…Joins counterpart to celebrate 230 years of existence
Mayor Koijee delivered these remarks over the weekend in Freetown, at the conclusion of a weeklong commemoration of the city’s 230th anniversary.
Mayor Koijee attended the Interfaith Ceremony & Mayor Cocktail, the Street Parties, and the Street Parade, among other events, at the request of his counterpart, Mayor Aki-Sawyer.
In January 1792, a fleet of 15 ships left Halifax, Nova Scotia bound for Sierra Leone, carrying just over 1,000 Black Loyalist families, including key individuals like Thomas Peters, who had negotiated their resettlement, and David George, who was known in Nova Scotia for his preaching. These “Black Loyalists” (also called “Nova Scotians”) were freed African-Americans from Canada who had escaped slavery to fight on the side of the British during the American War of Independence. They arrived in Sierra Leone on March 9th, around 60 having died en route. On March 11, 1792, they are thought to have gathered around the famous Cotton Tree, celebrating “freedom” and founding the settlement of “Free Town.”
Mr. Koijee believes that commemorating the 230th anniversary of Freetown’s founding is not only meaningful in helping to shape the country’s past, but also in helping to determine the country’s future trajectory.
He stressed that Liberia and Sierra Leone have a long history of welcoming freed slaves who return home in search of a home.
He went on to say that Freetown and its history are so unique in the African continent and to the millions of Africans displaced from their homelands by the slave trade, which, by the way, says a lot about how the country is directly linked from the point of departure to the return from plantations in Europe and America.
“This ties in with our Bicentennial and makes it all unique to the co-existence we have and continue to share,” he said.
He used the time to congratulate the people of Freetown and the government of Sierra Leone on the historic milestone, including Mayor Aki-Sawyerr for such an exceptional event commemorating Freetown at 230, which is over two centuries of the return of slaves to their homeland and, most importantly, the formation of a great hospitable city.
He said that the Deputy Kanifing Mayor of The Gambia, Madam Binta Jalloh, who also graced the occasion, has shown remarkable courage and solidarity for Africa and the cities they deserve, adding that “the hospitality of the people of Sierra Leone remains unmatched and I would like to say we enjoyed every minute spent and the people we interacted with”.
Mr. Koijee believes that commemorating the 230th anniversary of Freetown’s founding is not only meaningful in helping to shape the country’s past, but also in helping to determine the country’s future trajectory.
He stressed that Liberia and Sierra Leone have a long history of welcoming freed slaves who return home in search of a home.
He went on to say that Freetown and its history are so unique in the African continent and to the millions of Africans displaced from their homelands by the slave trade, which, by the way, says a lot about how the country is directly linked from the point of departure to the return from plantations in Europe and America.
According to him, they are reenacting what happened 230 years ago as they commemorate the establishment of Freetown, underlining that only the Interfaith Ceremony is about individuals who gathered around the landmark land mark in 1792, all of them were Christians. But, he added, because of Freetown’s current growth and expansion, including the social, cultural, and diversity that has resulted, it is critical that, as they honor the 230th anniversary of the city, they acknowledge the religious tolerance that has enabled today’s society.
As a result, he said, the FCC had asked a diverse range of religious organisations from throughout Freetown to take part in the interfaith celebration. “Freetown has come a long way over the past 230 years and has gone through tribulations and triumphs and has survived years of senseless rebel war, flooding, fire disasters and other hazards. Despite these negative manifestations in its existence, the country has served outstanding moments in our effort to transform into a dynamic city of opportunity. It has the opportunity to become. We are conducting this interfaith ceremony in the most magnificent auditorium in the country. I wish to welcome you all to this ceremony, which is part of our 230th anniversary of Freetown,” Mr. Kallay said.
Madam Yvonne Aki-Sawyer, the Mayor of Freetown, said during her special remarks at the ceremony that remembering their past is not just about remembering 1792–1881 but also about remembering the most recent dates: January 6, 1999 during the rebel evasion, August 14, 2017 during the mud slide and the Ebola outbreak, including the many lives lost, and November 15, 2021 during the fire outbreak, when 151 Freetonians died during the explosion.
They finished yesterday by holding hands together, according to Madam Aki-Sawyer, which is a flashback to their history.
“Today commences the actual day and this celebration has been about remembering our past, celebrating our culture, but most importantly, remembering the history and channels that ran alongside each other ever so often they merge and cross. When the formally enslaved people came to Freetown, they met those who were previously in Freetown,” she said
Speaking further, she said that Freetown is one of the interesting, diverse, historic, record-making cities on the coast of West Africa.
She revealed that Freetown was the first country in the world where women had the right to vote, emphasizing that the first is many and they can look back and long for those days when they were described as the Athens of West Africa.
“It is one thing to long for something and to be in the stargazer’s past. It is another thing altogether to hold hands, stand in unity and be determined about our future. That is what this 230-year celebration represents for us,” she asserts
Mayor Aki-Sawyer also used the time to appreciate the people of Freetown, FCC, and Mayor Koijee, including international guests, well-wishers, and everyone else who joined them to celebrate the 230th anniversary of Freetown.
She stressed that they are happy to have honored their history and showcased their culture.
For his part, the Special Presidential Adviser to President Julius Maada Bio, Raymond De’Souza George, speaking on behalf of the President, said that in the thinking of all Sierra Leoneans as patriotic citizens, the celebration of the 230 years of Freetown should be an opportunity to reflect positively on the history, heritage, culture, and progress being made as a city.
Mr. George stated to Sierra Leoneans that as they go through the moment of the Interfaith Service, the story of resilience, preservation, liberty, hope, unity, change, and transformation that have occurred during their 230 year’s journey should take prominence, adding that highlighting these will help to navigate the smooth parts of the adversity and the years ahead as a country.
“Let us challenge and encourage ourselves in the interest of our prosperity,” he urged Sierra Leoneans.
The 230th anniversary of Freetown was well attended by the Monrovia City Corporation (MCC), Mayor Koijee, who was accompanied by Representative of District #9 Frank Saah Foko and other officials of the MCC, including Sierra Leoneans from across the country. An opening ceremony with in-depth discussions on Freetown then, now, and in the future, a symposium and photo exhibition on the contribution of women to our city’s success, a display of culture and diversity by the ethnic groups in Freetown, a vigil to reflect and remember those they have lost, an interfaith ceremony to mark the anniversary, street parties in all wards, and an open-air concert were among the activities commemorating the
