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Caritas Freetown Conducts 2nd Phase Training for FSU Staff to Combat SGBV

By Abubakarr Harding

Caritas Freetown, on Thursday, May 25th, 2023, conducted the second phase of training sessions for Police Officers from the Family Support Unity (FSU) representing 20 different communities in the Western Area. The sessions, held at Twin Hall in the Hastings Community, focused on psychosocial approaches, case management, and behavioral change, all aimed at preventing SGBV, promoting access to justice, and providing hygiene education for vulnerable women and girls.

SGBV remains a significant concern in Sierra Leone, with women and girls disproportionately affected. Unfortunately, a lack of access to justice exacerbates the problem. In light of these challenges, Caritas Freetown collaborated with the FSU to enlighten them on the crucial role of the Police in protecting women and children.

The training covered various topics, including the rights of women and girls, the role of the police in the juvenile justice system, and how to effectively respond to and manage cases of SGBV.

Inspector Tarawallie facilitated the training, which was well-received by the participants. The officers were given the opportunity to express their opinions and views on SGBV-related issues. They also made a commitment to avoid engaging in such acts themselves and pledged to share their newfound knowledge with their respective communities. By doing so, they aim to create a more enabling environment for women and girls to realize their fullest potentials and make a meaningful impact on society.

Lucky Bah, the Outreach Officer for Caritas Freetown, emphasized that the first phase of the project lasted for six months. He stated that the purpose of the engagement was to strengthen behavioral change in the prevention of SGBV. To achieve that, Caritas Freetown has partnered with various groups, including advocacy school clubs, communities and the FSU.

Bah further explained that the organization has a memorandum of understanding with the Police to provide them with quarterly training sessions on case management and psychosocial approaches regarding SGBV. He highlighted that the initial training served as an introduction, while the second phase focused on sharing experiences and how the training has helped the officers in their work.

In their efforts to ensure the safety of survivors, Caritas Freetown has implemented a support system known as the “survivor’s package.” This package includes financial assistance to survivors, enabling them to visit the Police Station and provide essential information if called upon.

Sergeant Agness Hawa Leigh from the Family Support Unity at Waterloo Police Station expressed their commitment to addressing SGBV issues. She stated that they have been actively working to moderate cases of SGBV and have been raising awareness in the community, encouraging people to report such incidents without fear. Sgt. Leigh mentioned that they have received training from various organizations and expressed gratitude to Caritas for providing them with stationary supplies.

The approach taken by the Police involves encouraging victims not to be afraid and assuring them that perpetrators will face legal consequences if found guilty. Additionally, if victims face threats in the community, they are taken to Don Bosco for their safety.

Caritas Freetown’s ongoing efforts to train and collaborate with the Police are crucial steps toward combating SGBV and promoting a more just and secure society for women and girls in Sierra Leone. By empowering law enforcement officers with the necessary knowledge and tools, the organization can collectively work towards ending the cycle of violence and ensuring that survivors receive the support and justice they deserve.

 

SLMD Donates Medical Items worth Millions of Leones to PHUs & Hospitals Countrywide

By Emmanuel Bangura

A donation of medical items worth millions of Leones were made by the Sierra Leone Missions and Development (SLMD) Inc, on the 24th May, 2023 , to different PHUS and hospitals across Sierra Leone. The donation exercise took place at the Medical Store, New England Ville in Freetown.

In her key note address, Program Director, Madam Catherine Suma informed Newsmen that the items were shipped from America by the President/Chief Executive Director, Osman Ansumana Meggeh Kamara, based in the United States of America.

She continued that the organization is locally registered with the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, Ministry of Social Welfare and Ministry of Works in affiliation with the Ministry of Health and Sanitation, working in four sectors/areas like education, agriculture, health and other development areas.

She highlighted that the organization normally gives medication to vulnerable people every year in different parts of the country on free of cost basis.

According to Madam Catherine Kabangai Suma, the organization has existed for over eight years and had donated two containers of medical items last year, noting that this exercise marked the second set of items donated.

She pointed out that the Organization always work with the Ministry of Health in executing their donation programs. She stated that through the good moves and efforts of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Osman Ansumana Meggeh Kamara who had played great role in partnering with other humanitarian organizations in America to help or boost majority of poor Sierra Leoneans as a true faithful and God Fearing man. She furthered that the organization has been doing great work, including the refurbishment of the Moyamba Government Hospital.

She continued that Ishmael Ansumana has been into humanitarian development work for a while and had been helping vulnerable people.

According to her, they could not ship any medical item without the knowledge  of  the Pharmacy Board of Sierra Leone. “The two containers contain medical utensils such as hand sanitizers and other essential equipment”, she informed media personnel and encouraged all beneficiaries to make good use of the donated materials, which she described as useful medical items needed in some Hospitals.

Madam Kabangai Suma extended thanks and praises to donor partners who had been working with the Sierra Leone Mission and Development and the Christian Relief Services based in the USA.

She encouraged and called on all donor partners to come on board as they are working with an open door policy. Speaking to beneficiaries Sylvanus Brain Kamara, who is the Director of Health Care Ministry of the Wesleyan Church of Sierra Leone expressed gratitude upon receiving the said items. He finally admonished  all beneficiaries to make good use of the gifts.

Peace Commission Chairman Receives Prestigious Award from Colson Center (USA)

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

If there is one person that deserves honour then it must Rev Dr. Shodankeh Johnson, Chairman of the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion (ICPNC), commonly known as the Peace Commission, Board, who has worked selflessly and assiduously in areas that have transformed lives, communities and institutions.

Rev Dr. Shodankeh Johnson was, on the 20th May, 2023 the latest and proud recipient of the prestigious William Wilberforce Award from the Colson Center in the USA during an auspicious event that was held at the JW Marriott Hotel in Indianapolis  and has become the 1st African to be awarded in recognition of his role as a Pastor, Church Planter and Reformer.

It must be noted that the William Wilberforce Award is an annual award that is presented by the Colson Center to a Christian leader who has made a lasting difference in his or her sphere of influence, demonstrating the same principled courage as British abolitionist William Wilberforce. The honour was also in recognition of Rev Johnson’s transformative drive in his home country of Sierra Leone and abroad.

It could be recalled that Rev. Shodankeh Johnson was recently overwhelmingly approved by Members of Parliament in the Well replacing Sheka Mansaray who resigned last year due to health reasons.

Members of Parliament in their submissions in the Well, prior to the approval, described Rev Johnson as a developmentally oriented national figure, a renowned man of God and a spiritual father to many.

They commended His Excellency the President for appointing  such a visionary leader with the right pedigree for the job,  noting that he has not only being complementing the efforts of the Government  in the areas of education and health, but has also helped in transforming the lives of many Sierra Leoneans especially the youths across the country.

The Members of Parliament maintained that they have no doubt that with his wealth of experience in the area of peace building, he will live up to the expectations of the President and that the Commission as a whole will be able to achieve its objectives.

Speaker of Parliament while congratulating the new Chairman, also reiterated the importance for the Commission to be empowered to able to achieve its goals

Prior to his appointment, Rev Johnson served as a Board Member in the Commission. He was born to a Creole father from Waterloo and a Sherbro mother from Bonthe.

He is  a church leader, a consultant leadership trainer/mentor working with churches and para-church organizations and leaders across the global.  He is the Founder and Executive President of the New Harvest Global Ministries in Sierra Leone and other twenty African, Asian and Latin American Countries.

He is the Proprietor of the New Song Radio Stations in Bo, Koidu and Makeni, the Founder and Chancellor of Every Nation College Bo, Proprietor of 7 Nursery, 59 Primary, 20 Junior and 4 Senior Secondary Schools in the country and a Technical Institute.

He is the Chief Executive Officer of the New Harvest Development  Office NEHADO, a local NGO complementing the  efforts of Government in the areas of Primary Healthcare (4 Health centers in Bo, Falaba and Kailahun Districts), water and Sanitation, Agriculture, Child Protection, Right -Based Advocacy  and livelihood development.

Rev Johnson holds a Bachelor and Masters Degree in Theology (Missions)  and is currently a PHD Candidate. He was also conferred an honorary doctorate degree for his achievements and proficient Christian Leadership by the Christ Life  Theological Seminary, Aba, Abia State, Nigeria.

He was also Founder and Chairman of the Makeni and Bo Council of Church Ministers and a Lecturer at Flaming Bible School.

 

NP (SL) Ltd Supports Public Lecture Hosted by Faculty of Communication, Media and Information Studies FBC

By Amin Kef-Ranger

NP (SL) Limited is a successful indigenous petroleum importing and marketing business entity that has stood the test of time, weathering various challenges that might have stunted its development. Being a partner in development, from time to time the company complements Government’s efforts in trying to foster socio-economic growth on various fronts.

Against such a backdrop, the company has been very instrumental in contributing positively to human capital development evidently seen in supporting projects like establishing the School for the Military in Murray Town, another for the Police in Kingtom and donating a whole Engineering Departmental block to Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone besides promoting the game of squash in some Secondary Schools and Colleges out of the conviction that academic pursuit must go hand in hand with physical and mental exercises.

In line with advancing human capital development, NP (SL) Ltd, recently supported a Public Lecture on the 19th May,2023 hosted by the Faculty of Communication, Media and Information Studies at Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone which was delivered by Dr. Julius Spencer, one of Sierra Leone’s finest leading performing artists and cultural experts on the topic: “Limiting Creative Intelligence and Stunting National Development through Neglect of the Arts and Culture in Sierra Leone” at the Multipurpose Hall on FBC campus.

The Public Lecture focused on how Sierra Leoneans in particular and Africans in general have neglected important aspects of our arts, culture and instead have tenaciously embraced hook, line and sinker what is considered as Western Civilization which in turn has immensely contributed in eroding our societal values, our true identity with serious negative consequences on economic and social development.

Stressing that cultural neglect somehow helped in creating divisiveness in society by giving rise to those who think they are more enlightened than others because of exposure to Western education and civilization, Dr Julius Spenser maintained that it is a factor that is responsible for stunting overall national development.

He also lamented that for far too long less attention was paid to enhancing creative intelligence and in some instances when it is discovered that a child or an individual has a sixth sense or is extremely intelligent such is attributed to witchcraft. He said such individuals are relegated to lower rungs or status in society to the extent that they are discriminated against instead of providing the leeway through which creative abilities and innovation could be nurtured to help national development.

NP (SL) Ltd strongly believes that Culture remains an underutilized channel for transmitting positive messages for development and change. Board and Management of the company are of the firm conviction that with adequate support culture can be a rallying point for national cohesion, unity and huge step towards achieving development.

As an entity that wholly adheres to the Local Content Policy, evident in offering jobs only to indigenes, directly, auxiliary or by outsourcing, it is indeed indisputable that the company believes in utilizing local resources. The company is also driving innovation and creative intelligence by using the services provided by other local service providers , instead of relying on foreign experts, which in turn helps to stimulate creativity.

For a company that has to its credit the offering of a state of the art Engineering Department to Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone as way of rendering assistance to the training of petroleum engineers and for the purpose of conducting research, speaks volume of NP (SL) Ltd’s keen interest to drive innovation and technology which are driving forces of development.

Viewed from the perspective that culture embraces the way of life of individuals living within a given community, NP (SL) Ltd believes that it must infuse certain cultural attributes in its operations in line with its indigenous identity. If the company is considered as 1st for Customer Care then respectability and humility, which are core components of our culture, were properly harnessed and executed by the company.

Being an oil marketing company that transcends boundaries, tribes and regions in its marketing operations vis-à-vis opening Filling Stations in various parts across the country, the Board and Management strongly believe that respecting the cultural beliefs and practices of residents of host communities is very paramount for peaceful co-existence. It always maintains that its employees should respect and adhere to the cultural norms of the very people that they serve.

It therefore came as no surprise for the company to throw its weight behind a Public Lecture of such a nature and for now the entity is poised to continue to support ventures that are geared towards driving innovation and enhancing cultural practices that are key to promoting overall national development.

Bio & Samura Kamara Symbolically Pledge Commitment to Peaceful Elections

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

It was indeed an emotionally electrifying moment at the Bintumani International Conference Centre, on the 25th May, 2023 as key national and international stakeholders, including the diplomatic community in Sierra Leone, the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC witnessed the signing of the Electoral Pledge by the two main Presidential Flagbearers, SLPP’s Julius Maada Bio and APC’s Samura Kamara who also made commitments to the peaceful conduct of the June 24 General Elections.

Organized by the Inter-Religious Council and the National Council of Paramount Chiefs and supported by international stakeholders and a coalition of Civil Society Organisations, signing of the Electoral Pledge was part of the established support for electoral dialogue and conflict avoidance provided to member states by the Commonwealth Secretariat through the Secretary-General’s Good Offices for Peace.

Encouraging such an effort in the past, the Commonwealth is helping to support a peaceful electoral process in the country and it is believed the pledge will build upon previous successes and utilize some of the lessons learned.

Before the signing proper, the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, emphasized the need for political party leaders to publicly commit to upholding peace before, during and after the upcoming elections and to use the judicial system for any electoral disputes.

She said: “Governing takes enormous courage, skill and heart, and I applaud all the candidates who have put themselves forward and all those who sign this election pledge.

“Presidential candidacy comes with a solemn responsibility, because the office of the President is a sacred trust. And this election pledge goes far beyond symbolism. It is a promise each candidate makes before the country and the people they strive to serve: to put the nation first, to work together, prioritize the national interests and the unity of Sierra Leone.”

After the signing of the pledge, Dr Samura Kamara is quoted to have said: “Grateful to have pledged to a free, fair, and accountable election alongside my fellow presidential candidates. Thank you to the Commonwealth Secretary General and her team, as well as our development partners, for attending and supporting this important event. Let’s work together towards a brighter future for all.”

President Bio also expressed a similar commitment.

Chairman of the Political Parties’ Regulation Commission (PPRC), Abdullai Masiambay Bangura Esq, said the document that different leaders of registered political parties had signed was in line with the regulatory framework they had developed for the conduct of all political parties ahead of the June elections.

“As we are here this morning to subscribe our names to that document, it will mean that the PPRC will have a respite for the entire electioneering period. We are now going into the campaign calendar, and so far, there is relative peace. We have been following the campaign trail and it is going well, and substantially, the parties have been well behaved. So, I will continue to encourage both the leadership of the parties and their presidential candidates to continue with that trend,” he urged.

The climax of the occasion was when the two main political contenders, Bio and Samura shook hands , exchanged words and openly committing themselves and their parties to a peaceful conduct of the elections.

In another development, the Secretariat of the main opposition APC party has called on supporters to remain calm after a recent court case filed against the party’s leader at the Supreme Court.

The party acknowledged that they received the originating notice of motion filed by counsels representing former Sports Minister, Paul Kamara and former Deputy Ambassador to the United States, Reverend Alimamy Coleson Turay.

“The action relates to interpretation, construction and determination of three questions pursuant to provisions of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone,” the Party’s Secretariat wrote.

The party intimated to its supporters that they will be represented by their legal team and have already instructed them to also represent their Presidential Candidate, Dr. Samura Kamara who is also one of the respondents in the matter.

“We have been instructed by the APC legal team that they have entered an appearance and also filed an application for the matter to be struck out for various legal reasons,” the Secretariat noted.

The main opposition also asked their supporters to be calm while affirming that the Supreme Court matter does not constitute a petition to the nomination of Dr. Samura Kamara as Presidential Candidate under the Public Elections Act 2022.

“Our Presidential Candidate is still qualified to contest the forthcoming June 24th Presidential Elections,” the party affirmed.

Meanwhile, the APC urged the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone to publish the name of their candidate in the final list of Presidential Candidates.

CGG Trains Female Journalists on Advancing Priority Issues of Women to Policymakers

By Millicent Senava Mannah

The Campaign for Good Governance (CGG) with support from UN Women and Irish Aid, has trained female Journalists, specifically members of the Sierra Leone Association of Women in Journalism (SLAWIJ) on how to protect and advance women’s priority issues to policymakers/duty bearers through the media on the 24th May, 2023, at the Vanilla Complex, Aberdeen in Freetown.

Marcella Samba-Sesay intimated that the training is part of their project titled, “Building Advocacy Collectives for Women Empowerment” also maintaining how it is useful to train Journalists on how to protect and advance women’s priority issues to policymakers/duty bearers.

She stated that there are lots of opportunities in the GEWE Act 2022, the Public Elections Act for women adding that if women are not aware of those policies they cannot push the issues and the boundaries.

Marcella disclosed that she has been critical because she wants to push forward the interest of the marginalized and deprived in the country.

‘’It is imperative that we all have platforms but how can we manage those platforms to advocate for policies that will maximize their full potentials,’’ she asked saying there is the need to create space for kids at workplaces or programs for nursing mothers so that no woman is left out stressing that, it is the participants who have to put women in the lime light.

‘’We recognize the inputs female Journalists have made but we need equity before equality,’’ Marcella Samba-Sesay said.

She disclosed how on a couple of times she has been attacked for saying the same things that her male counterparts have said without being attacked just because she is a woman.

The President of (SLAWIJ), Millicent Kargbo, commended CGG, Irish Aid and UN Women for organizing such a training for her members. She disclosed how their organization is made up of women from different media houses geared towards promoting their interests and proffering solutions to problems affecting them.

She also revealed that they have had lot of training on gender sensitive reporting, but said this is the first on policy making.

According to her, the media is a powerful tool and in concert with other members they will do their best to advocate for and push the interests of their fellow women.

Valnora Edwin, Chairperson Africa Women Leadership Network SL Chapter, one of the trainers, took participants through the journey of Women’s Empowerment in Sierra Leone and the relevance of the GEWE Policy 2020 and Act 2022.

She further dilated on advocacy techniques to advance women’s empowerment provisions in the GEWE Policy and Act for the attention of policymakers, duty-bearers and service providers.

Battu B. Jambawai, from the Office of the Vice President, touched on the content and spirit of each provision in the GEWE Policy of 2020 and Act 2022 and their relevance to women’ empowerment.

Yeama Thompson engaged participants on engaging policymakers for the implementation of women’s empowerment policies and laws like the GEWE Policy and Act using the media.

She further facilitated on projecting women’s empowerment interest stories through the media and reporting women’s priority policy issues for public attention and support.

Ministry of Lands Signs MOU with Paramount Chiefs & CSOs

By Millicent Senava Mannah

The Ministry of Lands, Housing and Country Planning has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Paramount Chiefs and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) for the success of the Sierra Leone Land Administration Project. This ceremony took place on 26th May, 2023, at the New Freetown City Council Hall in Freetown.

The overall objective of this MOU is to set up a plan to widely disseminate accurate information about the Customary Land Rights Act 2022 and the National Land Commission Act 2022 to citizens, corporations, Government institutions and interest groups in accessible languages and formats to facilitate their effective implementation.

This MOU provides clarity on the collaborative framework and roles, for the tripartite body of the Government of Sierra Leone represented by the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Country Planning (MLHCP) through the Sierra Leone Administration Project.

Tamba F. Dauda, Director of Surveys and Lands, Ministry of Lands, intimated that the MOU will mark a different stage in the process of land administration in the country. Continuing that, formerly they had lots of challenges, and they can only succeed when they link up with Paramount Chiefs and CSOs for them to form the policy to address the challenges.

He maintained that the day was organized to sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with them to now have a decentralized land administration system.

‘’As we administer lands, the benefactors will enjoy the benefits of what they have earned, and we will let them know what is required of them.’’ Tamba Dauda stated.

The Director noted that they have been working with CSOs furthering how they want to strengthen the engagement, and how they want to let the public realize that what they are about to do is in the interest of all Sierra Leoneans.

According to him, one of the benefits of the MOU is that people do not need to come all the way to the city from the provinces to receive their land documents as they will start issuing their documents in their districts.

Tamba Dauda revealed that there are several land policies they have been made and how they are also trying to set up a Land Commission.

The National Head of Paramount Chiefs, Chief Fasuluku, said it is a privilege and honor for availing them the opportunity of signing an MOU with the Ministry. He commended the Ministry, stating how they do not see them as Paramount Chiefs, but as partners.

According to him, the Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Lands and CSOs has also helped in the building of his CV. He assured them that they as Paramount Chiefs are experts in administering their job.

According to the MOU, the National Council of Paramount Chiefs (NCPC) will, through its members lead the process of establishing the Chiefdom and Village Area Land Committees. They will also create an open space for the participation of the parties herein, and other players, including other CSOs, community-based groups, youths and women.

The MOU also state that, these CSOs will operate across the country and work directly with the traditional leaders and communities on key issues including land rights, resource exploitation, environmental justice and protection, food security and livelihoods, and conservation.

The joint effort aims to inform, land users, and citizens generally of the rights, institutions, and processes for securing tenure rights provided in the laws, their role in environmental protection and stewardship, and the rules governing land acquisition for investment purposes.

The ceremony was climaxed with the signing of the MOU by the different parties together with group photos.

 

ICPNC & KAIPTC Conclude Training of 20 Peace Mediators

By Milllicent Senava Mannah

The Independent Peace Commission for National Cohesion (ICPNC) in partnership with Kofi Annan International Peace-Keeping Training Centre(KAIPTC) has organized a two days Conflict Mediation and Reconciliation workshop for 20 Peace Mediators in the Western Urban and Rural ahead of the 24th June, 2023 general elections on 25rd&26th June, 2023. This is geared towards enabling them to be able to observe, and identify any threats before and after the elections. The training took place at the institution’s building, at Lamina Sankoh Street, in Freetown.

Hawa Samai, the Executive Secretary, ICPNC, intimated that the workshop was an extension of their activities further maintaining that the training is not only for elections, but the knowledge acquired will be useful as they continue to work even after elections.

She stated that they should work together to ensure peace and national cohesion is maintained even after elections continuing that with the skills derived from the training they should be able to resolve conflicts within the Western Urban Area

Hawa Samai noted that they must have confidentiality and not to be revealing secrets about their work to others but rather see things in  ways that bring unity, peace and development in the country.

Mustapha Abdallah, Senior Researcher, Kofi Annan International Peace-Keeping Training Centre, stated that their institution is one of the ECOWAS Centres of excellence located in Accra, Ghana that is committed in training of peace keepers as well as conflict resolution mediators.

He intimated that the training is based on the need to ensure the promotion of peace as the election draws near furthering that, as the elections draw near, they want to contribute to the peace and stability of the country and how that is why they organized the training.

‘’The key aim of the training is to ensure that we enlarge the capacity of peace monitors and conflict resolution mediators in the country for them to be able to maintain peace and national cohesion during and after elections,’’ Mustapha Abdallah stated.

‘’At the end of the training we expect the trained individuals to be able to actually mediate peace and ensure that they can be able to resolve any potential conflict that can undermine the peace and stability of the elections,’’ he said.

He noted that they should be able to report the key state actors and institutions to be able to respond effectively so that they can have an election that is free from potential risks and instabilities.

Mustapha stated that they are looking at three key areas, election monitoring saying if elections are not monitored very well the triggers of threats will not be seen.

Second is conflict analysis, which helps to understand the context, the key actors within the political landscape in Sierra Leone, adding that when it is done it enables actors to know the potential areas where conflicts are likely to occur, and by understanding all the dynamics they would  be able to respond to volatile situations.

The third area is mediation stating that if they identify all these areas of conflict and they don’t have mediators in place who are trained to handle such situations it is likely these conflicts will escalate into violence.

One of the Peace Mediators commended the institution for organizing such a timely training assuring that they will work assiduously to implement what they have learnt to ensure that peace and national cohesion in the country are maintained.

A question and answer session climaxed the training workshop.

Health Alert Schools Journalists on Investigative Health Reporting

By Foday Moriba Conteh

As part of their strides towards capacitating journalists on investigative health reporting in the country, Health Alert Sierra Leone, with support from AHBN and Ford Foundation, has on Thursday 25th May, 2023 concluded a one day training workshop for journalists on Investigative Health Reporting, on Access to Equitable COVID-19 vaccines and Finance Accountability in Sierra Leone. The training which brought together 15 journalists from different media houses was held at G-GEM Hall on John Street in Freetown.

Giving an overview of the training, the Executive Director of Health Alert, Victor Lansana Koroma said that the training is geared towards empowering journalists with the necessary knowledge and skills needed in reporting health issues in the country.

He said that COVID-19 has caused significant health, social, and economic impacts worldwide and vaccination is one of the most effective measures to prevent the spread of the virus and protect individuals and communities, adding that however, vaccine hesitancy and access issues have led to lower vaccine uptake rates in many countries.

Victor Lansana Koroma said that the training will explore a right-based approach to increase COVID-19 vaccine uptake and knowledge of journalists in health reporting.

He stated that a right-based approach to healthcare is based on the recognition of the fundamental human right to health, including access to quality healthcare services and health education and it focuses on the needs of vulnerable and marginalized groups and seeks to empower individuals and communities to take an active role in their health.

The Executive Director pointed out that Media professionals are required to remember that information dissemination cannot be licensed to inflict unnecessary sufferings on individuals or the society of which he added that in health reporting professionalism is very key.

His statement was followed by a presentation on the rights based approach and media ethics in health reporting.

Journalists present expressed appreciation to Health Alert and Partners for the training workshop describing it  as not only important but a very timely intervention towards capacitating journalists on health reporting.

They assured all that the skills and knowledge acquired during the training will be put into practice in their day to day reporting especially on health matters.

In another development, the Executive Director of Health Alert, Victor Lansana Koroma used the opportunity to call on political leaders in Sierra Leone to urgently prioritize the health and rights of women, children and adolescents in their Political Manifestoes. This call was made while reading a Press Statement by Health Alert Sierra Leone.

He said that May 21st-26th saw the conclusion of the 76th World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland highlighting how it was the platform where world leaders and other key development stakeholders met for the annual discussion of the world’s biggest health challenges, and the priorities and bold action needed to tackle those challenges across countries.
The Executive Director maintained that as Health Alert, in partnership with the RMNCAH+N CSO and Media Coalition, advocates for women’s, children’s and adolescents’ health, this is an opportunity to lay out the most pressing health issues currently faced by demographics that are often forgotten, including child marriage, high rate of teenage pregnancy, high risks from intimate partner violence and abortion, adolescent mental health issues, which have all increased as noted in the Protect the Promise – 2022 Global Strategy for Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health (2016-2030) Progress Report, and this year’s World Health Assembly Report on implementation of the Global Strategy.

“As a policy advocacy and human right organization for women, children, adolescents and youths in Sierra Leone, we fully recognize and applaud the Ministry of Health and Sanitation and its development partners for their strides in reducing the high rate of infant and maternal mortality, improving on infrastructure, human resource etc,” he revealed.

Victor Lansana Koroma stated that ,however, despite these gains made, they as Civil Society are asking Policymakers, Political Leaders and Political parties to prioritize the following in their political agendas or Manifestoes: to strengthen political and financial commitment for women’s, children’s and adolescents’ health and well-being by fulfilling the 15% Abuja Target of 2001, accelerate prioritization on health financing and implementation of comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and rights including Family Planning in national universal health coverage plans, prioritize adolescent well-being in national development plans and strategies and implement adolescent well-being policies and programs etc.

He concluded by calling on all political parties and their supporters to be peaceful, law abiding and be patriotic citizens for the development of Sierra Leone.

Victor further called on ECSL, PPRC, the Police, ONS and all other security apparatus to ensure  Free, Fair, Transparent and Credible elections for the health and well-being of all in Sierra Leone, whilst at the same time condemning any form of political intimidation, hate Speech and Violence at all levels of political activities in the forthcoming 2023 General elections.

 

Chinese Medical Team Supports ‘Network for Children in Need Orphanage Home’

By Foday Moriba Conteh

In commemorating the 74th International Children’s  Day, which is celebrated on the 1st June every year in China as a holiday that celebrates the happiness, healthy growth and bright future of children around the country, the 24th Batch of Chinese Medical Team to Sierra Leone in collaboration with the Chinese Embassy in Sierra Leone has on Friday 26th May, 2023 donated non-food items ,which include footballs, school bags, stationeries etc. as well as a free medical consultation activity for orphans at the Network for Children in Need Orphanage Home. The event was held at the Orphanage Home on Alusine Street, Allen Town in Freetown.

The Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Wang Qing said children represent the future and the hope of a nation and its development and in recent years, thanks to the continuous efforts of the international community, national Governments and the Civil Society, the global endeavor to promote the rights of children has made good headway..

He added that China attaches great importance to the protection of the rights of children, both domestically and internationally and that the country has about 280 million children among the countries with the largest child population.

Wang Qing pointed out that China also takes an active part in international cooperation to strive for “a world fit for children” and that Professor Peng Liyuan, wife of H.E. President Xi Jinping, has always cared for African women, children and youths.

He stated that in 2020, during the special period of fighting COVID-19, Professor Pen advocated to donate several batches of anti-epidemic supplies and vaccines to African women, children and youths, vividly illustrating the sincere friendship between China and Africa for shared destiny and mutual assistance and that on the occasion of the International Children’s Day, Professor Peng has proposed an initiative “Warm Children’s Hearts: A China-Africa Joint Action” together with the Organization of African First Ladies for Development, hoping to convey warmth and care to the children, and help them to grow up healthy and happy.

The Ambassador maintained that China and Sierra Leone are good friends, good brothers and good partners and China always stay committed to help Sierra Leone in economic and social development, including enhancing the well-being of children..

“Today, the Chinese Embassy has prepared some gifts for you, conveying the love and warmth from China. Here we have footballs, school bags and stationery, dolls of the Chinese national treasure “panda”. Hope you like it. In the future, China will continue to uphold the spirit of China-Africa friendship and cooperation, work closely with Sierra Leone, strengthen cooperation in various fields so that more people will benefit,” he concluded.

The Leader of 24th Batch of Medical Team to Sierra Leone, Dr. Chen Yongjun, said malnutrition and diseases are two important factors that threaten children’s physical and mental development, and have attracted widespread attention from the international community, adding that in order to care for the health of African orphans, the First Lady of China, Professor Peng Liyuan, proposed the Association of African First Ladies to jointly hold the “Programme of Warm Children’s Hearts: A China-Africa Joint Action”.

He said therefore the China medical team is pleased to carry out a medical free consultation activity for orphanages on the occasion of the 74th International Children’s Day of which he said free consultation will cover the nutritional status assessment, malnutrition recovery, prevention, screening, and treatment of common diseases for orphans, and distribute love supplies.

Dr. Chen Yongjun concluded by encouraging children to have the confidence to overcome various difficulties, grow up healthy and strong, become useful talents for social development when they grow up, achieve their personal life goals, and continuously pass on the “love and warmth.”

On her part, the Minister of Social Welfare, Baindu Dassama Kamara on behalf of the Government of Sierra Leone expressed appreciation to the Chinese Embassy in Sierra Leone and the 24th Batch of Medical Team to Sierra Leone for supporting the Network for Children in Need Orphanage Home with donation of non-food items and  the free medical consultation.

She described the support as very important towards complementing the strides of the Government of Sierra Leone towards the development and wellbeing of children.

Baindu Dassama Kamara maintained that China has always been a trusted partner to Sierra Leone, adding that the Chinese Embassy in Sierra Leone has always supported the people of Sierra Leone in most difficult times.

The Proprietor of the Network for Children in Need Orphanage Home, Inna Kamara, also expressed appreciation to the Chinese Embassy in Sierra Leone and the24th Batch of Medical Team to Sierra Leone for the support.

She said that the donation and the free medical came at the right time, adding that this is a crucial moment for the Orphanage and that with this support it will cushion the burden on them.

Inna Kamara maintained that one of the biggest challenges the Orphanage Home is faced with is the issue of rent payment as the current building the Orphanage Home is housing is not owned by the Orphanage but rather they rented the building and that they are challenged to mobilize funds to pay the rent and to up keep the children at the Orphanage.

She used the opportunity to call on all to support the Orphanage Home especially with the aspect of the rent and the welfare of the children.

Closing the ceremony was the official presentation of the donated items to the Proprietor of the Network for Children in Need Orphanage Home, Inna Kamara by the Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone Wang Qing which was followed by the free medical consultation which covered the nutritional status assessment, malnutrition recovery, prevention, screening, and treatment of common diseases for orphans.

 

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