MESSAGE TO THE NATION
BY
PRESIDENT AHMAD TEJAN KABBAH
ON THE OCCASION OF CHRISTMAS 2004
AND THE NEW YEAR 2005
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Fellow Citizens, Sisters and Brothers,

Just over five weeks ago we all, Moslems and Christians joined in the celebration of Eid-ul-Fitri, the end of the Holy Month of Ramadan. Now, we are ready to celebrate together as members of one family, the family of Sierra Leoneans, another national observance - Christmas.

When I was a boy, I often heard people say: "Christmas comes but once a year." My question was: 'Of course there is one and only one Christmas Day each year, so, why state the obvious?" Well, as I grew older I came to realize the meanings that could be attached to that saying. On the one hand it was interpreted as a kind of reminder that one must take advantage of the opportunity to enjoy oneself to the fullest - to eat, drink and be merry, and tomorrow will take care of itself. It was also interpreted perhaps as a licence to splurge, to go overboard in the festivities, and even get drunk, just because it is Christmas.

On the other hand, I also came to realize that there was a sober and reflective interpretation of the saying: "Christmas comes but once a year". In my view this is an interpretation or meaning that is more relevant in our country today than ever before.

"Christmas comes but once a year" is an expression of the fact that Christmas is unique. It is a day like no other day, a day set apart for special celebration. The manner in which we celebrate Christmas may change from time to time, depending on the circumstances we each find ourselves during this festive occasion. The loss of a loved one, the onset of personal disappointments, the lingering effects of the rebel armed conflict, the tightening yoke of poverty and the predicament of inadequate shelter - these are some of the circumstances that determine or change the manner in which we celebrate or not celebrate Christmas.

However, sisters and brothers no matter how we celebrate it, the true meaning of Christmas does not change. The spirit of Christmas has remained constant throughout the ages.

That is why my message to you is based on two famous lines that in my view underscore the true meaning of Christmas. It is appropriate for me to re-echo and paraphrase the message of the first heralds of that wonderful and glorious event in Bethlehem over two thousand years ago, and say: "Peace on earth and goodwill to all people, including the people of Sierra Leone." It is also appropriate, under current circumstances, and in the true Christmas spirit, for me to bring you "tidings of comfort and joy."

As I said earlier, Christmas is a time of joy and thanksgiving. It is also a time for giving, of sharing whatever little we have. And here I am referring not only to material things, but also to the spiritual gifts of life - love, peace, compassion, understanding and goodwill to others. These are gifts from the heart. In many instances they can be more powerful, more rewarding and more lasting than some of the material gifts that we crave for and often deserve.

Fellow citizens, Christmas is also special because it provides a kind of bridge between the passing year and a new year. As individuals and as a nation we will be looking back at our lives over the past twelve months - our achievements, our disappointments, our failures and the unfinished business on our respective individual and national agenda. As we reflect on the past we shall also be looking ahead to the challenges as well as the opportunities of the coming year, 2005.

This is not the occasion for me to present a detailed performance evaluation of the nation during the past year. However, I can assure you that in terms of our two priorities, namely, national security and food security, 2004 has been a good year. In making an assessment of our performance in these areas we must not forget that we are engaged in processes, not single events. We are engaged in processes that involve different actors, different stakeholders, and a series of steps designed and executed over time.

The gradual drawdown of UNAMSIL, the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Sierra Leone and the deployment of our own military forces are examples of the processes leading to the consolidation of our post-conflict national security. As far as food security is concerned, the process during the past year includes among other things, the procurement and distribution of 60,000 bushels of high-yielding seed rice to farmers nationwide; the procurement and supply of 148 power tillers and mobile threshers for the development of inland valley swamp in several districts, and the distribution of six million kilogrammes of seed rice, 200,000 bags of fertilizers and 40,000 bags of vegetable seeds to farm families throughout the country.

Fellow citizens, the processes continue in these and other priority areas. Looking ahead, the New Year 2005 will mark the completion of UNAMSIL's current mandate and responsibilities. Of course, especially in the context of sub-regional considerations, national security will continue to be top priority in the coming year.

The New Year will also witness another review of the status of our food security goal of no Sierra Leonean going to bed hungry by the year 2007. Our review will be considered in conjunction with the forthcoming review of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) established by Heads of State and Government at their summit in New York in 2000. As you know, in this historic Millennium Declaration, we, the world leaders, resolved among other things, to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger. We pledged by the year 2015 to reduce by half the proportion of people earning less than the equivalent of a dollar a day, reduce by the same proportion, the people who are unable to reach or afford safe drinking water, and also ensure that by the year 2015 children everywhere, boys and girls alike, will be able to complete a full course of primary schooling; and by the same date to have halted or begun to reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS, the scourge of malaria and other major diseases that affect humanity.

Fellow citizens, international cooperation is essential if we are to achieve those goals and targets. Equally, the prospects for achieving our national goals will be greatly improved, first and foremost, by our own effort, through shared responsibility for our own development, through partnership or collaboration between Government and the people, between the public and private sectors.

Just a few weeks back, we had the great honour of hosting the President of Germany in a historic visit by the Head of State of one of the greatest nations in the world. This has more than a symbolic significance. It represents an expression of faith in us as a nation by members of the International Community, and their commitment to support efforts to stabilize and develop our country. The entourage of the President, Prof. Dr. Hoerst Koehler, and his spouse included dozens of German business groups, and he pledged a grant of over twelve million Euros on behalf of his Government which we intend to use for the reactivation and expansion of the rural electrification network in our country.

Earlier in the year, we also received high-ranking Government officials from the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Nigeria, Liberia and Uganda, to name just a few.

These events provide a happy transition to the New Year. Many of the benefits flowing from them will lay the foundation for similar goodwill events anticipated in 2005, including a planned visit by the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran and His Royal Highness the Prince of Norway.

As I will not be giving a separate New Year Message, let me now implore you, indeed all of us, to adopt as our New Year resolution, the commitment to love our country more, work harder and be more patriotic.

Let us therefore blend our individual resolutions and expectations for the New Year 2005 with the goals and objectives of the nation as a whole. Let us resolve to consider ourselves part of the solution to the problems of our country. As Sierra Leoneans you have a legitimate right to ask what your country is doing for you; in the same vein, you should ask yourself what you are going to do for your country in 2005 and beyond. This should be part of everyone's New Year's revolution.

In wishing you all compliments of the season, I renew my pledge to continue to work with you steadfastly to ensure that the coming year 2005 will be better, much better than 2004.

Thank you for your attention and God bless us all.

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