It has now been well established that the ongoing 2019 Housemates Salone Reality TV Show provides a convenient and proper channel which certain business entities are currently making use of to advertise goods and services. When cognisance is taken of the fact that the Show is widely viewed, in and out of the country, using it as a conduit for advertisement means reaching out to the wider public.
In an exclusive interview with the Managing Director of Rokel Commercial Bank (RCB), Walton Gilpin, shortly after their engagement with the Housemates in the House, he intimated that indeed they were pleased to roll out the various promotions or banking services that the Bank offers. “As a Bank we do believe that viewers outside there who were following the Show also benefitted from the briefings by myself and two female members of staff. It is my hope that most got an insight of the services we are offering,” he expressed optimism saying indeed Housemates Salone is good for business entities.
Kobi Walker, who is the Managing Director, of the National Petroleum (NP) Company confided in this medium that advertising through the Housemates Salone Show, will surely inform people about what the company has to offer. He furthered that business prosperity is closely tied to advertisement which is why they seized the opportunity to advertise through the Show.
Though the program is principally a social one where the participants are expected to display nudity, strong language and humour yet it is a learning pad. The Housemates are taken through various motivational lectures on how to live positive lifestyles,
Indeed, the principal objective of the Housemates Reality show is to promote Youth Empowerment and through engaging them mentally is geared towards achieving that,

What is certain as of now is that the ongoing close locked battle is an affair among the remaining ten who must convincingly woo the public to vote for them via Africell No 5500. The more the merrier!
According to how the reality show is tailored, the Housemates are expected to display innate talents that must captivate the populace and excite them in order to move them to vote for the Housemates they consider are fit and capable to reach the very top.
The organizers of this much talked about show, the Africa Young Voices (AYV) and Africell, with support from certain corporate entities have been hailed for putting together such a thrilling and breath-taking Realty TV Show with many saying it is indeed a show that is well organized and going on fine which according to those views it is interesting to watch on AYV Television Channel 34.
If in reality the show is very much interesting it is the role being played by the intriguing Invisible Chief with the commanding baritone voice giving intermittent instructions to the Housemates to carry out certain assignments or to ask them to articulate themselves well by responding to questions posed.

So we have witnessed fairness pervading the competition and there has not been a known instance of any foul play. There are rumours that certain fans of the various Housemates have expressed dissatisfaction over the eviction of their favourites. Cognisance, however, must be taken that in any competition which is keen there may be apprehensions and conjectures as it unfolds but the truth of the matter is that there will be winners and losers. The 2019 Housemates Salone is no exception especially when a whooping star prize of one hundred million Leones (Le 100,000,000) awaits the ultimate winner.

It must be reiterated that in reality Housemates Salone is an effective channel to widely reach out to the people in terms of advertising and serves a platform to mentally empower

Chief Minister ‘Professor David John Francis’ on the 19th March 2019, represented His Excellency the President, Brigadier (Retired) Julius Maada Bio at the 67th annual Council meeting of the West African Examinations Council.

In an address, the registrar to the WAEC c Dr. Iyi J Uwadiae Mnim welcomed the Chief Minister as Chief Guest representing His Excellency the President and other council representatives from other West African Countries who came to attend the meeting. He said the major challenge of the WAEC was examination malpractices noting that the institutions was working on modalities to introduce improve technological measures such as the use of CCTV cameras in examination halls, ICT adminstration and many more.
He said the council has compressed the period for the examination from 87 days to 46 days. The registrar thanked the Government of Sierra Leone through the Anti- Corruption Commission for helping them in the fight against examination malpractices. He registered their commitment in adding value to education in West Africa.

The Chairman of the WAEC , Mr. Abubakarr Bouy said WAEC was established to conduct examinations for all English speaking West African countries. He said WAEC collaborate with Government,Ministers and agencies in order to provide good and quality service delivery. He stated that, the Council is charged with the responsibility to monitor examinations in the sub-region. He asked Governments of the Five member countries of WAEC to consider timely payment of examination fees and subventions to the Council, which he said will make their work effective and efficient.

The Chief Minister in his keynote address thanked WAEC for promoting education in the sub-region. He said the central focus of President Bio’s Government is to develop human capital and that WAEC is expected to place itself within that category. He said the operations of WAEC should not only be based on performance but to uphold and institutionalize the integrity of the process.
“We are expecting professionalism and best practices in all of your operations including grading of students,” he maintained.

He furthered that WAEC continues to be ranked among the leading examination bodies in West Africa and therefore must build the trust and confidence in our education system. He assured the Council of Government’s commitment to provide the necessary support in combating examination malpractices. He said the Government will meet all its obligations to WAEC without delay. The Chief Minister congratulated all delegates from the five member countries for a successful conference.

Where corruption exists, the rule of law cannot flourish. It is easy for corruption to thrive in a nation where the Judiciary is blind and the Government feels comfortable with things as they are.
As such, the relationship between corruption and the justice system is crucial to sustainable growth in Sierra Leone which is why strengthening the rule of law and intensifying the fight against corruption should be a major concern for all.
Corruption in the Judiciary which is as old as post-Independent Sierra Leone that involves unethical practices like taking money to pervert the course of justice by twisting evidence, hiding dates for proceedings from defendants or complainants, depending on who has bribed court officials, endless adjournments, causing case files to go missing to frustrate litigants, etc, is, to say the least, why everybody in the country, including our MPs and even President Bio to, have a dim view of our men and women in the bar and courts.
To a Sierra Leonean who has for decades been disillusioned about the integrity, competence and impartiality of the country’s Judiciary in delivering honest, speedy justice to particularly poor citizens who cannot afford to hire costly lawyers to defend them, Francis Ben Kaifala’s assault on that bastion of inequity by conducting an unannounced investigation at the Master and Registrar and Judiciary Accounts Department, where it is believed hundreds of thousands of dollars have over the years been siphoned by unscrupulous officials, is sweet music.
The “Justice System” is the Governmental entity that is charged with enforcing the laws of the land with integrity and veracity. The relationship between corruption and the Justice system is critical, especially in a developing country like Sierra Leone.
Needless to say, in every country, the Justice system exists to ensure a fair treatment of citizens and that the Rule of law and legal system is effective. The status of the justice system in a country is largely dependent on the quality of the Government and its commitment to the fight against corruption. For instance crimes and their commensurate punishment are enforced by the justice system and without these measures; there can be no equity, no inclusivity, no fairness and no lasting social and economic development, hence a fertile breeding ground for corruption.
According to Reginald Fynn Jr. Esq. – Director of Intelligence, Investigation and Prosecution at the Anti- Corruption Commission – “the present state of corruption and the justice system is more hypothetical and academic. Recent judgments are indicative that the judiciary takes corruption cases seriously and continuing to hand down firm judgment will send the correct signal that corruption is intolerable”.
Corruption in any judicial system erodes the ability of the State and international community to tackle transnational crime and terrorism; diminishes trade, economic growth and human development; and, most importantly, it denies citizens impartial settlement of disputes with neighbours or the authorities.
When the latter occurs, corrupt judiciaries fracture and divide communities by keeping alive the sense of injury created by unjust treatment and mediation. Judicial systems debased by bribery undermine confidence in governance by facilitating corruption across all sectors of Government, starting at the helm of power. In so doing, they send a blunt message to the people in this country that corruption is tolerated.
A good judiciary empowers citizens to speak out against corrupt practices and corrupt officials. Increased confidence in the system and just punishment for offenders cannot be guaranteed if the judicial system is flawed. A corruption free judiciary increases the confidence level of the citizens; confidence in the judges, lawyers, court clerks associated with the judiciary.
Too many people fail to understand the impact of corruption on development and on prosperity. The victims exist in every developing and less developed country like Sierra Leone. More often citizens find themselves asking the question “if that which is meant to save now becomes that which kills where will the people run to in their quest for justice, peace and development”.

During a well attended ceremony His Excellency The President Julius Maada Bio has celebrated the sacrifices of nurses and midwives in Sierra Leone and announced efforts being made to develop Sierra Leone’s first ever Nurses and Midwifery Strategic Plan for 2019-2023.

“I am always curious but eternally thankful about how nurses and midwives combine their professional training with acute critical thinking and mix all of that with compassion, care, communicating with empathy, and building trust as caregivers,” he said adding that the strategic plan would lay out six major pathways for developing the nursing education and practice in the country.

Addressing the conference of the West African College of Nursing and Midwifery, the Fifteenth Biennial General Meeting and Twenty-Fourth Scientific Session and Thirty-Ninth Council Meeting on the theme: ‘The Role of Nurses And Midwives in Building Global Health Security’, President Bio said he admired their deep sense of integrity and discipline, their responsiveness as the only source of hope to the pregnant, the ailing, and the sick, and their ever calm, dignified and transformative composure in the face of challenges.
“The aims and outcomes of this conference align very closely with my flagship programme – investing in human capital development. As I have emphasized severally, human capital development involves feeding the mind through free quality education, feeding the body with food security initiatives, and taking care of the human body through delivering affordable and quality healthcare. Only an educated, productive, and healthy population can drive sustainable development in a nation.

“Let me digress for a moment and bestow special praise on our midwives. For every new child that you midwife; for every mother’s life that you save during childbirth, thank you. The great work that you do for humanity often gets reduced to statistical figures about maternal and child mortality. For me, every cry of a new-born baby and every smile of a new mother reminds me as a leader that I must work even harder to support, and continue to advocate for and invest in women’s health and in primary and maternity health care services,” he said.

President Bio said his Government recognised and had granted nurses the professional autonomy and authority to make professional decisions and act freely in accordance with their professional training and expertise.

“To my mind, this recognition empowers nurses to provide nursing care within the full scope of their practice. But, this also should be balanced against concerns about patient safety and patient health outcomes. I am therefore encouraged that in Sierra Leone, as in parts of the sub-region, a regulatory nursing and midwifery council has been set up that will oversee overall professional standards of nursing practice and ethics and also monitor service delivery to patients,” he said.

The President also told the gathering that his Government was working to address the working environment and conditions of health care professionals in the country, adding that he had therefore increased budgetary allocation to healthcare to 15% of the national budget. He said the Government had also undertaken the refurbishment of key hospitals, constructed peripheral health units, and provided free ambulance services in various districts across the country.

The principal of the National School of Midwifery, Dr. Joan Shepherd, said the presence of President Bio at the event was a resounding testament of his commitment to building a strong, resilient and responsive health workforce and more importantly a manifestation of his support to moving the nursing and midwifery agenda forward in Sierra Leone.

“In these challenging times, nurses and midwives, who form the largest workforce globally, deserve more attention and focus more than ever before. There has been an increase in the importance of the work of nurses and midwives globally. We are players in building global health security and we remain at the centre of the global health system,” she said.

She commended the Government for the bold step in declaring rape and sexual violence as a national emergency and expressed appreciation for the recent increases in the salaries of nurses and doctors across the country, saying that that had sent a clear message of recognition of those professionals as the backbone to health service delivery.

The West African College of Nursing and Midwifery also bestowed an Honorary Fellow Status on Her Excellency, First Lady Fatima Bio for championing causes that empower women and girls.

The Parliament of Sierra Leone has on Tuesday 19th March 2019 extensively debated and unanimously approved the Twenty-Ninth Report of its Committee on Appointments and the Public Service, chaired by the Leader of Government Business, Hon. Sidie M. Tunis.

Speaking to the nominees after approval, the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Dr. Abass Chernor Bundu in congratulating and extending his felicitations said that “I am proud that the nominees have just been approved by Parliament”, having due regard to their eminent qualifications, experience, competence, capability and probity which they have demonstrated over the years during the course of executing their duties. He also said that “I have no doubt that the nominees will live up to the expectations of President Bio, Parliament, and the People of Sierra Leone”, adding that the Judges should dispense justice to the highest degree of impartiality and to the best of their consciences and in accordance to the established law with the aim of dispelling the unfavourable perception the public holds against the Judiciary. He stressed the need for the impartial dispensation of justice without fear or favour.

The following presidential nominees were approved by Parliament:

I. Hon. Justice Alusine Sani Sesay-Supreme Court Judge
II. Hon. Justice Allan Baami Halloway-Supreme Court Judge
III. Hon. Justice Sengu Mohamed Koroma-Supreme Court Judge
IV. Hon. Manga Fana Deen Tarawally-Supreme Court Judge
V. Hon. Justice Jamesina Essie Leonora King-Appeal Court Judge
VI. Hon. Justice Miatta Marie Samba-Appeal Court Judge
VII. Hon. Justice Ansumana Ivan Sesay-Appeal Court Judge
VIII. Mr. Sulaiman Bah-Appeal Court Judge
IX. Mr. Prince Terena Quee-Member, Statistics Sierra Leone Council
X. Alhaji Alie Badara Yillah-Member, Statistics Sierra Leone Council
XI. Mr. Samuel Benedict Vandi-Member, Sierra Leone Police Council and
XII. Mr. Jennings Anto Brian Wright-Member, Board of Trustees, NASSIT

Seconding the motion, Hon. Emilia Lolloh Tongi, an independent MP from Kailahun District alluded that “the New Direction is the right direction” and commended President Bio for making effort to satisfy the women of Sierra Leone. She called on Judges to give justice to provincial women that are staying in distant areas and urged them to inflict severe sentences on perpetrators of rape in the country.

Hon. Hindolo M. Gevao of SLPP catalogued the experience, competence and hard-earned reputation of the Judges and referred to their service to the Bench as “a huge sacrifice”, largely due to poor conditions of service and being barred from any profiting from any other enterprise. He also called for more Magistrates to be sent to Kailahun District with the aim of improving access to justice.

Hon. Daniel B. Koroma of APC commended the Judges on their promotions in the justice sector, adding that “it was based not on political considerations, but on their professionalism”, that had also been identified by the APC over the years. He decried the practice of “preliminary investigation” as “obsolete” and that it should be replaced by a new “Criminal Procedures Bill” which should be brought to Parliament for enactment without further delay.

Hon. Alhaji Dr. Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella, Leader of NGC praised President Bio in light of the statement he made in Parliament “to overhaul the judiciary”, adding that the President has put a lot of trust in the Judges to revamp the judiciary. He also called on Judges to protect businesses, human rights, free speech, freedom to demonstrate, law enforcement and protection of our nascent democracy by being independent and dispensing justice without fear or favour.

Hon. Segepoh Solomon Thomas, the Rt. Hon. Deputy Speaker of Parliament spoke loudly on the need for improving the conditions of service for both Judges and Members of Parliament as required by extant provisions of Act No. 6 of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone.

Rounding the debate, the Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Chernor R.M Bah made reference to his representation in high-profiled cases and contributions to the jurisprudence of Sierra Leone. He referred to Judges “as competent and they have the capacity to perform”. He said that their collective action will redeem the negative perception which the public is currently holding against the Judiciary, adding that “our democracy rests in the bosoms of the Judges”, saying that “there will be no peace without justice”.

Concluding, the Leader of Government Business, Hon. Sidie M. Tunis spoke on the need for consultations, negotiations, and dialogue for the smooth running of the House. Speaking on President Bio’s belief in an impartial judiciary, he assured the Judges that their conditions of service will improve under the New Direction. He also called on them to uphold the independence of the judiciary by dispensing justice for all without fear or favour. Amidst other assurances, he educated the House that the Judges were appointed by President Bio based on the recommendation of the Judicial and Legal Service Commission, subject to the approval of Parliament.

Parliamentarians are wont to shift blame for their enacting shoddy laws or for approving mediocre Presidential appointees to us the electorates. Their argument is that public input which is germane to their decision making processes is non-existent, even though opportunities for that is why Bills and names of appointees are “Gazetted” in good time before enactment into laws or approvals of Presidential nominees. That being the case Parliamentarians therefore furtherargue that they are invariably left with no alternatives but to work with the limited information at their disposal. It is in that light that this piece is informed, so as to draw attention of our Parliamentarians to what I consider as significant gaps in the proposed amendments of the Anti-Corruption Commissioner (ACC) to the existing ACC Act of 2008 which, he believes “…..will consolidate the fight against corruption FOR GOOD”.My intention is to sufficiently guide our Parliamentarians against swallowing those proposed amendments hook, line and sinker and inadvertently end up creating a “Monster” at Gloucester Street as our Anti-Commissionerand further make the Appellate Courts within our Judicature redundant, insofar as the right of citizens to access unfettered justice is concerned.

For starters no law is cast in concrete, because they will have to be subject to periodic reviews to suit changing circumstances. So it’s unrealistic for the ACC Commissioner to presume that if his proposed amendments are carried to the fullest, the battle against corruption will be consolidated FOR GOOD. And from the statements in the Press personally signed –off by Commissioner Ben-Kelfalla himself, one can deduce a levelof suppressed bigotry to wit: “…As long as the political will remains as positive as our President, His Excellency Brig. (Rtd.) Julius Maada Bio has demonstrated, and we at the ACC remain COURAGEOUS in executing our duties FAIRLY but FIERCELY without fear or favour for ANYONE”.

I am not sure of the relevance of that embellishment in profiling his proposed amendmentsor whether it was for public consideration or to canvass parliamentary assent, but it smirks of the kind of influence peddling James and his brother John the sons of Zebeedee exhibited in the Books of Matt.20: 20-21 and Mk. 10:37 when, convinced of the importance proximity to Jesuswas opening them toand propelled by blind ambition,they requested Jesus to accord both of them prominent seats in His Kingdom. Why Commissioner Ben-Kelfallah chose to bye-pass the official ACC communication dissemination channels and to personally author the newspaper write-ups with respect to an official proposition is another matter altogether, as it smirks of a lack of confidence in their internal Information, Education and communication (IEC) structure. Could the ACC Commissioner be eyeing something bigger in the horizon??

Of all the proposed amendments the ones I find more questionable – if not unreasonable – are
– No.4. Removing the discretion of Judges to order restitutions from our Judicature and transferring same to the ACC Commissioner who will then make it mandatory for accused persons to refund/repay the defalcated sums in full.
– No.5. To strengthen the civil powers of the ACC to enter settlement arrangements with corrupt persons, but that any such settlements should be mandatory and in full. Has this not been applied occasionally – even if seemingly selectively?
– No.6. To empower the ACC to wade into all contract negotiations using “PREVENTIVE AUTHORITY” as its basis.
– No.7 (1). Reversing the burden of proof (as enshrined in our Criminal Codes) from the prosecution to prove the accused guilty beyond reasonable doubts, to the accused to prove his/her innocence in cases of bribery.
Disarm
Now if all above do not seem suspicious and a clear evidence that the ACC is looking at overstepping their mandate I wonder what else is. What I see in some of their proposed amendments are attempts by the ACC to disarm the Judicature of their core functions in Criminal procedures and arrogate to themselves the powers of Courts of First, Second and even Third (Supreme) instances, including further depriving citizens their fundamental rights to fair and independent hearings through appeals processes in our regular Courts of Law. From the proposed amendments of the ACC Commissioner that seeks to empower themselves more than the institution now is, are we reading into insinuations of a loss of confidence by the present Commissioner in our Judiciary in much the same way that saw the government preferring to outsource Judge-Commissioners for our ongoing Commissions of Inquiries?

Why would the ACC wish to be interrupting procurement processes in MDAs mid-stream (Gestapo-like) (Re: Amendment No.7) when in addition to Sec. 32 of the ACC Act, our existing laws make ample provision for protests by dissatisfied bidders even beyond the National Public Procurement Authority (NPPA) and right unto the Courts?

Targets
And if (God forbid!!) the ACC should have their way (because one cannot safely vouch for outcomes on clear majority decisions from this Parliament as is presently constituted) what regulatory options would we have in place to checkmate their potential excesses when they occur? AsI have said many times before, our problems are not with our existing legislations, but in our inability to implement them fairly and fearlessly. And it is only when we have exhausted those parameters that we should begin to agitate for amendments. For example, if the ACC Commissioner was so committed to consolidating the powers of the “ACC FOR GOOD”, why didn’t he start with removal of the Nolle-Prosequifiat of the Attorney General in corruption matters so as to allow them unlimited prosecutorial powers? But I suppose he didn’t, because between now and 2023 he knows who the “targets” are, and once he gets the fresh powers he now seeks, he can proceed to handle them accordingly to pre-empt or complement the likely outcomes of the Cabinet White Paper arising from the ongoing COIs. Whereas if between now and 2023 if anyone outside his net is apprehended (meaning their own) he can absolve himself from accusations of being biased as he watches the Attorney General proceed to apply the Nolle-Prosequi fait to his satisfaction at a safe distance. I am suspicious of the genuineness of the intentions of the ACC Commissioner in this particular enterprise.

Already the ACC has since been “arranging settlements” with accused persons and in recent times they are publishing running totals, even though the existing ACC 2008 Laws make no provision for that. Does it then mean accused persons consenting to such settlements could have been over-charged or under-charged? Why the need to further empower the ACC Commissioner to impose ban on citizens from holding public offices for any number of years? Wouldn’t such additional powers be too much for the head of an institutions whose role is fundamentally prosecutorial?Is the ACC technically equipped and sufficiently resourced to combine all such roles together? Already in the preamble of the proposed amendments they complained that the volume of Assets Declaration Forms requiring scrutiny would have to be whittled down to specific Service Grades (7 and above). So why not focus on issues they can handle efficiently and leave the Courts to do the rest?

Grey
One grey area about this (private) settlement arrangement between the ACC and accused persons is that the general public is hugely kept in the dark about (1) how those private settlements were arrived at (2) What inducements – if any – had to be made for the ACC to prefer private settlements to Criminal proceedings on a case by case basis (3) Whether the amounts advertised as having been recovered represent the full sums of moneys original alleged to have been defalcated by the accused persons from the State. The ACC announces the quantum recovered, but do not say how much was originally stolen. And by not doing so is the public/State not short-changed. The public is further unable to ascertain whether in the interest of justice, accused persons with whom settlement arrangements are reached are allowed legal representations throughout the process(to avoid the ACC being accused of coercion) and a guarantee obtained from the ACC indemnifying them in return against further indictments or prosecutions on those same matters by any other prosecutorial arm of government, including the ongoing COIs.Now that requirement should not be downplayed to avoid subjecting those who have reached settlement arrangements with the ACC to “double jeopardy” as in recent weeks we have been made to understand that a clear dichotomy now exist between the ACC investigations and the COIs proceedings.

An ACC Commissioner desirous of “making Corruption a very COSTLY and TERRIBLE choice for every Sierra Leonean” cannot afford to be economical with information of recoveries or make the process a secret. Otherwise a possibility exist that the bug within would not have been thoroughly exorcised, leaving a few to come away with their reputation and professional practicing licenses intact – and with surpluses that could see them leaving off well right unto their graves. I am not being cynical here because reports from the ACC about impersonators of their own staff being apprehended and sentenced in our Courts abound. And given the fact that only those in lucrative positions can be impersonated, (e.g. corpses are never impersonated) it is certainly not out of place to enquire if certain covert or overt “handling fees” (if any) are not squared-off before arriving at the figures they advertise as having been recovered. Or is it that only “Saints” are recruited to work within the ACC?

To my mind, an acceptance to settle at any level is self-indictment and a presumption of guilt and no amount of settlement reached that does not include criminal convictions should be acceptable. That’s the first regular step into “making Corruption a very COSTLY and TERRIBLE choice for every Sierra Leonean”.

Last week one could be forgiven for thinking there was only one girl’s school in the country-Annie Walsh! The old girls totally dominated discussions in the media, especially social media where they would tout the virtues of their “great school” and post pictures of themselves and their classmates. Such pictures were indeed flattering and would show innocent, young, slim (“straight cut”) students in their pristine, beautiful and legendary green uniform. One remarked- “There is only one girls’ school in Sierra Leone. The rest are correctional centers!”- but she could be forgiven for saying that. How could that St. Joseph’s old girl refer to them as “Abacha Women’s Marketing Society (AWMS)”?Ignorance! Just like a driver I had who asked me why that school is called “Hand watch”. “Jealous detractors”, mainly St. Joseph Convent Old girls, would treat them with irreverence and claim they were the ‘Real McCoy” as far as schools were concerned.

I read with interest a posting from an old girl who described the punishments meted out to them during schooldays-wearing a red head tie, walking round the garden and “the worst one”-wearing white to school! She remarked-“White was the ultimate disgrace. E lek how person kin make tough they were embarrassed to wear white”. One detractor remarked-Lucky you! Whilst we were being “backed” and caned, you “chuens” girls were walking round the garden? School days!

The jury is still out on which is the better school-Annie Walsh or St. Joseph’s, and you will be a brave man indeed to attempt to “cut case”. But let me, at the expense of incurring the wrath of the losing side, “cut case”. I am firmly in Annie Walsh’s corner. No school, south of the Sahara beats my Annie Walsh, let alone one near the noisy stadium. My mother and one of my sisters went to Annie Walsh. My mum will be proud of me from the other side of the veil if she knows I am firmly in her corner. The Annie Walsh Memorial Schoolwas so much in her DNA that she kept a life-long mentorship relationship with Miss Pole, her former principal (1930-1954). And that was why my younger sister also got frog marched to the great Annie Walsh. Though my mother was also a Harford Old Girl (HOG)-yes, she was a HOG (but not in a piggish way!), she was fonder of AWMS.

But seriously, one hundred and seventy years and still going strong? Let us allow the old girls to wallow in their gaiety and reminisce on how this school made them what they are today. Theytook over St. George’s Cathedral for their service, took over the Streets of Freetown and celebrated all over the world. Didn’t they look wonderful in their white dress, straw hats and stockings? Congratulations to my school!

Let us remember those great and famous women who laid this sound foundation, enabling many young girls to turn out to be good citizens who have contributed so much to this country’s development.Established in 1849 originally in Charlotte, AWMS isthe oldest girls school in Sub-Saharan Africa. Annie Walsh Memorial School was named after an English girl whose dream was to become a missionary to Africa. Unfortunately, Annie Walsh died in a tragic accident at the age of 20. Her parents provided substantial funding for the school when it was started, which ultimately became the Annie Walsh Memorial School. At its inception in Charlotte, the first Principal Julian Sass was sent out to establish an institution for young women and girls. The school was later renamed AWMS. So many other Principals followed the trail blazing Julia Sass (1849-1869) including my mum’s mentor Miss Pole.The school’s houses-Dunkley, Sass,Pole, Caspari,Hamblet and Basset are aptly named after the first sixPrincipals.The Church Missionary Society (CMS) played a yeoman’s role in the development and growth of this school which the Anglican Church has upheld. At 170 years let us also not forget about the role played by Sierra Leonean Principals- Mrs. Lati Hyde Forster , Mrs. Europa Wilson-Agwu, Madame Gracie Williams, Mrs A. C. Roberts and others in shaping the future of the young girls who attended this school.

I will not even attempt to list down the famous Old girls that attended this school because there are so many. If I however do not mention Nemata Majeks Walker’s (nee Mahdi) name, I will be in trouble! She came from Mathora to Annie Walsh to have her “rough edges chiselled” and she in turn chiselled other “rough edges” as a teacher. They are into all works of life in Sierra Leone and abroad, impacting lives and transforming society. Annie Walsh girls also did help set up other educational institutions. Hannah Benka-Coker, educator, was founder of Freetown Secondary School for Girls (FSSG) in 1926. Marie Osora, the English born wife of a Sierra Leonean Anglican clergyman, co-founder of this school was alsoan old girl. FSSG nor get mind fiyai una!

The Annie Walsh Old girls love their school and the Alumnae Association is strong. When the Old girls confronted the government a few years ago over plans to build a market at the School site ( Iwrote an article on this-“The Annie Walsh Market”), the government backed down with its tail between its legs. AWOGA was very vocal. One member wrote-“This is a national disgrace. Demolishing a historical school to create a place for selling peppeh, yabas, maggi en ogiri? Another had a comparison with the Taliban- “This sounds like how the Taliban went in and tore down their historical mountains in Afghanistan — or more recently the destruction of historical buildings in Mali by the Islamists. “Wow! Don’t mess with Annie Walsh girls!

Apart from advocacy on behalf of the school, AWOGA, with branches all over the world has done a lot to preserve the rich heritage of the school or at least stop the downward slide, like other schools in the education sector. The principal objective of an alumni association is to form a bond of union between Old students and the school to promote the maintenance of their interest in the School and their willingness to assist in its welfare, and to promote the ideals for which the school was founded.AWOGA has attempted to keep to this objective.Alumni Associations have helped meet the critical challenges in our secondary schools which include limited infrastructure, limited learning and teaching materials, low morale and productivity of teachers, limited technical facilities amongst others. They are building classrooms, instituting revolving salary funds for teachers, giving incentives for high performing students and teachers, supplying equipment, equipping school labs and libraries-nearly the whole works. Some have representatives on Boards of Governors.

Governments and individuals know better than not to mess around with successful alumni associations of long-established schools-the cases of the misappropriation of the Grammar school land and the “Annie Walsh market” saga are all too fresh in our consciousness. Government should perhaps cherish the role of these alumni associations a lot more and formalise the Ministry’s relationships with alumni associations.

Before I end and before I get accused of bias by the St. Joseph’s girls, let me tell you about a good St. Joseph’s story- “befoe una cham me!”. I was at a Zonta Club function at the beach a month ago and sat with my wife and Aunt, Mrs Regina Coomber, who incidentally had beena teacher at St, Joseph’s Convent. Justice Bintu Alhadi approached our table and asked me in a hushed tone-“Is that Mrs Coomber?”. I answered in the affirmative. She went up to her, introduced herself as her old student at Convent and an animated conversation ensued. They talked about the good old days and complemented each other-good student and good teacher! It was during the Q&A session-you know, the judge and the teacher, that I learnt Justice Glenna Thompson, Justice Mitta Samba, Justice Amy Wright, Attorney General Priscilla Schwartz, NEC Commissioner Miatta French, Mayor Yvonne Aki Sawyer,were all her students at St. Joseph’s where she thought between 1975 and 1982. She said they were all bright and well behaved (well behaved?-um). The pride on her beaming face to learn her students were at the pinnacle of the judiciary and public service in Sierra Leone said it all. I could imagine her saying-“Lord now lettest thy servant depart in peace”-not yet, Aunty Regina. St. Joseph’s did her proud.Oh, the satisfaction of being a teacher in those days! Move over for now Annie Walsh! I am also proud of Convent!

Welcome back Annie Walsh!At 170 years let us praise those great and famous women who were the great pioneers of this school. Not also forgetting those old students of yesteryears who may have gone to the great beyond but left an indelible mark in the history of Annie Walsh. And even the younger Old students who are in various works of life in Sierra Leone and abroad who still continue to give their unstinted support to this great school. Congratulations to two chief Annie Walsh social media “vuvuzelas”-Asma Kamara James and Precious Annabel Lebby. And even those who “keked” and did not attend any of the ceremonies but are still proud of their school. They probably “keked” when they were at school as well. I can only remind them of the last two versesof the W.G Tarrant hymn “Now praise we great and famous men”:

Praise we the glorious names we know,
And they whose names have perished,
Lost, in the haze of long ago,
In silent love be cherished.

In peace their sacred ashes rest,
Fulfilled their day’s endeavor;
They blessed the earth, and they are blessed
Of God and man forever.

Many past and present students still keep to the ideals of the school as espoused in their school song:

“We want to build on a firm foundation
On the Rock of Integrity.
We want to set a good example
………….For Christ the great Architect made the Plan
We follow in Annie Walsh School!”

Let us praise great and famous Annie Walsh women.

Ponder my thoughts

In the wake of the unfortunate and dastardly incident that took place on the 17 March 2019 at 20 Guard Street in the East End of Freetown during which a mobile phone dealer was allegedly overpowered, seriously beaten and wounded by an Indian national commonly called Romeo and two Sierra Leonean accomplices, many have interpreted it in different ways.
Some have hastily generalized that all Indians are evil or violent a view which indeed is totally erroneous. It is on record that the above-mentioned incident is an isolated case and as a matter of fact history can attest that Indians are not known to be people that are violent. For all what is known they are peaceful business people who are engaged in different business activities particularly selling imported goods on wholesale.
It is understandable that certain unscrupulous individuals may want to capitalize on such an incident to attack, vandalize and finally loot which was actually what these evil minded persons intended to do. They wanted to violently attack Indians in this country, assault them and rob them just because a single Indian, Romeo, was involved in the Guard Street incident.
Such a xenophobic intention is totally out of context when cognizance is taken of the fact that under international relations there is a strong bi-lateral tie between Sierra Leone and India. It is of course the onus of our Government to ensure that Indians residing in this country must be protected as long as they are law abiding.
The Sierra Leone Police deserves a pat on the back for issuing out a Press Release making it categorically clear that anyone who is caught attacking Indians in this country has committed an offence and will be dealt with under the ambit of the law. It must be emphasized that the word ,attack, must not only be limited to the physical but should be extended to verbal insults emanating from venting anger related to the 20 Guard Street incident. The Police should ensure that this warning is repeatedly and widely circulated even though ignorance of the law is no excuse.
It must be noted that the Indian community in Sierra Leone has lived in this country for a long period of time and they have invested a lot with the country benefitting from their investment. They have helped in the areas of job creation and giving out humanitarian gestures.
Indeed Indians residing in Sierra Leone deserve peace and not hatred.

During a press briefing held at the ACC’ headquarters in Freetown, the Coordinator of Activities of the institution, Mr. Amara disclosed that the Commission has been able to recover stolen monies to the tune of over Le12 billion. The meeting was organized to update the media and Civil Society Organizations on its activities since the newly appointed Commissioner, Ben Kaifala, assumed office.
Chairman of the meeting, Deputy Commissioner of the ACC, Shollay Davies maintained that upon assuming office, the ACC boss told the media and CSOs that regular meetings will be held to update the public on the progress it is making in the fight against corruption.
This meeting is a testimony of this commitment, adding that it is being done so as to avert all speculations and innuendoes about the Commission’s activities.
Giving a synopsis about the activities so far of the ACC, the Coordinator of Activities, Mr. Amara explained that a lot has taken place since the Commissioner took office last year. The ACC has been able to get some convictions and out of court settlements with various suspects, culminating in the recovery of Le12 billion in just eight months.
However, he stated that there are some cases being investigated and that some 40 cases are in Court. He explained that the Commission has been able to get special judges assigned to deal with corruption cases. This, he stated, is responsible for the fast tracking of cases in the court, adding that the ACC is pushing for a special court to handle all corruption cases.
He went on further to say that the Commission has been engaged in sensitization of communities, schools and colleges on the impact of corruption and the need to fight this scourge.
Mr. Amara went on to explain that conviction was obtained in the case involving some officials of the Ministry of Information with regards to a Le115 million squandered amount. He was pleased to announce that the convicts were given custodian sentences with no alternative.
He reiterated recovery of monies from Dr. Sarah Bendu and others on the Sierra Leone Maritime Administration saga, adding that they are paying back the monies misappropriated.
On the restructuring of the Commission, the Coordinator maintained that progress is being made and in this vein, regulations on the Declaration of Assets has been tabled in Parliament and would become law shortly. He further stated that the amendment of the ACC Act has been tabled in Parliament and will soon be debated for enactment.
Giving his update on his institution’s activities in the past 8 months, the ACC boss, Francis Ben Kaifala Esq. expressed appreciation to the CSOs and the media for their collaboration. He said recovery of stolen monies in the past 8 months is over Le12 billion with 11 convictions. This, according to him, has further enhanced the Commission’s ranking internationally. It has gained respect.
He went on to explain the rationale behind out of court settlements. He stressed that the speed and volume of cases investigated by the Commission, if charged to court will clog the already burdened system.
“Investigations into corruption cases are complex; they take time, recourses and it is the only offence where the suspect controls the evidence,” Francis Ben Kaifala stressed. A corruption offence is the only case where the one who commits the offence has all the evidence under his control. For the Commission to come with evidence of such magnitude against perpetrators is a testimony of the time and work put in their investigations.
It is this situation that has compelled the Commission to have such settlements to reduce the cost of trial to the country, get results in real time. He made reference to the 50th Anniversary case that has gone on for 8 years now with no end in sight. What will be the benefit to the nation? He stressed that whilst the court may order payment of certain amounts as fine, the out of court settlement ensures that the suspect pays back all what is stolen.
Ben Kaifala went on to explain that the monies collected can be used to provide health facilities for the country. He made reference to the absence of diagnostic facilities for certain diseases like kidney etc, which is causing Sierra Leoneans to go to Ghana for treatment, adding that majority of the country’s nationals cannot afford to fund such medical treatment. With the funds recovered, the Government can boost its health system with the necessary machinery to handle such ailments.
Speaking on the cases that are pending, Francis Ben Kaifala said that the allegations by the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC) that US$2 million was stolen by Sierra Leoneans during the Ebola scourge has been its priority when the year started and their findings are not in tandem with the claims of the International Organization.
The Commission, he stated, discovered that the said amount is as a result of the exchange rate in the bank. The Federation transferred US$21,760,000 (twenty-one million, seven hundred and sixty thousand dollars) through the FBN bank for the Sierra Leone Red Cross and during conversion of the dollar to the Leone; the rate of the bank was high and not negotiated.
In the view of the Commission, the finance delegates dealing with the account were from the IFRC and were all non-Sierra Leoneans. They handled all such transactions and no Sierra Leonean had any dealing with the said account. It is the duty of the said delegates to negotiate with the Bank. The other factor is that the rate used to ascertain that such a loss had taken place was the rate of the Standard Chartered Bank and not the bank they sent the money through.
According to the Bank of Sierra Leone regulations the Banks have a free hand to set their exchange rate for their customer, which is dictated by demand and supply, but are required to state the particular rate a transaction is carried out in their report.
He went on further to state that during their investigations they were in constant touch with the IFRC and were told that only one of the finance delegates working in the country then is the only individual still in their service and that the others have left the institution and returned to their respective countries (some were Nigerians and South Africans). This had far reaching repercussions for the country as donors held back funding.
He further informed his audience that there are pending cases under investigations; such as claims against the APC‘s Secretary General Osman Foday Yansaneh of receiving salaries after becoming Secretary General of the party , NATCOM investigations continues, investigations into the contract of the Fibre Optic has started, the Auction process at the quay and SLRA are all pending cases.
He called on all to take the fight as their own and assist the Commission with any relevant information about cases of corruption.
Several speakers expressed similar sentiments of commitment to the fight against corruption. The meeting was climaxed by a vote of thanks given by the Deputy Commissioner of the ACC.