In Celebrating International Youth Day… Youth Activist Calls for Inclusion of Young People in Decision Making

August 14, 2020

Youth Activist and Journalist Amb Foday Moriba Conteh

By Amin Kef Sesay

One of Sierra Leone’s most outstanding youth activists and journalists, Amb Foday Moriba Conteh has on Wednesday 12^th August, 2020 during the International Youth Day celebration called on the Government of Sierra Leone to always include young people in decision making processes in the country.

He said youth participation in decision making processes is about creating opportunities for young people to be involved in influencing, shaping, designing and contributing to the formulation of policies and the development of services and programmes.

Amb Foday Moriba Conteh said these opportunities are created through developing a range of formal and informal mechanisms for youth participation, from youth advisory groups to focus groups, from on-going consultation work to supporting youth-led projects. There are many reasons for including young people in decision-making, he averred.

He maintained that youth participation means better decisions and increased efficiency as evidences show that policies and programmes designed after consultation with users are most likely to be effective.

“By prioritizing youth participation Government is more likely to get it right the first time and avoid wasting time and money on services young people don’t want to use,” he underscored further pointing out that giving young people a place in decision-making builds a broader base of citizens’ involvement and creates stronger, more inclusive communities.

“Youth participation is necessary in the development of active citizenship because it balances young people’s social rights with their responsibilities and that young people who are supported to participate in decision-making are more likely to have increased confidence and self-belief, exercise positive career choices and have greater involvement and responsibility in the future,” he affirmed.

The result-oriented activist also stated that Youth participation challenges negative stereotypes of young people and help break down barriers between adults and young people.

He expressed the conviction that by involving young people in decision-making such can improve attitudes towards understanding young people and create a greater awareness of youth issues in Sierra Leone.

Amb Foday Moriba Conteh lamented that for far too long young people have been excluded in decision making processes in the country which, he said, has resulted to the increase of issues affecting young people in the country, adding that with the inclusion of young people in decision making processes such will help to mitigate the challenges faced by young people in the country.

He said currently the Ministry of Youth Affairs and its partners are reviewing the National Youth Policy to ensure that it should be inclusive and that young people themselves should be fully included in the entire process.

Amb. Foday further suggested that the Ministry of Youth Affairs and its partners must hold consultations with young people in order to capture the issues affecting young people which could be factored in the National Youth Policy that will serve as a guide for Government in dealing with issues of young people in the country.

He ended by calling on young people to know that they are change makers and contributors to nation building and that they should stand up and be ready to take leadership roles vis-à-vis the development of our beloved nation.

Lands Minister Bags ‘Govt. Minister of the Year’ Award

August 14, 2020

Minister of Lands, Housing and Country Planning, Dr. Denis Sandy Receiving the Award

By Foday Moriba Conteh

On Wednesday 12^th August, 2020, the King’s Foundation International through their Global Impact Awards simultaneously awarded Dr. Denis Sandy as “Government Minister of the Year” and the Ministry of Lands ,Housing and Country Planning as “Government Ministry of the Year”. Dr. Sandy was awarded in recognition of his commitment and relentless efforts to nation building. The award ceremony took place in the Ministry’s Conference Room at Youyi Building in Freetown.

In her statement, the Chief Executive Officer of King’s Foundation International, Mrs. Bealah Michaels expressed appreciation for the Minister’s strides in serving humanity.

She disclosed that King’s Foundation International was founded in 2014 as an indigenous organization that continued to blaze the trail by employing multi-strategy approaches in order to advance its core objectives which include community development, social reformation, capacity building etc.

She noted that, as an organization, they are also striving to aid and rescue children’s lives, fight for their rights, empowering women through skills training and help them fulfill their potentials. She added that they are changing the lives of deprived, excluded and vulnerable children, empowering women and promoting national cohesion for development.

Disclosing their key values, she said they provide educational opportunities to deprived, excluded and vulnerable children and women, adding that they also promote national cohesion through their Global Impact Awards for men and women for their dedication and commitment to nation building.

She concluded by saying the Global Impact Awards seek to bear recognition for those individuals, communities and institutions whose actions have contributed immensely to change action in line with the sustainable development goals, especially during the past few years when Sierra Leone and the world are faced with the adverse effects of change.

Station Manager of Star Radio, who also doubles as the Chairperson for King’s Foundation International, Patricia Ganda, noted that the organization thought it fit to recognize the Minister for his tremendous work he has been doing.

With regards the Ministry, she highlighted that the Lands Ministry has provided leadership as they have completed 45 Leadership and Senior Management meetings held every Mondays which have positively impacted a lot of staff , adding that the Ministry has also completed and operationalizing a new structural organogram for the Ministry to effectively and efficiently provide quality service delivery etc.

She said these and many other things the Ministry had done was what motivated them to award the Minster in particular and the Ministry in general.

Receiving the Award, the Minister of Lands, Housing and Country Planning, Dr. Denis Sandy expressed gratitude to King’s Foundation International for recognizing his efforts and commitment to nation building.

He said since he took over the Ministry he has committed himself to serve the people of this country, adding that the Ministry had embarked on several activities aimed at complementing the efforts of Government in its strides to make Sierra Leone a better place for its citizens.

The Minister furthered that the Ministry has resolved over 150 land disputes and over 150 development control and enforce issues in the Western Area and the provinces, and that the Ministry also conducted over 2000 state land interviews for selection of state land applicants.

He maintained that these are among many other things that his Ministry has been doing and that with all what they had been doing he was not surprised to be awarded as Government Minister of the Year.

The Minister then dedicated the award to the entire staff of the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Country Planning for their support towards achieving the mandate of the Ministry.

Orange Money Partners with SLCB to Launch ‘Bank-to-Wallet’

August 14, 2020

By Foday Moriba Conteh

In a bid to enhance financial inclusion in the country, Orange Money in partnership with the ‘People’s Bank’ that has the widest customer base in the country, the Sierra Leone Commercial Bank (SLCB), has on Wednesday 12^th August, 2020 launched a modern and convenient electronic money service conduit known as ‘Bank to Wallet’ at the Bank’s Headquarter on Siaka Steven Street in Freetown.

In his address, Managing Director of SLCB, Abdul Fidelis Turay said that launch of the service or product is a clear manifestation that SLCB is taking the lead in actualizing the Government’s objective of enhancing financial inclusion in the country. He underscored the significance of the partnership saying such an alliance is designed to reach out to a large customer base both in the formal and informal financial sectors.

He said SLCB-Orange Money Bank to wallet/ Wallet to Bank (B2W/W2B) product is one that will ensure that SLCB’s customers have access to their monies on a 24/7 basis from wherever they have Orange network and do so at their comfort.

He noted that the advantage of this electronic platform is that it reduces transaction time, preventing going to a banking hall maintaining that just by using mobile phones, access to monies in customers’ SLCB’s accounts is now at the customers’ fingertips, adding that as the people’s bank, they are committed to support the Government’s efforts in keeping all of its citizens safe while providing the essential services they need to manage their daily lives.

“The B2W/W2B product is one additional step that SLCB in partnership with Orange Money has taken to ensure that the Government’s safety objects are supported,” he furthered.

He said that customers no longer need to physically visit the bank in order to transfer money to someone whether they are their customers or not but with this product, any SLCB customers can now do such transfers from their linked bank account to their mobile wallet and vice versa with ease.

He encouraged their customers to continue to be safe and use the service to conduct their financial transfers anytime because SLCB and Orange now have a partnership that is formidable and far reaching.

On his part, Chief Executive Officer, Orange Money, David Mansaray disclosed that the Bank to Wallet is a means of transferring money from a customer’s SLCB Account to his/her Orange Money wallet and vice versa.

“It is a mobile money service which Orange Money subscribers can use to withdraw and deposit cash from SLCB Accounts to Orange Money Wallets and vice versa,” he reiterated.

He added that the two institutions are equally excited for the partnership as both have the biggest customer bases in the country.

David also stated that the partnership is one of the strategies to enhance broader and wider access to financial inclusion as the two institutions will make that happen in the country.

According to him, the service will save the customers time and transportation to go to banking halls as well as avoid long queues.

He called on all, including teachers, nurses and other civil servants working in remote communities to take advantage of the service in reaching their families at their convenience.

Chief Executive Officer, Orange Money, David Mansaray

Managing Director of SLCB, Abdul Fidelis Turay

Excelling in US Navy JROTC Program… APC Sheriff’s Daughter Qualifies as Naval Officer

August 14, 2020

By Amin Kef Sesay

Some Sierra Leoneans living abroad are positively excelling in different spheres of life to the admiration of many. One of such Sierra Leoneans is Rugiatu Lamaisha Sheriff who happens to be the daughter of Alpha Sheriff popularly known as APC Sheriff, who, among others, was recently evacuated from the country by the American Embassy because of the advent of COVID-19 in Sierra Leone.

Just recently Rugiatu excellently graduated from High School as well as the United States Navy JROTC Program as Deputy Executive Battalion Officer.

This young Sierra Leonean has so far exemplarily set the record of being the first black woman to occupy the position of Deputy Battalion Executive Officer in 45 years. She has now been accepted by the Texas A&M University as Navy Officer and studying to become a Bio-technician. Upon completion she will be among the first in line to face any disease outbreak.

Rugiatu’s mom was in the US Air Force and her father, Alpha Sheriff, aka APC Sheriff was in the US Army. For their daughter to be a Navy Officer then means that indeed the Sheriff family had and is still positively contributing to the United States security sector.

Since 1876, Texas A&M has been a major source of commissioned officers for America’s armed services. In fact, during World War II, Texas A &M commissioned more officers than West Point.

When an eligible person wants to serve in the Navy or Marine Corps as an officer, Texas A7M can offer help in order to join thousands of former Aggie officers and be part of the institution’s longstanding tradition of service to America.

The Naval ROTC Unit at Texas A&M University provides qualified young men and women the opportunity to learn the mission of the Naval Services and pursue a commission as an officer in the United States Navy or United States Marine Corps.

The Naval ROTC Unit operates as the Department of Naval Science at Texas A &M and is one of the largest Naval ROTC Units in the United States.

Graduates can be found serving around the world. Officers commissioned as Ensigns in the United States Navy have the option, based on physical and aptitude qualification, to serve in the Aviation (Pilot or Naval Flight Officer), Surface Warfare (Conventional or Nuclear), Nuclear Submarine, or Special Warfare (SEAL or Explosive Ordnance Disposal) communities.

Officers commissioned as Second Lieutenants in the United States Marine Corps can serve in one of more than 36 military operational specialties in three categories including Aviation (Pilot or Naval Flight Officer), Combat Arms (Infantry, Artillery, Armor, Assault Amphibians, Combat Engineers, etc.), or Combat Service Support (Logistics, Supply, Data Processing, Finance, etc.).

Naval ROTC students may participate fully in all aspects of university life. This includes serving in positions with Student Government or the Memorial Student Center, belonging to campus clubs and service organizations, or participating in religious, social, professional or personal interest organizations. The NROTC Unit also sponsors and advises special units within the Corps of Cadets; SEAL Platoon and RECON Company.

In a brief chat with this medium, APC Sheriff said, as parents, they are very proud of their daughter, Rugiatu Lamaisha Sheriff, furthering that they will give her all the necessary support in order for her to achieve her ambition and dream.

President Bio Dishes out Over Le4B to Tourism & Hospitality Sectors

August 14, 2020

By Amin Kef Sesay

To mitigate the debilitating impact of the coronavirus pandemic and reduce the economic burden on workers in the tourism and hospitality sectors, His Excellency, President Dr. Julius Maada Bio, through the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, has on Thursday 13^th August, 2020 dished out Four Billion Eight Hundred and Eighty Three Million Eight Hundred and Forty Thousand Leones (Le4,883,840,000) as Social Safety Net Wage Bill Support to affected employees in the aforementioned sectors. The programme was held at the Radisson Blu Mammy Yoko Hotel, West End of Freetown.

Speaking during the programme, President Bio noted that various speakers have bemoaned the loss of revenue, loss of jobs, the virtual standstill in the tourism sector, and all the sundry frustrations and associated fears since COVID struck further highlighting the negative impact that the pandemic has had on the tourism and hospitality sectors with jobs lost and diminishing revenue since COVID-19 struck and continue to persist.

“So I want to start by challenging us all to build upon the optimism that we expressed in the New Direction manifesto that we can make tourism a key growth sector of our economy. We believed then and we believe now that while showcasing the great beauty and heritage of our nation, we could create jobs and get substantial revenue. We argued that we could do so by improving the policy and legal environment; developing tourism sites and products; developing tourism infrastructure; improving, promoting, and marketing our country’s unique image as a safe site for great tourism experiences; developing skills that serve the tourism sector, and diversifying our tourism products. I have since then reiterated that commitment in my State Opening of Parliament address,” the President intimated.

President Bio further revealed that the National Tourism Census conducted by the Ministry and Statistics Sierra Leone has for the first time ever given them access to comprehensive data on the sector and that his Government’s targeted marketing and promotional campaigns through participation in international trade fairs, exhibitions, and expanded digital marketing have all supported the country’s singular aspiration to develop the nation’s great tourism potentials maintaining that Sierra Leone is at peace.

He mentioned some of the Government’s successes over the last one year, disclosing how they received a group of 300 Danish tourists; that the cross-border Budapest-Bamako Rally with over 700 participants terminated here; and a significant number of African-Americans, Gullahs, traced their ancestral roots to Sierra Leone.

“Tourist arrivals surged up by 40% to 107,000 arrivals and tourists spent an estimated US$63 million in the Sierra Leone economy. Bed capacity and occupancy increased with new tourism facilities and the Lumley beach stretch has been developed by locals, creating thousands of jobs for Sierra Leoneans,” he also mentioned.

President Bio said as he indicated elsewhere, part of the logic that informed the social safety arm of the country’s QAERP programme was that they wanted to design financially sustainable, fit-for-purpose social safety nets that would protect the most vulnerable/most affected in communities, and cushion the impact of COVID-19.

He continued how he was informed that the Ministry has collaborated with the National Tourist Board and the Hotel and Tourism Association to collect and collate data on tourist establishments and workers in that sector – from hotels, beach bars, casinos, nightclubs etc.

The President said based on the data collected, he is therefore pleased to announce that his Government has allocated Four billion, Eight Hundred and Eighty-Three million, Eight hundred and Forty thousand Leones (Le4,883,840,000.00) to the tourism and hospitality sectors as Social Safety Net Wage Bill support.

He said this is a three-month wage compensation package that will serve a total of 2,363 workers and that the amount is meant to mitigate the impact of the pandemic and reduce the economic burden on workers.

Earlier during the programme, the Minister of Finance, Jacob Jusu Saffa, said that as encapsulated in the New Direction Manifesto human capital development is one of the key priority areas of the President saying the social safety net programme is part of human capital development as it is geared towards changing the lives of Sierra Leoneans.

He said the Ministry of Finance has collaborated with several agencies to support safety net programmes, adding that they have been doing cash transfers, school feeding programs and increased the minimum wage from Five Hundred Thousand Leones to Six Hundred Thousand Leones and increased pension payment describing all as safety net programmes.

In her contribution, the Minister of Tourism, Dr. Memunatu Pratt lauded the significant step taken by President Bio to support people in the tourism sector with a social safety net programme to get through these extremely tough times.

She disclosed that the disbursement of the aforementioned funds will cater for employees nationwide working within the categories of hotels, guest houses, night clubs, restaurants, bars, travel agencies, local tour operating companies, sea transportation and tour guiding and they will benefit from a three months minimum wage salary support.

The Tourism Minister added that they are also continuing with the necessary planning and modalities to ensure that the tourism industry could recover as quickly as possible and continue to be a major contributor in revenue generation and job creation.

Choithram Refurbishes New Operation Theatre & Secures Intensive Care Unit Beds

August 14, 2020

By Amin Kef Sesay

In Sierra Leone, Choithram Memorial Hospital, which is situated at Hill Station, West End of Freetown is well known for providing highly specialized medical services to people from different backgrounds. Since it started operations years back, Management of the hospital has been working assiduously to ensure that the medical facility is brought up to international standards.

When this medium caught up with Dr. Gowrinath M. George, the Medical Superintendent of Choithram Memorial Hospital in order to know what are so far the latest developments that had been undertaken recently , he was quick to intimate that a lot had been achieved as well as stating that other projects are underway.

He underscored that Management of the hospital decided to embark on these latest developments in order to ensure that the hospital is put on a sound footing just like any other hospital in a developed country. “We are very much passionate about offering the best in terms of qualitative medical treatments with the main objective to save lives,” he stated.

Disclosing the developments that the hospital has made, Dr. Gowrinath M. George informed that they recently commissioned the third Operation Theatre (OT) which is well equipped with an Operation Theatre Table, New Led Light with endo mode for laparoscopic operations and a new anaesthesia work station.

Dilating further, he said the operating tables, in all the theatres, are designed to meet all special requirements of operating theatres with powerful and stable electro-hydraulic systems.

He also disclosed how LED operating lights are designed to meet all surgical illumination requirements of operating theatres.

Another new development or move that the Choithram Memorial Hospital has made, according to the Medical Superintendent, is securing new motorized Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds with New Cardiac monitors. These beds, he explained, could be elevated, tilted or brought into most comfortable positions by the touch of a button.

Dr. George intimated that the six (6) Intensive Care Unit beds are beds specialized for supporting infection control, provide comfort, efficacy, safety and ease of use, and enhance the effective risk management in hospitals.

“These are equipped with assessors, x-ray cassette base holder, and step-less pneumatic adjustment designed for assisting healthcare staff,” he stated.

He hammered home that rising surgical procedures with increase in geriatric population are the driving factor whereas increasing chronic diseases like diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure and others due to changing lifestyle will increase the demand for ICU beds.

Dr. George also revealed to The Calabash Newspaper that construction is in full swing for a new reception, accident & emergency room and four (4) of new Doctors Consultant Rooms.

On his part, Harish Agnani, Head of Choithram in Sierra Leone informed this medium that Choithram Memorial Hospital has been steadily rolling out its Corporate Social Responsibility evident in its philanthropy in terms of medical services for people that cannot afford to pay.

He also mentioned that annually the hospital brings in specialist medical teams from India, UK and Germany to perform surgeries and other medical procedures that are not widely available in the country and very expensive to perform overseas.

Harish Agnani said that the hospital has to charge patients for its services, which are affordable compared to other private facilities in the country.

He also underscored his stance by maintaining that certain customers pay normal costs to aid the running cost since they have to take care of staff, upkeep the facilities and as well maintain various machinery especially the vital and expensive equipment to keep them up and running at all time.

Giving a brief background as to how the Choithram Memorial Hospital started, he said Seth Shri Thakurdas Choithram Pagarani came to Sierra Leone in 1938 and started his own business in 1944 under the name T. Choithram & Sons in a small way that now operates in 27 countries.

Speaking about the founder, Agnani praised Pa Choithram as a great philanthropist, who believed in returning a large portion of his earnings to the society through education and medical facilities. He said that his desire was to provide an ultramodern hospital in Freetown to serve the local populace as an affordable referral Hospital.

In order to fulfil his desire, his sons later started commencement of construction work of the Choithram Memorial Hospital (CMH) in 1994, but had to break off in 1997 due to political instability up to 1999. After the cessation of hostilities, the hospital was completed in 2000 and handed over to United Nations Peace Keeping Forces (UNPKF), free of charge, on the condition that medical facilities shall be provided to local population as well. Both the UN and CMH doctors worked together until 2005.

In January 2006, Choithram took over the entire control of the hospital and has since been operating very successfully with a team of Medical Experts drawn from various nations like Sierra Leone, India, Pakistan, Egypt, Lebanon, Nigeria, Kenya etc.

“Govt. Must Consider Urgent Review of Security Sector Protocol…” -Consortium of CSOs Recommends

August 12, 2020

By Amin Kef Sesay

A consortium of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Sierra Leone has presented a report on the 10^th August 2020 based on the outcome of their Fact-Finding visit to Makeni on Thursday, 23rd July 2020.

It was stated in the introduction that Sierra Leoneans at home and abroad, would recall the horrific images and media reports on the violence that occurred in Makeni, on Friday 17th to Saturday 18th July 2020, which resulted in loss of lives, injuries to many citizens and damage to public property. The ugly incident occurred when a decision was taken by the Ministry of Energy (MoE) to relocate a 1.65kw thermal generator from Makeni to Lungi.

The consortium pointed out that in order to ascertain the truth about what happened without relying on hearsay and social media reports, and the need to proffer recommendations to avert future reoccurrence; they travelled to Makeni on Thursday 23rd July 2020 to speak to local stakeholders in Makeni.

The delegation comprised CSOs from Freetown and counterparts in Makeni. Whilst in Makeni, the team met and spoke with the Mayor of Makeni City Council, Chairperson of the Bombali District Council, the Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of Police North, the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) Brigade Commander, North, the District Security Coordinator, and P.C. Bai Shebora Kasangna II of Bombali Shebora Chiefdom.

Additionally, the team met and spoke with the Minister of Energy, the Deputy Minister and the Permanent Secretary in Freetown to hear about what occurred prior to the relocation exercise. The delegation also spoke to some civil society representatives who participated in the consultative meeting held between representatives of the MoE from Freetown to discuss the relocation of the thermal plant with local stakeholders of Makeni.

The report, according to them, represents the full and honest account of the information they gathered during their discussions with the above-mentioned actors in Makeni City.

They stated that their delegation was informed that there was a stakeholders’ meeting on 30th May, 2020 between officials of the Ministry of Energy (MoE) and local stakeholders of Bombali District and the Makeni Municipality.

At that meeting, representatives of the MoE informed the participants that the Government would like to move one of two standby generators in Makeni to Lungi as a stop-gap measure to address the electricity problem at the Lungi International Airport. The MoE officials further informed the local stakeholders that the generator would be returned after two months, adding that the reason they are borrowing the generator is that efforts to repair the generators at the Lungi International Airport had been derailed by the travel restrictions occasioned by the Corona virus.

Officials of the MoE further assured the local stakeholders that the proposed relocation of the generator would not disrupt electricity supply to Makeni during this rainy season since the town’s main source of energy is the Bumbuna hydro electricity dam.

In response to the request, the local stakeholders, represented by the Mayor of Makeni City Council, indicated that whilst they had no objection to the request, they would require some time to consult or engage the local community on the request made by the MoE.

Shortly after the meeting, the Mayor of Makeni City, Madam Sunkarie Kamara (who was the chair for the local stakeholders Meeting) unfortunately fell seriously ill and was hospitalized in Freetown.

It was impossible for her to have led those consultations whilst she was sick and out of Makeni. In the absence of Mayor Sunkarie, the consortium gathered that none of the stakeholders made efforts to undertake the consultations with the people of Makeni. The team said they were informed, though, that the proposal/request to relocate the generator was discussed on a radio show dubbed “Media Junction” by civil society and media actors who attended the May 30 consultative meeting with the MoE.

It was discussed mainly as a way of informing– rather than – eliciting the views or consent of the public.

Several weeks after the consultation, they said they we were informed that the Minister of Energy Kanja Sesay reached out to Mayor Sunkarie seeking updates on their consultations. Unfortunately, as the Mayor was seriously ill, she was unable to provide any updates to the Minister.

The report furthered that with knowledge of the Mayor’s illness, the Minister or representatives of the Ministry did not reach out to any other stakeholder in Makeni for feedback on the agreed consultation but however the Minister discussed on phone with the APC National Secretary- General Amb. Alhaji Osman Foday Yansanneh on the need to move the generator.

“Our delegation was informed that on the 16th July, 2020, the Minister of Energy contacted the Mayor of Makeni City informing her of the Ministry’s compelling desire to relocate the generator to Lungi on Saturday, 18th July 2020. The Mayor was told that the plan to immediately relocate the machine to Lungi was necessitated by the Government’s decision to re-open the Lungi International Airport on 22nd July 2020,” part of the report stated.

They stated that their delegation was informed that the Mayor returned to Makeni on 15th July following her discharge from the hospital in Freetown. According to the report, the Mayor gave her unqualified approval for the MoE to transfer the thermal generator from Makeni to Lungi. The relocation exercise was planned for Saturday, 18th July, 2020, but the Mayor was surprised to learn that an advance team from the MoE came on Friday night 17th July 2020 ( to do preparatory work for the relocation), and she was not called thereafter.

“We were informed that on the night of July 17, 2020, unidentified youths of Makeni came out in a large number to stage a demonstration in protest over the government’s proposal/decision to relocate the thermal generator to Lungi. The protests started after 10:00pm on Friday 17th July,” it is enshrined in the report.

The report also stated how the Minister of Energy informed the consortium that he had spoken to the Police to provide security ahead of the relocation exercise, on Friday 17th July 2020. It continues that in response to the protests on Friday night, they were informed that security forces were invited to secure the premises of the local EGTC power station in Makeni where the generators are located ahead of the planned relocation to Lungi on Saturday 18th July.

“Eyewitnesses confirmed that there were several road blocks together with rampant burning of tyres on major streets and junctions of the city. We were further informed that there were people on motorcycles with megaphones urging residents to come out and resist the attempt to relocate their generator to Lungi,” the report stated adding that the delegation was informed that the youths were very rowdy and at some point violent, and that before the riots were suppressed on the night of 17th July, they had already attacked the vehicle of the Chief Administrator of Makeni City Council, the Sierra Leone Commercial Bank, and the local office of the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP).

“The Police discharged tear gas canisters and deployed other riot control measures to suppress the riot on the night of 17th July 2020. We were informed that no fatalities or injuries were recorded on the night of Friday, 17th July. We were further told that though the leadership of the police and military tried to contact local leaders in Makeni in the hope that they would step in to restore calm, most of them were unreachable,” it furthered.

The delegation, it was included, was informed that the City of Makeni was quite peaceful on the morning of 18th July 2020 but later in the morning, however, youths mobilized and took to the streets to continue their protest. They were reportedly rowdy and visibly angry.

What is also mentioned in the report is that in response to the protests and unlike the night of the 17th where the security forces used peaceful means to disperse the crowd, they were informed that security forces used lethal weapons against the protesters.

“While the police denied using live rounds, the military confirmed firing warning shots in the air. This riot, unfortunately, resulted in the loss of five lives (at the time of the fact finding), and injuries to at least ten people at that time. However, security stakeholders did not own up to the use of lethal force even though six persons died from alleged gunshot wounds as told by other stakeholders,” it stated among other findings.

The consortium proffered the following recommendations:

That the Government institutes an urgent and impartial investigation into the role of the security forces in quelling the youth disturbances, including the use of lethal force, with a view to establishing culpability and sanctions where necessary.

They also called on the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone (HRCSL) to institute a Public Inquiry into the matter.

That local leaders take responsibility for their actions and inactions and make a wholesome, unreserved apology to the people of Makeni and the country at large.

It also stated that where it is not already available, MoE develops a policy on the relocation of government assets, stipulating the steps to be followed which would include formal requests/memos, consultation/community meetings, public education etc.

Another recommendation suggested states that, as a matter of urgency, Government and its partners undertake an aggressive program of youth re-education, rehabilitation and reformation.

That youths whilst demanding for their rights should work within the ambit of the law, Government of Sierra Leone considers an urgent review of the security sector protocol for dealing with protests, riots and demonstrations, including the use of nonlethal means like water cannons, batons etc.

They finally also urged Sierra Leoneans, both at home and abroad, to use social media responsibly having regard to the vulnerability of youths and the divisive nature of our politics, urge all leaders and citizens to preach and maintain peace and peaceful co-existence in all their engagements and activities.

Sinneh Kamara Dilates on Upgrading Mortuary Services

August 12, 2020

By Foday Moriba Conteh

Sinneh Kamara, the Manager of Mortuary Services in the Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MoHS), who is also the Head of the National Burial Team, has disclosed to this medium that the tasks they are dealing with is very copious and tasking.

Sinneh furthered that they do collect abandoned dead destitute on the streets adding that such corpses would be preserved at the mortuary with the hope that they would be identified. He, however, lamented that in almost all cases, no one would come forward to identify them and it is the mortuary that would take the responsibility of giving them dignified burial.

He also maintained that since Islam and Christianity are the two major religions in the country, the burial team will always offer both Muslim and Christian prayers before burying unidentified corpses .

Elaborating on his activities during the Ebola outbreak in 2014, the mudslide and flash flood in 2017, Sinneh Kamara disclosed that whilst experts were afraid of going close to corpses, he braved all odds and together with his group of volunteers, they offered selfless services in burying infected corpses.

He furthered that during the Ebola outbreak, medical experts from within and without claimed that the epidemic was highly dangerous when the patients die. Amidst news of deaths of healthcare workers, including renowned medical doctors, the burial team was busy collecting highly contagious corpses and burying them in droves day in, day out. The situation, he said, became very frightening when medical staff, who were supposed to be on top of situation, feared for their lives. Amidst this ugly situation, the burial team was actively involved in the fight against the deadly Ebola, traversing the length and breadth of the country in dangerous terrains to collect and bury the dead.

This job, Sinneh Kamara maintained, is not a comfortable one or the kind of job many Sierra Leoneans will gladly take, especially during such outbreaks. He disclosed that 65% of the volunteers of the burial team are being catered for by himself.

Using his training and knowledge about virus which he acquired from his immediate superior, the Consultant Pathologist, Dr. Simeon Owizz Koroma, he was able to control and direct the burial team to handle infected corpses and could proudly say that during the outbreak, no member of his burial team was infected or died.

When the mudslide occurred, Sinneh Kamara said they were the frontline workers and the very first responders to the disaster. Again, his team showed gallantry and bravery as they were out in the rain amidst flooded streams and communities collecting corpses, including parts of charred bodies. The number of dead bodies overwhelmed the capacity of the Central Mortuary at the Connaught Teaching Hospital in Freetown and urgent decision was made to preserve and bury them so as to avert another bigger catastrophe that their decomposed bodies would cause to the country.

Speaking about the current plan of the Minister of Health and Sanitation to train all mortuary staff across the country, Sinneh Kamara expressed appreciation to the Minister for taking such a bold move. This, he said, will motivate his team to continue to give their best and also contribute positively to the development of their lives, as they would now be certified as professionals. The Manager averred that capacitating mortuary staff will ensure that all Government mortuaries nationwide are fully manned by professional staff.

Sinneh Kamara lauded President Bio for his drive towards providing education for his compatriots, noting that education is key to the development of any nation. He also reechoed the words of the Health Minister that adequate training of staff resulted in the ability to handle the Coronavirus in the country.

The Manager further expressed determination to continue his job to ensure that corpses do not decompose on the streets, adding that he will do all in his power to further offer his experience and training to other staff, stressing that his job is apolitical and that he is only serving his nation and humanity.

Sinneh Kamara dismissed as immature, those who are maligning him on social media. He said he is more committed to his job than to be distracted by the negative things people say about him. Sierra Leone, the Manager stressed, deserves a better health system and with the support of the Government, they will work towards strengthening the country’s health sector.

Paramount Chiefs’ Remuneration Increases by 150%

August 12, 2020

By Foday Moriba Conteh

The Ministry of Finance, in collaboration with the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, has increased the remuneration of Paramount, Regent Chiefs by one hundred and fifty percent.

This action by the Bio Led Government is in fulfilment of the pronouncement made by the Minister of Finance, Hon. Jacob Jusu Saffa, in the Government Budget and Statement of Economic and Financial Policies for the Financial Year 2020.

He announced an increment in the remuneration of all Paramount Chiefs, Regent Chiefs, Chiefdom Speaker, and other Chiefdom functionaries as well as Western Area Tribal Head effective April 2020.

According to the Minister of Finance, Government is aware of the critical role of Paramount Chiefs in supporting service delivery at the local level, noting that to this end Government is committed to restoring the dignity of Paramount Chiefs and Tribal Heads in the Western Area. He said as the first step in this direction, the Government will increase remuneration to Paramount Chiefs and 12 other chiefdom functionaries.

He said these policy actions are consistent with the Government’s strategy to improve Chiefdom Governance and strengthen Chiefdom Councils, adding that these actions are expected to boost the morale of Chiefdom Council functionaries and positively impact on service delivery at that level.

In fulfilment of that pronouncement, the Government through a press release from the Ministry of Finance announced that the Government has paid the sum of Le 4,612,500,000 to all Paramount Chiefs, Regent Chiefs, Chiefdom Speakers, and Western Area Tribal Headmen as remuneration for the second quarter (April, May, and June) of FY 2020.

According to the Press Release (PR) issued on Monday 10th August 2020, total remuneration for Paramount Chiefs/Regent Chiefs has increased from Le 1.1 billion per quarter to Le 2.94 billion per quarter or from Le 4.4 billion per annum to Le 11.8 billion per annum.

The PR continues that quarterly remuneration for Chiefdom Speakers has also increased Le 798 million per quarter to Le 1.7 billion per quarter or from Le 3.2 billion per annum to Le 6.8 billion annum, adding that total quarterly remuneration for Western Area Tribal Headmen has increased from Le 6.72 million per quarter to Le 48 million or from Le 26.88 million per annum to Le 192 million per annum.

The PR states that the implementation of the policy statement to other Chiefdom functionaries (Central Chiefdom Admin Clerks, Chiefdom Admin Clerks, Chiefdom Police Inspectors, Sergeants, Corporal, and Police Constables) is predicated upon the conduct of a Chiefdom Council Staff Audit and Biometric verification, which will be conducted by the National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA).

It could be recalled that not too long ago the Government announced an increased remuneration of Mayors/Chairmen of Local Councils as well Core staff of Local Councils because according to the Minister of Finance, Jacob Jusu Saffa, the New Direction Government considers the role of the leadership at district and chiefdom level critical in the delivery of services that supports local economic development.

SLRSA Launches Electronics-Fitness (E-Fitness) & Vehicle Records Card

August 12, 2020

By Amin Kef Sesay

Executive Director of the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority (SLRSA), Ibrahim Sannoh, has worked with the Board, Staff and Management of that institution to actualize the dream of President Bio to digitalize the operations and services of the SLRSA.

It could be recalled that President Bio, in his State Opening address to the nation, called for the use of ICT as a tool to develop the Human Capital index of the Nation. “I have pondered over the President Speech on moving Sierra Leone forward to align with the emerging global technology in service delivery, with Management and my staff at the Authority, we are not far from actualizing the dream of President Bio,” the Executive Director disclosed.

The Executive Director continued to state that the Authority is launching the Electronics-Fitness that will help determine whether a vehicle is road worthy or not saying such will help address the beleaguered process of the paper base fitness check-lists for both the Vehicle Examiners and the institution’s esteemed customers.

Part of the launch was the electronics automated life card. According to the Executive Director this new technology will help in keeping the customers life card durable as long as the vehicle is road worthy. The new Vehicle Cards, he reiterated, are pre-printed with securitize QR Code and other features that are not visible.

The Authority’s Transport Manager, Daniel C. Kaitibie, said the Electronics-Fitness test for vehicles materialized at a time when the Authority had re-categorize vehicles. He stated that licenses are a form of Road tax and that Vehicles are taxed on their ability to cause wear and tear on the road. “The heavier the vehicle, the greater chances it cause wear and tear on the road,” Daniel C. Kaitibie also stated.

He intimated how all Vehicle examiners have been provided with IPads and the system is programmed in such a way that every vehicle that passes fitness will be traced to the vehicle examiner as that will help the Authority to identify vehicles that are not road worthy.

Exhibiting the new tech, the Management Information System Analyst, Glen Cole explained that, digitalizing the operations of the SLRSA is his utmost priority and that the new E-Fitness is efficient, accurate, and that it is only accessible within the SLRSA network making it more secure and safe.

“With support from Management of SLRSA, the MIS team is poised to transform the institution from a paper based agency to a digitalized authority whose services can efficiently be accessible online and from everywhere in the country,” Glen Cole stated.