By Bampia James Bundu
Local artists from the Sierra Leone Music Federation, headed by music superstar-cum film maker Jimmy Bangura, better known as Jimmy B, have urged President Ernest Bai Koroma to create a ministry that would work exclusively for the protection of the country’s entertainment industry.
Presenting a proposal to the President at State House last week, Bangura explained that they as young and talented youths had formed the music federation with a vision of positioning the local artists to tap into the growing African and international music market.
To achieve that, he said, they were for an active partnership with the government, noting that with the government’s support, they could rebrand the country to become a better place for everyone.
Jimmy noted that together they could motivate and develop the country’s youths who he said were part of the country’s “priceless possessions.”
He said they would “rebrand the country to be a place of hope, resilience, dynamism, courage and progress. We can show the world that we are a country that beats all odds if only we work together.”
Jimmy, known fondly in the industry as the ‘god-father’ of contemporary Sierra Leonean music, also pointed out that building the industry it would help create an interest in the private sector for investments into the industry, thereby providing job opportunities for local artists. He pleaded with the President for the creation of a commission or a ministry of Arts and Entertainment, which would serve as conduit towards the achievement of their aims and aspirations in the music industry.
Receiving the proposal, President Koroma commended members of the Sierra Leone Music Federation for their outstanding role in educating and sensitizing the general populace on the present Ebola crisis through music and arts.
He assured the artists that mechanisms would be put in place for the smooth running of the industry. He said that he saw a lot of potentials in the music industry which, he added, would surely help create self employment for youths in the country. He stated that that would help alleviate the youth unemployment in the country.
The President however urged members of the industry to re-arrange themselves into a committee so that they could work in partnership with the government to analyze the proposal.
© Politico 03/02/15
