By: Dadson A. Musa
The Executive Director of AID- SL, Alfred Amadu Gbonda on 27th October 2023 in Kenema district made a fair distribution of four vehicles, three laptops and six motor bikes to members of the consortium. The consortium included Bonthe District Council, Kailahun District Council and MoPADA (a local NGO) AID-SL.
These items are support from the European Union to the consortium of development partners with AID- SL being the lead partner. The European Union is supporting this thirty – month project to help youths and women in Bo district, Kailahun district and Bonthe district; keys and documents of brand new vehicles and motor bikes were presented to various beneficiaries.
Speaking to this medium, the Executive Director of AID-SL, Alfred Amadu Gbonda revealed that AID-SL has been in existence as an NGO for five years now with its head office in Kenema district. Their job has basically been “advocacy “. The theme of the help given by European Union is “Promoting, Empowering Women and Youths.” The project started in February of this year and is expected to end in July, 2025 according to Executive Director, Alfred Amadu Gbonda.
“Government cannot do it alone so we are coming in to fill those gaps and make Sierra Leone a better place,” Alfred Amadu Gbonda averred. A lawyer by profession he said that they are going to follow the project contract ” stricto- senso”, making sure the aims and objectives are achieved.
On his part, the Program Manager, Maada Koroma said they chose women and youths especially because they are the “vulnerable and malleable group in our society.” So they plan to do more of capacity building and strengthening of CSOs. That they expect youths who are the energized group in society to own the project and make it work for them. One of the beneficiary partners, Bonthe District Council who were represented by the deputy CA, expressed gratitude to the EU and promised that they are going to deliver.
The M& E officer of AID- SL, the lead consortium, Foday Sellu gave the vote of thanks and reminded them that they will be monitoring the project regularly based on reports from the field especially from beneficiaries.
