NP-SL Ltd Remains the Most Widely Recognized Petroleum Marketing Entity

April 19, 2023

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

The most outstanding and widely recognized petroleum entity that is doing well within the business landscape of this country is indisputably 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 renowned 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.

Campaign for Good Governance Calls to Prioritize Women in the Award of Symbols

April 19, 2023

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

In a Press Statement released by the Campaign for Good Governance dated 17th April, 2023 and captioned, “Award of Political Party Symbols: A Call for Political Parties to Prioritize Women” is said to be consistent with the provisions of GEWE and PEA Acts of 2022.

The rights-based organization went further to state that the public will recall how on Thursday, 17th January 2023, on the occasion of the Presidential assent into law of the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) Act 2022, after its passage through Parliament, Campaign for Good Governance (CGG) did not only thanked the President for listening to the voices of women across the country), but also congratulated the women of Sierra Leone on the historic achievement and called on all stakeholders – including Political Parties – to take concrete actions to ensure the full implementation of the GEWE Act of 2022.

Campaign for Good Governance (CGG) maintained that as we approach the general elections slated for 24th June, 2023, we are at a defining moment in our collective commitments, as a nation, towards the actualization of gender inclusion and parity in both the psyche and body politics of Sierra Leone.

It also stated how in the coming days, political parties will embark on their internal processes of selecting/electing aspirants who will be awarded the party symbols for various elective positions in Parliament and at the Local Government.

The entity continued that as the gatekeepers of women’s meaningful political participation in public life, it is calling on all political parties – especially the country’s two leading Political Parties, the APC and the SLPP – to make true their commitment to the meaningful inclusion and effective participation of women in politics.

Campaign for Good Governance (CGG) also stated that it wants to remind political parties of the 30% representation quota for women in Parliament and Local Councils provided for by the GEWE Act of 2022 and the 1 in 3 nominations of female candidates provision in the Public Elections (PEA) Act of 2022.

The CGG said it wants to remind political parties of the following: A political party’s nomination of at least 30% of women in Parliamentary and Local Council elections does not suggest that 30% of women will be elected into public office and went on to say therefore, they are calling on political parties to nominate women in ELECTABLE districts and put them on top of the district list.

The CGG also pointed out that the PEA 2022 provides that for every 3 candidates nominated by a political party, one should be a woman but, however, lamented that the law stops short of where women should be placed on the list. It called on political parties to prioritize women and put them number 1 in every 3 nominations.

The entity went further to say the GEWE and the PEA Acts 2022 have legal penalties for failing to respect the provisions of the law concluding by reminding all political parties that the women of Sierra Leone are patiently watching and waiting to see the responsiveness of political parties to the aspirations of women as enshrined in the GEWE and PEA Acts of 2022.

It affirmed that the women have played their part and it is now over to political parties to demonstrate commitment and goodwill and show what role they want their mothers, sisters, daughters, cousins, and nieces to play in public life in Sierra Leone maintaining that they are Waiting and Watching!

Hon. Lawyer Bah Offers Iftar to Residents of Constituency 115

April 19, 2023

By Amb. Pen Pusher Sesay

The Honourable Member of Parliament of Constituency 115, in the East End of Freetown, specifically within Wellington, Lawyer Amadu Bah, has once more proved his mettle as an able representative of his constituents when on Sunday 16th April, 2023, he provided Iftar to Mosques, the Less Privileged as well as to the Constituency and Ward Executives. He also offered cash/token to the Constituency and two Ward Executive Members of Constituency 115, precisely Wards 405 & 406.

Addressing constituents, especially the beneficiaries of his gesture, Hon. Bah underpinned that this year’s donation has been very challenging due to the current hardship in the country that is posing hardship on fasting families, the less privileged and the bulk of the majority in the country.

“A 50kg bag of rice now costs over NLe 600, prices of food commodities in the market are skyrocketing impinging negatively on standards of living and the cost of living is very challenging for the ordinary man especially during this Holy Month when families have to prepare two meals a day,” Hon. Bah frankly intimated.

It could be recalled that for six (6) consecutive years, since 2018 to date, Hon. Bah has been providing Ramadan Iftar to mosques, the less privileged, his Executive members and the community residents in general.

Receiving the donation, a member from one of the beneficiary Masjids thanked Hon. Bah for his invaluable contributions to the Muslim Community in his Constituency and also profusely heaped praises on him for his outstanding leadership demonstrated over the years. He ended by publicly supporting and endorsing Hon. Bah’s second term bid.

The Constituency Chairlady, Madam Kadie Kargbo, and the two (2) Ward Chairmen-Amadou I. Funna and Abubakarr Mansaray, on behalf of their members, profoundly thanked Hon. Bah for what they referred to as “Life Saving Donation”. They expressed their delight and gratitude for the gesture and ended up endorsing the second term bid of Hon. Bah.

The Young Congress Executive of Constituency 115, headed by Amb. Penpusher also benefitted from the MP’s Iftar and profusely extended their thanks and gratitude to him offering prayers for him to be successful in all his endeavours.

Constituency 115

Tourism Minister Lauds Philanthropist’s Initiative in Cleaning Levuma Beach

April 19, 2023

Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Memunatu Pratt, has on the 14^th April, 2023 paid an on the spot visit to the Levuma community beach where she applauded the laudable beach cleaning initiative by a philanthropist, Mohamed Billy Musa.

The purpose of the Minister’s visit was to ascertain the level of beach cleaning exercise that was pioneered by Mohamed Billy Musa who has taken upon himself to pay youths of the community to clean the beach, a stride that is aimed at complementing the Ministry’s effort in ensuring that the beaches are kept clean at all times. The Chief, Headman and jubilant youths greeted and welcomed the Minister who appreciated her strides in the development of the sector.

In his short remarks, Philanthropist Musa said with the support of the Ministry, Levuma beach will be the envy of the other beaches. He committed to work with stakeholders of the community in providing necessary amenities to residents.

In her statement, Dr. Pratt applauded Philanthropist Musa for his desire and thoughtfulness in complementing the Ministry’s effort in embarking on the cleaning of Levuma beach. She said Levuma beach is a critical infrastructure and one of the country’s prime sites, hence the more reason it was worth giving it a facelift.

She stated that in order to sustain the cleaning of the beach, they have to do the same engineering that was done at the other beaches and will also engage the Freetown City Council on clearing of waste at the beach and also sensitize the community not to dump waste on the beach.

The Minister commended Musa for his patriotism and desire to transform the beach to an entertainment spot and on behalf of the President Bio congratulated Musa for his wonderful initiative and assured that the Ministry and its Agencies will showcase what he is doing.

In a similar note, the Minister also visited Shalima’s enormous edifice that is situated at the front of Levuma beach and commended Shalima for investing in an infrastructure that has lot of world class tourism facilities and committed to include the facility as part of the packages of places for tourists to visit.

Njala University Opens New Campus in Bonthe District

April 19, 2023

During a momentous ceremony that took place at Bonthe district, on the 15th April, 2023, the Njala University Bonthe Campus was inaugurated by the Chancellor of Njala University, Professor Sahr Moses Gevao.

The ceremony, which took place at the Grounds of the former Bonthe Technical Training College, Monument Lane, Sherbro Island, Bonthe, was graced by administrative and academic staff of Njala University, the Deputy Minister of Technical and Higher Education, the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, the former Mayor of Bonthe Municipality, Bonthe District Officer, traditional leaders, students and residents of Bonthe.

In his welcome address, the Chancellor noted that Njala University is a vibrant, progressive institution, constantly exploring opportunities for growth and sustainability.

Professor Gevao further explained that the establishment of a third campus in Bonthe is part of the University’s restructuring strategy designed to unlock economic potentials, generate untapped industries and put Njala University on the international stage as a recognised education and research provider, specifically in the global maritime world and the sustainable tourism industry.

He added that the University is committed to the achievement of its goals and rely on support from stakeholders in realising what he referred to as “an ambitious project.”

Professor Bashiru Mohamed Koroma, Vice-Chancellor and Principal stated in his inaugural speech that the University’s plans to establish two Schools and Institutes which include the Schools of Maritime Studies, Sustainable Tourism and Hospitality Management, Institute of Technical Entrepreneurship and Vocational Studies, and the Institute of Teacher Education.

He continued that the three Departments under the School of Maritime Studies will include the Marine Engineering and Navigation, Maritime Management and Logistics, and the Department of Marine Sciences and Coastal Agriculture. He also added that the School of Sustainable Tourism and Hospitality Management will host the Departments of Tourism and Travel Management, Hospitality Management and Catering Science, and the Department of Cultural Heritage Studies.

“Recognised as a pioneer of initiatives that support sustainable economic growth, the University is now embarking on an exciting Campus establishment in the Sherbro Island that stands to generate enormous benefits at local and national levels,” Professor Koroma informed the audience.

According to the VC&P, the School of Maritime Studies will address the significant human capacity gaps in Sierra Leone’s blue economy industries.

“This economic concept,” he went on, “promotes the sustainable utilisation of ocean resources for economic growth, food security, employment creation, energy generation, water transportation and protection of the marine environment for future generations.”

He called on the Government, partners, and donors to support the new campus in carrying out its mission.

Speaking in place of the Minister of Technical and Higher Education, the Deputy Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Sarjoh Aziz-Kamara said that he felt frustrated of the apparent neglect and the historical injustice to Bonthe Island over the years, noting that this is addressed today because of President Bio’s desire for education.

The Deputy Minister noted that the transformation is because of the Government’s huge investment in education and expressed the view that Bonthe is lucky to take only thirty-four (34) years to be a constituent Campus of Njala University. He added that His Excellency’s emphasis on human capital development and the investment of 22% in education has seen more people going to school, higher pass rates in public examinations and an increase in the number of students admitted in public Universities.

The Minister assured that the transformation and expansion at Njala University is significant because of the population growth rate in the country especially the youth. He noted that Njala’s expansion to Bonthe Campus will mean that Njala will be serving about 24% of the population in the Southern province, noting that the expansion is deliberate and purposeful by the Government of President Bio.

Minister Sarjor Aziz-Kamara furthered that the expansion is in line with MTHE’s emphasis on technical and vocational education across the sixteen districts to empower the middle man power for self-employment and global competitiveness.

He thanked the Administration for considering significant programmes and courses for the new Campus.

Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Honourable Philip Segepoh Thomas affirmed his commitment and support to the new Campus and called on natives, friends, donors and the Government to support the establishment.

Former Mayor, Layemin Joe Sandi, of Bonthe Municipality committed his fullest support to the Campus and noted that they have longed for such a moment long ago.

Climaxing the ceremony was the cutting of the tape, symbolising the official opening of the Njala University Bonthe Campus.

Government Reiterates Commitment to Improve Health Care Service Delivery in the Country

April 19, 2023

The President and his entourage on the 15^th April, 2023 visited Pahala and Futa towns in order to celebrate Pejeh Chiefdom in Pujehun District, where it was confirmed by the Ministry of Health and Sanitation of no maternal death in the last five years.

That confirmation came just after the new Country Representative for World Health Organization, Dr Innocent Nuwagira called at State House to congratulate the country on the drastic reduction in maternal mortality, saying that they are proud of Sierra Leone’s achievement.

The President and entourage including the First Lady Dr Fatima Maada Bio were welcomed into the chiefdom by the safe delivery of a bouncing baby girl, weighing 2.5 kg.

The Community Health Officer for the Futa Community Health Centre, Isaac Mattia, said they had recorded no maternal related death in the seven catchment villages of Futa, Massa, Koiva, Jandama, Kenema Pejeh, Buma and Jembeh with a total of 1,047 households and accounting for a population of about 6,282 people.

“1,112 are in the under-five population, representing 17.7 percent of the chiefdom population. We have a total of 276 pregnant women in the chiefdom, accounting for 4.4 percent of the population in the catchment communities. Following the establishment of the facility, we reviewed the mother and neonate registration and determined that the number of pregnant women registering for antenatal care with gestational ages of 12 weeks or less, was low.

“The team decided to set our goal to improve antenatal care registration from the initial 6 percent to 60 percent at the end of January 2022. To date, there has been no maternal death in the chiefdom, as a result of the involvement of community members, pregnant women, and their husbands,” Mattia said.

He also noted that because of the community engagement and stakeholders involvement in the campaign, backed by support from the District Health Management Team and direct support to all the Peripheral Healthcare Units and health delivery centers, they were able to encourage pregnant women in the catchment communities to access the health facility earlier, so that if there was any risk or complication they would be in the position to make an early referral to the district hospital.

“We have been engaging the traditional birth attendants, or TBAs, who play a very significant and important role in these communities, and their intervention has resulted in a huge turnout of cases of pregnant women accessing our facility. Wherever there is a case of a maternal-related issue, the community has been in full support in mobilizing towards ensuring that our job here is easy and we are able to deliver the required services,” he confirmed.

While addressing his people in Pehala and Futa towns, President Julius Maada Bio assured them of his Government’s commitment to improving healthcare service delivery in the country, pointing out that his Human Capital Development programme caters for education, health, and agriculture.

He emphasized that education is a priority because it is the key to unlocking development in the 21st century and called on them to be more united and to embrace all Government activities. He said the status of all Peripheral Healthcare Units and health facilities nationwide would be improved to save lives and provide the required services to the people.

The First Lady urged voters to focus on voting for His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio in the coming elections.

“This is a PR system, which means all the voters should do is vote for their presidential candidate and the party because when the President wins, it means the SLPP has won, implying that your candidate has also won.

“All those that are coming to the SLPP from opposition parties are all heartily welcome. Be informed that we are one people in the SLPP and be reminded that we don’t believe in violence in the SLPP party. So, to all voters on the day of the election, on 24 June, please sacrifice half of that day for the development of Sierra Leone, for your children’s education and vote for President Julius Maada Bio to continue with the many developments in the country,” she enjoined.

First Lady Bags 2nd Honouraree Degree & Appointed by UN as Advisory Board Member

April 19, 2023

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

During the Congregation of the conferment of degrees and award of diplomas and certificates at the University of Sierra Leone, on the 14^th April, 2023 the First Lady, Dr Fatima Maada Bio, was awarded the degree of Doctor of Letters (D.Litt), honoris causa.

The citation for the conferment of the degree of Doctor of Letters on the First Lady, Dr Fatima Maada Bio was read by the University’s Public Orator, Dr Abdulai Walon Jalloh, who, among other things noted that:

“Our recipient is a fascinating personality who exudes charisma, passion, and intelligence. I can safely say that she has had the opportunity to dine with the very best that society has to offer. Our recipient of this year’s honoris causa, epitomizes bravery, intelligence, and servant leadership, as evident in the massive impact being recorded by her humanitarian and official work in Sierra Leone, particularly, and the African continent at large,” he said.

“Our honouree has long been motivated by Pan-Africanist ideals, and because of this, at the tender age of eighteen; she became the champion for the Campaign Against Meningitis Disease in Africa, but more especially in the Gambia. Before she assumed her current role, our honouree led numerous gender, philanthropic, and child welfare campaigns. She was the first to donate $10,000 for the meningitis fight in The Gambia.

“Respectfully, The Visitor of the University of Sierra Leone, Mr. Chancellor sir, Honourable Minister of Education, Technical and Higher Education, other Ministers here present, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Sierra Leone, other Vice-Chancellors from our Sister Universities, Deputy Vice-Chancellors of IPAM, COMAHS, and FBC, the Registrar of USL, other associate dignitaries of the same ilk, members of the Judiciary, our Honouree for this year’s Honoris Causa DOCTOR OF LETTER Congregation 2023 is Her Excellency Mrs. Fatima Maada Bio, First Lady of Sierra Leone,” he concluded.

In another development, prior to the conferment of the Honorary Degree, the United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, appointed the First Lady, Madam Fatima Bio, on the 12^th April, 2023 as a member of the Advisory Board of Eminent Persons on Zero Waste.

According to the Secretary General, in accordance with the United Nations General Assembly resolution on Zero Waste (77/161) of 22 December 2022, it is with great pleasure that he appoints Madam Fatima Bio as a member of the Advisory Board of Eminent Persons on Zero Waste.

The Secretary General further pointed out how the Board has an important role to play in supporting zero waste initiatives in the context of sustainable development further maintaining that as a Board member, he trusts that he can count on her knowledge, experience, expertise and commitment to promote zero-waste initiatives.

The Secretary General also said given that the concept of “zero waste” is gaining attention worldwide as a sustainable solution to reduce waste, redesign material use and production, promote a circular economy, and informed consumer choices, it is his hope that the multi-partner and multidisciplinary, regionally and gender balanced Board will work to publicize best practices and success stories and raise awareness to promote local and national zero-waste initiatives adding that the Terms of Reference of the Board are enclosed.

António Guterres ,also stated that as a member of the Advisory Board, he looks forward to the work she will undertake with fellow Board Members to advance the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, saying he has asked the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to work closely with the Board.

He continued stating that focal points from the aforementioned organizations will contact her soon about the on boarding process as well as with details for the first meeting of the Board in September 2023, in New York.

The UN Secretary General concluded by welcoming her once again to the Advisory Board on Zero Waste revealing how he trusts that she will continue to be a champion on the journey to reach the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 and to raise awareness, promote practices leading to progress towards a sustainable and prosperous future for people and the planet.

University of Sierra Leone,

Wu Peng Visits Sierra Leone China Friendship Hospital

April 19, 2023

By Foday Moriba Conteh

The In-Charge of Africa Affairs Chinese Foreign Affairs Ministry, Wu Peng. has on Friday 7th April, 2023 visited the Sierra Leone China Friendship Hospital at Jui. The In-Charge of Africa Affairs Chinese Foreign Affairs Minister, who was accompanied by the Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Wang Qing, was received at the facility by the Team Leader of the 24th batch of Chinese Medical Team, Dr. Chen Yongjun, and the Medical Superintendent Sierra Leone China Friendship Hospital, Dr. Sarah Conteh, team members of the 24th batch of Chinese Medical Team, Management and Staff of the hospital.

Speaking during the ceremony, the In-Charge of Africa Affairs Chinese Foreign Affairs Ministry, Wu Peng, said that the country recently received the 24th batch of Chinese Medical Team to Sierra Leone of which he said they still need some time to familiarize themselves with the environment.

He said that Sierra Leone and China has a very cordial relationship when he was the former Ambassador to Sierra Leone of which he regarded Freetown as his second home town, adding that he informed the leadership of the support to the Chinese doctors at the facility to better fulfill their duties in the country.

Wu Peng maintained that he is very much aware of the challenges they are facing ranging from equipment, the living condition and the rest of which he promised to work on those challenges, adding that China is very committed to keep supporting the Chinese-Sierra Leone Friendship, both financially and morally, but said at the same time he also suggested to the leadership of the hospital to coordinate how they can mobilize funds towards the development of the hospital.

The Team Leader of the 24th batch of Chinese Medical Team, Dr. Chen Yongjun, commended the move by the In-Charge of Africa Affairs Chinese Foreign Affairs Ministry, Wu Peng, for visiting the facility which he said was constructed during his tenure as the Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone.

He added that years down the line he deemed it fit to come back and visit the facility in order to look at the what can be done to improve the facility, stating that during the visit the In-Charge of Africa Affairs, the Chinese Foreign Affairs Ministry, Wu Peng had the opportunity to tour the facility in order to have first hand information on how much has been done to improve the facility.

Dr. Chen Yongjun said that the 24th batch of Chinese Medical Team will continue to do their best in order to support the local patients at the facility. He also used the opportunity to highlight some of the challenges of which he said that the equipment in the facility needs some improvement and that the Management of the hospital should also make some efforts to improve the income of the facility which he said will contribute towards the development of the hospital. The Team Lead also assured of China’s support towards the development of the hospital.

The Medical Superintendent of the Sierra Leone-China Friendship Hospital, Dr. Sarah Conteh, stated that the hospital has a lot of potentials, which she said they can tap into when they work together. She said they have also noticed that most of the patients accessing the facility are road accident patients and they if they can treat them they will in return act as ambassadors for the hospital.

Dr. Sarah Conteh stated that the hospital needs renovation of which she appealed to the In-Charge of Africa Affairs Chinese Foreign Affairs Ministry, Wu Peng to consider supporting the hospital in its renovation of the facility.

She also pointed out that the hospital at the moment is constrained with human resource owing to the fact that the hospital doesn’t have enough doctors, stating that if the hospital can be renovated and improve its equipment then they can be able to see more patients which will give them the advantage to recommend to the Ministry of Health and Sanitation to support the hospital with more doctors.

The Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Wang Qing, also commended the In-Charge of Africa Affairs Chinese Foreign Affairs Ministry, Wu Peng for the visit.

“𝐀𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝟏𝟎 𝐖𝐚𝐬 𝐀 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐩 𝐀𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐭” …𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐒𝐚𝐲𝐬

April 18, 2023

The Special Investigating Committee appointed by His Excellency President Brig. (Rtd) Julius Maada Bio to investigate the circumstances that led to the August 8th to 10th protests in some parts of the country, has discovered that the protests were an attempt to overthrow the democratically elected President of the Republic of Sierra Leone.
The key findings are:-
The August 8th-10th incidents, as insidious as they were, did not occur in isolation and were not extemporaneous, as suggested by multiple pieces of evidence collated from existing literature and, clues gleaned from observations and interviews and narratives assembled from public and in-camera engagements.
Therefore, the events of 8th-10th August 2022 can be conclusively regarded as an insurrection against the central government. The insurrection was planned, well-orchestrated, timed, and geared towards destroying public property provided by the state with the aim of undermining the government’s authority.
The general clarion call for the democratically elected President to go in words like “Maada Bio Must Go!” indicates that the protests were a deliberate attempt by the organizers to overthrow the President of the Republic of Sierra Leone. Additionally, in Lungi in particular, the Committee found that protesters attempted to enter the airport (critical national infrastructure) to dig out the runway to prevent the President from returning home from his overseas travel.

US Embassy Trains Print & Electronic Media Journalists on Emergency First Aid

April 17, 2023

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

A training exercise on Emergency First-Aid Response was conducted on the 12^th April, 2023 conducted by the US Embassy in Freetown targeting journalists from both the Print and Electronic Media in Freetown.

In his declaration of the purpose of the training, the Press and Media Coordinator at the US Embassy in Freetown, Alhassan Jalloh, underscored the need to equip journalists with basic life saving skills or coping mechanisms that could be usefully administered during certain emergency situations furthering that it was thought fit to organize such against the backdrop of the country going to the polls on the 24^th June, 2023.

The Medical Attache of the US Embassy in Freetown, Dr. Kathlene Horsley, who served as the Lead Facilitator pointed out that the aim of the training is not geared towards transforming journalists into medical doctors but rather to equip them with lifesaving skills as they cover events that may degenerate into chaos.

She stated that journalists will be trained on how to be first responders in case of emergencies especially on applying MARCH – Massive Hemorrhage, Airway, Respiration, Circulation, and Hypothermia.

One, among, key First Aid skills imparted was how to prevent massive and continuous hemorrhage (bleeding) of which in such a situation it was advised to ensure that an individual’s airway is clear and free from obstruction, identify respiratory distress and attend to it, ensure the promotion of blood circulation and make sure the individual who is being attended to does not lose heat and develop hypothermia.

According to the Facilitator, such is fondly known as the MARCH theory which provides a comprehensive approach to emergency first aid care by addressing the most critical aspects of an emergency situation.

Participants were told that by following the MARCH protocol, non-medical professionals who are trained can provide the necessary interventions to stabilize the patient and prevent further harm until medical care can be administered.

Dr Horsley disclosed that the first step in dealing with massive hemorrhage or severe bleeding is to apply direct pressure on the wound with a clean cloth or bandage and if the bleeding does not stop, a tourniquet should be used, which is a tight band tied around the limb above the wound to reduce blood flow.

“The tourniquet [professional or improvised] must be tied high up the limb and not just directly above the wound. Also, it must be tight,” she said further admonishing that a broad piece of material like a headscarf or a tie can be used as an improvised tourniquet.

Dr Horsley also stated the significance of ensuring that the individual’s airway is clear and free from any obstruction saying if the person is unconscious, his or her airway can be cleared by tilting their head back and lifting their chin also stressing that any visible objects that may be blocking the airway should also be removed.

According to her, in case an individual is having trouble breathing, it is advisable advised to help the person sit up straight and loose any tight clothing around his or her neck and chest maintaining that if necessary, rescue breaths can be administered by giving two quick breaths and then waiting for the chest to rise before giving two more breaths.

She informed participants that to promote blood circulation it is recommendable to place the individual on his or her back and elevate the legs, which will help blood flow to vital organs adding that if the person is not breathing, chest compression should be performed to circulate blood manually.

The Lead Facilitator stressed the importance of keeping the individual warm, particularly if he or she is in shock or have lost a lot of blood, to prevent hypothermia further suggesting covering him or her with blankets or any available clothing.

Towards the end of her presentation she did some practical demonstrations of how to apply the various life-saving techniques she had taught which was followed by question and answer session. Participants were drawn from both print and electronic media.