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James Thullah Declared Wanted by the Police for Incitement & Riotous Conduct

James Thullah
James Thullah

By Millicent Senava Mannah

In the aftermath of the clashes that took place in Makeni City, Northern Sierra Leone, when violent fracas break out between some irate residents of the city and State security personnel, six young people were reportedly gunned down.

Days after the ugly incident erupted, the solemnity that still engulfs Makeni is indeed very scary as human rights organizations in the country have been frantically calling for an independent inquiry into the incident in order to bring all those responsible to account.

With the catchy phrase of, “Makeni Lives Matters” various stakeholders of the city and within the district have also added their voices calling on the Government to institute an independent Commission of Inquiry and for justice to be meted out impartially.

The whole incident emanated on the 18th July, 2020 when it became noticeable that the standby generator sometimes used to generate electricity for Makeni city was about to be forcefully removed and transferred to the Freetown International Airport in Lungi; an act which some residents, especially young people, deemed as a deliberate ploy to deprive Makeni of its bona fide generator, underscoring that the decision was politically motivated and orchestrated.

Vociferous among the young people was one James Thullah, who happens to be the Youth Leader of the main opposition All People’s Congress (APC) Party.

According to eye witnesses it was James who galvanized and coordinated the other young people to physically resist the removal of the Stand-by Generator telling them that they were been sidelined and ostracized by the ruling Government. Makeni, being the stronghold of the main opposition APC Party, it was easy for James Thullah incitement to become infectious gaining widespread currency.

The Police started firing at the marauding and menacing irate youths who were by then advancing, armed with sticks, cutlasses and knives pelting stones on them. It was even alleged that some of the young people were also firing against the security personnel who were only trying to defend themselves. However, the fact remains that at the end of the ugly incident six young people laid dead and some security personnel sustained serious injuries with one said to have been cut with a machete by James Thullah, who was at the forefront of resisting the removal of the generator.

Some arrests were made of those accused of stage managing the protest but it is reported that the ring leader, James Thullah, narrowly escaped Police arrest when he jumped over a window as the raid was getting close on him.

However, up to the time of going to Press, the whereabouts of James Thullah could not be located.

When this medium contacted the Head of Communication of the Sierra Leone Police, Superintendent Brima Kamara, to know what the situation is like now since the incident took place, he categorically stated that they are still looking for the perpetrators for, what he termed as their dastardly act of cowardice to be held accountable for inflicting injuries on Police Officer.

He intimated that they are looking out for James Thullah, Sulaiman Tejan Sesay, Idriss Kamara, Alie Conteh and others, all wanted for riotous conduct.

 

 

 

 

 

As SLAJ Corona Fet Na We All Fet… United in Faith, United in Action

By Amin Kef Sesay

In a statement delivered by President Julius Maada Bio and broadcast live for the attention of members of the public on the 9th July 2020, His Excellency President Maada Bio announced that religious services must resume beginning July 13, 2020 which was welcomed by many Sierra Leoneans across the country.

It cannot be over emphasized that with the opening of places of worship, religious leaders and worshipers have roles to play in the fight against COVID-19 in the country as many efforts are being made to prevent the corona virus from spreading and it is expected that those efforts will become successful if only we put our trust in God as a nation. In this regard it is important for individuals to be united in Faith and in Action in order to combat COVID-19 in the country.

Worshipers are expected to be front-runners in keeping themselves, their churches, families and communities safe. Worshippers must therefore work with their religious leaders to look after the health and well-being of other worshipers

In the case of Religious Leaders they must ensure that health measures are fully implemented. This could be factored in their sermons. Besides, they must lead by example such as the wearing of cloth masks and ensure worshipers wear theirs, identify sick people, isolate them and inform the relevant health authorities.

It is also expected that all must honor their faiths by showing love and care to protect one another, wash hands with soap and water before entering places of worship, keeping a safe distance from others before, during, and after worship in order to stay healthy. Mosques and churches must be kept clean even when there are no coronavirus cases in communities, exhibit that we value life by doing everything we can to keep us all safe.

In as much as the National COVID-19 Response Centre (NACOVERC) has issued Operations Guidelines for resumption of Congregational Worship it is expected that they must be strictly adhered to by all religious leaders and worshippers. The following are some of the guidelines put in place for the resumption of Congregational Worship:

1. Churches and Mosques will have responsibility for following the stipulated guidelines and ensuring internal monitoring mechanisms:

A. Hygiene
1. Churches and Mosques should clean and disinfect their premises first before they are re-opened for worship. They should also be cleaned and disinfected in between services.

  1. Every worshipper must either use soap to wash their hands or apply sanitizers before being allowed to enter the Church/Mosque.
  2. Veronica buckets, soap and water or hand sanitizers should be provided at the entrance of every Church/Mosque
  3. The use of toilet facilities to be responsibly monitored.
    5. Mosques authorities should ensure that foot wares are well kept within the premises of the Mosques. In the light of this, worshippers are obliged to take great care and place their foot wares in plastic bags.

    B. Preventive measures

    1. The temperature of every worshipper must be taken before admission into the Church/Mosque and people with a high temperature (37.5C/99.5F) should not be allowed into the Church/Mosque but be advised to go and seek medical attention.

  4. Everyone in the place of worship must properly wear a facemask during worship. Masks should not be removed or lowered when speaking or singing.
    3. Sanitizers must be used in Mosques/Churches as appropriate.
  5. Numbers and Capacity
  6. Scaling down of the choir where necessary. Due to the high risk of spreading COVID-19, strict physical distancing of at least six feet must always be maintained by choristers.

    4. Offering bags/plates will be taken from row to row to avoid movement of people. The use of envelopes is advisable.

    5. Standing or individual microphones should be used at all times to avoid cross infection.

    F. Monitoring of compliance

  7. An Internal and Monitoring Committee should be constituted in every Mosque/Church to oversee compliance to the suggested guidelines.
  8. Medical awareness and health promotion should be done during Church services.
    And for the Muslims, in order to educate worshippers and wash out the denial syndrome, Imams are encouraged to utilize the period between azan (call to worship) and prayers to sensitize and educate worshippers about the COVID- 19 pandemic.

    3. All the measures outlined herein shall apply to all activities conducted in places of worship.

    4. Churches/Mosques that are found non-compliant with the above guidelines will be warned through the appropriate oversight structures; and subsequently shut down for repeat offenses.

    It is possible for people of any age to be infected with the virus, so sick people or any symptomatic person should not go to places of worship. Stay home and call 117 if you have fever, tiredness, and cough.

However, many of the symptoms can be treated and getting early care from a health worker can make the sickness less dangerous. There are many research studies going on now to find a vaccine to counteract the coronavirus and administer treatments to help those who have contracted the virus to get better fast.

Scientists and researchers are working hard and as fast as possible, but these things take time for us to be very sure that a vaccine or treatment is safe for people.

AYV Signs MOU with National Sport Authority

By Amin Kef Sesay

In a bid to popularize the activities of the National Sport Authority Sierra Leone, the institution has on Friday 17th July, 2020 signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Africa Young Voices Media Empire. The signing ceremony took place at the Africa Young Voices Media Empire on Wesley Street in Freetown.

The Executive Director, Dr. Kenneth Brima, of the National Sport Authority expressed appreciation to the Government of Sierra Leone for the establishment of the institution which, he said will now oversee all sporting activities in the country.

He said during the state opening of Parliament, President Maada Bio, disclosed that the NSA is mandated to work in the interest of the people of Sierra Leone in terms of promoting sporting activities in the country and beyond.

The Executive Director further revealed that the Government has allocated over Two Billion Leones (Le 2,000,000) for the setting up of the National Sport Authority, adding that sporting activities are very key and contribute towards the development of any nation. He added that with the establishment of NSA they are very sure of transforming and enhancing sports in the country.

He disclosed that so far President Bio has been the only Head of State in this country who has invested a lot of money in sport, stating that Sierra Leoneans should embrace the opportunity to support sporting activities in the country for its positive transformation.

Dr. Brima further stated that with the signing of the MOU with the Africa Young Voices Media Empire they are very optimistic that their set goals will be achieved.

Chief Executive Officer of the Africa Young Voices Media Empire, Amb. Anthony Navo, commended the National Sport Authority for its pro-activeness especially in collaborating with the media landscape in order to achieve their mandate as an institution.

He assured all that with the MOU signed between his institution and NSA and with AYV’s capacity they will surely achieve their goals, adding how they will ensure that they follow all what is stated in the MOU for the development of sport in the country.

The Executive Director also disclosed that for the first time in Sierra Leone the AYV has procured exclusive sporting equipments which will arrive soon in the country stating that these equipments will be used to broadcast sporting activities in the country. He added that with the equipments they will be able to cover matches and there will be no difference with what super sport shows as these are the same video equipments they are using.

He also said that with common understanding between stakeholders they can even move those equipments to cover international matches which he said will be a plus to Sierra Leone in terms of developing sporting activities in the country.

Health Ministry Scales up Mosquito Net Distribution Campaign

By Ibrahim Sorie Koroma

It was a Friday morning and everyone had gathered at the open view of the newly commissioned Aberdeen Community Health Center in the West of Freetown. It was the launch of the Long Lasting and Insecticide Traded Mosquito Net Distribution Campaign for Western Area Urban District. The scene was set; everyone was on face mask and a hand washing facility in full view of guests to do the needful.

The Deputy Minister of Health and Sanitation was in attendance and the Deputy Mayor of Freetown and representatives from the UN family, NGO partners and Sea Coach who had financed the construction of the much need Aberdeen Community Health Center were all seated, making the ceremony so colorful and high profiled.

Then, cameras started rolling and flash lights from smart phones also took part to record every moment of the occasion. At some point, this writer was battling with some of the camera guys for good shot and I was beaten out as they were recording scenes for journalistic purposes and you know time is always not in favor journalists. I was only capturing the moment for office use and programmatic reporting. So, I rolled my camera to the audience, which comprised of pregnant women, lactating mothers, caregivers, community members and other onlookers who had come to witness the occasion.

I think the invitation of pregnant women and caregivers of children under-fives was deliberate by the organizers as it was a campaign geared towards the registration of households and distribution of anti-mosquito tents which is one of the most cost effect preventive measures in the fight against malaria. Frustrating though, pregnant women and children under-fives are most at risk of this preventable disease – leading to morbidity and deaths in some instances if early actions are not taken.

As I continued rolling the camera to get a handheld ariel view of the guests, I pumped into Lamin Massaquoi who is in his early 30s and Yeama Massaquoi in her late 20s, mother and father of two set of twins, Lamin, the husband had accompanied Yeama, the wife at the launch to witness the occasion and they eventually ended been symbolic receivers of a treated mosquito net in addition to what they would have during the campaign registration and distribution period.

Lamin is a typical example of the male/partner support initiative promoted by the Ministry of Health and Sanitation and its Partners to scale up routine health services across the country.

For so long, many health interventions have been developed and implemented in the country targeting mostly pregnant women, caregivers and children under-fives without targeting the household heads who take the decisions , they give transport fare to the wife to take the child for his or her routine health services and the pregnant wife for her ANCs.

Before now,  when messages and communication materials were developed, the communication experts do not develop them with key messages in mind  for male participation and they were not even factored in most communication plans as  specific target audience who can support the uptake of routine health services. This seems to be a major backlash in communication failing to influence positive behavior on the side of the male of which the male folks were conditioned to think as if they do not have a pivotal part to play when it comes to the health of their young children and that of their pregnant wives.

Kudus though, this will now be a thing of the past as the recently developed Routine Immunization  Communication Strategy captured the lack of male/partner support as a key barrier in scaling up routine immunization servicers in the country and this strategy will form part of the overarching National Communication Strategy on Reproductive Health in the Sierra Leone’s health system, which will address issues on health seeking behavior to scale up uptake of routine immunization services/health interventions like immunization for children under-fives, anti-malaria services for pregnant women and infants, institutional delivery and Anti Natal Care (ANC) for pregnant women, exclusive breastfeeding of children six months from birth to name but a few.

Recently though, the Ministry of Health and Sanitation through its Health Education/Promotion Division in collaboration with its partners has been promoting male/partner support because they believe there has been a gap in that area and they now plan to reach out to male partners through specific channels/methods of communication to improve the uptake and scaling up routine health services across the country and across the board.

As a result, they now celebrate and acknowledge people like Lamin who decided to accompany his wife and twin children from their New England Ville residence to the Aberdeen Community Health Center to witness the launch of the LLINs mass distribution campaign, where they symbolically received a FREE treated mosquito net to prevent the mother and new burn twins against mosquito bite; thereby preventing malaria.

When asked what motivated him for his unique enviable gesture, he confessed that it was not the first and won’t be his last as he finds pleasure supporting and accompanying his wife and twin children to the health facility for routine health services. He happily added that in fact, he was accompanying his wife to their community health facility for her routine Anti Natal Care services during her pregnancy.

I would like to end this piece by urging men, husbands or partners to take pleasure and show interest the health of our children and wives just as Lamin has exemplified in this piece as he has explained that he has always supported his wife or female partner during and after pregnancy on to the period of exclusive breastfeeding which are very difficult times for them to go through and urged that they badly need our support and motivation during these times.

The support we seek goes beyond paying transport fare, a little effort by intermittently accompanying your wife/partner or even your child/children to seek routine health services will not only do a lot of good to the health of the wife/partner and that of the children, but also helps  psychologically.

We (men, husbands, and partners) should also be seen taking active part in the health of our children just like our hero, Lamin and especially for our children under-fives, we should support our wives/partners and monitor the under-fives cards of our children to abreast ourselves with their routine health status. This I believe will be one of the key benchmarks for the scaling-up of routine health services in Sierra Leone, even after the end of the current COVID-19 Pandemic.

Alpha Timbo & 4 Others Acquitted & Discharged

By Foday Moriba Conteh

Justice Cosmotina Jarrette, a High Court Judge, has recently discharged the former Minister of Basic Education, Alpha Osman Timbo; Emily Kadiatu Gogra-Deputy Minister of Basic Education; Charles T. Kamanda; Mamusu Massaquoi and Zainab Binta Kamara on all 15 (fifteen) count charges of corruption related offences.

The matter, which was brought before the Anti-Corruption Court on 9th April, 2020 by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), was discharged on Thursday, 16th July 2020, without being acquitted after ACC lead Prosecutor, Calvin Mantesbo, informed the Court that they had reached a conclusion that they sought to offer no evidence against all accused persons.

On count one, Misappropriation of Public Property Contrary to Section 36 (1) of the ACC Act No. 12 of 2008 as amended by the ACC (amendment) Act No. 9 of 2019 and Count Fifteen, Abuse of 0ffice Contrary to Section 42 (1) of the ACC Act. The accused persons pleaded not guilty to all charges.

The lawyers for the first, second, third and fourth accused persons demanded for a cost of two hundred and fifty million Leones (Le.250, 000,000) to be granted but the Honourable Justice Jarette declined.

Similarly, Lawyer ET Enoh for the fifth accused pleaded that the Judge acquit and discharge his client but the Honourable Justice also declined on grounds that the matter is not only a criminal case but also didn’t go into full blown trial.

NP-SL Continues to Play a Cardinal Role in the Socio-Economic Development of the Nation

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

By Amin Kef Sesay

The well-established  oil marketing company in the country ,the National Petroleum Sierra Leone Limited, NP (SL-Ltd) is relentless enhancing  its strides  to always ensure that its imported petroleum products are available on the market and easily accessible. Management of the company has made it a matter of must for these products to be present in all the nook and cranny of the country.

NP-SL Limited, as a private entity, is purely an indigenous company that has mastered the art of importing and marketing petroleum products which include petrol, diesel, gas as well as certified lubricants, one of which is the widely used Castrol oil.

Amidst various challenges that have been encountered since the company was established, it has, however,  successfully weathered those storms that could have dwarfed it or left it to extinct save therapeutic intermittent Managerial injections that keep it upright and on the right course.

Demonstrating its true Sierra Leonean identity the company has maintained a policy of strictly adhering to the Local Content Policy ensuring that it has a maximum indigenous staff in its employ. What this actually means is empowering our brothers and sisters to access employment opportunities and reduce poverty.

As a matter of fact some members of staff continue to benefit from various trainings that have afforded them the conduit to imbibe useful skills to efficiently carry out certain assigned tasks. If we are counting the number of companies that have upheld the Local Content Policy, without any iota of doubt, NP-SL could be seen at the top.

This intrinsic nationalistic posture of the company runs through and it is a sine qua non to overall national development. If such a compliance rate should have been followed by other local companies, willingly, without any pressure from the relevant authorities then indisputably this country should have been miles away in its development trajectory.

Business Management experts have made it abundantly clear that the way and manner in which customers are cared for in terms of talking to them, making them feel at ease go a long way in attracting them. Such should be done sincerely in order to make them more important. NP-SL for a very long period now has executed it so well which definitely is paying dividends.

1st for Customer Care was earned by the company because it has been widely acclaimed by many for solidly executing such.

In its drive to optimize customer satisfaction the company went the extra mile to install calibrated pumping machines which are not only modern but trustworthy, as opposed to old pumping machines which certain unscrupulous individuals used to cheat unassuming customers.

This is helping to repose confidence in customers that they are dealing with a very transparent entity. The friendliness of their pump attendants is very impressive and they are always there to timely respond to various concerns.

Still within the purview of 1st for Customer Care, the company is always in a position to enter into payment plans with its reliable and dependable customers including Ministries, Departments and Agencies for supplied fuel and lubricants as long as all the necessary modalities have been put in place.

When cognizance is taken of the fact that some of these institutions receive intermittent budgetary allocations then such an arrangement is very significant. Its significance in real terms borders on functional continuity of those institutions as they will be assured of supplies of petroleum products in as much as they keep honoring their obligations.

For those who have not tried NP Gas for the first time it is now time to give it a try. Designed in sizable varying cylinders and sold at various NP Filling Stations, this cooking device has been rated as one of the best that is on offer for sale. NP Gas is safe, user friendly and portable. Trying it will spur you to recommend it to others.

NP Smart Card is now in vogue and is one of the latest technological devices used to purchase petroleum products. Using it has attendant advantages as evident in procuring fuel at any time of the day even during times when monies could not be accessed from banks. It is secured, easy to use and very quick. It is now trending.

To crystallize proposed projects into tangible realities on the ground, Government needs the required financial resources to effectively do so and one sure way is from collection of taxes which is the mandate of the National Revenue Authority (NRA).  NP is one big tax payer to Government and it has been doing so timely.

NP-SL remains undaunted, unperturbed amidst all the challenges it is going through and conscientiously it is steadily contributing to the socio-economic development of the country as well as  positively changing communities and lives.

British-Lebanese Unprintable Verbal Attacks Must be Addressed  

Lebanese-British citizen, Adnan Antar

By Foday Moriba Conteh

It has now become public knowledge that a Lebanese-British citizen, Adnan Antar, has now made it a trade and a constant habit to frequently rain caustic invectives against targeted Lebanese nationals and even a highly respected Islamic cleric in Sierra Leone without proffering an iota of justifiable or sensible reasons to substantiate his baseless allegations which could only be easily dismissed as premeditated outbursts geared towards denting the hard earned reputations of all those he has been deliberately and senselessly targeting.

From his despicable social media posts, in which he has been using nauseating vulgar languages, with reckless abandon, there is sufficient evidence that the British Government must take the bold step of instituting stern punitive and remedial actions against this errant British citizen based on the simple fact that he is continuously soiling the good image of the British people and by extension undermining the very principles of democracy.

Suffice it to say that in any democratic dispensation there is room for freedom of speech but it must be underscored that indeed freedoms do have limitations bordering on tranquility, public decorum and civility. In this instance, as far as it could be interpreted, Adnan Antar is continuously bastardizing and abusing the fundamental human rights of certain members of the Lebanese community in Sierra Leone thinking that he is guaranteed the unfettered right of freedom of speech as a British citizen.

It is not that Adnan does not have the right to exercise his Freedom of Speech or opinion but what he has been doing goes far beyond that as he has been threatening the lives of peaceful citizens for which the British Government should put a stop to or institute stiff penalties against him.

There is record to the effect that Adnan Antar went to the extent of assaulting deceased spirits of a large number of the community which is religiously considered to be forbidden and a sacred matter.

Of course, he may do have certain reservations against certain individuals belonging to the Lebanese community in Sierra Leone but to constantly use social media platforms to unjustifiably attack highly placed and respected individuals in this country whom have contributed so greatly to the socio-economic development of this nation, for no justifiable reason, must not go unchecked.

According to what a prominent Social Commentator said, Adnan Antar, the British citizen, must now be hold accountable for trampling on the privacies of individuals whom he has deliberately maligned out of an unwarranted personal vendetta. Indeed, one thing that has been established is the fact that this British citizen, Adnan Antar is a big failure in life who thinks that because of his failure other successful individuals of the Lebanese Community, whose successes he is contemptuously envious of, must be castigated with impunity to bring their hard won reputations into disrepute.

This is one of his latest social media outbursts and life threatening remarks: “You are a dog and an African money, you are dirty and nasty person, believe me that someone should cut your genital area and shove it in your mouth and force it inside, you are a dog and animal. Believe me and I swear, pray to God that we ever meet up face to face, because I am going to cut you in the same way that they cut the previous Liberian President Samuel K Doe, do you remember how they cut his ears. You deserve to be thrown in fire, with a tire around you and burn you up the same way that the rebels did previously. I pray to God to have another war and coup in Sierra Leone and the rebel attack you and I will be the first person to enter your house. I will make you run in the street naked the same way they did with Ali nicknamed Balibali and I will rub pepper and water on your body. I promise that you will not enjoy your money”.

He continues: “I wish that you were next to me so that I can bite your ears the same way that the boxer Tyson did with Holyfield, I wish that someone will do that he approaches you as if he want to kiss you then bite your ear. I wish I can find someone to do that i.e approaching you as if he wants to kiss you and then bite on off your ear and then start cutting your fingers slowly”.

Adnan Antar went further to attack other prominent individuals accusing them of being homosexuals and even wrongfully informed that Family Kingdom is being used as a resort where illicit sexual activities are taking place. With all amount of seriousness such an accusation has the tendency of affecting the business of the Proprietor of Family Kingdom based on Adnan’s description of the place as a “den of sex”.

From what this medium learnt, he has been negatively classified as a very unlikable individual who is engrossed on broadcasting via social media and his facebook page inciting messages against prominent and well respected members of the Lebanese community in Sierra Leone for which the British Government must show concern and take necessary action.

According to his video messages, which have become viral, Adnan Antar must be indicted for assault and gross human rights violations.

Prominent personalities in the persons of the President of the Lebanese community in Sierra Leone, Samir Hassaniyeh, Musa Antar, Faisal Basma, Hussein Jaward, Samir Hashim, Ibrahim Antar, Hassan Kabala, Oussama Zayyat, Sheik Tejan Sillah (Imam of Central Mosque), Faisal Antar, Hussein Basma ,Toufic Abess, Adnan Mullah, Ali Colisee, Ahmad Akkad, Adnan Nassim, Fadi El-Lara, Mohamed Reda and the Lebanese Ambassador, to name but a few have not been spared from the spurious verbal attacks by Adnan Antar, said to be a British citizen.

He stands guilty of broadcasting inflammatory voice and video messages when the Lebanese Community was evacuated via a chartered aircraft, alleging that they want to be fleeced of their monies.

Adnan Antar’s behaviour has been described as one that is akin to any terrorist who is premeditatedly and calculatedly bent on sowing the seeds of discord bordering on blackmailing the Lebanese community in Sierra Leone. As a matter of fact he is described as an abuser of women, whose hate for Lebanese nationals in Sierra Leone is beyond description.

Most, who have listened to his Social media proclivities in which he copiously used very caustic and unprintable adjectives against certain Lebanese nationals and others, have concluded that as a British citizen he must be brought to book and disciplined for him to behave responsibly and respectfully.

Certain Lebanese nationals, whom this medium contacted, described him as a shame and disgrace to them, as he daily uses unprintable words and invectives against his own brothers and sisters. He has become nothing but a nuisance that the British authorities need to caution, based on his unethical outbursts and use of abusive languages.

It must be reiterated for the attention of the British authorities that Adnan Antar’s posting of hate messages on social media is indeed an offense by law, especially when it is deemed as a violation of the privacy and integrity of individuals who have families and living peacefully in this country as well as having contributed greatly and still doing so to the advancement of this nation.

Disgracefully, Adnan Antar, has also been raining unimaginable abuses against the wife of Samir Hanssanyeh, Mariam Bittar, with all kinds of unprintable language.

This medium holds no brief for the Lebanese community in Sierra Leone, but only wants the British authorities not to be insensitive to  unscrupulous Adnan Antar’s antics to pull down others purely based on hate and malice.

It must be repeated that Adnan Antar’s outrageously immoral utterances against targeted members of the Lebanese community deserve the attention of the British authorities. Enough is enough and this madness must be checked for the sake of our children and posterity. There must be no room for haters.

AMNet Empowers Four Communities to Combat COVID-19

By Foday Moriba Conteh

The Advocacy Movement Network (AMNet) on Wednesday 15th July 2020, with support from Amnesty International through the Department for International Development (DFID), distributed  forty Veronica buckets and other sanitary items including cakes of soap and hand sanitizers to four communities in three chiefdoms in the Kambia District.

The donation was targeted to protect these communities from the COVID-19 virus. These communities include: Rotinfunk in Dixing Chiefdom, Kalangba in Magbema Chiefdom and  Kawula and Kirma-Banah both in Masungbala Chiefdom.

Two Secondary Schools, the Sunday Foundation Secondary School for Girls in Kambia Town, Magbema Chiefdom and Community Junior Secondary School in Kawula Town, Masungbala Chiefdom and the Family Support Unit (FSU) Kambia Division benefited from the support.

The distribution exercise was followed by a sensitization campaign on COVID-19 National Health Regulations and Guidelines put out by the Ministry of Health and Sanitation. Key points stressed during the sensitization include regular and frequent washing of hands, the continuous and proper use of face masks in all public places and maintaining social and physical distancing.

People in the various communities, especially key stakeholders, thanked AMNet and its donor partners for their continuous and timely support especially during this health crisis in the country.

They also pledged to adhere, abide and comply with the COVID-19 regulations as outlined by the Government of Sierra Leone through the Ministry of Health and Sanitation. The distribution exercise ended on Thursday 16th July, 2020.

Govt. Institutes Measures for Reopening of Lungi Airport

By Amin Kef Sesay

The Government of Sierra Leone, through the Ministry of Transport and Aviation in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority, Sierra Leone Airports Authority and the National COVID-19 Emergency Response Centre (NACOVERC) has published safety and public health guidelines which shall be strictly adhered to by all arriving and departing passengers at/from the Freetown International Airport.

This came in the wake of the declaration made by His Excellency Brig. (Rtd) Julius Maada Bio on the resumption of commercial flight operations on the 22ndJuly 2020.

For passengers who are arriving in the country the Government and its stakeholders stated that all passengers shall produce a negative Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) COVID-19 test result issued no longer than 72hrs before departure at point of origin.

They continued by maintain that at the check-in desk at the airport of embarkation, passengers are required to display travelers’ authorisation to Sierra Leone, received through the Government of Sierra Leone travel portal (www.travel.gov.sl). The travel authorization consists of:

It was further established that negative PCR COVID-19 test result will be issued no longer than 72 hours before departure, that there must be pre-departure public health passenger locator forms, proof of payment for COVID-19 testing on arrival, paid through the online platform

Besides ,it was agreed that health officials will collect temperature, basic health screening data, and seat number on arrival, that all passengers shall be subjected to a mandatory COVID-19 test upon arrival, passengers will simultaneously have a PCR test swab and an RDT test on arrival.

They maintained that if the RDT screening is negative, passengers are allowed to depart from the airport and observe public health protocols (mandatory proper mask wearing, hand washing, and physical distancing) while awaiting their PCR test result.

Also, if the RDT screening is positive, passengers will be isolated at a hotel in Lungi while awaiting their PCR test result. Note, the cost of the accommodation at the hotel shall be borne by the passenger.

For all test results, the PCR result supersedes the RDT result, PCR results will be disseminated via the local contact number confirmed by the passenger on arrival.

They pointed out that all children under 2 years shall be exempted from pre-departure and arrival PCR test requirements, that airline crew are exempted from the pre-departure and arrival PCR test requirements and should follow airline policy for testing. Airline crew must adhere to public health protocols.

The Government and its partners stated that two temperature screenings will be conducted by Port Health Services and if temperature is 37.5 degrees Celsius or above, passenger will be taken aside for further observation.

They agreed that all passengers shall go through a walk-through disinfectant channel/Infrared temperature scanner at the entrance of the arrival hall, all passengers with machine-readable passports shall go through the Immigration E-gate system and passengers with Emergency Travel Certificates or non-machine-readable passports shall go through the Immigration booth.

They agreed further that at the Baggage Reclaim section passengers shall maintain social distancing and observe all public health protocols, including proper use of face mask at all times, all passengers will be directed to a Reception Lounge while awaiting their COVID-19 test.

For those passengers with a negative RDT screening test they will be cleared to proceed to their destination, while awaiting their PCR result and adhering to public health protocols. PCR test results (available in no more than 48 hours) will be distributed via the contact confirmed on arrival.

If a passenger’s PCR test is positive, s/he will be contacted by public health authorities and taken to an appropriate treatment centre.

Passengers sitting near a positive case on the plane will be considered primary contacts. Self-quarantine and monitoring by public health officials will be required that all passengers are strictly advised to observe all public health protocols (proper and constant use of face mask, hand washing/sanitizing, observing social distancing) as directed by the Ministry of Health and Sanitation / NaCOVERC.

They stated that the same protocols shall apply to all VIP passengers.

With regards  Departing Passengers the Government and its stakeholders maintained that  all passengers are subjected to a mandatory Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) COVID-19 test with a negative result issued no longer than 72hrs before departure at the Freetown International Airport. Cost for this test will be borne by the passenger. That passengers will use the Government of Sierra Leone Travel Portal to request their pre-departure test, to pay for the test, and for scheduling sample collection.

They agreed that passengers with negative PCR results will receive e-confirmation and certificates ahead of travel. Physical copies can be collected at the airport at a designated desk.

That passengers with positive PCR results will not be permitted to travel and must follow public health protocols for isolation and contact tracing. They will be re-tested after seven days and passengers who have entered Sierra Leone within five days shall be exempted from the mandatory additional test on departure.

All children under 2 years shall be exempted from PCR test requirements.

They stated that on arrival at the airport, passengers shall be directed to a reception area to avoid congestion and ensure social distancing during the check-in process, that all passengers are encouraged to complete their check-in online before arriving at the airport.

All departing passengers shall go through the thermal screening/disinfectant channel at the airport’s departure entrance.

The Government and relevant stakeholders maintained that all departing passengers shall have their passport/travelling document verified before proceeding to the check-in counter, departing passengers shall proceed to the check-in counter for baggage drop and collection of their boarding pass. While at the check-in counter, they are mandated to produce their COVID-19 PCR negative test certificate or e-certificate issued within past 72 hours.

It was also agreed that departing passengers shall proceed to the immigration services for onward travel authorization via the e-gate or immigration booth.

That all departing passengers shall go through security screening before proceeding to the departure hall, shall proceed to the waiting lounge where social distancing, proper use of face mask and other health protocols shall be strictly observed.

All passengers shall proceed to the final screening and verification point prior to boarding the aircraft, boarding procedures shall be in accordance with the approved SOPs of the respective airlines.

That passengers are strictly advised to observe all public health protocols (proper use of face mask, hand washing/sanitizing, observe social distancing) as directed by the Ministry of Health and Sanitation / NACOVERC. They finally stated that the same protocols shall apply to all VIP passengers.

Dr. Ezekiel Duramany-Lakkoh Appointed Honorary Rosaline Member of London Journal Press

Dr. Ezekiel Duramany Lakkoh, Dean of Faculty of Management Services at the Institute of Public Administration and Management (IPAM), University of Sierra Leone

By Amin Kef Sesay

On Tuesday 14th July, 2020, the Editorial Board along with the Management of London Journal Press acknowledged the academic and professional work of Dr. Ezekiel Duramany Lakkoh, Dean of Faculty of Management Services at the Institute of Public Administration and Management (IPAM), University of Sierra Leone, in the area of finance and economics.

Dr. Ezekiel Duramany Lakkoh is also the Managing Director at Africa Young Voices (AYV) Media Empire, Founder and Chief Executive of JIT Capital, and now an official member London Journal Press.

Quite recently, Dr. Ezekiel Duramany Lakkoh did a publication in ‘Working Capital Management and Manufacturing Systems’. He has also published a work on Private Investment and Financial Sector Development Trends and Statistics in Sierra Leone.

In the area of professional development, Dr. Ezekiel Duramany Lakkoh has been working with both the Institute of Research and Policy Management (IRPM), JIT Capital, an investment and financial services company that he co-founded and has served as Financial Management Consultant in both companies.

Dr. Ezekiel Duramany Lakkoh is also a Training Consultant with the West Africa Banks Association (WABA) and the Cute Institute of Academic Researchers.

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