QNET’s BUSINESS MODEL: AMAZING TRUTHS DISCOVERED THROUGH AN AFRICAN JOURNALIST’S TRIP TO MALAYSIA

October 25, 2022

By Kenneth Darko

When I joined my current local news team in Ghana and got to know QNET, the first article I saw, was the company trying to correct a misrepresentation about its brand. Some individuals were accused of taking monies from others with the promise of helping them travel outside Africa. I took interest in the brand and did a little desktop research to know more about the company. The further I dug, the more I realised that the 24-year-old company has good intentions and an interesting business model, but the actions of some individuals, who may or may not fully understand the brand’s line of business, are causing some misconceptions about the company. I made a trip from Ghana to the company’s office in Malaysia and in this article, you will discover some of the truths I took my time to explore.

One of the first observations I made as I read a little widely about QNET was the fact that in this part of the world (Africa), a lot of people do not understand the concept of Direct Selling and sadly, they are often unable to distinguish it from a Ponzi scheme, Multi-Level-Marketing and the sorts. So, for the avoidance of doubt, let’s do some clarification on what Direct Selling is.

Direct Selling Simplified

According to the World Federation of Direct Selling Association (WFDSA) based in Washington DC in the United States: “Direct Selling is a retail channel used by top global brands and smaller, entrepreneurial companies to market products and services to consumers. Companies market all types of goods and services, including watches and jewellery, holidays, wellness, home and living, education, health, personal care and technology.” Simply put, Direct Selling is a type of marketing where the company or manufacturer sells its products directly to consumers without building or hiring shops, supermarkets, malls or the like. These products are not on shelves of any shop, they are shipped directly from the manufacturer to the consumer at home, online or through other means. This is an acceptable way of marketing and it has been in existence for hundreds of years.

According to statista.com, in America alone, there are more than seven and a half million people involved in Direct Selling and the global industry is estimated at $186 billion, with more prospects than a lot of people think. WFDSA has membership across the world in virtually all continents. Companies and Direct Selling organisations from England, Germany, Malaysia, Philippines, Turkey, Thailand, Switzerland, Spain, Sweden, Slovenia, South Africa, Singapore, Portugal, Norway, Peru, Panama, Romania, New Zealand, Mexico, Netherlands, Italy, Korea, Japan, Israel, India, Indonesia, Finland, France, Brazil, Australia, Canada, to name a few, are key members of the World Federation of Direct Selling Association. It is safe to say that Direct Selling is a global line of business.

Direct Selling in Africa

In Ghana and across Africa, I noticed that the Direct Selling Industry is not as formalised and organised as they have it in Asia, America and Europe. Though, Africa, with our population surge and budding taste for lifestyle and beauty products, is the new frontier for the multi-billion-dollar Direct Selling industry, we are yet to fully comprehend its full potential. I felt the stories and experiences Africans had with Ponzi schemes have clouded their understanding, realization or appreciation of the Direct Selling industry. In many parts of Africa, people can tell stories of how get-rich-quick and money schemes that existed for a short period of time usually less than a year or two, ravaged their finances. The unfortunate part is that they tend to lump many Direct Selling companies in that same basket.

Experiencing QNET in Malaysia

I had a tour of the QNET office in Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. I saw first-hand, the towering building where its operations take place on a daily basis. I saw some of the products and had interactions with key officers of the company as they explained in details, features of the products and key truths about QNET’s business model.

On Penang Island, I had a unique opportunity to witness and attend the company’s annual global conference, the V-Malaysia 2022. I was in the same arena as more than 15 thousand independent representatives (IRs) and officers of the company. It was electrifying and a sight to behold. I listened to seminars and presentations by many leaders of the company including its Founders and I visited the exhibition booths, where I saw, touched, felt and experienced QNET’s wide array of products. I saw IRs from different corners of the world testifying about their experiences and the achievements they made, both in small and big leaps.

Demystifying the misconception about QNET

The first realization I had from my five-day sojourn was that unlike Ponzi or get-rich-quick schemes that usually last for a short time and disappear, QNET has actually been in existence for 24 years and growing stronger. I got to know that QNET is one of Asia’s leading e-commerce based Direct Selling companies offering a wide range of health, wellness and lifestyle products that enable people to lead better lives. I realised that QNET is empowering millions of entrepreneurs and young people in more than 100 countries worldwide.

I also got to know that QNET is headquartered in Hong Kong and has a presence in more than 25 countries around the world through subsidiaries, branch offices, agency partnerships, and franchisees.

I realised that QNET adheres to international best practices and that, it is a member of the Direct Selling Association in several countries and is also a part of the Hong Kong Health Food Association and the Health Supplements Industry Association of Singapore among others.

I realised that QNET is law-abiding and highly socially-responsible. I visited the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm, RYTHM Foundation (Raise Yourself to Help Mankind) at the V-MALAYSIA 2022. I saw pictures and evidence of the plethora of life-changing interventions and projects the company is implementing across the world including Africa. QNET is also active in sports sponsorships around the world. Some of the more prominent partnerships include being the Direct Selling Partner of Manchester City Football Club and the African Club League Championships of CAF.

QNET’s fight against fraud and misrepresentation

According to Biram Fall, QNET’s Regional Manager for sub-Saharan Africa: “QNET is making frantic efforts at ensuring that its reputation is not soiled. We keep implementing measures to help the general public and our stakeholders understand our business model and the fact that we are not a get-rich-quick or Ponzi scheme, we are not a travel agency, we do not condone illegal gathering, migration or unethical marketing practices. People can do business with QNET from the comfort of their homes via www.qnet.net.”

“We are aware that some individuals use QNET’s name for unethical marketing practices. We are in collaboration with some governmental agencies in markets where we operate, to identify and clamp down on these people and their negative activities. If any Independent Representative is found to be culpable in a case of unethical marketing, they are punished or terminated from the company’s record. And in some cases, they are handed over to security agencies for the law to take its course.”

On my desk as a journalist, I see a lot of communications and press information from the company, trying to educate the general public on its business model and the Direct Selling market as a whole. The company recently embarked on a 360-marketing initiative called the MAMA Campaign. The Campaign aims at helping people differentiate between QNET business and the actions of fraudulent individuals.

Finally, I am convinced that with the current economic situation in the world and especially in Africa, a lot of people need multiple streams of income to be able to stay afloat. Direct Selling offers a wonderful opportunity for anyone to buy products, use them or refer same to other people and earn commission on the purchases they make. A lot of people have changed their lives for the better, by simply taking up the opportunities offered by QNET and the Direct Selling industry.

African Leadership Magazine Honours President Bio

October 24, 2022

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

President Julius Maada Bio has, on the 20^th October, 2022, unveiled the Special Edition of the African Leadership Magazine, telling the story of his leadership and legacy in Sierra Leone that earned him the lifetime of service award from the United States of America National Bar Association. The unveiling took place at the Freetown International Conference Centre.

The award was conferred on him by the immediate past President of the National Bar Association, Judge Carlos Moore, during his tenure in July 2022.

The President was also presented the Congressional Commendation Award by the President-elect of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators of the USA, Representative Laura Hall, during the magazine unveiling ceremony in Freetown.

In his acceptance address, President Bio said theirs was a beautiful story to tell by the African Leadership Magazine team and thanked development partners and all other stakeholders involved in piecing together the story of Sierra Leone’s growth in the last four years.

“As the unveiling ceremony commemorates our four and half years in governance and celebrates my leadership and legacy, the biblical scripture of Luke 12:48 lingers on my mind – ‘to whom much is given, much will be required’. So, I accept this award with deep gratitude, giving all praise and thanks to the Lord, who has been my Source and Sustainer throughout my life’s journey.

“I accept this Lifetime of Service and Achievement Award and Recognition with great humility but with deep reflection on a past of dreams lost and optimism about a future of great promise,” he said, noting that the award was a testament to Sierra Leone’s resilience and splendour and its hardworking citizens’ perseverance to build a country that could stand with pride among nations.

“I also want to thank the USA national Bar Association for bestowing this great honour on me. I thank the United States of America National Black Caucus of State Legislators for the National Black Caucus Commendation Award,” he said.

He paid tribute to the team in his Government saying that who is a leader without a team of brilliant and dedicated individuals, equally committed to a vision of a prosperous, just and safe nation.

“I am blessed to have a Government that breathes life into each aspect of our vision – from my dedicated Vice President to all of the Cabinet Ministers and their staff. This award and recognition are for you. I recognize all those at all levels of Government – the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary, who play their role in ensuring we can make life better for each citizen,” he concluded.

The African Leadership magazine is published by African Leadership (UK) Limited and focuses on bringing the best of Africa to a global audience, telling the African story from an African perspective; while evolving solutions to peculiar challenges being faced by the continent today. It promotes innovation, entrepreneurship and development in Africa and aspires to become the undisputed vehicle of first choice in showcasing the continent’s continual growth in the critical sectors of international development.

WANEP Organizes a One Day Dialogue to Address Issues of National Concerns

October 24, 2022

By Isata Fofanah

The West African Network for Peace Building (WANEP) and the National Early Warning and Response Mechanism Coordination on 20th October 2022 ended a day’s dialogue at the Radisson Blu, Mammy Yoko Hotel against the backdrop of engaging stakeholders within the democratic space on conversations on national issues as Sierra Leone prepares for another multitier elections in June 2023.

The consultative dialogue was on Sierra Leone’s democracy in preparation for the 2023 general elections.

Formally opening the session, Kadi Jumu Peters, UNDP Team Lead on Governance noted that the UNDP supports elections processes all over the world noting that Sierra Leone is one of the countries that enjoy such support and also supports Civil Society Organisations and the media through capacity-building.

Madam Jumu Peters also commended WANEP for always taking the lead in such dialogues stating that it has always been a difficult challenge to achieve free, fair and credible elections but observed that national dialogue sessions provide an inclusive platform whereby people are able to participate and make relevant contributions whilst calling on WANEP to organize more of such dialogue sessions.

The UNDP Team Lead on Governance furthered that such dialogue sessions can address issues of national concerns, political protests and insurrections.

Christian Widmann, GIZ Regional Director for Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea said the dialogue is timely as Sierra Leone prepares for the June 2023 general elections and affirmed that discussions around such a process are very crucial considering the fact that most conflicts in the sub-region are as a result of elections noting that GIZ, like the European Union, puts premium on democracy and therefore supports such a process.

Widmann said he was encouraged by the preparation of stakeholders so far ahead of the elections and hoped that the outcome would be accepted by all parties.

Chief of Staff, Office of National Security (ONS), Francis Langoba Keili underscored that such dialogues put the institution in a better position to respond to issues of national security, proffered that the ONS partners with WANEP to provide early warning signals reiterating that such partnership spans more than a decade.

Keili said with support from Irish Aid and the Institute for Governance Reform, the ONS was able to conduct a threat assessment which addresses all the issues being raised and called on stakeholders to come out with a comprehensive document that would speak on all the issues noting that as the elections approach, the ONS would have to make use of all the security sector appendages to enhance its mandate, the reason they heavily depend on such meetings.

Abubakarr Koroma, Regional Commissioner, North, Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone (ECSL) said the meeting should ensure that the benchmarks for a peaceful elections are established adding that elections can contribute to peace but can also be a recipe for chaos and that the ECSL acknowledges WANEP’s role for organizing such a dialogue as the ECSL is working to pursue its electoral education with women’s groups,

Olusheed A. David, Executive Secretary of the Political Parties Registration Commission (PPRC) said the PPRC 2002 Act looks obsolete as it does not speak on the current issues, the reason they have put before Parliament a Bill that is more progressive stating that the Commission has been engaged in capacity building for the various political actors.

He said the causes of most conflicts within political parties is the communication gap between members and their followers but noted the PPRC would always remind political parties about their role to their supporters.

Sierra Leoneans Urged to Empower their Future with Credit Unions

October 24, 2022

By Abubakarr Harding

Ralph Ansumana, Director of Other Financial Institutions, Bank of Sierra Leone, deputizing the Deputy Governor of the Bank, Financial Stability, Sheikh A. Y. Sesay, on Thursday 20^th October 2022 stated that the bank recognizes the crucial role of Credit Unions (CUs) to reach out to the unbanked who would otherwise not have access to financial services underscoring that CUs have a lot of potentials to benefit their members including financial literacy and independence.

He made the statement in his keynote address to observe this year’s 74^th International Credit Union Day (ICUD) on the theme, ‘Empower Your Financial Future with a Credit Union’ at the D Bim D Bam Hall on 85 Wellington Street in Freetown.

The ceremony was organized by the Irish League of Credit Union Federation (ILCUF) Limited, in collaboration with the National Cooperative Credit Union Association-Sierra Leone (NaCCUA-SL).

Ralph Ansumana further revealed that CUs encourage members to save for future development, that the bank would ensure the safety of members’ deposits and affirmed that credit unions and NaCCUA have been included as stakeholders in the implementation of the National Strategy for Financial inclusion 2022-2026.

According to Ralph Ansumana, due to the importance of CUs to the bank, they now participate in all CU activities both at home and abroad, that BSL is part of the Credit Union Steering Committee which oversees the operation of credit unions in the country and participated in the development of the CU Rule Book. He also informed CU leaders and staff that BSL expects them to take full responsibility in managing members’ deposits so that no single member loses his/her deposit. He informed members present that the Bank Governor is a member of credit union. The Deputy Governor is also a member of the World Bank. The bank would love to see all Sierra Leoneans including institutions joining credit unions. They are planning of establishing a credit union for staff of the Bank of Sierra Leone.

The Senior Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Trade and Industry, David Banya, who deputized the Minister, asserted that the Ministry is proud to associate with CUs as they are registered with the Department of Cooperatives, that CUs have brought financial management and services to the people as it is simple to join, that, unlike banks, CUs have a lot of benefits and affirmed that the Ministry would ensure that they become credible and dependable.

He continued that CUs are engines of growth, that they are aligned with the Government’s National Development Plan to reduce poverty, recalled last year when cabinet enacted the Cooperative Policy, that they are now working to revive the Cooperative Act to meet the current trend and informed that the Ministry is happy to learn that CUs are doing very well.

According to Mr. Banya, the Ministry would live by example by staff joining CUs and commended ILCUF, the Bank of Sierra Leone and NaCCUA for their invaluable support to CUs in the country.

The Irish Ambassador in Sierra Leone, Claire Bucklyn revealed that she has been a member of the CU for 20 years, that CUs mean equality, people first, financial inclusion and literacy, facilitating access to finance, that Canada and the United States used to help Irish Credit Unions as they are now doing in Sierra Leone, asserted that CUs empower people, commended all stakeholders for enacting the Credit Union Rulebook and congratulated CU members, ILCUF and NACCUA.

In his statement, the General Manager of ILCUF, Solomon Mwongyere enlightened that ILCUF is using the CU model to promote financial inclusion, which helps to reduce poverty and boost prosperity adding that the day is to celebrate the successes CU members have derived from the services and products offered to them.

He went on to state that through CUs, members have been able to send their children to schools and colleges, improve their farms, start businesses, build houses and create employment informing that CUs are employing directly 60 staff and commended the Government of Sierra Leone for creating the enabling environment for CUs to thrive, the Ministry of Trade and Industry for enacting the Cooperative Policy as well as regular guidance and support accorded to the CU movement.

Solomon Mwongyere further appreciated the Irish Aid and Credit Unions in Ireland for accepting to fund their three-year project (Step-Up Project 2021-2024).

He said there is a lot to celebrate about CUs in Sierra Leone as they have created an impact enlightening that CUs have the right to celebrate due to the rapid increase in their membership of 14,000; savings of NLe12, 000,000.00; shares of NLe2, 000,000.00; member loans of NLe14, 000,000 and total assets of NLe20, 000,000 and proudly stated that the culture of savings has increased dramatically in the country.

The Chairman of the National Cooperative Credit Union Association-Sierra Leone (NaCCUA-SL), Ibrahim Sorie Bangura, articulated that CUs are not-for-profit financial cooperatives, not for charity but for services that provide an effective and viable alternative for-profit financial institutions with more than 291 million members worldwide in 118 countries disclosing that there are more than 86,000 CUs globally providing financial services for their members that have been recognized as a force for positive economic and social change.

International Credit Union Day (ICUD) has been celebrated on the third Thursday of October since 1948.

ICUD is to celebrate the spirit of the global Credit Union (CU) movement, recognize and reflect upon the CU movement’s history, promote its achievements, recognize hard work and share members’ experiences.

ICUD has been celebrated in Sierra Leone since 2016 but due to the COVID pandemic it was not observed for two consecutive years.

Highlights of the colorful event were the float parade of various CUs members and students of the Bayconfields Cooperative Society from Youyi Building to Wellington Street, led by the Sierra Leone Police Band and the Collegiate School Band, screening of a video of the impact of CUs on members, entertainment skit by students of the Bayconfields Cooperative Society, singing of the CU song and musical performance.

MBSSE Takes Over Control of Automated 8060 Call Centre from UNICEF

October 24, 2022

By Abubakarr Harding

A state-of-the-art, fully automated call centre with computers, Cisco IP phones, server, headphones, a smart television and daily call register was officially handed over by the United Nations Children’s Fund ((UNICEF) to the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education on the 20^th October,2022.

The Call Centre was set up through the generous contribution of the Global Partnership for Education, (GPE), which has been directly supporting pre-primary, primary schools, early grade teachers and students since its inception in 2018.

Representing UNICEF, Madam Liv Elin Indreiten stated that due to the digital revolution, quality data are acquired for use in evidence-based decision making, in addition that Sierra Leone is therefore in line with current global trends by putting in mechanisms to use digitized methods of monitoring at decentralized levels.

According to her, the center will further help to improve the use of quality and timely data for planning, advocacy and policy making across the education sector and will serve as a single hub of communication between MBSSE and its related stakeholders in education.

“The utilization of the toll-free line (8060) has resulted in an exponential increase of calls to the short code (8060) which was originally routing to six Mobile phones, noting that the calls range in nature from questions, complaints and concerns related to schools subsidies, school safety, lack of teaching and learning materials, examination malpractices, extortion, lack of school infrastructure and furniture; and school related gender-based violence incidents,” she said.

She said through this call centre, MBSSE will have an opportunity to maintain an electronic database of all incoming calls, documents the cases and refer cases to designated officers in the MBSSE, adding that monthly reports will also be generated from the call centre, and these will be shared with the MBSSE Management and other stakeholders to support informed decision making.

According to the Head of the Call Centre, Mohamed Turay, UNICEF supported MBSSE in establishing 15 situation rooms for the routine generation of real-time data (using SMS-based RapidPro) by school communities’ structures on critical replenishments of External Ventricular Drain (EVD) supplies and ensuring safe and protective learning environments.

“There was a need to capture qualitative data and datasets that were not included in the RapidPro platform. This was faced with a lot of challenges which has impeded the efficiency and impact on learning outcomes,” he said.

The Call Centre was officially opened by the Acting Permanent Secretary of the MBSSE, Madam Aminata Y. Sannoh, and she thanked UNICEF and GPE for providing the resource centre, assuring them that the Call Centre will be well utilized.

CHRDI Condemns Mysterious Death of Sinnah Kai-Kargbo & Calls for Rapid Investigation

October 24, 2022

Abubakarr Harding

One of the most vociferous Civil Society Organizations operating in the country, the Campaign for Human Rights and Development International (CHRDI) , has strongly condemned the reported violent murder of Ms Sinnah Kai-Kargbo as alleged by her former boss at Skye Bank (Sierra Leone) Limited this month (October 2022). The reason of death remains unknown to the general public.

CHRDI says Sierra Leone is a nation of laws that gives primacy to the rule of law further maintaining that as a country that has signed several treaties the challenge for the administration is to show that it is serious and committed to meeting its treaty obligations.

The CSO said it also needs to be open and honest about how it investigates human rights violations so that the people who broke the rules can be brought to justice and the rest of the world can see that victims have a way to get justice.

CHRDI says it is calling on the Government, especially the security sector, the Director of Public Prosecution, and the judges to ensure that the rule of law still prevails and justice is dispensed with haste adding that transparency, fairness, and due process must be paramount in the investigation and prosecution of cases.

According to the CSO, such will be to the benefit of the State as it will show the international community that the Sierra Leone justice system can be depended on and is working.

CHRDI disclosed that it has recorded a staggering number of human rights abuses in commercial banks in Sierra Leone including alleged unlawful deaths and sexual harassment.

It claims that there haven’t been many investigations that are independent and effective; independent media and journalists are being threatened; the law is being used to hurt press freedom; and the independence of the judiciary is being threatened.

“We are very worried about the high number of killings and violations of human rights that are happening all over the country in what seems to be a climate of official and institutional impunity”, stated A.M. Fatoma, Chief Executive Officer of CHRDI.

The organization revealed that in the past three years, they have repeatedly brought to the attention of the Government cases alleging a range of gross human rights abuses and violations, such as sexual harassment, sexual penetration, gender-based violence, unlawful detentions, including children, persons with disabilities, trade union and land rights activists.

Those cases, says CHRDI , also included allegations of arbitrary detention, torture, inhuman or degrading treatment, gender-based violence against women human rights defenders, attacks on the independence of judges and lawyers, freedoms of expression and of assembly, as well as people’s rights to food and health.

CHRDI says it is sad to say these cases are just the tip of the iceberg as every day many more are reported.

“It’s time for the Government of Sierra Leone to do something about these repeated attacks on women’s human rights at work, especially in financial institutions,” the Chief Executive Officer of CHRDI recommended.

Note:

Campaign for Human Rights and Development International (CHRDI) is a rights-based social policy advocacy organization. We draw attention to the responsibilities of duty-bearers to uphold human rights and seek to support rights-holders to claim their rights. CHRDI is in Special Consultative Status to the United Nations Economic and Social Council and accredited to several UN Agencies.

Chief of Defence Staff Interfaces with Rokel Commercial Bank MD

October 24, 2022

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) – Lieutenant General PK Lavahun, Assistant Chief of Defence Staff Operations and Plans- Brigadier General AI Bangura and Assistant Chief of Defence Staff Personnel and Military Secretary-Air Commodore MS Kamara made a courtesy call on the Management of Rokel Commercial Bank at their Headquarters in Freetown on the 20^th October, 2022.

Purpose of the courtesy call was to familiarize and interface with the Management of the bank as part of the new Chief of Defence Staff’s initiative to establish and maintain mutual relationship between the RSLAF and members of the public and private sectors.

This, he said, would enhance the Civil-Military Corporation (CIMIC) of the Armed Forces to reach their partners in development to establish a common link that will assist them in moving forward their respective institutions.

He further expressed his profound thanks and appreciation to the Management of the bank for their continuous service delivery to RSLAF and reiterated that Rokel Commercial Bank over the period has maintained a large customer’s base from the Armed Forces. Additionally, the CDS reiterated that there should be collaboration, coordination and cooperation at all times with the Management of the bank.

In his welcome address to the CDS and team, the Managing Director of Rokel Commercial Bank, Dr Walton Ekundayo Gilpin, registered his appreciation and highlighted the bank’s support to not only the Armed Forces but also to the Army Wives Association in the area of micro credit and other assistance to families of the military. He emphasized that the bank is a Government owned entity and operated with several branches nationwide.

According to him, the bank carries out series of activities including delivering on its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), especially in the area of infrastructure at the Armed Forces Education and Technical College and also mentioned future plans to support the RSLAF. The Managing Director stressed that he finds it pleasant to work with the Armed Forces due to less or no problems with Soldiers accessing their monthly salaries form the bank and therefore strongly promised to work with the military in empowering them at all times.

In his final response, the Chief of Defence Staff Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces applauded the bank for its various ventures and expressed special interest in the establishment of a public private partnership between the Bank and RSLAF in the area of the Armed Forces Loan Scheme.

SLAJ President Engages Journalists in Kono Ahead of June 2023 General Elections

October 24, 2022

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

Ahmed Sahid Nasralla, President of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), has concluded a two-day visit to Kono District, Eastern Sierra Leone on engagement with journalists in preparation for the public elections in June 2023.

The visit to Kono is the first out of a series of planned visits to all districts of the country and it is the first visit of Nasralla to the diamond district since he became President of SLAJ. He was accompanied by Vice President, Sahr James Bangah and the National Secretary General Alhaji Manika Kamara.

The objective of the visits is to engage Station Managers and journalists across the country ahead of the general elections and to also say thank you for their support over the years. The delegation was received by the Vice Chairman, SLAJ Eastern Region.

The SLAJ President and his team first met with radio Station Managers in the district and expressed thanks and appreciation for the confidence they reposed in him as leader of their Association, and for the excellent work they are doing to keep the people of Kono district informed about what is happening in their district and across Sierra Leone.

The Station Managers discussed the challenges they are facing as media owners and journalists, their strengths, weaknesses, and prospects, while President Nasralla explained plans by SLAJ to position the media professionally as a referee, set the agenda for the forthcoming public elections, and fight against disinformation, fake news and hate speech.

The President emphasized the need for unity among Station Managers in the district, independence and professionalism in the discharge of their duties.

“As Station Managers, you play a critical role in not only promoting free, fair, transparent, nonviolent, and credible elections but also ensuring peace and stability among the Kono people,” said Nasralla.

Nasralla urged the Station Managers to stay clear of politics, work as a team, and put the interest of the Kono people at the heart of their work.

“It is your right to belong to or support a political party or politician but as media practitioners please do so professionally and maintain a level playing field in terms of access to your stations and content generation. Do not decide for the Kono people, let the Kono people decide for themselves and let their decision be based on the correct information you are providing them on the elections on a daily basis,”Nasralla admonished.

He also warned the Station Managers to be very careful when handling paid-for discussion programs by political parties/politicians, stating that they should not allow the political parties to moderate their programs.

“Paid-for political discussion programs should be moderated by you the professionals, and you should guide the discussion and phone calls to avoid diversion from the topic of discussion,” said Nasralla.

President Nasralla also met with reporters in the district and discovered that majority of them were not SLAJ members. He encouraged them to become members of SLAJ so that they will be guided by the Association’s Code of Ethics, and would benefit from training opportunities.

The SLAJ President responded to questions from the reporters ranging from welfare, training, scholarships, safety and security during the elections, and encouraged them to aspire to become professionals with credibility and integrity like the Kelvin Lewis and Umaru Fofanas.

The SLAJ President and his team concluded by paying courtesy calls on key stakeholders in the district including the Mayor, Mathew Komba Sam of Koindu City, the Kono District Security Coordinator- Ibrahim Turay, the Local Unit Commander of the Tankoro Police Division, Musa Bandabla, Resident Magistrate, Alpha Sallieu Ndolleh and CSO Coordinator, Mohamed Alpha Jalloh.

“It is good that the Station Managers have a good relationship with district stakeholders. I am impressed by the show of cordiality and mutual respect. The need for constant engagement, consultations, and mutual support toward the development agenda of Kono district cannot be overemphasized. I encourage both sectors to continue to work together and support each other, while the media carries out its sacred duty of holding the stakeholders to account in a responsible manner,” said Nasralla.

Meanwhile, the SLAJ National Secretary General, Alhaji Manika Kamara, explained to the reporters about the SLAJ membership and some of the benefits of becoming a SLAJ member. He also urged the journalists to submit stories for the Annual SLAJ National Media Awards as almost always all the entries would come from journalists in the Western region only; while Vice President Sahr James Bangah urged Station Managers to meet regularly to address their challenges and plan for the national elections.

The visit was climaxed by a simulcast radio discussion programme with the SLAJ President and his team as panelists. They informed the Kono people about the objective of the visit, about SLAJ and its work, and responded to questions and comments from listeners.

ECSL Reveals Use of PR System to Conduct 2023 Multi-Tier Elections

October 24, 2022

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

The Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL) in a Press Statement dated 21st October 2022 has pointed out that in accordance with Section 38(A) of the Constitution of Sierra Leone, 1991 (Act No 6 of 1991) as amended in 2001, referencing Subsection 3 of Section 38 “the President may, after consultation with the Electoral Commission, direct that such election shall be conducted on the basis of the existing Districts in a manner to be known as the District Block Representation system instead of constituencies”.

According to the ECSL, on 19 October, 2022, the Commission held a consultative meeting with His Excellency, President Julius Maada Bio to update him on progress relating to the Boundary Delimitation exercise being undertaken by the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone.

The Commission furthered that subsequently, on 20 October, 2022, the Commission received a correspondence from H.E. the President in which the ECSL was directed to use the District Block and Proportional Representation (PR) System, for the conduct of the June, 24^th, 2023 multi-tier elections.

It continued that within that context, the Commission is hereby informing the public and key stakeholders that the 2023 multi-tier elections will be conducted using the PR System, and that the Boundary Delimitation exercise which had commenced is halted with immediate effect.

The ECSL stated that such is to facilitate effective planning on matters relating to procedures, rules, and regulations on the Proportional Representation System.

The Commission said it remains committed and compliant with its legal mandates and guiding principles and will keep the public and key stakeholders fully informed and engaged on this trend.

NP-SL Selflessness in Service Delivery is Exceptional

October 24, 2022

National Petroleum Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL-Ltd)

By Amin Kef-Ranger

NP-Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd) continues to make meaningful inroads within the petroleum landscape of this country based on its effective and efficient service delivery which has garnered wide-spread commendations from near and far for the petroleum importing and marketing holding the fort for too long, weathering various storms along the way

Formed years back by certain selfless Sierra Leoneans (thirty-five of them), the company has grown exponentially by infusing business-oriented initiatives that have helped in transforming the entity into a towering company within the business landscape of this country and even in the West African sub-region, in countries where it has functional and vibrant operational branches.

One major initiative which these local investors factored into their business activity and considered very paramount is the premium placed on optimizing customer care, which, they believed will put the company in a very good stead to widen its customers’ base. It was against such a backdrop that they decided to import and install calibrated pumping machines at the company’s various Filling Stations, which are very capable of churning out the right quantity of fuel and at the same time display the corresponding price.

The installation of these machines was indeed a good move, as such is constantly instilling the feeling that they are getting the right amount of petroleum products, petrol or diesel as well as lubricants, against what is being paid for.

Hitherto, the old pumping machines were not so sophisticated and created leeway through which certain unscrupulous pump attendants clandestinely cheated customers by not pumping the requisite quantity of fuel requested for. However, with the latest calibrated machines, such became a thing of the past, making petroleum transactions at the company’s Filling Stations very transparent.

To properly interface with customers, NP-SL operates on an open-door policy basis with the avowed objective of addressing the concerns of customers and by extension members of the public. The inputs from members of the public are, most times, taken into consideration whenever meetings are convened, out of which resolutions are adopted that are tailored to give satisfaction in terms of responding to concerns and embracing certain recommendations.

The buoyant oil marketing company is a premier and sustainable indigenous business entity in the country as it is hundred percent owned by Sierra Leoneans. And one thing that they laid much emphasis on is to give preference, in terms of employment, to Sierra Leoneans exclusively instead of considering bringing foreigners on board, except in instances where local expertise could not be sourced.

This stance on the part of the company is in sync with the country’s Local Content Policy, which underpins making use of local human and material resources in the production and service delivery chain. By giving employment preference to Sierra Leoneans, the company has been positively contributing towards poverty alleviation and availing individuals the opportunities to live improved standards of living.

With regards rolling out its Corporate Social Responsibility, NP-SL has been doing so steadily and progressively. The company has been giving institutional support to certain institutions.

The company’s introduction of a Smart Card to purchase fuel has been widely applauded as a very good initiative. A particular customer, with money in his or her NP Smart Card, could easily put in for the quantity of petrol or diesel that he or she wants and the supply is facilitated, after which the amount of money expended is deducted from the card.

It is a very convenient way of doing such transactions in a cashless manner. Its biggest advantage is that it creates room for a customer to budget for fuel purchase over time. NP Smart Card is now trending and many are presently using it, saying they prefer it than using physical cash.

Some users of NP Gas that this medium spoke with, intimated how it is a very good device which has a high speed performance and very environmentally useful and friendly. Manufactured in different cylinder shapes, it is portable and affordable. NP Gas could be secured at all the company’s major Filling Stations, where the gas to refill it could be accessed.

The company has really exhibited that it is poised to expand its operations, a determination that has been manifested in opening branches in Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast and The Gambia. In all those countries, those NP branches are doing extremely well in terms of service delivery and payment of taxes to the home Governments.

Indisputably, there is no way that we can talk of a very successful company, amidst challenges encumbered along the way, without mentioning NP-SL because the company is greatly contributing to the socio-economic development within the West African Sub-Region.