The President’s Main Adviser Dies

By Elkass I.L Sannoh

Sierra Leone’s President, His Excellency Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma, on Friday, 6^th July, 2012 lost his mother at 29 Silvanus Street in Makeni from a sudden heart attack.

Mrs. Alice Rosaline Koroma, a former teacher and District Commissioner in the Tonkolili District, Northern Sierra Leone, is regarded as the President’s main adviser on critical national issues.

Reports reaching AYV state that, Mrs. Koroma- who recently celebrated her 80^th birthday on June 27, looked very healthy, energetic and cheerful before she suddenly succumbed to heart attack.

In a telephone conversation with Ms. Hawa Sesay, a family relative who was with Mrs. Koroma before she passed away, she said she was with the President’s mother throughout Thursday and showed no sign of illness.

“She was cheerful, and we discussed a lot. Then I left in the evening for Kenema…” said Ms. Sesay.

She said she was very surprised when she received a telephone call at around 2:30am that ‘Mummy’ has had an attack.

Mrs. Koroma reportedly died on the way to Mabehseneh Hospital, in Lunsar, where she was rushed for immediate medical attention.

Mrs. Koroma is survived by eight children including President Koroma, Silvanus Admire, Thomas Koroma, Elizabeth, Ayor, and Florence.

A Presidential aide told AYV that upon receiving the news President Koroma had a blackout, and later shed uncontrolable tears.

A family source said she will be buried in Makeni on Sunday, July 15.