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Sierra Leone News: ‘UBA Marketplace’ More Sierra Leoneans To Grace Africa’s Largest Entrepreneurial Event

 

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 on the 26th & 27th July 2019. This year’s Forum, themed “Empowering African Entrepreneurs”, will take place at the iconic Transcorp Hilton Hotel, in Nigeria’s capital city of Abuja. Top artists like Wizkid, Niniola, Dj Cuppy, Dj Neptune performing as Cynthia Nassardine, RMD will also be gracing the 2-Day event. More Sierra Leonean entrepreneurs were captured in this year’s TEF Entrepreneurship Programme. 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’.

It could be recalled that 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.

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: Developing the Music Industry in Sierra Leone

Mohamed Fadlu Bah

Music is the simplest and most powerful means of connecting the people of this country. It bridges linguistic and cultural divides, and it is a vehicle for identity and expression. Collectively, with music we can generate rich social, cultural and economic benefits for this country.

For the industry to grow, our artists must create meaningful lyrics in their songs – lyrics that are good and entail important issues, not just about love that has dominated the music industry.

There are many good songs by other artists that talk about women’s rights and other important issues. We should be able to put morals and values into the music industry.

The government through its ministries must be able to invest into the production, promotion and sustenance of the industry, as we have seen in other countries like Nigeria and South Africa whose government have spent huge amount of their taxpayer’s money to invest into their entertainment industries.

This in turn has yielded good dividend by not only creating jobs for the youth but also developed both the social and economic sectors of their countries.

Music producers are most important when it comes to moving the music industry to its best.

Even though we have good engineers that have produced well in the past and present, they must try in every way to improve their talent when it comes to producing music.

We must also be able to train unprofessional singers to know how to sing and make quality songs which is where we have entertainment experts. The government must come in.

Young artists must endeavour for now to learn from both local and international artists that have made their mark in order to improve their talents.

There is a saying that amongst many good singers and writers; if you want to be a good rapper, listen to every song of Tupac Shakur and if you want to be a pop singer if you listen to Michael Jackson.

Radio and club DJs must also help in their own way by banning all inappropriate music from the radio and night clubs that they spin.

Have less foreign artists music played on both the radios and in night clubs as many others have done.

The clubs and radio owners must instruct their workers to play at least 80% of our local music if they want to help in the promotion of our local artists.

Our artists and there video producers must be able to create more attractive videos with good technical qualities that will attracts viewers whenever aired on TV.

 

Sierra Leone News: Dr. Kai Kai Takes Center Stage at UN General Assembly

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

Sierra Leone has joined several other nations to present a 2nd Voluntary National Review Report on the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), at the on-going High-Level Political Forum 2019 at the United Nations General Assembly.

In his presentation, on behalf of the multiple stakeholders in Government, civil society, the private sector, youth and women’s groups and development partners in Sierra Leone, the Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Dr. Francis Kai Kai emphasised on the need for the global community to pay special attention to countries in fragile situations. He said in order for countries to walk out of fragility, they have to continue the hard work in making the people central to the planning and development of their countries.

Sierra Leone also organised a Side-Event on the theme: ‘Walking out of Fragility: Education and Justice for All” to showcase progress made in the implementation of the SDGs with a particular focus on SDG 4 (Education) and SDG 16 (Justice). The event was co-sponsored by the Canadian Mission to the United Nations. The panel of discussants included Ministers of Government (Foreign Affairs, Basic Education, Justice and Attorney General and Planning and Economic Development), Members of Parliament, and Civil Society, youth and UNDP / New York.

As the co-Chair of the International Dialogue on Peacebuilding and State-building (IDPS), Dr. KaiKai also launched the 2019-2021 Peace Vision, which focuses on three mutually reinforcing themes: Enhancing National Cohesion; promoting Gender Equality & the Women, Peace and Security agenda; and supporting a peace-promoting private sector. The vision articulates a series of commitments against which the IDPS members will hold themselves and each other accountable.

The 2019 High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) is the global forum for reviewing successes, challenges and lessons learned on achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

 

Sierra Leone News: PPRC Urges PWDs to Come Forward

Political Parties Registration Commission (PPRC), Mr. Abdulai Masiyambay Bangurah

The Chairman of the Political Parties Registration Commission (PPRC), Mr. Abdulai Masiyambay Bangurah on Tuesday 16th July, 2019 called on the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) established by section 2 (1) of Act No.3 of 2011, to invoke section 6 (2) of the same Act and recommend measures that, would guarantee the political rights of PWDs.

Those measures he says may include, but not limited to the amendment of the Disability Act, with a view to expressly provide for the political rights of PWDs. “The PPRC will be more than willing to lend its support to those efforts” he continued.

In his key note address, the PPRC Chairman implored The African Youth with Disabilities Network, to continue to collaborate with other youth groups in their advocacy, for a just and inclusive society, as envisage by goal 16 of the Sustainable Development Goals.

The PPRC Chairman made these statements at a one day awareness raising workshop for PWDs participation in Governance and Politics in Sierra Leone.

With the theme, “Cohesive and Inclusive Participation in Governance and Politics in Sierra Leone”, the programme was organised by the African Youth with Disabilities  Network Sierra Leone (AYDN-SL)  in collaboration with the Political Parties Registration Commission (PPRC) with funds from OSIWA.

The programme was climaxed with two interactive sessions on “Cohesive and Inclusive Participation in Governance and Politics in Sierra Leone” and “Introduction of the concept of Intersectionality and challenges faced by Persons with disabilities and recommendations for the way forward”

 

Sierra Leone News: Sexual Violence; Aid Work & Prevention Response

The theme of the 2019 Aid Worker Security Report is sexual violence. As we reviewed the data on sexual assault, I started relating the figures to my experience managing an NGO country office in Sierra Leone. We had about 120 staff, roughly half of whom were women.

World Health Organisation (WHO) statistics for Africa show that the lifetime prevalence of non-partner sexual violence against women is 11.9%, and 36.6% of ever-partnered women have faced physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence in their lifetimes. Translated to my country office that would mean that 20 or more of my colleagues had faced physical or sexual intimate partner violence; and six non-partner sexual violence.

In a recent survey of UN staff, 1.3% of respondents reported experiencing an attempted or actual sexual assault in the workplace within the last two years. Again, if that applied to my country office, that would mean that one of my female colleagues might have been sexually assaulted at work while I was in post. Some of my colleagues would have been LGBT (although not openly), and we know even less about their experiences of harassment and assault. There would also have been a chance that some of my male colleagues would have experienced sexual violence. Just as disturbingly, it is likely that some of my male colleagues were perpetrators of sexual assault.

Our security guidelines and management systems paid no attention to any of these issues. We did worry about, and attempt to mitigate, the risks of sexual assault by armed actors and criminals. We did have an instance where staff were abducted and sexually assaulted by the Revolutionary United Front (RUF), but we were poorly prepared for the necessary after-care and support. But the fact that a significant minority of my colleagues were likely to have experienced sexual violence, and that some of them might have been assaulted or have been at risk of assault by colleagues, was not on the radar or included in our security thinking.

Thankfully, this year’s Aid Worker Security Report suggests that this is starting to change. Following the Haiti scandal in 2018 and the resulting focus on safeguarding, organisations have started to put in place stronger policies and procedures. In 2019 the European Interagency Security Forum – an NGO consortium – and the UN published new guidelines on managing sexual violence.

Both endorse an ‘empowered bystander approach’ to help take the onus off potential victims for preventing violence. But there is still a long way to go in ensuring that organisations are doing all they can to provide the support needed to ensure that all staff, whatever their gender or sexual orientation, can work as safely as possible.Better data is needed to address the huge problem of under-reporting of sexual violence. Organisations are trying to make reporting simpler, non-threatening and available through multiple channels, and this needs to continue. Further anonymous, comprehensive staff surveys would help gives a better picture of the scale of sexual violence. More attention is needed to the experience of LGBTQI individuals, and the experiences of national staff and national NGOs.

Changing organisational cultures requires long-term and sustained effort to tackle the silence and stigma around sexual violence and fears around reputational risk to organisations. These issues require a shift of mind-set – from assuming that security management is just about the external (protecting staff from outside threats) to also focus on the internal – protecting staff from each other within and across organisations. This means increasing organisational capacities for investigation, disciplinary action and prosecutions, and support to victims. It also means acknowledging that the aid sector cannot possibly be immune from the wider societal experience of sexual violence, and accepting that sexual assaults will occur. Organisations must do their best to prevent them from happening, but they also need to be ready to respond when they do.

Sierra Leone News: ON INTERNATIONAL NELSON MANDELA DAY, SAVE SALONE MOVEMENT CLEANS CENTRAL FREETOWN 

As the world celebrates the International Nelson Mandela Day on July 18, the Save Salone Movement supports the Transform Freetown Project by cleaning the central business district of the city. The cleaning exercise was done by Save Salone Movement in collaboration with ‘Push-carts’ youths around Freetown. Strategic areas (which are the key landmarks of the City of Freetown) were chosen for this exercise. They include the Sierra Leone National Museum, the Freetown Cotton Tree, the Taylor Cummings Garden, State Avenue and front of the Criminal Investigation Department  (CID) Headquarters.

Speaking to this media, the Founder and Director of Save Salone Movement, Murtala Mohamed Kamara says the initiative is in line with the Transform Freetown project by the Freetown City Council, “We are doing this to complement the efforts of the Freetown City Council and the government to transform the city. And one key component of this transformation is the cleaning aspect. This is why the Save Salone Movement mobilizes the ‘Push-carts’ youths to undertake this activity.”
He noted that this is not the first time his Movement is contributing to national development. In recent past, the Save Salone Movement has supported Free Quality Education program of the government, where they donated learning and teaching materials, scholarships and other supports to the Kroo Bay Community, the Motormeh Regent community and more. The Movement was founder in 2017 specially to use media advocacy for national development.

The Save Salone Movement donated dozens of hand gloves, nose pads, and other incentives to these ‘Push-carts’ youths, with plans to design programs to engage them to develop themselves and the nation. The Movement is working on to establish an association and provide skills training programs and also help them with business supports. The Movement is calling on all Sierra Leoneans and philanthropists across the world to support this initiative. There were over 20 youths drawn from different backgrounds in Freetown.

In thanking the Save Salone Movement, the Chairman of the ‘Push-carts’ youths, Mr. Desmond George expressed his appreciation for the donations and supports they are getting from the Movement, but calls for more supports. “We are happy that the Founder of Save Salone Movement is transforming our lives by empowering us. Others are neglecting us but he is adding value to us. But we need more supports”, he said.

The Educationist of the Sierra Leone National Museum, Olivette L. Barnette expresses her appreciation for the Save Salone Movement in keeping the Museum and it’s environs clean and healthy. “We are extremely happy for the services the Save Salone Movement is rendering to this historic site, especially in celebrating the life of a great African hero – Nelson Mandela. This is not the first time the Movement is supporting the Sierra Leone National Museum. We are grateful for their continued supports,” said Mrs. Barnette.
She further explains the importance of the International Nelson Mandela Day, “We celebrate this day to encourage people to emulate the good works of a Pan African hero.” It is also important for us to undertake community development services.”

According to Murtala, they chose to undertake this cleaning exercise to remind Sierra Leoneans about the life and contributions of the former South African President and the Apartheid hero, Nelson Mandela, to the African continent and the world at large. According to him, this will develop the culture of celebrating our heroes and heroines. July 18th was set aside to celebrate the life of Mandela globally.

 

Sierra Leone News: On August 18, APC, SLPP, UP & NGC… Debate for the Battle of Constituency 110

The Africa Young Voices Media Empire (AYV) shall on Sunday August 18th 2019 organise a debate among the four parliamentary candidates aspiring for a re-run election in constituency 110, Peninsular Goodrich scheduled for August 26th 2019.

The disclosure was made at a press conference held on Thursday 18th July 2019, at their office head quarter Wesley street Freetown.

Speaking to a galaxy of journalists, the Director of News and Current Affairs at AYV, Samuel Wise Bangura, said that as an institution they have positioned themselves to be using information and communication for development and to see how they can use it to develop civil space and increase citizens’ participation in the democratic practices of Sierra Leone.

He added that the press conference is geared towards bringing the four parliament tary candidates in constituency 110 for them to give their commitment to participating in the upcoming debate scheduled to take place on 18th August 2019 at the Africa Young Voices Media Empire at Wesley Street in Freetown.

He said the debate will create a platform for proper interface between the people and the aspiring candidates in order for the aspirants to articulate their visions, policies, plans in line with the need of the constituency and the people to have the opportunity to know and understand the policies made by the aspirants as a way of holding them accountable if elected as member of parliament.

He added that the debate will be looking at six thematic areas which are challenges faced by the constituency:

Fishing, Sand Mining, Education, Women and Youth Empowerment, Health and Sanitation and many other things are the critical challenges faced by the constituency, adding that the aspirants will make their commitment in addressing these challenges.

Managing Director Africa Young Voices Media Empire Dr. Ezekiel Duramani Lakkoh, congratulated the News and Current Affairs department for the initiative and also congratulated the newly-elected executives of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists for a well-concluded election.

He said that as an institution they are very committed to the political and democratic aspects of the country, adding that they will give their support in terms of resources, strategies to ensure that there is a formidable debate.

He said that this cannot be done by the Africa Young Voices Media Empire alone but that it is a joint effort by all media houses across the country.

Femi Claudius-Cole, 2018 presidential aspirant for the re-election in constituency 110 of the Unity Party said they as a party are committed towards the debate and that as an aspirant she is ready to participate in the debate in order for her to articulate her visions, policies, and plans in line with the need of the constituency, adding that people should stop voting by party sentiment but rather by individual’s commitment.

Khadijatu Davies aspirant for the re-election in constituency 110 of the All People’s Congress party disclosed that she will have to discuss with her party concerning her commitment towards the debate and whatever decision taken by the party she will update the organizes.

Sahr Sam Ansumana who represented the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) aspirant, who according to him was avoidably absent, stated that his candidate is committed towards the debate. He also noted that the aspirant is presently working towards the development of the constituency.

Desmond Stanley Cole Acting National Publicity Secretary NGC Party who represented the aspirant also said his candidate is avoidably absent but is very committed towards the debate as a platform for him to showcase his plans and policies for the constituency.

Sierra Leone News: LAB Chair Informs UN about Implementation of International Criminal Justice – Goal 16

 

The Chair of the Legal Aid Board, Justice Miatta Maria Samba has said at the panel discussion jointly organized by the Missions of Argentina, Norway, Ecuador, Liechtenstein, Netherlands, Senegal, Spain, the Parliamentarians for Global Action and Sierra Leone on ‘The Critical Role of the International Criminal Justice in Achieving Sustainable Development Goal 16’ that the establishment of the International Criminal Court (ICC) represents an embodiment of the global resolve to advance International Criminal Justice. The event took place at the United Nations in New York on the International Day of Justice on 16 July 2019.

Justice Samba looked at the broader context of the Rome Statute System, the necessity for domestic implementation (especially in Sierra Leone context) and the link to the legacy of the Special Court for Sierra Leone.

‘The Legacy of the Special Court acts as an indirect driver of Sierra Leone’s commitment to implement the Sustainable Development Goal 16 and promote International Criminal Justice,’ she said, adding ‘…and there exists a necessary nexus between capacity development and the Rome Statute System for Sierra Leone and other states which is a positive and proactive complementarity.’

She noted that the Legal Aid Board started as a pilot legacy programme of the Special Court for Sierra Leone. She added that the Board seeks to promote social justice for all by protecting people’s rights, promote fair treatment and provide legal assistance to people who cannot afford the services of a lawyer.

She further noted the Special Court created the avenues for critical capacity building opportunities for the judiciary and law enforcement officers. ‘Training sessions typically aimed at law enforcement institutions (Judiciary, Police, Military and Prison Officers); and activities focused on fostering community rehabilitation and self-reliance, such as empowering Local Courts and Community-Based Initiatives like Reconciliation Panels involving Paramount Chiefs, Religious Leaders, leadership of the Military and Police as well as Civil Society Leader,’ she noted.

Justice Samba said that the most telling of capacity building of the Special Court is the human resource capacity development of the Justice Sector Personnel in the country. She stressed that the hybrid character of the Special Court meant Sierra Leoneans were appointed to serve at all levels of the Court, from the Appeals Chambers (including the Presidency) to secretariat functions.

‘At the closure of the Special Court, most returned to the public service in Sierra Leone, including myself,’ she said, adding ‘The present Supreme Court of Sierra Leone is constituted by majority of Justices who served in various capacities at the Special Court. Sierra Leoneans, including my good self, served as Prosecutor and Defence Attorney at the Court; the Executive Director of the Legal Aid Board was once the Principal Defender at the Court,’ she added.

Justice Samba said the jurisprudence of the Special Court has contributed in no measure in addressing sexual and gender based violence (SGBV) in the context of International Criminal Justice. ‘This contribution has been translated into concrete efforts by the Government of Sierra Leone and Civil Society to address lingering SGBV scourge in Sierra Leone,’ Justice Samba said, adding ‘From the declaration of the now lapsed State of Public Emergency on rape and other forms of SGBV by the President, to the civil society advocacy ‘Black Tuesday Movement’, Sierra Leone continues to take action and demonstrate its abhorrence of SGBV.’

 

Sierra Leone News: ‘Pres. Bio Returns Soon, Hale & Hearty’ -Press Secretary

President Julius Maada Bio

Commenting on recent fake news of President Bio’s health, Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman, Keketoma Sandi laughed it off saying it was not the first time State House had heard such diabolic lies, adding that it will not be the last.

He maintained that it is the usual attention-seeking behaviour by certain members in the Opposition who do not have the capacity to contribute to alternative policy ideas or national development dialogue; and so, they resort to fake news.

He added however that President Julius Maada Bio is very much energized and will continue to live for many more years, and that President Bio went on a private family trip and that he has right to his privacy. He went on to say that the fact is ‘President will return soon energized and refreshed to continue the wonderful achievements he has made so far.’

The Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman, Yusuf Keketoma Sandi went on to state that President Julius Maada Bio would not be distracted by fake news following malicious lies and propaganda on his health by members of the opposition.

“We have a President who is very focused to address the challenges his Government inherited from the previous APC administration because of bad leadership. In just slightly over a year, he has restored international economic credibility to the country; Sierra Leone is now a role model in Africa for the fight against corruption; President Bio is now regarded as Champion for Human Capital Development and a pacesetter for innovation, science and technology in governance in Africa,” Keketoma said.

Commenting on the fake news of President Bio’s health, Keketoma laughed it off saying it was not the first time they had shared such diabolic lies and it will not be the last. He said that it was the usual attention-seeking behaviour by certain members in the opposition who do not have the capacity to contribute to alternative policy ideas or the national development dialogue so they resort to fake news. He added the President was very much energized and will continue to live for many more years not only to continue transforming the country but also to see that his legacy will be preserved by successive SLPP-led Governments.

Asked why President Bio’s trip was not announced to the public, the Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman stated that “We have released Press Statements on all official trips of President Bio abroad. This is not an official travel rather it is a private family trip. He has right to a private and family life and that must be respected. The fact is that even when President Bio went to ECOWAS last year and we released a statement on his travel for that official engagement, those who wanted to create mischief said President Bio was in a wheelchair. The President will return soon energized and refreshed to continue the wonderful achievements he has made so far. The President is not distracted and we are not distracted by fake news.”

 

 

Sierra Leone News: Meet the New NATCOM Chairman

NATCOM Chairman, Mohamed Fouad Sheriff

The National Telecommunications Commission (NATCOM) is the statutory institution set up by an Act of Parliament to regulate telecommunications entities operating within the country.

By virtue of its significant roles that it continues to play, NATCOM is a very instrumental appendage for overall national development. At this material time NATCOM needs a Chairman who is a team player and more importantly someone who can efficiently raise much needed revenue in line with the two dedicated brains in the persons of Maxwell Massaquoi as Director-General and Daniel Kaitibi as the Deputy Director General.

The viability of NATCOM largely hinges on its Chairman who is always a Presidential nominee that must be approved by Parliament. Mohamed Fouad Sheriff was recently appointed by His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio to serve as the new Chairman of NATCOM, subject to Parliamentary approval.

For those who know the proposed NATCOM Chairman, they will honestly certainly agree that Fouad Sheriff is indeed suitable and fit to head NATCOM and that his appointment is not a mistake.

One thing that is distinct about the Bio led SLPP Government is the appointment of highly educated individuals and professionals to key positions whom the populace confidently believes have the wherewithal to deliver as per their mandates and responsibilities. The proposed NATCOM Chairman fits well into this category.

Mohamed Fouad Sheriff is a Sierra Leonean who holds a Bachelor of Science with Honors degree and a Master of Technology in Aquaculture with vast experience in Fisheries Planning, Fisheries Management and Project Management.

Besides, he has over the years bagged a lot of prestigious certificates in the United Kingdom, United States of America and in Africa, lending credence to his penchant to acquire more knowledge. Sheriff has worked extensively in Sierra Leone and acquired a vast wealth of knowledge in different roles based on his work experiences.

He is a true patriot who prefers to contribute to his country’s strides to overcome national development challenges instead of using his enviable qualifications to bask in lucrative jobs overseas as others do.

He hails from Southern Sierra Leone, a Muslim, married with five children.

Graduating as an excellent student, Sheriff was appointed as Research Assistant in the Botany Department at Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone from 1976 to 1978. His responsibilities include but not limited to direct and conduct practical for 1st year to Honors and to lecturing years 1, 2 and 3 students in Botany.

The proposed NATCOM Chairman was Senior Project Officer, Oyster Culture Project (IDRC/GOSL) from 1978 to 1985 during which time he conducted trials with various culture methods, trails for seed collection, growth and Biological Studies, seed monitoring, collection and growth as well as report writing.

He served as Fish Culture Extension Officer from 1985 to 1987 and his responsibilities included fish pond construction in inland valley swamps in North-Western Sierra Leone, seed production and distribution to pond fish farmers as well as training fish farmers in pond construction and management.

1987 to 1989 he was Project Manager, EU/GOSL Kambia Fisheries Project where he prepared annual work program and supervision of its implementation, coordinated the technical assistant team project activities, managed finance, equipment and prepared reports.

As National Project Director of EU/GOSL Integrated Artisanal Fisheries and Community Development from 1989 to 1992, Sheriff excelled in preparing annual work programs, supervising implementation, coordinated and supervised individual work programs of Technical Assistance Team, prepared technical specifications for overseas purchases, monitored as well as supervised relevant tasks of the Monitoring Control and Evaluation Unit together with co-management of project’s equipment and finances.

Working as Principal Fisheries Officer within 1993 to 1997, he was responsible for fish and fishery product health inspection onshore and onboard fishing vessels. Also, he inspected fish receiving facilities including fish processing plants and supervised recorders on board licensed fishing vessels apart from overseeing log books of industrial fishing vessels. He played key roles as Assistant Director of Fisheries, Deputy Director of Fisheries, Director of Fisheries and Marine Resources. In all those capacities he made indelible marks that impressed all his supervisors and donor partners.

He also serves as the Internal Auditor of the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP), auditing the finances, income and expenditure of the party. He has been very actively participated in all party activities.

Fouad Sheriff has to his credit field experiments in brackish water ponds in Nigeria (1981), a publication titled “Aquaculture in Sierra Leone: An Overview of Status & Potentials (1983), “Traditional Fishing Technologies in the Pujehun District”, “Artisanal Fisheries in Sierra Leone: A Strategy for Sustainable Development” (1991).

Some may want to question why appoint someone with impressive qualifications in Fisheries to regulate the telecommunications industry as Chairman of NATCOM.

The answer is simple. An individual like Mohamed Fouad Sheriff who has the pedigree to manage any institution, with his vast wealth of long standing experiences he has acquired over the years, can easily manage or oversee activities of that institution and make NATCOM more functional.

He has worked with different stakeholders both at home as well as abroad not to talk of a host of members of staff in different institutions and professionals which places him at a very vantage position to effectively manage and lead.

If Fouad Sheriff could effectively manage projects and individuals within the fisheries industry, where it is so difficult to perform managerial functions, then there is no iota of doubt that he will do so exceptionally well as NATCOM Chairman.

NATCOM could not be any exception to be perfectly managed by an individual who has a Midas touch that turns anything to gold.

In a snap interview with Maxwell Massaquoi and Daniel Kaitibi, NATCOM Director General and Deputy Director General respectively, they sincerely intimated that from what they know about the newly appointed Chairman, it is certain that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

“Things are going to work out smoothly and new initiatives will be rolled out to make NATCOM more strategic and relevant to the country’s development trajectory. We are ready to work with anybody who is focused and exactly knows how to work selflessly with any dedicated to fast track national growth,” both affirmed, adding that there are many good things that could be accomplished through effective teamwork.

Thus, it will be an understatement to say that Fouad Sheriff is fit and poised to take NATCOM to higher heights when approved as the substantive NATCOM Chairman.

 

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