By Ragan M. Conteh
The former President of Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) who also doubles as British Broadcasting Cooperation (BBC)’s correspondent in Sierra Leone, Umaru Fofana, has told new members of SLAJ that since time in memorial the two political parties are working on the same policies.
According to Umaru Fofana, there are no new policies that have made great impact in terms of development.
He said the policies of the APC are the same policies that the SLPP will drive on which are still not making progress for the nation.
“I personally blamed by father for what President Shiaka Stevens did in Sierra Leone and I don’t not want myself to be blamed by my children,” he fumed.
Fofana pointed out that, the same policy on Bondo which talks about 18 years of girls’ consent age, is the same policy that the SLPP is working on.
He said journalists can support politicians based on their paticular policies but” should not compromise their profession.”
He maintained that since time immemorial the same partners have been ruling the country.
He urged journalists to stay away from politics and hold on to their profession and work towards accountability and transparency in Sierra Leone.
“We don’t expect a journalist who has become a politician can’t be bias in his or her reporting.”
He went further to say that the reason for most of the journalists siding a political party against the other is for them to get their survival.
He urged the new recruits to stay away from politics and push their profession at the peak.
He also urged the new recruits to explore on the new media as it has potentials.
The vice President of SLAJ who also serves as the Chairman of the Credentials Committee, Sylvester Banga, on behalf of the committee extended a warm welcome to each and every journalists who are to embark on this journey of new beginnings and with responsibilities.
He said as the chairman of the credentials committee, it has been their paramount duty to meticulously review and verify the credentials of all individuals who are inducted.
“Our process has been one of thoroughness, fairness, and integrity, ensuring that each candidate meets the necessary criteria and standards set forth for this induction, ” he said.
He announced that after careful examination, all inductees met the requirements and had been deemed fit to join the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ).
He said the diligence of their committee and the dedication of all individuals involved had ensured that this induction ceremony could proceed with confidence and trust.
He said to the incoming members, he encouraged all to uphold the values of the institution, to lead by example, and to contribute positively to the Association.
He maintained that their presence signifies not just an achievement but also a commitment to excellence and to the ideals they collectively hold dear.