By Nasratu Kargbo
Aspiring female Member of Parliament in Kenema District Alice Kornya Sandy has accused the present MP of Constituency 016 Abu Bakarr Fofanah of destroying campaign posters and banners displaying her image.
Sandy in a letter of complaint addressed to the Chairman of the Sierra Leone People’s Party, Dr Prince Harding on 19 March 2023 expressed dissatisfaction over the destruction of her campaign posters. The letter reads: “I write to express dissatisfaction over an incident that caused the destruction to posters bearing my image placed at different localities in Kenema District”.
In the letter, she explained that vandalisation of her posters were done on the 17th March this year, and added that she was with evidence to prove it was planned by the sitting MP.
“Such actions are an affront to Democracy and the values it stands for”, she said.
Sandy said every person irrespective of gender, race and political affiliations has the right to partake in politics without fear. She added that the attack on her posters deters inclusivity and the promotion of women as stated in the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act 2022.
Sandy said she felt intimidated and victimized because of her gender, stating that she is contesting to make herself relevant and ensure women are represented in parliament.
Fofanah in turn denied the accusation, stating that Sandy was not in a competition with him.
According to the MP, the woman is in a race with her colleague female aspirants. He explained that with the introduction of the District Block System, there are no more constituencies, emphasizing that Kenema now has twelve seats with four for women. “I’m not in a race with any female aspirant. There is a 30% quota for female aspirants in each district, so why would I destroy her banners? I condemn the act and I did not send anyone to destroy any poster or banner” said Fofanah.
He added that the female aspirant’s banners are as at the time of the interview in different areas in his constituency and even around the clock tower he is building. “Her banners are in and around my constituency, why would I destroy her banners in other areas”, Fofanah asked.
The MP said Sandy’s target should be ensuring she is part of the four female aspirants in the district, adding that he is a male candidate and is not in contention with females but his colleague male aspirants. He suggested that the incident could have been orchestrated by Sandy’s female opponents.
Copyright © 2023 Politico (24/03/23)
