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Big Trouble for NGOs in Sierra Leone

Dr. Francis Kaikai

By Theresa Vamboi

Non-Governmental Organisations in Sierra Leone are facing new challenges over a new act that intends to regulate their finances over their clients or beneficiaries.  According to investigative reports being monitored by this press, it is intimidated that the transactions between local Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in the country and their foreign partners or donors will soon face strict scrutiny.

The new proposed policy or law by Government will see NGOs/CSOs commit 70% of their allocations to their target beneficiaries, and retain 30% in taxes and management cost.

Few months back, the Ministry of Economic Planning held series of meetings with NGOs/CSOs for the full implementation of the policy which among other things includes the 70% quota. Though the matter is still unresolved between Government and the NGO Community yet sources say that the focus is to strip-off NGOs of 70% resources to go directly benefitting beneficiaries than rippling off them.

It is also noted that CEOs of NGOs are exploiting their beneficiaries by failing to implement full resources on them.  Corruption and exploitation have surfaced as the main reasons why the NGOs/CSOs have been subject to the new rules soon to be implemented. Meanwhile, the NGO community has debunked the allegations as merely trumpeted and politically motivated. As far as they are concerned, they have not agreed with government proposal on the issue.

 

AYV Sierra Leone Goes BBC

By Amin Kef Sesay

LONDON – The Africa Young Voices Media Empire (AYV) and British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) have begun an intensive media professional training programme in London for AYV journalists and executives. The BBC has a world class media platform in broadcasting and an international reputation for creative programme-making.

AYV journalists have been selected to undertake professional media development training at the BBC. This follows development initiatives to train AYV journalists and executives to world class standards. The training programme takes place at the BBC’s headquarters in London, which is at the very heart of media innovation in the world. The training embeds AYV’s journalists into BBC’s world class media development and cutting-edge broadcasting.

Sierra Leone has a special relationship of a kind with Britain, and AYV and BBC are leveraging this relationship to deliver world class media, with a view to provide the very latest development in broadcasting. AYV and BBC have fostered a good relationship following the signing of a Strategic Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the two media institutions.

The Partnership between the two institutions is based upon shared values and common interests, including in promoting and supporting good, accurate journalism –based on content that is ethical, balanced, independent, critical and of public interest. AYV will be working with the BBC to promote media development in Sierra Leone. AYV is tapping the most powerful BBC platform and massive BBC World service programmes and newsgathering to create more programmes for audiences in a more creative and cutting-edge formats.

MRS CHINWE KALU-UMA from the BBC said: The partnership from the BBC is always significant when we signed a deal with a partner outside the UK. This means that we can expand our audience reach and get the BBC quality news and content to partners and audiences outside the UK. Sierra Leone is a significant partner for us in West Africa and so to be able to collaborate with AYV, yet another great TV station in Sierra Leone is fantastic. We can see the content that AYV puts out there, its resonates very well with younger audiences and so our staff are really excited to be working with AYV’’.

Speaking at the training, MS ANTONIA HOWARD from the AYV in Sierra Leone stressed the need to account journalistic values, ethics and principles when reporting stories and having reliable and accurate facts put in a meaningful context. She said: ‘’We are doing essential the same thing as the BBC in Sierra Leone with our journalism work.  It has been a very good experience coming to the BBC and we hope to take our new skills back in Sierra Leone to improve our work’’.

Sharing her experience from the training at the BBC, MS STEALLA BANGURA from AYV in Sierra Leone said: ‘’This training better capacitate us on how we gather, report news and coordinate things. We are learning best practices from the BBC as well as share our experiences to be provide good content for our audiences. We are very excited to be at the BBC and very much looking forward to a mutually productive partnership with the BBC. It’s a win-win for both AYV and BBC’’.

MR FAYIAH FATOMA from AYV in Sierra Leone expressed appreciation to both AYV and BBC for the training, stressing the need to implement the skills gained at the BBC, to change the media landscape in Sierra Leone.

MR MESSEH LEONE from AYV International in London said: ‘’This is an historic moment. This partnership harnesses AYV’s global reach and broadcasting capabilities to bring audiences good content. AYV has a long history of supporting emerging media leaders to provide work based learning opportunities for people interested in the Media, so this partnership with the BBC is an excellent platform to develop AYV’s long-standing objective to engage and empower journalists. This partnership will enable AYV to be a media leader in Africa. This is part of the vision of our CEO’s Ambassador Anthony Navo Jnr to engage and empower journalists and expand the work of AYV at national and global level’’.

As one of Sierra Leone’s media leaders, AYV is interested in investing in creative and energetic people with diverse perspectives and talents. The BBC training will see AYV journalists immersed in BBC’s media experience and expertise so they can empower AYV journalists with more effective multi-platform content production and strategies.

This is an intensive training programme from top media experts and shadowing at BBC, as well as collaborative sessions with top journalists. The training programme offers shadowing and interactive engagement on newsgathering, content curation, broadcasting, distribution, research and analytics, breaking news in both traditional and new media.

The BBC is the world’s oldest national broadcasting organisation and the largest broadcaster in the world. AYV is an initiative of Sierra Leone’s Youth Ambassador Anthony Navo Jnr. AYV dominates the media sector in Sierra Leone with a nationwide newspaper, television and radio network across the country.

AYV and BBC aim to nurture talent, both in front and behind the camera which is an important part of the partnership between the two institutions, to strengthen and scale the volume and quality of content. This partnership is about investment in the media: people with fresh ideas, innovative viewpoints, a willingness to work hard, and a commitment to the highest standards of journalism.

AYV will continue to work with the BBC to promote media development in Sierra Leone. AYV is tapping the most powerful BBC platform and massive BBC World service programmes and newsgathering to create more programmes for audiences in Sierra Leone in a more creative and cutting-edge formats. The BBC has been producing programmes that are being aired on AYV, a new series of innovative and amazing programmes.

The BBC World Service will continue to provide AYV current news and content that complement its global programmes in Africa. This partnership offers AYV a world-class broadcasting platform for its audiences.

The BBC will continue to support the development of new programmes and training for AYV as part of the new partnership. It is part of a long-term mutually beneficial partnership involving the BBC and AYV, with the aim of supporting media development programmes reflecting the special relationship between Sierra Leone and United Kingdom.

 

President Bio meets Crown Prince of Emirates, calls for support to Sierra Leone

President Dr Julius Maada Bio has met with the Crown Prince of Emirates, His Highness Sheik Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan

By Alim Jalloh

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – President Dr Julius Maada Bio has on Tuesday 29 October, 2019 met with the Crown Prince of Emirates, His Highness Sheik Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in Abu Dhabi where he called for support to Sierra Leone’s development process.

President Bio thanked Prince Nahyan for meeting him to meet and discuss issues relating to the development and commended him for sending a 22-man delegation to Sierra Leone in April this year. He said after the visit a lot of progress had been made to foster the relationship between Sierra Leone and the Emirates.

He said his government was moving in the right direction and had been able to bring back international credibility and confidence through fiscal discipline and effective economic management. He said his government was truly committed to improving the livelihood of its citizens, adding that they were looking for credible partners with genuine intentions to help in the development process.

“We are a small nation but with huge potentials that we can use to better the lives of our people. What we need now is genuine friends who can help us actualise the dreams of making our nation a better place. We will appreciate your support, especially in food production so we can be able to feed our people and export foodstuff to help boost our foreign exchange,” he said.

In his response, Prince Nahyan said that he was happy to meet the President and his delegation. He said they were using technology as a basis for their development in catching up with the rest of the world by bringing the best experts across the world to work in their country. He said they had heard a lot of stories about the challenging history of Sierra Leone and were ready to help the country in its development drive.

President Bio was accompanied by Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to the UAE, Rashid Sesay, and other senior members of government. Later on, the President and his delegation also visited the Sierra Leone Embassy in Abu Dhabi where he had an interactive session with staff of the Embassy.

Orange Sierra Leone Takes Menstrual Hygiene Education to Ahmadiyya, Independence and St. Helena Schools

Head of CSR Orange Sierra Leone, Desmond Spaine

By Alim Jalloh

Orange Sierra Leone continues to demonstrate its Corporate Social Responsibility and Philanthropy by reaching to more schools. The latest schools to get menstrual hygiene packs and education were Ahmadiyya Islamic Secondary School, Independence and St. Helena Secondary Schools in Freetown.

On Monday 28th October the company visited the three schools’ campuses. Led by the Head of the Corporate Social Responsibility for Orange Sierra Leone, Desmond Spaine and team said the visit to the schools was to support the Free Quality Education programme of the Government of Sierra Leone in effectively managing menstrual hygiene circles for girls.

The support was consistent with the pledge of USD 1.5 million materials made by Orange Sierra Leone in August, 2018 when President Bio was launching the Free, Quality Education in Freetown. This was further explained that it contains five other projects which the company would roll out later this year to benefit pupils and teachers.

Girl Child Network Sierra Leone is one of the partners of the project and a beneficiary of the NGO, Abibatu, gave a short talk on how pupils should manage their menstrual. Amongst which she maintained that an effective administration of their menstrual calendar would require them not to use contraceptives.

Cordelia Sogie-Thomas of the Orange CSR team handed over one hundred reusable and highly scientifically tested menstrual hygiene packs to each of the three schools visited to the authorities. They encouraged the authorities to record the distribution of the hygiene packs in diaries for follow-up purposes. All three school authorities lauded Orange Sierra Leone for the initiative and assured them that, they will effectively manage the consignments for their intended purposes.

The project which will run for the next five years will have to roll out 10,000 packs of menstrual hygiene packs in total to one hundred schools across Sierra Leone.

Founder of Girl Child Network Sierra Leone Madam Anita Koroma expressed satisfaction over support Orange gave to the organisation in providing schools especially the girl-child education on the early use of contraceptives by teenage girls in Sierra Leone.

Founded in 2011, the organization works on different areas of intervention related to Education, Girl Rights, Ending violence against girls, Leadership and Empowerment skills development.

Currently, Madam Koroma is working with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) on interventions that are geared towards encouraging girls to stay in school by producing and distributing reusable, durable and eco-friendly menstrual hygiene packs which guide girls on how to manage their menstrual cycles responsibly.

She is also working with Orange Sierra Leone in implementing effective sensitization on menstrual hygiene management for girls as a way of supporting the Free Quality Education program.

In a snap interview by this press, Madam Anita disclosed that the issue of getting girls to stay in school has been a challenge because the issue of menstrual cycles has been a taboo. As a result girls in schools are not open and comfortable to discuss it especially with their parents, boys or their teachers.

The Girl Child Network CEO also called for breaking this culture of silence. She encourages girls, school authorities and parents to openly discuss issues around menstrual hygiene and to support the girls while they are undergoing their menstrual periods.

Madam Anita Koroma founder CEO Girl Child Network Sierra Leone

Orange Sierra Leone Gives ‘Big Sister’ Season II Big Boost

By Alim Jalloh

Corporate management of events lead to most successful ones becoming iconic in terms of splendour, organisation and outcomes. This is about to be seen in the upcoming ‘Big Sister’ Sierra Leone Season II.

Quite recently, Freetown and the whole of West Africa were glued to TV sets across participating cities to witness the launch of the magnanimous event in Sierra Leone’s capital.

Big time sponsor Orange Sierra Leone’s Chief Marketing Officer Alimatou Mbaye said as a company, Orange’s partnership with Zed-Zee Multimedia in organising Big Sister Sierra Leone II will promote women’s empowerment in Sierra Leone.

“At Orange we believe that investing in young people, will secure the future of the country and this show will help to promote the image and culture of the people to the world”, she said. She assures all that Orange SL was very happy to sponsor the event and will continue to invest in the lives and businesses of Sierra Leoneans.

‘’We are more delighted than them because we take pride in empowering youths, especially young women.’’ Big Sister Sierra Leone Season 2 is a woman empowerment reality TV show initiated by Sierra Leone female celebrity, Zainab Sheriff.

Women from different Western African countries will be kept in a house for 7 weeks and the winner through votes will win $50,000. Orange Sierra Leone has a tremendous record of providing support towards the empowerment of women. Their CSR has gone beyond borders to extend to health and sanitation, education, innovation and technology etc.

RICHARD ALLEN HIGH SCHOOL BENEFITS FROM ORANGE SIERRA LEONE MENSTRUAL HYGIENE PACKS

Orange’s Desmond Spaine  officially handing over packs to the school principal

By Alim Jalloh

Richard Allen High school in the East of Freetown was the proud beneficiary of an Orange sponsored health programme that saw the introduction and donation of sanitary pads to schools in the Western Area.

The company donated 100 Menstrual Hygiene Packs for School Girls at Richard Allen High School in Freetown on Friday 25th October, 2019.

Desmond Spaine is the Corporate Social Responsibility Manager for Orange Sierra Leone and disclosed to the girls and school authorities that the packs donation is consistent with a pledge made by the company in August, 2018 while President Bio was launching the Free Quality Education to provide a USD1.5 million material support to the scheme.

This was also in close collaboration with the Ministry of Basic Senior Education which enable both sides to design five (5) projects for the distribution of 10,000 menstrual hygiene packs to 100 schools across the country in five years.

Emphasis was made about the contribution of the private sector as very critical in ensuring the success of the programmes. This response by Orange to support Government on the Free Quality Education programme has kicked off well with Richard Allen High School, being the first amongst many schools to beneft.

Amongst some of the partners that graced the occasion was Anita Koroma who is the CEO of Girl Child Network Sierra Leone and Consultant Production Manager of the Menstrual Hygiene Project said girls need to manage their menstrual hygiene well.

She spurred the girls to concentrate on schooling in order to avoid early child marriage and teenage pregnancy. “The fight against teenage pregnancy is constrained by the fact that there has been a missing link in the teenage pregnancy advocacy as the advocators had failed to establish the background for their campaign around the management of menstrual cycles”, she stated and demonstrated to the kids how to use the reusable menstrual hygiene packs.

The School Management Committee applauded the move by Orange Sierra Leone and assured the company that they will monitor the girls with a view to look into their menstrual hygiene management.

Rose Hawa Bangura, an SS 3 pupil appreciated the efforts of Orange and lavished lots of praises on the company for raising awareness about breast menstrual.

Women Benefit from Orange Sierra Leone Breast Cancer Sponsorship

By Alim Jalloh

At the just concluded Freetown Marathon for Breast Cancer Awareness week launched by the Thinking Pink Foundation and proudly sponsored by Orange Sierra Leone, women have benefited from the programme.

During the weekend thousands of women joined reputable institutions at Family Kingdom resort in the West of Freetown to support efforts towards raising awareness, treatment and medication for Breast Cancer in the country.

Annie Wonie Katta is the Head of Public Relations for Orange Sierra Leone and said that Orange Sierra Leone was not only concerned about providing mobile services to Sierra Leonean but also about the health needs of the people affected by breast cancer and its threats.

Annie Wonie Katta was one of the beneficiaries who received a package from Orange presented to her by Agnes Williams. Madam Katta said that it’s her hope that one day threats surrounding cancer will be managed and treated.

The need for screening was emphasised and she stressed that early detection for signs and symptoms and treatment are good for women in combating the disease.

The Chief Executive Officer for Thinking Pink Foundation Cremelda Parkinson Pratt welcomed told a crowd of marathoners who made the 21-kilometer Marathon from Haja Fatmata in the East of Freetown to Family Kingdom thanked its partners, sponsors and others that contributed to 6th Edition of the National Freetown Half Marathon a success.

The event held from 1st to 31st October every year raised awareness on breast cancer which, she described as ‘real and a killer disease’. The Marathon is also organized to solicit funds for the treatment of patients.

WHO representative at the Marathon who spoke on Universal Health Coverage, congratulated each and every one that has participated including the sponsors, and noted that he was impressed with the blend of institutions that have gathered at the event, pointing out that this is very significant to making the desired change.

He lauded the efforts of the Ministry of Health,   Government and the people of Sierra Leone for making giant strides in promoting Universal Health Access. Samuel S. Mansaray won this year’s marathon in the male category while Isatu Turay won the female category.

Representatives from AMNET Sierra Leone, Sierra Leone Commercial Bank, Sierra Rutile Limited, Sierra Leone Medical Students’ Association, all made meaningful statements at the event stressing that early detection and screening is very significant in controlling the spread of cancer.

The Thinking Pink Breast Cancer Foundation is engaged in raising nation-wide awareness about the importance of early detection of breast cancer; raise and solicit funds to support financially challenged patients of breast cancer with treatment costs and also advocates at state level for equal access to breast cancer healthcare facility and cost effective medication, amongst others. The theme of the 6th Edition of the Breast Cancer National Awareness Campaign was declared as “Wellbodi nar Gentri”.

Besides Orange-Sierra Leone, Sierra Leone Commercial Bank, Health Newspaper, Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF), Sierra Leone Police (SLP) were proud partners that all contributed to the success of the programme.

The Government of Sierra Leone, INGOs and NGOs were thus called upon by the CEO to join the fight against cancer. It was noted that, during the screening period discoveries are always found to bring alarming figures that increase the rate and this indicates that cancer was on the rise in Sierra Leone.

According to Cremelda Pratt, the rationale of the marathon is not only about winning the race, but raising the awareness. Annie Wonnie Katta said her company’s contributions to the corporate world focuses on improving society especially on health. That is why Orange is committed to provide affordable and reliable telecom services to nation-building.

It would be recalled that Orange has supported Breast Cancer campaign since the days of Airtel, as a result, she said they are still committed to offering the best and affordable telecom services.

Dr Tamba James is a member of the Sierra Leone Medical Association and told the audience that the risk factors of cancer are smoking, sex, body cream etc. He further explained the early signs and symptoms.

The fact people also understood is that cancer is curable just like Malaria, TB, etc, but with early detection.

Aminata Konneh is a nurse working with Thinking Pink Breast Cancer Foundation and added literature to the causes of cancer. She said it causes the cells to divide uncontrollably resulting in tumors, damage to the immune system, and other impairment that can be fatal.

Most of the body’s cells have specific functions and fixed lifespans she told her audience. “While it may sound like a bad thing, cell death is part of a natural and beneficial phenomenon called apoptosis”, she stated.

The occasion was climaxed with the presentation of Awards to winners of the marathon.

 

Religion should not be a cloak for hidden Political Manoeuvrings in Sierra Leone   -Concerned Citizens Caution

Vice President of Sierra Leone Dr. Juldeh Jalloh and Dr. Samura Kamara’s

By Amin Kef Sesay

What has now become the much talked about or topical issue in different circles around the country is that which transpired on the 25th October 2019 in the East End of Freetown. This time round it has to do with religious accreditation and recognition.

The showdown place is the famous Basharia Mosque on Bombay Street. Founded by faithful followers of late Imam Bashar Sankoh Yilla, believed to be a reformer of modern Islam from the Oldfield Temne Mosque in the 90s, the Basharia Mosque has always been a citadel of power manoeuvrings amongst big ruling political vons and opposition classes in Sierra Leone.

From the days of Siaka Stevens to J.S. Momoh, Ahmed Tejan Kabbah, and Ernest Bai Koroma, hardly a leader passes by without worshipping and working with the Basharia Mosque. So it has not been a surprise to see current ruling party (SLPP) political echelons and opposition members visiting the mosque. However, such visits are always greeted with Islamic fanfare and great expectations for political support.

Vice President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh
Dr. Samura Kamara

On that fateful Friday it was not clear whether the Vice President of Sierra Leone Dr. Juldeh Jalloh was visiting the mosque to seek political support. But what was clearly understood is that he was there as a faithful Muslim to worship Allah. Unfortunately he clashed with the former front runner of the main opposition Dr. Samura Mathew Wilson Kamara and it turned out into brouhaha.

According to reports, crowds booed at the VP and the Islamic clerics of the mosque too failed to give him the required attention and protocol he deserves. This became a serious problem leading to a commotion.

There is another account which states that after the official prayers when the clerics of the Mosque handed over the microphone to Samura Kamara to make a statement, the latter handed it over to the Vice President out of respect. It was there and then that certain unaccepted and untoward statements from the congregation were made purportedly against the Vice President.

The outcome of the incident has left many tongues waggling and some have now come to question Dr. Samura Kamara’s act as a breach of Public Order Act.  His accusers are pointing fingers at him of trying to disrupt and affect the peace of the country by perambulating in a false capacity after elections were long overdue and done with.

Even evangelicals have come to question the former APC presidential candidate’s faith as he is seen more often aligned with Islam than being a Christian, especially a Catholic as he goes to mosques everywhere to pray.

They argued that obviously his intention was not seeking the face of Allah but rather hidden political motives, which is condemned as wrong.  The incident has also shed a bad light on the Imams who have come under scrutiny for being accused of cheap and compromising politics.

Many have come to see the situation in different ways. For one person this medium contacted, Abdul Sankoh he said though he prays at Basharia Mosque yet the action of the mosque was wrong. For Sankoh, the VP would have been given all due respect as a leader duly elected together with the President.

He maintains that Samura Kamara lost the elections of 2018 and was left with no titles both at party level and national level therefore he cannot equate himself to any political leader at the time unless he becomes an ordinary citizen who complies with the laws to gain favour and not to stand on the way of the current leaders.

“He deserves no special treatment in the Muslim Faith to prop him for the next election. It is an outrage,” stated Sankoh.  At social forums, the argument has dominated minds and the ugly picture of politics and religion is once more painted and sending fears that 2023 won’t be an easy ride for the country.

Kamara’s behaviour at the Basharia Mosque raised a lot of doubts about Islam in Sierra Leone. Many Muslims now believe that Islam was being blatantly adulterated by the lies of Samura Kamara. This brings to the question whether a Muslim has rights to seek permission before praying into any mosque. Normally this is not a rule either in Islam or politics even rather a normal practice by Muslims to go to any mosque and pray which the VP did.

According to an Islamic scholar, the Vice President being a devoted Muslim and second in command, giving him recognition and warm reception was the expected protocol by the mosque. His failure to inform the authorities before going there should not be used as an excuse for insult. The distinction between private and public life was failed to be realised both by Samura and Basharia mosque and this led to the mis-happenings at the mosque.

It should be noted that everywhere in the world, public life is more respectable than private life and in exercising these rights; the two should be well balanced not to affect each other, especially when in a position of trust.  Although the incident could not be associated to be politically, religiously and tribally motivated, yet should be viewed as a matter of integrity rather than the old rhetorics.

 

 

 

 

 

Sierra Leone Moves To Exit Joblessness Ranking

By John Koroma

Sierra Leone appears to be determined in moving away from her ranking as the country with the highest levels of joblessness in West Africa. With a 60 percent rate of youth unemployment, the country certainly suffers among West Africa’s highest levels of joblessness. One result: youth migrate, often irregularly.

To address this, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) Sierra Leone, in partnership with the Freetown City Council, organised five-day training on entrepreneurship and sustainable waste treatment for 200 youths from Freetown in early October.

The training aims at providing youth with skills to collect and manage domestic waste while providing them with money to meet their daily needs.

“This will not only help in cleaning the city, reducing health hazards associated with waste but also contribute to generating the much-needed income, and sustainable livelihoods for youth”, explained Dr. James Bagonza, Project Coordinator at IOM Sierra Leone.

Participants were divided into groups to manage 20 different door-to-door waste collection businesses. As part of the process, IOM and partners will also provide them with a 15-months business development support, as well as waste collection equipment and motorised tricycles.

“I am interested in the waste management business. The knowledge gained through this training will empower me and help us combat the problem of waste in our community”, said Lovina Margret Moseray, one of the trainees.

The youth groups will move from door to door to collect household waste including plastic, water sachets, empty bottles and miscellaneous garbage, getting less than a $1.00 per bag collected.

Using motorised tricycles, members of these garbage brigades transport wastes to collection points within their communities, where employees designated by the Freetown City Council move the material into recycling or disposal channels.

“Our Ministry is prepared to support young people in the coming months get the appropriate training and skills that will enable them to tap local opportunities rather than risking their lives to go to Europe through irregular means”, said Hon. Luseni Kallon, Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs.

This training was organised within the framework of the project ‘Reducing the Risk of Irregular Migration through Promotion of Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship in Sierra Leone’ implemented with funding from the Government of Japan.

IOM and the Government of Sierra Leone through this youth empowerment project have plans to roll out other programmes to provide employment and more job opportunities for youths in the country.

At a graduation ceremony here, His Excellency Tsutomu Himeno, Japan’s Ambassador to Sierra Leone, said “You will be looked at by other people, and you are showing by doing your work-. Sometimes it may be tough, but you should take pride in the attention you get, and share your knowledge with others.’

IOM’s Dr. Bagonza added: “Today’s certification ceremony is a step towards creating entrepreneurship opportunities for youth, through doing waste management.

NP Sierra Leone Sails Above Stormy Waters

By Amin Kef Sesay

The story of National Petroleum Company continues to sail through and above stormy waters, new reports say. This has left the public widely commending the company’s rebranding image. The latest secret underscoring this success is the wise and strong Management of the company led by Kobi Walker.

He joined the National Petroleum Company in November 2011 as Marketing Manager, a position he served for eight years. Prior to joining NP, he had served as Director of Marketing and Business Development for Union Trust Bank from July 2008 to October 2011. He has also held senior positions as Accountant, Commercial Manager and Corporate Communications and Secretary to the Sierra Leone Brewery Limited from June 1992 to July 2008, spending close to 16 years on service.

This Prince of Wales and Albert Academy aluminate is a great manager and crafty businessman who has proven beyond all reasonable doubt that he was worthy of talking NP to a new level.

Today, NP soars high on top due to the good managerial decisions the company has taken ensuring availability of products and services for public consumption.  Like many other businesses, NP-SL-Ltd is a company that is susceptible to internal and external shocks. Due to the high value of the U.S.Dollar to the Leone, many entities are being affected and creating inflation with prices of basic commodities, goods and services skyrocketing and impinging negatively on the overall standard of living.

Yet, NP strides like a colossus in the midst of these challenges to give optimal satisfaction to customers. Many customers spoken to by this medium have reacted to the steady progress of the company. They say that they appreciate the qualitative services offered by the company.

Customer care ranks No. 1 as the Management of NP is very mindful of giving attention to customers and that has brought them closer to the people they serve. Many citizens applaud the company’s impressive strides as one of the most successful indigenous entities that have survived unlike many other national institutions.

Reports from its subsidiaries in Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast, The Gambia say that they maintained the same standards. Its contribution to the economic growth of the country cannot be underrated. It is one of the highest tax payers in the country and is a great performer of Corporate Social Responsibility and Philanthropy widely respected for transforming lives and improving communities.

The company always ensures that petroleum products are available to prevent shortages. This has eased tensions badly experienced in the past, overseas business partners today rely more on NP than ever before. Arguably, our darling National Petroleum Company is the best in Sierra Leone.

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