Following months of controversy and misinformation surrounding the use of the Ephraim Robinson Municipal Primary School playground, Freetown Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr led a successful community meeting at the school grounds to address the issues and provide clarity.
Mayor Aki-Sawyerr was joined by Deputy Mayor Kweku Lisk, FCC councillors, and senior officials, including the Chief Administrator, the Head of Education Department, the Legal Office, and the City Engineer.
Key stakeholders such as Aruna Sesay, the Western Area Provincial Security Coordinator, and Samuel Simeon Sesay, Chairman of the Local Police Partnership Board, also participated in the discussions.
In her address, Mayor Aki-Sawyerr clarified the status of the school playground, emphasizing that the Ephraim Robinson Municipal Primary School is owned and operated by the Freetown City Council (FCC).
She explained FCC’s openness to development proposals but noted that Hon. Alfred Thompson’s plan to manage the playground as a commercial enterprise had been rejected.Concerns Over Safety and AccessMayor Aki-Sawyerr expressed serious concerns about the safety implications of the modifications made to the playground by Hon. Thompson.
Concrete walls with raised wire mesh were erected around the playground, blocking access for the school children and raising fears of a potential stampede in the event of an emergency.
“The safety of the children is of paramount importance,” she stressed. She assured the community that FCC would remove the block work and wire mesh obstructing access to the playground, though walls facing the street, which enhance security, would remain intact.
The mayor also dispelled rumors that the school playground had been sold to a church or that Muslim prayers had been banned on the grounds. Reaffirming FCC’s commitment to inclusivity and development, she reassured the local imam and the community that these accusations were baseless.
“Support for the school’s development is welcome, but not at the expense of safety and access for the school children,” she stated.
The two-hour meeting provided a platform for community members to ask questions and share concerns. Allegations about land sales at the Congo Town cemetery were also addressed and debunked.
Mayor Aki-Sawyerr emphasized the importance of continued communication and collaboration between FCC and the community to ensure the school’s development and the well-being of the children.
The meeting concluded with a commitment to work together for the betterment of the school and the Congo Town community.
