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From Standard Times Press News Paper NEWS Randolph: You have put another title under your belt. Now, you are referred to as the former president of SALNAM. What does this title mean to you after stepping down from this very important leadership position in the Sierra Leonean community in Manitoba?
David: Thank you very much Randolph. For me the chance to serve my community as President has been an honour and blessing because it’s an opportunity of a lifetime. Like the saying ‘many are called only few are chosen’ not everyone is blessed with the responsibilities of leading. Leadership comes from the Good Lord Almighty God and I am proud and highly honoured to have served my community to the best of my abilities. Even after stepping down from the Presidency I will always be ready and willing to serve my community in whatever capacity.
Randolph: During the last general meeting that you chaired at the ACOMI Centre you and your Executive body set a date for the upcoming SALNAM elections and in your remarks you reminded those present at the meeting about some of the serious problems that left our community divided to the extent that it appeared no body was listening to SALNAM as the leading voice, the voice of reasoning for our community. How did you manage to bring back the community together again after those frustrating months of what has been described as civil war? The up coming elections are signs the community is in lock step with the diplomatic way you handled the crisis. I believe you are a happy camper for leaving office in an atmosphere of heightened community unity. What are your comments on these positive developments now taking place and lessons learnt during those difficult days you will rather forget? Do you have comments about the then group of Concerned Sierra Leoneans?
David: As you rightly said Randolph, it has not been an easy ride bringing the community together. When I took over as President of SALNAM my goal was to unit the community and honestly it has been a very long, difficult and challenging journey. You will recall I enlisted your support and some other elders in our community to engaged our brothers on the other side to see reason and join us in building our community. Due to my perseverance and networking common sense prevailed and now everyone Sierra Leonean is rallying around the electioneering process wanting to be part of SALNAM. I am impressed with the massive registration drive and the spirit of camaraderie that now exist among our members.
Randolph: Under your stewardship it appeared SALNAM achieved quite a lot in terms of undertaking very important projects to assist with social, economic and educational development in Sierra Leone. Please describe these projects briefly, and why is it important for SALNAM and the Sierra Leonean Community to get engaged with socio-economic initiatives in Sierra Leone? Is this a demonstration of patriotism by Sierra Leoneans living in North America to be seen actively helping with development efforts back home? David: Notwithstanding the distraction my executive was able to achieve quite a lot in developing the educational sector in Sierra Leone. After the war the educational sector was in ruins so for us this was a priority. We were able to sponsor five destitute students at the Freetown Technical Institute for over three years paying their tuition, books, subsistence allowances and their external exams. We successfully purchased and shipped to Sierra Leone 100 Pentium four computers to ten major colleges including the University of Sierra Leone, Law School, Milton Margai College of Education, School of Nursing and the Port Loko teachers College. As technology is the key to an advance society this was our own way of giving back to our beloved country and to make a difference in the lives of our fellow compatriots.
Randolph: From your experience as president of SALNAM, a position, that might have helped you to see our community evolving, albeit slowly, as a productive member of Manitoba’s mosaic. In the interest of our children’s future, I am sure you will agree with those who argue that our community has to be engaged with the broader community in terms of participation in political and other activities which impact on our wellbeing as equal citizens. How can SALNAM help in mobilizing the community for this effort, against the background that a marginalized community has very little influence over decisions, which affect their lives?
David: When I took over the leadership of SALNAM the community was divided therefore it was difficult to mobilize members and have a single voice in the day-to-day issues affecting their lives. Now with the majority of Sierra Leoneans coming on board the SALNAM bandwagon I believe the platform is now set for the community to engage and participate in not only political but other socio-economic activities that will impact their wellbeing. We can make a lot of difference when we come together and become actively involve.
Randolph: Also it is interesting to observe that Africans are found in diverse professions and occupations in Manitoba. Yet the community still lacks the resources to support adequately, community-based initiatives such as the trouble plagued African Canadian Cultural Heritage Centre (ACCHC). Some have argued that the African community is top heavy with professionals and that it is now time for Africans to start looking for answers in the business world as entrepreneurs who will be in a stronger financial position to help the realization of community based projects. Do you agree with this in principle, also bearing in mind there are other multiplier effects of a strong African business class presence in this province. It is encouraging that our community is slowly developing a business minded culture, you being among this class. In your opinion what are the long term advantages for The African community to have a very strong business class?
David: Take the example of the East Indians in Manitoba. They have a very strong business class in this province because they are supporting each other ‘Being their brother’s keeper’. They are into real estate and the taxi cab sector which they virtually controlled. Because of their business presence they can influence political decisions their way. For us Africans kudos to Lola, Lendz African Market, African Pot, Les Touch, 40 Acres Fashion and Lucky Star Boutique for setting the pace. Please! Please! It’s high time Africans start supporting African businesses in this province. The benefit outweighs the minuses when you patronize African business because I believe a strong African business class can bring about economic independence. This can chart the way forward for a strong African lobby in the corridors of power in Manitoba
Randolph: What advice do you have for the incoming SALNAM Executive and I take the opportunity to thank you for your dedicated service not only to the Sierra Leonean community but to the entire African community.
David: Thanks very much Randolph for your compliments. I am oblige to say that without your support and that of other community members no way could we have accomplished all these feats. As I step out of office am proud to say that the foundation for the incoming executive is on solid grounds. SALNAM’s financial status is very healthy. We have also laid the groundwork for several projects, which I hope the incoming executive will pursue. Finally I will like to take this opportunity to thank members of my executive, the development committee chairman and his team, our advisory team, our donors and members of the Sierra Leone community for their support and all the good work they have done to take SALNAM to another height.
(Randolph Gorvie is one of the founders of SALNAM) CONVERSATION WITH DAVID MAHDI KOROMA Former President, Sierra Leone Nationals Association of Manitoba © Copyright by www.standardtimespress.net |
