VP Sam-Sumana

Sierra Leone’s dynamic and able President, Dr Ernest Bai Koroma, has been working assiduously to empower his country’s economy with the right tools that will position this once war-torn nation as a country that can manage itself and regain its glory in the community of nations. On assuming office, President Ernest Bai Koroma selected a winning team to help him achieve his government’s manifesto. At the heart of his government policies was a serious agenda for change. Dr Ernest Bai Koroma assumed the leadership of Sierra Leone in 2007, when his party, the All Peoples Congress (APC ), won  the elections on a landslide victory. By his side, during the campaign, was a consummate professional with an impeccable and sound public service record, well-educated, and an expert in computer science and technology, with a diamond industry certification, who happened to be the son of a paramount chief.

Samuel Sam Sumana was selected to be the running mate of Dr Ernest Bai Koroma. The confidence reposed then, in this son of Kono, the diamond rich district of Sierra Leone, has never been misplaced or shattered in any way. Sam-Sumana brings to his office a fiercely loyal agenda and commitment to the presidency and country at large. With a quiet and respectable demeanour, Sam Sumana has never trampled on the shadows of his boss. He has been the subservient VP the Head of State had come to trust as a reliable partner, and confidant. And as Chief Adviser to President Koroma, he has helped shaped our country’s political and economic standing, while at the same time showing remarkable statesmanship, when duty calls, during the absence of the Head of State. Sumana’s political maturity has been tested time and again, most recently, when rumours had it that a certain cabinet Minister was presenting himself as the next Vice Presidential running mate for the upcoming 2012 elections. It would be difficult to imagine any other politician from the ruling party stepping into the shoes of Sam Sumana. The fact is, Sumana’s Vice Presidency has continued with little or no incident that will tarnish his good name or reputation. or that will falter him and diminish his chances of once more becoming Vice President.  It will be political suicide for the APC to even contemplate replacing a man who has shown so much temerity and respect not only for his position, but for the presidency in particular.

It is without a doubt that the Vice Presidency in any country is an extension of the Presidency, and make no mistake, at the heart of every government policy, Sumana’s contribution is apparently evident. The background role he has played since becoming VP, should not be misinterpreted for weakness, rather, it has been the need to support and allow a president whose determination to lift Sierra Leone out of poverty, can only be matched by his passion to do so much in a short period of time to alleviate the suffering of his people. Sumana has come to appreciate the presidency in so many ways by lurking in the shadows and giving Ernest Koroma the opportunity to steer the ship of state without any hinderance from his second-in-command. Several attempts have been made to create disparity between the two men but with no avail. The recent skirmish in Kono, was a blatant attempt to tarnish the good name of Samuel Sam Sumana, by detractors who have no interest in the political welfare of the country, and whose sole ambition is to cause chaos and mayhem and incite violence in this now peaceful country.

The attempt to create a rift between Sumana and Koroma had started in earnest just after they both took office. President Koroma has indeed shown incredible leadership, with an unwavering determination to focus on the work at hand rather than allow disgruntled elements to interfere in the peaceful day-to-day running of the government. Some local press and a  a few rag-tag online media portals, have foolishly showcased how they can easily be influenced by dirty politicians, who would go out of their way bribing journalists to fabricate lies about the VP and even attempt to unleash the most outrageous stories about his personal life. It shows how low some vagabonds would go just to score cheap political points. But there is no reason for anyone to doubt the resolve of the Vice President to continue to support the President as the APC prepares for another second-term in office, to foster the development agenda that has seen amazing strides in the areas of agriculture, industry, energy and infrastructural developments. The VP should continue with his amazing contribution to the national development of his country, and not be perturbed by miscreants whose full-time job seems to cause pandemonium as a way of getting political attention. There are no indication that President Ernest Bai Koroma would choose someone else as his running mate. It is important that the status quo is preserved, to prevent political capital by the opposition, and detractors should hands-off and allow the serious business of government to continue unabated!!

First published on Newstime Africa on Oct 3, 2011

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