By: Elizabeth A. Kaine, Managing Editor
Congo Town, Freetown – November 23, 2024. Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr hosted a pivotal community engagement meeting with residents of Congo Town to address the saga surrounding the Ephraim Robinson Municipal Primary School playground usage and management.
Accompanied by Deputy Mayor Kweku Lisk, FCC Councillors, and key officials including the Chief Administrator and Head of the Education Department, Mayor Aki-Sawyerr clarified the status of the playground, which is owned and operated by the Freetown City Council (FCC). She emphasized FCC’s commitment to collaborating with individuals and organizations aiming to support local development.
The meeting addressed a proposal from Hon. Alfred Thompson to install astro turf at the playground and manage it commercially. While FCC welcomed the potential donation of astro turf, the proposal for commercialization was firmly rejected. Mayor Aki-Sawyerr highlighted that the playground must primarily serve the school’s children, whose safety is a top priority.
Community members expressed concern over Hon. Thompson’s construction of concrete walls and wire mesh fencing, which obstructed access to the playground. This action effectively trapped children within the school, raising alarms about potential safety hazards in emergencies.
Mayor Aki-Sawyerr reassured attendees that rumors about the playground being sold to a church were unfounded, and she reaffirmed her commitment to maintaining the playground as a safe space for children. Plans were announced to remove the barriers restricting access while maintaining security measures along the street-facing walls.
The discussion also addressed false allegations regarding the mayor’s involvement in land sales at the Congo Town cemetery, further reinforcing the need for community transparency and trust. The meeting, which lasted nearly two hours, provided a platform for residents to voice their concerns and seek clarifications, culminating in a pledge for ongoing collaboration between FCC and the Congo Town community.
In a related development, Hon. Alfred Thompson voiced his frustrations over the fate of the Congo Town Field, a project he claims to have invested billions of Leones into. He described the field as essential for community empowerment and youth engagement, warning that plans for its demolition could undermine these efforts. Thompson called for government intervention to resolve the dispute amicably, urging all stakeholders to unite for the benefit of the community.
As discussions continue, both Mayor Aki-Sawyerr and Hon. Thompson emphasize the importance of community development, safety, and collaboration in fostering a brighter future for Congo Town.
However, Mohamed Kamara, a resident close to the school, emphasized the playground’s importance to the children, urging the city council to protect it. “I believe there should always be a playground for primary school children, and I plead with the FCC to ensure its safety,” he stated.
Adama Sankoh, a parent of two children attending Congo Town School, noted that the playground is vital not only for the kids but also for the community, as it hosts various local events such as football matches and other sports. “This field means a lot to us and our children, and it must be protected,” she asserted.
