One of the most formidable Civil Society Organisations in the country, the Campaign for Good Governance (CGG) on the 3rd April 2019 rolled out a reflection or an assessment of President Julius Maada Bio’s one year in office which was yesterday 4th April 2019.
It took the form of reflecting on key governance trends, with a purpose to make governance better in Sierra Leone.
The Executive Director of CGG, Maecella Samba, first commended the launch of the free quality education programme, the alloca

tion of 21% of Government’s budget to education and the commitment to ensure that over 1.5 million school children benefit from this initiative.
“CGG however notes the concerns of inadequate text books to some schools and outstanding payment of school and examination fees as stipulated in the policy. CGG therefore calls on government to ensure the availability of requisite data to support the realisation of this programme,” she highlighted..

The CGG ED went on to state that they acknowledge Government’s scaling up of service delivery and poverty reduction investments in social protection and health services.
She again commended the bold steps in the fight against corruption mentioning the on-going Commission of Inquiry (COI) with an objective of examining the assets of senior Government officials who were in office from 2007 to 2018 in order to ascertain whether their standard of living were commensurate to their official emolument.
“We, however, implore Government to continue to make every effort to utilize the findings of the COI to institute governance and accountability reforms in public administration and service delivery,” she appealed.

Marcella, on behalf of CGG, noted the increased number of prosecutions of public officials and the recovery of corruptly acquired money to the tune of approximately twelve billion Leones (Le 12,000,000,000) as high markers of accountability in governance.
“We, however, call on the Government to go beyond the recovery of state funds and institute mandatory custodian and other punitive measures to end impunity,” she pointed out.

According her CGG reminds the government of its commitments to utilize recovered Government money to construct an ultra-modern diagnostic center as promised. She applauded the release of the Government Green paper for peace and social cohesion but called for de-politicisation of the process and for partisan sentiments to be avoided in peace engagements.

She said while they commend the President’s bold policy pronouncement to ensure safer communities for women and girls; executive directives to the judiciary on punitive measures against perpetuators without substantive parliamentary amendment of the law poses serious challenges and needs urgent review.
The ED revealed that they are calling for a more comprehensive approach that includes immediate review of the Sexual Offences Act, protection of victims of sexual violence and an amendment of the rules and processes relating to how victims give evidence and cross- examined in court.

According to her CGG is concerned about the over reliance on Executive Orders to make policy. “Sierra Leoneans can hardly quarrel with the problems these Executive Orders try to solve. What is worrisome is that Executive Orders do not build consensus, they diminish the power of the legislature, and are open to abuse,” she posited.

She said over the past year they noted several disagreements over parliamentary processes and those undermine parliamentary legitimacy and performance of its statutory function as the country’s supreme law making organ. “We call on Government to ensure the restoration of parliamentary due processes and sanity in parliamentary operations,” she added.

“We also call on the law enforcement agencies and the judiciary to scale up their independence from the political executive. CGG is worried that for the past one year, government has not reopened public discussions on the constitutional review process. We want to remind the government that constitutional review is an imperative recommendation emanating from the Lomé Peace Accord and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). We urge government to recommence discussions around the constitutional review process.to further strengthen the peace and to consolidate democracy in order to create an open and transparent society.
We note citizens’ concerns over the depreciation of the Leones, rising cost of basic goods and their implications on the quality of life of Sierra Leoneans. We call on government to take remedial steps to reverse this situation.

Finally, we are concerned about the inequitable distribution of state resources. We note a negative trend that seems to be concentrating resources in certain areas; while insidiously incapacitating local government across the country to actualize their own development plans. In a multi-party environment concentrating resources in specific areas invariably disadvantages opposition party strongholds, building synergy with local councils for better service delivery is therefore of essence. We call on government to ensure a fairer distribution of state resources,” she concluded.

The executives, and elders of the Sierra Leonean Community in (SLCT) Turkey on Friday 29th of March 2019, paid a visit to Mr. Ozel, former Consul for Sierra Leone in Turkey, where they had fruitful discussions with the delegation. He told them that he was very much happy for the visit.
The former Consul for Sierra Leone in Turkey called on Sierra Leoneans living in Turkey to pressure the government to come and establish an Embassy in Turkey.
He told them that he is ready to help the Sierra Leone government with an office space, with furniture and two years salaries for workers who are going to be at the Embassy.
Mr. Ozel further said that he has been in this position for more than thirty (30) years. He was appointed by Captain Valentine Strasser to serve in that position. The current government wants him to continue serving in that position, but he told them categorically that he is no longer interested in that position considering his age.
He said that according to Turkish law, as long as the Turkish government has established an embassy in Sierra Leone, a Consul of that country is not valid any longer.
He said since being in this position, he has never received any salary from the Sierra Leone government, but always raising money for Sierra Leone governments from visa.
“I love Sierra Leone,” said Mr. Ozel”, stating that he has done a lot for the country, remembering when former President Koroma visited Turkey, when he engaged the Turkish governments for the Airline and other business partnership.

The first set of Architecture and the Built Environment Students of Limkokwing University of creative technology in Sierra Leone have been unveiled.
The unveiling which took place at the university Gallery took the form of design exhibition which started on the 28th March and ended on Friday the 29th March 2019.
Head of Faculty, Okanlawon Abraham Shina explained that
the reason why they did the exhibition is for Sierra Leoneans to see what their students have been doing for the past two years.
He said the journey was not an easy one, as the course itself is not meant for lazy people.
He pointed out that Limkokwing University is the first University in Sierra Leone to offer Architecture course.
“Sierra Leone is one of the most beautiful countries in the world, a country that is invested in nature and fantastic sea views and now you can imagine if all these nature is exploited what it will look like. Because of lack of Architecture, the country looks back on the old days.”
He spoke about the war among other issues that have pushed the country backward, hampering the course of urban development, but now they are talking about urban renewal.
“…the country is now redeveloping and we don’t have planners to plan how it will look like.”
He spoke further of how the University conducted feasibility studies, which is why it brought in such a course to help shape the country’s view and to develop its economy by attracting investors, which will prolong their stay and make them feel at home.
The students have been trained academically and professionally.
Abraham Shina said because Sierra Leone doesn’t have enough Architects, people are building in unplanned way thereby distorting the country’s looks.
“That is why we have this new student. By the time they go out, they will change the face of Sierra Leone generally. People are constructing houses without saving cost. They have been trained to save cost.
All the designs are done by Sierra Leonean students and I am proud of them all.”
Limkokwing University Program Leader, Ismail Rabluismail, explained that the university has three different programs; starting from diploma to degree and what the students demonstrated was done by the final year students.
Sulaiman Conteh encouraged the students as they are going out to carry out their duty and become the agent of change of local Architecture.
“Who ever thought you can do what you have done? You have to change that mind set. It will not be easy. Sierra Leoneans have negative thinking, you have to make that change possible, because the problem of Sierra Leone is not physical, it is psychological.”
He added that Sierra Leoneans are very intelligent people, they will believe and do what you tell them.
One of the final year students, Richard Akwnma-Eboja, described the course as a hard one.
Richard Akwnma-Eboja said he is not feeling good about the current Architectural design of Sierra Leone, adding that from what he has learnt; he will be a change maker.
“I am encouraging others to come out; they can do it not because of money but to put Sierra Leone on the map.”

Sierra Leone’s anti-graft agency says it has indicted the Director of Surveys and Lands at the Ministry of Lands, Country Planning and the Environment for corruption. Mr. Christian Harold Abioseh Pratt faces one count charge of Abuse of Office, contrary to Section 42(1) of the Anti-Corruption Act, a statement released by the commission on Monday revealed.
It explained that the sitting government official is accused of using his office to “Improperly Confer” an advantage to a non-deserving person.
According to the particulars of offence, Mr Pratt, between July 1 and July 18 2017, used his office to improperly confer an advantage on an individual to instruct and authorize another person to prepare a report unlawfully and conferring a beneficial interest in one of his accomplices.
The accused is expected to make his first appearance at the High Court of Sierra Leone in Freetown on April 10, 2019, according to the commission.
The move will serve as a major boost in public confidence on the ACC for indicting a sitting government official.
This is even more important given that the Lands Ministry in particular has be shrouded in allegations of corruption and abuse of office.
Currently the ACC is under pressure to investigate the current Minister of Lands, Dr Denis Sandi, who served in the same position under former President Ernest Bai Koroma.

A 30-day ban imposed on industrial fishing in Sierra Leone began on Monday. During the ‘Closure Season’ period, only artisanal fisher folks will be allowed to fish on the country’s waters.
The Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources said the move is meant to protect the country’s fish stock from depletion.
Sierra Leone, like many African countries, relies almost entirely on fish for its major source of protein. Yet fish has become expensive for most of the local population.
Local fisher folks accuse industrial fishing companies of overfishing and use of prohibited fishing gears.
In a statement issued by the Ministry, it outlined a series of measures it said would be taking during the ‘close season’ period, including a ban on all industrial fishing and a ban on export from both industrial and fish processing plants by land, sea or air.
It said artisanal fishing groups will ensure that all fishes caught in the country’s waters are sold to the local market.
“Industrial fishing companies should stock their cold rooms with different fish species (the number of fish to be stocked by each company will be calculated based on the number of fishing vessels operated by these companies). This is to ensure that there is no shortage of fish in the market,” it said, adding that the ministry will work closely with its stakeholders to intensify monitoring and surveillance and ensure of our waters o ensure compliance.”
The ministry also urged agents in the distribution line to ensure that fish prices do not go up during the period.
Sierra Leone, alongside Senegal, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau and Guinea are said to have lost about $2.3 billion a year from 2010 to 2016 due to illegal and undeclared fishing, according to the environmental watch group, Greenpeace.
Fishing boats from China and Korea are especially accused of engaging in these illegal fishing activities.

The Sierra Leone government has announced May 30 as the new deadline for six Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to submit their Proactive Disclosure Publication Schemes to the Right to Access Information Commission (RAIC).The new deadline, announced by the office of the Chief Minister, came after most MDAs failed to meet the first deadline of March 1.
The proactive disclosure of information is the releasing of information before it is requested.
This is in line with the requirement of the country’s Right to Access Information law passed in 2013.
The World Bank project was launched in December 2018 with ten MDAs being used as a pilot phase. These MDAs include the Sierra Leone Police, Environment Protection Agency EPA, National Revenue Authority (NRA), National Public Procurement Authority (NPPA), and Statistics Sierra Leone.
RAIC last week certified the four MDAs that met the deadline.
Statistic Sierra Leone, Environment Protection Agency, Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education and the Sierra Leone Police were issued with certificates of Compliance at a Roundtable enforcement forum held in Freetown on Thursday.
Mrs Nancy Tengbeh, Permanent Secretary at the Office of the Chief, expressed dismay at failure for the majority of the MDAs to deliver on time, according to a statement issued by RAIC’s communication team, a copy of which was received by APA on Monday.
“Being a liberal institution, RAIC is kindly appealing to MDAs not to miss the 30th May, 2019 deadline, in order to avoid negative repercussions,” she said, noting that the Government was in a hurry to develop.
According to relevant laws, MDAs that fail to meet the deadline will be subjected to a tribunal and, if found guilty, will face punitive measures.
The Right to Access Information, which is popularly known as Freedom of Information Law, is the result of years of campaign by pro-democracy organisations who say access to information by the public is crucial for democracy and good governance.
The campaigners say the proactive disclosure scheme will ensure reduction of cost and time in the processing of individual information requests and demonstrates a commitment to openness, accountability and transparency which in turn may increase the people’s confidence in the government.
Chairman and Information Commissioner of RAIC, Dr Ibrahim Seaga Shaw, explained that last week’s roundtable forum was designed to recognise MDAs that met the first deadline while encouraging the others to follow suit.
The Parliament of Sierra Leone is one of the pilot MDAs that missed out in meeting the deadline. But the Head of the Information and Communications committee in Parliament, Matthew Nyuma, who doubles as Deputy Leader of Government Business in the House, promised that they will work hard to ensure they catch up with the new deadline.

Leading practitioners of social work in Sierra Leone have called for regulation as their ranks gradually swells, amidst a rise in interest in the profession.The calls were made on Saturday as the country rounded up celebrations of the Social Work Month. The month of March is designated, ‘Social Work month’ and around the world practitioners celebrate it with the aim of educating the rest of the public about the invaluable contributions they provide to society.
Sierra Leone, prior to its eleven years (1991 to 2002) civil war, had some level of social work practiced, even though it wasn’t well established. The only training institution at the time was vandalized during the civil war, forcing it to shut down.
In the last 15 years, after the end of the war, with recurrence of natural and man-made disasters, which have worsened the living condition for many citizens, interest have grown for the profession
due to the increased need for their services.
One organization which has led the way in the promotion of the profession is Social Workers Sierra Leone, a group of volunteer social workers, which organized Saturday`s event.
Various speakers, from volunteers to academia to employing agencies, spoke on the importance of the role of social workers. David Lamin, a social worker of 30 years’ experience, a Child Protection Officer at Unicef Sierra Leone, said while there was the need for social work services, it was also important to ensure that practitioners follow the rules governing the profession, hence the need for regulation.
Mr Lamin also called for the harmonization of the social work education curriculum, noting the need to align it with international best practices.
He also said that after qualification, there was the need for social workers to be licensed to practice it. He lamented that these days many people were opting to study social work with the goal of getting jobs with NGOs and the associated remuneration and privileges.
“The most important challenge for social work is the need to regulate it,” he told the audience at the event held in the conference hall of the Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender and Children`s Affairs in
Freetown. Saturday’s program began with a street procession from Freetown`s iconic Cotton Tree at the entrance of State House to the Ministry`s office situated at New England in the west end of the city. The audience comprised members of SWSL and social work students from its five partner learning institutions.
It was the first of three major programs lined up for the whole month’s celebration, which is championed by the International Federation of Social Workers. This year’s celebration marks the fourth time the month is being commemorated in Sierra Leone. And SWSL was the first to celebrate the month in the country.
This year’s global theme for the month-long celebration is: ‘Promoting the importance of human relationships.’ But SWSL have adopted the American theme, which is: ‘Elevate Social Work.’
The organization has in the course of the month-long celebration held outreach psychosocial sessions on emotional wellbeing and engaged in several media sensitization talks.
Social work practitioners say for the profession to make greater impact, it partly depends on the level of awareness in the public. But this, they say, also means the profession needs to be practiced in a
professionally regulated environment.
Presently there is no national policy on social work in the country where social work services from the government itself are hardly in existence.. The hugely under-funded Ministry of Social Welfare depends almost entirely on local humanitarian organizations in providing temporary protection and psychosocial therapy to people in distress situations who need of social work services.
There are about six learning institutions currently providing courses in social work in the country, notably the Milton Margai College of Education, Science and Technology, which provides it at diploma level and it’s the first to introduce social work courses in the country, and Njala University and Fourah Bay College, which provide courses at Bachelors Degree level. Between them, at least 300 people graduates yearly with a social work certificate from these institutions.
In his line of work, Mr Lamin deals with these learning institutions. He is also involved with ongoing efforts to revise the social work education curriculum, which he says is much needed to harmonize the practice.
“Social work is the fastest growing course at FBC,” he noted, citing a report by the administration of the University of Sierra Leone constituent college. Dr Abess Gassam, Principal Lecturer at the Milton College of Education, Science and Technology, emphasized on the need for training for social workers.
He said with the country struggling to cope with endless social problems that include school dropouts, sexual violence, teenage pregnancy and drug abuse, the role of social workers was very paramount. “With adequate training in social work, we will be able to sensitize the public about these problems,” he said.

Sierra Leone apparently lost US $ 1,036,501,676.35 in only four sectors between 2015 and 2018 to mostly corruption. According to a technical audit carried out by auditors from Tanzania, Ghana, Kenya and Sierra Leone, the telecoms, roads, energy and social security (NASSIT) sectors were fraught with misappropriation, theft, phoney contracts, and bad investments. The reports on the four sectors released contain findings of unfair competition and unequal treatment of some mobile phone operators which saw 4G cellular network licence granted to some and not to others. Three of those preferentially treated, owe the state more than $ 10 million. NATCOM arbitrarily imposed fees, charges and penalties without documentary evidence, entered into a contract with a company that did not even tender a bid for the services, lacked proper audit trail, doled out nearly $ 1 million as alleged donations to youth groups, MPs, and officials of the information and political affairs ministries. At the state-owned SIERRATEL, there were 74 million missing recharged voucher serial numbers and 109,000 customers used recharged vouchers not generated by the system, amounting to $ 245,000. Two IT staff members had POS terminal operations in their own names with a total unaccounted for revenue of Le 33.5 Billion in January to Nov 2018 alone. From January – May, more than Le 19 Billion collected as revenue for POS recharge, could not be accounted for. A physical verification of vehicles valued at almost Le 2.5 Billion proved that the vehicles did not exist despite having been listed as fixed SIERRATEL assets.
SALCAB paid more than $ 526,000 and more than Le 2 billion to a company to perform more or less the functions of the board. Worse still, services were not rendered. There were “irregular contracts” awarded amounting to nearly Le 2 Billion. Huge funds were transferred or withdrawn as cash from SALCAB accounts without necessary supporting documents and without provision of services, amounting to $ 2.4 million and Le 1.6 Billion. No supporting documents for “Board Expenses” for the 2015 financial year amounting to Le 386 million. Le 3.2 Billion donated to former ministers, MPs without any policy for approving and processing such. At NASSIT, the NAPOS II software purchased for over $ 2 million has not served its intended purpose. 64 pensioners without social security numbers were paid over Le 409 million. 248 claims amounting to Le 5.4 billion paid out without meeting the set criteria – effectively illegitimate payment to undeserving people.
Billions of leones paid to underaged pensioners. There was total disregard for procurement procedures in the awarding of a $35 million contract for the construction of a multipurpose market and transport terminal in Bo (Sewa Grounds) through sole sourcing. A significant variation in the original contract for the rehabilitation of Bintumani conference centre – from $8.2 million to $ 16.2 million. I am still still reading the reports on the civil works (roads) projects and the energy sector.