Members of the Sierra Leone music industry in a press statement have called for the immediate withdrawal from the country of the Senior Governance Specialist, Christopher Gabelle.
Addressing journalists at the National Stadium Presidential lounge on Friday, the Chairman of the occasion, Abu Bakarr Conteh alias DJ Boxx, said the World Bank official attempted to sow seeds of discord, inciting the youths against the government by request them to sing negative tracks.
The President of the Cassette Sellers Association, Abu Bakarr Kamara, recalled that on October 2, 2013; the World Bank invited them to inform them on their new stance they intend to take in terms of improving the music industry. He further said they discussed on project proposals and other pertinent issues then suddenly Mr. Gabelle decided to change the purpose of the meeting by asking them to start singing songs against the government.
Mr. Kamara reiterated that the Entertainment Industry is an independent organ, and no individual or body would dictate to them how they should sing.
Mr. Bilal Bah also stated that as a responsible outfit they would continue to discharge their duties responsibly without undue influence from any quarter. The Industry, he said, therefore takes exception to any such efforts by the World Bank and their associates to undermine the work of the government and bringing our beloved country into disrepute.
He added that they commend the World Bank and other development partners for their positive contributions to the government over the years but viewed such statements by Mr. Gabelle as acting against the expressed interests of the positive and healthy relations that have existed between the World Bank and Sierra Leone.
They, therefore, demand a public statement from the World Bank office in Sierra Leone disassociating itself from the statement uttered by Mr. Christopher Gabelle at that meeting, and called on the World Bank office in Sierra Leone and its associates to refrain forthwith from any such attempts that will derail the hard won peace and stability in the country.
Popular DJ Super Bitutex said the 11-old war visited Sierra Leone because of “ignorance and greed” adding that the government cannot be 100% good but the fact is nobody influences them to sing against the SLPP and nobody would force them to sing against the government.
