It Is A Truism That… Councils, Governments Can’t Function Well Without Taxes

June 24, 2020

By Amin Kef Sesay

Whilst it is apparent that Freetown City Council Mayor, Her Worship Aki Sawyerr and her Council made a mistake in not first consulting with her supervisory Ministry to explain the rationale behind the Council’s decision to raise the outdated property tax in the city, which has not been revised in the last fifty years, there is certainly every reason for the Council to, in a realistic way and manner, revise property taxes in the city, in line with growing financial needs, including her avowed mission of transforming the nation’s capital city to be attractive and pleasing to national, regional and international visitors and tourists, with tourism one of the sectors the Government has said it wants to use to boost the economy across several fronts.

Truth of the matter is that, the New Direction Government, since it came to power in 2018, has increased many taxes in order to raise revenue to meet its obligations to the people, on the understanding that to foster economic growth, Governments need sustainable sources of funding for social programs and public investments.

Generally, taxes are a necessary evil that no Government can do without. Programs providing health, education, infrastructure and other services are important to achieve the common goal of a prosperous, functional and orderly society. And they require that Governments raise revenues.

Taxation not only pays for public goods and services; it is also a key ingredient in the social contract between citizens and the government. How taxes are raised and spent can determine a Government’s very legitimacy. Holding Governments accountable encourages the effective administration of tax revenues and more widely, good public financial management.

As such, all Governments need revenue, but the challenge is to carefully choose not only the level of tax rates, but also the tax base. Governments also need to design a tax compliance system that will not discourage taxpayers from participating.

Companies consider high tax rates to be among the top five constraints to their operations. The amount of the tax cost for businesses matters for investment and growth. Where taxes are high, businesses are more inclined to opt out of the formal sector. A study shows that higher tax rates are associated with fewer formal businesses and lower private investment.

Compliance with tax laws is important to keep the system working for all and supporting the programs and services that improve lives. One way to encourage compliance is to keep the rules as clear and simple as possible. Overly complicated tax systems are associated with high tax evasion.

Thus keeping tax rates at a reasonable level can encourage the development of the private sector and the formalization of businesses. Modest tax rates are particularly important to small and medium-size enterprises, which contribute to economic growth and employment, but do not add significantly to tax revenue.

Businesses care about what they get for their taxes. Quality infrastructure is critical for the sound functioning of an economy because it plays a central role in determining the location of economic activity and the kinds of sectors that can develop.

On the side of Government, a healthy workforce is vital to an economy’s competitiveness and productivity—investing in the provision of health services is essential for both economic and moral reasons. Basic education increases the efficiency of each worker, and good-quality higher education and training allow economies to move up the value chain beyond simple production processes and products.

Thus, whichever way we look at it, citizens and businesses are obligated to pay taxes and for those monies to be properly accounted for and judiciously utilized to provide the social goods and services society need to live decently and happily.

As She Engages Krio Community… FCC Mayor Justifies New Property Tax System

June 24, 2020

By Amin Kef Sesay

The Freetown City Council (FCC) on the 22^nd June 2020 held a consultative meeting with a cross section of the Krio Descendants Union and the Krio Community based on the request of the latter. Some of those present at the meeting were Samuel Valcarcel, Kobi Walker, Christoph E. F John, Josephine Buck, Alhaji Savage and Madam Femi Claudius-Cole.

This medium was made to understand that the main objective of convening the meeting was geared towards addressing the concerns and provide clarification about Freetown City Council’s (FCC’s) new stance on property rates and business license reform.

Lasting for three hours, Mayor Aki-Sawyerr succinctly made it abundantly clear that there has been a fundamental change in the way properties are being valued, which therefore has culminated in some property rates increasing whilst others have decreased.

The result oriented, eloquent and very pragmatic FCC Mayor presented to those present during the meeting factual data that ascertained that the annual property rates for 80% of all properties in Freetown will still be Le500,000 or less with the new system. In other words, that sum amounts to about Le42, 000 per month.

According to what she told those present with the property rates system not having been reviewed for decades, FCC has not been able to effectively deliver the services its residents want, from maintenance of the Metropolis eleven (11) cemeteries to provision of adequate numbers of sanitary inspectors and much more.

It was also discussed that there is the need for a policy for pensioners and those with extenuating circumstances. The Mayor further clearly underscored that the property rate is an annual charge that can be paid in monthly instalments.

She intimated how the FCC has extended this year’s due date for the payment of property rates to the end of September 2020 because of the prevalence of the COVID-19.

This medium also learnt that the meeting was very constructive with those in attendance also confirming that they now have a better understanding of the property rate reform and are very supportive of it.

Mayor Aki-Sawyer assured that the FCC will continue to engage all Freetonians to ensure that misconceptions about the new system are clarified. She revealed how there is an Enquiries and Appeals Desk at FCC and residents are encouraged to call 078333000, 088333000 or 034333000 if they have any questions or concerns about their property rates or business licenses.

In an exclusive interview with Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyer she stated that her heart was breaking at what the city was becoming maintaining that in her two years a lot has improved within the Freetown Municipality.

“Gutters have been dug in flood-prone areas, dustbins have proliferated throughout the city, grass is sprouting from a roundabout once strewn with litter and there is still much to do. Electricity flickers. Taps run dry. Rubbish heaps bigger than football fields still fester,” she lamented.

She averred that last year the cash-strapped Freetown City Council got around 70% of its budget from foreign donors. “Revamping property taxes will bring in five times more revenue this year and it is prudent for payments to be made directly into a Bank account rather than be paid in cash,” she said adding how such are big reforms on a continent where property taxes bring in less than 0.4% of GDP compared with about 2% in the rich world.

The Mayor bemoaned that she is ashamed to call home a city that struggles to maintain its own cleanliness and sanitation and every year has to send its elected leader cap-in-hand to a white man/woman to beg for money to clean the city’s mess created by its own citizens who then do not want to pay for that cleaning.

“I am ashamed to look my British and American friends in the eye when they ask me why my friends and co-city dwellers who live in houses valued at $100,000 – $500,000 (and/or charging rent of $3000 – $25,000 per year) are unwilling to pay local taxes of $300 – $700 per year and yet want to spend $1000 to fly to London or Maryland every other year to take a break,” she postulated.

She affirmed how she is ashamed that her fellow Freetownians expect the taxpayers of European and North American countries to pay for the cleaning up of our garbage because we are hard-pressed during COVID time as if they are not affected.

“I am not aware of a citizen in any country or society that enjoys paying taxes but however they must understand that it is the price they pay for living in an orderly and civilized society,” she argued.

She added that our choice is to pay for our crap to be cleaned or to ask John Bull to pay for it stating that John Bull never does anything for free as we will have to pay in return one way or the other.

The Mayor called on Freetownians to step up and pay to clean up the city. In a philosophical tone she said: “If you want deferred payments stagger the rates at which you trash your city, defer your next defecation until you can pay your taxes. Perhaps when you experience the pain of constipation you might prioritise these payments that are largely going towards our own sanitation and hygiene.”

She asserted how she can understand, though she feels it is wrong, that political appointees are politicizing the issue for their own ends but said she is expecting more from Freetownians.

When this medium went out to gauge the views of some Freetownians on this new development, a prominent business man have this to say: “I have followed with keen interest the few that have criticised the Mayor on property tax increments for one set and possible reduction for others…Freetown is only implementing what Bo did over a decade ago – introduce a GPS AUTOMATION SYSTEM that has a mill rate (base rate) for all properties. There are additions and subtractions based on Location, Size, Quality, design etc.

In other words the more valuable and better located the property the more the additions, and for the masses the lesser the value and the more inconvenient the location, the more the deductions on the mill rate. This system was rejected by the FCC for so long whereas the most progressive and arguably the best Mayor/Chairman since 2000, if not ever, Bo City’s former Mayor Dr WUSU SANNOH, grabbed the opportunity and modernised the property tax law in Bo. Those complaining should take a second back and appreciate that for 10 years FCC allowed them to pay far less than their compatriots in Bo city for example.”

Curfew & Inter-District Lockdown Relaxed

June 24, 2020

By Amin Kef Sesay

Since the country recorded its index case of COVID-19 on Tuesday 31^st March, 2020, the Government of Sierra Leone in response to the virus instituted restrictive measures to curtail the spread of the disease in the country. Some of these measures included but not limited to the imposition of a 9:00 pm to 6:00 pm curfew, closure of churches and borders, imposed an inter-district lockdown, prohibited public gathering, closure of entertainment centres, banning sporting activities.

However, on Tuesday 23^rd June, 2020, President Dr. Julius Maada Bio, during his 5^th Presidential address cum Press Conference on COVID-19 at State House in Freetown, mentioned the relaxation of some of the restrictive measures that were inter alia instituted.

The President said the curfew has been shifted from 9.00pm and will rather now commence from 11pm to 6am and the Inter District lockdown has now been lifted, effective Wednesday 24^th June, 2020.

Digressing from the relaxation of the restrictive measures the President called for the observance of a minute silence for the 5 year old girl that was brutally raped and murdered as well as other previous victims of rape.

He registered outrage and expressed determination to bring the perpetrators to justice and called on all Sierra Leoneans to join in the fight against the social malaise.

“Permit me to digress briefly from the purpose of this press briefing today and express both outrage and total condemnation of continued incidents of rape, sexual, and gender-based violence in this country. The depravity of sexual violence is obscene, criminal, and totally objectionable,” he condemned.

The President said as a Government they stand with the survivors, victims and their loved ones stating how his Government will vigorously prosecute cases and bring all perpetrators to justice.

“My Government is committed to providing support for survivors and the First Lady, myself, and I urge every Sierra Leonean to join in raising awareness, advocating and standing up to rid this country of this menace. My Government is committed to equal protection and justice, inclusive development and equal access to opportunity for every Sierra Leonean, especially women who constitute 51% of our population,” he intimated

Speaking on the COVID-19 situation, President Bio said: “With the support of international and development partners, traditional and religious leaders, civil society, the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists, and various community stakeholders, our COVID-19 preparedness and response measures have been robust. We have not experienced the apocalyptic-scale infections and deaths that have been recorded in other countries.

“We owe a debt of gratitude to our health workers, NACOVERC and COVID-19 staff, the security forces, and district and other administrators and staff, who have all worked relentlessly. To every Sierra Leonean who has complied with healthcare protocols, public-safety directives and also communicated awareness of the virus, we thank you immensely.”

President Bio then acknowledged the mistakes and lapses in the fight against the disease, but maintained that most have been resolved saying he is heartened by the recovery, discharge and lower infection rates in the country.

“As a Government, we acknowledge that we could have better anticipated and handled, at the outset, some lapses in restrictions on movement, care and quarantine administration, delayed payments and procurement, 117 calls, and slow district operations set-ups. We have largely resolved most of them and we will continue working harder to minimize gaps and lapses.

“We have had high recovery and discharge rates, lower infection rates, and proportionally lower death rates three months on. This is because we have got a lot of things right over those three months. Our anticipation and timely responses, contact tracing and surveillance, well-considered economic response, social safety support, and other measures have been praised and well-supported by our multilateral and development partners.”

“Sierra Leone”, His Excellency furthered, “is now better equipped to tackle the disease.”

He said: “We now have greater lab capacity and more specimen collectors, more care beds, better IPC protocols and equipment, enhanced and purposeful use of digitalization and technology to support our response, more social and mental healthcare support, a decentralized response network, and increased public messaging. NACOVERC has developed an updated National Strategic Response plan that takes into account our current needs and situation. Details will be announced soon.

“Overall, we are now more adept, nimble and confident that we will surmount challenges and continue managing this crisis.”

President Bio referencing the observation and suggestion by the WHO on a time frame for the disease urged citizens to continue to observe all the health protocols currently in place.

“As other countries world-wide, the World Health Organization have acknowledged COVID-19 will be with the world for probably the next one year as experts find an effective vaccine. It will remain a highly infectious disease and deadly. I, therefore, strongly encourage continued compliance with all measures that will help us mitigate and suppress the spread of this virus.

“I urge every citizen to strictly comply with healthcare and public safety protocols from handwashing, using face masks, social distancing, travel restrictions, and all other restrictions on public gatherings in public spaces. As a person, only you can protect yourself and your loved ones from this virus by choosing to comply with all directives.

“We are encouraged that surveys indicate that more Sierra Leoneans are aware of the Corona virus and know what to do to prevent and treat the disease. But there is alarming apathy and a refusal to comply with protocols. Sierra Leoneans either refuse to or do not PROPERLY WEAR FACE MASKS or practice social-distancing. That attitude is irresponsible and dangerous for citizens who continue to live in denial. Remember, only you and your actions can help protect yourself against the Corona virus.”

“In all our decisions during this crisis, we have aimed to save lives but we have also worked to sustain livelihoods, support the most vulnerable, and keep our key economic and human capital development sectors healthy. Our considerations have been driven by copious real-time data. We continue to closely monitor data and we are attentive to advices.”

The President informed that the Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority has held extensive consultations with stakeholders and considered developments in the aviation sector around Africa and in the world.

He mentioned how countries are opening their airspaces stating that a broad inter-sectoral body will soon finalise rational, effective, and affordable pre-arrival and departure protocols that are in consonance with best practices elsewhere and WHO guidelines.

“We will also soon install technology at the Lungi International Airport that will help us monitor, test, and trace all travelers. Once all measures are in place, commercial flights will resume in the very short run.

“I have initiated engagements with colleague Heads of State of the Mano River Union countries with a view to discussing and adopting a harmonised approach and common measures on the re-opening and monitoring of our common land borders and once we finalise those discussions, we will open all land borders and crossing points.

“I have instructed the NACOVERC Interim Coordinator and his team to develop and announce enforceable infection prevention control protocols (especially the mandatory and proper wearing of face masks and other healthcare protocols). Only travellers who comply shall be allowed to travel on all vehicular transportation. This will be strictly enforced by the security forces. We will assess the data after the two-week period and announce further measures.

“The Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary School, in consultation with stakeholders, has developed comprehensive health and safety guidelines for teachers, pupils, and their communities for the sole purpose of providing a safe environment for our students who are taking public examinations at all levels. Those guidelines are consistent with best practices around the sub-region and the world. We will monitor the data and determine and scale up further actions as necessary.”

“Whilst easing restrictions, Government will expand testing, contact tracing, and surveillance to unprecedented levels. Government will monitor the data and take all further necessary action. While there may be a temporary surge in numbers, this aggressive action will help us isolate and deal with especially community infections.

“So the key take-away from this engagement is that as we ease restrictions and re-open the economy and livelihoods, I urge all citizens to comply with all healthcare and public safety directives. The NACOVERC Coordinator and Security forces will strictly enforce all measures deemed necessary to flatten the curve,” His Excellency concluded.

Choithram Sets the Record Straight

June 24, 2020

By Amin Kef Sesay

When news of the death of little Dija (a 5 year old girl), who was raped, reached this medium, including allegation that the Choithram Hospital refused to administer treatment to the girl when in need, like all well-meaning Sierra Leoneans, this writer decided to mount an investigation into the incident. Arriving at Choithram Hospital at Hill Station, this writer met officers from the Mountain Police Division (Akon Police Station), who were also there to verify the truth of the allegation and to carry out their own investigations.

During the meeting with the Management of the hospital, Dr. George, the Hospital Manager, showed to all present, a video footage of the arrival and initial examination done on the child by the hospital doctors on duty then.

He then explained that according to the time on the video footage, the child was brought in by a lady on an Okada at about 7.45 pm on the 17^th June 2020, and was ushered into the out-patient department of the hospital. According to him, two doctors on duty then examined the child and during their examination, they discovered that the hands of the little girl were stiff; a sign that she has been dead for a while (at least above 30 minutes). Thus the child was brought to the hospital dead.

From the video footage showed, the doctors examined the child three times, using all methods, including the use of a torch to look at the pupils of her eyes to determine whether she was really alive or could respond to treatment.

The result was that the child was already dead when brought to the hospital. A report was then entered in the Hospital’s book of patients who were ‘brought in dead’ to the hospital. The doctors enquired from the lady about the father or male relative of the girl and were told that the relatives were on their way to the hospital.

On their arrival, the doctors then broke the story of the girl’s condition to the male family members. They were then told to call 117 and take the corpse to the Connaught hospital to determine the cause of death, as it is the latter that has the expert to determine the cause of death (Pathologist).

Satisfied with the explanation, corroborated by the video footage, this medium then enquired from other journalists who had earlier visited the hospital and got the same findings from them. Speaking to medical experts as to whether the victim could have been revived if oxygen was administered at the time of arrival based on the condition she was brought in, it was made clear that nothing could have been done when a patient is already dead and parts of her body has already stiffened.

Death, they said, “is the irreversible cessation of all the body functions”. Dr. George of Choithram Memorial Hospital said that it is the duty of all doctors to save life and they will not fail to attend to any patient that arrives at the hospital in such an emergency situation.

However, the concern of many Sierra Leoneans is how this menace of rape could be stopped. Though the law exists where stiffer penalties have been promulgated for rapists, the issue of concern to many rights campaigners is the absence of a forensic lab to determine the identity of the perpetrator.

It could be recalled that several medical experts, including Dr. Owizz Koroma, have requested for the setting up and equipping of a forensic laboratory to deal with such cases, so as to provide indisputable evidence of the identities of perpetrators. It is the absence of this evidence that defence lawyers in such cases capitalise on to gain freedom for their clients. Lawyer Taylor had once said that though a female lawyer may have sympathy for girls and women, yet she has an obligation to her clients to see that the evidence provided by the prosecution proves beyond all reasonable doubts that her clients are guilty and such proof is dependent on evidence provided by a forensic examination.

As things stand, the absence of this integral element for conviction of rapists, beyond all reasonable doubt, will work in the favour of the accused and victims will continue to suffer from such abuses.

Meanwhile, our investigation has further revealed that the alleged perpetrator and accomplice have been arrested and are helping the Police in their investigations.

This incident has further brought outrage from the Resident Coordinator of the United Nations, First Lady, Madam Fatima Bio, His Excellency President Maada Bio and a host of CSOs, Women groups, ordinary citizens and the media all saying Enough is Enough!

NP-SL: A Dominant Entity in the Petroleum Landscape of the West African Sub-Region

June 24, 2020

By Amin Kef Sesay

The National Petroleum –Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd) has really made considerable inroads within the petroleum landscape of this country. Based on effective and efficient service delivery, the result oriented company has drawn wide-spread commendations from near and far for holding the fort for too long, weathering various storms.

The company, formed years back by certain selfless Sierra Leoneans (thirty-five of them), has grown by infusing business oriented initiatives that have helped in transforming it into a towering company within the business landscape of this country and even in the West African sub-region where it has vibrant operational branches.

One major thing which these local investors considered very paramount that has catapulted the company is the premium placed on optimizing customer care, which, they believe, will put the company in a very good stead to widen its customers’ base. It was against such a backdrop that they decided to import and install calibrated pumping machines at the company’s various Filling Stations, which are very capable of churning out the right quantity of fuel and at the same time display the corresponding price.

The introduction of these machines was a big welcome to many, as it is constantly instilling the feeling that they are getting the right quantity of petroleum products, petrol or diesel as well as lubricants, against what is being paid for. Hitherto, the old pumping machines were not so sophisticated and created leeway through which certain unscrupulous pump attendants clandestinely cheated customers by not pumping the requisite quantity of fuel requested for. However, with the latest calibrated machines, such became a thing of the past, making petroleum transactions at the company’s Filling Stations very transparent.

NP-SL made it a laid down policy to have a whole Customer Care Department that is charged with the responsibility to address the concerns of its customers and by extension members of the public. The inputs from members of the public are, most times, taken into consideration whenever meetings are convened, out of which resolutions are adopted that are tailored to give satisfaction in terms of responding to concerns and embracing certain recommendations.

The buoyant oil marketing company is the premier and sustainable indigenous business entity in this country, as it is hundred percent owned by Sierra Leoneans. One thing that they laid emphasis on is to give preference, in terms of employment, to exclusively Sierra Leoneans instead of considering bringing foreigners on board, except in instances where local expertise could not be sourced.

This stance on the part of the company is in sync with the country’s Local Content Policy, which underpins making use of local human and material resources in the production and service delivery chain. By giving employment preference to Sierra Leoneans, the company has been positively contributing towards poverty alleviation and availing individuals the opportunities to live improved standards of living. The policy is truly in tune with fulfilling one of the pillars of the national economic agenda.

With regards rolling out its Corporate Social Responsibility, NP-SL has been doing so steadily and progressively. The company has been giving institutional support to certain institutions, as it did in the recent past when it capacitated the National Fire Force, Kissy Branch, with a state of the art water facility that is designed to provide water throughout the year.

Besides, the company recently joined the fray in trying to combat the spread of the coronavirus in the country when it donated the sum of one Billion Leones to the Emergency Operation Centre, as its own support in the fight against the spread of the virus. This gesture was highly appreciated and the company was commended for its timely response.

The company’s introduction of a Smart Card to purchase fuel has been widely applauded as a very good initiative. A particular customer, with money in his or her NP Smart Card, could easily put in for the quantity of petrol or diesel that he or she wants and the supply is facilitated, after which the amount of money expended is deducted from the card. It is a very convenient way of doing such transactions in a cashless manner. Its biggest advantage is that it creates room for a customer to budget for fuel purchase over time. NP Smart Card is now trending and many are presently using it, saying they prefer it than using physical cash.

Some users of NP Gas that this medium spoke with, intimated how it is a very good device which has a high speed performance and very environmentally useful and friendly. Manufactured in different cylinder shapes, it is portable and affordable. NP Gas could be secured at all the company’s major Filling Stations, where the gas to refill it could be accessed.

The company has really exhibited that it is poised to expand its operations, a determination that has been manifested in opening branches in Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast and The Gambia. In all those countries, those NP branches are doing extremely well in terms of service delivery and payment of taxes to the home Governments.

Indisputably, there is no way that we can talk of a very successful company, amidst challenges encumbered along the way, without mentioning NP-SL because the company is greatly contributing to the socio-economic development of nations. Growth, to diligently serve humanity, forms part of its cardinal objectives.

Less Privileged Members Benefit from New Life Ministry Food Distribution

June 23, 2020

General Overseer of New Life Ministry International, Bishop Archibald Cole

By Foday Moriba Conteh

The New Life Ministry International has embarked on a nationwide feeding of less privileged members to help address economic difficulties these members face especially those accentuated by the coronavirus pandemic

According to the General Overseer of New Life Ministry International, Bishop Archibald Cole, the Church is not only concerned with spiritual up building of its members but also the physical wellbeing.

Bishop Archibald Cole continued that the ban on congregational gathering, as a result of the Coronavirus has had a huge effect on the operations of the church as well as its members.

He, however, noted that the ban has not stopped the church from reaching out to its members, adding they have been utilizing social and traditional means like radios and television mediums to reach out and encouraged members. The food distribution, which started a week back, targeted all branches of New Life Ministry across the country.

The distribution of food items to deprived members was not only spear-headed by the church administration alone, but also the women’s wing. According to Rev. Irene Cole, Co-Founder and International Women Supervisor of New Life Ministry International, the support also identified deprived and hardworking women at the different branches within the western area.

The food items, she noted, are to enable these women to maintain their homes and look after their children. She furthered that the support provided essential food items which included 25kg bags of rice, onions, palm oil and other cooking condiments to keep homes running.

While giving out the food items, Rev. Cole also encouraged women not to be negligent with their prayers. She continued how the ban on congregation prayers may have prevented them coming together but it should not prevent them from performing their individual prayers at home.

She further encouraged them to continue their good work at their different ministries, noting they were selected by their leaders because of their hard work. Rev. Cole also reminded them to be mindful of the health advice from the Ministry of Health and the Emergency Operation Center to keep themselves safe as she hopes to see them when congregational prayers resume.

Duba Mansaray, one of the beneficiaries, commended the church for the kind gesture noting how it is coming at the right time to address the economic difficulties they face. She furthered that the coronavirus pandemic has not only affected their economic activities but is also affecting their spiritual lives noting how she finds it hard to pray alone at home.

ECOWAS Ministerial Coordinating Committee Recommends Gradual & Coordinated Opening of Borders

June 23, 2020

By Amin Kef Sesay

In a Press Release issued on the 17^th June 2020, the ECOWAS Ministerial Coordination Committee on Transport, Logistics and Trade made certain recommendations on the harmonized and gradual re-opening of land, air and sea borders for restoring cross border economic activities, especially for movement of humanitarian personnel, medical supplies and equipment and essential goods in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

The recommendations were adopted for submission to the Co-Chairpersons of the ad-hoc Ministerial Committee, Honorable Minister of Aviation for the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Hadi Sirika and President of the ECOWAS Commission H.E Jean-Claude Kassi Brou for onward submission to President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and champion of the regional COVID-19 response H.E Muhammadu Buhari, for the subsequent presentation to the Summit of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government.

The Ministers discussed and agreed on practical modalities based on the report of the regional experts meeting held virtually on 8th and 10th June, 2020 as well as the draft Guidelines for the Harmonization and Facilitation of Cross Border Trade & Transport in the ECOWAS Region on the Covid-19 Pandemic and Related Post-Recovery Actions.

After their deliberations which took place on the 12th and 16th of June, 2020, the Ministers recommended a gradual and coordinated opening of land borders and airports of ECOWAS Member States based on health data on the evolution of the pandemic and called for the appropriate fiscal measures by Governments to support the effective implementation of the guidelines.

According to the meeting’s report, the opening of the borders is to be hinged on the proposed Guidelines for the mitigation of health risks and the harmonization and facilitation of cross-border trade and transport in the ECOWAS region in the context of the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, amounting to a coordinated and progressive opening of air, land and maritime borders.

They also held that the reopening has become imperative in view of the need to revive the economies of ECOWAS member countries.
The Ministers recommended a three-phased approach to the opening of land and air borders beginning with local, internal, domestic, air and land transport within ECOWAS Member States, then a second phase which involves the opening of land and air borders..

Following a review of the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic in respective Member States, a third phase of opening air and land borders to other countries with low and controlled levels (according to WHO classifications) of COVID-19 contamination rates will be pursued.

The Ministers further called for accurate information sharing on opening-up measures among Member States in the spirit of solidarity, collective self-reliance and inter-State co- operation through bilateral and multilateral consultations. They also called for the need to ensure speedy and safer clearance of transit goods at the borders and minimize physical contact in customs, cross-border trade transactions through the rapid deployment of the new ECOWAS Interconnected Goods and Transit Management System popularly termed SIGMAT.

They also urged the provision of such information to private sector actors namely shipping lines, Airlines, cross-border transporters and traders, media and civil society while ensuring strong collaboration at borders among control agencies for the establishment of arrangements to control travellers regarding the COVID-19.

Owing to the need to ensure an effective coordination mechanism to follow-up implementation of the guidelines at both national and regional levels, the Ministers called for the use of existing State or regional structures and committees responsible for ensuring the proper application of the protocols on free movement on Community corridors and borders of national and regional trade, among others.

The Ministerial Coordinating Committee, chaired by Nigeria’s Aviation Minister Senator Hadi Sirika, made a plea for “strong and determined support for the ownership and implementation of the guidelines” once adopted by the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government.

Apart from Ministers from Member States, the meeting was also attended by the ECOWAS Commission’s Commissioner for Infrastructure, Mr. Pathé Gueye and his counterpart for Trade, Customs & Free Movement, Mr. Konzi Tei, the Director General of the West African Health Organization (WAHO), Professor Stanley Okolo as well as the Commissioner in charge of Community Spatial Planning and Transport at the Commission of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), Mr. Paul Koffi Koffi.

As she addresses Protesters on Rape Saga… AG Calls for Criminal Justice Policy

June 23, 2020

Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dr. Priscilla Schwartz

By Foday Moriba Conteh

As child-led Civil Society Organizations in the country held a peaceful protest on the 22^ndJune 2020,to express their indignation over an alleged rape of a five-year-old girl in Freetown, the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dr. Priscilla Schwartz in addressing the issue and trying to cool down the tempers of the protesters at her office in Freetown, called on the Government of Sierra Leone to develop a Criminal Justice Policy.

According to her, the Criminal Justice Policy will provide guidance to criminal justice officials in order to unearth the problems associated with rape and find possible ways to tackle those problems within our society in order to give undiluted justice to victims of sexual offences in the country.

She described the alleged rape of the five-year-old girl as a sad moment for Sierra Leone as a nation furthering that upon all the efforts being made by the Government of Sierra Leone to combat rape in the country, rape cases continue to skyrocket in the country.

The Justice Minister applauded the courage of members of the various child-led Civil Society Organizations that braved it out to stage the peaceful protest, adding that they have really demonstrated patriotism by showing concerns for the rights of women and girls in the country.

Dr. Priscilla Schwartz noted that recently Parliament enacted the Sexual Offences Acts into strong laws to ensure that the perpetrators of rape face life imprisonments and that even if the court cannot found perpetrators for rape they will be sent to prison for aggravated assault.

She expressed dissatisfaction over the issue stating how the Police did not inform her about the alleged rape of the five-year-old girl and only came to know about the matter only on Social Media pointing out that she will ensure that there is a proper channel of information dissemination in the future.

The Minister also disclosed that the Office of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice has set up a special individual to serve as Coordinator to be responsible for the investigation of rape cases furthering how her Office will also continue to work in the interests of all Sierra Leoneans in order to eradicate this bad menace in society maintaining that justice is not about the law but justice is what the people fight for.

Presenting a position paper on behalf of the child-led Civil Society Organizations, Executive Director of Kids Advocacy Network (KAN), Edmond Alim Fornah, stated that it contains issues of alleged multiple rapes in the past that were not treated justly also highlighting the death of the five year old ,Khadija Saccoh, calling for immediate action to be instituted for justice to prevail.

He said they are addressing his Excellency the President, Julius Maada Bio and also the First Lady, the Government and People of Sierra Leone, the United Nations and the International Community and all Human Rights and Civil Society Organizations that enough is enough.

He also called on Child led Organisations, Women Groups, Civil Society Organisations, in Sierra Leone through the Kid’s Advocacy Network to offer solace and support to victims of rape and another Gender Based Violence

He disclosed that they as an institution are deeply concerned with the increase in sexual assault and rape cases.

He added that, according to an autopsy report which confirmed that they young girl died as a result of rape, they are therefore seeking justice for the victim stating that the perpetrators must be held accountable.

He called on the Police to mount a thorough investigation into the matter underscoring that there should be no discrimination in dealing with rape cases in the country.

He also called for the setting up of a Special Court to deal with rape cases and said that the Government needs a sound national strategic plan on ending Gender Based Violence as well as the establishment of a forensic lab so that tests could be conducted and rape cases ascertained.

Executive Director of Dalvina Children’s Foundation, Khadijatu Dalvina Bangura,in an exclusive interview said her organization is focusing on child protection and for the past years they have been working in the interests of children, adding that when they received the news, as an organization of the alleged rape of a five-year-old girl in Freetown she described the act as inhumane. She revealed that their activism goes beyond influencing policies and extends towards spreading the message across that such actions against women and girls are inhumane further affirming that rape must stop now.

She said that Sierra Leoneans are calling on the Government to take the necessary action to see that the perpetrator (s) face (s) justice and give closure to the family.

“Whilst guilt will not bring back the child, but serious action, by way of punishment for this action will send the signal that all cases of rape will face the same fate,” she maintained.

Aminata S.F Conteh, one of the Big Sister empowerment show contestants, who was also part of the protest, disclosed that the issue of rape is not a concern for only the Government but for every meaningful Sierra Leonean, adding that for the past years she has been working in the interests of children especially on their wellbeing.

She said that even with a lot of efforts made in eradiating rape in the country like the launching of the ‘Hands of Our Girls’ ,rape continues to be on the increase which she described as very worrisome.

She called on the Government of Sierra Leone to ensure that there is justice towards the alleged rape of a five-year-old girl, Khadija Saccoh, and other rape cases in the country.

Ambassador Hu Zhangliang Holds Online Press Conference with Journalists

June 23, 2020

By Amin Kef Sesay

On the 19^th June 2020 the Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Hu Zhangliang, held an online Press Conference with members of the Sierra Leonean Fourth Estate.

The Ambassador reminded newsmen that on June 17^th 2020 an Extraordinary China-Africa Summit On Solidarity Against COVID-19 was held virtually that was jointly initiated by H.E. Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China, H.E. Cyril Ramaphosa, President of the Republic of South Africa who is also the current Chairman of the African Union and H.E. Macky Sall of the Republic of Senegal who is also the current co-chair of FOCAC.

He said President Xi Jinping chaired the Summit and delivered a keynote speech entitled “Defeating COVID-19 with Solidarity and Cooperation”

The Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone highlighted that as the pandemic continues to afflict the world, including the African continent, convening such an extraordinary summit at this crucial moment once again demonstrates the China-Africa brotherhood through thick and thin.

“It will help consolidate the consensus between China and Africa on solidarity against the virus and promote fresh development in China-Africa cooperation, and inject new impetus to support multilateralism and boost international cooperation against COVID-19,” he noted adding how the Summit was efficient, pragmatic, productive and highly successful and it was held in a warm and friendly atmosphere.

“In the keynote speech, H.E. President Xi Jinping pointed out that, in the face of COVID-19, China and Africa have offered mutual support and fought shoulder to shoulder with each other. China and Africa have enhanced solidarity and strengthened friendship and mutual trust.

China’s commitment to its longstanding friendship with Africa will never change.

No matter how the international landscape may evolve, China shall never waver in its determination to pursue greater solidarity and cooperation with Africa,” he furthered.

Quoting H.E. President Xi Jinping the Ambassador said, “COVID-19 is still affecting many parts of the world. Both China and Africa face the formidable task of combating the virus while stabilizing the economy and protecting people’s livelihoods. We must always put our people and their lives front and center. We must mobilize necessary resources, stick together in collaboration, and do whatever it takes to protect people’s lives and health and minimize the fallout of COVID-19.”

The Ambassador disclosed that a series of important initiatives and proposals were put forward in the keynote speech of President Xi:

First, China and Africa must stay committed to fighting COVID-19 together. H.E. President Xi Jinping pointed out that, China will continue to do whatever it can to support Africa’s response to COVID-19. China will continue to help African countries by providing supplies, sending expert teams, and facilitating Africa’s procurement of medical items in China. China will start ahead of schedule the construction of the Africa CDC headquarters this year. China will work with Africa to fully deliver the health care initiative adopted at the FOCAC Beijing Summit. China pledges that once the development and deployment of COVID-19 vaccine is completed in China, African countries will be among the first to benefit.

Second, China and Africa must stay committed to enhancing cooperation. H.E. President Xi Jinping stressed that, to cushion the impact of COVID-19, it is important to strengthen Belt and Road cooperation and accelerate the follow-ups to the FOCAC Beijing Summit. Greater priority needs to be given to cooperation on public health, economic reopening, and people’s livelihood. While taking measures such as debt relief and suspension, China will continue to carry out relevant cooperation to boost Africa’s development and revitalization.

Third, China and Africa must stay committed to upholding multilateralism. H.E. President Xi Jinping said that, in the face of COVID-19, solidarity and cooperation is the most powerful weapon. China will work with Africa to uphold the UN-centered global governance system and support WHO in making greater contribution to the global COVID-19 response. China and Africa should oppose politicization and stigmatization of COVID-19, oppose racial discrimination and ideological bias and stand firm for equity and justice in the world.

Fourth, China and Africa must stay committed to taking their friendship forward. The world is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century. Given the new opportunities and challenges we face, closer cooperation between China and Africa is needed, more than ever. China and Africa need to support each other on issues involving the respective core interests, and advance the fundamental interests of China and Africa and, for that matter, of all developing countries. This way, we will be able to take the China-Africa comprehensive strategic and cooperative partnership to a greater height.

The Ambassador pointed out that these above initiatives and proposals demonstrate the firm determination of China to work with Africa to “defeat COVID-19 with solidarity and cooperation”. He said they point the way forward for epidemic response and practical cooperation between China and Africa, chart the course for the future of China-Africa relations, and unleash strong, positive energy for the international community to secure an early victory against COVID-19 through solidarity and cooperation.

He said the leaders participating in the summit all noted the special significance of the Extraordinary Summit convened at a time when the coronavirus is affecting Africa and many parts of the world.

“They described the Summit as another strong testimony to the close, resilient friendship between Africa and China and underlined that China and African countries have long stood by each other through thick and thin,” the Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone informed newsmen.

He stated that they affirmed that Africa deeply appreciates China’s valuable assistance and help in its COVID-19 response, including providing medical supplies, technologies and experience sharing. He said they noted that in the face of the virus, no country is superior to others or can beat it alone adding that only when humanity work in solidarity and collaboration and respect each other can the disease be ultimately defeated.

“They agreed that the disease is a global crisis of an unprecedented scale, which is only to be defeated when the community of nations enhances solidarity, uphold multilateralism and support the work of the WHO and other international organizations,” he continued.

According to him ,the leaders also applauded China’s exemplary efforts in helping Africa beat the virus and recover economy, saying that China’s concrete help to Africa has once again proven it as an all-weather friend and good partner.

He underscored how the African leaders reaffirmed their firm commitment to the Africa-China comprehensive strategic and cooperative partnership.

They are ready to build an Africa-China community of health for all, and a community with a shared future for mankind, he highlighted stating how the long-standing friendship between Africa and China will last forever.

“A Joint Statement of the Extraordinary Summit was issued summarizing the important consensus reached.

The major points include:(1) China and Africa are determined to deepen friendship and strengthen mutual support as they work toward an even stronger China-Africa community with a shared future. (2) The Chinese Ambassador said the two sides will enhance solidarity and cooperation, and support the UN and the WHO in leading and coordinating their joint efforts to fight COVID-19.

That the two sides will scale up implementation of the follow-ups to the FOCAC Beijing Summit and give greater priority to public health, economic reopening and people’s well-being.

That China and Africa will uphold multilateralism, reject politicization of COVID-19 and safeguard international equity and justice.

China supports African countries in exploring development paths suited to their national conditions and opposes interference in Africa’s internal affairs by external forces, supports Africa in implementing its “Silencing the Guns” campaign and urge for an early lifting of economic sanctions on Zimbabwe and Sudan.(6) The African side firmly supports China’s position on Taiwan and Hong Kong, and supports China’s efforts to safeguard national security in Hong Kong in accordance with law.

“The Extraordinary Summit is a concrete step to deliver the commitment made at the FOCAC Beijing Summit. It’s a solid step in ‘building an even stronger China-Africa community with a shared future’. It is a boost for cooperation between China and Africa in fighting COVID-19. This year marks the 20^th anniversary of the establishment of FOCAC. In the next stage, China will continue to actively implement the relevant measures proposed at the Extraordinary Summit, help African countries including Sierra Leone fight against the pandemic within our capacity.

At the same time, I hope that friends from the media will continue to play an active role in delivering the true messages of cooperation between China and Sierra Leone and between China and Africa in various fields, especially in the fight against COVID-19. Let’s work together to contribute to the new development of China-Sierra Leone and China-Africa friendship.

As President Xi Jinping said at the summit, “humanity will ultimately defeat the virus, and the Chinese and African people are poised to embrace better days ahead,” Ambassador Hu Zhangliang concluded.

Civil Aviation Authority DG Presents Case for Reopening of Airspace

June 23, 2020

By Theresa Kef Sesay

Moses Tiffa Baio, Director-General of the Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority (SLCAA), has submitted a case to the National COVID-19 Emergency Response Centre (NaCOVERC) justifying the reopening of Sierra Leone airspace for commercial flight operations amidst growing national and international concerns.

While commending the Government of Sierra Leone on its admirable response so far in the fight against the COVID-19 outbreak, he noted that the aviation industry is facing the biggest challenge of its history.

The Director-General observed the wide-range economic impact caused by the pandemic, such as never experienced before. He maintained that before the suspension of schedule flights, aviation was contributing greatly to revenue generation which was used to steer the affairs of the State, and was also contributing to the economic livelihood of those working in different sectors in the industry.

“The SLCAA being a member of the Global Network of the Aviation Industry has held series of consultative engagement meetings on the need to reopen the airport to schedule flights. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), through the Council Aviation Recovery Task Force (CART), has resolved to partner with its Member States, international and regional organizations, and industry general to address these challenges and provide global guidance for a safe, secure and sustainable restart and recovery of the aviation sector,” DG Baio said.

He added: “The aviation community is ready for and fully committed to a safe restart, but we need all relevant authorities to act so operations can be resumed. To cope with the challenges the COVID-19 pandemic poses to travel, IATA proposed a road map for restarting aviation, aimed at providing the confidence that Governments are looking for to enable the lifting of travel restrictions and border controls while restoring the trust that travellers need to return to flying.”

Drawing the attention of NaCOVERC to neighbouring countries (Liberia and Guinea) that were on the verge of reopening their airspace to schedule flights, he stated that it would make Sierra Leone’s fight against COVID-19 cumbersome as a result of porous borders and other security concerns.

He concluded by noting the public health and safety measures the industry is putting in place for resumption. “We have had a joint inspection session of hotel facilities, airport clinic, sea transportation, the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) with the Sierra Leone Airport Authority, and Tourist Board. SECURIPORT are currently setting up E-gate to maintain social distancing; we have ongoing discussions with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to provide Temperature Measurement and Disinfectant Channel, which can be used for both Cargo and Passenger movement to minimize human contact and also contactless (censored) hand sanitizers,” he said.

In response to the Director’s presentation, Interim National Coordinator of NaCOVERC, Brig Rtd Kellie Hassan Conteh said the focus of NaCOVERC was centred on how much they could control the pandemic, stating further that Sierra Leone should be prepared for a possible Public Health risks should the industry be in haste to reopen the airport.

“NaCOVERC is not in a rush to advice on the reopening of the airport. We will be informed by the pandemic itself. Should NaCOVERC decide to advise the Government on its reopening, all questions asked by the SLCAA will be looked into,” he said.

The Director of Health Emergency and Security, Dr. Mohamed Vandi said he was impressed with the measures the SLCAA has intended to put in place to reduce the human interface, adding further that SLCAA had addressed all the necessary questions they had intended to ask. However, he maintained, that NaCOVERC would prefer to conduct mainly test on arrival because there was no blanket approach to COVID-19 related testing.

“What we are currently doing is passive surveillance which involves testing people from quarantine centres and tracing primary contacts. We want to start conducting active case search after that we will advise on the resumption of flight operations. This will include testing every staff at the airport, including SLCAA and other service providing agencies operating within the industry before the reopening of the airport,” he said.