By Sanpha Sesay, The Texas Chief
I would like to share with APC members worldwide some of the intricacies and idiosyncrasies within the APC Constitution that particularly affect the diaspora, especially the Sixth Region branches.
There are two clauses in particular, though I won’t quote them directly, that I believe have significantly hindered the growth of the APC’s overseas branches.
Firstly, the clause limiting any branch or chapter to only 17 administrative members has proven problematic. By nature, Sierra Leoneans are drawn to titles and leadership roles. When we previously had larger executive structures in APC-USA, we experienced greater unity and had much more success raising funds. Under the current administration led by Dr. Suphian Kalokoh and Kebbie Turay, of which I am a member, we are struggling to gain full support and participation.
Secondly, there is a clause requiring the youth leader to be under the age of 35. This restriction has made it difficult for many APC-USA chapters to fill the youth leader position. In the Diaspora, where the primary role is to support the party financially, what some might describe as “monkey work, baboon eat,” such an age limit feels out of touch with our reality.
In the upcoming administration of possibly Comrade Kebbie Turay, the chances of finding qualified youth leaders under 35 years remain slim.
So, who do we hold responsible for this mess? I point to Mr. Alfred Peter Conteh and the National Reformation Movement (NRM). They led to a rushing of the drafting of the current constitution, allegedly aiming to sideline Dr. Samura Kamara from the flagbearer race and other party stakeholders.
Today, APC-USA, under the leadership of Comrade Suphian Kalokoh, is working on drafting its own bylaws to better align with our operational realities in the United States. It is my strong recommendation that the APC party revisit and amend several clauses in the constitution, particularly those affecting the Sixth Region.
I’ll delve into this more in the coming days.
I rest my case.
Sanpha Sesay
Freelance Journalist
