President
Koroma Alerts ICC Ahead of 2012 Elections
MAKENI,
SIERRA LEONE – In furtherance of efforts by government in bringing an end to the
culture of impunity in Sierra Leone, President Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma has on
Sunday 2nd October 2011 resonated his unyielding commitments to alert
the International Criminal Court for the continuous monitoring of the conduct of
political leaders and their supporters as the country approaches the 2012
electioneering campaigns.
The President
was speaking during a thanksgiving service held at the Wesleyan Church Panlap
Makeni, marking the fourth years of successful governance in office which
coincided with his 58th birthday celebration for which he thanked
God.
He said there
is no hiding place for perpetrators of political violence in the country and
that the law will not stop at any point in prosecuting anybody found culpable of
violence related offences, adding that democracy goes along by the will of the
people … not democracy by force.
President
Koroma reassured all that the talk of political and any other forms of violence
will soon be a history saying that no country will develop without peace and
tranquillity.
On gains made
by his administration within four years in office, President Koroma said there
are evidence of changes recorded everywhere in Sierra Leone with improved
governance structures, reiterating that his government has no political
prisoner, no journalist jailed since assumed office.
Speaking
further on the fourth anniversary, the Head State described the occasion as a
great moment for the country saying; “It was through the grace of God will and
blessings that he became President of Sierra Leone and that it is also by the
grace of God that he is able work for his people”. He said Sierra Leone has been
recognised as the top most reformed nation in the world.
The host
Paramount Chief, Massa Yeli Tham of Makari Gbanti chiefdom expressed delight for
having the President in their midst which he said is an indication of the Head
of State’s love for his people. He said when President Koroma was born 58 years
ago he was a blessing to just the Koroma family but has now become a blessing to
the whole world and Sierra Leone in particular.
PC Massa Yeli
Tham implored President Koroma to continue with his good works in all fronts of
governance and create more employment opportunities for youth. He prayed for
God’s guidance and direction of the leadership of President Koroma, while
lauding government’s efforts for the free health care policy, energy,
infrastructural development of towns and cities, agriculture and food
sufficiency, the fostering of inter-political party tolerance and peace in the
country.
In his
scripture reading from Exodus Chapter 3, verse 7 to 12, the Attorney General and
Minister of Justice Franklyn Kargbo said when God recognized that the people
Egypt were suffering he sent Moses to redeem them from the bondage and took them
to a better place.
Reverend
Moses Kanu in a sermon delivered to the congregation from Proverbs 29-2 with the
theme; “when the righteous rule the people”, said the behaviour and responses of
the people of a country depends on the kind of leadership they have as he cited
Joseph as a righteous leader and that when the wicked rule the people will
suffer.
He said even
when President Koroma is busy rebuilding the country yet certain people are
always crying him down, hence congratulated the Head of State to continue with
the good policies he inherited from his predecessor, former president Alhaji Dr.
Ahmed Tejan Kabbah.
A leader, he
observed should be fearless, patriotic, selfless, obedient, courageous and have
faith and trust in the power of God.
