Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio marked the first year anniversary of his presidency with a visit to an orphanage in the capital Freetown, setting off a debate about the performance of his administration since April 2018.Bio on Thursday visited the Network for Children in Need Orphanage at Allen Town, a community situated in the extreme end of the capital, Freetown.
He used the platform to commit his government to ensuring no Sierra Leonean is left behind in his quest for development.
“Every child is important to this government. We are here to show you all that we love and value you,” Bio said.
He added: “We want to let you know that we recognise what you do and we are ready to support you. We know the challenges you face but we want you all to know that there is a brighter future ahead of you. I encourage you all to focus on your studies as with education you can achieve your full potentials.”
As always, Sierra Leoneans have been divided about the performance of President Bio who campaigned on the platform of uprooting corruption and indiscipline in governance.
While he seems to be doing good in that, with the arrest and trial of many former
government officials accused of corruption, his critics say he has failed in handling the bread and butter issues of the country.
The cost of living has gone up, amidst a weakening local currency, the Leone, against the US Dollar.
On April 4, 2018, Bio became president just hours after he was declared winner of a bitterly contested presidential elections.
His campaign promises had hinged on returning sanity to officialdom by battling corruption, improving the economy and setting Sierra Leone down the road to prosperity.
However, reining graft has left him at odds with social activists who say the human rights record of his administration is nothing to wirte home.
One of the leading civil society organizations in the country, Campaign for Good Governance (CGG), issued a statement in commemoration of the one-year anniversary of Bio’s ascendancy, raising concerns about civil liberties inspite of its good work over the past 12 months.
As expected, his supporters are sprinting top his defense, saying whatever hardship Sierra Leoneans have been going through since April 2018 has been the effect of the bad governance system of Bio’s predecessor, Ernest Bai Koroma.
Among other issues, CGG urged the government to use ongoing anti-corruption crusade to institute institutional reforms. It frowned at the overreliance on Executive Orders in addressing genuine concerns like the rise in sexual violence, as well as the unequitable distribution of national resources.
“In a multiparty environment, concentrating resources in specific areas invariably disadvantages opposition party strongholds, building synergy with local councils for better service delivery is therefore of essence. We call on government to ensure a fairer distribution of state resources,” the organization said in its statement.

Sierra Leone’s Parliament has tabled a new bill seeking to amend the country’s anti-corruption laws.The Bill entitled: “The Anti-Corruption Amendment Act 2019”, seeks to amend the Anti-Corruption Act of 2008 and give the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) more powers to investigate and prosecute corrupt officials.
Specifically, the bill seeks to amend sections dealing with assets declarations, soliciting and obtaining undue advantage and other related matters, according to a statement from the Parliament.
The bill was on Thursday piloted in the House by the Deputy Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abdulai Bangurah, who was quoted saying that the objects and reasons were to increase penalties, protection of witnesses and to provide the commissioner alternatives to addressing offences related to graft.
The ACC, which drafted the amended bill, said it is also designed to pre-empt corrupt officials thereby preventing corruption.
MPs on Thursday debated the bill before committing it to the Legislative Committee for further scrutiny.
Mr Sidie Mohamed Tunis, ruling SLPP MP and Leader of Government Business in the House, said the amended bill seeks to reduce corruption by 90 percent.
“The essence of the Bill is to make corruption expensive and painful, and on implementation it will reduce corruption by 80-90 percent like in Rwanda,” he said.
Mr Osman Timbo, opposition APC MP, who is also Acting Chairman of the Legislative Committee, praised the move but said it required further deliberations to iron out some of the issues proving contentious for the opposition.
The Legislative Committee is expected to thoroughly scrutinize the bill and then report on its findings to the House with recommendations of whether or not to approve it with or without changes.
Sierra Leone is ranked among the world’s most corrupt countries, according to the annual Transparency International Corruption Perception Index.
Corruption is thought to have contributed to the 1991-2002 civil war.
Therefore, the country started seriously fighting corruption following the end of the war, with the enactment of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act of 2000, under the late former President Ahmad Tejan Kabba.
The 2000 Act superseded the 1960 Prevention of Corruption Act, which was thought to be less effective in fighting graft.

Members of a secret society in Sierra Leone went on a rampage in the southeast of the country to protest a new ban on initiation rites prompted by deadly unrest, police said on Thursday.
Vowing to defy the ban, the assailants attacked the village of Liema, near the third city of Kenema, on Wednesday, storming the police station and freeing detainees, said police spokesperson Brima Kamara.
“They targeted peaceful citizens in Liema village chanting Poro songs and forcing the inhabitants to hide,” Kamara said, adding that they looted homes.
Poro societies – widespread in Sierra Leone and other West African countries – carry out initiation rites for boys involving ritual scarring during retreats in “sacred woods” that can last for several months.
The ban followed clashes on Monday near a site occupied by agricultural giant Socfin, which residents accused of trying to occupy land they say belongs to a local secret society.
Sierra Leone police said they had opened an investigation into two deaths during the clashes, which also left one of their officers injured.
In a separate incident, a secret society kidnapped nine people as they travelled to work for mining firm Sierra Rutile in Moriba, in the southwest of the country.
“We will go ahead with our secret society initiations because it‘s our tradition,” a member of the Poro society told AFP by telephone from Kenema, requesting anonymity.
More than 90% of Sierra Leoneans are thought to undergo such rites of passage.
Girls undergo a Bondo ritual, which follows a similar pattern but also involves female genital mutilation (FGM), a practice banned in many countries and condemned as potentially lethal by the World Health Organisation.
Sierra Leone has one of the highest rates of FGM in the world.

An umbrella organization of Sierra Leoneans in The Netherlands has appealed to the Sierra Leone government to fulfil years of promise to establish a diplomatic mission in the European country.The Sierra Leone Central Union (SLCU) said the absence of a mission as basic as a consulate means Sierra Leoneans have had to travel long distances to neighboring Belgium to seek immigration services.
SLCU is an amalgamation of about 14 organizations representing Sierra Leonean interests in The Netherlands.
It has an estimated 6000 documented members across the country, according to its executive.
Abdurahman Koroma, President of the organization, said for documented persons like him, it costs time and money to access consular services because they have to travel across borders.
It takes Koroma between two and three hours to get to Belgium.
“And that’s one of the hurdles as I have to abandon my job because it’s like a whole day project,” he said at a press conference in Freetown on Friday.
According to him, the experience is worst for the undocumented members of their population, who risk being arrested and detained if they happen to cross the path of the police outside their communities.
“They may want to get a certain document and there is the risk of meeting a policeman on the way which can lead to going to jail. It bothers them because they do not have money and have no vehicle to drive. They have to join public transport,” he added.
Netherlands is one of the countries with the largest Sierra Leonean populations outside the West African country, and it has been a major source of concern due to the high rate of immigration related problems facing the Sierra Leonean population there.
Many of the Sierra Leoneans living in The Netherlands went there during the eleven-year civil war.
Many of them who have been denied asylum face deportation.
And this has been a sticky point for relations between the two governments.
The Sierra Leone government has always argued that many of the people who are identified as Sierra Leoneans were in fact not Sierra Leoneans, claiming that they had accessed the country’s passports during the war.
SLCU has been championing the course for the establishment of a diplomatic mission for a large part of its 15-year existence.
Mr. Koroma said they had had promises from the previous government.
“We are appealing to this government to fulfill that promise,” he said.
SLCU was established in 2004 with the goal of promoting peace among Sierra Leoneans in the Netherlands and to embark on development projects back home.

Ministry of Finance’s Technical Audit Report launched last Tuesday April 2nd 2019 by the Minister of Finance, Jacob Jusu Saffa, has received fierce condemnation from members of the public for what they describe as an unfair treatment of the darling mobile operator of the nation. In their view, the audit report seems to be one-sided, as officials of the company and the former operators at NATCOM, who are au fait with what transpired, were not contacted to give their own side and ensure a balanced report.

The report which was developed by some fifty international and local auditors, accused the country’s Telecommunications Commission (NATCOM) of demonstrating unfair and unequal treatment to mobile phone operators on the same circumstances and the payment of fines.
According to investigations, it is understood that a good number of like-minded Sierra Leoneans have questioned the findings and recommendations of the report, describing it as one sided and bias, as the auditors did not talk to former NATCOM officials to get their own side of the story to ensure a well-balanced report. Some seasoned auditors have even questioned the methodology used by the audit team to arrive at their findings.
Section 10 of the Telecoms Act 2006, (as amended), makes the Commission completely independent in its operations. It is very clear in the Act that the Commission’s major responsibility among several others is to expand telecoms services to rural areas, which it executed very well, especially between March 2015 and March 2018.
According to documentary evidence seen, sometime in 2017, NATCOM received an executive clearance from the office of the President requesting the Commission to prevail on mobile phone companies to expand their network to the interior parts of Kenema, Falaba and Koinadugu districts. Our findings revealed that apart from the President’s instruction, the people also called on NATCOM to ensure the expansion of network to their areas.
In the light of this development, NATCOM decided to engage all GSM operators in the country. It was reliably learnt that one of the operators bluntly refused to comply.
However, documentary evidence has clearly proved that NATCOM contacted all GSM operators to know who was interested to complement government efforts in providing telecom services to the rural areas, unfortunately only Africell consented to work with the Commission in that direction.
Sources say that no shady deal was done in the whole process, contrary to the findings in the technical audit report. The company’s service to the nation has been widely acclaimed and subscribers say that the company is not only providing reliable communication service to the people, but it has alleviated their economic situation through its numerous promotions and support in education, agriculture, sports among others.

It is on record that Africell installed cell sites to the above mentioned areas as outlined in the agreement, which were commissioned by the previous administration in the presence of traditional leaders and several government functionaries.
NATCOM sources say that some of the documents can be traced at the ACC and if the audit team had taken time to contact the former administration, they would have got a clearer picture of the whole issue and will not come out with such a report. It was also disclosed that the commission never forced any mobile company against its will to contribute to UADF and that it also never applied different regulations to any special operator, contrary to the findings in the report.

Documentary evidence show that NATCOM requested all operators to expand their network to the most remote areas in the country, but it was only Africell that complied with that request. All what the commission did regarding the expansion of network in the four remote areas, was done in line with section 9 (1) and section 2 (1) of the telecom Act of 2006 as (amended).

Some social commentators say that Africell was not treated well by the Special Audit team. NATCOM sources say that the Company used its own resources to buy the equipment to connect the people to the global village. “If they have done a marvelous job, I think they should be commended rather than castigating them for a job well done” Mariama Sesay an Africell subscriber maintained. Thomas P Babadie, a seasoned Civil Society Activist stated that “Africell is now being crucified for doing the correct thing in line with their mandate of providing better services to the people including those in remote areas and such a situation will definitely discourage investors”. But not deterred by this matter, Company officials say they are more determined to move ahead and work with the government and people to get quality, affordable services.

The nervousness among Housemates Salone TV Reality Show is apparent as the competition heightens. It is a show that is hotly debated in various quarters, on the Social Media with individuals expressing divergent views as to how the participants are faring on, whether it was justifiable to evict some of them and predictions churned out as to who will ultimately emerge as winner to take away the covetous Le100,000,000 star prize.
The ongoing Reality TV Show, which will end in two weeks’ time, is becoming tense, very interesting and captivating as the clock ticks every moment.
In reality, it seems as if the House is on fire as the noise within the four corners, caused by the Housemates, sometimes becomes somehow deafening. At times it becomes irritating to viewers but with the intermittent interjections of jokes and ‘blasting’ at each other with name-callings, it finally turns out to be funny especially when it is interjected with singing, playing of games, story-telling and all sorts of craziness.
The crux of the matter is that all the Housemates are really trying to be humorous, trying to be considered effectively using strong language and to be seen displaying nudity that should be very captivating.
The show, as the organizers ,Africa Young Voices (AYV) Media Empire and Africell Lintel Sierra Leone, planned it should be tilted towards youth empowerment providing the level playing field for expression of God given talents and at the same time affording them the opportunity for the acquisition of new skills. That is why the participants are taken through various activities to build up their confidence and transform them into individuals who have been inspired.
In the case of the Chief Executive Officer of AYV, Ambassador Anthony Navo, the dream and passion to empower young people and elevate them in society inspired him to establish the Empire from which many talented young people have benefitted and are still benefitting. There could be no surprise why he was recently awarded so prestigiously as an outstanding personality and entrepreneur.
With Africell, giving support to the young who have entrepreneurial potentials and talents whether in the music industry, sports, education has been part of their Social Corporate Responsibility.
So for the duo, AYV and Africell, to team up and present for the first time the Housemates Salone Reality TV Show geared towards youth empowerment such must not be a surprise anyone.
As the competition continues to build momentum lobbying by fans of the Housemates for members of the public to vote for participants of their choice on Africell No 5500 via text messages is becoming more and more intense. As a matter of fact the names of the Housemates and their tag numbers are displayed on the footage of AYV Television Channel 34 which is airing the Show on a daily basis.
Reaching its climax the public is eagerly looking forward to who will become the youngest millionaire that will emerge from the 2019 Housemates Salone Reality TV Show.
In a related development, it was disclosed that after 2019 Housemates Salone Reality TV Show, the leaders in media and communication, the Africa Young Voices (AYV) Media Empire and Africell Lintel Sierra Leone will be launching another bigger bomb code named Celebrity Housemate Salone 2019 (CHMSL). Le300 Million will be at stake for this next show that will be championed by the two communications giants.
Indeed, AYV and Africell are taking the entertainment industry to another level in this country.

A notice released by the Secretariat in the Government Commissions of inquiry (COI) has issued a notice hearing to senior former Ministers in the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Resources in the Past Koroma Administration to appear before Justice Biobele Gorgewill Commission on Tuesday 8th April .
The former ministers include Alhaji B. Kanu, former Minister Mines and Marine Resources 2009, Alhaji Minkailu Mansaray former Minister of Mines and Marine resources 2010, Abdul Ignosis Koroma, former deputy Minister of Mines and Mr. Sahr Wonday (former Director General of National Mineral Agency) respectively.
‘’Take notice that the justice Biobele Georgewill Commission’s Of Inquiry will on the 8th Day of April be receiving testimonies from witnesses , whose testimonies are likely to touch and concern your conduct as persons of interest to the said commissions on issues pertaining to the Ministry of Mines and Marine Resources and the National Mineral Agency respectively,’’ the notice stated.
According to the notice from the Commissions of Inquiry Secretariat, the former senior government officials are requested to attend on the 8th April and to avail themselves with opportunity to cross examine the said witnesses on any of their testimonies that relates to their person.
It could be recalled that when President Bio assumed office he set up a Government Transition Team to look into the activities of past Koroma administration release the Government Transition Report (GTR) which recommended for a setting up of the COI.
Justice Biobele Georgewill visited Cockerill this morning where ambulances and motorbikes used for the Ebola response are still parked.

This on d spot visit is part of the Commission’s investigation into the Ebola fight.

Fmr Minister of Health Madina Rahman and Former NERC boss Paolo Conteh are the persons of interest in this case.

State Counsel- Lawyer Robin Mason and Defense Counsel – Lawyer Ady Macauley were present.

Mrs Ayodele Babalola (nee Ademu-John) Massa’s mother has strongly denied police statement at a press conference that the body exhumed today are the remains of her daughter Massah KaiKai. Mrs. Babalola has asked for the remains to be taken to the United States for forensics analysis.

Her daughter was a Sierra Leonean American who last seen in August 2018. The Sierra Leone Police today held a special press conference on the missing person case of 40 year-old Kaikai. In early August 2018, the news of the sudden disappearance of Massah KaiKai went viral social media.

After 3 months of no word, the public began to ask questions. What had happened to KaiKai, who had returned to Sierra Leone to work for an NGO. Why had police not found any leads? How had this woman described as kind and generous by friends just disappeared in Freetown without a word. Mrs. Babalola who resides in the US came to Sierra Leone to locate her daughter.

She enlisted the help of Standard Times’ Philipp Neville who began to run the missing woman’s image, and mother’s plea for new information in the paper. Back at Police headquarters the public was informed that the body of KaiKai had been found and the truth came out on the 2nd of April 2019, when a man Ibrahim Mansaray who is in custody confessed he was the one that killed Kaikai. Her body he said was buried inside of the compound in which she had lived.

Police and Mrs. Babalola went to the site and indeed human remains were found. “Some of the investigators went there with people that knew her, so from the physical feature identified yes we are convinced, but since we are going to court we have to present professional evidence identification, and should be provided by the forensic pathologist,” said Police Chief Inspector Moigbeh While the police appears sure Mrs. Babalola, KaiKai’s mother said she has her doubts. ” I am seeking to have the body sent to the United States for forensics, you cannot just say this is Massa without forensic confirmation, ” she said.

”I myself saw the body from the way it looks and knowing my child, that body is not my child.” At the end of the press conference Mrs. Babalola accused her husband of being aware of the death Kaikai. This led to a confrontation between them and other family members. Ibrahim Mansaray the accused is said to be a driver whom Kai Kai had helped to acquire his driving license, so that he could better support himself and his family.

At the press conference the one question that was left unanswered was why? If indeed Mansaray did kill Kai Kai what were his motives?

The result-oriented and charismatic Sierra Leone Premier Board (SLPB) Chairman Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai has debunked an allegation of a brawl involving him and match officials on Wednesday 3rg April 2019 at the Siaka Steven Stadium.
Several social media platforms reported that match officials officiating between Ports Authority and Old Edwardians during the break refused to officiate the second half.
Names of match officials are yet to be known but, the reports stated that the Old Edwardians Chairman, who doubles as the Premier League Board Chairman was directly tangled in mix-up confrontations after some mediation the match was allowed to continue.
“New reports making rounds that I was involved in a punch-up with one of the Referees is untrue,” Saffa stated after the news broke out.
“I met a few fans fighting with match officials during the half time at the national stadium. I merely went into it to stop the fight and, separate them. In the process, I was slapped by the Referee’s Assessor.”
“I stopped him from slapping me again and walked away. I don’t fight and, I will never be involved in a fight in a league that I am organizing. Match has resumed,” he explained.
Ports Authority went on to defeat Edwards 2-1 in the ongoing domestic league season.