Charles Margai and President Koroma during run-off elections in 2007The outgoing leader of the People’s Movement for Democratic Change (PMDC), Mr. Francis Charles Margai, has recently written a letter to President Ernest Bai Koroma requesting for relieving Ministers appointed under the PMDC ticket and serving the ruling APC government immediately. In his letter to the President, Lawyer Charles Margai noted that it was unanimously agreed by the PMDC that all their appointed Ministers should step down before the 2012 general election to enable them take part in national politics. “Ministers should have resigned their positions in December 31st 2011,” Margai was quoted to have written in the letter.
On behalf of the PMDC Ministers serving in the current government, Dr. Soccoh Kabia, the Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, referred to the letter written by the outgoing leader of the PMDC, as a big joke as he put it: “Margai does not have the constitutional mandate to make such dictates”. Dr. Kabia categorically maintained that he is not going to resign, saying that he is serving the people of Sierra Leone. The Minister further said: “I find it amusing to resign. I am not going to resign as President Koroma is working well and Margai’s letter has nothing to do with promoting national interests.”
He therefore urged the outgoing leader of the PMDC to stop confusing the people of this country and withdraw what he referred to as his “unsubstantiated” letter. “This is not about individuals but principles,” the Minister maintained.
In a similar vein, the Deputy Minister of Transport and Aviation, Hon. Oswald Hanciles, stated that the motion was indeed brought up at a time by Mohamed Bangura, the leader of the United Democratic Movement, who was one-time the National Chairman of the PMDC but that nobody supported it.
Currently, there are seven Ministers from PMDC serving the ruling APC government who are not likely going to dance to the dictates of Charles Margai. “The issue now lies on President Koroma who has the prerogative powers to hire and fire and not Mr. Francis Charles Margai,” some aggrieved PMDC Ministers told The Exclusive.
Othman Sheriff is an experienced Sierra Leonean development professional, peacebuilding practitioner, professional journalist and human rights advocate with over two decades of engagement in community development, youth empowerment, education, humanitarian assistance and international development cooperation. Born and raised in Kenema District, Eastern Sierra Leone, he has dedicated much of his professional career to improving the socioeconomic conditions of vulnerable and marginalised populations, particularly disadvantaged young people, women, children and underserved rural communities.
As the Founder and Programme Director of Youth in Action for Development (YAD), Sheriff has played a leading role in mobilising international development assistance and coordinating community-driven interventions aimed at poverty reduction, sustainable livelihoods, social inclusion and grassroots development. Over the years, he has facilitated the mobilisation and implementation of development projects worth billions of Leones, supported by international development partners, including European development institutions, humanitarian organisations and United Nations agencies.
A committed advocate for free and inclusive Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), Sheriff spearheaded the establishment of the Youth Resource Academy (YRA) in 2018, through which he has championed access to practical, employment-oriented education for underprivileged youth, particularly young women, school dropouts, single mothers, widows, unemployed youth and individuals from economically disadvantaged households. So far, the Academy has provided vocational, technical and entrepreneurship training opportunities to more than 2,000 youth helping them acquire marketable skills, pursue self-employment and improve their economic independence. He also solicit funds to provide start up kits for the youth who graduated from the academy.
In addition to his development and humanitarian work, Sheriff serves as the Editor-in-Chief and CEO of Critique Echo Newspaper, using journalism as a platform to promote accountability, responsible governance, social justice and public awareness of critical socioeconomic and human rights issues.
He is a dedicate member of many international peacebuilding networks including the United Religions Initiative (URI), International Association of Educators for World Peace (IAEWP), Intercultural Leaders Network of the United Nations Alliance of Civilisations (UNAOC)`s Youth Solidarity Fund, and the alumni Association of King Hamad Youth Empowerment Awards.
Through his leadership, advocacy and international partnerships, Sheriff continues to champion a vision of Sierra Leone in which disadvantaged young people have equitable access to education and economic opportunities, women and girls live free from violence and discrimination, human rights are respected, and communities are empowered to pursue peaceful, inclusive and sustainable development.
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