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Last week, the Sierra Leone government appointed the wife of the Chief Minister, Kate Krontiris as the Co-chair of the Miatta Civic Centre Advisory Council.
Although Krontiris is not the only foreign national in the council, most of the criticisms have been directed at her due to the fact that she’s married to a senior government official. A popular magazine, described her appointment as nepotism.
“Krontiris’s marriage to Chief Minister Dr David Sengeh, raises legitimate questions about potential conflicts of interest,” the magazine wrote. They questioned whether the process was open and fair, the exclusion of other Sierra Leoneans in consultation for her selection.
The magazine further alleged that Krontiris’s selection reflects the practice of the Sierra Leonean government in appointing individuals to serve in other offices.
Also, prominent journalist and former Minister of Social Welfare and Children’s Affairs, Dr Sylvia Blyden criticised Krontiris’s appointment. In a series of Facebook posts, Blyden pointed out that she is unfit to lead in that capacity.
Meanwhile, some members of the government, including the Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah have defended Krontiris’s appointment.
He argued that Krontiris is a Sierra Leonean as per the Mende (the ethnicity of her husband) culture since she is married to a Sierra Leonean man. He further defended her by pointing out on the good work she has been doing in the entertainment industry since her relocation in 2018.
“She is at the heartbeat of a lot of things that have been happening here (Sierra Leone) including leading a team (of musicians) called Telem performing globally and putting Sierra Leone on the map,” Bah argued.
He also pointed out that the country could benefit from her profession as an ethnographer and experience in working for Google and other top companies in the world.
“She has the desire to help Sierra Leone,” he said.
The Miatta Civic Centre Advisory Council is a newly formed group with the responsibility of transforming the Miatta Conference Centre into a civic centre. The council is expected to lead this branding effort with special focus on civic engagement, cultural expression, innovation and citizen-driven participation.
Other members selected to serve in the council, include Dr Fatou Taqi, Antonia Howard, Labrum’s Foday Dumbuya, and French-born artist, Sarah Hachi-Duchéne. The President, Julius Maada Bio’s daughter, Michaella Bio is also a member of the council.
