Jarrah Kawusu-Konte & Sheriff Mahmud Ismail: Sierra Leone Telegraph: 9th October 2021:
Following former President Dr Ernest Bai Koroma’s decoration with the award of the Medal of Merit in Leadership by the African Bar Association (AfBA) on Monday 4th October, instant, commendations and congratulatory messages have been pouring from across the world extolling his style of leadership during his tenure of office (2007-2018).
Ivorian President H.E. Alassane Ouattara congratulated President Koroma for this mark of recognition which he described as “the crowning of a commitment to democracy and peace in Sierra Leone and throughout Africa”.
According to President Ouattara (Photo), he fully associates himself with this celebration of the work accomplished by President Koroma for democracy, through the reforms he was able to initiate in his country and the leadership which he continues to demonstrate for peace in Africa under the auspices of the African Union.
H.E. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Nobel Laurette and Former President of the Republic of Liberia, recounted that:
“I had the opportunity for collaboration and interaction with him as we served as Presidents of our two countries, Liberia and Sierra Leone. He was a pillar of strength in our regional institutions, ECOWAS and sub-regional Mano River Union.”
Johnson Sirleaf also pointed out that former President Koroma’s efforts to transform Sierra Leone was nothing short of exemplary adding that, “His commitment to national and party constitutions and law tells of a person with the self confidence that brings success to any endeavor.
The Nobel Laurette further acknowledged the fact that former President Koroma “continues to enjoy the popularity of a grateful citizenry for his multiple achievements” and she emphasized that, “with continuity, sustainable national development is assured.” (Photo: Johnson Sirleaf and Ernest Bai Koroma).
H.E. Dr. Amos Sawyer, former Interim President of Liberia, noted, “I led a post conflict country just like President Ernest Bai Koroma and I fully understand the huge challenges associated with building democracy, consolidating peace and rebuilding the country. On all fronts, President Koroma acquitted himself admirably. His leadership of Sierra Leone and at the regional and continental levels no doubt distinguishes him as a champion of peace and democracy in Africa. He is a worthy recipient of this AfBA award!”
The commendations did not only come from political leaders, but leading organisations also working on peace, democracy and the rule of law have joined in.
The African Leadership Magazine wrote that “President Ernest Bai Koroma stands out as a committed democrat and an icon of peace. His ten year tenure as President of his country brought about enviable good governance reforms that safeguarded civil and political liberties and promoted inclusive participation. Coming from 11 years of war, Sierra Leone became a beacon of peace in Africa under his leadership. I would have been surprised if he was not on this AfBA list of deserving awardees. Congratulations President Koroma”
The African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD) stated: “Africa will always need great visionary leaders like Ernest Bai Koroma. His advocacy for an African Peace Engineering Corps would address much needed social infrastructure issues and enhance our peace and security architecture. Congratulations on this remarkable recognition of your leadership”.
These accolades transcend the African continent. Russ Feingold, former United States Senator and Chair of the Global Steering Committee for the Campaign for Nature, has this to say:
“Since he left office, President Koroma has been at the forefront of advocacy for peace, the environment and social justice in Africa and the world. This is a well deserved recognition!”
Closer to home, in Sierra Leone, Former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara (Photo), said: “With the worrying signs of democratic decline particularly in West Africa, it’s refreshing that those who have shown great leadership in respecting constitutional term limits are being duly recognised. President Ernest Bai Koroma led Sierra Leone from a dire post conflict situation to becoming one of the most democratically reformed and peaceful countries in Africa. And even as he continued to enjoy tremendous popularity, he graciously bowed out and presided over a smooth transition of power. He is indeed a worthy candidate for any distinguished leadership award, and I congratulate him heartily on this AfBA recognition!”
Dr Samura Kamara, Presidential Aspirant of the All People’s Congress, heartily congratulated President Koroma on this well-deserved AfBA award, and said: . “His tenure as president of Sierra Leone will be remembered for the remarkable good governance reforms, his expansion of access to legal services, education, health and the rebuilding of other critical social infrastructure. His emphasis on consensus building and deliberate efforts to evenly spread national infrastructural development across the country were unprecedented and integral to holding the country together. He was as remarkably inclusive in his appointments as he was open in his governance. These were critical in Sierra Leone becoming one of the most democratically reformed and peaceful countries in Africa. This award is indeed a worthy recognition of President Koroma’s sterling leadership.”
And not to be outdone by others, the Office of the Former President has also joined in the celebration of the recognition of President Koroma’s remarkable leadership.
“We most warmly congratulate former President Koroma on the highly coveted AfBA leadership award. We have no doubt whatsoever that our Former President, Dr Ernest Bai Koroma, would attract such recognition from a credible and prestigious body like the African Bar Association. As witnesses to his enduring legacy, this award confirms our trust in a man who’s vision and commitment towards a peaceful and democratic continent has remained as solid as his desire to promote a safe and healthy environment for all. We are profoundly proud to be associated with such a great leader.”
No doubt, President Koroma served his country well; his legacy cannot be discounted in the recent history of Sierra Leone and it is remarkable enough to endure for posterity.
That is one of my happiest, when this former president is receiving praises from everywhere, he over shadowed everything in the APC party until death due us part. No strong candidate for the APC party right now, uh, my sympathy. My best friend and I were in bitter argument last night he tells me” APC capable of doing anything, can even turn a man to woman”, my response to him was; but they failed to apply that during 2018 general election. You can see too many crying foul within the APC party, for the removal of the then” dictator Conde” something that is not our business, if the majority of the Guineans are happy and welcomed the actin, so be it who are we to condemned? that’s a Francophone colony folks. As for me, I personally won’t be against the idea if the former president H.E. Dr. Ernest B. Koroma wants to become the next flag bearer for comes 2023, I want to witness the real (smack down) between the two lol. The three former leaders sat together and discussed about a tragic decision, which is to seek third term or more time.
A leader from Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone, but unfortunately the only lady amongst them later said” I am out I can’t stand that trauma”. President Conde oppressively succeeded, followed by the Ivorian President H.E. Alassane Watara though he wasn’t invited took an advantage himself, and benefited from the outside plot. The APC supporters were very mad and angry with Ernest Koroma telling him, was not a man enough as Cone, hmmmm ok. So when praising Ernest Koroma please think about the history first. May God bless my country Mama Sa/Lone.
He is a selfless man with a passion for democracy, peace, security, stability and developments. since leaving the mantle of presidency he has been a constant advocacy for democracy, peace, security, human rights and respect for all Africans. God bless you H.E, President Ernest Bai Koroma. it’s a pleasure with him.
Former president Enerst Bia Koroma is the real deal. Real deal in the sense he doesn’t boasts about his peace making efforts he works on in the trouble spots of the African continent. From Somalia to Darfou, to helping hold peaceful elections in Zambia. If anyone in the African continent deserves the Noble Peace prize, our former president tick all the right boxes. And this is concord by our international partners, both present African leaders like Allassan Outtarra of the Ivory Coast, to fomer Liberain leader Johnson Sirleaf a Noble Peace Prize winner herself, and the African Bar Association.We might be a tiny country, with a small population, but we can say we have distinguished fellow Sierra-leoneans that have managed to put our country on the world stage. When you compare us to other African countries, we are definitely punching above our weights. And through out our history, we have always offer a beacon of hope in a continent be fitted with conflicts and man made problems.
From being chosen as the home of Africans that were enslaved by their compatriots, and Europeans, to be the cradle of those Africans seeking knowledge, which gave us the monika Athens of West Africa. Ernest Bia Koroma through his peace building efforts, is offering hope to millions of his fellow Africans, that have lost all hope and trapped in endless cycle of violence. DRC, Somalia, South Sudan, and closer to home the Sahel in West Africa. His respecting the constitutional two term limits have shown it is the only way African democracy will work. If in doubt, ask former Guinean dictator Alpha Conde.