February 26, 2021
By Ilyasa Baa
Following the Save Yenga campaign rolled out sometime in 2009 by Ripsta Culture, an organization supporting peace and development in Mano River member countries, that advocacy has resurfaced in the same tone demanding the government of Guinea to withdraw troops occupying the disputed area.
CEO of Ripsta Culture, who doubles as the Music Ambassador to Europe, Sorie Obai Kamara aka Obi-Phrase, described the Yenga situation as one that deserves attention.
He deplores the wave of human rights violations that are said to be unfolding in the area as something that must be condemned and investigated.
He disclosed that when his organization implemented the Save Yenga project, it yielded some dividends being that they went on the ground and preached on the need for non- violence through entertainment.
“Our band wagon was highly welcome in Yenga and its surrounding villages”, said Mr. Kamara.
He added that Ripsta Culture has released another song, this time titled, Give Us Yenga.
Asked why the choice of that title, Obi-Phrase replied that it has been established that Yenga belongs to his country from time immemorial in spite of the violations reportedly unleashed on Sierra Leoneans by the expansionist ambition of the Guineas.
He said their organization is willing to replicate the 2009 campaign with a more robust one until the issue is settled once and for all.
Obi-Phrase commended the efforts of the two governments, noting that they monitored closely the three meetings held so far between the two countries.
He referenced the diplomatic visit of President Maada Bio to meet his counter-part President Alpha Conde, describing it as a bold step by the current administration to resolve the impasse.
He also mentioned his organization’s diplomatic moves in hosting the Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs and team when they went to sell the image of the country in Finland.
National Coordinator, Ripsta Culture, Madam Sylvia Johnson called on the government to recognize the role played by her organization in the struggle to the regain Yenga from the hands of Guineans.
She said they are ready to stage live performances on the ground when President Bio and his counterpart will be on the soil of Yenga to resolve the dispute decisively.
Meanwhile, Sierra Leoneans are awaiting the outcome of the planned visitation of both Presidents Alpha Conde and Maada Bio to Yenga to declare the end of the border struggle in March, this year.
The Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone issued a press release highlighting human right violations against people in Yenga by Guineans crossing the border.
It could be recalled that music has been used on so many occasions as an instrument for peace-making like Bob Marley did when he used his live band show to unite the two leading Jamaican political parties during a crucial political period in the history of Jamaica.
Ripsta Culture was established in the late 90s by a Sierra Leonean, Sorie Obai Kamara who now lives in Finland. It emerged out of his burning desire to promote peace and stability in the country that witnessed grave atrocities during the eleven years rebel war.
Before the 2007 transitional election, Ripsta Culture initiated the “Guitar Better than Gun” nationwide tour, campaigning against political violence.
As a response to the Ebola endemic in the country, the organization established a primary school in Mabrown, Newton, that provides free education for Ebola orphans since its inception in 2017.
Obi-Phrase Spreading the Salone Gospel in Finland
Recently, the organization supplied the pupils with Covid 19 preventives and learning materials worth millions of Leones including face-masks and food items to the parents as well as guardians.
