By Ibrahim Joenal Sesay
FREETOWN, July 13 (232news.com) – The national administrative building of the Sierra Leone Scouts Association (SLSA) and unveiling of Baden Powell’s Statue was officially done by Sierra Leone Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister Dr. Memunatu Pratt past Friday at New England Ville, Freetown.
Dr. Pratt who served as keynote speaker was decorated as SLSA Life Patron by the Association’s top elders.
In his address, Dr. Memunatu Pratt, thanked SLSA for according her the distinguished opportunity to serve as life patron. She promised not to disappoint them but to make them proud.
According to her, Sierra Leone is at a crossroad for its citizens and young people in making decision.
She spoke about how the SLSA has been operating single handedly through for years but said now is time for more partnership that will bring growth.
She also spoke about the time she visited the building in 2020 during the girls’ scouts training and the level of transformation that has taken place since that time.
She emphasized that yet more needs to be done in making SLSA the headquarters one of which people could be proud of.
“We must transform it into a world class center. I have been inspired by what I am seeing. I am going to do more to support this Association.”
She encouraged the Association to put plans together for the final completion of the building.
“SLSA is a very pivotal institution for civic education. There is a very good case for them, let us put our case across.”
She also appealed to parents and guardians to allow their children to be part of the Association as it is another agent of socialization and schooling.
One of the oldest members of SLSA Sidney Benka Coker expressed that he was expecting to see what he saw at New England.
“We are very proud of what the minister has done for us, please let President Bio open an eye on Scouts” he called.
SLSA Vice President 11, Alhaji King Saidu Kamara disclosed that he has actively been involved in Scouts activity for close to 45 years now.
He thanked the commissioners for their hard work in transforming the Association as they are moving forward.
Chairman of the ceremony and Acting President Chief Kamanda-Bongay recalled that 19 November 1963 SLCA became an Act of Parliament.
He said having a standard national administrative building has been their dream for a very long time.
He reflected the time they were rooted out of the Tower Hill building now occupied by NEC but later allocated New England Ville to them which was an eyesore.
“We think it was the end for us but we are allocated this place at New England, it was a dilapidated building. The Grafton Scout land has been fully surveyed with all documents with us.”
Giving an overview of the project, SLSA Administrative Commissioner, Patrick J. Massaquoi said SLSA is one of the oldest and undoubtedly the largest voluntary, non-formal educational youth organization in Sierra Leone and in West Africa.
SLSA was proudly introduced in Sierra Leone in 1909 as branch of the British Scouts by Rev. George G. Garrick at the CMS Grammar School in Freetown.
He said from 1909 to date the SLSA has been located and relocated to more than 9 office structures as national headquarters in Freetown by the government of Sierra Leone.
Statements were made by the Youth Program Commissioner, Chernor Bah, President of Big 5, Victor Baber Richards among others.
Hoisting of flags, cutting of taps and unveiling climaxed the ceremony.
