The Cambridge English Dictionary defines “Enigma” as “something that is mysterious and seems impossible to understand completely”. There are other synonyms to this word that have negative connotations but in this piece, I am focusing on the positive definition of the word and unfold the mystery around our revered Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Hon. Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara aka, JFK.
For most people the acronym JFK is associated with fighting graft, disciplinarian, academic, legal luminary, technocrat, politician and a family man. There is something beyond these positive attributes that majority of Sierra Leoneans are not aware of and in most case err in their discourse around his appropriateness to take the mantle of leadership after His Excellency Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma.
The first myth I want to break is the question around Joseph being a technocrat rather than politician. The African definition of a Politician is, “one that makes the loudest noise and lofty unfilled promises to his electorates, a corrupt individual and an opportunist”. Contemporary politics has transformed this mind set and proffered a new definition for a Politician. This new definition is inherent in the character of Joseph F. Kamara.
Tracing his background from the Albert Academy days to Fourah Bay College and the Law School, reveals that he is not only an extrovert but a true politician that is cut out to transform the lives of the people of Sierra Leone. His leadership journey started as a school prefect at the Albert Academy Secondary School, to a Dictator of the Auradicals club, FBC, former President of the Sierra Leone Bar Association, former Anti-graft Czar and now Attorney General and Minister of Justice.
I have deliberately ignored the many international accolades to his credit to create a level playing field for his would be contenders for the leadership of not only the ruling All Peoples Congress Party but Sierra Leone as a country regardless of political colours. I have decided to use the basic curriculum vitae that will allow readers of this piece to put all potential aspirants for the leadership of the APC, SLPP, ADP, PMDC on an equal pedestal and lay bare why JFK is the best and what makes him standout distinctly as the most suitable person to succeed His Excellency, Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma.
Loyalty
As a Journalist and social commentator, I have read and in some cases interacted with if not all of the aspirants for the leadership of the APC and the other opposition parties for the 2018 Presidential elections. My research has told me that JFK’s loyalty to the APC and His Excellency Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma is unrivalled. JFK believes in the vision and aspirations of President Koroma. He demonstrates this loyalty even in casual discussions. JFK will always tell you about helping the President achieve his goals and leave a legacy that he will build upon if given the mantle of leadership by his party. The other contenders will tell you how to defeat SLPP, PMDC, ADP et al. What amazes me is the venom with which some express their views on the current political landscape and the anti-Koroma factor.
President Koroma like all other Heads of State would always design a succession plan that will allow them to have peaceful retirements. He needs somebody that will cover his back not some of the old guards who are bent on settling scores with him.
Patriotism
A President must believe in his people and his country. The recent gruesome accident along the Makeni- Rogbere road involving the Attorney General’s vehicle and a commercial mini-van is testimony to the patriotic nature of JFK. The accident attracted divergent opinions from senior colleagues in Government advising the Attorney General to seek medical treatment overseas. He politely ignored the overseas option by asking about the status of the victims in the passenger vehicle that collided headlong with his official vehicle. I could remember his first statement after recovering from the shock at the Intensive Care Unit, of Choithram hospital; “Did anybody die in the other vehicle. Can you please find out and let me know?” I saw a fatherly figure in him, ready to cater for the needs of his children. He has love and passion for his people and above all believes in Sierra Leone.
“We have done the roads, but we still have a challenge to work on the Drivers using the roads. They need education on driving codes and regulations”. He explained to a cross section of visitors and sympathizers.
Education
JFK believes that a country can develop faster if the literacy level of its population is relatively high. The JFK Foundation worldwide was setup to invest in the youth of Sierra Leone through quality and sustainable education.
The education of boys, girls, and the physically challenged is close to his heart. He always emphasizes on taking off from where President Koroma stopped and build a lasting legacy. Sustaining and improving upon EBK’s legacy is a unique feature in his campaign strategy.
Human Right and Justice
As a Lawyer, JFK frowns at injustice and abuse of human rights, this is the raison d’etre for the success of the Legal Aid Board. He has through the Legal Aid Board released over 100 prisoners and fast tracked cases that were kept in the files for lack of witnesses thus leaving the accused to languish in remand cell for years.
The current synergy between The Office of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice and that of the Judiciary is unprecedented in the history of Sierra Leone. Hon. Justice Charm, the Chief Justice, the Director of Public Prosecution, Lawyer Bah, the Solicitor-General, Martina Kromah work in collaboration all for the sake of JFK. He has a special knack to bring people together for the common good.
He has encouraged Government to recruit more lawyers, promoted Judges and Magistrates with improved conditions of service to enhance effective and efficient service delivery.
International diplomacy
The countless accolades and awards won by JFK as the first Sierra Leonean prosecutor at the Special Court for Sierra Leone and his role as a member of the African Union Anti-corruption Board sends a clear signal that international recognition of his Presidency come 2018 will not be a difficulty. Our development partners will lavish him with projects to aid his development agenda due to the trust they have in him.
JFK is the only Presidential aspirant that cuts across ethnic and tribal lines. His association with a lot of social clubs, fraternities, religious groups and diligence to serve his country in which ever capacity has earned him the special glamour of a national figure. Opposition party supporters within and without Sierra Leone openly declare their willingness to vote the APC back to power if JFK is given the mantle to succeed President Koroma. His humility is unprecedented. He is the man of the people. He believes in EBK, the APC and the people of Sierra Leone.
Sierra Leone’s current political temperature is so charged that both the ruling and opposition parties need a unifier and a President with an unblemished character to replace H.E Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma. Joseph, is nationally and internationally acceptable therefore, his candidature will reduce the political tension and induce convenience in the youths, women and vulnerable population of Sierra Leone.
By Bandabla Sam- Mbomah
Monday August 15, 2016