“My Replacement did not come as a surprise” – Dr. William Konteh

The Former Executive Chairman of the National Planning Committee of the 50th Anniversary says he is not surprised at the decision to replace him as Director.
Dr. William Konteh made this statement in an interview with Awoko on Tuesday while explaining the rationale behind his replacement.
Dr. Konteh, who now serves as the new National Coordinator of the Committee for the 50th Anniversary celebrations said there were already some key concerns both within and outside the Committee about him serving as Chairman and Head of the Secretariat.
He said it was based on these concerns that the President as he puts it “in his wisdom took this decision.”
He said it was not easy for him acting as Chairman and Head of the Secretariat. “Handling those two positions was quite a challenge. Now that we have a new National Executive Chairman, who is Head of the National Planning Committee, there will be focus, and attention to the minute details to ensure a successful celebration.”
Dr, Konteh expressed his determination to work with the new Chairman in whichever way possible to have a fruitful celebration.
Dr. Konteh continued that he was not disappointed that he was replaced as some members of the public would perceive it. “I am not heart broken by this decision. For me, the focus is to ensure that we plan well, so that come April, we will have a celebration that Sierra Leoneans live to remember.”
Responding to the question whether his replacement was as a result of him not living up to his expectations, Dr. Konteh answered that “from day one, I did not campaign for this position and I am sure if I was incompetent, the President would not have let me Mann or head this office for about nine months.”
Responding to the question of whether the reduction of the life span of the National Planning Committee for the 50th Anniversary to the 31st of May instead of the one year long anticipated period would affect the actual golden jubilee, Dr. Konteh pointed out that “It was the president’s plan to extend the mandate of this committee to at least a year. So if it pleases him to shorten the commission’s life span, we fully support his decision. But let me hasten to mention that this time limit has nothing to do with the actual celebration.”