The general public is reminded that the act of indiscriminately attaching stickers, posters, flyers, and other advertisement to walls, trees or any other structure along streets, roads, footpaths, and highways is an offence, according to Section 3(j) of the Freetown City Council Statutory Nuisance Bye-laws of 2010, which states:

“Without prejudice to the exercise by a Health Authority of any other powers vested in them by Public Health Act, 1960, the following matters shall, subject to these bye-laws, constitute statutory nuisance —
(j). Any display of banners or erection of billboards or other advertising hoardings without first obtaining appropriate permits from Council;”

Such advertisements can be an eyesore, nuisance, or distraction to road & footpath users, potentially causing road accidents and they undermine the Council’s city beautification efforts.

Following prior consultation with various stakeholders and affected groups in the city, notice is hereby given to the general public that effective 31st March 2019, Freetown City Council will carry out its mandate and ensure that any person or organisation caught contravening the above law will face enforcement action.

Any costs incurred by the Freetown City Council to remove such advertisements will also be charged to the person or organisations responsible for placing them.

The Freetown City Council is urging the general public to heed to this notice and support the Council’s efforts to Transform Freetown!

Festus B. Kallay
Chief Administrator
Freetown City Council

During the 6th International Africa Development Forum (FAID) held on Thursday 14th March 2019 at Casablanca in Morocco, President Julius Maada Bio commended the sound commitment and the sustained efforts made by King Mohammed VI for the development of the African continent.
Addressing the opening session of the 6th International Africa Development Forum (FIAD), on Thursday in Casablanca, President Maada Bio said Morocco is a “success story” in Africa, noting that the Kingdom shares its experience with African countries in various vital sectors to speed up their socio-economic development.
Morocco “must be proud of its long history, centuries-old tradition and take pride in its real commitment that inspires hope as well as its development agenda for the continent, which deserves to be followed”, said President Maada Bio, whose country is the guest of honor of the business and development event.
“The African continent, which has enormous potential with a population of about one billion people and diverse natural resources, offers investors huge business opportunities in infrastructures, agriculture, renewable energies, tourism…”, he added.
FIAD 2019 aims to promote African trade, investment and south-south cooperation. It seeks to bring together and connect economic operators from African countries to explore partnership projects underpinning Africa’s economic potential.
The International Africa Development Forum has become a flagship platform on the continent for political and economic debates for Africa’s development.
The sixth FIAD is held under the theme “when East meets West.” Organized by the Moroccan Pan-African investment fund Al Mada, of Attijariwafa bank Group. The two-day meeting is a platform for dialogue, investment promotion and intra-African trade development. It is gathering dozens of African countries as well as thousands of business people from the continent and from around the world.
The 5th edition saw the participation of 7,500 business people from 36 countries.

President Julius Maada Bio stressed Thursday importance of working towards attaining political stability, grasping and exploiting opportunities for the best of the African continent.

Speaking during the inauguration of the sixth International Africa Development Forum (FIAD) in Casablanca, he emphasized that Africa has enormous potentials, a high population and diverse natural resources.

He added that Africa offers huge opportunities for African investors in various sectors, underlining the need to fill the infrastructure gap. President Maada Bio praised the commitment of Morocco’s King Mohammed VI to the development in the African continent.

The forum is meant to bring together and connect 2,000 African figures from the world of business, finance and politics.

Mohamed El Kettani, Chairman and CEO of Attijariwafa Bank Group, said that the purpose of the forum is to gather all African actors in order to mull challenges facing Africa and possible means to transform them into opportunities.

Africa represents a “hope” to global growth since it maintains a reliable approach amid a fluctuating environment,” he added.

“African economic growth reached 3.5 percent in 2018 and is anticipated to rise to 4 percent in 2019, while inflation average dropped to 10.9 percent in 2018 from 12.6 percent in 2017, and is forecast to drop to 8.1 percent in 2020,” he noted.

“Africa has opportunities as much as it has challenges,” Kettani said.

Regional integration is a key topic in the forum and significant progress has been made on the institutional level in which 44 out of 54 African states are now involved in regional federations, he stated, while highlighting efforts to establish an African free trade zone.

Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Energy signed a public-private partnership (PPP) agreement with Winch Energy to construct 24 mini solar plants that will supply power to over 24000 residents in the country.
The company aims to make these operational by June 2019 and over 6,000 people are set to benefit from the direct connection to the mini-grids in the first phase of the project. Before the signing of the contract for its development in Sierra Leone, Winch Energy had already started installing 12 power plants in small towns and villages.
“We believe that electricity and related services are transforming communities, contributing to the development of local businesses and increasing wealth and prosperity. We are committed to making substantial investments in Sierra Leone and we plan to win more customers and communities in the coming months, with the help of our local team,” said Nicholas Wrigley, Chairman and CEO of Winch Energy.
Mini solar plant project
Mr Nicholas pointed out that electricity to the health centres will be prioritized to ensure they have the services they need to provide adequate health services to the local populations, especially in the event of any future health emergencies.
The Government of Sierra Leone is also combining this initiative with the Rural Renewable Energy Project (RREP), which aims to provide up to 5 MW in rural communities through small grid-connected solar power plants, with PPPs.
RREP is supported by the English government through grants, and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS). This project (RREP) is expected to impact a total of 70 communities not yet served by the national power grid.
Upon completion the 24 small power plants will produce a total energy capacity of 1.2 MW. The project will benefit the target communities through additional business services, which will increase income within the locality and offer a better serviced trading centre to the surrounding local population. The project will also encourage productive uses of electricity and larger industrial loads such as milling and welding.

What is the situation in Sierra Leone?
On February 14th, 2019, President Julius Maada Bio declared sexual violence a national emergency, vowing that sex with minors would be punishable by Life Imprisonment. However, the situation is highly political as, according to the national constitution, the President would need at least two thirds of the votes of the parliament to declare an emergency, which he did not. The opposition party, which has the majority seats in parliament, protested against the decision.
In Sierra Leone, the judiciary system is not strong enough and most rape cases do not make it to prosecution, and when they do, the sentencing is much too lenient. For example, one man raped an 11-year-old, and subsequently was only given a sentence of two weeks. Moreover, almost half the women in the country are reported to face sexual or physical violence during their lifetime, and 90 percent of females aged 15 to 49 have been victims of genital mutilation, according to United Nations data.
What is CARE doing?
In Sierra Leone, CARE supports a youth-led network to end female genital mutilation, and is a partner with several organizations that combat gender-based violence. A big chunk of CARE’s work in the West African nation is focused on improving sexual and reproductive health for women by supporting the national health system through providing medical supplies and modern contraceptive methods, as well as providing training to health service providers, in order to promote quality services. CARE also works with communities to change harmful social norms that prevent women and girls from accessing their sexual and reproductive health rights. CARE places a special emphasis on strengthening women’s access to and awareness of their sexual and reproductive health rights and HIV and AIDS prevention within communities, increasing the availability of quality information and sexual and reproductive health services, taking into account the different gender needs and sensitivities, while in parallel, working with stakeholders and communities to strengthen mechanisms that will improve sexual and reproductive health services and facilities to adolescent girls and vulnerable women. CARE’s sexual and reproductive health program is present in about 30 per cent of the communities in Sierra Leone, prioritizing implementation in districts with a high HIV burden and high rates of teenage pregnancy.

The Approve School Community Advisory Bureau (CAB), one of the satellite offices of the Legal Aid Board in the Western Area on March 11 2019 presented a progress report to the management of the Legal Aid Board in Freetown.
A volunteer with the Bureau, Mohamed Kekura Turay stated that they have mediated 159 civil matters from November 2017 to January 2019. This includes debts, family disputes, child maintenance, wife maintenance, landlord and tenant and community level disputes. He noted that some of the matters have been referred to the Bureau by the Police.
In addition, they have recovered Le24,500,000 (twenty-four million, five hundred thousand Leones) in debts settlement and payment towards child and wife maintenance.
Mr. Turay outlined the challenges facing the Bureau as follows: lack of allowance for volunteers, office stationery, ID Cards and petty cash to deliver invitation letters for mediation.
The Executive Director of the Legal Aid Board, Ms. Fatmata Claire Carlton-Hanciles drew attention to the allegations that have made against the Bureaus. “Some of these allege improprieties were reported to the Attorney General and Minister of Justice and the Chair of the Legal Aid Board,” she said. “Honesty should be the guiding principle in the discharge of your responsibilities.”
She said the Board should be given time to convince the Government to provide support to the Bureaus. She added the Board will continue to provide some stationery to the Bureau. Also, the Board will be buying a machine for the printing of ID cards.
On a final note, she said that the Board will be having quarterly meetings with the Bureaus for updates and exchange of ideas.

Caritas Freetown, a non-governmental organization has called for more support for them to save the lives of more babies after a successful surgery of four babies.
The organization convened a press conference on Thursday 7 March at the St. Edwards Secondary School, Kingtom to give first-hand information on the success stories of some of the kids they have been raising funds for.
It was disclosed that Master Carlos, Baby Mariama, Baby Marian and Baby Mustapha have successfully gone through the surgery as a result of funds raised by well-wishers.
Ishmael Alfred Charles, Programs Manager, Caritas Freetown & HIRF Lead Campaigner for sick babies thanked all those who in diverse ways donated, campaigned and prayed for those babies
“We are not able to tag everyone, but we are very appreciative of all your little efforts.”
He continued to say despite their successful stories more babies are on their list for support.
Currently Caritas Freetown has more than five babies in their list that they are raising funds for. Badamase Samura 3 years old suffering from Brain Tumor $16,000 is needed for his operation, Aminata Marrah 16 years old left Orbit Tung & $26,000 is needed for her surgery, Mustapha Tunis 13 years old need $25,000 for his surgery and Jeremiah Koroma age 3 need $ 8,000 for his Anus surgery among others.
He said no child should die because their parents are poor.
Ishmael Alfred Charles called on the Government to help support the establishment of National Children Emergency Fund which will mainly support children in such cases.
“It is very important for us to have a mechanism in place,” he noted.
He disclosed that for the Baby Marian surgery they owed the hospital in India $3,500 but they asked for the baby to return home after a successful surgery because they didn’t want the bill to add.
Adama Jalloh mother of Baby Marian described that day as a remarkable day for her. Adama was unable to donate for her daughter which caused more burdens on the organization which had to buy another ticket for Adama’s cousin.
“I want to thank God for all those who supported us. I am appealing to all to continue their support.”
If we donate more we can help to save the lives of more babies,

The Limkokwing University teamed up with Emmanuel Rogers aka Artical 4yoh for an entertainment concert.
The Department of Sound and Music (DSM)entertainment concert in African Style ended in a grand style with the theme “If you believe it do it”.
The concert which took place past Thursday at the University auditorium showcased God’s given talents through music.
The concert was witnessed by top Sierra Leonean artists and music directors.
Emmanuel Rogers aka Artical 4yoh, gave a brief talk on how to rebrand the entertainment industry.
His six points were: 1. Proper Research. 2. Love the industry and what we are doing. 3. Full finance support from the government. 4. Enforcement of the copyright law that was passed in Parliament. 5. The need of them getting Ministry of entertainment and 6. They need the attention of the people by attending shows and buying their music.
Limkokwing University Sierra Leone Head of Faculty of Sound and Music, Lesly Tshekedi, pointed out that the faculty of Sound and Music Technology wants to bring a new taste in Sierra Leone entertainment industry for musicians not to only focus on music but the technology aspect as well.
He spoke about the campus multi-purpose recording studio for the students.
He disclosed that the 43 students who are ready for internship were divided into 10 groups and each group should produce one album comprising of 10 songs.
He explained that some of the students are artists but they only have background about singing while the University produces music using software.
“This kind of program is not offering in other universities in the country. I am happy that the outcome of the songs is very good,” he added.
He went on to say they also teach students how to organize event, promote and manage event as most of their work are practical base and as such, the student do lots of practice.
“Some are very good in song writing, producing and sound engineering. Our program are integrated”
The students performed some of the best songs they have produced as a group and some of those songs are played in and out of the country currently.
Ibrahim S.M. Bangura, a final year student of DSM and one of the event planners said they want to change the narrative of Sierra Leoneans who feel that nothing good is in the entertainment industry.
“There is more in entertainment. Some say if you go for such course you are not going for a better course, people rather preferred Law, Medicine among others, even though some of them are not call for such but because their parents want them to do such courses they go for them. We want to educate them to know the essence of doing such a course,” he maintained.
He spoke on how Sound and Music can generate income for themselves and the country GDP.
He mentioned countries like the United States and Nigeria where entertainers have created huge impact on their countries; GDP.
“We want our sisters and brothers to learn from that and do the same for our country. From the theme, we are encouraging all to practice what they have learnt and what they have passion for.”
The students performed different types of music ranging from Reggae , Hip Pop, R&B, African and Local Sierra Leonean songs.
Christopher Alim Conteh, Chairman of the Sierra Leone Musicians Union spoke about piracy which he said is still a big challenge.
He encouraged the students not to be discouraged because they must earn their living from their talents.
“Don’t be discouraged, build up the faith, talent is the greatest thing God gave to man. Music is not just joy it is a career and that career goes along with the very passion,” he concluded.