by Alpha R. Jalloh, Sierra Leone, January 1997
THEME = PEACE
Archbishop Joseph Henry Ganda is Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Freetown and Bo. He says that religious leaders have a role to play to ensure openness and accountability in government
Speaking in a panel discussion on the state-owned Sierra Leone Broadcasting TV service, Archbishop Ganda attributed the high rate of corruption in Sierra Leone, to lack of patriotism. He reminded Members of Parliament that they are responsible to the people. He also pointed out that the people, on the other hand, must fulfil their civic duties. Archbishop Ganda says that the recent signing of the peace accord between the government and the Revolutionary United Front, after five years of incessant fighting, is a great achievement. The President of the Methodist Conference in Sierra Leone, Pasteur C.V.Peacock who also took part in the discussion, said that a few people in senior positions, only think of enriching themselves. During Mass celebrated at the Sacred Heart Cathedral, Freetown, Archbishop Ganda stressed the need for religious leaders to actively take part in supporting peace and strengthening reconciliation, during this post-war era. He congratulated President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah, who also attended the Mass, for his success in striking a peace deal with the rebels. The Archbishop subsequently toured the interior of the country, to assess damage done to church infrastructures and facilities. He went to Mokanji and Moyamb - towns in the south which are among the worst affected in the country. He also visited Serabu his birth place and discovered that his house had been completely looted. At Bumpeh, he told the Catholic community that he was shocked by the destruction he saw. He encouraged the people to take part in community development, exhorting them to put their differences aside and live in peace and harmony.
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