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Africell-Sierra Leone Launches “Mi RIDE KEKE” Transportation Service

By Amin Kef Sesay

A new product called “Mi Ride Keke” has been officially launched by Africell Mobile Company on Friday 1st November, 2019 at their Wilberforce headquarters in Freetown.

The launch of this product is in the bid to support women empowerment through job creation in Sierra Leone which the leading GSM mobile operator in terms of customer connectivity has entered into partnership with A Call To Business Mi Ride (SL), Don Bosco Fambul and Sierra Leone Tricycle Association.

Addressing members of the media, Afri-Radio Station Manager John Konteh who spoke on behalf of the Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Joe Abass Bangura, said that Africell was happy as a Management to Launch “Mi Ride Keke”, a transportation service being that is being rolled out in partnership with Mi Ride (SL), ACTB Savings and Loans, Don Bosco Fambul and Sierra Leone Tricycle Association.

The reason why the Keke was being launched is that it is the most common means of transportation in Sierra Leone and it is a unique piece of machinery that is being used by companies and individuals to transport goods and passengers across the country.

He disclosed that the Keke conveys commuters to distances and locations in comfort and style and some are even fitted with additional sound system to make passengers comfortable through the journey.

He said that they have realized there are fewer women than men riding Kekes across Sierra Leone. Most of these Keke riders are men, and noted that the service will create an avenue for women to access livelihood support to women with 100 Kekes to 100 women to ply the streets of Freetown as a means of job creation and revenue generation.

John Konteh added that these 100 Kekes will all have designated Africell number assigned to each with a short code 5353 and once passengers access the assigned Keke with the unique Africell branding they will pay the normal point to point fare and will also get Le 1 ,000 talk time from Africell at free cost.

Upon disembarkation, the rider will send the Africell number of the passenger to the Africell short code 5353 and the passenger will get a message confirming the transfer of Le I ,000-taIk time to their number, adding that passengers will be at liberty to join as many “Mi Ride Keke” per day and enjoy the Le 1,000 talk time.

“However, passengers will not be eligible e to receive more than Le 1,000-talk time per day from the same rider. A rider can only send an Africell number to the short code 5353 once. A commuter will have access to the allocated talk time but cannot have to look for another Mi Ride Keke to be able to access it”, he maintained.

John Konteh applauded Africell’s partners for the bold initiative to give access to livelihood and dignity to women, noting that the company will continue to be at the cutting edge of innovative technology-based solutions to deliver products and services in Sierra Leone.

Chief Executive Office Mi Ride-SL Ltd David Ngaujah disclosed that having been in the transportation and automotive industry for over a decade now with the urge to contribute towards nation-building; his aim was to empower vulnerable women and girls through entrepreneurship.

“Achieving this great dream, cannot be done alone but to stand shoulder to shoulder with other cooperate entities who have similar dreams and vision, no doubt I have to hook up with Africell the best and most flexible telecommunication company in S/L, ACTB, one of the most outstanding banking institution in the country who came to my aid by financing this project and Don Bosco Fambul” he noted.

He added that the launching of the 100 commercial tricycles commonly in Freetown will help to ease the transportation crisis in the municipality greatly.

The model is designed in such a way that the riders will be managed by Mi Ride SL Ltd for a period of 18 months and will owned the kekehs after the end of period which is commonly called “wok en pay”

In addition, and consequently, the riders will automatically become agents of Africell whereby they will be able to sell Africell money, top up, Sim Cards etc and Africell will provide them instant commission for every sales/transaction made to the kekeh riders. Of particular importance was that all passengers onboard the Mi Ride Kekes will instantly regain 50% on net on whatever amount they pay to the kekeh riders who will also not incur repairs and maintenance rather Mi Ride Keke.

Warm appreciation was given to Africell-SL, ACTB Savings and Loans, Don Bosco Fambul, Cerra automotive and Sierra Leone Tricycle Association for their tremendous support in making the project a success.

Assistance Country Director Don Bosco Fambul Samuel Thomas Bojoh disclosed that Don Bosco Fambul has been long standing partnership with Africell for over nine years with the establishment of the Child Line 116 in 2010, which is now metamorphose to 323. He added that launching the Mi Ride Keke was another partnership with Africell in concert with Mi Ride SL Ltd and this has endorsed their long standing deepened relations.

He noted that there was a deferred Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to be signed on media Advocacy of Sexual Abuse Cases between Africell and Don Bosco Fambul and that Don Bosco carefully selected recipients of’ the tripartite project based on integrity, prudency and moral grounds. “It is our hope that these fortunate group of keke riders would be of difference according”, said the Don Bosco chief.

The riders were admonished to see themselves as fortunate choices of the project; therefore they should be different among others in discharging their duties.

They were also advised that they cannot just ply the streets of Freetown for money but to service the people well with repute, courteousness, good manners etc.

Don Bosco Fambul further assured the gathering that 50% of the total cost for the training and the licenses for all beneficiaries of the keke project was be remitted before the commencement of the training

In conclusion, Thomas Bojoh said “Don Bosco would conclusively register their enormous gratitude to Africell and Mi-ride for making Don Bosco Fambul the pool for selection of this enviable project”.

Sierra Leone Disability Rights Movement Talks Tough on Corruption and Disability

By Foday Moriba Conteh

The effects of corruption on the disability community were being discussed by the disable group – Disability Rights Movement (DRIM). The DRIM last week held a seminar at the Ministry of Social Welfare Gender and Children Affairs Conference Room New England Ville Freetown. It brought together the Anti- Corruption Commission (ACC), Ministry of Social Welfare Gender and Children Affairs, National Commission for Persons with Disability and other Organizations on Thursday 31st October, 2019 to discuss the effects of corruption on Disability in Sierra Leone.

“The Effect of Corruption on Disability in Sierra Leone” was adopted as a theme of discussion and participants appreciated the topic as it was familiar with their understanding of the subject matter.

Executive Director of Disability Rights Movement (DRIM), Dr. Vandy Konneh said that the Disability Rights Movement (DRIM) was established in 1998 as a National Non-Governmental Organization and is working for the socio-economic, cultural and political transformation of Persons with Disability (PWDs) and other vulnerable populations in society.

He added that the DRIM and other PDOs strongly thrive on the fervent conviction of equal rights for all and disables including those that are psychologically affected in order to enable them galvanize resources that address their needs.

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability (UNCRPD) and the Persons with Disability Act 2011 have laid foundations for this community of persons to thrive yet many of the existing laws in the country have to protect the rights of people with disabilities.

Worse still, through legislation, some barriers that were created to prevent people with disabilities from accessing equal opportunities have now failed. Since the enactment of the Disability Act 2011 he noted that people with disabilities in mainstream political activities have only made a few attempts to eliminate discrimination against the disability community.

According to Dr. Vandy Konneh, corruption permeates the political, economic and social spheres of communities and countries, and this is affecting the stability and security of persons with disability that are being threatened their development and prosperity.

Emphasis was specifically made to corruption which hinders efforts of disables to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It was also noted that this undermines democracy and the rule of law, leads to human rights violations, erodes quality of life and allows organized crime, terrorism etc.

Evidence abound that corruption hurts the disables more than any other category of people, and further stated that the ACC in collaboration with DRIM will acts as a catalyst for change for disable people to raise voices and win arguments to implement the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability, the Sierra Leone Disability Act 2011, and ACC Act 2008, all in a bid to providing practical assistance and building the technical capacity needed to develop effective Anti-Corruption policies and institutions.

Participants were assured that DRIM will follow up with the expected recommendations coming from the seminar and there was appeal for supporting to cascade the mission of the organisation to reach the remotest places in Sierra Leone where disables are in order to educate them about their rights against corruption, poverty and discrimination.

Deputy Minister of Social Welfare Gender and Children Affairs Mohamed Haji Kella applauded the Anti-Corruption Commission for the tremendous efforts in the fight against corruption and their support towards the Disability Rights Movement. He added that they liked the seminar because of its focus on two major issues: Corruption and Disability.

“Disable people are more than ten times victims of corruption compared to the able persons”, disclosed the deputy minister. In that regard, Mr. Kella called on everybody to support in eradicating corruption in Sierra Leone.

The minister also urged the people to stop the discrimination against disable people, and reminded about the President’s maiden address to parliament when he made it very clear that he was voted to rule all Sierra Leoneans including the disable, under his New Direction.

It would be recalled that in the health centers disable people cannot access free health care due to corruption and this was highlighted to get the attention of the participants that they were being deprived contrary to the laws which guarantee them free health care.

In conclusion, Sierra Leoneans were being called upon to enhance the welfare of persons with disability in the society.

Sierra Leone MCC Score Card Puts Bio in Smiles

By Amin Kef Sesay                   

They know him to hardly smile, reasons unaccounted. However, one thing that has happened on Friday 1st November 2019 in Freetown has put smiles of Sierra Leone’s President. President Dr Julius Maada Bio has told a meeting at State Lodge that he is excited about Sierra Leone’s performance in the Millennium Challenge Corporation, MCC, Fiscal Year 2020 scorecard. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) through a press release said that they were happy to inform the country that Sierra Leone has increased its ‘Control of Corruption’ to 8%. This is culled from a report by the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) which pegs countries scorecards each year. For 2018-2019, the MCC said Sierra Leone has moved from 71 percent in 2018, and now to 79 percent in 2019, making it 8 percent upwards.  That is, it is 30 percent upwards from 22 percent last year, and moving from 49 percent in 2017 to 71 percent in 2018.

According to the report, published on Friday 1st November 2019, and presented to the President by Maria Brewer, the American Ambassador to Sierra Leone, the country did very well in control of corruption, ruling justly and investing in people with pass marks in guaranteeing democratic rights, civil liberties, the rule of law, health and primary education expenditures. The country also made great progress in economic freedom with pass marks in trade policy, gender in the economy and business start-up.

In his response, President Bio said that he was pleased that Sierra Leone was able to meet certain requirements and standard benchmarks and promised that his government would do more to meet the other indicators on the scorecard.

He also used the opportunity to applaud the Honourable Vice President Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, who supervises the work of the MCC, and commended the entire membership of the Millennium Challenge Coordinating Unit in Sierra Leone, for the achievement.

During the presentation, Ambassador Brewer said that she was very happy and proud to be able to share with the President that the Government of Sierra Leone had passed the MCC Scorecard 2019.

In a statement released earlier on behalf of the Government of Sierra Leone, the Ministry of Information and Communications said that the Government had received with great delight the publication by the MCC scorecard showing significant improvement and was now eligible for the MCC Compact consideration.

The MCC is an independent bilateral United States foreign aid agency that uses key competitive indicators to assess the degree to which the political and economic conditions in a country serve to promote broad-based sustainable economic growth and reduction of poverty and thus provide a sound environment for the use of MCC funds.

This has virtually put Sierra Leone amongst the top ten performers in the MCC income category this year’s report, and making her number two in Africa; and number one in the Mano River Union. The country passed more than 10 of the 20 indicators, including the mandatory “Control of Corruption” indicator in the 2019 MCC Report. Therefore, Sierra Leone is now “Compact Eligible”, meaning that she is eligible to benefit from the US Government around Six Hundred Million United States Dollars (US$600M).

The MCC is an initiative United States Government to provide aid to developing countries to fight widespread poverty through economic growth. Its scorecard consists of 20 indicators under three broad categories: “Economic Freedom,” “Ruling Justly,” and “Investing in People.” The ‘Control of Corruption’ Indicator falls under “Ruling Justly” category.

Similarly, Sierra Leone has also scored high in other global and regional anti-corruption rankings. In the Global Corruption Barometer, she ranked 3rd out of 35 African Countries surveyed on “Government’s Effectiveness in the Fight against Corruption.” A happy president smiled while being presented the report card by American ambassador to Sierra Leone Maria Brewer. And the ACC followed saying in a press release saying that they were reassuring the public of their determination to continue to inject integrity and transparency into State governance.

Sierra Leone Anti-Corruption Amended Act 2019 Passed into Law

By Amin Kef Sesay

For the first time a divided House of Parliament spoke in unison to amend and pass a bill that has not suffered any set back while deliberating it in Parliament.  The response came due to the crusade against graft which was being boosted on Thursday 31st October 2019 when the amended Anti-Corruption Act was passed into law.

The Anti-Corruption Amendment Act 2019″ which will replace the Anti-Corruption Act of 2008, when accented to by the President, seeks to increase the powers of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) in the fight against graft which campaigners say is at an endemic proportion in the country.

Among other things, the amended documents have streamlined the category of public officials covered under the asset declaration law. Until now, every government official – both civil and public servants were required to declare their assets.

This has made the Commission’s work in the past very difficult thus requiring extra powers to target specific officials in the civil service from Grade Nine and above.

The amended law also seeks to increase penalties for offences under the Act and related matters, and strengthens protection of witnesses who assist the Commission. Alternatives are also made in the new law foe the Commission to use phrases that indicate that the accused ‘offered’, ‘solicited’, ‘obtained’ or ‘received’ corruption advantage to prosecute offenders, in addition to ‘gave’ and accepted’ an advantage.

The happy anti-graft boss Francis Ben Kaifala, who championed the amendment, hailed the development on social media as an achievement. In a tweet following news of the parliamentary decision, he noted that the law will make corruption expensive. “The People’s Anti-Corruption Amendment Bill 2019 … fully empowers the ACC to make corruption very expensive and more efficiently confront corruption at all levels; including preventing the signing of contracts that are NOT in the national interest!” he tweeted.

The passing of the law comes after a long process that was characterized by partisan political exchanges between the governing Sierra Leone People’s Party and the main opposition All People’s Congress in the House. APC legal experts and some lawmakers were apprehensive about some aspects of the amendment proposed by the current ACC head.

After Thursday’s amendment by the House of Parliament it is expected that the new law will come into effect immediately.  The Bill, which was first tabled in Parliament some seven months ago, was passed after going through the legislative stages and committees in Parliament, including a vote by Members of Parliament specifically on the “contracts clause”; and thereafter the entire bill, following a vibrant bi-partisan debate.

The Bill now awaits assent by the President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, His Excellency, Brig. (Rtd.) Julius Maada Bio to become Law.

It would be recalled that the first Anti-graft law was passed under the SLPP-government led by President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah in 2000, towards the end of the civil war. Kabbah’s successor, Ernest Bai Koroma, amended it in 2008.

Sierra Leone: Kings’ Empire to Hosts Freetown Zonal Festival

By Foday Moriba Conteh

A group known as Kings’ Empire Sierra Leone Ltd is poised to host the Freetown Zonal Festival 2019 on the theme: Promoting Entertainment, Tourism and Culture. This was disclosed on Thursday 31st October, 2019 at the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs Conference Room on Kingharman Road Freetown.

According to the speakers, this initiative was taken to support the entertainment industry in the country by the Multi-Media Company which is working in partnership with the Ministries of Tourism and Cultural Affairs and Youth Affairs.

Chief Executive Officer of Kings’ Empire Valentine Mak King disclosed that Kings Empire Sierra Leone Limited wants to address the overwhelming challenges and numerous opportunities of the country’s entertainment industry. He added that this was principally instituted to project the rich cultural values and touristic potentials of Sierra Leone.

The Freetown Zontal Festival is an event that is being organised to give back to society, there after the organization will undertake community development projects in different communities within the municipality of Freetown.

The festival will target four categories of Music, Dancing, Beauty Pageant and Drama/Comedy with a grand prize One Hundred Forty Million (Le140, 000,000). Each zonal winner per category will receive Le 35,000,000. That is, ten million (Le 10,000,000) cash prize and additional Twenty-five million (Le 25,000,000) for development initiatives like student scholarships, community solar street lights and water tanks etc.

The event is schedule to take place on 30th and 31st December, this year during which two days the contestants there will be eliminations to the finals on Wednesday 1st January, 2020 at Radisson Blue Garden on Kallon Drive, Aberdeen Beach.

Currently, forms were being disclosed are out for sales at a cost of Le 50,000 per category and are availably distributed at different locations in Freetown such as AYV Media Empire on Wesley Street, King’s Café & Electronics.

He applauded the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs for the support to the event’s preparation.

All Stars President Milton Koker, a.k.a. Colabo applauded Kings’ Empire Sierra Leone Limited for the initiative to promote the entertainment industry in the country. He noted the contribution the entertainment industry has made to the country’s development after the civil conflict and called for more efforts towards a stronger industry.

He called on the government to enforce the local content policy in order strengthen the entertainment industry to be financially viable. He also urged for a loans regime from the financial industry for the entertainment industry as they are challenged in organising events.

Tony Elumelu Opens Invest for Growth in Africa Conference in Paris

Tony O. Elumelu, CON, Founder, Tony Elumelu Foundation and Chairman, United Bank for Africa (UBA) with Bruno Le Maire, French Minister of Economy and Finance at the Invest for Growth in Africa Conference in France on October 30, 2019

By Mohamed Konneh

The Founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) and Chairman, of United Bank for Africa (UBA) and Heirs Holdings has been honoured as Guest of Honour to open the “Ambition Africa” conference organised by the France Invest Africa Club in Paris, France.

This happened on Wednesday 30th October 2019 when Tony O. Elumelu delivered the opening address and appealed to French investors to look to Africa for long term investment opportunities.

The French Minister of Economy and Finance, Bruno Le Maire introduced Tony Elumelu to the audience stated that France could position itself and direct investment towards Africa to end the cycle of poverty and to accelerate development globally. He commended Elumelu’s stance on strengthening the SMEs in Africa to catalyse development. “We share the same ambition in Supporting African SMEs and entrepreneurs as this is essential for the economic development of Africa,” he said, referring to Elumelu’s passion to create wealth on the African continent.

Reiterating the stance to partner with Africa on long-term investments, Mr. Le Maire said “We will ensure that investments in Africa are sustainable, exemplary and environmentally friendly. We want to go fast, go quickly in the race against poverty and renunciation, throughout the continent”.

On his part, Tony Elumelu stated that “We need to do much better and be much smarter in channelling funds to emerging markets. These markets present huge opportunities – as well as risks for investors, but investors need to fulfil a critical need to catalyse and improve the economy. We salute companies like Total, Bouygues, Accor, Orange, and Bolloré as well as others who have accepted this challenge, but there is room for many more”.

He further stressed the importance of private equity inflow into Africa, with a focus on investing in small and medium scale businesses, the lifeblood of the African economy. He stated that Africa has the youngest workforce in the world, with over 60% of its population below the age of 25. This he said was a potential demographic doom that could be turned around to become the continent’s greatest asset if the youths have jobs and economic opportunities.

According to him, “Africans do not need aid. Rather, our young people need investments. Private equity is a force for positive development in Africa. We have a large youth population, who are eager and innovative. They are looking at solutions to problems in their communities but are hampered by the access to capital and investment, mentoring and training. When done right, this kind of investment can bring not just capital but can also strengthen job creation, corporate governance and help improve sustainable business practices”.

The UBA CEO also cited the impact and growth rate of the beneficiaries the Tony Elumelu Foundation has produced as this evidenced by the potential of SMEs in Africa today. Todate, he said his Foundation has endowed $100 million dollars of his family wealth, to fund over 10,000 African entrepreneurs in ten years.

In appreciation of the honour bestowed on him, Mr. Elumelu commended the French President Emmanuel Macron’s initiatives for strengthening the relationship between France and Africa and concluded by inviting investors to consider investing in Africa for the long term. “The key phrase here is long term investment – no one should come to Africa for short term gain. The time is now to invest in Africa. Private equity has to be part of it. We need it for all,” he concluded.

Sierra Leone Tourism Minister Excels at Tourism Conference in London 

By Amin Kef Sesay

Our proud minister of Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Memunatu Pratt is in high gear right now as she continues to promote the tourism sector as one of the drivers of economic development in Sierra Leone.

Currently, she is in London making giant strides in trying to uplift the sector from the doldrums it were to and make it relevant and profitable for the country. She fully participated at the International Tourism Investment Conference (ITIC) which took place in London from 1st to 2nd November 2019 with other participants from many countries. She deliberated on many issues on the theme: “Global Investment Opportunities in Sustainable Tourism” which focused on Africa, Island nations and emerging destinations.

One key area she contributed greatly including Prof. Dimitrios Buhalis’ paper on “The Global Financial Landscape – Investment Opportunities and Challenges”.  The tourism minister added value to the Director of eTourism Research Lab and Management and Marketing Expert at Bournemouth University presentation on the rebranding process of the sector with succinct contributions and this even changed the narrative story-lines and headlines in international media landscape about Sierra Leone being as a tourist destination, marketing and rebranding strides and targeting its focused smart engagements that attract right audiences.

This year’s WTM was difference compared to previous ones because the World Bank joined the Government and its concerned agencies to rebrand Sierra Leone to the fullest.  With a thorough tourism governance and leadership, coupled with a dynamic and non-stop tourism marketing initiatives, in ensuring the country is set in the tourism global village, the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, National Tourist Board and partners have given the right attitude and clear strategy in enlisting Sierra Leone as the newest tourism destination in West Africa.

The country has now been highly promoted; rebranded and advertised of its profiled in an essential way within the core mandate of the National Tourist Board. In an interview by CNN’s Richard Quest following the end of the conference on Sunday 3rd November 2019 Dr. Memunatu Pratt said she will participate in a round-table tourism strategic meeting that is being moderated by Harold Goodwin on the topic “How Effective is tourism as a development strategy” on Monday 4th November. She is expected to give a stronger view on Sierra Leone tourism data which is a central asset in management and marketing of tourism destinations and businesses in the country.

Sierra Leone Internal Affairs Minister Outlines Successes 

Minister of Internal Affairs, Hon. Edward Amin Soloku

By Abdul Hassan Fackie

The Minister of Internal Affairs Hon. Edward Amin Soloku has spoken about his achievements since he was made minister in President Bio’s administration. This was captured by this medium in an exclusive interview. He said there has been marked improvement in all the departments and agencies of the ministry since the New Direction Government of President Julius Maada Bio assumed office on 4th April, 2018.

Hon. Soloku said the Sierra Leone Police has been strengthened by the Government with new recruitments of two thousand new officers and men of the SLP. This addition, he avers, will help to fill lapses in security where the police was not able to cover across the country’s security porous districts, towns and chiefdoms.

Congestion in prisons too has been scaled up as measures were taken to secure about ninety acres of land at Songo village where a new maximum security prison will be built to transfer the infamous Pademba Road.

The project is currently mobilising resources to start work on the building site. Though it is not yet in actual terms but efforts at transforming the sector from prisons to correctional centres was lauded by Hon. Soloku as a great achievement because it addresses the humane part of the treatment of offenders who are now benefitting from tutorial lessons and other opportunities in prisons so they would be transformed after leaving the centres with the right correctional measures.

”It will interest Sierra Leoneans to know that the inmates in the correctional centres are now given skills and they produce various kinds of items which they sell to the general public,” he disclosed, and pointed that offenders are now gainfully engaged to reduce psychological and emotional trauma.

Inmates also have bank accounts they save the money they make from the sales of items they produce in prison so they can have a start-up when they complete their terms of imprisonment to start a living. The female correctional centres have child-friendly facilities, toys and playgrounds for children who are living with their mothers in the centres.

The National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA), an arm of the ministry is currently building a Civil Register of all residents in Sierra Leone. The registration exercise is to help Government clean up the payroll register and reduce the wage bill and to help Government save about six million Dollars ($6,000,000.00) annually.

“Now if you want to recruit civil servants you simply go and clarity information about them at the NCRA. From the information at the NCRA all appointment letters that are now issued by the Government to its workers have the date and year in which they should retire. So now no more over staying in Government work,” he stated.

The NCRA, he furthered, is currently busy verifying the remaining people that are being registered and will also start issuing national identity cards to Sierra Leoneans and other residents in the country. In addition, the NCRA which now has offices all over the country will register births and deaths.

On the passport issue, Hon. Soloku maintained that the cost of a Sierra Leonean passport is seven hundred and fifty thousand Leones (Le 750,000.00) which can be acquired within few days. He warned people not to go to agents and give them money for passports, rather advised them to go straight to the Immigration Department and apply for a passport.

The last issue he deliberated on was the Visa on Arrival issue recently declared by Government. Today, travellers especially investors coming to Sierra Leone would require to get a visit at the Lungi International Airport.

This has been celebrated as an achievement as travelling to the country has been made attractive and easy while security checks and revenue collection made more effective.

In conclusion, Hon. Soloku said under his watch, the National Fire Force, the Coroner’s Office, National Fire Force, Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons, and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have all been upgraded with the equipment, finances, manpower and facilities that they  need to enable them to perform more effectively and efficiently.

President Bio Launches Sierra Leone’s National Innovation and Digitisation Strategy

President of Sierra Leone Julius Maada Bio

By Alim Jalloh

The President of Sierra Leone Julius Maada Bio has officially launched Sierra Leone’s National Innovation and Digitalisation Strategy, NIDS, after delivering the keynote address at the Bintumani Conference Hall in Aberdeen in Freetown on Friday 1st November, 2019.

The President said that the launch was a kick-start to the nation’s long journey to digital transformation as part of a series of Government’s innovative efforts, adding that it was critical to the kind of future he was trying to build where technology and innovation would be used to answer the myriad of questions around the development of the country.

“The cost of governance had been deliberately bloated because of fraud, misuse, and corruption. Effectiveness, efficiency and transparency in governance processes, revenue collection, and public service delivery had been severely thwarted by the failure to imagine how we could do all those better. I had pondered for years over issues like how corruption had brought the country’s economy and governance to its knees. I had pondered on using data to understand dimensions of urban housing and poverty, water, sanitation, and health and also using the power of technology to provide improved access to justice, access to information, and access to quality education fit for purpose. And more on education, using technology and innovation to provide quality education and introduce content in innovative ways, present new forms of pedagogy while improving outcomes and achievement levels for our students,’’ he said.

He mentioned that there were more questions, with the overarching question being how to use technology and innovation to fast-track Sierra Leone along the pathway of development. He said that since the establishment of the Directorate of Science, Technology and Innovation, DSTI, they had made huge efforts in mainstreaming technology and innovation into the workings of government, adding that the launch of the NIDS was indicative of how DSTI had proven to be very instrumental in moving his vision forward.

“We had been excluded in the first and second industrial revolutions by factors of history. For the third industrial revolution, we had been consumers and mere spectators. The fourth industrial revolution is here and I believe that by enhancing the capability and capacity of our population, through comprehensive human capital development, we can achieve real economic growth and real development as a nation. Today, we celebrate collectively, as Sierra Leoneans, a vision for the future and exhort one another to steadfastly pursue that vision for all our sakes. We have digitised governance processes, simplified business registration and revenue collection and therefore reduced the cost of starting and doing business, providing public services, reducing the cost of and instituting more predictability and transparency into governance,’’ he said.

President Bio also said that his government had captured citizen data with unique national insurance numbers and had become the first African country to use Blockchain Technology to establish a national digital platform. 7Chief Innovation Officer, Dr David Moinina Sengeh, said that the event was about the future of a Sierra Leone that would be synonymous with innovation, a future where the children could access quality learning materials through solutions developed by their peers, a future where any farmer would have the information they need at their fingertips to increase the outputs of their farms by several folds and a future where a sick patient would know precisely which health facilities to visit.

“The NIDS is a living document. We know that technology changes so quickly that within a couple of years many things will become redundant and the solutions we are designing for our challenges now, may not even work. That means, as a country, we each have a responsibility to continue to shape it, particularly in how we deploy resources and how we choose to solve our collective challenges,’’ he said.

Kei Kamara honored with Mural in Sierra Leone

By Thaimu Thullah

Very few people (if any) would disagree that Kei Kamara has become a legend in MLS. He joined the league in 2006 and came into his own with Sporting Kansas City in 2009. Since then, the forward has “terrorized MLS defenses with elite athleticism, dominant aerial ability, and superlative one-touch finishing since entering the league in 2006 (90 goals, 36 assists in 268 appearances).

His 22-goal 2015 season was the high watermark for his career, as he finished second to Sebastian Giovinco while also helping Crew SC reach the MLS Cup Final.” Kamara made an immediate impact with the Colorado Rapids this year, with 14 goals and one assist in 29 games.

A native of Sierra Leone, Kamara has earned 29 caps with his home country since 2008, including appearances in the 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers and the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. Kamara came to the U.S. when he was 14 as a refugee and has had, at times, a tumultuous relationship with the Sierra Leone Football Association for vocally criticizing the association. But at the end of the day, Kamara is a football legend in Sierra Leone as well, and his portrait was added to the wall at the Siaka Stevens Stadium, the country’s national stadium in the capital city, Freetown.

 

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