Yesterday Tuesday 20th January 2015, under the auspices of Dr. Alex Vines Chairman and organiser for the Socio-Economic Consequences of Ebola in Sierra Leone: Challenges and Prospects for Youths meeting held in Chatham House, London UK was well attended by Sierra Leoneans and dignitaries from all walks of life. The high powered meeting put together by Dr. Vines Research Director, Area Studies and International Law, Head of Africa programme was to focus and reflect on post Ebola; what should be done for the youths when Ebola is eradicated. Speakers include HE Edward Mohamed Turay High Commissioner of Sierra Leone to the United Kingdom. Mr. Layne Robinson, Head of Youth Programmes Section, Common Wealth Secretariat. Dr. Sylvia Blyden Youth Rights Activist, Sierra Leone. And last but not the least Mr. George Hodgson, Head of Ebola task force Foreign and Common Wealth Office UK. In his open gambit, the Chairman Dr. Vines asked the audience to reflect on how far Sierra Leone and her partners have come and the way forward for the youths post Ebola. He said the UK is fully committed to the eradication of the scourge everywhere in the country but this cannot be done without financial and moral support. Against the back drop the UK contributed £230m together with 800 medical defence personnel to combat the disease. The success rate of the cases treated so far is high as 95% and the possibility of controlling the virus is closer. But the question of challenges and prospects for youths post Ebola still remains; according to Dr. Vines. Mr. George Hodgson Head of Ebola task force Foreign and Common Wealth Office UK thanked the Chairman for making it possible for the meeting to take place. He also thanked HE Dr. Earnest Bai Koroma and Mr. Peter West the British High Commission to Sierra Leone for their unrelenting effort in making sure that the right measures are taking to combat the virus. Mr. Hodgson expressed UK’s thanks of appreciation to the people of Sierra Leone especially the youths who now take front line roles in the fight against Ebola. He commends the youths for co-operating with the leaders and the British health care workers for standing together as one people in the fight against the disease. His speech was echoed by Dr. Syvia Blyden. “Lack of health care anywhere is a threat to health everywhere” Dr. Sylvia emphasised. Recalling Kissy Teng Dr. Blyden said was among the most affected regions when the virus first broke out because of the proximity to Guinea and Liberia. The lack of health care service in Kissy Teng makes the region a hot spot for the disease. In Pujehun the youth’s resilience in the fight against the scourge made Pujehun a free Ebola zone. Dr. Blyden also acknowledges the efforts of the people of Koinadugu the District had no financial support from the central government but the District combat the virus. Dr. Blyden applauds the leadership of the youths especially in Freetown adding that president Koroma is committed to youth development but she cannot say the same for the president in terms of girls. She reiterated that the government has to do more for girls to prevent early and unwanted pregnancy by creating opportunities for them. She warns the government to do more for the youths drawing from experience adding that the cause of the last war was because there were not many opportunities for the youths. “When youths see no future in their lives there is a problem” Dr Blyden added. Layne Robinson Head of Youth Programmes Section, Common Wealth Secretariat a Caribbean and eye witness to hurricanes in the Caribbean compared Ebola to hurricanes. When hurricanes hit the Caribbean Islands to return to normalcy the youths play a very vital role. The role of the youths in any country cannot be underestimated; Mr Robinson said. He encouraged the Sierra Leone government to integrate youths into leadership positions to play part in the country’s development. In his closing remarks he believes Sierra Leone will return to its former glory. Chairman Dr. Vines thanked the speakers and opened the floor for questions. Question Time Question time was a dull atmosphere as the meeting gained momentum HE Edward Mohamed Turay High Commissioner of Sierra Leone to the United Kingdom left for another engagement; he was not available to answer questions relating to the youths on behalf of the government. His early exit left many fuming as most of the questions were aimed at the government which the High Commissioner was slated to answer on behalf of the government. Two out of the many questions asked were touching they worth mentioning here. Ms. Nbambay Kamara head of a charity that caters for people with disability wanted to know the plans the government has for disable people post Ebola. Ms. Karama said disable people should be given the same opportunities like the rest of the people. Mr. Pratt the grandfather of Dr. Blyden perhaps a centenarian, though he mumbles he asked about Ebola orphan children neglected by society; what could be done for those children? According to the commonwealth youth Secretariat they are working alongside the government of Sierra Leone to cater for Ebola orphan children. Observations Observations from the audience centred mostly on business and education for the youths. On education Layne Robinson emphasised on the reports about youth’s deprivation of education and encouraged the government to work towards to reopen schools. *The photo ops should not be wrongly interpreted, Dr. Blyden and I have our political differences but we are united in our resolve for the common good of Sierra Leone.
Posted on: Wed, 21 Jan 2015 23:06:55 +0000
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