One of the biggest things suffocating governance in Sierra Leone is conflict of interest. Such is how pervasive it is that most don’t see it as an issue. The normal abnormality! Such is how wrong and retrograde it is that it eats into state resources where such resources should be spent for state advancement.

Such is how bad it is that it makes officials spend more time working for party at a time they should be working for the State.
In office, President Ernest Bai Koroma and his APC party refused to listen to heads who told them that it was wrong for Minkailu Mansaray to be a cabinet minister when he was Deputy Leader of his party, Musa Tarawallie to be Organising Secretary when he was a cabinet minister, Alpha Kanu as Publicity Secretary of the party when he was in cabinet, etc.

If you went to their offices you would see them much busier with party activities than with State matters.
Unfortunately, nothing has changed on that front under the Government of Julius Maada Bio. Among others, the SLPP party National Chairman and Leader, Prince Harding lobbied for and got the coveted post of Chairman of the National Telecommunications Commission (NATCOM) and the party Secretary General, Umaru Napoleon Koroma is head of the National Privatisation Commission.

Where do you draw the line?
How does anyone expect these gentlemen to dedicate time and energy to either the state or their party in equal measure or as they should?! They are either preoccupied with party matters when it is the State that pays them, or they pay attention to the State at the expense of their party which should be an institution and where they are pivotal.

One can understand the arguments some may put up – namely that they don’t get paid by their party in their executive capacities. That may well be so. And this is exactly why they should resign those party positions and get others to do the job there while they get paid in their public jobs.

But it should serve as an opportunity for our political parties to be made into institutions rather than the tribal groupings that they are. They should be run by paid executive members and staff. That way they can dedicate their time and energy to running their party and allow statecraft to be carried out by those who are not distracted by the running of their party.

Imagine the SLPP Chairman or Secretary General was invited to a party function in Koinadugu or Pujehun, wouldn’t they use their official state vehicle, get per diem for themselves and their driver, wear and tear the vehicle, among others? That is a conflict of interest which is an anti-corruption offence.
It is time for the SLPP to stop doing the wrong things all in the name of “the APC did so before us”. That is why they were voted out. Sierra Leoneans deserve better than thins namby-pamby politics.

Since the debate started in Sierra Leone as to whether or not the government should legalize the drug at least for medicinal purposes as is happening in other countries around the world, pressure is being mounted on the President Bio-led government to by pro-medicinal marijuana groups and other parties to legalize the drug in the country at least for medicinal purposes.
Pro-medicinal marijuana supporters argue that Sierra Leone stands to financially gain immensely if only it takes the bold step to legalize medicinal marijuana which is largely needed in different parts of the world as it has been medically proven that it is efficacious in the treatment of certain ailments.
It is not just a mere conjecture, but empirical evidence speaks volumes of how medicinal marijuana has boosted the economies of countries where it has been legalized not for recreational purposes but for cultivation and exportation for medicinal use through which huge financial dividends are derived.
Cannabidiol is a popular natural remedy used for many common ailments.

Better known as CBD, it is one of the 104 chemical compounds known as cannabinoids found in the cannabis or marijuana plant, Cannabis sativa (1).

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the main psychoactive cannabinoid found in cannabis, and causes the sensation of getting “high” that’s often associated with marijuana. However, unlike THC, CBD is not psychoactive.

This quality makes CBD an appealing option for those who are looking for relief from pain and other symptoms without the mind-altering effects of marijuana or certain pharmaceutical drugs.

CBD oil is made by extracting CBD from the cannabis plant, then diluting it with a carrier oil like coconut or hemp seed oil.

Its gaining momentum in the health and wellness world, with some scientific studies confirming it may help treat a variety of ailments like chronic pain and anxiety.
Indeed it is understandable that there are myths associated with marijuana bordering on negative perceptions. Some have claimed that it leads users to commit evil deeds without hesitation. Certain religious sects say the herb was cursed by the Almighty Creator and anybody who uses it is an outright sinner.
However, research has proven beyond all reasonable doubts that the marijuana herb is potently very good and relevant when used for the right purpose and not abused. “If countries could allow cigarettes, which are so harmful to the health, to be sold then why not legalize medicinal marijuana which would earn the Government huge sums of money,” Peter Koroma, a Social Commentator pointed out adding that this country, unlike some others, has the arable land for its cultivation.
Countries all over the world are being asked to raise domestic resources, reform policies and find ways to fund their Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs).
St. Vincent and the Grenadines has chosen a rather unorthodox approach to help it fulfill its SDG obligations by legalizing medicinal marijuana and working to make it an export crop.
“Everyone is not developing at the same pace. Everyone doesn’t have the same needs, and the mix of financing for development can’t be imposed from above in a one-size-fits-all manner. We have to tailor it to everyone’s specificities,” said Camillo Gonsalves, St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ Minister of Finance, Economic Planning, Sustainable Development, and Information Technology.
Like St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Sierra Leone in West Africa is also struggling to meet its SDGs and could consider taking the same steps by moving its Parliament to enact a law which would ensure that much is realized from the legal export and use for medicinal purposes of marijuana.
Like St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Sierra Leone too could consider setting up a Zero Hunger Trust Fund that is funded by a tax on mobile telephone calls and data usage. The fund supports school lunches, school books, vision tests for children, food support for vulnerable elderly people, job training, and job placement programs. The Government also can set up a national contingencies fund, supported by an extra 1% tax on consumption, which will serve as a response mechanism to natural disasters. If unneeded for several years, the fund could be spent on resilience building.
But now, if we are to look up to marijuana — a crop that has long been cultivated illegally in many parts around the world, it could help solve some of the SDG problems this country and others like it are suffering.
After reviewing public opinion and treaty obligations, St. Vincent and the Grenadines decided to legalize marijuana for medicinal use. Given the small population, the Government knew there wouldn’t be much of a domestic market, so it focused on exporting the crop.
Over the past year, the Government has created an administrative framework that governs the licensing, regulation and cultivation of cannabis and is currently selecting entities that will receive licenses to grow the crop. The country has put a cap on the amount of land that can be under cultivation for medical cannabis and will require all licensee companies to contribute annually to the national Zero Hunger Trust Fund.
“The theory is if you’re planting something that’s not food, you’re going to make a contribution to the food security of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, so there is a specific set aside again to the goal two target of the Sustainable Development Goals,” Gonsalves said, adding that Sierra Leone too can follow these steps and save itself a lot of misery.
From the aforementioned many are now calling on the Maada Bio led Government to fast track the legalization of medicinal marijuana because it will avail us the much needed revenue required to implement or roll out various development projects and catapult the country within the shortest time.

The Regional Director for the International Civil Aviation Organization, ICAO, Mam Sait Jallow, has met with His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio at State House to discuss the launch of ICAO’s Safe Fund Project to strengthen Sierra Leone’s aviation safety compliance.

ICAO is a UN specialised agency, established by states in 1944 to manage the administration and governance of the Convention on International Civil Aviation ICAO, work with the Convention’s 193 Member States and industry groups to reach consensus on international civil aviation Standards and Recommended Practices and policies in support of a safe, efficient, secure, economically sustainable and environmentally responsible civil aviation sector.

Jallow said the project was geared towards strengthening Sierra Leone Civil Aviation’s capacity to oversee the sector for safety because it was important to have people with the right capacity to oversee the process. He said the project would resolve aviation safety-related problems in a sustainable manner, adding that they had implemented similar projects in other countries whose aviation industry had developed now.

He said helping and supporting aviation was a catalyst for development, adding that he had seen a lot being done by the new administration, especially in the areas of legislation, recruiting of personnel and training.

The ICAO boss further expressed hope that such a trend would continue, adding that their immediate objective is to reorganise Civil Aviation in the country and help develop the institution by building its capacity.

“I want to commend Sierra Leone for adhering to the African Civil Air Transport but there are other prerequisites to meet in terms of compliance with safety in order to be eligible for market assess. We have implemented similar projects in other countries and we have seen progress. Sierra Leone will not be an exception,” he said.

On his part, President Bio thanked ICAO for engaging the country and finding ways to regularise the aviation industry. He said security was very important, so launching a project that would help the country to rise up to the security challenges of modern times, was welcoming.

He said he was pleased Sierra Leone had been able to pay its arrears which meant the country was now eligible to vote and assured the country would try to be current in meeting international obligations and catching up with the rest of the world.

Also in attendance were the Minister and Deputy Minister of Transport and Aviation, Kabineh Kallon and Sadiq Silla respectively and the Director General, Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority, Moses Tiffa Baio.

Seven senior police officers in the Sierra Leone Police have been demoted from Inspector to Sergeant and from Sergeant to Constable, according to a memo released recently and signed by the Human Resource Manager in the SLP, Aiah Edward Samadia, Assistant Inspector General (AIG).
The said memo referenced Q5/24 of 27/12/2018 (Promotion to Inspector) of which two police officers; 11060 Majorie I. N. Bangura and 8365 Osman Kamara were reduced from Inspector to Sergeant and five others have been reduced from Sergeant to Constable. Reasons for the above demotion from the Sierra Leone Police were not clearly stated in the memo from the SLP Human Resource Department.
However, usually reliable sources indicate that in the Sierra Leone Police, some of the demoted police officers presented certificates they acquired from colleges not affiliated to the University of Sierra Leone, which goes against the criteria for promotion in the SLP. Another alleged reason for the demotion of the said senior police officers was that they submitted credentials for promotion too early than the date they acquired such credentials, which according to the police source goes against the criteria for promotion in the SLP and some of the disgraced police officers presented fake certificates for promotion.
The police officers that have been reduced from Sergeant to Constable according to the memo are: 17656 Prince Karim Lahai from Eastern Police Division, 16396 Mohamed Bass Kabia from Kissy Division, 16775 Mohamed Minkailu Sesay from Family Support Unit (FSU) Head Quarters, 17788 Amara Kargbo from Central Division and 11399 Rugiatu Kargbo from Jui Health Center.

The High Court of Sierra Leone holden at Makeni and presided over by Hon. Justice Unisa Kamara, on Wednesday 8th May, 2019, convicted two Head Teachers, Edward Momodu Salifu Mansaray of the Roman Catholic Primary School in Kabala; and Andrew Saio Mansaray of the Wesleyan Church Sierra Leone Primary School, also in Kabala, Koinadugu District, on two counts of Soliciting and Accepting Advantage, contrary to Section 28 (2); and Abuse of Office, contrary to Section 42 (1) of the Anti-Corruption Act No. 12 of 2008 respectively. Both men pleaded guilty and they were both convicted and fined thirty million Leones (Le 30,000,000/00) on each count; or to a term of three years imprisonment to run concurrently.

The third accused person, Mohamed Sulaiman QuraishiI, Head Teacher of the KDEC Primary School, Bankolia, Kabala, pleaded not guilty on both counts. He has been granted bail in the sum of one hundred and fifty million Leones (Le150, 000,000/00). The matter was adjourned to the 29th May, 2019.

The Anti-Corruption Commission indicted all three Head Teachers for soliciting and accepting advantage, in the form of monetary payments, from parents and pupils, as a condition to receive the National Primary School Examination Results. The Commission was represented by Lawyer Timothy P. M. Sowa.

In this holy month of Ramadan the First Lady of Sierra Leone and wife of President Julius Maada Bio – Mrs. Fatima Bio, has offered best wishes and prayers for the people of Sierra Leone.
She prayed for peace and harmony in Sierra Leone, and for God’s guidance and direction so that the New Direction will succeed; and that the President can continue to govern the country in a peaceful and democratic way.
Fatima called on God to remove all those who do not wish well for Sierra Leone. She asked God to continue to bless and protect Sierra Leone.
In a related development, the First Lady handed over 50kg of rice, oil, sugar, milk, tea and transportation fare to one hundred and fifty (150) family heads. The ceremony took place at the residence of the First Lady in collaboration with the Sierra Leone Muslim Missionaries Union (SLMMU)/ Ummah Welfare Trust-UK (UWT) and Julius Maada Bio (JMB) Women’s Wing.
In her statement, the First Lady, Mrs. Fatima Bio expressed her joy and happiness for presenting the gift on behalf of SLMMU.
Mrs. Bio pleaded with the beneficiaries to take their fast very serious so that they can receive lessings from God. The First Lady further called on Muslims to remember the country and the President in their prayers. “I am asking you to pray for the President of this country so that he can rule the people the right way…Please pray for President Brigadier (Rtd) Julius Maada Bio to succeed with all the good the plans he has for the country”, she noted.
Mrs. Bio stressed that Ramadan is the best time to give out gifts particularly to Muslims. She concluded by asking God to answer the prayers of all those that are fasting during this Holy Month.
According to the Project Coordinator of the Sierra Leone Muslim Missionaries Union (SLMMU)/ Ummah Welfare Trust-UK (UWT), Sheikh Fomba Abubakar Swarray, the amount of money spent on buying the said food items was thirty one million, eight hundred thousand Leones (Le31, 800,000).
It will be recalled that sometime in recent past, Fatima Bio was recognized as World Peace Ambassador for her hard work and commitment to nation-building,.
The award was presented at a press briefing held at the Office of the First Lady, by Dr. GD Singh, Founder and Chairman of Asian African Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Presenting the prestigious award to the First Lady, Dr. Singh noted that this is first award from the World Peace Ambassador to Sierra Leone since it was established in year 2000.
He said the remarkable approach and relentless vision by Mrs. Fatima Bio did not only make Sierra Leone proud but Africa as a whole.
Dr. Singh congratulated Her Excellency Mrs. Fatima Bio for being a role model to other women and encouraged her to continue the good work in promoting peace in Sierra Leone.
Receiving the award from Dr. Singh, Mrs. Fatima Bio thanked World Peace Ambassador for recognising and considering her vision for Sierra Leone.
She assured not to disappoint the World Peace Organization but committed to do more in promoting humanity.
Mrs. Bio encouraged the World Peace Organization to recognise other Sierra Leonean women in the coming years.

To commemorate its 20th anniversary and the 58th Independence Anniversary of Sierra Leone, the West Africa Network for PeaceBuilding (WANEP-Sierra Leone) on Tuesday 7th May 2019 organized a symposium at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Aberdeen in Freetown at which event the United Nations Development Program Country Director in Sierra Leone, Dr. Samuel Doe in his keynote address asserted that the UN was formed to prevent war and promote peace, address the needs of the poor, sustain the equal rights of all human beings highlighting some of the causes of wars as abuse of power, authoritarianism, that Sierra Leone has suffered for too long and that dialogue is not a sign of weakness.
Among the recommendations at the end of the symposium, WANEP called for the strengthening of early warning and conflict prevention, that Sierra Leone should intensify its relations with neighbouring countries, that environmental security should be strengthened, that there is need to conduct research on the causes of the civil war, that more resources should be allocated to peace education and as well factored in the school curriculum and acclaimed Government’s plans to setup a National Peace Infrastructure.
The event was intended to serve as a day of reflection into the past and to examine the current state of peace and stability in Sierra Leone. According to WANEP, celebrating 20 years of active engagement in conflict prevention and peacebuilding is a milestone worthy of reflection underscoring that it is imperative to use the same space to communicate its institutional strength and challenges to potential partners, Government and the people of Sierra Leone
In her PowerPoint presentation, Dr. Isata Mahoi, WANEP’s National Network Coordinator said that she is greatly honoured to welcome all to the symposium enlightening that 20 years of peacebuilding has not been easy, that the panellists at the symposium would among others discuss the theme, especially what is missing to move Sierra Leone forward, that we all know the current political dynamics in the country underscoring that the forum is for all to discuss the way forward.
She continued that WANEP was founded in 1988 during the height of the civil wars in Sierra Leone and Liberia respectively to bring peace to Africa and revealed that the organization is now operating in 15 West African countries working on early warning and conflict prevention, women in peace building, peace education, recommending policy briefs for state actors, that WANEP has identified youth gangs, violent extremism, democratic governance in Sierra Leone and affirmed that civil society should work with Government for an advanced State.
According to Dr. Isata Mahoi, issues arose after the 2018 general elections between the two main political parties citing the recent walkout of parliament by APC Members of the Parliament, demonstrations, the bye-election in Kambia District, crime and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) against women, economic realities, the shrinking space for political parties to operate, wrongful sackings of perceived supporters of the main opposition APC, rampant corruption and commended Government for establishing the Commissions of Inquiry but observed that they must operate according to the rule of law.
She continued that other governance issues are organized crime and extremism citing the armed robbery of a bank in Daru in the Kailahun District in which one person was killed, human and drug trafficking, that over 3,120 cases of GBV have been reported and called on Government to look into these issues.
The WANEP National Network Coordinator further applauded Government for launching the Hands Off Our Girls Campaign and the State of Emergency declared on rape, pointed out that there was no flooding last year, acclaimed Government for developing the National Development Plan some of which were from the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals but observed that Sierra Leone lacks peace infrastructure and suggested that CSOs should be on-board the proposed Bintumani 3 conference.
She said Environmental Protection Agency laws should be reinforced and that her organization is part of the Early Warning structure to be setup by the African Union to be in the Office of the Vice President.
Michaela Mackay, Head of the Corporate Affairs Commission, who chaired the symposium, revealed that she is disappointed with APC MPs who recently walked out of parliament underscoring that it is not because other countries did the same means it is right and asked the rhetoric question, “where is our women, especially those in political parties” and urged WANEP to use its available resources to promote peace in the country.
The Head of UN Women in Sierra Leone, Dr. Mary Okumu congratulated WANEP for creating the platform for peace building in West Africa reiterated that peace is a value that all are yearning for stressing that we must urgently prevent conflict in Sierra Leone citing the early warning signs like the political undertones.
The panellists for the symposium were Valnora Edwin, Country Manager, Sierra Leone War Trust for Children who dilated on the topic-Civil Society Contribution Towards Peace and Sustainable Development; 58 Years of Independence: What Lies Ahead and What Remains to be Achieved, Dr. Abu Bakarr Kargbo, Executive Chairman, National Commission for Democracy-the Future of Peacebuilding in Democratic Societies, Leon Jenkins-Johnston, the Ombudsman-Paving A Road Map for Effective State-Led Approach to Conflict Prevention, National Cohesion and Nation Building; 58 Years of Independence: What Lies Ahead and What Remains to be Achieved and Martin Michael, a legal practitioner and Managing Director of Mercury International-the Private Sector Contributions Towards Peace and Sustainable Development; 58 Years of Independence: What Lies Ahead and What Remains to be Achieved.
Highlights of the symposium were the presentation of certificates to renowned human rights organizations and individuals and a skit performance.

The Sierra Leone Brewery Limited (SLBL) is currently supporting a water and sanitation project in Constituency 115 through the Honourable Member of Parliament, Hon. Alpha Bah.

The cost is Le 79,543,000 million to construct VIP Toilet and Hand Pump water well for two different schools within the constituency.

50 million Leones has already been disbursed to the MP and the remainder will be disbursed after the implementation reaches a satisfactory state.

This project is located at the old post-Ebola water and sanitation HAF project for schools which was previously handled by the former MPs of the then constituencies 97 and 98, Hon. Knox Sankoh and Hon. Karifala Conteh respectively but not properly implemented. It was allegedly mismanaged and the project was left in unfinished state. The remaining cash was therefore withheld by the SLBL owing to poor management and unaccountability on the side of the former MPs.

The remaining cash is what has now been disbursed to Hon. Alpha Bah who is tasked with completing the project
Brewery is Sierra Leone’s foremost producer of beverage and has been making considerable inroads in terms of satisfying its esteemed customers across the country. The company has been widely acclaimed for steadily rolling-out its corporate social responsibility especially within the Wellington Industrial Estate where it is located.

It could be recalled that the SLBL has been playing a key role in maintaining sanitation in its locality since its establishment.
The Sierra Leone Brewery as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in Wellington, where its factory is located has done much to develop communities including Peacock Farm. Such development interventions have been of great assistance to especially women and children.
Providing safe water and encouraging women’s participation in agriculture and other economic activities have been the main thrust of the SLBL over the years. The SLBL is ensuring through small water enterprises that businesses provide safe, reliable, affordable water to communities in need; agencies that create economic opportunities for women to create benefits to their communities and be able to contribute to the health and well-being of families.
Commendably, the Sierra Leone Brewery Limited recently embarked upon an expansion and upgrading of its facilities up to the tune of Le 278 billion and it has been rated as one of the most expensive. It was another large investment of the company to the economy and manufacturing sector of Sierra Leone, which is a major step in the improvement of their facilities in their journey of reaching state-of-the-art status.
In the same vein, the SLBL quite recently collaborated with the Freetown City Council to support sanitation projects in Ward 406 worth over 400 million Leones through Heineken Africa Foundation (HAF) and also provided a Toyota Dyna van to collect and dispose waste.
The Sierra Leone Brewery Limited (SLBL) is indeed making steady progress in its production chain. The company has been rated as one of the most progressive business entities that have been positively contributing to overall national development impacting meaningfully on the lives of many people.
In order to ensure that the company continues to meet the needs of its numerous esteemed customers in and out of the country it is heavily investing in both capital and human resources with the view to make use of latest machinery and best brains that will collectively add value to its production drive.
The SLBL can now boast of having increased fermentation tanks; an upgraded waste water treatment plant, mash filter equipment and cooling plants thus putting it on a better stead to produce qualitative and safe beverages which many have confessed are of high standards.
It should be mentioned that in addition to the many great things the SLBL is doing for the people of this country and in accordance with government policy, the SLBL is ensuring that in the provinces there are farmers who grow sorghum and the company is in close relationship with them going to the extent of continuously empowering them through trainings and inputs.
These sorghum farmers, who are over 25,000 in number, are steadily supplying the Brewery with the ingredients the company needs and by so doing they are becoming financially independent.
The Sierra Leone Brewery Limited is tax compliant and is contributing towards local revenue mobilization that is helping government to have the financial muscle to fund different development programs across the country.
Of course it is an established fact that the Sierra Leone Brewery Limited is contributing greatly towards overall national development that is impacting positively with regards improving standards of living; no wonder it is in the good books of every successive government.