By Sulaiman Aruna Sesay
Tonkolili district in Sierra Leone is currently facing a struggle with illegal mining, the illegal activities purportedly Ghanaians are taking advantage of the area’s mineral resources without obtaining the necessary legal permits to do so. The illegal mining is causing significant problems for the local government, as they are seeking to prevention environmental damage and maintain control over the area’s resources.
The Deputy Opposition Leader 2, Hon. Aaron Aruna Koroma representing Tonkolili District made this accusation on Tuesday 16 July, 2024 in the Well of Parliament during the approval of 9 presidential nominees. According to Hon. Koroma, nobody has arrested or apprehended them to stop their operations because their Ghana High Commission is always protecting them.
In his submission, Hon. Koroma urged the High Commissioner of Ghana to do their best on duties in the various countries they are sent to represent Sierra Leone. He encouraged the ambassadors including Paul Sobba Massaquoi and others to protect Sierra Leoneans living in their host countries, and make sure they advocate/lobby for developmental programmes that will benefit Sierra Leone.
He said, the Ghanaians that are engaged in illegal mining in Sierra Leone have the full support from the Ghanaian High Commission in Sierra Leone. He added that the Ghanaians High Commission has been always engaging the government of Sierra Leone to protect their citizens. He said, Sierra Leoneans are expecting the appointed ambassadors to do the same. Hon. Koroma admitted that, the ambassadors are not appointed by President Bio to serve SLPP, but rather to serve in the best interest of Sierra Leoneans.
Hon. Rosy Bangura told the nominees “to whom much is given much is expected,” and urged them to work assiduously to proof themselves irrespective of their tribes, colours, regions, believes, and political parties affiliations. She further admonished the nominees to do their best because Sierra Leone is looking up to them, especially women’s delivery promises President Bio made to Sierra Leoneans. She added that she has no doubt in them as they are capable or up to the tasks. She also disclosed that is the more reason they were appointed by the president.
In her submission, Hon. Wuyata Songa from Kailahun District noted that they are looking forward to their performances in various countries and institutions they are going to occupy. Hon. Songa congratulated the three female commissioners who are going to work at the Tertiary Commission and advised them to improve the quality of education in the country. She encouraged them to focus on the areas in the educational sector that have issues and improve on them. She said despite the country is striving in that sector, she said more to be done. Hon. Songa in her concluding statement, she wished the Ambassadors well and urged them to bring goodies into Sierra Leone.
Eventually, both the ruling and the opposition MPs unanimously endorsed the nine nominees.
