Sierra Leone News: Legal Aid Board staff Benefit from UNDP funded Capacity Building Training

June 6, 2019

The Chair of the Legal Aid Board, Justice Miatta Samba, has told staff of the Board that she appreciate the work they are doing around the country to increase access to justice. She made these remarks while opening the three-day UNDP funded training workshop on the ‘Laws, Legal Processes, Monitoring of the Justice Delivery System and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)’.

Justice Miatta Samba encouraged staff to do more when they go back to their duty stations. She added that despite the increase in the demand for their services, they should always endeavor to maintain high standards as they go about their work.

She said Paralegals are doing an important job in increasing access to justice especially in remote communities. Underlining the importance of their work, she stated that she had thought of pursuing a course in Paralegal studies before becoming a lawyer. Justice Samba said the Board is working with the judiciary to start the certificate course in Paralegal Studies at the Justice and Judicial Training Institute (JLTI).

Justice Samba said that the Board is not oblivious of concerns among staff especially Lawyers regarding conditions of service. She assured that they had had meetings with various stakeholders in government with a view to addressing the issue and would continue to do so.
In her overview of the workshop, the Executive Director of the Board, Ms. Claire Carlton-Hanciles said it is important to meet once a year to learn how to deliver quality legal aid, look at compliance issues, discuss challenges and share experiences.

‘We need to learn a lot more about our work in the formal and informal courts and how to enhance collaboration with partners so as to reach out to more people who need our services around the country,’ she said, adding: ‘We have to take advantage of the fact that we have a Chief Justice who is defense minded and ready to give all the support to ensure people do not suffer any miscarriage of justice. He ensured that the habeas corpus applications we filed were heard speedily. As a result, we have succeeded in securing the release of all inmates who have been in correctional centers for over five years without indictments.

Ms. Carlton-Hanciles also applauded the Chief Justice for appointing judges to review thirty cases of over sentencing.

The representative of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Ms. Claire Flynn-Byrne, said the agency recognizes the role of the Board in promoting the Rule of Law and Access to Justice. She noted that she looks forward to staff engaging on these important issues.

The lead resource person, Justice Ansumana Ivan Sesay, presented a paper on ‘Laws, Legal Processes and Procedures.’ He opened his presentation by saying that the country cannot boast of an effective legal system without an effective Paralegal system in place.
This is because 80% of the population seeks justice through the informal system – Local and Traditional Courts – where lawyers cannot make any representation. ‘This is where the Paralegals come in to provide advice and legal assistance to both administrators and users of these courts.’
Justice Sesay explained the structure of the legal system focusing on the judiciary. He examined two areas which are the courts – Supreme, Appeal, High, Magistrate and Subsidiary Courts – and the Appellate system. In addition, he also touched on the Constitution, Customary Law, Equity and Statutory Laws.

Justice Sesay underlined the need for Paralegals to know the difference between civil and criminal matters. He stressed that this will help them know the cases to mediate and those to refer to the Police or the Local Courts. ‘Most of the cases you mediate relate to Maintenance, it is therefore important for you to know the laws relating to maintenance as a guide,’ he stressed.
He drew attention to concerns from the public regarding the way Customary Laws and Practices are interpreted by Local Courts. He noted that women suffer the most regarding the manner customary laws are interpreted by the Local and Traditional Courts. ‘You can protect the women against discriminatory customary laws and practices by challenging those which are incompatible with General Law,’ he stressed.

Justice Sesay also took time to explain the four Gender Laws. He emphasized that to protect women against discriminatory Customary Laws and Practices, staff should understand the four Gender Laws – Domestic Violence Act 2007, Registration of Customary Marriage and Divorce, Sexual Offences Act 2012 and Devolution of Estate Act 2007.

The presentation on ‘Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Processes and Procedures’ was led by Consultant Francis Gabbidon and Reverend Bob Kandeh. The discussions that followed centered around the various forms of ADR, ensuring a conducive environment for mediation, counselling for traumatized clients, referrals, handling aggressive clients, how to seek help when mediating complex civil matters such as Will and Inheritance matters, response to respondents who refuse to heed invitations for mediation, avenues for appeal for those who are dissatisfied with mediation, mediating matters bordering on Customary Laws and Practices and challenges relating to enforcement of settlements reached following mediation.

It was agreed that where a respondent refuses to comply with an invitation to appear before the Board for mediation, a lawyer should be assigned to the matter for court action.
Other presentations include: Accreditation of Legal Aid Service Providers, Monitoring and Evaluating the Quality of Legal Aid Provision; Data Collection and Reporting; Engagement with the Media to Promote Access to Justice and Human Resource Development.

Sierra Leone News: Orugu & Congo Dams and Water Treatment Plants to be developed by China biggest Engineering Groups

June 6, 2019

To address the longstanding water crisis that affects the metropolis year in and out the Minister of Water Resources, Dr Jonathan Bonopha Tengbe, in line with the Government’s priority to increase access to water supply have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the China Gezhouba Group Company Limited (CGGC) to develop the Orugu and Congo Dams and Water Treatment Plants projects.

The signing ceremony took place in Beijing, China, on June 4, 2019, in the presence of the Ambassador of Sierra Leone to China, HE Ernest Ndomahina, and the Managing Director of Guma Valley Water Company (GVWC), Maada S. Kpenge.

Once developed, the Orugu Dam and Treatment Plant, to be situated in Mortem village on the Regent to Grafton highway, will enable GVWC deliver a minimum of 70 million litres per day (MLD) of water supply, enough to serve over 600,000 people, to communities in the East of Freetown: Grafton, Jui, Waterloo, Allen Town, Calaba Town, Wellington and Kissy. The Orugu Water Supply System will support the Rokel River Water Supply, for which the feasibility study is on-going.

Similarly, the Congo Dam and Treatment Plant, to be located in upper reaches of Regent, will deliver 30MLD of water supply to the mountain communities of Regent, Leicester, Gloucester, Kortright/Fourah Bay College, Charlotte, Bathurst, IMATT and Hill Station.

This milestone, after thorough due diligence conducted on CGGC in Ghana by the Ministry of Water Resources, will enable the GoSL, CGGC and GVWC to start evaluating the technical aspects and environmental impacts of the projects, and to develop innovative financing solutions for the projects that will not pose a great debt burden to the Government of Sierra Leone.

CGGC is a Chinese construction and engineering company that has delivered infrastructure projects throughout Africa and the developing world. In 2015, CGGC successful commissioned the Kpong Water Supply Expansion Project in Ghana, a $273 million water treatment facility delivering 250 MLD of water supply to Accra.

Sierra Leone News: IAEA & Sierra Leone Sign Second Country Programme Framework

June 6, 2019

Alhaji Kanja I. Sesay, Minister of Energy signing Sierra Leone’s Country Programme Framework (CPF) for the period of 2019–2023. (Photo: Ministry of Energy, Sierra Leone)

In a positive move Dazhu Yang the IAEA Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Technical Cooperation recently signed Sierra Leone’s Country Programme Framework for the period of 2019–2023.

The signing was done alongside Alhaji Kanja I. Sesay, Minister of Energy on 14 May 2019, and 20 May 2019 respectively. A CPF is the frame of reference for the medium-term planning of technical cooperation between a Member State and the IAEA and identifies priority areas where the transfer of nuclear technology and technical cooperation resources will be directed to support national development goals.

Sierra Leone has been an IAEA Member State since 1967. Its 2019–2023 CPF identifies 5 priority areas:

Nuclear and radiation safety
Food and agriculture
Human health;
Water resources management; and
Environmental applications

Sierra Leone News: Sierra Leone again Joins World Football Family

June 6, 2019

Following the ousting of Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) President, Isha Johansen, and the Secretary General Chris Kamara from office on corruption allegations which was charged by the Anti-corruption Commission and tried in court the country was banned by the Football Governing Council, Fifa to participate in certain games demanding that Isha Johansen be returned to full authority before considering lifting the ban. Fifa suspended Sierra Leone last October due to third-party interference in the running of the country’s FA.

Subsequently, after reinstatement as President and Secretary General Fifa lifted Sierra Leone’s international ban on Monday, 3rd June 2019 following a meeting of the world governing body’s council in Paris.

“This is very good news for Sierra Leone and Sierra Leone football,” Johansen informed.

“Our football family will embrace one another once again and focus on one agenda – which is putting Sierra Leone first.”

Sierra Leone’s ban saw them disqualified from the qualifying campaign for this month’s Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

In a statement, Fifa said the suspension was lifted “after the High Court of Sierra Leone acquitted the SLFA President and the SLFA General Secretary of all charges on 27 May.

“(This) ensured that the recognised leadership has full control of the member association again,” added the statement.

Johansen and SLFA General Secretary Christopher Kamara returned to their posts after they were acquitted on all counts of corruption by the court in Freetown.

Sierra Leone News: Clubfoot is Treatable –Says Health Ministry

June 6, 2019

It was recently revealed that the Ministry of Health and Sanitation has maintained that it has treated over 803 affected children with clubfoot over the years, a curable condition which affects the ankle of young children, causing discomfort and eventually deformity if early treatment is not initiated.

This was disclosed at the occasion marking the celebration of World Clubfoot Day on Monday 3^rd June at the National Rehabilitation Centre, Aberdeen in Freetown. The celebration centered on the theme “Changing the lives of Children with Clubfoot in Sierra Leone”

In his keynote address, Director of the Directorate of Non Communicable Diseases & Mental Health, Dr. Santigie Sesay said that according to a research 150,000 – 200,000 children are born with clubfoot each year globally; adding that global incidence is at 1-2 children per every 100 life birth and that if the figures are juxtaposed one would realize that Sierra would account for 275-300 children born with clubfoot per year.

Dr. Santigie boasted that among the 803 admitted cases of clubfoot for the past 5 years, 400 of these affected children have completed their treatment and now with their relatives continuing their schooling.

He reiterated that, normally when mothers give birth to children with clubfoot, there are lots of negative perceptions and traditional interpretations about them in the family and the communities, adding that they are also called names like demons, which crafts, evil spirit which he noted are some of the problems that lead to neglect of these children and abandonment by their parents/relatives.

“Mothers of these children feel ashamed in public and in most cases have to cover the feet of their children, which is so disappointing” Dr. Santigie explained

Coordinator National Clubfoot Programme, Bindi Saffa, stated that clubfoot treatment is available at the Ola During Children’s Hospital- Cottage, Koidu Government Hospital, Port-Loko Government Hospital, Bo Government Hospital, Makeni Government Hospital and the National Rehabilitation Centre at Aberdeen.

Mr. Bindi continued that, though they are faced with numerous challenges their vision is to ensure that children born with clubfoot in Sierra Leone are treated and free from deformity/morbidity.

“Currently, 45% of children born with clubfoot are treated in Sierra Leone and by 2030 we want at least 70% of children with clubfoot to be treated,” Mr. Bindi added.

Mr. Bindi ended that there is no known cause of clubfoot and that it is heredity which can be a trace in the family, adding that clubfoot is tradeable and that people should not associate it with misconceptions, myths or any traditional misinterpretations, as it is biological which can be addressed medically with early treatment.

The mother of 4 year old Patrick Bangura who was born with clubfoot explained that she and her husband were so depressed and anxious when they discovered that their son had been born with clubfoot, adding that they were shy as their neighbours began to gossip her and her son.

She continued to explain that other relatives advised them to take his son to traditional healer but could no heed to the advice and that they massaged her son’s feet for some weeks but there was no improvement.

She noted that her son was aided when she travelled to Freetown for medical advice where her son was treated and now happily going to school.

Sierra Leone News: Bernard Conteh, Bai Mahmoud & Adekalie Samura to Pay Back to ACC Embezzled Funds

June 6, 2019

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) wishes to inform the public that it has entered into a settlement agreement with the former Minister and Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Youth Affairs, Mr. Bai Mahmoud Bangura and Mr. Adekalie Samura respectively, and Civil Society Activist and Director of Anti-Violence Movement, Mr. Bernard Conteh, in respect of investigations into funds provided to the Sierra Leone Movie Stars by the Road Maintenance Fund Administration (RMFA), for the procurement of media equipment and production of movie showcasing Sierra Leone’s development.

According to findings of our investigations, the sum of Three Hundred Million Leones (Le 300,000, 000) was received by Mr. Bai Mahmoud Bangura from RMFA on behalf of the Sierra Leone Movie Stars. The money was then disbursed into the Account of the Anti-Violence Movement, as the Sierra Leone Movie Stars did not have a functional Account at the time of the disbursement. Seventy-Five Million Leones (Le75,000,000) of the said money was then requested for by Mr. Bai Mahmoud Bangura; which the Executive Director of Anti-Violence Movement authorized. No proper account of the said funds was given by the former Minister. Mr. Adekalie Samura, as Permanent Secretary, approved these improper financing arrangements when knowing fully well that there are no supporting documents attached. Two Hundred and Twenty Million Leones was also misappropriated by the Anti-Violence Movement.

According to the agreement reached with the ACC, as settlement, Mr. Bai Mahmoud Bangura will pay back the total sum of Seventy-Five Million Leones (Le 75,000,000), being the full amount misappropriated, Mr. Adekalie Samura, will pay back the total sum of Five Million Leones (Le5,000,000); whilst Mr. Bernard Conteh will pay back a total sum of Two Hundred and Twenty Million Leones (Le 220,000,000)* being the full amount misappropriated, totalling Three Hundred Million Leones (Le300, 000,000). Mr. Bai Mahmoud Bangura has paid back the sum of Thirty Five Million Leones (Le35, 000,000).

Sierra Leone News: Ghana to School Seawright Mining on Aquaculture

June 6, 2019

The fifteen man delegation from Sierra Leone at the Aindo-Ansah Farm in Ghana.

In a bid to beef up their operations Seawright Mining Company has led a fifteen man delegation from Sierra Leone to Ghana to undertake the first ever aquaculture research.

The aquaculture which is a component of fish farming was the first to be undertaken by a Sierra Leone Company. The delegation comprises Seawright Mining Team, Parliamentarians, Agriculture Ministry, the media, lecturers and students from Njala University.

Seawright Mining Company Chief Operation Officer, Jabulani Mkoko said among other things that they are looking at analysing the models that have been done in Ghana, for them to adopt the best practices in Sierra Leone after which Seawright can model their own business thereby avoiding the pitfall Ghana business went through in its initial stages.

He said from the research Seawright Mining Company will start with very limited possible challenges.

He continued to say that they have learnt all that needed, such as the appropriate supply of good quality feeds, supply of the fingerlings without which the business can’t drive and in the area of skills.

He recalled that Seawright Mining Company is still in an exploration stage and the company is trying to diversify.

He pointed out that the company is well known for its CSR in their operational areas and even beyond. He cited lot of support programs such as construction of schools, bridges and cold rooms for the community they are operating among others.

Aindo-Ansah Farm Limited in Okyereko – Winneba Eastern Region of Ghana is one of the biggest fish farms. The Managing Director Jacob Ainoo-Ansah explained that since 2010 they had been engaged in Tilapia Fingerlings Production.

He said they train and support farmers on technical skills in over six regions in Ghana and also export to Nigeria and South Africa.

On their successes, he continued to say they are supplying small farmers’ fingerlings among others.

Fish farming, he said is contributing to Ghana GDP quite significantly and about 2,200 farms have created employment and food security.

On the side of challenges, he said one need to understand the market, who to share it with, develop infrastructure and marketing which is very important.

Feeds, he added constitute about 70 to 90%, technical knowhow is also very important as technology is changing day by day and a managerial skills because it is a business.

“I will say to Sierra Leone they have to be thinking about the future, regarding food security. Fish farming is not an option; about 50% of international markets are fish farming therefore Sierra Leone cannot escape from it. If you compare it to capital fishing, capital fishing is easier but it is not guarantee. Sierra Leone should start it and take it serious; it is a business and an art.”

Lecturer, Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management, University for Development Studies Northern Ghana, Dr. Christian Larbi Ayisi, explained the places he chose for the research which included the Archery for Cat Fish, the State Research Center, S-Hoint Ltd and Raanan Fish Feed Ltd.

He said fish is what everybody wants in Ghana and there is a decline in capital fishing but aquaculture has come to solve that problem in respect of protein. “Aquaculture is not a joke in Ghana, the government is pushing on it and more research is being done.”

He said Ghana started from scratch; Sierra Leone too can do the same as the team comprises Lawmakers.

“Feed is what Sierra Leone should go along with, if they do not get the right feed, everything will crash. The team should go with a positive mind that they are capable of doing it.”

Hon. Alex Mattia Rogers of Constituency 102, Pujehun District is the consultant for Seawright Mining Company. He explained that the good intention of Dr. Alfred Seawright to establish fish farm in Sierra Leone is highly welcome.

“We are in Ghana to learn the way the business is run, so that back home we will be able to do well when it will be established considering the policies as compared to Ghana.”

He continued to say from their discussion as a team, they came to realize that there is a disconnection between Agriculture and Fisheries Ministries; and they as Members of Parliament will look into the tax consumption for agricultural products because Agriculture will complement the drive of the President Maada Bio towards food security and nutrition.

Dr. Mapade Olufemi Julius Head of Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Management, Njala University described the trip as a wonderful experience and from the look of things he believed Sierra Leone could even do better.

He rebuked critics that say aquaculture is not part of Sierra Leone setup.

“In terms of water and land resources in Africa, Sierra Leone is highly endowed; I strongly believe we have all it takes to beat all the giants in the industry. I think we need to direct our strategy and do the right thing”

He said the driver of aquaculture is what Sierra Leone lacks.

“The government is trying their best but for such sector to develop we need the private sector.”

Hon. Tom Isaac Tucker of Constituency 022 Kono District described the research as one that opened their eyes and making them to understand that Fish Farming is one of the best and most important area a country need to embark on.

“We will be able to create the same in Sierra Leone from what the team have learnt, the technical experience and the wiliness of the ministries. We have to put policies together that will enhance such project”

He pointed out that Seawright Mining is one of the companies he admired due to their CSR in the two communities they are operating.

He said if this project comes into reality, it will ease the tension of fish in Kono and beyond.

Sierra Leone News: First Lady Says Remove Cutting & Keep the Tradition

June 6, 2019

First Lady of Sierra Leone, Madam Fatima Maada Bio,

During an august meeting known as the Women Deliver Conference hosted in Vancouver, Canada deemed to be the largest gathering for gender equality in the world – Her Excellency the First Lady of Sierra Leone, Madam Fatima Maada Bio, delivered a powerful statement on the reforms needed to strengthen the power of girls and women in Sierra Leone.
Based on her statement the First Lady was commended for calling for an end to the cutting of girls as part of a rite of a passage ceremony, while maintaining the tradition, knowledge and power that come with the gathering of women and girls that is central to the Bondo society.

She called for looking at many countries where the sacred spaces, tradition and culture associated with secret society and initiation have been nurtured and respected, but where cutting has been successfully banned.

“It is time for Sierra Leone to join a growing movement of girls, women and their allies who are calling for a world where girls can live free of all forms of violence, including Female Genital Cutting/Mutilation,” she eloquently underscored.

The First Lady was applauded for her clear, bold and courageous statement that education is a basic and fundamental human right that should be enjoyed by all girls, irrespective of their social status or circumstance.

Her expressed wish to meet with those impacted by the policy banning pregnant girls from school before she is able to make further statement on the matter was well noted.

In light of what she highlighted, Purposeful and the Coalition for Girls Education said they are delighted to extend a formal invitation to Her Excellency to come and listen to testimonies from girls affected by the ban at a Special Girls Court Hearing – The Citizens Assembly will convene on June 27, 2019 – the same day the ECOWAS Court will hear a formal case brought by partners to overturn the policy banning pregnant girls from school in Sierra Leone.

Purposeful looks forward to working with the First Lady and the Government of Sierra Leone in their collective effort to build a world where girls are safe and free to enjoy their full human rights.

Sierra Leone News: Persons of Interest Compelled to Appear but must be Silent -Justice Atuguba Rules

June 6, 2019

Ghanaian judge William Annan Atuguba has ruled that persons of interest summoned before his commission 67 are compellable to appear but can remain silent if they so desire. The judge in his opinion agreed with state counsel Lawyer Musa Mewah that persons of interest are technically witnesses of the Commission.

This ruling however seems to be at variance with a ruling given by Justice Biobele Georgewill of Commission 64 on the same issue in which he said they’re not under any force or compulsion to appear before him.

In another development former Secretary to erstwhile President Koroma, Mr. Emmanuel B. Osho Coker has denied knowing anything or even aware of the sale of government shares in the Sierra Rutile Limited in 2012. Led in evidence by state counsel Mrs. Khadija Zainab Bangura in commission 64, the former secretary to the president denied every knowledge of the sale of the government’s shares in SRL adding that not everything that went to State House passed through him.

Still on the SRL probe, state witness Mr. Sahr Lahai Jusu tendered a document at the COI that he got from Bank of Sierra Leone that hinged on the matter under probe. When asked who the Minister of Finance was at the time of the sale of the government’s shares in SRL, he replied it was Dr. Samura Kamara. At that point, Justice Biobele Georgewill asked that the proceedings be halted until the former minister Dr. Samura Kamara was served notice of hearing. The matter was adjourned to Monday June 10.

Sierra Leone News: VP Juldeh Jalloh Refutes Political Statements

June 6, 2019

To set the record straight Sierra Leone’s Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh has refuted statements made by certain politicians that there is presently palaver in Sierra Leone. The Vice President maintained that there is no palaver in the country, but revealed that the reality in Sierra Leone is that the Sierra Leone Peoples Party won the 2018 Presidential election and is ruling the country but the opposition is behaving otherwise. He therefore said that the SLPP should be allowed to rule the country. He made the statement while addressing stakeholders in Port Loko City at the Presidential Villa on the 4^th May, 2019. Dr. Jalloh recalled that late President Ahmed Tejan Kabbah conducted the 2007 Presidential election that was won by the then opposition All Peoples Congress (APC) Party whilst the then ruling Sierra Leone Peoples Party lost the election. He added that the SLPP accepted the defeat and allowed the APC to govern the country with peace without jumping on the street to fight. “If APC accept defeat, there will be no problem. But there is nothing like palaver or tension in the country, people are manufacturing palaver”, he emphasized.

The Honourable Vice President informed the gathering of the New Direction Government’s determination to move the country forward with better development, but cautioned that the Government will not hesitate to deal with anyone who flouts law and order. He furthered that no one is above the law of Sierra Leone; therefore, anybody who disturb public peace will be dealt with accordingly whether you are present or past official. He called on opposition parties especially the main opposition APC to respect the law, to allow peace, and to obey law and order in the country. “The SLPP led Administration is ready to develop and move the country to a better place at the Global stage. ‘We will not allow anybody to divert our attention from the New Direction Plan which is in implementation” he re-echoed.

The Vice President expressed dismay at people calling for justice, he explained justice as the act of people speaking truth to perpetrators of violence and hooliganism. He further explained that justice is the art of stakeholders condemning act of violence by politicians in power who terrorized their own people just because they are opposition supporters. He referenced the beaten with broken legs of then opposition SLPP loyalists by hoodlums sent by the then former Minister of Works Alhaji Kemoh Sesay, and the burning down of houses of the opposition SLPP supporters including the house and private school of the present Deputy Minister of Basic and Secondary Education Mrs. Emile Gogra in Port Loko District by APC thugs of Kemoh Sesay. Vice President Jalloh in no nonsense terms expressed his disappointment at religious leaders and statesmen/stakeholders in the country especially in Port Loko District for not condemning the brutal act that was perpetrated by the APC in Port Loko District and the country in general.

Dr. Jalloh encouraged former President Ernest Bai Koroma to act as a Statesman. He noted that the Government of President Julius Maada Bio fully recognizes former President Koroma as a Statesman; therefore, he is expected to behave in such a manner. Sierra Leone, Vice President Jalloh reiterated, has peace and there is no conflict, the only conflict he told the people is APC refusal to accept defeat and give peace a chance.

He informed the people that Port Loko has only one party, which is the Port Loko Peoples Party. The Vice President encouraged his kinsmen to put the interest of the district first and above political party interest for the growth and development of the district. He also appealed to SLPP supporters to accept Bai Bureh Warriors and help contribute to the growth of the team for the sake of peace and development in the district whether the present management of the team is APC or not, especially now he has been given the status of patron member. He assured the people of his continued support to the district.