Information Ministry Holds Commonwealth ICT Confab in Sierra Leone

August 1, 2019

By Foday Moriba Conteh – August 1^st 2019

Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Information and Communications in collaboration with the National Telecommunications Commission (NATCOM) is co-hosting the Commonwealth Information Communication Technology (ICT) Conference 2019. The theme of the conference is:‘Broadband for Inclusive Digital Transformation’ and is taking place at the Bintumani Hotel, Aberdeen in Freetown.

The three days conference which was declared open by the Minister of Information and Communications, Mohamed Rahman Swaray, on 31^st July 2019 is to provide the opportunity for policy-makers across Africa and the wider Commonwealth membership to share experiences and learn from each other through interactive sessions.

In his remarks the Information Minister said the forum creates the platform for participants from various segments across the ICT governance sector to learn and share knowledge of the deployment and utilization of digital transformation. He said broadband is important as it will create a more inclusive society, which in turn will increase job creation, trade and commerce and overall impact on the country’s gross domestic product.

The Director General of NATCOM, Maxwell Massaquoi in his statement expressed his institution’s delight for hosting the Commonwealth conference, which he said clearly shows government’ commitment to embracing the use of enhanced ICT for transformational socio-economic development.

He said the transformational impact of broadband on people’s lives is no longer questionable. Despite challenges relating to access gaps, infrastructure, etc, they are in no doubt that these challenges would be successfully addressed, as they can together build the broadband strategy for the future.

The DG said ‘Broadband is the future of Information Communication Technology and the future is now’ hence, the conference and the Commonwealth 2019 forum virtually mirrors one another for the good of Sierra Leone.

He added that government has taken ICT as a cornerstone for its development, which he said, they owe to the people, and that therefore, they will continue to move forward in not only addressing the digital divide but by taking broadband across all communities, chiefdoms, cities and suburbs.

The DG further assured that government will continue to put requisite policy in place in ensuring that not only internet is available but a faster internet is accessible, which according to him, will boost the investment scope and the country’s development.

The representative of the acting Secretary General, Telecommunications Organization, said the event complements the government of Sierra Leone’s vision to connect and transform the ICT sector to embrace new digital tools and emerging technologies that can hugely improve public services.

This digital transformation, he said can be achieved by having much faster broadband, increasing network coverage and building capacity for all and that it must be accessible, affordable and secure.

He cautioned that security of online services is crucial hence government must ensure that cyber security development runs hand in hand with the digital transformation.

The Role of Human Rights in Promoting Public Health & Addressing Poverty in Sierra Leone

August 1, 2019

By Abdul M. Fatoma – August 1st 2019

In Sierra Leone, the realisation of human rights is a very serious business indeed as in many cases it is a life and death matter. From child labour, the rural/village dweller deprived of basic health care, the mother unaware that the next pregnancy is not an inexorable fate, the urban/city dweller living in fear of the armed robber or burglar, the worker owed several months arrears of wages, and the activist organising against bad government, to the group of rural women seeking access to land so that they may send their children to school with the proceeds, people are acutely aware of the injustice inflicted upon them.

Knowledge of the contents of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights will hardly advance their condition. What they need is an organisation that channels these frustrations into articulate demands that evoke responses.

Some human rights organisations/institutions are unwilling and unable to provide these. In consequence, the real -life struggles for social justice are waged despite rights groups -not by or because of them, but by the people who feel that realities and aspirations are not adequately captured by human rights organisations and their language.

Pursuant to article 2 (1) of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, (CESCR), governments are obliged to take steps, using the maximum available resources, to progressively achieve high standards of health. The international human rights framework also imposes obligations on governments to develop and implement policies that provide all persons with the maximum opportunity to be healthy, including addressing poverty and homelessness.

The interdependence and indivisibility of the international human rights framework makes it clear that while governments have obligations to respect and protect the right to health — including also preventing, treating and controlling disease and ensuring access to appropriate health care — they also have an obligation to meet conditions required for the fulfilment of public health.

Consequently, this requires that they progressively correct conditions that may impede the realisation of the right to health — such as poverty as well as ensuring that all people have access to the goods and services necessary for good health, including the realisation of the right to adequate housing, the right to an adequate income or social security, the right to equality and freedom from discrimination, the right to privacy, the right to participation, the right to education and the right to dignity and respect.

Although the right to health does not necessarily translate as a right to ‘be healthy’ (the United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights acknowledges that health is relative to an individual’s biological condition and a state’s available resources), the right does impose important substantive obligations on the government of Sierra Leone to establish conditions, designed to ensure that people have the best possible chance of being healthy, including the adoption of legislative measures that would make people access the full variety of facilities, goods, services and conditions necessary to ensure an individual’s health.

This includes access to appropriate health care and also access to safe water, adequate sanitation, and adequate supply of safe food, adequate nutrition, occupational health, and a healthy environment.

Humanity has the ability to make development sustainable — to ensure that it meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

The concept of sustainable development does imply limits — not absolute limits but limitations imposed by the present state of technology and social organization on environmental resources and by the ability of the biosphere to absorb the effects of human activities.

Our organisation the Campaign for Human Rights and Development International (CHRDI) believes that widespread poverty is no longer inevitable. Poverty is not only an evil in itself, but sustainable development requires meeting the basic needs of all and extending to all the opportunity to fulfil their aspirations for a better life.

Today, chronic water shortages and lack of sanitation facilities affect the lives and health of large numbers of our people in Sierra Leone, a country where infants and young children die each year from preventable water-borne infectious diseases. It should be apparent that environmental and human rights issues are inextricably linked — to talk about one implies the other.

Subsequently, poverty tends to have a very negative overall impact on public health be it in Sierra Leone or any other country and substantial statistical analysis have demonstrated that the most critical determinants of a population’s life expectancy, (a key indicator of public health), are public expenditure on health care and the success of poverty alleviation strategies like ‘The Sierra Leone, Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper’, ‘The Agenda for Change’ and the ‘Agenda for Prosperity’, including targeted health care programs for the disadvantaged and social security and safety net measures. .

As we increasingly recognize the serious impact of a degraded environment on human health and wellbeing, we are better placed to adjust our policies and cultural practices to reflect our enhanced understanding of the close linkages between environmental protection, public health and human rights. As a result, we should be able to protect human rights and human dignity within its broader social, economic and cultural context by drawing from and contributing to those who are actively engaged in the environmental and public health arenas.

The outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in Manor River Union (MRU)/West Africa, which was first reported in March 2014 is continuing. Ongoing transmission of the virus is still being reported in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. On 8 August the World Health Organisation (WHO) released a statement following a meeting of the International Health Regulation Emergency Committee, declaring the Ebola outbreak a ‘Public Health Emergency of International Concern’. Painfully reminding the international community that deadly diseases are not constrained by political boundaries and can spread virtually anywhere.

These countries, in particular, because of their relatively low rates of HIV, have not received the support that other African nations have received over the years – hefty investments in public health infrastructure through trained health care workers, clinics, laboratories, medicines, and education. As such, public health scourges have settled in the most vulnerable areas, yet radiate insecurity locally, regionally, and even internationally.

In an era when official resources to address global public health challenges are demonstrably finite, this recent outbreak is a case study of the need to invest more resources on our health care infrastructure and disease prevention and monitoring, to think more creatively to spread limited resources more efficiently, and how to better leverage intersecting interests to promote national health security.

Efforts to control Ebola in Sierra Leone are hampered by a general mistrust of health professionals and unfortunately infection control procedures in hospitals are not always as good as they should be. In Sierra Leone, Ebola spread because people were misdiagnosed or not diagnosed at all which meant they were not isolated and so passed the virus on to others.

The Ebola epidemic has resulted in severe contraction of the three Manor River Union country’s economies and a near collapse of the already poor health care systems in the three worst-affected nations. It has reduced access to health care for young people/children, pregnant women, and others with chronic and acute health concerns. Health care workers and volunteers have expressed concern about the lack of health care, and increasing mortality from other diseases and conditions like malaria, typhoid, and childbirth.

When we look back on this epidemic, we recognise that fear caused our initial hesitance to respond and caused us to respond poorly when we finally did. I know how real the fear of Ebola is, but we need to overcome it. We all lose when we allow irrational fear, fuelled in part by prime-time ratings and political expediency, to supersede pragmatic public health preparedness.

NP-Sierra Leone: Always Consistent with Good Initiatives

August 1, 2019

By Amin Kef Sesay – August 1st 2019

The National Petroleum- Sierra Leone (NP-SL) is on record for having a capable and competent managerial team at the helm of affairs, which from time to time comes up with good initiatives, always ensuring that those initiatives are effusively, effectively implemented to create value for money.

It is also on record that the National Petroleum (NP) Sierra Leone Limited apart from it being lauded for being one of Sierra Leone’s biggest tax payers is also being lauded for its invaluable contributions towards building the country’s economy.

As a petroleum business entity, NP is proud of having filling stations in various parts of the country and it is vibrantly functioning in Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast and The Gambia.

This 100% indigenously-owned company has so far offered various jobs to residents in the afore-mentioned countries, thereby reducing poverty to a considerable level.

Since it was established by 35 Sierra Leoneans, who bought shares from the Government years back, the company has grown from leaps and bounds; weathering storms that would have run it down. But the resolve of its shareholders and Management to succeed has been the center-piece that has propelled NP to a higher level, equal to none in the sub-region.

The synergy that runs through its members of staff has also contributed to the company’s growth.

Asking those who really know NP, the feedback you get indicate that around its commitment to customer care, NP strongly believes that it must be prioritized to give total satisfaction.

The selflessness and commitment of the shareholders have made it possible for the company to empower many Sierra Leoneans and at the same time put it at a vantage position to continue to open more filling stations across the country.

NP has maintained a good business relationship with its numerous customers’ right across the sub-region where it exists and most have confessed that they are realizing optimum satisfaction in dealing with NP.

The company deals with individuals and various sectors of society, always ensuring that its various petroleum products are available and are sold at affordable prices. This keen symbiotic relationship with its customers has been paying huge dividends, always resulting in a win-win situation, making NP very endearing to all and sundry.

The regulatory institution of the different petroleum companies in the country, Petroleum Directorate, has lauded NP for its efficient service delivery wherever it is operating.

The company is also known for offering Sierra Leoneans affordable NP Gas Cookers of various sizes, which are safe and very friendly to use. NP Gas cookers could be purchased at all their filling stations across the country and the very gas is also sold to replenish those that have been used.

When we talk of the steady and effective implementation of the Local Content Policy, NP stands out tall as it is truly has 100% indigenes, particularly in Sierra Leone, as workers. This is one of the factors that have made the company to be a success story.

The company’s result-oriented managerial team will definitely and sustainably continue to put NP at the top.

NP-SL Ltd. is doing exceptionally well in all the countries it is functioning and indeed there are prospects for further expansion.

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

Lately, NP received many awards; the latest being: “Best Company of the Year” that was received on 6^th July 2019 during the National Business Award 2018/2019 held at the prestigious Bintumani Hotel.

Various tests to determine quality and standard indicate that customers of National Petroleum-SL products say they have never had cause to grumble about the products.

It should be noted that customer care is one key element to the success of the National Petroleum Sierra Leone (NP-SL). Another most important feature of NP-SL is its smart cards which customers can use to make transactions very easily and conveniently.

The public’s recognition of the invaluable contributions of NP both to its numerous customers across the country and to national development has seen it bag meritorious awards from different national and international organizations.

The company always ensures that petroleum products are always available, thereby preventing shortages that could create shocks in many quarters. The level of confidence which overseas business partners have reposed in the company has made it possible for it to enter into payment agreements thereby keeping the demand and supply chain open and running.

NP-SL by giving preference to employing Sierra Leoneans is a clear indication that it adheres to the country’s Local Content Policy. Utilizing local talents make it possible for indigenes to acquire useful knowledge and skills through training courses that could be applicable in other places.

In addition, the company sells the best cooking gas that is available in hundreds of outlets across the country, thereby contributing to creating cleaner environments, thus aiding the work of EPA.

In this digital age, moving away from the traditional way of transacting business has now become the norm.

Rokel Bank Sierra Leone Nets Le66B Profit …Considers Paying Dividend to Government

August 1, 2019

By Peter Sourie – August 1^st 2019

The Rokel Commercial Bank has continued with its impressive performance following its remarkable transformation from a loss making to a profit-making financial institution.

A just published 2018 annual report and audited financial statements show the bank netted a staggering Le66 Billion profit after tax-representing a 30% increase from its 2017 Le52 Billion profit (after tax). The report also shows a Le79 Billion profit (before tax), leapfrogging the Le62 Billion it made in 2017.

Between 2014 and 2016, the Bank’s profit margins were considerably lesser. In 2014, it netted Le25Bn but there was a downward spiral in 2015 and 2016 when the bank was only able to make a little over Le1Bn in profits. Things considerably changed following the appointment of a new Managing Director, Dr. Dayo Gilpin and a supportive Board of Directors which brought in the creativity needed to rebrand and reposition the bank into a profit-making institution.

Amid a challenging business climate and stiff competition occasioned by the presence of several foreign owned banks in Sierra Leone, the bank for the first time in over fifteen years is gearing up to pay dividend to the government of Sierra Leone which owns around 55% shares in the bank.

Rokel Commercial Bank has remained a champion of financial inclusion – reaching out to the country’s unbanked population in the most ingenious ways. This has invariably promoted public goodwill and increased its depositors’ base with bigger customers streaming in to do business with the bank. According to the report, customer deposits increased from Le770 Billion in 2017 and 873 Billion in 2018.

The increase in profit has also come on the back of a massive expansion drive by the bank as seen in the establishment and revival of branches or mobile outlets across the country. The revolutionary mobile based product, Rokel Simkorpor is set to become a game changer and with the rolling out of several other innovative products, it is apparent that the bank can only consolidate it gains in the coming years. Rokel Simkorpor has been a key feature in the bank’s expansion drive and so far, the public is teeming for it.

“Atlantic-Lumley Bridge Is Litmus Test Of Local Content Policy in Sierra Leone…” – Works Minister Avers

August 1, 2019

Newly constructed Atlantic-Lumley Bridge

By Amin Kef Sesay – August 1^st 2019

Full of Vigour, energy and enthusiasm, Minister of Works and Public Asset, Peter Bayoku Conteh, on Thursday 1^st August 2019,

officially authorised the use of the newly constructed Atlantic-Lumley Bridge, which was constructed by a Sierra Leonean owned company, SeCon; but he was quick to state that this is not the official commissioning of the bridge. That will be done by the President after the whole project has been fully completed.

Present at the ceremony were the Minister of Works and Public Assets, Peter Bayoku Conteh, Head of the SLRSA, David Panda Noah, Representative of the SLP, AIG Sahr Senessie, Deputy Minister of Works, Philip T. Tondoneh, Parliamentary Representative of constituency 132, Hon. Ibrima Tawa Conteh, Director General of SLRA, Ing Amara Jambai Kanneh, top officials of the SLRA, Sidi Sowa, Representative of Cemmat Group (Consultant chosen by SLRA and the Ministry), Charles Mambu, CSO Representative, members of the community, SeCon’s Chief Executive Officer, Papa Chendeka and other stakeholders.

Speaking during the ceremony, Minister of Works, Peter Bayoku Conteh stressed that the bridge project undertaken by SeCon has not been fully completed, but as a substantial area has been completed and cries from the public to use the road continue to mount in respect of the easing of the traffic at Lumley, he is only giving authorisation for the use of the road from Atlantic to Lumley via the bridge, but that after completion of the other areas included in the contract, which involves the road to Crab Town, the entire project will be commissioned by President Bio. He observed that there are still work to do to beautify the bridge and the provision of light along the route from Lumley to Atlantic, so as to safeguard residents and users at night.

Minister Bayoku stressed that Sierra Leone now has a government that is passionate about bringing development to the country. The government, he maintained has vowed to promote local content and will do all in its power to ensure that contracts are awarded to local companies, but maintain that it will not support any group or individual who is a crook. Government is determined to improve the roads and sooner than later Sierra Leoneans will take possession of all development projects in the country.

Bayoku Conteh further stressed that during his tour around the peninsula, he noticed a lot of makeshift sharks (pan bodi) along the right of way. These he added are being used by criminals for various criminal activities and intimated that he will soon authorise the demolition of all such structures along the road. The country, in his opinion, now has a very good administration in the ministry and expert personnels in the SLRA board, with an expert as chairman and competent engineers. These will ensure that the road projects scheduled to be done with the available resources will be done perfectly. He further stressed that the government of President Bio is a talk and do government and whatever they promise to do, that they will do before the President’s term of office ends.

SeCon’s CEO, Papa Chendeka, expressed appreciation to the government for giving Sierra Leoneans the opportunity to do Sierra Leonean work and praised the SLRA for the technical cooperation offered during the project from the drafting to the stage in which it is now and to Cemmat, the consultants, for their technical advices to achieve this feat.

He stressed that the work done so far is a manifestation that Sierra Leoneans are also capable of doing quality road works and urged the government to award more road contracts to indigenous companies, adding that when money is paid to them the money is not taken out of the country but also boosts its economy.

The Atlantic-Lumley Road Project, he said, cost Le29 billion and assured the government and all Sierra Leoneans that SeCon is ready and determined to continue to do quality work for the nation. He praised the Sierra Leone Commercial Bank (another indigenous banking institution), for their service during trying times.

Chendeka further stressed that as Sierra Leoneans believe in President Bio to the extent of electing him to lead them forward, he is hopeful that the President will reciprocate similar trust in Sierra Leoneans to do Sierra Leonean jobs.

RMFA’s Director in his own contribution said that they have the mandate to do payments to contractors on the authorisation of the Ministry of Finance. He expressed happiness at the work done by SeCon adding that evidences like these are value for money. SLRSA’s David Panda Noah maintained that he is happy to witness the work done by the company, as it will further enhance their work and reduce the number of personnels deployed on the streets to handle traffic congestion and ensure safety of citizens. This free flow will be good for all. AIG Senessie of the Sierra Leone Police also expressed satisfaction in seeing the road completed and promised to continue their work with the SLRSA. He advised all citizens to observe the law.

Hon. Ibrahim Tawa Conteh of Constituency 132, where the beneficiaries of the project reside, also joined others to praise SeCon for a wonderful work done and further appealed to the minister of works to consider other roads, especially those in Kaningo namely; Sheriff, Momoh and Minah drives. They are badly needed by the over 11,000 constituents living in that area.

Charles Mambu, Chairman Roads for Development, also expressed similar sentiments, adding that road works is part of the recommendations made in respect of infrastructural development of the country and heaped praises on SeCon for the transparency it has shown in displaying the cost of the road project on a sign board erected on the site. This is what they had requested that all road construction companies do.

The ceremony was climaxed by a tour of the bridge by all the dignitaries and stakeholders from Juba/Lumley to the Atlantic Junction at Beach Road.

Sierra Leone: Gay Engineer Flees For Safety

July 31, 2019

A known gay engineer, Albert Septimus Kallon is reported to have fled for his life and safety to avoid the wrath of members of his community.

This comes as the 29 year old is reported to have been caught pants down by their housemaid on Wednesday 13^th March, 2019 while engaged in same sex with his parents away on church duties.

The neighbourhood was alerted to the incident when the maid who is said to have been in utter shock, shouted about what she had seen.

Born to a devout Christian father- Joseph Dauda Kallon, Albert’s sexual orientation has sparked anger from both community and church members who still view homosexuality as an “abominable act” that should have no place in present day Sierra Leone.

With secret reprisals meted out on those found to be gay on the increase, Albert according to our source immediately fled the house for his safety.

His father is reported to be under immense pressure from the Church to resign his post as an executive for “subjecting the church to ridicule and scorn.”

As the whereabouts of Albert still remains unknown, the West African country of Sierra Leone remains one of those in the sub-region yet to legislate on the rights of persons with same sex orientation: causing them to be abused in communities around the country while in some cases face severe attacks.

Traditional beliefs have ensured that there is no tolerance but hostility towards persons suspected to be practicing same sex. These people live in constant fear and insecurity.

Many are reported to have fled the country in search of conducive and accommodating countries to ensure their human rights are protected including that of their sexual orientation.

President Bio Lectures at Abuja Defence College

July 31, 2019

President Julius Maada Bio on Tuesday 30th July, 2019 lectured around 127 participants who have completed Course 27 at the National Defence College in Nigeria. The President was accompanied by the First Lady Mrs. Fatima Bio.

President Dr. Julius Maada Bio has delivered an inspirational lecture at the National Defence College to Graduands of Course 27 on the theme “Youth Inclusiveness and Good Governance: Imperatives for Regional Security and Development.

Addressing Graduands, Staff of the National Defence College, Senior Military Officials, Diplomats and Government Officials, His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio started by narrating his personal story of how at the age 4 he lost his father and had a mother who was illiterate but believed in the power of education and was determined to make him a better person through education.

“But I could have easily dropped out of school, worked menial jobs, and lived rough on urban streets. I could have adopted a life of drugs and crime and embraced violence in order to survive. I could have joined a violent anti-government insurrection as a rebel. My story would have been different. As a young military officer, I hearkened the call of duty in the bushy borderlands interdicting smugglers and providing aviation security. From a baptism of heavy withering fire on the beaches of civil war Monrovia, I was to spend several more years with my comrades, fighting in the jungles of Sierra Leone to protect my compatriots,” His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio explained.

He also said that the topic for the Lecture on youth revolved around how African countries have grappled with the youth question, integrated youth in policy-making and implementation, and what are the implications for national and regional security and development. He highlighted some of the factors that lead to lack of opportunity for young people, exclusion and youth disillusionment in African countries which include corruption, nepotism, governance deficits and inefficiencies, uneven state resource distribution and management and lack of social services and infrastructure.

More specifically, His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio also examined some of the barriers to youth participation in good governance which include narrow political space for young people in state governance and political parties; lack of access to quality education, vocational training and economic opportunities; limited civic spaces and civic participation because young people are either not well organised in civic organisations or their interests are not fully represented in existing organisations; and lack of youth engagement in national policy and planning dialogue. He also spoke about some of the policy and structural interventions that have been implemented in Sierra Leone to enhance youth inclusiveness in governance since the end of the war.

Proffering solutions to addressing the lack of youth inclusiveness in good governance, His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio submitted that young people should be given leadership roles in governance and added “Those roles should be central to setting a forward-looking agenda within government and should be at the heart of policy and decision-making.” He also suggested that creating viable forums for dialogue with youth at all levels of governance will align government and youth policy choices and strategies. His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio further stated that government should promote access to quality education and skills training for young people to improve livelihood opportunities. Youth entrepreneurship and encouraging young people on their social responsibilities are also part of what His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio submitted would enhance youth inclusiveness in governance.

His Excellency President Bio concluded his inspiring Lecture with some words of optimism in the college auditorium “Building the capacity of young people is not an option, it is at the heart of good governance and sustainable development. It fosters healthier, more educated, more peaceful, and more prosperous nations.”

As he concluded, His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio received a sustained standing ovation from Graduands, Staff of the College, Senior Military Officials, Members of the Diplomatic Corps and Senior Government Officials in Nigeria. The National Defence College later presented gifts to the President and First Lady. After the gifts presentation, His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio and Her Excellency Madam Fatima Bio were led for the traditional photo with the Graduands of Course 27 and Staff of the College. A reception was also held by the College in honour of His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio. The Commandant of the College is Rear Admiral Makanju Mackson Kadiri.

This year’s participants at the National Defence College are from Nigeria, Bangladesh, Republic of Benin, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Republic of Congo, Gabon, Republic of Ghana, India, Mali, Nepal, Niger, Rwanda, Tanzania, Zimbabwe and Sierra Leone. The National Defence College in Abuja is the highest military training institution in Nigeria.

The topic of the Graduation Lecture was: “Youth Inclusiveness and Good Governance: Imperatives for Regional Security and Development”. His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio is expected to share his personal experience as a young military officer defending his compatriots in Sierra Leone and peacekeeping in Liberia. He is also expected to highlight the significance of youth inclusiveness in good governance, the barriers to youth participation in good governance and to showcase the high number of young people making remarkable contribution to the governance process under his leadership.

In line with his continued determination for lean delegation in overseas travel, His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio and Madam Fatima Bio were accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mrs. Nabeela Tunis, the Deputy Minister of Defence, Hon. Rtd. Col. Simeon N. Sheriff, State Chief of Protocol, Ambassador Fatmata Edna Kargbo and Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman, Yusuf Keketoma Sandi.

Sierra Leone: On World Breast Feeding Week: MOHS & Partners Woo Men’s Support

July 30, 2019

As the first week of August (1^st – 7^th) marks World Breastfeeding Week, the Ministry of Health and Sanitation and its partners have called on husbands and male partners to support their wives and female partners to exclusively breastfeed their suckling children, as breast milk is not only the nutritional foundation necessary for healthy growth and development of the child, but also maintains the health of both the mother and child.

The call was made at a press briefing on the celebration of World Breastfeeding Week at the MoHS conference hall at Youyi Building in Freetown on Wednesday 30^th July.

In his opening statement, Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Amara Jambai, said that if breast feeding is done well it will improve the wellbeing of the child and the mother. Dr. Jambai continued that we live in harsh environment and if a child is exclusively breastfed the child is given the opportunity to be healthy and strong enough to thrive in the next generation. He called on husbands & male partners to support their wives and female partners to exclusively breastfeed their children, as their support will play a key role in ensuring that their children are properly and exclusively breastfed.

He further urged family members, friends, neighbours, religious leaders and grandmothers to support suckling mothers to breastfeed their children, as it takes a whole community to raise a child.

“The World Breast Feeding week does not only stop at the press briefing, but a week-long celebration with series of awareness raising and other activities” stated Dr. Jambai

Director at the Directorate of Food and Nutrition, Aminata Shamit Koroma noted that there is need to promote and protect breast feeding in the country and that is the more reason the theme for this year’s celebration is “Empower Parents; Enable Breastfeeding” and that there is need for team work to ensure that our children are exclusively breastfed, of which husbands and partners have a pivotal role.

She stressed that, when they talk about exclusive breastfeed, they actually mean breast milk only for the child until six month after birth, not even water. She also said that they were also promoting that babies should be put to breast within 1 hour of birth.

She also urged that we need to work harder to achieve the 80% set target goal of exclusive breastfeeding to be achieved in 2030.

She also said that 80% of mothers’ breast feed, but do not exclusively breastfeed. This she noted would impact the country of reaching her global target of 80% exclusive breastfeeding benchmark.

UNICEF Country Representative to Sierra Leone, Mohamed Al-Bashir Ibrahim, who spoke on behalf of the UN Family said that breastfeeding is not only a biological process, but also a socio economic investment, which he noted, should be tapped into.

Mr. Bashir continued to state that higher breastfeeding rate can reduce long time cost and burden to government and there is no industry that can produce breast milk. Breastmilk is a nutritional food for young children” Mr. Al-Bashir stressed.

He ended by saying that Sierra Leone has made tremendous progress in the area of breastfeeding, but there however barriers to exclusive breastfeed that need to be addressed.

Sierra Leone: Ahead of 74th UNGA… President Bio Ready to Repeal Criminal Libel Law

July 30, 2019

The President Bio-led Sierra Leone people’s Government of Sierra Leone is on course to repeal the 1965 criminal libel law, according to the Minister of Information and Communication.

The repeal is expected to come ahead of the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly which will open on 17^th September 2019.

The Minister was speaking at the Information Ministry’s 8th floor conference room at Youyi Building in Freetown whilst answering to questions about progress made on the repeal process.

According to Mohamed Rahman Swarray, he would wish to put an embargo on further discussions about the Criminal Libel Law and look forward to the time when he would inform the public that true to his Excellency’s prior commitment to repeal the Criminal Libel Laws, it has finally been done.

“I only wanted to talk to you about it that; look ladies and gentlemen, it is my greatest pleasure to inform you that true to His Excellency’s prior commitment to repeal the Criminal Libel Laws we have finally done it.”

He further noted that the repeal process is firmly on course and he is confident that one of the key messages in the president’s presentation to the UN general assembly after the repeal would be that sierra Leone has joined the greater committee of nations in terms of media freedom plurality and creating an enabling environment for the media to practice

“The repeal process is firmly on course and I am confident that one of the key messages in his Excellency’s report card to the un general assembly this year is that the criminal libel law has been repealed and sierra Leone has joined the greater committee of nations in terms of media freedom plurality and creating more enabling environment for the media to thrive and practice”

He however encouraged media practitioners to do their work professionally, pointing out that media professionals have a responsibility to do what is right.

The minister further pledged government’s willingness to work with the new SLAJ executive and other salient stakeholders to ensure the media landscape is changed for the better.

Sierra Leone: 34 Military Hospital Starts Simulation Exercise

July 30, 2019

Deputy Defence Minister and other officials present

The RSLAF 34 Hospital has launched the fourth simulation exercise under the Rapidly Deployable Isolation and Treatment Facility (RDITF) at the Peacekeeping Military Training Center (PMTC) at Hastings over the weekend.

Explaining about the exercise the Commanding Officer of Military 34 Hospital Dr. Stephen Sevalie said this is the fourth simulation exercise that the military is doing and they are preparing themselves and the country in case of any outbreak in the country.

He said the facility at Hastings has 36 beds for such cases that they will be taken care of within 96 hours.

“The simulation exercise will be a joint operation together with the Ministry of Health and with support from the British, Chinese and Americans as they have been of great help in setting up the facility as well as supporting us with equipment.”

Dr. Sevalie said in the 34 military hospital the Chinese have built a 30 bed infectious disease centre for training, effective treatment and quarantine.

“The reason for such exercise is to give us a clear picture of screening and triage, infection and prevention control, collaboration and coordination and infrastructure. We hope that at the end of the exercise we will be refreshed, we will have corrected the gaps and identify new ones, there will be a standard budget, good infrastructure, transfer capacity and the public will have enough confidence on us.”

Director of Public Health, Dr. Mohamed Vandi said the exercise is in place and the MOHS has just concluded one.

He said one reason why this simulation exercise is good is to prepare the staff to be prepared to be deployed any part in the country in case of outbreak.

“We are very happy that this exercise is being done by the military and MOHS only as this has shown how far we have come from 2014 when Ebola struck. I do hope that this exercise will continue in the future.”

The Deputy Minister of Defence Rtd. Capt. Sheriff said the exercise is in place and what the military is doing is for the good of the country.

He said the military is currently in a high spirit and they have been doing great in preparing for any outbreak in the country.

The US Embassy representative Lt. Col. Braden Coleman said any outbreak in Sierra Leone means the world is at risk as what is happening now in Congo.

He said the preparedness of the military and MOHS is in the right direction and they will continue to support such exercise.

ISAT Lt. Col. Matthew Palmer said they were the first to start the process with the military and they are happy that they have continued and they can now do it without outside help. He said they will continue to support the military and their partners in the future.

The Team Leader of the Chinese Military Medical Team Dr. Guang Yu Zhao (George) said they since the Ebola outbreak they have been working with the military and they will not stop as they are the new team to have come and work with the military.

He said the exercise is in place as it is preparing the country for any outbreak in the future. Dr. George said whatever assistance needed by the military they are ready to support them to get them well prepared to service the country.

The Deputy Minister of Health Dr. Jonathan Vandi who gave the keynote address said all what he should have said the other speakers have said they hope that the exercise, which must be of immense value in the future.

He said they are preparing for an outbreak when it will occur because he said already the country’s scientist have discovered Marburg and Bombali viruses in four districts, which make the entire country vulnerable.

“It is for this reason that we at the Ministry of Health are working with the military to get the health workers well prepared for that time. I am confident that this exercise will be very successful and it will put our health sector in the right place at the right time.”

The Chief of Defence staff and his deputy Lt.Gen. Bureh Sesay and Maj. Gen. Taluva were present to grace the occasion.

Col. Bangura who is the Commanding Officer at the training center welcome all the guests and the coordinator of the exercise Lt Col. H.S. Bangura gave the vote of thanks before the officials present made a tour to all the facilities that the exercise will take place.

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