June 22, 2021
By: James Kamara-Manneh
It was rare for women in this part of the continent to hold strong political position, talk less of being in charge of women’s group of a particular political party; such has been the thing of the past. In a brief exclusive interview, the SLPP Women’s Leader for the Sierra Leone People’s Party, who also doubles as the Deputy Pillar Lead Social and Mobilization and Information at the NaCOVERC office, Madam Fatmata Sawaneh said that the third wave of Covid-19 is a worrisome development but “we are doing our best to minimize the surge”.
She said even though she is not the designated person to disseminate such information in the NaCOVERC frame of things she can however provide her personal opinion on the issue that must be treated with utmost seriousness.
She suggested that surge might not unconnected with inter travelling from one country to another and clustering around. She spoke about measures been put in place for reduction of the figures.
When asked whether we can expect a possible Lockdown of the country, Madam Sawaneh was quick to react that such action cannot be dismissed.
“If the issue of lockdown will solve the problem of increase; I see nothing wrong with that because Freetown is becoming the epicenter of the east urban and the east rural incidences, ” she said.
In her view, she said to control the control the surge the few days lockdown is necessary so that it can help NaCOVERC team to do more testing, control spread of the virus to detect those infected.
Speaking on the intra party politics, Madam Sawaneh said her position is been contested by two other contenders, describing them as ‘her sisters’ in the political struggle in the same political party. She referred to the contest of the position of SLPP Women’s Leadership as a family contest where there is neither loser nor winner.
However, Madam Sawaneh said she is over 100% confident about being re-elected as she has done her homework both locally and international to the best of her ability.
She said she is the most capable, even though there were other contenders, who were capable as well. She cited the 2018 Presidential election, where the current the president contested with other aspirants for the Presidency. President Bio came out successful because he did all his homework well and the people trusted his campaign messages.
“I know by the grace of God I am going to do my second term in office and leave, she said.”
In citing some of her achievements, she described herself as a servant serving the people “who come to you with many issues and we have been able to solve some of them.”
She said throughout her tenure she has been working in tandem with the government and Ministers.
Referencing her campaign she stated that she had professed that if elected as SLPP women’s Leader she will make sure that then Presidential candidate-Julius Maada Bio now President will be elected as President.
“Being the youngest women’s leader in Sierra Leone politics I have won five international awards, and thirty-Five local awards and certificates, which means I am doing my job, Fatmata Sawaneh said.”
In highlighting challenges, Sawaneh said she is confused and bothered when faced with the problem of members within the party, noting that some of such problems need to be channeled to to appropriate authorities.
She said the party has given to the people of Sierra Leone more than what is written in the party manifesto, and based on that victory can be assured in 2023.
She concluded by sending a message out that Covid is real and should not be treated with levity as it is killing people around the world. She advised people to take the jab to be on the safer side and continue observing all preventive measures.
“Leaders are born and not groomed, think wisely and vote wisely for the right leaders to be in the right position,” she concluded.