Bai Mahmoud: A Presidential Aide worth His Salt! Without any attempt to flatter Bai Mamoud Bangura, Presidential Youth Aide to President Koroma, the fact is, he is an enigma and a politician with a difference, Whilst majority of our so-called ministers, members of Parliament and other top government functionaries stayed indoors or in their cars during the three days stay-at-home exercise ordered by President Koroma, Bai Mamoud Bangura was visible, present and current throughout the three days’ exercise. Little wonder that many Sierra Leoneans and foreign partners in and out of the country were full of praise, admiration and adoration for Presidential Youth Aide, Bai Mahmoud Bangura. It could be recalled that the Presidential Aide before the start of the three day exercise was on radio, TV and even in the newspapers dilating on the three days exercise and stressing on the need for youths to take responsibility for the success of the exercise. Noticeably, all across the country, dozens of youths were seen actively patrolling all corners of the country in their capacity as Ebola Surveillance Contact Tracing Volunteers (SCTV). Of course, as had been arranged, the youth volunteers could easily be identified by their T-shirts with the inscription ‘SCTV’ on the front and ‘volunteer at the back, the same attire worn by Bai Mamoud Bangura which many people say spurred the youths to the task, seeing a senior government official among them and one they could relate with. Therefore, it can be stated that Bai Mamoud Bangura is partly responsible for the successful three days exercise to kick Ebola out of Sierra Leone. Many eye witnesses say they saw Bai Mahmoud himself walking on foot from one community to another cautioning people and advising them to beware of Ebola and to avoid body contact. As a result of his youthful and personal resources, thousands of SCTVs were thoroughly trained to do community contact tracing and sensitization. As a result, their service during the 3-day sensitization exercise was described by the Health Ministry and EOC as a big success as they were able to unearth dozens of Ebola cases that were hidden in various communities across the country. Without any gainsaying, the likes of Bai Mamoud Bangura are needed in more numbers if we are to see any meaningful participation of youths in governance and decision-making bodies. On the whole, the efforts of these youth volunteers that were inspired by Bai Mamoud Bangura were widely appreciated. At least, Sierra Leoneans are satisfied that at least, something positive has emerged in the fight against Ebola.
Posted on: Tue, 30 Sep 2014 07:56:41 +0000
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