Fellow Sierra Leoneans, on this day, let us, as Sierra Leoneans recognise and celebrate the innumerable and invaluable contributions of our nation’s women to our collective history, peace, and development. Let us also use this day to challenge and commit ourselves to affirming the rights, safety, and access to opportunities for our women and girls.

We cannot afford the huge cost of excluding women from our national development process. We cannot afford to not empower and include 51% of our population in our nation’s governance and its social and economic development. We must, in line with this year’s theme, “Think Equal, Build Smart, Innovate for Change.”

Nations that are most successful the world over are nations that have harnessed the entirety of their human capital. My government will continue to escalate investments in human capital development across the entire population but with particular emphasis on women and girls.

We have launched new efforts to promote women’s safety, health, access to opportunity, and to promote economic empowerment. Our free quality education programme not only opens a unique opportunity to close the wide gaps on access to education, it has a strong retention and completion component that strongly encourages every Sierra Leonean to ensure that girls persist and succeed in school. At the tertiary levels, we have introduced automatic grants-in-aid for women accepted in STEM disciplines right across the board.

Women are involved in equal numbers in my government’s Directorate for Science, Technology, and Innovation that seeds, tests, and scales innovation in collaboration with the private sector, governance and research institutions. The welfare of women and girls is at the centre of our peripheral health unit programmes, free ambulance services, primary health care initiative, and the training of more healthcare staff.

Our push to establish a comprehensive diagnostic and cancer care treatment centre in Sierra Leone will address the disproportionate deaths of our women and girls of ovarian, cervical, and breast cancers. That initiative is accompanied by a cancer awareness programme and the training of cancer care specialists made possible by partners. Our food security initiatives and other social safety schemes are well underway.

We are finalising financial empowerment initiatives that will grant women access to lending for agriculture and small enterprise development. Comprehensive national ID schemes will enhance financial inclusion and access to financial institutions. Women are at the centre of continuing justice sector reforms that will address equal access and protection. We are reviewing and strengthening laws to ensure the safety and protection of women and girls. In the interim, we have declared a national emergency on rape and sexual violence, and we are working to prevent and respond to gender-based violence.

Civil society organisations, women’s advocacy organisations, our bilateral and multilateral development partners continue to inform, enhance, and advance our determined fight to create a new Sierra Leone in which women and girls thrive in safety and contribute to the development of our country.

Our commitment is beyond mere words and beyond mere acknowledgement of an obligation. The protection and empowerment of our women and girls is critical to our existence and progress as a nation. Together, we can do better; together, we will be better as a nation. We must “Think Equal, Build Smart, Innovate for Change” with our women at the centre of the development process.

I thank you.

On 7th March 2019 mainstream institutions that are significantly related to the development of a public-private partnership framework for Technical Vocational Education Training TVET met with consultants of Lattanzio KIBS and National Youth Commission to validate findings from a consultative engagement.

The framework according to the team lead Dr. Andrew Simmons is to “identify gaps, issues evolving from the process and explore various approaches” for the development of public-private partnership in TVET in Sierra Leone.

NAYCOM’s Commissioner, Ngolo Katta ,said “there is no way the Government can employ the entire youth population which is about 42%,” adding that the National Youth Commission will invoke provisions in the National Youth Commission’s Act of 2009 for private institutions to employ young people.

The framework examined other working documents from other countries.

Among key recommendations made by participants at the workshop were; review of the PPP policy framework on skills, create a basket fund for the TVET, to construct a state of the earth TVET center for skills training and to organize TVET week attracting all TVET trained graduates.

Lattanzio KIBS is the consultant for the National Youth Commission’s ADB funded Youth Entrepreneurship and Employment Project benefitting 2000 young people in three key areas—skills development for employment, career guidance and job readiness and graduate entrepreneurship programme.

One of Sierra Leone’s premier business ‘babies’, the National Petroleum (NP) Sierra Leone Limited is really maintaining very high standards in terms of qualitative service delivery as well as comporting itself effectively, making its sustainability very guaranteed and admirable to many.
The company has always brought in and installed latest pumping machines which have the capability of displaying the unit prices of certain petroleum products sold such as diesel, petrol, kerosine thereby enhancing transparency in all its transactions. “This is a mark departure from what used to transpire in the best when what was pumped into the tanks of vehicles could not be properly displayed leaving room for doubts and certain unsavoury games to be played. I am really impressed with how NP is today doing it,” Mohamed Mansaray, a poda-poda driver said with some amount of satisfaction.
The company has good tankers that move with fuel to different parts in the country where it is operating
With dedicated and highly motivated members of staff manning the company’s various filling station dotting different parts of the country, NP has been efficiently providing good services to its numerous customers and has been gaining widespread attention for timely qualitative service delivery.
“Offering accessible services to their numerous and cherished customers seems to be well maximized by Management and such is contributing immensely in enhanced visibility of the company,” Chernor Bah, an entrepreneur highlighted.
Though in the past some mischievous individuals have attempted to drag the good name of the company to the mud by fabricating falsehoods, history can testify that there has never been any period of time when NP has been named for illegality.
Rather it has been timely tax compliant and operates within the confines of business laws that are binding on companies operating within the country.
The company is held in high regard for availing Sierra Leoneans job opportunities which have somehow helped in drastically reducing the unemployment rate in the country. If this country was to have had similar businesses owned by purely indigenous shareholders then this problem of unemployment must have long been a thing of the past.

The humble beginning of NP will make an interesting reading or story that depicts how determination and resoluteness can indeed make wonders to transpire. It is very inspiring to say the least.
The former British Petroleum (BP) Company decided to sell its shares to the Government of Sierra Leone that was in existence at that time.
In 1996 the Government sold its 60% shares in BP to some of the company’s members of staff. 55 % was paid upfront from the end of service benefits of the workers from BP and the 5% offered to all the other workers. Thus a new company known as LEONEOIL started operations.
It was the World Bank that proffered advice for the privatization of the company. The 55% sale of Government shares to NP therefore came as a result of the World Bank’s admonition. 4 companies took part in the bid, but it was LEONOIL that won the international competitive bidding that was conducted by Arthur De Little (a United States based Management consultancy firm). LEONEOIL later on metamorphosed into NP, meeting all the set criteria.
It was understood that the members of staff were very serious and capable enough to properly manage the company to such an extent that, unlike others, it survived most of the challenges that it had encountered.
It was learnt that the 40% PMMC’s stake in the company, owned by the late Jamil Sahid Mohammed and Tony Yazbeck, was given as collateral for a loan from a Bank by one of the parties.
Jamil Sahid Mohammed, later sold to Cape Oil PMMC’s 40% shares to offset a fidelity loan, but LEONE OIL was not satisfied with that move and took the matter to court on the grounds that it was in violation of the M and A, which dictates that the other side has the first option to buy. The outcome of the matter was that the High Court gave judgement in favour of LEONE OIL.
Certain people have suggested that the Government and other stakeholders must give NP all the necessary support it deserves to make it further formidable and highly competitive.
But what is for now very certain is that NP-SL Limited

Although the present SLPP led Government under the leadership of President Julius Maada Bio has expressed its intention to bring some amount of sanity vis-à-vis the abysmal state of our beaches, especially the Lumley /Aberdeen beach, it will however take a dogged political will to translate that into reality. It can be no gainsay to state that this country can proudly boast of having fine beaches which if properly controlled and developed have the potential of serving as magnetic forces for increased number of tourists to visit the country.
Of course most are aware of the co-relationship between an enhanced tourism sector and rapid economic development when cognizance is taken of the fact that tourism is a major source of deriving foreign exchange or currencies which can swell Government’s revenue base. One can only suggest that serious attention must be paid to enhancing it so that much could be realized from what it offers.
Lamentably though, the insanity, unrestrained and haphazardness that have all become features of the Lumley/ Aberdeen beach paints a negative picture of an issue that is nothing good to write home about and therefore necessitates swift action to be instituted in order to restore sanity and decorum.
It is no secret that the increased number of entertainment spots on both sides of the beach has contributed greatly into making it lose its initial beauty and depriving those who go there for relaxation and recreation not to get the best out there with regards enjoying the naturalness of the beach which should have turned out to be a very attractive place worth frequenting especially over the weekends.

Some have been bitterly complaining that visiting that beach now is no longer attractive as they can hardly get a clearer view of the sea and the incoming waves. “In order for the current SLPP Government not to be prevented from doing the right thing for the beach to reclaim its past glory it should not heed to any hue and cry as it happened when the APC Government headed by Ex-President Ernest Koroma embarked on a drive to demolish all structures along the beachfront,” Abu Tarawallie admonished adding that this not a matter of politics but rather development.

It is really disheartening that today most entertainment structures are being erected along the beachfront, effectively blocking the view of the Atlantic Ocean from visitors and patronisers of the beach resort.
Of course it came as welcome news when this new Government disclosed that it will restore sanity by ensuring that all entertainment spots are located on one side of the beach, leaving the other side of the beach facing the sea vacant for the attraction of tourists.

Expressing her view, Marie Turay, who intimated that she is a beach lover and frequent visitor had this to say : “We need to borrow a leaf from The Gambia where tourism has been highly developed providing much needed revenue and employment for young people.”

There is a particular school of thought that have expressed the convincing argument that with the positive strides that the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, under the leadership of Minister Dr. Memunatu Pratt, is taking together with the National Tourist Board to revamp tourism in the country there is no doubt that if appropriate actions are taken then definitely the country will witness a turnaround in terms of realizing much from that sector with regards increased revenue mobilization.

Reports within the confines of this medium has revealed that one Hon. John Sattie Kargbo of Constituency 111 in the East End of Freetown has allegedly transformed himself into a beast and demi-god as he stand accused of beating up 5 women, Finah Bah aged 21, 68 year old Haja Fatmata Samura, Doris Mansaray aged 29 and four months pregnant including 2 witnesses Saio Kamara aged 20 and Mariatu Mansaray aged 29.
Hon. Sattie Kargbo is said to be residing at Deep Eye Water.
The said incident took place at around 17:00 to 18:00 hrs at Rokel village last Friday 1st March 20i9. All the victims who suffered the assault are residents of Rokel and residing within the same residence or compound where the incident occurred,
It was understood that the victims reported the case at the Hastings Police Station.
Police Officer, Abubakarr Sidique Kanu, who was investigating the matter, intimated that the five victims reported the issue claiming that Hon. Sattie Kargbo assaulted and brutalized them.
He furthered that the matter has been referred to the Kissy Police Division.
When he was contacted the APC Honourable claimed that as a matter of fact he was the one who was beaten by the women stating how he sustained a cut on his hand and one of his legs is swollen.
Hon. Sattie Kargbo said that it was one child who said that Finah Bah alias Mimi (one of the ladies allegedly beaten) who stole his phone and after that Mimi started raining abusive language on himself and his wife.
He added that the five women are his tenants and it was one of them who was suspected of stealing his phone saying he made a report at a Police Station.
The aged woman was admitted at a hospital.
The 21 yrs old woman by the name of Doris is believed to be 4 months pregnant and she is reportedly in serious pain.

The Sierra Leone Brewery Limited has etched its name in the sand of times as one of the most vibrant business entities rated to be a success story in terms of positively contributing to national growth in diverse ways. The Company is the leading brewer of non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages, such as Beer, Maltina, Guinness Stout, Mutzig etc that have become the favorites of citizens and non-citizens. Customers of Brewery have copiously heaped showers of praises on the company for qualitative brewing of drinks which many have confessed gives them optimal pleasure and satisfaction when consuming various brands.
Mindful of maximizing customer satisfaction the Sierra Leone Brewery Limited over the years have been making positive strides to efficiently enhance its production chain. It has financially invested hugely in procuring state of the art machinery matching international best standards. This is evident in increasing its fermentation tanks, upgrading its waste water treatment plant, mash filter equipment, CO2 and Cooling plants, and making use of latest technological machinery.
Exemplary, SLBL has been rated as one business entity in this country that has been executing the Local Content Policy very seriously and doggedly sticking to it thereby promoting empowerment and enhancing poverty reduction. Sorghum is an integral ingredient that is used in the production of the company’s cherished beverages. Today there are over 25,000 Sorghum farmers in different parts of the country that are cultivating the product and selling their produce to SLBL. The company has been empowering these farmers with the avowed objective of making them more productive and self-reliant. Without any gainsaying the symbiotic business relationship between Brewery and these farmers is greatly helping in the area of poverty reduction especially when cognizance is taken of the fact that most of them are presently experiencing improved standards of living.
This medium is very mindful of the fact that the Sierra Leone Brewery Limited is standing tall in the realm of effectively and commendably churning out its Corporate Social Responsibility that have been meaningfully impacting the lives of residents within the Wellington Industrial Estate where the company is located and even beyond. Health facilities, taps, offering of scholarships to deserving pupils and students, offering of employment opportunities, youth empowerment, supporting social activities form a small portion of what the company has offered and still continues to do all in a bid to complement Government’s development interventions.
It is widely known that one of the major sources where Government derives revenue to undertake development programmes is through tax mobilization. Amazingly, the Sierra Leone Brewery Limited is one of the largest tax payers to the National Revenue Authority and it is doing so in a timely manner.
To further improve the efficiency of its bottling operations and to ensure its service to its revered customers, Sierra Leone Brewery Limited has just completed an extensive overhaul and maintenance to its bottling plant. The project, which immediately follows the most expensive brewery expansion and upgrade in facilities, is another large investment of the company in the economy and manufacturing sector of Sierra Leone.
Many were delighted that the SLBL conducted a massive overhaul and extensive maintenance of their machines based on planned schedule, manufacturers’ recommendations and international standards.
In order to ensure efficiency the company employed the services of Krones, a German firm that specializes in the supply and modernization of plants, together with a large team of SLBL’s locally trained Sierra Leonean engineers that conducted the process which was completed in the first week of February.
It is good news that maintenance and high standards are part of the company’s culture. The objective was to renew the packaging equipment based upon international best practice and manufacturing excellence principles. With this, the upgraded bottling line is now more efficient and capable of producing more products with the same high international standards now and in the upcoming years which the company’s revered consumers will continue to be proud of.
The company’s canning line is functioning effectively and subscribers are gradually getting used to the drinks it is producing. It has noted however that the temporal halt in bottled drinks production as a result of the overhaul has created a slight shortage of the company’s bottled products.
However many appreciated when the company assured that their brand new canning packaging line that was recently commissioned is in perfect working order and stocks from the canning line are now filling any shortage that emerged.
With no iota of exaggeration the Sierra Leone Brewery Company is an entity that continues to climb higher heights, will further win the minds of many and meaningfully contribute to overall national development.
Indeed, SLBL will continue to maximize customer satisfaction. Sierra Leone Brewery Limited planted its roots in the field of manufacturing alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages to consumers over 57 years ago. The establishment has continuously expanded its product range through innovation to meet customer satisfaction at all levels. Their endeavor is to establish not just a contractual relationship with our stakeholders but to build relationships which are lasting and rewarding to the country and to contribute to the growth of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
All their products are certified and following all the regulations as per approved local and international standards. SLBL manufactures Star Beer, Mutzig Premium Beer, Guinness Foreign Extra Stout, Salone beer, Trenk Energy Drink and Maltina Non-Alcoholic. We also market Heineken Beer, Strong Bow Cider, Fayrouz malt none alcoholic drink, Royal Club range of soft drinks and Climax Energy Drink.

Jacob Jusu Saffa who is the Minister of Finance joined the Ministry of Youth Affairs during the first Youth in Entrepreneurship Project National Dialogue Forum in Sierra Leone.
The ceremony which took place at the Atlantic Hall, National Stadium Hostel in Freetown was graced by the Minister of Trade and Industry-Hon. Peter Bayuku Conteh, Deputy Minister of Information and Communication-Lawyer Solomon Jamiru, Deputy Minister of Political and Public Affairs-Amara Kallon, Commissioner of NAYCOM-Ngolo Katta, National Youth Service Executive Director-Pateh Bah and over 70 youth groups across the country among host of others.
Speaking on the theme: “Promoting Youth Entrepreneurship in Sierra Leone,” the Acting Minister of Youth Affairs, Hon. Lusine Kallon, said the move is appropriate and timely because “we want to cater for every category of youth despite your region, religion and political affiliations.”
The dialogue session, according to the Acting Minister, will help the Ministry to record the different types of businesses in which the youth were engaged in.
He added that the discussion with the various youth groups and other successful entrepreneurs will help the Government to assess the challenges facing youth entrepreneurship.
In his assuring commitment, the Finance Minister said the Government is willing and ready to provide the funds necessary for the development and empowerment of the youth.
Whilst defining the term ‘entrepreneurship,’ Hon. J. J Saffa said youth entrepreneurship is a process through which young people engaged in doing business.
He emphasized that entrepreneurship is the process of designing or running a new business, which is often initially a small business. He noted that the people who create these businesses are called entrepreneurs.
He therefore encouraged the youth to embrace the initiative to better their living standard/s and contribute meaningfully to nation building.
“This project does not want to know whether you are an APC or SLPP but as long as you are a strategic business person the youth entrepreneurship project is for you,” the Finance Minister said.
Minister Saffa noted that President Julius Maada Bio’s promise on youth empowerment has been fulfilled as those in the Senior Secondary Schools, tertiary institutions and universities have already benefited from the President’s promise. He said after graduation they will be the next set of young entrepreneurs.
The Trade and Industry Minister pledged his Ministry’s unflinching support to the project. He said this will put premium on capacitating local entrepreneurs in line with the local content policy.
The Deputy Minister of Information and Communication-Solomon Jamiru said youth unemployment affects all African countries including Sierra Leone. He stressed that the only unique distinction is that under the New Direction, President Bio has made frantic efforts to reverse the ugly trend.
The project is expected to be launched by President Julius Maada Bio to give it a national face.

It has now become very apparent that in the ongoing Housemates Salone 2019 Reality TV Show there are more heads to roll. The last eviction that took place on Sunday 3rd March 2019 was the second eviction in the 8 weeks competition that will end mid -April 2019.As the days go by definitely there will be further evictions until the competition reaches its climax with an emerging winner who will deservingly bag the prestigious Le 100,000,000 star prize. For now the vast majority of the populace are speculating and conjecturing which Housemates will be evicted and those that will survive but what is certain is the indisputable fact that all of the current competitors are in a state of suspense. Conscious of the trend the competition is taking all of them are trying tooth and nail to capture the minds and hearts of viewers that watch the show on AYV TV Channel 34 and the wider public to cast their votes for those they favour via Africell No: 5500.
The Africa Young Voices (AYV) and Africell came together to organize Housemates Salone 2019, with the intention to provide entertainment and signicantly creating the platform for youth empowerment in the direction of natural self-expression, exposing innate talents and acquisition of new skills.
Presently, the Housemates are benefitting from experience gaining generated by interviews, lectures, artistic displays, social interactions etc.
It has been attested that these Housemates will gain incisive insights into different aspects of life that will give them an edge to be sourced by certain investors.
Housemates Salone has become viral and is on the lips of Sierra Leoneans from different walks of life who are expressing divergent views about the performances of the contestants.
The organizers of the Reality TV Show, AYV and Africell, have exhibited the competence to package the show investing millions of Leones in making it happen.
For such an achievement, both institutions have been widely commended and many have called on other institutions to provide a similar platform for the empowerment of young people.
From what was gathered there will be more unfolding fun that will continue to thrill viewers.
Heads are bound to roll as the competition progresses.
Who will really turnout to be the fortunate winner could be anybody’s guess. But for now Housemates Salone 2019 is a novelty.

The National Petroleum (NP) Sierra Leone Limited has been rated as a business entity that is first in terms of customer care. Dealing in various petroleum products, the company has been widely acclaimed for the cordial, smart and efficient manner in how it is treating its numerous customers in different parts of the country.
The company has become very endearing simply because their dedicated staffs are trained to respond to the needs of customers. Giving satisfaction to customers forms a cardinal objective of NP and from what was learnt it has been maximizing that very well.
It is on record that certain Ministries, Departments, Agencies, Non-Governmental Organizations and private institutions have Memoranda of Understanding with NP bordering on supplying their vehicles fuel and payment made later. This hire purchase agreement is a true manifestation of how the company is geared towards being customer friendly and it is a business strategy that has helped in the areas of increased capital base and expansion.
NP-SL has been lauded for its strict adherence to business principles and ethics which has contributed to catapulting it to the enviable position that now occupies.
Investigations mounted revealed that one of the secret behind the success of NP-SL is the fact that the entity has been blessed with successive capable Management teams that have been injecting fine initiatives that are yielding fruitful dividends.

NP has a rich and interesting historical background worthy of note. Narration reveals that the former British Petroleum (BP) Company decided to sell its shares to the Government of Sierra Leone that was in existence at that time.
In 1996 the Government sold its 60% shares in BP to some of the company’s members of staff. 55 % was paid upfront from the end of service benefits of the workers from BP and the 5% offered to all the other workers. Thus a new company known as LEONEOIL started operations.
It was the World Bank that proffered advice for the privatization of the company. The 55% sale of Government shares to NP therefore came as a result of the World Bank’s admonition. 4 companies took part in the bid, but it was LEONOIL that won the international competitive bidding that was conducted by Arthur De Little (a United States based Management consultancy firm). LEONEOIL later on metamorphosed into NP, meeting all the set criteria.
It was understood that the members of staff were very serious and capable enough to properly manage the company to such an extent that, unlike others, it survived most of the challenges that it had encountered.
It was learnt that the 40% PMMC’s stake in the company, owned by the late Jamil Sahid Mohammed and Tony Yazbeck, was given as collateral for a loan from a Bank by one of the parties.
Jamil Sahid Mohammed, later sold to Cape Oil PMMC’s 40% shares to offset a fidelity loan, but LEONE OIL was not satisfied with that move and took the matter to court on the grounds that it was in violation of the M and A, which dictates that the other side has the first option to buy. The outcome of the matter was that the High Court gave judgement in favour of LEONE OIL.
Certain people are saying that NP is eclipsing other companies in the petroleum market in the country, but such is a falsehood, as it was ascertained that there are other Companies marketing petroleum products that are registered with the Petroleum Agency.
Another thing worthy of consideration is that Petro-Leone is a storage company that was established by both Addax and Leone Oil (NP) so that petroleum products will always be available in the country and avert shortage.
The company so far has provided job opportunities for many individuals both in this country and Liberia.
NP undoubtedly continues to heighten its customer care and it has become the darling of many.

Residents of Bo district are pleased to be enjoying improved electricity supply. President Julius Maada Bio’s promise of providing quality and affordable electricity supply is yielding a successful dividend in the southern city of Bo, where the people have acclaimed his Government for providing improved electricity supply. The electricity supply success story in Bo City is driven by EMCO Construction and Logistics Limited, which prides itself to be one of the best Independent Power Producer (IPP) in the electricity sector. The company has since its inception last year, massively improved electricity generation thereby benefiting thousands of households.
EMCO’s two brand new Caterpillar generators have increased the mega wattage and company officials have promised further increase in the coming months.
The Logistic Manager Sahr Abu Sam in an interview pointed out that, they have being in charge of generating electricity and supply to EDSA since the current administration acceded power in April last year. Our machines are up and running 24/7 round the clock; but it is EDSA that determines what goes out to the public and the area(s) they are supplying electricity, Mr. Sam said.
We don’t have control over the supply of light to the township but believe you me, any area(s) that get light based on their schedule fully enjoy the facility, he added. The EMCO strongman said, they always ensure that there is adequate fuel supply in the bowser capable of containing 22,000 litres of fuel. “The people of Bo Town are enjoying considerable supply of electricity at the moment as compared to before now,” said Sahr Abu Sam.
However, he furthered that, the challenge is for EDSA to improve on the distribution network in the entire township. The EMCO Construction and Logistics Manager explained that most of the distribution lines are old and as a result of that, people experiencing drops along the supply chain or called it leakage which is responsible for the fluctuation of electricity supply in some areas. In some other areas, the light is dim because of the drop in voltage. The solution he said is squarely rest on the shoulders of EDSA.
Sahr Abu Sam furthered that as an IPP entity, they are working assiduously alongside an Italian mechanical engineer based in Sierra Leone to get the other four Allen Machines running and hope that by the end of the year all of the plants will be in operations. If, we’re able to achieve that, then the supply of electricity will improve considerable for the entire township and its environs.
An entrepreneur running business at the city centre, Madam Agnes Sandi gave glory to God and the Rtd. Brig. Julius Maada Bio SLPP led government for the improvement of electricity supply which she noted is also helping to enhance commerce.
Agnes Sandi noted that she had spent huge sums of money in the past in a bid to get sustainable amount of electricity supply buying fuel and for the maintenance of her generator.