Sierra Leone Government (Freetown)

Sierra Leone: Relocation of the Annie Walsh Memorial School

14 February 2013

THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT NOTES WITH GRAVE CONCERN THE ACRIMONY AND VITRIOLIC ATTACKS COMING FROM SOME SECTIONS OF THE PUBLIC OVER ITS LETTER ADDRESSED TO THE LORD BISHOP OF THE ANGLICAN DIOCESE OF FREETOWN AND THE NORTH, PROPOSING THE RELOCATION OF THE ANNIE WALSH MEMORIAL SCHOOL TO A MORE CONDUCIVE ENVIRONMENT.

THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS THAT PRIOR INFORMAL DISCUSSIONS WERE HELD BETWEEN HIS EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT AND A VERY SENIOR CLERGYMAN OF THE ANGLICAN DIOCESE WHO CONFIRMED THAT PLANS WERE ALREADY AFOOT FOR RELOCATION OF THE SCHOOL, AND EXPLAINED THAT THEY WERE CONSTRAINED BY THE HUGE FINANCIAL OUTLAY INVOLVED.

THE PRESIDENT SAW THIS AS A GOLDEN OPORTUNITY TO KILL TWO BIRDS WITH ONE STONE BY HELPING TO ACTUALIZE THE DREAMS OF THE PROPRIETORS OF THE SCHOOL WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY SECURING A SUITABLE SITE FOR DEVELOPMENTAL PURPOSES.

THE PRESIDENT WAS ENCOURAGED TO HAVE THE PROPOSAL OFFICIALLY FORWARDED TO THE LORD BISHOP FOR INITIAL CONSIDERATION BY THE CHURCH AND SCHOOL AUTHORITIES.

IT IS PERTINENT TO MENTION THAT CONTRARY TO WHAT IS BEING RUMOURED, GOVERNMENT HAS NEITHER PRESENTED THE ANGLICAN DIOCESE WITH A FAIT ACCOMPLI, NOR HAS IT GIVEN ANY INDICATION THAT IT INTENDS TO SUBJECT THE SAID PROPERTY TO COMPULSORY ACQUISITION.

THE ONUS IS NOW ON THE CHURCH AND SCHOOL AUTHORITIES TO TAKE A DISPASSIONATE VIEW OF THE SITUATION AND REVERT TO THE PRESIDENCY WITH THEIR REACTION.

SUCH REACTION COULD INCLUDE CONCERNS ABOUT PRESERVATION OF THE MONUMENTAL VALUE OF SOME OF THE BUILDINGS HOUSING THE SCHOOL AND OTHER ISSUES THAT REQUIRE CRITICAL EXAMINATION.

A RESPONSE TO THE LETTER UNDER REFERENCE IS AWAITED.

  • Comment (2)

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  • Dauda Mu
    Feb 15 2013, 07:38
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    No great monumental value of any worth would be lost by relocating that historic establishment. Rather, a modern and more impressive institution would be built with government assistance, to replace that old colonial makeshift structure already infested with honets and other rodent. The girls should have the luxury to be educated in ivory surroundings for a more enlightened mind. Why did you allow council to demolish the clock tower...that was a monument...and what about City Hotel??

  • mariamaruthjbah
    Feb 18 2013, 17:53
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    our memories are in that old building. please your excellency, kindly replace it with something of value to our beloved country mama salone.