The executive members of the two most prominent national church bodies, the multi-denominational protestant Council of Churches in Sierra Leone (CCSL) and the Catholic Mission (thereby representing virtually all churches in Sierra Leone), yesterday 26th November 2009 poured words of blessings, in prayer and presentation, on the Head of State, President Ernest Bai Koroma, during a courtesy call at State House.
Leading the prayer, Bishop George Biguzzy of the Catholic Mission, Makeni, called for God’s continued guidance and protection over Sierra Leone and the leader He has placed over her. The respected church leader lauded the wisdom with which the President has ruled this nation thus far, while praying for the general well-being of the nation and all those living therein.
Doing a presentation on behalf of his colleagues, the President of CCSL, Rev. Tom Barnette of the Lutheran Church, starting off with gratitude for the “privilege to meet in the presence of God under His guidance”, brought greetings from the membership of all churches and thanked the President for not only accepting to see them but for further demonstrating “a commitment to work with all to ensure that change that can endure is brought about in our society”. He further congratulated the President “for the astute leadership demonstrated at the donors’ conference in London, inviting the world to work in Sierra Leone, to work with us to bring change in the lives of our people.”
The Lutheran said sources of investment should be predicated on the human resource, and raised up matters regarding their relationship with the Ministry of Education Youth and Sport “on the investment in our young people in schools.” He said a sub-committee was formed on certain matters of concern and they came out with recommendations calling for the expediting of the process of appointment of School Boards and that the convention on the appointment of heads of missions be upheld. They also called for the formation of a committee to examine the Education Act 2004 by way of reviewing it to reflect current realities.
Rev. Barnette said they waited for two months without any response from the Ministry of Education, only for the Permanent Secretary to subsequently write in “a correspondence not meeting our expectations. We are therefore seeking audience with you on these issues regarding our relationship with the ministry, as we are co-partners in development.” He then presented to the President a document signed by him and the head of the Catholic Mission in which they gave details of their concerns.
Responding, President Koroma welcomed the 40-odd representatives to State House, as “it’s always a pleasure to meet you because the issues you raise are always predicated on matters affecting our national well-being.” The Head of State lauded the commendable role the missions have played in the fields of education, health, and other vital areas, “but especially in education” and how “if we have been where we were and if we are where we are, before and after Independence, we owe it to a body like this.” He then promised to look at the matters they have raised and to address them as soon as possible.
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