Basse Safra Postponed for Ebola Reasons

The biennial sub-regional event, Safra, which was scheduled to take place in Basse in December 2014 has been postponed due to Ebola, organisers disclosed.

Safra brings together young people from over six countries in West Africa for friendship and fraternity.

Speaking exclusively to The Standard, Mr Pa Amadou Sissoho, the vice chairman of Safra Bureau Committee, said: “It is unfortunate that we have seen the epidemic of Ebola in the sub-region and it is affecting the Safra countries of Guinea and Mali. This made it prudent for the government to intervene and we were written to through the office of the governor that Safra should be postponed until further notice. We are hoping and praying for this Ebola episode to cease so that we will continue with the preparations. 

“Notwithstanding, we are still with some preparations so that whenever the episode is cleared, we will select a date. The postponement may affect the budget because we all know prices fluctuate, inflation and all that, but we will find time to review the budget, which I believe will increase from the D4.2 million budgeted. More than 1000 youths are expected to stay for 10 days, as well as senior officials from the sub region. So, accommodation and feeding will be the major thing that bites well into such budgets. When we bring together young people we do everything possible for them to enjoy their stay.

“Safra has different components. It is not only about youth issues, but it also talks about integration, which is a community driven initiative towards the integration of the Ecowas sub region. We do have the bureau meeting, scientific conference, governors' forum, chairperson's council, women's trade fare, sports and culture. 

“So, we need to prepare for all this and more so we are happy that the youth center is built by the Basse Area Council. The infrastructure is important and we have started preparing our cultural troupes because they need to be trained.”