By Alhaji Turay
The Bottom Mango Community Development Organization-Ataya Base, located along Black Hall Road between Moeba/ Kissy Brook/ Kamanda Farm and PWD communities, Freetown, is celebrating the completion of a major facelift, an Ataya Base. This project, promised by newly elected chairman Ishmael Sorie Mansaray (commonly known as Major) and his team, has brought new life to the base, which now serves as a revitalized space for the youth of Bottom Mango.
The renovation project is 100 percent completed, it’s set to provide the youth of Bottom Mango with a well-needed venue for meetings and relaxation. For some time, the youth in the community have struggled to find a decent and dedicated place where they can gather regularly to discuss matters concerning the development of their community and surroundings.
Chairman Ishmael Sorie Mansaray, who is also a law enforcement officer in the Sierra Leone Police, explained to this medium that the Ataya Base is a space designed for decent and intelligent individuals to come together and engage in discussions about community development.
He highlighted that the project’s beautification was crucial because the Ataya Base had not seen significant renovations in many years. The facelift, which includes repainting and maintenance, aims to make the space more inviting and appealing, encouraging more visitors to engage in the organisation’s activities.
“The goal is to create an environment that fosters unity, where members can meet, collaborate, and raise awareness on important community issues,” said Chairman Mansaray. “This renovation is about providing a better space for people to come together and build stronger connections.”
Chairman Mansaray also emphasized the strong relationship between the Ataya Base Organisation and the PWD Police Post. As both the chairman of the organisation and a member of the Sierra Leone Police, Mansaray has facilitated close cooperation with the police to ensure security around the Ataya Base. The police are often called upon to enhance security in the area, helping to raise confidence among members and the broader community.
As the newly elected chairman, Mansaray pledges to effectively manage the organisation’s activities and work towards the further development of the base. He assured members of his commitment to improving the business environment and fostering further growth for the organisation.
The Ataya Base Organisation, which has been active for over 20 years, currently boasts more than 135 active members. The beautification of the base was a priority task identified by the members, and it is one of many sustainable development projects led by the youth of Bottom Mango. Looking ahead, plans are already in motion to build a toilet facility for visitors to the Ataya Base, enhancing the overall experience for those who frequent the space.
The people of Moeba/ Kissy Brook/ Kamanda Farm and PWD have praised Chairman Mansaray and his team for their tireless dedication and humanitarian efforts. The Secretary General and all members of the executive expressed their full support for the chairman’s vision, stating they had nothing to add to his remarks, as they wholeheartedly agree with his plans.
Chairman Mansaray and the entire executive are now calling on community stakeholders, NGOs, and other organizations to lend more support to community development projects, ensuring a brighter future for the people of the areas and the nation by extension.
