SLeCAD Ends Gap Training for 600 Cashew Farmers

April 6, 2023

The Sierra Leone Chamber for Agribusiness Development (SLeCAD) with funding support from the International Trade Centre (ITC) SheTrades West Africa Project has concluded training in Gender Inclusive Outreach and Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) for 600 Cashew Farmers, Small and Medium Enterprises and traders.

The objective of the training was to build the skills and improve the knowledge of 600 women and youths cashew value chains farmer, SMEs and Traders in Good Agricultural Practices (GAP).

The training further identified gender-based constraints, how to address them, raised awareness about those constraints whilst employing best agricultural practices for improved cashew production, harvesting, and post-harvest handling that will facilitate trade and export.

The training was expected to improve on the income of women and youth farmers, SMEs and traders, ensure increased investment, create jobs and wealth and enhance economic growth.

During the launch of the event in Bombali District in March, this year, National Coordinator for the SheTrades West Africa Project in Sierra Leone, Madam Khadija Barrie, said the aim of the project is to improve the position of women in different agricultural value chains across four West Africa countries.

The project, which started in 2019 and ends 2023 will ensure that the skills and knowledge of women are improved in Good Agricultural Practices in cashew farm management, processing, packaging that will enhance jobs and wealth creation goals, improve incomes and ensure inclusive growth.

Madam Khadija further stated that SLeCAD is being the critical partner of ITC SheTrade West Africa to boost the Agricultural sector in Sierra Leone and ensure inclusive opportunities for women and youths.

She informed participants that SLeCAD has a vast knowledge and network working along the agricultural value chains throughout Sierra Leone and that ITC and SLeCAD have developed profile stories of outstanding female agri-entrepreneurs in the cashew sector designed to inspire other women to use existing opportunities in their communities to establish successful and sustainable agribusinesses.

In a virtual interview with the Executive Secretary of SLeCAD, Ahmed Nanoh, he thanked ITC SheTrades West Africa for the support offered to SLeCAD and Sierra Leone in ensuring the capacity building of women and youth cashew farmers in Sierra Leone.

Nanoh stated that the training will improve the skills of the 600 women and youths in agronomy and cashew orchards management; post-harvest management and quality of cashew products; processing and value addition to cashew and -its by-products; market mechanism, nut and kernel market analysis; business relationships between stakeholders; value chain development; economics of cashew farming and processing, self-financing advice; price analysis and price formation; design and production of teaching/training materials as ToTs.

Above all, he confirmed that the training will create awareness to the wider community to recognize women’s economic potential and value for the well-being of households and the community as a whole.

“The training will help to transform the women and youths into good private sector operators, create jobs and wealth, reduce poverty, expand Government’s tax base, improve foreign exchange and enhance overall economic growth,” he said.

Representing SLeCAD at the workshop as a facilitator, Saidu Issa Kamara expressed thanks and appreciations to the International Trade Centre SheTrades West Africa for their support in capacitating the chamber.

“The impact this training will bring to the chamber’s membership cannot be overemphasized as the training methodology and approach are quite special and practical,” he said.

NP (SL) Ltd Expands Service Delivery to Enhance Widespread Accessibility

April 6, 2023

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

For the growth of any institution, the willpower and dogged determination to expand by breaking new grounds should be its focus and in this regard NP (SL) Ltd has translated that willpower into tangible realities on the ground.

The intermittent commissioning of various Filling Stations across the country and beyond, in the West African sub-region, is a testimony of the attainment of this attribute, an integral driver of successes achieved by certain highly reputable business entities.

This determination to break new grounds and venture in to areas where others are even hesitant and jittery of going is a quality that is innate in the DNA of the company which it has ably and aptly demonstrated to the consternation as well as admiration of many.

As an indigenously owned petroleum marketing company, NP(SL) Ltd, it has been corroborated, is not afraid to take the risk and this venture is paying dividends and has earned it the respect of many Sierra Leoneans.

Everywhere the company goes; it takes along with it all its services, effectively changing the outlook in its operational areas.

Formed by 35 Sierra Leonean workers, who dared to plough their end of service benefits into the corporate body, NP (SL)Ltd is today the leading marketer of petroleum products in the sub-region. This example, if emulated by fellow compatriots, will change the business trajectory in this country.

The effective operationalization of the Local Content Policy turns the wheel of economic development in the country, as it embraces the utilization of human and natural resources instead of depending on foreign sources. Making it a laid down policy to give employment priority and preferences to indigenes instead of foreigners in terms of employment has been widely acclaimed as a step in the right direction.

One significant effect of expanding nationwide ensures the delivery of services and goods across the country, thereby encouraging more businesses to flourish and eventually pay more taxes to the Government.

The rolling out of services are not focused in the capital, but are replicated nationwide. Everywhere the company operates, they offer the same services, effectively providing them.

To make the purchase of fuel easier, NP-SL introduced the NP Smart Card, which enables organizations and individuals to purchase fuel using the smart card with ease and by doing so averting the frustrating bureaucracy that previously existed.

By introducing this latest technology, it avails its customers convenience in conducting transactions. Such has increased easy accessibility for many contrary to the unnecessary spending of time just to purchase these petroleum products at different Filling stations.

As a result of its savvy business acumen and effective management, the company was able to open branches in the West African sub-region in countries like Guinea, Ivory Coast, Liberia, and The Gambia.

It must be underscored that the company is making exceptional inroads simply because it takes customer care paramount; always ensuring that customer satisfaction is prioritized. Indeed, the company truly deserves commendation in that direction.
With well-motivated members of staff who know how to efficiently treat customers, NP (SL) Ltd has become very endearing to many.
In all the five countries in the West African sub region where it is operating, the company always ensures that petroleum products, in terms of fuel and other lubricants, are available in order to avoid shortage.

It has been established that using charcoal and wood for cooking purposes poses health hazards and depletion of our forests. Against such a backdrop many have commended the company for making it possible to get access to NP gas cookers, which are indeed safe and friendly for domestic use. Gas is as well available at the company’s Filling Stations which residents in these five West African countries could purchase at affordable prices.

NP(SL)Ltd is indeed hugely contributing to socio-economic development in different ways that are positively impacting individual lives and communities.

Freetown to Soon Enjoy Cable Car Technology

April 6, 2023

Former Mayor of the Freetown Municipality, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, has recently engaged international Consultants, Markus Hagspiel, a ropeway/Cable Car expert, Teferra Sileshi of GFA Heat and members of the American Institute of Architects to properly strategize and plan well ahead of commissioning the first Cable Car in the metropolis.

The main aim of launching the first Cable Car is geared towards enhancing swift travelling within Freetown, creating an avenue for easy accessibility as well as making the city visibly attractive to investors, tourists and even residents.

The Cable Car Project feasibility study dates back to June 2022 and should end in March 2024.

This medium was reliably informed that the consultants, experts and stakeholders have ensured that every aspect of the project is considered with the utmost care taken to make sure such a development in Freetown is well implemented and becomes a reality.

In a snap chat with the former FCC Mayor, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, she disclosed that the Cable Car Project is a key component of her vision to transform Freetown further maintaining how it is geared towards reducing traffic congestion and air pollution that poses serious health hazards.

She expressed the view that a modern transport option, such as the cable car system, will contribute immensely in generating revenue for the city and improve the daily lives of residents in Freetown.

It is worthy to note that the Cable Car initiative for Freetown emanated from the C40 cities resolution to eradicate climate change and reduce carbon emission.

Carbon emissions are generated from the burning of fossils fuel. An example is the smoke that comes out of exhaust pipes.

Also, noteworthy is that the Cable Car will be powered by solar energy, an alternative energy with the objective of reducing carbon emission.

As former Vice Chair of the C40 Innovative cities, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, met with the former Mayor of Medellin in November 2019 in Durban, South Africa, which was the first city in the world to initiate the cable car as a form of mass transport in 2014. Later in November 2022, members of the Mayor’s Delivery Unit working on the Cable Car project visited Medellin for a study visit.

Since the 2019 conversation with the former Mayor of Medellin, the Freetown Cable Car Project has moved from an idea to a firm concept.

Because of her zest to see that Freetown is being transformed she was able to apply for an eight hundred thousand dollars($800,000)grant to conduct a full-feasibility study for the introduction of the cable car in Freetown with the C40 cities finance facility and GIZ acting as the implementing partner and whose mandate is to structure the finances.

The cable car is a ropeway technology to be used for the very first time in Sierra Leone. This technology is gradually increasing in cities around the world and serves as a supplement to conventional means of transportation.

In general, the cable car technology can serve as an inexpensive, quickly realizable and reliable subsystem of local public passenger transport.

It offers a special travel experience in urban areas, as it allows people to glide above the city and also, an extremely robust service-proven experience gained in operations on mountains etc.This is because it is totally independent of existing road and rail infrastructures.

Studies by renowned institutes confirm that cable car technology has an exceptional good Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) compared to conventional means of transportation, with low operating speeds but no waiting times. Urban cable cars operate fully automated and the maintenance requirements are low.

According to experts it can take up to 6,000 people per hour and on a constant speed from point A to Point B.

The visiting consultants assured Freetonians that the cable car is a safe mode of transportation and very good solution to the many challenges faced in the city.

The experts advised to do regular checks either monthly or daily to avoid mechanical breakdown but promised to do a lot of training for locals to ensure the sustainability of the technology.

Many Freetonians expressed delight over this new means of transportation and promised to support Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr in order to ensure the crystallization of the project materializes.

LIFE Offers Ramadan Food Baskets to Mosques, Communities & PWDS

April 6, 2023

LIFE for Relief & Development, an international Non-Governmental Organization, currently celebrating 30 years of unflinching service to humanity worldwide, few days ago, distributed 550 bags of 25 kilograms rice and other assorted food items as Ramadan Food Basket packages to 15 Mosques, communities and People living With Disabilities (PWDs).

The distribution exercise of the Ramadan Food Basket was held at Ital Street off Fadika Drive, Newton in the outskirts of Waterloo, Western Area Rural District.

In her opening remarks before the distribution exercise ,the country Director for LIFE, Haja Mariama Fadika described the offer of food baskets as part of their usual gestures to Muslims, admonishing beneficiaries to use the food items to observe fasting as mandated by God/Allah.

The Country Director urged Muslim believers to truly say their prayers so that they could communicate directly to God for peace to continue to prevail in the country while she also expressed optimism that LIFE for Relief and Development will surely continue to do the needful for vulnerable people in society despite the global crisis.

Mammy Haja ,also , expressed her sincere appreciation to members of LIFE- USA for the significant role they have been rendering across the globe, especially during this trying moment when the whole world is adversely affected economically. She also wished the humanitarian relief organization a happy 30^th anniversary celebration.

Speaking to hundreds of beneficiaries, the Program Coordinator, LIFE for Relief &Development, Mariama Turay intimated that LIFE had been serving humanity for the past thirty years, especially in the areas of health, education, agriculture and other humanitarian interventions, noting that beneficiaries were invited from various mosques and surrounding communities within the Western Area Rural and Urban.

Madam Turay said LIFE main objective is to provide food support to people who can’t afford the needed food items during this Holy month of Ramadan, adding that the donated items would enable Muslims to observe their fasting safe and sound.

Speaking on the importance of observing the Holy Month of Ramadan, Sheik Alhassan Jalloh said the food basket is important to them as Muslims because, “it is part of fasting. “

He explained that Almighty Allah brought the Holy Month of Ramadan not only to clean or wipe off our sins, but to also unify Muslims as servants of God/Allah.

“We appreciate the food gesture and we are grateful to the donor partners for the sacrifice they have been making over the past years amidst global economic challenges just to bring relief to humanity,” Sheik Alhassan Jalloh expressed appreciation.

Another beneficiary, Sheik Ahmed Sillah intimated how Ramadan is important to Muslims in diverse ways, commenting that fasting brings Muslim worshipers closer to Allah and would cleanse sins committed by a believer if he/she observed the month according to the dictates of the Holy Quran and the lessons of Prophet Mohammed (SAW).

He admonished that the duty of every Muslim is to complete the days of fasting which normally ends within 29 or 30 days.

Another Islamic Scholar from the Calaba Town Community Mosque, Sheik Alimamy Conteh prayed for the continuous success of the organization, emphasizing that they have been benefiting a lot from the regular donation activities of LIFE.

The Islamic Scholar prayed for the protection of the Management and Staff of the organization to continue giving their humanitarian relief support.

Speaking on behalf of colleagues visually impaired, Abass Fofanah, who is from the United Muslims Blind Association, Waterloo, expressed happiness over the Iftar food basket distributions among vulnerable people and thanked the donor organization for putting smiles on their faces, especially in this month of fasting when things are extremely difficult.

He deliberated on the way and manner LIFE had played an integral role in transforming lives among the poor, deprived and oppressed people in Sierra Leone.

Mammy Fatmata Koroma, a visually impaired woman also expressed her profound appreciation to LIFE for recognizing them during this month of Ramadan with a bag of rice and assorted food items, adding that they will always be proud of LIFE and wished LIFE a fruitful 30^th year celebration.

The distribution exercise was climaxed with the expression of messages of appreciation from all beneficiaries who prayed for the donor partners to succeed in their drive to support the needy during such a period and other eventful programs.

“Prioritize Education, Leave Politics for Politicians” …First Lady to School Children

April 6, 2023

In Pujehun District, on the 1^st April, 2023, the First Lady, Dr. Mrs. Fatima Maada Bio, advised school children to leave Politics to the Politicians and instead focus on making their Education a priority. She made that statement while accompanying her husband, President Dr Julius Maada Bio, as he visited the Southern District.

The First Lady underscored that she has never talked about politics to pupils because their place is in the school class rooms and not amongst politicians.

“Leave the politicians to practice their politics as it is their profession. But you must focus on your education and study hard so that one day, if that is your choice as an adult, you can become a well educated mega-politician,” she admonished the pupils.

She recalled how Pujehun District, prior to the ascendancy of her husband, used to lag behind in terms of education; as year in and year out, Pujehun pupils failed to acquire the requirements for university enrollment. She said as a result, Pujehun suffered from the lack of an educated cadre of upcoming youths.

The First Lady bemoaned that early marriage, teenage pregnancy and dropping out of school became almost the normal trend for many Pujehun girls.

She highlighted that since her husband introduced the Free Quality School Education alongside his Hands Off Our Girls campaign that she was asked to champion, there have been massive and measurable improvements in the story of the Pujehun Child especially the Girl Child.

According to her, enrollment and retention of Pujehun Girls in schools and their subsequent improved academic performance was exponential.

She revealed that for the very first time in the entire history of Pujehun District 412 (four hundred and twelve) school pupils acquired full requirements to enter university whilst more than 600 pupils who had 4 WASSCE credits have been successfully admitted into Technical and Vocational (TEC-VOC) institutions.

She maintained that her husband’s implementation of various “Prioritize Education” projects such as campaigning for children to “Leave Politics for Politicians”, has been successful.

She motivated the pupils of Pujehun District that their future is going to be very bright as a result of the assistance they are receiving from the Government in the form of so many initiatives including the Free School Feeding program in neediest parts of the country.

The First Lady admonished the pupils to do all they can to compete with girls in other regions and districts educationally, so as to make their Pujehun people proud.

“Education is the best gift you can receive from your parents and that is what the President has given to you and all other children across the country. Education is the key that will unlock all doors that stand in your way. With education, you can be the next President Bio from Pujehun,” she inspired them.

The First Lady used the presidential tour as an opportunity to also reach out to parents, guardians, and relatives with her message that the FQSE has been exceptional since its inception. She said pupils now focus on their education and see all reason to stay in school because of the Vision that her husband has for the children of Sierra Leone.

Information Minister Commends ECOWAS Commission during 2nd ECOWAS Ministerial Meeting

April 6, 2023

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

During the opening of the 2nd ECOWAS Ministerial Steering and Expert Committee on the Amilcar Cabral Submarine Cable Project which was held on the 3rd April, 2023 at the Atlantic Lumley Hotel, the Minister of Information and Communications, Mohamed Rahman Swaray, personally welcomed all, also expressing gratitude to the ECOWAS Commission for availing Sierra Leone the singular honour to host the 2nd Ministerial Steering and Expert Committee on the Amilcar Cabral Submarine Cable project.

He intimated that the Ministerial Steering Committee and the Expert Committee provides an excellent opportunity for participating member States in the project to create ownership as well as learn and share their experiences of successes and challenges in the deployment and utilization of critical digital infrastructure such as the undersea Fibre optic cable.

He personally commended the ECOWAS Commission and in particular the Directorate of Infrastructure, Energy and Digitalization and the Project Preparatory Development Unit (PPDU) for conceiving the project which, he said, is so relevant to all of having only a single cable as they create the enabling environment to expand broadband technologies.

The Minister pointed out that the project will support the Government in developing a strategic approach to address the potential risk of having a single submarine cable, as well as to better leverage the potential such brings to improved efficiency of the broadband market in Sierra Leone.

He revealed how Sierra Leone was one of the first countries in West Africa to commit to improving the geographical reach of high-speed connectivity to its citizens through an undersea internet cable, the Africa Coast to Europe (ACE), which benefitted from the World Bank Group financing.

“The GoSL has made significant efforts to develop the terrestrial backbone networks that connect the ACE submarine cable to its citizens and neighboring countries,” he further stated adding that currently Sierra Leone has about 1,600 km of in-country core fiber backbone network that connects most major cities and towns as well as linking to two neighboring countries to Zimmi at the Liberia border and onwards to Gbalamuya at the border with Guinea.

He maintained that the project resonates with the Government’s medium-term National Development Plan and the National Digital Development Policy and strategy in line with the Government agenda of developing a resilient and affordable Digital Ecosystem to achieve his Excellency’s vision of transforming Sierra Leone into an inclusive digital economy and society with a digitally empowered citizenry supporting sustainable economic development, democracy, national security, and good governance.

According to him, it is in sync with the ‘Leave No One Behind’ vision of the United Nations (UN) as espoused in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the ‘Africa we want’ Principle of the African Union as enshrined in its 2063 Vision and the ECOWAS harmonized policies on ICT.

The Minister ended his statement by joining other speakers to emphasize the importance of the meeting and to invite all to take a collaborative approach to adopting a regional approach towards the design and implementation of the project.

He encouraged all to take advantage of the varied Sierra Leonean hospitalities and make the best of their stay here in Freetown before officially declaring the three days 2nd Ministerial Steering and Expert Committee on the Amilcar Cabral Submarine Cable Project open also wishing all fruitful deliberations.

April 29, 2023 Slated as National Peace Matching/Walking/Jogging Day

April 6, 2023

On the 29th April, 2023, the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion (ICPNC) will be organizing a National Peace Matching/Walking/Jogging Day under the theme “I STAND FOR PEACE”. This event is hoping to attract up to Five Million Citizens from all works of life across all 16 political and administrative districts in Sierra Leone. Participants will include members from the following groups:

Youth Groups
Women’s Groups
Market Women
Old Folks
School Groups
Football and Athletics Groups
Bike and Kekeh Riders Association
Ghetto Boys and Girls
Professional Institutions (Bankers, Lawyers, Journalists etc)
The Business Class (Mobile Companies, Mining Companies, Trade and Export Companies etc)

Prior to the event, IPCNC will engage Leaders of these various groups in all the districts and hold meetings with them to plan this Nationwide event. Some of the issues to be discussed in the meetings will include: Time, Assembly areas, Routes to be used, Security arrangements, Duration of the event, Logistical arrangements (Tee Shirts, Banners, Placards, etc that will be carrying Peace Messages).

On the Day of the event, IPCNC and Partners, alongside Security Personnel will accompany participants in all the 16 districts during the match/walking/jogging. Everyone participating in the event will be wearing printed Tee shirts with the inscription “I STAND FOR PEACE”. Citizens will be encouraged to come out with traditional social event instruments like; drums, trumpets, Vuvuzelas, Pot Covers etc, to make the loudest noise for Peace. There will also be School and National Brass Bands to accompany the processions.

The media will be invited to cover such events and broadcast through news bulletins and other media programs.

It is expected that there shall be a Presidential Address and other state personalities will make salient contributions.

Information Ministry Signs MoU with Smart Africa Digital Academy

April 5, 2023

By Abubakarr Harding

Sierra Leone has taken another giant step towards enhancing the digital space in the country with the signing of a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Information and Communications and Smart Africa Digital Academy (SADA). The signing ceremony took place on Tuesday, April 4, 2023, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at Tower Hill.

The event was organized to launch the Smart Africa Digital Academy and to speak to their joint commitment in ensuring that people have access to digital technologies and making sure that they have connectivity within the nation.

In his welcome address, the Deputy Minister of Information and Communications, Solomon Jamiru Esq, expressed his delight for embarking on a journey with SADA adding how the Ministry would not let this opportunity slip away but would ensure that they utilize it to the fullest to achieve the desired outcome.

The Deputy Minister also stated that much of what was crystallized was anchored on the privacy and vision of President Julius Maada Bio, who gave specific instructions to the Minister to ensure that they build a digitally inclusive society.

It must be noted that the Information Minister, Mohamed Rahman Swarray has been rolling out that vision, and the MoU signed with SADA is a significant step towards achieving that.

The Deputy Minister emphasized that the African Union’s digital transformation for 2020 to 2030 urges all of Africa to ensure that people on the continent have access to at least 6 gigabytes per second of internet speed in a safe and secured manner.

He also noted that the African Free Trade Content Area offers prospects that will not be profitable in the future if Africa does not take steps to actualize it underscoring that the philosophy drives Smart Africa.

The Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of Smart Africa, Lacina Kone, stated that he met the Minister at the UN General Assembly in July and also in Paris. He added that the Minister had been asking him to come to Sierra Leone whenever they meet. Mr. Kone emphasized that Smart Africa was at the service of Sierra Leone and not the other way round. He noted that the digital future of Africa is promising for the development of digital skills and crucial for social and economic growth on the continent.

Kone stressed the need to transform Africa into a single digital market, saying that to be transformed, one must be informed. He added that statistics show that about 5% of the jobs by 2030 have not been created. He emphasized that the partner continents in the Global South have the youngest populations, making it imperative to equip their citizens with different digital skills.

By 2030, approximately 230 million jobs in Africa will require digital skills. The statistics show that Africa needs to create 22 million new jobs every year from now to 2030.

According to Kone, basic digital skills are essential for entering the workforce to ensure that African citizens are ready for the future of digital jobs. They must have the necessary digital skills and must act promptly to prepare them for successful socio-economic development. Policymakers must alert people to the latest advanced knowledge to create a behavior environment for policymaking in digital transformation.

Kone concluded by announcing the formal model to bridge the critical digital skills gap in the country and support Sierra Leone’s digital ecosystem in a rapidly evolving digital environment.

The climax of the event was the signing of the MoU.

As Only 3 Parties Fit for 2023 Elections… No Political Street Rallies

April 5, 2023

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

Confirmed reports from the Political Parties Regulation Commission (PPRC) indicates that only three registered political parties have satisfied all the criteria needed to contest in the June 24, 2023 elections. The report states further that these parties are the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP), the main opposition All People’s Congress (APC) and the National Grand Coalition (NGC).

But as was being expressed by majority of Sierra Leoneans that the coming elections could turn out violent and are therefore calling on Election Management Bodies (EMBs) to ban street political rallies as these can be fore-runners to full-blown violence on Election Day – June 24, the Political Parties Regulation Commission (PPRC) has finally let the cat out of the bag, that unless political parties display maturity, responsibility and care in managing their respective political street rallies, the PPRC will have no option other than to ban ALL political street rallies.

It is no hidden fact that whenever it comes to elections and election campaigns, that is the time when violence is unleashed between and among political party rivals and unfortunately it is the innocent people who have no hands in the affairs of the political parties that are rallying are the ones who ultimately suffer. And most times, they have no recompense for whatever they suffer at the hands of supporters of political parties taking part in rallies.

It is against this background that even though it is being mooted that the Executives of both the SLPP and APC are busy accusing each other of being afraid of political street rallies because it would show which party truly has the numbers to win the June 24 elections, the PPRC has come out strong to caution them.

But if we should critically look at the prevailing circumstances and the fact that rallies haven’t even been declared open and already the two main political parties are having disagreements about which has the bigger crowd, then the fears of Sierra Leoneans that the run-up to the elections could be violent and even the elections are justified and the PPRC can go ahead to declare a ban on all political street rallies across the country.

Maybe political parties can resort to holding meetings in secure areas with police protection. This could be a better, safer, more secure and more acceptable option to especially those people that have no business with political rallies but fall victims.

Gento Visits Slum Communities to Assess & Plan Against Natural Disaster Risks

April 5, 2023

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

Mohamed Gento Kamara, the outstanding SLPP contender for the Mayoral position in the Freetown City Council, commendably on the 4^th April, 2023, single handedly facilitated the electrification of the Madina Community (Back of Cockerill) in the West End of Freetown and at the same time refunded the initial costs that residents incurred to ensure that the electrification project is actualized.

From what this medium learnt, the renowned Civil Engineer decided to bear the cost or foot the bill for the implementation of the project which is said to worth NLe74, 000.

The reaction of residents was one that could be best described as the expression of profound and sincere gratitude for coming to their aid, heaving sighs of relief as they optimistically welcome the availability of electricity supply. A moving episode that emanated during the celebration was when an ardent APC supporter commented that there is every need to vote for Gento in the coming elections as the Mayor of the Freetown City Council and passionately called on other residents to vote for him. As a matter of fact majority of the residents of that community endorsed the candidacy of Mohamed Gento Kamara.

Prior to his good gesture in facilitating the electrification of a whole settlement, Gento, in his ubiquitous and humanitarian tailored interactions paid working visits to the Moa Wharf and Kanikay Communities in a bid to inspect work-in-progress in respect to the implementation of a project geared towards the construction of a drainage system at the Moa Wharf Community and as well to view the current status of the two communities after a recent heavy downpour of rain in the Municipality of Freetown in order to identify areas or communities that are prone to natural disasters with a view of proffering and implementing recommendations as to how to mitigate flooding and other related disasters during the rainy season.

Moa Wharf and Kanikay Communities, two disaster prone communities, have benefited somehow in the past from his humanitarian gestures.

At Moa Wharf, he thoroughly inspected the building materials procured so far which include bags of cements, tons of iron rod, trips of stones and many more, for the construction of a drainage system with the view of swiftly curbing the disastrous flooding that has affected that community.

When he visited the Kolbot Community at Kanikay in the East End of Freetown he surveyed the community and engaged the residents during which he assured them of swift response to their need as that will help in protecting lives and properties.

Gento disclosed that the move to rescue those communities emanated from the need to cater for the protection of his fellow Freetonians because he understands how painful they feel during the rainy season.

The leading SLPP Mayoral aspirant lamented that despite the huge funding from the Central Government and international organizations, including the World Bank, plus the huge funds that the Council mobilizes on a daily, monthly and yearly basis Freetown continues to be one of the most deprived cities in the West African sub-region.

He underscored, while addressing residents of the communities that his visit was not politically motivated but rather purely humanitarian, intimating how it has been part of his normal activities even prior to the manifestation of his political aspiration.

He optimistically informed residents that with their maximum cooperation, support and blessing he will endeavour to the best of his ability to positively transform their communities and by extension the Freetown Municipality.

Gento also promised how he will proactively work with the central Government, Non –Government Organizations, other international organizations to ensure that the majority of residents of Freetown safely, easily and conveniently access clean and safe drinking water for all.

Gento also stated that the regular cleaning exercises will be restored and as well create green spaces in order to improve air quality and the environment.

He also told residents that he will provide unity and political stability furthering how he will also maximize SLPP votes in the West if elected while concluding that such a strategy is very key to an SLPP breakthrough and control of APC heartlands if elected.

A development Consultant, in his estimation and assessment remarked that: “Gento has proven delivery records in road construction in Sierra Leone. I am not in any way doubtful that ‘Freetownians’ will massively vote for him as the Mayor of the Freetown Municipality maintaining that he is the best choice with realistic plans to develop Freetown”.

Stakeholders of the communities spoke in glowing terms and commendably about the various development interventions he has facilitated and clearly stated that, had it not been for his swift intervention over the past years the communities would have recorded more loss of lives and properties.

The highpoint of his visit and engagement with residents of the Moa Wharf community was when he requested the community to provide Thirty-Six (36) youths who are resident in the Moa Wharf Community that would be placed on a monthly payroll for the community drainage to be cleaned regularly expressing the conviction that such will aid efficient garbage management in that community.

A Political Commentator intimated The Calabash that one thing which is consistently apparent about Gento is the undiluted fact that he has, on various countless occasions manifested his innate affection for Freetonians even prior to his Mayoral aspiration, noting that his tangible and impactful developmental strides in Freetown do not only exhibit his love for residents of the Municipality but speaks volumes of his innate desire to see that majority of the residents of the Freetown Metropolis live in improved standards of living.