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Sierra Leone News: Cocoa & Oil Palm Sectors to transform Solidaridad via New Initiatives

Mamie Vandy, a cocao farmer, dries her cocoa seeds in Benduman village near Daru

Solidaridad in Sierra Leone will on Tuesday, June 18, 2019 launch two major initiatives aimed at improving sustainable production of cocoa and oil palm in the country. The Cocoa Rehabilitation and Intensification Programme (CORIP) and the Sustainable West Africa Oil Palm Programme (SWAPP) will support over 45,000 cocoa and oil palm farmers in Sierra Leone to improve their incomes and livelihoods. Moreover, the programmes will facilitate the creation of an enabling policy environment for service delivery to farmers through small and medium enterprises. The cocoa (CORIP) and oil palm (SWAPP) programmes are both funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Accra, Ghana and will run until December 2021.

Solidaridad West Africa is implementing cocoa and oil palm programmes in Sierra Leone guided by the organization’s experience in implementing similar interventions in Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana and Nigeria since 2012.

CORIP is centered on the large-scale adoption of the sustainable intensification of cocoa production through improved access to recommended inputs (improved planting material, agro chemicals, fertilizer, crop protection), extension and financial services. This will be done by facilitating the setting up and operation of service delivery enterprises known as the Farmer Support Centre (‘for beteh Cacao and Banga’) in Sierra Leone. This will be pursued by improving access to affordable finance and technical support for the establishment of service centres that will supply farmers with quality inputs and technical services for improved cocoa production.

SWAPP, on the other hand, aims at scaling up sustainable intensification of oil palm production and enhancing mill efficiency for processing of Fresh Fruit Bunches (FFB) into crude palm oil. The programme will achieve this by facilitating access to finance for the establishment and operations of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to provide farm management services, promote investment in efficient palm oil processing mills and build capacity of farmers to adopt Best Management Practices (BMP) on their respective farms.

Both programmes will create opportunities for women and youth to actively participate in efforts to improve their livelihoods.

In Sierra Leone, CORIP is implemented in Kenema, Kailahun and Kono Districts, while SWAPP is implemented in Kenema and Kailahun Districts.

The two programmes are implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and our private sector partners – Sierra Leone Produce Marketing Company, Tradin (SL) Ltd, FT Saad and Randlyn Holdings (SL) Ltd.

The launch of CORIP and SWAPP will take place at the Radisson Blu Mammy Yoko Hotel, Freetown and will be attended by about 200 participants made up of government institutions, smallholder cocoa and oil palm farmers, service providers, development partners, financial institutions the media, among others.

Solidaridad has built a reputation as a catalyzer for sustainable innovations in commodity supply chains in the past 50 years. Their goal is to improve livelihoods for vulnerable producers, while respecting the planet, each other and the next generation. As an international development organization, Solidaridad operates on five continents through eight Regional Expertise Centre’s (RECs) and focuses on producing more with less and ensuring it is done in a way that is good for people and the environment. In West Africa, Solidaridad operates in Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone. They are currently managing various programmes and projects in sustainable production of cocoa, oil palm, maize and gold in the focus countries.

 

 

 

Sierra Leone News: 4 Lawyers Disgraced

The credibility of the legal profession in Sierra Leone has been called into question by the disrobing of three lawyers as disciplinary action by the General Legal Council.

The disgraced lawyers, who include the formerly revered Lawyer Shears Moses, were fingered for unprofessional conduct. Lawyer Moses was himself indefinitely suspended pending an appeal against his conviction relating to his involvement in exams malpractice when he headed the Law Department at Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone (USL).

Lawyer Claudius Kwashie Walker had his name deleted from the Roll of Court of barristers and solicitors, meaning he can never practise as a lawyer in Sierra Leone unless the decision is reversed. A statement by the Legal Council accused him of “unprofessional, dishonourable and unworthy conduct.”

Lawyer Musa Pious Hermor Sesay, according to the same statement, was suspended from practising as a legal practitioner for six months. He was also ordered to repay the sum of Le4million within 30 days to a complainant named Idrissa Sesay.

A fourth lawyer, Julian Cole, was censored for 18 months. This means that Cole will be under close monitoring by the Council and will face drastic action if he is found to be involved in any unprofessional act within this period.

The General Legal Council is the regulatory body of legal practice in the country and it is responsible to ensure compliance to the ethics of the profession.

This decision by the Council has once again refocused attention to a longstanding concern over unprofessionalism in the larger judicial sector, amidst allegations of corruption. The case involving Shears Moses is a perfect illustration of this. He was convicted for illegally awarding exams marks to three students who were later called to the bar. The USL has since withdrawn the degrees awarded to those individuals.

According to a copy of the Council’s statement, these decisions were taken in March this year and at the time Lawyer Pa Momoh Fofana was a member of the Council and was one of the signatories to it.

Mr. Fofana would not comment on the issue when contacted on Thursday, citing the legal implications given that one of the suspended lawyers, Pious Sesay, had appealed against it. He also said the fact that Shears Moses’ case was also still in court made it inappropriate for him to comment on the matter.

One of the sanctioned lawyers, Julian Cole, was one time Secretary General of the Bar Association, which has itself had its fair share of criticism over the conduct of its members.

 

 

Sierra Leone News: HRCSL Appointed Board Member of NETHIPS

The Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone (HRCSL) has been appointed a member of the Board of Trustees for the Network of HIV Positives in Sierra Leone (NETHIPS).

NETHIPS is an advocacy organization that promotes the rights and welfare of people living with HIV in Sierra Leone.
The Board of Trustees performs oversight functions and provides strategic guidance and direction for the organization. Appointed for a period of four years, the Board is comprised of individuals and institutions working in protecting and promoting the rights and welfare of People Living with HIV (PLHIV) Sierra Leone.

The Board has just completed a two day orientation workshop organized by SOLTHIS. The aim of the workshop was to strengthen the capacity of members of the Board to lead the governance system of the organization. The workshop was held from the 12-13 June, 2019 at the Office of SOLTHIS at King Street, Freetown.

HRCSL has been working with NETHIPS over the past eight years and has particularly provided technical support during training and advocacy activities that relate to stigma and discrimination and the protection of the rights of PLHIV.

 

Sierra Leone News: NP-SL Flag Continues to Fly High

Recently, an acute fuel shortage supply which could have become a national incident was nipped in the bud by the National Petroleum Sierra Leone (NP-SL) following discussions with the government and other relevant stakeholders.

NP-SL once again demonstrated that it puts country first before self or profit as the discussions were fruitful and ended in a win-win situation.

Without any iota of doubt National Petroleum Company (NP-SL) is indeed Sierra Leone’s premier petroleum company, which is generally described as the major petroleum company that is greatly contributing towards reducing poverty by putting money into both the coffers of the Government and pockets of its numerous employees, thus making it possible for thousands of dependents to take care of socio-economic responsibilities.

At the same time, the National Petroleum Company of Sierra Leone is being extolled for being very particular and consistent in providing very high quality grades of petrol, diesel and kerosene.

This is one major reason why the National Petroleum (NP) Sierra Leone Limited is always held in very high esteem.

It is noted that in order to keep abreast with latest international technological trends, the National Petroleum Sierra Leone (NP-SL) recently introduced for its customers the opportunity to use Smart Cards to purchase petroleum and other goods; meaning that buyers could top-up their cards to the tune of any amount which they can then use intermittently to procure petroleum products. This has made it convenient for easy transactions to be made and many customers are very comfortable with this arrangement.

The company is on record for remarkable service delivery to its numerous customers both within and out of the country at its various unique state-of-the-art filling stations where they  are providing timely services for which it has been rated as one of the most successful indigenous business entities that  always ensures it lives up to expectation. .

Management of NP places premium on offering the best geared towards giving value for money.

Most importantly, NP considers its customers of different categories to be paramount treating them with all the attention they deserve.  Indeed, this assertion has been unchallenged against the backdrop that the company has never faltered in its obligation.

It is an indisputable fact that human existence would have been difficult in the absence of fuel which is why the relevance of NP cannot in any way be underrated.

The result-oriented business entity has been offering jobs to different class of people complementing Government’s efforts in doing so simply because the private sector could play a vital role in that direction.

NP is widely known for facilitating safer and cleaner means of cooking. NP Gas Cooker are now household commodities which are affordable and readily available in all their outlets nationwide.

When we talk of an indigenous company that has put smiles on the faces of Sierra Leoneans and is making the people of this country very proud, the National Petroleum Company stands taller than the rest! For a company to move beyond the shores of this country and establish branches in Liberia, Guinea, Ivory Coast and The Gambia which are vibrantly operating is no mean feat. Indeed, NP has added another feather to its cap and is being copiously praised for such an accomplishment.NP-SL Ltd. is doing exceptionally well in all the countries it is operating and indeed there are prospects for further expansion.

It can therefore be justifiably stated that the National Petroleum Sierra Leone Limited is the country’s reliable fuel provider as it always ensures that its stockpile is always at an appreciable level.

The Management of NP is well determined to continue to contribute to development and

despite the challenges it is currently grappling with it is steadily make commendable strides that will benefit the majority.

Sierra Leone News: Role of the Media in Deepening Democracy and Rule of Law

By Foday Moriba Conteh

Media has a very big role to play in a democracy and its stature is in no way less than that of politicians. Hence it is rightly called the Fourth Pillar of Democracy i.e. The Fourth Estate. Media is often referred to as the fourth branch of government because of the power they wield and the oversight function they exercise. It is through media that people become aware of many aspects of life of which they are normally ignorant.

Democracy which is a system of government in which all the people of a country can vote to elect their representatives is meaningless without a free, neutral and active media because it plays a very important role in shaping human minds, have a big role in contributing to the economic and political development of citizens in any country in the world. It creates a broad range of information and communication to stimulate citizens on the various developmental issues in their country.

Media is an important factor in promoting democracy and the rule of law only if it will be given the opportunity of freedom of expression and to deliver messages to the people without being oppressed or intimidated by the authorities of the respective countries or any entities that have the authority to prevent information from the people.

As such, prevention of access to information to citizens is a violation of human rights. A free country requires its citizens to get information and communication on the development issues of their respective countries, to promote democracy, good governance and law enforcement. Media is the key to removing citizens from the poorest of poverty and putting them into the economic development.

Media plays a crucial role in shaping a healthy democracy. It is the backbone of a democracy. Media makes us aware of various social, political and economic activities happening around the world. It is like a mirror, which shows us or strives to show us the bare truth and harsh realities of life.

In Sierra Leone, since the 1990s, the media has evolved to become more active. It is through the media that politicians are reminded about their unfulfilled promises at the time of elections. Media coverage during elections helps people, especially illiterates, in electing the right person to the power. This reminder compels politicians to abide by their promises in order to remain in power.

Television and radio have made significant achievements in educating rural illiterate masses and making them aware of all the events that are taking place in their language. Coverage of exploitative malpractices of village heads and moneylenders has helped bring stringent actions upon them by attracting the government’s attention.

The media also exposes the loopholes in the democratic system, which ultimately helps the government to fill the vacuums of these loopholes and to make the system more accountable, responsive and citizen-friendly. A democracy without media is like a vehicle without wheels.

As such, the protection of freedom of information and human rights is a means of bringing about improved governance. However, in many countries in Africa there are nonetheless severe obstacles to their performance of this role.

Radio is often particularly important in rural areas, and among people not literate, whereas newspapers are expensive to run and can be subject to government censorship or indirect pressures over matters such as the supply of newsprint. In countries like Mozambique, the media were assigned a political role as agents of mobilization. In South Africa, although restrictions have been eased, newspapers still retain a high degree of self-censorship.

 

 

Sierra Leone News: APC Files 10 Notices of Appeal

All People’s Congress (APC) Members of Parliament have in a press conference made their position clear on the May 31st 2019 High Court judgement, describing it as politically motivated and illegal.

Reading a prepared statement, the APC Leader in Parliament, Hon. Chernor R. Bah had this to say:  ‘Exactly fourteen days ago, on the 31st of May 2019, the High Court of Sierra Leone wrongfully evicted ten of our members from the Parliament of Sierra Leone. Hitherto to that day, they were representing over 500,000 people within the Western Area having pulled the highest number of valid votes in their various constituencies in the General Election held on the 7th of March 2018 – an election which was declared by local and international observers alike, in addition to the National Elections Commission as free, fair and credible.

‘On that fateful day, we also witnessed the hasty and illegal swearing in as members of parliament persons who were not elected by their constituents to represent them in parliament.

‘We wish to inform the public that while our confidence in the Judiciary is at its all-time low, we will continue to respect due process and the rule of law. We believe that the learned judges erred in law and in fact in declaring their elections null and void and even acted outside their powers and usurped the powers of the electorate when they declared the runners – up as winners of the elections. We find it preposterous to declare an election of a candidate void because the election was marred with electoral malpractices and in the same election declare the runner – up the winner. This is against commonsense and every reasoning. Such decisions have the potential not only to undermine the rule of law and democracy but a potential to create instability and wreak havoc in our nation.

‘Being dissatisfied with the judgements of the 31st of May 2019, in line with the provision of Section 78 (3) of the Constitution of Sierra Leone which provides that:

“An appeal shall lie to the Court of Appeal from the decision of the High Court….”

and in conformity with the provision of Section 146 (1) of the Public Elections Act 2012 which provides inter alia that notice of appeal may be filed within fourteen days from the time of the notice of the decision of the High Court, we inform the general public that we have, on Tuesday the 11th of June 2019, filed ten (10) notices of appeal to the Court of Appeal from all the decisions entered against our members by the high court and that we have also served same on the solicitors for the respondents.

‘We also want the general public to know that before now, we had filed to the Supreme Court an action for the interpretation of Section 78 (2) of the Constitution which provides that:

“The High Court to which any question is brought under subsection (1) SHALL determine the said question and give judgement thereon WITHIN FOUR MONTHS after the commencement of the proceedings before that court”.

‘Until today, the Judiciary has not empaneled judges to sit on this matter.

‘We hasten to remind the Judiciary of its indictment in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report and the political sensitivity of these matters and the propensity they have to jeopardize the peace, security and stability of this nation. In this vein, we call on the Judiciary to promptly empanel judges to hear and determine the matters both in the Appeal and Supreme Courts.

‘We further remind the Judiciary of the provision of Section 78 (4) of the Constitution which provides that “The Court of Appeal before which an appeal is brought pursuant to subsection (3) SHALL determine the appeal and give judgement thereon WITHIN FOUR MONTHS after the appeal is filed”.

‘Similarly, we remind the Judiciary that election petitions are to be heard in public and thus ask that the hearings be televised and broadcast nationally in line with international best practice since these are matters of public interest. If the Commission of Inquiry can be broadcast live, why not the hearings of these matters?

‘On the illegal swearing in as members of Parliament persons who were appointed by the Court, we reproduce verbatim the provisions of Section 146 of the Public Elections Act 2012.

  1. (1) If the High Court determines that a candidate returned as elected was not duly elected and that the election was void, then the candidate’s seat SHALL BECOME VACANT from the time of the notice of the decision of the High Court AND IF NOTICE OF APPEAL has been given within fourteen days, THE SEAT SHALL REMAIN VACANT FOR THE PERIOD UNTIL THE DETERMINATION OF THE COURT OF APPEAL IS GIVEN ON THE APPEAL OR THE APPEAL IS ABANDONED.

            (2) Where the question to be decided by the Court of Appeal concerns an election to or right to remain a member of Parliament, the Registrar of the Court of Appeal shall certify the decision in writing to the Speaker and the Electoral Commission.

            (3) Where the High Court has determined that a candidate was duly returned or elected, or that the decision was void, and no notice of appeal has been given against that determination within fourteen days, or where on appeal the Court of Appeal has determined that a candidate was duly returned or elected, or that the election was void, then the Speaker shall publish by notification in the Gazette whether the candidate whose return or election is questioned is duly returned or elected or whether the election is void.

            (4) If the election is declared void, ANOTHER ELECTION SHALL BE HELD.

We consider the swearing in conducted by the Clerk of Parliament on the 31st of May 2019 as illegal and a flagrant violation of the entirety of the provisions of Section 146 of the Public Elections Act 2012 and we thus call on the Speaker of Parliament to do what is honorable and protect the sanctity of Parliament by rejecting strangers illegally sworn in as members of Parliament from occupying Parliamentary seats or taking part in Parliamentary proceedings. THESE SEATS MUST REMAIN VACANT UNTIL THE APPEAL IS DETERMINED AS PROVIDED FOR IN SECTION 146 (1) OF THE PUBLIC ELECTIONS ACT 2012.

Finally, while we reiterate the innocence of our illegally removed members of Parliament, we continue to maintain that they are victims of injustice, and we call on our supporters and sympathizers to remain calm, peaceful, law abiding and respect the due process.

 

 

Sierra Leone News: Religious Leaders Defuse Political Tension

Rev. Dr. Usman Jesse Fornah

The Inter Religious Council of Sierra Leone (IRCSL) in a Press Release says since the announcement of the 2018 elections result, it has been noticing high political tensions in the country and that the situation became more tense in the immediate aftermath of the High Court verdict of the election petitions, which resulted to some Members of Parliament losing their seats.

According to the IRCSL ’in the past week, the Executive Committee of the Inter-Religious Council as Moral Guarantors of the peace has been meeting major stakeholders to listen attentively to their interpretations of the situation and their suggestions for a solution to the problem. Eventually, the Committee will reflect on its findings and propose to all its recommendations regarding the way forward.’

The release added that the general impression of the Committee was that all sides want peace and a speedy resolution of the political impasse, to ensure that the country continues its development agenda.

In order to achieve this, the IRCSL is carrying out a fact-finding exercise and is appealing to all parties to remain calm and to avoid any action that might further exacerbate the situation. ‘We appeal especially to the leaders of all political parties to avoid hate speech, incendiary statements, incitement, or actions that might further disturb the peace,’ the IRCSL release added.

The press release signed by IRCSL General Secretary, Rev. Dr. Usman Jesse Fornah further stated that Sierra Leone is the only country we have and so therefore, we should do everything possible to make sure everyone feels at home.

 

 

Sierra Leone News: About the ICPD and Why it Matters

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the ICPD – a milestone in reproductive health and rights. But what was the ICPD? And what does it mean for your rights today?

 The International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), a 1994 meeting in Cairo where 179 governments adopted a revolutionary Programme of Action and called for women’s reproductive health and rights to take centre stage in national and global development efforts.

Specifically, the Programme of Action called for all people to have access to comprehensive reproductive health care, including voluntary family planning, safe pregnancy and childbirth services, and the prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted infections.

It also recognized that reproductive health and women’s empowerment are intertwined, and that both are necessary for the advancement of society. “The full and equal participation of women in civil, cultural, economic, political and social life, at the national, regional and international levels, and the eradication of all forms of discrimination on grounds of sex, are priority objectives of the international community,” the Programme of Action affirmed.

Today, “ICPD” is often used as a short-hand to refer to the global consensus that reproductive health and rights are human rights that these are a precondition for women’s empowerment, and that women’s equality is a precondition for securing the well-being and prosperity of all people.

In the 1960s, as mortality rates declined around the world, some researchers and policymakers panicked that population growth would outstrip natural resources, leading to famine and societal collapse.

Governments responded: some studied the impact of population growth on economies and the environment, others expanded family planning programmes, and a few took actions, sometimes coercive ones, to lower fertility rates.

The ICPD Programme of Action brought the global community together and reflected a new consensus about response to population growth. It firmly established that the rights and dignity of individuals, rather than numerical population targets, were the best way for individuals to realize their own fertility goals. Furthermore, governments acknowledged that these rights are essential for global development.

The ICPD represented a resounding endorsement that securing reproductive health, individual rights and women’s empowerment is the obligation of every country and community.

The United Nations reports on the progress made in fulfilling the mandate of the ICPD Programme of Action. At the annual Commission on Population and Development, the UN reviews the state of sexual and reproductive health and rights around the world. This includes progress made, or ground lost, in efforts to empower women, educate girls, and eliminate gender-based violence and harmful practices.

These annual reviews have illustrated just how much work remains to be done.  Despite 25 years of agreement, a lot of progress has stalled, and by some measures has been reversed.

Voluntary access to modern contraception has increased by 25 per cent since 1994, and the quality of family planning services has also greatly improved. Yet hundreds of millions of women are still not using modern contraceptives to prevent unwanted pregnancies.

Preventable maternal deaths have declined by 40 per cent, but the world is still miles from the ICPD Programme of Action’s target to reduce maternal deaths to fewer than 75 per 100,00 live births.

There has also been widespread action to end harmful practices like female genital mutilation (FGM) and child marriage. In countries with high prevalence of FGM, for example, the proportion of girls subject to the practice fell from 49 per cent to 31 per cent. Yet because of population growth, the total number of women and girls affected has actually grown.

In November 2019, governments, advocates, health organizations, women’s and youth activists and others will gather in Kenya for the Nairobi Summit. There, they will seek clear commitments that will advance the goals of the ICPD and secure the rights and dignity of all.

We know how to meet the sexual and reproductive health needs of virtually all people. We have the medical advances, technologies and knowledge to empower every individual to make their own sexual and reproductive choices – no matter their income, location, gender, sexual orientation or disability status.

What we are missing are the resources, political will and commitments to achieve this goal.

Without action now, this year, we may lose the momentum to realize these rights for all.

UNFPA Deputy Director to Visit Sierra Leone

UNFPA Deputy Executive Director, Mr. Dereje Wordofa will be in Freetown on 19 June – 21 June 2019 and will meet with members of the Press at UNFPA Sierra Leone country office to update on the work of the organization.

During the visit, Mr. Wordofa and Mr. Ngom will meet with President Julius Maada Bio, senior Government ministers, donors, and non-governmental organisations.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), a 1994 meeting organized by UNFPA in Cairo where 179 governments adopted a revolutionary Programme of Action and called for women’s reproductive health and rights to take centre stage in national and global development efforts.

Specifically, the Programme of Action called for all people to have access to comprehensive reproductive health care, including voluntary family planning, safe pregnancy and childbirth services and the prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted infections.

Despite the remarkable progress achieved since the groundbreaking ICPD in 1994, there are still millions of women and girls who have not benefited from the promise of ICPD. Preventable maternal deaths have declined by 40 per cent, but the world is still miles from the ICPD Programme of Action’s target to reduce maternal deaths to fewer than 75 per 100,00 live births. After 25 years, 2019 will be critical for the work of serving women and girls around the world.

This year, UNFPA also celebrates its 50th anniversary.

 

 

Sierra Leone News: ACC Ben Kaifala Named Prestigious “Obama Africa Leader 2019”

Commissioner of the Anti-Corruption Commission of Sierra Leone, Francis Ben Kaifala

Commissioner of the Anti-Corruption Commission of Sierra Leone, Francis Ben Kaifala, has been named among the prestigious 200 Obama leaders in Africa by the Obama Foundation. His selection comes from a pool of thousands of other leaders across Africa whose “Obamaesque” work and leadership drive is transforming lives and holds promise for Africa and the World.

The Obama Foundation Africa Leaders Progamme seeks emerging leaders from across Africa in government service, civil society, the private sector and beyond, who have demonstrated a commitment to advancing the common good within their spheres of influence and have clear potentials for impact and commitment to integrity; and are at the earlier stages of their careers and leadership.

Francis Ben Kaifala who holds a degree in Law (LLB) from Fourah Bay College, USL; an LLM in Law and Economics from the Queen Mary University of London; an LLM in Constitutional Law, Administrative Law, & International Human Rights Law, from the University of Texas at Austin, in the United States of America; etc. was Senior Managing Partner at the law firm Kaifala, Kanneh & Co. where he gained reputation as an astute and brilliant legal practitioner with a difference – prior to his ascendancy to the position of Commissioner of the ACC.

Whilst in private practice, the young legal luminary whose keener appreciation for integrity, clinical delivery for his clients and his penchant for speaking truth to power and taking controversial positions on national issues without fear, was inspired to co-found a group known as the “Renaissance Movement” – a conclave of highly accomplished like-minded young Sierra Leoneans who frowned at the distasteful state of our governance system and advocated reform. The Renaissance Movement, under his leadership channelled their desire to fight for a better nation into organization, platforms, and strategies for action and remains committed to this ethos to date.

This multiple award winning Sierra Leonean’s revolutionary and innovative leadership at the ACC over the past one year has left citizens wowed by its steady accumulation of successes which in this short period has dispelled the pessimism against the negative cloud that used to surround young people in Africa when it comes to occupying positions of trust and leadership – that they cannot perform; and has ignited a national belief that the country is now firmly positioned to effectively and sustainably control corruption. The country is fast gaining a reputation as a great example of a robust effort against corruption. Even the international indices are currently responding positively to the country: From Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index; to the Millennium Corporation Challenge Scorecard on Corruption Control, are all testaments to the country’s sudden change in fortune in the fight against corruption; thanks to the efforts of the Young Commissioner, a highly professional ACC team and President Bio who had the vision and courage to place such an important task on the shoulders of the young, but highly effective, Leader.

After a filter from among 6000 youth, the programme is expected to assemble 200 emerging leaders from across 45 countries across the continent in Johannesburg, South Africa from July 10 through July 15, 2019, to explore new ways to tackle the biggest challenges facing their communities and countries; and Commissioner Francis Ben Kaifala will be proudly representing Sierra Leone in that league of budding African Change-Makers.

 

 

Sierra Leone News: Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai Elected Chairperson AU Political Affairs 

Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai

SDI Executive Director Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai has been elected Chairperson of Political Affairs of Africa Union ECOSOCC. He polled 58 out of 65 votes at the 3rd General Assembly beating contestants from Libya, Kenya and South Africa.

His diplomatic role means he will advise the AU on Governance, Rule of Law and on the role of CSOs etc.

In another engagement, the AU-ECOSOCC engaged the Minister of Zambia on the possible relocation of its Headquarter to Lusaka from Addis Ababa where it is currently.

Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai is the Executive Director of Society for Democratic Initiatives (SDI). He called on the Zambian Government to not only host CSOs but to be an advocate to liberalize the CSO landscape in growing the shrinking civil society space in Africa.

Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai is a barrister and solicitor. He is the current Chairman of the Sierra Leone Premier League Board. Under his leadership the Sierra Leone Premier League was once more revitalized after it went into coma due to internal wrangling among officials who had the responsibility to put modalities in place to ensure that it was kept intact. Indeed, many have applauded him for this feat and accomplishment saying that they are really enjoying watching national soccer.

He studied at the London School of Economics and Political Science and also at Stanford University, Central European University and Sierra Leone Law School, Fourah Bay College University of Sierra Leone.

He is a Civil Rights Advocate, Social Entrepreneur and an Anti-Corruption crusader.

There is no doubt that in his new assignment, he Saffa Abdulai will perform extremely and will definitely going to make Sierra Leone very proud at the international stage.

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