By Paul Lamin (Kekeh Lamin) in Kenema
The Sierra Police and other Forces, including the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF), the Sierra Leone Correctional Center , the National Fire Force, the Metro Police and the Native Administration Police, on Thursday 22nd February 2018 organized a march pass along Hangha and Blama Roads in Kenema to sensitize the public on violence free and peaceful 2018 general elections.
The Project Manager for Movement Towards Peace and Development Agency (MoPANDA) –Sierra Leone, Bob Amos Patricks, said the non-violent and peaceful campaign is organized by a consortium of Non-governmental organizations, including ‘MoPANDA’ and ‘I Weep‘ all based in Bo city.
The Agency is aimed at bridging the gap between the Sierra Leone Police and the general public. He said, for far too long, the public shied away from the forces, especially the Sierra Leone Police, because of the negative perception they hold against them. He said the project is implemented under the title, PACT, which means Police and Community Together.
Bob Amos Patrick said the PACT project is working through the Local Policing Partnership Board (LPPB) to bring the community and the people closer so that they can see themselves as friends and not enemies. The Program Manager said, until and unless the public work with the Sierra Leone Police in combating crime and violence, the community will not enjoy peace.
He called on the public to go closer to the Sierra Leone Police and give them relevant information and put away fear and the negative perception held against the police
Mr. Patricks revealed that the project is a one year drive, which started in October last year and will end in September 2018 and, for the past five months, a lot of training programs have been organized to bring the minds of the police and the public together. He said the pilot phase has already started in Nongowa, Small Bo and Simbaru in the Kenema district.
The Chairman of the Local Policing Partnership Board (LPPB), Mr. Alphajoh Buah, called on the people to denounce violence and embrace peace, adding that most of the politicians we fight for have their children in other countries doing better jobs.
The sensitization drive ended with drama presentation in peaceful and violent free elections come March 2018.