PRESIDENT KABBAH AT MILITARY HIV/AIDS CONCERT

29th September 2003- His Excellency the President, Alhaji Dr. Ahmad Tejan Kabbah, was the distinguished Guest of Honour at the final staging of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces/Steady Bongo concert on HIV/AIDS at the Wilberforce Hockey Pitch Saturday night, 27th September, 2003.

Steady Bongo is a popular local musical artist, who has been working in collaboration with the Sierra Leone military and the United States Embassy in Freetown, as part of a nationwide series of concerts designed to increase awareness among servicemen and women about the threat of HIV/AIDS.

The RSLAF/HIV/AIDS Awareness Prevention Programme, which started in June 2002 with support from the United States Department of Defence, has trained thirty HIV/STI counsellors; distributed about 1.4 million condoms; set up HIV/AIDS Sentinel Surveillance Antenatal Clinic; refurbished and equipped specific laboratories for voluntary testing and HIV Test Kits. Under the project, a senior military medical officer has received training in HIV/AIDS diagnosis and treatment in San Diego, USA.

The Military HIV/AIDS Awareness Prevention concert kicked off at 7.30 pm with opening remarks made by United States Ambassador Peter Chaveas. He thanked President Kabbah for gracing the occasion with his presence and lauded his leadership skills, especially on the issue of HIV/AIDS prevention. Ambassador Peter Chaveas commended Steady Bongo and his musical group for having taken the HIV/AIDS message all over the country, carrying an extraordinarily important message about the threat of AIDS. He also thanked the soldiers for showing appreciation for the funds and resources made available by the United States Government.

Next on the podium was Chief of Defence Staff, Major-General Tom Carew, whose statement was brief and to the point. He thanked President Kabbah for gracing the occasion; the American government for their assistance and the officers, men and women of the RSLAF for their co-operation. He commanded them to be always "combat-ready and condom-ready".

President Kabbah's address was electrifying. He expressed his delight to be among the soldiers. As Head of State and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces, he reminded the soldiers that "HIV/AIDS is the next war that must be fought and won with every enthusiasm".

President Kabbah lauded the effort and support of the United States Military and Government and thanked Ambassador Chaveas for his personal involvement in the campaign to fight the spread of HIV/AIDS through intense public awareness and sensitisation. He praised Steady Bongo and his musical group, Lt. Colonel Dr. Samba, the HIV/AIDS focal point in the RSLAF and the military for their active participation in the campaign.

The concert began after President Kabbah's statement and Steady Bongo treated the crowd to superb music and theatrical performances. The crowed went wild with excitement and even President Kabbah could not hold back his delight.

Prizes were distributed for a cross-country race, which had been held earlier in the day. The Kenyan Battalion won the first prize, while various other prizes were won by the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces as well as other groups and individuals. Deputy Minister of Defence Joe Blell distributed the prizes.

The RSLAF/STEADY BONGO HIV/AIDS Awareness Prevention concerts started in Benguema on 5th September 2003 and continued to other towns and Brigade Headquarters, including Lungi, Kambia, Makeni, Kabala, Gaya, Kenema, Daru and Mile 91". The important role played by the RSLAF in the HIV/AIDS sensitisation is important at a time like this when the civil/military relation is being improved. Never in the history of Sierra Leone has the military been used as a role model to conduct an exercise of nationwide interest and significance. This will change the perception of most Sierra Leoneans who think that the only role of soldiers is to fight wars. This is truly a new beginning", opined the President.

"Education and sensitization will not stop after the six-month campaign conducted at all Brigade Headquarters, but will be on-going and must reach the last private soldier at the most forward position", a senior military officer remarked.

"The mere participation of His Excellencythe President, who is also Commander-In-Chief of the armed forces indicates how important the issue of tackling the spread of HIV/AIDS is", remarked another officer.

The master of ceremonies during the all-night-long concert was commander of the Freetown Garrison, Colonel Thomas Momodu.