August 31, 2021
BY MOHAMED M. SESAY
The newly elected executive of SLPPNA was inaugurated on Sunday the 29th of August at the Pennsylvania State with fanfare and pageantry. During the swearing in ceremony, the National Chairman of SLPP Dr. Prince Alex Harding congratulated the newly elected executive for going through a democratic process, and reminded the executive that the SLPP as a political party depend on the SLPPNA as a major pillar for the existence of the party. “As Chairman of the oldest political party in West Africa – the SLPP, I hereby accept the SLPPNA newly elected executive to the sanctum of our great SLPP”, Chairman Harding said.
Dr. Harding further reiterated the importance of unity in the party, and asked all SLPPNA to work together. “The SLPPNA elections are over now, and if you consider yourself a true member of the SLPP, you should join the new executive to promote the interest of the party. With the SLPP, there is no loser”.
Chairman Harding cataloged the successes of the President Bio led government, insisting that President Bio’s legacy should be maintained at all cost for posterity. “It is only the SLPP that has coherently advanced peace and stability for the people of Sierra Leone. We should not allow the opposition to take over through our internal wrangling “, Chairman Harding noted.
During his inaugural speech, the newly elected Chairman of SLPPNA Mr. Desmond Pessima appealed to all to join him in making SLPP the best political party for Sierra Leone. “I am sincerely grateful to all who voted for me, and also to those who did not vote for me. That is the true beauty of democracy. I thank you SLPPNA for investing this power in me. Together, we will all work to achieve the aspirations of our party. And we are proud for the leadership President Bio has provided for us. We are going to follow the footprints of President Bio”, said Desmond Pessima.
Chairman Desmond Pessima reminded all of the New Direction agenda, which means rebranding and resetting the priorities of the State. “It is no more business as usual. You all are aware that I have always given up myself for the promotion of our great party. It is very clear that I will not succeed without your support. We should focus on the bigger picture. I am your servant, and I have a listening ear”,
Chairman Pessima noted, citing that he would not have reached where he is today without the support of his wife Mrs. Racheal Pessima who has been with him thick and thin accompanying him to all meetings and political arrangements. Chairman Pessima ended by reflecting on the efforts of people who are not alive to witness the swearing in ceremony of him as Chairman of SLPPNA but played significant role in structuring the SLPPNA.
“My sincere thanks and appreciation to all those who flew from across the 52 States in America to witness the inauguration of me and my executive. “ We will not let you down “.
Also present at the swearing in ceremony were Dr. Ali Kabba. Ambassador of Sierra Leone to Egypt Ambassador Abou-Bakarr Sidique Wai, Professor Bob Kandeh, Mrs. Ann-Marie Harding, deputy minister of mines, and a host of other dignitaries. The inauguration was followed by dinner and traditional dance.