The National HIV and AIDS Secretariat (NAS), in collaboration with its partners, has announced the postponement of the World AIDS Day commemoration, citing the recent incident that occurred in the country on November 26 as the reason for the rescheduling.
In a statement addressing the prevalence of HIV and AIDS in Sierra Leone, Abdul Ramadan C Sesay, the Director General of NAS, highlighted a concerning rate of 1:4 among individuals aged fifteen to forty-nine years. This data was derived from the Demographic and Health Survey currently in use until a prevalence study is conducted.
He emphasized the identification of key groups with higher prevalence rates than the national average of 1:9. Notably, among females, the rate is approximately 11.8%, particularly among those who abuse drugs through ingestion, with a rate of 3.2%.
The Director General further noted that females are disproportionately affected by HIV, as the prevalence rate for men is 1:1, while for females, it is 2.2%.
While acknowledging that the number of HIV patients on treatment exceeds sixty thousand, Director General Sesay clarified that this doesn’t necessarily indicate an increase in the number of HIV cases. He expressed the goal of placing all seventy-six thousand Sierra Leoneans living with HIV on treatment within three months to achieve viral suppression by 2030, envisioning the end of HIV and AIDS.
Isaac Ahemesa, the UNAIDS Country Director, provided additional insights, stating that the global fight against HIV has been ongoing for over forty years since the first case was discovered between 1979 and 1980. With eighty-four million people affected and forty million having died from HIV, Ahemesa stressed that thirty million people are currently on treatment, while nine million remain unaware of their status or, if aware, are not receiving treatment.
Highlighting the alarming trend of eighty thousand HIV-related deaths last year, including one hundred and fifty children, Ahemesa emphasized that community involvement is crucial in combating the pandemic. He emphasized the theme for this year’s celebration, focusing on the role communities play in addressing HIV alongside people living with HIV globally.
In a significant effort to strengthen cultural and commercial bonds between Aschaffenburg City in Germany and Bo City in Sierra Leone, the Commit and Act Foundation Sierra Leone hosted a delegation from Aschaffenburg City on Saturday, November 25, 2023. The delegation, led by the Lord Mayor of Aschaffenburg City, His Worship Jürgen Herzing, included Madam Beate Ebert, Head of Mission and Founder of Commit and Act Germany, Saskia Schmidt, Director of ONE DAY, Prof. Dr. Joerg Klepper (MD) & Dr. Stephanie Klepper of As Haffe Burger Klinimum Hospital, Hulmut Maier, Partnership and Sport Director, and Dieter Garlach, Specialist for Energy, Water, and Infrastructure of Aschaffenburg City, Germany.
Madam Hannah Bockarie, the Founder and Country Director of Commit and Act Foundation Sierra Leone, disclosed that the purpose of the visit was geared towards formalizing a twin city relationship between Bo City in Sierra Leone and Aschaffenburg City in Germany. She revealed that the concept originated during her visit to Germany in 2019, where, together with Madam Beate Ebert, they conceived the Bo-Aschaffenburg Dream.
The Bo-Aschaffenburg Dream seeks to foster collaboration and networking between the two cities, focusing on the exchange of knowledge, experiences, and cultural values in areas such as art, sports, agriculture, and human development. The initiative aims to promote socio-cultural exchange and share best practices in local governance.
The partnership will also concentrate on various development plans, including initiatives for water and sanitation promotion, research programs for women’s and girls’ empowerment, urbanization and development to improve women’s and girls’ health, and programs for income generation and girl child education, among other areas.
During their stay in Sierra Leone, the German delegation engaged with Sierra Leonean counterparts, learning about the country’s adaptability to daily challenges. Key meetings with stakeholders such as the Vice President, Chief Minister, Minister of Local Government, Mayor of Bo City, and the German Ambassador to Sierra Leone took place in Freetown and Bo. The German Mayor and team also visited the Commit and Act Foundation Offices to inspect German donor-funded projects in Bo and Bombali Districts.
Her Excellency Dr. Fatima Maada Bio, the First Lady of the Republic of Sierra Leone, addressing the ongoing 28th United Nations Climate Meeting, known as the Conference of Parties (COP) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, emphasized the critical link between climate change adaptation and the path to achieving food security.
The UN Conference serves as a platform for constructive discussions among Governments and citizens to strategize on mitigating and adapting to the challenges posed by climate change. H.E Dr. Fatima Maada Bio underscored the urgency for countries like Sierra Leone to address this pressing issue.
Sierra Leone is identified as one of the most vulnerable and severely affected countries by climate change, making it imperative for the nation to confront this reality head-on. Dr. Fatima Maada Bio highlighted the alarming consequences, citing instances of devastating mudslides in 2017, annual flooding in cities despite mitigation efforts, and rising sea levels threatening beaches.
In rural communities, adverse effects on domestic food production were emphasized, with rivers drying up and unpredictable rainfall patterns impacting agriculture. Water scarcity has reached record levels, requiring deeper wells in several communities. Dr. Fatima Maada Bio highlighted the surge in insect populations due to drying grasslands, posing threats to crops and public health, particularly affecting women and children and driving some into extreme poverty.
The First Lady emphasized the shrinking grazing areas for domestic animals, leading to increased conflicts between cattle herders and farmers, resulting in migration and the abandonment of once-profitable livelihoods. Climate change-induced poverty has forced some individuals to resort to charcoal burning, accelerating deforestation.
Dr. Fatima Maada Bio commended President Bio’s efforts in education, social justice, and the promotion of women’s and girls’ rights. Recognizing the impact of climate change, President Bio established the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, along with a special Presidential Initiative on Climate Change, Renewable Energy, and Food Security.
The First Lady emphasized the need for collective effort and prioritizing national-level discussions on climate change. She called for engaging farmers in climate change adaptation techniques, establishing women-led farming initiatives, providing environmentally friendly irrigation systems, and developing a comprehensive framework that includes youth groups, teachers, and religious and traditional leaders for more impactful and sustainable efforts.
The Sierra Leone Employers Federation (SLEF), in collaboration with various partners and supported by the International Labour Office, on Tuesday, December 5, 2023, sensitized residents of the Bonga Town Community in Lumley on the “Women for Water and Peace Project”.
The project, funded by the UNCDF and UN Peacebuilding Fund, aims to construct water wells in five communities: Mayenkineh, Rokupa, Dwarzack, Crab Town-Aberdeen and Lumley, with a focus on addressing water scarcity challenges affecting women and girls.
Lumley, the final community targeted in the engagement drive that had been ongoing, witnessed an awareness campaign which encompassed gender-based violence, promoting decent work, enhancing grievance handling through social dialogue, and building the capacity of women in the water kiosk business.
Albert Ojo Collier, Executive Secretary of SLEF, emphasized the project’s significance for women and girls, highlighting their vulnerability during water-related activities. Collier expressed confidence that the project would mitigate risks and underscored the community’s responsibility to maintain the facilities for sustained impact.
Collier stated, “The project is a crucial step in ensuring that women and girls no longer suffer in their pursuit of water. By putting the women’s groups in charge of the wells, we will not only address water-related issues but also empower the community economically.”
Memish Doherty, representing SLEF, did a presentation on sexual gender-based violence, stressing its threat to girls’ education. Doherty expressed hope that the construction of the planned water well would reduce such incidents, urging caution, especially during nighttime activities.
Desrica Taylor echoed those sentiments, emphasizing the project’s role in relieving the burden of fetching water on women. She urged residents to take ownership of the wells, ensuring proper maintenance and transparency in handling funds generated through water sales for broader community development.
Yealie Turay, a Bonga Town student, expressed gratitude to the donors for the proposed wells, anticipating a positive impact on their lives. She highlighted the challenges students face in fetching water, causing delays in attending school further thanking the project stakeholders, urging for swift commencement and completion of the water wells to alleviate their struggles.
The College of Digital Excellence (CODE), renowned as one of Sierra Leone’s premier digital colleges, hosted its annual one-day football competition exclusively for freshmen. The competition took place on November 2, 2023, at the Collegiate Secondary School Playing Field on Wilkinson Road in Freetown, featuring six dynamic teams: Multimedia, Networking, Software Engineers, Graphic Designers, Animation, and Architecture.
The competition, starting directly from the quarter-finals, witnessed intense clashes among the departments, culminating in a gripping final showdown with the Networking side emerging victorious, overpowering their counterparts, Graphic Designers, with a commanding 3-1 score-line.
The post-tournament ceremony was a celebration of talent and sportsmanship. Participating teams and standout players received well-deserved recognition. Graphics Designers, the runners-up, were honored with a plate trophy and a cash prize. The champions, Networking, claimed the grand trophy and a monetary reward, marking their triumph in the CODE Super Cup.
Madhusudan Mukerjee, Head of CODE, shed light on the College’s commitment to holistic student development through such annual events. He emphasized that the primary objective is to foster collaboration and a 360-degree development among students, encouraging them to interact and engage beyond the confines of the classroom.
He highlighted that extracurricular activities, including football matches, basketball, and programming competitions, are not merely add-ons but integral components of students’ daily routines. “These activities are designed to serve as regular exercises, contributing to the mental well-being of the students,” he said.
He further informed that the uniqueness of the football tournament lies in the naming of teams, as names were given after different departments within the college. According to him, this nomenclature enables students to identify and connect with their peers from various disciplines. He further revealed that from this pool, the college team will be formed.
Mohamed Kamara, a participant from the institution, expressed his joy at the annual tradition, emphasizing its role in fostering unity among freshmen. He highlighted the importance of such activities in building team cohesion and for preparation for external matches with other learning institutions. He also extended his gratitude to the College’s Management for the opportunity and expressed hope for the growth of CODE.
Mohamed’s encouragement echoes an invitation to potential students to join CODE and embark on a journey of greatness in their careers.
As the CODE Super Cup concluded, it not only crowned Networking as the football champions but also underscored CODE’s dedication to shaping well-rounded individuals through a blend of academic excellence and vibrant extracurricular activities.
Renowned for his unwavering commitment and exceptional contributions, Amin Kef, known as Ranger, stands as a compelling figure in Sierra Leone’s media landscape. His role as the Managing Editor of the Calabash Newspaper has been marked by an unwavering dedication to truth, professionalism, and integrity, setting a sterling example for aspiring journalists and media professionals across the nation.
Kef’s journalistic prowess is highlighted by his relentless pursuit of truth and justice. Fearless in exposing corruption and societal injustices, his investigative journalism has not only shed light on critical issues but also compelled authorities to take action, earning him widespread respect and admiration from the public.
Beyond his courageous reporting, Kef’s exceptional writing skills and ability to simplify complex issues have made his work accessible and impactful for a diverse readership. His engaging style coupled with insightful commentary has consistently stirred emotions and provoked critical thinking among his audience.
However, it’s not just his reporting that distinguishes Kef; it’s his steadfast commitment to transparency and ethical journalism. Upholding the highest standards of integrity, he ensures that The Calabash Newspaper delivers accurate and balanced information, nurturing trust and credibility among its readers.
Kef’s personal integrity is equally commendable, evident in his fair, honest, and respectful conduct with colleagues and the public alike. His unwavering principles have earned him not just trust but also profound respect from peers within the industry.
In summary, Amin Kef’s exceptional dedication to truth, exemplary writing skills, unwavering commitment to transparency, and personal integrity make him a beacon in Sierra Leone’s media sphere. His influence and contributions to ethical journalism serve as a guiding light for those aspiring to make a meaningful impact in the field.
In a dazzling event that unfolded on November 30th, 2023, Africell-SL, the leading Mobile Network Operator in Sierra Leone presented a gleaming grand prize of 300 million Old Leones to the lucky winner of its Win Kopo Promotion Show. The grand prize, a biannual highlight of the Win Kopo Show, was claimed by Massah Sesay, a petty trader who emerged as the first victor in this thrilling promotion.
The official handover ceremony was held at Africell’s headquarters in Wilberforce, Freetown. Jarai Bah, the charismatic show presenter, and a representative from Africell extended her heartfelt congratulations to Massah Sesay on her remarkable win.
During the ceremony, Jarai elaborated on the multitude of prizes available in the Win Kopo promotion, including daily cash prizes of 300 thousand Old Leones for two lucky subscribers, weekly cash prizes of 6 million Old Leones for one subscriber, and the grand prize of 300 million Old Leones, bestowed upon one fortunate winner every six months.
To qualify for the Win Kopo promotion, participants are required to engage in specific activities. For the daily draw, individuals must purchase phone top-ups, while for the weekly draw, customers must dial *4888# after topping up. Upon dialing the code, subscribers are presented with a series of questions. The more correct answers provided, the higher the accumulated points, increasing one’s chances of qualifying for the grand draw held every six months.
The first lucky recipient of the grand draw, Massah Sesay, a resident of Freetown, expressed her gratitude to the Management and Staff of Africell for their generous gesture. She shared the simple steps that led to her winning the grand prize: topping up her phone and diligently dialing *4888#, following the instructions, and answering the trivial questions.
Recalling the moment she received the life-changing call from Africell, she admitted to being initially shocked, having waited eagerly for the news. She took the opportunity to encourage fellow subscribers to trust the process and participate actively in the Win Kopo promotion. Her advice to her fellow subscribers was straightforward: buy top-ups, engage in the promotion, and increase the chances of becoming the next lucky winner.
Africell-SL continues to strengthen its bond with the Sierra Leonean community through initiatives like the Win Kopo Promotion Show, fostering excitement, engagement, and the potential for life-changing opportunities for its valued subscribers.
As the first grand prize of the Win Kopo Promotion Show finds a new home with Massah Sesay, the anticipation for the next draw begins to build across the nation.
The Human Rights Defenders Network Sierra Leone (HRDN-SL) ,in collaboration with the Human Rights Advancement Development and Advocacy Center (HURIDAC), has officially launched the General Elections Human Rights Assessment Report on the 5th December, 2023 during an auspicious event held at the organization’s office on 23 Rasmussen Street in Freetown.
Funding by Irish Aid and HURIDAC’s self-funded election program in the country’s elections cycle facilitated the production of the Assessment Report.
Executive Secretary of the Human Rights Defenders Network SL, Alphonso Gbanie, speaking at the event revealed how they jointly prepared the 2023 General Elections Human Rights Assessment Report, underscoring that it will help in playing a pivotal role in establishing a critical link between the right to vote and human rights, including the exercise of certain Freedoms such as Freedom of Association and Freedom of Expression amongst others.
“The importance of the motive behind conducting such a human rights examination of the just concluded elections, particularly the ethno-regional factors, including perceptions of elections and the role of the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone in its election processes, to upholding democratic principles and promoting a free and fair outcome cannot be overemphasized,” he stated.
He further pointed out that the Report contains nine chapters with analysis on key issues adding how they used the 2018 elections as a benchmark for success.
The Executive Secretary also intimated that the Report recommends a starting point for the country to raise awareness on its democratic constraints and to formulate a strategic plan for enhancement.
Amadou Baba Solokor, Program Officer for HURIDAC disclosed that the Report begins with a historical backdrop of the country’s political development and tries to address pertinent issues related to the 2023 elections, including the voter registration process, the spread of misinformation via social media and the handling of disallowed results, which led to some violent incidents during the election amongst other issues looked into.
He went further to reveal that the Report concludes by examining previous elections climaxing to the 2023 elections maintaining that there has been a fluctuation between successes and a decline in upholding democratic principles and human rights leading to the weakening of those values.
The Director of Electoral Education at ECSL, Momoh Kanneh, commended the two institutions for putting together the Report saying they are credible organizations that assisted them in terms of sensitizing voters on how to vote. He added that their efforts to sensitize the electorates created a huge impact maintaining how for the first time in the country’s history only 1 percent of void votes were recorded. Momoh Kanneh went on to officially launch the Report.
The event was climaxed by the presentation of the Report after a final statement was made by a representative from Amnesty International during which the aforementioned organizations were warmly recommended for compiling the Report.
Pastor Francis A.M Mambu, the Principal of the God’s Agent of Transformation (GAT) Bible College, the Chief Executive Officer of Faith Healing Agricultural Development, Redeemer Media Network, Logos International School, El-Shadai Clinics and General Overseer of Faith Healing Bible Church Worldwide, has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Letters and Philosophy by the Cypress International University in Texas, USA.
The colourful convocation ceremony held at the Ajayi Crowther Amphitheatre on FBC Campus in Freetown on Saturday 25th November also witnessed 700 grandaunts being awarded with Certificates of Leadership and Discipleship from The God’s Agent of Transformation (G.A.T) Discipleship and Leadership Training Centre, after completing various courses in Practical Ministry, Eschatology, Leadership, etc.
The well-patronized programme was graced by the Mayor of the Freetown City Council, Her Worship, Yvonne Aki-Sawyer, renowned politicians, the Vice Chancellor of UNIMAK, the Vice Chancellor of M.M.T.U, Professors and a host of dignitaries from the academia, revered Members of the Clergy and people from all walks of life.
From his profile that was read at the ceremony it was revealed that Pastor Francis A.M Mambu’s rare commitment is geared towards not only the spread of the gospel but also in changing the lives of many with a demonstration of exemplary leadership that significantly impact society.
Besides, the long list of achievements as a Christian leader, TV/radio preacher, Officer of the Order of Rokel (OOR), among other things, reveals that Rev Francis A. M Mambu has shown unusual commitment to academic excellence, as reflected in his over 100 books written so far, 65 already published.
Giving a citation that followed the decoration and presentation of the Honorary Doctorate Degree to Pst. Francis A. M. Mambu, Cypress College representatives/conferrer, Prof. Dr Jaspa Daborlor, accompanied by Rev. Dr Fayia F. Bakla, stated that it is not an honour he did not work for, adding that after an individual secures his first, second and third degrees without doing anything, that individual is just a holder of a paper saying performance is practically what counts and that is what Cypress University looked at and saw in Pst. Mambu.
“We respect academic learning, again we also look at the performance, and we don’t just give awards to academic research. There are many people who have not gone to school so far, yet they have done more than people with Doctorate degrees. He has become a subject of dissertations with all that he has accomplished,” Prof. Daborlor averred.
Prof. JJ Momoh, Vice Chancellor, University of Makeni (UNIMAK), in his brief statement said among other things that Pst. Mambu has built a keen devotion to teaching and writing inspirational materials, covering a wide range of biblical and contemporary subjects, which contribute to the building of a God-fearing community of Sierra Leoneans.
Prof. Rashid Ansumana, Deen of the School of Community Health Sciences, Njala University, who titled his presentation: “Rev. Francis A. M Mambu, a Catalyst for Positive Change in Sierra Leone”, noted among other things that Sierra Leone has been profoundly influenced by the philanthropic endeavours and teachings of Pst. Francis A. Mambu and his selfless dedication to the welfare of Sierra Leoneans which has not just transformed individual lives but has also played a central role in shaping the course of national development.
Madam Martyna Foday, Registrar for Freetown Polytech, noted among other things that the awarding of a Doctorate Degree to Pst. Mambu is not merely in recognition of academic achievement but it is a testament to Pa Mambu’s tireless efforts in building the human resource of the nation through his insightful writings and teachings.
Responding to the recognition, Pst. Mambu thanked Cypress University for considering him worthy of such a distinguished honour and for recognizing his contributions and achievements.
“It goes to show that people and institutions monitor my works and what we do, this degree does not belong to me alone, but is a testament of the power of collaboration and the potential we all possess to effect positive change in our society, not only as Sierra Leoneans but as part of the collective global effort to make the world a better place for our thriving aspirations as human beings created with dignity in the image and after the arrangement of God.”
Rev. Dr Francis Mambu encouraged all to try to make a lasting impact and better society for generations to come, “I thank the Cypress University and all who contributed in one way or the other for this recognition.”
Delivering the keynote message at this year’s G.A.T convocation ceremony, Bishop Benjamin B. Bangura of the National Pentecostal Church urged all grandaunts to be vessels of honour unto the Lord as they have a responsibility to preach the word to this world.
In giving motivational charge to the grandaunts, the Principal of G.A.T, Rev. Dr Francis A. M Mambu quoted, “2nd Timothy 4:1-5” from the Holy Bible saying this charged Paul and Timothy to influence the world positively in like manner, he is charging the leaders and disciples to understand the times we are living in and urged them to preach the good work of faith in season and out of season given the shortness of time.
The grandaunts expressed joy- giving- testimony of what the Lord has done for them since they enrolled in the Bible Training Centre and how they are now transformed individuals and territory takers for Jesus.
Each grandaunt was certified and accepted as worthy to operate as Disciple and Leader respectively by the Principal, Pst. Francis A. M. Mambu.
Choithram Memorial Hospital, one of Sierra Leone’s premier medical facilities, is set to launch a free surgical camp from January 9 to January 23, 2024. The initiative, led by Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to Germany, Dr. M. L. Baryoh, is in collaboration with Interplast Germany.
The hospital’s Management has confirmed a team of experienced German plastic surgeons will provide free consultations and treatments. The team has been making annual visits to Sierra Leone since 2010, performing surgeries at no cost to patients. Dr. Eric Wongo, a plastic surgeon, will coordinate the camp.
Choithram Memorial Hospital has a history of hosting similar events, aiming to provide individuals who could not afford the official costs with access to quality medical treatments.
Patients suffering from post-burn contractures, hand, feet, or wrist disorders or deformities, hand and feet tumors, and cleft lip and palate are among those who can benefit from the free services.
The German team comprises eight specialists, including Plastic Surgeon Dr. Lutz Gruhl, Hand/Trauma Surgeon Dr. Bernd Heidemann, Anesthetists Dr. Olaf Weigt and Dr. Karolina Lischka, Plastic Surgeon Dr. Franziska von Sievers, Anesthetic Nurses Mr. Nikolaus Brunner and Mrs. Andrea Schmidt, and Physiotherapist Mrs. Monika Schäfer.
Dr. Gowrinath M. George, the Medical Superintendent of Choithram Memorial Hospital, praised Dr. Baryoh’s efforts, stating the camp would not have been possible without his dedication and hard work.
In addition to the camp, the hospital announced the installation of a new Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine, set to be operational by the first week of January 2024.
The Chief Administrator of Choithram Group, Harish Agnani, emphasized the hospital’s vision of providing quality medical treatment for all, regardless of their socio-economic status.
Patients interested in benefiting from these services can contact the hospital at +23276541331 for registration or visit the hospital in Freetown. Registration is open from December 8, 2023, to December 19, 2023.
