By Joseph S. Margai
Robert Kondema Kargbo, Commissioner at the National Telecommunications Commission (NATCOM), has expressed his intention of aspiring for the Sierra Leone People’s Party’s (SLPP) Deputy National Secretary General. Born to Loko parents in Magahoe village, Magbaiamba Ndowahun Chiefdom, in the Karene District, North-Western Sierra Leone, Commissioner Kondema is one of the SLPP members who have been promoting the party’s activities in the Karene District.
A seasoned Civil Society activist-cum politician, Commissioner Kondema served as Executive Director of Health Network Sierra Leone. In his hometown of Magahoe village and Karene District, he pioneered the setting up of SLPP support group for President Julius Maada Bio, when he was in opposition. He single-handedly facilitated the establishment of SLPP farmers association in his chiefdom, and subsequently supported them with seedlings and other farm inputs in the name of the party.
He has given countless number of scholarships to university students from his district and supported primary and secondary pupils with additional learning materials, thereby contributing to President Bio’s free quality education initiative .He has rehabilitated so many schools, health centers, and feeder roads within his chiefdom, an action has captivated and drawn many of the beneficiaries to support the SLPP.At Masonny, a small community in Thunder Hill in Eastern Freetown, he single-handedly supported the rehabilitation of the once stony and rough feeder road.
He is currently constructing the first SLPP Youth Center at Approve School in Kissy, Eastern Freetown. As an activist for 13 years, he has experience in advocacy, monitoring of the health sector, corporate governance, human rights, consumer protection, peace and security. Commissioner Kondema’s human relationship, especially with the SLPP grassroots, is second to none .His one-to-one touch and hospitality have drawn the attention of many SLPP grassroot supporters to him. His ability to galvanize support for the SLPP in North-Eastern Sierra Leone, where he hailed from, has earned him much respect among the SLPP stalwarts.
Asked why he decided to aspire for the SLPP Deputy National Secretary General, Commissioner Kondema said it is a call from his Loko people in Karene District. “This aspiration is to create an inclusive system within the SLPP and also to empower the young people from my district. As an action-driven person, I will ensure that Karene District votes overwhelmingly for the SLPP come 2023 general elections,” he noted. Fondly called ‘Legendary R.O.B’ by his admirers, Commissioner Kondema is the first son in a Christian family of two children.
Commissioner Kondema, who is happily married to Mrs. Fatmata Konie Kargbo, has occupied several leadership positions, which include Secretary General of Community Functional Literacy Centre (2008), President of Loko Descendant Union (2020), National Director of Health Network SL (2009), Policy and Research Coordinator of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) on Service Delivery, and Currently the Chairman and CEO of Heritage Group of companies.
His hard work and dedication to national service has earned him many prominent national and international awards. Amongst them are: the 100 Most Outstanding Professional’s Award 2019, Young Commissioner of the year 2019, Youth Ambassador Award 2020, Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2020, and the African Young Business Leader of the year Award 2020.
