By Ibrahim Joenal Sesay
FREETOWN, Jan. 27 (232news.com) – It was a start of an new era for the Anglican Diocese of Freetown and the North as worshipers and well-wishers joined in the dedication and opening of the Anglican House with the theme “This is the Lord’s doing, it is marvellous in our eyes” Psalm 118:23.
The dedication of newly constructed four stories ultra-modern structure at Siaka Stevens street on Sunday 14th November 2021 plaque was done by Bishop of the Diocese, Thomas Arnold Wilson, while the opening of the building was done by the Former Bishop of the Diocese, Rev Julius Prince Lynch and unveiling of the plaque in honour of building team was done by the Mayor of Freetown Yvonne Aki-Sawyer.
The Diocese acknowledge with gratitude the support for it construction predominantly by Trinity Church, Wall Street, Relay Trust, augmented by contributions from various Anglicans and self-generated Diocesan funds.
Statements were made by the Programme Manager, Jonathan Abiose Thomas, Project Accountant Jonathan Admire Thomas, Project Manager and Technical Advisor Ing. Andrew Karmoh Keili
Trinity Church, Wall Street, Relay Trust and CSM Rev. Modupe Taylor Pearce
Below is the statement of the Anglican Bishop of Freetown At The Opening Of The New Anglican House At No. 8 Siaka Steven Street, Freetown.
When I assumed office as Diocesan Bishop in 2013, I received an invitation from Trinity Church, Wall Street in the US to attend four (40 workshops on different disciplines; including: Governance Module, Resource Mobilization Module, Financial Planning Module, Business Planning and Management Module.
These workshops were to be held rotationally in four countries, namely Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Kenya I was requested to accompanied by a Project Officer, Mr. Jonathan Abiose Thomas accompanied me to these various workshops.
Apart from what was taught and learnt at these workshops, we also had the opportunity to chat and interact with our colleague Bishops, which was of tremendous benefit. It was during such a session that I came to realize that our counterparts (Dioceses) did not only depend on tithes and offerings, but they were also involved or engaged in businesses that have been helping their churches to Thrive. It was a great eye-opener for us. Thus the theme for the workshop was “Financial sustainability in the Anglican Church in Africa,”
For instance, I discovered that Nakuru Diocese in Kenya, owns one of the largest shopping malls that I have ever seen. they also own a massive Tea planning and a water company, in Kumasi Ghana, the Church can boast of a magnificent hostel, in the Kwame Nkrumah College of Science and Technology. In Accra, they Church owns a Radio Station and Guest House.
In Liberia, they had a couple of shops and other infrastructure that have been generating revenue to support the Church, When I looked back, I asked Myself- What do we have to show compared to what I saw in the various Dioceses? A desire was hurning within me. When it was our turn to host the workshop here in Sierra Leone, I had an opportunity to present a paper on Community Development in the Churches. After the workshop, we invited one of the partners of the workshop, Rev. Fr. Frank Hakoola from Trinity Wall Street (TWS) to the only “Bread Basket” of our Diocese- the old CMS Centenary building at Siaka Stevens Street, I asked him whether there will be any possibility for foundational pillars to hold another floor. Rev. Fr. Frank Hakoola replied that if we are to get any funding from TWS, then the entire building must be demolished. Rev. Fr. Frank Hakoola replied that if we are to get any funding from TWS, then the entire building must be demolished. Rev. Fr Frank Hakoola however assured us that since the site is prominent in the Central Business District (CBD) with other advantages, he was centain that we can have funding, provided our proposal meets their criteria. He encouraged us to submit an urgent proposal, together with together with drawings which he would collect and present on our behalf on his return, as he was leaving the country in 48 hours.
At this point, I had to contact an Anglican son in the person on Mr. Desmond Wilson. He responded very promptly and we were able to hand the urgent proposal and drawings to Rev. Fr. Hakoola almost at the airport before his departure. At this stage, I brought the proposal officially to the Development Board. At first the response from members was lukewarm. Due to various reasons ranging from uncertainly and doubt to probably lack of communication. Etc.
However, when the venture was properly tabled, discussed and understood, everyone supported the vision unto the end. Our proposal finally got to TWS; we were engaged in countless meetings, disagreed to agreed and finally the funding was approved. At this point, I want to single out some key players who have been very outstanding in this journey.
Mr. Andrew Keili, the Chairman of DEEB who gave his time, resources and treasure for this dream to be realized. Mr. Jonathan Admire Thomas our Chairperson of the Finance Board has been diligent and astute in handling the finance of this project. He ensured that every single penny collected both locally and internationally was accounted for.
Mr. Jonathan Abiose Thomas, our Communications Guru was also instrumental in this journey. He would spend hours, sitting up late at night, sending messaged back and forth, meeting all the required deadlines and responding to every request made. After the Board had accepted the project, bidding for the contract was advertised, and Global services won the bidding.
The board unanimously agreed that the initial sketch drawing by Mr. Desmond Wilson should be replaced with something more advanced, befitting the location and present day trends in architecture.
We received the first instalment of the funding for the project from TWS, and the work commenced, during this period in 2018-2019, the country experienced and acute wave of inflation as a result of the political change which had an seemed adverse effect on the project. The anticipated local support was extremely slow. It got to a point that it seem med as if the project was dying. It became so serious that we resolved to look for developers. We had a bank which was interested in paying lease rent for a couple of years but the conditions were unsatisfactory, I was entirely not in favour of this new idea, but given the circumstance, that what we had to do at the time, in my quiet moment I told God that I was not comfortable with this bank arrangement and to the glory of God, the Bank lost interest in the proposal and our prayers were answered. Mr. Keli can attest to this.
