About AGK

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A Son of Sierra Leone. A Servant of the People

Who I Am and Why I’m Running

I am Al-Hassan Gbessay Kanu, widely known as Al Kanu, a father, husband, community organizer, public servant, entrepreneur, and Pan-African visionary. For more than two decades, I have dedicated my life to advancing justice, equity, and peace; beginning with my service in the New York City Council, where I worked on community service initiatives to protect and uplift diverse communities.

In my current role as Chief Government and Community Affairs Officer at LIFE Camp, I continue that mission by ensuring our organization has the resources needed to provide vital services. Through initiatives like creating “Peace Villages,” we provide safe havens and opportunities for youth and families in vulnerable neighborhoods. I also co-founded SEQ U.P. FRONT, a professional network focused on economic empowerment in Southeast Queens.

But no matter where I’ve lived or led, my heart has always been in Sierra Leone. I ran for Parliament in Sierra Leone to bring new leadership home, and I have carried that same commitment into every role I’ve held. Today, I am running for President of Sierra Leone, not for fame or foreign approval, but to deliver transformational leadership rooted in service, self-reliance, and unity. I am not backed by foreign interests. I am not part of the old system. I am one of you. I am the voice of the people.

A COMMITMENT, NOT JUST A CANDIDACY

I, Al-Hassan Gbessay Kanu, a proud son of Sierra Leone and a servant of the people, offer this campaign not merely as a candidacy—but as a commitment. A commitment to rebuilding Sierra Leone with the hands of its people. A commitment fueled by the strength of our youth, guided by the wisdom of our ancestors, and powered by the unity of the African family worldwide. This mission is a call to action:

To reject colonial dependency
To reinvest in our people
To transform our economy
To modernize our infrastructure; and
To welcome the global Black diaspora home to help build with us.

Together, we will transform Sierra Leone into a 21st-century success story—where prosperity is shared, dignity is restored, and every Sierra Leonean—at home and abroad—plays a part in building the nation we all deserve.

What My Campaign Stands For

My presidential campaign is centered around five core pillars:

1

Breaking the Chains of Dependency and Corruption
2

Building a Self-Reliant Sierra Leone Powered by Its People
3

Investing in Education, Healthcare, Agriculture, and Sustainable Infrastructure
4

Opening the Doors for the Global Black Diaspora to Return and Build With Us
5

Uniting With African Nations to Demand Fair Trade, Peace, and Shared Progress This is our time—to rise, to lead,and to win—together.

Biography

Al-Hassan Gbessay Kanu, affectionately known as Al Kanu, is a passionate public servant, bridge builder, and community leader with deep roots in Sierra Leone and New York City. After migrating to the U.S. in the late 1990s, he planted his roots in Queens, New York, where he became a leading voice in government and grassroots mobilization. He worked alongside prominent New York City Council Members Leroy Comrie, I. Daneek Miller, and Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, gaining experience in legislation, constituent advocacy, and public policy.

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A VISION ROOTED IN AFRICA, SHARED WITH THE WORLD

Al Kanu’s leadership is grounded in the belief that Africa’s future must be written by Africans—those on the continent and those whose lineage was disrupted by slavery and colonization. His commitment to reconnecting with the descendants of Africa across the world is key to his platform. He envisions a Sierra Leone that is:

Self-Determined and Sovereign
Globally Respected
Technologically Modern
Culturally-Rooted
Economically Thriving

He brings with him a lifetime of service, a global network, and a bold vision—to unite Sierra Leoneans across continents and rebuild our home with purpose, peace, and pride.