By Mohamed Konneh
John Sahr Tengbeh Fellah has been elected Board Chairman of the Education for All Coalition-Sierra Leone at the organization’s Annual General Meeting held the Hotel 5/10 East of the Capital Freetown.
Mr. John Fellah defeated Edwin Sheku Fonnie pulling 38 votes while Mr. Fonnie pulled 6 votes. This was followed by the election of the Deputy Chairperson with Tamba Wurrie Barrie defeating Mohamed Bosco Kamara by 36 votes to 9 respectively.
The Electoral Body mandated to conduct the coalition’s elections in a transparent and credible manner had earlier opened nominations for the position of Board Chairman of the Education for All Coalition Sierra Leone (EFAC-SL).
Three candidates were duly nominated to contest for the position. They include, John Sahr Tengbeh Fellah, Edwin Sheku Funnie and Mohamed B. Koroma.
A total of 49 coalition members were certified as eligible voters who casted their votes in the election.
The election was closely monitored by members as part of efforts to strengthen democratic governance and accountability within the coalition.
John Sahr Tengbeh Fellah having pulled the highest votes was duly elected as the new Chairman of the Board of the Education for All Coalition Sierra Leone (EFAC-SL), securing a total of 38 votes in the election. He will serve a three-year term in office.
Fellah is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Education and also serves as a part-time lecturer in the Gender Department at Fourah Bay College (FBC). He is widely regarded for his extensive experience in education policy, research, and advocacy, particularly in advancing the cause of education for all.
In the same election, Tamba Wurie was elected Vice Chairman of the Board of EFAC-SL, after securing 36 votes.
In his maiden speech after his victory, the newly elected chairman thanked coalition members for electing him to serve marking a new chapter in the coalition’s leadership and its continued advocacy for inclusive and quality education across Sierra Leone.
The AGM started on Friday where the outgone chairman, Patrick Zombo open the meeting and calling for a peaceful process.
Mr. Zombo welcomed members to the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and underscored the critical role of civil society in promoting education and the greater good of the nation.
He formally set the agenda in motion and invited members to vote on its adoption. Reflecting on the board’s tenure since assuming office in 2023, Zombo noted that one of its first major priorities was the review of the coalition’s constitution.
He explained that the process was undertaken by a dedicated committee, working on the recommendations of the board and in collaboration with a private legal practitioner.
‘’We now have a revised constitutional document that represents the vision, values, and mandate of the Education for All Coalition Sierra Leone, and strengthens its governance framework moving forward.
The opening of the first day set the stage for the election of a New Board Chairperson a process that went on smoothly.
