Speaking past Tuesday morning during a radio program on SLBC in view of the preparedness of Leone Stars expected thrashing of South Africa Bafana Bafana to enable Sierra Leone qualify for 2012 Africa cup of nations, Minister of Youth and Sport, Paul Kamara has called on stakeholders of sport disciplines to embrace change and give new face to Sierra Leone soccer.
“United, we would be able as stakeholders in sport to ensure that the game is improved to much better standards that will earn the nation laurels,” the Sport Minister stated, pointing out as a responsible government it is their responsibility to facilitate oneness, cooperation and mutual understanding.
President Koroma, Mr. Kamara explained, specifically appointed him as a minister of Youth and Sport because the youths in the country are the most vulnerable in terms of benefiting from the general goods as they are sometimes consigned to the ghettos. He however maintained the APC government is prepared through the National Youth Commission to transform the lives of youth. “The SLFA and the Ministry of Youth and Sport must work in a spirit of cooperation and collaboration as united family,” the sport minister stressed, adding this is essential for the national team to be winning victories.
The Dynamic and hardworking minister also in the interview dilated on the roles and responsibility of the Ministry. He re-emphasized it is the responsibility of the Ministry to hire a professional coach for the national team and also provide facilities for players that will encourage them to be dedicated to winning games. The Minister of Youth and Sport reiterated government’s commitment to improving sports as a major social outlay so as to enhance levels of peace, understanding and stability in communities.
Paul Kamara advised stakeholders to discontinue finger pointing on the personalities of others, but rather, he stressed, should put the interest of the country above self.
Paul Kamara encouraged youth to be law abiding and cease from violence, stating there is more to gain in harmony than perpetrating violence which will not augur well for the development of the country. While responding to questions from the public over job opportunities for youth in the country, the minister encouraged unemployed youth to be patient.
“As a responsible government, the establishment of the Youth commission and the degree of interest being demonstrated by relevant line ministries, departments and agencies is a clear sign that the awful status of youths would soon be addressed,” the minister assured. Debunking claims by detractors on his person and the SLFA, the minister extended hands of friendship to all sport stakeholders, stating as a government it is their responsibility to encourage all compatriots as long as it for the interest of the country. “Now our players are signed in top European clubs because of the commitment of the government to improve sporting activities in the country,” he disclosed with sense of admiration, while dilating on the impact they would make in their clubs as and when Leone Stars win matches.
In response to cries of the aged and other vulnerable groups of elders who lack source of income from any pension scheme, the APC government of President Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma through the Social Safety Net Secretariat of Ministry of Labour and Social Security at New England Ville, Freetown, is on the verge to soon make payments of allowances to these persons as the verification process comes to an end, according to reliable source in the secretariat.
The 2007 Presidential and Parliamentary elections witnessed a dramatic twist in Sierra Leone political set-up with the removal from power of a ruling party by an opposition party. Berewa’s chances of winning those elections were slim, taking into account the manner in which he was catapulted into the SLP leadership in Makeni.