Sierra Leone News: In Africa… Sierra Leone 1st to Initiate Electronic Disease Surveillance

June 9, 2019

Sierra Leone has become the first country in the WHO Africa region to fully transform its national disease surveillance system from paper-based to web-based electronic platform.

As of recently, electronic reporting of disease surveillance data is active in all public health facilities. The process, which was first piloted in just one district in 2016, was successfully rolled out to all the 14 districts and every government health facility countrywide.

A rapid assessment of the country’s disease surveillance system in 2015 revealed several major gaps, including a lack of adequate reporting tools, difficulties with transmitting data, and limited access to laboratory information on priority diseases. The gaps were attributed to the existing burdensome surveillance system. These challenges often resulted in late detection, response to and control of public health events. Once aware of the full scale of the situation, the Ministry of Health and Sanitation decided that immediate action was needed. Supported by WHO and other partners including the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC), e-Health Africa, FOCUS 1000 and GIZ, the process to migrate reporting from the daunting traditional style paper-based system to a web-based electronic platform (e-IDSR) was started. The goal was to revitalize the national public health surveillance system and to speed up response to public health events through real-time information flow.

“Transitioning disease surveillance data reporting from the traditional old style paper-based format to a computerized format using an advanced technology is ground-breaking for Sierra Leone and we are very proud of being a pivotal part of this great transformation and achievement – from its conception to planning and full implementation,” says Mr Evans Liyosi, World Health Organization (WHO) Representative in Sierra Leone.

“This is a huge success story of partnership. Partners worked together to support the country to achieve this goal. Other countries in the region have a lot to learn from our collaboration and our experience”.

The electronic reporting allows health facility staff to use hand-held tablets developed for the purposes of reporting health data.

Prior to the introduction of this innovation, compliance with reporting surveillance data was much lower. Reporting of weekly surveillance data from the 1 300 public health facilities countrywide was done through mobile phone text messages, phone calls, hand delivery or email. The process was arduous with inaccuracies, with delays and health costs.

The human cost of the out-dated system clearly impinged on the ability of the health sector to effectively monitor and respond to health issues and events in a timely fashion as was seen in the advent of the 2014 Ebola Virus Disease outbreak in the West African sub-region.

“Real-time generation and transmission of data is a crucial function in public health surveillance,” says Dr. Charles Njuguna, lead epidemiologist at WHO Sierra Leone Country Office. “It ensures early detection and timely reporting as well as making sure that the quality and usefulness of the information from primary healthcare is available for strategic and appropriate decision making at the top level to address public health threats.”

Integrated with the country’s District Health Information System (DHIS2), the electronic system has set the pace for improvement in the timeliness of reporting, reporting rates, data quality and efficiency, and ease of data management at the national level with a real-time feedback system to the lower level.

Aminata Abdulai is a nurse at the Robarrie Child Health Post in Yoni Chiefdom in Tonkolil District, where health workers have recently been trained and have started using the new technology for routine health information processing. She described the system as “revolutionary and motivating” as it eases case investigation and also allows self-performance monitoring and feedback. “This is just what we needed. The system has made our task swift and easy in the midst of serving patients,” she says.

With the vibrant and revitalized disease surveillance system that tracks the occurrence of 28 priority diseases, conditions and events, routine weekly public health reporting from health facilities has now increased from 89% in 2016 to 99% May 2019 from health facilities countrywide.

Sierra Leone News: President Bio Romances with UK Prime Minister

June 9, 2019

President Julius Maada Bio and Idris Elba OBE

United Kingdom Prime Minister, Theresa and President Julius Maada Bio

In a remarkable feat of accomplishment, His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio attended the Queen’s Official Birthday Parade which was marked by Trooping the Colour at Horse Guards Parade, St James Park on Saturday 8^th June 2019.

His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio was guest of the United Kingdom Prime Minister, Theresa May and husband, Mr Philip May at this year’s official birthday commemoration of the Queen. Both the Prime Minister and President Bio sat side by side as they watched the ceremony at the Horse Guards Parade in Whitehall.

The Queen was joined by members of her family including the Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke and Dutchess of Cambridge and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. The Duke of Edinburgh, who celebrates his 98th birthday on Monday 10th June, has retired from public duties and did not attend.

The Queen has earlier celebrated her 93rd birthday in April but the trooping the colour ceremony originated from the traditional preparations for battle and has commemorated the birthday of the sovereign for more than 250 years.

Earlier, His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio was hosted by the UK Prime Minister, Theresa May at No. 10 Downing Street as part of the commemoration of the Queen’s Birthday ceremony and both the Prime Minister and President Bio also discussed about the just-concluded UK-Sierra Leone Trade and Investment Conference.

His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio was accompanied to Downing Street and the Trooping the Colour Parade by the outgoing Sierra Leone High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, H.E Tamba Lamina. H.E Tamba Lamina has been highly commended by Sierra Leoneans and investors for his outstanding leadership in organising the Trade and Investment Conference.

The invitation of His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio by UK Prime Minister, Theresa May to the Queen’s Birthday Parade and his visit to No.10 Downing Street will continue to demonstrate the UK Government’s confidence in the impressive Leadership of President Bio and his Government.

In another development, which when it materializes will give this country a big facelift, the English actor, producer, director and musician, Idris Elba OBE, told President Bio of his plans to transform Sherbro Island into a world-class city as part of his drive to give back to Sierra Leone. Meeting with President Bio on the margins of the UK-Sierra Leone Trade and Investment conference, Idris Elba told President Bio that he wanted to make Sherbro Island a great touristic destination.

“I want to come to Sierra Leone for the first time under your fantastic leadership,” Idris Elba OBE stated. He also stated that he will like to see people travelling to Sherbro Island for culture, tourism and entertainment. He added that “The Sherbro Island will be a city for everyone”. Also explaining about the project, members of his delegation said that the transformation of Sherbro Island will make it a West African regional economic hub focusing on tourist destination, entertainment, convention centre, innovative affordable housing, aquaculture etc.

Some of the benefits of the project highlighted by his delegation included creating a powerful economic growth engine, deepening human capital through education and training, diversifying income sources for government and citizens, transforming the country’s international image and improving infrastructure and transportation links. Through the project, Idris Elba OBE also assured President Bio that he will use his international reputation to contribute in rebranding Sierra Leone with a new message. He also spoke about his long-term aspiration to invest in education and training to create a workforce in Sierra Leone for the film industry.

Responding to Idris Elba OBE and team, President Bio thanked Idris Elba OBE for the thought of investing in Sierra Leone. He told them that such project has always been his aspiration for the Island to transform it into a great tourist destination. He said because of the level of neglect of the Island over the years, he has made it a duty to always spend the Christmas at the Island. “Every time I went on holiday, I would tell the people that help to transform the Island was on the way so today I am happy that the help is here,” President Bio said.

President Bio also expressed his delight for the project and assured that as a Government the project will receive his fullest support. He said that the project will give hope to many Sierra Leoneans, adding that “I want to make every Sierra Leonean be proud to return back to Sierra Leone”. As an action oriented President, immediately during the meeting, President Bio instructed that preparatory work and all necessary documentations should commence. He also advised the team to visit the Sherbro Island and engage with the community about the project.

According to the biography of Idris Elba OBE, his father is a Sierra Leonean and mother a Ghanaian.

Sierra Leone News: First Lady invites Anti- FGM Campaigner

June 9, 2019

The First Lady of Sierra Leone, who caused a furore this year when she said she did not think female genital mutilation was harmful, has said she will meet campaigners after being ambushed while addressing a major women’s rights conference.

Delegates were stunned when Sarian Kamara, a British anti-FGM activist, approached First Lady Fatima Bio with two models of vaginas – one with no external genitalia.

“I want to present myself as evidence to you of what FGM can do to a woman,” she said holding up the models. “This is what my vagina should look like, and this is what it looks like now.”

Kamara, who was born in Sierra Leone, said she had suffered a lifetime of pain and complications since being cut when she was 11.

Nearly 90% of girls and women in the Sierra Leone have undergone FGM.

The ritual, which involves the partial or total removal of the genitalia, can cause a host of health problems.

In December, a 10-year-old girl in Sierra Leone bled to death after being cut, sparking renewed calls for a ban.

Fatima Bio angered activists this year when she said in a televised interview that, as a circumcised woman, she would not speak out against FGM – a campaign she did not believe in – and said she needed to see evidence of the harm it caused.

She also attracted criticism over a program she leads called “Hands off our Girls” which focuses on ending abuses like rape and child marriage, but does not mention FGM.

However, Fatima Bio appeared to have softened her stance when she was confronted on Wednesday at the Women Deliver conference in Vancouver where she was speaking on a panel about girls’ education.

She told the packed hall that although she had not experienced any problems from being cut, she was open to learning more about the practice.

She told delegates there was a law against performing FGM on girls under 18 in Sierra Leone.

However, anti-FGM group 28 Too Many said there was no national law and she may have been referring to local agreements that have no legal standing.

Kamara told journalists on Thursday that the First Lady had afterwards invited her to meet when she goes to Sierra Leone, where she runs workshops on ending FGM.

“She said, ‘Call me. I want you to teach me’,” said Kamara founder of an initiative called Keep the Drums, Lose the Knife, which campaigns for alternative coming of age ceremonies.

“The First Lady runs the biggest girl’s movement in the country so it would be fantastic to get her on board. Her voice would be very powerful.”

Several of Africa’s First Ladies have played a major role in galvanizing international efforts to end the practice.

On Tuesday, Burkina Faso’s First Lady Sika Kabore, who regularly speaks out on FGM, told activists she would talk to her Sierra Leone counterpart.

Sierra Leone News: ACC Vs Isha Johansen & Co. Again!

June 9, 2019

Francis Ben Kelfala, Commissioner for Sierra Leone’s Anti Corruptions Commission (ACC),

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) of Sierra Leone on 6^th June, 2019, filed a ten (10) grounds Notice of Appeal in the Court of Appeals of Sierra Leone, against the judgment of the High Court of Sierra Leone in the matter of entitled: The State Vs. Isha Johansen and Christopher Abdul Kamara.

The Appeal focuses purely on the interpretation of certain provisions of the Anti-Corruption Act, No. 12 of 2008 and related evidential issues. Having perused the judgment of the High Court delivered by His Lordship, Justice Reginald Fynn Jr., JA, the Anti-Corruption Commission has identified issues emanating therefrom that crucially require review by the Court of Appeals, particularly in relation to the ingredients of the offence of Misappropriation and the nature of evidence required to prove and establish it.

Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) President, Isha Johansen

It must be noted however that; while the Commission welcomes the finalization of the trial against Mrs. Isha Johansen and Mr. Christopher Abdul Kamara, and remains cognizant of the public interest for football to be played in the country; and while it confirms that having concluded trial it will not interfere with the continuance in office of the officials of the Sierra Leone Football Association pending the conclusion of the Appeal, the Commission in its mandate will protect the proper development of the jurisprudence relating to corruption offences and its effectiveness in the national fight against corruption.

The Commission reassured the public of its commitment to controlling corruption at all times and appreciates their patience and support in carrying out its lawful mandate.

Sierra Leone News: Joseph Lamboi Takes Correctional Service to New Level

June 9, 2019

Sierra Leone Correctional Service, Director General, Joseph Lamboi

The Management of the Sierra Leone Correctional Service under the dynamic leadership of Joseph Lamboi as Director General of the institution on Friday 7^th June 2019,took a cross-section of journalists on a conducted tour of its facilities and informed the Press about the achievements made so far since the new Management took over.

Among these are the newly-constructed conference hall, computer lab, Child Friendly Center, Library, Officers Mess, Agricultural Project including Livestock Farming, Adult Education, Technical Training Workshop for inmates, Games and Sports, Reintegration Talk Shop – where the inmates go and buy food stuffs, cold water, drinks and other items which reduce the risk in trafficking drugs and contraband into the Correctional Centers, as some relatives of inmates send money instead of food. Other programs meant to catch up with the global trend were also showcased.

In his statement Director General Lamboi said the engagement with the media is to strike a partnership and uphold the ethics of accountability, transparency and to change the public perception about their operations and show case their recent achievements, challenges, and where they want to go as an institution, to maintain confidence building especially so when they operate behind the scenes.

“We are currently managing a little over 4,400 inmates nationwide, and Pademba Road Correctional Center which was built for just 300 inmates is hosting over 50% of that number. The Bo Correctional Center is the same and most of the Correctional centers suffer the same overcrowding which poses a security threat to the nation such as (prison breaks) but the institution is working with government and other donor partners to improve on infrastructures and work on relocation of the center to Songo village, Koya Chiefdom, for the Freetown Pademba Road Correctional Center where the institution has secured 80 hectares of Land for the project. The institution is also in need of logistics and some of the vehicles being used are almost clocking 2 decade and so we spend a lot of money on repairs. Government has promised to buy us some vehicles but we are yet to see them,” the DG maintained adding that due to the shortage of vehicles such affect their work.

According to him, in places like Moyamba, even to take the inmates to court is difficult and there are times when their officers have to take motor bikes for inmates or walk to make sure the inmates attend court which is also a risk.

In his presentation Denis Harman ,Deputy Director SLCS, said they currently manage about 4,418 inmates with 22 Correctional Centers nationwide, with a little over two thousand personal and 137 officers.

“The introduction of Prison Pilot Court project has helped us to fast-track court proceedings of inmates who have been in remand without trial for long, a Human Rights Audit where we have improved from the past,” he revealed.

In the area of capacity building he said most of their senior officers have gone through series of training at the Colorado Correctional Center, USA, Kenya Correctional Center and Canada as well and other parts of the world. He disclosed that there was a just-concluded training that was facilitated by Experts from Canada which the Director of Liberia Correctional Center and others around Africa were in attendance which put Sierra Leone at the advantage to become a center of excellence.

“We have secured funding that will enable the 22 centers to have electricity supply through solar power and internet and CCTV cameras which will also be available in all centers as at the moment only Pademba Road Correctional Center has the technical training project and Art Work which are now benefiting 242 inmates with a million Leones and above for each of them at the Rokel Commercial Bank out of the profits made from sales of different products,” he went on.

He anchored that if Sierra Leone is ranked the most peaceful country in West Africa, it tells that the Correctional service is doing well because they keep potential criminals that may disturb the peace of our nation behind bars.

Elizabeth Gbagla, SLCS Female Commanding Officer, said the Child Friendly Center was established for children below age 2 years whose mothers have been convicted and sent to the Correctional Center.

“We make sure the children are well taken care of, they no longer eat the same food with inmates as it used to happen before, we teach them, they have toys to play with and even watch cartoon movies and allow the suckling mothers to come out to suckle their children,” she added.

Sierra Leone News: NP-SL: Living Testimony of Indigenous Success

June 9, 2019

When we honestly talk of a very vibrant petroleum company that is operating in this country, churning qualitative service delivery it is not possible not to mention the name of the National Petroleum-Sierra Leone Limited.

Obviously, this is so because the company is growing doggedly from strength to strength ensuring that it is vibrant, alive and kicking. Surprisingly, for many it is no mean accomplishment more so when cognisance is taken of the fact that it is a one hundred percent indigenously-owned company that has stood the test of time, weathering various stormy challenges within a competitive business landscape.

One thing for which NP has been widely hailed is for its no-nonsense stance on raising high the bar of maximizing customer care. As a matter of fact, customer care forms a cardinal core of the company and it is sustainably maintaining it because as far as NP Management is concerned it matters greatly to them. That is why the company operates an open door policy, encouraging serious customers to dialogue and negotiate business terms with them so that at the end of the day they will reach an agreeable position on a win-win platform. Through this caring and prudent managerial competence, the company continues to grow by leaps and bounds as evident in its routine opening of new filling stations across the country with one in the Koinadugu District recently.

Furthermore, NP Management encourages private and public entities to enter into business arrangements that are practically viable. This entrepreneurial move continues to re-position the company to become more formidable and successful.

Little wonder why NP-SL has been able to open branches in four West African countries, namely Guinea, Liberia, The Gambia and Ivory Coast where the company is exceptionally and competitively doing well just as it is doing here. It ensures that in all those places, local indigenes are employed creating the feel of ownership of NP by the citizenry in those countries. This shrewd business strategy epitomizes how the company is deepening the Local Content Policy which places premium on ensuring that indigenous personnel talents and skills are utilized. What this simply means is that instead of allowing so-called foreign expatriates to take monies out of the country, such monies can definitely remain within the country thereby positively impacting on the economies of the host countries. It also helps in reducing poverty among the populace as citizens are offered the opportunity to be gainfully employed and capacitated.

To make the purchase of their petroleum products easily and timely possible the company in recent past introduced the use of NP Smart Cards which could be used to buy various products as long as they contain the requisite amounts of money to effect such purchases.

“Since it was introduced, I find it convenient to use it just like using my bank ATM card because it is not always that I have cash on me,” Karim Koroma, a lawyer frankly intimated this medium, adding that it has never failed him.

Sia Matturi has this to say, “I have been using NP Gas for a considerable period of time now and I find it suitable for cooking as it is quick and dependable. I am no longer exposed to the hazards of using charcoal or wood and I will advise my fellow women to try NP Gas and you will never regret doing so.”

NP Gas can be bought in different size cylinders and could be accessed in all NP filling stations across the country as well as at their agents all going for affordable prices.

Sierra Leone’s economy needs revamping and our development trajectory must be put on the right course in order to improve standards of living. In order to achieve that, there must be a private-public partnership to make available the much-needed resources to implement various development projects. Government must have the financial wherewithal to be at a vantage position to roll out development projects and one possible way is through revenue mobilization involving taxation. NP-SL is one business entity that is paying huge taxes to the National Revenue Authority; being classed among the Largest Tax Payer bracket and from what was learnt it is doing so in a timely manner.

If there is one outstanding and successful entity that Sierra Leoneans must indeed be proud of, for quality service delivery and sustainable growth, then definitely the lot will fall on the National Petroleum-Sierra Leone Limited. For sure it truly deserves a pat on the back.

Sierra Leone News: Ecobank hosted by London Stock Exchange after successful $500 million Eurobond issuance

June 9, 2019

Ecobank Chairman Emmanuel Ikazoboh (2nd from left) opens the LondonStock Exchange with Group CEO Ade Ayeyemi (3rd from left).

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

London, 7 June 2019 – Following its successful $500 million Eurobond issuance, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (‘ETI’), the Lomé-based parent company of the Ecobank Group, was hosted by the London Stock Exchange to a market opening ceremony to celebrate the successful listing of the Eurobond on the London Stock Exchange (LSE) main market.

The bond was oversubscribed with strong demand from international investors in the United Kingdom, United States, Europe, Middle East, Asia and Africa. It follows on from Ecobank’s 2017 convertible bond issuance on the International Securities Market.

The five-year senior unsecured notes, which mature in April 2024, were launched with a coupon interest rate of 9.50 percent per annum payable semi-annually in arrears.

Ade Ayeyemi, Group CEO of Ecobank said: “The successful issuance of our inaugural Eurobond on the main London market demonstrates international investors’ approval and confidence in Ecobank’s long-term strategy and prospects as a strong and sustainable pan-African financial services institution. It also demonstrates the ability of African corporates to access international capital markets.”

Ayo Adepoju, Acting Group CFO of Ecobank commented: “Ecobank places great emphasis on constantly reviewing our capital allocation strategies to ensure that we have the right strategic positioning, competitive advantages, products and resources to increase efficiency and profitability. Our access to international capital markets are part of the mix and enable us to boost our liquidity profile, refinance maturing facilities and strengthen our foundations to ensure long-term sustainable growth and profitability for all our stakeholders.”

ETI will use the net proceeds of the placement for general corporate purposes including the refinancing of maturing debt facilities.

Members of the ETI board and management attended the London Stock Exchange on 7 June to celebrate the successful issuance of the bond.

– ENDS –

You can download more photos of the ceremony here:

https://we.tl/t-K4Iz3NR8oP

Media Contact:

Mireille Bokpe-Anoumou

Group Communications Email: mbokpe@ecobank.com

Tel: +228 22 21 03 03

About Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (‘ETI’ or ‘The Group’)

Incorporated in Lomé, Togo in 1988, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (‘ETI’) is the parent company of the leading independent pan-African banking group, Ecobank. It currently has a presence in 36 African countries, namely: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo (Brazzaville), Congo (Democratic Republic), Côte d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, South Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The Group employs 16,386 people in 40 different countries in over 888 branches and offices. Ecobank is a full-service bank providing wholesale, retail, investment and transaction banking services and products to governments, financial institutions, multinationals, international organisations, medium, small and micro businesses and individuals. Additional information on Ecobank can be found at www.ecobank.com.

Sierra Leone News: Idris Elba to transform Sherbro Island into a World-Class City

June 8, 2019

London – The English actor, producer, director and musician, Idris Elba OBE, on Thursday 6th June 2019, has told President Bio of his plans to transform Sherbro Island into a world-class city as part of his drive to give back to Sierra Leone. Meeting with President Bio on the margins of the UK-Sierra Leone Trade and Investment conference, Idris Elba told President Bio that he wanted to make Sherbro Island a great touristic destination.

“I want to come to Sierra Leone for the first time under your fantastic leadership,” Idris Elba OBE stated. He also stated that he will like to see people travelling to Sherbro Island for culture, tourism and entertainment. He added that “The Sherbro Island will be a city for everyone”. Also explaining about the project, members of his delegation said that the transformation of Sherbro Island will make it a West African regional economic hub focusing on tourist destination, entertainment, convention centre, innovative affordable housing, aquaculture etc.

Some of the benefits of the project highlighted by his delegation included creating a powerful economic growth engine, deepening human capital through education and training, diversifying income sources for government and citizens, transforming the country’s international image and improving infrastructure and transportation links. Through the project, Idris Elba OBE also assured President Bio that he will use his international reputation to contribute in rebranding Sierra Leone with a new message. He also spoke about his long-term aspiration to invest in education and training to create a workforce in Sierra Leone for the film industry.

Responding to Idris Elba OBE and team, President Bio thanked Idris Elba OBE for the thought of investing in Sierra Leone. He told them that such project has always been his aspiration for the Island to transform it into a great tourist destination. He said because of the level of neglect of the Island over the years, he has made it a duty to always spend the Christmas at the Island. “Every time I went on holiday, I would tell the people that help to transform the Island was on the way so today I am happy that the help is here,” President Bio said.

President Bio also expressed his delight for the project and assured that as a Government the project will receive his fullest support. He said that the project will give hope to many Sierra Leoneans, adding that “I want to make every Sierra Leonean be proud to return back to Sierra Leone”. As an action oriented President, immediately during the meeting, President Bio instructed that preparatory work and all necessary documentations should commence. He also advised the team to visit the Sherbro Island and engage with the community about the project.

According to the biography of Idris Elba OBE, his father is a Sierra Leonean and mother a Ghanaian.

Sierra Leone News: President Bio Romances with the UK Prime Minister

June 8, 2019

After showcasing all that is good in Sierra Leone to whet the appetite of investors in London to pack their bags and head to Freetown to talk business, president Julius Maada Bio on Saturday 8^th June 2019 sat next to Britain’s Prime Minister – Mrs Theresa May, as they watch the Queen’s birthday trooping of the colours parade, taking place in Buckingham Palace in London.

Many Sierra Leoneans in the UK have expressed disappointment that President Bio has decided not to meet with them at a town hall meeting, where they have been invited for a chat about developments in Sierra Leone.

On Friday, 7th June 2019, a notice was published by the Sierra Leone High Commission in London saying it has cancelled the town hall meeting. But there was no reason given for the cancellation.

But watching the Queen’s Birthday Trooping of the Colours by the military explains why the President is unable to meet with his fellow citizens as planned. As James Bond would say, he is “On Her Majesty’s Service”.

There is no doubt the immense importance of President Bio’s presence at Her Majesty’s Birthday Trooping of the Colours, in terms of the special relations between Sierra Leone and Great Britain, the trade and investment spinoffs such relationship could lever.

On Friday again,President Bio was at University of Oxford where he delivered a Lecture at the Brasenose College. The subject of his talk was: “Beyond Mere Inspiration: Tackling the Challenges of Leadership in Sierra Leone”.

Listening to the President’s lecture were academics, students and policy analysts. President Bio was received at the University by John Bowers QC, Rector at the Brasenose College and Professor Wale Adebanwi, Director of the African Studies Centre.

But the main highlight of President Bio’s visit to London was the UK-Sierra Leone Trade and Investment Conference, where about 200 industrialists, UK government policy advisers and potential investors gathered to hear about what Sierra Leone has to offer.

President Bio also met with Sierra Leonean British Actor and Film Director – Idris Elba. According to report from State House, “Idris Elba has promised to transform Sherbro Island into a World-Class City”.

On the margins of the UK-Sierra Leone Trade and Investment conference, Idris Elba is said to have spoken with President Bio about his plans to transform Sherbro Island into a world-class city as part of his drive to give back to the country of his father’s birth. He said he would like to make Sherbro Island a great tourist destination. .

But such an ambitious plan does not come cheap. According to estimates, Idris Elba is believed to be worth about $25 million. He would need to find over £10 million to invest in transforming his dream into reality.

“I want to come to Sierra Leone for the first time under your fantastic leadership,” Idris Elba is understood to have told President Bio.

Speaking about the Sherbro Island vison, Elba’s advisers said that the transformation of Sherbro Island will make it a West African regional economic hub, showcasing tourism, entertainment, an international convention centre, innovative affordable housing and aquaculture.

Responding to Idris Elba and his team of advisers, President Bio thanked Idris for his ambition to invest in Sierra Leone. He assured that as a government, the project will receive his fullest support.

He said that the project will give hope to many Sierra Leoneans, adding that “I want to make every Sierra Leonean proud to return back to Sierra Leone”.

President Bio instructed that preparatory work and all necessary documentations should commence. He also advised the team to visit the Sherbro Island and engage with the community about the project.

Another possible windfall for Sierra Leone came with the announcement by Harriet Baldwin MP, Minister of State, UK Department for International Development that the British government has allocated a grant of £30 million for an ‘Invest Sierra Leone’ programme, aimed at supporting UK firms doing business in Sierra Leone and to improve investment drive.

Speaking about some of the big plans the Bio-led government has for Sierra Leone, Dr. John Tambi, Chairman of the Presidential Infrastructure Initiative said: “We are going to radically transform Sierra Leone within 5 years……..From a Lungi / Freetown Bridge to a Sea Port facility in Bonthe, many areas in Sierra Leone have been mapped out to benefit from a nationally-enhancing development drive.

“The Lungi Bridge will be an 8 kilometre 6 lane bridge, with 120 years lifespan. There is going to be a New Lungi airport terminal, and new tourist hub, creating at least 5000 jobs a year. “

Sierra Leone needs at least $700 million of investments to build its fishery, tourism, agro-processing and forestry-based industries that could create hundreds of thousands of jobs across the supply and value chains in various districts of the country.

Will the investors present at the UK-Sierra Leone Trade and Investment Conference last Thursday in London, along with Idris Elba rise to this challenge?

Will President Bio’s presence at Her Majesty the Queen’s Birthday celebrations in London, pave the way for more British government financial support and leveraging of much needed private sector investments? Only time will tell.

Sierra Leone News: Lawrence Bangura Faces Death Threat

June 7, 2019

Lawrence Bangura: A Victim of Political Intimidation

Strongman for the All Peoples Congress (APC) Party in Sierra Leone, Lawrence Bangura, reports states is facing death threat as a result of his proactive move in spreading the political ideology of his party by criticising the current ruling government, the Sierra Leone’s People Party (SLPP) because according to him, the current President is dividing the country through tribalism, regionalism and intimidation of political opponents.

Bangura, who was residing at 31 Jones Street, in Freetown, in the West End of Sierra Leone has been accused of preaching hate political messages against the ruling Sierra Leone Peoples Party( SLPP) , whose stronghold has been a no go area for other political parties ,through Social Media (Facebook, Whatsapp etc…).

Police sources in Freetown confirmed to this writer that there have been several reports of political intimidation and that secret societies are in the habit of unleashing harassment on peaceful citizens which they say is an offence against the State.

SLPP which is dominant of the Mende ethnic group has been gaining prominence within the political landscape of the country as a result of the party’s proactive approach in exposing the excessive aggressive behaviour of the ruling SLPP.

This has resulted to serious political intimidation wherein other parties are being targeted by SLPP operatives either confrontationally or in the name of secret societies.

Leaked investigation revealed that Lawrence Bangura’s name is among the list of people who have been shortlisted by some members of the ruling party to be summarily and secretly killed as Bangura has been accused of being busy and active posting all sorts of “bad things” against the ruling SLPP Government and also the President underscoring that they are tribalistic and have no respect for the rule of law.

Bangura who has been living in exile is afraid to return home upon knowledge of this new threat against his life. Since the new government (The Sierra Leone’s People Party) took power since April, 2018 they have been targeting any opponent who preaches or criticises the regime’s ideology of tribal and regional divide, killings of political opponents, intimidation and to the extent of beating one to death in some cases by law enforcement officers who receive ‘Orders From Above’ that is powerful politicians. “Any critical messages against our party will invoke lynching anybody to death,” some operatives of the ruling party were quoted to have said openly on social media posts.

Family and relatives are worried about his safety more so when reports have been made of missing politicians whose remains were later discovered in remote areas.

Political intimidation has now become the order of the day in the country with opposition parties finding it very difficult to survive amidst efforts made to address their plight and as well influence the International Community.

Family source disclosed that Bangura was declared wanted to get him eliminated whenever he returns back home due to the fact that he has been in the forefront promoting the ideology of his party while at the same time discrediting the ruling party. The game plan , according to investigation, was that they were hiding under a cloak to get rid of him which they had alleged is part of their political rites The hunt for Bangura on social media became imminent when the news was broke out by one of his close friends who himself is a member of the ruling party.

Government spokesperson, Yusuf Keketoma Sandi in an interview with this writer said his party has no business with those that have planned to attack the APC strongman and that it is against their party’s rules to be involved in political violence.