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Sierra Leone News: 400 Families Benefit from Orange Special Sunakati

One of Sierra Leone’s GSM operators, Orange SL, on Friday 14th June 2019 ended its final Orange Special Sunakati draw at the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC), with five subscribers emerging as the lucky winners for one year’s worth of food items and money for sauce to their families.

Speaking to a cross-section of journalists at the final draw, Sheik Omaru Jalloh, Mass Marketing and Bundle Executive for Orange-SL, said the draw embraced the highest food donation ever offered by any GSM company in the country, with over 400 families becoming beneficiaries ranging from customers, retailers and agents.

The promotion was launched on Thursday 2nd May 2019 at the Calaba Town round-about. The daily draws were conducted within 6 weeks; while the weekly draw ended within 5 weeks during the draws’ final grand draw at the SLBC. 5 lucky subscribers won one year food supply for their families with cash for each of them.

All beneficiaries had the opportunity to win various food items like rice, sugar, milk, Ovaltine, tomato, onions, Maggi, gallons of oil, cash and all that is needed in food preparation during the month of Ramadan.

He stated that the only requirement for subscribers was to just buy Le.1,000 top-up through E-Voucher and for Orange Money customers, ‘you only need to make at least do Le10,000 worth of  transactions. Retailers need to satisfy Orange’s minimum of Le2,000,000 and sales need to be done per week for agents a minimum of Le5, 0000, 000. Sales need to be done par week.

He stated that Orange also offers voice and date promotion as Ramadan Special Sunakati,

Subscribers can enjoys 48 hours interrupted Orange to Orange calls, through the Sunday Cola by dialling *400# for Le8,500 or buy via Orange money #144# for just Le7,500.

Instant 50% bonus on every data bundle you buy using Orange Money #144#, Wednesday100%  bonus via Orange money through the shot code #144#, 20 Minutes talk time +30MB + 30 sms for just Le3,990. by dialling  *888# to subscribe this are all special offers drivers with the Orange Ramadan Special Offers.

We want to make sure the least Sierra Leonean have the opportunity to communicate because it a human right declaration, that is why our network is been consider  to be the best in Africa,

Orange is a generous family  during the Ramadan we donation Food Items to Muslims community Nationwide and we always undertake meaningful projects in executing  our Cooperate Social Responsibilities that is; we have succeeded in changing the telecom landscape.

 

Sierra Leone News: Mining Companies Vow to Cease Operations

Hon. Foday Rado Yokie-Minister of Mines and Minerals Resources

Various mining companies operating in different parts of the country have expressed grave concern over the cancellation of mining licenses and  have threatened to cease operations and eventually pull out of the country in the next couple of months because of what they referred to as the excesses of the Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources in cancelling  mining licenses.

In an exclusive interview with many CEOs of these mining companies operating in the country to get their take about the cancellation of  mining licenses by the Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, they all expressed strong reservations and even threatened to unleash Plan B, to pull out, if the action of the Minister continues.

According to reliable sources, the Minister’s action is influenced by certain officials in the Ministry who because of obvious reasons are not comfortable with the operations of many genuine mining companies. Since these individuals, who used to get kickbacks from mining companies, are no longer benefitting this has led them to be very aggrieved and are doing everything possible to persuade the Minister to go after those companies.

The CEOs furthered that the action of the Minister to cancel mining licenses is a breach of the mining laws because according to them there are procedures as to how a mining license can be cancelled which is clearly indicated in the National Minerals Agency Act 2009 .As a matter of fact the Agency has a Board charged with the responsibility to look at general issues in the Mining industry.

They noted that even if the Board wants to take such a radical action to cancel or revoke any mining licenses it should meet and thoroughly look at any issue reported against a company to decide if there is any breach that must warrant revoking or cancelling the mining license of that company.

“We firmly believe that the National Mineral Agency has the powers and authority to take such action and not singlehandedly by the Minister of Mines and Minerals Resources,” one of them intimated.

Most mining companies have their investment partners overseas and such an action by the Minister, if it continues unabated ,will certainly drive off or even scare genuine investors wanting to come with their huge capital investment portfolios in the country thereby depriving the government from getting much needed revenue as well stifling job opportunities for youths in the country.

How could he as a new Minister just embark on such an action to cancel mining licenses when those licenses were officially given to these companies after complying with all the policies and laws governing the mining industry in the country, is what another investor rhetorically asked.

Sierra Leone News: FAO TRAINS WOMEN LAND RIGHTS ADVOCATES 

Participants and some FAO staff at the training

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations with the International Labor Organization (ILO), in collaboration with the Government of Sierra Leone with support from the Peace Building Fund (PBF), on Friday 14th June 2019 concluded a 3-days Training of Trainers (ToT) on Gender and Land Rights within the framework of implementing the PBF project on  ‘Creating Peaceful Societies Through Women’s Improved Access to Management of Natural Resources, Land Tenure Rights and Economic Empowerment in Sierra Leone.’

The training brought together 33 women from four (4) districts of Bombali (North), Port Loko (North West), Bo (South) and Kenema (East) were the project is being implemented. The interactive Training of Trainers was held at FAO’s 38A Freetown Road Headquarters in Freetown. In her welcome statement and opening remarks, the FAO Representative in Sierra Leone, Dr. Nyabenyi Tito Tipo revealed that she was honored to be present at the training and pointed out that women being mothers should make change in their communities underscoring that the training would eip participants with the knowledge to advocate for land issues.

The FAO Representative emphasized that land is important for agriculture of which majority of farmers are women. She continued that all good things depend on land but unfortunately women continue to face challenges to acquire and manage land, the reason for the project and urged the women to speak with one voice to manage and use land as well as work as one firmly united collective force and train others reiterating that they would be changed agents at the end of the training.

According to Dr. Nyabenyi, the training would include topics on the National Land Policy and the Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Forests in the context of national food security (VGGT) and encouraged the women to actively participate in the discussions.

The ILO Country Manager, Mr. Paul Mayanja underscored the need for women to know their rights before being empowered, revealed that ILO would empower them to invest in land and strengthen their entrepreneurship and business skills. He observed that women are marginalized and emphasized that participants should replicate the training on land rights for women to make the right decisions.

Mr. Jobo Samba from the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Environment commended the Development Partners for their continued support to government, especially the Ministry of Lands, underlining that all developments are on land and informed that the National Land Policy which was developed in 2015 and launched in 2017 aims to address the numerous challenges relating to land and that implementation has commenced.

Mr. Jobo Samba went on to state that the results of the pilot project to protect customary land rights conducted in 2018 in selected chiefdoms was very good, and about 12,000 acres of land were surveyed and mapped within 6 months using FAO’s Solutions for Open Land Administration (SOLA) and Open Tenure software tools. Mr. Samba explained that 90% of land in the provinces is held under customary land tenure rules and practices and disclosed that this year, the Ministry of Lands wants to expand on the lessons learnt during the pilot phase of project in 2018 to additional 8 chiefdoms.

According to Mr. Samba, the training would empower the women how to access land and appealed to them to sensitize others in their respective communities stressing that they must take advantage of this opportunity.

Dr. Samuel Mabikke, the FAO, Land Tenure Officer enlightened that land governance is about rules, processes and structures through which decisions are made about access to land and its use and ways in which competing demands and conflicts are solved. He disclosed that Sierra Leone is an attractive destination for Large Scale Land Based Investments (LSLBI) but emphasized that these agricultural investments must serve the interest of the people especially the poor. He went further to explain challenges facing land governance including rapid population growth, unregulated urbanization, and climate change among others.

Dr. Mabikke cited that over 70% of Africa’s population lives in informal settlement while statistics show that only 6% of Americans live in informal settlements. In Sierra Leone,7 out of every 10 people live in slums due to rapid rural-urban migration especially among the youths. Rural areas have been depleted of young generations who would play a key role in transforming food and agriculture in Sierra Leone.

He emphasized the need for incorporation of a pro-poor and gender equality approach as cross-cutting principle of good governance in order for the rule of law, transparency, accountability, equity and justice to flourish and improve land management and administration solutions.

Highlighting the objectives and expected outcomes of the workshop, the Peace Building Fund Project Coordinator, Ibrahim Bangura said it would increase the knowledge and awareness of women on global and national principles, policies and practices such as the Voluntary Guidelines (VGGT), National Land Policy and existing legal frameworks for securing land and property rights.

He furthered that the workshop would also identify measures to support gender equity when working with customary institutions, describe how to develop institutional capacity for gender-equitable land tenure governance as well as enhance the skills of women to negotiate and advocate for gender equitable customary and statutory land laws.

Topics covered during the 3-days training include Background and Overview of the Peace Building Fund Project; Securing Women’s Customary Land Rights in the Context of Implementing the National Land Policy; Rights and Gender in Sierra Leone; Land Rights in the Constitution; Land Policy and Legal Framework; Land Governance, Tenure and Ownership  Systems; Property Rights and Gender in Sierra Leone; Property Rights in Marriage and Family; the Role of Land Administration  Institutions and Advocacy Responsibilities of a Community Land Rights Leader.

Other facilitators were Kadija Isata Jalloh, National Gender and Land Rights Trainer and Daniel Sesay of NAMATI.

Ms. Simonetta Rossi -the Peace and Development Advisor from the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator, revealed that the Office of the Resident Coordinator is pleased to be actively involved in the PBF project. She also observed that participants are from diverse backgrounds, that women should be recognized as agents of change to have access to land and how to manage their resources asserting that it is very encouraging that women are participating in the productive life of Sierra Leone.

Ms. Simonetta Rossi reechoed that women produce food and take care of children and hoped that more women leaders would emerge to take additional national decisions, stressed that the main aim of the project is Sustaining Peace and observing that land reforms are progressing gradually for which women should demonstrate leadership.

In his closing remarks, the Assistant FAO Representative for Programs, Mr. Joseph Brima commended participants pointing out that although majority of farmers are women they do not own land and recalled the past when land disputes were settled in secret society shrines.

He also stated that women have proved their strength and that women leaders are passionate about issues citing the Holy Bible where women played great roles and appealed to participants to serve as ambassadors of FAO, be proactive as well as replicate the training.

Highlights of the training were the presentation of certificates to participants, assessment of learning outcomes and end line evaluation survey while the vote of thanks was rendered by one of the participants, Adama Sesay, who promised on behalf of all that they would replicate the training in their respective communities.

 

 

Sierra Leone News: “Press Freedom Must go with a Responsibility” Acting Youth Minister Cautions SLAJ

Cross section of SLAJ executive receiving the donated items

The Acting Minister of Youth Affairs, Hon. Lusine Kallon, whilst donating to the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) encouraged journalists to stand up for responsible journalism and also do their job with patriotism and sincerity.

He donated two calculators, cartoons of A4 packets, 4 packets of pens, flip charts and paper files as his own support to SLAJ’s triennial general conference slated for Friday 12th July to Saturday 13th July at 9am, on the theme: “Social Media and the Future of Journalism in Sierra Leone.”

He informed that President Julius Maada Bio believes in press freedom but that freedom must go with a responsibility. He encouraged all media practitioners to support SLAJ and the Independent Media Commission in their fight for a responsible journalism.

He strongly reminded his audience that journalism is a profession and not every Jack and Jill will just wake up and say I am a Journalist.

“I am not here to make a speech but to demonstrate our support to SLAJ as a potent force to reckon with,” said Minister Kallon.

He said Sierra Leone was the hub of Journalism in Africa and in 1860s journalists from all over Africa gained employment to practice professional journalism in our own country.

Some years later, the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) was founded on June 5th 1971 to protect and promote freedom of expression and of the press.

“The question we have not been able to ask ourselves is, what actually went wrong?” He appealed that “we find an answer to this particular question during our conference.”

Professional journalism is a huge challenge not only for SLAJ but even us as a Government. He noted that there are success stories so far but encouraged journalists to practice within the remit of the law.

He used the platform to congratulate the next SLAJ president and officially handed over the items as his own personal support to the SLAJ triennial conference.

Receiving the items on behalf of the SLAJ Secretariat, the Public Relations Officer, Miss. Princess Gibson admitted that there are challenges with ethical journalism but said SLAJ is working collaboratively with the IMC to ensure that quality reforms take place in the media industry.

She commended Minister Kallon and his entourage for such a timely gesture and confirmed that the Government has approved SLAJ’s subvention and plans are underway to process the documentation for onward transfer to their account.

 

Sierra Leone News: BOLINGO CHILDREN’S FOUNDATION COMMORATES THE DAY OF THE AFRICAN CHILD

On Sunday 16th June 2019 the Bolingo Children Foundation -Sierra Leone (BCF-SL) commemorated the Day of the Africa Child with the theme: ‘’The Importance of the Africa Child’s Day and the Fight against Early Marriage, Teenage Pregnancy and Domestic Violence’’ at the Court Barray in Kamakwie Town ,Karene District.

It could be recalled that 16 June 1976 thousands of black school children in Soweto, South Africa, took to the streets to protest against the inferior quality of their education and to demand their right to be taught in their own language. Hundreds of them were shot down; and in the two weeks of protest that followed, more than a hundred people were killed and many injured. To honour their courage and in memory of those killed, in 1991 the Organisation of African Unity (now the African Union) established the Day of the African Child. The Day also draws attention to the lives of African children today.

Speaking at the ceremony Mr. Laima A.K. Dumbuya Programme Director for the Foundation disclosed that it was established to support deprived and vulnerable children whose parents cannot afford to educate them. He further said they are proud to say that they are presently supporting 168 children within the Kamakwie Township

He further added that the Foundation will not be only based in Karene District as they are working tremendously to ensure that they extend their activities to other parts of the country but called on individuals, institutions to support them.

Joseph K. Turay, a representative from the Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender & Children’s Affairs, Karene District, thanked the Foundation and said as a Ministry they believe that one of the ways they can develop the country is by working together to protect the rights of children.

He described the international theme of the commemoration: “Humanitarian Action in Africa: Children’s Rights First” as timely and called on Sierra Leoneans to ensure that the rights of children are protected also noting that the theme of the Foundation is also very timely as early marriage, teenage pregnancy, and domestic violence are some of the major abuses children in Sierra Leone are suffering from today.

He ended by calling on stakeholders, Ministries, local authorities to put hands on deck in order the promote children’s issues.

John Dito Kamara, Karene District Chairman expressed thanks and appreciation to members of  the Foundation for their tremendous work they having been doing in supporting children in that part of the country.

He said as a Council they are committed to ensure that they support children stating how in that vein they have been implementing various projects like facilitating the construction of bore holes in primary schools, providing labs for disable children in schools within the Kamakwie municipality.

He called on parents to send their children to school as it is a law as according to the 2004 Education Act which states ‘’any parent who does not send his/her child to school is a crime and you are liable to a fine of Le500, 000 or three months in prison or if it pleases the Magistrate to apply both.’’  He said Council will start to implement that rigorously

He ended by registering their commitment as a Council to the Foundation and pleaded to them to extend their support in other chiefdoms.

Abdul .A. Bah National President Sella Development for Education and Progress (SEDEP) disclosed that in as much as they have their right they must know that their right goes with responsibilities and they should not misuse their rights as children calling on them to ensure that they take this opportunity seriously and make good use of it in order to become great people in society.

He further called on parents to allow their children to join (SEDEP) as the organization will help mentor and empower them greatly and pledged his commitment on behalf of the organization to always give their support, service to the success of the Foundation.

Chief Executive Officer, Bolingo Children Foundation (BCF) disclosed that he is doing this as a way of giving back to society and committed himself to ensure that he helps deprived and vulnerable children.

He further disclosed his commitment to ensure that the Foundation will not look at children within the Sella limba chiefdom but also in other parts of the country. He called on parents to nurture their children and encourage them to take their studies serious revealing how the organization is self-sponsored because of that they are under taking fund raising activities in order to continue their support towards the welfare of the children.

He ended by calling on parents, stakeholders, local authorities to grab the opportunity in order for the children to become great people in society.

Mr. Danny Sebeh Dumbuya in his keynote address said that society is sick today and if attention is not drawn we cannot progress.

He further said the Foundation has the potential to transform that part of the country as the organization is working on three key areas that enhance the development of children which are education, livelihood activities and health.

He also thanked the Chief Executive Officer for the establishment of the Foundation as he said it has contributed towards the development of children in that part of the country.

He also highlighted the responsibility of parents towards their children whom he said they need to have time to monitor and supervise.

He concluded by calling on the local authorities in the chiefdom to ensure that they work with the Foundation for the betterment of their children.

The celebration was climaxed by an inter-primary school drama competition which was geared towards empowering them and broadening their understanding in the field of drama. Seven primary school participated and awards as well as prizes were distributed to the winners of the competition.

Sierra Leone News: SLBL Embarks on Robust Sorghum Pre-Planting Media Campaign

The country’s leading brewer of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, the Sierra Leone Brewery Limited (SLBL) is currently on its periodic sorghum pre-planting media campaign up the provinces to sensitize, educate, admonish and encourage farmers to grow sorghum especially during this time of the year when we are in the rainy season.

A team of SLBL personnel are presently touring the South- East touring Kailahun, Kenema, Pujehun, Bo and Moyamba where they are engaging farmers, disclosing vital information highlighting the essence and benefits that could be accrued from growing sorghum.

“We are disseminating information through local radio stations in all those places in our tour to enlighten farmers and so far the responses we have being receiving have been very encouraging showing that many are now becoming interested to grow sorghum,” SLBL Assistant Corporate Affairs Manager,Unisa Conteh informed this medium through a telephone conversation adding that they are also engaging youth farm groups, talking to farmers, community authorities and stakeholders.

In Kailahun district, SLBL launched Salone Beer, which has 100% sorghum content, during a well-attended ceremony that was held at the Kailahun Court Barray.

Launching the beer, statements were made by the various personalities: the Chief Administrator in Kailahun, John Lahai Swaray, the Brands and Innovations Manager, Aminata Kasim-Carew who was the MC of the program, Albert Collier who gave the keynote address and launched the beer.

Earlier John Taylor, Area Sales Manager (Provinces), did the introduction and welcome address.

Right at this moment, the number of sorghum farmers and farm families stands at over 25,000 in different parts of the country but SLBL is keen on bringing more farmers on board to cultivate sorghum.

 

 

 

Sierra Leone News: Stiff Policies & Conditions May Kill Vibrant Companies -Sierra Leone Bottling Company:  A Case in Point

Sierra Leone Bottling Company Limited

One thing that is very certain is the fact that if pressures, in the form of stiff conditions and policies are piled and placed on productive companies that are doing extremely well in this country, especially those that are locally owned, then there is the likelihood that they may either fold up or reorganize at the detriment of some workers who will definitely be shown the exit door or affect the country’s revenue base since payment of taxes will no longer be forthcoming.

At this material time when the country’s legal tender, the Leone, has really depreciated to the dollar many local companies are finding it extremely difficult to operate efficiently and effectively as well as compete with other foreign owned companies producing the same products and services these affected companies are producing.

It may not be said openly but it is implicit that the Sierra Leone Bottling Company Limited, which has been in operation for the past twenty years, recently decided to restructure to such an extent that most of its workers were sacked. According to the Management of the company changes were effected as part of a strategic program designed to ensure the long term sustainability of their business so that they can better serve the people of this country.

At the moment one of the most viable indigenously owned companies that has been doing extremely well in terms of timely service delivery of petroleum products and customer care, the National Petroleum Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL) is going through trying times. NP SL Limited recorded a massive loss from January to May 2019 to the tune of over Le 96 billion (Ninety six billion Leones). A major factor said to be responsible for this scenario is the fact that there has been a huge difference between the actual price of PLATTS and the average purchase price of USD $ to the Leone when matched against that of the Petroleum Regulatory Agency Pricing Formula.

The NP-SL as a result is currently paying an average of Le9, 000 to $1 (USD) as compared to L8, 600 to $1 (USD) in the PRA Pricing Formula. Another challenge facing NP-SL Limited is volatility and unavailability of US Dollars to effect transactions.

It is so serious that NP-SL Limited currently owes its suppliers over $42M which NP-SL Limited is challenged to honour.

From a thorough research that was conducted over time it was understood that in the past when the industry was faced with some challenges and in order to avoid fuel crisis the Government always steps in to subsidise the prices of petroleum products to ensure that the pump prices are at affordable level to the general populace but for now that is not the case.

What again came out is that if the route is not desirable, the Government increases the pricing regimes to reflect the real market prices of petroleum products in the market, to ensure the industry does not collapse.

As it is right now, Oil Marketing companies are subsidising virtually all sectors in the industry to the detriment of its own survival.

“If the current fiscal regime is not reviewed many companies including NP will go down such a painful and dreadful route,” stated Steven Williams , a Development Consultant, furthering that indeed sound policies must be urgently rolled out to ensure stability.

It was also discovered that the nature of NP-SL’s business is such that NP-SL imports petroleum products in US Dollars, sells in Leones and has to then convert the Leones into US Dollars to continue the buying and selling processes all over again.

Williams maintained how it is regrettable that the company is finding it extremely difficult to purchase US Dollars in the market place currently. It is a fact that over the years, NP-SL received tacit support from the Central Bank even though the amounts normally received were inadequate.

It is recommendable for the Central Bank to develop a mechanism where foreign currency is provided for the oil marketing companies to enable them pay for badly-needed petroleum products.

Of course to promote transparency of goods that are brought into the country and required taxes that must be paid to Government the ASYCUDA digital software was introduced at the Port.

However what we learnt in our investigations was that the method of implementation of the ASYCUDA system has been negative on NP-SL’s speed to market initiatives; the reason why it is recommendable that the relevant authorities build solid capacity amongst their team to ensure seamless flow of products free of interruption and long delay.

The current pricing formula dictates that the pump price of petroleum products be adjusted upwards or downwards periodically as and when the combined effect of the changes in world market prices (quoted in PLATTS) and the exchange rate (measured by the average selling rates quoted by the Oil Marketing Company, commercial banks and Bank of Sierra Leone) cause a +/- 5% change in the Leone-Based landed cost of the product (s).

It was noted that prices should be changed upwards or downwards in small increments that will not create panic in the market place. The way it is currently, allows for a big jump at any time which makes it difficult for Government to effect change at the right time.

It may interest readers to note that while a litre of fuel is sold at Le7,000.00 here, in Guinea is sold at Le9,120.00 , in Liberia it is Le9,321.00, Ivory Coast sells at Le9,244.20 and Ghana at Le 9,136.44.

To add salt to injury, NP-SL is further encumbered with other charges that are not provided for in the price build up formula, and these include: Toll Gate fees, ASYCUDA processing fees, Environmental Protection Agency fees, storage fees and other fees imposed by the Petroleum Regulatory Agency.

As it was stated inter alia Government really need to relax some of its policies, conditions that are being implemented especially those affecting vibrant companies in the country as well as ensuring that economic measures are rolled out in order for the Leone to be weighty instead of continuous depreciation that we have been witnessing. Failure to take drastic steps to protect locally owned companies will definitely lead to closure or restructuring with dire consequences that could take the form of labour downsizing, no more payment of taxes to Government etc.

 

 

 

Sierra Leone News: Call for Justice for Slain journalist

Deceased journalist, Ibrahim Samura

Daughter of deceased journalist, Ibrahim Samura has condemned the failure of the Sierra Leone Police to bring his suspected murderers to justice. Ballamatu Samura is particularly concerned with the slow pace at which the investigation has been conducted by the police.

Last week marked the first anniversary of the death of the fearless human rights journalist. He reportedly died due to injuries he sustained from beating by political operatives.

To mark the anniversary, the daughter of the deceased journalist launched a Foundation in his honor. And Ballamatu Samura told audience at the launching ceremony in Freetown that the death of her father could not be commemorated without acknowledging the fact that his death is connected to ensuring that the right thing is done in society.

“He was a human rights activist who ensured that the rights of other people are not trampled upon,” she said.

The Ibrahim Samura Foundation for Democracy and Good Governance was formed to continue the work her father began in the defence of democracy and human rights.

Thomas Dixon, Editor of Salone Times Newspaper, described Ibrahim Samura as a “radical” journalist who helped shape the views of people to make radical decisions.

Dixon is also the Executive Editor of the New Age Newspaper, a publication he co-established with the late journalist, who he was very close to.

“It was unfortunate for him to meet his untimely death in the course of playing his own part in making society great,” he said. He also noted that while the family of the deceased was disinclined to pursue the matter as a case, the police insisted that a post-mortem examination be done on his remains and an autopsy report submitted to aid police investigation.

“Since the police commenced the investigation, nothing has been heard from them,” he lamented.

The Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) has been leading calls for justice for late Journalist Samura. SLAJ’s National Secretary-General, Ahmed Sahid Nasralla, repeated calls for the police to investigate the matter.

Mr. Nasralla also re-echoed SLAJ’s persistent call for Government to speed up the repeal of Part-Five of the Public Order Act of 1965. The SLAJ scribe said the Association has put forward strong arguments for consideration in respect of the repeal of the law.

“We are sure that progress is being made,” he said, stressing that there were other laws that could be used to checkmate media excesses by those who feel aggrieved.

Private legal practitioner, Martin Michael, who represented the Sierra Leone Bar Association, noted that democracy and good governance were “inseparable.” He said it is very difficult to pursue the two concepts independently.”

Mr. Michael said it was appropriate for a foundation of this nature to be formed for someone like Samura.

“It is appropriate for this time in our history a foundation for democracy and good governance is being set up in the name of somebody who died in the pursuant of democracy and good governance, someone who monitored election and was attacked as a consequences of which he lost his life,” he said, urging journalists to continue advocating for what is right and what is wrong.

‘’I have always said the best form of criticism is self-criticism. If you belong to any political party and they are not doing the best, the best thing to do is not to criticize the other party but criticize yourself because that is the best form of criticism and that is what democracy and good governance is all about” he added.

 

Sierra Leone News: Bai Bureh’s Grave Declared A National Monument 

Traditional authorities at the ceremony

The Monuments and Relics Commission (MRC), in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs and other stakeholders, on Thursday 13th June 2019 proclaimed the gravesite of the hero of the 1898 uprising in Sierra Leone, Bai Bureh as a National Monument at a solemn and auspicious ceremony in Kassei Chiefdom in the Port Loko District at which event the Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Memunatu Pratt, disclosed in her keynote address that President Julius Maada Bio is determined to make all Sierra Leoneans proud of tourism as one of the growth sectors.

She articulated that the country is losing millions in the tourism sector but is optimistic that when revived it would bring money and wealth, create jobs, infrastructural development, promote culture, encourage the people not to forget their history reiterating that tourism has helped develop the economies of many countries and recalled the recent Sierra Leone Investment Conference in London where a lot of people promised to invest in the country  which means that Sierra Leone has to prepare for them and even to accommodate local tourists.

The Minister went on to assert that the Bai Bureh Memorial would attract a lot of people who have read his history but yet to visit his gravesite underscoring that the proclamation would send the message to the world that his grave is real adding that even students would visit the site to conduct research and that the ceremony would encourage others to invest in eco-lodges, guest houses, hotels as well as learn about Bai Bureh.

Dr. Pratt furthered that after the proclamation ceremony, the grave of Bai Bureh would be constructed and that locals would be taught his history while the chiefdom cultural groups would also be developed emphasizing that tourism goes with entertainment and culture and underscored the need for peace before development affirming that the monument would serve Sierra Leone and the world.

The Tourism  Minister also commended the family of Bai Bureh whom she underlined have an important role to play and acclaimed the Paramount Chief for his passion for Bai Bureh disclosing that a public lecture on Bai Bureh would soon be launched.

The Minister also donated 3 bundles of roofing zinc and Le1 million to the family while the Proclamation Certificate was presented to the Paramount Chief.

Earlier, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Mr. William Robinson, who chaired the ceremony, described the day as great for the people to honour their son who challenged the British colonialists for not paying tax or consulting them on governance issues and guaranteed that Government would ensure his memorial is made a national issue.

The Paramount Chief of Kassie Chiefdom, Bai Bureh Sallu Lugbu II said the day is a great day in the history of the New Direction Government of President Julius Maada Bio, revealed that Bai Bureh died in 1908, that nobody cared for his gravesite until when he was elected into office in 2002 when he made efforts to construct it by appealing to the Monuments and Relics Commission.

He continued that in 2016, a committee was formed after which government declared his gravesite a National Monument and commended Government for honoring Bai Bureh who was not only a warrior in Kasseh but one who encouraged other Sierra Leoneans like Mansa Kama of Koronko land, Faomansa Matturi of Kono and Alimamy Suloku, a Limba man reiterating that the monument would serve the entire country.

The Paramount Chief of Kasseh Chiefdom enlightened that the reasons for the rebellion in Kasseh Kingdom at the time were general resistance to colonial domination of the protectorate and resistance against white colonial rule but that Bai Bureh did not kill missionaries.

According to Paramount Chief Bai Bureh Sallu Lugbu II, there were five districts in the protectorate at the time with two systems of administration headed by the District Commissioners and Paramount Chiefs but lamented that the latter were subordinates who were even arrested and jailed and that people from none Ruling Houses were appointed Paramount Chiefs.

The Chairman of the Monuments and Relics Commission, Mr. Charlie Haffner disclosed that he visited the village eight times before the ceremony and informed that a major road in Freetown was named after Bai Bureh, Bai Bureh Hall at Fourah Bay College, Bai Bureh Warriors Football Club in Port Loko District, the 1,000 Leones denomination with the portrait of Bai Bureh, the Bai Bureh Festival held in the district as well as the Bai Bureh Foundation.

He also described Bai Bureh as a symbol of unity, steadfastness and resistance and appealed to the people to safeguard his gravesite intimating that the Commission would discover more monuments and relics in the country to inspire the young generation to do more adding that the Commission would also sensitize the public about its functions and encouraged all to visit the museum to see the pictures and read the history of Bai Bureh.

Milton Kamara, who represented the family, revealed that Bai Bureh was an icon and that for recognizing him the family would repay President Bio reminding all that there are specific days to visit the gravesite and appealed to all to always consult with the family for the right thing to be done.

According to Milton Kamara, the British history of Bai Bureh is different from that of the family intimating that he commanded his sword when he was in the battlefield and disappeared thereafter.

Hon. Moses Edwin, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Tourism asserted that the Bai Bureh Monument would attract tourists.

Other dignitaries who made statements included the Resident Minister, North West, Haja Isata Kamara.

Highlights of the ceremony were traditional performances by cultural groups, pouring of libation at the gravesite and Proclamation of the Grave and Presentation of the Proclamation Statutory Documents to the Port Loko District Authorities.

 

 

Sierra Leone News: MAF Gets 275 Metric Tons Seeds from SCADeP

In a bid to transform the seed system in the country, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry through the Smallholder Commercialization and Agribusiness Development Project (SCADeP) has procured fifty metric tons of foundation seeds and two hundred and twenty five metric tons of certified NERICA L 19 rice seeds for the farmers in Sierra Leone. The two hundred and seventy five (275) metric tons of improved variety of rice seeds is part of a seven hundred metric tons of improved rice seeds which the government intends to utilize for the creation of a sustainable seed system in the country. The seeds which were brought in from Burkina Faso will be distributed to farmers throughout the country.

The SCADeP procured seeds were formally handed over to MAF in a brief ceremony held on the 10th June at the Port Loko MAF store. The formal handing over was done by Sulaiman Sesay, SCADeP Project Coordinator. Chairperson of the ceremony, Madam Fatamata Mustapha, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Agriculture recalled the President’s declaration that his government will turn its attention to the agricultural sector because he believes that if farmers are supported we can feed ourselves as a nation.

She went on to state that the President had said that the country is tired of depending on rice imported for food noting that he will go all out to help farmers as there are plenty master farmers in the country. She noted that the seeds were procured by SCADeP through the support of the World Bank and that the complete 700 tons will be coming from Vietnam, Nigeria and Burkina Faso. She stressed that the government knows about the numerous problems in the sector and is willing and ready to help.

In her statement, the Resident Minister of the Northwest Madam Haja Isata Kamara maintained that farmers are currently suffering hunger because they lack food noting that the women farmers especially are in difficult conditions because they lack tractors for ploughing the land. She said she is happy for the seeds noting that Port Loko District is very fertile and that if due attention and support is given to Port Loko that district alone can feed the rest of the country. The Minister noted that there are huge hectares of land comprising of diverse ecologies suitable to cultivate rice in the district.

Formally handing over the seeds, SCADeP Project Coordinator, Sulaiman Sesay, said that the SCADeP project came about as a result of the need for farmers to make money through agricultural activities. The approach of the project to achieve this he explained, is to link big agribusiness with smallholder farmers through a relationship that establishes a market for smallholder farmers to sell their produce. The big agribusinesses as buyers can also process and sell to markets. “Once we are able to achieve this, we would be able to commercialize both what the big and small farmers have” he said. Mr. Sulaiman also noted that in that vein there are two areas of support by SCADeP which are productivity increase which is aimed at helping farmers to produce more in the same piece of land while the second is for them to be able to have a sure market to sell.

The improved rice seeds being handed over to the Ministry, he noted, is to promote the productivity aspect of SCADeP’s support. “To increase productivity, one of the major elements is the quality of the seeds you have without which there can be no good harvest, that is why the Ministry of Agriculture which owns SCADeP approached it to talk to the World Bank to provide some funding to buy seeds in line with the Government’s agenda,” he pointed.

The seed is not just for this planting season but for subsequent seasons as the foundation seeds will be multiplied for the following planting season. Mr. Sulaiman Sesay formally handed over the seeds to the Deputy Minister of Agriculture thanking the Minister of Agriculture and his team and his project team for their efforts in making the realization of the seeds to come true. He also thanked the farmers for their presence calling on the farmers to utilize the seeds well.

In his keynote address, the Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Sam King Braima said it is the hard work of many people that has made the day possible starting with the leadership of the Hon. Minister of Agriculture who first ensured that the seed system is evaluated when he took office. During the evaluation, it was realized that the seed system was in a bad state as farmers were planting grains instead of certified seeds. Farmers were in a situation where they planted their seeds from which they eat, sell and replant in the following year which was an unacceptable state of things for the Ministry.

It is for this reason that the Ministry came up with a national strategy document in the form of a national agricultural transformation program which is a master plan to address all agricultural issues including the seed system in the country. The evaluation also identified that the research capability in the country is very poor because the Sierra Leone Agricultural Institute did not have the means to produce breeder seeds that could be moved to the next sector to multiply it for the Government. In another vein, the evaluation found out that the seed multiplication system of the Ministry and other private sector institutions needed immediate support.

The Ministry therefore realized that it needed the support of private sector players like Genesis Farm and Seed Tech International to help in the multiplication of quality seeds to help farmers get the adequate inputs for higher yields.

Because the Ministry would not want to depend on importation of seeds from places like Burkina Faso year in and year out, the Ministry stands ready to support it farmers. The Ministry’s intervention is therefore going to be two fold, one will be to arrest the declining seed sector and mitigate the challenge of farmers having to plant bad planting materials every year by bringing in as a short term measure, quality seeds from neighbouring countries.

The second part is for the Ministry to urge the Government to put in heavy funding in the seed sector so that we will be producing our own certified seeds in country.  The first part is what led the Government to approach the World Bank through SCADeP for the procurement of the certified seed which is over six hundred metric tons that is equivalent to nine thousand fifty kilograms bags of seeds and over seventy five metric tons of foundation seeds equivalent to over three hundred and fifty kilograms bags of seeds.

It is also important to note that we have also said we should bring in international experts to join our local experts to improve seed production in the country. The Ministry also seeks to work with the Sierra Leone Seed certification Agency (SLESCA) to certify seeds being produced in the country. Mr. Braima noted that the seeds have not come in late because it is not meant for upland or slash and burn farmers. “We are concentrating on lowland cultivation.

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