Credit: Awareness Times Newspaper, Freetown.
Dr. Ibrahim D. Thorlie (photo), a renowned Sierra Leonean medical doctor, a World Bank employed Consultant Gynaecologist and Obstetrician and also an academic Ph.D Holder is the Running Mate to the hottest and most topical presidential candidate in Sierra Leone right now, Hon. Alhaji Musa Tarawally of the Citizens Democratic Party (CDP).
Dr. Thorlie is 67 years old and a practising Christian who has worked internationally and locally is currently serving humanity as a Consultant at the PCMH Hospital.
An Temne indigene of Konkonkay Folawoso Chiefdom in Tonkolili District and an alumni of Magburaka Boys Secondary School, he is a seasoned Administrator who has headed several of the country’s key medical services including the National Referral Hospital for Maternal and Gynaecology patients (P.C.M.H), the National HIV/AIDS Control Programme and the Ministry of Health National Blood Transfusions Unit.
However, the activity for which Dr. Ibrahim Thorlie is most famous was his selfless sacrifices during the country’s civil war when he volunteered to lead the Tonkolili Civil Defense Group that protected the entire Tonkolili during the crisis. Not only did Dr. Thorlie lead the way in providing support to the volunteer young men of the district but he also created a system by which people fleeing rebel attacks in Tonkolili, were assured of sanctuary in locations he created in Freetown. He swiftly rose to stardom heights with his Tonkolili people because of his patriotism and selflessness.
CDP leader Musa Tarawally (left) and Dr. Ibrahim Thorlie
Speaking to Awareness Times Newspaper in an exclusive chat on 9th January 2018, the charismatic Hon. Alhaji Musa Tarawally said he chose Dr. Thorlie because he is a patriot who perfectly suits the temperament and qualifications for a loyal Vice-President and also, as a way of highlighting and recognising the selfless role of medical doctors in serving Sierra Leone. Hon. Tarawally said medical doctors are role models and this he pointed out, got to be well exemplified during the sad Ebola Crisis.
The CDP Presidential Candidate said currently, there were "many challenges" in the health sector especially for women and children and promised that if he was blessed by the Almighty to win the presidency, his leadership will build upon the gains of President Koroma in the health sector.
"If the Almighty Allah answers my prayers and allows me to lead Sierra Leone in service to my people, I will make improving on Health services delivery to be a key priority since the first day I enter State House as President. That is a promise I am making to women and children of Sierra Leone. My Vice President and I, will see to it that the maternal and child mortality and morbidity indices are improved upon," the charismatic, seasoned and well experienced politician vowed.
At 51 years of age, Hon. Alhaji Musa Tarawally is younger than virtually all the presidential candidates and he has harnessed a significant following amongst young Sierra Leoneans who tell this presshouse that they see in him, a mentor who has always been a philanthropist to them. Tarawally told the Awareness Times that transforming the youths and making their hopes and dreams become a reality was another of his key priorities. He recognised the successes scored by President Koroma in the empowerment of youths but accepted that "a lot more needs to be done". He furthered that him being much younger than Julius Maada Bio, Kandeh Yumkella, Sam Sumana, Samura Kamara contenders for the seat of President, it places him in a very formidable position to relate better to youths.
Youths, Alhaji Tarawally says, also helped him decide on who should be chosen as his Vice President candidate. He explains that his choice of the 67 years old Dr. Thorlie was done after extensive consultations with the leadership of the different political parties that constitutes the Coalition he was leading. He said he held comprehensive discussions with his supporters across Sierra Leone "especially the youths". He said ultimately, a decision was taken that the next Vice President should be from Tonkolili and so the Coalition then took the decision to Tonkolili stakeholders.
According to him, after Tonkolili made the recommendation of Dr. Thorlie, the youths of the CDP endorsed the 67 year old Dr. Thorlie in a bid to complement the much younger 51 years age of the CDP Presidential candidate with what he calls "an experienced and stable pair of hands by my side".
Also speaking to Awareness Times Newspaper was Dr. Thorlie who expressed gratitude to God for guiding Hon. Alhaji Musa Tarawally to choose him. Dr. Thorlie said as a fervent practising Christian, he believes that all citizens of Sierra Leone must now "put God first".
"In all aspects of life, we as a Nation must now put God first in all we do. The Bible teaches us that there is only one God so no matter our religious faith, we should know we are all worshiping One God, and we should all come together and put God first," he softly ended his chat.
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