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Sierra Leone News: Sierra Leone Climbs Up Corruption Index

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

 

Sierra Leone News: Massive Reforms Underway at Internal Affairs Ministry

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

 

Sierra Leone News: Computerized Payment System for Tertiary Institutions Initiated

The Ministry of Finance on Friday 12th July 2019 signed the Memorandum of Understanding with universities and teacher training colleges in the country for a computerized payment system for academic, administrative and other staff at an impressive ceremony held at the Ministry’s conference room, George Street in Freetown.

According to the Minister of Finance, Jacob Jusu Saffa, the new payment system would ensure prompt payment of salaries and other allowances for staff of universities and teacher training colleges nationwide as their salaries, transport, medical and leave allowances would be paid directly into their accounts articulating that government wants to effectively manage the payroll, the reason the Ministry of Education was separated into two but lamented that a new Ministry is very difficult to start.

Jacob Jusu Saffa continued to say that universities and teacher training colleges would have to pay other expenses to lecturers and staff asserting that this means no more business as usual adding that signing of the MoU is part of the public expenditure review to sanitize government’s payment control expenditure, that the entire payroll system is being audited and affirmed that the initiative is a signal that more stringent measures would be taken to sanitize the system underscoring that institutions of higher learning are key to government’s human capital development.

The Minister of Finance also revealed that all tertiary institutions are indebted to the National Revenue Authority, that government payroll is over-blotted in all the colleges, especially Njala University, disclosing that the computerized system would soon be rolled out to health workers revealing that the BADEA project and other donors have allocated $68 million to rehabilitate four government schools including the Bo School, Kenema Government Secondary School and the Prince of Wales, two tertiary institutions-Bunumbu Teachers College and the Milton Margai College of Education and Technology in Freetown assuring that government would do more to promote higher education and that the next agenda is to look at the conditions of service of lecturers and other staff.

Dr. Turad Senesie, Deputy Minister of Technical and Higher Education enlightened that the computerized payment system would integrate lecturers and other staff into the national payroll system marking the end of an era when lecturers went without pay for three months and allowances for a year and affirmed that the new scheme would help them to be committed to duty as they would promptly receive their salaries and other allowances.

He further assured that government would deliver on its mandate to provide quality education underscoring that the new payment system would add value to the lives of the beneficiaries disclosing that the beneficiaries would receive alert on their phones that their salaries have been paid into their accounts, reiterated that lecturers would now have time to concentrate on their work and even undertake research work and intimated that government has finally resolved the late payment of salaries and allowances for lecturers.

According to Dr. Turad Senesie, the new payment system is now the global trend.

Head of the Tertiary Education Commission, Professor Aliyagin Algalie revealed that the event is epoch-making and a novelty, that the timely payment of salaries and allowances would end strike actions but reminded heads of universities and teacher training colleges that there is a moratorium on new recruitment and promotions and urged heads to promptly inform the Commission about  replacements.

He also observed the differences in the identity cards and bio- data of some staff members for which an integrated ICT system costing $200 million would be created, disclosed plans for a uniform condition of service for lecturers and other workers aligned to the budget circle and called for tertiary institutions and teacher training colleges to be proactive in responding to the Commission.

The Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Professor Aiah Gbakima said while serving as Vice Chancellor of the University of Sierra Leone from 2005-2019, he experienced the challenges of none-payment of salaries to lecturers and other staff that resulted to strike action and observed that the University of Sierra Leone is not part of the scheme due to late submission of data for which it would not receive its subvention until the information is submitted to the Ministry of Finance.

He also informed his audience that government would pay the salaries of lecturers and other staff of universities and teacher training colleges, Pay as You Earn Tax (PAYE) and cautioned heads of universities and teacher training colleges to notify the Ministry if the need arises as there is a moratorium on new recruitment for which exceptions would be made.

Professor Aiah Gbakima also reminded lecturers to be effective in their work and that punitive action would be taken against defaulters such as withholding of salaries.

 

 

Sierra Leone News: Fatima Maada Bio Graces OAFLAD General Assembly

First Lady of Sierra Leone, Madam Fatima Maada Bio

During the July 8th  – 23rd OAFLAD General Assembly, First Lady of Sierra Leone, Madam Fatima Maada Bio focused on the root causes and her advocacy on early marriage, rape & teenage pregnancy.

Two panel discussions formatted to propel an engaging interaction between some OAFLAD First Ladies and  two partners was held, in the presence of an audience made up of high level government officials and stakeholders —development partners and private sector partners.

Fatima Maada Bio, as a member of the steering committee of OAFLAD was one of the panelists. The core discussion was:

“What are best practices in forging and maintaining mutually accountable partnerships?”

The key contribution / recommendations made by First Lady Fatima Bio: Not because HIV / AIDs is not important, but working on these causes was of immediate interest to the people of Sierra Leone.

First Lady said it is important to align with organizations with similar vision. This she said is important.   For instance, her office is working with UNFPA in Sierra Leone because they have robust programmes in Sierra Leone dealing with issues of mutual interest.

Going round my country, interacting with my people and gathering data from appropriate agencies, Cancer was identified as a major killer. Personally, I work with my people on ground. I interact with them, so I know exactly what their challenges are, then my team design programmes based on the needs of my people.

There is no problem with our partners developing programs, but these should be based on extensive consultation, and not disconnected from the community they wish to implement the programme.

Working with partners: In working with my donor partners and implementing bodies, “trust” is essential. My office will give account of the projects we are responsible for” Once entrusted with a project, our partners should be rest assured, the project will be done judiciously, and our books open to scrutiny.  Lack of accountability is one of the reasons for stunted development in Africa. OAFLAD is committed to utilize and account for the funding given to us judiciously, as we build trust with existing partners, and attract new ones.

Accountability and communication is paramount. Every party must have a clear understanding of their responsibilities, and execute them effectively.

Background

In 2002, First Ladies of Africa came together to form the Organization of African First Ladies against HIV/AIDS (OAFLA), with the objective to be a united voice for Africa’s most susceptible citizens; women and children living with and affected by HIV and AIDS. The umbrella body of African First Ladies has announced a change in their name and mission February this year after being in operation for over 16 years. The new name of the body is Organization of African First Ladies for Development, OAFLAD.

Sierra Leone News: FAO Meets Traditional Leaders on Women’s Land Rights

Cross-section of participants

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations with the International Labour Organization (ILO), in collaboration with the Government of Sierra Leone with support from the Peace Building Fund (PBF), on Thursday 11th July 2019 concluded a 2-days workshop on Gender and Land Rights within the framework of implementing the PBF project on  ‘Creating Peaceful Societies Through Women’s Improved Access to Management of Natural Resources, Land Tenure Rights and Economic Empowerment in Sierra Leone.’

The workshop brought together over 40 stakeholder and traditional authorities from four (4) districts of Bombali (North), Port Loko (North West), Bo (South) and Kenema (East) were the project is being implemented. In attendance were 8 Paramount Chiefs, 16 Section Chiefs and 16 Mamie Queens. In promoting gender equality and peacebuilding in Sierra Leone, sister agency the United Nations Women (UN Women) and the office of the UN Residence coordinator participated in the workshop. The two-day interactive workshop was held at the Golden Tulip Kimbima Hotel, Aberdeen in Freetown.

The FAO Representative in Sierra Leone, in her welcome and opening remark, Dr. Nyabenyi Tipo highlighted that the objectives of the workshop was to enhanced the capacities of  Traditional Authorities (especially Paramount Chiefs, Section Chiefs, and Mamie Queens) to better understand and advocate for the Peace-building Mechanisms and promoting Women’s Land and property rights in their communities.

She also stated that the workshop was to increase knowledge and awareness on global and national principles, policies and practices such the Voluntary Guideline (VGGT), the national land policy existing legal framework for securing land and property rights.

Madam Tipo further explained that the workshop will enhance their skills in Alternative to Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms to address especially land conflict in their various communities. She reminded participants that although FAO is facilitating the workshop it is their responsibility to bring change to society, stating that the PBF project is linked to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which among others includes, reduce poverty, zero hunger, and gender equality and reduced inequality. She commended the Ministry of Lands, Housing and the Environment for being pivotal in the entire project.

She further revealed that the mapping of lands in some selected chiefdoms in the country has created impact with a lot of advantages and acclaimed the Office of the United Nations Resident Coordinator, Green Scenery, NAMATI, the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP) and the Sierra Leone Labor Congress for their support and wished all a successful workshop asserting that participants must take the workshop seriously and be agents of change when they return to their respective communities by championing women’s rights.

The ILO Project Manager, Mr. Paul Mayanja, said it is a privilege for him to meet Paramount Chiefs and Traditional Leaders at the same place and time, that he is pleased to work with FAO on the peace building fund project, underscored that land is critical for development and hoped that at the end of the workshop participants would empower others on how to productively make use of land to improve their lives.

He reiterated that after knowing about land rights, participants should make land more productive as well as create jobs affirming that ILO would work with Paramount Chiefs and Traditional Leaders to make use of land, that the project would visit chiefdoms to work with the people to link markets, create jobs to improve their lives and expressed thanks to FAO for partnering with ILO and other donors to make a difference and create change in Sierra Leone.

The Representative of UN Women, Baindu Massaquoi extoled FAO and ILO for the project, she stated that women have been left behind since the end of the civil war. She recalled that they have worked with female Paramount Chiefs during the 2018 elections to increase their representation in Parliament, protection and prevention of violence against women, women’s empowerment and that they are working with the Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs to implement several treaties and agreements like the UN Security Council Resolution 1324 to protect women against violence.

According to the UN Women Programme Specialist Baindu Massaquoi, UN Women is working to give space to women, she explained that if women own land they would contribute to food security and take good care of their families. She stated that after the civil war, women’s groups advocated for equal representation in governance, to be part of decision-making process and the 30% quota to consolidate peace in the country as 51% of the population are women. Madam Massaquoi appealed to participants to be attentive and ask questions during the workshop for the development of Sierra Leone recalling that after nationwide consultations the Constitutional Review Committee created a whole chapter on women.

Ms. Simonetta Rossi, Peace and Development Advisor, Office of the UN Resident Coordinator articulated that Paramount Chiefs are the right people to discuss land rights, she hoped that the workshop would be useful and that participants would disseminate the information as well as become agents of peace and change to ensure that all have equal access to land and that the United Nations General Assembly is supporting sustainable peace in Sierra Leone to address the causes of violence.

She further dilated on what is real and positive peace, inter-ethnic conflicts, cultural violence and the absence of social services.
Mr. Jobo Samba from the Ministry of Lands gave the history of the National Land Policy that was developed by UNDP and the Government of Sierra Leone, with technical support from FAO and other partners, and approved in November 2016 after nationwide consultations.

He stated that the new policy would help to address the many challenges in the land sector, correct the mistakes of the past, address climate change and food insecurity and equal access to land intimating that the customs and traditions of the people, human dignity, gender equity, transparency and accountability and the challenges women face to access land, were all taken onboard the new policy.

He also disclosed that the main aim of the project is to create peaceful societies in Sierra Leone, commended donors for supporting land reforms in the country, that the level of participants is encouraging. He assured all present that access to land would improve in the future, that the views of participants would be taken onboard to enrich the discussion, which women are discriminated against in the two land tenure systems stressing that government can acquire land anywhere in the country for development purposes for which the owners must be compensated.

Mr. Jombo Samba went on to state that the Ministry is aware of the numerous challenges relating to land including large-scale acquisition of land, weak land administration, conflicting and overlapping land laws and urged participants to utilize the workshop to address the challenges relating to land affecting communities guaranteeing that the Ministry would go the extra-mile to fully implement the National Land Policy and the Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Forests (VGGT) according to the country’s national development policy.

He further said that large-scale land investments must be responsible, respect human rights, promote food security, alternative livelihood and protect the environment

Dr. Samuel Mabikke, FAOs Land Tenure Officer, informed participants that this is the first Peace Building project incorporating economic empowerment of women for national cohesion and peaceful resolution asserting that ILO would concentrate on training women in economic empowerment, that the mapping of lands would be scaled-up in some areas informing that the pilot project was implemented in eight chiefdoms and 16 villages according to geographic balance–Bo, Kenema, Port Loko and Bombali.

He also stated that FAO is receiving a lot of requests to map the lands of other districts, that land includes forests and fisheries that the project is supported by the UN Secretary General and is coordinated from New York. Dr. Mabikke emphasized that Sierra Leone is rich in natural resources which, if properly utilized, would benefit the people. He stated that over $200 million worth of rice is imported annually in-spite of the country’s fertile soil, rain and abundance land revealing that over 90% of land is in the provinces and reiterated the need to empower women stressing that traditional leaders are key to peace and stability.

Mr. Joseph Brima, the Assistant FAO Representative in charge of programs commended Paramount Chiefs and traditional leaders, who are the first point of contact in the chiefdom, for attending the workshop and was optimistic that participants learnt a lot during the workshop. He emphasized that one learns every day, especially how to resolve land disputes.

He also appealed to all participants to always consult women whom he referred to as prophetesses with special gifts from God adding that sometimes women give good advice.

Other facilitators were Kadija Isata Jalloh of FAO who dilated on the topic, Securing Women’s Property Right; Past and Current, a Local Perspective; Dr. Isata Mahoi of WANEP, Women’s Land Rights in the Constitution and the National Land Policy; Responsible Management of Natural Resources in the Context of Large-Scale Land Based Investments by Mr. Joseph Rahall, Executive Director of Green Scenery and Community Land Protection-Putting the Power of Law in the Hands of the People by Mr. Daniel Sesay, Senior Program Officer, NAMATI.

Umaru Samai, Programs and Advocacy Associate, UN Women urged participants not to discriminate against women as well as advocate for their rights. Mr. Samai from UN Women together with Mr. Joseph Brima (FAO) decorated participants with the badge as he/she Ambassadors as advocates and champions for women’s rights.

Highlights of the workshop were the screening of the VGGT footage, the question and answer session, decoration of participants with the he/she badge as Ambassadors with the pledge that they would promote women’s rights and gender equality in their communities.

 

Sierra Leone News: Attorney General & Justice Minister Showcase LAB at UN

Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dr. Priscilla Schwartz has showcased the work of the Legal Aid Board at the side event at the UN Secretariat in New York on Monday, 15 July 2019.

Dr. Schwartz said the Board has been one of the key institutions in implementing SD Goal 16. She underlined the remarkable successes of the Board in providing justice services to people especially those in remote communities that have little access to the Criminal Justice System. She noted that 215,000 people including non-Sierra Leoneans have benefitted from the Scheme from its inception in May 2015 to December 2018.

A five minutes video showcasing the work of the Board and the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education was also shown at the side event. The video shows the work of the Board in Pujehun District where a lot has been achieved by Paralegal Kakpama Lansana in promoting peaceful coexistence through mediation, provision of advice and legal assistance to those accessing both the formal and informal justice system and vigorously monitoring the police and the informal courts to ensure they carry out their mandates in a manner consistent with the law and also ensure rights are respected.

Carlton-Hanciles hailed the side event as a huge success for the Legal Aid Board. ‘People out here know a lot more about the Board than some had thought,’ she said, adding ‘People are following us on social media and are very pleased with what we are doing. Even our work with the entertainment industry to organized a Peace and Human Rights Festival in November, to build an inclusive society, is being followed closely.’

The Attorney General, Chairperson of the Legal Aid Board, Justice Miatta Samba and the Executive Director of the Board, Ms. Fatmata Claire Carlton-Hanciles are part of Sierra Leone’s delegation to the UN High Level Political Forum (HLPF) where the country will be presenting the Voluntary National Review (VNR) report on the progress in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

 

 

Sierra Leone News: As Media Owners Encouraged to Sign Up: Africell Life Insurance Gains Momentum

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Sierra Leone’s leading mobile operator, Africell has on Tuesday 16th July, 2019 engaged media owners in order for them to insure their staff at Africell American Corner Bathurst Street Freetown.

Speaking at the event, Victoria Mamah, Africell Life Insurance Product Manager disclosed that Le50,000 per head is the policy for the life insurance and the that the beneficiary is eligible to claim USD 1,000 following the policy-holder’s death.

She said the beneficiary has one month after the policy-holder’s death to submit the claim and that he/she should provide the following documents:

Official Death Certificate and must provide the policy-holder’s telephone number linked with the Africell life insurance.

She added that furthermore, the policy-holder can change the beneficiary at any time during the life of the policy for an administration charge of Le5,000 or free of charge when the policy is being renewed.

She said that the loss of a breadwinner can bring severe financial hardship, which can affect the whole family, adding that Africell’s mobile insurance is available to all Africell subscribers and provides financial security when it is most needed.

John Konteh, Station Manager AiRadio-Africell, said the eligibility for the Africell life insurance is that applicants must be between 18-45 years old and he/she should be an Africell subscriber registered with Africell money and that the person should provide approved/valid identification and Le50,000 must be in his/her Africell money wallet.

He concluded by saying that no blood test or medical examination and no extra or hidden expenses make it quick and easy to set up as your insurance cover starts once your application is validated by Africell.

He added that you can subscribe to this policy by downloading the app via Google playstore or contact any of their agents or visit any of their customer’s service centres.

Sierra Leone News: As Truly Multinational Company… With NP-SL: Customers Need Not Grumble

National Petroleum (NP) SL Limited

Operating at the highest international service delivery standard, National Petroleum NP customers have never had cause to grumble about sub-standard products or shoddy service at its outlets.

Being Sierra Leone’s leading and longest serving oil marketing company, the National Petroleum (NP) SL Limited continues to weather the storm gallantly as it endeavours to give optimum satisfaction to its esteemed customers across the country as well as in neighbouring Liberia, Guinea, Ivory Coast and The Gambia where it also operates – a truly multinational Sierra Leone giant.

Number one for customer care, NP’s management is aware that paying maximum attention to customer care is key to its viability and sustainability in a highly competitive market.

Since its establishment, NP has been meaningfully contributing to economic growth through payment of taxes and rolling out meaningful interventions in the discharge of Corporate Social Responsibility that are transforming lives and improving communities.

The company always ensures that petroleum products are always available, thereby preventing shortages that could create shocks in many quarters. The level of confidence which overseas business partners have reposed in the company has made it possible for it to enter into payment agreements thereby keeping the demand and supply chain open and running.

The company has gained reputation for offering a variety of managerial and technical jobs to Sierra Leoneans throughout the countries it operates; thereby helping in improve standards of living.

NP-SL giving preference to employing Sierra Leoneans is clear indication that it adheres to the country’s Local Content Policy.

Utilizing local talents make it possible for indigenes to acquire useful knowledge and skills through training courses that could be applicable in other places.

In addition, the company sells the best cooking gas that is available in hundreds of outlets across the country, thereby contributing to creating cleaner environments, thus aiding the work of EPA.

In this digital age, moving away from the traditional way of transacting business has now become the norm. As such, NP introduced the use of smart cards with which customers can procure any quantity of petroleum products easily.

“Using NP smart card always makes transactions very easy and convenient for me,” Gibril Koroma, an engineer informed.

The public’s recognition of the invaluable contributions of NP both to its numerous esteemed customers across the country and to national development has seen it bag meritorious awards from different organisations.

The latest was “Best Company of the Year” received on 6th July 2019 during the National Business Award 2018/2019.

 

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