By Amin Kef Sesay
On the 20th May 2021, Paramount Chief Member of Parliament, Hon. Bai Kurr Kanagbaro Sanka III, representing Tonkolili District, made a jolting revelation in the Well of Parliament when he stated that ECOMED, which is Freetown’s most advanced medical diagnostics centre, with innovative technology, first class equipment and internationally trained staff, is a public owned facility and not a privately owned entity as many are of the opinion.
The Hon Paramount Chief Member of Parliament made that revelation, which sent a cold chill down the spines of Members of Parliament, during the ratification of a treaty geared towards the establishment of an African Medicine Agency, which is to serve as a regulatory institution for African countries relating to issues that have to do with medicine.
The Paramount Chief further pointed out that, according to an initial agreement, the Government has 60% shares in ECOMED while on the other hand 20% is owned by Ghanaian doctors.
He added that certain individuals clandestinely changed the initial agreement and surreptitiously converted the facility to become a privately owned entity stressing that he has documents to the effect which he will forward to the Speaker of Parliament if the latter is willing to see them.
In the wake of the startling revelation, the Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Abass Bundu told the Parliamentary Committee on Health to do a follow up on the issue and asked the Hon. Paramount Chief to tender the said documents to members of the Committee.
“We want to know the true ownership of ECOMED and if we know or discover that it is a true property of the Government and People of Sierra Leone, then recommendations will be made by Parliament for it to be transferred to the Government,” the Speaker of Parliament vehemently stated.
In a swift reaction to the claims made by the Paramount Chief Member of Parliament, Hon Bai Kurr Kanagbaro Sanka III, the Proprietor of ECOMED (SL) Ltd, Jihad Swaid, on the 24th May 2021, categorically and robustly stated that he wishes to set the records straight relating to the alleged submission made by an MP, in the House of Parliament on Thursday 20th May 2021.
According to, Jihad Swaid, ECOMED (SL) LTD, is a wholly owned private sector venture that commenced operations in 2012.
He furthered that since its inception, ECOMED had never received any funds from Government nor from any third-party that was “directly or indirectly” meant for Government, as was reportedly alleged.
“The said allegations are baseless, unfounded and bear no connection to the TRUTH,” he vehemently stated maintaining that those allegations are simply dramatic fictional misrepresentations stressing how such undoubtedly leaves much to the imagination as to the real intention of such utterances.
“We are looking forward to the promise by the said MP to submit to the Honourable Speaker of Parliament his acclaimed documents that carry the proof of such preposterous allegations,” he challenged also stating how they are patiently waiting to see such documents which in his opinion DO NOT EXIST.
The Proprietor of ECOMED additionally stated that meanwhile as an entrepreneur he has refused to be deterred by unscrupulous allegations that are sometimes calculated to discourage private sector activities and derail investments.
“In my own little capacity, I will continue to genuinely harness much needed investments in various sectors of our economy, thus humbly and modestly contributing towards national development,” Jihad Swaid concluded.
Thanks a lot for reaching out to the other opponent, but you couldn’t the Norwegian Government brought that facility. Maybe he would have said something to indicate as to whether how the facility was established.
As it is, he couldn’t tell us how the facility came into being.
Thanks a lot for reaching out to the other opponent, but you couldn’t tell the Norwegian Government brought the facility. Maybe he would have said something to indicate how the facility was established.
As it is, he couldn’t tell us how the facility came into being.