Four musical maestros: Yusif Osaio Kamara (YOK 7), Davida Green (Vida) Wilhelmina John (Willie J) and Anita Sabrah (DJ Lulu) have been awarded ambassadorial positions in Amnesty International. The award was given as merit in recognition of their indefatigable efforts in the campaign to curb maternity mortality in Sierra Leone.
The four Stars in the entertainment world were presented certificates at the Taia Resort Hotel after a two-week national tour in the light of raising awareness in the minds of every Sierra Leonean regarding the gravity of maternal mortality and contribute to reducing it.
The Director of Amnesty International Brima A. Sheriff said that the campaign was fruitful with the use of the popular artists mentioned, and people were enthusiastic to attend their programs all over the country. The artists are presently permanent ambassadors of the organization. He said that the activity generally drew at least 25 thousand participants in the provinces. He stated that the issue to curb maternal mortality has enormous challenges; for instance, they would want the government to abide by the 15% Abuja Declaration in the national budget, and also for the government to be clear about the Sexual Reproductive Health Policy which is poised to offer free health care for pregnant women.
The director admonished pregnant women to seriously consider going to the hospital instead of going to quack doctors, and also called upon donors to support Sierra Leone in the fight to end maternal mortality. He disclosed that the organization is going to conduct post-caravan activities shortly to areas which the campaign did not reach in a bid to enhance an overall sensitization.
In appreciation of the conduct of the programme, the Minister of Health and Sanitation Sheku Tejan Koroma, who presented the certificates, mentioned that maternal deaths have been a serious issue being considered by his Ministry. He said that enormous efforts are applied to ensure that pregnant women receive due treatment free of cost. “Statistics of maternal deaths and infant mortality in the country have been alarming and the idea implemented by Amnesty International using our home based artists to draw attention is timely, appropriate and a step in the right direction” he said. The minister congratulated the ambassadors for sparing their time and duties to join the caravan formed by Amnesty International to combat one of the major challenges the country is facing to enhance development and consolidate the principles of human rights.
Mr. Ayodele Ameen, Campaigner for Sierra Leone, the Gambia and Liberia stated that one of the Corporate Responsibilities of Amnesty International is to protect and uphold the principles of fundamental human rights adding that maternal mortality is considered a serious menace especially in Africa, and it is one of the reasons leading to poverty and underdevelopment. He said that the Caravan method of campaign is a new idea developed by Amnesty International that involves the use of musicians, dramatists, celebrities, experts in the area, volunteers etc. to deliver the information about maternal mortality and also provoke the issue for active participation. He maintained that the Sierra Leone artists were very instrumental in the campaign throughout the set period.
By Poindexter Sama
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