Home Blog Page 1180

Borrow a Leaf from NP-Sierra Leone for Success

National Petroleum Sierra Leone Limited

By Amin Kef Sesay

One successful business entity worthy of emulation is the indomitable National Petroleum –Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd)  for the simple reason that  since its establishment by indigenous Sierra Leoneans years back the company has grown exponentially to really become a force to reckon with in the petroleum marketing landscape of this country.

The significance of the private sector to economic growth in any country cannot be underestimated simply because the public sector or in other words, Government, alone cannot for certain reasons invest in certain areas and competitively survive. Unlike the public sector there are not much bureaucratic channels or red-tapism to go through within the private sector when people want to do transactions. Undue use of political influence, within the public sector, to get things done in a polarised nation as ours  has the tendency of derailing efficiency and effectiveness in service delivery, which therefore   makes it urgently necessary for the private sector to take its rightful position and be availed the conducive conditions  to make its operators more relevant to overall national development.

It is really advisable for individuals who intend to come together to establish private business enterprises, that they may ambitiously want to see thriving in order to derive value for money, to indeed borrow a leaf from NP-SL Ltd. It must be registered at this particular juncture that the company is not completely saintly perfect but as far as investigation mounted by this medium has revealed the success stories of the company outweighs any lapse or deficiency that could be detected based on from what perspective a particular individual may see it.

However, selflessness on the part of those who bought shares out of their end of service benefits while the British Petroleum company was folding up where they were hitherto working and  decided to pull their resources together is paying dividends. They patiently translated outlined policies tangibly on the ground to see expected outcomes. Selflessly, egotism was shoved aside thereby preventing a situation where just a single individual or  a cable could just bulldoze their ways acting according to their whims and caprices which could have really been suicidal or inimical to the development of the company.

Another exemplary attribute that has transformed NP-SL throughout is the premium that the shareholders, Board Members and Management have been placing on prioritizing customer care which has earned the company the reputation of 1st For Customer Care. For them without making their esteemed customers feel fulfilled then the company could not have forged ahead.

This same trend continues to this day which is why all their Filling Stations are attractively constructed with modern gadgets one of  which  is having calibrated pumping machines that are very transparent always reposing confidence in customers that they are exactly paying for the quantity of petroleum products that they do purchase. In most of these stations customers also have access to mini shopping marts and relaxation points that do not jeopardize safety.

Most probably embracing the country’s Local Content Policy of first considering giving employment priority to indigenes could be one of the reasons why the company has been doing extremely well. Creating the impression among Sierra Leoneans that the entity is 100% indigenously based has heightened the feeling of ownership which could be a motivating factor for them to give their utmost best in accomplishing assigned tasks or delegated responsibilities.

The strict adherence to the implementation of the Local Content Policy has helped in creating employment opportunities, reducing poverty and availing avenues to enhance the human capital of the nation. Would-be investors must take this into serious consideration instead of relying on importation of expatriates who are paid astronomical salaries most times taking such out of the country. It must also be highlighted that instead of importing certain materials alternative local sources must be explored for raw materials that are used in the manufacturing and service delivery sectors.

It has been observed that any serious entrepreneur must always try to catch up with the latest innovations and technologies to improve on efficiency and invariably save avoidable costs and time. He or she must strive to make customers comfortable.

This has been charted by NP-SL through the company’s introduction of NP Smart Card, which like any ATM Card or mobile phone could be top up from time to time and used to procure petroleum products that the company offers for sale. According to the responses of most customers, using NP Smart Cards, it was discerned that it is safe, reliable to use without the usual excuse of “the system is down” as it is the case when one attempts to withdraw monies from certain commercial banks. Making use of latest technological devices and systems is a sine quo non for any successful business establishment.

Offering other essential goods apart from the main items that a particular business entity has to offer could serve as a magnetic force to attract more customers. NP-SL has mastered that art which is why it has on offer for sale NP Gas at all its Filling Stations and from all authorized dealers. NP Gas has been environmentally certified as safe and quick for cooking purposes.

NP-SL Ltd is indeed a source of inspiration and has attributes plus style worthy of emulation by any company that is in its formative stage.

 

 

 

 

Young Female Sierra Leonean Innovator Bags Orange Social Venture Prize

By Foday Moriba Conteh

One of the operating GSM mobile operators in the country, Orange Sierra Leone, has on Wednesday 16th October, 2019 concluded the Orange-SL Social Venture Prize Innovators competition, an event that took place at the British Council on Tower Hill in Freetown.

Speaking at the ceremony the Chief Executive Officer of Orange-SL, Madam Aminata Kane disclosed that the Orange Social Venture Prize Innovators Competition is geared towards providing a platform for young innovators and creative thinkers in Africa & Middle East, adding that the Orange Social Venture Prize has been in existence for almost nine years now but this is the first time it is hosted in Sierra Leone.

She noted that 15 individuals contested in the preliminary stage of the program disclosing how Aminata F. Kanneh, a young Agro-Fish Farm innovator, Samuel Kamara a young E-Net innovator, and a Botswana national qualified for the final stage.

Aminata Kane said that the competition aims at rewarding and showcasing the best innovative and socially responsible business projects in Africa and the Middle East in order to support them.

She added that the event was the ninth edition to be hosted in Sierra Leone and the winner will eventually be participating in the international competition wherein a team of international jurors will award the grand prize to the best winners at both the national and international levels.

Three finalists were given the opportunity to do presentation on their projects and subsequently an independent panel of judges was instituted to choose the best young innovator among the three finalists who were: Aminata F. Kandeh, young Agro-Fish Farm innovator, Samuel Kamara a young E-Net innovator and Eviteh an inventor who is a Botswana National.

After a thorough scrutiny, Aminata F. Kanneh the young innovator of the Agro-Fish Farm Ltd project emerged as winner with 198 points, Eviteh scored 196 points and Samuel Kamara came third with 161 points. Aminata was therefore awarded the grand price of Le10 million, one 15G fly box. The two runners up received Le2.5 million each, and a 4G Mifi.

Mayor of the Freetown City Council, Her Worship Yvonne Aki Sawyer, praised Orange Sierra Leone for their relentless efforts in supporting these young innovators. She rated Orange as the best GSM mobile operator in terms of the provision of reliable network as well as promoting young innovators not only in Sierra Leone but in Africa as a whole.

She admonished young innovators and the winners to continue to work hard in promoting the innovative and technological aspirations of the country.

Country Director of the British Council spoke on the relevance of the ceremony and expressed thanks to Orange Sierra Leone for such a venture which, according to her, aims at accelerating the aims of young people in the country.

She pointed out how the British Council is committed to work with Orange Sierra Leone in order to promote young Sierra Leonean innovators.

Public Relations Officer of Orange Sierra Leone, Mabel Mason in giving the vote of thanks expressed warmest appreciation to the Chief Executive Officer of Orange Sierra Leone, Madam Aminata Kane, for such a laudable venture that aims at promoting young people not only in Sierra Leone but Africa as a whole.

She noted that the event was not a surprise to many as Orange Sierra Leone is always at the forefront in providing tangible development programs aimed at empowering young people in Sierra Leone.

DAQVAH SIERRA LEONE LAUNCHES NATIONAL ISLAMIC PARK PROJECT

By Amadu Wurie Barrie

The Daily Quranic Verse and Hadith (DAQVAH) Charity Foundation has, on Sunday 13th October, 2019 launched the National Islamic Park Project at their 4th Annual Fundraising Dinner, held at the Bank Complex, Kingtom in Freetown. The event was well attended by various Islamic organisations, scholars, Muslim dignitaries and Government officials.

Speaking to the Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of DAQVAH, Alhaji Abdul Rahman Jalloh, he told this medium that the 4.89 acres piece of land, situated at Gbonko, Kafu Bullom in Lungi, was donated to the Foundation by Chief Bai Shebora Sheba Gbereh-III. “The Park is designed to have an Islamic hall, resource centre, mall and restaurant, couple’s garden, playground for kids, basketball and football courts, swimming pools, gyms, and many other facilities”, he outlined.

The CEO added that the first phase of the project, which is budgeted at $1 Million, is expected to kick start in 2020. He furthered that the project will benefit the entire country, especially young Muslims. Responding to concerns on how the Foundation expects to raise the funds to actualize the project, he said “this is just one activity, we shall also continue our project ‘Le20,000’, targeting 500,000 people”. He added that sponsorship proposals will soon be distributed to multiple business and philanthropist entities.

This  The Project Lead of the “Reach The Unreachable” (RTU), Sheikh Mohamed Alhassan Jalloh, in giving the background of DAQVAH, said that the Foundation was started in July 2015 by Alhaji Abdul Rahman Jalloh and his wife Mariam Seddiq Kamara to help alleviate poverty amongst the Muslim populace. According to him, the Foundation presently as about 1,180 subscribers both in Sierra Leone and the Diaspora, adding that it focuses on various thematic programs, including Education, Water and Sanitation. He furthered that the Foundation has, over the years engaged in countless charity support activities, both in Freetown and remote areas in the provinces.

The National Islamic Park project was officially launched by a representative of the CEO of BSB International, Alhaji Amadu Juldeh Sow alongside other Muslim dignitaries. As a representative of the supervising ministry of religious affairs, the Deputy Minister of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs; Hon. Mohamed Haji-Kella applauded the initiative, describing it as “an era of new beginning in the history of Islamic development in Sierra Leone”.

He personally pledged his support to DAQVAH as a special ambassador of the project, with a donation of Le5 Million Leones. Hon. Haji Kella noted that the New Direction places utmost credence on religious values and that his ministry will explore all possibilities to bring the project into reality. He finally made a clarion call to all Sierra Leoneans to join the bandwagon for a pivotal change in the narrative of Islamic prowess, by supporting the project.

The Guest Speaker of the event, one of Sierra Leone’s most renowned scholars, Sheikh Umar Farouk Adam Bah commenced by noting that, just as burials do not need lectures, so also such a project does not need extensive justifications. Referring to the displayed footprint and 3D video of the construction plan of the project by Inter Link, he noted that the project is of great importance and most timely for the benefit of the country. Sheikh Farouk added that anyone who supports this project will serve posterity, thereby earning continuous rewards from God, even in death.

He commended the management of DAQVAH Foundation for their great efforts, calling on them and all other Islamic organisations to engage in proper planning before implementing any project.

C4C Members Pitch Tent with SLPP in Sierra Leone

Alhaji Sam Sumana

By John Marrah

Six (6) strong members of opposition Coalition for Change (C4C) party, have on Sunday, 13th October, 2019 surrendered their allegiance to the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) at the SLPP office in Kono. Among those who declared for the SLPP was the present Deputy Minister of sports, Lawrence Mbayo and five other strong members.

According to one of the converts, they decided to join the ruling SLPP due to the astute leadership of His Excellency Julius Maada Bio and as patriotic Sierra Leoneans who believe in development and as well national cohesion, they decided to join the SLPP in a bid to complimenting its developmental strides.

“Haven seen H.E Bio fight against corruption and the boost to free quality education across the country, we believe the SLPP is the only party capable of bringing the desired change Sierra Leoneans have long yearned for” he said.

Witnessed by a cheerful crowd, the first lady, Madam Fatima Bio, welcomed the former C4C political stalwarts and said that they made no mistake to choose the SLPP as it is the only party that will change the narrative of Sierra Leone and make the future bright for all.

She said the SLPP embraces all as a family and by virtue of her being an indigene of Kono District,she is happy to receive her brothers open handedly for the progress of the country.

“Our party slogan says ‘One People One Country’, which greatly signifies that we should all be brothers and sisters for the sake of Development. The entire membership of the Sierra Leone People’s Party wholeheartedly welcomes you and we’re happy you all made up your minds for the sake of progress” she concluded.

Approved School Bureau Suspension under Discussion by LAB Sierra Leone

By Joseph Dumbuya

On Monday, 14 October 2019  a team comprising volunteers of the Legal Aid Board Satellite Office, the Approved School Community Advisory Bureau and Councilor of Ward 410 Abu Bakar Saidu Kamara appealed for the lifting of the suspension on the Bureau.

The Bureau was suspended on last Thursday following series of allegations bordering on impropriety and pervasion of justice by the volunteers. The allegations include conniving with landlords to increase rent by up to hundred percent, imposition of fines, writing letters for which they lack the authority, perverting justice and misrepresenting the Board.

‘Our satellite offices cannot be seen to doing the things we are preaching against,’ Executive Director of the Board, Ms. Fatmata Claire Carlton-Hanciles said, adding ‘We need volunteers who are prepared to sacrifice in the service of their community.’

Following the appeal, it was agreed that volunteers should organize a community outreach event to educate people on the functions of the Bureau, matters they can hear and determine and avenue for redress available to the people. ‘Prior to the outreach event, we will have a meeting with the volunteers to discuss these allegations and where possible weed out those who are found to be culpable,’ said Councilor Kamara.

It was understood that such will be followed by the retraining of volunteers on mediation, matters they can hear and determine relevant laws and human rights.

 

 

Sierra Leone Chief Minister Hosts British High Commissioner  & DFID Rep

By Amin Kef Sesay

The Chief Minister, Professor David Francis on the 14th October 2019 welcomed the British High Commissioner to Sierra Leone, Mr. Simon Mustard and Kobi Bentley, Head of DIFID Serra Leone, have today 14th October 2019 to State House during a courtesy call the two paid.

Mr. Simon Mustard intimated how the purpose of their visit was to discuss and exchange ideas on how to achieve the objectives of the Office of the Chief Minister and the New Direction Government. He said their role is to work with the Government and the people of Sierra Leone in terms of support for effective Governance. He thanked the Chief Minister for the gesture as he reaffirmed his commitment to the Government and the people of Sierra Leone.

The Head of DIFID Sierra Leone, Kobi Bentley thanked the Government for the proactive and robust moves made in order to transform the economic situation in the country. She said there was every proof that this Government will handle the current economic situation with time furthering how they will give their continuous support to Sierra Leone.

The Honourable Chief Minister in response said his Office is a delivery unit that deals with strategic planning and policy leadership. He said his office is positioned in a way that it supports both the Presidency and different sectoral Ministries. “My role as the Chief Minister is an “ensurer role”, and I am also supervised by the Honourable Vice President,” he stated.

Speaking on the Government’s priorities, he said the President has compressed his thirty two (32) manifesto promises into eight (8) key priority areas ranging from Education, health, Agriculture, Corruption etc .

He stated that the President has a vision of transforming Sierra Leone, to change the narrative about Sierra Leone through human capital development.

The Chief Minister said the Government is currently spending 85%  of its revenue for servicing debt and that,  the Government will continue to work with partners as they move for a better Sierra Leone.

 

$2 M School Feeding Program Championed by Japan & WFP in Sierra Leone

Signing of the Exchange of Notes
Display of the Exchange of Notes

By Sumner Kangbap

Dr. Francis Kai Kai, Sierra Leone’s  Minister of Planning and Economic Development, has  on Friday 11th October 2019 expressed extreme delight for the Japanese food aid that would contribute immensely to human capital development and underlined the need for the country not to depend solely only on its natural resources stating, “this is the premise.”

This expression was made in a statement at the signing ceremony (Exchange of Notes) of the Japanese Food Aid Grant to World Food Program (WPF) for the School Feeding Program at the conference hall of WFP, 69B Smart Farm, off Wilkinson Road in Freetown.

WFP will implement the school feeding program in 11 vulnerable chiefdoms in Pujehun and Kambia Districts where educational indicators (access and enrollment) of boys and girls, food insecurity and malnutrition indicators are among the worst in the country. It will target 33,000 primary school children.

Dr. Francis Kai Kai acclaimed the Japanese Government for upgrading the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to a full Country Office and hoped that Sierra Leone would benefit from more development aid from Japan.

He also revealed that his Ministry would soon commence popularization of the Medium-Term National Development Plan till December this year to close the gap as the people need to know about the plan for them to articulate their priorities for resource allocation for which the United Nations is firmly behind the initiative.

The Minister went on to state that the nationwide sensitization on the National Development Plan would commence in Kambia District next week and disclosed plans to establish a monitoring and evaluation mechanism to evaluate projects and their impact on the people as well as follow-up visits at district level that the people would appreciate as an accountable mechanism adding that even the food aid would be evaluated after two years to know its impact reiterating that service delivery is key.

He acclaimed WFP for graduating from a humanitarian to development organization and affirmed that WFP would be up to the task adding that the food aid would encourage local food production.

The World Food Program (WPF) Representative and Country Director in Sierra Leone, Mr. Housainou Taal expressed heartfelt congratulations on the successful convening of the 7th Tokyo International Conference for African Development (TICAD7) in August this year which he confirmed as the decade’s long sincere and steady commitment of Japan to African development from the early 1990s.

He added that Japan’s commitment to support Sierra Leone and other African countries is truly exceptional and second to none and commended the Government of Japan for its steady commitment and support to WFP food assistance operations in Sierra Leone for almost a decade amounting to almost US$25 million in total which exactly resonates with the TICAD commitment.

Mr. Housainou Taal further enlightened that the food aid grant is another generous contribution from the Government and people of Japan through the KR food aid grant of 200 million Japanese Yen or approximately USD2 million for the school feeding program which was announced during the bilateral meeting between the Prime Minister of Japan, Shinto Abe and President Julius Maada Bio at their side meeting of TICAD7.

He continued that the food aid grant would be used for school feeding, assisting 33,000 children in Pujehun and Kambia Districts asserting that this year’s food aid grant is different from those in the past as it includes not only international purchase of rice from Japan but also local purchase of rice from farmers that would pave the way for a sustainable national school feeding program.

According to the WFP Representative and Country Director, the school feeding program is the center of WFP’s country strategic plan 2020-2024 which has been designed through the National Zero Hunger Review that would be launched by the President on World Food Day next week highlighting that it is fully in line with the National Development Plan 2019-2023 which has Human Capital Development and Free Quality Education at its strategic core.

He assured that WFP would continue working with JICA in support of smallholder farmers to increase rice production as well as link them to the market reiterating that school feeding would provide a stable market for smallholder farmers disclosing that WFP has started working with a Japanese NGO, HANDS in School Gardens, and affirmed that school gardens are key to make school feeding more nutrition sensitive and promote healthier and more nutritious diet among households in Sierra Leone.

Mr. Housainou Taal also disclosed that on 16th September this year, WFP and the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education signed a Memorandum of Understanding to assist some 300,000 children in 7 districts with the Government’s budget dedicated to the national school feeding program and acclaimed Government’s strong commitment to feed children in schools in the same way as Japan trusted WFP as its partner to implement this KR food aid, the Government has also selected WFP as its partner of choice for the national school feeding implementation.

The Japanese Ambassador in Sierra Leone, Mr. Tsutomu Himeno disclosed that the food aid grant is part of his government’s commitment and good wishes from the people of Japan to Sierra Leone due to the cordial friendship between the two countries that has evolved over the years through conscious engagement citing President Bio’s visit to Japan this year that included the Minister of Development and Economic Planning during which they held a very successful bilateral meeting.

Mr. Tsutomu Himeno observed that the school feeding program is high on government’s agenda, very important for nourishment and education, affirmed that Japan has a long and successful relation with WFP and assured that the agreement would not only bring food from Japan but also empower local farmers adding that WFP is not only good at implementation but dependable.

Earlier, the Chairman of the program, Development Secretary in the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, Mr. Umaru Conteh, recalled that President Julius Maada Bio campaigned on education as his flagship project, the reason the Ministry of Finance has allocated 21% of the national budget to education as a sign of government’s commitment underscoring that education is the only way to advance Sierra Leone’s socio-economic development.

Other dignitaries who made statements at the ceremony included the Director of Inspectorate in the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Mr. Mohamed Sillah Sesay.

Highlight of the ceremony was the signing of documents and Exchange of Notes.

 

 

 

Four Communities Benefit from AMNet Sierra Leone “Second Chance Project”

By Festus Maggai

As a way of celebrating International Girl Child Day on 11 October 2019,  the Advocacy Movement Network (AMNet) distributed school materials to girls who are beneficiaries of the (Save The Children) DANIDA Second Chance Project enrolled in schools and vocational institutions in the Western Urban area, Freetown.

The Second Chance Project is implemented in four communities-Dwarzark, Susan’s Bay, Kroo Bay and Gray Bush in Freetown.  80 School-going Girls were presented with School items such as bags and uniforms. The donations started on Friday 11th and ended on Sunday 13th October 2019. The project which is in its second year also helps out with the payment of tuition fees. Last year, 100 girls received similar assistance. The project is expected to last for 4 years.

This year, with the theme: Girl Power: Unscripted and Unstoppable, the project is expected to benefit 160 adolescent girls  pregnant girls and teenage mothers. Half the number of girls in each community has been supported. AMNET will target 20 more girls in each community.

The Second Chance Project supports girls who have dropped out of school and want to re-enroll in formal school or technical training centers. It  also encourages teenage mothers to access health care centers as a way of taking good care of their children.

According to the Child Protection Officer at AMNet, Mr. Brima Conteh, they are monitoring their activities through their ‘Coping and Resilient Mechanism’. “We are working with 50 Civil Society organizations across the Country as our partners,” he added.

AMNet is a Non-Governmental organization that has existed since 2004 in Sierra Leone. It is an independent organization that advocates for vulnerable people in society and promote gender equality and women’s empowerment as part of its core mandates and activities. With headquarters in Freetown, it has regional Offices in Bonthe, Kambia, Port Loko and Koinadugu.

It has over the years also engaged in human rights advocacy, children’s welfare programs and also helps in facilitating Social Change and policies among other important issues across the country.

 

Freetown Mayor Aki-Sawyerr Excels at C40 World Mayors Summit

Mayor Aki-Sawyerr

By Theresa Vamboi

The indefatigable Mayor of the Freetown Municipality, Her Worship Aki-Sawyerr joined more than 80 mayors and hundreds of climate leaders from across all sectors at the C40 World Mayors Summit. The Summit, hosted by C40 Cities, the City of Copenhagen and Realdania, drew attention to the climate emergency and the roles that cities play in reducing GHG emissions and mitigating against the adverse effects of climate change on communities around the world.

On the first day of the Summit, Mayor Aki-Sawyerr was honored to join the Mayors of Copenhagen, Paris and Los Angeles during press conference that launched the Summit before participating in a public debate.

She highlighted the urgent need for cleaning up the world’s waterways whilst kayaking along Copenhagen’s river and conducted a number of TV and radio interviews with Danish and international media agencies throughout the Summit.

Mayor Aki-Sawyerr was part of a small group meeting with Former Vice-President Al Gore focused on a review of the latest available climate change data. She shared the Transform Freetown climate action agenda with Denmark’s Minister of Development, academics and innovators at the Technology University of Denmark’s SkyLab.  She was among C40 Cities Summit guests invited to a dinner hosted by the Crown Prince and Princess of Denmark.

The Mayor was a panelist at the Mayors Migration Council event where she joined other Mayors to discuss the nexus between migration and climate change. She joined the Mayor of Stockholm to launch the Women4Climate Tech Challenge and participated in a closed door roundtable and at a press conference with young climate activists from around the world where it was announced that C40 Cities will create a Global Youth Initiative. Mayor Aki-Sawyerr participated in a number of bi-lateral meetings and was a panelist in the Summit’s closing plenary session titled ‘The Future We Want Will be Built Together.’

As the Summit drew to a close, Freetown was announced as the newest city to join C40 Cities following a meeting of the C40 Cities Board. An official statement from C40 Cities will be announced in due course.

The Frontline in the Sierra Leone Presidency: Who are they?

Commentary

By: Miracle Koroma

Almost 18 months or thereabout in State House, the question that keeps occupying the minds of many Sierra Leoneans is; who are the front-liners in President Bio’s State House?

Are they made in Sierra Leone and manufactured in the West?
Do they have the local knowledge?

Are they rounded or matured politicians or technocrats, can they make decisions for generations yet unborn? Are they dedicated to a common goal?

Do they actually know the political history of Sierra Leone?

The presidency in most of its critical role is reactive and therefore, having the right think- tankers in the corridors of State House  is fundamental to a successful tenure. That brings to mind Michael Wolff’s bestseller “Fire and Fury – inside the Trump White House”. The inside workings of the Presidency is as important as the make-up of his inner circle.

From the office of the gate keeper (Secretary to the President) to State Protocol, from the Office of the Vice President to the Chief Minister, from the Office of the First Lady to the Presidential Advisers, from Presidential Aides including the Media Team to the security architecture there should be an established command process and enforced organizational hierarchy – directing decision funnel to the Commander- in- Chief. In the absence of these structures, the Presidency lacks the necessary political and governance machinery/experience to handle the everyday inter-play of state power and demand for decision – making.

If somebody meets the President, it has to be explained why other people are not seeing him. The front-liners should know that there is law-based and courtesy- based precedence. The front-liners should be reminded that there are certain positions under the Constitution or an Act of Parliament in which the office holders should see the President most often to debrief him.

This reminds me of a recent Radio interview on FM 98.1 by the Ombudsman of Sierra Leone – who was literally begging to have frequent audience with the President. Besides the Ombudsman who went public, it is shocking to note that some Ministers and even some top government officials heading accountability and transparency institutions are having difficulties to see the President.

For instance, the Auditor General, the Managing Director of SALCAB, the Anti-Corruption Czar, the DG NATCOM, the Chief of Procurement, the Director of Financial Intelligence Unit and of course the Ombudsman should not be given even 24 hours’ notice to see the President. The Leadership of Parliament including even the Opposition Leaders shouldn’t have difficulties to see the President in good fate. In like fashion, the President should re-organize his diary and look beyond the everyday faces he sees in the presidential entourage.

Mr President, there are some office holders you need to frequently call for breakfast, lunch or dinner. They might not be part of your inner circle but they need your attention and your sense of direction. Sometimes, have a weekend out with them around the countryside. Take them to visit your farm, remind them about your plans and commitment to the people of Sierra Leone. Hear from them and encourage them to be frank with you in that state of nature where the pageantry of state power is diluted.

What is clear after almost 18 months or thereabout inside Bio’s State House is that some frontline actors or gate keepers do not want the President to grant virtual carte blanche to some equally important office holders in governance. The failure on the part of the inner circle to understand that the corridors of the President should be receptive to the duty bearers of State power is worrying and that this omission or commission from them would lead to  “executive paralysis”, a symptom that is already here with us.

While the 18 months of President Bio has seen steady investment in human capital development, improvement in domestic revenue mobilization, sustained fight against corruption and disciplined public financial management – public feeling is sending a message and this message is loud and clear – bread and butter.

The Presidency has to open up to new ways of doing things and a new thinking of embracing those outside the inner circle to meaningfully contribute to the governance process. The inner circle or the frontline commandoes in State House should be a point of calm in the storm but in the absence of such cooling point in 18 months, 24 months in Bio’s presidency will be too little too late to cure the paralysis.

1...1,1791,1801,181...1,324Page 1,180 of 1,324