The way and manner in which vehicular traffic has degenerated into an eyesore and posing potential serious danger and threat to lives and properties has become a serious cause for concern. What is really mind boggling and heart rendering is the lukewarm approach by the Sierra Leone Police of the traffic division and the Traffic Corps are dealing with the situation of violation of traffic regulations by commercial , private and even Government drivers who everyday with impunity are behaving recklessly creating avoidable inconveniences and sometimes leading to fatal accidents.
As if they are not trained to deal with traffic issues, the Police particularly turn blind eyes to the excesses of drivers leaving them to just behave according to their whims and caprices.
Coming to work yesterday, 5th March 2019, from the Goderich axis this writer experienced first-hand at Lumley how certain drivers deliberately left the lanes they were supposed to be driven on diverting to the other lane meant for vehicles coming from the opposite direction thereby intensifying traffic build-up.
The Lumley experience is just an isolated case as this abnormally takes place on Kissy Road, East End Police and other parts within the city. It has become so lamentable preventing school going pupils to attend school timely and even return home quickly after school not to mention how it negatively affect workers.
What was so annoying was seeing traffic police officers milling around doing nothing to arrest the untoward situation.
When one of them was asked why no action was taken all he could reply was that doing so may jeopardise their jobs.
What has become so funny and bizarre is that some of these Police Officers are always noticed saluting whenever they see a vehicle with tinted window screens going to the extent of giving such preferential treatment by allowing them to speedily drive through even embarrassing other drivers. They act panicky in that way as if they will be castigated but to be very frank it smacks of sycophancy.
To justify that this ugly trend has become very noticeable and unbearable even though the SLPP led Government under the leadership of President Julius Maada Bio highlighted the issue on the 16th July 2018 encapsulated in a Public Notice it continues to get worse everyday round the clock.

In the Public Notice it was emphatically maintained by Government that “His Excellency the President has expressed grave concern over the disregard/ disrespect for Traffic Rules and Regulations by vehicles and motor-driven objects including Government Registered Vehicles carrying Ministers. This practice is not only contrary to Traffic Rules and Regulations which are punishable by law but also demoralizes disciplined and law-abiding users of the road and has the potential of causing fatal accidents, particularly when they drive against recognized traffic. With immediate effect, all vehicles and motor-driven objects including vehicles carrying Ministers of Government (save Emergency Vehicles defined by law must adhere to traffic rules and regulations particularly those that run against the traffic will face the full penalty of the law. The Inspector General of Police and the Chief Executive of SLRSA are advised accordingly.”
No research is needed to prove that some of the country’s traffic police officers are well corrupt, unpatriotic paid from the people’s taxes that run a well-knit extortion, bribery and intimidation racket.
Disgustingly, they are more interested in extorting drivers than actually and professionally discharging their duties within the context of enhancing adherence to traffic rules and regulations.
The Traffic Corps are a little better in the area of enforcing traffic rules and regulations. Seemingly though, it appears as if they are working in concert with certain errant Traffic Police Officers as accomplices deeply enmeshed in taking bribes.
“I am sick and tired of this madness and brazen show of disregard by reckless drivers as every day they put our lives in danger. The Government needs to act tough against the errant ones and institute strict penal measures,” a pot-bellied man only known as Mr. Amara fumed.
A shop owner at Lumley confessed that drivers’ reckless behaviours are not strange in that part of the country further suggesting that the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority (SLRSA) should come onboard robustly and try to restore sanity.
From what majority of Sierra Leoneans that were interviewed recommended is that President Julius Maada Bio must take stern action to root or stem such reckless and unprofessional attaitudes.

Alhaji Amadu Bah aka LAJ head of the Red Flag Movement or RFM has vented anger at the Police, accusing them of being bias furthering how the Force has the calculated ploy to having a mission to smear his image. He said over the last few years he has had to endure “a string of ill treatments and injustices in the hands of the police” leading him to lose faith in the impartiality of the justice system.
During a press engagement in Freetown, LAJ narrated series of incidents he has had altercation with the Police citing one instance when he was arrested further underscoring that complaints he lodged with the Police were treated with levity.
LAJ has young fans right across the country and some of his released tracks have been popular.
His Movement, RFM had been in tense rivalry with Black Leo another music based group headed by Kao Denero ,Amara Turay, sometimes generating fatal, bloody clashes.
LAJ mentioned different instances when he was accused of involvement in some crime, for which he was arrested, detained and later released without charge without any action taken by the Police.
According to him, he has been attacked at least two times by supporters of the Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP), which is currently in power.
The musician informed newsmen that he is appealing to the Government and Police to treat him fairly pointing out that he is not a violent person as some are purporting.

In a latest revelation, His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio will visit the Ivy League research university in Cambridge, Harvard University, the interdisciplinary research laboratory of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and attend the 6th International Development Africa Forum in Casablanca. These three engagements have been scheduled for the 7th – 16th March 2019.

Within the United States the President will engage with students, researchers and faculty as he builds partnerships for technical and academic exchange.

MIT, founded in 1861 in response to the increasing industrialization of the United States, is well known for its stress on laboratory instruction in applied science and engineering.
Harvard, on the other hand, is best known for its popular majors in the sciences. It is also well known for its leadership program.
Both institutions are based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and are privately run.
At Harvard University, President Bio will honour the invitation of the Harvard University President, Larry Bacow to deliver a Distinguished Lecture at the Institute of Politics, Harvard Kennedy School. He will also give Keynote Address at the Harvard University Center for African Studies Forum on Sierra Leone which will take place at the Harvard Law School. The open Forum will include lectures by distinguished faculty from both Harvard and Tufts Universities.

Whilst in Massachusetts, President Bio will also visit the Massachusetts Institute of Technology where he will be hosted by the co-founder of the MIT Media Lab and Chairman Emeritus Nicholas Negroponte and MIT Media Lab Director Joi Ito. President Bio will also deliver a speech at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and participate in a roundtable on universal quality education and access to connectivity. It could be recalled that last year former President Barack Obama was also hosted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

From Massachusetts, His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio will also travel to Casablanca in Morocco where he has been invited to attend the 6th International Africa Development Forum as Guest. President Bio has been invited by Mohamed El Kettani, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Attijariwafa Bank. The International Africa Development Forum is a platform linking between economic agents, investors, and policy makers. President Bio will arrive in Casablanca on the 13th March and depart on the 16th March 2019. President Bio departed Sierra Leone yesterday, Tuesday 5th March 2019.
The President is accompanied by senior-level members of the Cabinet and Chief Innovation Officer, Dr. David Sengeh, who is an alumnus of both Harvard and MIT.

In a bid to sympathise with victims of a fire outbreak which occurred in the early hours of Monday 4th March 2019 His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio made an unannounced visit to the Kroo Bay Community. The number of households affected is estimated to be around 309 and the affected population 895.

Following the fire disaster, His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio instructed the Office of National Security to mobilise support for the victims while assessment of the disaster is being undertaken.

The Office of National Security, which is required to mobilise Emergency Relief Items within 72 hours, was able to mobilise Emergency Relief Items within 24 hours of the disaster. The items included about 309 bags of rice, 309 blankets, 309 pots, 309 dignity kits, 309 buckets among others.

His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio had to leave work earlier to visit the scene of the disaster and sympathised with the victims. He told the community that it is the job of Government to always support people affected by natural disasters. A symbolic handing over ceremony of the relief items was done by the President to the Kroo bay Community Chairman.

The constituency MP of the All People’s Congress, Hon. Alu-Conteh Alusine Kainde thanked the President for his caring nature and concern shown to the victims as father of the nation. While also receiving the President, the Kroo Bay Community Chairman, Mr. Soriba Kamara said that President Bio is the first sitting President to ever visit the Kroo bay community and the community would forever be appreciative.

During a short but impressive program the Chief Minister, Professor David John Francis, presented the Green Paper of the proposed Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion to His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio at State House.

Presenting the document, the Chief Minister said it was important that he submitted to the President the paper that would eventually help achieve inclusive governance and improve on the infrastructure for peace and democratisation.

“Your Excellency Sir, on 10th May 2018, during your maiden address to Parliament, you promised to build the blocks of unity and national cohesion. This Green Paper is a step to achieving that dream and it will help consolidate a nationwide consultation with every Sierra Leonean and make them a part of the peace process in the country. This Paper will also usher in a Cabinet White Paper that will be endorsed before it goes to Parliament to become a law,” he said.

The United Nations’ Resident Coordinator in Sierra Leone, Mr. Sunil Saigal, thanked the Government of Sierra Leone for their bold step in pushing for a Peace and National Cohesion Commission, adding that the United Nations supported the Green Paper and its contents.

“This is an important step from this Government. It will build on the democratic principles of the country and aid the Medium-term National Development Plan that has recently been launched by the Government. It will further guide the process of building human capital development, which is at the centre of this Government’s agenda,” he said.

The UN Chief also noted that there could be no development without peace and there could be no peace without development. He assured the Government that the initiative was also integral to all programmes of the United Nations, particularly the Security Council.

Hawa Samai, a Sierra Leonean based consultant, thanked the Government of President Bio for pushing for peace and, in particular, for taking a Sierra Leonean as a consultant to produce the Green Paper for the proposed Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion.

She disclosed that the process and the document looked into the root causes of violence, with special attention on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report. She further stated that they were able to discover that the lack of justice, corruption, greed, tension during political periods, lack of basic social amenities were all major causes of violence in the country.

“This Green Paper is a result of a consultative and an inclusive process that was done with the highest amount of sincerity. We have ensured that every question, that has the tendency to trigger violence in the country, is answered here in this Green Paper. And at the end of the day, there is a clear roadmap that shows that there should always be a National Dialogue across the country,” she explained.

Receiving the Green Paper from the Chief Minister, President Maada Bio thanked all those who participated in the production of the report and added that it was timely for the country to come together for the better.

“We cannot overemphasise the importance of peace in this country. We have gone through a very difficult time during the 11 years’ civil war, and never again should it happen in this country. There should be a collective effort in the eradication of corruption and all other elements that have the tendency to put us apart as a nation. We must put this country together and that is our individual and collective responsibility as a nation. We have to agree on where we want to go,” he said.

President Bio also told the gathering that he was happy because the efforts leading to the presenting of the Green Paper was extensively consultative, noting that that was important. He maintained that people would love to see people from all walks of life in the country take part in putting together an infrastructure that would help deliver on the peace of the country.

With the intermittent evictions taking place in the on-going Housemates Salone TV Reality Show, with the 2rd that took place on Sunday 3rd March 2019, the competition, which is slated to end mid April, the contest is becoming more and more interesting as well as taking different dimensions.
Conscious of the fact that anyone of them could be subsequently evicted, all of the housemates are doing their level best within the realm of strong language, nudity and humour with the avowed aim and determination to capture the votes of viewers who are at liberty to make their choices by voting via Africell No: 5500.
For now, it is the ambition of each of the contestants to emerge as the successful winner of the One Hundred Million Leones (Le100, 000,000) which is the ultimate prize. However, the good thing about the competition is that each day spent in the House will earn a participant Le100, 000.
Africa Young Voices (AYV) and Africell teamed up to roll out Housemates Salone 2019, with a view to entertain and most importantly to provide a platform for youth empowerment in the direction of natural self-expression, exposing innate talents and acquisition of new skills. Through interviews, lectures, artistic displays, social interactions etc. these Housemates will definitely not be the same individuals they were before entering the House. They will rather become changed people whose different talents have been exposed to viewers, putting them on a different pedestal to be sourced by certain investors.
If today there is one thing that is topical, it is the widely viewed Housemates Salone, which has become the talk of the country, as one could hear it being discussed in different circles, some praising certain Housemates and crying down others based on performances.

Without any iota of exaggeration, AYV and Africell have demonstrated the willingness to take the entertainment industry in this country to a different level by organizing Housemates Salone 2019. Undoubtedly, the industry has been attracting attention, evident in the growth of the music and film sectors. For this remarkable feat, both institutions have drawn widespread commendation and many have expressed optimism that it will be maintained and made bigger over the years.

Indeed, we are yet to see more interesting episodes that will provoke laughter and admiration among viewers in and out of the country as AYV Television Channel 34 could be accessed out of the country.
Many are looking forward to D-Day when the final, lucky winner will emerge from this Reality TV Show and make history.
But for now Housemates Salone 2019 is taking different dimensions.

Investigations carried out by this Press have revealed that cartons of bathing soap with the brand name Jolie Soaps having MFG 26/1/16,Expo 1/19 as label and have expired, unfit for use, were imported into the country some time ago by a Lebanese businessman known as Ibrahim Mohsen of No.11 Sani Abacha Street, Freetown.
The soap, our findings further unearthed are currently flooding the market causing serious health complications and adverse effect on the skin of unsuspecting members of the public, people who are not aware that they have expired.
According to the investigations, it came out clearly that the expiration of the soaps in question took place in January, 2019 and that no modalities had been put in place by the importer of the Jolie soaps, Ibrahim Mohsen and Sons, either to stop selling the product to traders or get rid of them.
When this Press approached Alie Mohsen to seek further clarification of the said expired soaps, this business mogul in an aggressive manner had the effrontery to boast that he is the very importer of the soap furthering that those he imported into the country will expire on the 15th March,2019. However, this Press was able to understand that the claim made by Ibrahim Mohsen and Sons in respect of the expiration of the said soap is far from the truth.
He also disclosed that he had hang heads with certain officials of the Ministry of Trade relating to the soap adding that he was advised by those officials that when it is two months to the expiration date he must reduce the price of the soap from Le120,000 to Le94,000 per carton.
On the question as to whether he has the right to sell expired products to the market, he abruptly responded that, “you are not the appropriate authority to ask me such a question,” boastfully intimating that the authority concerned is aware of his importation of the Jolie brand soap.
It could be recalled that during the tenure of President Ernest Bai Koroma he ordered the arrest of National Revenue Authority/Customs personnel who were aiding and abetting the defrauding of the State through importers’ false declaration of goods and the clearing of such goods from the Queen Elizabeth II Quay. One of the notorious importers that were found wanting was undoubtedly Ibrahim Moshen and Sons.
It was less a person than ex-President Koroma who disclosed the name of a company called Ibrahim Mohsen and Sons of 11 Abacha Street.
The business entity was found wanting for declaring the importation of 21 containers with the information that 10 of them contained common salt, 9 exercise books and 2 tea bags.
While investigations were ongoing at that material time, Moshen surreptitiously cleared some of the containers at the Queen Elizabeth Quay. However, what was discovered at the end did not at tally with the information presented, as it was found out that 10 containers had monosodium, 4 corrugated iron sheets, 5 batteries, while 2 had tea bags (the only information in consonance with the original declaration).
According to the ex-President when the Customs Department was alerted with regards the anomaly, a penalty of one billion three hundred million Leones (Le1.3 billion) was imposed on the importer, Moshen.
This was what ex-President Koroma furiously said, “Can you imagine the amount of money that the Government would have lost? Can you imagine the amount of money the Government is losing through these malpractices? What is clear is that our people at NRA have not heeded the warning I made because they have apparently connived with the importers and the shippers. This so-called importer definitely thinks he is above the law or that he could only pay a penalty, get away with it and continue to take the risk.”
He ordered the full payment of Le 1.3 billion penalty and all the goods forfeited to the State
Moshen was immediately arrested and detained in consonance with an agreement the Government reached with the Lebanese and Indian leadership in Sierra Leone that no non-national would be deported but if found guilty will have to serve the full jail-term in the country.
As the saying goes the Monkey will never leave its black hand behind. This could be applied to Moshen as he still continues to nefariously engage in shady business deals.
It is advisable for the SLPP Government under the astute leadership of President Julius Maada Bio to take decisive actions against Moshen and Sons in order to forestall the business entity from furthering defrauding the State and put the lives of innocent people on Harm’s Way.

From a conducted nation-wide household survey undertaken by this medium, geared towards gauging the percentage of people who are aware of the existence of and the activities of the National Petroleum (NP) Limited Company, what came out vividly from the outcome was that the vast majority captured during the survey acknowledge that they are well aware of the existence and viability of one of the country’ leading and exemplary indigenous business entity dealing in petroleum products. It was really amazing to realize that NP has become a household name within the country.

Some people opined that with the dynamic and result-oriented Management team at the helm of affairs at NP, commendable strides will be continued that would definitely catapult the company to higher heights thereby putting it at a very vantage position to expand and positively contribute towards national development.

“From a humble beginning, NP has indisputably become one of the giant and most successful companies in the country with a remarkable reputation of performing very efficiently within the business landscape,” Abdul Sheriff a seasoned engineer and former worker of the then Sierra Leone Refinery Company maintained.
The company was extolled for timely honouring its tax obligations to Government via the National Revenue Authority (NRA) and for effectively rolling out its Corporate Social Responsibility that have been improving the wellbeing of the vast majority of Sierra Leoneans.
One thing why the company is nationally highly regarded, hinges on its pro-activeness with regards ensuring that affordable petroleum products are always on the market.
Digging into the annals of history, it is very worthy to note that the former British Petroleum (BP) Company decided to sell its shares to the Government of Sierra Leone that was in existence at that time.
In 1996 the Government sold its 60% shares in BP to some of the company’s members of staff. 55 % was paid upfront from the end of service benefits of the workers from BP and the 5% offered to all the other workers. Thus a new company known as LEONEOIL started operations.
It was the World Bank that proffered advice for the privatization of the company. The 55% sale of Government shares to NP therefore came as a result of the World Bank’s admonition. 4 companies took part in the bid, but it was LEONOIL that won the international competitive bidding that was conducted by Arthur De Little (a United States based Management consultancy firm). LEONEOIL later on metamorphosed into NP, meeting all the set criteria.
It was understood that the members of staff were very serious and capable enough to properly manage the company to such an extent that, unlike others, it survived most of the challenges that it had encountered.
This medium also gathered that the 40% PMMC’s stake in the company, owned by the late Jamil Sahid Mohammed and Tony Yazbeck, was given as collateral for a loan from a Bank by one of the parties.
Jamil Sahid Mohammed, later sold to Cape Oil PMMC’s 40% shares to offset a fidelity loan, but LEONE OIL was not satisfied with that move and took the matter to court on the grounds that it was in violation of the M and A, which dictates that the other side has the first option to buy. The outcome of the matter was that the High Court gave judgement in favour of LEONE OIL.
Erroneously some have been misinforming that NP is unsavourily dominating the petroleum market in the country, which has turned out to be very misleading, as it was confirmed that there are other Companies marketing petroleum products that are registered with the Petroleum Agency.
Relatedly, Petro-Leone is a storage company that was established by both Addax and Leone Oil (NP) so that petroleum products will always be available in the country and avert shortage.
Some have expressed the view that if such is discontinued, it will seriously affect the country, as shortage of fuel will frequently occur, causing a lot of inconvenience.
NP-SL has filling stations in different parts of the country, not only selling petroleum products, but also rendering other useful services to its numerous customers.
It can be asserted that the National Petroleum Limited is one that has grown by leaps and bounds. It has made its mark and become a household name.
The company has provided employment for many individuals both in this country and Liberia, where it was also established and presently operating.
For its good performances over the years, NP-SL has proudly bagged various awards from reputable organizations.
Speaking to a top Management official of the company, he intimated with dogged determination that they are poised to serve this nation diligently by doing their best to ensure that petroleum products are available and within the reach of individuals and institutions.
“Whenever it is possible we will continue to complement Government’s efforts in undertaking development programmes nation-wide,” he promised.
Many are indeed proud of the wholly owned Sierra Leonean petroleum company.

As Zoonotic Diseases continue to pose threat to human health, the Ministry of Health and Sanitation through the One Health Platform which consists of Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Environment Protection Agency, Office of National Security, WHO, UNICEF and NGO partners, last week with support from Breakthrough Action-USAID validated Sierra Leone’s first Message Guide on Zoonotic Diseases at the Hill Valley Hotel in Freetown.
While giving out the objectives of the Message Guide Validation Workshop, Chief Health Education Officer and Programme Manager at the Health Education Division, Ministry of Health and Sanitation, stated that the key objective was to reintroduce the message guide to a group of informed experts to not only review the major changes to the Message Guide since the December Review Workshop in 2018, but also to make expert contributions, thereby improving the contents of the guide, adding that they were also going to review and revise the needed messages for technical accuracy, cultural and contextual appropriateness, commonly used languages, words and use of effective messaging principles.
Mr. Conteh was optimistic that the validated Message Guide would be very useful in risk and Health Communication, Community Engagement, and Media Engagements to educate the public on the dos and don’ts as a way of preparedness and prevention on zoonotic diseases, adding that majority of the diseases that pose threat to human health come from zoonotic animals and are as a result of unhealthy interference/interaction with the environment. He added that the Message Guide would not only serve as a resource material but would also be useful in further development of messages and Information, Education and Communication Materials on Zoonotic Diseases for Public Education and Communication. Mr. Conteh also hoped that the Message Guide would be useful to learning institutions, like the Schools, Colleges and Universities. “The Message Guide is not only the first in Sierra Leone, but also the first in the West African Sub Region,” Mr. Conteh noted.
Tina Dickerson of Breakthrough Action, while giving out the overview, noted that the Message Guide emanated from the One Health Platform which was launched by the Government in June, 2017, to spearhead collaborative efforts amongst government sectors to prevent, detect, and respond to existing zoonotic diseases and emerging pandemic threats and was grounded on the premise that the health of people is connected to the health of animals and that of the environment for which the platform identified the following Country Priority Zoonotic Diseases for preparedness and response activities in the country: Viral Haemorrhagic Fevers (Ebola, Lassa fever, Marburg Virus, Bombali Virus), Rabies, Zoonotic Influenzas (Avian also known as Bird flu), Swine also known as Pig flu), Salmonella, Anthrax, Monkey Pox and Plague.

She educated that zoonotic diseases are diseases that are initially spread between animals and people and may have the potential to then spread from Person to Person.

She further said that the Message Guide does not only highlight the zoonotic diseases but also carries key messages on the mode of transmission, signs and symptoms, preventive messages and how to safely live with domesticated animals, bush animals and the environment. “The Message Guide clearly states the responsible persons and institutions to contact in the case of animal bite, scratch and death and emphasizes the need for people to limit contact with bush animals, as it puts them at risk of zoonotic disease,” she continued adding that “most known human infectious diseases, and about three out of every four new diseases originate from animals”.

The validation workshop drew participants from the Health Education Division, Directorate of Health Security and Emergencies, Environment Protection Agency, Office of National Security, Breakthrough Action, Directorate of Primary Health Care, Sierra Leone Red Cross, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, UNICEF, WHO, FAO, Local and International NGO Partners and District Social Mobilization Coordinators and key stakeholders of Bombali District.

A Civil Society Organization, Students Against Violence Everywhere Sierra Leone (SAVE – SL) on Friday March 1st, 2019 taught over 500 students of the Hammond International School and Academy on how to keep themselves safe in school and the community through their Say Something Program.

According to the National Director of SAVE Sierra Leone, Joseph A. Sesay, the Say Something (SS) Program is designed for Secondary School Students, with a focus of teaching youths how to recognize signs and signals, especially on social media, from individuals that may pose a threat to themselves or others.

The program looks at three (3) simple steps:
1. Look for Warning Signs, Signals and Threats,
2. Act Immediately & Take it Seriously,
3. Say Something to a Trusted Adult

“Individuals often show warning signs and share information BEFORE they are violent, attempt suicide or make threats, and there are steps students can take to PROTECT themselves, classmates and community to help prevent violence,” says Joseph A. Sesay.

It is worthy to note that Incidents of school violence do not just happen without a precursor. “When youths are taught on how to Look for Warning Signs, Signals and Threats, Act immediately and take it seriously, and Say Something to a Trusted Adult, they will be able to reduce violent threats, consequences and also create healthier schools and communities,” he further opined.

Warning Signs are the thoughts, feelings and behaviours, gestures or ACTIONS that could be either obvious or unclear, which can SHOW significant change that an individual may be in NEED OF HELP. They include, withdrawal from others, bullying or hitting, negative role models, excessive anger, extreme mood changes, feelings of rejection, thoughts or plans of harming self or others, blaming others for own failures, fear of going to school, unwillingness to forgive and forget the wrongs of people, feelings of isolation, dramatic changes in physical appearance and personality.

Warning Signs of Violence can also be bragging about access to or fascination with weapons, upcoming attack, warning a friend to stay away from an event or school on a particular date or even rigid beliefs in students.

Threats can contain any communication that has the intent to HARM oneself or someone. Statements such as “someone should do that” (supporting a violent act), “life is not worth living”, “I will show them that I’m tough” etc. are very threatening signs.

Warning Signs and Threats are often found on Social Media, classrooms, hallways, lunchroom, on the way to and from school. They can be in the form of Spoken Words, gestures, photos, videos, written form, actions and behaviours.

Students can help their friends if they can identify the Warning signs, Signals and Threats. Maybe their friends have been bullied or are the bullies. Sometimes they have been abused or being abusive (verbally/physically), they may be a sex predator/being preyed on or they may have a substance abuse or addiction problem. But whatever they are going through, their friends can help them get help if only they can follow the second (2nd) Step which is ACT IMMEDIATELY, take it SERIOUSLY.

When students see, hear or read a Warning Sign, Signal or Threat it is mandatory for them to act IMMEDIATELY and seek help. Acting immediately can be hindered by students taking issues into their own hands. Statements such as “we all spoke to him and he said he would never do that”, “we thought someone else would tell someone”, “we thought they would feel better tomorrow “, “they are too young to hurt themselves or others”, “they just want attention. It is not real”, “let us wait for the right moment to say something” and “if they were going to do something, why would they announce it public?”. Those are some of the excuses from students who should have prevented violence in their schools. Students of all ages can act immediately. It is up to a Trusted Adult to decide the seriousness of the sign, Signal or threat.
Many times, students fear that telling someone will make them a traitor or be at risk of being aliened or physically hurt. But the truth is that Saying Something is different from Telling on someone. Saying Something is getting someone help for their own safety and well-being and to protect oneself and others from harm. The focus is on getting help. On the other hand, telling someone is done purposely to get someone in trouble for a gain. “That is why when a student acts Immediately, he is saving someone from trouble,” explained Anas A. Ansari, the President of the SAVE Promise Club of Hammond International School and Academy.

The Principal of the School, Mr. Bobson Amara, in his statement said that Saying Something to a Trusted Adult who has the experience and knowledge to get help for an individual, can help prevent violence. But students don’t know who are trusted adults are anymore. A Trusted Adult can be a teacher, parent, school psychologist or counsellor, police officer, community organization leader, coach or mentor, principal or school support staff and even religious leaders. To say something to trusted adults, students should bring any text, photos, videos or other communications they have available. If the conversation was spoken, they can write exactly what was heard and submit it to a Trusted Adult.

The guest speaker of the program Superintendent Brima Kamara, who is the head of Media and Public Relations and Official Spokesman for the Sierra Leone Police in his keynote address, admonished Students to say something because they are the eyes and ears of their schools. “They should say something because they hear things that others don’t,” he suggested.