During a well-attended ceremony held on Sunday 23rd April, 2023 at Wellington Community Center Filed East End of Freetown, the Jesus the Lamb of God Church fed over 820 less privileged residents of the Wellington Community during a well-attended ceremony at the Wellington Community Center Field in the East End of Freetown.
The event formed part of the Church’s 20th Anniversary Celebration and was aimed at reaching out to the less privileged within the community where the church is located.
Speaking during the ceremony, the General Overseer/ Head Pastor of Jesus the Lamb of God Church, Rev. Sarah Vandy (Mrs), dilated on the works of Jesus and how His teachings are being translated into practice by feeding poor and hungry people. She emphasized the importance of giving back to the community and how it is an essential part of the Christian faith.
She was the first to taste the food and ate along with the people present at the feast, a gesture that was well received by the community residents who were happy to see their Pastor leading by example.
The feeding program cuts across religious boundaries, Muslims and other denominations of Christians were served, as it was a clear demonstration of love, unity and togetherness. The church also distributed used clothing to the people present at the event. This gesture was aimed at providing support to those who may not have the means to purchasing new clothes.
The event was a huge success and the community residents were extremely grateful for the support provided by the church.
It is on record that Jesus the Lamb of God Church has been an active member of the community for the past 20 years and has been setting excellent examples for other churches and religious organizations to follow.
By organizing a feeding program and distributing used clothing, the church has shown that it is possible to make a positive impact on the community and its 20th Anniversary Celebration was a huge success with community residents looking forward to more events like such in the future.
President Dr Julius Maada Bio and the Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Willie Nakunyada and his review team, who are visiting as part of an ongoing process of the country’s 6th and 7th review programmes met at State House on the 26th April, 2023.
It was disclosed that the Fund had approved the 6th and 7th reviews of Sierra Leone’s performance under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement and after completing the two reviews, Sierra Leone would benefit from the final disbursement of the facility.
The Executive Board would also grant a waiver for the non-observance of the quantitative performance criterion on the domestic primary fiscal balance of the central Government.
Minister of Finance, Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura, told the President that Sierra Leone was hosting the delegation from the IMF to negotiate the country’s ECF, adding that that was why the Executive Director of the IMF, accompanied by his advisor, the IMF Mission Chief for Sierra Leone, and the new Resident Representative in Sierra Leone were meeting him.
“His Excellency, we taught it was important to take the opportunity to pay a courtesy call to you and try to give you a gist of the level of our conversation with the team and the country team on the nature of the ongoing staff-level discussions with the IMF and the prospect going forward,” he disclosed.
Executive Director of the IMF, Willie Nakunyada, thanked President Bio for creating time to meet with them and for his level of commitment and show of political will to the IMF mission, stressing that their review was coming at a critical moment when the global economy is facing many challenges, many shocks from the pandemic, and spillovers from the Russian-Ukraine war.
“This has affected many of our countries in terms of their import bills and their prices for food, fuel, and other sources of energy. But I am delighted that this discussion is proceeding to set a strong foundation for this review and also for subsequent IMF engagements. So, in particular, the difficult reforms that your Government is taking at this time are commendable, especially the revenue measures to try and take care of fiscal discipline and generate adequate revenue flows, to ensure the fiscal position remains on a sustainable path,” the IMF boss expressed.
Mr. Nakunyada advised that the two teams engaged closely on some of the few remaining issues of the 6th and 7th review processes, pointing out that the review was very critical as it would help them to report to the IMF Board and make a case for Sierra Leone to get a trigger disbursement.
President Julius Maada Bio welcomed the Executive Director and team to Sierra Leone and thanked them for confirming that, “We are very much committed to the programme, and to let you know that it has been of great support to the progress we have made so far. The relationship we have with the IMF and others is important.
“When we took over governance, this country was out of programme, but we were able to undertake certain reforms and show commitment enough to convince you within seven months to get us back on track. That commitment remains, but of course, as we are all aware when we took over in 2018 none of us was expecting the present turmoil we are experiencing internationally.
“Starting off a journey in a turbulent international financial situation has been tough even for the best of the economies. However, for us in Sierra Leone, we have shown fiscal discipline with a lot of effort made in our revenue mobilization. I want to assure you that we are still fully committed to the IMF programme, but the nature of what we are going through is what we have to capture in the review. Notwithstanding that, as a government and as a country, we are fully committed to the IMF and its programme,” the President assured.
Chief Executive Officer of NP (SL), Ambassador Kobi Walker
By Amin Kef (Ranger)
In order to interact with members of the Fourth Estate and to demonstrate transparency as to how the company operates, on the 25th April, 2023 some Board Members and Management of NP (SL) Ltd, comprising Crispin Mackay, Desmond G. Williams, Gibril Saccoh, Ambassador Kobi Walker, Vandi Bockarie and Dr. Williette James, engaged a cross-section of journalists at the company’s Head Office on Siaka Stevens Street, close to the Cotton Tree, to dilate on issues pertinent to the functioning of the petroleum importing and marketing business entity and how it has fared on over the years.
Chief Executive Officer of NP (SL), Ambassador Kobi Walker, who is held in high esteem for diligently and efficiently injecting sound managerial initiatives that have catapulted the entity to higher heights. making it one of the most successful indigenous business entities in the country, that had and still continues to contribute immensely towards socio-economic development, gave a brief historical synopsis of how the origins of the company.
According to the astute and savvy Chief Executive Officer, it was thirty-five Sierra Leoneans, four decades ago, who were former employees of the British Petroleum (BP) Company, that came together and decided to invest their end of service benefits by purchasing shares from the company that was in liquidation at that material time to establish what today has become NP (SL) Ltd.
He emphasized that it was in 1996, under the leadership of the current President of Sierra Leone, Dr Julius Maada Bio, at a time when the country was under a junta that the company became a privately owned business entity adding that from that time up to the present moment the company has maintained its autonomy devoid of any politician having a stake in it.
The CEO further intimated as it stands currently in the country, NP (SL) Ltd and Leonco are the two biggest players in the petroleum landscape as they are the largest importers and marketers of petroleum products in the country but was quick to underscore that NP(SL)Ltd , however, imports the largest quantities of fuel, which includes petrol and diesel, further divulging that the company has a large storage facility at the Kissy Terminal capable of retaining large quantities that last for a considerable period of time.
Kobi Walker registered the fact that the two companies are not in any form of competition but rather are complementing each other especially in periods of fuel crisis adding that their main focus is looking at the bigger picture which is to diligently assuage the petroleum needs of individuals and institutions in a smooth way that ends up in a win-win situation for all.
He continued that contrary to negative propaganda that the company has politicians as shareholders and as a result its Management is sometimes being held captive or are remote controlled by politicians, the reality of the situation is that NP (SL) Ltd is wholly a privately owned indigenous petroleum marketing company.
The Chief Executive Officer intimated newsmen that, regardless of the challenges that the company had been grappling with, it has over the years expanded its operations within the West African Sub-region to neighbouring Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast and The Gambia where they are also marketing petroleum products as well as providing other related services to the wider public.
In a professional and articulate manner, demonstrating immense knowledge of the operations of the company, he disclosed that NP (SL) Ltd stands tall as one of the indigenous companies that are truly adhering to the country’s Local Content Policy. In explaining how that is done he revealed how the company places premium on offering employment opportunities to primarily Sierra Leoneans as well as sub-contracting Sierra Leonean entities to carry out certain tasks as when the need arise.
“This is a policy that we do not just take for granted and through it the company has empowered a lot of Sierra Leoneans socially and financially as well as other local service providers, an accomplishment which all of us must be proud of,” he stated with pride.
Dilating on how the company is a responsible corporate citizen, Kobi Walker , informed journalists how the company has stood by the side of the Government and People of Sierra Leone in thick and thin, making reference to the swift response of the company during national disasters or alarming situations like the outbreak of the Corona Virus when it donated up to a Billion Leones to help combat the spread of the virus, how it decided to fund the construction of a Burns Unit at the Connaught Hospital in the wake of the Wellington Tanker explosion saga that claimed many lives, empowering the National Fire Force to easily access water by funding the construction of boreholes and others which he mentioned in passing.
He disclosed that there was a time when the NP-SL Ltd. was inundated with bad press reports following the arrival of a rival company APP. “At that time, it was very unfortunate that almost every press house wrote exciting stories about APP and wrote very unexciting and damaging stories about NP-SL Ltd. It was only The Calabash Newspaper and One Drop that cared to ask us for our own side to the story and we told them and they wrote. I thank them for that,” Amb. Walker commended.
He concluded by calling on members of the Press to continue to spread the good news of the company and equally so to constructively point out any flaw that needs to be addressed.
On his part, the Sales Manager of NP (SL) Ltd, Vandi Bockarie, told journalists that from time to time the company teams up with entrepreneurs to open new Filling Stations in different parts of the country. “We provide the technical expertise as to how the stations are supposed to be constructed after which we provide the calibrated pumping machines and from time to time supply fuel to these new Filling Stations,” he explained adding that they have succeeded in having a presence in all the districts in the country with the aim of making petroleum products accessible to many.
A snap question and answer session for clarity climaxed the engagement.
In another engagement, the Human Rights Commission-Sierra Leone (HRCSL), through its Directorate of Business and Human Rights and Labour Relations on Tuesday 25th April commenced a wave of strategic engagements with Oil Marketing Companies in the country beginning with the Management of NP SL Limited.
The purpose was to share findings of a monitoring exercise conducted by the Directorate in January this year in some fuel/gas stations in Freetown, where alleged human rights violations were documented.
Recommendations on how to mitigate such violations were put forward by the Commission and a collaboration on training of staff of the company on human rights in relation to business and employee relations was discussed.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NP (SL) Ltd , Kobi Walker, commended the work done by the Commission and made commitment to adopt the findings presented so as to work towards improving the quality of work in the company.
During an unprecedented and very auspicious and inspiring groundbreaking ceremony that took place on the 26th April, 2023 at Koya Chiefdom, Port Loko District the foundation was laid for the development of the Special Koya Industrial Zone (SIZ-Koya), which is a joint venture between Sierra Leone and ARISE Integrated Industrial Platforms.
To be constructed on 1,600 hectares of land with a dedicated area for exports the SIZ-Koya investment programme will be environmentally friendly and is expected to be powered by 100 megawatts of solar panels.
President of Sierra Leone , Dr Julius Maada Bio launched the development of the Special Koya Industrial Zone (SIZ-Koya) during the groundbreaking event.
The President said: “I am delighted to be at this event today, particularly as it is an actualization of the vision I presented in my manifesto in 2018. It is also a welcome outcome of visits to Special Economic Zones in Gabon, Rwanda, and other countries, and of partnerships and business relationships negotiated in the best interests of Sierra Leone over the last five years.”
The President and Chief Executive Officer of African Finance Cooperation, Samalia Zubairu, said Sierra Leone and the African continent are faced with a lot of challenges around food security, inflation and the exchange rate, among others. That, according to him, was a result of the fact that the economies had not transformed with lots of primary focus, lots of exports of basic raw materials, and significant imports of goods that could be produced in the country.
On his part the President of AFREXIMBANK, Professor Benedict Oramah stated that: “Since the mid-1990s, special economic zones have become opportunities for industry-led economic development across the world. Special Economic Zones have become key instruments of industrial policies, especially in economies that seek to industrialize their needs from agricultural products. During the last two and a half decades, the number of economic zones worldwide has increased from 500 in 1995 to about 7,000 in 2022, of which only 440 are in Africa,” he disclosed.
In his contribution, the Logistics Value Chain Director of ARISE IIP Jesper H. Boll disclosed that ARISE launched its first Special Economic Zone in Gabon in 2010.
He said today that zone has generated 34 thousand direct jobs and is handling one million cubic meters of wood per year in a sustainable and carbon neutral manner – and as a result Gabon is the second largest exporter of veneer sheets in the world today.
He said they would not have been able to accomplish that, without favorable social and economic conditions locally adding that they see similarly favorable conditions in Sierra Leone as there is peace, rule of law, respect of legal contracts, a stable economy and a free Press.
According to him, most importantly is the specific mindset of the people of Sierra Leone saying people live together, worship together and have a civil society openly speaking up and debating important topics.
He disclosed how it took ARISE 10 years to fully develop the Special Economic Zone in Gabon saying it was much faster when they did it in Togo and even faster in Benin, where they are in the process of executing a cotton transformation plan requiring 400,000 direct jobs.
The Logistics Value Chain Director more than 2 billion Dollars has been invested into core infrastructure under the ARISE portfolio with strong backing from Africa Finance Corporation and Africa Transformation and Industrialization Fund.
He said Sierra Leone is heavily dependent on importation of basic goods such as sugar and rice – rice which costs 50% more than what it did a year ago adding that the Special Economic Zone will be producing goods locally to replace expensive imports for the benefit of all Sierra Leoneans.
According to him, Sierra Leone has a huge potential for agriculture – not only to feed its people but also to export adding that the Zone in Koya will facilitate transformation of agricultural products and dramatically transform the lives of farmers, just like they have done everywhere else where ARISE that has set up.
“I am very excited to show you the plan we have laid out for this Special Economic Zone,” he said with optimism disclosing how the whole zone will cover1,600 HA fully build up, adding that a single window building with Government authorities will come up where guest are seated right next to the highway and it will have an area dedicated for import substitution and for export-oriented products.
He said the first three factories are being set up as he speaks; a ceramic tiles manufacturing unit, a non-ferrous metals recycling plant and a pharmaceutical unit producing capsules and injectables.
Jesper H. Boll revealed further that the Special Industrial Zone will be powered by a 100 MWh natural gas power plant that they will install and a customs bonded inland container depot servicing the factories that will have a dedicated river port for moving of cargo on the waterways.
He said in addition to that they are already this year kick-starting a mangrove conservation project on the river bordering the Zone.
He underscored that an important factor to the success of the zone is connectivity to the farmlands, to the ports and to the neighboring countries.
“This is why ARISE is extending the current rail network beyond the Pepel Tonkolili line; to Guinea and to the other mines and economic centers in the country,” he further intimated.
The Logistics Value Chain Director informed that industry needs people and so they are bringing a passenger train into Sierra Leone that will transport passenger and workforce between the provinces disclosing that the train is ready, and it is on the way to Sierra Leone to which there was a rapturous applause from the listening audience.
He said only by integrating the rail network with Pepel Port and Koya Special Economic Zone will they unlock the true potential of the country.
“I encourage all Sierra Leoneans irrespective of their circumstances to embrace this development,” he passionately appealed adding that the industrialization journey starts now and it has economic, social and sustainable benefits.
He enjoined that there is the need to look forward and move with determination as many other African countries are already on this journey and now Sierra Leone is as well.
Jesper H. Boll thanked President Bio for his bold vision of industrialization and his courage to kick-start the transformation process of not only raw material but the transformation of the country.
Fair Hearing Guidelines for Tribunals, in tandem with Section 23(2) of the 1991 Constitution, which guarantees “fair hearing” in proceedings before any Court and shall apply to any Tribunal established under the Constitution has been released by the Judiciary of Sierra Leone under the leadership of His Lordship Hon. Justice Desmond Babatunde Edwards.
These Guidelines will be observed on cases of Tribunals to investigate public officials for misconduct.
It must be noted that they are made in fulfillment of the provisions of S.23(2) of the 1991 Constitution which guarantees “fair hearing” in proceedings before any court and shall apply to any Tribunal established under the Constitution or any other law.
Adjudicating, investigatory and other quasi-judicial bodies shall be at liberty where applicable to adopt and use these fair hearing guidelines. The word Tribunal is used throughout the guidelines and it will include any other adjudicating bodies or authorities that may opt to use these guidelines.
It was stated that the membership of the tribunal shall be as stated in the Constitution of Sierra Leone or any other constituting instrument and shall at its commencement set the number of its members that shall be sufficient for the tribunal to proceed with its business.
Also highlighted was that in the furtherance of the Rule of law and natural justice all persons are equal before the Tribunal with no preferential treatment given to any person or official appearing before the Tribunal
Furthermore, all persons are presumed innocent until a contrary finding is made by the tribunal as no one shall be compelled to incriminate him or herself with all sides to be heard.
It was also maintained that formalities of process and the form of documents filed should be kept to the barest minimum save that which is absolutely necessary for the orderly conduct of the business of the tribunal.
That the tribunal shall have liberty to add to or vary these guidelines save that same must not be inconsistent with the guidelines set in which case such New Guidelines shall be void.
Furthermore, the tribunal shall be at liberty to give directions on the future conduct of proceedings of the tribunal as appear best adapted to secure the just and expeditious disposal of the hearings and findings of the tribunal.
Stated also was that the party being investigated shall have full opportunity with the assistance of counsel of his choice to present its case and the tribunal shall ensure that ample time within the scope of the tribunal’s overall time table is made available to the person under investigation.
Finally, the State is encouraged to provide fully any and all relevant documents which the person being investigated shall require for his/her case.
As part of the New Apostolic Church yearly distribution to put smiles and restore hopes to those struggling to make ends meet, the Jorg Wolf Foundation through the Mission Aid of the Church has brightened the lives of hundreds of less privileged, orphaned and destitute groups by donating variety of food and non- food items worth around (20,000) Twenty Thousand Euros.
The places the team visited included: Maselleh Village, Mile 14, vulnerable and aged in Kambia working area of Ap Saffa. The distribution team was received by the District Elder, James Mansaray. Maloma Vulnerable and Aged in Kailahun District; Bendu Vulnerable group in Kono District working are of Apostle Thaimu Kargbo. Panlap School of the blind in Makeni; the disabilities and amputees camp in Mile 91 Working area of Apostle Abu Bangura. The Norwegian Amputees camp in Kenema, and Paul School of the Blind in Bo working area of Apostle Bob Freeman Saidu.
The Beneficiaries at the different areas received the church delegation led by Senior Accountant, Abubakarr Mansaray and the Building Clerk Mr. Joseph Ngegbai and representatives from districts Ministers from the beneficiary areas.
Under the Hungry and Needy Project, the Church in South Germany funded relief projects in Sierra Leone, Guinea, Liberia and Ivory Coast.
It will be recalled that over the years, the Jorg Wolf Foundation through the NAC, has been touching the lives of many Sierras Leoneans and notable among them are their timely interventions during the Ebola outbreak and also the Covid-19 outbreak in Sierra Leone.
The Church has been engaging in charity for the betterment of mankind and to share the love of Christ. The donation was made to alleviate the burden and economic hardship on less privileged people who are surviving on begging or donation from people.
Sierra Leone was ranked as the second poorest country in the world beating Burundi according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Such Donations from the church wiped away tears from beneficiaries who were struggling to feed their families.
At the Maselleh Village the donations were made in the presence of the Church Apostles and community stakeholders, the beneficiaries sang and danced as the items were handed over to them. Madam Sallaymatu Conteh revealed that people hardly reached their location due to bad road network but praised NAC for bracing through the odds to get to them.
She assured the Church that the items will be used for their intended purpose and prayed that they be remembered again for a similar donation.
At the Norwegian Amputee Camp, persons with disabilities warmly welcomed the team with songs and danced to show their appreciation to the church’s kind gesture. They thanked the team for choosing their camp and meeting their needs which is essential for their survival.
In Kono District at the Bendu Vulnerable group, beneficiaries were surprised to receive as they explained the difficulties they are facing for shelter and food to eat. Orphans cried as messages of hope were given to them from the Church team to believe in God and to know that Jesus loves them and will always make way for them.
They thanked the Church for making their Easter dreams come to reality by putting food on their table.
Tourism Ministry, the National Tourist Board and Monuments and Relics Commission (MRC) organized a Heritage/Civil Education and Business Development Workshop on Monday 23rd April 2023 for 35 African-Americans who have traced their roots to Sierra Leone.
The workshop was held at the Family Kingdom Resort, Aberdeen in Freetown.
Dr. Memunatu Pratt, Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, disclosed how Africans were forcefully taken abroad as slaves, that many died on the way and that they contributed to build America and Europe but discriminated against with no equal rights and opportunities, that they fought for their freedom adding that those who fought back through civil rights movements were killed.
Dr. Pratt went on to state that DNA is a great and beautiful technology that brings people together and commended the African-Americans for taking their DNA tests to return home which she underlined is a real sacrifice that cannot be overrated and went on to reveal that the Ministry has been organizing such programs for the past four years and that many African-Americans have gone through it.
She said Ghana and other countries are doing similar programs, affirming that development is not only about Sierra Leoneans at home but also those in the Diaspora.
Dr. Pratt continued that the African Union has declared the Diaspora as the sixth region of Africa and that African-Americans have contributed to the development of Sierra Leone in various areas like agriculture, tourism and education reiterating that the country needs them and would be given the space to operate.
She said Sierra Leone is built on descent and was identified as the free or melting pot for slaves, that Sierra Leonean Ambassadors are building a community in America concluding that the venture is a pilgrimage worth taking.
Earlier, Ann Marie Kamara, Administrative Officer at MRC called on the participants to sing the National Anthem and National Pledge while Mohamed Faray Kargbo, Education and Communications Officer MRC, in his welcome address, commended the participants for tracing their roots and taking the bold step to return to Sierra Leone.
Mohamed Faray Kargbo also recalled that their ancestors were taken by force to America and other parts of the world, their identities changed but now returning home, hoped they would enjoy the best and not regret their coming and further revealed that a lot of African-Americans are returning home.
Francis Momoh, the Research Officer at MRC disclosed that one of their functions is to bridge the gap between Sierra Leone and the Diaspora, lamented the dangers of slavery and colonialism and underscored that Sierra Leoneans have to tell their own history.
He continued that the African-Americans who have traced their ancestry to Sierra Leone were descendants of freed slaves, stressed that we have to take responsibility to bridge the disconnections underscoring that it is a spiritual and cultural journey and assured that Government is doing all it can to support them.
According to Francis Musa, a lot of developments are going on in the country.
The Chief Immigration Officer, Andrew Jiah Kaikai disclosed that for one to become a naturalized citizen of Sierra Leone he/she should have residence in the country for eight years but that the African-Americans have been exempted as their passports would be processed at the event.
He assured them that they are home and not tourists and that they would not be discriminated.
Abass Kamara, Director of Legal Affairs in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation dilated on the vision and mission of the Ministry including the promotion and protection of Sierra Leone’s national interests, signing and respecting conventions, treaties and agreements as well as protection of human rights.
He furthered that they are developing a Civil Service Bill that is now with Cabinet, constructed a Foreign Service Academy, established a Foreign Languages Department and that the country is vying for a permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council.
He added that Sierra Leone has diplomatic missions worldwide that are strategically located.
Mrs. Hillary John from the National Council for Civil Education and Democracy, Sia Fasuluku from the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education, Mr. Joseph Sama from the National Revenue Authority and representatives of other government Ministries, Departments and Agencies all made PowerPoint presentations about their various functions and responsibilities.
Highlights of the workshop were presentation of certificates to the participants, living in Sierra Leone panel discussion (testimonies) and musical performances by the National Dance Troop.
President of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), Ahmed Sahid Nasralla, on the 25th April, 2023 paid a courtesy call on the offices of the National Democratic Institute (NDI) at Massachusetts Avenue, North West, Washington, DC in the US where he was warmly welcomed by a cross-section of the NDI Program Team on Africa and Sierra Leone.
The SLAJ President held discussions which centered mainly on the NDI-SLAJ combating disinformation in Sierra Leone’s June 2023 elections project and the state of the media in the small West African country ahead of the elections.
Both parties agreed that there is a need for synergy, collaboration, and networking among stakeholders for robust social media monitoring and fact-checking so that citizens will have more access to reliable and credible information during the elections.
A small NDI team is expected in Freetown in the first week of May 2023 to work with local consultants in training fact-checkers and the project team responsible for the project implementation.
The meeting climaxed with the presentation of a gift from SLAJ bearing the logo of NDI done in ‘gara’ print, and expressing warm greetings from the Association.
The SLAJ President is in the US on the US State Department-funded Edward Murrow Program for Journalists/International Visitor Leadership Program which ended on April 21 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Nasralla is also expected to visit the offices of the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) and Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) in the coming days to talk about the media, freedom of expression, democracy, and Sierra Leone’s June 2023 elections.
The SLAJ President is scheduled for interviews tomorrow at the Voice of America radio and television.
The SLAJ President was accompanied by the Acting President of Sierra Leonean journalists in the Diaspora, Alpha Kamara.
The Romanian business magnet, Ahmed Mackie, under his MACCEM Industries SL Limited, is at an advanced stage in the construction of a new cement factory which has already created thousands of sustainable jobs for unemployed young people at the Hastings community and beyond within the Western Area Rural District.
The good news is that before the completion of the modern cement factory, Ahmed Mackie had already created thousands of technical and casual jobs for the rural community.
According to our sources, Ahmed Mackie was funded by the World Bank through the International Financial Corporation (IFC) in the tune of $25M to increase access to the basic commodity among rural communities in Sierra Leone.
Stakeholders at the Hastings Community had applauded the Management of MACCEM not only for the ongoing construction of the multi-million dollar investment, but for the efforts of the investor to transform the entire Hastings Community to a booming economic zone which will raise up the financial earning powers among poor citizens in that part of the country.
The most important point about the MACCEM Industries SL Limited is that modern technology is going to be applied to prevent any risky situation among workers who should always put on the required protective gears to enhance safety in duty.
Ahmed Mackie is regarded in high esteem among his employees for providing for them a good working relationship as well as for the fulfillment of labor requirements among employees.
Appreciating the good work of MACCEM, the happy community land owners and stakeholders are encouraging more investors to emulate the great industrial work of Mr. Mackie for the purpose of creating sustainable employment and development for the Hastings Community, which had been tagged by indigenes as lagging behind in terms of infrastructural development.
The Confucius Institute of Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone (USL) on Thursday 20th April, 2023 commemorated ‘International Chinese Language Day’ on the theme: “Promoting Civilization Dialogue.” The ceremony which also marked the 14th United Nations Chinese Language Day, which has been celebrated annually on April 20 since 2010 was held at the Confucius Institute of Fourah Bay College on the University of Sierra Leone (USL) Campus in Freetown.
The Chinese Director of the Confucius Institute, Prof. Jing Man, stated in his address that Chinese is an ancient and beautiful language, which is the most spoken language in the world, carrying the wisdom, tradition and culture of China, adding that it is important to rephrase that Chinese is one of the six official languages of the United Nations, and as more and more foreign friends learn Chinese and experience Chinese culture, the world will have a deeper understanding of the profound, hard work and friendship of the Chinese people, and as well understand an innovative, open and inclusive China.
She added that the theme for this year’s commemoration is “Promoting Civilization Dialogue”, which she said aims to provide a communication and dialogue platform for everyone to perceive China, and at the same time promote language and cultural exchanges among people all over the world.
Prof. Jing Man continued that by the end of 2021, 159 countries have established more than 1,500 Confucius Institutes and classrooms through cooperation with China, more than 180 countries have launched Chinese education programs, and 76 countries have included Chinese in their national education systems.
She noted that since the establishment of Confucius Institute at the University of Sierra Leone in 2012, to the enrollment of Chinese undergraduate majors in 2019, the Confucius Institute at USL has built nearly 20 Chinese language teaching sites, and Chinese education in Sierra Leone has continuously leapt to a new level which she said is as a result of the friendly cooperation between China and Sierra Leone.
“We hope that ‘boku boku Salone man dem’, our Sierra Leonean students will get closer to Chinese, Chinese characters, and China, and become promoters, facilitators, and contributors of China-Sierra friendship,” the Director concluded.
The Vice chancellor of Fourah Bay College in Sierra Leone, Prof. Kelleh Mansaray, described the role that Confucius Institute has played in the educational sector of Sierra Leone.
He urged the Institute to expand its space in order to include more local people and assured that Fourah Bay College would provide relevant support in that regard.
Dr. Josephus Brimah, maintained that China is indeed a true friend of Sierra Leone and that the teaching of the Chinese language has further deepened the existing good relations between the two peoples.
Giving the keynote address, the Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone, H.E. Ambassador Wang Qing, expressed heartfelt thanks to all the staff of the Confucius Institute at the University of Sierra Leone for their continued efforts and important contributions to helping Sierra Leoneans to learn Chinese language and Chinese culture.
He further thanked the Government of Sierra Leone for its active support in promoting cultural exchanges between China and Sierra Leone.
The Ambassador said that in 2010, the United Nations designated Chinese Language Day for April 20 each year, coinciding with one of the traditional Chinese solar terms “Gu Yu” to commemorate the contribution of CangJie, the “originator of Chinese language” in creating characters.
He stated that more than 20 million people out of China are learning Chinese, and the cumulative number of Chinese learners and users abroad is close to 200 million, adding that the Confucius Institutes, Confucius Classrooms and other Chinese language education institutions have done a lot through their voluntary hard work to provide support to people around the world in learning Chinese and understanding China.
Wang Qing said that the event is not only a program for popularizing the Chinese language, but also an important occasion for appreciating the Chinese culture, as at the event there were various Chinese Clements, including Chinese Opera, Chinese Tea Arts, Chinese Martial Arts, Traditional Chinese Musical Instruments and so on.
Closing the ceremony was the showcasing of the various Chinese Clements, including Chinese Opera, Chinese Tea Arts, Chinese Martial Arts, Traditional Chinese Musical Instruments etc. of which participants after going through the different Chinese Clements were presented gifts.
