By Amadu Daramy in Maryland, USA
Chief Minister, Dr David Moinina Sengeh recently presented a vehicle and food items to legendary Sierra Leonean folksinger Amie Kallon, in recognition of her decades-long contribution to the country’s music, arts and cultural heritage.
Amie Kallon performed together with another music icon, the late accordionist Salia Koroma of blessed memory.
The Chief Minister described Amie Kallon as a national cultural icon who has performed for Sierra Leone since 1961.
He recounted meeting the veteran musician during a recent visit to Bunumbu, Kailahun District where he later learned that she was involved in a road accident while riding a motorbike which reminds the entire nation about the late legend Lansana Steady Bongo Sheriff who died a year ago in a motorbike accident.
The Chief Minister offered the same gesture to the late Lansana Sheriff before his death and he appreciated him so much when this writer spoke with him on the issue. What the Chief Minister is doing is great. Please keep up the good work to humanity as God will richly bless you and your generations yet unborn.
Expressing concern for her safety and wellbeing, Dr Sengeh said elders and cultural legends such as Amie Kallon should not be exposed to such risks of riding on dangerous motorbikes asserting that he subsequently invited and surprised her with the vehicle and food items to support her mobility and day-to-day needs.
In addition to the vehicle, the Chief Minister also presented food items as Christmas support to the renowned singer. These included bags of rice and onions, boxes of Maggi seasoning and gallons of cooking oil.
Amie Kallon is widely regarded as one of Sierra Leone’s most influential traditional musicians. During the country’s civil war, between 1991 and 2002, she was among the few artists who continued to produce music and publicly spoke against rebel violence and atrocities.
Her work is deeply rooted in traditional Mende music, performed in the local Mende language and cultural style.
With a career spanning more than six decades, Amie Kallon has recorded and performed numerous popular folk songs and remains a symbol of resilience, cultural preservation and national pride in Sierra Leone.
The presentation was made during a visit arranged by the Chief Minister, in recognition of her enduring contributions to Sierra Leone’s cultural identity.
Mr. Chief Minister, thank you again so much for this invaluable gesture of servant leadership.
However, the concern of many Sierra Leoneans is the deplorable state of the road network in some parts of the country in addition to reckless driving that has caused the untimely deaths of many innocent citizens, especially during the festive season when most of our compatriots are travelling upcountry to spend the holidays with their families and love ones.
The entire nation is appealing to government to take prompt action to fix the deplorable road networks nationwide as well as crackdown on reckless driving and unworthy road vehicles plying nationwide with impunity.
