As part of their campaign to end Covid-19, FOCUS 1000 Kombra Network has engaged Western Area Tribal Heads through the United National Communities Development Association Sierra Leone.
Focus 1000 mission is to ensure that children and young people achieve their fullest potentials by facilitating maximum community participation, ownership and sustainability of programs geared towards the enhancement of their livelihood and quality of life in partnership with relevant stakeholders and complement the effort of Government.
The engagement which was made possible through the United National Communities Development Association Sierra Leone which comprises of 16 Tribal Heads took place at the Catco Hotel in Freetown on Thursday 25th June, 2020.
Chief Executive Officer of Focus10000 Mohamed Jalloh said the purpose of the meeting was to inform the Chiefs about the Covid-19 pandemic which is destroying mankind and the second was to explain to them about the meaning of Focus10000.
He continued to say they should not allow Covid-19 to spread more than the way it is spreading now because the virus is not only killing people but their livelihood, education, agriculture among others.
He described the Covid-19 fight as not a one man fight but one that involves everybody.
“We know the chiefs are playing their role but it will be more powerful when we come together as one body.”
Mr. Jalloh expressed Focus1000 wiliness to be in partnership with the Tribal organization as they are working with six thousand religious leaders, ten thousand traditional healers, four thousand market women, 200 civil society and seventy media houses in the country.
He encouraged them to promote the use of the face mask and hand washing. He said they should avoid large gatherings as they are responsible to turn government policy to action.
He ended by saying that they should also be mindful of rumors as it is faster than the virus, so it kills faster than the virus.
In his welcome remarks Alhaji Issa Catco Kamara, Chairman United National Communities Development Council and President Themne Communities Development Council explained about the formation of the United National Communities Development Association Sierra Leone which comprises of the 16 Tribal Heads in Western Area.
He said the formation was to talk about peace after the 2018 Presidential and Parliamentary elections. On the 13th April they were able to engage HE President Bio few weeks after he was sworn as President at Catco Hotel in the presence of 200 Paramount Chiefs and NGOs.
The first aim of the organization he added is to bring people together and now the pandemic is here they have to talk about it.
Chief Matthew Jibao Young, Mende Tribal Head, Secretary General, Council of Tribal Head Western Area said the syndrome of denial and politicking are the problems hindering the fight.
He pointed out that Ebola was quickly defeated when they accepted that it was real and they were united. This he added can be replicated in the Corona Virus fight.
He suggested that they translate Covid-19 messages in their various local languages as almost everybody hears Krio but for them to understand it is another problem.
He also called for holistic approach for them to succeed because when a single person dies, it will affect them as they are their subjects.
He asked the Focus1000 CEO to work with the Council of Tribal Heads and promised everything will be fine.
Dr. Ramadan Jalloh, National Chairman Kombra Network (ISLAG) and Rev. Daniel Sesay of the Christian Action Group (CHRISTAG) gave the Quran and Bible points of view about the sickness and what should be done.
