Essa Thaim Krugba speaks from Freetown

APC supporters in North America and readers of the Patriotic Vanguard and other diaspora newspapers would easily remember a gentleman called Ishmael T. Kamara (photo) popularly known as Essa Thaim Krugba, a die-hard APC supporter who used to live in Maryland in the United Sates of America. Thaim Krugba was a prolific writer and contributor to the Patriotic Vanguard and other online newspapers. His pro-APC articles (between 2007 and 2013) were always full of wisdom with quotations from great thinkers past and present. Well, Thaim Krugba has finally returned home; he contacted me recently to let me know he is now vigorously contributing to national development on the ground in Freetown as Deputy Director (Governance) at the Ministry of Political and Public Affairs headed by Madam Nannette Thomas, another prolific writer and contributor to PV when she was living in Texas, USA. I had a short interview with Mr. Ishmael Kamara (Orkrugba). Here it is:

PV: Congratulations, Mr. Kamara, on your appointment as Deputy Director, Governance, at the MPPA.

IK: You are most welcome.

PV: When were you appointed and what does this job entail?

IK: I was appointed 1st of May, 2016, immediately after Madam Nanette Thomas was appointed Minister of Political and Public Affairs.

The job is all about good governance. Good governance is about the processes for making and implementing decisions on accountability, transparency, human rights and the rule of law in all segments of society. It’s about the best possible process for making good decisions.

Good governance has several characteristics and they all should have positive effects on various aspects of governance including consultation policies and practices, meeting procedures, quality service protocols, personal conduct, role clarification and good working relationships.

PV: What are some of the things you do every day in your office?

IK: As a senior member of staff at this Ministry in the Directorate Office, I supervise and coordinate the activities of staff members. I also coordinate communications with the media on a daily basis.

PV: Many people do not know what the functions of the Ministry of Political and Public Affairs are. Can you please explain to us what goes on at this Ministry?

IK: This Ministry organises meetings and conferences at district and regional levels by contacting all relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and other relevant stakeholders of each region to keep them informed about developments as and when they take place.

It also identifies areas of collaboration with all MDAs and relevant stakeholders in promoting good governance, democracy and the rule of law for peace, national cohesion and development. Through this, the Ministry would be able to mediate on issues that are liable to create disorder, chaos and conflict at community level which may undermine national development.

In effect the MPPA is a coordinator of the work of all MDAs and other state and private institutions.

PV: Thank you very much.