Home Blog Page 560

VP Juldeh Jalloh Launches the Universal Health Preparedness Review 

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

Sierra Leone on Wednesday 3rd May, 2023 became the second African country, and the fifth globally, to launch a review of its health emergency preparedness and response capacity to identify gaps and reinforce measures against health shocks.

Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, Vice-President of Sierra Leone, launched the national Universal Health Preparedness Review (UHPR), a review process designed to bolster health emergency preparedness and response, while simultaneously building health system capacity to deliver quality universal health care.

“There is always a thin line when you are faced with a health emergency, in that you want to address the emergency without collapsing the health care delivery system,” said Dr Juldeh Jalloh. “I believe UHPR will help to address that thin line ‒ on how you respond and not lose your capability to deliver health care.”

Initially proposed by the Central African Republic and Benin in response to the challenges foregrounded by COVID-19, the State-led mechanism was launched by World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in October 2020. Under the mechanism, countries agree to voluntary, regular and transparent peer reviews of their national health emergency preparedness capacities.

“You need to prepare for a health emergency, and you must have a resilient health system. We have adopted the life stage approach to universal health coverage so that health care is directed at every stage of life, starting with a pregnant woman, all the way until that baby is a senior citizen,” said Dr Austin H. Demby, Minister of Health in Sierra Leone. “This is where we want to go and we want WHO to support us get there faster, identifying and documenting the lessons learnt.”

The first UHPR pilot was conducted in December 2021 in the Central African Republic, followed by three others in Iraq, Portugal and Thailand.
“At its essence, the UHPR enhances how we protect ourselves, protect our neighbours and protect the world,” said Dr Mike Ryan, Executive Director of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme. “There is no global health security without national development and countries that respond to outbreaks are not doing it only for themselves, but also are doing it for the world.”

The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated that no country is fully prepared for health emergencies, highlighting the urgent need for a cooperative platform to, among other things, promote peer-to-peer support and learning among Member States to enhance global preparedness and response, and strengthen resilience.

Despite the shocks of the Ebola outbreak in 2013 and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Sierra Leone has made notable recent progress towards improving health indicators, especially in reducing maternal and under-5 mortality rates. The most recent global maternal mortality estimates (2000‒2020) show a 60% reduction in maternal mortality.

“The country-led UHPR is a cooperative initiative for building mutual trust, accountability and solidarity within and between countries to strengthen health emergency preparedness and create an enabling environment to achieve universal health coverage,” said Dr Lindiwe Makubalo, WHO Assistant Regional Director for Africa.

The UHPR harnesses an all-of-government and whole-of-society approach, engaging ministries from across governments, as well as development partners and civil society, to advance the process. The review examines best practices, gaps and challenges, along with priorities in three areas of the health response: governance, systems and financing for health emergencies, and universal health coverage.

 

President Bio Launches National Payments Switch

By Foday Moriba Conteh

As a way to provide a platform that facilitates interconnection and interoperability between payment channels of various players in the financial landscape of the country, His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio, has on Wednesday 3rd May, 2023 at the Bank of Sierra Leone Staff Recreation Complex on Kingtom in Freetown, formally launched the National Payments Switch Service, a banking system that seeks to improve banking transactions among banks, starting with six banks in the country.

According to the Bank of Sierra Leone, the already activated integrated service system allows Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) and cardholders of Eco Bank, Guarantee Trust Bank, Rokel Commercial Bank, Sierra Leone Commercial Bank, Union Trust Bank, etc. to access money quickly in a more secured manner among the banks.

In his address, the Acting Bank Governor, Dr. Ibrahim Stevens, said that no time was better than now to launch the national switch, adding that that the process leading to the launch had gone through long challenges in the past but due to President Bio’s inspirational guidance, the service had finally been launched.

He maintained that the Government is moving towards a digital society and the Bank of Sierra Leone is spearheading the migration, especially for the financial system to be technology driven and that with the modern payment system, the problem of delayed transactions is addressed with rapid forms of transactions involving billions of local and international currencies.

The Acting Bank Governor assured that the launch of the service has created access to new markets, will increase efficiency and cost savings, enhance security and improve the customer experience, thereby shifting the role of banking from the issuance of traditional bank notes to a modern and dynamic payment ecosystem.

He added that during the Phase one which has been launched, one can conduct transactions on any ATM or POS regardless of the bank card or bank account one has.

With regards to Phase 2, which is instant payment he said that Phase will interoperate Mobile Money Operators (MOs), other Fintechs and bank accounts such that customers can make instant payments using any of facilities from any location and for Phase 3 it relates to International Payments.

The World Bank Representative, Lydia  Ndebele, congratulated the Government of Sierra Leone for the successful launch of the national payment switch, adding that the World Bank recognizes the strong efforts of the Government to address critical constraints on the banking sector’s ability to finance and accelerate the payment system mobilization process.

She stated that the official launch marked an important milestone in addressing the very short but detailed probability of the electronic payment system, and users experience focused customer advancement.

The World Bank Representative used the opportunity, on behalf of the World Bank, to call on key financial institutions to take advantage of the service adding that the World Bank is committed to financial inclusion in Sierra Leone.

Giving his keynote address and launching  the National Payment Switch, His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio said with the launch of the payment system Sierra Leone is taking another major step forward in this era of the fourth industrial revolution.

He said that the country is deploying and leveraging the power of technology to ease the rapid flow of millions of financial transactions within and across borders in seconds through a single interface, adding that the National Payment Switch facilitates interconnection and interoperability among the channels of various players in the financial landscape. This would include commercial banks, microfinance institutions, mobile money operators, and financial technology firms (FinTech).

He added that the payment system is cost-effective and would, therefore, lead to increased commercial activities because banks could now issue more cards and other digital financial tools like point-of-sale systems, ATMs, online commercial portals, and more.

The President also noted that he had been reliably informed that the system would process transactions from all bank customers, regardless of the type of card they use and route them to a central switch for settlement at the Bank of Sierra Leone.

He pointed out that his Government has been able to complete and implement this project because they are driven by an unflinching commitment to strengthen the role of the private sector and the banking and financial services sectors in the inclusive economic growth agenda.

“Even people in rural areas, where there is no bank or no physical financial service structure can now have access to financial services through electronic card payments or other digital financial tools. Those rural populations can do their financial transactions without having to endure time-consuming and expensive trips to the nearest financial services center,” he revealed.

He expressed excitement about the National Switch saying it will enable Government to deliver public services in a more effective and efficient manner, stating that social welfare payments, including pension and welfare benefits, can now be disbursed directly into the accounts of beneficiaries through the National Switch. That, he said, will ensure timely and secured delivery and also maintains an electronic footprint of transactions.

Climaxing the ceremony was the official demonstration of the National Payment Switch by His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio.

EU Deploys Election Observation Mission ahead of June, 24 Elections

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

In a Press Release dated 3rd May, 2023, it was stated that in response to the invitation by the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone, the European Union will deploy an EU Election Observation Mission (EOM) to observe the general elections scheduled for 24 June 2023.

Further stated was that the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, has appointed Evin Incir, Member of the European Parliament, as Chief Observer of the 2023 EU EOM to Sierra Leone.

It was also included that the EU previously deployed EOMs to Sierra Leone in 2018, 2012, 2007 and 2002, as well as an Election Follow-up Mission in 2021.

The High Representative, Josep Borrell, said: “Over the last 21 years, Sierra Leoneans have built a hard-won peace. The forthcoming elections will be crucial for the future of the country as well as for the West Africa region. The EU, with the deployment of an Electoral Observation Mission for the fifth time, confirms its long-term commitment to supporting competitive, transparent and peaceful elections in Sierra Leone. Under the leadership of Chief Observer Incir, the EU EOM will provide an independent, evidence-based assessment of the electoral process and its final report will be an important contribution to Sierra Leone’s efforts and aspirations to strengthening its democracy.”

The Chief Observer, Evin Incir has this to say:“It is a great honour for me to lead this Election Observation Mission, which I assume with a great sense of responsibility. I look forward to engaging with various electoral stakeholders and trust that state authorities, political parties and candidates will play their part in promoting inclusive, credible and peaceful elections.”

NP Sierra Leone Commemorates World Safety & Health at Work Day

By Foday Moriba Conteh

NP Sierra Leone Limited joined the world to commemorate ‘World Day for Safety and Health at Work’ on the theme: “A Safe and Healthy Working Environment as a Fundamental Principle and Right at Work”. As part of commemorating the day, the company, on Saturday 28th April, 2023, held a Float Parade or March Pass which was geared towards raising awareness from Shell Personage Street to the company’s Kissy Terminal facility situated in the East End of Freetown.

In his address, the General Manager of NP-Sierra Leone, Saidu Mansaray, stated that the World Day for Safety and Health at Work was set aside by the International Labour Organization (ILO) to create awareness about observing safety in the world in limiting the cause of accidents by avoiding dangerous practices in the work place.

He said that safety is very important in the work place and that as a company they deemed it fit to embark on a Float Parade and sensitization exercise as a way to raise awareness on safety at the work place.

The General Manager maintained that safety in the work place means that there are limitations and elements put in place by institutions in order to limit the causes of incident at work places of which he stated that one of the roles Management of NP-SL is playing is to put mechanisms in place in order to limit the causes of incidents going further to state how these mechanisms include policies and precautionary measures stressing that the company has been working in the direction of creating a safe working environment for its staff.

He admonished everyone present to imbibe safe work habits both in the office and at home, adding that by practicing safety habits, NP workers will help reduce injury and prevent accidents especially fire outbreaks.

On his part, the Safety Officer at NP Sierra Leone, Steven Koroma averred how safety should not just be observed on a day like this, rather, it should be observed on a daily basis of which he advised NP-SL drivers to maintain responsible driving and respect road signs.

He said that the responsibility of safety at the work place rests upon on every employee adding that with concerted efforts, issues of safety at the work place will be addressed.

Steven Koroma called on everyone to normalize the saying; “Your Safety is My Safety”

The Chief Driver of NP-Sierra Leone, Alie Kanu, expressed appreciation to NP Sierra Leone for holding the Float Parade March  and embarking on a sensitization exercise on safety at the work place which he described as very important to them.

He said that through the sensitization exercise they have been schooled on how to ensure safety at the work place is enhanced and called on his colleagues to make good use of the knowledge acquired during the exercise.

The event was climaxed with the demonstration of the use of a fire extinguisher by a representative of the BRV drivers to show everyone that fire extinguishers are not difficult to use.

Peace Commission Concludes National Peace March to Heighten Awareness

By Millicent Senava Mannah

As a way of maintaining peace and national cohesion, the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion (ICPNC), has held a National Peace Jog March, on the 29th April, 2023, to raise awareness about the importance of peace during and after elections. The theme for the March was ‘I Stand for Peace’ or ‘Artinap for Peace’’ which was held in all parts of the country

They started at Waterloo in Freetown and ended at the Aberdeen Beach. People from all walks of life participated in the jogging or marching, including Kekeh riders, bike riders, ghetto boys amongst many others.

The Executive Secretary of ICPNC, Hawa Samai, commended all those who participated in the March for their efforts and courage further intimating that, the exercise is to get Sierra Leoneans to recommit themselves to enhance peace and cohesion in the country.

‘’The mission of the Commission is to facilitate coexistence, equity and inclusivity, to build the networks of competencies for conflict prevention, resolution and management for National Development. The main mandate amongst others, is to device strategies and measures to prevent, manage and resolve conflicts and to build, promote and maintain sustainable peace through National cohesion in the country,’’ she made reference to the Commission’s mission and mandate.

She urged her audience to maintain peace during and after elections, and how they should be ambassadors of peace in their communities. Furthering how, women also have a responsibility, to capture their men by advising them to abstain from anything that will disturb peace and tranquility in the country.

She noted that, they must guard the peace in the nation with jealousy, to avoid anything that will destroy the peace and tranquility in the country adding that they must all see themselves as Sierra Leoneans, and not along tribal lines.

The Inspector General of Police, William Fayia Sellu, applauded the Commission for their laudable ventures in promoting and peace and national cohesion in the country. He maintained that, they as a Force for Good will ensure that they give their utmost support to the Commission to in order to complement the good work they are doing.

He continued that they are committed to work hand in hand with the Commission to maintain peace and tranquility in the country, during and after the 24th June, 2023 elections.

The Head of Paramount Chiefs and Tribal Leaders, Chief Fasuluku, also commended the Commission for such an event, stating how it is very timely as the nation marches towards its elections.

He assured the Commission that they are committed to preach peace and unity in their various districts in the country saying they are aware of the fact that peace is in their hands, and how they would do everything in their power to safeguard the peace.

The representative of the opposition party affirmed that they as a political party are will work with the Commission to maintain peace and national cohesion, and how they will sensitize their supporters about the importance of peace during and after the elections.

The representative of the ruling party also affirmed their commitment to maintaining the peace and how they will educate their supporters to abstain from violence during and after elections.

Bio & Samura Intensify Internal & External Competitive Political Engagements

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

As the countdown to the June 24, 2023 multi-tier elections continues to narrow down with the passage of each and every day, political activities are intensifying as the two main political contenders in the race for the Presidential position, President Dr Julius Maada Bio and Dr. Samura Kamara, have been busy engaging Sierra Leoneans from various walks of life in a bid to woo their support and votes ahead of the decisive Polling Day.

Since the ban on staging political rallies were unanimously supported by all the contending political parties, both the SLPP and APC have been holding political meetings during which the main political actors, Bio and Samura, have been marketing their political manifestoes with the avowed aim of making themselves very endearing to the general populace with the aim of capturing their votes.

In a similar vein, individuals who have come forward to vie for Parliamentary and Municipal seats are also campaigning openly and behind the scenes under the tickets of various political parties and as Independent Candidates with the usual lofty promises of building skyscrapers in the slums, commanding Mannah to fall from heaven and waving the magic wand to conjure development and for such to immediately transpire.

However, seemingly, it looks like there has been some form of political maturity among the electorates, so far exhibited by some who now believe that the past deeds of individuals in the region of development must be the determining yardstick to use in throwing their support behind the aspiring candidates.

Though contestable, it is widely assumed that there has been a marked departure from swallowing hook, line and sinker political rhetoric as consideration has now been shifted to assess aspiring candidates level of education, financial resourcefulness, track records and interactions with the populace.

But in a country where the illiteracy level is high and poverty is rife and endemic, savvy individuals will always play around the ignorance and lack of understanding of the vast majority in order to get what they selfishly desire but cleverly present what they are pushing for, as selfless and public goals, if only achieved will be in the best interest of the vast majority.

Whether such materialized out of  the rude political awakening driven by extreme economic sufferings or the rolling out of civic education could only form a whole subject for a debate.

As all these are ongoing, the two main political contenders in the , presidential political race, President Julius Maada Bio and Dr Samura Kamara are currently in London, precisely at the Commonwealth Secretariat, Marlborough House in response to a Letter of Invitation extended to them and signed by the Commonwealth Secretary General, Patricia Scotland KC.

At the Marlborough House Dialogue held on the 4th April, 2023, President Julius Maada Bio of the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) and Dr. Samura Kamara of the main opposition All People’s Congress (APC) Party elaborated on the topic :  ” The Future of Good Governance and Democracy in Sierra Leone” to an audience that was mainly made up of , “an intimate, curated gathering of  commonwealth diplomats, dignitaries and invited guests”, an event that took place behind closed doors.

However, there is a particular school of thought that has expressed the view that indeed it is very surprising that this latest development was kept secretive, without much publicity given to it, either by the SLPP or APC, as it was done in the past were as some have gone to the extent of questioning the very rationale behind the Commonwealth invitation.

They further expressed the view that such a ‘secretive’ programme or event just confirms the notion that Presidential elections in Africa are remotely controlled by Western Powers with a political party or political aspirants becoming only successful in their political bids with the blessings of developed countries, mainly the United States of America or Britain.

Some have frowned on such a move as a neocolonialist tendency which purports the view that African countries are politically independent in theory but not truly independent in practice as there had been too much manipulations to install political leaders or to only work with parties that suit their interests and agendas.

Taking the conversation a little bit further, there are some who are very suspicious of such an invitation coming from the Commonwealth Secretariat holding the view that London is not the appropriate place for the contenders to express their views on the topic under discussion.

They went on to argue that it is the Sierra Leonean populace that the contenders must try to politically convince and not the British.

According to them, it could be wise to organize a Presidential debate like what was done prior to the 2018 Presidential elections when one was organized at the Radisson Blu Hotel featuring all the Presidential contenders in order to avail many Sierra Leoneans the opportunity to listen to the aspirants and then make informed political decisions.

It is on record that H.E. Maada Bio and Dr. Samura Kamara have always shared a very unique relationship.

Worthy of note is that before their departure for London, both the Presidential contenders successfully went through their nomination processes with the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL) without any hitch.

ECSL approved the nomination of Dr Samura Kamara for President marking a significant milestone in his campaign to bring about positive change for Sierra Leoneans. There was massive support from APC Party grassroots during which he reiterated his vision for Sierra Leone as one of prosperity, progress, and unity with the strong belief that by fixing the economy, creating jobs, improving infrastructure, and enhancing access to healthcare and education, all can build a better future for all Sierra Leoneans. Since he started his campaigning, Dr Samura has been calling on all Sierra Leoneans to join his movement in the quest to bring about positive change.

Equally so, President Julius Maada Bio and Vice President Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, his running mate, successfully went through the nomination process at the ECSL Headquarters on Tower Hill.

The nomination started after President Bio had earlier completed and signed the online form and the portal verified and approved that he had certified his willingness to stand for elections to the office of the President of Sierra Leone. He also indicated his qualification for the Office of the President in accordance with the law and named Dr Juldeh Jalloh as his designated candidate for the office of Vice President, who consented.

Mohamed Kenewui ,the National Returning Officer and Chairman of ECSL, provisionally accepted the nomination pending any objection to the Supreme Court of Sierra Leone.

President Bio also reiterated his commitment to a peaceful conduct of the 24 elections.

What has been apparent is that since March 2023, President Bio, the First Lady and entourage have been criss-crossing all the districts in the country marketing his manifesto promises amidst informing the populace of what the SLPP Led-Government has so far done since it came to power in 2018. They have been consistent in doing so with the aim of maximizing and mobilizing more support and votes.

For some, the formation of a strategic alliance with the National Grand Coalition headed by Dr Kandeh Yumkella, President Bio’s re-election stance has been enhanced and with the defections or crossing over to the SLPP taking a swift dimension there seems to be that the latter is making headway in the race.

However, the only snag is that with a rotten economy plagued by inflation, with the prices of essential goods and services having escalated exponentially leaving the vast majority wallowing in abject poverty, there is the likelihood that some will vote the ruling party out of power out of frustration and the belief that the Government is not competent to handle the economy and the promise of solving the bread and butter issues not fulfilled.

With the intensification of disseminating non-violence messages by certain well meaning organizations like the Peace Commission, Campaign for Good Governance etc there has been a drastic scaling down of politically related violence in various communities.

Many are currently hoping and praying for no major political conflagration to occur in any part of the country before, during and after the elections and for a peaceful transition of political power to take place.

It is but only fitting and justifiable for the two main political contenders to continue reasoning with their supporters to refrain from any violent political activity but to rather channel any grievance that they may have or nursing through the appropriate authorities when seeking redress.

For now it is only one Sierra Leone that we have and all must strive to keep it cohesive and tranquil at all times if only development will be seen to gain a strong foothold in the country.

Sierraloaded Hits 3.5 Million Users as It Celebrates Second-Year Anniversary

Two years after its re-branding, Sierra Leone’s most popular digital media platform, Sierraloaded has attained a landmark 3.5 million users representing a 66% growth in one year. The platform is also celebrating its biennium year with a new website design.

Sierraloaded first began operations in 2014. However, seven years later, it was rebranded and positioned as a one-stop platform for everything ‘loaded’ in Sierra Leone – including news, music, videos, entertainment, sports, and more. Over the past two years, the platform has grown to become a leader in Sierra Leone’s digital media space attracting 64 million pageviews, 3.5 million users, and 20 million sessions.

Head of Business, Alhaji Gamanga (Med Spark) said, “It’s been a pretty amazing year of progress for us. We have witnessed growing momentum in our platform and business services, and this affirms our strong contribution to informing and enriching Sierra Leoneans’ everyday life.

“Beyond our round-the-clock digital publishing, we have supported brand,, created employment opportunities, donated to the less privileged and we are raising the next generation of digital media practitioners. This outcome motivates us better and makes us a stronger digital company that builds innovative products to help sustain our country’s digital transformation drive.”

Gamanga said he is awed by recent feedback received from users who applauded Sierraloaded’s innovative, transparent, and professional mode of operation adding that the platform will remain to be consistent, non-partisan, balanced, and fair in its service delivery.

To mark its second anniversary, Sierraloaded has also unveiled a new website design with features like easy navigation, mobile friendly interface, responsive design, better content readability, and faster page loading speed.

Head of Digital Transformation, Oluwasegun Balogun said the new website design is the outcome of deliberate and painstaking research aimed at retaining the loyal audience as well as drawing the interest of a new set of visitors to its platform.

“We are a technology-led media company, and our ultimate output is to bring convenience to our users. Every day, we think of new ideas to bring accurate information closer to people, this new website design is one that will make accessing our platform seamless and enjoyable.”, Balogun said.

In the same vein, the company has announced changes to its management structure, with the appointments of an award-winning journalist, Morlai Ibrahim Kamara as its Team Lead and Ibrahim Hashim as Editor and Head of the digital media editorial team.

Both Hashim and Kamara joined Sierraloaded in 2021 and quickly rose through the ranks after proving themselves to be outstanding and relentless journalists. In the course of their career, the duo has constantly demonstrated a high consciousness of the ethics of journalism and digital publishing.

Kamara, a graduate of Fourah Bay College, is a recipient of the Vickie Remoe Prize For News Writing. Since joining Sierraloaded, he has pursued human interest and sports stories. He has over a thousand stories to his credit and was awarded a special certificate in 2021 by researchers from Bournemouth University for his contributions to the “Tie U Orjra Project.”

Hashim is an experienced investigative, digital, and human-interest journalist with a track record of modern editorial practice including a demonstrated history of social media and newsroom management. He holds a degree in Mass Communication from the Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone. Before joining Sierraloaded, he worked for various media organizations including Salone Times, Premier News, Aureol Touch, and NewsWatch Newspaper. His works have been featured in top national dailies and publications in Sierra Leone and Africa.

Speaking on the appointments, Head of Content, Tolulope Aina affirmed that he is confident in the competency of these individuals and encouraged users to look forward to more from the digital media company.

“Sierraloaded is the biggest digital media platform and the second top online services industry website in Sierra Leone by Semrush rank. This is a big honour and great responsibility, and we put all our efforts not only to maintain our reputation but to analyse, develop and improve. From the beginning, our main principle has been to create high-quality relevant and exclusive content in alignment with our core values and we will continue to hold on to this.”

Aina further expressed appreciation to its users, team members, businesses, brands, and institutions who have partnered with Sierraloaded over the years adding that the company would continue to serve the interest of the general populace with integrity.

IGR Launches BioMeter to Assess Attainment of What they Voted For

By Millicent Senava Mannah

As the country heads towards the June 24th General Elections, the Institute of Governance Reform has on the 30th April, 2023 launched its BioMeter during the “AYV on Sunday Show” geared towards giving citizens the opportunity to assess if what they voted for are what they got.

The BioMeter , it was stated at the AYV News room on Wesley Street at Tower Hill in Freetown, is meant to review the achievements of the President’s 536 Manifesto promises made to the people of this country.

Giving an overview of the BioMeter, Andrew Lavali, the Executive Director of the Institute of Governance Reform intimated that the BioMeter evaluates the efforts made on the 536 promises in the President Bio’s SLPP 2018 Manifesto – The New Direction.

‘’ In 2018 President Bio said his top priorities were improving quality and access to education; improving the economy; fighting corruption; making the Executive efficient; addressing impunity and protecting women and girls,’’ Andrew Lavali stated further maintaining that upon winning the 2018 election, those promises were translated into a national development plan and actionable programmes funded under the country’s Medium-Term National Development Plan 2019-2023.

According to him, the report presents the results of the extent to which the New Direction Manifesto promises were delivered and how it has contributed towards promoting accountability in the country after a trust was vested in the President and his party through the 2018 ballot.

He disclosed that for each of the 536 campaign promises they conducted detailed research on evidence of action and rated them based on the status of progress made.

‘’We categorized actions on manifesto promises using five indicators: Promise Achieved/Kept; Significant Progress in Attaining Promise; Minimal Progress made on Promise; Promise Stalled/Not Started; or Promise is Vague/Not Rated.’’ Andrew Lavali sated.

‘’Despite this ostensible progress in electoral democracy, poverty levels remain high. Many Sierra Leonean voters are anxious to see tangible results. There is a considerable mistrust in institutions largely stemming from the belief that politicians lie, do not fulfill campaign promises and are not committed to the good of the country,’’ he revealed.

Andrew Lavali stated that public trust in institutions is a critical requirement for development and effectiveness but said democratic consolidation remains low.

He noted that the objective of the BioMeter initiative is to support political parties (especially the ruling party), other relevant stakeholders and the public to keep track of promises and commitments made to citizens at election time and to understand the need of making realistic promises.

The Executive Director of IGR revealed that such raises attention for the need of manifesto integrity saying that it can be a mechanism to increase public trust in institutions over time.

Andrew Lavali revealed that to successfully complete that task they recruited a team of experienced Sierra Leonean experts to compile a list of policy and sectorial commitments in the 2018 New Direction Manifesto.

Furthering how they developed a matrix to assess whether each policy commitment has been completed, including the degree of completion, Andrew said : ‘’The consultants employed a mix of desk research, focused interviews, administration of questionnaires and review of relevant data and documents in assessing progress on the campaign promises.’’

He concluded that in total, President Bio took varying degrees of action on 79.9% of his campaign promises. According to him, three hundred and five (305) promises representing 61.5% of the promises have either been completely fulfilled or significant progress have been made towards their completion. He continued that about 18.4% of the promises have just started or minimal progress was made while 21.1% of the promises are stalled or have not been implemented.

Gento Expresses Readiness & Competence to Transform Freetown

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

The leading Mayoral aspirant for the Freetown City Council (FCC), Mohamed Gento Kamara, better known as Gento, was on the 4th April, 2023 hosted on the AYV Television “Wake Up Salone” programme during which he succinctly responded to questions posed to him on a wide variety of issues bordering on his political bid and how he intends to transform the Freetown Municipality if voted for as Mayor during the June, 24, 2023 General Elections.

Dressed in a bottle green French suit which matched perfectly with the expensive and attractive sneakers he was putting, the Man of the Moment, appeared on TV very cool and calculated as always as he articulately expressed his views and how he intends to translate his manifesto promises into reality after he must have been elected as the new FCC Mayor.

Not too verse in public speaking, however, the way Gento marshaled his thoughts and eloquently as well as contextually made his points during the programme somehow clearly manifested that he can deliver very well.

Starting with how he was born and bred in Freetown, he succinctly intimated viewers that he later travelled to Britain where he attained his college education and how he is now a successful entrepreneur.

He also disclosed that he decided to enter the political race in order  to contest for the Mayoral Seat of the FCC out of the passion to be strategically placed in order to alleviate some of the sufferings that residents in the metropolis of Freetown are currently going through.

Gento continued telling Freetonians that when he becomes the Mayor-Elect he would focus attention on fixing the problems of accessing pipe borne water supply by ensuring that every household gain easy access to it further underscoring how his administration will also endeavour to  deal with the sanitation problem that the city has been grappling with for too long.

He also mentioned enhancing the health sector to a level that will see more improvements than it is now so that more people will affordably have access to good medical facilities and treatments as well as upgrade existing markets and build new ones to accommodate more traders and thereby decongest the streets already dominated by traders.

Responding to how he intends solving the water problem, Gento, mentioned that out of feasibility studies he has conducted, he realized that the topography of Freetown could be harnessed in a proper way to use catchment areas in the hilly parts to access water supply with constructed reservoirs and pipes connected to them to supply water down to end users.

“We should not only depend on Guma but rather find other innovative ways of accessing water,” he maintained lamenting how it pains him to see young girls being deflowered because they have to be out during odd hours just to fetch water , a situation which he said all must endeavour to put an end to.

Responding to how he intends dealing with floods and flash floods, he stated that Freetown needs a builder and he is that person that has emerged to build Freetown. He hammered home the point that it is only when someone understands the problems of the people that he can be at a vantage position to solve them adding that he finds himself in that position.

According to him, an assessment was done in disaster prone communities and strategies are now been put in place to implement them in order to minimize risk factors.

In terms of generating the necessary finance needed to translate his aspirations into reality, Gento said he will ensure that Council does not only depend on the Central Government for subventions but to generate its own revenue. He said as a successful entrepreneur he knows how to access finance further disclosing how he will not only raise what he referred to as a Municipal Bond but will collaborate with NASSIT to work out a scheme that will generate revenue.

Somehow debunking the notion that Freetonians are unwilling to pay taxes, the leading Mayoral aspirant argued convincingly that when he does exactly what the People like them then they will be willing to honour their tax obligations without having to coarse them into doing so, saying for example if water is made available and consumed then bills must be paid.

On what will be his take on the notion that the Freetown City Council must be the exclusive preserve of the Creoles, Gento responded by stating that initially when he made his intention known, the focus of his engagement was to break the chain of tribalism in Freetown by putting an end to it.

“To become the Mayor of Freetown is not about a matter of tribe,” he   asserted adding that contemporary politics is all about inclusion. He argued that when the Creoles first came to Sierra Leone they met the Temnes who gave them land where they built their shelters. “I have nothing against the Creoles, I like them which is why I choose my running mate from among them,” he disclosed adding that when Council was headed by Creoles the endemic problems now plaguing the metropolis were still existing arguing that it does not really matter the tribe the person belongs to but rather his competence to deliver and the relationship that the person has with the masses saying he is that person who has good interpersonal relationships and is very confident that he is competent to serve in  the capacity as Mayor of Freetown.

Gento said he has an investment dream which he would translate into reality and out of the revenue generated he will be giving free of charge to the Central Government, Five Hundred Million Dollars ( $500 Million) on a yearly basis.

He spoke on how he will liaise with the Ministry of Health to see how Council could manage some hospitals to ensure that residents get what they want.

“As a former pupil of the Kissy Municipal Primary School I am quite au fait with the problems certain Municipal schools are going through,” he stated while responding to a question of how he plans to enhance the status of those schools. Gento maintained that Freetonians have to be very passionate to fix the problems of these schools.

He said Freetonians need to cut across party lines to fix these problems underscoring that he knows the problems of the vast majority as he has lived like them maintaining how people only relate with someone whom they trust and have confidence in saying he is that type of person.

Gento made it known that if elected Mayor he will move the dumpsites at Kingtom and Kissy to other locations going further to disclose how they will be transformed into sources of generating electricity.

According to him, the only better way to deal with the transportation crisis is to deal with congestion maintaining that such could only be done when empty lands are developed and people relocated. “When we create jobs outside Freetown then people will move,” he stated as a panacea to the transportation and congestion issues affecting Freetonians.

He ended by stating confidently that the SLPP will win the elections, that he will emerge victorious and appealed to Freetonians to better vote for someone who feels their pain and is willing to serve to his best of ability in the interest of the vast majority of Freetonians and make Freetown a great Metropolis all will be proud of.

Chancellor Muckson Sesay Humbled by Unexpected Visit and Prayers from eight Paramount Chiefs from Kenema District

By Mohamed M. Sesay

Eight Paramount Chiefs from the Kenema District have shown respect to one of the promoters of tertiary education in the country who is the brain child behind the establishment of the Canadian College of Technology, Chancellor Muckson Sesay as on Thursday, April 27, 2023, Chancellor Muckson Sesay was both surprised and humbled by the unexpected visit of eight (8) Paramount Chiefs from the Eastern Region of Kenema District, Sierra Leone.

The esteemed Chiefs gathered to express their gratitude for the life-changing educational opportunities and scholarships his institution provided to students from their chiefdoms.

Chancellor Muckson was deeply moved by the visit, sharing his astonishment and humility with the delegation. In a touching gesture of support and gratitude, the Paramount Chiefs hovered their hands over Chancellor Muckson’s head and prayed for his continued success and protection.

Paramount Chief PC Foday Fabba shared a personal story of how Chancellor Muckson discovered his son on the streets of Kenema and offered him a life-changing scholarship.

“This shows Chancellor Muckson’s commitment to helping people regardless of their tribal affiliations,” he noted

The P.C Foday Fabba invited Chancellor Muckson to host him in his Chiefdom when next he returns to Sierra Leone, further solidifying the bond between the Paramount Chiefs and the Chancellor.

The Chiefs invoked the spirits of their ancestors and poured libation for the gods to protect Chancellor Muckson, demonstrating their deep respect and gratitude for his contributions to their Chiefdoms.

Upon receiving their blessings, Chancellor Muckson remarked, ” It is a blessing to be visited  by eminent personalities like yours” and he added that ‘I felt something cold passing through my spine,” emphasizing the profound impact of the Chiefs’ heartfelt prayers over his head.

The delegation includes: Paramount Chief PC Foday Fabba of the Dodo Chiefdom, P.C. Michael K. Gbindo of Kandu Lepppiama Chiefdom, P.C Mohamed Vandi Kimbo of Simbaru Chiefdom, P.C. Patrick Kanneh Kabba of Nomo Chiefdom, P.C Momodu Koroma of Tunkia Chiefdom, P.C Mohamed F. Nayakoi of Dama Chiefdom,P.C Alusine Kpulun of Goramamende Chiefdom and P.C Ansumana Gbow of Fala Wander Chiefdom.

Chancellor Muckson promises to remain committed to promoting education and fostering the growth of Central University as the fastest-growing institution in Sierra Leone. He is deeply grateful for the support and blessings of the Kenema District Chiefs and looks forward to continuing his mission of empowering their communities through education.

1...559560561...1,366Page 560 of 1,366