PONDER MY THOUGHTS
BY Andrew Keili
CAPT. STRASSER: A HOUSE IS NOT A HOME
Many thanks to President Julius Maada Bio as God’s mercies have enticed him to provide a house for Capt. Valentine Strasser, former Head of State. This act of kindness to a brother in need will surely be rewarded by the Almighty. He has paid heed to the good book which says- “But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?- 1 John 3:17”
Capt. Strasser has had a chequered life since descending from the altar of Head of state, somewhat unceremoniously, undressed and handcuffed. A scary helicopter flight in which he was nearly thrown overboard, hard times in the UK at Warwick University and in Gambia, health challenges, an uneven emotional state, abandonment by friends and impoverishment have all been his portion over these past twenty-five years. He has seemed a forlorn figure living a life not befitting of a former Head of State. Attempts have been made to use him to make unflattering statements about his former colleagues, especially President Bio, but these have not been quite successful, as his narration of events has been incoherent at best. Whilst there are many who pity him as a glamorous “liberator” who has now fallen on hard times, there are others who have never forgiven him and his colleagues for extra judiciary killings and other actions that may have affected friends and acquaintances.
It is surprising that President Bio, with whom he had a strained relationship spearheaded his medical treatment overseas and has now capped it all by giving him a house of his own. In the absence of any explanation, I assume that President has used his own funds to rehabilitate a colleague who has fallen on hard times.
Comments however in the media, especially social media have compelled me to be more guarded in my initial assessment of the situation. There are those who say President Bio has used State funds to provide this house for his colleague. I rather like the following questions asked by Kutubu Koroma, anchor of Salon Tok Forum who asks the following salient questions: “Is captain Strasser the owner of the house till eternity? Should in case another administration emerges after Bio’s, will Captain Strasser’s house be exempt from seizure? Is President Bio now prepared to submit for parliamentary action legislation that will grant Captain Strasser all benefits as a former Head of State just about the same ways Presidents Kabbah and Ernest Bai Koroma benefitted? Who has the necessary papers relative to the house, and are such documents in his name registered with the Lands Ministry and the Administrator General’s Office?”
As one would expect, speculation has been rife as to who provided the house- A certain Don, a Lebanese businessman and an investor have variously been mentioned. Assuming I am wrong in my initial thinking and Kutubu Koroma’s assertions have merit, there are many questions that come to mind like this one asked by a keen observer: “What makes him deserving of a pension and a house at the expense of the State but others are not so deserving?” Others have also asked if it is within the gift of the President to make such decisions on a personal basis.
In the light of the uncertainties and possible misconceptions about the bailing out of the President’s colleague, his Office should clarify the situation regarding Captain Strasser and put the rumour mill to rest.
There is one aspect of the giving that bothers me and a few others that have commented on this issue. This is the placing of pictures of the President, First Lady and Vice President in the sitting room of what is now Captain Strasser’s private dwelling house. It seems ridiculous to hang the picture of your benefactors in your sitting room just to be reminded every day that you owe your existence to them! It would also seem that the hard drinks on display on the table and clothes in the wardrobe were to give the impression that this “down and out” would now be living in opulence. These acts are clearly distasteful and I can bet my bottom dollar that they were taken by overzealous people without the President’s knowledge. After all the “good old Catholic boy from Tihun” is well aware of the admonishment he has received over his lifetime by Catholic Priests in Matthew 6:1-4-
“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.2 “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honoured by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Anyway, whatever the case, we all wish Captain Strasser well as he moves into his new abode. I hope he will be able to say every day- “This house is my home.”
COVID FIGHT: RELIGIOUS LEADERS DEMAND RESPECT
In an impassioned sermon recently, Bishop Archibald Cole admonished government to rule justly and have the fear of God in whatever they do. The famed religious leader has joined some of his colleagues who are understandably irked by the abrupt closure of Churches and Mosques. He is not against the closure, he says, but abruptly shutting down highly compliant Churches and Mosques, which only open a few times a week for short periods is unjust considering that restaurants, bars and entertainment centres continue to run with little modification. He asks- “Are Churches and mosques targeted because they are the most vulnerable?”. He based his sermon on 2 Samuel 23: 3- “He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God”. He warned of the consequences of disregarding religion in fighting a calamitous situation like COVID by citing Psalm 127:1- Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.
The good Bishop has a point! Religious organisations have in fact been more cooperative in the COVID fight than many other groups. The Council of Churches in Sierra Leone, Body of Christ and other religious groups took upon themselves to sensitize their congregations and adapt cherished practices to innovative practical ones during the Ebola fight. They are still doing this with the COVID fight. A recent study by Christian Lawyers Centre (LEGAL LINK) submitted to NaCoVERC indicated that ninety percent of Churches and mosques in the Western area were compliant with the Covid-19 Guidelines issued by NaCoVERC. Churches and mosques are teaching about the importance of vaccination. Some Churches have even invited NaCoVERC to vaccinate their members within their premises.
I recently launched a CCSL published book, “The Church in post COVID 19 Sierra Leone”, written by eminent Church people of various denominations and made the following observation:
“CCSL’s actions have put paid to the misconceptions peddled by some so called “divine healers” who tell Christians that they should not go to the doctor because that is “lack of faith”. We know that God will not do for us what He has given us the ability to do for ourselves. If He has given us the good sense, there are steps that we can take to protect ourselves and if we fail to do that, it will almost be like putting Him to the test. Naysayers are reminded that even Jesus himself declared that the medical doctors existed for the sick. (Mat. 9:12; Mark 2:17; Luke 5:13). The Apostle Paul himself had a medical doctor in his missionary staff (Col. 4:14). He himself gave Timothy a prescription (probably under the recommendation of Dr. Luke) because of his “frequent sicknesses” (1 Tim. 5:23). With the pandemic now much abated, we must start looking at the future. Realistically it may not go away entirely very soon and future pandemics are a possibility. The Church however remains very much alive, mutating like the virus but keeping to its ideals.”
CCSL and other religious bodies could therefore be excused for feeling neglected and treated in such an abrupt manner, when they have been more compliant than other groups. It would seem the real issue is lack of consultation. As Bishop Archibald Cole said, all it would have taken was to at least inform them and give them a week’s notice if formal consultations were not possible. They do realise the primacy of government in such matters and the need to make quick decisions in a public emergency, but their beef is that they were not consulted and the decision was not based on an assessment of risks-vis a vis other groups.
NaCoVERC is however remedying the situation and has held a meeting with the Inter religious Council and signed a communique with them which touches on the need for consultation, communications and mobilisation on vaccine roll out and compliance.
I believe the present storm is over. I however like the assessment of one critical clergyman of government, and our religious leaders when he laments:
“I blame all parties for this situation. Government would not dare treat Okada riders in this way because of the dire consequences that may occur. They have taken religious leaders for granted because some look for glory and want a “seat at the table”. Gone are the days when “Fire and brimstone” preachers would use the pulpit to berate governments for glaring ills in society. This is what happens to you when you are too pliable-governments take you for granted.”
Wow. Strong stuff! Ponder my thoughts
