By Rachel Horner.
The newly elected Chairperson of the Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) Washington DC Metro Chapter is poised to uplift the chapter to a higher height.
During the inauguration of her executive, Fatmata Dausy Wurie spoke about the existence of the chapter since democracy was ushered back in Sierra Leone by President Julius Maada Bio in 1996.
“Our chapter can boast of over 250 registered members, with over seventy-five actively participating in the affairs of the chapter. We intend to continue in this vein as we welcome new members to our monthly chapter general meetings. This is especially beneficial in enabling the chapter to raise much needed funds to manage the business of the chapter and financially supporting the region,” she said.
According to her, they have participated alongside the SLPPNA in the political process in Sierra Leone by financially and morally supporting the activities of the party in the country.
Madam Wurie added that they have supported the party in all elections, starting from the 1996 Presidential and Parliamentary elections and all subsequent elections including the 2018 general elections.
“Currently, members of this and other SLPPNA chapters are contributing to the national development of Sierra Leone, serving in various capacities in the New Direction Government. Washington D.C. Metro is on record to have contributed to peace and unity in the SLPPNA family. We hosted the first one day interfaith prayer service, peace and reconciliatory convention. I have been a part of all these developments in the annals of the chapter,” Madam Wurie stated.
She noted that the role and participation of women in the affairs of the Washington D.C. Metro chapter is manifested by her election as the first female Chairperson to serve.
As a former Women’s Leader with strong conviction in the ability of women, Madam Wurie said she encouraged women to contest for several executive positions in the chapter.
Also speaking, Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to America, Ambassador Sidique Abou-Bakarr Wai thanked the leadership and members of the SLPP for the massive support exhibited during the visit of President Julius Maada Bio to the United States of America.
He stated that the inauguration of the DMV Metro Chapter Executive is very significant, in the sense that the executive is now being led by Mrs. Fatmata Wurie. He disclosed that Madam Wurie is currently the Co-Chair of the Education Basket Fund that the Embassy is pursuing, which aims to build an Academy of Excellence in Sierra Leone.
“This Metro Chairperson has always demonstrated an incredible commitment to the nation, and her endeavor and skills keep attracting more people that are far away. She is always responding to the call of the Embassy with an open mind to serve her party and the people of Sierra Leone,” he said.
Ambassador Wai urged members of the chapter to support the Executive with positive actions, adding “You cannot elect leaders and leave them to perish without your support. The leaders cannot do it all by themselves.”
“Let me close by reminding you all that we have a huge task ahead of us. Now is the time for unity, peace, and consolidation. Let us throw overboard our personal grudges and cling on to the legacy of President Bio. We should all support the New Direction agenda in our own way, an ensure President Bio is elected for his second term. The future of Sierra Leone is in your hands.”
The swearing-in ceremony of Chairperson; Fatmata Dausy Wurie and her executive was done by the Regional Chairman of SLPP North-America, Desmond Pessima. Other chapter heads of the party were also present.
Several personalities were recognized during the ceremony, including Ambassador Wai who received the People’s Ambassador Award, General Yankuba; Outstanding Publicity award and Dr. Bernadette Kamara with the Philanthropist award.
