Sierra Leone News: COI Witness Testifies: Le 126M Unaccounted for, as Le 128M Spent on Top Up

May 23, 2019

Interesting revelations were made on Wednesday May 22 at Commission 64 presided over by Justice Biobele Georgewill.

Commission witness Bashiru B. Kamara who is Internal Auditor at the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Resources drawing from audit reports of November 2010, 2013, 2016 and 2017, revealed that several breaches of procurement procedures took place at the ministry. He disclosed that his internal audit activities uncovered 52 retirees that were still receiving salaries even though they had retired from active service and that 4 deceased persons’ salaries were also still running even though they had passed away.

The Internal Auditor further divulged that the Diamond Area Community Development Fund account was kept from his view and therefore he could not audit that particular account. Asked as to how much money it could have contained, the witness said he could not tell because he was not given access to the account.

Another witness from the National Minerals Agency Mrs. Daphne Winnebah who was Compliance and Audit Manager said she was with the agency since inception in 2013, and that there were several documentation issues there. Vehicles were supplied to NMA by ETAP without proper documentation. In her testimony, Mrs. Winnebah unearthed lots of discrepancies between bank accounts and office ledgers, whilst also bringing to the fore the issue of over payment to Mines Monitoring Officers.

One of the critical issues that emerged in her testimony was the award of a contract worth Le 126,000,000 (one hundred and twenty six million Leones) to a one AGIBBS Construction Company without due process. Mrs. Winnebah said that the company was paid the full contract value of Le 126M but never did the work, but that the Project Manager Mr. Gibril Kabba (now deceased) reported that the work had been completed.

Also, the Compliance and Internal Audit Manager disclosed that mobile top up cards for 17 senior staff of NMA accounted to staggering sums of money. For instance in one month alone mobile phone top up cards for the 17 senior staff was Le 128, 734, 204 (one hundred and twenty eight million, seven hundred and thirty four thousand, two hundred and four leones), and at another month reached Le 133, 413, 208 (one hundred and thirty three million, four hundred and thirteen thousand, two hundred and eight Leones). Furthermore, internet service for the office was pegged at Le 367, 200, 000 (three hundred and sixty seven million, two hundred thousand Leones) but the actual payment made to the service provider was put at Le 515, 712, 000 (five hundred and fifteen million, seven hundred and twelve thousand Leones).

In Commission 65 chaired by Justice Bankole Thompson, the probe into the fertiliser saga at the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry continued with previous witnesses recalled for cross examination and re-examination by both the state and defense counsels.

At Commission 67 chaired by Justice William Atuguba, the Country Director of BEGEC-TP Construction Company Mr. Sean Parpah Chendeka continued his testimony on how a contract was awarded his company and terminated at mobilization stage, then re-awarded to another company China Railway Seventh Group or CRSG without any due process followed. Mr. Chendeka alleged that the contract was withdrawn from his company because he is the cousin of the sacked former vice president Chief Sam Sumana. The counsels for the persons of interest asked that his testimony be dismissed because it had no strong evidence, but the sole Commissioner Justice Atuguba overruled it saying it had issues of maladministration and inconsistency in procurement procedures. The Procurement Officer at Sierra Leone Roads Authority also testified in the commission saying he had no knowledge about CRSG going through the proper procurement procedures before being awarded the contract that was withdrawn from BEGEC-TP.

Sierra Leone News: Celebrating Heineken Volunteers Day… Brewery Engages Wellington to Clean Community

May 23, 2019

On Thursday 23^rd May 2019, as it commemorated Heineken Global Procurement Volunteers’ Day, the country’s leading beverage producer, Sierra Leone Brewery Limited (SLBL) and volunteers of the Wellington community in the eastern part of the capital, Freetown, embarked on a community cleaning exercise around the Wellington Industrial Estate and its environs.

Speaking during the event, Theresa Lymon, Procurement Officer of SLBL, said they decided to commemorate the Heineken Global Procurement Volunteers day by undertaking community cleaning exercise as a way of giving back to society.

“We all know the importance of hygiene in a vulnerable country like Sierra Leone”, she stated. She further maintained that the Brewery, during the Ebola and other major disasters that hit the country, contributed to government recovery efforts as part of its contribution to affected communities.

Zorah Anthony, Human Resource Manager, said the SLBL’s corporate social responsibility in collaboration with Heineken Africa Foundation has contributed over Le2.5 billion towards sports, provision of water and sanitation for various communities both in the city and outside Freetown; built health care centers and engaged in several community development schemes in the last three years. It supported the building of water wells and toilets in constituencies 097 and 098 and through the HAF, they are supporting one hospital at Yele in Tonkolili District and another one at Masanga (both in the north of Sierra Leone).

This year, she went on, the company has prioritised cleaning as it is a major way of preventing disease and maintaining the health of the nation.

Corporate Relations Manager, Albert Ojo Collier, said that the decision to embark on this cleaning exercise as they commemorate the Heineken Global Procurement Volunteers Day is in line with the Brewery’s commitment to national cleaning. He stated that it is a joint venture between the SLBL volunteers and the Wellington Community volunteers, while working with the two councillors in the constituency.

The SLBL offered financial and logistical support to the team of volunteers so as to facilitate a smooth exercise.

Ojo Collier added that they want to discourage the depositing of plastic bags and other waste materials on the streets and drainages. “We are now in the rainy season, so we need to clean the environment and avoid further distress and air borne diseases like cholera and other threats to health.”

Councillor Lucky Mansaray of ward 406 said that he is not surprised at what the SLBL has done. “My ward just emerged as winner of the Freetown City Council’s ‘cleanest zone competition’ and I succeeded because Brewery helped me a lot. They have just provided us with a solar water well that provides safe drinking water for the community. This partnership will benefit the two parties because we will also help them to operate in a clean and safer environment,” he said.

Sierra Leone News: NP-SL: Proud Owner of Countrywide State-of-the-Art Facilities

May 23, 2019

One striking thing that has made the National Petroleum Sierra Leone (NP-SL) very attractive is the fact that it has and operates state-of-the-art filling stations at all its points of sale that are well designed with matching green and yellow which are its trademark colours and which are the colours worn by its staff across the country and in the sub-region.

At the same time, the National Petroleum Limited-Sierra Leone has been credited for efficiency, effectiveness in service delivery and more importantly for the cordial, respectful way it is treating its esteemed customers at any given point in time. These attributes has made NP very outstanding everywhere it is operating in and out of the country.

For NP it is their customers that come first, from private, commercial drivers, other individuals and private as well as public entities and it always ensures that they are treated with all the utmost attention they do deserve thereby giving them satisfaction.

NP continues to ensure that there is sufficient high grade petrol, diesel, kerosene and other petroleum products available in the country to avoid shortage.

It is a fact that the National Petroleum (NP) Sierra Leone Limited is held in very high esteem for its progressive and steady provision of petroleum products to its numerous consumers across the country and even within the sub-region.

Indeed, this contention has been proven perfectly correct by this medium after engaging the Management of the company. What came out clearly was that the NP is working round the clock to provide qualitative products and services.

“It is of course rare for one to see in this country a purely and result-oriented indigenously-owned company like NP with all its members of staff being Sierra Leoneans which is truly a testimony of our commitment and resilience,” intimated one of its top-notch Managers. The selfless commitment of the shareholders have made it possible for the company to empower many Sierra Leoneans and at the same time put it at a vantage position to continue to open more filling stations across the country.

The 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.

It is a fact that fuel is regarded as a political commodity and based on its availability and non-availability it has the potential of making a government popular or unpopular.

For too long this country has been contending with unemployment; one of the issues which the government should be addressing by creating avenues for young people to be gainfully employed. However, it is not only the prerogative of Government to do this as the private sector too could play a vital role in that direction.

NP – Sierra Leone, operating in different parts of the country, has been very instrumental in availing Sierra Leoneans with jobs in various categories and from what was gathered, conditions of service are very satisfactory. Justifiably one can state that NP-SL has been greatly contributing to poverty reduction, putting food on tables which beneficiaries hitherto found tough to achieve.

NP-SL is not only thinking within the confines of maximizing profit but also is also thinking out of the box when performing its demand and supply chain.

To ensure that individuals are provided with a safer and cleaner means of cooking devoid of toxics the company came with NP Gas Cooker. These are affordable and readily available in all NP outlets and from their agents.

To keep abreast with latest technological trends the company has availed its customers the opportunity to use Smart Cards for purchasing purpose meaning that buyers could top-up their cards to the tune of any amount which they can use intermittently to procure petroleum products. This has made it convenient for easy transactions to transpire and many are comfortable with that.

When we talk of an indigenous company that has put smiles on the faces of Sierra Leoneans and is making the people of this country very proud, the National Petroleum Company stands taller than the rest! For a company to move beyond the shores of this country and establish branches in Liberia, Guinea, Ivory Coast and The Gambia which are vibrantly operating is no mean feat. Indeed, NP has added another feather to its cap and is being copiously praised for such an accomplishment.

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.

Against this background NP is believed to be one of the strong back bones of Sierra Leone’s economy.

For any Government to match up with what is encapsulated in its manifesto in the direction of deepening national development through funding various projects then it must have sources of generating domestic revenue. NP is one conduit through which Government past and present had and is deriving revenue as it falls within the category of being one of the largest taxpayers to the National Revenue Authority.

It goes without saying that the National Petroleum Limited-Sierra Leone continues to give confidence to its numerous customers and it is doing so excellently.

Sierra Leone News: Orange Doles Iftar to Masjid Attawabeen

May 23, 2019

Presenting the items Ndiach Aram Ndaw, Commercial Director Orange SL

As the month of Ramadan is considered to be a month of blessing it is also believed to be a period when rewards are given to those who offer to others.

One of the mobile operators in Sierra Leone, Orange Sierra Leone, on Wednesday 22^nd May 2019 put smiles on the faces of Muslims by dishing out ten bags of rice, onions, two bags of milk, sugar, two cartons of tin tomatoes and three containers of cooking oil as Iftar to the Masjid Attawabeen at Brima Lane Kissy, in the east end of Freetown.

The donation of food items to Muslims across the country by Orange-SL is estimated to be worth over hundreds of million Leones. It is an annual gesture by Orange.

The Corporate Affairs Manager, Desmond Spaine said one cannot go to Heaven without passing through the house of God and fasting being one of the five pillars of Islam, it is obligatory for every Muslim, but that most of them find it hard to fulfil this sacred obligation of fasting during the month of Ramadan; the reason why Orange SL thought it wise to distribute assorted food items needed during this holy month of Ramadan to every Muslim across the country.

“Some of you are Orange subscribers while others are not but some will join us today after this donation. We have the onus to reach out to everyone which is why we are not only limiting our donation to mosques, but also to the less privileged such as the handicapped and the blind as they are also important in society,’ Spaine said.

He stated that this is one way the company honours its Corporate Social Responsibility, adding that Orange is considered to be a Sierra Leone company because 98% of its staff are Sierra Leoneans.

Presenting the items Ndiach Aram Ndaw, Commercial Director Orange SL said the holy month of Ramadan is one of giving and receiving underscoring that the company saw the need to give out as a tradition and culture to give back to Sierra Leoneans at a time when most of the Muslims cannot afford to break their fast with the required food.

“It might be small but we are doing it from the bottom of our hearts and as a company. Our doors are always open and we will continue to give back to society,” he noted.

Sheik Alieu Kamara, Deputy Imam of Masjid Attawabeen said they were surprised to over the gesture from Orange saying since the establishment of the mosque this is the first time they are receiving such gifts from Orange.

“It is a memorable day for us as worshipers of the Attawabeen Masjid and Brima Lane community as a whole. We want Orange SL to adopt this masjid,” he appealed.

The event was climaxed with songs of praise and prayers for Orange SL.

Sierra Leone News: As Bintumani III Kicks-Off… More Hope for Sierra Leone

May 23, 2019

The long contentious Bintumani 3 Conference geared towards consolidating national cohesion and enhancing peace commenced on May 23^rd 2019. It was well-attended and took place at the Bintumani Conference Centre.

In attendance was His Excellency, President Bio, the Vice President, Dr. Mohammed Juldeh Jalloh, First Lady, Madam Fatima Bio, ministers of government, Members of Parliament, local, traditional and religious leaders, representatives of local councils and municipalities, representatives of political parties, members of the diplomatic and consular corps, development partners, representatives of civil society organisations and members of the Fourth Estate.
During the opening ceremony President Bio stated that Bintumani 3 is a major step in strengthening democracy through consultation which will lead to the establishment of an Independent Peace and National Cohesion Commission.
He noted that between the 15^th and 17^th of August 1995, the National Provisional Ruling Council (NPRC), supported a national consultative conference of Sierra Leoneans.

“They came from a broad range of backgrounds and interests to discuss the timetable and process leading to the restoration of democratic civilian rule,” President Bio informed his audience.
The President went on to state that on 12^th February, 1996 when he was the military Head of State he enjoined Sierra Leoneans to promote peace, development, and stability and that he had asked every Sierra Leonean to be mindful that “we all are our brothers’ keepers with one destiny and a common future.”

He recalled that he had exhorted every Sierra Leonean to work together to “achieve peace and to develop an environment in which democracy could thrive” knowing that “the welfare of our citizens is always the supreme law of the land.”
He reminded his audience that following peace initiatives with the RUF leader, Corporal Foday Sankoh, it led to the signing of the Abidjan Peace Accord in 1996.

He further reminded his audience that both Bintumani 1 and Bintumani II conferences were consultative conferences that brought together a broad range of stakeholders to present their views and expectations, and to make informed decisions about the shared direction and destiny of our nation.

He went on to say that he believed then and still believes now that providing a space for discussions enables government to hear out the various voices and sentiments of ordinary citizens across the nation.
Bintumani III conference is about soliciting the views of Sierra Leoneans on the remit, the shape, and the mechanics of the proposed Independent Peace and National Cohesion Commission.

President Bio reminded his audience that Bintumani III comes 28 years after the adoption of our national constitution; 18 years after the end of civil conflict; 15 years after the conclusion of the Truth and Reconciliation hearings, followed by five democratic election cycles and three peaceful transfers of power.

‘I want to encourage all of us to continue our efforts to build solid institutions that will enable us to consolidate democratic practices and enhance national cohesion. We have made huge gains. We are a stable democracy. We have a free press. Civil society organisations operate and speak up freely. Our communities are integrated at all levels. We are a nation at peace. We need to consolidate and institutionalise those gains. We therefore need a viable infrastructure to help us build on past efforts; hence the holding of Bintumani III to be followed by the establishment of the Independent Peace and National Cohesion Commission,’ Presient Bio stated.
He further recalled that being mindful of the lessons contained in the Truth and Reconciliation Report and looking back on our past with total candour, he announced during the State Opening of Parliament in 2018 the launch of a National Consultative Conference with a focus on “peace building, diversity management, and the rebuilding of national cohesion.

He added that his government is eager for the final communique from Bintumani III to expedite its consideration by cabinet and the Sierra Leone Parliament. He added that Bintumani III is about the voices of women, men, the old, the aged pensioners, youth, children, persons living with disabilities, chiefs, community leaders, Imams, Pastors, Journalists, civil society, members of the security forces, nurses, doctors, civil servants, private business men and women, members of the Diaspora, and ordinary citizens.

President Bio added that Sierra Leoneans have proven once that they are capable of getting together and talking to one another about the future of their nation.
He noted that Bintumani III is not about politics or politicians and that Bintumani III is about the people and the future of our democracy and our beloved country.
He used the opportunity to warn those who claim to promote national cohesion and yet refused to participate in such an important gathering to ask themselves “where will your attitude take Sierra Leone”? He added that one cannot refuse to participate in an event that draws its force from all corners of the country and from all walks of life. ‘You cannot claim to love Sierra Leone more when all your actions and statements are contrary to the spirit of promoting diversity in democracy.’ The president said, noting that Bintumani III, is about those real, ordinary Sierra Leonean voices from all four corners of the nation and the Diaspora, thinking, talking about, and planning the direction in which we must take our vibrant democracy.’

He informed his audience further that Sierra Leone is not divided by religion or ethnicity as Sierra Leoneans live together, worship together, celebrate together, watch football games together, use the same markets, and live in the same communities very peacefully.
He warned however that the problem is that bad politicians are at the heart of the acrimony that continues to mar the social peace in this country. He said that they make everything political – the ethnicity of people, the region they come from, what they believe in, what they say, even people’s last names and the colour of clothes people wear.
President Bio maintained that while some of our elections are still characterised by low levels of violence and intimidation, the growing politicisation of ethnicity and ethno-regionalism have become recurrent albeit objectionable patterns of our politics.
He said politicians have tampered with critical national data either for political gerrymandering or to justify the uneven allocation of State resources and that in the recent past, the country witnessed heightened sycophancy.

‘We saw leaders being turned into demagogues. People overlooked rampant corruption because the looters were politically loyal to them. Governance processes have been characterised by discriminatory and divisive practices that have unfairly and unjustly excluded sections of our population. Impunity is rife in our country. “Buff case” and “no case” do not make for justice in our nation. Law enforcement should do its work fairly, without favour, and without fear of recrimination or reproach,’ the president said, adding that the media and civil society must not foster disinformation and hate.

‘Let us hold ourselves accountable as a nation for how we protect and provide access to services for the vulnerable. Let us protect women from sexual violence, gender violence, and gender discriminatory practices and attitudes.
Let us protect persons with disability, children, youth, and the aged and the poor. We must promote opportunity for every Sierra Leonean irrespective of ability, gender, or circumstance.
Let us hold ourselves accountable for moving this country in the right direction, ensuring public confidence in state institutions,’ President Bio admonished his attentive audience.

He used the opportunity to call on Sierra Leoneans in the Diaspora to play a role in mobilising expertise, ideas, and investments to Sierra Leone as they too have a stake in the strengthening of our democracy.

Sierra Leone News: First Lady & JMB-WW Dish out Gifts To 9 Mosques In East Freetown

May 22, 2019

First lady, Madam Fatima Maada Bio and JMB Women’s Wing, on Tuesday 21^st May 2019, join worshippers at the Ghaddafi mosque in Rokupa and 8 other different mosques around the east end of Freetown, as they observe the Ramadan prayers. As a devout Muslim, she is known to be proud of her religion and has not wasted any opportunity to associate with her brothers and sisters of like faith in prayers. After making short statements in the various mosques admonishing worshippers to be steadfast and to show love to each other and the country, she offered gifts to them as a token for the Ramadan period.

In her brief statement at the Ghaddafi Mosque, Madam Fatima Bio encouraged the Muslim “umah” to be steadfast in praying for the country and the leaders to rule in the favor of the masses and Allah. She noted that this is her first time to join worshippers at that mosque in prayer.

“The Ghaddafi mosque is one of the mosques I’ve never prayed before, practically because the name brings me memory I don’t want get often, as Ghaddafi was a great warrior in Africa,” Mrs. Fatima Maada Bio confirmed. She disclosed that she has known the late leader whose name the mosque carries and does not want to bring back those memories, especially the way he died. She further disclosed that over six years she and the JMB WW have been offering gifts to various mosques across the country and that it is not because she is now the First Lady, as others will want them to believe.

She asked the Muslim women to be respectful and supportive to their husbands irrespective of their situation. The First Lady further called on all Sierra Leoneans, especially the Muslim community to pray during this Ramadan, for the country and Allah’s guidance. She stressed that if Sierra Leone falls, everyone falls with it and if the country rises, everybody will rise with it. She admonished everyone to be proud of their religion and country and follow the instructions of the Imams. She later offered various food items to the head of the mosque for all the members and admonished them to cook the food for everyone to enjoy during the ‘lailatu gadri’.

Sheik Osman, head Imam of Ghaddafi mosque, expressed appreciation to the First Lady for her contribution towards the Muslim community in the entire country and thanked her for the gifts, affirming that the items will serve a good purpose during the last 10 days of the Ramadan.

“As transparent as the Muslim communities are, the First Lady brought food items and a handsome amount of money that we will all benefit from in this mosque and even in the neighbourhood,” Imam Osman confirmed.

Thanking the First Lady, the JMBWW and her entire entourage for the kind gesture to the Ghaddafi mosque, Sheik Osman openly invited the President, Rtd. Brig. Julius Maada Bio to worship with them as he recalled telling him that whatever Allah has destined will happen and today as President, Allah has decided. He also, on behalf of the Ghaddafi mosque extended his regards to the President H.E Julius Maada Bio and his Government, stakeholders and prayed they rule the country well.

The various food items and money was handed over to the Imam by the First Lady after the prayers.

Sierra Leone News: “My Statements are based on Facts…” -Gento told Atuguba Commission

May 22, 2019

After a recess, the three Commissions of Inquiry resumed sitting on Monday 20^th May 2019 at the former Special Court premise in Brookfields.

Mohamed Gento Kamara, the Chief Executive Officer of Benton Villa Gento Group of companies, testified before the Justice William Atuguba Commission informing that both the original contract for the Waterloo township road and its addendum were awarded to his company.

Mohamed Gento Kamara told the COI, “Before I was awarded the contract SLRA requested for quotations from different road construction companies in Sierra Leone of which I was privileged to submit my quotation and the contract was awarded to me.”

He went on to state he never deceived the Commission that he was the only bidder for the contract after Counsel M.Y. Kanu put it to him that his statements are inconsistent.

Kamara said his statement was based on facts hence he cannot prove that quotations were submitted by other contractors for the same contract stressing that he was not substantially aware of any other contractors who bid. He said despite knowing that the normal routine called for submission of quotations by bidders, there is no proof of evidence for him to say other bidders submitted their bids at the time.

The initial Waterloo road project went through a competitive bidding process for the construction of 12.1 kilometres of road valued at $16.9 million USD. While the road project was on-going, the Sierra Leone Roads Authority (SLRA) gave directives for an addendum of 20 kilometres, bringing the contract to $42.7 million USD.

Payment for the addendum was made by the Road Maintenance Fund Administration (RMFA) without the knowledge of SLRA.

The COI is inquiring into alleged misappropriation, abuse of office, misuse of public funds, etc. on certain road projects between the Sierra Leone Roads Authority (SLRA) and the Road Maintenance Fund Administration (RMFA). The persons of interest include, Yayah Tobias Sesay, former Board Chair RMFA, Abdul Kalokoh, CEO RMFA, Abdul Aziz Kamara, former Director General of SLRA, and Momodu Kargbo, former Minister of Finance and Economic Development.

Sierra Leone News: International Day to End Obstetric Fistula 2019

May 21, 2019

MEDIA ADVISORY

Background

Every day, more than 800 women die from pregnancy-related complications. For every woman who dies, 20 or more are injured or disabled. One of the most serious injuries of childbearing is obstetric fistula, a tear in the birth canal caused by prolonged, obstructed labour in the absence of timely and adequate medical care. Fistula has been virtually eliminated in developed nations, but in the developing world, it is estimated that hundreds of thousands of women and girls live with the condition. Many women and girls who suffer from fistula are ostracized from daily community life and abandoned by their husbands and families, isolating them socially and emotionally, making it also difficult to maintain sources of income or support, thus deepening their poverty and magnifying their suffering. However, obstetric fistula is preventable and, in most cases, can be repaired surgically.

The persistence of fistula reflects broader health inequities and health-care system constraints, as well as wider challenges facing women and girls, such as poverty, gender and socioeconomic inequality, lack of schooling, child marriage and early childbearing, all of which impede the well-being of and opportunities for women and girls. While significant progress has been made, far more needs to be done. Most women and girls living with fistula will never receive treatment due to lack of services or because the procedure is unaffordable to them.

May 23 is observed as International Day to End Obstetric Fistula. The day is commemorated to raise awareness of the detrimental effects of fistula on women’s lives and advocate for more investment in women’s health and rights. UNFPA has been working to end fistula in Sierra Leone through our implementing partners Aberdeen Women’s Centre and Haikal, who provide treatment, rehabilitation and reintegration services to women affected by the injury. Sierra Leone will join countries around the world to commemorate the day by implementing community engagement activities and celebrating fistula survivors. The theme for this year’s commemoration is “Fistula is a human rights violation – end it now!”

Objectives

The objectives of the International Day to End Obstetric Fistula commemoration are to:

Celebrate fistula survivors and recognize their resilience and dignity.
Engage the public to increase awareness of obstetric fistula and promote shared ownership for its eradication.
Highlight UNFPA’s work to combat fistula.
Advocate for increased political will and resources from stakeholders to end fistula.

Methodology

The day’s commemoration will consist of:

Gladi-Gladi Ceremony

There will be a “gladi-gladi” ceremony at the Aberdeen Women’s Centre on the morning of May 23^rd. The gladi-gladi ceremony is a joyous celebration accompanying the discharge of recovered fistula patients from the health facility. The ceremony will include:

Statements from donors, partners and service providers highlighting their work to end fistula and making further commitments.
A play performed by patients and survivors to convey messages on prevention and treatment of fistula.
Interactive sessions between partners and fistula patients and survivors.
A celebration of fistula survivors which will include song and dance, and a performance by a dance troupe.
Media coverage including interviews, photography and filming.

Expected Outcomes

Key outcomes expected from the day’s activities are:

Community participation in celebrating the restoration of dignity to fistula survivors.
Increased public awareness of obstetric fistula and UNFPA’s work to end it.
Increased community engagement with fistula programmes and initiatives.

Agenda

International Day to End Obstetric Fistula
Thursday 23rd May 2019
Agenda
No.	Item	Responsible Person	Time
1	Opening Prayers	Ms. Mariama Samco-Deen	9:00
2	Introduction of Partners	Mr. Alie Kamara	9:05 – 9:15
3	Opening Statement	Ms. Ivy Kalama	9:15-9:25
4	Statement by Partners
	UNFPA	Dr. Kim Eva Dickson	9:25 – 9:35
	Ministry of Health and Sanitation	District Medical Officer, Western Area Urban	9:35 – 9:45
	Haikal	Haja Hawa Turay	9:45 – 9:55
5	Skit	Hagar and patients	9:55 – 10:25
6	Vote of Thanks	Vesico-Vaginal Fistula Nurse	10:25 – 10:30
7	Gladi-Gladi Ceremony	Patients and Dance Troop	10:30 -11:00
Refreshments

Sierra Leone News: America Stress: A Hero to Recognize!

May 21, 2019

=OPINION=

Late Kelvin Kamara, popularly known by his friends as American Stress, while others called him the great “promoter”, “celebrity”, “philanthropist” and many more is one man who the public admires. From my end, I had always called him the man that saved the lives of 40 people in his community.

On August 14^th 2017, our small congested city of Freetown saw a heavy downpour; it rained for about three (3) consecutive days. On that same day, houses collapsed around the Mountain Cut community where this young man resided; many people could have drowned, but this heroic young man: America Stress who had a daughter and wife, risked his life for his small community in the rain; with no clothes, no protective gears, and went out to rescue his neighbours and people that lived around his community.

In a live video feed on Facebook, everything he did was broadcast, and many Sierra Leoneans from across the world watched the video on Facebook. He saved over 40 people from that devastating situation that day.

What a HERO!!!

After that heart-aching and gut-wrenching incident, this young man had attracted the hearts of many activists, humanitarians, journalists, philanthropists across the world; this includes popular BBC’s Umaru Fofana who posted on his Facebook account about his heroism. He was all over the news, from been a promoter, he became a philanthropist. This young man gained the trust of many Sierra Leoneans across the world some sent him money to buy donations for the victims. This young man served his conscience diligently.

Little did this young man thought of his health, he became sick, diagnosed and admitted at the hospital. As days went by, the sick became worsen. The hospital provided little or no solution he was afterwards taken to the provinces. After a day, I tried calling my brother, it was no longer the voice of American stress; now his wife, she was crying on the phone.

I could no longer ask!

I checked my Facebook. He had passed away of a curable sickness.

This young man whose dream was to visit or live in America someday was never a reality. This young man passed away. He left a beautiful daughter and wife. Whenever I talk to his daughter, she reminds me of a hero that once lived among us. If you remember him in any point in time for the good things he did in the past that effectuate positives in the present; for himself and his community people, keep him in your prayers, and reach out to his wife and beautiful daughter.

Sierra Leone News: UN Women Decorates & commends Pres. Bio Stance on Sexual Violence

May 21, 2019

UN Women has called at State House, Freetown, Tuesday 21 May 2019 to decorate His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio as a ‘HeForShe’ Ambassador and to commend his stance on rape and all forms of violence against women in Sierra Leone.

The ‘HeForShe’ campaign is an invitation for men and people of all genders to stand in solidarity with women to create a bold, visible and united force for gender equality. The initiative works with men and women and with each other to build businesses, raise families and give back to their communities.

UN Resident Coordinator, Sunil Saigal, said he was thankful to the President for receiving the delegation. He said they were there to present him with the pin for the ‘HeForShe’ campaign, noting that the President had already set the notion in the country for men to speak out for gender equality and for the empowerment of women. He said they were aware of the President’s initiative to end gender-based violence, adding that that was an extremely important component in the campaign.

Country Representative for UN Women, Dr. Mary Okumu, said it was an honour to meet the President and endorsed his good work on the promotion and protection of the rights of women and girls in the country. She pointed out that the National Declaration of a State of Emergency on Rape and Sexual Violence against Women was a welcoming move by the government and assured that that was top on the UN Agenda in Sierra Leone.

She disclosed that they were looking at bringing to the country a forensic laboratory that would make it possible for evidence to be brought in court on cases of rape and related violations, adding that they were also working with the judiciary to train Judges and Magistrates dealing with cases of sexual offence. She said ten Heads of State had already signed up to the campaign and that President Bio would become the eleventh to sign up for the protection of women and girls.

In his response, President Bio said he was happy to sign up as one of the Heads of State that were concerned about the protection of women’s rights. He said he was genuinely concerned about everyone in the country, noting that women constitute the greater number of the country’s population and therefore it was right to bring women as part of the development process.

He recalled that for a very long time a lot of cultural and societal strictures had limited the potentials of women in the country, adding that there was the need to unleash the potential of everyone and not only men, because women could also provide some of the strongest pillars in society.

”I have decided to declare a National Emergency on Rape because I was moved by the figures which were becoming alarming. The degree of inhumanity was becoming unbearable, so we had to step in. We are now working to cascade the message down to the rural areas and make the necessary awareness. We now need the technical support and we will put mechanisms that will serve as a deterrent to people engaging in those wicked practices,” he assured.