Sierra Leone’s darling brewing company, the Sierra Leone Brewery Limited (SLBL) has done it again. With an expert research team; the SLBL has been able to introduce its newest product TRENK, the first ever dark malt + energy drink in the world brewed to the highest quality.

In a bid to give consumers a taste of this first ever combination of dark malt and energy drink unrivalled in the world, the Brewery is rolling out mass sampling of this wonder drink, an exercise which started in Waterloo, will embrace Allen Town from the 22nd to the 28th February 2019 at 10.00am. This sampling is being done in the various areas on a weekly basis.

On the 1st to the 7th March 2019 at 10.00am, it will be the turn of the giants of the East; from Calaba Town to Up-Gun, from the 8th to the 14th March 2019, residents in the center of town, from Kissy Road to Syke Street will also experience the unique taste of nourishment and vitality of Sierra Leone’s iconic drink, the TRENK.

From the 15th March 2019, consumers in Western Freetown (from Congo Cross to Goderich) will have a taste of this dark malt energy drink.

Sierra Leoneans can now be proud to have a locally produced energy drink, brewed to international standards by its own brewery.

The Sierra Leone Brewery Limited is one of the oldest companies that have been operating in this country and it is still vibrant. Sierra Leone Brewery Limited planted its roots in the field of manufacturing alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages to consumers over 57 years ago. The company has continuously expanded its product range through innovation to meet customer satisfaction at all levels. Their Mission is to establish not just a contractual relationship with stakeholders but to build relationships which are lasting and rewarding to the country and to contribute to the growth of the Gross Domestic Product GDP.
All their products are certified and following all the regulations as per approved local and international standards. SLBL manufactures Star Beer, Mutzig Premium Beer, Guinness Foreign Extra Stout, Salone beer and Maltina Non-Alcoholic. They also market Heineken Beer, Strong Bow Cider, Fayrouz malt none alcoholic drink, Royal Club range of soft drinks and Climax Energy Drink.

One of the pressure groups operating within the country, Youth Against Corruption Sierra Leone (YAC-S) with its motto Honesty Integrity and Transparency during a Press Conference convened on the 25th February 2019 at the Ministry of Youth Conference Hall strongly pledged its support for the Anti-Corruption Amendment Act 2019 for A Zero Tolerance on Corruption in Sierra Leone. Present among those who were in attendance were Public Relations Officer of the ACC, Margaret Murray, Deputy Commissioner of the National Youth Commission, Emerson Kamara, Hon. Sallieu Mustapha, MP for Constituency 195 in Moyamba, representatives from civil societies, various youth groups and the press. The Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs, Lusine Kallon served in the capacity as the Guest Speaker.

Speaking during the meeting, the Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs, Luseni Kallon told his audience that public officials and their private sector collaborators involve in corruption can be described as “mass murderers”. He stressed that they are killing millions of people through their unpatriotic and evil practice. Their activities have stifled growth in various sectors, adding that monies meant for drugs, roads, hospitals, schools and public security were siphoned/stolen away, thereby depriving citizens of these amenities.
He praised the youths for this campaign, which he said will raise the awareness among their peers and other Sierra Leoneans about the dangers of corruption and moves made by the Government to fight it. He further observed that the appointment of an erudite personality like Francis Ben Kaifala Esq. as the new ACC boss. This move, he said, further buttresses the point that the future of the country lies in the hands of youths. He appreciated the patronage of the meeting by so many youths and encouraged them to be steadfast in the fight against corruption.
The Youth Affairs Deputy Minister called on all the youths of this country to take the lead in the fight against corruption underscoring how the youths are the key agents for social change, key agents for economic growth, key agents for sustainable development . He furthered that Sierra Leone is in the hands of the youth and they must step forward and contribute meaningfully towards national development. Kallon noted that what they do today reflect on the society tomorrow.

The Executive Director of the organization, Sheku Koroma (Miracle Seer) , maintained that YAC- SL was formed due to citizens’ concern about the rising levels of corrupt practices in the country.
He intimated how the organization is a youth-based entity founded and steered by a group of youth activists across Sierra Leone who believe that the fight against corruption is everyone’s responsibility i.e. both old and young.
“Everyone’s contribution is critical however small it might seem. These youth have pledged zero tolerance to corruption to their country and influence their peers to follow suit,” he highlighted.
According to him YAC -SL seeks to promote the culture of integrity, transparency, accountability and prevention of corruption and its consequences.
The organization founders, he furthered, strongly believe that the youth’s engagement in this Anti-corruption fight will make the dream of a “corruption-free” a generational reality.
“This will further increase the youth involvement in defining solutions to various problems our societies are facing; something vital for continued development of the societies in which we all live,” he averred.
Youth Against Corruption is a Civil Society Organization that operates as a partner with the Anti-Corruption Commission to fight against any form or act of corruption within the length and breadth of Sierra Leone. On that premise, the organisation wants to champion and establish the need why the Anti-Corruption Commission on it Amendment Act 2019 Bill must be supported, it was pointed out.
During the Press engagement he highlighted that the new amendment bill will enhance and strengthen the Anti-Corruption Commission to fully undertake it prerequisite reason for existence in the fight against corruption. The new proposed Bill is scheduled to be debated in the Well of parliament on today, the 27th February 2019.
The proposed Bill makes provisions to look at the pit-holes within the current Act of 2008 in terms of: convicted person (s) to pay lesser fines compared to the offence committed, lesser jail terms for convicted person (s), protection of Anti-Corruption Commission witnesses from accused person (s) taking action against them in the court of law, increase of fine and jail term for impersonation of Anti-Corruption Commission officials.
The organization stated that the fight against corruption is all and sundry regardless of different political backgrounds, tribes or different part of the regions people are coming from.
“We must, as a country, join the fight against corruption and help eradicate corruption from our country,” he enjoined
Speaking on behalf of the ACC boss, Madam Margret Murray, Public Relations Officer of the Commission, disclosed that an amendment to the ACC Act of 2008 has been prepared and sent to Parliament for approval. She further disclosed that the bill will replace several sections and phrase in that Act. Section dealing with penalty of convicted persons, which laid a jail term of 3years, will now be 5 years and the court will now be empowered to order the convict to pay back the full amount misappropriated. The old fine of Le3 million will now be Le30 million. Furthermore the commission will have the right to engage in out of court settlement with any such persons, as part of his other options, including prosecution and all such payments be made into the CRF. Further elaboration was done by one of her staff, Morris Ibrahim Kanteh.
In his own statement, MP for Moyamba, constituency 195, Hon. Sallieu Mustapha said that corruption is a worm that is eating the very fabric of society and he was happy that the youths have come on board in this fight. He went on to say that unexplained wealth is an act of corruption and that is the reason why public officials are required to declare their assets when they come into office and when they leave. This will ensure that proper accountability is given for their stewardship. He gave example of the use of billions of Leones without documentation by officials in the ministry of Social Welfare Gender and Children’s Affairs during the Ebola crisis. Monies meant for survivors and their families. This, he maintained was revealed by the Audit Report of 2017 page 195 on that ministry.
Hon Mustapha emphasised that since the government of President Bio came into power, it has not received a single cent from the international community and that it has been using the revenue it has generated from within, adding that the government is now trying to source fund from its partners. He stressed that the EU does not have the conditionalities of the IMF, but looks at the country’s ability to generate internal revenue for consideration of any help. He further disclosed that he has filled his own asset declaration form and ready to be submitted to the ACC. He stressed that with the various oversight role of the Parliament, if that institution could put aside partisan politics; it will be able to deal with corruption and may in fact render the ACC redundant. Parliament, he added should be serious about fighting corruption. He praised President Bio for declaring war against corruption and he is optimistic that the fight will be won if the youths put their shoulder to the wheel and disseminate the news about corruption.
Other speakers gave similar statement buttressing the need for an amendment and collaboration of the entire country in this fight. A question and answer session climaxed the event.

In was disclosed that His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio paid a visit to the five-year-old rape victim who has been crippled and hospitalised at the Aberdeen Women’s Centre at Aberdeen in Freetown.

During the visit, the President said that after declaring a State of Emergency on Rape and Sexual Violence, he decided to get a first-hand experience with the extent to which the menace had cut deep into society by visiting the centre.

He said what he had seen was completely flabbergasting with a young baby, 5, who had been violated and destroyed by an elderly person, adding that that was the reason he had decided to declare to call for stiffer punitive measures to curtail what was fast becoming a culture albeit unacceptable.

He also mentioned his moral obligation as a leader to protect every Sierra Leonean, saying that even though his declaration had been politicised he was with a clear conscience, as the Head of State, to protect his citizens, especially those who could not talk for themselves but needed to be protected. He emphasised that as a guardian he would make sure that they were protected.

“I also want to use this opportunity to recognise the work of so many women at this centre who are giving up their time and providing service to several people who have been victims of rape and other forms of sexual assaults. I hope we will get the support we need from the country to be able to stop this madness and also be able to provide support to those who are victims already and those who are taking care of them.

“We are putting in place a lot of processes to be able to help those who are taking care of these women and the forensic lab is one of those facilities. We need to be able to establish that indeed rape did occur and a particular person was responsible. We are concerned about the welfare of all of these women, especially those who have been violated and we have to make sure that we have the provisions to take care of them,” he assured.

Non-Clinical Director of the Aberdeen Women’s Centre, Ivy Kalama, said they were excited about the President’s visit and also thanked the Ministry of Health and Sanitation for their support to the centre in terms of personnel. She also said that the institution was challenged with water facility and the provision of adequate drugs and medical supplies and, therefore, called for supplementary support from the Government.

It could be recalled that earlier this month, President Bio officially declared a National Emergency on Rape and Sexual Violence, as a step geared towards addressing rape and all forms of sexual violence in the country which had been approved by the House of Parliament.

His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio has hosted the inaugural Presidential Development Partnership Committee, DEPAC, with development partners at a well-attended event at State House.

In his statement, President Bio said that he was thankful to the Minister of Planning and Economic Development, the Minister of Finance, development partners and all the other equally valuable stakeholders whose inputs had contributed to the development of the first-ever comprehensive National Development Plan.

He said development, to his mind, should be predicated on purposeful planning with development priorities with sectors clearly delineated, development pathways clearly mapped out and intended development outcomes anticipated in an informed way.

“The development plan is a shared vision that sharpens focus on strategic goals and facilitates strategic partnerships and collaboration among development partners, MDAs, experts, and policymakers. It also promotes dialogue among all parties and helps all parties avoid possible overlaps of work and waste of resources in sectors or across sectors.

“The Medium Term National Development plan is a product of what I have emphasised and insisted on governance – inclusive and purposeful planning for quality service delivery. This plan will help us coordinate all available resources. Our future annual budgets will be fully aligned to this development plan,” he said.

President Bio noted that his government was wholeheartedly and resolutely committed to all the priorities identified, adding that Government would ensure that it did not deviate from the identified priority areas. He mentioned that the priorities identified were complementary and mutually reinforcing while expressing the belief that if implementation was properly coordinated it would create multiplier effects in every sector of the country.

“My Government is keen on strengthening the partnership with our development partners and make it work for our people and taxpayers of your respective countries who are providing support to Sierra Leone. We fully subscribe to the principles of mutual transparency and accountability.

“To ensure that we adhere to those principles, we must continue regular and structured dialogues with you, our partners. This will only enhance coordination and deepen our partnership with you. We will insist on the comprehensive coordination mechanism contained in the Development Cooperation Framework,’’ he said.

United Nations Country Representative, Sunil Saigal, thanked President Bio for laying out the vision for the implementation of the new National Development Plan and for the principles for collaboration and coordination with partners in order to achieve the goals of the plan, adding that as partners they welcomed the move by the President and expressed hope that it would be the start of many constructive meetings with the DEPAC becoming a forum for fruitful engagements and dialogue.

World Bank Country Manager, Gayle Martin, said that they acknowledged that the new Government inherited a dire economic situation with deterioration in fiscal position, government leakages and slow implementation of key programmes, noting that these challenges would be daunting for any government.

She commended Government for taking important steps to restore macroeconomic stability such as dealing with the fuel subsidy, duty waiver and tax exemptions, and rolling out the single treasury account, saying that those measures had been instrumental in bringing additional revenue from ministries, departments and agencies into the budget and for introducing strong revenue control.

The Leader of Government Business in the House of Parliament, Honourable Sidi Mohamed Tunis, has presented to His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio the Certificate of Approval on the Proclamation of a State of Emergency regarding Rape and Sexual Violence during a brief ceremony held at State House.

During the presentation ceremony, the Member of Parliament said that: “Your Excellency sir, having gone through Parliament, I hereby present you with the Certificate of Approval of the Proclamation on the State of Emergency on Rape and Sexual Violence.”

In his brief response, President Julius Maada Bio said he was pleased that Parliament had done their bit of the work to translate his words into action.

He said he was very passionate and cared about the welfare of everyone in the country, adding that he had already made a commitment on rape and sexual violence that had been well received both locally and internationally.

He also thanked Members of Parliament for approving the Declaration and expressed hope for their continued support in implementing the other parts of the Declaration.

It could be recalled that earlier this month, President Julius Maada Bio officially declared a National Emergency on Rape and Sexual Violence, Pursuant to Section 29 (3), Act No. 6 of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone.

The main opposition All People’s Congress (APC) party has stood its ground against the Presidential Proclamation against rape and sexual violence on the basis that it will give the SLPP led Government under the leadership of President Julius Maada Bio wide political powers to ‘unconstitutionally’ take certain decisions or actions according to their whims and caprices.
This Presidential Proclamation came in the wake of soaring incidences of rape and sexual violation cases with shocking revelations.
However, on the 22nd February 2019 majority of Parliamentarians voted in favour of the coming into being a State of Emergency and on the 25th February 2019 the Leader of Government Business in the House of Parliament, Honourable Sidi Mohamed Tunis presented to His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio the Certificate of Approval on the Proclamation of a State of Emergency regarding Rape and Sexual Violence during a brief ceremony held at State House.

Here is the APC bone of contention encapsulated in a Press Release issued out on the 25th February 2019:

“We the APC Members of Parliament wish to inform members of our Party, the International Community, Civil Society, the Media and the general public that, Parliament has not approved His Excellency’s Proclamation of a State of Public Emergency. Section 29 (3) of the 1991 Constitution provides that such a proclamation must be approved by a vote of two-thirds of Members of Parliament present.

Parliamentary sitting was abruptly adjourned to Tuesday 26th February 2019 without votes being taken as prescribed by the Constitution and the Standing Orders.

While we applaud President Julius Maada Bio in his determination to combat sexual crimes, it is in the legislative competence of Parliament to make laws for good governance. In this respect, our Constitution emphatically states in Section 105:

“Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, Parliament shall be the supreme legislative authority for Sierra Leone.”

Accordingly, we the APC Members of Parliament made our position abundantly clear in the Well of Parliament that we support the fight against rape and all forms of sexual violence against women and girls and that more punitive measures ought to be adopted to control same.

In addition, we the APC Members of Parliament hold the view that such measures are not beyond the reach of the President, as such can be adequately achieved by strengthening the Sexual Offences Laws and their enforcement followed by stronger regulations.

If President Bio wishes to have Parliament amend the Sexual Offences Laws and enact stricter laws and regulations, he should commence the initiative rather than pre-empt Parliament by proclaiming a State of Public Emergency.

We, the APC Members of Parliament strongly consider the proclamation of a State of Public Emergency as an overreach by the Government in the fight against rape and sexual offences. A State of Public Emergency may be declared by the President under only the following circumstances:

When—
a. Sierra Leone is at war;
b. Sierra Leone is in imminent danger of invasion or involvement in a state of war; or
c. there is actual breakdown of public order and public safety in the whole of Sierra Leone or any part thereof to such an extent as to require extraordinary measures to restore peace and security; or
d. there is a clear and present danger of an actual breakdown of public order and public safety in the whole of Sierra Leone or any part thereof requiring extraordinary measures to avert the same; or
e. there is an occurrence of imminent danger, or the occurrence of any disaster or natural calamity affecting the community or a section of the community in Sierra Leone; or
f. there is any other public danger which clearly constitutes a threat to the existence of Sierra Leone.
It is clear our Constitution reserves these specific circumstances to declare a State of Public Emergency in Sierra Leone and the present societal menace doesn’t constitute one. We believe a declaration of a State of Public Emergency is a wrong manner to approach a societal problem for which appropriate laws and regulations may be enacted by Parliament.

A State of Public Emergency may provide temporary measures but it cannot stop a scourge of sexual offences in our communities in the long run when the period of emergency expires. As the Proclamation of a State of Public Emergency is at variance with curbing sexual crimes, so is the ‘collection of voices’ in approving it by Parliament.

We refer our objections to the International Community, Civil Society Organizations, the Media and all men and women of goodwill, that we share President Julius Maada Bio’s quest to fight sexual offences but we do not share his Proclamation of a State of Public Emergency and we frown on the heavy-handedness of the Speaker in attempting to carry the Motion for the approval of the State of Public Emergency by a mere ‘collection of voices’ contrary to the mandatory Provision of Section 29(3) of the 1991 Constitution and Standing Order 44(4) – for a two- thirds vote for its approval.
We therefore wish to reiterate that the Debate for the approval of the said Proclamation was inconclusive; hence a Public State of Emergency does not exist. The Debate on the Proclamation is to continue on the next sitting of Parliament.

The Declaration of a State of Emergency by H.E. Rtd. Brig. Julius Maada Bio in an attempt to seemingly address the increasing spate of the incidence of rape has raised worrying eyebrows to many persons and organizations, including the Bar Association and civil society groups.

The Premise underlying emergency powers is simple: The government’s ordinary powers might be insufficient in a crisis, and amending the law to provide greater ones might be too slow and cumbersome. Emergency powers are meant to give the government a temporary boost until the emergency passes or there is time to change the law through normal legislative processes.

The Declaration of a State of Emergency regarding Rape and Sexual offences, appears well meaning, but the road to meet the challenge is risky and could open the floodgate for the abuse of the powers that go with the invocation of a State of Emergency.

It is no gainsay, that most of the citizenry support an aggressive pursuit in the fight against gender violence and other related offences that have besmeared the good image of our country and engender our women to serious physical and emotional injury. Yet, concerns have been raised on the extent of powers been sought and the applicability of such powers to meet the challenge being fought.

It is important to note, that this article by no means lessen, nor belittle the desire to seriously address the issue of rape and sexual violence, but rather query the wide ranging powers to be conferred on the President, that may have no bearing in that quest and could salivate the appetite of quashing dissent.

The moment a president declares a “Public Emergency”—a decision that is entirely within his discretion—he is able to set aside many of the legal limits on his authority. While many of these powers tee up reasonable responses to genuine emergencies, some appear dangerously suited to a leader who may be bent on amassing, or retaining power and crushing opposition elements. For instance, the president can, with the flick of his pen, activate laws allowing him for the detention of persons; restriction of movement of persons; authorise the entering and search of any premises; taking of possession or control on behalf of the Government of any property or undertaking, or freeze; provide for the apprehension, trial and punishment of persons; or freeze bank accounts, to name but a few of the wide powers to be exercised by the President once the Proclamation is approved by Parliament.

The Constitution confers on the President sole, unquestionable and unchallengeable power to determine the existence of a situation deserving of a Declaration by Proclamation of the existence of a State of Public Emergency. “The enjoyment of, or right to the enjoyment of, such rights and freedoms as guaranteed under the Constitution is neither absolute nor unlimited in scope, but relative and restrictive in all its aspects in the interest of an orderly society under the sovereignty of the law” expounded by the immortalized words of Kutubu, C.J. (then of the Supreme Court of Sierra Leone) in the case of the State v Adel Ousman and Others (1988) LRC.

Furthermore, the same Court held, that an Emergency situation inevitably connote the curtailment of the rights and freedoms of the individual, and Emergency Regulations are laws to which the fundamental rights constitutionally have to give way.

This edifice of extraordinary powers has historically rested on the assumption that the president will act in the country’s best interest when using them. With a handful of noteworthy exceptions, this assumption has not held up in the case of Sierra Leone. But what if a president, backed into a corner and facing increasing public resentment or paranoiac apprehension of fear of being removed, were to declare an emergency for the sake of intimidating or harass the opposition with a view to cling on to power? In that scenario, our laws and institutions might not save us from a presidential power grab or longevity as the case may be. They might be what takes us down as a Nation!

Worthy of note however, is that other powers are available within our legal framework, even without a Declaration of Public Emergency, including laws that allow the president to seek, through Parliament, to amend and strengthen the Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (as amended); and the Offences against the Persons Act 1861, and to even to punish sexual penetration with life imprisonment. So, what begs the question is, why declare State of Emergency? Many other laws permit the executive branch to take extraordinary action under specified conditions, such as war and domestic upheaval, regardless of whether a national emergency has been declared or not.

In the case of R v Millberry, [2002] EWCA Crim 2891, [2003] Crim LR 207, the Court of Appeal held that “there are, broadly, three dimensions to consider in assessing the gravity of an individual offence of rape. The first is the degree of harm to the victim; the second is the level of culpability of the offender; and the third is the level of risk posed by the offender to society.” Subsequently, the court held in Attorney General’s Reference (Nos. 91, 119, 120 of 2002) that these three dimensions can be applied to sentencing for other categories of sexual offences. In applying the three different tests enunciated above, none, demand the kind of powers requested for under the emergency power.

Interestingly, it appears to me to be a “copy and paste” of the Donald Trump declaration of ‘National Emergency’ over the building of a wall separating Mexico from the United States of America. This has been challenged by Congress, several States of the Union; and Civil Rights Organizations.
In retrospect, key points in American history, presidents have cited inherent constitutional powers when taking drastic actions that were not authorized or, in some cases, were explicitly prohibited by Congress.

Notorious examples include Franklin D. Roosevelt’s internment of U.S. citizens and residents of Japanese descent during World War II and George W. Bush’s programs of warrantless wiretapping and torture after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Abraham Lincoln conceded that his unilateral suspension of habeas corpus during the Civil War was constitutionally questionable, but defended it as necessary to preserve the Union.
Aiming to rein in this proliferation, Congress passed the National Emergencies Act in 1976. Under this law, the president still has complete discretion to issue an emergency declaration, but he must specify in the declaration which powers he intends to use, issue public updates if he decides to invoke additional powers, and report to Congress on the government’s emergency-related expenditures every six months.

By any objective measure, the law before Parliament, attempting to invoke the colossal powers of State of Emergency in Sierra Leone, is singing the same ode as Donald Trump, on extraordinary powers of the executive. The threat of abuse far outweigh the anxiety it seeks to address.

In any event, it is now for Parliament to formulate or amend the necessary legislation to give effect to strengthening the fight against rape and sexual violence. Concomitantly, the Judiciary must exercise its power to deliver timely and competent judgments, and the Law Office must endeavour to prosecute qualitatively, leading to successful convictions. The Declaration of State of Emergency is advisedly to be rejected by our Parliamentarians, but the “ayes” have it, according to the Speaker of Parliament. So mote it be. God save us all!

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany, Heiko Maas, has paid a courtesy call on His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio at State House in Freetown.

Sierra Leone’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Dr Alie Kabba, who chaired the meeting, said his German counterpart was on his first visit to Sierra Leone. He further stated that they had had lengthy discussions and covered several issues that reflected the core priorities of the New Direction Government, adding that he had also spoken on the need to focus for on foreign direct investment. He used the occasion to highlight some key social issues and, in particular, referenced government’s stance on rape and sexual assaults, noting that that was being done to raise international awareness and support on the issue.

The German Foreign Minister said he was excited about visiting the country for the first time and disclosed that he was very interested in the development process in the country. He also sated that as a member of the United Nations Security Council, Germany was very interested in how conflicts could be prevented and solved, saying that Sierra Leone was a wonderful example which they were ready to learn from.

He further told the meeting that they wanted to put the topic of conflict prevention again on the agenda for the United Nations Security Council meeting in April when they would have the Presidency of the Council, adding that they were interested in examples of how different situations could be overcome and how civil wars, like the 1991-2001 rebel war in Sierra Leone, could be prevented.

He also assured that they were ready to put issues of sexual violence on the agenda while acknowledging remarkable stances the Sierra Leone government had already taken to raise public awareness, help victims through free treatment in hospitals and prepare the judiciary to take actions against perpetrators. He noted that the UN must focus on those issues because the increasing rate of sexual violence, including the use of rape as a weapon of war.

On his part, President Bio said that Sierra Leone was enjoying a very good relationship with Germany, adding that he was now focusing on strengthening that relationship and widening the level of cooperation between the two countries. He said his Government was working on a comprehensive Development Plan as a means of moving a lot of people out of poverty.

“We have placed premium on human capital development as a way to lay a solid foundation for development in this country. We have laid emphasis on diversifying our economy, not just being dependent on diamonds and gold but also on agriculture, tourism and other areas as multiple revenue bases.

“We have handled the economy reasonably well and we have been able to identify and generate more revenue than it has been done in the past. With that we have been able to support some of the basic activities of government. We want to stop dependency on aid so we are engaged in activities that are geared towards trade and investments. We are working on providing the right climate here that can be inviting for foreign investors to come in,” he said.

He said sexual violence had been around since the civil war but that it had worsened to the extent that he had to declare it a National Emergency, noting that he was very particular about the protection of girls but also excited at the prospect of discussing the issue at the Security Council.

President Bio, who doubles as Chairman of the Committee of Ten African Union Heads of State charged with leading a common position to secure two seats in the Security Council, said Africa had 1.2 billion people who were not represented in the Council, adding that 70% of the decisions being taken at the Council affected Africa and, therefore, the continent deserved to be represented on it.

Activists in Sierra Leone and the Gambia have criticized recent comments by Sierra Leone’s first lady on female genital mutilation (FGM).
First Lady Fatima Bio in a television interview on Sunday in Banjul, the Gambia said that there are other more important issues to discuss on women rights, in response to a question on the cultural practice rooted in Africa.
“I am a circumcised woman. I have had three successful deliveries without complications,” she said, adding that she had not faced any complication due to FGM.
“The campaigners need to show me convincing statistics of women and girls who have been affected by the practice especially in The Gambia and Sierra Leone.
“I think there should be focus to reduce rape and promote girl child education not FGM,” she told Gambians.
FGM is widespread in Sierra Leone especially among women outside of the capital, Freetown.
Sierra Leone’s regional neighbours such as Senegal, Nigeria and the Gambia have banned the practice, which according to the World Health Organization (WHO), cause extreme pain, excessive bleeding or haemorrhage, and may spread infections including HIV.
Many activists took to social media to condemn what they called insensitive remarks by Bio.
“I have so many issues with her statement. You are a First Lady and can’t just sit and say things like this and expect no consequence. It’s such a shame that smart women like her put politics before girls. I am very disappointed,” Jaha Dukureh, a Gambian anti-FGM campaigner, wrote on her Facebook page.
Kadie Sannoh Harris, a Sierra Leonean anti-FGM campaigner, also condemned her remarks.
“I can’t begin to voice how disappointed I am by reading this. As an educated and well exposed individual who claim to stand with women, how can women’s suffering be justified by embracing female genital mutilation?
“I personally have lots of evidence to show how female genital mutilation has affected me. To physically take a knife to a woman’s body that creates lifetime complications both physically and mentally cannot be justified in anyway,” she wrote on Facebook.

Pastor Francis A.M Mambu, the General Overseer of Faith Healing Bible Church-worldwide has expressed disappointment over the low turnout of Sierra Leoneans at this year’s national thanksgiving ceremony held at the National Stadium, Friday, February 22nd 2019, compared to last year’s.
The Servant of God noted that on February 2018 – a month before the controversial general and presidential elections, when the nation almost sensed some amount of chaos, many Sierra Leoneans went to the Siaka Steven Stadium to seek the intervention of God through repentance. “This year in February, only few returned to thank Him for the peaceful outcome of the elections, “referencing the one leper who returned to thank the Lord Jesus Christ out of the ten He healed: Luke 17: 11-19.
Many among the few who returned to thank the Lord for answering their prayers were girls, young men and women. Asked why the dominance of women, Georgiana M.T. Harding of 12 Wilkinson Road, Freetown, responded that “women had closely been with Jesus Christ when He was alive; unto His crucifixion, burial, and were the first to discover His resurrection from the dead. This is why we have always been in dominance appearing to love Him than men”.
In spite of the low turnout, cabinet ministers, Members of Parliament and the leader of the main opposition All People’s Congress Party-Dr. Samura Mathew Wilson Kamara were in attendance. The Mayor of the Freetown Municipality-Yvonne Aki Sawyer was absent, but represented by a Ward Councilor who made a statement on her behalf.
A very interesting poem about Sierra Leone was read in absentia by the Minister of Works, Housing and Infrastructure-Raymond De Souzza George, who was represented by his wife. According to Pastor Mambu, “this year’s thanksgiving ceremony has been the first to host a considerable number of politicians, indicating God’s readiness for a turnaround of the nation”.
The thanksgiving ceremony marked the end of the twenty one days of national prayer and fasting, where Men and Women of God from various denominations offered strategic prayers of thanksgiving for the three arms of government: the Executive, Judiciary and Legislature; the peaceful outcome of the March 2018 general and presidential elections and the nationwide stability; Ministries, Departments and Agencies including the economy: investors, mineral resources, banks and related financial institutions; the Local Government Ministry and functionaries: Provincial Secretaries, District Officers, Chief Administrators, Mayors, District Council Chairpersons and Councilors; the Judiciary: Attorney General and Minister of Justice, the Chief Justice, Judges, Magistrates, Lawyers, Magistrates and Local Court functionaries; the Foreign Affairs Ministry: International Community and Diplomatic Corps, Embassies and Sierra Leoneans living in the diaspora; the Health Ministry: Nurses and Doctors; the Human Resource development; individual homes and families including the youth, aged, and married couples; the Law Enforcement Agencies: Police, Army, Fire Force, Auxiliary Security Agencies, Chiefdom Police, Correctional Service Officials; Patriotism: the nation in entirety, and the Body of Christ-SL, to name but a few. The all-night thanksgiving ceremony was segmented into four phases, coupled with twenty one prophetic trumpet blasts signifying victory over the powers of darkness that are believed to have seated on the nation’s destiny.