By Mohamed Issa
There was jubilation that followed by chanting of traditional healers (Herbalists) Association popular slogan “DO GOOD, AVOID EVIL, NO RETREAT, NO SURRENDER,” when a huge number of them from all over the country converged in a mammoth meeting at their K-Step headquarter, Calaba town, Freetown, on 2nd November, 2023.
In his opening remarks, Chairman of the thrilling meeting Chief Francis Foray stated that he was happy that Chairmen from all districts in the country including, Mammy Queens, regional heads and many other stakeholders were in full attendance.
He also added that it was one of the most important meetings that they have held under the hegemony of the current President, Alhaji Dr. Mohamed Konneh. And he admonished all participants to take the meeting very seriously for their own benefit.
The Chairman also referred to their President as a patriot, honest, hardworking and person with love for his people and the country at large.
Another young, dynamic and very powerful herbalist from Falaba district in the North Abu Ghana also made very significant contributions and admonished his colleagues about dress code at any time of official gathering to vividly portray their nomenclature as traditional healers.
In his address, Alhaji, Dr. Mohamed Konneh, President of the association, disclosed that the purpose of the meeting was to highlight six (6) significant issues bothering on the growth of the association which includes, government recognition of SLENTHA as the only Traditional Healers Association in the country, adding that this latest development has generated unity amongst them as heads of other factions before have all bulged and have whole heartedly agreed to join SLENTHA to form one body. He also added that the World Health Organization (WHO) has embraced them and has promised to provide offices for them throughout the country with support of government to provide buildings; even if they need renovation will be their responsibilities.
This good gesture would be followed by employment of six (6) Traditional Healers (Herbalists) in each government hospitals in the country so that they will work side by side with our trained and qualified conventional medical practitioners. He also maintained that he has advocated for twenty five million Leon (Le 25,000.00) monthly salaries for each of them. And to actualize their operations with WHO, the President added that they need bank account which is why he urged all members to do urgently.
As if these were not all, he furthered that they are to provide about forty thousand (40,000) manpower members to government who are to serve as territorial guards to beef up the country’s security to man our numerous porous border crossing points more so when they are familiar with their terrains. But he stressed that all these golden opportunities would be concretized after their meeting with authorities at the Office of National Security (ONS) any time from now.
The President also dilated on traveling facilities for members to India, China, Ethiopia and other countries which he said will yield encouraging financial, educational and other benefits to them and the country at large. The President also urged other traditional healers in the country to register so that they will be fully identified with the association.
Many other members including men and women also made very important contributions.