By APC Publicity Secretariat

The spectacular welcoming of Friday, 9th June 2023 by thousands of opposition All People’s Congress (APC) supporters have invariably become the most memorable political event in Kono district of recent times.

The APC leader and presidential candidate, Dr. Samura Mathew Wilson Kamara’s message of hope to the people of Kono has not only reamplified the APC party’s commitments to the ‘bread basket of Sierra Leone.’

He effectively dismissed the myth that Kono district belongs to another political party.

Speaking to thousands of APC party supporters at the Koidu Town Field, the APC presidential candidate who was accompanied by his vice-presidential candidate, Hon Chernor Ramadan Maju Bah and several party stalwarts said; “Kono will be always matter to the APC, but we should stop the mischief of saying this only when elections are round the corner.”

He reminded the people of Kono about the major developmental projects the APC took to Kono district under former President Ernest Bai Koroma, such as the Matotoka- Kono highway, the twenty kilometre Koidu City roads, energy and water projects and the Fifty-Three United States Dollars ($53M) University of Science and Technology project, which is now stalled due to misuse of funds by the SLPP government.

When elected, Dr. Samura Kamara said his government will introduce a special development programme for Kono that includes connecting the hard-to-reach chiefdoms to Koidu, the district’s capital. With a huge agricultural potential, Dr Samura Kamara believe it was high time Kono refocuses on agriculture adding that his government would introduce an industry led growth to make Kono takes its rightful place as a major economic zone in Sierra Leone. “Kono matters to APC and our marriage to Kono is everlasting”

He also encouraged the youth and women to be patient and informed them that his government will set aside a special fund to support women who are in business to help their business grow and also support those who would want to start up a business and for the youth, Dr Kamara said” the university drop out rate has increased under this administration because of fees. More people are also unable to enter university upon completing high school because of fees. Under my administration, no youth will leave college or will be prevented from continuing tertiary education because of fees. We will support them to enter and complete their tertiary education”.

He encouraged all APC stakeholders in the district to forgive each other and put aside their individual grievances for the sake of the party. “This is no longer just about the APC, it is about Sierra Leone…today prices of every basic commodity have skyrocketed…there is too much suffering in the land so we need a change…” Releasing a gentle smile, Dr Samura Kamara praised the APC for their peaceful conduct and bemoaned the action of the Sierra Leone Police who released teargas canisters in an effort to prevent supporters from passing through the main Koidu City center, which access had been blocked by the security forces.

Dr Samura Kamara’s spell in Kono ended with a visit to APC strong woman, Diana Konomanyi whose home was recently gutted by unknown assailants. He extended his deepest sympathy to Comrade Diana through her brother and promise to give her every support to ensure the house rises again. He shared his memories of the many visits he and members of the APC to that house and condemned the act, which he described as evil.

Prominent APC figures in Kono who came out to receive the APC Campaign team and made meaningful contributions about party unity and progress include; Former First Lady, Sia Koroma, Dr Kelfala Marrah, Ambassador John Yambasu and Logus Koroma.