Sierra Leoneans Celebrate 50th Independence Anniversary in style
Members of the Sierra Leonean Community in Lowell Mass gather outside the city Hall in last week to celebrate their 50th Independence annivarsary marked by cultural activities and a speech by City Councilor, Mrs. Rita Mercier who was representing Lowell Mayor, His Honor Mayor James L. Milinazzo. pic by Sallieu H. Conteh/The New Rising Sun |
by Sallieu H. Conteh, The New Rising Sun, via Ajabu Africa News, posted: May 05, 2011
LOWELL, Mass._Sierra Leoneans in Lowell, Massachusetts joined the world over on Saturday April, 30th, 2011 to celebrate Sierra Leone Golden Jubilee with a flag raising ceremony. Sierra Leoneans and the City of Lowell started celebrating the Sierra Leone’s Independent as far back to the nineties
The Green, White and Blue Sierra Leone Flag was raised at a flag pole in front of the Lowell City Hall building by the Sierra Leone Community Youths and it will be flying there for a week
Sierra Leone is a country once referred to as the “Athens of Africa” because of its promotion of Western style education as the Athens did to the rest of Europe. In 1808 Britain made the capital, Freetown a Crown Colony and missionaries, teachers and Colonial Administrators came to Sierra Leone throughout the ninth century.
In 1827 the Fourah Bay College was founded, the first modern University in the Sub-Saharan Africa thus making our country the educational beacon to the rest of West Africa. A lot of Gambians, Nigerians and Ghanians came to Sierra Leone to study.
English is the official language in Sierra Leone but most of the population speaks local other languages (tribes).
Sierra Leone is a small country in terms of area and population located on the West Coast of Africa, bordered with Guinea in the North and Liberia in the South. It is very rich in minerals and mineral resources and it is also endowed with agricultural vast land.
The rebel war in the nineties caused a lot of damage to the country, Sierra Leone used to be one of the leading exporter of diamonds that is used for gems and diamonds used in industries.
It has a democratically elected government and in recent times, Sierra Leone was one the first countries in West Africa to unseat an incumbent government in an election with no bloodshed that was declared as free and fair by the International Community.
The flag of Sierra Leone flys outsite the City Hall in Lowell where it will remain for one week to mark the 50 Independence day annivarsary |
The Government is headed by an elected President that serves a five year term. The All Peoples Congress (APC) is the ruling party in Government and Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma is the current President of Sierra Leone.
This year’s Lowell Community event was celebrated in grand style with women dressed in their traditional African attires, made up of a three piece suit including the Lapas, dresses and the head ties.
The men also dressed in their traditional three pieces suits, the gowns, lapels and the pants in the joyful event where Sierra Leoneans socialized beyond tribal, political and religious boundaries.
Sierra Leone like other African countries has rooted traditions and customs that are very unique to the country. Children are forbidden to use foul language in the presence of elders. A lot of respect is given to not only to old people but also to people in higher authorities regardless of age.
Age and authority are highly regarded in the Sierra Leone culture.
Reading this year’s Proclamation deputizing the Mayor of the City of Lowell, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, His Honor Mayor James L. Milinazzo, City Councilor, Mrs. Rita Mercier reminded Sierra Leoneans and the community of Lowell that fifty years ago, after about a century of Colonial Rule, Sierra Leone gained her Independence from Great Britain, thus liberating a nation of talented people from the yoke of foreign occupation, domination and exploitation; thereby providing a climate for self rule and a move towards nationalism.
Mrs.Mercier also recalled how unfortunately, the country quickly slid into tribalism, nepotism, gross mismanagement and corruption, thus unleashing a succession of economic, social and political malaise that culminated into a brutal rebel war that lasted almost ten years.
The Councilor also told Sierra Leoneans that the historic City of Lowell opened its’ arms to them as they search for safety, security, prosperity .
She asked them to remember those who died in defense of the new found peace and hped that Sierra Leoneans will will find a better future, unity, development among nations.
Reading the much awaited proclamation , Mrs. Rita Mercier said "I Mrs. Rita Mercier on behalf the Mayor of the City of Lowell, do hereby proclaim Saturday April 30th, 2011 as “Sierra Leone Day” and urged all citizens to join in the celebration."
Earlier, this year’s welcome address for the ceremony was delivered by Dr. George Bowah Tucker, a long time resident of Lowell and the guest speaker was Dr. David Jordan.
The American and Sierra Leone National anthems were sang and the vote of thanks was given by another “mover and shaker” in the Sierra Leone Community in Lowell, Mrs. Mariama Kaikai.
The City Councilor, Mrs. Rita Mercier was introduced by Mrs. Rosaline Willie-Bonglo.
There was also a 'Hunting performance' and later a reception was held at the Mercier Center in Lowell.
The Master of Ceremonies for this year event was Mr. Augustine Kanja and the Muslim and Christian prayers were offered by Alhaji Botie Kamara and Mrs. Agnes Kamara respectively.
The Sierra Leone 50th Independence Anniversary Celebrations continued with a fund raising dance at the Acadia Club in Dracut, Massachusetts.
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