Anthony Abdul Karim Kamara, Jnr.
USA Bureau Chief
PV: Congratulations on your NOSLINA award! How do you feel? What does this mean to you?
AJM: Thank you! I feel good... In my opinion, this award tells me that Sierra Leoneans in the Diaspora appreciate good work being done on behalf of our country and it is an indication that they want to see more done. I get this sense or affirmation more from an email communication between NOSLINA’s Chair, Dr. Don Taylor and I after he revealed the good news to me in a letter. His first sentence in the email referred to read: “Your victory was rock solid and a tacit recognition of your outstanding contribution to Sierra Leone from the Diaspora.”
PV: Many in the opposition have called you an APC operative? Why do you think the opposition thinks this way about you?
AJM: Yes, it is interesting that at given times, either the SLPP supporters have branded me an APC operative or the APC guys have labeled me as an SLPP undercover. On one occasion at least, I have been associated with the PMDC. All these records are archived and will be a great source for a book in the near future... a book on the Sierra Leonean that is from the eyes of a forum. But like I always say, the accreditation or linkage to all these parties is a true sign of one’s non-partisanship, or maybe non-political partisanship as Dr. Jonathan Peters once tried to explain the difference between the two to me. And the latter made sense.
PV: How do you do all these activities with five children and a wife?
AJM: Man, what a question! The short answer is sacrifice. We sacrifice a lot... we have minimized time spent together as a family, funds diverted to Sierra Leonean activities are siphoned from the new WII or some designer suit or purse for mum and so forth. But the greatest loss is time NOT spent with my family even when I am at home. Always on the computer working, either doing research or writing some concept paper or responding to emails all day long. Not to mention the phone calls, be they personal and/or conference calls.
On DENI-SL alone, I spend an average of about 10 to 12 hours a week... every week and you very well know it since you are a member of that steering committee. Then there is the MCC, SLGHA, Joshua Project, National Summit for DNA Sierra Leoneans, SALCORE, The Sierra Leone Network, The Youth, etc., etc. And most people only see the results sometimes without understanding what goes on behind the scenes. I am blessed with a wife who has the strength to do all that she does without much complaining, and to keep the family intact even as her husband and a father of five tries to help save you know who or what... she understands someone has to do it but wishes it would be someone else, I’m sure.
PV: Why is it important for you to devote so much time and energy into causes that sometimes are hard to navigate especially with the government’s inability to follow through in its promises or actions?
AJM: Well I do what I do not for government, or President Koroma or the APC party. I think some people know that. It is important to me because in my heart I truly believe I am doing God’s work. I do not understand where I get it all from either. But I think two things happened (perhaps 3) that made a difference.
The truth is Emmerson’s Borbor Belleh song is one of them that gave me the deeper inspiration to do work for our people’s sake. Often, I thought to myself that if he can do it living in SL; then what about me?
There is the SALONE Discussion Forum and guys like Mohamed Jalloh who helped me to gain more courage in holding the government of the day accountable back in 2006. There were others also like Jonathan Rose and Pede Hollist in the very early days and these guys have been veteran online contributors and beyond, who were just admirable. Yes man, we are blessed with a lot of human resources and paradoxically cursed at the same time with a lack of collectiveness, or collectivity.
The third thing will be TQ.com. This is a website that measures and helps you improve your time quotient (or TQ), which is assessed by the results you produce over a time. And it is where I learned the concept of "high expectations" and "brilliant execution" and we can write a book on that so I better stop there for now. But I advice and encourage Sierra Leoneans and others for that matter to go to that website (www.tq.com) and improve on their TQ. We need more of us. It is not foolproof though and there may be some other factors to get to a certain level.
PV: Are you a member of any political party? If so what is your party affiliation? If no, why are you not a member of one?
AJM: No to the first question! The second question is not applicable! I think because I have been disappointed over the years by the show of both of the leading parties, the APC and SLPP, I have been turned off. But that does not mean I will never belong to a political party. I think politics can be a fun thing if you have the interest of the people at heart. I am very political right now without necessarily being partisan and I see how some of the things we do today can help shape our country, socially, economically and politically. And also, I have never been seriously recruited by anyone from any political party.
PV: There are other Sierra Leoneans out in the Diaspora as well as in Sierra Leone, why is it that you are always the one who is most highly sought?
AJM: Really, do you think so? Do not believe everything you hear about me.
PV: What do you think of the present government? Are there any instances where they have failed or have not lived to your expectations? Can you name any examples?
AJM: Alright, I see you are trying to corner me. Yes I have been disappointed: The Energy and Power contract comes to mind; the Wanza deal; the Cocaine saga; to name but a few big ones. On the other hand, I have been encouraged by the government’s decision to want to participate in the MCC that is geared towards national development, giving Sierra Leoneans the first choice in owning the state-owned enterprises as they are being considered for privatization. Of course, DENI-SL (www.deni-sl.com) is poised to galvanize Sierra Leoneans to buy into these parastatals so that we can keep the family jewels (national assets) in the family. The present government is also following through with the SLPP-ignited Extract Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI). If the government with the support of the people and friends of Sierra Leone can successfully implement all of these things, it will be a clear indication that they are serious to not only the international community, but more importantly so, to the ordinary people of Sierra Leone.
PV: Have you ever considered politics?
AJM: Yes, everyday. I not only consider it, I live it!
PV: Are there any people out there that you admire and why?
AJM: Yes. I truly admire my lovely wife, Yinka. She is one great lady that I am lucky to have as my partner. I could not have done all of this without her unending support. But beyond her, I also admire the principled character of Mohamed Moh’m Jalloh. I admire the walk of Barack Obama; you know he has a swagger that I see myself in him when he walks. This one is no longer out there, but Bantu Steven Biko is one of my all-time favorite of civil right fathers. I admired his overall demeanor. And then, there is Lango Deen whom I have a lot of respect for. I admire her feistiness. Now, women won’t feel left out. There are others, but...
PV: What really brought you to where you are today? In other words, where does this passion come from?
AJM: Divine Intervention! That is what I believe. Some of my friends cannot believe I am the same guy and they may never say it to my face... but I know (smile).
PV: You talked about Borboh Belleh and his song. Why is that important to you?
AJM: For a man as young and courageous as he is we will be remiss not to appreciate what he has done for our country with regards to bringing some level of awareness and social consciousness to the people of Sierra Leone even in the deepest corners of Sierra Leone.
The level of awareness in the country today is a catalyst to development and will continue to be so because the people are not going to be less aware, but in fact more so over the coming years. I have been told about a large poster in the country that illustrates Emmerson as “the people’s lawyer.” Hopefully, that should drive my point home.
Now when a government is not responsible to her people, Sierra Leoneans understand that they have the recourse via the ballot box. Now all civil society has to do is disseminate information on all matters pertinent to national development and good or bad governance. And if the government fails us, we know what media we can use to inform the people who will respond. I think that Sierra Leoneans who voted (roughly about only 2 million, less than half of the population) in the last elections have shown all others that there is power in the ballot and that was largely influenced again by guys like Emerson Amidu Bockarie... my son.
PV: Why do you do what you do?
AJM: Well quite honestly I have thought about that myself. And I cannot pin it down exactly. However, God has been my guiding force and that I do know. People who knew me growing up will tell you that they are probably the most surprised that I could show some semblance of national leadership in our community. Because all they knew was this happy-go-lucky guy looking for the next place to hang out and party... Do you believe in pre-destiny? I do! And part of what I do was probably pre-destined by a higher force and I am just going through the motion.
But on a more serious note what has been a difference-maker for me is that one has the ability to blend street smarts with emotional intelligence. Following that, is adopting the practice of setting high expectations coupled with brilliant execution... well at least most times! I have learned that you can become successful when you put together a stream of successful events and this is what I try to do. In fact over the next year, as a NOSLINA Diamond Award recipient, I feel obliged to do more in the best interest of our country. So don’t be surprised if we have to do this all over again next year. A personal challenge I will set for myself.
PV: What do you think about the different national organizations all striving to do the same or similar things to bring development to Sierra Leone?
AJM: I think it is good and bad. It seems like we are divisive and probably to some extent that is true, but because one organization has not been able to be a catch-all for all the different aspects of contributions towards national development that we can make, it necessitates the existence of the few or many that you see in existence today. But obviously, NOSLINA has stood the test of time even though at one time they were seemingly dormant (and I don’t mean this in a derogatory way as Suna Nallo also touched on that but with more finesse during her recent article/interview with you).
I believe that the injection of the Sierra Leone Network into our Diaspora lives was the new beginning of all this new Diaspora activism. You can call it a biased statement and I can live with that but the truth is, we were indirectly instrumental in the rebirth of NOSLINA in our meetings with Kwame Fitzjohn and Sheku Kallon and the infamous Bowie State Convention will attest to; we helped to bring the YLSL to the Diaspora limelight when we introduced Abu Bakar Messeh to Akindele Decker and supported them; we were very instrumental and supportive of Michel Sho-Sawyer when they formed the YSLI and even tried to get them to merge at one time with the YLSL, unsuccessfully. These are all national organizations that go over and beyond ethnic, alumni, religion and so forth. There is also the Friends of Sierra Leone, who is the oldest of all Sierra Leonean-oriented organizations and who will also be celebrating their 50th Anniversary in 2011. I happen to sit on their Board and look forward to working with them over the next few years also.
PV: There are some who say that this man won’t be doing all of this if he is not benefiting. In other words, do you receive anything from the government of Ernest Bai Koroma in the form of salary or stipend etc?
AJM: I wish. I do what I do for the people of Sierra Leone and my salary or stipend will come later. But I think that will change soon once President Koroma realizes the value this guy brings to the table (chuckle). As you may have noticed Abdul, I am not shy about blowing my own horn. I don’t feel like I get enough of it. But many others may think there is ulterior motive in all what I do. And there is: given the norm of trying to reward the self-interest when people do these types of things, the “ulterior” motive here is to help my country and her long-suffering people rise up from being the least developed country in the world to one of the leading per capita nations. Did you get it? Today our GDP is roughly $300 annually? Compare that to about $6000 or so in Botswana.
PV: Any message for the government of President Ernest Koroma and the people of Sierra Leone?
AJM: Yes, I want President Koroma to know that there are very competent Sierra Leoneans in the Diaspora who can contribute immensely to the development of our country but his government has got to work harder to tap into this wealth of resource(s).
To my brothers and sisters of Sierra Leone, I want you all to know that help where you least expect it from, is on its way. This “help” will not come from the international community that has spoon-fed us to treat symptoms but from ordinary people of Sierra Leone, to address root causes. We know the difference between sustainable wealth creation by nationals of a country and band aid mending of the symptoms of poverty. They should expect that “everyone is entitled to food at meal time” and until then, the struggle continues.
PV: Thanks for your time, Mr. Massally.
AJM: Anthony Abdul, It has been a pleasure. A hearty Sierra Leonean “EKUSHEH” to you for all you do for our country.
After my interview, I spoke to Yinka Massally, the strong woman behind Amadu. Whilst she is happy and proud her husband is being honored with the 2009 NOSLINA Diamond award, she highlighted the fact that her husband will continue to do what he does for Sierra Leone “with or without an award” because of his passion and dreams to see his brothers and sisters benefit from the immense wealth that the country has.
Asked what he admires in Amadu, she tells me “he is comfortable in his own skin and cares genuinely about others and tells it as he sees it. Despite all he does, he still takes time for our family and I will continue to support him with all my heart so that he can achieve his dreams for SaLone.” Smiling when requested to share about their first date in Boston, she tells me “it’s a long story” but still recalls how brave Amadu was, to walk confidently into her apartment and the rest is now history. The union has produced five beautiful children.
Editor’s note: For comments, our USA Bureau Chief, Anthony Kamara, Jnr. can be reached via email at usapvchief@yahoo.com.
Photo: PV’s Anthony Kamara, Amadu Massallay and Mrs. Yinka Massally.
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