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Sierra Leone News: ‘UBA Marketplace’ Africa’s Largest Entrepreneurial Event Enhances TEF Youth Entrepreneurship Programme

UBA Marketplace, Africa’s biggest trade fair will be hosting some  20,000 visitors and over 100 small and medium enterprises, plus top private and public sector players in Abuja on the 26th & 27th July 2019. Top artists like Wizkid, Niniola, Dj Cuppy, Dj Neptune performing as Cynthia Nassardine, RMD will also be gracing the 2-Day event. The event seeks to promote young entrepreneurs and business people across Africa and create the enabling environment for interaction among business owners and the mentorship of youths.

Kenneth Uzoka, Group Manager of UBA Plc had this to say about the event “I think everyone realises the fact that we need to prioritise the private sector. We need to encourage entrepreneurship and the youths. This is the driving factor and the major reason why we are organising an event of this magnitude’.

At the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Business Forum, a partnership agreement was signed between the UNDP and the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) to financially support 100,000 young entrepreneurs in Africa over 10 years. The partnership is dubbed TEF-UNDP Sahel Youth Entrepreneurship Programme. The President of Niger, H.E Mahamadou Issoufou joined UNDP and TEF to launch the programme.

The partnership was announced at the 12th Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union (AU), where TEF Founder, Tony Elumelu and UNDP Regional Director for Africa, Ahunna Eziakonwa joined African Presidents at that forum.

The TEF Youth Entrepreneurship Programme has benefited 7,520 local entrepreneurs across 54 African countries in five years of existence. Selected applicants will each receive a maximum of $5,000 non-refundable seed capital, access to mentors, a 12-week business training and networking opportunities and will join the previously announced 3,051 beneficiaries of the 2019 cohort of the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme.

The applications will be run on TEFConnect and forms will be available in any of the branches of the United Bank for Africa (UBA). Following the end of the application window, an initial longlist of 5,500 applicants will be selected to undergo the 12-week business training. After the training, the final shortlist of 2,000 applicants will be announced to join the previous 2019 TEF cohort.

More Sierra Leoneans entrepreneurs were captured this year and were selected in this year’s TEF Entrepreneurship Programme.

Below is the hyperlink to be accessed.

https://www.ubagroup.com/nigeria/market-place-africa/

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bz-vH90nhKe/?igshid=1dt4s1ic1qg1o

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bz96T5znmn9/?igshid=5x5sdkbwlp61

Sierra Leone News: Africa’s Largest Entrepreneurial Event; ‘UBA Marketplace’ Poise To Host 20,000 Visitors

Kennedy Uzoka

According to the Group Managing Director of UBA Plc, Kennedy Uzoka, 20,000 visitors and over 100 small and medium enterprises, plus top private and public sector players will be gracing Africa’s biggest trade fair at Abuja on the 26th & 27th July 2019. Top artists like Wizkid, Niniola, Dj Cuppy, Dj Neptune performing as Cynthia Nassardine, RMD will also be gracing the 2-Day event.

This entrepreneurial fair dubbed ‘UBA Marketplace 2019’ will be held on the sideline of the Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Forum and is expected to host the largest number of entrepreneurs in Africa. Business owners in various industries including food, beauty, fashion, home/interior gadgets will have the opportunity to interact with each other and hold discussions on matters of interests to their respective businesses.

According to Kennedy Uzoka, the epic event will offer plenary sessions and discussions on the small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) sector and the relevance of financing. The plenary sessions will highlight entertainment and music industries. Likewise, fashion, a big cultural and revenue attraction on the continent, will be showcased with the designs of 10 leading African labels. With this event, UBA seeks to touch base with small business owners while positively affecting the lives of entrepreneurs doing business in its countries of operations and beyond’.

The birth of the UBAmarketplace and this entrepreneurial fair is a testament to our commitment to African SMEs”

At this epic gathering master-class sessions will be held during the UBAmarketplace2019, small and medium scale businesses will have opportunity to network and get solutions to some of the challenges they face in running their businesses. Uzoka stressed that the gathering will foster entrepreneurship among the private sector and serve as a forum for the encouragement of youths. “I think everyone realises the fact that we need to prioritise the private sector. We need to encourage entrepreneurship and the youths. This is the driving factor and the major reason why we are organising an event of this magnitude’ he said.

Also, entrepreneurs who are beneficiaries of the Tony Elumelu Foundation will be presented a platform to pitch their businesses with a grand prize of a grant.

Below is the hyperlink to be accessed.

https://www.ubagroup.com/nigeria/market-place-africa/

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bz-vH90nhKe/?igshid=1dt4s1ic1qg1o

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bz96T5znmn9/?igshid=5x5sdkbwlp61

Sierra Leone News: $50M IPAM Bureh Town Campus Set to Kick-Off 

In a non-partisan debate and parliamentary ratification of the IPAM Bureh Town Campus Members of Sierra Leone Parliament on Tuesday 16th July, 2019 expressed their gratitude over the professionalism of the Investment Model IPAM presented to the House and have unanimously approved an agreement related to an “Amendment Contract Between FEMAB Sierra Leone Limited (“the developer”) and the Institute of Public Administration and Management (IPAM)” for the building of a new campus at Bureh Town in the Western Rural community.

The Deputy Minister of Finance appreciated Dr. Ezekiel Duramany-Lakkoh and the IPAM Administration, including the Deputy Vice Chancellor of IPAM Prof. Edmond Nonie and the Minister of Tertiary and Higher Education, Professor Aiah Kpakima for presenting a case to Parliament which was unanimously approved.

Chief Bikur also appreciated former University Administrator Prof. Ekundayor Thompson, Prof. Allyson Sesay and Miss Mayilla Deen-Turay for  having dedicated their time to making this investment a possibility.

In a brief engagement with Dr. Ezekiel Duramany-Lakkoh who is currently acting as Dean of the Faculty of Management Sciences and Financial Management Consultant of the project, he noted that IPAM has developed a sound financial discipline that will enable the repayment of the $50 million project within eight years. Dr. Duramany-Lakkoh noted that the College’s financial projections are designed to address shocks like foreign exchange and interest rate issues.

Presenting the contract agreement, the Deputy Minister of Finance, Dr. Patricia Laverly said the agreement was related to the construction of new residential campus for IPAM. “This investment will provide accommodation for 400 students and 100 staff”, she informed the Honourable House.

To buttress the point made by the Deputy Minister of Finance, a student from IPAM, Kadiatu Sesay delivered a motivational speech in order for Parliament to see reason for the contract agreement to be approved. The eloquent student humbly told Parliament that the growing population of students in relation to a variety of modern courses, the need for the decentralization of the university, coupled with rental cost for lecture rooms, was advanced as arguable factors that should be considered by Parliament in light of approving the said contract agreement.

The Chairman of Tertiary Education Committee in Parliament, Hon. Alimamy O. Kamara of SLPP described education as a flagship project of President Bio’s Government, adding that “IPAM deserves the project”. He also lauded the Management of IPAM for being outstanding by coming up with innovative initiatives aimed at improving education in the country.

Members of Parliament who contributed immensely to the debate which resulted to a unanimous approval included Hon. Hassan Sesay of APC who said the project would bring development to Bureh Town; Hon. Rebecca Y. Kamara of C4C who urged for monitoring and evaluation of the project in order to have a standard structure with value for the money; Leader of C4C, Hon. Saa Emerson Lamina who heaped praises on IPAM for their initiative; Chairman of the Finance Committee, Hon. Francis A. Kaisamba; Paramount Chief Bai Kurr Kanagbaro Sanka III of Tonkolili District who informed the House that he was a key player in the transformation of IPAM when he served as Deputy Chairman of the University; Hon. Aaron A. Koroma of APC who encouraged other universities to emulate IPAM; Acting Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Alhaji I .B Kargbo who acknowledged the contributions made by IPAM to the nation; Acting Leader of Government Business, Hon. Mathew S. Nyuma who said his Government is giving preference to human capital development; among other important contributions.

 

Sierra Leone News: Thieves Attack Guru NANAK

In the early hours of Friday 12th July 2019, thieves broke into the headquarters of GURU NANAK, a business entity situated at 8 ECOWAS Street in Freetown.

According to reports, the thieves broke into the main gate, destroying two 6-ton locks and entered the building. They tried to break into a safe but eventually carted the safe away. The safe contained Le 25 million and five passports.

Some items costing Le 14 million were also stolen from the shop.

The owner of the business establishment, Mr. Dev, said the safe that was stolen cost Le 10 million- all items stolen amounting to Le49 million, adding that the damage done to the fence would cost Le 3 million to repair.

According to the owner, the matter has been reported to the Central Police Station; and the police in their investigations, have questioned the GURU NANAK watchman, who said he slept elsewhere because of a heavy downpour. Another boy, who slept somewhere outside the crime scene, was also questioned; but both have been released.

Police investigations into the theft matter continue.

 

Sierra Leone News: Sierra Leone Pioneers Pre-Service Disease Detection

Sierra Leone is on track to become a model in Africa to meet the challenge of health emergency response by preparing its health workforce to detect, prevent, control and effectively respond to public health emergencies in the country.

The country has seen a huge transformation and improvement in its public health surveillance capacity following the devastating Ebola outbreak in 2014. Core capacities and infrastructure have been developed and strengthened. In June this year the country became the first in Africa to have a fully functional electronic disease surveillance and response system that allows health workers to collect and immediately report priority health information to the national level from every public health facilities nationwide.

Now the country is set to introduce Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) and the International Health Regulations into health personnel training curricula. The initiative, which is being piloted with the support of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Sierra Leone and Tanzania, aims to strengthen local institutions to contribute to the sustainability of national public health surveillance and response.

Health authorities and experts from the Ministry of Health and Sanitation, universities, colleges and other health training institutions in collaboration with WHO have developed and validated the pre-service and in-service curricula to help facilitate the process. These experts are also providing technical guidance on implementation modalities of the initiative.

With everything now fully set in motion, Sierra Leone hopes to commence implementation of the initiative at the beginning of the next academic year in October 2019.

“Highly skilled human resources for health are critical for improving health security. However, the traditional in-service training for surveillance alone is not effective enough to build and sustain national IDSR-IHR capabilities. This is why WHO is supporting the country to institutionalize pre-service training and continuous professional education,” says Mr Evans Liyosi, WHO Country Representative in Sierra Leone.

This is the first time such initiative is being introduced into the curricula of tertiary institutions which also offer students the opportunity to take courses in IDSR and International Health Regulations (IHR) at different levels. The curricula have been developed to meet the needs of medical, nursing, veterinary, laboratory, environmental health, para-medical, public health, epidemiology, health information, health management, and health education skills as well as faculty and course content developers and administrators.

The International Health Regulations 2005 require State Parties to develop minimum core public health capacities to detect, assess, notify and respond to public health events and hence strengthening national and global health security.

“Essentially, improved surveillance infrastructure and competent frontline personnel is important in disease prevention and control and in enhancing health security,” says Dr. Charles Njuguna, Lead for Health Security and Emergencies at the WHO Country Office in Sierra Leone.

Current health training curricula focus mainly on clinical and technical skills even though the personnel would eventually be deployed in districts to assume roles for disease prevention and control, usually with little public health knowledge, priority disease detection and response skills competencies. However, with this initiative Sierra Leone is set to become a pioneer in Africa where health workers would be familiar with what to expect in public health surveillance even before deployment.

 

Sierra Leone News: Yamakai Action for Children Holds Annual Graduation

On Sunday 14th July, 2019, the Yamakai Action for Children Nursery and Preparatory School held its 18th & 21st Annual Graduation Ceremony at Obama City, Lower Savage Square, Freetown.

Buya Nabie Bangura Founder & National Coordinator Patriotic Empowerment Network Sierra Leone (PEN-SL) in his opening remarks expressed his warmest congratulations to the young graduants for having gone through a successful and important phase of study that lays the foundation of life-long learning.

He thanked the parents and teachers for giving them the unfailing support and an enabling environment in which children’s potential are nurtured and developed through a wide variety of excellent learning experience.

“Our New Generation will face a much faster changing world than we did decades ago, Globalization, the advent of information technology, and the development of a knowledge-based economy is leading to changes at an unprecedented rate and scale. The knowledge children learnt at schools will soon lag behind the development of our society,” he maintained.

He said that to prepare children for the future, they need to provide them with the opportunities to develop the generic skills that are needed for them to become life-long learners. He empathizes that apart from knowledge children need to develop their skills to acquire, construct and communicate knowledge.

He ended by saying that the vision for education for the 21st Century is to enable all children to develop their potentials to the fullest extent and said this can be achieved by concerted effort by the government, frontline educators, parents and the community as a whole which will translate the vision to reality.

Alhaji A.B. Kamara proprietor Yamakai Action for Children Nursery and Preparatory school disclosed that graduation ceremony is always such a special occasion, the culmination of years of hard work; the actualization of goals attained and the acknowledgement of successes achieved.

“It has been a journey that started with tentative steps perhaps, but one that has taken us to remarkable heights. We have encountered some trials and tribulations along the way; we have experienced exceptional moments, some magical moments and created memories that will be fondly remembered in the years ahead”. He noted.

He said that they are proud as an institution about the success they have made with opportunities that they were offered. He said they hope they are ready, willing and more than able to grasp the torch that have been bestowed upon them and said that they are the future and the world will come to depend.

He concluded by appreciating the parents for their cooperation even though with some challenges and also thanked the entire administration and staff for their tireless effort towards the development of the children and the institution.

 

Sierra Leone News: Sierra Leone Climbs Up Corruption Index

The 2019 Edition of the Global Corruption Barometer Survey has revealed an incredibly ground breaking approval rating from citizens in the country’s unprecedented resolve to clamp down on graft as it places Sierra Leone 3rd in Africa on citizens’ perception on the general progress their countries are making against corruption—which is considered the biggest inhibiting factor to Africa’s realization of sustainable growth and rapid development.

The Global Corruption Barometer (GCB) – Africa, published by Transparency International in partnership with Afro-barometer is the largest, most detailed survey which gauges citizens’ reaction on the prevalence of corruption and the efforts by their Governments to curtail the malaise. This year’s survey—which is the 10th edition— solicited views from 47, 000 citizens from 35 countries across Africa.

In the latest report, Sierra Leoneans have expressed an unprecedented approval of the strides the country has been making in the war on corruption that was declared by President Rtd. Brig. Julius Maada Bio, which Francis Ben Kaifala Esq is leading. According to the particulars of the survey report, only 43% of citizens now think corruption has increased in the previous 12 months– which means a whopping 57% now believes that there is a reduction in corruption in the period under review; this is in sharp contrast to the 2015 survey report where 70% of Sierra Leoneans held the view that corruption was on the increase.

Additionally, in this current report, 66% of citizens validated that the current Government is doing extremely good in the fight against corruption– compared to 2015 report where 81% believed that government was performing poorly in the fight against corruption.

Another extreme positive to take from this report is the views expressed by citizens in relation to the massive reduction of corruption in different institutions: as low as 24% believes there a prevalence of corruption in the Presidency—compared to 48% who held such view in the 2015 report;

25% believes there is corruption amongst Members of Parliament—compared to 50% who also held such view in 2015;

33% generally believes Government Officials are corrupt—a significant improvement to the 55% who held such view;

56% believes there is corruption in the Police—compared to 59% in 2015; 33% believes Judges and Magistrates are corrupt—compared to 47% in 2015;

10% believes Religious leaders are corrupt—compared to 25% in 2015; 39% believes Business Executives are corrupt—compared to 53% in 2015; lastly, 17% believes Traditional rulers are corrupt—compared to 35% in 2015.

Furthermore, only 39% of ordinary citizens think that they can make a difference in the fight against corruption; which means, the country still has some catching up to do in enlisting the requisite public participation in its effort to clamp down on graft. However, slight improvement is still made in this regard compared to 2015 where only 32% believed they could make a difference in the fight against corruption.

This latest report by the Global corruption watchdog—Transparency International– is a clear testament to the country’s rapid changing fortunes in the fight against corruption; and further justifies the great extent to which these efforts are contributing to laundering the image of the country once replete with rampant corruption; which led citizens to lose immense confidence in our national corruption control efforts.

That Sierra Leone is now ranked above countries like Mauritius, Botswana, South Africa, Kenya, etc. in citizens’ perception to general efforts by their Governments against corruption is a great win for our country; and justifies that our country is on an irreversible path to sustainably control corruption. The Radical Transparency Approach—which has seen the fight graduate to fierce but fair level – by the Anti-Corruption Commission and Government of Sierra Leone in general in the last twelve (12) months in the areas of:

Non-Conviction Asset based recovery (where about $2 million dollars have been recovered from corrupt officials); the creation of special division in the High Court for the handling of Anti-Corruption matters; the tabling of an Anti-Corruption Amendment Bill in Parliament which is geared towards consolidating the fight against corruption; the incorporation of the Pay No Bribe Campaign into the mainstream ACC work (with sponsorship now handled by the Government of Sierra Leone); the high conviction rates in courts; widening of public education against the evils of corruption; and, many other accumulation of successes  in the fight against corruption have become the highlights of President Bio’s flagship and innovative New Direction leadership.

 

 

Sierra Leone News: Youth Ministry Acquires 5,250 Acres of Farm Land in Kono & Tonkolili

The Ministry of Youth Affairs has acquired a total of five thousand, two hundred and fifty (5,250) acres of farm land over the last two weeks, through the Youth in Agriculture Project.

The Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Andrew Lawrence Sorie, confirms that the 5,000 acres in Tonkolili and 250 acres in Kono cost the project Fifty Million Leones (Le50,000,000.00) each in compensation payments to land owners.

“This project promotes youth empowerment through job creation and employment for rural and peri-urban youth dwellers,” the PS asserts.

The project continues to progress steadily chiefly due to the support and political will from the Minister and his deputy, Mohamed Orman Bangura and Luseni Kallon respectively.

The Ministry is currently working to set up Project Management Teams for the various farms.

Next stage will be recruitment of young people to work in the farms.

Similarly, the Ministry plans to acquire farm land in Koinadugu and Kenema before the year ends.

It is of significance to note that the amount used to acquire these lands is far less than what was expended on similar activities in the previous administration.

Asked about the disparity in the portions of land acquired in the two districts with the same amount in compensation package, the ministry’s PS clarifies thus: “We asked for 250 acres from the two districts and Tonkolili offered as much as 5,000. Kono being a diamond rich district offered exactly what was required of them. Each district gave what was available and we overly appreciate their willingness to give so much for so less”.

 

Sierra Leone News: Sierra Leone Joins in Celebrating World Skills Day

In recognition of World Youth Skills Day, July 15, 2019, the Ministry of Youth Affairs joined the United Nations to recognize and celebrate young Sierra Leoneans with skills development, creative and artistic talents.

Like the United Nations, the Ministry of Youth Affairs believes skills change lives. Through the power of skills, individuals, communities, and countries have propelled towards a more prosperous future.

Youth Skills Day was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2014. The UN resolution declared 15th July as World Youth Skills Day. The goal is to achieve better socio-economic conditions for today’s youth as a means of addressing the challenges of unemployment and under employment.

The Ministry believes this annual day will not go unnoticed and therefore it is raising the awareness on the importance of youth developing skills. The Youth Ministry in collaboration with Ministry of Technical and Higher Education is proud to be part of a global recognition and promotion of skills through their Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) as prescribed in the country’s Medium Term Development plan-2019 to 2023. TVET can equip youth with the skills required to access the world of work, including skills for self-employment. TVET can also improve responsiveness to changing skill-demands by companies, increase productivity and increase wage levels. The programme seeks to reduce access barriers to the world of work. TVET can also offer skills development opportunities for low-skilled people who are under- or unemployed, out of school youth and individuals not in education, employment and training.

In support of this year’s theme: “Learning to learn for life and work,” the Ministry in a statement says it wants to assure the general public that it will engage the media to tell the importance of the day and also encourage young people to be steadfast and believe that their skills and creativity will help contribute in transforming their communities.

 

 

Sierra Leone News: Massive Reforms Underway at Internal Affairs Ministry

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Internal Affairs, has disclosed that his ministry is currently undergoing massive reforms because he has the political will to perform.

Sheku Kamara, who doubles as Commissioner for Oaths speaking exclusively in his Gloucester Street office in Freetown on Thursday, 11th July, 2019, said shortly after the Minister of Internal Affairs and his deputy were appointed to the ministry, they have worked with him assiduously to create the Coroner’s Office and they had hired the services of a Coroner.

“Preparations are underway to create two new directorates – the Directorates of Policy and Strategic Planning and that of Finance and Corporate Services – at the Ministry of Internal Affairs. I have introduced an inter-agency meeting on a fortnight basis, where all of us meet and give update on our various activities,” he said.

He said his ministry supervises eight internal security departments and agencies in the country, adding that they include the Sierra Leone Police, National Fire Force, Sierra Leone Correctional Service, the Immigration Department, Sierra Leone National Commission on Small Arms, Independent Police Complaint Board, National Civil Registration Authority, and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.

“We have been embarking on border patrols in the country. In fact, we are envisaging to create the ministry’s branches across the country. This move would enable us to supervise all the agencies at the regional levels,” he said.

He noted that his ministry always engage the Sierra Leone Police Force so as to ensure that their actions do not go against the very people they are bound to protect.

The Internal Affairs Permanent Secretary said they advise the hierarchy of the police to have a balance in the way they recruit and promote their personnel, noting that police officers must not be recruited or promoted based on their regional background, political affiliations, religious beliefs, among other biases.

“In the area of Sierra Leone Correctional Service, we have made several reforms which are benefiting the inmates. We no longer have prisons but correctional centres. It is no longer an incarceration zone but a training ground. We now have inmates that are engaged in carpentry, masonry, tailoring, cobbling, wielding, among other craftsmanship,” he said.

He disclosed that bank accounts have been opened for inmates that are involved in craftsmanship, adding that proceeds that are generated from their trade, are being sent to their respective accounts, which would be subsequently given to them when they are released.

Sheku Kamara said plans are underway to decongest the Maximum Correctional Centre on Pademba Road in Freetown, adding that they have acquired over 90 acres of land in Songo, whilst they continue to look out for funds to construct a new correctional centre.

At the National Fire Force, he said, plans are underway to procure more fire engines so as to be able to timely respond to fire outbreak.

“We used to have over 200 hydrants in Freetown, where our fire fighters would go and get water for emergency response. But we only have over 20 hydrants now as most of them were destroyed during road construction works. But plans are underway to create more hydrants,” he said.

He said at the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), they are doing lot of sensitizations against drug abuse and trafficking, which has subsequently yielded dividends.

“At the Immigration Department, plans are underway to relocate the purchase of passport forms to the premises of the Sierra Leone Postal Services on Siaka Steven Street. This move is to reduce the overcrowding that we are faced with at the ministry’s premises on Gloucester Street. We are also planning to start the issuance of E-Visas to people,” he disclosed.

The Permanent Secretary said at the National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA), they have harmonised the gap that used to be between NCRA and Births and Deaths Department.

He added that there were differences among the information on the birth certificates and that of the national identity cards but they have now merged both institutions so as to address the gaps.

“At NCRA, we embarked on the verification of all government workers so as to ensure that names that do not exist, do not appear on the government payroll,” he said.

He said at Sierra Leone National Commission on Small Arms, which regulates the use of all arms and ammunition in the country, they have embarked on the numbering and construction of armouries to store arms.

 

 

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