By: Mohamed M. Sesay
In a press conference held at its Sir Samuel Lewis Road Aberdeen, the Chairman for Christian Aid John Seatamn, has on Tuesday the 21st of February 2023, called on religious leaders to encourage their various congregations to cast their votes in the June 24th 2023 elections.
He said Christian Aid is trying to focus on what they actually stand for which are quality education for all, Women Empowerment, equal opportunities among others. He added that Christian Aid is not a very small office trying to do it all but actually working in partnership with other people. He categorically noted they are more concerned about women’s rights.
“I’m actually also making sure that they give a prophetic voice and for me, that actually means raising the horizons of people to look towards hope, as opposed to any other thing. And the meetings we’ve had actually persuaded me that Christian Aid is doing exactly what Western partnership is quite key about, also presented in a scenario and is also believing and delivering another reality for us”, he said.
He continued that every man, woman, boy or girl, is created in God’s image and likeness adding that, they must be treated with dignity, respect, great justice and great equality and their work within being in a different places.
He said elections are about what is important for the people, to listen to the voices of those who are standing for office and for them to be encouraged to go and vote. He maintained that the larger the number of people who vote, the more likely they would get a more representative government.
“I said to the people in this meeting that all churches or mosques between now and Election Day, should we actually encouraging their members to make sure if they’re eligible to vote, to make sure that they cast their votes”, he concluded.
On his Part, the Chief Executive Officer for Christian Aid Patrick Watt, said in their brief visit to Sierra Leone, they had had the opportunity to meet with both civil society partners, including the churches, and the Islamic organizations represented on the inter religious council. He added that they also met with members of government and with the British High Commission.
He disclosed that they had a range of conversations and also promised to go to most of the libraries in order to see some of the work that they have been doing in the rural areas especially in the South-East of the country.
Patrick Watt added that Sierra Leone remains a country that has a lot of poverty wherein, a lot of people in the country are unable to meet their most basic needs, and that matters in terms of material want.