Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) from various regions of Sierra Leone yesterday paid a courtesy visit to the re-elected President Julius Maada Bio Bio and advocated for a portfolio position. 

Representatives from CSOs in the Eastern Region, Southern Region, Northern Region, and Western Area were present at the meeting. They unanimously agreed that Alhassan Komrabai Kamara, the Secretary-General for the Northern Region, would address the President on behalf of all CSOs, highlighting their shared concerns.

The meeting commenced with the chairman acknowledging the presence of President Bio and the Chief Minister, and he called upon his fellow CSOs to extend their congratulations to the President.

The chairman emphasized the CSOs’ request for portfolio positions in the government. He highlighted the diverse expertise within their organizations, including academic doctors, engineers, legal barristers, accountants, agriculturists, and more.

He urged President Bio to leverage the skills and knowledge of these professionals from the CSOs by appointing them to key positions in governance. This, he emphasized, would enable the President to witness the practical realities of operations.

He also noted that the narrative surrounding CSOs had changed since President Bio’s arrival, as they were no longer referred to as the “evil society.” The chairman further added that CSOs were exhausted with mere workshop invitations, asserting that they were qualified and ready to contribute meaningfully. He personally highlighted his own qualifications as a graduate with a BSc degree.

The CSO activist stressed the importance of inclusiveness in any well-functioning democracy and stated that the CSOs were there to demonstrate precisely that. He congratulated President Bio on his resounding victory and commended him for turning promises into reality.

The chairman acknowledged the President’s support for CSOs, noting that the President had allowed their participation over the past five years. He expressed gratitude on behalf of all CSOs for this opportunity.

Referring to the President’s visits to various regions, the Secretary-General for the Northern Region, Alhassan Komrabai Kamara, expressed appreciation for the President’s efforts to reach every corner of the country during his campaign.

Kamara drew a parallel with the United States, highlighting the respect for democracy exhibited by the American people in choosing their government.

Kamara extended his congratulations to the security apparatus in the country for their dedicated service during the elections. He expressed gratitude to the Office of National Security (ONS), the Fire Force, security agencies, and prison officers who served as polling agents.

He praised President Bio as a role model and a leader sent by God for the people. Kamara highlighted the President’s commitment to visiting various communities, such as Kerena, Port Loko, and Kambia, emphasizing that President Bio had visited Kambia more than any previous President in the country’s history.

Highlighting the CSOs’ significant contribution, Kamara stated that they had employed and deployed the largest number of CSO observers across the country during the election.

He acknowledged the positive impact of the President’s Free Quality Education program, which had benefited numerous Sierra Leoneans. Many schools had become government-assisted, and additional teachers had been recruited.

Kamara emphasized that CSOs had witnessed the practical implementation of the Free Quality Education program and called on the presidency to strengthen civil societies in the country.

He stressed that CSOs acted as the government’s eyes and ears, promoting inclusiveness and gender equality, as exemplified by the President’s enactment of the gender empowerment bill.

Concluding his address, Kamara urged President Bio to go beyond mere recognition and invitation to meetings. He emphasized that this term, CSOs desired portfolio positions through which they could actively contribute and provide essential filters for governance decisions.