By Ragan M. Conteh

It was a colourful gathering at Buya’s Hotel on Saturday night where the North-West Region women executives of the opposition All People’s Congress (APC) converged in Port Loko city for a fund-raising dinner where hundreds of millions in old leones were raised.

Apart from raising such quantum, the gathering also attracted several party tycoons who pledged their unflinching commitment and support to women in the North Western Region.

Gracing the occasion, the Regional Women’s Congress Chairlady, Hon. Cecilia Bangura informed that women especially those in the APC are going through tough economic challenges.

She admitted that they as women in opposition are suffering because during the APC days in power, most of those who fought for the party were not capacitated.

As a result, Hon. Cecilia Bangura said her executive has deemed it fit to provide an alternative approach that will close the gap of suffering within the party.

She alluded to the fact that several women have either died while others have flee the nation due to the marathon and unending sufferings they are facing.

She explained that the fund-raising geared towards promoting especially those in agriculture and micro credit scheme for others.

What is more important, she added, APC women are preparing to take over governance come 2028.

Serving as keynote speaker, Bai Mamoud Bangura spoke on the history of APC in Port Loko, highlighting certain influential APC founding fathers who, he said fought relentlessly in making sure that the party always remains strong and running.

Bangura expressed his gratitude to the women in the North-west, referring to them as strong and dynamic amidst the enduring sufferings.

On behalf of the party’s Chairman, he expressed his unflinching support to women in the North West for standing by the party in thick and thin.

In demonstration of his personal commitment, the ex-Youth Minister pledged NLe100,000, €500, £500 and US$1000 respectively.

The Mayor of Freetown City Council (FCC), Yvonne Aki- Sawyer who made salient statement, expressed thanks for her invitation.

The Mayor spoke on unity within the party and made passionate plea to all the women to stand up to redeem the party from its current state.

Mayor Aki Sawyer also pledged NLe 15,000 to the women’s executive of the North Western region in addition to providing support to women in agriculture and micro credit.

Several stakeholders including the Mayor of the Port Loko City and deputy attended and made salient statements.