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Security Sector Strategize for Robust & Effective Support to Electoral Processes

The National Security Council Coordinating Group (NSCCG) North Regional meeting was held in Makeni City on the 17th May, 2023 and was co-chaired by the National Security Coordinator (NSCoord), Office of National Security, Abdulai Caulker, during which he welcomed members to the meeting and encouraged all to pay rapt attention during the entire deliberations as issues that will be discussed are very cardinal for elections and general security.

The NSCoord stated that following the announcement of the date for elections by the ECSL, the security sector had embarked on effective preparations to support the electoral processes.

He pointed out that in that regard, the NSCCG had since activated the Integrated Elections Security Planning Committee (IESPC) in order to properly plan for the provision of elections security before, during and after the elections.

Highlighted were the following topics for discussion during the course of the deliberations; the activities of the IESPC, challenges facing the decentralized security committees, poor/low representation at meetings which is simmering down the effectiveness of the committees, stockpile of unattended security action points, illegal mining, logging and deforestation, confrontation between cattle herders and crop farmers, lawlessness and indiscipline, tearing of campaign posters, sale and misuse of hard drugs (especially kush) etc.

It was deliberated that because the country will be going into general elections, the meeting will particularly zoom in on election security and that the Provincial Security Coordinator, North, will on behalf of all the Committees in the Northern Region, do a presentation on the general security situation and elections security preparedness by the security committees.

Additionally, the NSCoord also reminded attendees that because Sierra Leone is a country of laws, the security sector will leave no stone unturned in dealing with lawlessness and indiscipline and by extension, professionally enforcing the provisions of the law without fear or favour.

The chairman expressed the security sector’s resolve to provide the conducive environment before,  during and after the elections.

On the indecent practice of tearing the posters of political parties, sale and misuse of hard drugs (kush), the sector was encouraged to take robust actions in curbing these threats.

The leadership of the various security sector institutions instructed that all the Incident Command Centers (ICCs) and forward Control Points (FCPs) be activated immediately at the regional and divisional levels respectively.  These structures will be critical conduits for the processing of relevant security information and intelligence.

The leadership of the security sector will monitor the functionality and effectiveness of the ICCs and FCPs. Resources will be provided in order to enhance the effectiveness of ICCs and FCPs.

Moreover, in order to ensure efficiency in security service delivery, the NSCoord encouraged the various actors to establish effective lines of communications among sector institutions. He also reminded the chairmen of the various committees (PROSECs, DISECs and CHISECs) about the relevance of the committees and the powers and/or authority of the chairmen and the need for them to effectively and professionally utilize such authority.

He encouraged all security sector actors to remain focused and not to pay heed to distractions and particularly commended the PPRC and ICPNC for their support and contributions towards the maintenance of peace within/among political parties and cohesion in Sierra Leone respectively.

The PS-North, who represented the Minister of State, Northern Region and who co-chaired the meeting, informed attendees that the Minister was busy with His Excellency, the President, who is on tour in some parts of the Northern Region. The PS further raised the issue relating to the negative implications of the misuse of social media and appealed for attention to be devoted in confronting the social media misuse menace.

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), William Fayia Sellu briefed the meeting on the facilities and preparation of the SLP for the conduct of the upcoming general elections. The IGP assured attendees of the SLP’s commitment in professionally providing the enabling environment where peace and security will prevail before, during and after elections.

Other speakers included the Commissioner, ECSL-North (who made a detailed presentation on the activities of the ECSL), Executive Secretary, ICPNC, Madam Hawa Samai (the functions and interventions of the Commission), the Joint Commander-RSLAF Major General Alpha (RSLAF’s preparation and support to the SLP for elections security), the Chief of Staff (CoS), ONS,  Langumba Keili. The CoS gave a comprehensive brief on the activities of the IESPC. The PSCoord, North, Alfred Kamara presented on the general security situation in the North and the preparation of the security committees for the upcoming general elections.

The NSCCG moved to the North-Western Regional Headquarter Town of Port Loko where a meeting was held on Thursday, 18th May 2023.

It must be noted that the National Security Council Coordinating Group (NSCCG) is the second highest forum for the consideration of all matters relating to the security of Sierra Leone.

Over the years, the NSCCG has developed the practice of holding joint meetings with the decentralized security structures (PROSCEs/DISECs/CHISECs) with a view to enhancing the synergy within the security sector and addressing emerging and outstanding security issues. The meetings are held at the regional level and are referred to as the Expanded National Security Council Coordinating Group.  The NSCCG is co-chairing the meetings alongside the Chairmen of the respective PROSECs in the East, South, North and North-Western Regions respectively.

 

University of Sierra Leone Signs MOU with University of West of Scotland

By Foday Moriba Conteh

In a bid to establish a collaborative partnership between the two institutions in the field of quality management, the University of Sierra Leone and the University of West of Scotland through the support of the European Union-funded United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) West Africa Competitiveness Project has on Thursday 16th May, 2023 signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the University of West of Scotland on Quality Management Systems. The signing ceremony was held at the Institute of Public Administration and Management Campus at AJ Momoh Street on Tower Hill in Freetown.

According to the two institutions the partnership presents significant benefits not only for the sustainability of WACOMP’s objective of creating a quality culture in the country but also for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and the economy of Sierra Leone and the Quality Management Systems Training Hub will be based at the Institute of Public Administration and Management (IPAM).

In her welcome address, the Deputy Vice Chancellor of the Institute of Public Administration and Management, Associate Professor, Miriam Conteh-Morgan, expressed appreciation for the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the University of Sierra Leone and the University of West of Scotland which she said is aimed at providing training and capacity-building programmes in quality management systems as per international standards.

She added that the Institute of Public Administration and Management as a business school with a long history of and expertise in training in many areas of business and management, and with a Short Course and Consultancy Unit that has experience in delivering training courses for local, sub-regional, and regional organizations, it is but logical that the Hub will be domiciled at Institute of Public Administration and Management.

Giving a background and benefit to the USL-UWS partnership, the Chief Technical Advisor at the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, Dr. Shaukat H. Malik, said the partnership would open up and expand opportunities for capacity building in Quality Management Systems.

He said that the European Union-funded United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) West Africa Competitiveness Project started in 2019 in the country.

The Chief Technical Advisor noted that by offering ISO9001 courses, through the partnership, the University of Sierra Leone will be able to provide its students with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in a competitive and ever-changing job market.

He added that the benefits of ISO9001 are not limited to University students, but small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can also benefit from IS09001 by improving their processes, enhancing customer satisfaction, and gaining a competitive advantage and that the University of Sierra Leone will be able to help SMEs in the country improve their quality management systems and become more competitive in the global market.

The Country Representative for United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), Mariatu Swaray said the signing of the MoU marks the start of a new and exciting partnership that will benefit both institutions and, most importantly, their students and the wider economy that will enable the University of Sierra Leone to offer ISO9001 courses in partnership with the University of West of Scotland.

She maintained that ISO9001 is a globally recognized standard for quality management systems, which has been adopted by many organizations around the world to improve their processes, products, and services, adding that offering ISO9001 courses, the University of Sierra Leone will be able to provide its students with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in a competitive and ever-changing job market.

Mariatu Swaray stated that the signing of the MoU is a testament to the commitment of both institutions to providing quality education and promoting economic development and she is confident that the ISO9001 courses offered through this partnership will benefit the students, SMEs, and economy of Sierra Leone and beyond.

In her keynote address, the Director at the Ministry of Trade and Industries, Ngnya Massaquoi,  expressed appreciation to the leadership of the Ministry of Higher and Technical Education and the University of Sierra Leone for this laudable initiative. She said incorporating ISO9001 in the University Curriculum at the Institute of Public Administration and Management will greatly help the country, the people and Business Groups to grow and understand the importance of Standards in the discharge of their daily chores.

She maintained that as the country has the Management System Certification Body for the first time at the Sierra Leone Standards Bureau (SLSB), the first internationally accredited certification body in the Mano River Union on Food and Beverages that was launched by the Honorable Minister of Trade and Industry on 4thMay2023, the move is indeed timely.

“As a nation, we are proud of the significant achievement in the National Quality Assurance infrastructure and trade governance architecture. Boosting competitiveness through an accredited certification service products certified for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and Large Manufacturing Companies are now globally accepted,” Ngnya Massaquoi disclosed.

Other stakeholders, including the Minister of Higher and Technical Education, Prof. Alpha Tejan Wurie, the Programme Officer-Private Sector Development and Trade Cooperation Section at the Delegation of the European Union to Sierra Leone, Nikola Kutin, Representative of the Vice Chancellor and Principal of the University of Sierra Leone, Representative of Tertiary Education Commission also made statements at the ceremony.

Closing the ceremony was the official signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the University of Sierra Leone and the University of West of Scotland.

CHANGE OF NAME

BY THIS DEED which is intended to be registered at the Administrator and Registrar-General’s Office, Roxy Building, Walpole Street, Freetown in the Western Area of the Republic of Sierra Leone, I the Undersigned ALICE MAMIE BAH of No.7 Bright Lane, Cole Farm, Murray Town –

Freetown in the Western Area of the Republic of Sierra Leone aforesaid, now or lately called ALICE MAMIE BAH, a Citizen in the Western Area of the Republic of Sierra Leone, DO HEREBY:-

  1. For and on behalf of myself and my relatives wholly renounce relinquish and abandon the use of my former name of ALICE MAMIE BAH and in place thereof DO ASSUME from the day of MAY, 2023 the name of ALICE MAMIE KALLON so that I and my relatives may hereafter call and refer to me not by my former name of ALICE MAMIE BAH but by my assumed name of ALICE MAMIE KALLON.
  2. For the purpose of evidencing such determination I DO DECLARE that I shall at all times hereafter in all Records Deeds and Writings and in all Proceedings Dealings and Transactions private as well as public and upon all occasions whatsoever use and sign the name of ALICE MAMIE KALLON as my name in place of and in substitution for my former name of ALICE MAMIE BAH.
  3. EXPRESSLY Authorize and request all persons at all times hereafter to designate and address me by such assumed name accordingly.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF I Have Hereunto subscribed my Assumed Name ALICE MAMIE KALLON And affixed my Seal this…day of MAY, 2023.

SIGNED SEALED AND DELIVERED by the above-named ALICE MAMIE BAH Now ALICE MAMIE KALLON in Freetown in the Western Area of the Republic of Sierra Leone.

 

 

Vice President Juldeh Jalloh Visits CHF Hospital in Mile 91

By: Mohamed M. Sesay

The Honorable Vice President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh visited the Community Health Foundation Medical Center in Tonkolili District, Mile 91, Sierra Leone on Saturday, 13 May, 2023, after an overnight stay at the Central University in Mile 91.

Impressed by the edifice of the Community Health Foundation Medical Hospital as well as its facilities, the Vice President maintained that the hospital has made multiple quick advancements since its founding in 2022.

“I first visited this facility when it was under construction. I am very pleased to come here today and see that the facility has been opened and they are providing medical care and treatment for people.” VP Juldeh commended.

Vice President Juldeh expressed profound thanks and appreciation to Madam Linda Muckson Sesay, a young Diasporian from the United States who is serving as the Chief Executive Officer of the Community Health Foundation Medical Centre, for ensuring that the hospital’s facilities including a lab, exam room, theater, male and female wards etc are properly and neatly organized.

According to Vice President Juldeh, the Community Health Foundation Hospital in Mile 91 will continue to receive support in the area of health under the direction of His Excellency Dr. Brigadier Julius Maada Bio.

“When we came as a Government, the budgetary allocation for health was 6% and we have progressively increased it to 11.5%. And today, we are seeing the result at the CHF Hospital. We have reduced the maternity deaths drastically and a facility like this is part of that wider contribution. I will make sure that this facility is supported by our Government,” VP Juldeh assured.

The Vice President ended by reiterating his assurance  that the Government may offer further support to the facilities and that he has discussed with the CHF Hospital’s Medical Superintendent.

On his part, Dr. Adebo Ichekpa Noah, the Medical Superintendent of CHF Hospital, thanked Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, for paying a visit to them . He said the Vice President’s visit to the Community Health Foundation Hospital was a big boost for the hospital’s healthcare system as well as the Mile 91 community at large.

“It is a great opportunity to have the second citizen of the country in our health centre. We appreciate the visit of the His Excellency the Vice President of Republic of Sierra Leone,” Dr. Noah said.

Some of the hospital’s challenges were raised by Dr. Noah who mentioned erratic electricity supply and the provision of free healthcare services.

“Our contribution in prevention of diseases and also reducing maternal deaths has increased drastically in this community,” Dr. Noah intimated.

According to the CEO, Linda Muckson Sesay, the Community Health Foundation Inc, which is located at No 2 Silicon Hills is a non-profitable organization in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Sanitation. She revealed how it was established to provide access to affordable and quality maternal healthcare for communities in Sierra Leone and its mission is to giving hope to pregnant women, children, and people in need and around the communities it serves by motivating and providing charitable interventions.

 

NP (SL) Ltd Customer Care Touch Leaves 1st Timers Yearning for More

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

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

It is an indisputable fact that NP (SL) Ltd is synonymous with 1st for Customer Care. In that realm, as far as it is known,  there are few other indigenous business entities that  can come closer to the seasoned petroleum importing and marketing entity when it comes to customer care because, historically, the company identified it, then nurtured it and mainstreamed it in all its dealings with its numerous and esteemed customers. It worked and continues to be working magic for the company.

As the situation now stands, NP (SL)Ltd remains the biggest importing and marketing company of petroleum products, which include petrol, diesel, gas as well as lubricants of which the Castrol Oil is confirmed to be the best among the rest.

For some words cannot convey the meaning of NP-SL Ltd being 1st in terms of Customer Care but as the saying goes, the taste of a pudding lies in its eating. For those doubting Thomases, it must be underscored that once NP-SL Ltd touches or treats an individual, that person instantaneously becomes a customer as he or she will become much more interested in continuing to deal with the company.

Indeed, NP (SL) Ltd deserves praise as a resilient business entity that had been rated as the country’s foremost importer and dealer in petroleum products.

The company’s competent and result-oriented Managerial think tank, currently headed by its indefatigable Chief Executive Officer, Kobi Walker, in tandem with the Board of Directors, have always endeavoured to be at the pinnacle of affairs within the petroleum landscape of this country, looking at best options, in order for wise and timely procurement to be done and also for effective service delivery to be executed timely, excellently, all geared towards enhancing good business relationships.

If there is any outstanding quality for which the company is identified with then it is that of giving customers satisfaction to the fullest  which is why it has earned the enviable reputation of ‘1st for Customer Care’.

Prioritizing customer care is considered very paramount out of the strong conviction that the company will be nowhere without its cherished customers.

It is along that line that the company has a public relations unit that primarily interfaces with members of the public. Concerns and recommendations channeled through it are raised in certain management meetings, discussed and the way forward mapped out.

Regarding their customers as priceless jewels, NP-SL Ltd always ensures that to give them optimal satisfaction, value must be derived from their monies spent. It was thinking along that line that prompted the shareholders of the company to replace their old fashioned pumping machines to calibrated pumping machines of high standard which transparently pump the requisite quantity of petrol or diesel demanded for. Confidence is now high among its customers that they are getting exactly what they are paying for.

Still within the domain of 1st for Customer Care, the company is always in position to enter into payment plans with its reliable and dependable customers including Ministries, Departments and Agencies for fuel and lubricants supplies as long as all the necessary modalities have been put in place. When cognizance is taken of the fact that some of these institutions receive intermittent budgetary allocations then such an arrangement is very significant. Its significance in real terms borders on functional continuity of those institutions as they will be assured of supplies of petroleum products in as much as they keep honouring their obligations.

In this country today, for one to see a successful business entity that is owned mainly by Sierra Leoneans and having a maximum number of indigenes as members of staff is like trying to find a lost needle on the beach, although there are some that could be identified.

For NP-SL Ltd this has been a big achievement as the company is strongly adhering to the country’s Local Content Policy. Making use of local brains has been identified as one of the conduits through which developing countries like Sierra Leone could attain economic empowerment. Correspondingly, if there is a continuation of the colonial mentality that it is only by importing foreign ideas and skills that we will get there then such could be a very sad mistake.

By providing job opportunities for hitherto jobless Sierra Leoneans, NP-SL Ltd continues to help in alleviating poverty by putting monies into pockets which could be utilized to take care of responsibilities.

For those who have not tried NP Gas for the first time it is now time to give it a try. Designed in sizable varying cylinders and sold at various NP Filling Stations, this cooking device has been rated as one of the best that is on offer for sale. NP Gas is safe, user friendly and portable. Trying it will spur you to recommend it to others.

NP Smart Card is now in vogue and is one of the latest technological devices used to purchase petroleum products. Using it has attendant advantages as evident in procuring fuel at any time of the day even during times when monies could not be accessed from banks. It is secured, easy to use and very quick. It is now trending.

To crystallize proposed projects into tangible realities on the ground, Government needs the requisite financial resources to effectively do so and one sure way is from the collection of taxes which is the mandate of the National Revenue Authority (NRA).  NP is indeed one of the big time tax payers in the country and it is very compliant in that direction.

From all indications, it is crystal clear that NP-SL Ltd is here to stay in order to give the best and contribute tremendously to the socio-economic development of the country. Indeed the company is passionate and committed towards attaining those objectives.

Why Raising Concerns at the 11th Hour to General Elections?

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

The Voter Identification Card has now become the main focus of heated political discussion in homes, public transports, Ataya Bases and in political circles just 37 Days for Sierra Leoneans to go to the polls and cast their votes for who will become the next President of the nation, for Parliamentary Representatives, Mayors and Councillors.

June, 24, 2023 will indeed mark a watershed in the political history of Sierra Leone as multitier elections in the form of Presidential, Parliamentary and Municipal Elections will be held in which the main contenders amongst others, the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) and the All People’s Congress (APC) Party will be seeking fresh  legitimacy from the electorates to form a new Government that will comprise elected representatives of the people.

Charged with the responsibility to conduct free, fair and credible elections the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL) is the only statutory mandated institution that has the duty of capturing specific data from the electorates which it then partly uses for the production of Voters Identification Cards which voters must present at Polling Stations to make them eligible to cast their votes.

That process of capturing voters’ information commenced in February, 2023 and was completed on the stipulated deadline that was announced but as a concern of inadequate time  was raised the deadline date was extended in order to ensure that the process becomes very inclusive.

ECSL commenced the issuance of the Voter ID Cards on the 17th March, 2023 and ended on the 21st March, 2023 with an extension also given to collect those cards at various centres right across the country.

Lamentably, the ID Cards issued were criticized on the grounds that voters’ some photos were not easily identifiable and the security features were not real but fake.

In the midst of these concerns raised and as a way of piping down those concerns, ECSL, decided to issue out Voters’ slips containing the requisite information which the institution insisted could legitimize voters to be allowed to cast their votes on Polling Day.

Besides, the institution made an appeal to all affected Sierra Leoneans to rectify the anomalies with ECSL within a stipulated timeframe but whether that appeal was heeded to could not be ascertained at this moment.

Incomprehensibly though, it was learnt that up to this very moment there are many uncollected Voter ID Cards still in the possession of ECSL despite appeals made by the various political parties for supporters to pick them up.

As all these are going on, in an independent investigation that this medium conducted it was made to understand that the Voter ID Card is designed according to a Guilloche pattern by a high security software that cannot be duplicated. By that it means interwoven lines are applied to the surface of the front and back. The fine lines often form asymmetric patterns such as ellipses or circular paths. 

It has a secured plastic foil layer that makes it is difficult to remove to make any alteration on the personal data of the holder of the card.

Besides, it has microprint features and a QR Code that are unique for and in/on every ID Card.

It also has hologram features with the Sierra Leone Coat of arms Logo stamped with hot temperature on the card and protected with the secured plastic foil.

Furthermore, it is a 3 D hologram that changes colours according to its angle looked at under the common light.

Demonstrable evidence has indeed proven that the unique features prevent the Voter ID Card from being forged or faked. The producer ensured that the plastic it has is such that any attempt by anyone to alter any embedded information will be impossible.

Besides, it has microprint features, 3d Hologram that changes colours and a QR Code which are said to be unique on each ID Card and is only visible under a certain degree of ultra violet special light.

Against this backdrop and barely less than two months when Sierra Leone decides, one of the main contenders has raised serious concerns about the Voter ID Card.

Interestingly or to say rather unexpectedly less than two months to the polls, the Secretary General of the APC Party, Lawyer Lansana Dumbuya Esq, in a Press Statement issued on the 11th March, 2023 has raised the concerns it initially mentioned but failed to act upon by taking many Sierra Leoneans by surprise when he made the following eleventh hour pronouncement:

“The cards need to be regularized, system sanitized, and political parties be allowed to audit the system in order to know how many cards were produced, the securitized measures taken, and the names and appropriate addresses of the owners of the cards produced be published.

“Finally, the APC strongly warn that the situation be ameliorated or redressed because the Party will never allow such unprotected cards to be used as the identity for eligibility in the forthcoming or any other elections in which the APC is a participant. So, in doing the amelioration, the APC entreat you to involve every political party throughout the process. The Commission is expected to be expeditious in redressing these concerns. The ECSL’s unresponsiveness to stakeholders concerns and the failure to address them has substantially undermined public trust in the entire electoral process.”

He went further to state: “The All Peoples Congress, having highlights the many concerns to be addressed in the next few days, wants to put the ECSL on notice that if the ECSL fail to address these issues within the time stated, the party will exercise its constitutional right to call for a nationwide peaceful protest to demonstrate its dissatisfaction.”

Many that this medium sought their views on this emerging development expressed the view that the timing of the APC is completely wrong.

They argued that it was from the onset that the APC should have persistently ensured that the ECSL swiftly rectify the anomalies not after going through ECSL nomination processes in filing candidates when elections are around the corner. In other words, they are saying if the concerns raised are done genuinely then the APC should have boycotted the nomination process to ensure that the ID Card rectification is done. They also claimed that for ECSL to reprint ID Cards is not only time consuming but has financial implications.

Besides, there is a school of thought , making reference to a previous AYV video clip that is on Social Media platforms depicting an interview in which the APC Presidential Flagbearer, Dr Samura Kamara, was publicly praising the Voter ID Card saying it is better than the previous one issued prior to the 2018 General Elections adding that during that period he registered at Kamalo but his name fell at a Polling Post at Brookfields but he was allowed to vote saying that was clearly an endorsement or acceptance of the Voter ID Card.

Besides, they say Dr Samura Kamara’s running mate, Hon Chernor Bah and other big wigs of the party are on record for enjoining their supporters to go and collect their ID Cards.

Taking the argument further the School of thought maintained that it is inevitable for mistakes to occur originating from the registration process which could not be the fault of ECSL agents but the some ill-meaning people who deliberately presented false information.

However, the bottom line is that many Sierra Leoneans that this medium came in contact with stated that whether their photos are not recognizable as long as ECSL devices a way of making them eligible to vote they will settle for that as the main thing they want to see transpire are peaceful elections.

As the situation now stands it is a wait and see situation as to what will be the reaction of ECSL to the seemingly ultimatum or threat it has been given by the APC Party.

 

Salone’s Favorite Seasoning Onga Celebrated Mothers

By Foday Moriba Conteh

In commemoration of Mother’s Day 2023 which is a celebration in honor of mothers, Sierra Leone’s favorite seasoning, Onga, in partnership with Epic Radio 99.3 FM  on Sunday 14 May, 2023 joined the rest of the world to celebrate 10 mothers in the country.

Following the successful introduction and growth of the Onga food seasoning brand on the Sierra Leone culinary market, Premium Divine Trading Company Limited, a strategic agent of Promasidor Holdings, decided to appreciate these women using the 2023 Mother’s Day by organizing a dinner for them as well as presenting to them hampers at the Atlantic Hotel on Lumley Beach Road in Freetown.

During the celebration, the mothers who was present with their children had dinner together with a cross section of staff of Premium Divine Trading Company Limited and Epic Radio, which was also followed by a dancing competition by the mothers of which winners were presented hampers as prizes.

Speaking to this medium, the Country Manager of Premium Divine Trading Limited, Kenneth Konuah, stated that Premium Divine Trading Limited ,through its Onga brand, being a global brand deemed it fit to celebrate mothers using the Mother’s Day.

He said that mothers are very critical when it comes to the preparation of food saying these mothers have been using Onga as one of the ingredients during their daily cooking chores of which he said they are therefore using Mother’s Day to celebrate few mothers as a first step towards celebrating a lot of mothers in the country.

Kenneth Konuah said that the celebration is very important because the story of anyone cannot be completely told without the impact of his or her mother, and when it comes to motherhood Onga is a feminine brand that is associated with women and it in that regard Onga, by extension, is celebrating all the women in the country.

He maintained that the company held such an event with the strong belief that it will help in motivating mothers and women of Sierra Leone to continue to patronize the brand within the country.

The Country Manager disclosed that the Premium Divine Trading Company Ltd is an entity that markets and distributes food products and that when it comes to food women play critical roles.

He revealed that Onga comes in various variants which include: Onga Beef Flavour, Onga Shrimp Crevette, Onga Chicken Poulet, and finally the new Onga Stew Flavour which is an improvement of the earlier one that was first introduced.

Kenneth intimated that all their products are produced in Ghana by Promasidor Ghana Limited for export sales to some West African countries including Sierra Leone. He revealed that Premium Divine Trading is the sole distributor and marketer of all the aforementioned products in the country.

He concluded by encouraging all women in Sierra Leone to continue to patronize the company’s products especially the Onga which he described as one of the best favourite food seasoning in the country.

Speaking on behalf of Mothers present at the ceremony, Madam Isata Jalloh, expressed appreciation to Premium Divine Trading Limited, through its Onga brand, for celebrating them as mothers using the Mother’s Day 2023 saying the initiative is a laudable venture towards celebrating the contributions of mothers in the country maintaining that they have never experienced such in the country.

She further explained the challenges she faces as a single parent in  raising her children.

Madam Isata Jalloh said that her son was listening to the radio program aired on Epic Radio during which he called and narrated how his mother went through a lot in raising him up saying his story was very touching that at the end she was chosen as one of the mothers to be celebrated during the ceremony.

She stated that the move by the company to celebrate them as mothers has served as a motivation to them as mothers to continue playing their roles in society and to patronize with the company.

Fatmata Bangura, a child of one of the mothers, expressed appreciation to Premium Divine Trading Limited through its Onga brand for giving them the opportunity to celebrate their mothers which she said means a lot to them as children.

She revealed that she was listening to the Onga program on Epic Radio where children were calling in order to talk about their mothers and she decided to call and after explaining her story her mother was selected as one of the mothers to benefit from the Onga celebration.

Fatmata Bangura narrated how her mother struggled to raise them up as a single parent, adding that her mother sold all sorts of wares just to send them to school of which she said they are very grateful.

The highpoint of the celebration was the presentation of hampers containing various variants of Onga and other products that are marketed by Premium Divine Trading Limited to the mothers present.

Progressive Women Organization Donates Food Items to Persons with Disabilities

By Foday Moriba Conteh

As part of their continuous support to the less privileged, especially Persons Living with Disabilities in the country, the Progressive Women Organization has on Saturday 13th May, 2023 donated food items worth millions of Leones to Persons with Disabilities at the Cotton Tree and the Pademba Road Disabled Camp in Freetown respectively.

Speaking during the ceremony, the Coordinator for Progressive Women Organization, Fatmata Sonkary Fornah Sesay started by expressing profound thanks and appreciation to the Chief Executive Officer, Madam Juliet Walker who is currently residing in the United States of America for her vision and support to the organization in order to make the donation a possibility and success.

She said the organization deemed it fit to undertake such a donation with the strong conviction that such could be helpful particularly during these troubling economic times that the country is going through.

Fatmata Sonkary Fornah Sesay pointed out that the organization is geared towards supporting women and girls, including person with disabilities, stating as an organization they believe that persons living with disabilities are very important in society and they should not be left out.

She revealed that the donation packages include cups of rice, Maggie, onions, etc. which she said the beneficiaries will use to support themselves and their families.

The Coordinator further stated that the organization is barely 3 years old but they have been supporting a cross section of Sierra Leoneans which she assured they will continue in order to impact more lives of which she called on other institutions to support the Progressive Women Organization so that they will be at a vantage position to continue the support more women, girls and the less privileged in the country.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, the Chairlady for the disable at Cotton Tree, Fatmata Kargbo, commended the Progressive Women Organization for the donation which she described as not only important but  very timely.

She said that as the raining season is fast approaching this is one of the most difficult periods for them as persons living with disabilities in the country owing to the fact that most of them don’t have shelter and they cannot go out to find their living.

Fatmata Kargbo assured the Progressive Women Organization that they will use the donated items for the intended purpose.

She concluded by calling on other organizations to support the Progressive Women Organization as they will in turn continue to support persons with disabilities in the country.

The Chairlady for the Pademba Road Disable Camp, Esther Kallon also applauded the Progressive Women Organization for the donation.

Climaxing both sessions was the official distribution of the food items by the Coordinator for Progressive Women Organization, Fatmata Sonkary Fornah Sesay and team to the beneficiaries through their Chairladies.

Eight Presidential Aspirants Dissociate Themselves from any Planned Demo

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

In a Joint Statement issued on the 16th May, 2023, by the Presidential Candidates of eight registered Political Parties that will be contesting in the June, 24, 2023 multitier elections, with the names of the parties they represent and their names as such: the  People’s Democratic Party (PDP)- Prince Coker ,the  Peace & Liberation Party (PLP)-Nabieu Musa Kamara, United National People’s Party (UNPP)-Gabriel Samuka, Citizens Democratic Party (CDP)-Kaday Johnson, Republic National Independent Party-(ReNIP)-Khadija Bangura, Alliance Democratic Party (ADP)-Iye Kakay, Revolutionary United Front Party-SL- (UFP-SL) -Abdulai B Saccoh and the  National Democratic Alliance (NDA)-Mariatu S Mansaray it was categorically stated  that as nominated Presidential candidates of eight (8) registered Political Parties poised to take part in the June 24th General Elections, they are compelled to talk to the public on the following issues:

That all of them as eight Presidential Candidates  representing  various registered Political Parties are active members and participants of the ECSL Political Parties Liaison Committee (PPLC) furthering that they do acknowledge that the ECSL PPLC comprises stakeholder representatives of ALL Political Parties that meets every two weeks to discuss matters about and around the June 24th 2023 elections.

The eight Presidential Candidates continued that they also noted that the ECSL -PPLC Stakeholders Engagement has as key participants, Civil Society Organizations, the Sierra Leone Police and the Political Parties Regulation Commission.

Going forward, they also underscored how they  have been ardent participants in all ECSL stakeholder’s engagements since the inception of the political process that will lead to the June 24th 2023 elections.

These Presidential aspirants pointed out how they acknowledged that APPA monitored the Biometric Voters’ Registration (BVR) exercise from registration, exhibitions and distribution of ID Cards nationwide; and remained satisfied with the entire process especially those relating to individual Political Parties.

They also said they acknowledged that the PPLC has been instrumental in taking decisions on key ECSL proposals starting from registration to date adding how they also recalled that all Political Parties at the PPLC commended the ECSL for a successful BVR exercise nationwide.

According to the aspiring Presidential contenders, they recalled that at a Particular PPLC meeting on the 30th March, 2023, ECSL did a power-point presentation on the Voter Cards detailing their security features and how it is different from the previous cards stating how of particular importance was the Voter Identification Number (VIN) which remains unprecedented.

They also pointed out that the ECSL-PPLC also noted the poor-quality photos on some voter ID Cards but said no outright condemnation was resolved at to change it or not use it during elections.

The eight Presidential aspirants stated that based on the above observations, they wish to make public that they aligned themselves with other Political Parties and election stakeholders to affirm their commitment to a peaceful, smooth and successful election process.

They also maintained that while they acknowledge that some Voter ID Cards have problems with the photos on them, such problems does not require their outright condemnation that will warrant their rejection and non-participation in the June 24th Elections.

The eight Presidential nominated candidates say they want the public to know that they have dissociated themselves from the Press Release of the All People’s Congress which calls for protest and threatening not to take part in the June 24th 2023 Elections.

They concluded that as Presidential Candidates of their Political Parties, they want to assure their memberships and the Public of their participation in the June 24th Elections making it clear that they will not be part of any planned demonstration or boycott.

 

 

Peace Commission Urges Sierra Leoneans to Continue to Maintain Peace at all Times

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

Yesterday, May 16, 2023, Sierra Leone joined the rest of the world to observe International Day of People Living in Peace “as a means of regularly mobilizing the efforts of the international community to promote peace, tolerance, inclusion, understanding and solidarity”.

Commemoration of the day was aimed at upholding the desire to live and act together as people and endeavor to be united even in the face of differences and diversities in order to build a sustainable world of peace, solidarity and harmony.

As the country joins the rest of the world in observing the day, the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion urged Sierra Leoneans to continue to maintain peace at all times and live in harmony with one another even as we are in the wake of the Multi-Tier General Elections slated for June 24th 2023.

According to the Commission while elections are part of the democratization process, if not handled properly, they can undermine the very essence of democracy and create discord or division, which in turn can destabilize a country and hinder the country’s development.

It continued that since it started functioning, the Commission has been engaging various stakeholders including Paramount Chiefs and Political Party Executives about the need to uphold the peace of the country.

The Commission further maintained that as a people, if we are to continue living in peace, a very act that has now been globally recognized and celebrated today, it behooves us all to encourage one another to jealously guard the peace before, during and after the elections.

It stated that as it is joining the International Community to observe the day it would like to wish all Sierra Leoneans a Happy “International Day of People Living in Peace”.

Noteworthy is that since the end of the 11-year civil war, Sierra Leoneans have largely been living in peace and the country according to the current Global Peace Index is rated the fifth most peaceful country in West Africa and the most peaceful in the Mano River Union.

Sierra Leone can also boast of successfully conducting four peaceful democratic elections and two peaceful regime transitions.

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