A Century of Fabric, Trade, and Transformation

 
The invention of roller printing enabled Dutch fabric designers to replicate Indonesian batik.

By 1852, the Dutch company Vlissingen & Company used its factory-produced textiles to barter during stopovers in West Africa. 

By 1927, Vlissingen & Company had adopted the name Vlisco, and its products became widely recognized as Dutch Wax. African fabric markets have long celebrated the distinctive Dutch wax block-printed cotton fabrics. 

Although the original designs incorporate Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Arabic, and European motifs, African women have used Vlisco fabrics as a means of expression. 

For example, an unsung Sierra Leonean street trader in the 1970s wore a dazzling array of Vlisco fabrics as she sold deep-fried dough balls, bean cake, steamed bean puddings, and organic ginger beer to students at the Annie Walsh Memorial School, years before her own daughter attended the institution. 

The Annie Walsh Memorial School, an all-girls secondary school in Freetown, Sierra Leone, was established in 1849 in Charlotte, a newly founded colonial-era village, before relocating to Kissy Road in eastern Freetown. 

The school has produced notable alumnae, including the first female graduate of Fourah Bay College, the first female member of parliament in West Africa, the first female medical doctor in West Africa, and a first lady of Sierra Leone. 

However, the Annie Walsh Memorial School has likely been sustained more by the astute women traders on Kissy Road, who embrace Vlisco's wax-printed fabrics, than by the affluent professional class. 

The tension between the trader mercantile community, which conducts trade around the school established by a church missionary society, has manifested in various ways over the past two decades. 

The events of 2013 marked the beginning of a crisis that has persisted for more than a decade.

A little more than eighty days after Ernest Koroma began his second term as president of Sierra Leone, Awoko newspaper published an article titled, "For the construction of a Modern Market Annie Walsh School to relocate." 

In the piece, Samuel John described a disagreement between the president's State House and the owners of Annie Walsh Memorial School, one of West Africa's oldest schools.

John reported that Secretary to the President E.B. Osho-Coker sent a letter to the school's proprietor, the Lord Bishop of Freetown and the North, suggesting the school move from Kissy Road so a modern market could be built there.

“[A]s you are no doubt aware, when the Annie Walsh Memorial School moved to its present location on Kissy Road, Freetown, in 1865, the environment was ideally suitable for a school that pursued excellence in all areas, including high academic performance, sound discipline and a solid Christian foundation. However, over time, the city’s population has grown significantly and trading activities have expanded eastward; as a result, the area occupied by the school is no longer suitable for pursuing academic excellence. As Government intensifies its efforts in waste management, road safety, and decongestion, the compelling need to relocate the AWMS to a more suitable site has been identified. The proprietors of the AWMS will select the site, and arrangements will be concluded with Government for land acquisition and construction of the new school. The land vacated at Kissy Road will then be used to construct a modern market for traders being removed from the streets of Freetown. His Excellency the President has instructed me to bring this proposal to your attention, so that the Church and School authorities can initially consider it. Please be informed that His Excellency looks forward to a favorable consideration of the proposal contained herein,” the letter concluded.

John added that Bishop Lynch first responded to the letter, dated January 29, 2013, by writing to the secretary of the Improvement Relocation Committee of the Annie Walsh Memorial Old Girls Association. In his letter, he wrote:

“I hasten to bring this letter received on 30th January 2013 from the Secretary to the President to your notice, for a speedy consideration of the proposal contained in the document. Kindly advise me, so that I can respond appropriately alongside our privatization proposal."

Via email, prominent alumnae of the Annie Walsh Memorial School Old Girls Association (AWOGA) said:

On the morning of February 8, 2013, twenty-one representatives from the Relocation and Development Committees, AWOGA executive members, the principal of the Senior School, the acting principal of the Junior School, and a former principal met with The Lord Bishop Rev. Julius O. P. Lynch, the school's proprietor.

"The visit was about the letter from the Bishop and the Office of the President regarding the school's relocation and the plan to build a modern market at our current site," the email said. It also mentioned that the AWMS Relocation Committee—Mrs. Lulu Wright (coordinator), Mrs. Faustina Thomas (chairperson), and Mrs. Marcella Jones (secretary)—prepared a position paper in response to the government's proposal. According to the email, they gave this paper to the Lord Bishop.

Extracts from the position paper included the recommendations that:

1. The current location is preserved as a historic landmark, because Sierra Leone has a responsibility to preserve listed property in keeping with the United Nations General Convention concerning the protection of World Cultural and Natural Heritage sites.

2. The current site remains in the education arena, and the Government of Sierra Leone should consider an alternative site for the construction of the modern market. "That  the proprietor and alumnae had envisaged  the present site would be used as a vocational/technical /adult educational center for girls and women in particular to win them away from street trading and equip them for a higher standard of life."

In February 2013,  State House issued a press release about relocating the Annie Walsh Memorial School. The press release read in part: 

The Office of the President notes with grave concern the acrimony and vitriolic attacks coming from some sections of the public over its letter addressed to the Lord Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Freetown and the North, proposing the relocation of the Annie Walsh Memorial School to a more conducive environment. The fact of the matter is that prior informal discussions were held between His Excellency the President and a senior clergyman of the Anglican diocese who confirmed that plans were already afoot for relocation of the school and explained that they were constrained by the huge financial outlay involved. The President saw this as an opportunity to kill two birds with one stone by helping to actualize the dreams of the proprietors of the school, while simultaneously securing a suitable site for developmental purposes. The President was encouraged to have the proposal officially forwarded to the lord bishop for initial consideration by the church and school authorities. It is pertinent to mention that contrary to what is being rumored, the government has neither presented the Anglican diocese with a fait accompli, nor has it given any indication that it intends to subject the said property to compulsory acquisition. The onus is now on the church and school authorities to take a dispassionate view of the situation and report to the presidency with their reaction. Such reaction could include concerns about preservation of the monumental value of some of the buildings housing the school and other issues that require critical examination. A response to the letter reference is awaited.

Cecil Blake, who taught at the University of Pittsburgh and previously served as Sierra Leone's Minister of Information and Broadcasting, wrote that when he first read President Ernest Koroma's letter to Bishop Lynch about possibly relocating Annie Walsh Memorial School, he noticed it lacked an introduction explaining that all other options had been tried before the president stepped in.

Blake wondered why the letter came from State House instead of the Mayor's office. He suggested it might be a way for State House to thank traders for their support in the November elections. He also found it odd that the letter did not give strong reasons for moving the school and building a market there.

"I know there were earlier talks about moving the school for reasons like the severe overcrowding and noise in the area. Rumors about building a market on the property had been around before the State House letter. That letter confirmed the rumors and made me think about how the decision to ask for the school's removal was made."

Blake questioned what part the Freetown City Council and the school's trustees played in the discussions that led to the State House's request.

The letter did not mention whether a special committee had fully reviewed the situation before deciding to send the letter about building a market on the school's grounds.

Without this information, it seems the president's decision to have the letter written was political. Having more details would help people understand the decision.

Many people talked about the school's historical value, its buildings, and its location. While arguments about history are important, they do not always work in city planning, especially in crowded cities recovering from conflict. Sometimes, history must give way to practical needs for city development. Still, any changes should be based on well-thought-out plans and a clear vision for the capital.

Reading the State House letter, one might think their vision for the capital is to fill it with public markets, almost like a large bazaar. It could seem that schools and other important institutions do not belong in the city center and should move to the outskirts. For example, schools like St. Anne's, St. Mary's, and the Convent might also be replaced by markets to make room for traders. Given the importance of this letter, shouldn't State House share its vision for the capital with the people of Sierra Leone?

Blake went on to say that Freetown is a city with a rich history. He believed its significance is obvious and does not need to be explained. For anyone who does not know Freetown's history, he suggested they learn more about the city's origins.

Because of its history, people might expect to hear about the philosophy behind the capital and how it is shared with both locals and visitors. This philosophy should highlight the city's unique features, such as monuments that reflect its character and beauty. These include religious, educational, and government buildings. The discussion should also focus on what has been lost in Freetown and other places in recent years.

Blake said he could not understand why a public market would be built on the Annie Walsh Memorial School property instead of something like a museum. If moving the school has been considered before, he wondered why not build a theatre there that keeps the historic buildings and hosts plays about the city's history and culture, while also supporting higher education.

Should Sierra Leoneans believe that the vision for the capital is to turn the area around Annie Walsh Memorial School, near Dove Cot, Kissy Street, and Sewa Grounds markets, into one large, possibly dirty bazaar? This question comes up because of the recent history that led State House to send the letter.

Blake worried that other institutions or areas might also be affected by an unclear vision for the capital, which seems focused on markets and lacks positive features. As someone born and raised in Freetown's East End, he hoped that soon, citizens would be given a clear philosophy and vision for the capital's future, not just for the next few years but for the long term. This vision should also guide future changes in other regional capitals.

Should the Annie Walsh Memorial School be removed from its present site to build a public market?

Blake did not support moving the school. If relocation is considered, he thought the property could be used for other purposes that might require the school to move, but only if this is discussed as part of a clear plan and vision for Freetown, shared by the right authorities.

The Annie Walsh Memorial School still had reason to celebrate. By that time, it had been educating girls in Sierra Leone for over 160 years. 

About a week after International Women's Day, on March 8, St. George's Cathedral in Freetown hosted an ecumenical service to celebrate the school's anniversary. However, there were still worries that political debates about the school's future might overshadow the celebration.

"I am deeply saddened by the threat posed to the Annie Walsh School building," wrote one alumna. "This is a historic monument and should not be demolished at will. The school pupils and parents, along with members of AWOGA [Annie Walsh Old Girls Association] worldwide and in Freetown, should resist this attack on girls’ education in Sierra Leone."

"We’ve got to keep the school's legacy," said Marionette Cole, another AWMS alumna on the “Let's Save the Annie Walsh Memorial School Grounds” Facebook group started by Peagie Foday.

In the group’s introduction, Peagie wrote that the Annie Walsh Memorial School Old Girls created it to help fight to keep their current school compound, as the government proposes relocating the school and building a market. "Remember, this is heritage for Mama Salone, she said. “The first female school which has produced so many educated women."

Founded in 1816 by the Anglican Church Missionary Society, a small school for girls opened in the hilly village of Charlotte in Freetown, Sierra Leone, with only eight students on the roll. Over more than a century, the school has educated thousands of girls from all over the world, with a few hundred currently attending the junior and senior high schools.

However, AWMS was going through difficult times in a country that is among the poorest in the world.

When the school was built almost 200 years ago―in Charlotte and not Kissy Road― said Adwoa-Kitiwa Bultman, "the owners never envisaged population growth to be what it is today―congestion and other issues they are now facing in Freetown.  I was there just a couple of months ago."

Another observer noted that Annie Walsh has not modernized or improved its buildings and grounds in the east end.

The East End of Freetown is the city's most populated and generally poorest area, and it experienced heavy fighting during Sierra Leone’s civil war from 1991 to 2002.

Since then, the country has held national elections and transferred power peacefully. Although Freetown is managed by an elected city council and a mayor, the AWMS relocation plans are being handled directly by the President from State House.

In response to a January 2013 letter from the secretary of the president, 21 representatives from the Annie Walsh Memorial School Relocation and Development Committees, and the Old Girls Association met the proprietor of the school, Lord Bishop Rev. Julius O. P. Lynch, on February 8th to put forward a position paper on the site's heritage, preservation, and its future.

"Our plea is that the current site remain in the education arena," the AWOGA members wrote. "The government should consider an alternative site for construction of the modern market. The proprietors and Old Girls had envisaged that the present site would be used as a vocational/technical/adult educational center for girls and women in particular, to win them away from street trading and equip them for a higher standard of life. We hope that the school will not be penalized nor face negative repercussions in the search for relocation and its quest for preservation of the school's site as a national monument," they urged.

“What is the value of the buildings as historical relics?” asked one observer.  “Isn't it more about education, access, tradition, preserving the premier institution for educating the girl child in Sierra Leone since 1849?”

When members of the Annie Walsh Memorial School Old Girls Association  (AWOGA) Freetown met at the Beccles-Davies Hall in Cathedral House, Freetown, here are a few things they considered, taken from the voices of concerned Sierra Leoneans:

"The problem here is requiring the Government of Sierra Leone's help in AWMS's relocation decision. If the school stayed on the site and AWOGA advocated for a modicum of city planning around that area to preserve its cultural (including educational) heritage, that is understandable—in line with the move to clear Abacha Street to promote traffic flow and allow for a safer/more pleasant shopping experience."

"I thought the option being advocated by the relocation committee was to move the AWMS to a site that the government of Sierra Leone will purchase with funds provided by the taxpayer.  From what I understand, some alumnae want to take up the government’s offer (and have pushed for it because the school doesn't have the kind of endowment such schools have in rich countries and it's probably an easier route) but they also want to exercise the option to have a say in what happens to the listed building on the school grounds and for the campus to be maintained as an educational center.”

There is “absolutely no contradiction in AWOGA wanting to relocate and at the same time not wishing their site to be turned into a market.  Why would anyone consider those issues as either/or? Why is it so difficult to understand that a desire for relocation does not automatically downgrade the site to "forever thereafter unsuitable for future educational activity" if that is what the erstwhile users would prefer to happen there?  And why are we supplanting the unarguable sense of preserving historic buildings with the dubious sensibility of teaching the "elitists"- whoever they are - a totally irrelevant history lesson (irrelevant, that is, to the future educational needs, priorities and aspirations of our young people)?”

"This seems to be an emotional issue, but I think we should look at it in a logical and detached manner. The bishop is not the proprietor but a trustee of the school, so he cannot sell its buildings to anyone.  I am sure someone can get hold of the trust documents and start some action. Where are they registered? What are the terms of the trust? Does CMS still hold the property? These are facts that must be ascertained before things go too far.”

More than a decade later, N.S. Sillah, a vocal alumna of Annie Walsh Memorial School who grew up in the East End neighborhood the school serves and where Cecil Blake himself grew up, shared commentary on recent developments at Annie Walsh Memorial School. 

Sillah headlined her note: “The Sierra Leone Commercial Bank Facility at the AWMS Campus” and said the information sheet provides a factual summary of the Sierra Leone Commercial Bank development at the Annie Walsh Memorial School campus.

It highlights key concerns raised by members of the Annie Walsh Old Girls Association community. Sierra Leone Commercial Bank is constructing a banking facility on a portion of the school's land along the Kissy Road perimeter.

Sierra Leone Commercial Bank approached the Board of Governors in 2021 seeking permission to lease part of the school property.

The Board approved the proposal and subsequently entered into a lease agreement with the bank.

The project was initially presented as a smaller kiosk-type facility and later revised to a brick-and-mortar structure.

The development is situated on land near the school's car park and perimeter wall facing Kissy Road.

 According to the Board's stated position, the Board is responsible for supporting the school's development and fundraising efforts; the school has faced financial challenges in meeting operational obligations, so the lease was viewed as a way to generate additional income for the school.

Lease commencement: 1 May 2025; lease term: 10 years initially; annual rent reported: New Leones 28,000 for the first 5 years, with a 15% increase thereafter.

The facility is intended to have direct access from Kissy Road. Customers would enter from the public road rather than through the school gate.

A request for a two-story building has reportedly been submitted but has not yet been approved.

The bank has requested parking for its bullion vehicle but not for staff.

Annie Walsh alumnae believe major stakeholders were not adequately consulted before approval. Concerns have been raised about the impact of a commercial banking operation adjacent to and within the compound of an all-girls educational institution and the absence of a publicly available safeguarding plan.

Questions have been raised about whether sufficient consideration was given to the school's history, culture, reputation, and historic character.

Some stakeholders believe the reported lease compensation may not adequately reflect the value and strategic importance of the location.

Questions have been raised regarding the Board's approval of this proposal after reportedly rejecting a previous commercial development proposal for the same site.

Concerns remain regarding generator noise, air pollution, and the absence of specific mitigation measures within the lease arrangement.

Alumnae are also concerned that there is no evidence of independent structural assessments relating to construction adjacent to the school's historic perimeter wall.