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Orange Sierra Leone Takes ‘Di Real 4G’ to Bo & Kenema

August 13, 2019

By Foday Moriba Conteh – 13^th August 2019

On the 6^th and 7^th August, 2019 one of Sierra Leone’s notable mobile operators launched ‘Di Real 4G’ in Kenema and Bo respectively.

Speaking during the launching, the Chief Marketing Officer, Orange Sierra Leone, Alimatou Mbaye disclosed that the launch of Di Real 4G in the two districts is in fulfillment of their promise to the people of Sierra Leone to connect every town and village for qualitative communication.

She emphasized that subscribers have been enjoying Di Real 4G with the largest mobile network that is more reliable than any other network in Sierra Leone.

She said Orange is a Sierra Leonean company that chooses what makes life easy for them. She encouraged consumers to swap their SIMs to Di Real 4G in order to experience the beauty of the service and wished them a wonderful time with Di Real 4G service.

Paramount Chief Saidu M. Kapuwa Marbe IV on behalf of the people of Kenema City welcomed Orange Sierra Leone saying that he has been using their network for quite a considerable period of time now.

He applauded Orange Sierra Leone for the tremendous work they are doing in the country stating how he believes that with the launch of the Di Real 4G such will enhance internet connectivity in the district.

General Secretary (Orange SL) Haffie Haffner said the launch of Di Real 4G is in response to what they feel is very important as they believe in providing access to ICT stressing how it is very significant for the socio-economic development of any country.

She disclosed that in 2016 they realized that access to telecom services was limited as they had 55 percent mobile penetration to which she said only 55 percent of Sierra Leoneans have access to mobile phones.

Madam Haffner said at one particular period of time they discovered that their network was in bad shape and in that regard they have so far spent 55 million US dollars to upgrade their network disclosing how they have connected 925 main localities for the very first time in the country. She further highlighted that Orange has proposed to spend another 24 million US dollars in expanding their network and establish new sites as well as giving some 85% of Sierra Leoneans across the country the opportunity to have quality, faster and cheaper services.

Hon. PC Prince Lappia Boima who officially launched the Di Real 4G in Bo City applauded Orange Sierra Leone for making available job opportunities to young people across the country. He said believes that with the Di Real 4G such will give more access to internet connectivity in the district adding how they will now be able to send mails easier.

Regional Police Commander South, Kapr S. Kamara (AIG), revealed that the police have been working tremendously to ensure that they protect lives and properties in that part of the country. He furthered that they have been working with Orange in terms of providing security whenever they have their activities in Bo District

He assured participants that that they will continue to provide security in the district and make it the safest place for people in that part of the country.

Director of Audit, Risk & Internal Control, Alpha S. Bundu, maintained that Orange is committed to connect every part of the country as they are proud to say they cover 41 percent of Africa, adding that they have been working relentlessly in order to expand their network across the country.

He also revealed how they have so far spent 55 million US dollars in order to upgrade their network as a company and highlighted their proposed plan of spending 24 million US dollars in expanding their network.

He stated that the launch of Di Real 4G in Kenema and Bo will complement the launch of Orange’s Digital Revolution. This revolution ensures a truly high-speed broadband mobile internet and an unmatched life changing experience in digital communication.

He added that they are very proud as a company to say they have the widest network in Sierra Leone covering 80 percent of the country’s population and connecting 925 main localities for the very first time in the country with thousands of Sierra Leoneans now accessing data, voice and financial services.

Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone Pledges Support for More Development Projects

August 13, 2019

His Excellency Hu Zhangliang and President Dr. Julius Maada Bio

By Alim Jalloh – 13^th August 2019
In the best interest of this country the new Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone, His Excellency Hu Zhangliang, on the 13^th August 2019 called on the presidency to discuss bilateral relations and development projects with His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio.

“I extend warmest greetings from His Excellency Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China, who is very much impressed with your presidency, particularly in areas of territorial integrity, sovereignty and security, diplomacy and development,” the Ambassador said.

He disclosed that feasibility studies for the rehabilitation of Wilberforce Military Barracks, which houses the Hockey Pitch and 34 Military Hospital in Freetown, and that for the construction of the Foreign Service Academy were already complete, adding that the bidding processes would soon commence.

“The Chinese Government has also made special arrangements for the loan application for the Optical Fibre Network phase two project and we have already approved the loan application. Once Ministry of Finance is done with the loan deal, the work will commence within three weeks,” he noted,” he assured.

Ambassador Hu further told the President that his government had promised Sierra Leone some food aid to the needy, adding that the first two consignments of 2,000 tons of that assistance had arrived in Freetown and were being delivered. He said another 1,500 tons of food support would arrive within few days, while 3,400 tons would arrive later.

“In terms of improving the capability of receiving state guests, my government is considering to help your government set up a VVIP Convoy with bikes, cars and support cars. And I believe that all of these will be delivered by February 2020. We are also looking at the rehabilitation of the VIP Lounge at the Lungi International Airport,” he said.

The Chinese Ambassador also said that as a way of improving the human capital development, which is the flagship program of the New Direction government, Chinese universities would have accepted 100 new students from Sierra Leone, more than 30 military officers to study in China and offered over 700 Chinese short courses by end of the year.

In his response President Bio said that he was happy to receive the Chinese Ambassador to discuss issues relating to the two countries’ current and future projects.

“I am happy with the development of ongoing projects, the Fibre Optic extension which is visible, the food aid, VVIP Convoy, the rehabilitation of the Wilberforce Military Barracks, and improving on the number of Sierra Leonean students. We think this falls in line with the government’s human capital development agenda. As true friends we will also work together,” President Bio said.

NP Sierra Leone Continues to Stand Tall Within the Business Landscape

August 13, 2019

By Amin Kef Sesay – 13^th August 2019

The National Petroleum Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd) is indeed one successful indigenous company which most of the citizens can boast of especially when consideration is given to the fact that this entity has stood the test of time weathering challenges that may have led to its downfall. For such a commendable feat to be achieved during quite a long period of time now means that the company has been blessed with capable shareholders and Managerial teams that have been providing the requisite ideas and initiatives that continue to take NP from one higher level to another.

Providing its esteemed and cherished customers, right across the country, with rapt and efficient attention by always ensuring that their needs are well satisfied which with all amount of certainty is identified as one of the secrets behind the successes of the company. Management is very keen on prioritizing customer care which is why it is keen to know about their reactions as well as to listen to various concerns raised and always be in a position to address them.

Having amassed the strength and seeing the need to expand appropriately, NP-SL thought it fit to open branches in Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast and The Gambia and all of them are extremely functioning well to the utmost satisfaction of Governments plus its ever growing customers. In doing so, the company has been contributing towards job creation and poverty reduction more especially as it is virtually impossible for the Governments of these countries to provide all job opportunities for citizens.

When cognisance is taken of the fact that Governments need revenue to finance development projects it is important to find the sources of generating such. NP, as a company, is one of the biggest taxpayers to Government. Management always makes it as a point of duty to timely pay taxes and despite battling with existing and unforeseeable challenges there has never been an instance when it has been coerced to do so.

Many have praised NP for making available cookers popularly known as NP Gas which is safe for cooking purposes. These NP Gas cookers are sold at reasonable prices and could be procured in all their filling stations as well as from authorized dealers. At a time like this when it has been recognized that it is advisable, for health reasons, to avoid using firewood or charcoal for cooking purposes the best option could be NP Gas, which is hygienic, clean and quick.

Talking about effective implementation of Local Content Policy, NP-SL stands tall as it is truly the only 100% indigenous company that employs 100% Sierra Leoneans as workers. The company gives preference to employing Sierra Leoneans which is a clear indication that it adheres to the country’s Local Content Policy as utilizing local talents makes it possible for indigenes to acquire useful knowledge and skills through various training programs.

It is important to know that the company deals with individuals and various entities, always ensuring that its various petroleum products are available and are sold at affordable prices. There is a good business strategy in place whereby entities or customers are permitted to use chits to secure fuel and pay later. Such is very advantageous more so when those entities do not always have cash at hand to be purchasing petroleum products from time to time. This symbiotic relationship with its customers has been paying huge dividends making NP very endearing to all and sundry.

With regards recognition, the regulatory institution of the different petroleum companies in the country, Petroleum Directorate, has also lauded NP in recent time for its efficient service delivery in its areas of operation.

There could be no doubt to authoritatively state that NP-SL Ltd. is doing exceptionally well in all the countries it is functioning and indeed there are prospects for further expansion.

It therefore came as no big surprise why on the 6^th July 2019 it was awarded as the “Best Company of the Year” during the National Business Award 2018/2019 held at the prestigious Bintumani Hotel.

Without mincing the truth NP stands tall within the business landscape in and out of the country growing stronger and stronger as time goes by.

Shareholders’ Selfless Commitment drives NP-SL’s Successes in Sierra Leone

August 9, 2019

By Amin Kef Seasy – 9th August 2019

The selfless commitment of the shareholders of the National Petroleum Sierra Leone (NP-SL) is a major factor driving the success of the company resulting to it employing and empowering hundreds if not thousands of Sierra Leoneans.

NP-SL, by giving preference to employing Sierra Leoneans, gives a clear indication that it adheres to the country’s Local Content Policy as utilizing local talents makes it possible for indigenes to acquire useful knowledge and skills through training courses that could be applicable in other places.

Furthermore, it has been discovered that the synergy that runs through management, staff and board members of the National Petroleum Sierra Leone (NP-SL) company is the reason why the company is contributing greatly to improving the lives of its workers and their dependents and also contributing to the company’s growth and the socio-economic development of the country at large.

The National Petroleum- Sierra Leone (NP-SL) is on record for having a capable and competent managerial team of Sierra Leoneans at the helm of affairs, which from time to time comes up with good initiatives, always ensuring that those initiatives are effectively and efficiently implemented to create value for money.

It is also on record that the National Petroleum (NP) Sierra Leone Limited, apart from it being lauded for being one of Sierra Leone’s biggest tax payers, is also being lauded for its invaluable contributions towards building the country’s economy.

Apart from it having filling stations in various parts of the country, NP-SL also vibrantly functions in Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast and The Gambia.

This 100% indigenously-owned company has so far offered various jobs to residents in the afore-mentioned countries, thereby reducing poverty to a considerable level.

Since it was established by 35 Sierra Leoneans, who bought shares from the Government years back, the company has grown from leaps and bounds; weathering storms that would have run it down. But the resolve of its shareholders and Management to succeed has been the centre-piece that has propelled NP to a higher level, equal to none in the sub-region.

Asking those who really know NP, the feedback you get indicate that around its commitment to customer care, NP strongly believes that it must prioritize the offer of total satisfaction.

NP has maintained a good business relationship with its numerous customers’ right across the sub-region where it exists and most consumers have confessed that they are realizing optimum satisfaction in dealing with NP.

The company deals with individuals and various sectors of society, always ensuring that its various petroleum products are available and are sold at affordable prices. This keen symbiotic relationship with its customers has been paying huge dividends, always resulting in a win-win situation, making NP very endearing to all and sundry.

The regulatory institution of the different petroleum companies in the country, the Petroleum Directorate, has also lauded NP in recent time for its efficient service delivery in its areas of operation.

The company is also known for offering Sierra Leoneans affordable NP Gas Cookers of various sizes, which are safe and very friendly to use. NP Gas cookers could be purchased at all their filling stations across the country and the very gas is also sold to replenish those that have been used.

The company’s result-oriented managerial team will definitely and sustainably continue to put NP at the top.

NP-SL Ltd. is doing exceptionally well in all the countries it is functioning and indeed there are prospects for further expansion.

It can therefore be justifiably asserted that the National Petroleum Limited is the country’s reliable fuel provider as it always ensures that its stockpile is always at an appreciable level.

NP has received numerous awards; the latest being: “Best Company of the Year” that was received on 6^th July 2019 during the National Business Award 2018/2019 held at the prestigious Bintumani Hotel.

Various tests to determine quality and standard indicate that consumers of National Petroleum-SL products say they have never had cause to grumble about the products.

It should be noted that customer care is one key element to the success of the National Petroleum Sierra Leone (NP-SL).

Another most important feature of NP-SL is its smart cards which customers can use to make transactions very easily and conveniently.

The public’s recognition of the invaluable contributions of NP, both to its numerous customers across the country and to national development, has seen it bag meritorious awards from different national and international organizations.

The company always ensures that petroleum products are always available, thereby preventing shortage that could create shocks in many quarters. The level of confidence which overseas business partners have reposed in the company has made it possible for it to enter into payment agreements thereby keeping the demand and supply chain open and running.

In addition, the company sells the best cooking gas that is available in hundreds of outlets across the country, thereby contributing to creating cleaner environments, thus aiding the work of EPA.

In this digital age, moving away from the traditional way of transacting business has now become the norm.

To boost Free Quality Education… Pikin Bizness Sierra Leone targets Kids

August 9, 2019

The three kids Angel Bangura, Mamadu H. Bah and Jonathan During with congenital heart disease

By Amin Kef Sesay – 9^th August 2019

CLAUDIUS DURING
Claudius During of No. 37 Milton Street Murray Town, Freetown is an eight years old boy who was terminally ill but after surgery he is now as good as new.

Mabinty Kamara
MABINTY KAMARA AGED 26 YEARS HAD A SERIOUS ACCIDENT 4 YEARS AGO AT KISSY DOCKYARD AND WAS OPERATED ON. SHE IS NOW HALE AND HEARTY.

CLAUDIUS DURING AFTER SURGERY
On February 2nd 2018 Claudius Harding was excited to show his Mum & Dad his new heart.

MABINTY KAMARA AT AYV STUDIO
On May 30th 2018, Mabinty Kamara was flown out for surgery.

LANSANA KAMARA
Lansana Kamara is a 20 years old boy. He came to PIKIN BIZNESS about 9 years ago with a serious burn.

In a bid to boost the Free Quality Education of President Bio, the Executive Director of Pikin Bizness, Dr. Adonis Aboud has said that the institution is working to get kids off the streets and onto the benches of educational institutions. The institution, he said, is also working to stop child labour among other things.

Pikin Bizness is a child based philanthropist organisations that works to support children by providing health related assistance, economic and educational support to the child survivors of the post conflict period in Sierra Leone. The institution focuses its activities on children, who have the greatest capacity to transcend the conflict of their communities and to bring about change in the future. These children within the society offer the best hope for change, and are increasingly amongst the most vulnerable in conflict situations.

Pikin Bizness works and operates in Sierra Leone to create a safe environment where trained key workers can provide a climate of support and mentoring tailored to the needs of children and their environment.

In January 2001, three people came together; Dr Adonis Aboud, Shellac Sonny Davies and Barbara Bangura, and launched a Charitable Organization called Pikin Bizness.

The first three years, in collaboration with WFP, the US Embassy and UNAMSIL, with sponsorship from DSTV/SL, a helicopter was flown country-wide during the Christmas holiday on each of these years, distributing gifts ranging from sweets, drinks, radio sets, school bags, to educational materials to children. Caritas Makeni [a Catholic NGO], International Medical Corp, [IMC] and other NGOs helped identify the children.

Four years later, in 2005, having spotted a campaign launched by the Exclusive Newspaper, advertising and appealing for help for Abu Bakarr Jalloh, a six year old boy with a hole in his heart, Pikin Bizness embarked on a larger campaign targeting mainly children with heart deficiencies, especially children with holes in their hearts and other related diseases.

After the campaign, Pikin Bizness then embarked on a larger campaign in the country to raise funds in order to save the life of a young boy who was about to die. Because being born in Sierra Leone means that you have no chance of obtaining a heart operation let alone a simple non-intrusive sonogram test needed for detecting and diagnosing not only heart problems but birth defects in pregnant women and other health problems. In order to save this boy, donations were made by some citizens and members of Pikin Bizness to facilitate the trip abroad for an open heart surgery.

Since November 2005 to date, six children have been flown to France for cardiac treatment which cost the organization more than ten (10) thousand Euros per child. Apart from heart cases, the organization has helped other children suffering from other diseases. The organization does not only deal with children suffering from heart deficiencies, it also caters for children suffering from different diseases such as Hydrocephalus, liver, kidney, urinary leakage and other diseases.

Even though the organization is non-governmental it works in collaboration with both the Ministry of Health and Sanitation and that of Gender and Children’s Affairs to help develop the health sector and protecting and promoting the right of children in the country.

Pikin Bizness and the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs have succeeded in reducing the number of street children by giving them scholarships for Primary, Secondary and Tertiary levels. Some of these children were taken from the streets and are now living a better life.

With the help of this organization a number of six children’s lives have been saved that suffered from holes in their hearts.

Five children were flown from Freetown to France in order for them to have Open Heart surgery while one went to Germany where he was operated on.

Also, young Francis who was suffering from hydrocephalus was flown to Kenya for treatment. In a most recent development Pikin Bizness sent baby Ngauja to Egypt as he was suffering from lower abdominal wall defect. He is back from Egypt and in great form.

The aim of the organization is to provide economic and social well-being for marginalized children and reduce the number of children living on the streets due to the effect of the civil conflict that the country experienced.

By reading this you have shown that you have a heart to reach out and give to children who may never get the chance to say ‘Thank you’ in person. On their behalf we would like to say ‘Thank you’ and ask that you please DONATE to our cause.

Sierra Leone Napoleon Koroma signs Singapore Convention on Mediation

August 9, 2019

By Amin Kef Sesay – 9^th August 2019

Deputy Minister of Justice, Umaru Napoleon Koroma is among representatives from over 70 countries in the signing of the UN Convention on International Settlements Resulting from Mediation in Singapore.

The gathering, dubbed the Singapore Convention, aims to settle cross-border commercial disputes and stabilize trade relationships among member countries. The convention itself was signed by 46 UN members including the United States and China.

It is expected that the convention will create a global framework that will give businesses greater confidence to settle international disputes through mediation rather than resorting to court.

“As Sierra Leone desperately needs foreign direct investment, the convention will significantly boost investor confidence which has been a key pillar in the New Direction’s manifesto on economic development” said Mr. Koroma.

Mediation has been used to settle commercial disputes in jurisdictions like the United States and the United Kingdom. To be globally accepted, the credibility of the process must improve and the convention will no doubt help in this direction.

Mr. Napoleon Koroma, a renowned legal luminary with a big reputation as a successful mediator on corporate matters was apparently considered a worthy representative from Sierra Leone.

The signing will be ratified by the Sierra Leone Parliament in due course.

Sierra Leone needs Drastic Structural Reforms to turn Economy Around

August 9, 2019

By Prince Jacob Macauley – 9^th August 2019

People of Sierra Leone have come to realize that we cannot keep on the same thing and hope to get different results. The economic policies that have been followed are not helping and we have an ongoing economic crisis that we are facing as a nation; the cost of fuel, the rise in foreign exchange rate and the lack of private sector investment are all part of the problem.

The sad reality is that we are looking for foreign investments to rescue us, but we have never seen anywhere in the world where foreign investment leads and domestic investment follows. It is always domestic investment that leads and foreign investment follows. As a country we have to build confidence in our own economy and the way to do that is to provide an economic stimulus and a strong plan to progressively transform our economy as we still remain a commodity dependent economy.

In my view I think the government is getting advised from the usual suspects like the IMF, for some reasons and for some years, since the global financial crisis, IMF was wrong in the issue of capital controls; they were wrong in the issue of inflation targets and they were also wrong in the issue of trade unions and labor market, and so as a nation, we all should know that there is a shift that has taken place internationally including recognition of austerity policies in Europe which is absolutely disastrous.

But it seems as if our treasury and key elements of government and I am not saying the entire government of President Bio, but there are key powerful members in the Bio government that are linked to this element because they testify to this rating institutions and agencies, they testify of global financial institutions, and it is high time they stop looking to the institutions for directions and is time we take responsibility and our sovereignty for our own economic direction.

Ordinary people are suffering in the country, there are no jobs for the youth, bread and butter is more difficult for everyone now; not only for the average man alone. What the international experience shows since the financial global crisis in particular countries that has taken responsibility to implement a large scale public investment program for example; to implement a degree of capital control etc.

Doing all these things that are aimed to protect the population and to boost the economy and these are the countries that are managed to weather the global financial crisis in the world, those that follow the advice of the deregulations and regularization as we are, we are facing the worst now. Also the central bank long ago should have done better to salvage the country’s economy by cutting down on interest rates.

The problem that is there for reserve in the bank in order to attract inflows through the maintenance of high interest rate to attract short term inflows to maintain the high interest rate policies and the problem of high inflation rate in Sierra Leone cannot be dealt with through the blank instrument of interest rate is like you stifle economical activities.

One important point the government should take into consideration is that there official policies where the economy in contracting now and where we are and have been for a number of years. They need to introduce a counter-cyclical fiscal monitoring policies, but what they are doing now is the opposite by tightening our monitoring and fiscal policies and large cut backs in other words, public investments suffer and as a result the cost of capital is too expensive for small businesses and manufacturers to invest in the productivity sector and that is what we need urgently and critically to help boost the country’s economy.

Sierra Leone’s Tourism Industry attracting Big Investors

August 9, 2019

By Amin Kef Sesay – 9^th August 2019

A revitalised and vibrant Sierra Leone is hoping to entice visitors with a responsible tourism focus.

Cradled feet away in the arms of Mama P, his surrogate human mother, Caesar the baby chimp toys his tufty hair before casting me a stare so cute and innocently wide-eyed that my heart squeaks.

This being Sierra Leone’s Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary, though, home to 89 orphaned chimps, such arresting interactions come served with a healthy dollop of education.

“We have a moral obligation to protect the chimps – they may be extinct in 10 years,” warns my host Aram Kazandjian, Tacugama’s manager. His team is working tirelessly to protect the critically endangered western chimpanzee, from establishing new reserves and “wildlife corridors” to tackling bush-meat poaching. To help raise funds, the sanctuary offers packages in its homely onsite lodges, backed by activities such as yoga weekends and film nights. It’s all rather inspiring.

Tacugama is at the vanguard of the West African country’s attempts to develop responsible tourism in the wake of the crushing Ebola epidemic of 2014 and its earlier civil war. The government is acknowledging and backing the move, recently using the visit by renowned chimp expert Dr Jane Goodall to announce it had adopted the chimp as the new symbol for tourism.

Now, backed by its cuddly new symbol, recently appointed representation agency Kamageo and a catchy “Sierra-ously Surprising” tag line, it has UK visitors firmly in its sights.

Natural treasures feature highly in my April visit, not least the birdlife. Salone, as the country is nicknamed, is home to 640 recorded species, including the great blue turaco. Top spots include Gola Rainforest national park – where I keep an eye out for sooty mangabey monkeys, forest elephants and birds including white-necked picathartes – and meet the team aiming to raise the park’s profile through ventures such as chocolate production tours and a new hiking and biking trail.

Nearby Tiwai island, set in the Moa River and part of the same ecosystem as Gola, lays claim to the highest concentration of primates in the world, its habituated Diana monkeys being the undisputed stars. Despite overnighting on the island, they’re a no-show on my guided dawn walk, although a galago and some red colobus monkeys are among those making an appearance. My hunt for an elusive pygmy hippo on a dugout canoe trip down the Moa proves similarly fruitless, although one canoe in the convoy thinks they see a tell-tale rump melt into the forest so we claim it, feebly.

Smarter: Suggest clients grab an Africell mobile sim card at Freetown airport and load it with data – it’ll prove invaluable in-country (africell.sl).

Better: Cap a tour with some beachfront luxury at The Place, a fabulous property in Tokeh, with rooms that face either the beach or the mountains.

Fairer: Money spent at attractions such as Tacugama, Tiwai and Gola helps fund eco-tourism initiatives, while community visits and stays generate direct revenue for villages such as Kambama.

Salone’s dreamy coastline is another of its chief selling points, even in frenetic capital Freetown where, come evening, I retreat to tourist-friendly Lumley Beach, a heated hub of football on the weekend and a great spot to grab a sundowner at one of the beachside bar restaurants.

Touring the coastline, however, throws up constant reminders of Sierra Leone’s dark days as a base for the slave trade, and I gain my first glimpses of its legacy offshore on the Banana islands, a tour of Dublin taking in sites such as its infamous slave pit. Nowhere evokes the country’s blighted past more than Bunce island, the former British-operated slavery outpost near Freetown. Touring the ruins of its diabolic slave fortress, where tens of thousands of Africans were sold and sailed to slave owners in the Americas before its 1808 closure, is a sobering experience.

Unsurprisingly, the subject of slavery is never far from my guided tour of Freetown either, the city owing its very foundation to Britain shipping freed slaves here from the colonies. I trace those early arrivals through landmarks such as the surviving wooden houses of the ethnic Krio population; historic stone churches; and the aged Cotton Tree by the National Museum, an early gathering point.

Currency: The Leone. At the time of going to press, £1 was equivalent to 11.15 Leone. Visas: £109, available on entry.

Climate: Tropical year-round with two main seasons – rainy (May to October) and dry (November to April).

Best time to visit: September to February. Flights: Brussels Airlines flies from Heathrow to Freetown via Brussels. Other indirect options include Air France and Royal Air Maroc.
Vaccinations: Clients must have a yellow fever certificate.

Many memorable moments come courtesy of local interactions, from joking with market traders in Makeni to chatting with locals in Kona.

Arriving at Kambama village to take a boat to Tiwai I’m engulfed by laughing, fist-bumping and high-fiving local kids before the community puts on a show of traditional music and dancing.

Later, I stumble in to the town square in Kabala where I’d gone to attend a ceremony with some elders to gain the principal chief’s blessing and to hike up Wara Wara. Here, I’m swept up in a mesmerising melee of musicians, acrobats and witch doctor illusionists.

I come away loving the place. That said, it won’t suit everyone, not least first-time Africa visitors set on easy wildlife viewing or ticking off the Big Five. Similarly, luxury-lovers are unlikely to be impressed by the accommodation in remote areas such as Tiwai. But for nature and culture-loving clients seeking authentic experiences and meaningful local interactions in the real Africa, it could well be time to get Sierra-ous.

BOOK IT: Rainbow Tours’ new 10-day Sierra Leone Made Simple tour costs from £2,795pp, including Brussels Airlines flights to Freetown and sights such as Tacugama, Bunce and Tiwai.

Heavy Flooding leaves Hundreds Homeless in Tombo, Sierra Leone

August 9, 2019

By Amin Kef Sesay – 9^th August 2019

Torrential rains starting from 2nd August, 2019 have led to flooding in many parts of the Western Area of Sierra Leone including rural Tombo.

At around 23:00 GMT, the Tombo Community was overwhelmed with flooding leaving properties washing away and mud houses submerged. Hundreds of families were also left homeless and sheltered in schools and community centres.

At least 7 people were officially reported dead, although the death toll could be hire and some 5,000 people were believed to have lost their shelter in the aftermaths of the flooding in the capital. Informal settlements, including impoverished slum communities, scattered around the city and mostly built in flood or landslide prone areas, are likely the most affected and at risk of further flooding, considering the forecast rains in the coming days.

More heavy rainfall is forecast to continue across Sierra Leone during the weeks of August. This would lead to severe impact on people and damage to infrastructure, particularly in the densely populated northern area of Freetown. Madongo Town and New England are prone to localised flooding; Susan’s Bay, Lumley and Kroo Bay are prone to coastal flooding due to their location in low-lying areas and are likely to report a higher human impact as a consequence of poor shelters and dense population. Risk of mudslide is high for areas such as Regent, Leicester, Gloucester and Kissy.

Despite a current lack of information, based on previous similar disasters, it is very likely that access is constrained due to flooded roads and bridges, debris blocking roads, and poor communication networks.

The overall number of people affected and in need remain unclear until floodwaters recede, which might take few days as rains are still ongoing. There is a lack of specific information on sectoral needs at the time of writing. Because of disruption of communication lines and electricity, the full extent of the damage is still unknown.

‘We are not driving Investors Away’ -Sierra Leone Mines Minister

August 9, 2019

By Amin Kef Sesay – 9^th August 2019

Hon. Foday Rado Yokie, Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources has said that reports of “cancelations or suspensions of several mining licenses” by the local media and the London Financial Times and Reuters is simply fictitious.

Hon. Yokie who was appointed minister on May 9, 2019 made the pronouncement during an interview with this medium on social media.

It could be recalled that immediately after his appointment, Minister Yokie vowed to review all mining contracts in the country and assured the people of Sierra Leone, whom he said have endured protracted suffering that under his watch mining activities would be safeguarded and ultimately revamped so as to be beneficial to all Sierra Leoneans.

Preceding his appointment, Minister Yokie represented Constituency 068 (Bo District) from 2007– 2017 in Sierra Leone Parliament where he served in many committees including Mines and Mineral Resources Oversight Committee. He was also the Government of Sierra Leone Special Trade Envoy

In the interview Hon. Yokie said he has cancelled Shandong Iron and Steel Group for not paying their dues to the government and people of Sierra Leone. We need serious investors and not ones that can hold onto our mineral wealth and starve us from our dues as a nation. We inherited a challenging economy. So we need every cent to make lives better for the people of Sierra Leone. I have suspended exportation only but operations are ongoing with Sierra Leone Mining

He added that Shandong’s cancelation took effect since June 4th 2019, but that one cancelation and one suspension to export while the Mining License Agreement is renegotiated and that the cancelations and suspension of several mining licenses and all other things reported in the news is fictional.

Meanwhile, Shandong Iron and Steel, owner of the Tonkolili project is pursuing litigation in Sierra Leone’s High Court arguing that the licenses cancelations are invalid or illegal after paying all its fees and royalties.

He denied that legal actions by Shandon are not to his knowledge

Some economic observers say President Bio’s move to cancel mining licenses will impede foreign investors and investments that the country badly needs,

To this Hon. Yokie said we are not scaring investors away but we are only revisiting some Mining Licenses Agreements. In my view the people of Sierra Leone are not benefiting as expected from their mineral wealth. So, we need to change that narrative by renegotiating a better deal for our people, that is our sacred obligation, we owe it to the people of Sierra Leone.

On the issue of the Government Transition Team (GTT) 2018 which shows the previous APC administration signed two agreements with the management of Sierra Rutile Ltd., which also spoke of amends to the Sale and Purchase Agreement of Government Shares in the company, and that the report concludes that former President Koroma and his nephew John Sisay subsequently sold the government’s 30 shares, Hon. Rado maintained that Sierra Rutile is under investigation by the Commission of Inquiry (COI). They will furnish the Government with their findings and recommendations.

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