Concord Times (Freetown)
Mohamed Massaquoi
27 June 2009
Freetown — The German ambassador to Sierra Leone, in the company of officials from the national television station in Germany, yesterday presented an award to President Ernest Bai Koroma in honour of the exemplary performance of Chief Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Christiana Thorpe during the 2007 presidential run-off election between the APC and SLPP.
Making the disclosure at the regular weekly news conference in Freetown, information and communication minister Alhaji Ibrahim Ben Kargbo said the ambassador and his team were asked by the Chancellor of Germany to present a document to the president in honour of Dr. Christiana Thorpe as an important citizen of Sierra Leone.
Kargbo said Dr. Thorpe is admired worldwide for her role during the electioneering period and for her sincerity to the people of Sierra Leone.
"It was clear that most people in the world agreed with the decision taken by Christiana in the past election. In fact the German government put a lot of premium by sending a television crew and reporters of Radio Deutsche Welle to cover the programme here in Sierra Leone. We appreciate the venture as it shows the legitimacy of our government," he said, adding that the award belongs to all Sierra Leoneans.
However, efforts to get the views of Dr. Thorpe on this award proved abortive but ordinary Sierra Leoneans who Concord Times interviewed commended the German government for its support to the people of Sierra Leone.
Mohamed Keifala, a businessman at Siaka Stevens Street said Dr. Thorpe should be given a national award for her role as a woman in the maintenance of peace and stability in the country.
He said the decision was appropriate and was in the best interest of Sierra Leoneans.
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