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As AU engages Sierra Leone Govt. & Strategic CSOs…   Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai Holds Participants Spellbound

By Brima Sannoh

Another chapter was turned in the history of the African Union (AU) when on Wednesday 30th October, 2019 it commenced a-two day meeting on the improved engagement between civil society and the Government of Sierra Leone.

In a brief statement, the AU Policy Officer for Citizens and Diaspora Directorate Kyeretwie Ose stated the bilateral relationship between CSOs and African governments.

Executive Director for the Society for Democratic Initiative (SDI) who also doubles as the Chairman of the African Union Economic, Social and Cultural Commission (ECOSOCC), Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai Esq welcomed Government officials and Civil Society Organizations. He outlined the importance for CSOs to meet and discuss, considering the current relation between civil society and governments across Africa.

Mr. Abdulai described the meeting as a welcoming initiative, stating that  elected leaders or government will map the way out to give citizens a better life. “Government and CSOs are partners in development,” he said, adding that Civil Society cannot survive without government’s support. “CSOs have a mandate of creating a space between institutions and the general citizenry, thus becoming the voice of the voiceless,” Mr. Abdulai maintained.

Speaking on behalf of ECOSOCC, the Deputy Presiding Officer West, Mr.Moe, described the two days meeting as very important. He welcomed participants from the different countries on behalf of the ECOSOCC West Chapter with the hope that the discussions would be fruitful in the end.

“The AU believes that, there would be no development without ownership in shaping the wider destiny of the Africa we all want”, he said. “The imperative of the two days engagement owes as much to the provisions and principles of the constitutive act of the Union which creates space for popular participation in the union development agenda by 2030”

“It is important to note that, there has been an unstructured working relationship between government and civil society and it’s the belief of the AU that we should engage constructively as the space given to civil society and non-state actors in the AU agenda”, he continued.

Delivering the keynote address, Deputy Minister of Political and Public Affairs, Mr Amara Kallon emphasized the importance of people working to influence their world from outside government. He stated that civil society and government are key partners and should always work together for the success of democracy on the Continent.

CSOs like Advocacy Movement Network (AMNet) among others have been working with Government on Peacebuilding and Human Rights. “The priority of any State is to provide security for its citizens. A democratic state must have an effective government  that should create and enforce laws, settle disputes and keep the peace”, he said.

Mr Kallon noted that, government working in isolation will make a nation stagnate so therefore, needs civil society as a sceptic, a partner and a challenger for the general good.

The Deputy Minister furthered that when civil society have freedom, it can move mountains and with enough support, CSOs can push government towards fundamental change.

“Although traditional media is still important, no longer can governments prevent the spread of ideas they don’t like merely by denying them space in the mass media. News is no longer a one-way stream in which those with power determine what information will be shared and what ideas the people will be trusted with”, he informed.

He further said that, empowering civil society does not only holds the key to a nation’s democracy and prosperity, it’s also vital to a nation’s security, noting that there is no better time to begin that empowerment than now.

“A well-developed democracy and more political dialogue will require deep and difficult changes. It will require reforms to nation’s laws, institutions, and political culture to expand individual liberty, freedom and responsibility”.

Mr. Kallon suggested that, NGOs having got the right to criticize – a right they must have, they should also obliged to search for solutions in good faith with the government, just as government must open its decision making processes and encourage public debate.

“Civil Society has every right to demand the highest standards of government bodies and officials, but to speak with credibility; civil society must model the integrity it wishes to see in the State and must be open to critism”, he concluded.

International African American Museum Breaks Ground

Lucille Whipper, from left, Wilbur E. Johnson, Burke High School Senior Syasia Coaxum, U.S. Rep. James Clyburn, former Charleston Mayor Joseph Riley Jr., U.S. Rep. Joe Cunningham, Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg and Yvonne Aki Sawyerr, Mayor of Freetown, Sierra Leone, hold the official groundbreaking shovels at the site of the International African American Museum in Charleston, South Carolina.

By Sam Pratt                                                       

The International African American Museum (IAAM) held its ground breaking ceremony last week with an overflow crowd that includes U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, U.S. Rep. Joe Cunningham, South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster, Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg, former Charleston Mayor Joe Riley and Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr of Freetown, Sierra Leone.

With nearly over 20 years in existence, IAAM will tell the story of the hundreds of thousands of enslaved Africans who were taken from West Africa, entered North America in Charleston, South Carolina, endured hardship and cruelty, and then contributed significantly to the greatness of America and the world.

The Museum will honor the site where these enslaved Africans arrived and thousands died, tell their untold stories, and in doing so, will promote compassion and empathy among all people.

“I argued that this had to be an African-American museum,” Clyburn said. “It cannot just be about the institution of slavery. It has to be about what African Americans are, can be, and will be.”

The International African American Museum is projected to open in late 2021. The museum is distinguished by its location on the former Gadsden’s Wharf in Charleston where approximately 48.1% of all of enslaved Africans who came to the United States entered North America.

“Today, where the wharf once stood, we reach out over the centuries to say this”, said former mayor Joe Riley in speaking about the Africans who arrived at the wharf enslaved. “You were not forgotten. You could never be forgotten. Your heart was strong. Your spirit too vibrant. Your soul too pure”, he added.

As mayor, Riley first announced plans to build the museum in his 2000 State of the City Address. Since that time, more than $100 million has been raised from more than 2,000 donors. The remaining fundraising goals include $4 million for exhibits and furnishings and $8 million to increase the museum endowment from its current $7 million to $15 million.

More than 750 attendees filled every seat and the overflow crowd stood; in addition, 7,404 people watched the ceremony’s live broadcast on Facebook. Speaking directly to the audience, Lucille Whipper, a Board member of the IAAM since the beginning, said, “We depend on you to continue the struggle to make sure that all people are recognized for the contributions that they have made to this country. Whatever you can do to join this struggle as we move forward, do it. Don’t say it, do it.”

A world-class team of designers has come together to work with the leaders of the IAAM to create what Architectural Digest calls a “striking new museum where history comes alive.” Moody Nolan is the architectural firm of record and Pei Cobb Freed is the design architectural firm. Walter Hood, Hood Design, and recent recipient of the MacArthur Genius Award, is the museum’s landscape architect; he will create the African Ancestors Memorial Garden. Ralph Appelbaum Associates is the exhibit design firm.

The 40,000-square-foot museum will sit atop nine pillars so that it can honor the sacred ground below. The 104,000-square-foot African Ancestors Memorial Garden will include a collection of gardens and artistic installations that sprawl across the IAAM grounds. A major component of the garden will be a 9,000-square-foot water feature along the edge of Charleston Harbor. The garden will be free and open to the public.

The museum will include eight galleries including a changing exhibition gallery, an orientation theatre, a hands-on workshop, a gift shop and café. The IAAM’s Center for Family History will occupy 16% of the exhibit space and will serve as a research center with a special focus on African-American genealogy to connect visitors to their ancestors.

WHY SIERRA LEONEANS ARE TOO FULL OF EVIL EMOTION AND HATE IN THEIR LIVES?

By Tony Bee, Australia

Sometimes one will not want to say anything for a moment, especially on the country’s political and social issues because of personal and family commitments. But because of the patriotic instinct that always urge you to say something, you have no alternative but to take your laptop or prepare an audio or video clip to start saying something for the benefit of the nation and others.

However, before I will start saying something, I must say a big sorry to my brothers and sisters’ Sierra Leoneans, especially the truly born patriotic Muslim Sierra Leoneans in and out of the country. In case along the way, I say something that may not go down well with you. It’s because of the overzealous fanatic extremist inhumane religious so-called Sierra Leonean Muslim politicians that always turn blind eyes on the truth because of self-interest.

In view of that I will start to say the following words without any remorse. That many Sierra Leoneans are too full of evil, hate, jealousy and bad heart against their fellow Sierra Leoneans, particularly if they are not in the same stupid boat journey with them.

They always find it very difficult to control their evil thoughts at the expense of the poor suffering nation, particularly whenever there is a burning issue in the country that needs a concerted effort to solve it.  It’s the time you will hear these enemies of the country’s peace ranting all over the place with the pretexts of defending the un-defendable to please their kith and kin at the detriment of the hard-earned peace in the country.

Here is a current case of evil thoughts, hate, jealousy in a broad day light been exasperated by some satanic evil Sierra Leone that called themselves Muslims against their brothers and sisters because of their devil incarnation skins. Outside you see them like human beings. But inside them is demonic.

The recent issue of the two high profile gentlemen, Dr. Judleh Jalloh, the Vice President of Sierra Leone under the SLPP and Dr. Samura Kamara, the former flagbearer of the APC in the mosque is a case in point on how some Sierra Leoneans are stepping on the truth.

How can a Vice President of a country visit a mosque or church without informing the authorities of that place for his accommodation and security?

Sierra Leoneans both home and abroad became judges and magistrates on an issue where they were not present. Just because of the demonic evil hate that always linger in their unpatriotic political minds against their peaceful fellow Sierra Leoneans. They Judged Dr. Sumara Kamara by telling him that he is a “drunkard”.

Therefore, the Mosque authorities should not have allowed him to enter the Mosque. They were also calling all sorts of demeaning names against the authorities of the Mosque because of political hatred and jealousy at the expense of the noble Islam religion. Just because they did what is right in the sight of God.

But the question for those Islam fanatic extremists that have been lambasting or passing judgement against Dr. Samura Kamara and the Mosque authorities is, are they saints or angels that do not sin? Are they not sinners like some of their fellow Sierra Leoneans that they are passing judgement on? I am asking these questions because the two Holy Books, the “Bible and the Quran” tells us that we are all sinners because of the sins of “Adm and Eve”.

Minus been born with sin, what about their own personal sins that they are always committing behind the scene, such as lying? Telling lie stories, gossiping, defaming others, defending the undefendable are they not sins? What about profiteering, fornication and adultery that they are committing 24/7 in diverse ways at the same time calling themselves Muslims? Is sin (s) only for those that drinking rum? It’s a complete fallacy. Therefore, it’s a satanic way of think Mr. aggressive extremist Muslim.

Brothers and Sisters, please be careful, especially you that calling yourself Sheik or Iman. Don’t allow your political evil hate, tribal and regional sentiments to over come you. Always learn to control your political hatred and jealousy emotions. Stop condemning others. The two Holy Books also tells us that we should not judge or pass on judgement against our fellow men, especially in terms of the individual way of life on earth. Because you too also have to be judged by the same Almighty God.

In view of that why are you becoming so emotional and fanatic extremist because of the borrowed wicked Arab culture, including their language at the expense of your brothers and sisters’ Sierra Leoneans? It is an open secret that the very Arab that you are always trying to copy from or impress they have no respect for you, especially because of your skin colour. Sometimes when they see you, they spit racist spit.  Look at some of the inhumane treatments that some of our brothers and sisters are facing in some of the religious countries that ISLAM came from. They are generally wicked souls.

Fellow Sierra Leoneans, what wrong with you? You are so full of evil thoughts with bitterness against your brothers and sisters’ Sierra Leoneans, why?  Don’t you know that promoting hate messages, defaming others and jealousy are all sinful act?

To you the politician Sheiks or Imams, I want you to know that there is a day of judgement for you, especially for misleading the people, particularly your followers because of political selfish interest. You will have to go and give account of your corrupt deeds on earth. I rest my case to God, to take control of my powerless and defenseless suffering people in the country.

PONDER MY THOUGHTS…     SIERRA LEONE JULDEH VS SAMURA: THE POISONED “CALL OF THE MINARET”

Andrew Keili 

PONDER MY THOUGHTS…

BY Andrew Keili 

The problem is that politics has power; religion has only love, peace and the experience of the divine. Politics can easily interfere with religion; and it has been interfering all along, to such an extent that it has destroyed many religious values which are absolutely necessary for the survival of humanity and life on this earth.

-Anon

Anyone remotely familiar with Dr Juldeh Jalloh and Dr Samura Kamara will realise that   a potentially explosive situation was probably averted at the Masjid Rahma (Basharia Mosque) because of the humble disposition of both gentlemen.

Muslims and Christians trading places in their respective places of worship is nothing new in Sierra Leone. Some politicians now class themselves as “Christmus” and are equally comfortable in the Church and Mosque-wherever there are potential voters!

More lately, however, the proliferation of politicians into Muslim and Christian Places of worship to deliver political messages, aided and abetted by political supporters of a particular faith has become the norm. Some religious leaders have most times cashed in on the “financial windfall” this could bring and the politicians, on the enhanced outreach to hard-to-reach constituents. This has undoubtedly over the years eroded the respect politicians hitherto had for these religious leaders, many of whom in days of yore spoke truth to power.

A few decades ago, politicians, including the country’s leaders were kept on their toes by revered Church Leaders who spoke in “fire and brimstone” sermons from the pulpit about the ills of society, speaking starkly about their failings. These days, it is more common to have our leaders seen at crusades by famous preachers who “pussyfoot” around the ills of society in their preaching but nevertheless pray fervently that God may give the leaders the “wisdom of Solomon”.

But what happened at Basharia mosque where Dr. Samura had been invited and the Vice President later turned up at the same Mosque? One obviously not unbiased newspaper put it this way:

“After prayers, the Imam was caught in a difficult situation and had to announce VP Juldeh Jalloh to speak. The congregation erupted in annoyance and protestation. And started chanting Samura! Samura! Juldeh had to leave embarrassed. As he left, the people booed relentlessly. Moments later, Samura Kamara emerged and the congregation erupted in applause and in solidarity following him all the way to his home at Montegue Street.”

We have had a history in the past in many countries in Africa of Church leaders speaking truth to power even at their peril  Archbishop Luwum of the Church of Uganda from 1974 to 1977 was a leading voice in criticising the excesses of the Idi Amin regime. In 1977, he delivered a note of protest to dictator Idi Amin against the policies of arbitrary killings and unexplained disappearances. Shortly afterwards the archbishop and other leading churchmen were accused of treason and he was murdered on the orders of then-President Idi Amin. He is recognised as a martyr by the Church of England and his statue is among the Twentieth Century Martyrs on the front of Westminster Abbey in London.

Political interference into religious matters is not only for Sierra Leone. The Catholic Diocese of Murang’a in Kenya had to cancel all events where politicians were invited. This is after a service at a Catholic church in Murang’a was disrupted after two MPs clashed over protocol during a fundraiser. The Bishop ordered the suspension of such activities. The chaos from the two MPS had caused chaotic scenes that prematurely stopped the service, one insisting that representatives of the other should not be allowed to speak at the service.

Sometimes, political interference can be for a good cause. In the USA, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee visited the Islamic Center of Detroit to discuss the concerns of Muslim Americans. The roundtable, attended by imams, activists, nonprofit leaders and other community members discussed Inslee’s promise to dismantle the Muslim ban, his climate change agenda, and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. “We have a very dangerous person in the White House,” he said, calling Trump someone who tries “to inflame anger and fear and hatred in the United States against the Muslim community.” A number of 2020 Democratic presidential candidates have campaigned in Muslim communities around the country.

Not unexpectedly, the politically inclined have tended to support the person from their own party in in this event in very simplistic terms. For the APC, Samura was in the right as he was invited by the Mosque authorities. Juldeh, as important as he is was an interloper. For the SLPP Juldeh as a Muslim has the right to pray in any mosque of his choosing and should have been accorded the usual courtesies given to the second gentleman of state who was in fact acting as President, But it is informative to note the varied views of other people.

Someone remarked the mosque was  a potential terrorist organization:

“Please let us not forget that the same Mosque is a Madrassas ( potential terrorist tactic).”

Another alluded to Samra being a Christian:

“Dr Samura is not a practising Muslim and therefore he should not be accorded a preference over a practising Muslim……….. He’s a Catholic Christian and a prominent member of the Lodge enclave. He has no business in a mosque because clearly, he doesn’t in anyway believe in the Muslim faith.”

Someone else rubbed it in:

“What’s even more disheartening is the fact that these above named Christian politicians are not only loudly welcomed in mosques during the usual Friday Juma Prayers, but given the platform to address the cheering and often sycophantic worshipers.”

Two separate conspiracy theorists noted:

“I think we may need to look at that particular Mosque in history; dating from the days of Late Abu Black in 1997; when he became the spiritual mouthpiece of the AFRC.”

“In this regard, VP Juldeh cleverly used the Sun Tzu approach of deception; that when you are strong pretend to be weak, when you are near, pretend to be far, etc.  The VP with his constitutional status and the hard power following he had at that time, was better placed to have had his way. Yet, he presented to be weak and left.”

A Rastafarian prayed for cleansing:

“In view of all of these, one can safely conclude that the mosques have become politically and morally defiled and therefore need cleansing from within.”

One interesting suggestion from the Rastafarian went thus:

“Three things underpinned the entire scenario:

  1. Samura Kamara had no genuine business at the mosque.
  2. VP Juldeh deliberately went late for the all-important Juma prayer just so as to create an undue attraction
  3. The Imam acted foolishly by giving VP Juldeh Jalloh, despite his lateness, the podium to address the congregation “

But how did these two titans meet in this mosque under the present politically charged atmosphere. One thing is clear in all versions of the story-Dr Samura Kamara was an invited guest to the mosque and was billed to speak to the worshippers, whereas Dr Juldeh Jalloh, was not expected by the authorities. Dr Jalloh has however stated  that although protocol may demand that he informs mosque authorities of his intention to pray with them, his reason for unannounced visits to Mosques as in this case is to avoid the possibility of interrupting the proceedings of Jamaat prayers around him, adding that he wants to come as a normal worshipper and observe his prayers like any other devout Muslim.

Good for him! A logical question to ask is whether the visit to this particular mosque was just by happenstance of whether he knew Samura Kamara would be there. Answers in the affirmative to any of the two are troubling. If he just  “happened to drop by”, we must be worried as citizens for the safety of our Vice President as it is expected that whether or not he wants to drop by informally to a public gathering, his security detail should check the place out. If he knew, then it is equally troubling as he would know that sparks would fly in the current political atmosphere.

The issue of politicization of religion seems to have come to the fore. Clearly this needs to be addressed probably not by the politicians themselves as they would be reluctant to do so but by the religious leaders. They can take a leaf out of the action of the leadership of the Selangor Ruler, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, who noting that Muslims in the state are becoming increasingly divided because of differing political ideologies decreed that mosques in Selangor should be an area free from any party political activities. He stated thus:

“All politicians, especially elected representatives, whether state or Parliament, from government or opposition parties, are not allowed to hold ceramah and deliver speeches in mosques as well as surau. We want all mosques and surau to be free from any party political activities in order to prevent it being changed from being a platform to unite Muslims to that for disunity because of their different political ideologies,”  Mosque committees decided not to invite speakers who were not accredited with the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (Mais) to speak in mosques or surau.

What we have seen instead of introspection and possibly self-regulation in future to keep divisive politics out of their places of worship is religious leaders falling over each other to offer profuse apologies to the VP. The United Council of Imams has met with the VP, apologized to him and commended him for “demonstrating unique statesmanship”. The Police, who will see no fight they cannot join whisked some members of the mosque’s leadership to CID headquarters but inexplicably released them. One leader I listened to almost “thanked God for small mercies” and asked if the same Police vehicle could take him back! But where is Dr Samura Kamara in all of this? I will start looking out for him!

Kudos though to both gentlemen for nor inflaming the situation, whatever the misunderstandings. Dr Samura Kamara has been silent. Someone wrote this about Dr Juldeh Jalloh’s humility in not inflaming passions:

“It’s not only humility, it’s profound wisdom and fidelity to faith and purpose. He obviously knows what not to do with political power as a true patriot. My standing ovation to him. A large part of our problem with politics in this country is its domination by self-seeking phonies. They will crash any government they are a part of and it falls on the normally overworked brain of every president to find his own and give them a quick dispatch”

The call of the minaret (a minaret is a feature of Islamic architecture and is the place from where the call to prayer is sent out) does not mean division. The significance of the muezzin’s haunting cry, considering prophethood, prayer, politics and community is to present a more complete understanding of Islam. It becomes clear that the Islamic call to prayer transcends the boundaries. Muslim leaders as well as Christians should heed that call and work together to keep politicians out of their business.

The call of the minaret should not be poisoned by politicians. Ponder my thoughts.

Orange Sierra Leone Donates Menstrual Packs to scores of Secondary Schools

By Fatmata Jengbe

This week, starting on the 28th October 2019 to 31st October 2019, a total of twelve schools have so far benefitted from donations of menstrual sanitary pads by Orange Sierra Leone.

On Monday Ahmadiyya, Independence and St. Helena Schools received pads. On Tuesday 29th October 2019 pupils of the Government Municipal, Laura Dove and Ansarul Secondary School got theirs; and on Wednesday 30th October 2019 Orange SL reached Government Model, Rokel and UMC Secondary Schools and supplied them too. While on Thursday, 31st October, 2019 the Company donated menstrual hygiene packs to the Murray Town Municipal Junior, Constance Cummings John and King Fahad Secondary Schools in Freetown.

This is close to distributing almost 2,000 menstrual hygiene packs in twenty different schools in Freetown by ORANGE which is targeting 10, 000 packs within a five year period to one hundred schools in the country.

The Orange team headed by Desmond Spaine started the distribution of the hygiene packs late last week in the East, Western Rural, Central and West of Freetown. The donation was follow-up by a short talk on the reproductive health and the use of the eco-friendly menstrual packs.

All those who benefitted expressed profound gratitude to Orange SL for the kind gesture and further stated that they were looking forward to more goodies from the company.

The menstrual education and donation spree of Orange Mobile Company and its partners has continued to reach more schools in the Western Area. The items were donated by Orange Sierra Leone as a commitment made during the launching of the Free Quality Education in support of the Government of Sierra Leone with USD 1.5.million material support.

The programme is one of the five projects designed by Orange Sierra Leone and the Ministry of Education to distribute 2,000 hygiene packs to twenty schools and the remaining four years will also lead to the distribution of the remaining 8,000 packs to other eighty schools in the country.

Earlier next year Orange Sierra Leone will roll out the other four projects across the country which is all geared towards improving the innovative abilities of the children, provision of rural electrification to rural schools and education of teachers online.

Authorities at the Secondary Schools in Freetown lauded the efforts of Orange Sierra Leone for venturing to help them with sanitary pads for girls. They acknowledged that the girls need the hygiene pads to be able to stay in school. While thanking Orange Sierra Leone, one of them appealed for WASH facilities for the girls which according to him are non-existent in most schools.

During the donation, Desmond Spaine, Head of CSR for Orange Sierra Leone, noted that the company’s support towards menstrual hygiene in schools was consistent with the clarion call by Government of Sierra Leone to support the Human Capital Development flagship project of the Government.

He continued that this was in partnership with the Girl Child Network Sierra Leone, a child activist organization operating in the northern part of Sierra Leone, and helping young girls in schools with the management of their menstrual periods with the provision of hygiene packs and education while in school.

Orange has identified that getting girls to stay in school during their menstrual periods has been a very serious challenge and this has led many of them to miss classes and examinations. The girls who could not afford to buy disposable packs while on their menstruation period in schools were encouraged to pay attention to their schooling as they were provided with hygiene packs.

The menstrual hygiene packs are designed to be eco-freindly provided by manufactured in Makeni. They are not harmful to the environment as the other disposable ones are and have proven to be very safe and good.

Abibatu Kamara of the Girl Child Network Sierra Leone talked to the girls how to use the packs and encouraged them to open up the discussions around their menstrual periods as it is no longer a taboo. According to her, girls should celebrate themselves hence they started seeing their menstruation as it is the start of their womanhood. The authorities from various schools visited lauded Orange Sierra Leone for the brilliant initiative which, according to them, has been greatly affecting the retention rate of girls in schools.

They assured Orange Sierra Leone that they will execute the project and ensure that the pupils are supported with the packs and counselling whenever they are undergoing their menstrual periods. Representatives of the schools visited and distributed with the hygiene packs thanked and appreciated Orange Sierra Leone for guiding them through a critical period in their lives.

 

Municipal and Two other schools benefit Orange Sierra Leone Menstrual Packs Donation

By Fatmata Jengbe

The menstrual education and donation spree of Orange Mobile Company and its partners has continued to reach more schools in the Western Area. Three more schools have benefitted from the package and these are Government Municipal Secondary School; Laura Dove Secondary School and Ansarul Islamic Secondary School. The items were being donated by Orange Sierra Leone as a commitment made during the launching of the Free Quality Education in support of the Government of Sierra Leone with USD 1.5.million material support.

The programme is one of the five projects designed by Orange Sierra Leone and the Ministry of Education to distribute 2,000 hygiene packs to twenty schools and the remaining four years will also lead to the distribution of the remaining 8,000 packs to other eighty schools in the country. Earlier next year Orange Sierra Leone will roll out the other four projects across the country which is all geared towards improving the innovative abilities of the children, provision of rural electrification to rural schools and education of teachers online.

Authorities at Municipal, Laura Dove and Ansarul Islamic Secondary Schools in Freetown lauded the efforts of Orange Sierra Leone for venturing to help them with sanitary pads for girls. They acknowledged that the girls need the hygiene pads to be able to stay in school. Vice Principal of the Government Municipal Secondary School, Mr. Martin Musa, while thanking Orange Sierra Leone appealed for WASH facilities for the girls which according to him are non-existent in most schools.

Sierra Leone Hosts Trade and Investment Conference

Her Excellency, Agnes Dugba Macauley, Deputy High Commissioner of Sierra Leone to the United Kingdom

By Alim Jalloh

Over 50 investors from across the globe attended a 2-day Trade and Investment Conference held at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Aberdeen, an event that was organized by the Government of Sierra Leone through the relentless efforts of Her Excellency, Agnes Dugba Macauley, Deputy High Commissioner of Sierra Leone to the United Kingdom in collaboration with SLIEPA.

The program, which commenced on Monday 28th October and ended on Tuesday 29 October 2019, attracted business moguls in the country and frank discussions were held on various issues.

In an exclusive interview with Deputy High Commissioner  after the program, she disclosed that the conference was a follow up of the June Forum held in the UK which was attended by President Bio and team disclosing how the investors who came were from the UK, China, Germany and Nigeria. “They are in the country to have first-hand information about the country’s preparedness for investment,” she intimated adding that the investors have various interests in the fields of Infrastructure, Fisheries, Education, Tourism, Energy, Agriculture etc.

“These investors wanted to meet and talk with the authorities on their respective areas of interests,” she also disclosed. She expressed pleasure over the presentation made by the Ministry of Trade and Industry, the Banks and other organizations.Her Excellency further disclosed that her relationship with Sierra Leoneans in the diaspora is cordial and they are thinking of forming an association to further trade between Sierra Leone and the UK. She added that she has been stressing to investors that Sierra Leone is not only ready for investment, but ready to implement what they entered into and is hopeful that the visiting investors will make up their minds positively, as the concerns among many had been the peaceful situation in the country, which is a prerequisite for investments to thrive.

Speaking on the measures taken by the Government in respect of foreign currency transactions in the country, the Bank Governor allayed the fears of investors that the moves were laws that were in existence long before the present Government took power and were being followed by investors. He further maintained that all investors following the dictates of the law have nothing to worry about. Sierra Leone’s fiscal policy is investor friendly. He stressed that investors can transfer their profits overseas and remit funds into the country but they will have to go through the banking system.

“The Government will not allow investors leave the country with suitcases loaded with money, albeit profits made. This is to ensure financial stability in the country,” he pointed out.

On his own part, the Minister of Trade, Dr. Hinga Sandi, said that the Government is not taking hasty decisions to get investors in the country, but is taking careful steps to ensure that the investors coming to invest in the country are credible and good and will provide job opportunities for Sierra Leoneans.

The conference is geared towards boosting investor confidence so that at the end of the day it will be a win-win situation for both the country and the investors. Sierra Leoneans will be able to learn from investors and be in positions of trust. He is hopeful of a positive outcome from the conference.

 

 

Family Planning 2020 Convenes Youth & Adolescents Conference in Sierra Leone

By Foday Moriba Conteh

Family Planning 2020, a global coalition of countries on family planning, has on Tuesday 29th October, 2019 held a one day Youth and Adolescents Conference on family planning with the theme: “Strengthening Youth and Voices as a Movement for Investment, Action

and Accountability on Family Planning “at the British Council Hall in Freetown. The event was geared towards educating young people on family planning activities across the country.

In his keynote address, Minister of Youth Affairs, Mohamed Omar Bangura, disclosed that society most times frown at discussing issues relating to sexual reproduction among young people, which he said has contributed to the ignorance of many on such issues.

He said stakeholders are not playing justice to this present generation with regards the aspect of sexual reproduction, adding that if we much move from the negative to the positive side of sexual reproductive education there should be key information generating discussions among the current generation of young people.

He called on the Inter- Religious Council, parents, teachers to discuss the issue of sexual reproduction with young people as they are people they trust so much in society.

He said that sexual reproductive education does not have any negative impacts on adolescents but rather empowers them on issues relating to the said subject matter.

Youth Focal person, Family Planning 2020,Marian Pleasant Kargbo, disclosed that Family planning 2020 is a global coalition of countries to which Sierra Leone signed  its commitment in 2012, adding that one of the commitments  signed to by the Government of Sierra Leone is to increase the budgetary allocation for family planning.

She said that even though Sierra Leone is a signatory to the Family Planning 2020 there is still no budget line for family planning in the Ministry of Health and Sanitation. Marian urged Government to ensure that it lives up to its commitment.

She noted that according to statistics 80 percent of young people don’t take contraceptives saying such is a concern and we need to step up and save the next generation.

Secretary General of the Inter-Religious Council, Rev. Dr. Usman Jesse Fornah, said that the Inter-Religious Council of Sierra Leone does not have a position statement on the use of contraceptive, but they do respect and uphold the various views and stance of their membership bodies in the spirit of religious tolerance and peaceful co-existence.

He noted that the Constitution maintains that one of the purposes  for the establishment of IRSL is “To promote the sharing among religious communities of their respective traditions, principles and values which can be related to building a peaceful and just society in Sierra Leone and the world at large.”

“One of our key member bodies, The Catholic Church, is opposed to artificial contraception and sexual acts outside of the context of marital intercourse; this church believes that using contraception is intrinsically evil in itself, regardless of the consequences. Catholics are only permitted to use natural methods of birth control. The only form of birth control permitted is abstinence,” he maintained.

He disclosed that as for Islam, the Quran does not make any explicit statement about the morality of contraception, but contains statements encouraging procreation, adding that the Islamic Prophet (Muhamed)  is reported to have said, “Marry and Procreate,”  According to him there existed a primitive form of birth control as a known practice at the time of the Islamic Prophet and his companions engaged in it but the Prophet knew about this, but never advised or preached against it.

Executive Director of Health, Alert Victor L. Koroma, who doubles as the CSO Focal person on Family Planning 2020 disclosed that gathering adolescents across the country in a Family Planning 2020 Conference is to inform them on the commitment made by the Government of Sierra Leone to address the issue of Family Planning. He said that in 2012 the Government made a commitment in addressing the issue of Family Planning in the country.

He noted that they are including young people as they are the beneficiaries, adding that the conference also brought together key partners like UNPFA, USAID, Ministry of Health, Inter- Religious Council, PPSL etc in order to dialogue the issue of Family Planning and urged the Government to own their commitment.

NP Sierra Leone Smart Card Brings New Revolution To Access Fuel

By Amin Kef Sesay

The National Petroleum Company is an integral part of Sierra Leone’s multi diverse sectoral approach. The activities of the company are impinging positively on overall socio-economic development of Sierra Leone.

NP employs unbiased solutions to customer care with the kind of approach usually to draw support from them which no rival company does.

Amongst the foremost or primary tasks is giving customers their desires in getting access to high grade petroleum products at reasonable prices. Equipped with high-tech and calibrated pumping machines installed at all Filling stations, customers are assured of quality and quantity of supply of gas, fuel, and other lubricants used by vehicles and other machines.

The success has led to shareholders and management smiling as the company makes money due  hard work . Suggestions, opinions and concerns of the public always rank number one within the company’s mandate. This synergy that exists between the company and end users has turned out to be the basis of mutual trust and respect keeping bonds alive and kicking.

Today, people have more fuel in their smart cards than before. Literally, it is the most recent technological device introduced by the company in town. The NP Smart Card is now the latest ‘swag’ in town that is saving many from the hassle of spending time to cash money. With the use of the NP Smart Card an individual could procure the requisite number of litres of fuel needed without any physical financial exchanges. This brings a lot of convenience to customers and has been widely applauded.

To make life more comfortable for people, NP-SL-Ltd also has on offer for sale user-friendly NP Gas used for a variety of cooking purposes. It is safe for all environmental purposes and can be used for domestic cooking. No wonder why the mad rush now for the product. Those who have tried it speak very well of its high performance and therefore recommend its use to others.

Corporate Social Responsibility too has added its own value to customers as it is making impressive ways to meaningfully transform the lives of people. All of this has been complementing Government’s efforts in its development trajectory to improve conditions of living.

If all the gestures that the company has made over the years are chronicled then such will come out in the form of epistles and there is limited space to accommodate such but it is an established fact that as a way of giving back to society the company is socially and economically contributing to overall national development.

Such could be juxtaposed with the offering of job opportunities to many who hitherto were dreaming of getting sources to derive income, the timely payment of taxes to Government. For all the right reasons Sierra Leoneans must be very much proud of NP-SL Ltd and give it all the necessary support to ensure that it continues to flourish and be relevant to society.

 

Russia To Supply Mining Robots to Sierra Leone

The second plenary session at the 2019 Russia-Africa Summit at the Sirius Park of Science and Art in Sochi, Russia, 24 October 2019

By James Kajue

RUSSIAN companies have offered African countries solutions based on the internet of things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI) to boost mining production. The offers follow the realisation that traditional means are becoming increasingly expensive, with productivity falling due to technical maintenance costs, unreliable equipment, reactive troubleshooting, a lower equipment utilisation coefficient and accidents connected to the transgression of safety regulations.

This was the prevailing theme at a panel discussion entitled: “The Mining Industry in Africa: New Russian Technologies and High Efficiency” held as part of the recent Russia-Africa Summit and Economic Forum in Sochi. Igor Bogachev, Chief Executive Officer of ZYFRA, said the company was offering Africa an automated mining and transport management system as well as robotic technologies.

He said the system of production control allowed for efficiency of the mine fleet and optimise ore production and transportation, increasing mining volume by 15 percent. The robotic trucks performance is 20 percent higher than that of the usual technology.

“Our autonomous dump trucks are already operational in Russia and Morocco,” Bogachev said. David Francis, Prime Minister of Sierra Leone, said a country-wide aerial survey of geological resources had recently been conducted.

“We now know the approximate volume and quantities of mineral resources that our country possesses,” he said. “We know that Russia has accumulated the knowledge and experience to help Sierra Leone evaluate all the information, enabling us to verify and confirm the amount, type and estimated value of the natural resources.”

George Oyema, head of General Maniema Mining Company in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), said remote control technologies were effective in raising safety levels and increasing the company’s productivity.

“This satisfies the interests of the labour unions, employers, owners and, ultimately, the state. It also increases the productivity of the industry in a safe way,” Oyema stated. The mineral industry is key to the industrial potential and export of many African countries. Almost 75 percent of foreign investment is destined for that sector.

 

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