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Sierra Leone News: Ebola Survivors End 3-Day Paramedics & Leadership Training

Sierra Leone Association of Ebola Survivors (SLAES) leadership on Thursday 20th June 2019 ended a 3 days training on Paramedics and Leadership at their headquarters at Jui Junction, Freetown through funding from Project 1808 and other partners.

The training was geared towards preparedness for a possible resurgence of the Ebola virus in Sierra Leone as it is now the case in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Training courses included Infections’ Protection Control (IPC), Disease Surveillance, Psychosocial Care, Leadership, Health Advocacy, and Time Management.

Sierra Leone recorded the first confirmed case of Ebola in May 2014; but nearly two years after on the 17th March 2016, WHO declared the country Ebola-free. In between that period, the country recorded 14,124 total confirmed cases and 3,956 total confirmed death cases according to a data from the US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention.

Facilitators for the training were Dr. Alhaji Njai – founder of Project 1808, Lt. Col. Dr. Stephen Sevalie – Commanding Officer 34 Military Hospital, and Mr. Brima Abdulai Sheriff – former Commisioner of the Human Right Commission and Consultant Trainer in Human Rights, Advocacy and Leadership.

On health advocacy and leadership, Brima Abdulai Sheriff trained them on how they as Ebola Survivors can appropriately channel issues affecting them to policy makers and other authorities, and solution centred advocacy.

“Ebola can be crystallized. Scientists do crystallize it but such crystallization at the most part does not cause an outbreak” Dr. Njai’s response to a question of whether Ebola can be man-made during his surveillance and psychosocial care session. He further intimated the Survivors that they are protected against the Zaire Ebola but very unlikely that they could be cross protected against other types of Ebola.

National President of the Sierra Leone Association of Ebola Survivors, Yusuf Kabba, explained that the training is to certify them as Paramedics and build their capacity in order to help in tackling any future resurgence of Ebola. He assured that they as the leaders, upon undergoing such training, will cascade same to the entire 4,000 membership of the association.

“We are really grateful for this training as it has equipped us a lot on health preparedness, health advocacy, surveillance, time management, and psychosocial care. And we will surely put it into practical use” stated by Juliet Spencer who was one of the trainees.

This training is one of many programmes that Project 1808 has partnered with SLAES gearing towards building the capacity of the Survivors to fend for themselves.

 

Sierra Leone News: Parliament Approves 11 Presidential Nominees

The Parliament of Sierra Leone on Thursday 20th June 2019 debated and approved the Third Report of the Second Session of its Committee on Appointments and the Public Service, chaired by the Leader of Government Business, Hon. Sidie M. Tunis.

Congratulating the nominees after approval, the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Dr. Abass Chernor Bundu called on them to use their expertise to live up to the expectations of President Bio and Parliament for the confidence reposed in them to serve in high offices of State for the development of Sierra Leone.

The following presidential nominees were approved by Parliament:

  1. Mr. Hadji Dabo-Chairman, Board of Directors, National Minerals Agency
  2. Dr. Sonia Melisa Spencer-Board Chairman, Teaching Hospitals Complex Administrative Board

III. Ms. Fatu Yumkella-Member, Sierra Leone Council for Post-graduate Colleges of Health Specialties

  1. Ms. Constance Sama-Member, Board of Directors, Sierra Leone Maritime Administration
  2. Mr. Nelson N. Lahai-Member, Board of Directors, SALWACO
  3. Hon. Emmanuel T. Babonjo-Member, Board of Directors, Sierra Leone Maritime Administration

VII. Ms. Rosetta A. Wilson-Member, Board of Directors, Sierra Leone Electricity Generation and Transmission Company Board

VIII. Mr. Alfred V. Gborie-Member, Board of Directors, SLRSA

  1. Mr. Abrahim S. Turay-Member, Board of Directors, Sierra Leone Local Content Agency
  2. Alhaji Mohamed A. Sheriff-Member, Board of Directors, Produce Monitoring Board and
  3. Mr. Francis D. Ganda-Member, Board of Directors, Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority

Seconding the motion, Hon. Veronica K. Sesay of SLPP commended President Bio for putting square pegs in square holes whilst describing the nominees as “the most fitted” to occupy such important positions of trust. Speaking on the protection of women, she called on the women who have been nominated to work diligently and use their expertise to advance the cause of women and children in Sierra Leone.

Hon. Shiaka M. Sama, an independent MP from Pujehun also commended President Bio for nominating qualified persons to serve in high offices of the State. He urged them to take tough decisions that would bring change for the development of Sierra Leone.

Hon. Daniel B. Koroma of APC said that “the APC is desirous to continue its participation in the approval of presidential nominees” and spoke on the need for improving tourism in the country.

Hon. Bernadette Songa of SLPP also commended President Bio for carefully selecting qualified persons to assist in the realization of the New Direction. She decried the attitude of presidential nominees who had been approved as “appalling” towards MPs, especially when they are knocking on their doors to seek answers for their constituents.

Hon. Dr. Kandeh Yumkella, Leader of NGC recalled the number of persons who had been approved by Parliament, he urged Board Members to provide strategic direction to Ministers for effective delivery. Speaking on the minerals sector, he revealed that Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia were hit by Ebola but the mines did not close in Guinea and Liberia except Sierra Leone which he attributed to poor governance.

Hon. Ibrahim Ben Kargbo, the Acting Leader of the Opposition commended President Bio for exercising his constitutional obligation by appointing qualified persons to serve in high offices of State. He urged the Government to provide funds to enable the Boards to effectively carryout their duties for the development of the country. He observed that Dr. Alpha Wurie and Alpha Timbo are the two Ministers who are going to succeed in their respective appointments. He also spoke on the importance of improving aviation, energy and tourism in the country.

Concluding, the Leader of Government Business, Hon. Sidie M. Tunis commended President Bio for nominating four women in light of achieving affirmative action and for the honorary Doctoral Degree recently conferred on him in Ghana. He also thanked President Bio for launching the feasibility study for the construction of the “Lungi Bridge” that will connect Port Loko to Freetown. He described the nominees as “qualified” and called on them to support the Government for a successful tenure.

In another development, the Parliament of Sierra Leone has on Thursday 20th June 2019 approved membership to over 40 Sessional Select Committees including international organizations such as Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and the International Parliamentary Union.

Sessional Select Committees are constitutionally charged with the responsibilities to inquire into the activities of MDAs to which they are assigned and make recommendations that may lead to proposals for legislation.

Following the announcement and approval of these Committees, some Chairmen retained their Committees and others were either promoted or transferred to other Committees in the House.

 

Sierra Leone News: President Bio Engages Deputy UNFPA Boss

The United Nations Assistant Secretary General and Deputy Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund, (UNFPA), Dereje Wordofa, has paid a courtesy call on President Julius Maada Bio in Freetown.

UNFPA is the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency with the mission to deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every child birth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Corporation, Nabeela Tunis, who chaired the meeting, said the UNFPA boss was meeting President Bio to share their organisation’s activities in Sierra Leone, especially at a time when the UN agency is celebrating its 50th Anniversary. She noted that Sierra Leone was among the top countries on their agenda.

Mr. Wordofa said he was delighted to visit the country for the first time. He congratulated President Bio for his great strides in improving the lives of Sierra Leoneans, especially the recent declaration of a national emergency to end gender-based violence in the country. He said the move was welcoming and as an organisation, they would like to see zero gender-based violence across the world.

He also commended the President for his commitment to the free quality education programme for children in Sierra Leone, saying that that was very important for the development of young boys and girls in the country. He lauded the Office of the First Lady for its fight against gender-based violence through the “Hands off Our Girls” campaign and added that they were committed to supporting her.

“We also understand you have launched the National Nursing and Midwifery Strategy, which is critical to improving maternal health and cutting down on the number of teenage pregnancies and maternal deaths in the country. We want to ensure gender equality, end gender-based violence and bring family planning as a human right and making sure that no woman dies during pregnancy or when giving birth,” he said.

On his part, President Bio said his Government had shared concerns on all the issues highlighted by the UN Deputy Executive Director. He said as a new government they were struggling but were committed to serving the people by taking concrete actions. He mentioned that the Government needed some technical support to meet the challenges ahead.

He also stated that he was committed to improving the welfare of women and girls in the country because they constitute the bulk of the country’s population, adding that it was, therefore, important to bring them as part of the country’s development process. He said that teenage pregnancy was responsible for the majority of the maternal mortality in the country.

“Whatever we can do together to move on these areas of cooperation, we are ready to do just that to let you know that we are genuinely committed to serving the best interest of our people. We still lack the technical support to meet the challenges of rape and sexual assaults but we will continue to seek more partnerships,” he assured.

 

 

Sierra Leone News: NEC Updates Bio on Current Activities

State House -Thursday 20 June 2019 – The National Electoral Commission, (NEC), has presented their Annual Report to President Julius Maada Bio and given update on their ongoing preparations for emerging electoral engagements.

Chief Electoral Commissioner, Nfa Alie Conteh, said that it was mandatory and constitutional for the Commission to present their annual report to the President.

“Your Excellency, Section 32 (12) of the Constitution of Sierra Leone Act No. 6 of 1991 states that the Chief Electoral Commissioner shall submit a report on the programme and work of the Electoral Commission at least once a year to the President and a copy of such report shall be laid before parliament,” he said.

The Chairperson and National Returning Officer for the 2018 elections said that the report included accounts of the Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Council elections throughout the country with 132 constituencies, 446 wards, a Presidential runoff and 9 Paramount Chief Members of Parliament elections.

“Your Excellency Sir, the aforementioned Elections were noteworthy as the first to be conducted since the rebirth of multi-party democracy in 1996 without the supervision of the United Nations Mission under a Security Council mandate,” the Commissioner disclosed, adding that the report also explained his invitation by ECOWAS to lead a fact-finding mission from the 1-15 November 2018 for the Nigerian Presidential and other Elections held in February and March of 2019.

In his response, President Maada Bio thanked the leadership of NEC for holding on to the fort all through these difficult times, adding that democracy in Sierra Leone depends on the progress and work of the Commission.

“I am happy that we now have the intellectual capacity to conduct our elections without any foreign involvement, particularly when it was described by the international community as being free and fair. The job is very difficult and it is not pleasant to do. Thank you for fulfilling your constitutional mandate by compiling this report, despite all the challenges and difficulties attached to the work,” he said.

The President also stated that the country should agree on acceptable rules for the conduct of elections in the country, maintaining that such rules, which would ease the tensions, should be within the confines of the laws of the land.

 

 

Sierra Leone News: Poland, S. Korea & Uganda Envoys Meet President Bio

State House – Thursday 20 June, 2019: ambassador designates from Poland and South Korea and the High Commissioner-designate from the Republic of Uganda have presented their letters of credence to President Julius Maada Bio at State House.

Poland Ambassador, Joanna Tarnawska, said she was honoured to present her letters of credence and to represent her country in Sierra Leone. She expressed her sincere gratitude for the warm welcome she received. She added that Poland is present in Sierra Leone through the Polish Catholic Missionaries who run schools in the country.

She went on to state that Sierra Leone is a country with a unique and fascinating history marked by hardship and heroic struggles just like the history of Poland; but is also blessed with citizens committed to their motherland.

She further said that this made her see the common ideas of the two nations even though they are miles apart in terms of geographical location but close in terms of values.

Ambassador from Korea, In-Tee Lee, congratulated President Bio for the tremendous progress made under the New Direction. He said the country was witnessing impressive success in restoring peace and security and in rebuilding the economy.

He said South Korea had always stood with Sierra Leone since the establishment of diplomatic ties over five decades ago and expressed optimism that the ties would be further strengthened during his tenure in the country.

High Commissioner from Uganda, Nelson Ochege, said Uganda and Sierra Leone enjoy cultural and bilateral relations, adding that he hopes to deepen the cooperation during his time in the country. He said in expanding the relationship between the two countries, he has been mandated by his government to focus on political and diplomatic consultation on all issues of mutual interest including regional reintegration.

 

Sierra Leone News: Government Urged to Block Stiff Conditions

HE Julius Maada Bio

For the simple fact that pressures in the form of government’s stiff conditions and policies piled and placed on productive companies that are doing extremely well in this country, especially those that are locally owned, then there is the likelihood that they may either fold up or reorganize at the detriment of workers who will definitely be shown the exit door and affect the country’s revenue base since payment of taxes will no longer be forthcoming.

Despite losing millions, it is a fact that one of the most viable indigenously-owned companies that is been doing extremely well in terms of timely service delivery of petroleum products and customer care, which is the National Petroleum Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL), the company has maintained its determination in assisting government in its development drive.

It is also a fact that NP SL Limited recorded a massive loss from January to May 2019 to the tune of over Le 96 billion (ninety six billion Leones).

At a time like this when the country’s legal tender, the Leone, has terribly depreciated to the US Dollar, many indigenous companies are finding it extremely difficult to operate efficiently and effectively as well as compete with foreign-owned companies producing the same products and services the affected companies are producing.

It is implicitly clear that the Sierra Leone Bottling Company Limited, which has been in operation for the past twenty years, recently decided to restructure to such an extent that most of its workers were sacked.

According to the management of the company changes were effected as part of a strategic program designed to ensure the long term sustainability of their business so that they can better serve the people of this country.

 An example of one of the major factors impeding the growth of indigenous companies is the fact that there has been a huge difference between the actual price of PLATTS and the average purchase price of USD $ to the SL Leone, when matched against that of the Petroleum Regulatory Agency Pricing Formula.

The NP-SL as a result is currently paying an average of Le9, 000 to $1 (USD) as compared to L8, 600 to $1 (USD) in the PRA Pricing Formula. Another challenge facing NP-SL Limited is volatility and unavailability of US Dollars to effect transactions.

It is so serious that NP-SL Limited currently owes its suppliers over $42M which NP-SL Limited is challenged to honor.

From a thorough research that was conducted over time it was understood that in the past when the industry was faced with some challenges and in order to avoid fuel crisis the Government always steps in to subsidize the prices of petroleum products to ensure that the pump prices are at affordable level to the general populace but for now that is not the case.

What again came out is that if the route is not desirable, the Government increases the pricing regime to reflect the real market prices of petroleum products in the market, to ensure the industry does not collapse.

As it is right now, Oil Marketing Companies are subsidizing virtually all sectors in the industry to the detriment of its own survival.

“If the current fiscal regime is not reviewed many companies including NP and Sierra Leone Bottling Company (SLBC) and a few others will certainly go down such a painful and dreadful route,” stated Steven Williams, a Development Consultant, adding that indeed, sound policies must be urgently rolled out to ensure stability.

It was also discovered that the nature of NP-SL’s business is such that NP-SL imports petroleum products in US Dollars, sells in Leones and has to then convert the Leones into US Dollars to continue the buying and selling processes all over again.

Williams maintained how it is regrettable that the company is finding it extremely difficult to purchase US Dollars in the market place currently. It is a fact that over the years, NP-SL received tacit support from the Central Bank even though the amounts normally received were inadequate.

It is therefore recommendable for the Central Bank to develop a mechanism where foreign currency is provided for the oil marketing companies to enable them pay for badly-needed petroleum products.

Of course to promote transparency of goods that are brought into the country and required taxes that must be paid to Government, the ASYCUDA World digital software was introduced at the Port.

However, what this press gathered was that the method of implementation of the old ASYCUDA system was negative on NP-SL’s speed to market initiatives; the reason why it is good that the ASYCUDA World is now in place to help build solid capacity amongst their team to ensure seamless flow of products free of interruption and long delay.

The current pricing formula dictates that the pump price of petroleum products be adjusted upwards or downwards periodically as and when the combined effect of the changes in world market prices (quoted in PLATTS) and the exchange rate (measured by the average selling rates quoted by the Oil Marketing Company, commercial banks and Bank of Sierra Leone) cause a +/- 5% change in the Leone-based landed cost of the product (s).

It was noted that prices should be changed upwards or downwards in small increments that will not create panic in the market place. The way it is currently, allows for a big jump at any time which makes it difficult for Government to effect change at the right time.

It may interest readers to note that while a liter of fuel is sold at Le7,000.00 here, in Guinea it is sold at Le9,120.00, in Liberia it is Le9,321.00, Ivory Coast sells at Le9,244.20 and Ghana at Le 9,136.44.

To add salt to injury, NP-SL is further encumbered with other charges that are not provided for in the price build up formula, and these include: Toll Gate fees, ASYCUDA processing fees, Environmental Protection Agency fees, storage fees and other fees imposed by the Petroleum Regulatory Agency.

As it was stated inter alia, the government really need to relax some of its policies, conditions that are being implemented especially those affecting vibrant companies in the country as well as ensuring that economic measures are rolled out in order for the Leone to be weighty instead of continuous depreciation that we have been witnessing.

Failure to take drastic steps to protect locally owned companies will definitely lead to closure or restructuring with dire consequences that could take the form of labor downsizing, no more payment of taxes to government etc.

Sierra Leone News: African Leaders Commit to Former President Kabbah’s Legacy

President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah’s

Political leaders from across Africa have praised late President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah’s legacy of peace and democracy.

Several leaders participated in talks and gave speeches all highlighting the achievements of the former President during the launch of a foundation in his memory.

The Ahmad Tejan Kabbah Foundation for Peace and Democracy was launched over the weekend in the presence of hundreds of guests at the Bintumani conference center in Freetown.

President Julius Maada Bio, who officially launched the foundation, spoke about President Kabbah’s legacy in finding a lasting peace for the war-torn country and setting up institutions to sustain this peace.

Bio, as a military leader and President Kabbah collaborated to start the country’s democratic history.

In 1996, Bio, then the military head of state, handed over the seat of government to a democratically elected President Kabbah. That handing over set the tone for today’s democracy, peace and stability in the country.

“In addition to appealing to our sense of unconditional patriotism, President Ahmed Tejan Kabbah was clear on the importance of building strong institutions as the key balusters of democracy and national cohesion,” President Bio said as part of his keynote speech.

Former President of Liberia, Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, spoke about President Kabbah’s resilience in pursuing peace.

Sirleaf worked with the late president first at the United Nations before they both became presidents of their respective countries. Both leaders engaged extensively in efforts to end the civil war in their countries and build democratic institutions.

“In those days, we had to cross a river on a canoe. We were able to cross a river to get the idea of peace into the minds of all those who led the uprisings,” she recalled in a speech.

“As the Ahmad Tejan Kabbah Foundation for Peace and Democracy is launched today, we commend its vision to champion a holistic approach to peace, democracy and justice,” she added.

Madam Sirleaf was among high profile guests from governments and the UN system invited to the event. Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, who worked closely with Kabbah, described the late man as “human and humane” in nature.

Mr. Obasanjo couldn’t make it to Freetown but he addressed the audience via a pre-recorded video message, in which he appealed to Sierra Leoneans to emulate Kabbah’s attribute to maintaining the country’s hard earned peace.

Sunday’s launch also provided an opportunity for people from across the different political divides, who crossed paths with the former President, to interact. Speakers gave testimonies on how much the late President contributed to modern day Sierra Leone.

Dr. Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella, the leader of the opposition National Grand Coalition in Parliament, remembers Kabbah for his courage. “He had to go out of his way indeed to be inclusive. He also went out of his way to please the opposition,” he said.

Sidi Mohamed Tunis, the leader of Sierra Leone Peoples Party in Parliament, has been in the House since 2002. As part of his experience, he recalled how much tolerance they had to show to members of the Revolutionary United Front, who were widely seen as architects of the brutal civil war in the country.

“I served in Parliament with people like Johnny Paul Koroma and others. We had to go out of our way to tolerate MPs from RUFP, even to our own discomfort sometimes,” Tunis said.

Some other speakers delved on how the country can continue President Kabbah’s legacy and build on it in the coming years.

Mayor of Freetown, Yvone Aki-Sawyer, said “We are very conscious that if you don’t have women in power then you have created the equal space. At the Freetown City Council, under the transform Freetown, we are ensuring we do all we can to help women empowerment.”

The late President made some remarkable contributions to bringing women in governance. Former Ambassador to Iran in the Kabbah administration, Haja Alari Cole, said he was the first president to form a gender ministry which is now called the Ministry of Social Welfare.

“He instituted the Ministry of Gender and he started the Micro-Finance for women. The way he epitomized women and the way he thought about getting women in position of authority shows he knew the importance of women in development,” she said.

Widow of the late President and the Chief Executive of the Ahmad Tejan Kabbah Foundation, Isata Jabie-Kabbah, said the foundation will seek to contribute to all the things President Kabbah stood for.

“This foundation is broad based. Firstly, we will uphold the former President’s legacy of peace, democracy, tolerance and national cohesion. These are what he was known for. So, this is going to be part of the work we will be doing. We will also engage in other programs like agriculture, empowerment of women, girl child education,” Madam Kabbah said.

 

 

Sierra Leone News: British National Dies Mysteriously in SL Mining?

Deceased: Jonathan Tarr

A British national, Jonathan Tarr died last Thursday in Sierra Leone after allegedly suffering a heart-attack.

young dad who sadly passed away suddenly while working out in Sierra Leone, West Africa.

The Derry native, who relocated to Whitechurch, Co Cork a number of years ago, was working with SL mining company in West Africa at the time of his death.

Jonathan was married to a local girl in north Cork and the pair had two young children together.

The well-liked family man had no previous health issues but suffered a heart-attack suddenly last week and died soon after.

Mr. Tarr was a former Defence Forces’ member and had previously been stationed in Collins Barracks, Cork.

Funeral arrangements for the young father are yet to be announced.

A post on RIP.ie reads: “Sadly missed by his heartbroken wife, children, parents Sean and Ethana (O’Neill), brother Justin, sisters Emma and Seana, stepmother Jackie, parents-in-law George and Catherine, nephews, nieces, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, relatives, neighbours and a large circle of friends.

“Dr. Gerard Murphy, his colleagues and friends in Lunsar and SL Mining especially Patrick, David, Gian Carlo, Greg, Tony, Adam, Shlomo, Dawo, Swida, Lib, Nafi and Hilton.”

 

Sierra Leone News: Slain Hannah Bockarie Witness Killed

Another sex worker was dumped on the same beach almost four years ago. Last seen alive on Monday last week, her body was discovered on the following day but the news only came to public attention on Monday.

A post-mortem carried out on a sex worker who was murdered in Sierra Leone after giving evidence in the trial for the murder of another sex worker.

Memuna Jabbie’s throat was slit and her naked body was dumped in a mangrove swamp along the Lumley Beach in the west of the capital, Freetown.

Another sex worker was dumped on the same beach almost four years ago.

Then, Hannah Bockarie was gang-raped before she was bludgeoned to death. Memuna and Hannah were best friends.

They were believed to have been together when Hannah was abducted 2015 and Memuna has been testifying in her murder trial.

Last seen alive on Monday last week, her body was discovered on the following day but the news only came to public attention on Monday.

Her sister, Salamatu Jabbie, says that Memuna had been locked up for initially refusing to testify because she was concerned for her safety but did eventually give evidence.

The police would not comment on the matter saying only that they were busy putting their facts together.

 

Sierra Leone News: Ex-DDR Boss Turns Minister of Planning

Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Dr. Francis Kaikai,

The former boss of National Commission for Demobilization, Disarmament and Reintegration (NCDDR), who now doubles as the newly-approved Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Dr. Francis Kaikai, has subscribed to the Oath of Office before President Julius Maada Bio in accordance with Section 57 of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone.

President Bio congratulated the new minister on his appointment and alerted him that although he was part of the government, he was coming in a different capacity with a stiff task ahead. He said that although the task ahead was a tall order, Dr Kaikai was meticulously chosen because of his experience and what he would bring to the new office.

“It is an uphill task to move Sierra Leone from where it is today to where we want it to be, but we have no doubt in your ability and sense of commitment to duty. So you are welcome to an extremely difficult ministry and I expect you to do all you can and you can always count on me to support you,” he said.

The Minister, on behalf of his family, thanked President Bio for the confidence reposed in him. He recalled that President Bio had given him a task to re-establish Sierra Leone’s relation at the global stage, which he said he had managed to accomplish as best as possible. He noted that he was pleased to come back home to serve in the new capacity and assured of his readiness to support the government.

“From my experience I know planning for the country, making sure that the plans are owned by the people and making sure that economic development is people-centred can be a bit challenging and required a whole change of mind-set. I want to assure you that I will do my utmost best to support your vision. Coming as a standalone ministry, brings lots of challenges but I am committed to the new task,” he ended.

Until his recent appointment, Dr. Kaikai was Sierra Leone’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Mission in New York, United States. It could also be recalled that he served in different capacities during the country’s transition period from war to peace. Among many other assignments, he served as Director of the National Commission for Reconciliation, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction.

 

 

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