United States -based Sierra Leonean-born cardiologist, Dr. Henry Cole , had only briefly lost contact with his loved ones in the United States, but his collegue , Dr, Elaine Elizabeth Foster , cared so much for him that she became apprehensive about his whereabouts.
Dr. Foster immediately wrote letters to the Sierra Leone Mission in New York and the U.S. Embassy in Freetown , Sierra Leone , to enquire about the whereabouts of the 55-year-old doctor . When COCORIOKO read a copy of the communication to the Sierra Leone mission, through Mr. Mannah Kpukumu, we published the story last Saturday about the doctor presumed missing in Freetown. We also contacted Dr. Foster , who provided photos of Dr. Cole, to be used alongside our story. After our report, we received lots of calls from readers who wanted more information because wanted to take part in the efforts to find the whereabouts of the doctor. .
However, Dr. Cole was safe all along . Nothing really had happened to him. He had only temporarily lost communication with collegues in New York.
Infact, before Dr. Foster wrote COCORIOKO back to say that she had re-established contact with Dr. Cole, Mr. Mannah Kpukumu , presumably of the Sierra Leone Mission, had written this newspaper to insinuate that there was no cause for alarm. Mr. Kpukumu lauded the security situation presently in Sierra Leone and said that it was not common for people visiting the country to get missing .
However, Dr. Foster was very appreciative of the publicity and attention given to the matter. She praised COCORIOKO for the part played by the internet newspaper.
BELOW ARE EXCERPTS FROM THE LETTERS FROM BOTH MR.KPUKUMU AND DR . FOSTER ,which we are sure hold some informative and moral lessons for our readers.
Leeroy-
I just heard from Henry Cole! There was a broken up message on my answering machine when I returned today.
So I thank you so much! All our efforts reached him and Sierra Leone! I am very appreciative and want to do something, but there are so many people involved now. I am open to suggestions. My gift would be modest now but in time I would look towards enhancing it. I printed out your latest edition of Cocorioko. Nice job! The attention you gave Henry is superb and the pictures came out better than I expected. I am glad to have discovered your fine publication and I will keep up with it!
Thank you! Thank you!
Elaine Foster
COCORIOKO HOWEVER DOES NOT ACCEPTS PAYMENTS PRESENTLY FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE, BUT WE THANK THE DOCTOR FOR HER SENTIMENTS . WE ARE IMPRESSED AT THE CONCERN SHE SHOWED FOR HER COLLEGUE. WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD WE WOULD HAVE HAD IF WE ALL CARED SO MUCH FOR OUR COLLEGUES.
Dear Leroy,
Many thanks for your response to the call for helping to bring this issue of a “Doctor presume missing in Sierra Leone” to a head. In order to help straighten records, I am no longer in the United Kingdom as you used to know. I moved over to New York in January 2004.
This issue of a Dr. Henry Cole, allegedly missing in Sierra Leone was brought to the attention of the Sierra Leone in Mission New York by Dr Elaine Elizabeth Foster. In our preliminary conversation with Dr Foster, I categorically dismissed the idea of any foul play in Sierra Leone as there is no such security threat on visitors. Our effort in this regard was to address the Doctor’s concern for her colleague who has been absent from school and, to particularly re-establish that there were no security threats in the country, Many sierra leonean residents in the UK and US have recently been to and from the country safely.
Up to the time of writing, it is clear that there has been no report of the said Dr, Henry Cole in danger in Sierra Leone, if he should still be in Sierra Leone. Maybe Elaine would now have to contend with what her Embassy in Freetown will provide her in the coming days.
Thanks for your help and the responsible citizenry you have demonstrated.
Kind regards,
Sulay-Manah Kpukumu
Many thanks for your response to the call for helping to bring this issue of a “Doctor presume missing in Sierra Leone” to a head. In order to help straighten records, I am no longer in the United Kingdom as you used to know. I moved over to New York in January 2004. This issue of a Dr. Henry Cole, allegedly missing in Sierra Leone was brought to the attention of the Sierra Leone in Mission New York by Dr Elaine Elizabeth Foster. In our preliminary conversation with Dr Foster, I categorically dismissed the idea of any foul play in Sierra Leone as there is no such security threat on visitors. Our effort in this regard was to address the Doctor’s concern for her colleague who has been absent from school and, to particularly re-establish that there were no security threats in the country, Many sierra leonean residents in the UK and US have recently been to and from the country safely. Up to the time of writing, it is clear that there has been no report of the said Dr, Henry Cole in danger in Sierra Leone, if he should still be in Sierra Leone. Maybe Elaine would now have to contend with what her Embassy in Freetown will provide her in the coming days. Thanks for your help and the responsible citizenry you have demonstrated. Kind regards, Sulay-Manah Kpukumu
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