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The Country Can’t Afford Excessive Public Spending… Sierra Leone Govt. Must Enforce Strict Austerity Measures

Commentary

By Amin Kef Sesay

As the former President of Brazil, Lula da Silva, said, “Poor countries must give an example of honesty, of ethics so that we truly deserve the solidarity from millions and millions of people who would like to contribute but sometimes are not sure their money will go where it should go.”

Public outrage is building fueled by regular reports of Government extravagance in decorating offices, travelling with big entourages, inexplicably excessive catering costs, using public funds to pay for frivolous goods and services and staying in five-star hotels.

The huge appetite of our civil servants to spend money like the country is as rich as UAE has to stop. All the MDAs must be put on a strict spending diet and their frivolous salaries and perks curtailed.

MDAs that refuse to restrict their budget spending to the ceilings given them should be sanctioned by the Ministry of Finance.

Belt tightening, cost-cutting; these should be the watchwords for all the MDAs  – Knowing that the economy is constricted, foreign aid not flowing in liberally as it used to.

Permanent Secretaries, vote controllers, ministers, heads of the MDAs, you guys know that that there are many opportunities to cut or minimize costs and stop abuse of public money, with the aim of improving the quality of public expenditure, making resources available for the implantation of the National Development Plan, and to combat waste, inefficiency and corruption.

To pay the current huge public debt, abuse of public funds by Government officials must stop. Parliament, Audit Service and ACC must act strongly on this issue as have other platforms and organizations.

There should be strict new guidelines for the purchase of cars, overseas and local travel, housing, the use of consultant services, catering and advertising. Parliament and the public must be empowered to monitor compliance.

Government is duty-bound to provide citizens with value for money. In terms of rebuilding confidence in the Government, the NPPA must develop a plan to ensure that competition is not undermined by collusive practices; such as unearthed at the COI on the Sewa Grounds Market project.

Vehicles – The cost limits for official cars will be standardized; Bulk purchasing will be used to reduce costs; No compensation for use of personal cars.

Overseas delegations – Business class only for Ministers; Direct routes to be used; Number of officials to be kept to a minimum.

Housing – Better to repair, refurbish and build new Government quarters than to rent at exorbitant rates.

Our approach to reducing costs and eliminating wasteful expenditure in the rest of Government should focus on: The largest is consultant services. There are of course necessary engineering and advisory services employed by Government departments. However, we need: Better contract management; stricter control of consultancy fees; each Government entity to develop a consultancy reduction plan over the course of this financial year.

Catering and event costs: Guidelines should be developed for reducing event costs, including better use of Government facilities rather than outside venues for meetings; No public funds to be used for purchase of alcohol.

Accommodation leases – Steps should be taken to reduce long term office accommodation and Government housing costs and make further savings from electricity demand in Government buildings.

It is the responsibility of the Leader of Government Business to engage with Parliament on measures to reduce costs if they intend to help the Bio government make Salone Betteh.

 

 

WOFHRAD-Sierra Leone Coordinator Talks tough on International Day of the Girl Child 

By Theresa Vamboi

As International Day of the Girl Child was celebrated  on the 11th October 2019 with the theme “Girlforce Unscripted and Unstoppable” the Coordinator of Women’s Forum for Human Rights and Democracy (WOFHRAD), Madam Emilia, has called on all, especially young girls, to be focused and ready to stand the test of times to achieve their goals.

She highlighted that coming from a home where her father was a private in the military and a mother who was a palm wine seller, she never knew she was going to reach the point she has achieved in life. “But at some stage I said to myself no one is going to stop me,” she expressed determination.

She encouraged men to be mentors to our girls and not tormentors.

“They need your PROTECTION not your PENETRATION, yes they need you to GUIDE them  not to MISGUIDE them. Let us make a world safe for our Girls. Do not take advantage of them because of their age otherwise they will get back on you.

On behalf of the Women’s Forum for Human Rights and Democracy (WOFHRAD-SL) I want to wish all our girls happy International Day of the Girl Child. And to all partners working to protect girls I say a very big thank you. To those men who have promised to protect our girls I say Bravo. To those of you who will not hands off our girls will see you at the PRISONS,” she maintained.

Legal Aid Board holds fruitful Discussions with Sierra Leone VP

By Amin Kef Sesay

Jenneh Sesay (Right)

Justice Miatta Samba, the Executive Director, Ms. Fatmata Claire Carlton-Hanciles and the Registrar and Program Manager, Mr. Joseph Dumbuya of the Legal Aid Board have held their first meeting with the Honorable Vice President, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh.

Discussions centered around expanding and strengthening the work of the Board in Correctional Centers around the country, working closely with the Justice Sector Development Project, targeting activists of the various political parties for community outreach events, making conditions of service of staff particularly Lawyers competitive, having the Board on the Presidential Pardon Committee and tapping into donor funds meant for access to Justice.

The Chair and the Executive Director also briefed the Vice President on the achievements of the Board, noting that the Board has a presence in 14 of the 16 Districts in the country.

In the furtherance of its work, last week when Jenneh Sesay of Melron Street in Wellington paid a visit to the Legal Aid Board Office in Freetown to plead for legal assistance for her indigent son Ibrahim who was remanded at the Pademba Road Correctional Center, her plea was addressed by the Board as she received medical support for the severe burns in her face.

Jenneh is epileptic. In November 2018 she had an attack while preparing food for the family. She fell on the fire at a time when there was nobody to come to her rescue.  As a result she sustained severe burns which disfigured her face.

She was admitted at the Rokupa Hospital and subsequently discharged. She returned home to face a new reality of living with a disfigured face. To add insult to injury, she also had to continue life at least for the time being without her son who is remanded at the Pademba Road Correctional Center.

The quest for justice for her son led her to visit the Legal Aid Board office in Freetown in July 2019 to plead for legal assistance for her son who had been charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

At the Legal Aid Board she secured assistance for herself and her son. “We are going to assist you and your indigent son,” the Executive Director of the Board, Fatmata Claire Carlton-Hanciles told her. She referred her to Dr. Fadlu-Deen who is the Board’s focal person at the Connaught Hospital for further medical treatment.

As part of an agreement based on trust with the office of the Chief Medical Officer, sick clients discharged from correctional centers in Freetown are referred to the Connaught Hospital for free medical attention and treatment.

The Authorities at the Connaught hospital referred Jenneh to the Ministry of Health and Sanitation since hospitals do not have the facility for plastic surgery. The case was consequently referred to State House for possible assistance with plastic surgery abroad.

It was all smiles when Jenneh reported how Government has agreed to fund her operation in India and also importantly to thank the Executive Director for ensuring she benefits from a facility meant for its clients. She will be leaving for India next week.

Ms. Carlton-Hanciles took the opportunity to thank the Government for the gesture and the authorities at the Connaught Hospital for their support to sick clients of the Board. “I cannot imagine releasing sick clients from prisons and cells into the community who do not have money to buy food let alone medical treatment,” she said.

Meanwhile, Jenneh’s son Ibrahim is among 141 inmates/cases represented by the Board in the September Criminal Call Over sessions of the High Court around the country. However, Ibrahim is still at the Pademba Road Correctional Center because he could not fulfil the bail conditions.

As her departure date draws near, Jenneh has still not got anybody to stay in her apartment whilst she is away in India which is why she is again seeking the assistance of the Board with fulfilling her son’s bail conditions.

 

Sierra Leone Deputy APC Leader & Former Minister of State Walk Free

Minkailu Mansaray

By Amin Kef Sesay

This news medium has intimated that the High Court of Sierra Leone, Holden at Freetown, presided over by the Honourable Mr. Justice Reginald Sydney Fynn Jr. has on Friday 11th October 2019 acquitted and discharged Alhaji Minkailu Mansaray, APC Deputy Chairman/former Cabinet Minister and Mohamed Allie Bah Former Minister of State, Vice President’s Office, on all counts of corruption offences for which they were standing trial after a “no case submission” on their behalf was upheld.

It was, however, made clear that the trial continues against former Vice President Victor Bokarie Foh and two others.  After the ruling the Commission said it will review it and determine further steps to be taken where necessary.

In another development, Justice Fynn convicted Lieutenant Commander of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF), Jonathan Michael Jenkins, on two counts of Soliciting an Advantage, Contrary to Section 28(2) and Abuse of Office, Contrary to Section 42(1) of the Anti-Corruption Act, No 12 of 2008 respectively.
The court ordered him to pay a total fine of One Hundred Million Leones (Le 100,000,000) for both counts or serve a jail term of Four (4) years on each count, concurrently. Justice Fynn Jnr. also ordered Lieutenant Commander Jenkins to pay the total fine immediately or suffer imprisonment.

Between the 27th October 2016 and 31st December 2016, at Kortimow Wharf in Port Loko District, Lieutenant Commander Jenkins being the Officer-in-Charge of a Forward Operations Base in Port Loko, solicited an Advantage to wit the sum of One Million Leones (Le1,000,000) from one Sheku Kamara, owner of a boat named ‘Saiyenoh’. He also improperly conferred an Advantage on himself by retaining proceeds from the sale of petrol and diesel seized from the said boat.

The Commission has assured the people of Sierra Leone of its relentless commitment in curbing impunity in the public service.

 

Sierra Leoneans Express Hope over imminent return of Frank Timis

Frank Timis

By Samuel Serry Jr.

The mining sector in this country is one that many expect, if properly managed and the proceeds derived from it judiciously expended, will to a large extent accelerate economic growth. Indeed if news of an imminent return of Frank Timis is anything to go by, then Sierra Leoneans can only expect better days.

It was understood that the mining investor has through his legal representative contacted the Government of Sierra Leone to lift the suspension on his mining license to clear the way for a new investment package that will automatically employ over 20,000 Sierra Leoneans.

The exact details of the new mining agreement with Government are yet unknown but very  competent sources say both parties have acknowledged a need to move forward with an investment that will significantly boost the country’s GDP and lift it out of its current economic quagmire.

It will be recalled that it was Timis who developed the Tonkolili mines with first class mining infrastructure including a railway that runs through Tonkolili, Port Loko and Bombali. However, his mining license was canceled in somewhat controversial circumstances in 2017 while 75% of his African Minerals shares taken over by a Chinese company, Shandong.

He was largely credited by reputable institutions including the World Bank to have contributed to Sierra Leone’s rapid economic growth between 2014 and 2016 by paying over US 100,000,000 (One Hundred Million United States Dollars) as advance tax to Government. Timi’s US$3.2 Billion investment was undoubtedly the major reasons for the good road infrastructure we see in Sierra Leone today.

There is palpable anxiety in every street corner with news of the return of Frank Timis. There is no doubt that this will not only bring our economy back on track but will also restore hope to a country desperately anxious to catch up with the rest of the world.

 

Sierra Leone CSOs throw weight behind ACC at Budget Hearing

By Brima Sannoh

As the ongoing budget hearing gains momentum, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Wednesday 9th October 2019 presented its budget for the 2020 Fiscal Year to the Ministry of Finance at the Miatta Conference Centre in Freetown.

Making the opening statement at the presentation of the budget, Augustine Foday Ngobie, Deputy Commissioner of the ACC expressed unreserved satisfaction to the Government of Sierra Leone and development partners for bankrolling the activities of the ACC over the past years, which has led to the outstanding results produced by the Commission. He reminded all that the fight against corruption was a national concern which features in Cluster 4 of the National Development Plan.

ACC’s Director of Finance Sheku Kanu, made the budget presentation on behalf of the Commission, in the presence of officials of the Ministry of Finance, Non-State Actors, District Budget Oversight Committees, Civil Society Activists and the Media.

According to him, the Commission was able to far exceed its major deliverables in the area of public education and outreach activities, strengthening of public sector institutions, recovery of stolen public funds, cases investigated and prosecuted, and conviction secured.
Speaking on the challenges confronting the Commission, Mr Kanu highlighted the lack of office accommodation, inadequate allocation for capital development expenditure, inadequate staff, among others.

He said the Commission was requesting for Eight Billion Leones for recurrent costs for the 2020 fiscal year in a bid to complete its proposed headquarter building at Tower Hill, maintain the courtroom dedicated for the hearing of corruption cases and fully operate its North-West Regional Office which will be formally opened this month.

Jacob T. Senessie, Assistant Director of Budget of the Ministry of Finance, who also served as Chairman of the occasion, praised the ACC team for its brilliant presentation and staunch defense of its budget; and expressed commitment on the part of the Ministry to continue to provide the necessary resources for the Commission to achieve its desired goal of controlling corruption in the country.

Abu Bakar Kamara, Coordinator of Budget Advocacy Network recommended that the Ministry of Finance revisit the policy of giving only 10 percent of funds recovered to the ACC. He suggested that a higher percentage of funds recovered should be allocated to the Commission to further arm them to enlarge the scope of their non-conviction assets recovery.

Gladys Hastings Spaine, Secretary General of the Women’s Forum expressed satisfaction over the fight against corruption, especially the unprecedented war waged on examination malpractice.

In his contribution, Thomas Moore Conteh, Executive Director of the Citizens Advocacy Network stated in very unequivocal terms that the resources requested for the ACC were in sharp contrast to the enormous task surrounding the Commission.

He said if the country was to continue to make massive gains in the fight against corruption; the ACC should be given the required support, especially in light of the massive recoveries made by the Commission in the last one year. “Based on the results produced by the ACC over the year, instead of limiting the scope of the Commission, the Ministry should rather make genuine efforts to provide more incentives for its work,” Mr Conteh added.

Similar sentiments were re-echoed by other non-state actors including Moses Mambu of the Civil Society Consortium on Accountability and Service Delivery, Alphonso Manley of the Civil Rights Coalition and Charles Kef-Kobai of Forward Sierra Leone.

Abu Bakar Kamara of Budget Advocacy Network moved a motion that the Eight Billion Leones requested by the ACC for its recurrent costs for 2020 be adopted; a motion that was seconded by Gladys Hastings Spaine of Women’s Forum.

 

Sierra Leone Judiciary Commits to Implementation of Bail Regulations, 2018

By Samuel Serry Jr.

Thanks to funding from UNDP, the Center for Accountability and Rule of Law (CARL), in partnership with Prison Watch and Humanist Watch Sierra Leone, has presented a monitoring account of the implementation of the Bail Regulations, 2018.

The data, disclosed at the Sierra Light House, Freetown on October 4, 2019, provides a comprehensive account of the number of cases tried by Magistrate Courts across 14 districts in the country as well as the percentage of cases in which bail was granted or rejected by Magistrates.

According to the data, Magistrates in the provinces are generally more willing to grant bail compared to those in the Western Urban Area. It shows that Magistrates in Freetown granted bail only 33% of the time while those in the provinces had a bail approval average rate of 75%. The national average of the bail approval is 51%, clearly suggesting that a lot more needs to change in order to meet the objectives of the Bail Regulations, 2018.

The data further shows that most accused persons in the Magistrate Courts do not have access to legal representation, however, the lack of legal representation did not adversely affect their chances of being released on bail. In fact, at least 80% of accused persons without legal representation were granted bail compared to 78% of those with legal representation.

The data further shows that of the 3,122 cases monitored over a period of 6 months the most prevalent offence was larceny, closely followed by sexual penetration. In fact, of all the sexual offence related offences, sexual penetration was the most prevalent. While there are still delays in proceedings in the Magistrate Courts, the data shows that witness absenteeism is the main reason for the many adjournments in criminal trials in Magistrate Courts.

The report notes that there is an emerging and very worrying trend whereby Magistrates grant bail, subject to the accused fulfilling very onerous conditions. The report notes, “We also observed that bail conditions were sometimes so onerous that many accused persons found it practically impossible to meet them. The effect of this is that while bail may have been granted, the conditions were so onerous that they amounted to refusal of bail. These situations led to most accused persons being remanded at different correctional facilities across the country.”

Thankfully, Magistrates were also invited to respond to some of the issues emerging from the report. They shared the underlying reasons for rejecting bail applications or ordering “onerous” conditions. Some of them include fear that the accused persons might jump bail, the gravity of the offence, and the history of the accused. They said the unavailability of sureties and the absence of National Revenue Authority (NRA) offices to pay fines in some districts also mean that some accused persons end up being remanded even after bail has been granted.

Justice Komba Kamanda, who represented the Chief Justice as the key note speaker, spoke of the ongoing efforts to reform the judiciary and commended CARL and its partners in their efforts to foster judicial accountability. He made a strong commitment on behalf of the judiciary to support the implementation of the Bail Regulations, 2018.

“…I can authoritatively state that it is now the approach of the leadership of the judiciary that bail should not be used as weapon or a means of punishment but rather a process meant to secure the attendance of witnesses and to preserve the sanctity of the proceedings. It should no longer be used as tool for injustice…,”  he said.

 

Govt. of Sierra Leone Signs MoU with RCEEDAO

European Experts’ Chambers Network West Africa Department (RCEEDAO) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Sierra Leone. 

By John Samba

In order to foster economic and technical cooperation, the European Experts’ Chambers Network West Africa Department (RCEEDAO) has on Friday, 11th October, 2019 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Sierra Leone.

The MoU signing ceremony which took place at the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, Tower Hill, in Freetown focuses on five (5) priority sectors in the government’s New Direction Agenda, which includes Education, Health, Agriculture, Energy(renewable) and Rural Development.

Speaking on behalf of the President of RCEEDAO, the Resident Representative in Sierra Leone, Mustafa Kamara expressed his appreciation and gratitude to the President Bio-led Government for creating the enabling environment for the Organisation to operate. Mr. Kamara said the Organization will be a solid force in supporting the Government to effectively achieve sustainable development growth in Sierra Leone.

Signing the MoU on behalf of the Government of Sierra Leone, the Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Dr. Francis Kai-Kai said the venture will open more opportunities for other serious investors to work and grow in Sierra Leone.

He said the sectors targeted will massively improve on the Government’s New Direction Agenda. “It is very promising and important coming here to Sierra Leone to partner with the Government and find ways of addressing the numerous challenges in these sectors. One thing that is important and fundamental here is the commitment by the Government to protect investors and their investments,” he said.

Other speakers, who included the Minister of Energy, Minister of Local Government, Deputy Minister of Planning and Economic Development and Deputy Minister of Information and Communication all emphasised on President Bio’s commitment in looking for credible investors who would explore the many opportunities of the country through their various interests and assuring of their protection.

The RCEEDAO is an apolitical, non-lucrative and non-denominational Group that supports rural communities in their drive to master sustainable development processes.

 

 

 

Sierra Leone First Lady takes ‘Hands Off Our Girls’ to Bombali

Sierra Leone First Lady, Fatima Bio

By John Marrah

Makeni was aglow past Friday 11th October 2019 when in a spectacular manner the First Lady of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Her Excellency Fatima Bio, launched the “Hands Off Our Girls” Campaign at the Wusum Playing Field.

During the highly attended program some of those who were present included the Mayor of Makeni City,  the 50-50 group, the Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary School Education, UNFPA representative, Dr. Dickson, Hon. Zainab Tarawalie, representative of Africell SL, the Claudia Campbell Girls, religious leaders and a hosts of other imminent personalities.

In her statement, Honourable Zainab Tarawallie, thanked Her Excellency Fatima Bio for making Bombali District the first district to experience the Hands Off Our Girls Campaign.

She greeted the kids for their courage in being part of what she described as a milestone event for the “Girl Child” in the northern region.

“On behalf of the people of Bombali, we highly appreciate the First Lady’s thought in making Bombali District the first among other districts in which the Hands Off Our Girls Campaign is launched,” she noted adding that, the North is happy and is joining Madam Bio in the electrification process of the girl child.

Speaking on behalf of her fellow girl child, Claudia Campbell an SSS 2 pupil of Sylvanus Municipal Secondary School in Makeni made a brief but emotional contribution. She expressed that, due to the theme of the launch which is the “Academic Welfare of the Girl Child”, the academic welfare of the girl child has been under threat for a long time and they as girls are elated over the First Lady’s initiative which she believes will aid their cause.

“We should be girls and only girls, not mothers”, she underscored.

The Mayor of Makeni City, Her Worship Sunkarie Dan Kamara, in delivering a statement on behalf of the people of the City of Makeni, wholeheartedly thanked the First Lady, Fatima Bio, for taking the ‘Hands Off Our Girls’ Campaign to the North with Makeni as a preference. She said, the Hands Off Our Girls Campaign issues border around every Sierra Leonean and it is a national fight in which all must be involved.

“The Hands Off Our Girls Campaign must be an inclusive fight regardless of age and gender,” she enjoined. Mayor Sunkaru added that girls in Africa with Sierra Leone to be specific are vulnerable and it’s about time this must stop.

“Our girls in Sierra Leone have undergone a lot in their different communities and faced many setbacks which have seen their future under threat. The fight against the girl child being penetrated on at an early age is a fight for all,” she concluded.

The Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary School Education, Alpha Timbo stated that H.E Bio came to governance with a primary aim of improving the human capital of Sierra Leone. He expressed appreciation to the First Lady, Madam Fatima Bio for actualizing the dream of her husband.

“Today, I am a  happy man because one good thing a mother or father can do for his or her girl child is to help her to be educated to the fingertip, and the First Lady’s initiative of the Hands Off Our Girls Campaign is just one important fulfilment from the mother of the nation,” he maintained.

In her keynote address, Madam Fatima Bio applauded the people of Bombali for embracing the initiative including the multitude of girls that were present. She said the fight to get men off young girls and get them educated is a national fight and on that note called on the Paramount Chiefs to own the campaign.

“Though me being the initiator of this campaign, but the fight to get our girls educated and not being dropout at an early age is everyone’s fight”, she emphasized.

She said Government is determined to improve the lives of Sierra Leonean children through education.

“We’re highly determine to fight this cause and we will lay premium on the physically challenged as they are also catered for by this Government,” she concluded.

40 CSOs and Line Ministries in Sierra Leone Benefit from AMNet’s Two-Day Workshop

By Theresa Vamboi

One of the vibrant Non-Governmental Organizations that is currently operating in the country, the Advocacy Movement Network (AMNet) with support from Save the Children on the 10th October 2019 commenced a two-day workshop to map out Government’s policies, priorities, opportunities and risks regarding Teenage Pregnancy in Sierra Leone.

Speaking to teenage mothers, 40 Civil Society Organizations and Representatives from Government Ministries, AMNet’s Program Officer, Brima Conteh, revealed how they are putting ideas together in order to present a Position Paper as a key player to Government.

Mr. Conteh pointed out that AMNet received support from Save the Children through the Danish Government to organize the aforementioned workshop, bringing all 40 CSOs together to develop a policy framework which Government will use as a tool for implementation.

Addressing CSOs and Line Ministries, Chief Executive Officer of AMNet, Madam Hawa Samai, explained the devastating consequences of teenage pregnancy on the lives of young girls, calling on colleague CSOs and line Ministries to find a solution to this societal problem affecting girls in society.

She added that Teenage Pregnancy is as a result of poor parenting, urging mothers to always teach their girls good morals and inform them about the dangers involved in early child birth.

She commended Save the Children for their support towards the two day training which, she believes, will leave a blueprint for policy makers.

CEO Samai ended by assuring AMNet’s continued commitment to building alliance in combating Teenage Pregnancy.

Speaking to teenage mothers and Civil Society Organizations present,  representative from the Ministry of Social Welfare Gender and Children’s Affairs, Madam Lamrana Koroma, commended AMnet and its partners for such a wonderful idea in bringing together these young people for orientation with regards the combating of teenage pregnancy and its effects on Sierra Leone.

“Our Ministry always engages with CSOs and Local and International Organizations in finding solutions to this burning issue in our society; and our Ministry is the hub for such complaints,” she added.

Victor G Karimu is the Communications Officer National Secretariat for the Reduction of Teenage Pregnancy. He expressed his delight to be part of the two-day workshop organized by AMNet.

He said their office is always open to work with partners by putting ideas together to fight Teenage Pregnancy, noting that they are working under the Ministry of Health and Sanitation.

The first day ended with a Round Table Discussion and presentations of group work by CSOs. Day two ended at AMnet’s Conference Room on Spur Loop in Freetown.

 

 

 

 

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