence; and Stephen Syril James Jusu as Deputy Minister of the Environment.
Speaking on behalf of her fellow appointees, the new Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs, Ms. Manty Beatrice Tarawalli, said she is particularly delighted and honoured “to be appointed as the first female Cabinet Minister from Koinadugu and Falaba districts and also the first from the Kuranko ethnic group”.
“With boundless gratitude for the confidence placed in us by the President and with an unwavering desire to honour that trust, we have humbly accepted our appointments. We are each aware of the scale and gravity of challenges in our institutions but let me assure you, Your Excellency, that with dedication, leadership and our experiences, we will endeavour to find sustainable solutions that will improve on overall performance and achievements. I assure you of excellence, result, loyalty and professionalism,” she said.
President Bio congratulated the ministers and deputies, and reminded them of the enormity of the task ahead, saying that they have been meticulously chosen to take up the new duties, and that he expects them to give their best in helping the development of the country.
“I have the thought that you are fit to hold these positions and I expect nothing less. I even expect more because the task ahead is enormous. I want to assure you of my full support in the discharge of your duties. Congratulations and I wish you all the best,’’ the president said.
During the ceremony, newly appointed Commissioner of the Public Service Commission, Ahmed Abu Kemokai; and Commissioners of the Political Parties Registration Commission (PPRC) – Alhaji Muctar Babatunde Williams, and Christian Sawyer, also subscribed to their oath of office in accordance with Section 151 (8) of the Constitution of Sierra Leone and Section 2(7) of the PPRC Act 2002 respectively.
It has been said that there are no greater challenges and obstacles to be faced, and honors to be received, than to dedicate oneself to public service in the interest of any nation – absolutely agree. But be reminded also, there’s a flip side to this widely celebrated logic that resembles the engravings on the other side of a minted coin.
Some people, Caterpillars dressed in green to be precise, that I have diligently observed and studied in our beloved Sierra Leone, are of the unwavering belief that loyalty to one’s tribe, supersedes by far the interests and priorities of the State. Are you kidding? Nope, dead serious! Frightening is it not? Well it is what it is – live with it! I sincerely hope, these new appointees will not join the deplorable ranks of men like Saffa and David Francis, and not also tow the line of a corrupt Cabal roaming and rambling around Freetown aimlessly boasting that their brother from Bo school is now in power.(lmao)
Sorry friends, I cannot help but to laugh! These people are gravely traumatized and disenchanted with their own selves to the innermost core of their incompetent beings. A fisherman with a broken paddle and a leaking canoe, tagging more people along just for the ride, that’s who this President currently resembles.(lol)
He is grasping at straws, and has become totally disillusioned because those disingenuous, unproductive, huge salary gobbling Professors of his, have not been able to achieve anything of substance. So, he decides to bring more on board his wayward, leaking, sinking ship. (lol) Ahead! Forward at the Bow! Ahoy! Ahoy! screams the Captain of the SLPP’s unenterprising, directionless ship. (lmao) Rising Sun Will Rise Again.
Not IMPRESSIVE. Only one FEMALE MINISTER amongst them. Is that fair? However, I congratulate all of the APPOINTEES and wish them GOOD LUCK. Finally, I would say ENJOY! GOD BLESS PRESIDENT BIO and all the APPOINTEES.