The United Methodist Church, The Kechers, hosted its annual men’s thanksgiving service on Sunday, where Dr. Ibrahim Bangura, the leading Presidential candidate of the All People’s Congress (APC) Party for the 2028 general elections, was honoured as Grand Chief Patron. Three other distinguished guests were also recognized at the event, but it was Dr. Bangura’s heartfelt speech that captured the attention of both the congregation and the media.
The atmosphere was filled with hymns, gratitude, and joy as the event turned into a moment of reflection and national appeal. In his address, Dr. Bangura called on the government, the church, and communities across Sierra Leone to unite in tackling one of the nation’s most pressing challenges, the growing drug epidemic known as “kush.” He announced the formal launch of his campaign titled “Kick Kush Out of Sierra Leone,” which aims to eliminate the devastating influence of the substance destroying the lives of many young people.
“There is a campaign we launched at Kenema called Kick Kush Out of Sierra Leone. It’s a menace to our society that has destroyed homes. Please, as a community, let’s join hands together with us and the government to make sure we kick kush out of this country,” he said to loud applause from the congregation. He continued, “Secondly, I implore you to pray for Sierra Leone. We only have one country, and if we watch it destroyed, there will be nothing left for us. This is our home. Let’s make sure we inculcate the culture of peace, love, tranquility, and serenity. This is our country, this is where we call home, this is where we stay. I will do everything within my capacity to ensure that I contribute meaningfully to the progress and development of this country.”
In a lighter moment that drew smiles and laughter from the audience, Dr. Bangura reflected on his recognition and said, “I came here and I was crowned. I told myself that’s a sign of good things to come.” He went on to award scholarships to children of the church and made a generous financial contribution to the men’s association hosting the thanksgiving service, emphasizing his commitment to supporting community growth and empowerment.
Dr. Ibrahim Bangura is processor of peace and conflict studies at Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone. He holds a PhD in Economics, with advanced qualifications in gender studies and international development. Beyond academia, he has over 50 published works, including policy papers and journal articles, and has worked as a consultant across Africa on disarmament, demobilisation, and reintegration projects. His teaching and advisory work have also extended to regional institutions like the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre in Ghana.
Dr. Bangura has declared his intention to contest for the APC flagbearer position ahead of the 2028 general elections. His declaration in Bo District on August 25, 2025, was widely received as a significant moment in the party’s preparations for the next national polls. His latest appearance in Kenema further solidified his image as a scholar, reformer, and leader deeply connected to grassroots concerns.
At the thanksgiving event, his message of unity, service, and moral renewal resonated with both young and old. He reminded citizens that the fight against drugs, poverty, and social breakdown is not the responsibility of government alone but a shared duty that begins within families, communities, and churches. His “Kick Kush Out of Sierra Leone” campaign, though rooted in social advocacy, also highlights the political consciousness of a leader who understands the urgency of addressing youth addiction and the moral decay threatening national stability.
For many Sierra Leoneans, kush has become a destructive force eating away at the nation’s future. Families are losing children to addiction, crime rates are rising, and communities are struggling to cope. Dr. Bangura’s decision to make this crisis a central part of his social and political message could mark a turning point in how national leaders engage with the problem. His appeal to the church underscores his belief that moral revival must accompany policy reform, and that solutions must come from both spiritual and civic responsibility.
The men’s thanksgiving service, attended by hundreds in Kenema, offered not just a spiritual experience but a glimpse into the kind of leadership Dr. Bangura hopes to bring one that blends humility with boldness, faith with pragmatism, and words with visible action. His vow to “do everything within my capacity” to serve Sierra Leone gave the congregation hope that a new era of issue-based leadership may be emerging.
For the people of Kenema and beyond, the event was more than a church service; it was a symbol of unity and awakening. It demonstrated that leadership rooted in compassion, integrity, and faith can still inspire a country often weary from political divisions. Dr. Bangura’s call to “kick kush out of this country” is not merely a campaign slogan but a plea for national restoration.
As Sierra Leone inches toward the 2028 elections, the people are yearning for leaders who combine intellect with empathy, and who will stand with communities in the fight for moral, social, and economic renewal. Dr. Ibrahim Bangura’s moment at UMC The Kechers may well be remembered as the beginning of such a movement, one that seeks not just power, but purpose, for the soul of Sierra Leone.
Discussion about this post