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Irate Youths in Sierra Leone Vow to ‘Skin’ Samson Coker Dead or Alive

Samson Coker

By Foday Moriba Conteh

On Saturday 29th August, 2020 this medium was intimated that certain irate youths of the New England Ville community are still determined to translate a vow into reality and that is to avenge the death of one of their compatriots who was allegedly murdered by one Samson Coker, during a fracas.

The said incident took place Nine (9) months ago and since then these irate youths have been furiously searching for him, Samson Coker.

Samson was the erstwhile Community Secretary General of the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP)as well as the Chairperson of Arie Wutehteh, a masked devil that is closely associated with the political party. On public holidays or when the political party is hosting big social gatherings, Arie Wutehteh, the masked devil, accompanied by its members singing and drumming, culturally performs traditional dances provoking laughter, fun from onlookers with some showering money on it. Such cultural performances are meant to bring the party members closely, create a bond among them and provide a platform for merry making.

It was on one of those occasions that confusion erupted leading to the perpetration of violence permeated by fighting, with violent youths using deadly weapons leaving in its wake the death of one Alusine Turay, a former resident of the New England Ville Community, said to have been stabbed by Samson Coker.

Though time has somehow elapsed since the unfortunate incidents occurred, however, what this medium has ascertained is that Samson Coker’s life is still hanging on the balance as family members and friends of the late Alusine Turay have vowed that the day they set eyes on Samson will be the day of reckoning for him stressing how they will ensure that they inflict mob justice on him until he gives up the ghost.

Our investigation led us to the discovery that even his immediate family members are intermittently receiving death threats if they fail to disclose the whereabouts of Samson.

It was also understood that on the 20th September, 2020 this same group of irate youths of the New England Ville Community stormed the residence of Samson Coker based on an Intelligence they purportedly received that he has returned to his residence which in actual fact turned out to be false.

Such is the level of anger among these young people, whom have become so overzealous, to take the law into their own hands. Out of past experience when such incidence takes place by the time the Sierra Leone Police descend on the scene, when that anger could have been translated into reality a life, lives and properties would have been destroyed.

In a country which has been plagued by an eleven years senseless and bloody civil strife, where youth unemployment is a huge challenge, with some young people used by politicians for the wrong reasons, resorting to violent actions to settle old scores , even leaving in its trail deaths, is seen the only alternative way of getting redress.

In the case of Samson there is no police record or evidences pointing to him being the young man who committed the alleged murder which is accused of and yet to be confirmed.

It could be recalled that it was indeed on a sombre night in the West African capital city of Freetown, Sierra Leone when residents of the New England Community were rudely awaken by a cacophony of human voices chanting incomprehensible slogans only to later decipher the words “we want Samson dead or alive”. A group of irate youths were holding on to machetes, knives, broken bottles, some smoking marijuana all seem to be intoxicated and wild.

Some were saying that they used to hold Samson in high esteem not until he proved otherwise. They continued, in the presence of our reporter, that whilst they were celebrating the country’s 55th Independence Anniversary at the SLPP headquarters on Wallace Johnson Street in downtown Freetown an altercation ensued.

There was a ban, according to them, that no mask devil should come out but Samson and some other members bulldozed and got Arie Wuteh out in the open.

They narrated that a fracas then took place and during that point, Alusine Turay, who was one of their strong members, brother and friend, was stabbed to death. They said they suspected that it was Samson Coker who killed him.

It was learnt that after searching for Samson for quite some time without laying hands on him they then embarked on attacking some nearby houses, indiscriminately looting properties and it was later reported that an 18 year old girl was raped during the fracas.

Govt. Capacitates NCPD with Le 198,807,000

By Mawusie P.I Dumbuya

Twenty (20) Disabled Persons Organizations across the country from Friday 21- Sunday 23 August 2020 benefited  from Le 198,807,000 (One Hundred and Ninety Eight Million Eight Hundred and Seven Thousand Leones) offered by the National Commission for Persons with Disability (NCPD) meant for COVID- 19 Capacity Building  and direct support to people living with disabilities (PWD).

According to, Prince T. S. Mondeh, NCPD Programme Manager the program is part of the Commission’s 2020 deliverables and it is tailored to build the capacity of PWDs as well as to mitigate some of the challenges persons with disabilities are facing during the Corona virus outbreak in the country. He said the support will further cushion the adverse economic effects on PWDs especially women with disabilities amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Presenting a cheque of Le 9,194,000.00 (Nine Million One hundred and Ninety Four Thousand Leones) each to Seven (7) disabled Organizations in Freetown, the NCPD Chairman, James T. Cullen, said the proposal was well scrutinized and that the selection process was done without any favoritism.

He said members of staff of the Commission are working as a team to ensure that the lives of disable people are positively transformed.

Whilst in Makeni, he appealed to DPOs to work hard and refrain from political patronage, adding that the Government of President Maada Bio is willing to work with all and sundry.

He said out of the Seven (7) beneficiaries in the North and Northwest, this is the first time the Commission is supporting an Organization in Falaba District.

He advised beneficiaries in all the Regions to use the monies judiciously and for their intended purposes.

Chairman Cullen however cautioned that if they fail to use the grant for its intended purpose the Commission will be left with no option but ask DPOs to return the monies for onward payments into the Consolidated Revenue Fund.

He pleaded with the grantees to serve as Ambassadors to promote disability issues in the country.

He further urged PWDs in Kenema to fight against sympathy and strive for inclusion as it is the wish of President Bio to see an inclusive society.

Addressing beneficiaries in Kenema, the NCPD Executive Secretary, Saa Kortequee, thanked the Government and by extension the People of Sierra Leone for providing funds for the operations of NCPD. “Without funding from the Government the Commission will not have provided support to DPOs,” he highlighted.

Saa Kortequee said the Commission plans to do more and ensure that the lives of persons with disabilities are changed for the better if only DPOs are ready to cooperate by using the grants wisely.

He said the Government headed by President Julius Maada Bio is fully committed to change the narrative for Persons with disabilities and one classic example is the SSN program that is being implemented by NaCSA.

He pleaded with grantees in Bo, Southern Sierra Leone, to step up and effect the change that the Commission and Government of President Bio want to see in the lives of Persons with disabilities.

The Commission’s Scribe encouraged persons with disabilities to move from the charitable approach to that of the right bases approach as stated in the 2011 Persons with Disability Act.

Saa Kortequee acknowledged the fact that begging is a big social issue and that will only be surmounted if PWDs in the country are ready to think about creative initiatives that will attract not only NCPD but potential funders.

He said one (1) DPO each in the Three Districts in the Eastern Region benefited from the program whilst Three (3) DPOs in the Southern Region also benefited, disclosing that 80% of the beneficiaries were Women Organizations simply because  they are the most vulnerable groups.

In their statements, the Sierra Leone Union on Disability Issues representatives in the Commission’s Board congratulated the grantees and pleaded with them to use the funds strictly in line with their project proposals.

They maintained that the Commission is moving in the right direction and advised the beneficiaries to follow all the procedures in the contract.

Grantees thanked the Commission for the gesture and pleaded with the Government to capacitate NCPD to be in place to implement the 2011 Persons with Disability Act and transform the lives of PWD.

As Poverty Persists… Salone Not Doing Well In Improving Trade Climate

Logistics and transportation of Container Cargo ship and Cargo plane with working crane bridge in shipyard at sunrise, logistic import export and transport industry background

By Amin Kef Sesay

Progression for Sierra Leone from a low income to a middle and upper middle-income country status rests heavily on successful trade in regional and global markets. Yet as the situation stands, Sierra Leone’s exports, relative to imports, in terms of monetary value, remains very low – so low that year after year, Sierra Leone fails to achieve budget surplus but instead keeps increasing its international debt.

A comprehensive, forward-looking National Trade Policy must address the major anti-export blocs and challenges.

Given the importance of agriculture for poverty reduction, additional policies and institutional capacity are needed to ensure effective commercialization of the sector.

In improving the country’s trading competitiveness, rural infrastructure is particularly important in enabling increased agricultural production and export.

Efficient land policies and land tenure institutions are needed to ensure the functioning of land markets, protection of property rights, development and establishment of efficient farm structures.

Sufficient credit at competitive conditions is important for private sector investment in production, storage, transportation and marketing of agricultural products. This means that by now, Sierra Leone should have a specialized export finance bank.

Given the country’s mounting public debts due to low revenue generation, capacitating the trade sector is a key factor in boosting the country’s overall socio-economic development.

As such, experts The Calabash newspaper spoke to on this all important transforming agenda is that the country needs to design and implement a very formidable local and international trade policy aimed at:

Increasing production and export of value added primary goods (commodities) in which the country has natural comparative advantage

Import substitution through the country developing domestic manufacturing capability and capacity e.g. tomato farms can build tomato processing factories; onion farms can substitute for onion import, etc.

Critically, the experts state that Sierra Leone can venture into export-focused manufacturing production, taking advantage of lower unit cost labor and economies of scale in production

Such trade policies the experts believe can up trade as a significant percentage of national income and competitiveness in international markets that in turn will have huge bearing on overall macroeconomic performance and development prospects.

As such, a new national trade policy can bring the country the following benefits:

More foreign currency to improve on balance of payments by building up our stock of dollar reserves.

With more to export, the country will have liquidity to finance imports of essential imports of capital equipment / technologies and energy supplies.

With increased income from international trade, the Bank of Sierra Leone will be able through the commercial banks and other financial institutions to inject demand into the circular flow of income and spending by SMEs, thereby creating positive multiplier effects on the overall economy

This will result in increased employment in export industries and related industries which will lead to rising per capita incomes and also stronger Human Development Index scores

Because of increased domestic productivity that would result from more productive businesses springing up, this will result in falling prices for consumers resulting in increase in real incomes.

ACC Engages 5 DiCOVERCs on Management & Utilization of COVID-19 Funds

By Foday Moriba Conteh

Two members of the Strategic Team of the COVID-19 Response Transparency Task Force of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), the Coordinator of Operations, Emmanuel Koivaya Amara Esq., and the Director of Public Education and Outreach, Patrick Sandi, have on Friday 14th August, 2020 concluded engagements with five (5) District Corona Virus Emergency Response Centers (DiCOVERCs) in the South (Bo, Moyamba, Bonthe and Pujehun) and Eastern (Kenema and Kailahun) regions of Sierra Leone.

The engagements which were very interactive aimed at ensuring that the DiCOVERCs are mindful of the accountability and integrity regimes in the management and utilization of public and donor resources meant for the control and containment of the pandemic.

Addressing staff of the DiCOVERCs, Director, Public Education and Outreach, Patrick Sandi outlined the composition and rationale for the establishment of the Task Force, led by the Commissioner, and the Deputy Commissioner.

He underscored that the meetings with the DiCOVERCs Pillar Leads were not to undermine their good efforts in the response, but one which sought to ensure the effective and judicious use of public/donor funds and resources that will guarantee efficient quality service delivery.

Mr. Sandi updated members of the DiCOVERCs on the activities and operations of the Task Force since its establishment and launch.

In his submission, the Coordinator of Operations, Emmanuel Koivaya Amara Esq. highlighted the relevant provisions in the Anti-Corruption Act of 2008 as Amended in 2019 as they relate to integrity, transparency and accountability. He also stated that the law has the appropriate preventive and punitive measures, once any person contravenes it.

However, the ACC was keen on the prevention of corruption and corrupt practices rather than on prosecution-hence the engagements with the DiCOVERCs are to instill and mainstream best practices in their programs and activities.

The District Coordinators of the DiCOVERCs appreciated the move by the ACC, and pledged their commitments to support accountability guidelines as would be recommended by the Commission.

Various Pillar Leads of the DiCOVERCs; quarantine, psycho-social, laboratory, data management, logistics, case management/surveillance, social mobilization and risk communication, finance and administration, and security, provided updates on their programs and activities, and also catalogued the challenges. Key among the challenges are; the delays in the payment of incentives and allowances meant for health and non-health care workers, and the delay in the turn-around time of 48 hours for COVID-19 Test results, with only Kenema District that has the laboratory to service all the  seven (7) Districts in the South and East.

The ACC team also provided skills-support to the Admin/Finance, Quarantine and Logistics Leads in the areas of records management and proper reporting mechanisms that would eliminate the opportunities of corruption which were obvious in the programs and activities of the DiCOVERCs.

Visits to treatment centers and quarantine facilities, including radio talk shows formed part of the exercise.

Similar engagements to provide a comprehensive, holistic and national perspective and impression on the operations of the DiCOVERCs will be held in the remaining Districts of the North-East, North-West Regions and Kono District.

VP’s Office & HRCSL Concludes Training for Companies in Pujehun and Moyamba

By Esther Wright

The Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone (HRCSL) is jointly conducting a training exercise with the Office of the Vice President with support from UNDP for selected Companies in Pujehun and Moyamba Districts.

The training of company officials and stakeholders in Pujehun and Moyamba Districts started in Bo City on Wednesday 26th August 2020 and will end today Friday 28th August 2020.

Participants were drawn from VIMETCO, Sierra Rutile, SOCFIN and  Natural Habitat and they include workers, security personnel, Mammy Queens and other key community members from the two districts where the Companies operate.

The training is on Conflict Prevention and Mediation, Business and Human Rights, Prevention of SGBV & Protection of Women’s Rights within Concessionary Areas.

The Oversight Commissioner for Monitoring and Research Commissioner, Dr. Gassan Abess, noted  that the concept of Business /Human Rights is still in its emerging stage and has propelled the need for consistent capacity building engagement for all stakeholders involved.

Commissioner Dr. Abess said the  Commission has not only been building the capacity of its staff, but saw the need for engaging all companies and other stakeholders, which he said has become a major concern for the Commission.

He said baseline studies conducted by the HRCSL and  consultations carried out by WFP, UNDP and CSOs have justified the need for robust training for companies in their dealings with members of host communities, especially so when looking at the situation of women as they are most often prone to discrimination and other sexual and gender based violence practices.

“The activities carried out by these separate entities clearly brought out the fact that all companies contacted have little knowledge on the subject of Business and Human Rights and the issue of monitoring and compliance is predicated on the knowledge base of the parties involved,” he stated.

In Malen and Makpele Chiefdoms in Pujehun district, the palm oil companies of Socfin, a company from Luxembourg and a subsidiary of the French Bollore group and Natural Habitat, a Dutch Company, together occupy 14,669 hectares of prime farming land.

In Moyamba District, the Australian owned rutile mining company Sierra Rutile-the second largest Rutile Company in the world-has a mining lease of 56,000 hectares spanning across the three chiefdoms of Bagruwa, and Lower and Upper Banta.

In Dasse and Lower and Upper Banta Chiefdoms in the same district, the Romanian Bauxite (aluminium ore) mining company Vimetco operates a 32,100 hectare mining lease. Rutile and Bauxite mining is highly environmentally destructive, contributing to the contamination of water resources, flooding and damaging of lowlands that communities use for agriculture.

Daniel Kaitibi Boosts MMCET With Protective Preventive Equipments

By Amin Kef Sesay

Daniel Kaitibi, the Director-General of the National Telecommunications Commission (NATCOM) on Wednesday 26th August 2020 donated 4 hand washing Milla water tanks, liquid soap, boxes of tissue and dustbins to the Milton Margai College of Education and Technology Polytechnic (MMCET) Goderich Campus at a ceremony held at the Great Hall of the campus.

The donation was personally made by Daniel Kaitibi and not NATCOM.

Kaitibi disclosed that he lectured for 12 years at Njala University, that he believes in quality leadership, integrity and transparency, that the President puts premium on quality education and pledged his unflinching support and loyalty to the President’s flagship education project stressing that he believes in result and performance and promised to improve the telecommunications sector by extending network facilities in remote parts of the country as well as reduce the cost of communications.

He also pledged to make similar donations to the other two campuses of the Milton Margai College as well as look at other constraints of the college.

The NATCOM Director of Regulatory Administration, Mr. Smart Kokofele observed that the college was in a deplorable state but has been transformed to an enviable institution which he attributed to the quality and astute leadership of the Principal and appealed to all not to allow politics to divide the nation.

Dr. Philip John Kanu, Principal of the MMCET, revealed that he is delighted to welcome Daniel Kaitibi and delegation to the college, that the college is very grateful for the gifts, that Daniel Kaitibi and NATCOM are household names in the country, that Mr. Kaitibi means good for Sierra Leone and that he has made similar donations to other institutions throughout the country stressing that the donated items are not small.

Dr. Kanu furthered that the donated items is a demonstration of support to Government’s Free Quality Education flagship project, that the college is the premier teacher training college in the country and recalled its establishment in 1963 by Sir Milton Margai, the first Prime Minister of Sierra Leone who paid for the land.

The Principal continued that it was during the presidency of Dr. Ahmed Tejan Kabbah that the college started offering degree courses and was upgraded to a polytechnic and that the same SLPP Government now wants to transform it to a Technical University underscoring that Government is very keen to support human resource development.

Dr. Kanu also assured that when transformed to a Technical University, the college would not deviate from been the premier teacher training college in the country articulating that he wants the college to be autonomous to produce telecommunications experts from Diploma to Degree levels as well as job creators and not job seekers stressing that the donation came at the right time to save the lives of students and staff.

The college’s Registrar, Sheriffu Bangura, chaired the ceremony while the Dean of the Brookfields Campus, Alima Jumu earlier welcomed all to the ceremony asserting that NATCOM is a true friend and has been very supportive to the college, that the administration is working relentlessly to transform the college to a Technical University, concluding that the fight to end the global corona virus pandemic is a national one and that the donation would help to contain the outbreak.

The vote of thanks was rendered by the President of the Students’ Union, Alphonso During, who assured all that the items would be used for their intended purpose and that they would enforce the rules and regulations to prevent the pandemic from spreading.

For Peaceful and Social Cohesion…   CHRDI &WANEP Engage Key Stakeholders in Makeni

By Theresa Kef Sesay

A town hall meeting was held on the 26th August 2020 at the Makeni City Council Hall during which was geared towards engaging relevant stakeholders on promoting Peace and Social Cohesion in Makeni, Northern Sierra Leone. The meeting was convened by Campaign for Human Rights and Development International (CHRDI) and the West African Network for Peace (WANEP), in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Government of Sierra Leone.

In attendance were representatives from the Makeni City Council, Sierra Leone Police, Traders Union, Youth Leaders, Civil Society Groups, APPA, PPRC, RSLAF, ONS, Paramount Chief, APC, NGC, SLPP, and others.

The community engagement was aimed at highlighting the need for the reduction and mitigation of community level conflict and insecurity by investing in initiatives that address key drivers of conflict and insecurity.

Speaking during the event, Chief Executive Officer of CHRDI, Abdul Fatoma, said his organisation has a new vision for the empowerment and engagement of youths in Sierra Leone focusing on education as an important priority which will allow young people to develop the country.

“There are a number of youths within the security sector (army, police) who could contribute to nation building and engage in developmental programmes like infrastructure, agriculture, teaching and vocational training,” he opined.

The two organisations are using an all-inclusive community security and social cohesion approaches, which will empower communities to identify the drivers of conflicts in their communities in a participatory manner, using an integrated and gender sensitive approach.

It is expected that the engagement will help support the communities to effectively prevent, manage and resolve conflict in a non-violent manner. At the same time, the project will also strengthen community relationships by identifying and strengthening cultural, social and economic connectors that make communities reliant on each other in times of peace and conflict, across sex and age divide.

Banking With No Internet as… GTBank Unveils*3737# Product

By Amin Kef Sesay

Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank), which has been rated as one of Sierra Leone’s finest Banks, offering reliable and modern services to its numerous customers,  has on Tuesday 25th August 2020 launched  its latest product known as *3737# for easy banking. The launch took place during an auspicious ceremony at the Bank’s Headquarters on Wilberforce Street in Freetown.

From what this medium learnt which it is now informing the public about is that *3737# enables customers to use their phones to conduct transactions as well as avail  non-customers to open accounts with the bank using the same service (*3737#). Currently the new service is only applicable to Africell Network. Customers can use 3737 to call and get more information as well.

GTBank Deputy Managing Director, Eegunike Patrick Adeyemi, described the product as one that is in line with the Government’s agenda of increasing financial inclusion in the country in order to ensure that every Sierra Leonean has access to banking services anywhere and at any time.

He described the launch as an eco-event, a landmark of GTBank and one that will usher in a transformation in the financial services of Sierra Leone. He expressed appreciation to President Bio, the Bank Governor and people of Sierra Leone for the financial inclusion policy and for giving them the opportunity to showcase what the bank can deliver.

He explained that *3737# is a mobile application that does not need internet services or smart phones. One can use the service in any location at his or her comfort.

“You can open an account on this platform with your Africell SIM which must be linked to the bank’s data base in Leone denomination. You can transfer funds to any other account,” he also intimated.

He demonstrated that if a customer is in a restaurant, the service can allow him or her to pay for goods ordered as the service is applicable in any part of the country as long as telecommunications services are available.

GTBank Head of Corporate Affairs, Arthur B. Kallon, explained that  *3737# is an easy way for customers to get their BBan through their phones, check their Bank Account balances by themselves, get mini statements, purchase airtime and pay electricity bills among others.

He said they can also use the service to transfer money via their phones or use their phones to open Bank Accounts. These services, he added, need no internet but the customer needs an Africell SIM.

He continued by stating that the first thing a customer must do is to register which can be done through Option 7 in order to access the service which is free and does not require internet.

During registration, he stated, the customer will be asked to enter a secret question which he must remember and continue the process from there.

He described the service as first of its kind in the country and one that can give easy access to their customers and will also help to reduce the crowd in the banking hall especially when the world is battling with COVID-19.

GTBank Head of E-Business, Victor Clifford demonstrated how the service operates and emphasized that one needs to have a mobile phone and a GTBank Account to enjoy the pleasure of banking with ease.

GTBank Head of Information Technology, Christian Odey, assured customers of security of the service. He disclosed how the Bank of Sierra Leone tested the service and was satisfied maintaining that was why they gave the go-ahead to launch it in the country.

50 Community Health Promoters in Kenema Benefit from BRAC-SL Training  

By Jonathan Hindolo Kurabu (D-Catalyst)

On the 24th August 2020, BRAC Sierra Leone, in partnership with the Kenema District Health Management Team and the Kenema District COVID 19 Emergency Response Centre trained 50 Community Health Promoters on COVID 19 awareness.

50 participants drawn from Griema-Dama, Lower-Bambara, Small-Bo, Sembaru and Nongowa Chiefdoms in Kenema District benefited from the training which was held at the Multi-Purpose Hall of the Catholic Technical Vocational Institute in Kenema.

The purpose of the two days training, according to the Regional Health Coordinator of BRAC SL, Patrick Massaquoi, was to empower the participants to transmit correct information about the Corona virus and to be able to work with Community Health Workers in identifying sick patients, referrals and undertake contact tracing in their respective chiefdoms.

Umu Hawa Jalloh, the  Kenema District Health Coordinator of BRAC SL, said the training is an ongoing effort to complement the efforts of Government in combating COVID 19 community transmission.

She furthered that prior to now, they have engaged Community stakeholders where the participants were identified adding that they should endeavour to position themselves to help in the fight against the deadly Corona virus in the country.

Umu Hawa Jalloh averred that the participants are expected to help in the distribution of face masks, hand wash stations, soap and to ensure the donated items are used for their intended purposes.

Social Mobilization Manager of the Kenema DICOVERC, Ansumana Benson Quee, said that apart from the global devastation by the Corona virus, it has also brought a new tradition which the world is grappling with.

He cautioned the participants to be consistent with their messaging adding that they should only adhere to existing messages from NACOVERC and DICOVERC.

One of the lead facilitators, Josephus Cambull, urged the participants to raise robust awareness on the use of facemasks, social distancing, hand washing and to report sick patients to the nearest Health Centres.

Four of the participants interviewed, Ibrahim Moiferay, Brima Abdulai, Mary Bikie and Rebecca Lahai promised to cascade knowledge gained to their respective chiefdoms

The training is part of ongoing activities under the Community Health Reach on COVID 19.

BRAC is a Non-Governmental Organization that was founded 49 years ago in Bangladesh and started operations in Sierra Leone in 2008. They have, over the past years, implemented a lot of programmes in many sectors ranging from Health, Emergency Response Preparedness, Youth Empowerment and Gender, Agricultural Projects and Microfinance, being the largest micro finance organization in Sierra Leone with over 69,000 beneficiaries.

 

Health Minister Receives Brotherly Egyptian Donated Medical Items to Boost Sierra Leone’s Health Sector

Egyptian Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Maher Elmahdy handing over the items to the Minister of Health and Sanitation, Dr. Alpha T. Wurie

By Foday Moriba Conteh

In order to strengthen the bilateral relationship that has existed between Sierra Leone and Egypt and to promote the socio-economic development as well as the health sector in the country, the Egypt Embassy in Sierra Leone, through the Egyptian Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Maher Elmahdy, has on Tuesday 25th August, 2020 donated a huge consignment of medical supplies to the Government of Sierra Leone through the Ministry of Health and Sanitation. The handing over ceremony took place at the Egyptian Embassy on Wilkinson Road in Freetown.

Delivering the items, the Egyptian Ambassador, Maher Elmahdy, said that the donation of these items is part of his country’s health package for Africa in order to fight COVID-19, noting that the medical supplies are just part of the many shipments of such that Sierra Leone will benefit from throughout the COVID-19 fight as a way to complement the efforts of Government in combating the spread of the virus.

He disclosed that the item include personal protection equipment, gloves, facemasks, and large amount of other medical supplies that will aid the efforts of Government in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

The Ambassador further explained that Sierra Leone stands at a vantage position in the COVID-19 fight as regard its efforts so far as a nation but maintained that his country will continue to strengthen the bond between the two countries and focus more on development in various  areas.

“Egypt will continue to embrace the Government and the people of Sierra Leone and share common values that bind us as African nations. The health sector is very key to us as a nation especially at these trying moments when the world is challenged with this deadly virus,” he asserted.

He said the Embassy will continue to promote the socio-economic development and health of Sierra Leone through their various supporting programs.

Receiving the items on behalf of the Government, the Minister of Health and Sanitation, Dr. Alpha T. Wurie, thanked the Government of Egypt and particularly the Ambassador for what he described as a timely gesture.

He said the Government of Sierra Leone was delighted to receive the items especially at a time when the country is badly in need of these medical supplies to fight the coronavirus pandemic in the country.

The Minister called on the Government of Egypt and particularly the Embassy to continue their support to Sierra Leone especially to the health sector.

Egyptian, he appealed, should continue to see Sierra Leone as its second destination in the continent of Africa but promised that the medical supplies will be utilized judiciously to help combat the fight against COVID-19 in the country.

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