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Committing Le5bn for New Premier League… East End Lions Unveils Jerseys & Announces new Signings

By Amin Kef Sesay                                                                                     

Chairman of the 2019/2019 Sierra Leone Premier League Champions, East End Lions Football Club, Ambassador Anthony Navo Jr, on the 28th November 2019  has said in a jam-packed press conference in Freetown that the executive, management and fan club of East End Lions is aiming at raising Five Billion Leones for the 2019/2020 premier league season.
The East End Lions Chairman took the general membership through the new changes and appointments in the team which, according to him, was to help bring efficiency in terms of raising revenue and make the players more comfortable.

He announced that Alpha Rashid, the new Fan Club Chairman, has been brought to serve as Deputy Team Manager of the club, Dr.Tabitah, an academic, has been appointed as the new fan club Chairman and Dr Fatu Taqi as the new National Global Coordinator for the club. The drive, the Chairman stated, is intended to open up the club to more participation and opportunities. He thanked members of the Elders Committee, the lawyers and all who have given their support in diverse ways to promote the activities of the club.
Junior Navo thanked the Elders Committee, the Fan Club and everybody for the outstanding support given to the club in the last championship and he encouraged the fans to do more in terms of raising the much needed funds for the 2020 Premier League season.

He also disclosed that they have raised 30% of the Five billion Leones projected for the season and noted that there are incoming teams into the premier league like Bo Rangers who according to him would pose a very stiff competition in the league.
A representative from Africell assured the club of their support to the team. He also used the opportunity to congratulate the team for winning the 2018/2019 premier league season and disclosed that Africell is focused on the development of young talents.
The Chairman used the occasion to announce that they have been able to normalize the status of more players and the coaches who were mainly on contracts. He praised the sponsors for the support throughout the season and announced that they will start the new season with a game against FC Kallon.

President of the Club and Chairman for the Committee, Alhaji Gibril Koroma noted that their existence for over ninety years means that they have something to offer and that they have embedded a wining culture and instilled a winning mentality in their players over the years.
He reiterated that he had never doubted the direction the club is going based on the fact that they have a very good Executive that is always in readiness to consolidating the winning culture and maintain the solid structure of the club.
The President, however, entreated all that it is very difficult to maintain the team at the top but that the club has done everything to close ranks and he ended by offering prayers for the Executive to grow from strength to strength.

Very reputable members of the club including Madam Fatu Taqi explained the new membership drive for the club which according to her will soon be announced in jingles and other public notices.
She explained a number of initiatives including selling club brands in a designated shop in Freetown including other good initiatives.

The unveiling of the fan club jerseys and announcement of a number of signings for the new season, and the announcement that the team would visit the Mandingo Mosque  past Sunday to pray for the start of the new season climaxed them occasion.

As AWOL Continues to Put Final Touches, to Vote … 2713 is the Number to send SMS via Africell  

By Amin Kef Sesay

The Organizing Committee of  the All Walks of Life (AWOL)  is conscientiously, assiduously and meticulously working round the clock to put all the final touches in place for an eventful 2019 AWOL nite, when the widely acclaimed  National Achievements Awards (NAAs) will be dished out  to deserving individuals and institutions on the 29th December 2019 at the Bintumani International Conference Centre starting at 7pm with the theme “Education is the Key to National Cohesion and Development” under the distinguished patronage of His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio.

As it had been over the years it is planned to be an unforgettable ceremony that will be laced with pomp and pageantry bringing together under one roof the crème de la crème of society to socialize. It is going to be a nite of fun, jokes and laughter; a moment that will be lively when the spotlight will shine on individuals and institutions that have been recognized for their exemplary contributions to nation building and as such bestowed prestigious awards  for their efforts.

Already, on the 22nd November 2019, the launch of the National Achievement Awards was done at the Radisson Blu Hotel and it was graced by individuals from various walks of life including the Chief Minister who on that day described AWOL as an organization which has as its aim and objective to celebrate ‘change-makers’ whom he referred to as those people who are doing their utmost in their little corners to put Sierra Leone first and set bright examples for others to emulate.

During the occasion the President of AWOL, Ambassador Anthony Navo Jr informed the audience that AWOL was formed 20 years ago to serve the country in a distinct fashion. He added that coming from an 11 year war, as young people, they decided to form a group with a distinct mission to recognize distinguished Sierra Leoneans, as well as to complement and serve as an auxiliary to government and this they have been doing successfully since the founding of AWOL.

Indisputably, AWOL’s National Achievement Awards have now become an important feature in the calendar of annual events in Sierra Leone. Come as it does towards the close of the year, most Sierra Leoneans see it as part of their Christmas and End of Year entertainment recipe. During the course of the year, AWOL keenly watched Sierra Leoneans in their various works of life as well as institutions with the avowed objective of recognizing them for their good works.

As a family, AWOL considers that approach as a trend as “it adds worth and meaning to our efforts, and brings fulfilment to our dreams; for over and above recognizing and awarding merit, effort, achievement, ability, devotion, commitment and scholarship, to deserving Sierra Leoneans.’

AWOL is also working in underprivileged communities through its various social, educational and humanitarian interventions.

Contrary to what some may want to believe, it should however be noted that AWOL is a non-political and non-profitable organization, which focuses on national development. AWOL’s philosophy is to be selfless, to serve, to give back to society and expect nothing in return as reward or profit.

AWOL is hinged on determination to complement government’s effort in nation building; regardless of which democratic government is in power.

It is on record that AWOL has stayed together as a group, worked together as a family, and pursued its goals and aspirations as patriotic Sierra Leoneans who care and love their country. As may be the case in other organizations, AWOL may have its own internal problems, for no group or organization exists without conflict; but AWOL has been able to resolve its differences amicably without any threat to the developmental aspirations of the organization as a whole.
One thing that makes AWOL very outstanding and as part of its constitution is the fact that no individual member is bigger than the organization. AWOL is bigger than each one and their leaders are charged with the responsibility to always bring members together as a family, maintain and promote the traditions that have held AWOL together since the founding and current members became one family 18 years ago.

President of AWOL, Ambassador Anthony Navo Jr., maintains that over these eighteen years AWOL’s contributions to national development have been immense.

He says AWOL supports Sierra Leone’s development and transformative drives to build a new Sierra Leone which is the dream of every Sierra Leonean. AWOL shares in that dream of every Sierra Leonean to see our small but naturally blessed country develop into a paradise on earth:
AWOL further seeks to see a nation with improved social amenities for the enjoyment of young people and also to see a nation able to grow its own food and able not only to feed itself but its neighbours as well. The organization also wants to see a nation that is less dependent on donor funds for its survival and become a nation that idolizes her past, present and future leaders and heroes; and also to see functioning, responsible, pro-active and delivering State institutions.

From all indications, it is going to be an unforgettable nite that will linger in the minds of many here and abroad.

Below is the list of nominees that could be voted for by sending a text message on Africell line to 2713:

AWOL NAAs 2019 CATEGORIES & NOMINEES
—————————–

EDUCATION

1. TERTIARY INSTITUTION OF THE YEAR 2019
– IPAM
– Njala
– UNIMAK

2. SECONDARY SCHOOL OF THE YEAR 2019
– Dele-Peddle International School
– Sierra Leone Grammar School
– Providence International High School

3. PRIMARY SCHOOL OF THE YEAR 2019
– Gateway Preparatory Primary School
– International Primary School
– Modern Elementary School

4. YOUNG ACHIEVER OF THE YEAR 2018- NPSE
– Menjor, Esther Sia (Leone Preparatory Prim. School)

5. YOUNG ACHIEVER OF THE YEAR 2018 –BECE
– Hooke Johan Harmonette D. (Providence Int. Snr High, F/Town)
– Taqi Hafeez Othman (Sierra Leone Grammar Sch., F/Town)
– Jalloh Khadijatu (Annie Walsh Memorial Sch., F/Town)

6. YOUNG ACHIEVER OF THE YEAR 2018 –WASSCE
– Saffia Kai (Hermann Gmeiner Int. Sch., F/Town)
– Turay Abdulai S. (Dele-Peddle Int. High, F/Town)

7. YOUNG ACHIEVER OF THE YEAR 2019 –NPSE
– Russell Affuah (The International School Ltd., Prim)

8. YOUNG ACHIEVER OF THE YEAR 2019 –BECE
– Manyeh Kaiwanday Nova (Sierra Leone Grammar Sch., F/Town)
– Koroma Umu B. (Modern High, F/Town)

9. YOUNG ACHIEVER OF THE YEAR 2019 –WASSCE
– Gbakima Aiah (Sierra Leone Grammar Sch., F/Town)

SPORTS

10. SPORTS PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR 2019
– Mohamed Buya Turay
– John Keister
– National Swimming Team

GOVERNANCE

11. MINISTRY OF THE YEAR 2019
– Ministry of Health and Sanitation
– Ministry of Tourism and Culture
– Ministry of Information and Communications

12. PARASTATAL OF THE YEAR 2019
– Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC)
– National Revenue Authority (NRA)
– Audit Service Sierra Leone (ASSL)

13. PARLIAMENTARIAN OF THE YEAR 2019
– Hon. Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella
– Hon. Abdul Kargbo
– Hon. Ibrahim ‘Tawa’ Conteh

MEDIA

14. PRINT MEDIA HOUSE OF THE YEAR 2019
– Awoko
– Sierra Eye Magazine
– Standard Times

15. RADIO MEDIA HOUSE OF THE YEAR 2019
– Radio Democracy 98.1 FM
– SLBC Radio
– Kiss 104 FM

16. TELEVISION MEDIA HOUSE OF THE YEAR 2018 2019
– AYV TV
– SLBC TV
– Star TV

17. MEDIA PRACTITIONER OF THE YEAR 2019 (FEMALE)
– Stella Bangura (AYV TV)
– Zainab Joaque (Awoko Newspaper)
– Khadija Bangura (98.1)

18. MEDIA PRACTITIONER OF THE YEAR 2019 (MALE)
– Amadu Lamrana Bah (AYV TV)
– Mohamed Asmieu Bah (SLBC TV)
– Kemo Cham (Politico Newspaper)

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

19. PERFORMING ARTIST OF THE YEAR 2019 (MUSIC)
– Rozay Sokota
– Arkman
-Drizllik

20. PERFORMING ARTIST OF THE YEAR 2019 (MOVIE)
– Desmond Finnie
– Henrietta Mbawah
– Phebean Swill

21. PERFORMING ARTIST OF THE YEAR 2019 (COMEDY)
– Desmond Beinya
– Kindo Armani
– Richie Obama

22. ARTIST OF THE YEAR 2019 (FINE ART)
– King Dus Art
– Alusine Conteh
– Cyril Oronto-Cole

FINANCE & BUSINESS

23. BANKING INSTITUTION OF THE YEAR 2019
– Sierra Leone Commercial Bank (SLCB)
– Ecobank SL
– Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB)

24. INDIGENOUS BUSINESS OF THE YEAR 2019
– Union Trust Bank (UTB)
– Gento Group
– NP-SL

MEDICINE

25. MEDICAL PRACTITIONER OF THE YEAR 2019
– Dr. Jalikatu Mustapha
– Dr. Francis Lansana
– Dr. Aiah Lebbie

HUMANITARIAN

26. HUMANITARIAN OF THE YEAR 2019
– Sick Pikin Project
– Pikin Bizness
– Melqosh Mission

LAW

27. LEGAL PRACTITIONER OF THE YEAR 2019
– Musa Mewa Esq
– Ibrahim Fayia Sawaneh Esq
– Joan Bull Esq.

THE FORCES

28. MILITARY OFFICER OF THE YEAR 2019
– Brig Gen Victor Samba
– Lt Col Roland Robin Gbondo
–

29. POLICE OFFICER OF THE YEAR 2019
– Mr Francis Musa Hazeley (Chief Supt of Police)
– Mrs Juliette Kumba Kondoh (Supt of Police)
– Mr Edward Tamba Keimbay (Asst Supt of Police)

30. FIRE FORCE OFFICER OF THE YEAR 2019
– Sahr I. Aruna (Sub Officer)
– Abu Bakarr Fofanah (Sub Officer)
– Adebayo Williams (Sub officer)

31. CORRECTIONAL OFFICER OF THE YEAR 2019
– Mohamed Santigie Turay (Director of Corrections)
– Rev Mrs. Josephine R.M. Findlay (Chief Supt of Corrections)
– Mr. Joseph Emmanuel Manley (Chief Supt of Corrections)

AGRICULTURE

32. FARMER OF THE YEAR 2019
– Kabia Farm
– Jam Jay Enterprise
– Madam Haja Sundu Marrah

CIVIL SOCIETY

33. CSO/CBO OF THE YEAR 2019
– Campaign for Good Governance
– CARL- SL
– CHIRDI- SL

HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY

34. HOSPITALITY HOUSE OF THE YEAR 2019
– The Place- Tokeh
– Radisson Blu
– Lagoonda

FASHION

35. FASHION DESIGNER 2019
– Madam Wokie
– Hudsons
– J & F Fashion

PETTY TRADING

36. PETTY TRADER OF THE YEAR 2019
–  Isatu (Plasas Seller, Aberdeen Market)
– Abdulai Jalloh (Butcher, Krootown Road)
– Sarian Karimu (Shenge Market, Bo)

NATIONAL SERVICE

37. PUBLIC SERVANT OF THE YEAR 2019
– Lara Taylor-Pearce (ASSL)
– Francis Ben Keifala (ACC)
– Micheala Mackay (CAC)

COMMUNICATIONS

38. TELE-COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY OF THE YEAR
– Orange SL
– Africell SL
– SIERRATEL

Vote now for individuals and institutions you deem deserve the prestigious AWOL Awards.

NP-SL Expresses Determination to Market Qualitative Petroleum Products

By Amin Kef Sesay

Speaking to residents in different parts of the country, with a view to sound their opinions about the National Petroleum Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd),  majority intimated this medium that they are very delighted for the company to make it possible for them to for gain access to high quality petroleum products, including petrol, diesel, gas, kerosene as well as lubricants one of which is Castrol oil. “We have gone through the excruciating experience of utilizing bad petroleum products which damaged our appliances and putting an additional strain on our financial purse to pay for repairs,” Abu Kalokoh the Chief Executive Officer of Forward Africa, a privately owned company based in Freetown, revealed. He explained that the said fuel was producing a very offensive smell and expressed surprise why it was not inspected by the requisite authorities to verify whether it was fit for public consumption, a concern that resonates with the views of others that were contacted.

They agreed that there is every need to be grateful to the National Petroleum Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd) for making available those items. Some may want to ask grateful for what when in actual fact the company is only doing business to make profits. But when looked at from the flip side it dawns that to invest and conduct business of such nature in petroleum products is not as easy as selling peanuts because it not only demands huge capital but prudent managerial initiatives.

According to what we were informed from our tender ages, this country is endowed with a huge deposit of crude oil but since time immemorial that deposit has not been meaningfully tapped to bring economic benefits. One could recall some of our elders telling us that at one point in time the Government that was in power wanted to enter into an agreement with an oil company to extract crude oil but gave a condition that whatever they discover while undertaking exploration work will not be accounted for. Knowing that apart from the said oil there are other minerals below the sea beds the President of this nation by then backed out of the negotiation simply because if an agreement is sealed it will be inimical to the economy of the country. That was how and the main reason why the country’s said oil deposit still remains in a virgin state. Whether this is a fable or not will only be known from an authoritative source.

However, what is very certain and true is that Sierra Leone still depends on the importation of refined petroleum products especially when the country’s only oil refinery company was completely vandalized during our 11 years senseless war. For years now the most outstanding oil marketing company that is importing and marketing petroleum products in the country is indisputably the National Petroleum Sierra Leone Limited and it has been doing so effectively and efficiently to the delight of many.

Established years back by 35 ambitious Sierra Leoneans, former workers of British Petroleum company, who bought shares when that entity was folding up, NP-SL ,through prudent managerial competence and the selflessness of its shareholders, is today one of the most successful indigenous companies that has left its footprints on the sands of time. The success of this enterprising business institution is indeed a living testimony that a small idea could germinate and grow into a cotton tree with branches that will provide shelter for many.

As a mere seed that was planted by the original shareholders, NP-SL has indeed grew up to become an Iroko tree with branches extended to neighbouring Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast and The Gambia. In those countries one will find NP vibrantly alive and kicking. Job opportunities have been provided to those who were hitherto unemployed. National Governments in those countries are deriving timely payment of taxes by the company and lives have been positively transformed by benefitting in one way or the other through the resultant effects of rolling out its Corporate Social Responsibility.

Being the most vibrant oil marketing company operating in the country NP-SL is well known for First for Customer Care, as the company has etched its name for what some have described as having the magic wand to capture and impress old customers and making new ones. Our investigation however revealed that there is nothing like a ‘mystical connect’ within this context, but rather the nice manner in which employees of the company are responding to the needs and concerns of customers is always exceptionally unique to such an extent that many are left magnetized and attached to it. It could be said with all amount of certainty that the company operates an open-door-policy, which creates room for business negotiations with private individuals, entities and public institutions in order to enter into a win-win relationship that are less burdensome in more fiscal advantageous ways. Such negotiations may take the form of supply and pay later as well as giving discounts.

With the main objective of enhancing transparency at the company’s countrywide and sub-regional branches, NP-SL ensured that the latest calibrated pumping machines are installed and when in operations, the quantity of fuel bought is displayed as well as the prices. This has reposed much confidence in customers that they are doing business with a very sincere company as against past experiences recounted, whereas customers get less than what were paid for, leaving in its trail, widespread dissatisfaction. But with NP, it is completely a different story.

In the same realm of optimizing customer care, NP-SL puts on offer for sale NP Gas, a modern domestic cooking device, that is fast and environmentally friendly without posing any health hazard as could be encountered when using firewood and charcoal. Manufactured in different cylinder sizes, NP Gas could be accessed at the various filling stations and from authorized dealers all going at affordable prices..

With NP Smart Card, there is the saying that “ Your fuel on your smart card” as  one can get access to fuel at any given time as long as the filling stations are opened. Loaded with cash, these NP Smart Cards could be used to purchase the right quantity of fuel required by customers without producing physical cash. In a world that is gradually becoming cashless, the use of NP Smart Cards brings with it many advantages, one of the greatest being that of avoiding the excruciating pain of queuing, not to talk of the security that it guarantees the user, as it features make it quite difficult for someone else to deceptively use it. Of course it falls among one of the latest technological devices in modern times.

When we talk of implementing the Local Content Policy, then NP-SL is considered to be at the top as the company has always maintained the practice of first considering Sierra Leoneans in terms of offering employment opportunities, unless otherwise.

NP-SL Ltd is at this particular moment poised to continue its importation of qualitative petroleum products that many will continue to enjoy in this country and within the West African sub-region.  The company has made it a point of duty to always ensure that individuals get the best out of the rest despite the fact that all is not smooth riding as it is contending with certain challenges which it is professionally trying to overcome.

‘Shout Climate Change’ Honours Orange SL CEO with Prestigious Environmental Award

Chief Executive Officer of Orange Sierra Leone, Aminata Kane receiving the Award

By Foday Moriba Conteh

It is always said that good things come to those who wait and deserve them. Again it is said some are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon them. With the exception of the last, the Chief Executive Officer of Orange Sierra Leone, Aminata Kane Ndiaye, is an embodiment of an exemplary figure, with a strong a personality whose palm kernels were not broken for her by any benevolent spirit but out of sheer hard work and her immense contributions to humankind she is today seating at the highest pinnacle of one of the leading telecommunications companies operating in the country, Orange Sierra Leone.

She received the prestigious 2019 Environmental Care Award given to her by Shout Climate Change Africa on the 23rd November 2019 at the Miatta Conference Centre during a well-attended programme. Under her watch Orange SL has participated extensively in environmental and corporate social investment, with such initiatives being a key pillar in the company’s role as a socio-economic upholder. Some of those include, but are not limited to: Obtaining an Environmental Impact Assessment License (EIA) from the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) in accordance with the EPA Act 2008.

It is on record that Orange SL remains the first company to secure an EIA license from EPA in 2018 upon the successful completion of an Environmental and Social Impact assessment study with its consultant, CEMMAT. The License is secured annually to ensure that Orange conducts its business responsibly guaranteeing that the impact of the activities of the Company to the environment is mitigated.

As a result-oriented personality, Aminata, is well known  as the first female telecommunications CEO in Sierra Leone who has led an illustrious career. Looking at some aspects of her background between 2009 and 2011 she worked as a consultant for McKinsey & Company in France, designing strategies and operations for telecommunication and technology providers, banks and consumer goods manufacturers in Europe and West Africa. That experience was invaluable, combined with internships at Goldman Sachs in London, BNP Paribas in Geneva, and at the French Business Confederation (MEDEF) in Paris.

Before moving to Sierra Leone as the CEO, she had previously been the B2C Marketing Performance Manager for Orange Sonatel in Senegal, in charge of strategy, sales and margin growth, return on investment, process efficiency, customer experience and loyalty retention. Following this she became the Chief Marketing Officer for Orange Money, a business that has grown exponentially in the past four years.

Aminata joined Orange SL (OSL) in April 2018. Since the inception of her role as CEO of OSL she has exhibited exemplary leadership in the Company with the following achievements:

  1. Enhanced quality of service on the network and entrenched rural connectivity through the construction of about 132 new sites across the country.
  2. Maintained leadership in mobile financial services sector through the company’s Orange money service
  3. The first mover of digital revolution in Sierra Leone and the trusted partner for government in the digital transformation of the Country.
  4. Transparency in billing and first mover in interesting offers.
  5. Launched 4G service with 96 4G sites in the country

As CEO of Orange Sierra Leone, the entity  also prides itself in giving back to society through its robust Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) agenda. The Company amongst other factors considers the “Environment” as one of its CSR pillars. Consequently, the Company has undertaken several Environmental and humanitarian projects from 2018 to date as follows:

  • Support the education & welfare of 50 Ebola orphans across the country more than 50% are Girl Child with School Materials, Home at SOS, Clothing, Food and health care until they attain 18.
  • Support the Freetown City Council in the prevention and flood mitigation project
  • Support women entrepreneur in doing digital business
  • Distribution & sensitization of Tam Pads – sanitary reusable pads for Girls in Schools with the Power women 232 in order to reduce truancy
  • Support the Thinking Pink foundation in creating awareness of breast cancer among women through sport – mini marathon. Also providing financial assistance to cancer survivors for treatment.
  • A Complete rehabilitation of the Orthopaedic Theatre & the establishment of a first ever Paediatric theatre in the country’s health sector at Connaught hospital
  • Emergency relief (wet food, clothing, Water, detergents, Medications) was provided for the Victims of the mudslide especially women & children. Financial donation to the national disaster relief fund account
  • Supporting the Cyber-crime unit at the CID with digital equipment to help fight digital cyber crimes
  • Orange Social Venture Prize – to identify and support local entrepreneurs and start-ups.
  • An MOU and partnership with the Directorate of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) to launch the first coding school in Sierra Leone.

Impressively, with Aminata at the helm of affairs, Orange is the First Operator to pledge its support to the Government’s free quality Education Agenda by pledging the sum of 1.5million dollars in material assistance over a period of five years.  Through the said intervention Orange that is slated for implementation the following projects will rolled out from 2019 to 2023;

  • The provision of 10,000 hygiene packs for girls between the ages of 12-18 years for a period of five years. 2,000 packs already distributed in 2019.
  • The running of an inter-secondary school competition for five years in which 500 schools in total will participate, the winners receiving new computer labs.
  • Open Classrooms to provide 300 free certifying digital courses for 500 teachers.
  • The deliverance of 1,000 solar pack kits to 1,000 off-grid villages
  • The Super Coder Academy to train 100 senior secondary school students in computer labs. Working with 200 schools per year, over 2,000 pupils are expected to benefit.
CEO Orange SL

“Lungi Bridge will be the greatest achievement for Sierra Leone…” -World Bank Executive Director

 By Foday Moriba Conteh

On Thursday 28 November 2019 the Executive Director at the World Bank Group for Africa Group 1 Constituency, Anne Kabagambe, said in a meeting with His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio at State Lodge in Freetown that Government’s vision to construct the Lungi bridge will be one of the greatest achievements for Sierra Leone.
She thanked the President for taking time to meet them and to discuss issues relating to the relationship between the Bank and Sierra Leone. She noted that they were working with Sierra Leone as close partners in development, adding that she was excited that the two parties have always had partnership frameworks that led their conversations.

She said African countries were moving into a digital economy and commended the Government of Sierra Leone for being instrumental in looking ahead, saying that they were excited to be able to deliver on that and expressed hope that working with the team in-country, they would be able to deliver.
Presenting the World Bank Chief at the State Lodge, Minister of Finance, Jacob Jusu Saffa, said that Madam Kabagambe was a critical factor in their engagement with the Bank. He added that she is a very experienced technocrat with years of professional service and representing twenty-one African countries at the Bank.

In his response, President Bio said that his Government is fully committed to developing the country. He said Sierra Leone had had quite a lot of challenges and therefore quite a lot to do to surmount those challenges. He said he valued the partnership and cordiality between Sierra Leone and the World Bank for which he expressed gratitude to the Bank.
The President said his Government started off with a very difficult economy for which he had to do quite a lot to stabilize the situation, adding that there were still challenges. He mentioned that his Government had started the process of digitalization as a way to catch up with the global economy.

“The Lungi Bridge, for us, is transformational because it is important to open up this country. We have identified it and because it is going to open up the country, we are still determined to continue with it. We are committed to better the lives of our people and we are creating the eco-system that invites investments,” he said.
Prior to her appointment as Executive Director in November 2018, Ms. Kabagambe served as Alternate Executive Director for the same Constituency for a period of two years. She also possesses over thirty years of work experience in the development arena.

CSOs Urge President Bio to Sign ACC Amendment Bill

By Amin Kef Sesay                                                                                          

At a Press Conference held at the Fort Street Offices of the Civil Society Organization Consortium on Service Delivery on Wednesday 27th November 2019, National Coordinator of the organisation, Sao Lamin, called on President Julius Maada Bio to append his signature to the amended ACC bill which is awaiting his Presidential assent. According to him, this bill when signed into law by the President will empower the Commission to robustly fight corruption, as it contains new clauses that render obsolete old ineffective ones. It embraces new penalties and clearly makes a distinction of the classes of public officials that should declare their assets, when and how it should be done.

William Sao Lamin told the Press that prior to the passing of the bill in Parliament, they had, as an organisation, went to the respective districts with the draft and engaged members of the public on the pros and cons of the amendment and the benefits that will come to the nation when fully implemented. He disclosed that those engagements proved fruitful as citizens accepted their explanation and urged them to advocate for its implementation.

‘’During this period, we called on members of the public, engaged them and educated them on the new draft 2019 ACC Bill before it was passed in Parliament. The reactions from the public was very great as majority of those we spoke to were in support of such  a document, which they strongly believe is the best mechanism to push forward the fight against corruption,‘’  William Sao Lamin said.

He further stated that as it is the campaign promise of His Excellency that he desires a society where transparency and accountability are seen, the bill clearly resonates with that vision.

‘’Failing to sign the said document, will leave us with no other option than to issue an ultimatum, and take another line of action,” he revealed but he hastened to say that whilst urging the President to sign the bill, they are not overtly pessimistic, but are optimistic, based on the utterances of His Excellency, both nationally and internationally about transparency and accountability.  Responding to questions of pessimism, Sao Lamin said that the matter is being brought to the fore to remind the President that such a bill is still on his desk awaiting his Presidential Assent, especially as it has been there for quite a while now. By appending his signature to the bill, he added, citizens will know that the President is serious about fighting corruption.

Moses Mambu, Communications Manager of the Consortium, briefly reminded the President about his promise in the fight against corruption. He further encouraged H.E. to sign the bill and put the country on a higher pedestal in the fight against corruption. He further spoke about the President’ promise to build a diagnostic Centre with the monies recovered and handed over to him at State House by the ACC boss and asked about the status of that project.

‘’We are concerned about the delay to construct the first class diagnostic centre for the people of this country and we want to know the current position of that project,” Mambu questioned.

The meeting was chaired by Hassan Kamara and attracted a galaxy of journalists, both from the print and electronic media.

 

 

SLBL Conducts Pre-Harvest Training & Awards Ceremony in Bo for Sorghum Farmers

Managing Director Designate of the Sierra Leone Brewery Limited, Laurent Bukasa

By Amin Kef Sesay

With the avowed aim of capacitating sorghum farmers, the country’s number one brewer of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, the Sierra Leone Brewery Limited (SLBL), conducted a pre-harvest training for the farmers coupled with  an awards ceremony held to recognize the efforts of individual farmers that have demonstrated dogged commitment to growing the ingredient and sell to the Sierra Leone Brewery Limited.

The training programme was held on the 29th November 2019 in the Southern city of Bo and was organized  by the Community Revenue Enhancement Through Agricultural Technology Extension( CREATE) project team, targeting nucleus farmers and selected out growers drawn from all districts across the country.

Immediately after the training an awards ceremony was held.
The main objective of organizing the two events, as pointed out,  was geared towards broadening the knowledge base of these sorghum farmers to better position them to apply best methods on how to plant and productively harvest sorghum and at the same time reward those that did extremely well during the period under review and to further motivate them to continue to put in more efforts in their farming activities.

Prior to the commencement of the training session, farmers were taken to some of the farms to observe the stages and development of the crop due for harvest in December 2019 and January 2020. It was understood by this medium that observations made during the farm visits were channeled into the pre-harvest training coupled with factoring the modes, methods of care and productive harvest  explained by tutors from the Sierra Leone Agricultural Research Institute ( SLARI).
Registration of farmers interested to be part of the Sorghum Farmers Association was also done as part of the programme.
According to the Corporate Affairs Manager of SLBL, Albert Ojo Collier, organized trainings have covered the pre-harvest, harvest and post-harvest periods as well as look at the areas of pest control, sorghum variety improvement and on-farm demonstrations.

“This training that will soon commence is not new as we have been doing so on an annual basis and it has been paying dividends as evident in increased yields and an upsurge in the number of these farmers with new ones coming on-board,” he revealed adding that as a matter of fact SLBL has been undertaking provincial tours to sensitizes residents in places visited to plant sorghum as it is commercially viable underscoring how the trainings are very key in maintaining the relationship with these farmers.
He pointed out that in order to improve the lives of sorghum farmers, SLBL, over the years has supported these farmers with revenue generation ,capacity building/training, provision of warehouses, motor bikes and enabling them to be self-employed.

In his statement before the commencement of the training programme the Managing Director Designate of the Sierra Leone Brewery Limited, Laurent Bukasa, intimated that the day signifies a day of renewed commitment and a day that strengthens the demonstrated commitment of Sierra Leone Brewery Limited, HEINEKEN International and EUCORD (European Cooperative for Rural Development), to growing with the country and partnering with their key stakeholders for growth and development.
“As lead promoters of the development of sorghum value chain in Sierra Leone, we are organizing a training on pre-harvest and post-harvest practices to improve quality of sorghum yield every year,” he disclosed further maintaining that their Sorghum Project which started in 2005, has significantly improved the livelihoods of over 13,000 farmers and over 25,000 farmer families all over the country.”

He said, “Today, we are gathered here to make another milestone in the ongoing partnership with you our suppliers through training and recognition to six farmers in the categories of Best Sorghum farmer, Best Sorghum Supplier, and a special recognition award to a Great-Dedicated Sorghum Farmer and Marketer.”
The Managing Director continued that initially they struggled at the introduction stage to change the general low scale, lack of knowledge and low output in growing sorghum as a commercial crop.
Bukasa said over the years it has become a fruitful and successful partnership which gave the push for us to move to the next phase with the CREATE (Community Revenue Enhancement Through Agricultural Technology Extension) project.
“This particular training will aid our farmers and suppliers with adequate knowledge on pests and insects management of harvested sorghum; the importance of good storage practices; quality standard procedures for sorghum grains; quality control and management; and the best practices for successful and productive harvesting,” he underscored accompanied by thunderous applauses..

The MD continued by saying their contributions to nation building cannot be over-emphasized and it is their vision to ensure the empowerment of local farmers and promotion of the country’s agricultural system. “As we gather once again to register another milestone in the lives of our farmers, let me thank all the pioneers of this project who as a result of their hard work and dedication has nurtured this project up to such level of recognition. We have also considered the opportunity of looking into the cultivation and use of cassava as part of our local sourcing improvement drive in the coming years,” he added.

He said it is HEINEKEN’s ambition and vision to source at least 60% of its raw materials from within the African continent by 2020 in its production process. “Through local sourcing, HEINEKEN has already improved the livelihood of more than 100,000 farmer families across the African continent. This fits well into the local Content Policy of Sierra Leone and the government’s New Direction.
HEINEKEN is proud to be a leading party in the Sorghum Agricultural Extension through the CREATE project as part of the HEINEKEN International Corporate Social Responsibility policy. We want to be partners for growth in the communities in which we operate and by purchasing more Sorghum from our local communities, we will contribute directly to create wealth in the economy,” the Managing Director concluded.

During the Awards Ceremony he congratulated  all those that received awards or recognition  and expressed hope that the initiative will continue to contribute to the sustainable development of Sierra Leone, the farmers and Heineken International represented by their humble selves – Sierra Leone Brewery Limited.
It will be recalled that the Sierra Leone Brewery Limited is one of the companies that has been providing job opportunities for many Sierra Leoneans and it has been at the forefront in adhering to compliance of the Local Content Policy which aims at giving priority to indigenes with regards availing job opportunities instead of relying on foreign expatriates. By so doing it has and still helping to enhance improved standards of living complementing the efforts of governments in Sierra Leone.

Bio’s Biggest Governance Challenge… Weak State Institutions Hampering Development

By Amin Kef Sesay

The major challenges confronting the state essentially relate to principles of respect for human rights, democracy, and governance, including effective public action, which are the pillars of the legitimacy of government.

In other words, the capacity of the State should be enhanced to regulate, to ensure social dialogue, and to create an enabling environment for economic growth and for the informal sector, on which many people depend.

In this light, the relevance of good state governance lies in the fact that it is a critical factor in accelerated and sustainable economic growth and development.

Bio on assumption of power said that a divorce from the old pattern of governance was necessary for the advancement of economic development, including flawed economic management, centralized and highly personalized forms of government, unacceptable corruption, ethnically based decision-making and human rights abuses.

It was clear that there was need for more progress to provide an environment in which individuals were protected, civil society able to flourish, and government (central and local) executing their responsibilities efficiently and transparently, through adequate institutional mechanisms that would ascertain accountability.

Clearly we can associate bad state governance with societal ills, persistent poverty, political crisis and the prevalence of conflict in the society. To address the above, the Bio government has to adopt an inclusive system of governance in which the various actors can make demands on the government that the system should respond to in all sincerity. This process of inclusive governance should occur at all levels and should entail linkages with existing initiatives.

Decentralization at the local level affords a suitable environment to devise and apply innovative methods in the management of public affairs and promote local development. If properly implemented, the policy of devolution of power and authority to sub-national governments is a proper method of building the legitimacy of the state from the bottom up.

However, the process is subject to some constraints, which include the lack of capacity of local administrations and the voicing of the population’s needs towards legitimate local governance. Other limitations are the low level of accountability of local government institutions and the necessity to improve the quality of service delivered.

Rule of law and Human Rights: The lack of respect by leaders and citizens for the rule of law and human rights often poses a great challenge to stability. The judiciary in many states is handicapped by structural difficulties and inadequate funding. The independence, integrity, and performance of the judiciary would only be guaranteed through adequate funding, remuneration, modernization, professional staff, and regular training.

Public Administration: In this area, there are challenges in the reform initiatives undertaken by African countries. There is an urgent need to enhance public service capacity, the provision of adequate incentives to public servants to retain highly qualified and motivated staff, increase performance and accountability, as well as reducing corruption. The use of ICT in government requires further encouragement and service delivery improvement.

Other challenges: Other important challenges at the national level include the lack of civic education among citizens and civil society leading to low participation in the political process at both national and local levels, low gender participation especially in the legislature, weak exploitation of the potential of traditional rulers in the governance process, and the lack of credibility of the electoral system, especially of the Electoral Commission.

 Tourism Ministry Holds Freetown Forum on Women Entrepreneurship in Tourism

Minister of Tourism and cross section of the international delegates

By Foday Moriba Conteh

In the bid to celebrate women’s empowerment through Tourism Entrepreneurship in order to enhance the development of women in the tourism sector in Sierra Leone the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs in partnership with World Bank, United Nation World Tourism Organizations (UNWTO) has on Thursday 28th November, 2019 hosted a Freetown Forum on Women Entrepreneurship on Tourism at Bintumani Conference Centre Freetown.

In her statement during the ceremony Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Memunatu Pratt, disclosed that participants are witnessing the first ever Freetown Forum on Women’s Empowerment in Tourism for Sierra Leone, adding that Tourism is a tool to empower women in various aspects underscoring how it has the potential to assist women acquire increasing power and control over national, natural and cultural resources through economic, educational and political empowerment.

She said that the event came at a time when tremendous work have been put into establishing the framework for promoting women’s rights and empowerment in the tourism sector by the Ministry, the World Bank, MDAs and  the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

She noted that prior to this Freetown Forum significant events have been held;

  1. The UNWTO Female Tourism Ministers Leadership meetings in Spain and Accra
  2. The Launch of the Sierra Leone Gender Women and Tourism Programme in October 2019
  3. The First Regional Congress on Women’s Empowerment in Tourism Accra
  1. The Launch of the Gender In Tourism Study by UNWTO, The World Bank and GIZ which have an action plan to be implemented by member states
  2. The Ministry of Tourism and Culture is working in close collaboration with relevant line MDAs but especially with the Ministries of Trade and Gender in promoting women empowerment in Entrepreneurship.

Dr. Memunatu Pratt said that the purpose of the event is to enhance and continue to build on the institutional strategies and activities of their work in mainstreaming gender and promoting gender parity, addressing gender stereotyping, poor education and skills, leadership and disparity between men and women in accessing capital, financial inclusion and decent work in the tourism sector. She added that this also builds on the two fundamental frameworks of the Women in Development, Women and Development and the existing Gender and Development frameworks

She noted that promoting gender equality and women empowerment in tourism matters for two reasons: firstly, the Government of Sierra Leone and international organizations are committed to it through the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and secondly, the implementation of the strategic actions of the Beijing  Declaration and Platform for Action and the achievements of the Sustainable Development Goals.

She also indicated that the programme will support and empower women’s skills education and opportunities for socio-economic empowerment in nation building and further raise awareness for sustainable tourism development within the tourism sector and it will also support and promote women’s entrepreneurship, innovations and other employment targets groups in the sector through sensitization and awareness raising activities for effective and proper gender mainstreaming which resonates with the vision of His Excellency the President, Rtd. Brigadier Julius Maada Bio’s New Direction Agenda of diversifying our economy through tourism and the other growth sectors.

“His Excellency the President always talks about how hard — working Sierra Leonean women are and indeed we have a lot of potentials. We are investing a lot on women empowerment through tourism because at the end of the day, it is not only women that will benefit but the whole of society benefits if women are empowered,” she maintained.

She emphasized that His Excellency the President gives a lot of prominence to investing in women and girls as they constitute the finest flowers of this country’s population saying we are beginning to see the fruits and that hosting a forum on women and tourism is just the beginning as the Ministry and its sub vented agencies will commence work in giving particular importance to women in the areas of hospitality, travel, SMEs, climate change, beach development and destination promotion, tourism education, entertainment, arts and crafts, agro tourism and business development  in supporting their work in the area of monuments and relics.

She ended by calling on other Development Partners, including the Private Sector to support the tourism sector in this effort.

Senior Private Sector Specialist Markets and Technology Tourism (World Bank), Louise D Twining-Ward on behalf of the Country Manager of the World Bank disclosed that Tourism is a very important economic driver and can create job employment and also serves as an important source for foreign exchange investment, adding that the World Bank has supported about 50 development projects across the world for the past 20 years.

She noted that a very important aspect of Tourism is that it enhances economic diversification and general inclusion in order to provide more opportunities for women entrepreneurship in the normal sector of the economy.

She said that despite the dormancy of women in the tourism sector there is still an important achievement gap, adding that the Freetown Forum on Women Entrepreneurship on Tourism is geared towards discussing other findings on two publications which are the United Nations Board Tourism Organization Global report on Women and Tourism  and the 2019 Women and Tourism Enterprise.

She said that these will enable them expose opportunities and challenges faced by women in tourism and said that with the two publications it will enhance the development and state of women in tourism.

Deputy Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Dr. Robert Chakanda in his statement on behalf of the Minister said that Government is effectively focused on implementing Sierra Leone’s Medium Term National Development Plan 2019-2023 as well as their Development Partners, who have supported them to implement the Plan since it was launched in February this year, adding that he is particularly happy that the Ministry of Tourism has been very active in ensuring the unlocking of the enormous economic and fiscal potentials of the tourism sector, as that is central to their economic diversification drive towards building a resilient and productive economy.

He said that they are more delighted to note  the strong political leadership they current have in the sector, with laudable foresight to place women at the centre of its activities. He pointed out how it has been increasingly realized across the globe that women’s economic participation is a major determinant of shared and sustainable growth and development.

He assured the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs and other Government institutions and their Development Partners to support in ensuring an increased share of Women Entrepreneurship in the Tourism Sector.

He applauded the Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, the Deputy Minister and Administrative Leadership and Staff of the Ministry for staying the course of promoting women entrepreneurship in the sector highlighting how they would like to call on other Development Partners, including the Private Sector to support the tourism sector in this effort.

Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Memunatu Pratt
Deputy Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Dr. Robert Chakanda

Three Plays on Sengbeh Pieh  Launched in Freetown

Cross Section of Participants

By Francess Wright

Professor Matthew Christensen from the University of Texas in the United States  disclosed  at the launch of three plays on the Amistad Revolt at the Miatta Conference Center, Youyi Building in Freetown that the story of Sengbeh Pieh’s return to Sierra Leone was initiated by the Institute of African Studies at Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone.

He made the statement while officially launching three plays on the Amistad Revolt co-written by three Sierra Leoneans-Mr. Charlie Haffner, Mr. Raymond De-Souza George and late Professor Ulisa Amadu Pat Maddy intimating that the book on the three plays would be available for sale and in libraries throughout the country asserting that the three authors have put the story of the Amistad Revolt on stage for all to see the heroic past of Sengbeh Pieh and others fighting against tyranny.

He informed that in his play, Professor Ulisa Amadu Pat Maddy looked into the future and sense of responsibility and that the three authors are now part of the global history of writers of the Amistad Revolt recalling that the enslaved were captured in 1839 reiterating that the three plays tell the same story but in different ways.

Professor Matthew Christensen went on to state that Sengbeh Pieh and other captives were captured and sold by their compatriots affirming that it is a story of resistance in a globalized world in addition to fighting for freedom and dignity.

According to the keynote speaker, one of the plays titled the ‘Broken Handcuff’ is a powerful reminder of independence and freedom and enlightened that Sengbeh Pieh and others fought for freedom during which they were recaptured and imprisoned in America after which some of them were sent home in West Africa but that unfortunately they did not meet their relatives whom they left behind as they too had been captured and sent into slavery.

Professor Matthew Christensen further articulated that publication of the plays by the Ohio University Press took a long time, that the press has published other books authored by Sierra Leoneans like Sly Cheney-Coker, that the play on Sengbeh Pieh has been performed over the past 30 years in America, Canada and other parts of the world and that the three generations of plays would last for thousands of years.

The Chairman of the ceremony, Professor Cecil M. Fyle observed that the event is to celebrate an artistic work of great artists and also bring to the fore Sengbeh Pieh who fought for freedom, that his heroism is told all over the world except Sierra Leone where little is known about him citing a huge library in the States devoted to him, that his story is also published in several journals in America and observed that Sengeh Pieh is a neglected hero.

According to Professor Cecil M. Fyle, there is need for Sierra Leone’s cultural values to be incorporated into the school curriculum

Earlier, Mr. Raymond De-Souza George, Special Adviser to the President on Cultural Affairs welcomed all to the ceremony to witness and contribute to making history asserting that Sierra Leone is rich in culture and storytelling that demands an audience adding that the event is about a man who fought for his identity through which he endured hardship but lamented that he is unknown to his people.

Other events lined up for the weeklong celebrations are a symposium at the conference hall of the Ministry of Tourism today, a play at the British Council Hall, Tower Hill in Freetown this Friday and an exhibition of the Amistad Revolt at the Sierra Leone Museum.

Highlights of the event were bidding for the book by the Director of Culture for Le250, 000 minimum, tributes to Professor Ulisa Amadu Pat Maddy by Mr. Raymond De-Souza George, statements by representatives of the Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools in the Western Area, Mr. Salami Carew of Tabulay Theatre and the Director of Culture in the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Mr. Foday Jalloh who assured that the Ministry would ensure that funds are allocated to cultural groups to facilitate their work.

In his vote of thanks, Mr. Charlie Haffner, Chairman of the Monuments and Relics Commission (MRC), underscored that artists in Sierra Leone are people of great minds but divided and appealed for unity, that the country has neglected a lot of heroes adding that the book is on the website and that they would receive royalties for the sale of the book for 30 years.

 

 

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