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ACC Sierra Leone facilitates Le 62m  payment as Ebola Compensation

Christiana Sesay and Hawa Sesay

By Amin Kef Sesay – 23 August 2019

What has come as a respite to many was when the Prevention Department of the ACC facilitated payment of Ebola compensation benefit to next of kin of two Ebola volunteer health workers who died in active service during the Ebola scourge. Christiana Sesay and Hawa Sesay (beneficiaries), received Thirty One Million Leones each (Le 31,000,000), on Friday 16th August, 2019, at Integrated Health Projects Administration Unit (IHPAU) office, Tengbeh Town, Freetown.

Christiana Sesay and Hawa Sesay were registered as next of kin for Foday Sesay and Ibrahim Sesay who were volunteer workers in the health sector during the Ebola outbreak.

Since the demise of both volunteer health workers, Christiana and Hawa Sesay who are the legal beneficiaries had gone through the various procedures and verification exercises for payment of benefit. However, all efforts to receive payment proved unsuccessful even with complaints made to the Ministry of Health and Sanitation.

Christiana Sesay and Hawa Sesay then decided to report the issue to ACC. The Commission through the Policy and Ethics Unit engaged the responsible officials on the allegations and according to an investigation launched into the Ebola Compensation Benefit Funds, evidence clearly showed that the affected persons were the legal beneficiaries.

With the intervention of the Commission a total amount of Sixty Two Million Leones (Le 62, 000,000) has been paid to the complainants. Both showed profound gratitude to the Commission for such a laudable venture and furthered that had it not been the timely intervention of the Commission their families would have continued to suffer deprivation for their benefit.

The ACC is committed to the people of Sierra Leone in the fight against corruption and solicits their continued support.

ICAO Commences Universal Security Audit Program in Sierra Leone

By Cyril Barnes – 23 August 2019

On Wednesday 21st August 2019,the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) commenced the Universal Security Audit Programme-Continuous Monitoring Approach on Sierra Leone Aviation Security Systems at the Freetown International Airport (FNA), Lungi.

The national briefing session, which took place at the Ministry’s Conference Hall in the presence of representatives from the Ministry of Transport and Aviation (MTA), Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority (SLCAA), Sierra Leone Airport Authority (SLAA), Board of Airline Representatives (BAR), Westminster Aviation Security Services (WASS), Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) and Sierra Leone Police (SLP), opened the 10 days audit event.

The Universal Security Audit Programme is geared towards promoting global aviation security through continuous auditing and monitoring of the aviation security performance of Sierra Leone Aviation Security Systems from the regulator to the service providers. The audit plan entails a review of national/airport level documents, visit to the industry to observe security measures, follow-up activities and post-audit debriefing.

In his remark, the Director General of the Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority Moses Tiffa Baio stressed the importance of the audit to the SLCAA and the country, while emphasizing on the State’s commitment in enhancing aviation security in Sierra Leone in order to be in compliance with the Standards and Recommended Practices of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

DG Baio reminded the audience that Sierra Leone security ratings is currently below the regional and global average (65% and 70%) set by the Windhoek declaration on Aviation Security and Facilitation.

Briefing the representatives present, the leader of the 4 man delegation Aurelien Lavayssiere noted that the team was pleased to see state security institutions involved in promoting aviation security. He disclosed the audit would be a full scale audit, covering 497 protocol questions. He added further that since the last audit, many developments have evolved especially with Annex 17 of which 4 amendments of the Annex 17 have been approved.

“The objective of the audit is to promote global aviation security and this is achieved by determining the level of effective implementation of the 8 Critical Elements (CE) of an aviation security oversight system and providing an indication of the Effective Implementation (EI) of Annex 17—Security Standards and security-related Standards of Annex 9—Facilitation to the Convention on International Civil Aviation. The audit will be based on 3 activities: Documentation-based, Oversight-focused and Compliance-focused audits,” he said.

In his statement, the Minister of Transport and Aviation Hon. Kabineh Kallon expressed Government’s commitment in enhancing global aviation security which he said was demonstrated by providing the Civil Aviation Authority with the full political support to amend the Civil Aviation Authority Act 2017; thereby providing sufficient enforcement powers to enable the Authority carry out its oversight responsibilities.

Sierra Leone Well Known SLPP Woman Passes Away

Late Hadja Hawa Khadar Daramy

By Abdul Malik Bangura – 23 August 2019

Hadja Hawa Khadar Daramy, wife of Late Honourable Dr Sheikh Batu Daramy (First Financial Secretary of Sierra Leone), Member of Parliament of Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) is reported dead. She passed away in the early hours of Wednesday 21st August 2019, at 34 Military Hospital, Freetown, She was 97 years old.

Mama Daramy and her beloved husband, SB Daramy, were among SLPP’s oldest members. When political dispensation was introduced in Sierra Leone in 1992, Hon. Dr. Sheikh Batu Daramy left the Ministry of Finance where he was working and took part in active politics in the SLPP.  He stood for the election as a Presidential candidate. At a point when no one would step forward and register the SLPP, Dr. Sheikh Batu Daramy and his wife, Hadja Hawa Daramy (Khadar), used their personal funds to register the party.  Although he did  succeed in his bid, he proved himself as a loyalist and one of the original SLPP members.

The husband died long ago,leaving behind  the Late Hadja Hawa Khadar Daramy. They are survived by her daughters, Mariama Daramy-Lewis (Grand Chief Patron SLPP), Marta Daramy and Kumba Hutt as well as  her sons Ambassador Soulay Daramy, SB Daramy Jr, Dr. Sheriff and IB Daramy and her many grandchildren, notably Charles Tabansi and Naiomi Lewis who spent the later part of her life caring for her.  During her final days at 34 Hospital, she was cared for by Ambassador Soulay Daramy, Mariama and her daughter-in-law, Afiju Daramy.

Funeral service will be held in Freetown on the 31st August 2019.

SIERRA LEONE KEI KAMARA DROPPED FROM LEONE STARS

Kei Ansu Kamara

By Thaimu Thullah – 23 August 2019

The Sierra Leone Football Association has confirmed to the public that a decision has been taken to drop Sierra Leone international striker Kei Ansu Kamara from the National Senior Team Leone Stars effective 21st August, 2019.

Kei Kamara’s official invitation to join the Leone Stars squad for the Liberia vs. Sierra Leone World Cup qualifiers in September was revoked.

A further disciplinary hearing on the consistent breach of professional conduct by Kei Kamara will be conducted by the Sierra Leone Football Association.

SIERRA LEONE FA OFFICIALLY UNVEILS LEONE STARS HEAD COACH

By Thaimu Thullah – 23 August 2019

The Sierra Leone Football Association  officially unveiled the newly appointed Head Coach of the National Senior Team (Leone Stars) Mr. Sellas Tetteh and his backroom staff in a press conference held at the SLFA Secretariat, Kingtom Freetown.

This historic event took place in the presence of the Director of Sports Mr. Kenneth Brima who was there representing the Sports Ministry, the President of the SLFA Madam Isha Johansen and the Executive Committee, a representative from the Ghanaian Embassy and a host of other big dignitaries.

When he was making his keynote address, the Director of Sports Mr. Kenneth Brima expressed extreme satisfaction over the appointment of Coach Sellas Tetteh, stating that with the credentials and experience of our new coach, Sierra Leone has already qualified to both major tournaments.”

Mr. Brima further stated that “the Government of Sierra Leone will give it’s fullest support towards the Head Coach and the country’s football generally to ensure Leone Stars’ qualification to both the 2021 African Cup of Nations in Cameroon and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.”

The President of SLFA, in a brief statement ,thanked the Director of Sports and the Government of Sierra Leone for the tireless and collaborative effort they have shown so far towards the growth and development of the country’s most cherished sports.

In his statement after being unveiled, the newly appointed Head Coach Mr. Sellas Tetteh Teivi thanked the Football Association and the Government of Sierra Leone for giving him the opportunity to serve as Head of Leone Stars technical team.

The Ghanaian born high profiled coach expressed great delight to have local based backroom staff whom he referred to as his “colleagues and teammates” in a great mission of qualifying the Nation to the two major tournaments. The U20 World Cup winner went on to state that with unity, togetherness and most importantly support from the people of Sierra Leone, Leone Stars is sure to make it through the qualifiers.

Mr. Tetteh Teivi and his backroom staff later on in the day officially assumed office and commenced training at the football academy.

MMCET SIERRA LEONE CONCLUDES STAFF ASSEMBLY  

Cross section of staff at the assembly

By Sumner Kangbap – 23 August 2019

The Milton Margai College of Education and Technology (MMCET) polytechnic on Tuesday 20th August 2019 held its academic and administrative staff assembly at the Great Hall of the Goderich campus at which event the Acting Principal of the college, Dr. Philip John Kanu commended President Julius Maada Bio, the Ministers of Finance and Technical and Higher Education respectively and the Financial Secretary for the new computerized payment system recently implemented by government for the payment of salaries to teacher training institutions nationwide in spite of the challenges underscoring that payment of salaries was a huge challenge for the college and a headache reiterating that government prioritizes education and loves the college.

Dr. Philip John Kanu also enlightened that the meeting is very important aimed at addressing the welfare of staff, acclaimed government for awarding scholarships to the children of lecturers who have served for over 10 years and even the physically-challenged and clarified that the college would pay the allowances of staff as they are still receiving subventions from government to, among others, pay part-time lecturers as well as junior and supporting staff.

He also pleaded with staff to be patient as the new computerized payment system has some challenges that would soon be overcomed attributing instances in which some staff who were not paid to the fact that they are working and receiving two government salaries, appealed to lecturers to help the college collect fees from students reiterating that the meeting was also to discuss and address various issues raised by members of staff, expressed delight that the college is peaceful since his appointment a year ago and commended all for their support and cooperation, especially lecturers for teaching and junior staff for cleaning the campus.

The Acting Principal further disclosed that the Old Students Association United Kingdom and America Branches have pledged to support his administration due to the rapid developments taking place in the college, recalled that the United Kingdom Branch funded the renovation of the staff and other toilets that were none-functional and installation of the water tanks and appealed to all to take good care of the facilities.

He went on to disclose that the Old Students Association has also promised to provide whiteboards and markers to the college before college reopens this year while the American Branch has undertaken to donate desktop computers and smart boards with Wi-Fi before December this year adding that the planting of trees and flowers to beautify the campus would continue and informed that students can now access the internet from their hotels.

“Milton Margai College has been rated second in the country and my administration is working hard to clinch the first position. Also, my administration recently bought two brand new buses with plans to buy one more. Biometric attendance for staff will soon be introduced for which I want to urge all to be committed to their work. The college will soon check the academic credentials of lecturers, the reason some lecturers have tendered their resignation letters that will not be accepted,” he informed.

Dr. Kanu went on to state that the college has awarded the three presidential candidates in the recently conducted Students Union elections that were highly-acclaimed including the chairmen of the three different groups and the Electoral Commissioner a year’s scholarship intimating that the Ministry of Technical and Tertiary Education has declared the three presidential candidates Peace Ambassadors to be addressing their colleagues in other colleges about peaceful and credible elections.

He further stated that the students who were arrested for election violence would be expelled and clarified that he never supported any of the presidential candidates intimating that the winner would form a unity government as well as appoint his opponents to top positions and declared that lecturers found guilty of involving in students’ politics would be arrested and prosecuted.

He also dilated on the process of staff promotion which he emphasized has commenced, clarified that Deans and Heads of Departments would recommend staff for promotion and Managers and Supervisors for junior staff, that attendance in college functions, late submission of grades, submission of lecture notes, supervising examinations, among other criteria, would be taken on board to assess lecturers, that admission into the college is ongoing with 31st August this year as the deadline underlining that English Language and Mathematics are compulsory subjects for admission.

He also informed that he has secured four scholarships for lecturers to pursue PhDs in the sciences and engineering and one Masters but lamented that only two lecturers accepted the offer.

The Finance Officer, Mariama Mansaray also talked about the new computerized payment system as well as the 20 staff with Personal Identification Numbers (PIN) and another 8 who were affected by the new payment system.

Earlier, the Acting Vice Principal, Dr. Mohamed Alie Jalloh welcomed all reiterating that the meeting was very important for the peace and development of the college and acclaimed all for their support and cooperation during the three weeks absence of Dr.  Philip John Kanu.

The college’s registrar, Mr. Sherifu Bangura, chaired the well-attended meeting of the three campuses while the question and answer session climaxed the assembly.

Sierra Leone Abu Diaby set for Leone Stars Match against Liberia

Abu Dumbuya fondly known as Abu Diaby

By Samuel J. Kargbo – 23 August 2019

Abu Dumbuya fondly known as Abu Diaby is indisputably the most consistent and reliable midfielder in the country for couple of seasons now. He was part of the East End Lions squad that lifted the trophy in the just concluded national Premier League. He played a pivotal role towards the team winning such a tight race trophy.

So far he has shown great commitment and determination towards pursuing his dream in football as well as bagging so many awards in doing so.

Recently, he was awarded as the best midfielder by the Ministry of Sports in their Independence day organised Competition. The renowned footballer sustained an injury a couple of weeks ago whilst playing for E.E. Lions but he has now recovered.

He has played with F.C Kallon, Old Edwardians, F.C Johansen, Central Parade and presently he is with E.E. Lions. He has been able to accumulate a wealth of experience through mentorship by different coaches. Many that this medium came in contact with attested that his contribution to the national team will be strongly needed.

Football fans around Sierra Leone said the country is blessed with good midfielders but none can play the No. 6 role better than the way Abu Diaby does. The skills and zeal he possesses are unmatched both at home and abroad.

“We are appealing to coach Sellas Tetteh to give the young midfielder a chance as he has proven to be an asset not only to the National team but to football as a whole and when given a chance will prove it without doubt. He has been the most consistent No.6 is Sierra Leone football,” traders on Rawdon Street stated whilst arguing about football related issues.

In an exclusive brief chat Abu Diaby said: “I am determined and ready for the first time to qualify my country to the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) and World Cup. If I lose the ball I will continue to chase for it until I win it back. I am not the kind of mid-fielder to sit down on the bench too much and I want to be involved. That’s my character.”

He has won best midfielder in the 2017/2018 COFA competition when he played for Mountain City and has also played for Wusum Stars Football Club in Makeni.

As COFA Competition Kick-starts… Sierra Leone Fullah Town clash with Kissy Community

By Samuel J. Kargbo – 23 August 2019

The Central One Football Association (COFA) competition for 2019/2020 champions kick-started on Sunday 18th August 2019 with the Fullah Town community football club clashed with the Kissy Community football at the Parade playing field.

Chairman of the Association, Pa Sheka Sam Sesay, told this medium that the 2019/2020 competition will be seen in a different style than those of the past years, adding that security will be water-tight strongly maintaining that if supporters of any team are found wanting of perpetrating violence or misbehaving the organization will ask the team to quit from the competition stressing that there will be no favouritism.

He also said in the 2017/2018 competition that ended the person that took the third (3) place received an amount of money disclosing that they have decided to repeat such this time round.

He further stated that the Premier League has just concluded and it is timely for COFA to keep the players on track in order for them not to relax. “When the Premier League was not playing the COFA competition managed to keep the footballers engaged and they will continue to do so as to keep football alive”, he stated.

He maintained that the Central One Football Association is a reputable entity and they are doing everything possible to ensure that they keep the Association’s image intact because they believe that it is only through football that they can enhance peace among community residents and the country as whole.

He concluded that COFA will continue to keep the peace in football because it is not meant for fighting stating how trained and qualified referees will officiate every match to ensure that good standards in football are achieved in line with international standards.

 

 

 

FAMILY DISOWNS SON FOR BEING GAY IN SIERRA LEONE

Musa Sulaiman Bangura

By Tamba Borbor 

The increasing reports of isolated physical attacks on persons found to be gay seem to have no end in sight as the recent case of Musa Sulaiman Bangura indicates.

According to a resident of Mile 91 who identified himself as Michael and a friend of Musa, the latter had been very secretive about his sexual orientation since they were early teenagers until he (Musa) was caught having anal sex with his male partner called Almuda on Wednesday 1st May, 2019 by his girlfriend whom he has a daughter with at their residence around St. John in Freetown.

“The lady who could not bear the shock of what she had seen decided to alert the neighbours as she shouted in apparent disgust,” Michael explained to The Calabash; adding that Musa then fled the residence to seek refuge at Mile 91 village in the north of the country where he once lived.

A white philanthropist identified as James Brooks is reported to have rescued Musa by providing funds to secure a passport to flee the country in order to save his life having learnt of the numerous physical attacks on persons practising same sex around the country.

Michael further explained that after several threats to Musa’s life from known persons who feel strongly about gays in the community as their sexual orientation is believed to cross the margins of tradition and societal decency, he (Musa) decided to flee Mile 91 village to where he could feel safe.

To compound Musa’s situation Michael went on, his family has disowned him for what they say is bringing the name of the family into disrepute.

It is worth noting that Sierra Leone is one of the countries in West Africa that still haven’t enacted laws to ensure persons with same sex orientation are protected hence the continued atmosphere of insecurity felt by hundreds of these people around the country.

Many have been lucky to escape to other countries while others have been unlucky to have fallen in the net of group of people who have taken as a pastime to physically attack and harm persons indulged in same sex.

To date, the whereabouts of Musa reportedly remains unknown since he was exposed by his girlfriend some months ago.

 

 

Sierra Leone Bank Governor Imposes Strict Measures To Control Use Of US Dollar

Governor of the Bank of Sierra Leone, Kelfala M. Kallon

By Amin Kef Sesay – 20 August 2019

On Tuesday 20th August 2019, the Governor of the Bank of Sierra Leone, Kelfala M. Kallon, issued 3 Press Releases, which he read to the press at the Bank’s Conference room, effectively laying down strict measures to be followed in dealing with the US Dollar by NGOs (both international and national), businesses and private individuals.

According to the releases, all remittances to NGOs from overseas should be channelled directly through their accounts held in the various banks in the country. To ensure that compliance is obtained, both the ministry of Finance and the BSL will be tracking such remittances. Furthermore, the holding of and export of foreign currency in excess of Ten Thousand US Dollars or its equivalent outside the banking system is violation of the Bank of Sierra Leone Act 2019 and is punishable by law as stipulated in section 26 (5) of the act of 2019.

Relying on section 48 (3) of the Bank of Sierra Leone Act of 2019, Governor Kallon maintained that no individual or business entity should hold more than US$10,000 or its equivalent in any foreign currency or collect same outside the banking system, hinging on the foreign exchange bureaus doing business in the country.

They were asked to do daily returns of their foreign exchange transactions to the BSL and also pay into the commercial banks all foreign monies above the prescribed limit. In this regard, he stressed that under reporting of FX transactions to the Bank of Sierra Leone will result in revocation of their license.

For the travelling public, the governor had this warning, all foreign currencies should be declared and any amount in excess of the prescribed amount will be confiscated by BSL. This should take immediate effect, Kelfala Kallon stressed. For business people and organisations entering into the country with foreign currency above the prescribed amount, they should declare the said amount at the Airport in a manner determined by the Customs and Immigration authorities and within three days of their arrival in the country the said excess should be paid into the commercial banks, adding that no individual or group is allowed to hold foreign currency above the prescribed limit at home or otherwise and such monies will be converted to the Leone at the BSL’s mid-rate.

Finally, the governor encouraged citizens to assist the bank with any vital information that will lead to the nabbing of defaulters of these directives, intimating that 5% of the proceeds of the confiscated amount will be given to the vigilant citizen who provides such information. The quoting of prices in US Dollars for the purchase, sale or any transaction in the country is prohibited, as well as the collection of rent, leases and any other remuneration in dollars is also prohibited and violators will be prosecuted and when found guilty, they will face the full penalty of the law.

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