By: Mohamed M. Sesay
During the two days Regional Convention of the Sierra Leone People’s Party North America (SLPPNA) hosted by the Delaware Valley Chapter in the United States of America, the Chairman of the Party in the region Chairman Desmond Pessima, assured members of the party that their objective is to support the party to win the June 24, 2023 presidential and parliamentary elections through robust fundraising, aggressive media campaign, strategic community outreach and logistic mobilization.
He also added reaffirmed that they are ready to participate actively in the strategic planning of the 2023 elections campaign; offer expertise and technical services to foster good governance and national development under the party’s leadership; and uphold the party’s beliefs, philosophy, practices, and overall political objectives.
Giving state of the region report, Chairman Desmond Pessima intimated that Under his leadership, the SLPPNA had taken its rightful place in the party, reemerged into full confidence, maintained a high basis of cordiality and good will with the national office. He said the party is no longer called upon to move because they are moving already. He added that no longer do they doubt their strength as they are strong together.
Chairman Desmond Pessima continued that the Sierra Leone People’s Party North America is the most powerful and most creative industrial nation that ever existed on earth. He said it is the Fifth Region first to have been established outside the boundaries of Sierra Leone. Since its formation, Chairman Desmond Pessima noted that SLPPNA has added voices and votes to the party through her mobilization, recruitment, and fundraising activities.
“With renewed strength and confidence and on behalf of my executive, I rededicate myself and solemnly reaffirm the promise I made to you two years ago to uphold the constitution of SLPP. The solemnity of this commitment invites us to repeat the pledges of our founding fathers; one country, one people. From this hall, let us go home more resolutely determined as a party to conserve & preserve the good works of His Excellency Rt Brig Julius Maada Bio, let us go home more resolutely determined to uphold the dignity and honor of democracy in Sierra Leone, let us go home more resolutely determined to see that no harm shall come to our country through an APC victory”, he concluded.
In his Key note address, the Speaker of ECOWAS Parliament Hon. Sidi Mohamed Tunis, expressed profound thanks and appreciation to the Leadership of the Region for honoring him to be keynote speaker of the convention. He added that the selected theme for this Convention, “Re-Elect President Bio, Talk and Do, 2023 No Runoff”, could not have been more appropriated because it encapsulates the desires of their fellow countrymen back home.
He continued not only does the theme for the convention represent the hearts and minds of their people, but it also sets the tone for a robust and vigorous campaign. He assured that he is duty-bound to make a compelling case in that respect. The ECOWAS Speaker noted that the state of the nation at the time the SLPP government took over was well known to all. He added that the economy was at its lowest ebb in terms of GDP; struggling to recover from the shocks of the civil conflict and Ebola.
ECOWAS Speaker continued that President Bio has remained committed to his manifesto promised of free education despite doubts from many quarters. He added that President Bio had channeled massive infrastructural developments across the country in the face of dwindling donor support. He said corruption had been reduced drastically despite corruption fighting back; and the economy in this very milieu of global economic meltdown continues to thrive.
“My fellow compatriots,the truth is that we all have a critical role to play in supporting the process of re-electing President Bio, no run-off. Note that this role is not an ordinary task; it is a solemn call to duty, a call to action, a call to rise up and fight for the future of our country and that of the unborn generations. As I stated earlier, you all in the diaspora are a critical asset to the SLPP, and your support in this campaign in very vital. You possess the ability to persuade public opinion and make the case for the continuation of an SLPP leadership. Our President has not failed us”, ECOWAS Speaker urged.
The convention was attended by Ambassador Wai, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Corporation, formal Inspector General of Police IG Sovula, the Deputy Permanent Representative to United Nations Amara Sowa, among others.