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President Bio meets National Sports Authority Board Members

By Theresa Kef Sesay

At State House on Wednesday 5 August 2020 President Julius Maada Bio met with Board Members of the newly constituted National Sports Authority (NSA) and assured them of his Government’s support to the development of sports in the country.

Presenting the Board, Minister of Sports, Ibrahim Nyelenkeh, thanked the President for the audience, noting that the courtesy call was symbolic because for the first time the country is providing the kind of support required by the NSA. He said he was meeting the President to officially present the Board, adding that it is a very lucrative sporting agency that would create jobs across the country.

Chairman of the NSA Board, David Woobay, thanked President Bio for appointing them to rebrand sporting activities in the country in accordance with the New Direction Agenda. He said that the President was known for his successful history with sports in the country and added that they would look at sources of funding to augment Government’s allocation to sporting activities in the country.

National Executive Director for the NSA, Kenneth Brima, said that sports stakeholders are proud of the sustained political will, commitment and dedication of the President to supporting the sector. He added that they are thankful to the Government for providing the much-needed resources for the roll-out and implementation of the NSA.

In his response, President Bio said that Sierra Leone was once known for its sporting prowess in all disciplines and noted that the New Direction Government is about reviving sports and every aspect of human endeavour in the country. While congratulating the new Board members, the President also said that he was very impressed by the personalities in the Board and urged them to do more.

“We have great talents but we need to nurture them and I leave that task to you to help the Sports Ministry to bring these talents together so we can compete again at the international level. We are going to fight and make sure that you get not only the moral support but also the financial support to be able to move things,” he assured.

The NSA exists to coordinate, regulate, promote and support competitive sporting activities with a view to promoting national cohesion, professionalism, excellence in sports and international recognition.

ACC Concludes Investigation of Late Dr. Minkailu Bah & Limkokwing University

Francis Ben Keifala

By Foday Moriba Conteh

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on the 5th August 2020 stated that it has completed investigation into the Limkokwing University of Creative Technology Malaysia, in Sierra Leone and the former Minister of Education, Science and Technology (MEST), Late Dr. Minkailu Bah, for alleged Misappropriation of Public Property and Revenue, Abuse of Office, and Abuse of Position; all contrary to Sections 42, 43 and 48 of the Anti-Corruption Act, 2008, respectively.

According to the ACC the investigations confirmed that Dr. Minkailu Bah single-handedly entered into an agreement with the Limkokwing University for the establishment of a private University in Sierra Leone in 2013, without following the due process as provided in the Laws that govern tertiary public education in Sierra Leone which resulted in committing the Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL) to serious financial obligations.

The ACC stated how Dr. Minkailu Bah invited the Management of Limkokwing University of Creative Technology Malaysia to Sierra Leone with a letter dated 13th May 2013.

“Following the invite, discussions and negotiations, Dr. Bah signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the President of Limkokwing University on the 19th December, 2013. The agreement provided, among other things, that the GoSL would provide campus space for the University and scholarships for 1,200 students per annum, among other things. An addendum to this memorandum was signed on the 31st December, 2015,” the institution revealed.

The ACC said both memoranda did not spell out the fees to be paid for scholarship per student, but the fees later came up to be Three Thousand United States Dollars ($3,000) for Bachelors’ Degree students and Two Thousand and Five Hundred United States Dollars ($2,500) for Diploma per student for one academic year.

“According to Dr. Bah, the fees structure was negotiated in the office of the former Financial Secretary, Mr. Edmund Koroma, with other staff present. Ministry of Finance refuted this claim indicating that they were never part of any GoSL team that negotiated fees structure for any university, including Limkokwing. They further claimed that Dr. Bah had already committed GoSL by signing of MOA indicating to offer One Thousand Two Hundred (1,200) scholarships to Sierra Leonean Students before providing those estimates to the Ministry of Finance for inclusion in the National budget for Parliamentary approval,” the ACC startlingly disclosed.

It continued that their investigations further established that the idea of Limkokwing University of Creative Technology to have a campus in Sierra Leone was initiated by a Sierra Leonean, Fyeston Bockary, but mid-way in its establishment and operations, Dr. Bah succeeded in removing him from the process based on what Fyeston Bockary alleges to be unfair means. According to the Tertiary Education Commission, Limkokwing University of Creative Technology was fully registered on the 20th March 2017.

The ACC further disclosed how Dr. Albert Dupigny, a senior staff at the Ministry of Education, confirmed to the ACC that he was the focal person for the Limkokwing University but could not recall being appointed by anyone. It said rather, he assumed this position as discussions on the establishment of Limkokwing University evolved. “He eventually became like a ‘messenger’ wherein he would receive emails and send same for and on behalf of the Minister, Permanent Secretary and any other senior officials of the Ministry. He denied playing any crucial role in the establishment and operations of the university,” the ACC continued.

Based on what the ACC said the current Financial Secretary, Sahr Jusu, noted that upon assumption of office in late 2018, he instituted a financial audit, in order to ascertain the true financial obligations of the GoSL to Limkokwing, and to also map out the road forward. Following that audit, a financial obligation of about Twenty-Five Billion Leones (Le 25,000,000,000) was discovered which led to a request for an Executive Clearance to pay off the above sum in phases with a request signed by the Minister of Technical and Higher Education, and the Minister of Finance. Upon the granting of the Executive Clearance, over Twenty-Two Billion Leones (Le22,000,000,000) had been paid by the Ministry Of Finance to Limkokwing University of Creative Technology to settle financial obligations covering the period 2016/2017, and 2017/2018 academic years.

The Commission said GoSL has a current outstanding financial obligation of over Thirty-Three Billion Leones (Le 33,000,000,000) for the 2018/2019. “According to the Financial Secretary, this amount has not been paid due to fiscal challenges and the unfairness of incurring such liability for few students when compared to other students on government grants-in-aid in various Universities.

Fees paid by other University students in Sierra Leone range between Ten (10) and Fifteen (15) Million Leones, whilst the current exchange rate of one dollar is Ten Thousand Leones (Le10, 000). Therefore, the fees/scholarship at Limkokwing for bachelors and diploma students stands at Thirty Million (Le30, 000,000), and Twenty-Five Million Leones (Le 25,000,000) respectively per student, and per academic year. This is a huge variance, and is the case because Limkokwing is a private university (investment),” the ACC added.

It said during the course of the investigation, information was received that the key person of interest in this matter, Dr. Minkailu Bah, had passed away. Enquires were conducted and a death certificate was obtained from the hospital where he met his demise. The investigation was summarily concluded as the main suspect in this matter is now dead and, as a Criminal Investigations-based Commission, a man dies with his indictment.

In its recommendations to the Government stakeholders the ACC proffered that the Ministry of Higher and Technical Education, in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, engages the Limkokwing University Management for a thorough review of the “Memorandum of Agreement” – especially on the fees structure, and seek ratification from Parliament as provided in Section 40 of the Constitution of Sierra Leone, Act No 6 of 1991.

It continued that there is already in evidence a thorough audit report that was sanctioned and carried out by the Ministry of Finance to ascertain the number of students and GoSL financial obligations to Limkokwing. The ACC gives deference to that audit and its recommendations including the settlement of the outstanding liabilities of the government.

ACC recommends that Government must consider review of the powers of the Minister of (Technical and Higher) Education in terms of the award of scholarships to students and the establishment of a private University in Sierra Leone as enshrined in the Education and University Acts of 2004, and 2005 respectively; so as to remove the concentration of discretion and monopoly in one person (as was the case with Dr. Bah), and avoid future abuse.

It also recommended that additionally, the GoSL, through the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education, is advised to go by the agreement signed (though with serious improprieties) – as an Executive Clearance had already been sought in that regard and fresh steps taken; but must review same as aforesaid.

2 APC Strongmen Granted Self-Bail

Former Freetown City Council Mayor, Herbert George Williams

By Foday Moriba Conteh

Two strongmen of the opposition All People’s Congress (APC) party former Freetown City Council Mayor, Herbert George Williams and Abu Bakarr Daramy were granted self-bail on the 5th August 2020   by High Court Judge, Justice Cosmotina Jarrett.

Defence Lawyer for the accused persons, Melron Nicol-Wilson, a Human Rights Lawyer secured their bail, after both Williams and Daramy had spent several months in detention, accused of murder, following the death of a journalist Ibrahim Samura, during an election campaign.

According to the allegation against the two persons both were accused of beating the journalist after which weeks later he gave up the ghost. However, the Defence lawyers argue otherwise that at the time of the alleged incident, the deceased had serious pre-existing health conditions, and so could not have died as a result of injuries sustained from the alleged violent confrontation.

Before the granting of bail, previous requests had previously been denied by the State. There is a school of thought which has assumed that  for a Judge to now decide to grant bail may probably be a pointer to the fact  that the Prosecution’s case is either weak or the evidence is seriously inadequate, thus making it unsafe to continue to hold the accused in detention.

The self-bail granted by Justice Jarret meant that the accused did not provide sureties to sign on their behalf.

It has been noted that after the sacking of former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Priscilla Schwartz and her replacement by the highly experienced and well respected Barrister, Anthony Brewah, there has been a plodding change in the SLPP Government’s attitude towards opposition politicians accused of wrongdoing by the Government.

Sierra Leoneans are only hoping that with a truly independent Judiciary political tension could cool down and national cohesion enhanced.

In another related development on the same date, it was reported that the former Defence Minister ,Retired Major Palo Conteh, who was cleared a few months ago of treason by a jury at the High Court but found guilty of unlawfully possessing guns, was once again denied bail at a separate court hearing.

Palo Conteh remains in detention as his trial continues at the Appeals Court in Freetown, after his lawyers launched an appeal against the two-count charge for which he was found guilty at his treason trial.

The case involving former Freetown Mayor Herbert George Williams and Abu Bakarr Daramy continues, after both have been granted bail.

 

NP (SL) Ltd: Committed & Steadfast in Service Delivery

National Petroleum Sierra Leone Limited, NP (SL-Ltd).

By Amin Kef Sesay

The country’s leading oil marketing company, the National Petroleum (NP) Sierra Leone-Limited, has been very steadfast in its service delivery of high standard petroleum products which it imports since this country is not an oil producing nation.

Due to good managerial decisions, the company has been doing extremely and exemplary well in terms of always ensuring the availability of those products in a timely manner which makes it possible for individuals to have ready access to them. It is no secret that the seriousness of the company, with regards ambitiously striving towards reaching the pinnacle within the business landscape not only in this country but far beyond, has heightened the confidence of its business partners to continue business relationships.

It must be hammered that NP-SL-Ltd is not extraordinary because like any business entity the company is susceptible to internal and external shocks that impact on its efficacy and sustainability. Currently, the high exchange rate of the dollar to the Leone, meaning the Leone has drastically depreciated, is affecting many entities, creating inflation (prices of basic commodities have skyrocketed) and impinging negatively on the overall standard of living. NP-SL –Ltd pays for petroleum products it imports and understandably whenever the price of the dollar goes up then it means the company is spending more Leones to buy dollars in order do so.

Accessing the very dollar has turned out to be a huge task as it is scarce which has created a situation whereby the company has to go the extra-mile to get the required amount of dollars it needs from time to time to import the products it markets.

For such an important company to continue to thrive it is but very prudent on the part of the Petroleum Regulatory Agency, the Bank of Sierra Leone and other commercial banks to give it the maximum attention and support it needs in the company’s bid to do foreign exchange transactions.

It has gone down the annals of history that the company is impressively one of the most successful indigenous entities that is sustainably forging ahead when others have collapsed for a variety of reasons.

A marked reality of the company’s viability is evident in its opening of branches in Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast, The Gambia and in all of those places it is providing qualitative customer care services to residents, making it a prime priority.

It has also been established that NP has been meaningfully contributing to economic growth through payment of taxes and rolling out meaningful interventions in the discharge of its Corporate Social Responsibility which are transforming lives and improving communities.

The company has gained reputation for offering different jobs to Sierra Leoneans throughout the country where it is operating and this has helped in improving standards of living.

NP-SL gives preference to Sierra Leoneans with regards offering jobs, a clear indication that it is strictly poised towards adherence to the country’s Local Content Policy. Utilizing local talents makes it possible for indigenes to imbibe useful knowledge and skills through training exercises that could be applicable in other places.

The company has one of the best cooking gadgets, known as NP Gas that offers suitability for cooking purposes. There are different cylinder sizes and they could be located at all the filling stations of the company and also accessed from authorized agents or dealers.

In this digital age, moving away from the traditional way of transacting business has now become the norm. It is along such a line that it was thought wise on the part of the shareholders and Management to introduce the use of smart cards. With these cards, customers can procure petroleum products of whatever quantity they do desire.

“Using NP smart card always makes transactions very easy and convenient for me,” a prominent entrepreneur informed.

For its solid service delivery to its numerous and esteemed customers right across the country, the company over the years, has gained widespread recognition and admiration evident in bagging awards from different organizations.

NP is really promoting efficient service delivery, contributing positively to the socio-economic development of the country but it must be reiterated that contractual business agreements must be strictly adhered to by other parties so that such an important company will continue to operate unfettered.

Sports… A Powerful Tool for Youth Empowerment And Development

Minister of Sports, Ibrahim Nyelenkeh

By Amin Kef Sesay

In Africa, countries like Ghana, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Kenya, Morocco, Cameroun, Kenya, Uganda, South Africa have made their countries names to be known far and wide because of the successes their athletes and sports men and women have made over the years in different sporting disciplines.

With so much idleness seen among youth in this country, engaging them in sporting activities at all levels of the society would be an effective method of engaging them positively.

Sport is known to help youths develop a range of skills such as teamwork and discipline. It can also be used as a means to provide an interesting way to learn about violence and sexual abuse prevention or gender equality through physical activity or games.

As such, while traditionally, sports have been geared primarily to males, focus should also be put on empowering girls, teaching them new skills, enabling play, fostering their visibility and right to be active in public spaces.

For as long as we can remember, sports has always played an important role in every society. Aside from strengthening social ties, sportschannels the collective energy of the community and harnesses it towards nation-building.

As former UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan, once said: “Sports is a universal language”. At its best it can bring people together, no matter what their origin, background, religious beliefs or economic status.”

Engaging in sports is instrumental for youth empowerment through its numerous benefits.

First, it promotes good health and physical fitness as it encourages the youth to keep an active lifestyle.

Second, it provides an outlet for the youth to spend their free time and relieve boredom, keeping them away from destructive vices, crime and illegal drugs.

Lastly, it instills discipline, hard work and excellence, which prepares the youth to become successful and productive individuals in the future.

President Duterte understands the positive benefits of sports participation. During the opening of the 2018 Philippine National Games (PNG) last May 19 at the Cebu City Sports Center, he urged top sports officials, particularly the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), to promote and strengthen sports programs nationwide. In fact, he has doubled the prizes for the top five performing Local Government Units (LGU) in the National Games to further encourage the development of our athletes.

The country will also be hosting several events such as the Southeast Asian Games in 2019 and the FIBA Basketball World Cup in 2023.

Youth Empowerment Through Sport (YES) is a dynamic programme that actively invests in youthd by empowering them to go into their communities and become ambassadors of sport and change makers.

In 2017 UNESCO launched the programme on Youth and Sport Task Force to enable young inspiring leaders through sport, as well as encourage social transformations in the members’ respective countries through sport, and thereby contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The programme places the youth at the forefront, determining agendas, priorities and directions as a collective. UNESCO supports the Task Force by providing opportunities for the members to promote and enhance their work by connecting with each other and with regional and global opportunities for growth and capacity building.

The programme has empowered many young individuals to promote their personal well-being as well as promote sport as a tool for positive social change in their communities.

Audra’s Corner Talk Show Premiere Today

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Audra's Corner Talk Show Audra Nyambe Sannoh

By Foday Moriba Conteh

Audra’s Corner Talk Show is a new platform or space where people can be to tell and discuss stories of successful people in society, share their ideas which the country and the world could be interested in as well as to create the podium for upcoming innovators and entrepreneurs for their talents to be recognized. This latest Talk Show will premiere its first episode today Friday 7th August 2020 on YouTube.

Speaking to this medium, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Audra’s Corner Talk Show, Audra Nyambe Sannoh, disclosed that she believes everyone has a story that will inspire and impact the lives of Sierra Leoneans across the country and beyond, adding that it always feels good when individuals  come forward and share their experiences with others. Audra’s Corner Talk Show will be broadcast every Friday on YouTube at exactly 7pm starting today Friday 7th August 2020.

She disclosed how the show will discuss everything including Sports, Entertainment, Innovation, Entrepreneurship , Fashion and other interesting development stories or issues. However, it will not accommodate discussion of  thorny political issues.

Audra furthered that after a lot of work behind the scene she is proud to inform all that the show will finally commence  adding that one can watch the show every Friday on the following links: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/100902508323988/posts/100995404981365/?app=fbl and On Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0RciAgmxRVfnK_Pr7jxpOQ.

She called on Sierra Leoneans at both home and abroad to please subscribe, like or comment on her YouTube Channel.

Audra Nyambe Sannoh, the Chief Executive Officer of the Audra’s Corner Talk Show, is a part time TV presenter and reporter at the Freetown Television Network (FTN). She has been mainly reporting human interest stories. Audra Nyambe Sannoh started as a Child Broadcaster at Kiddies Radio which is an appendage of Sky Radio Station in 2017. She’s currently pursuing a Degree Course in Mass Communications at the Mass Communications Department of Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone.

Presently, she’s a reporter at Multimedia Plus Online TV, one of the country’s biggest online TV.

Audra attended the St Joseph Convent Secondary School where she served as a school prefect throughout her stay. She is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of God’s Spring Foundation. It is a group, comprising of young members some who are pupils attending secondary schools and college students, with the chief aim of reaching out to the unreached and needy in slum and remote communities in order to inspire and motivate them.

Though emanating from a humble background, her passion to help the needy led her to form the Godspring Foundation early in 2019. Again out of the strong passion to help and serve humanity, Audra is currently serving as a volunteer at Radiance for Girls Empowerment, an organization that deals with girls and promotes girl’s rights.

Audra is extremely obsessive with her volunteerism activities. She was born and raised in Freetown, Sierra Leone and the only daughter of her parents. She enjoys reading, singing and watching documentaries. Audra is a lover of nature and adventure. She is extremely passionate about journalism, believing in hard work, perseverance and consistence.

You can catch up with her on YouTube at Audra’s Corner Talk Show where development issues matter.

President Bio Receives ACC 2019 Annual Report

Commissioner of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), Francis Ben Kaifala Handing over the Report to President Bio

By Amin Kef Sesay

During a short but very important programme, at State House on the 6th August 2020 the Commissioner of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), Francis Ben Kaifala presented the Commission’s 2019 Annual Report to President Julius Maada Bio at State House witnessed by representatives from various institutions.

Before the presentation the Deputy Commissioner of the ACC, Augustine Foday Ngobie, said that they were presenting the report in fulfilment of the provision in Section 19(1) of the ACC Act of 2008 as amended, noting that the report comprehensively chronicled the overall activities of the Commission and captured details on all departments for the year under review.

He said that 2019 could be safely described as a year of remarkable success for the Commission, taking into consideration the achievements and success stories both locally and internationally. He also said that they were able to strengthen the Commission through the amendment of the laws which had made corruption a high risk but low return venture.

“Your Excellency, the Commission remains very grateful to you for the determined and inspiring leadership demonstrated towards the fight against corruption and the general work of the Commission. I also extend our thanks to the Ministry of Finance for its support in the payment of salaries, provision of recurrent expenditure and development,” he said.

After receiving the Report, President Julius Maada Bio in his address commended the leadership and staff of the Anti- Corruption Commission (ACC) for the Report and for their unwavering commitment to the fight against corruption over the last year.

He said since he assumed office, he prioritized fighting corruption because it is a threat to development as a nation.  President Bio highlighted that a corrupt country is adverse for economic and social development, foreign direct investment, effective service delivery, fairplay and equal opportunity, equal access to justice and the rule of law.

“Today, the presentation of this Report gives us an opportunity to reaffirm my Government’s commitment to fighting this war on corruption. As, I say often, THIS IS A WAR WE MUST FIGHT AND IT IS A WAR WE MUST WIN,” he underscored.

The President disclosed how the year 2019, which the Report focuses, was both historic and significant in the fight against corruption for many reasons furthering that  in 2019, he signed into law the Anti-Corruption Amendment Act of 2019 in fulfilment of both a manifesto and public commitment he made during the State Opening of Parliament in 2018 to resolutely stamp out corruption and make it unfashionable in public life.

He said the amended Act further strengthened the powers of the Commission, and addressed challenges that had undermined the success of the ACC.

“In 2019, the Special Anti-Corruption Division was established in the High Court with five (5) dedicated Judges to exclusively sit on ACC cases. Corruption cases no longer languish in court. Case management and trial processes for corruption cases are now more predictable, fairer, and faster,” he also revealed.

He said again in 2019, the Honourable Vice President, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, on behalf of his Government, launched Government’s strategic blueprint that includes the public and private sectors in fighting corruption.

The President intimated how the National Anti-Corruption Strategy (2019- 2023) or NACS is unique because it adopts a holistic, three-pronged approach to fighting corruption: Education, Corruption, Prevention, and Enforcement.

He said, the strategy also foregrounds the effective functioning of the Integrity Management Committees (IMCs) established in Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.

President Bio added that in 2019, the country’s international reputation has been enhanced because our international rating on controlling corruption and corruption perception indices are all very favorable. “Transparency International’s Corruption Afro-Barometer Report released in 2019, ranked Sierra Leone third, among 35 countries in Africa, for Government’s effectiveness in the fight against corruption. 66% of Sierra Leoneans believe that the Government is doing well in the fight against.

Remember that in 2015, only 19% of Sierra Leoneans held the view that their Government was doing well to fight corruption. Sierra Leone jumped up ten places in the 2019 Transparency Global Corruption Perception Index. We have jumped from 129 in 2018 to 119 in 2019. For the first time, we scored above the Sub-Saharan average of 32.

In 2019, Sierra Leone scored 79% in the Millennium Challenge Corporation control of corruption indicator. This was an improvement on the 71% score in 2018 during our very first year in office. Clearly, this was a significant improvement on the failing score of 49% scored by our predecessors,” he continued.

The President mentioned that surveys carried out by independent Civil Society Organizations and funded by foreign Governments, indicate significant improvements in fighting corruption.

He said the Centre for Accountability and Rule of Law’s National Corruption Perception Survey Report titled “Actions, Hopes and Impediments in the fight against corruption in Sierra Leone,” states that 92% of respondents believe that the Anti- Corruption Commission is creating the greatest impact in the fight against corruption. The survey further reports that three years ago, 57% of Sierra Leoneans believed there were sacred cows. That number has decreased to 47.7% over the last one year indicating greater confidence in investigation, prosecution, and trial rates.

President Bio stated that he is pleased to note that in 2019, the Anti-Corruption Commission expanded its operations and opened its North-West Regional office in Port Loko. “As I have indicated, decentralizing the control of corruption broadens the overall integrity framework because it gets more local stakeholders and actors directly engaged in combatting corruption in their local precincts,” he informed.

The President said he also notes the progress made in constructing the headquarters of the Anti-Corruption Commission stating that Government will continue to provide all necessary support to ensure its timely completion.

He said whilst these developments highlighted above show that we are clearly on the right path, winning the war against corruption requires sustained commitment and increased public confidence.

President Bio maintained that there will always be concerns, opinions, and challenges about the cases the Commission investigates, the cases it prosecutes, cases it wins and the cases lost in court but enjoined them not to be distracted stating that as a Government they are determined and committed to a sustained and elevated fight against corruption in this country.

He concluded by appealing directly to citizens that the fight against corruption is not just the responsibility of the Government or the Anti-Corruption Commission.

The President said given the cost of corruption for national development, for service delivery, and for economic and other opportunities, it is the duty of every citizen to say something and do something about ending corruption.

“It is a veritable existential threat to our nation and we must all see corruption as a common enemy that we must collectively fight. TOGETHER, WE MUST FIGHT CORRUPTION AND TOGETHER WE WILL WIN THE FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION,” he encouraged.

Housemates Salone is the Most Talked About Show

Housemates Salone Season 2

By Amin Kef Sesay

Housemates Salone Season 2 is brought together by the Africa Young Voices (AYV) and Africell-Sierra Leone, Housemates Salone Season 2 will have twenty (20) Housemates in the House for a certain period of time, performing various tasks, displaying their talents according to instructions from the voice of an unseen person, until a time when the show reaches its climax and evictions commences until the final winner emerges to bag the prize of two hundred and fifty million Leones (Le250,000) and a round trip to Dubai. However, for each day that each participant spends in the House, he or she will earn one hundred thousand Leones (Le100, 000).

Application forms are now available for Le150, 000 and could be paid for via Afrimoney and transaction IDs will be given to access the forms.

For interested participants in Sierra Leone, the number to access their forms is 088 201020 (Afrimoney number) and a ‘fast track’ for those in the diaspora is available on line. Interested persons can apply on line through Africell and AYV websites; do their videos and send them to the judges on line. Interviews will be conducted on line.

And for the benefit for those in the diaspora who may want to participate in the show they may contact the following www.africell.sl or www.ayvnews.com.

The closing date for receipt of all applications is the 21ST August 2020, and audition will take place in the first week of September. On 21st September 2020, auditions will close and 40 finalists will be chosen who will then battle for the final 20. The final 20 will go into the House on the 14th September 2020.

It is quite apparent that there is indeed a nexus between Housemates Salone and the Tourism industry as both complements each other. The two are spotlights that could cast their powerful beam on the country making it conspicuous on the global map, vivid and very attractive to the outside world. Definitely, this exposure could open vistas of other opportunities that could boost the country’s economy. They will be conduits for youth empowerment.

As was aptly communicated by Dr. Memunatu Pratt during the official launch of Housemates Salone Season 2 on the 30th July 2020 at the prestigious Lagoonda Complex in Aberdeen, Freetown, COVID-19 has had a heavy impact on the industry. She, however, significantly highlighted that a show like Housemates Salone- Season 2 will enable the country to overcome the impact.

“Dealing with COVID and implementing tourism is challenging”, she maintained, “as such Shows demand peoples’ presence. This event will change the fortunes of the country and attract international attention. This venture is extremely laudable, as it is a heavy Private Sector investment.”

According to her, Salone Housemates 2020 is going to be historic noting that Sierra Leone’s entertainment industry has grown.

She furthered that Housemates Salone Season 2 is the first public event that will be staged under COVID-19 and will bring tourism alive reiterating how it is going to be an important event.

From the foregoing, it could be safely concluded that there is a nexus between Tourism and a Reality TV Show like Housemates Salone. Both are about showcasing the natural and human potentials or resources of the country, it is about enhancing and using local talents for the purpose of entertaining and make people (the audience and viewers) feel very happy in a relaxed atmosphere or setting. The two encompass drama, music, singing and interaction.

Housemates Salone Season 2 (2020), “The Last Standing Couple” with the theme ‘Quarantine Drama’ came at the right time to fill the void that the coronavirus created within the tourism sector.

In as much as Housemates Salone Season 2 will be broadcast live, on a twenty-four hour basis on AYV Channel 34 which is being watched internationally, then it creates the avenue to somehow showcase Sierra Leone to the outside world which has the propensity of whetting the appetites of foreigners to visit this country and have a feel of its landscape, historical landmarks and hospitality at such a time when COVID-19 would have been defeated.

The show will definitely avail viewers the opportunity to reduce all the stress brought about as a result of the marauding coronavirus.

It is quite apparent that there is indeed a nexus between Housemates Salone and the Tourism industry as both complements each other. The two are spotlights that could cast their powerful beam on the country making it conspicuous on the global map, vivid and very attractive to the outside world. Definitely, this exposure could open vistas of other opportunities that could boost the country’s economy. They will be conduits for youth empowerment.

As was succinctly summed up by the Minister of Tourism, Housemates Salone Season 2 “is the first rebranding show in Africa amidst difficult times.”

‘Makeni Lives Matter’ Likewise 

By Mohamed Sankoh (One Drop) 

Whilst many families in the northern city of Makeni are still grieving over their loved ones who were allegedly gunned down in gangland style by government security forces in the name of “peacekeeping” over a generator that could not even provide adequate electricity supply for a two-star hotel in The Gambia; I was, and still, expecting the First Lady of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Fatima Bio, to have openly sympathised with the people of Makeni.

But it appears as if the lives of those compatriots who were wasted in Makeni, few weeks ago, do not matter because they were either not supporters of the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) or simply because they appeared to have committed the unpardonable crime of being born and bred in that northern city. As I always write, what is good for the heifer must also be good for the cow. You cannot be the First Lady of the Republic of Sierra Leone yet you are blatantly showing preference for some regions with her people as against others and their people. Had those killings occurred in the southern city of Bo or the eastern city of Kenema; our First Lady would have unquestionably been “too full of the milk of human kindness” (to borrow from Shakespeare’s Lady Macbeth in the play “Macbeth”) to the bereaved.

Sympathy is one of the traits that should be imbued in a mother-figure such as a First Lady. But whilst the bereaved families in Makeni are yet to get even a word of sympathy from the First Lady; she has already sent her condolences to bereaved families in faraway Beirut in Lebanon. On Tuesday this week, she allegedly took to Twitter and tweeted that, “May the souls of the departed Rest in Peace, as we wished the wounded quick recovery. I pray that Allah give solace and fortitude to my Lebanese brethren as we all come to terms with this tragedy.” Oh, really? So, what happened in Makeni, few weeks ago, was a comedy and what occurred in Lebanon was, and still is, a tragedy?

If such a tweet really comes from Madam Fatima Bio’s Twitter account, then it just shows the derision which many members of the Bio-led administration have for the people of, and in, the north-western parts of the country. If she could have time to instantaneously respond to the aftermath of an explosion in the Middle East, in less than 12 hours after the incident occurred and sympathised with faceless Lebanese nationals who never voted for her husband, yet snubbing the bereaved in Makeni which is figuratively in her courtyard; then it shows the current thinking of State Lodge!

As I noted in my One Dropian dropping of last week, I will suggest that Madam Fatima Bio either finds a good Media Communications specialist or go to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for a crash course on the etiquettes of diplomacy! For Common Sense dictates that such a tweet, if really it is from the First Lady (maybe her account was hacked, I hope so!), should have come from either the Office of the President or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It is a matter of common sense.

But again, Common Sense, according to a French proverb, is not so common. And Calvin E. Stowe, the “American Biblical scholar who helped spread public education in the United States [of America]”, will add that “Common Sense is the knack of seeing things as they are, and doing things as they ought to be done.” With all due respect to the First Lady, she appears to be doing, or saying, things devoid of any iota of common sense. And she also seems not to be blessed with “the knack of seeing things as they are, and doing things as they ought to be done.” Which is why whenever she takes to social media, she appears to be worsening worst situations with her tweets or Facebook posts.

Anyway, what concerns an old toothless woman with chewing gums? Nothing! Except that she would be putting up the pretences of chewing gums just to play to the gallery or compete with damsels. If Madam Fatima Bio could find it difficult to sympathise with the bereaved in Makeni, whose loved ones were allegedly killed by “peacekeepers”, yet have the time to do so to faceless Lebanese who died or wounded accidentally from a blast; then it really shows that the lives that were lost in Makeni do not matter to her or her SLPP folks!

And as if to show more disdain for the people of Makeni, it is now being alleged that residents are now frightful of being arbitrarily arrested by the Sierra Leone Police if caught with any T-shirts on which it is written: “Makeni Lives Matter.” When has that become a crime in Sierra Leone? Is that not criminalization of Freedom of Expression? And as if to insult the bereaved in their grieving, the corpses are yet to be returned for befitting funerals as of the time of writing this One Dropian dropping.

But with the Bio-led administration, democratic Rights and Freedoms have been turned on their heads in the country. Everything seems abnormal in present day Sierra Leone. Organised chaos seems to be the new normal of which Madam Fatima Bio appears to be the protagonist. It is as if whenever the First Lady sneezes; most members of the Bio administration are so afraid of being infected with the Coronavirus (figuratively, of course) that they are thanking their stars that masks are now in vogue!

At times, whenever I have the misfortune of reading any of the First Lady’s posts on social media; I really appreciate the cardinal reason why her husband is putting more emphasis on Free Quality Education. After all, charity should begin at home.

medsankoh@yahoo.com/+232-76-611-986

SiLNoRF & CoMNeT End 2-Day Right to Food Training for Journalists

By Foday Moriba Conteh

On Tuesday 4th August 2020 the Sierra Leone Network on the Right to Food (SiLNoRF), in partnership with the Community Media Network (CoMNeT) and Welt Hunger Hilfe (WHH) ended a two-day training workshop for 10 media practitioners in the Western Urban and Rural Areas of Freetown at the Campaign for Good Governance (CGG) Hall on Black Hall Road, Waterloo.

The project is titled, “Promotion of the Right to Food Project in Sierra Leone – SLE 1069-19.”

The aim of the training was to sensitize the media about various issues relating to the Right to Food (RtF) so that at the end of the training journalists will better understand the concept of violation of the right to adequate food as well as identify possible recourse mechanisms.

Some of the topics covered during the training included Introduction to Human Rights, Human Right-Based Approach to Development, The Concept of the Right to Adequate Food, Rights and Obligations, History of the Right to Adequate Food, the Right to Food Guidelines, the Right to Adequate Food in Practice and to Establish a Regional Right to Food Advocacy Platform.

In his introduction, one of the facilitators, Mr. Abdulai Kamara of SiLNoRF enlightened that the 38 months pilot project is for the RtF to become law/justiciable, that similar trainings have been conducted for civil society and the media in Kenema, Bo, Port Loko, Makeni and the Western Area revealing that they plan to capacitate 120 journalists nationwide on the need to enact the Right to Food Law.

He continued that the human right to adequate food is enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and other international conventions such as the African Charter of Human Rights. He affirmed that the RtF is when everyone has access to adequate food at all times which means that people must either have resources to produce enough food such as their own land or livestock or an income that is sufficient to purchase healthy food adding that for the signatory States, the treaties are binding international law.

He went on to reveal that the signatory States have the responsibility to respect the right to food, i.e. not to deny anyone access to food, to protect the right to food, i.e. to create laws and mechanisms that prevent violations by third parties and to guarantee the right to food, i.e. to actively work for people to be able to feed themselves by for example providing agricultural advisory services for small farmers or setting up social security programs.

Mr. Kamara further underscored that States have a special obligation towards vulnerable groups such as children, women, the sick, physically challenged, the elderly, the landless and the poor reiterating that States are called upon to implement the human rights principles of participation, accountability, non-discrimination, transparency, human dignity and the rule of law affirming, “people must be given the information to enable them participate in food security policy decisions that affect them. They must also be enabled to have decisions that could jeopardize their rights reviewed by means of legal remedies.”

Another facilitator, Mr. Frank Webber, in his Powerpoint presentation, articulated that civil society organisations in Serra Leone have observed high rates of food insecurity due to, among others, large land acquisitions, for which a movement has been formed to advocate the incorporation of the Right to Food into the legislation and policy of Sierra Leone disclosing that the country’s 1991 constitution as well as its laws and policies in force at the time made no explicit reference to the human right to adequate food.

According to Mr. Webber, a deeper awareness of the Right to Food would help agents of accountability to communicate in a more informed manner and aid them in comprehending the importance of keeping rights-holders duly informed in a timely fashion and through the appropriate channels underlining that agents of accountability can play a very important role if they become actively involved with rights-holders to enhance their organisation for the defence and promotion of  their rights and work with duty-bearers to create an enabling environment for the realization of this right.

He also underlined that effective training can help these agents to organize their work, bolstering the motivation that they normally have with the technical expertise needed to act, with the highest level of professionalism and effectiveness, in the complex sphere of human rights in such varied fields as law, policy, programs and projects as well as public budgets among others.

Mr. Webber further recalled 1996 when Sierra Leone ratified the International Convention on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) which recognized the right to adequate food in Article 11 and bound the Government to is obligations under the Convention highlighting that Article 11 (2) of the Convention states that recognizing the fundamental right of everyone to be protected from hunger, State Parties, individually and through international cooperation, shall implement the necessary measures, including specific programs, to (a) improve methods of nutritional principles and by developing or reforming agricultural systems with the aim of developing and utilizing natural resources as effectively as possible.

The question and answer and group work sessions and the distribution of reference materials climaxed the highly interactive training.

 

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