Sierra Leone News: Role of the Media in Deepening Democracy and Rule of Law

June 16, 2019

By Foday Moriba Conteh

Media has a very big role to play in a democracy and its stature is in no way less than that of politicians. Hence it is rightly called the Fourth Pillar of Democracy i.e. The Fourth Estate. Media is often referred to as the fourth branch of government because of the power they wield and the oversight function they exercise. It is through media that people become aware of many aspects of life of which they are normally ignorant.

Democracy which is a system of government in which all the people of a country can vote to elect their representatives is meaningless without a free, neutral and active media because it plays a very important role in shaping human minds, have a big role in contributing to the economic and political development of citizens in any country in the world. It creates a broad range of information and communication to stimulate citizens on the various developmental issues in their country.

Media is an important factor in promoting democracy and the rule of law only if it will be given the opportunity of freedom of expression and to deliver messages to the people without being oppressed or intimidated by the authorities of the respective countries or any entities that have the authority to prevent information from the people.

As such, prevention of access to information to citizens is a violation of human rights. A free country requires its citizens to get information and communication on the development issues of their respective countries, to promote democracy, good governance and law enforcement. Media is the key to removing citizens from the poorest of poverty and putting them into the economic development.

Media plays a crucial role in shaping a healthy democracy. It is the backbone of a democracy. Media makes us aware of various social, political and economic activities happening around the world. It is like a mirror, which shows us or strives to show us the bare truth and harsh realities of life.

In Sierra Leone, since the 1990s, the media has evolved to become more active. It is through the media that politicians are reminded about their unfulfilled promises at the time of elections. Media coverage during elections helps people, especially illiterates, in electing the right person to the power. This reminder compels politicians to abide by their promises in order to remain in power.

Television and radio have made significant achievements in educating rural illiterate masses and making them aware of all the events that are taking place in their language. Coverage of exploitative malpractices of village heads and moneylenders has helped bring stringent actions upon them by attracting the government’s attention.

The media also exposes the loopholes in the democratic system, which ultimately helps the government to fill the vacuums of these loopholes and to make the system more accountable, responsive and citizen-friendly. A democracy without media is like a vehicle without wheels.

As such, the protection of freedom of information and human rights is a means of bringing about improved governance. However, in many countries in Africa there are nonetheless severe obstacles to their performance of this role.

Radio is often particularly important in rural areas, and among people not literate, whereas newspapers are expensive to run and can be subject to government censorship or indirect pressures over matters such as the supply of newsprint. In countries like Mozambique, the media were assigned a political role as agents of mobilization. In South Africa, although restrictions have been eased, newspapers still retain a high degree of self-censorship.

Sierra Leone News: APC Files 10 Notices of Appeal

June 16, 2019

All People’s Congress (APC) Members of Parliament have in a press conference made their position clear on the May 31^st 2019 High Court judgement, describing it as politically motivated and illegal.

Reading a prepared statement, the APC Leader in Parliament, Hon. Chernor R. Bah had this to say: ‘Exactly fourteen days ago, on the 31^st of May 2019, the High Court of Sierra Leone wrongfully evicted ten of our members from the Parliament of Sierra Leone. Hitherto to that day, they were representing over 500,000 people within the Western Area having pulled the highest number of valid votes in their various constituencies in the General Election held on the 7^th of March 2018 – an election which was declared by local and international observers alike, in addition to the National Elections Commission as free, fair and credible.

‘On that fateful day, we also witnessed the hasty and illegal swearing in as members of parliament persons who were not elected by their constituents to represent them in parliament.

‘We wish to inform the public that while our confidence in the Judiciary is at its all-time low, we will continue to respect due process and the rule of law. We believe that the learned judges erred in law and in fact in declaring their elections null and void and even acted outside their powers and usurped the powers of the electorate when they declared the runners – up as winners of the elections. We find it preposterous to declare an election of a candidate void because the election was marred with electoral malpractices and in the same election declare the runner – up the winner. This is against commonsense and every reasoning. Such decisions have the potential not only to undermine the rule of law and democracy but a potential to create instability and wreak havoc in our nation.

‘Being dissatisfied with the judgements of the 31^st of May 2019, in line with the provision of Section 78 (3) of the Constitution of Sierra Leone which provides that:

“An appeal shall lie to the Court of Appeal from the decision of the High Court….”

and in conformity with the provision of Section 146 (1) of the Public Elections Act 2012 which provides inter alia that notice of appeal may be filed within fourteen days from the time of the notice of the decision of the High Court, we inform the general public that we have, on Tuesday the 11^th of June 2019, filed ten (10) notices of appeal to the Court of Appeal from all the decisions entered against our members by the high court and that we have also served same on the solicitors for the respondents.

‘We also want the general public to know that before now, we had filed to the Supreme Court an action for the interpretation of Section 78 (2) of the Constitution which provides that:

“The High Court to which any question is brought under subsection (1) SHALL determine the said question and give judgement thereon WITHIN FOUR MONTHS after the commencement of the proceedings before that court”.

‘Until today, the Judiciary has not empaneled judges to sit on this matter.

‘We hasten to remind the Judiciary of its indictment in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report and the political sensitivity of these matters and the propensity they have to jeopardize the peace, security and stability of this nation. In this vein, we call on the Judiciary to promptly empanel judges to hear and determine the matters both in the Appeal and Supreme Courts.

‘We further remind the Judiciary of the provision of Section 78 (4) of the Constitution which provides that “The Court of Appeal before which an appeal is brought pursuant to subsection (3) SHALL determine the appeal and give judgement thereon WITHIN FOUR MONTHS after the appeal is filed”.

‘Similarly, we remind the Judiciary that election petitions are to be heard in public and thus ask that the hearings be televised and broadcast nationally in line with international best practice since these are matters of public interest. If the Commission of Inquiry can be broadcast live, why not the hearings of these matters?

‘On the illegal swearing in as members of Parliament persons who were appointed by the Court, we reproduce verbatim the provisions of Section 146 of the Public Elections Act 2012.

(1) If the High Court determines that a candidate returned as elected was not duly elected and that the election was void, then the candidate’s seat SHALL BECOME VACANT from the time of the notice of the decision of the High Court AND IF NOTICE OF APPEAL has been given within fourteen days, THE SEAT SHALL REMAIN VACANT FOR THE PERIOD UNTIL THE DETERMINATION OF THE COURT OF APPEAL IS GIVEN ON THE APPEAL OR THE APPEAL IS ABANDONED.

(2) Where the question to be decided by the Court of Appeal concerns an election to or right to remain a member of Parliament, the Registrar of the Court of Appeal shall certify the decision in writing to the Speaker and the Electoral Commission.

(3) Where the High Court has determined that a candidate was duly returned or elected, or that the decision was void, and no notice of appeal has been given against that determination within fourteen days, or where on appeal the Court of Appeal has determined that a candidate was duly returned or elected, or that the election was void, then the Speaker shall publish by notification in the Gazette whether the candidate whose return or election is questioned is duly returned or elected or whether the election is void.

(4) If the election is declared void, ANOTHER ELECTION SHALL BE HELD.

We consider the swearing in conducted by the Clerk of Parliament on the 31^st of May 2019 as illegal and a flagrant violation of the entirety of the provisions of Section 146 of the Public Elections Act 2012 and we thus call on the Speaker of Parliament to do what is honorable and protect the sanctity of Parliament by rejecting strangers illegally sworn in as members of Parliament from occupying Parliamentary seats or taking part in Parliamentary proceedings. THESE SEATS MUST REMAIN VACANT UNTIL THE APPEAL IS DETERMINED AS PROVIDED FOR IN SECTION 146 (1) OF THE PUBLIC ELECTIONS ACT 2012.

Finally, while we reiterate the innocence of our illegally removed members of Parliament, we continue to maintain that they are victims of injustice, and we call on our supporters and sympathizers to remain calm, peaceful, law abiding and respect the due process.

Sierra Leone News: Religious Leaders Defuse Political Tension

June 16, 2019

The Inter Religious Council of Sierra Leone (IRCSL) in a Press Release says since the announcement of the 2018 elections result, it has been noticing high political tensions in the country and that the situation became more tense in the immediate aftermath of the High Court verdict of the election petitions, which resulted to some Members of Parliament losing their seats.

According to the IRCSL ’in the past week, the Executive Committee of the Inter-Religious Council as Moral Guarantors of the peace has been meeting major stakeholders to listen attentively to their interpretations of the situation and their suggestions for a solution to the problem. Eventually, the Committee will reflect on its findings and propose to all its recommendations regarding the way forward.’

The release added that the general impression of the Committee was that all sides want peace and a speedy resolution of the political impasse, to ensure that the country continues its development agenda.

In order to achieve this, the IRCSL is carrying out a fact-finding exercise and is appealing to all parties to remain calm and to avoid any action that might further exacerbate the situation. ‘We appeal especially to the leaders of all political parties to avoid hate speech, incendiary statements, incitement, or actions that might further disturb the peace,’ the IRCSL release added.

The press release signed by IRCSL General Secretary, Rev. Dr. Usman Jesse Fornah further stated that Sierra Leone is the only country we have and so therefore, we should do everything possible to make sure everyone feels at home.

Sierra Leone News: About the ICPD and Why it Matters

June 16, 2019

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the ICPD – a milestone in reproductive health and rights. But what was the ICPD? And what does it mean for your rights today?

The International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), a 1994 meeting in Cairo where 179 governments adopted a revolutionary Programme of Action and called for women’s reproductive health and rights to take centre stage in national and global development efforts.

Specifically, the Programme of Action called for all people to have access to comprehensive reproductive health care, including voluntary family planning, safe pregnancy and childbirth services, and the prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted infections.

It also recognized that reproductive health and women’s empowerment are intertwined, and that both are necessary for the advancement of society. “The full and equal participation of women in civil, cultural, economic, political and social life, at the national, regional and international levels, and the eradication of all forms of discrimination on grounds of sex, are priority objectives of the international community,” the Programme of Action affirmed.

Today, “ICPD” is often used as a short-hand to refer to the global consensus that reproductive health and rights are human rights that these are a precondition for women’s empowerment, and that women’s equality is a precondition for securing the well-being and prosperity of all people.

In the 1960s, as mortality rates declined around the world, some researchers and policymakers panicked that population growth would outstrip natural resources, leading to famine and societal collapse.

Governments responded: some studied the impact of population growth on economies and the environment, others expanded family planning programmes, and a few took actions, sometimes coercive ones, to lower fertility rates.

The ICPD Programme of Action brought the global community together and reflected a new consensus about response to population growth. It firmly established that the rights and dignity of individuals, rather than numerical population targets, were the best way for individuals to realize their own fertility goals. Furthermore, governments acknowledged that these rights are essential for global development.

The ICPD represented a resounding endorsement that securing reproductive health, individual rights and women’s empowerment is the obligation of every country and community.

The United Nations reports on the progress made in fulfilling the mandate of the ICPD Programme of Action. At the annual Commission on Population and Development, the UN reviews the state of sexual and reproductive health and rights around the world. This includes progress made, or ground lost, in efforts to empower women, educate girls, and eliminate gender-based violence and harmful practices.

These annual reviews have illustrated just how much work remains to be done. Despite 25 years of agreement, a lot of progress has stalled, and by some measures has been reversed.

Voluntary access to modern contraception has increased by 25 per cent since 1994, and the quality of family planning services has also greatly improved. Yet hundreds of millions of women are still not using modern contraceptives to prevent unwanted pregnancies.

Preventable maternal deaths have declined by 40 per cent, but the world is still miles from the ICPD Programme of Action’s target to reduce maternal deaths to fewer than 75 per 100,00 live births.

There has also been widespread action to end harmful practices like female genital mutilation (FGM) and child marriage. In countries with high prevalence of FGM, for example, the proportion of girls subject to the practice fell from 49 per cent to 31 per cent. Yet because of population growth, the total number of women and girls affected has actually grown.

In November 2019, governments, advocates, health organizations, women’s and youth activists and others will gather in Kenya for the Nairobi Summit. There, they will seek clear commitments that will advance the goals of the ICPD and secure the rights and dignity of all.

We know how to meet the sexual and reproductive health needs of virtually all people. We have the medical advances, technologies and knowledge to empower every individual to make their own sexual and reproductive choices – no matter their income, location, gender, sexual orientation or disability status.

What we are missing are the resources, political will and commitments to achieve this goal.

Without action now, this year, we may lose the momentum to realize these rights for all.

UNFPA Deputy Director to Visit Sierra Leone

UNFPA Deputy Executive Director, Mr. Dereje Wordofa will be in Freetown on 19 June – 21 June 2019 and will meet with members of the Press at UNFPA Sierra Leone country office to update on the work of the organization.

During the visit, Mr. Wordofa and Mr. Ngom will meet with President Julius Maada Bio, senior Government ministers, donors, and non-governmental organisations.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), a 1994 meeting organized by UNFPA in Cairo where 179 governments adopted a revolutionary Programme of Action and called for women’s reproductive health and rights to take centre stage in national and global development efforts.

Specifically, the Programme of Action called for all people to have access to comprehensive reproductive health care, including voluntary family planning, safe pregnancy and childbirth services and the prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted infections.

Despite the remarkable progress achieved since the groundbreaking ICPD in 1994, there are still millions of women and girls who have not benefited from the promise of ICPD. Preventable maternal deaths have declined by 40 per cent, but the world is still miles from the ICPD Programme of Action’s target to reduce maternal deaths to fewer than 75 per 100,00 live births. After 25 years, 2019 will be critical for the work of serving women and girls around the world.

This year, UNFPA also celebrates its 50^th anniversary.

Sierra Leone News: ACC Ben Kaifala Named Prestigious “Obama Africa Leader 2019”

June 16, 2019

Commissioner of the Anti-Corruption Commission of Sierra Leone, Francis Ben Kaifala, has been named among the prestigious 200 Obama leaders in Africa by the Obama Foundation. His selection comes from a pool of thousands of other leaders across Africa whose “Obamaesque” work and leadership drive is transforming lives and holds promise for Africa and the World.

The Obama Foundation Africa Leaders Progamme seeks emerging leaders from across Africa in government service, civil society, the private sector and beyond, who have demonstrated a commitment to advancing the common good within their spheres of influence and have clear potentials for impact and commitment to integrity; and are at the earlier stages of their careers and leadership.

Francis Ben Kaifala who holds a degree in Law (LLB) from Fourah Bay College, USL; an LLM in Law and Economics from the Queen Mary University of London; an LLM in Constitutional Law, Administrative Law, & International Human Rights Law, from the University of Texas at Austin, in the United States of America; etc. was Senior Managing Partner at the law firm Kaifala, Kanneh & Co. where he gained reputation as an astute and brilliant legal practitioner with a difference – prior to his ascendancy to the position of Commissioner of the ACC.

Whilst in private practice, the young legal luminary whose keener appreciation for integrity, clinical delivery for his clients and his penchant for speaking truth to power and taking controversial positions on national issues without fear, was inspired to co-found a group known as the “Renaissance Movement” – a conclave of highly accomplished like-minded young Sierra Leoneans who frowned at the distasteful state of our governance system and advocated reform. The Renaissance Movement, under his leadership channelled their desire to fight for a better nation into organization, platforms, and strategies for action and remains committed to this ethos to date.

This multiple award winning Sierra Leonean’s revolutionary and innovative leadership at the ACC over the past one year has left citizens wowed by its steady accumulation of successes which in this short period has dispelled the pessimism against the negative cloud that used to surround young people in Africa when it comes to occupying positions of trust and leadership – that they cannot perform; and has ignited a national belief that the country is now firmly positioned to effectively and sustainably control corruption. The country is fast gaining a reputation as a great example of a robust effort against corruption. Even the international indices are currently responding positively to the country: From Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index; to the Millennium Corporation Challenge Scorecard on Corruption Control, are all testaments to the country’s sudden change in fortune in the fight against corruption; thanks to the efforts of the Young Commissioner, a highly professional ACC team and President Bio who had the vision and courage to place such an important task on the shoulders of the young, but highly effective, Leader.

After a filter from among 6000 youth, the programme is expected to assemble 200 emerging leaders from across 45 countries across the continent in Johannesburg, South Africa from July 10 through July 15, 2019, to explore new ways to tackle the biggest challenges facing their communities and countries; and Commissioner Francis Ben Kaifala will be proudly representing Sierra Leone in that league of budding African Change-Makers.

Sierra Leone News: Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai Elected Chairperson AU Political Affairs

June 16, 2019

SDI Executive Director Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai has been elected Chairperson of Political Affairs of Africa Union ECOSOCC. He polled 58 out of 65 votes at the 3^rd General Assembly beating contestants from Libya, Kenya and South Africa.

His diplomatic role means he will advise the AU on Governance, Rule of Law and on the role of CSOs etc.

In another engagement, the AU-ECOSOCC engaged the Minister of Zambia on the possible relocation of its Headquarter to Lusaka from Addis Ababa where it is currently.

Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai is the Executive Director of Society for Democratic Initiatives (SDI). He called on the Zambian Government to not only host CSOs but to be an advocate to liberalize the CSO landscape in growing the shrinking civil society space in Africa.

Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai is a barrister and solicitor. He is the current Chairman of the Sierra Leone Premier League Board. Under his leadership the Sierra Leone Premier League was once more revitalized after it went into coma due to internal wrangling among officials who had the responsibility to put modalities in place to ensure that it was kept intact. Indeed, many have applauded him for this feat and accomplishment saying that they are really enjoying watching national soccer.

He studied at the London School of Economics and Political Science and also at Stanford University, Central European University and Sierra Leone Law School, Fourah Bay College University of Sierra Leone.

He is a Civil Rights Advocate, Social Entrepreneur and an Anti-Corruption crusader.

There is no doubt that in his new assignment, he Saffa Abdulai will perform extremely and will definitely going to make Sierra Leone very proud at the international stage.

Sierra Leone News: President Julius Maada Bio Receives Honorary Doctorate Degree from the Regional Maritime University of Ghana

June 16, 2019

The Regional Maritime University (RMU) of Ghana has conferred an honorary Doctorate Degree on His Excellency, President Julius Maada Bio, at the University’s Thirteenth Congregation for the award of degrees and diplomas in Accra, Ghana on Saturday 15 June 2019.

Other dignitaries for this year’s conferment of the degree of Doctor of Letters, _Honoris Causa_, were His Excellency President John Agyekum Kufuor, former President of Ghana and Capt. Aaron Obeng Turkson, the immediate past Rector of RMU.

As the first international Maritime University in West and Central Africa and 61 years on since its inception as the Ghana Nautical College, the institution attained full University status on 1 October 1982 formally with Sierra Leone, Cameroon, The Gambia, Ghana and Liberia as founding members.

The Chancellor and Chairman of the Board of Governors, Honourable Dr. James F. Kollie, described President Bio as a leader who continued to distinguish himself as a champion for human capital development, adding that they had closely followed the President’s pro-poor policy in his country.

Dr. Kollie also told the gathering that he was the first President of Sierra Leone to have ever introduced free quality education of that scale for pre-primary, primary and secondary schools and for government-assisted schools in the small West African nation.

The University authority also commended President Bio for his laudable efforts in the fight against corruption and affirmed that the institution was proud to align itself with his priorities. He said that was why they had agreed to confer President Julius Maada Bio with the honour.

The President thanked authorities of the Regional Maritime University of Ghana for the honour and for their immense contributions, over the years, to train and capacitate professionals in the sub-region in maritime. As a strong proponent of human capital development, President Bio asked them to strongly consider having a constituent campus in Sierra Leone to further enhance and strengthen the country’s human capital base in maritime disciplines.

“We owe the Board, management and staff of RMU a sincere debt of gratitude. I can affirm my country’s continued support as an obligation to this great institution. Particularly, your institution’s continuing contribution to professional training and institutional capacity building of Sierra Leone’s maritime sector stands out,” he said.

The added that: “I believe that investing in the maritime sector will help us unlock economic growth by making African ports and therefore countries more globally competitive and more attractive to foreign investment.”

President Bio said a key aim of his visit to the great University was to suggest a framework for the future of his country’s relationship with the institution, adding that they could leverage and further deepen existing ties through the establishment of satellite campuses or affiliations of the university with universities and institutions in Sierra Leone.

Sierra Leone News: Society Elders Seeks For Reprisal On Husband & Wife

June 15, 2019

In an apparent show of uncivilized way of behavior contrary to the twenty-first century of human existence where science and technology highly strive, yet traditional leaders of a village called Kpakar in Kenema, Eastern region of Sierra Leone are said to have continued their ugly search for reprisal on a lovely couple Unisa Kamara and wife Judith Fallah whom they accused of having spoken against their tradition.

In August 2013, when the couple went to the village to attend a funeral of the death of a young girl during initiation in the bush, a daughter of Madam Agnes Fallah and took the opportunity to engage the youth and some elders and spoke on a range of issues about the poor status of their community and one thing that came out clearly was the deadly harmful traditional practices which has led to many young people fleeing the village as well scare away potential investors in the areas despite the fact that it is endowed with natural minerals.

They therefore condemned the practice and admonished the enlightened youth and the few elders that were with them to rise against the practice and called for its total ban as they will always support them in their course.

On hearing about that, the elders in the village became aggrieved and therefore wasted no time to mount a total manhunt for these couple to pay the price for what they have done in going against the norms and practices of their inherited harmful practice which they have vowed not to depart from its deadly practice despite modern civilization calls.

Sadly though, in same year 2013 when they could not lay hands on the couple they rounded up the old woman Agnes Fallah, the mother of the wife Judith Fallah and severely maltreated her with beatings and inflicted several bodily harm on the old woman that led to her demise because of the seriousness of the beatings an act the police are still investigating since 2013 to date with no right way to tackle the barbaric act as most of senior officials are also members of this secret practice.

However close relatives of the couple are pleading that their children do not venture in the country and if they do they stand to lose their lives because they are still been hunted by these elders as they have already sent messages to their colleagues in other part in the country with their photos.

Sierra Leone News: ACC Boss Honoured in Egypt

June 14, 2019

Francis Ben Kelfala, Commissioner for Sierra Leone’s Anti Corruptions Commission (ACC),

The Commissioner of the Anti-Corruption Commission, Francis Ben Kaifala, was part of participants present at the 1st African Anti-Corruption Forum in Sharm El Sheikh where he delivered a very incisive and comprehensive speech which touched on sensitive thematic aspects bordering on what should be done to combat graft in Africa. Below is Ben Kaifala’s speech that left a deafening applause in its wake.

He said, I bring you greetings from Sierra Leone; a country that that epitomizes the full brunt of decades of corruption; but is now more determined than ever to fight corruption under the leadership of, His Excellency, President Rtd. Brig. Julius Maada Bio, whose roadmap to victory against corruption, and economic development blueprint are predicated on the pillars of conscientious anti-corruption reform and campaign.

He added that Corruption, mostly defined as the abuse of public office for private gain, has long been a concern for many countries around the world; more so in Africa. By its very nature, corruption can undermine the efforts of Governments to bring prosperity to their countries and promote violent conflicts, poverty, and underdevelopment, in many countries, and for too many decades.

He went on to state that this, in very many situations, including Sierra Leone, led to the breakdown of law and order, thereby lowering the GDP of countries, with poor States particularly suffering. Dreher and Herzfeld (2005) estimate that an increase in corruption by about one point reduces GDP growth by 0.13 percentage points; and GDP per capita by US$425. Evidently, corruption damages the economy of States, its political system, processes and institutions.

He added that the socio-economic and political cost of corruption in Africa is tremendous. The Control Risk Group estimated in 2011 that developing countries lost close to US$1 trillion to fraud, corruption and shady business transactions

He maintained that according to the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, corruption costs Africa over US$148 billion per annum – ‘equivalent to 50% of tax revenue and 25% of African GDP.’ In addition, illicit financial flows – especially via multinational corporations and mostly through corrupt practices – continue to deprive countries of much-needed financial resources.

He explained that Anti-Corruption measures are critical elements to the operation of the Rule of Law. The lack of same always breeds bad international governance ratings and undermines opportunities for economic cooperation with international financial institutions, development agencies, and donor States, no matter the scores for other indicators.

However, he said that sadly, the spread of corruption has been unrelenting. According to the World Bank, corruption is pervasive across Africa and is having a disproportionate effect on the poor, with long-term consequences for development.

He went on to say that in the late ’90s, Western stakeholders became significantly more active in Africa’s fight against corruption. In 1996, former World Bank President, James Wolfensohn, and International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director, Michel Camdessus announced that donor leverage would be used to eliminate corruption. This gave many anti-corruption campaigns a Western, rather than local, identity, which partly explains the failure of some commissions and anti-graft institutions.

Going forward, he said, this calls for a participatory evaluation of commissions/agencies, as well as an inclusive decision-making process. This is crucial if Africa is to grow and nurture its own ideas, processes and mechanisms to deal with the corruption.

He added that in many corruption perception surveys, Africa remains perceived as the most corrupt continent and correspondingly, the poorest and most underdeveloped. Hence, addressing the problem of corruption in a strategic and comprehensive way is of paramount importance as a development priority for Africa.

He added that successful national anti-graft campaign amounts to remarkable transformation of countries like Singapore and Malaysia from little more than fishing villages in the 1960s to industrial metropolis and economic gateways to the Asia-Pacific sub-region today. We can say same for Botswana, The Seychelles, Rwanda, etc.

The fight against corruption is the proximate causal factors that will incentivize human agency, and enable ordinary Africans to reach their full economic and human potentials.

Sustain the resources of the continent to serve the goals of sustainable development.

Almost everywhere in Africa, corruption continues to be the biggest inhibitor of development and growth: In Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Guinea, and Liberia, corruption continues to negatively hamper efforts aimed at promoting democratic governance. In South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Uganda, and Malawi, corruption continues to undermine socio-economic transformation; In Nigeria, Somalia, Central African Republic, Cameroon, Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Chad, Mali, and the DRC, corruption continues to undermine the peace and security of our people.

From Gabon in the West to Kenya in the East, corruption continues to degrade Africa; from Uganda in the East to Senegal in the West, corruption, and its effects, continues to promote conflicts and sow the seeds for disunity and national discord.

The seriousness and complexities of the problem are aptly captured in the Africa Progress Report; otherwise known as “the Mbeki Report”. This High-powered Panel on Illicit Financial Flows from Africa revealed that Africa loses over US$50bn annually through illicit financial flows and tax evasion. This is far more than what Africa receives in either international aid, or foreign investment. I hope you noticed the distinct irony. The report also estimates Illicit Financial Flow from Africa between 1970 – 2008 at nearly $900 billion. That money is not simply disappearing into the wind like magic – it is mostly going into the pockets of individuals and groups, thereby depriving parents of food for their families, medicines for children, classrooms, and portable water for communities, etc.

The late Kofi Anan (RIP); succinctly captured this when he said: “While personal fortunes are consolidated by a corrupt few, the vast majority of Africa’s present and future generations are being deprived of the benefits of common resources that might otherwise deliver incomes, livelihoods and better nutrition. If these problems are not addressed, we are sowing the seeds of a bitter harvest.” He added that as part of that ‘bitter harvest,’ Africa imports $34bn worth of food. We have hungry stomachs everywhere walking on fertile soils, even though we have potentials to feed ourselves within five years if agricultural productivity is improved. We need an estimated US$50bn annually to do our roads, railways, and other public investment projects. So, if the leakages are properly plugged, we would not need aid and/or loans from our competitors to effectively deliver service to the public.

The Africa Progress Report also estimated that Africa losses about US$17bn annually from illegal logging; while fishing fleets flouting international conventions are costing West Africa alone $1.3bn annually. These costs are driven by corruption in most parts.

In a report titled “Western Africa’s Missing Fish,” Britain’s Overseas Development Institute, reported that Africa loses billions of Dollars because corrupt African state operatives enter into shady deals with foreign countries. The FAO even went further to reveal that the sale of fishing rights to foreign operatives netted Africa $US400m in 2014, but could in theory generate US$3.3bn if Africa exports its own catch instead.

He said that he believes, these revealing statistics are enough to help you all picture how we are complicit in undermining efforts aimed at attaining the Global Sustainable Development Goals; and Agenda 2063 – Africa’s 50-year developmental blueprint.

On a progressive note, however, as more and more African countries realize that their development will be stunted if they fail to root out corruption, a wind of change is blowing across Africa, and it is in the interest of well-meaning citizens to join in to help create a society where everyone has equal rights to public goods.

Many States have instituted accountability measures and created Anti-Corruption Agencies to ensure that resources trickle down to their people. Cape Verde, Mauritius, Rwanda, Botswana, etc. are among countries that occupy respectable positions in the Control of Corruption indexes. Similarly, the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption has provided a continental backbone to the efforts of member states in our fight against corruption. Of course, many African States are also party to the United Nations Convention Against Corruption – A united front against corruption is getting more and more formidable.

Critical to providing authoritative responses to the questions from the objectives of this consultative conference, is the institution and propagation of proper and sustained state-of-the-art education on corruption; backed by an unflinching commitment by all to refuse, reject, and suppress corruption at all levels; and in all jurisdictions of the continent.

Such education should be well targeted for the future of the continent. Africa is home to over 1.2 billion people; over 60% of its population falls under the age of 35. It should therefore target primary, secondary schools, colleges, and universities. Anti-corruption policy-making should improve youth capacity to unveil and oppose corruption. Relevant youth organizations should contribute to framing and implementing anti-graft policies. The overall objective is to achieve quality education that is aimed at effectively addressing corruption. Relevant sectors of society should be targeted to fully commit to fundamental ethical principles for public and professional life.

The AU Advisory Board on Corruption should take the leadership in defining the broad educational policy framework and setting the blueprint. To this end, it is highly important to develop appropriate strategies to raise awareness and understanding of the undermining effects of corruption; and at the same time, build countries’ capacities to stand up against it.

The evidence is glaring! Africa loses too much to corruption; sustained and perpetuated by bad governance, lack of accountability, and transparency; a staple for Africa. Resources meant for the people of Africa, but stolen and pocketed by corrupt actors, would have gone a long way to reduce infant mortality, maternal mortality, infections like malaria, cholera, among others; and the provision of vaccines for deadly outbreaks like Ebola.

Despite the potentials in our human and natural resources, the poverty rate in Africa is alarming. The irony of Africa is best illustrated in the axion “poverty amongst the plenty”; the richest, yet the poorest continent. Various studies have supported the position that if we seriously maximize our revenue mobilization; utilize our resources judiciously by negating corruption and corrupt practices of all kinds; it would be extreme for Africa to need foreign loans and donations.

We can build our own schools; equip our own hospitals, with the best brains, best equipment, and medicines available without waiting for China or begging the West. We can transform Africa into the paradise it truly ought to be. Now is the time to make that positive difference. I call on all of us to push for that difference. Let us make it happen. Where else can victory be harvested; if not from us? We have to make it happen. The positive difference Africa has been yearning for can be realized through us.

Sierra Leone News: HRCSL Chair to Serve as NHRI Executive Member

June 14, 2019

The Chairman of the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone (HRCSL) Patricia Narsu Ndanema has joined other National Human Rights Institutions from Liberia, Ghana, Senegal, Mali and Togo to serve as an Executive Member in the Network for National Human Rights Institutions, West Africa.

The nomination of HRCSL was done during a two-day consultative meeting of National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) in West Africa in Accra on May 29th, 2019.

The meeting was for the 15 NHRIs to engage on topical social issues such as their roles in the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the promotion and protection of the human rights of migrants.

The promotion of peace, security and human rights, generally of citizens of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), with a gender perspective, and other topics were also discussed.

The regional consultation provided an opportunity for NHRIs to define strategies and specific actions to contribute to the implementation, monitoring and review of the GCM at the national level, in line with the gender-responsive and human rights-based approach.

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