Dr. Ibrahim Bangura finances and conducts voter training for 150 first-time APC voters during the 2018 campaign.

By Ben Turay (The Ataya Pot)

In his commitment to financing the APC party, especially during the 2018 Presidential Elections, Dr. Ibrahim Bangura focused his efforts on providing both financial support and free training to thousands of first-time APC voters across various parts of the country, including Freetown, while many other comrades prioritized their personal interests. Born and raised in an APC family, Dr. Bangura has made significant sacrifices for his beloved party. With more than 15 years of classroom experience, he has utilized his skills to impart knowledge to new APC voters, aiming to increase the party’s valid vote count in 2018 elections.

The first training, which was held back of the Special Court for Sierra Leone in Freetown around December 2017, brought together 150 young APC members between the ages of 18-23 from various communities, institutions, and groups to provide them with essential information about the voting process.

 

Dr. Ibrahim Bangura and his co-trainers, whom I cannot name here for security reasons, focused on the following topics during the sessions:

1. How to register to vote
2. How to complete ballot papers
3. How to fill out ballots correctly, and
4. Basic electoral laws

 

Other topics included:

1. How to cast a valid vote, and
2. How to vote for APC candidates at all levels, starting from Councilors, to MPs, to Mayors/Chairpersons and President.

Dr. Bangura informed the group of over 150 participants about the importance of each and every vote in the election process. He emphasized that casting valid votes is the only way for the APC to win elections.

During the training, Dr. Ibrahim Bangura, the most popular candidate for APC party’s upcoming flag bearer convention in 2026, shared with the young participants that he embarked on this journey willingly with his own resources because:

1. As an adult and a citizen of the country, he felt it was his obligation to educate the youths and promote democracy,
2. He wanted to continue supporting the APC in the upcoming elections,
3. He noted that he had not seen sufficient involvement from party stakeholders in training new voters, and
4. He has been at the center of Youth development programs, thus recognizing the impact young people play when given the required training.

Dr. Bangura disclosed to the participants that he had provided similar training in different countries in Africa. He encouraged the youths to share the knowledge they had received with their peers in their communities.

Participants were invited from various educational institutions, including IPAM, FBC, COMAHS, and more. Other members were from the following communities:

Participants in Western Rural region:

From Gbendembu, Glouster, Leicester, Old School, Jui, Mechchem, Funkia, Adonkia, Ogoo Farm, LAKKA, Hamilton, Baw Baw, Mambo, Kent, Tombo, MacDonald, Fire Mambo, Waterloo, Campbell town, Bassa Town, Deep Eye, and Devil Hole.

Communities in Western Region that were present:

From Mayenkeneh, Calabatown, Wellington, Old Warlf, Susan’s Bay, Abacha, Malama Thomas St, Maroon Town, Kroo Bay, Swiessy, Belgium, Krootown Road, Dwarzark, Sulailatown, Sorie Town, New England, Lumley, Congo Market, Ferry Junction, Kuntolor, Poortee, Ferry Junction, Cassel Farm, Black Hall Rd, Moyiba, Moa Warlf and Red Pump.

Alfred M. Kanu 22, from FBC, was the first person to speak. He said he appreciated to be educated about the electoral laws, adding that he has heard of people being arrested for electoral offences.

“I am happy to learn that nobody shall be registered as a voter in more than one ward or more than once in a ward for a particular election,” Kanu said, and appealed to Dr. Bangura to organize more trainings so as to make the electioneering process easier for them as first-time voters.

Another beneficiary, Alimamy Sesay, 18, from the Caritas community, by Allen Town Kiosk, admitted that the 2018 elections were his first involvement in national politics. Sesay confessed that he could not read nor write, and learning about how to cast a valid vote was necessary for him. “This is my first time voting in national elections. I now know how to vote, and my vote to be counted for my APC party. My family and I are all APC, we are all ready to vote for APC. The education I received today has helped me understand the voting process. I thank Dr. Bangura and his team for making this event a reality,” he said, adding, “I sincerely wish to thank you, Dr. Ibrahim Bangura, for the calm, confidence, and knowledge we have gained from you here today.”

Another attendee, Isata Coker, 19, from the Crab Town community in Lumley, also expressed gratitude for the training, adding that her mother was now blind, but had always willingly voted for the APC. She promised to share the knowledge gained with her blind mother. She admitted learning about how to complete a ballot paper. “Dr. Bangura, you and your team have given us a clear understanding of how to vote and ensure our votes are counted. APC is in my DNA. I came here to be trained on how to vote for the APC for the first time.” She said.

The trainings were organized simultaneously with the Door-To-Door movement.

Participants were served both food and transportation fare.