By Dauda Musa Bangura
The FIFA and the Mano River Union on Saturday 14th October, 2023, led a high-powered delegation headed by madam Isha Johansen to visit a site for the construction of FIFA/ Mano River Union (MRU) Football for Peace Initiative Village.
The delegation, headed by Madam Isha Johansen, visited the Republic of Liberia before the Liberia delegation joined Sierra Leone to visit the site at Malema Town, in Pujehun, where the Mano River Union was formed.
The delegation noted that Malema holds historical stature as it is the location where a pivotal peace agreement was signed.
PC Mustapha J. Massaquoi, the Paramount Chief of SoroGbeima Chiefdom welcomed the high-powered delegation headed by Isha Johansen. He also thanked FIFA for such a tremendous initiative; he further appreciated the President of FIFA revealing that this is a great project for Malema Town and the Mano River Union.
Speaking at the event, the Mano River Ambassador Madam Harrison commended the people of Malema Town where the Mano River was born for welcoming them to their town. She continued, “we are happy to be here fifty years later to be talking about the development the Mano River Union is trying to bring to Malema Town.”
She mentioned that through the help of the governments of the Republic of Sierra Leone, the Republic of Liberia, the Republic of Guinea, the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, FIFA, and other development partners, the Union is planning to build Mano River Peace Village in Malema, Pujehun, which will put Malema Town on the international map.
The Ambassador said that it is important to thank Madam IshaJohansen for leading this delegation from Switzerland to work on the progress of this outstanding project.
Hon. Andy G Quamie , the Deputy Minister of Sport of Liberia, started by mentioning that he would like to tell all present at the event that their President is widely regarded as one of the greatest African players of all times recalling that in 1995, Weah was named FIFA World Player of the Year and won the Ballon d’Or, becoming the first and only player to win these awards while representing an African country internationally. He further expressed his excitement for witnessing this grand event of the planning of the building of the peace park.
He furthered, ” there will be no better achievement than to see a Peace Park being built between Liberia and Sierra Leone from the Mano River Union. This will be an honor for one of the African Legends of football.” He further stated that people from other countries who have experienced war will come to this park and play peace matches to fully understand the value of peace after war, underscoring that it would be a technical training center too.
He concluded by saying that this Peace Park park would be a family property and they all would work to make sure it is achieved.
Madam Isha Johanson, the former President of the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) who is now working with FIFA also made a remarkable statement. She said that FIFA is working to bring developmental and social changes in various societies across the world.
She enlightened “football is beyond the pitch, and ninth minutes, but it’s a strong language that everyone can relate to. Football can foster peace.”
She went on to asset that as Sierra Leone is a country that has experienced war the country understands the value of peace. She mentioned that Leone Stars is a stark example of how football can unite people. She said that it is important to make it known that this Peace Park belongs to the entire Mano River Union and those countries and individuals who seeks peace.
The Minister of Planning and Economic Development of Sierra Leone, Ms Kenyeh Ballay, expressed thanks and appreciation to FIFA and Mano River Union on behalf President Dr. Julius Maada Bio and the people of Sierra Leone to those who are involved in pioneering the process to see the achievement of the construction of this Peace Park in Malema Town. She noted that she hoped this project would be completed within a year.
Similar statements were made by key stakeholders present at the event.
