Friday, May 24, 2019

Memorializing two founding fathers of Sierra Leone


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Sir Milton Margai was first immortalized in 1964 on the ½ cent coin shortly after his death on April 28, one day after celebrating the 3rd anniversary of the country’s independence. Fifty-five years later, on 22 May 2019, he was once again immortalized in paint on the walls outside the National Museum, under the towering Cotton Tree, in the hub of Freetown. The Mayor of Freetown, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, unveiled the artistic portraits of Sir Milton Margai and Dr. M.C.F. Easmon with the Chair of the Monuments and Relics Commission and benefactor, Gary Schulze, a former Peace Corp volunteer.
As the green, white and blue banners fluttered in the afternoon breeze, the Mayor of Freetown said, “When visitors and tourists come, they will wander the streets and see the history of our country in painted portraits on these walls. The history and heroes of our country need to be remembered and honoured and these portraits help bring our history into focus.”
The artist, Alusine Bangura, said, “I’m a portrait specialist, among many artistic talents, and these portraits are important to preserve our heritage and culture.” He described his creative process as “more than a photograph”. The portraits of Sir Margai and Dr. Easmon are his fifth and sixth portrait in the series of national, historic portraits that can be seen along Pademba Road and at the Big Market.
Charlie Haffner, of the Monuments and Relics Commission, said, “The culture and history of Sierra Leone is incredibly rich and varied. These founding fathers, painted here, are symbolic of the greatness from whence we’ve come and provide a model for where we want to be.”
The portraits are colourful renditions of rare black and white photographs and appear alongside plaques that pay tribute to the notable characters.
Milton Augustus Margai was born on 7 December 1895, in the Moyamba District, and studied in Bonthe and later at the Albert Academy in Freetown. In 1921, he obtained his B.A. degree from Fourah Bay College, as the first Protectorate man to graduate. He then went to Britain where he obtained an M.A. degree and studied medicine at King's College, Durham, graduating in 1926 as the first Protectorate many to qualify as a medical doctor.
In1950, Margai retired from government medical service and became an active member of the Protectorate Educational Progressive Union (PEPU) which later merged with the Sierra Leone Organisation Society (SOS) to form the Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP) of which he became the first national chairman.
In 1961, Margai oversaw Sierra Leone's transition to independence. Dr. Margai was the founder of the first Protectorate newspaper (the Sierra Leone Observer), Sierra Leone's first Chief Minister and then first Prime Minister. He died in office aged 68, and was succeeded as prime minister by his brother, Albert.
Margai was Prime Minister on the eve of Sierra Leone’s Independence in 1961 and famously said, “…The aim will certainly be to make our country a land worth living in, a land worth serving; but this can only be done by wholehearted service and hard work now… I ask you to deal fairly and honestly with your fellow men, to discourage lawlessness, and to strive actively for peace, friendship and unity in our country.
“…We are now in complete control of our destiny and for the formulation of our external as well as our internal policies. I wish you all to be assured that we in Sierra Leone will stand for the freedom and prosperity of men everywhere.”
Gary Schulze, an honourary Paramount Chief and recipient of a national medal, commissioned the paintings and worked closely with Bangura, the artist. He said, “These men are historic and we should always remember them as heroes. These portraits are gifts to the people of Sierra Leone.”
Dr. McCormack Charles Farrell Easmon was born in Ghana to a prominent Krio doctor. He came to Sierra Leone and attended the CMS Grammar School in Freetown. He attended Epsom College in Surrey and, after graduating in 1907, was awarded scholarships to study medicine at the Medical School of St. Mary’s Hospital in London. He qualified in medicine and surgery in 1912, and the following year passed the examination of the London School of Tropical Medicine.
M.C.F. Easmon retired from the medical field in 1945, and at the age of fifty-five, Easmon embarked on an entirely new career.
In 1947, he became the first chairman of the Monuments and Relics Commission, and presided over the official declaration of many national historic sites. He spearheaded the founding of the Sierra Leone Museum in 1957 and became its first curator, working untiringly to acquire worthy exhibits for the museum and to set up attractive displays. He also hosted a popular radio programme called “Sierra Leone in Retrospect”. In 1954, Easmon was awarded the Order of the British Empire (O.B.E.). Dr. M.C.F. Easmon fell ill and died while on holiday in England in 1969.

(L-R) Charlie Haffner, Chair, Monuments and Relics Commission, Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr and benefactor, Gary Schulze, former Peace Corp volunteer (1960s)

Renowned artist and former prison guard, Alusine Bangura

Mayor Aki-Sawyerr cutting the ribbon to unveil portrait

Portrait of Dr. MCF Easmon

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