Sierra Leone – Caught Between Examination Malpractices, Education Decadence and Social Dysfunction

October 19, 2022

By Alhaji U. N’jai

The reality of cheating and fake educational achievements from primary schools through secondary and colleges today in Sierra Leone is an epidemic that should be declared a national emergency for the survival and prosperity of the nation state.

The sad reality is that we are busy focusing on political point scoring rather than addressing a cancerous situation that could lead us to further mediocrity as a people. Education that leads to human excellence is far more holistic in nature than merely syllabuses and standardized exams.

Something is amiss when you realize that you are producing more graduates, yet you are retrogressing in various aspects of professional needs and relying on foreign trainees to execute those tasks for you.

Our educational system calls for introspection. If deceptively celebrating 100 percent passes in the standardize exams is the goal, then we should merely just abolish them. Just allow everyone to move onto college and save the population from additional fees. If cheating is celebrated and fake degrees/certificates/awards go unpunished, why do I need to work hard; why do I need to display sense of integrity.

If I work hard and do the right things but failed and others who did less, pass with flying colors, why do I need to work hard. If those who cheat their way through school examinations and those who fake degrees/awards are celebrated in society what that says about ethical standards in our society.

How do we effectively fight corruption and promote quality in our educational systems, when the focus is political point scoring and celebration of falsities. Our current educational situation and decadence at all levels calls for deep introspection on what we have become and where we are heading as a society.

Education is much more than merely increasing literacy and numeracy levels in a country. The neoliberal agenda of promoting literacy in English or our colonial languages has only served to promote western hegemony, alienate us from our people, and render us impotent as far as development and domestication of modernization is concerned.

Our impotency and inability to solve our own problems, perpetual dependencies, poverty in the midst of plenty is largely opaque, even though we are now recording 95 percent literacy levels and graduate more students from universities.

Why is the gron still dry? Why are we still food poor? Why are the Chinese, Turkish, and so on with limited English literacy making our roads and airports? The literacy and numeracy benchmarks work well to attract neoliberal donor funds and money but in reality, have done very little to create collective economic success along equity and social justice; something that is extremely important for us in Africa, where communal relationships and cultural pluralism are ever so present.

The truth is Education that leads to social or cultural empowerment and Literacy are fundamentally different. In the same manner, Education as in academic degrees and enlightenment are fundamentally different.

Education without enlightenment produces dependency, retrogression, and tragic mishaps for society. Enlightenment is at the core of consciousness, disruptive innovation, building social capital, and greater ownership of one’s resources. Education along with enlightenment creates progress, transformational change, and development based on domestication of Modernization.

In the same vein, the use of digital technologies in schools for learning, which are merely enabling tools, often conduits for globalization, colonialism, dependency, and expansion of market economies must not be confused with education that leads to social empowerment and decolonization.

Obviously, when it comes to information communication technologies (ICTs), the realities of 10 or 20 years ago are far different from our present realities; some of the technologies have become accessible, cheap, adaptable, and can be implemented easily. For instance, with mobile technology today, it is no longer rocket science to get school results delivered to parents or students; something that will have been a daunting task some 10 to 20 years ago.

In the 1980s to 90s, one can easily obtain a PhD by studying a single gene like p53 that regulates apoptosis in the cell. Today with the advent of genomic science, access to sequencers, next generation technologies, and so on, you can gene expression of 10K genes, and still not sufficient to earn you a PhD.

I believe education is not just about the free and the quality, what we are missing in Sierra Leone is an ideology around it that sufficiently integrates our cultural experiences towards expanding local production, consumption, and at the same time building sense of national identity, cohesion and patriotism. To achieve these standards, our universities in Sierra Leone must play a greater role.

A radical transformation of the university systems from being agents of western imperialism and dominance to agents of decolonization and social empowerment. The process must start with having tougher university entry exams for all disciplines and an overhaul of colonial or neo-colonial brainwash curriculums that limits local ingenuity, innovation, and sense of self.

Beyond slogans and mere words, radical educational programs must tilt towards a decolonized curriculum that empowers our Africanness along the seven lenses of culture Prof. Ali Mazrui put forward.

In so doing, our culture within our educational framework can drive development through it serving as, a spring of motivation, or standard of perception, our standard of judgment, our basis of stratification, our means of communication, our means of production and consumption, and above all our basis of identity.

Education is at the core of our national development and therefore its decadence must be treated as an emergency epidemic akin to Covid-19 or Ebola.

About the author

Alhaji U. N’jai is a Senior Scientist, Professor, Panafrican Scholar, Founder & Chief Strategist of Project 1808, Inc., and Freelance writer ‘Roaming in the Mountains of Kabala Republic’. #Jata #Meejoh #ThePeoplesScientist.

US Africa Command Director General Meets with Chief of Defence Staff

October 19, 2022

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

The Deputy Director Strategy, Engagement and Programmes of the United States Africa Command from Stuttgart Mohringen Germany- Brigadier General Peter G Bailey on the 17^th October,2022 paid a courtesy call on the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces(RSLAF), Lieutenant General PK Lavahun at the Ministry of Defence.

In his capacity as the Deputy Director, the General contributes to US policies and strategy, develops theater campaign, operational and Force posture plans, integrate international and African Partner Military efforts and conducts US inter-agency and international engagements consistent with US African command priorities.

The purpose of the visit was to discuss the US Africa Command activities that are taking place in Sierra Leone especially on training support provided to RSLAF.

The current security concerns within the Sahel Region like instability, terrorism, cross-border activities and activities at the Maritime domain. The Chief of Defence Staff- RSLAF during his engagement with the visiting General, appreciates the US Africa Command for the bond that is existing between the US,i.e. overseas training provided for Junior and Senior Cadre of the RSLAF, the provision of equipment for Counter Terrorism and Maritime training. The CDS informed the team that they want to have an Academy for Non Commissioned Officers (NCOs) which will be achieved in the medium term.

The security and stability of the region was extensively discussed as most Africa countries want to have a bilateral relationship with the US. The CDS highlighted the biggest threat that is facing the region ranging from transnational crimes, illegal cross-border activities, security issues at the Maritime domain, the effects of COVID-19 pandemic which is global and EBOLA in the sub-region.

The US Defence Attaché to Sierra Leone, Lieutenant Colonel H Hoffman additionally stated that they will assist RSLAF with Military Intelligent Training, Public Affairs(strategic communications) and Security Forces assistance trainings. The Deputy Director for Africa Command also recognizes the RSLAF for being apolitical of which it has always maintained such status.

The CDS-RSLAF on behalf of the MoD/RSLAF Senior Management in his closing statement, welcomed the proposal for the training his Public Affairs unit and further stressed that the RSLAF will continue to work with the legitimate Government of the day. Hence, the RSLAF is expected to support the SLP during elections through the Military Aid to Civil Power (MACP) and his personnel are expected to behave professionally in discharging their constitutional roles and responsibilities.

Brigadier General Peter G Bailey continues his visit to the Maritime Wing Headquarters of RSLAF at Murray Town and will also visit the Armed Forces Training Center at Benguema Barracks as Planned.

Sierra Leone & Finland End Successful Investment Forum

October 19, 2022

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

It could be recalled that this medium reported in one of its recent editions that the first Sierra Leone Finland Investment Forum commenced on the 11^th October, 2022 and ended on the 12^th October, 2022 in Helsinki, Finland. Organized by the Sierra Leonean Consular Office in Finland, the Sierra Leone/Finland Investment Forum provided an opportunity to hear about Sierra Leone’s business environment and current business opportunities and to meet Sierra Leonean companies and Government representatives.

Even as HE President Julius Maada Bio was taking the kickoff to mark the start of Sierra Leone’s first ever Women’s Premier League football tournament, in a historic ceremony held on the grounds of Makeni’s Wusum Field over the weekend, a strong Sierra Leonean contingent was heading back home to Freetown.

They had just attended a major three-day summit with their Finnish counterparts in Helsinki, Finland.

The high powered delegation which was led by the Hon Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Security, Abubakarr Karim, also included personalities like Ambassador Bond Wurie, Special Adviser to H.E. President Julius Maada Bio; Mrs. Yvonne King-Odigboh, Sierra Leone’s Deputy High Commissioner to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; Bockarie Kalokoh, Deputy Minister 2, Ministry of Finance; Emily Gogra, Deputy Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary School Education; Prof. Maada Mustapha, Head of National Investment Board and Dr. Dauda Kuyateh, Director of Private Sector Development Unit at the Ministry of Finance.

Also participating in the summit were senior representations from Trade and Investment, Office of the Vice President, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and from the Sierra Leone Chamber of Commerce.

On the Finnish side were Ministers and other senior Government officers heading critical departments. These included the Finish Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Safety, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The discussions which centred around promoting cooperation between the two countries, in identified areas, were geared towards supporting the New Direction Government of President Julius Maada Bio in driving forward Sierra Leone’s Mid and Long term National Development Plans. The broader goal, as reiterated at the summit, is to build a resilient trade and viable economic relationship between Sierra Leone and Finland.

The keynote speaker at the event was the Finnish Under Secretary of State for External Economic Relations, Nina Vaskunlahti, who underscored the necessity as well as the benefits of the two countries working together to promote mutual interests within the practical framework of positive agenda items.

The docket of the three-day program largely revolved around the theme of education and supporting efforts in that direction, including possibilities of assisting in the school meals project and teacher training programs. Also high on the agenda was the need of working together to explore and promote investment opportunities in healthcare and tourism.

The speakers looked at the key challenges in all the identified areas, against the backdrop of pertinent lessons learnt from the COVID- 19 pandemic situation.

They acknowledged the serious challenges posed by the effects of the Global Climate Change and proposed ways to assist with the adaptation of people, places and systems to the evolving realities

The participants additionally mapped out courses of action to speedily translate the various discussion points into practical end results.

In fact, even as the three-day summit ends, pursuing the submitted initiatives is set to vigorously continue in different formats on various related platforms as all parties work towards ensuring the marriage of discussion points to tangible policy initiatives, guaranteeing final implementations on agreed areas.

On Tuesday 18th October 2022, for example, the Deputy Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Emily Gogra, participated in the First Ministerial Meeting on “the Schools Meals Coalition” in Helsinki. The opening remarks for that occasion were delivered by Ville Skinnari, the Finnish Minister for Development and Foreign Trade.

The rationale of the first Ministerial meeting on ‘School Meals’ was firmly predicated on the increasing realization that the current global living cost crisis poses the potential of putting the education of millions of children at risk. School meals have been internationally identified as “multi-sectoral game changers” in helping to ensure enrolments and maintain healthy attendance.

It is hearty to note that the international community is visibly moving towards the policy positions so readily adopted by the New Direction Government of President Julius Maada Bio who has all along underscored the importance of strengthening education as a means of effectively developing Sierra Leone’s Human Capital.

It is easy to see why global partners are increasingly warming up to Sierra Leone and why they are happy to support the sound policy initiatives of President Julius Maada Bio.

Mr. Sorie Obai Kamara, a long term resident of Finland and the head of the Sierra Leone Consulate Planning Team, played a vital role in facilitating this summit.

United Nations Thanks Sierra Leone for its Contribution to UN peacekeeping

October 19, 2022

By Abubakarr Harding

The Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix has on the 19^th October 2022 expressed appreciation to Sierra Leone for its strong support to the United Nations Peacekeeping and for the service and sacrifice of its military and police personnel deployed under the UN flag.

Sierra Leone’s participation in UN peacekeeping began in the early 1960s when it deployed peacekeepers to the UN Operation in the Congo (ONUC). It rejoined peacekeeping in 2004 by providing police officers to the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH).

Today, Sierra Leone provides 67 uniformed personnel, including 43 women, to 9 UN peace operations.

Sierra Leone’s largest deployment is with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) where 28 of its peacekeepers currently serve, 27 of whom are women. It also provides uniformed personnel to the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA),United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), and the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS).Previously, it also participated in UN peace operations in Liberia, Nepal, Timor-Leste, West Africa, and Yemen.

“Sierra Leone is one of a few countries that once hosted UN Peacekeeping operations (1998-2005), and that now proudly deploys its peacekeepers to other countries in need of international support,” said Lacroix.

Among the peacekeepers Sierra Leone is currently contributing to UN peace operations, nearly two-third are women.

“The UN appreciates the service of the Sierra Leonean peacekeepers who work in some of the world’s most fragile political and security environments. We also pay tribute to 41 of their colleagues who have lost their lives while serving the cause of peace under the UN flag. In addition, we thank Sierra Leone for its efforts to increase the number of women within our ranks through the UN’s Uniformed Gender Parity Strategy,” he said.

Sierra Leone also endorsed the Secretary-General’s ‘Action for Peacekeeping (A4P)’ initiative, which aims to strengthen peacekeeping through more targeted mandates, stronger and safer operations, better equipped and trained forces, and by mobilizing support for political solutions.

NP-SL Remains the Most Outstanding Petroleum Marketing Entity

October 19, 2022

By Amin Kef-Ranger

In this country, the most outstanding and widely recognized petroleum entity that is doing well within the business landscape of this country is indisputably the NP-Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd). The company has gained both internal and international recognition for its efficient service delivery to its many esteemed customers. It is therefore no big surprise for the well-established company to be bagging commendations, accolades and awards from reputable institutions in and out of the country.

One thing which has made NP-SL Ltd to stand tall among other entities hinges on putting premium on effective customer care delivery. The company is highly distinguished for being 1^st for Customer Care, as it strives to give optimal satisfaction to its esteemed customers right across the country. In all its petroleum transactions the company does so transparently as it has modern calibrated machines at all its Filling Stations which are highly capable of pumping and displaying the exact quantity of fuel demanded for, be it petrol or diesel, as well as the price. This gives buyers the feeling that they are not cheated when purchasing fuel.

In the same direction, the company has good, up and running tanker vehicles which transport fuel from the fuel depot to the various Filling Stations everywhere in the country. Maintenance is always done on these vehicles to ensure that they are road worthy; something which the Management of the company takes very serious. The importance of regularly doing so is to really ensure that petroleum products are timely delivered to various parts of the country in order to prevent the occurrence of any form of shortage that may affect daily activities and lives.

A company that was established by thirty-five (35) Sierra Leoneans years back, it was made a laid down policy by the Shareholders and Management of the company that special preference must be given to indigenes who have the requisite qualifications in terms of job opportunities. Interestingly, this decision is in tandem with the country’s Local Content Policy which aims at making use of our local resources, both human and material, instead of depending on external resources. This has made it possible for indigenes, who were hitherto unemployed, to now be gainfully employed and be at vantage positions to take care of individual responsibilities. With all amount of justification it could be said that NP-SL is a very caring business entity.

The company has set the pace of expanding its operations in the West African sub-region by establishing branches in Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast and the Gambia where they are effectively marketing petroleum products. By doing so it is providing job opportunities for locals in those countries and by extension regularly paying taxes to the Governments of those countries which are used to fund different development projects.

This bold step undertaken by the company is a mark of a company a serious entity that is taking business to a higher pedestal.

NP-SL is very notable for making available NP Smart Card and introducing NP Gas. In this modern age when efforts are being made to operate cashless societies and going digital there is no other moment than this when transactions in petroleum products should not follow suit. With the NP Smart Card, a particular customer could purchase fuel via using the card, just stating the quantity required which is debited from the amount in the card.

The customer can credit it again in order to make future purchases. The biggest advantage is that a customer can properly schedule or budget for the amount of fuel he or she will need over time, meaning that he or she has saved the headache of having to raise cash for the sole purpose of fuelling his or her vehicle. Using the card makes it less time consuming to buy fuel and prevents the movement of physical cash which maybe a customer could use for another emerging need or the cash could be stolen. NP Smart Card is now trending and many are now going for it.

With NP Gas, the cooking needs of individuals are easily solved as it is quick in terms of performance as a cooker. Environmentalists have validated its safety in terms of less emission of dangerous gases and it is manufactured in different cylinder sizes, very portable and easily refilled by purchasing gas at the company’s Filling Stations or its authorized dealers.

With all amount of justification, NP-SL is a thriving company among the myriad challenges it is surmounting. The company is indeed a true development partner that is positively contributing to the socio-economic development of individuals, entities and the country as a whole.

Sylvia Blyden Speaks Truth to Power

October 19, 2022

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

Dr Sylvia Blyden stated on her Twitter Page on Sunday 16th October 2022 that she strongly criticized President Maada Bio for the silence of his Government over the claims of enforced seizure of corpses of civilians killed during and around the acts of TERROR of August 10th 2022. She especially highlighted the matter of Evangelist Samson and asked the Government to break its silence and talk to the people. According to her, indeed, few hours after her Twitter criticism, the Maada Bio Government broke its silence on the 17^th October, 2022 and spoke to the nation.

She pointed out that contrary to the Umaru Fofana’s post, the Government has clearly stated the location of the burials in the Public Notice adding how the Government is also saying it is being done “in full collaboration” with the Families of the deceased.

Sylvia argued that if the families and next-of-kin of the deceased do not agree, then it is bizarre to seize the corpses but if the Families have agreed to the State-led, dignified burial, then that is fine. No wahala.

She, however, mentioned that the Government has conspicuously left out mention of Evangelist Samson who was not killed on August 10th but was killed several days after August 10th.

Stating her position for the records, Sylvia Blyden maintained that under the Law (both established international principles and local Sierra Leone Laws), no Government has the right to forcefully seize corpses unless it is under a State of Emergency or during War Time (like the war against Al Qaeda, Osama Bin Laden) or the dead person was convicted of a crime like Treason in a Court of Law.

She continued that arbitrary seizure of corpses based on so-called perceived security intelligence by the Government is BAD to ADVISE to the President – very bad legal advice.

“I place such advice in the same category of the NASTY and FALSE security intelligence that was given to President Bio against me in April 2020 which led to the most egregious abuse ever meted out to a Woman like me in our country,” she blasted.

She said in her opinion, which she is entitled to hold, H.E. President Dr. Julius Maada Bio is being set up by his Legal, Security and Intelligence Advisers to become recorded as a Serial Abuser of the Rights of his Citizens.

Sylvia underscored that his reputation is being trapped into a cul-de-sac that his reputation may not be able to reverse out of adding that the saddest part of it all is that the President is himself glibly walking into the traps – over and over and over again which is quite a pity.

She said she honestly pities President Bio and pray to God Almighty that if she ever becomes President of Sierra Leone, she don’t get the misfortune of having to place her confidence in such legal, security and intelligence Advisers of the kind that have been advising President Bio.

Gento Preaches Religious Tolerance at Bishop Baughman United Methodist Church

October 19, 2022

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

The 64th Men’s Organization Annual Thanksgiving Service of the Bishop Baughman Memorial U.M. Church held on the 16^th October, 2022 will for a long time remain a memorable day as it was graced by many and to a large extent epitomizes one of the enduring legacies of the Sierra Leonean character, which is religious tolerance.

On that important day in the church’s calendar, the Grand Distinguished Patron was the unassuming, soft spoken, pragmatic, compassionate Chief Executive Officer of the Gento Group of Companies, Mohamed Gento Kamara, the man who has declared his intention to vie for the Mayoral Seat of the Freetown Municipality.

Dressed in his usual simple but very attractive way, with his lovely wife Mrs. Tuma Adama Gento-Kamara by his side and flanked by members of his entourage, he was welcomed by the clerics of the church. As a matter of fact, his presence in the church attracted a huge chunk of onlookers within the area and soon a buzzing crowd has already gathered closer to the church.

As the Revered in charge of the service commended the men of Bishop Baughman Memorial U.M. Church for keeping the organization alive for 64 years, he also prayed for good leaders who will keep the nation intact and make it prosper. He informed the congregation that a good leader is chosen by God through the People and not one that is imposed on the people. He furthered that honestly serving others is one of the greatest qualities a good leader must demonstrate and went on to stress that a good leader must always be God fearing only if he or she must succeed to rule.

Introducing the Grand Distinguished Patron, Mohamed Gento Kamara, the Reverend told the congregation that he is the young man who has decided to come out in the open to contest as Mayor for the Freetown Municipality.

In his response, the always cool and calculated Chief Executive Officer of one of the proven indigenous road construction companies in the country, Mohamed Gento Kamara, stated that he is highly impressed by the level of fraternity seen among the men and commended them for being united in the presence of God, for propagating the word of God expressing hope that they will continue in that stead.

He said what is currently happening in the church is impossible to take place in some countries, a situation where Christians and Muslims are seen worshipping in the same place. Gento divulged that he is a staunch Muslim, that his wife is a Christian but has no reservation in marrying her and worshipping God in a church.

“This is something that we should cherish and be very proud of because being religiously tolerant is a way of saying we are all one,” he underscored adding that it is only when we set up barriers like tribalism, religious discrimination, gender inequality that we tear ourselves apart and debar our progress as a nation.

He stressed that Freetown is a melting pot where individuals from various tribal groups reside maintaining that it will be historically wrong to hold the view that one particular tribe has a monopoly over knowledge or governance ideas. “Politics played along tribal lines is very dangerous and I want to be the bridge that will connect all the tribes in the city,” he said adding that with the kind of support he looking forward to from the congregation the negative ramifications of tribalism will be drastically minimized in the not too distant future.

Gento praised the leadership of President Julius Maada Bio maintaining that the President is a developmental oriented leader who has done a lot only limited by global situations like COVID-19 and the prevailing Russia-Ukraine War. He said the President’s vision of enhancing human capital development is spot on.

He ended up thanking the leadership of the church for inviting him to worship with them informing that he is a believer in the Body of Christ, that his mother is a Pastor and his wife a member of the church stressing that he would be very happy to reconnect with them again in like manner whenever an invitation is extended to him.

Africell Renovates St. Luke’s Catholic Junior Secondary School

October 19, 2022

By Foday Moriba Conteh

During a well-attended ceremony held on Tuesday 18^th October, 2022 at St. Luke’s Pre-School Compound on Wilberforce in Freetown, the First Lady of Sierra Leone, Fatima Maada Bio officially commissioned the newly renovated St. Luke’s Catholic Junior Secondary School at Wilberforce which was done by Africell Sierra Leone as part of rolling out their Corporate Social Responsibility in the country.

Stating the purpose of the gathering, Father Vincent Davies, said that school reforms have been central to the Free Quality Education Agenda since 2018, adding that the Government, under the leadership of His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio, has made good progress towards education but said there is still more to be done.

“My belief and argument today is that we will only deliver on the promises that all politicians and stakeholders made of ensuring that every child receives education that is Free and of Quality if we are to ensure that all children are taught in school with an extensive knowledge reached curriculum by well-trained an supported teachers,” he revealed.

Father Vincent Davies said that the opening of the school is among their plans as a local church to provide an opportunity and to level up an important way they can rise to the challenge of creating a more inclusive and cohesive society where debates and arguments are based on evidences rather than emotions.

He also pointed out that the opening of the school was contingent upon the fact that they want to collaborate with Government in order to establish an enabling learning environment for education to thrive in that part of the country.

Delivering a statement on behalf of the Proprietor of the school, Dr. Joseph Kamanda informed the gathering that there has been a great desire over the years for a Catholic Secondary School with the Catholic Church in the country.

He said the opening of the St. Luke’s Junior Secondary School is a fulfillment of the long desire of the Catholic Church, adding that the opening of the school also reminds all of the powerful vision the earliest missionaries had, of which they saw education as a tool for the empowerment of all and the building of any nation.

Dr. Joseph Kamanda assured all that the school will work tremendously towards complementing the Government’s Free Quality Education in the country.

A representative from the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary School, Natu Jatu commended the entire membership of the Catholic Mission and Africell Sierra Leone for renovating the St. Luke’s Junior Secondary School.

She said the Ministry of Education has the holistic task to make sure that education becomes part of the nation’s national agenda, adding that the Ministry is working tirelessly in order to ensure that children are given the opportunity to acquire education in the country.

The Managing Director of Africell Sierra Leone, Shadi Gerjawi, started by applauding the Chairman of the National Telecommunications Commission (NATCOM), Ambassador Joe Bell, whom he said is the pioneer of the project, adding that the move by the Chairman was remarkable and shows that he values inclusive learning and human capital development in the country.

He said that Africell has over the years identified education as a key pillar of the company’s activities which was why when they were approached for the renovation of the school they responded swiftly.

Shadi Gerjawi stated that Africell has invested not only in joint projects with learning institutions, but has also provided basic programme education to students from primary to university level saying they are the first to offer coding classes in the country.

He revealed that recently the company opened an E-Learning Centre for that and to be used as a resource center to train and prepare future leaders.

The Managing Director encouraged parents to send their children to school in order for them to make good use of the opportunity. He concluded by extending appreciation to the First Lady of Sierra Leone, Fatima Maada Bio, for her continuous support to the children and the women of Sierra Leone.

In her keynote address and opening of the school, the First Lady , Fatima Maada Bio, showered praises on Africell Sierra Leone for their tremendous efforts towards complementing the Government’s Free Quality Education over the years.

She said that education is very important and it in that regard the Government, under the leadership of His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio, introduced the Free Quality Education across the country, furthering that the Free Quality Education is not for political gain but rather to give the children of Sierra Leone a chance to become people that will build the nation.

She admonished beneficiaries to make good use of the opportunity, underscoring how education is the key to success and that they should take their studies serious, adding that with education they will achieve their dreams and become great personalities in society.

Closing the ceremony was the official opening of the school by the First Lady of the Sierra Leone, Fatima Maada Bio, the Managing Director of Africell Sierra Leone, Shadi Gerjawi and other dignitaries present at the ceremony.

Prince Macauley Could Emerge as the 1st Independent President-Elect

October 19, 2022

By Foday Moriba Conteh

Whilst the main opposition party is plagued with challenges that have hindered its election of a Flagbearer and national Executive coupled with the many Court matters that are on-going and the failure of the ruling SLPP to alleviate the sufferings of the people, many citizens say that the constitutional amendment which one of Sierra Leone’s finest and professional Economists in the person of, Prince Jacob Macauley, had been advocating and pushing for in terms of a constitutional amendment that would make room for an Independent Candidate to contest in the forthcoming 2023 Presidential Election is still relevant and will be pursued to its logical conclusion.

According to a seasoned political commentator, there could be a likelihood for a constitutional provision to be made and once that is done it will pave the way for the like of Prince Jacob Macauley to be elected as the first Independent President of Sierra Leone.

It must be noted that since he decided to leave behind his lucrative job in the UK, loved ones and friends to return and serve his country, Prince Jacob Macauley has done so unflinchingly in various capacities including proffering free of cost sound economic advices if only they would have been honestly factored by certain public figures could have positively impacted the country’s economy. His popular Scorecard which he introduced to measure Ministerial performances was borne out of an initiative to motivate the country’s Ministers to do their best in the good interest of the country.

It could be also recalled that after the appointment of Professor Kelfala Kallon as the Governor of the Bank of Sierra Leone, Prince Jacob Macauley, started seriously questioning some of his policies expressing reservations that they could be counter-productive to the country’s economy.

Worthy of note is that Prince Macauley had intimated that the redenomination of the country’s currency will be dead on arrival, and true to his words, after all the efforts made at ensuring that the new Leone enhances the desired result of revamping the economy, it resulted in crippling the economy.

Moves to restrict the withdrawal of cash from the commercial banks proved counter-productive and plunged the country into more economic hardship.

Macauley also advised against the auction of the dollar, but his advices fell on deaf ears, and today, the exchange rate of the dollar has skyrocketed, causing the prices of basic commodities to rise exponentially.

After all the hardship that citizens are facing that has brought the country’s economy to its knees, many people see in Prince Macauley the potential to transform the country and create better job opportunities for the youths.

It is on record that Macauley had stated that it is high time young people take up the challenge of transforming the country, and can only do so after the old folks with their old ideas give way.

Macauley believes that as a young man, he is au fait with the problems of the youth and can proffer solutions that will address youth unemployment and woo investments in the country.

Having worked in reputable organizations like the FAO and other UN related agencies, with close allies in the financial sector across the globe, notably in the World Bank, Macauley believes that he could tap on such contacts for the betterment of the nation.

With respect to the APC, many Sierra Leoneans are worried that the party may not be able to provide a strong force to take on the Bio-led Government that has become most unpopular, due to its handling of the economic situation in the country.

Sierra Leoneans are tired of the two main political parties that have ruled this country since independence, and believe that it is now time to try a third force. The two main parties have virtually turned the country’s highest seat into a musical chair, where they sit on the throne by turn; and over all these years, there has been nothing tangible to show for their stewardship.

Prince Jacob Macauley said that at a time like this citizens should not be advocating for water, good roads, electricity, food etc, rather they should be yearning for technological improvement that will catapult the country into the limelight of economic prosperity and development.

Macauley lamented that up to date, citizens are still struggling for electricity and water. He maintained that with the cooperation of the youth in transforming their lives, the country can embark on development projects that can transform the economy and usher in an era of growth.

He stressed that he will be providing the relevant prudent economic policies that will bring about a turnaround of the economy and see a complete change in the lives of people.

Many citizens say that instead of voting for a President under the ticket of the SLPP to continue the current economic hardship, they will vote for a new person, especially if the crisis in the APC continues. Young people need to decide what happens with their lives, and Prince Macauley is prepared to provide the enabling environment.

Cigarette Sellers Association Decries 2022 Tobacco & Nicotine Act

October 19, 2022

By Millicent Mannah

During a Press Conference held on Tuesday 18th October 2022 at the Labour Congress Hall on Wallace-Johnson Street in Freetown, President of the Sierra Leone Cigarette Sellers Association, Vandi Lansana, called on President Bio not to sign the newly enacted 2022 Tobacco and Nicotine Act which bans public smoking and addresses the control and regulation of the production, manufacturing, importation, packaging and labeling, advertising, promotion and sponsorship, sale and use of tobacco, tobacco products, and other nicotine products.

It aims at promoting the improvement of public health by limiting the health harms caused by the use of, and exposure to, tobacco including nicotine, by reducing demand for tobacco and nicotine products.

Vandi Lansana intimated the media that having gone through the Act, they are of the view that it is harsh and unfriendly, and has the tendency to destroy businesses dealing in Tobacco products and even the industry adding that the industry and trade play key roles in the country’s economy.

He furthered that whilst importing Tobacco products they pay duties and taxes on them, which, according to him are vital sources of revenue for the Government.

Vandi added that as an association, they are actively involved in the buying and selling of cigarette products and have regular cigarette importers from whom they buy. He continued that should the Act become law those importers will be put out of business and more youths will be put out of employment not to talk of the negative economic implications of such on the country’s economy.

He disclosed that there are over 29,000 members, some retailers, whilst others are wholesalers.

Among some of the clauses in the Act, Lansana picked out a clause that says that those who trade in tobacco should not display the products for sale. That, he said, is preposterous as it means that after paying taxes to NRA and duties at the quay, they should hide their goods.

He stressed that no one will hide his goods that he has paid for to the Government maintaining that their operations are not illegal like dealing in marijuana or Kush, but rather legitimate.

Vandi said that unlike marijuana and Kush, tobacco does not make users high as it is not an illicit drug maintaining that in an open market economy, people display their wares for people to buy, especially as the products are not illegal across the globe.

Mr. Lansana furthered that there are importers who have signed contracts with manufacturers of cigarette products, and any action to stop the sale of the products will render them in a precarious position in terms of fulfiling their obligations.

Vandi Lansana further disclosed that another part of the Act states that tobacco advertisements should be banned. He maintained that in a competitive business environment, one has to advertise his goods in order to make sales otherwise one’s business is doomed.

He further opined that in order to ensure that revenue is generated from products that is the reason why they go through customs, and in the event that the products are stopped being imported, smuggling will be the order of the day, especially as there are many residents in the country who smoke cigarettes.

He recalled the days when cigarettes were smuggled from Liberia to the country, but after engagement with the Association, actions were taken by their membership to contain the illegal trade across the border.

Vandi Lansana maintained that no engagement was done with them on the proposed Act, but came to know of it after the said Bill was passed and is now with the President to give his assent. He stressed that they are not against regulating tobacco in the country, but the introduction of the provisions of the said Act will destroy the industry and encourage smuggling.

He concluded by calling on President Bio to reconsider the provisions in that Act and not sign it into law, so as to save their businesses and maintain the revenue generated from the sales of this product.

Several other speakers like Glorious Momodu, Program Officer, Sierra Leone Traders Union, Abubakrr Mohamed, a student getting his living from the sale of cigarettes, which he has used to pay his fees in school and has now taken his WASSCE, and also taking care of his mother and siblings living in the village, raised similar concerns and jointly called on the intervention of President Bio to salvage the situation.

Present at the meeting were members of the Association, other stakeholders and the Press.