…Commissioner Kokofele assures staff
July 27, 2018
The new NaCSA Commissioner, Abu Bockarie Kokofele
The newly approved Commissioner of the National Commission for Social Action (NaCSA), Abu Bockarie Kokofele has assured staff of the Commission that “NaCSA shall rise again”. He made the pronouncement on Tuesday, 24th July at the handing over ceremony held at the Commission’s Board Room, 7th Floor, NaCSA House, Charlotte Street – Freetown.
“I have come with an open mind and my door is always open,” he assured all. NaCSA, he acknowledged has come a long way since its inception in 1996.
“However, this is a new beginning in the new Direction and we must all ensure that we sustain those gains made by the commission and if possible double those glories,” Commissioner Kokofele reiterated.
Commissioner Kokofele commended the outgoing Commissioner and his Deputy on their achievements and expressed gratitude to the general staff, while emphasizing the need for team spirit. “We should be thinking of moving ahead instead of looking into the past,” he encouraged.
Submitting the 23 pages handing over note on behalf of the outgone Commissioner, the outgoing NaCSA Deputy Commissioner, Madam Haja Isata kamara gave a brief background of the commission. NaCSA, she noted, has evolved over its twenty one years of existence to become an enviable and result-oriented National Development Institution. Within this twenty one years’ period, she said, she felt honoured to be the first woman to have been appointed to the position of Deputy Commissioner. “But what makes me proud today, is the fact that another woman is succeeding me,” Madam Kamara affirmed.
Commissioner Abu Kokofele receiving the handing over note from the Outgoing Deputy Commissioner Isatu Kamara
Madam Kamara congratulated the new Commissioner and advised him to start from where they have left but cautioned him on his need to do a total rebranding of the commission as well as bridging the divide, which she noted is deep-rooted. Madam Kamara also raised concern over the staff provident fund, which she revealed has been a burning issue among staff.
Other speakers at the occasion included the newly approved NaCSA Board Chairman, Mr.Foday Musa, the Senior Director, Monitoring and Evaluation, Knowledge Management Reporting and visibility, Dr. Susan Robert and the Director of Reparations, Obi Buya-Kamara.
As a Labour activist, Chairman Musa was moved by the plights of the affected staff of the commission whose provident fund are yet to be paid. “I want to assure you all that I shall look into all industrial issues affecting you, dig them up and will leave no stone unturned and those involved in it will pay for it,” he assured. He further acknowledged the staff strength of the commission and encouraged them to continue their good work.
Speaking on behalf of the NaCSA staff, Dr. Susan Robert assured the new team of staff commitment and support to the new leadership, encouraging all to put the past behind and to forge ahead. To the new NaCSA Chairman, she highlighted some of the lapses of the past Board, describing it as a toothless one.
The conspicuous absence of the outgone NaCSA Commission Alie Badara Mansaray continues to ponder this Press, showing the deep divide the commission has been suffering. One thing very clear however, is the fact that NaCSA has successfully coordinated the implementation of post-conflict humanitarian, relief and reconstruction assistance and significantly provided oversight to donor-funded projects including those financed by the World Bank Group, African Development Bank (ADB), Islamic Development Bank (IDB) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
One key task awaiting the new NaCSA Commissioner, Abu Bockarie Kokofele is to regain donor confidence which seems to have been eroded by recent bad media publicity suffered by the commission.