The Annie Walsh Relocation Plan: President Koroma Explains His Own Part of the Story

15/02/2013 Othman Sheriff

 
RELOCATION OF THE ANNIE WALSH
MEMORIAL SCHOOL
 
THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT NOTES WITH GRAVE CONCERN THE ACRIMONY AND VITRIOLIC ATTACKS COMING FROM SOME SECTIONS OF THE PUBLIC OVER ITS LETTER ADDRESSED TO THE LORD BISHOP OF THE ANGLICAN DIOCESE OF FREETOWN AND THE NORTH, PROPOSING THE RELOCATION OF THE ANNIE WALSH MEMORIAL SCHOOL TO A MORE CONDUCIVE ENVIRONMENT.
 
THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS THAT PRIOR INFORMAL DISCUSSIONS WERE HELD BETWEEN HIS EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT AND A VERY SENIOR CLERGYMAN OF THE ANGLICAN DIOCESE WHO CONFIRMED THAT PLANS WERE ALREADY AFOOT FOR RELOCATION OF THE SCHOOL, AND EXPLAINED THAT THEY WERE CONSTRAINED BY THE HUGE FINANCIAL OUTLAY INVOLVED.  THE PRESIDENT SAW THIS AS A GOLDEN OPORTUNITY TO KILL TWO BIRDS WITH ONE STONE BY HELPING TO ACTUALIZE THE DREAMS OF THE PROPRIETORS OF THE SCHOOL WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY SECURING A SUITABLE SITE FOR DEVELOPMENTAL PURPOSES.  THE PRESIDENT WAS ENCOURAGED TO HAVE THE PROPOSAL OFFICIALLY FORWARDED TO THE LORD BISHOP FOR INITIAL CONSIDERATION BY THE CHURCH AND SCHOOL AUTHORITIES.
 
IT IS PERTINENT TO MENTION THAT CONTRARY TO WHAT IS BEING RUMOURED, GOVERNMENT HAS NEITHER PRESENTED THE ANGLICAN DIOCESE WITH A FAIT ACCOMPLI, NOR HAS IT GIVEN ANY INDICATION THAT IT INTENDS TO SUBJECT THE SAID PROPERTY TO COMPULSORY ACQUISITION.  THE ONUS IS NOW ON THE CHURCH AND SCHOOL AUTHORITIES TO TAKE A DISPASSIONATE VIEW OF THE SITUATION AND REVERT TO THE PRESIDENCY WITH THEIR REACTION.  SUCH REACTION COULD INCLUDE CONCERNS ABOUT PRESERVATION OF THE MONUMENTAL VALUE OF SOME OF THE BUILDINGS HOUSING THE SCHOOL AND OTHER ISSUES THAT REQUIRE CRITICAL EXAMINATION. A RESPONSE TO THE LETTER UNDER REFERENCE IS AWAITED.
 
 
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STATE HOUSE                                                                                13TH FEBRUARY, 2013
FREETOWN
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About Othman Sheriff 347 Articles
Born and raised in Kenema district, eastern Sierra Leone, Othman Sheriff began practicing journalism during his school days as a youthhood hobby. With a bachelor's degree in mass-media and communication, and a Master’s degree in development and peacebuilding, Sheriff is the Editor-in-Chief and CEO of Critique Echo Newspaper. While tirelessly using journalism as a tool to place his country’s socioeconomic and political landscape under a magnifying glass, Sheriff is deeply involved in community development projects. Over the years, Sheriff has formulated and implemented billions of Leones worth of development projects with funds from Europe and USA. He is chiefly focused on community infrastructural development and economic resuscitation projects, fostering interethnic, interreligious and sociocultural cohesion among the young population in Kenema district. Sheriff is a member of many international peacebuilding initiatives including the United Religious Initiative (URI), International Association of Educators for World Peace (IAEWP), Intercultural Leaders Network and Youth Solidary Fund program of the United Nations Alliance of Civilization (UNAOC)

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