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Njala Vice-Chancellor & Principal take a Retrospective Look & Expresses Optimism

The Vice-Chancellor and Principal of Njala University, Professor Bashiru Mohamed Koroma, has on Friday, 17th March 2023 thanked His Excellency Brigadier (Rtd) Julius Maada Bio for accepting the honour of receiving an Honorary Doctorate Degree from Njala University.

The Vice-Chancellor and Principal made this remark during the Congregation for the Conferment of Honorary Doctorate Degree on His Excellency Brigadier (Rtd) Julius Maada Bio at the Forecourt of the University Guesthouse, Njala Campus.

In retrospect, the VC&P said that the University was founded in 1910 as the Njala Agricultural Experimental Station for the study of tropical crops, soils, poultry and pig production, and plant and animal diseases and pests. The Agricultural Experimental Station was upgraded to Njala Training College in 1939 after 30 years of fruitful operation, he continued.

Then, he said, the Training College was upgraded to Njala University College in 1964, and later in 1972, the University College became a constituent College of the University of Sierra Leone.

According to the VC&P, the University College did not become autonomous and take the name “Njala University” until 33 years later in 2005.

“At every stage of the transformation of Njala University, the mission has always been to serve and educate the people of Sierra Leone and to become a Center of Excellence,” the Vice-Chancellor and Principal said.

Professor Bashiru Mohemed Koroma informed His Excellency that the University has two Campuses and that a third Campus, the Bonthe Campus, will soon be established. He claimed that the establishment of the Schools of Basic Sciences and Basic Education during the 2022/2023 academic year is a step towards putting the University’s restructuring plan into action.

He revealed that the University’s constant struggles are meeting the staff and students’ needs for water and energy on the Campuses, stating that the University spends, on average, Eight Hundred Thousand New Leones (NLe 800,000) every month to generate  water and electricity on its various Campuses.

He requested prompt action from the ‘Talk and Do’ Government, the Alumni Association, and Friends of Njala University.

Professor urged the Government to provide additional localised solar energy systems, especially for student hostels, classrooms, laboratories, and libraries as short term solutions.

Professor Koroma commended the First Lady for her ‘Hands Off Our Girls’ Project, which has enabled radical inclusion and a rise in the percentage of girls graduating from secondary schools and enrolling in STEAM programmes at the various Universities and other Tertiary Institutions in Sierra Leone.

He praised her for being the Lioness who milks the Lion to maintain his strength while he works to develop Sierra Leone.

The VC&P expressed confidence in the College of Medical Sciences’ establishment and revealed that the College will house three Schools in what would become KOWAMA CAMPUS for Medicine, Nursing, and Public Health in October 2023.

He commended the Government for its continued support to the University, especially with the donation of 500 KVA generators by NASSIT to Bo Campus and another to Njala Campus under the leadership of H.E. Brigadier (Rtd) Dr. Julius Maada Bio.

In addition to numerous other donations, he thanked the Government for providing 150 kilowatts of solar energy for the Njala University Hospital and the University Secretariat with the help of the Ministry of Energy.

High Food Prices to Affect Muslims Observing the Month of Ramadan

By Alhaji M. B. Jalloh

The holy month of Ramadan – when Muslims fast from dawn to dusk – is expected to start on March 22nd or 23rd, subject to the sighting of the moon.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and is marked by fasting, charity, prayer, compassion and any other good deeds. It is believed that the first verses of Islam’s Holy Scripture, the Quran, were revealed to Prophet Muhammad during Ramadan.

The month is regarded by Muslims as the best moment of the year, where a Muslim earns multiple rewards and forgiveness from God. But over the years, increasing prices of several basic commodities during the holy month by some business owners is a common practice in many countries, including Sierra Leone.

The high demand by consumers during the holy month for essential goods gives many merchants an opportunity to take advantage of consumers and they increase the prices of goods by two or three folds, if not more. Ironically, consumers have no other option but to purchase these essential goods from merchants.

To hike prices of essentials commodities such as rice, sugar, flour, cooking oil, to name a few, before or during Ramadan for no good reason is absolutely wrong.

For Sierra Leone, the Consumer Protection Agency should liaise with the Ministry of Trade to put a stop to such a profiteering and an insensitive attitude at a time when majority of Sierra Leoneans are experiencing financial hardship.

In fact, it will be even more encouraging to have Ramadan Bonanza than to increase the prices of food items because of Ramadan which have the tendency to affect not only Muslims, but non Muslims as well.

According to some Islamic scholars, charity is one of the deeds highly encouraged in the month of Ramadan. It was narrated by Ibn Abbas that “Prophet Muhammad was the most generous person, he doubled his generosity in the month of Ramadan.”

However, this year’s Ramadan will be observed at a time when the New Leone, SL Currency is fighting for survival under the feet of the US dollar.

As a result, Sierra Leoneans have seen prices of commodities rising to an unprecedented level.

In that regard, pundits are wondering how Sierra Leone Muslims will cope during this year’s fasting; as traders have the propensity to increase prices during the holy month, coupled with the effect of the dollar on goods, you can imagine the effect.

This unreasonable price hike of essential commodities in the market is inflicting untold sufferings on the common man, particularly those from the  lower strata.

One of the solutions to overcome the problem of high prices of essential goods would be for the government to reduce custom duties on imported essential commodities, help business people get forex easily at affordable rate, and, bring the importers, wholesalers and even the retailers under a regular consultative process to keep prices from rising.

But what is certain for now is that the prices of basic commodities have gone beyond the reach of many.

 

UNIMTECH Inducts Newly Elected Student Union Government

By Abubakarr Harding

A new batch of student leaders, known as the Student Union Government (SUG) was inaugurated at the University of Management and Technology (UNIMTECH during a ceremony, which took place at the University’s main campus on Friday, March 17, 2023.

The programme was attended by esteemed personalities from across the country and beyond, including key administrative heads who were present to acknowledge and recognize the peaceful handing over of power.

During the ceremony, the Registrar of UNIMTECH, Professor Sheiku Conteh, admonished the new Leadership to take a cue from the past Student Union Government and their good work. He stated that anything contrary to that is not allowed in the University underscoring how the Union Government is there to represent their college and not to represent themselves.

In her speech, the Dean of Student Affairs at UNIMTECH, Theresa Fornah-Sesay, emphasized that leadership is not about giving speeches but doing the work for which one was elected.

She also asserted that if the New Entity is to succeed, they need to work with the past Executives and not criticize them. She added that the Student Union Government is there to help the Administration and to influence situations when the need arises, but not to challenge authority. She also said that at the end of their reign, the Student Union account would be audited to ensure that funds were not misused.

Delivering the keynote address, Barriers Umaru Turay told the student leaders that they are special and unique and that they should look beyond the shores of Sierra Leone to create a connection that would help them achieve their plans in office. The speaker said that leadership starts from home and the way they lead today is the way they will be entrusted tomorrow. He added that the entry Government did not elect themselves, but they were elected, and therefore they should do what they were elected for. Highlighting some of the things that are key to good leadership, which are accountability and transparency, he stated that the President himself needs to embrace others that he knows did not vote for him and were not with him because he is now a President for all and not only his team members.

The outgoing President of UNIMTECH, Emmanuel Bobane Browne, highlighted the achievements of his administration during his tenure. Speaking at the handing over ceremony to the newly elected President, Bobane Browne stated that when he assumed office, there was a complete state of despair in the Union. He pointed out that there was a large gap between members of the association and executives, poor toilet facilities, and students who were complaining that the Students’ Union had no impact on them.

He went on to say that his administration worked tirelessly to ensure that the UNIMTECH Students’ Union was recognized both on and off-campus. They also sought to attract sponsors in a bid to create a conducive environment for students to realize their full potentials. Bobane Browne asserted that within his ten months of stay in office, his administration achieved modest but significant milestones.

These achievements included participating in the cleaning exercise and arrangement of the convocation ceremony, aligning departments and associations to the Students’ Union, presenting 12 cartoons of books to the administration donated by Life for Development, a charitable organization. He also disclosed that they had dialogued with the administration concerning student requirements during graduation ceremonies.

Bobane Browne added that the Students’ Union maintains an account with Rokel Commercial Bank. Upon assuming office, they met six million Leones in the account, which was not enough to run the Union’s activities. However, the current account balance in the Students’ Union account is eighteen million plus, which was left to carry out the road project. Unfortunately, due to the truncated time they had by then, they could not complete the said project. They hoped that the incoming Government would look into it adequately and continue from where they stopped.

Bobane Browne added that the Students’ Union maintains an account with Rokel Commercial Bank. Upon assuming office, they met six million Leones in the account, which was not enough to run the Union’s activities. However, the current account balance in the Students’ Union account is eighteen million plus, which was left to carry out the road project. Unfortunately, due to the truncated time they had by then, they could not complete the said project. They hoped that the incoming government would look into it adequately and continue from where they stopped.

He also pointed out that there was a gap in the alignment of the activities of the administration and the Students’ Union. Bobane Browne stated that the past government left a blueprint that placed the Students’ Union’s power on a siege. He ended by saying that “leadership is not about duration but by donation, the impact you have created in the lives.”

In response, the incoming President of UNIMTECH, Alimamy Ansu Samura, stated that they would not observe the day as a victory but as a celebration of freedom from the old-age stories in their pursuit of academic excellence and the beginning of change. He expressed his gratitude and thanks to the Almighty God and the Electoral Commission for working tirelessly throughout the election period to ensure a plausible election.

Samura thanked the outgoing president, Mr. Emmanuel Bobane Browne, and the Student Union body for their good work during their regime. He acknowledged that they organized successful programs that made them enjoy the multifaceted University life. Samura also recognized the presence of his opponents who were contesting for the presidency, stating that they had not lost but won. He welcomed their support and ideas towards the development of UNIMTECH and seeking the interest and welfare of every student on campus.

Samura said that the student’s politics is over, and it’s time for them to work. With the outgoing president highlighting his administration’s achievements and the incoming president’s commitment to a new beginning, the future looks bright for UNIMTECH.

West Africa’s Pollution Levels Surge: QNET Air Purifier Aids in Staying Healthy.

Air quality in the West African sub-region has significantly deteriorated in recent times, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (USEPA) Air Quality Index (AQI), available on its official air quality website. The AQI measures air quality on a scale of 0 to 500, with lower values indicating safer air. Safe air is ranked between 0 and 50 (green), and acceptable air is between 51 and 100 (yellow), although sensitive individuals may be at risk. Air quality between 101 and 150 (orange) may cause health effects for sensitive people and the general public. At 151-200 (red), the USEPA warns of serious health effects for the general public and increased risk for those sensitive to pollution. Above 200, the risk of health effects increases for everyone, and emergency health warnings are advised at 301 and above.

Prolonged exposure to these hazardous air conditions can lead to harmful health conditions, including heart or lung disease, hospitalization, or even death. Across many West African countries, the AQI currently ranges from 151 to 200 (red), with the USEPA warning that many people may experience serious health effects, including irritation of the eyes, nose and throat; coughing; phlegm; chest tightness; and shortness of breath to lung and heart diseases.

As of February 20th, 2023, harmful air quality has been reported across several West African countries. Specifically, Ghana has an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 187, indicating that the general public may experience health effects and those sensitive to pollution may experience more serious health effects. Ivory Coast has an AQI of 169, and Mali has an AQI of 168, all falling under the “red” category and indicating potential health effects for the general public and those sensitive to pollution. More information on the AQI readings for these countries can be found on the official air quality website, www.airnow.gov, under the US Embassies and Consulates section.

HomePure Zayn Air Purifier: A Smart Solution for Improved Health and Wellbeing

Air pollution is a major issue that affects our health and wellbeing. According to the World Health Organization“Air pollution is responsible for 7 million premature deaths annually.” As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact our daily lives, the importance of clean air has never been more important.

QNET, a prominent e-commerce company, is celebrating the 25th anniversary of its HomePure Zayn air purifier, a cutting-edge solution that can efficiently purify the air, reducing the risk of inhaling polluted air that can adversely affect our health, energy levels, and productivity. The HomePure Zayn features an HPP+ filter that has undergone rigorous testing and certification. The latest version of the HomePure Zayn air purifier with Antiviral Filter Mesh is tested and certified by the European Centre for Allergy Research Foundation (ECARF), tested and proven to be suitable for people with allergies and intolerances. It was tested and verified for its HPP+ Antivirus Mesh Filter for 99.94% reduction of SARS-CoV-2 (Omicron variant) by CROP Biolabs in Brazil.

The HomePure Zayn air purifier’s advanced filtration technology can effectively remove allergens, dust, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the air, which can trigger respiratory issues and impact overall health. With its sleek and modern design, it can complement any home or office space, while its user-friendly interface and low power consumption make it easy to maintain and operate.

Investing in a HomePure Zayn air purifier is a smart choice for those who prioritize their health and wellbeing. By removing harmful pollutants from the air, air purifiers can contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting a healthier planet. With the HomePure Zayn air purifier, breathe cleaner air and protect your health and the environment.

The Third China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo and Promotion Conference of the Pilot Zone for China-Africa In-depth Economic and Trade Cooperation was successfully held in Beijing

In the afternoon of March 16, the third China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo and Promotion Conference of the Pilot Zone for China-Africa In-depth Economic and Trade Cooperation was successfully held in Hunan Mansion in Beijing. Li Fei, Vice Minister of MOFCOM, and Zhou Haibing, Vice Governor of Hunan Provincial People’s Government, attended and delivered speeches. Zhou Yixiang, Deputy Secretary General of the Hunan Provincial People’s Government, presided the conference. Wu Peng, Director General of the Africa Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Martin Mpana, Ambassador of Cameroon to China, and Cao Derong, President of the China Chamber of Commerce for the Import and Export of Foodstuffs, Native Produce, and Animal By-Products (COFNA), delivered speeches at the promotion meeting. Shen Yumou, Director of the Department of Commerce of Hunan Province, made a special promotion for the third China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo and the Pilot Zone for China-Africa deep economic and trade cooperation.

Approximately 200 guests from 46 African countries attended, including ambassadors from Cameroon, Benin, Madagascar, Malawi, and other 16 countries; representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Finance, and other national ministries and institutions; representatives from relevant departments and cities and counties in Hunan Province; representatives from central enterprises, local enterprises, national business associations, and financial institutions, et cetera.

Li Fei said that the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo had been held successfully for two sessions and had produced fruitful results thanks to the joint commitments andefforts of China and Africa. This had helped to build a brand image of practical and effective, mutually beneficial, and win-win cooperation. The Pilot Zone for China-Africa Deep Economic and Trade Cooperation and the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo are two key initiatives for China to continue deepening its economic and trade cooperation with Africa. We warmly invite all China-African communities to actively participate in the third Expo and pay close attention to the creation of the pilot zone in order to positively advance the high-quality growth of China-African trade and economic cooperation and create a high-level China-African community with a shared future.

Zhou Haibing said that Hunan province will adhere to the principles of China’s Africa policy: sincerity, real results, amity, and good faith, and pursue the greater good and shared interests proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping, and take deep integration into the construction of the “Belt and Road Initiative” and the expansion of economic and trade cooperation with Africa as the key to building the highlands of reform and opening up in the inland region. Hunan Province will also combine the holding of the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo with the construction of the pilot zone for deep China-Africa economic and trade cooperation and strive to create a “testing field” for the innovation of China-Africa economic and trade cooperation mechanisms. We are looking forward to the participation of all parties to create a brighter future for China-Africa economic and trade cooperation.

Wu Peng said that the “Nine Projects” of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and other major practical cooperation initiatives have continuously pushed the level of China-Africa economic and trade cooperation to a new historical high and injected great power into promoting South-South cooperation and boosting confidence in global economic development. We hope that all parties will take an active role in the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo and the creation of the pilot zone, engage in thorough discussion and cooperation, continually look for new opportunities for expansion in China-Africa trade and economic relations, and advance the transformation and upgrading of China-Africa relations.

Martin Mpana said that by enhancing training for local businesses, Cameroon hopes to assist more local small and medium-sized businesses in expanding their trade with China and taking advantage of the opportunities presented by China’s open market. The China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo was held for the first time in the post-pandemic era, and Martin Mpana hoped that the third edition of the Expo would strengthen local promotion in Africa so that more African entrepreneurs in China and Chinese and African entrepreneurs living on the African continent could be part of it.

Shen Yumou said that the third China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo will introduce more innovative practical measures, develop more features and highlights, and strive for wonderful event planning, exquisite exhibition presentation, effective and accurate hosting of the Expo, and precise service guarantee, in order to create the hosting pattern of the expo featuring “Hunan taking the stage, the entire country performing opera, and China and Africa sharing the results,” and to make the third Expo as successful as possible in terms of influence, characteristics, effectiveness, and level. In June, we cordially invite all parties to a meeting in Hunan to rekindle friendships, advance cooperation, and pursue shared development.

Cao Derong said that COFNA has long been committed to promoting China-Africa trade cooperation in agricultural products and will hold the China-Africa Agricultural Products Industry Chain Cooperation Matchmaking Seminar and the China-Africa Food and Agricultural Products Trade and Investment Fair during the third China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo to build a smooth, efficient, and practical mode of information exchange and business cooperation between China and Africa in agricultural products, so as to add fuel and energy to the deep development of China-Africa economic and trade relations.

It is reported that the third China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo will be held in Changsha, Hunan Province, from June 29th to July 2nd this year, with the theme of “seeking common development and sharing the future”. The main venue, main exhibition hall, and sub-exhibition hall are located in Changsha International Conference Center, Changsha International Convention and Exhibition Center, and China-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation and Innovation Demonstration Park (Gao Qiao Market, Hunan Province), respectively. There will be eight African guest countries and two thematic provinces in Shandong and Hubei.

About 30 events will be held during the conference, including major events, high-end forums, matchmaking negotiations, seminars, and supporting activities, among which the Counsellor’s Office of the State Council, the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council, the General Administration of Customs, the National Medical Products Administration, the State Administration of Market Regulation, the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, the All-China Women’s Federation, the All-China Youth Federation, and other ministries and institutions will host activities respectively.

In terms of exhibitions, the main exhibition hall will use six indoor exhibition halls and one outdoor exhibition area in the Changsha International Convention and Exhibition Center, with an exhibition area of about 90,000 square meters, an increase of 27,000 square meters compared with the previous one. A comprehensive exhibition hall, African enterprises and commodities pavilion, Chinese enterprises and commodities pavilion, Chinese local provinces and cities pavilion, and domestic and foreign trade integration pavilion will be set up to focus on the achievements of China-Africa economic and trade cooperation, the image of the guest of honor, the theme provinces, central enterprises, and local provinces and cities, African high-quality special products, and Chinese products, as well as production capacity and services suitable for Africa. The permanent exhibition halls will serve as the primary display space for the sub-exhibition. In addition to continuing to share experiences and releasing the China-Africa Trade Index for the first time, the third China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo will also launch a wide range of cooperation projects for all parties in China and Africa. It will also republish the China-Africa Economic and Trade Relations Report.

QNET CELEBRATES WORLD WATER DAY, COMMITS TO IMPROVING ACCESS TO CLEAN WATER

QNET, a leading global e-commerce and direct-selling company, is marking its 25th Anniversary with a strong commitment to responsible consumption of water. During the 2023 World Water Day celebration, QNET is emphasizing its dedication to sustainability by offering a wide range of health and wellness products that prioritize the conservation of this precious resource. With this year’s theme of “Be the Change,” QNET is pledging its full support to encourage individuals and businesses to act in preserving and protecting our planet’s water resources.

Access to safe and clean water is a fundamental human right, yet many people worldwide still lack this vital resource. According to a report by Project World Impact (PWI), 663 million people in the world do not have access to clean water, and over 2.7 billion people face water shortages for at least one month a year. In 2020, about 2 billion people lived without safe drinking water or a basic level of water service, according to a United Nations report. This scarcity is projected to increase due to climate change, population growth, and poor water management practices.

“As we celebrate World Water Day this year, it is crucial that we emphasize the importance of taking individual actions towards creating a sustainable future,” said Biram Fall, Regional General Manager for QNET Sub-Sahara. “At QNET, we are proud to support this cause by offering innovative products like HomePure Nova, which is designed to solve drinking water quality problems. Our water filtration system uses 35+ Ultra-Tech filtration technology to remove impurities, toxins, and bacteria, making it safe to drink and removing 99.9% of bacteria and viruses. We’re committed to finding solutions to the water crisis and encouraging everyone to make a positive impact on our planet. ” He further notes that the HomePure Nova water purification system is environmentally friendly and kinder to the wallet in the long run by minimizing plastic bottles use.

In addition to its products designed to address the problem of access to drinking water for households, QNET, through its corporate social responsibility branch, RHYTHM (Raise Yourself To Help Mankind) has collaborated with numerous parties to undertake CSR initiatives in Africa, including opening water-well in Burundi.

The World Water Day 2023 campaign, “Be the change,” urges people to change how they use, consume, and manage water. The UN’s Water Action Agenda aims to address water scarcity, pollution, and access to clean water. It sets ambitious targets for national, regional, and global action over the next decade to ensure sustainable water resource use. The agenda’s main objective is universal access to safe and affordable drinking water and sanitation by 2030.

QNET’s efforts to promote environmental sustainability and responsible consumption align with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals  (SDGs), particularly SDG 6 (clean water and sanitation). As the world celebrates World Water Day, QNET’s commitment to these causes serves as a reminder of the importance of environmental conservation and sustainability.

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About QNET

QNET is one of Asia leading direct-selling companies offering a wide range of health, wellness and lifestyle products that enable people to live better lives. QNET’s grass-roots business model, fuelled by e-commerce, has helped empower millions of entrepreneurs in more than 100 countries worldwide.

Since its inception 25 years ago, the company operates on a unique business model that allows individuals, including women, to start their businesses and earn an income by selling the company’s products.

QNET is headquartered in Hong Kong and has a presence in more than 25 countries worldwide through subsidiaries, branch offices, agency partnerships, and franchisees.

QNET is a member of the Direct Selling Association in several countries, the Hong Kong Health Food Association and the Health Supplements Industry Association of Singapore, among others.

QNET is also active in sports sponsorships around the world. Some more prominent partnerships include being the Direct Selling Partner of Manchester City Football Club and the African Club League Championships of CAF.

For more information, please visit QNET at: https://www.qnet.net/

Alhaji Lamin BAH Escapes Death At Hands Of Ruling Party Operatives

According to our northern correspondent, Alhaji Lamin BAH a popular youth leader of the main opposition party APC, in its northern stronghold town of Makeni, narrowly escaped death at the hands of ruling party operatives in the company of armed security forces.

Sources say that Alhaji Lamin BAH is a well-known activist of the APC, and his quest for equal treatment and justice against the illegal acts of the government in support of the main opposition party from the government had landed him in trouble with the security forces. It was disclosed that he was among those arrested over the protest of August 10 2022, as he was seen in the crowd calling for justice against the government’s illegal acts of the government such as extrajudicial killings and illegal detentions of members of the APC and also to the address of the prevailing unbearable cost of living of the ordinary citizens.

Alhaji Lamin BAH was accused of being among the ring leaders of that protest by his involvement through community engagements and sensitization, of which it was quelled by the security forces, resulting in the deaths over 13 Sierra Leoneans and 65 Members of the APC were arrested across the country. With police intelligence on the 14th of August he was captured and detained at the Makeni Correctional Centre for about two months.

According to family sources, BAH’s affiliation with the main opposition party is his only crime. It was disclosed that on several occasions security forces had raided his house. They also confirmed that after his detention, Alhaji Lamin BAH had intimated them that he had been tortured and given no access to justice of which after his detention he sorted for medical care.

Alhaji Lamin BAH is said to have participated in the demonstrations of July 18 2020 in Makeni and that of April 30th 2020 in Lunsar, where several youths were gunned down by security forces. Things reached boiling water after the August 10 protest, where he and several of his colleagues were arrested and subjected to the most inhumane treatment. Since then, the government has been clamping down on critical voices, which makes top opposition members arrested and detained on trumped up charges.

Even After his release, family members say that they had come under regular harassment from ruling party youths and security forces, who have turned raiding of their home a routine, backed by death threats.

According to police sources,Alhaji Lamin BAH is being sought after on allegations of mobilizing youths against the government and being a middle man between dissidents and the youths. They declared that he is wanted in connection with his role in the violent protests that have taken place, and described as dangerous.

However, as we go to press the whereabouts of Alhaji Lamin BAH are still unknown since fleeing the Country in February 2023.

VP Juldeh Jalloh Says ECOWAS Region Needs a Radical Shift

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

A five days Delocalized Joint Meeting of the Fifth ECOWAS (Economic Community of West Africa States) Parliament on the theme: “Building the Regional Energy Market for a Just Energy Transition” has commenced on Monday 20th March, 2023 at the Conference Hall of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation on Tower Hill in Freetown.

The Vice President, Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, in his opening speech states: “No country will develop without energy”. He described energy as the backbone of economic development; therefore it is vital for the productive sector which holds the key to the economic development of the country.

Vice President Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh said he had the honor of delivering a statement to the ECOWAS Parliament Joint Committee meeting in Freetown on the theme Regional Energy Market and Energy Transition.

He mentioned how he  used the occasion to highlight how in the past five years under the leadership of President Julius Maada Bio, the Government has expanded energy access from 16% to 35% through increasing generation, enhancing transmission and improving governance in the sector.

The Vice President pointed out that ECOWAS’ focus on energy is very strategic because of the sector’s potential to transform productivity and bolster the region’s economy while creating enabling opportunity for member states to tap into the various potentials in the region for clean and sustainable energy.

He informed delegates from West Africa countries on measures taken by Government to transition the energy sector which was plagued with challenges in Sierra Leone since 2018.

The challenges, he said, include poor utility governance architecture, limited solar mini grid, inadequate generation and transmission line, and inadequate infrastructure to generate, transmit, and distribute electricity. He stated that the measures taken were from the elaborated strategic plan that was designed by the New Direction Government meant to turn around the energy story.

The Honourable Vice President explained that through the elaborate strategic plan, Government has increased energy to 35% across the country, provided energy access to fifty-six towns with renewable solar energy, created new generation outlets, reduced subsidy on electricity among others. He further explained about the expansion of electricity through the Transco CSLG connection to cities like Bo, Kenema, and Kono.

He said that energy access will be above 50% in few months from now. He told the audience about the relevance of governance architecture which manages the resources of the energy sector, because it reduces both commercial and technical losses.

He therefore informed about the introduction of the Private Sector Participation Policy by the Government meant to improve governance that provide the resources and supply light on a sustainable basis.

Vice President Jalloh disclosed Government’s plan to shift from utility energy that powers house, hospital, and mobile phones to productive energy that generate electricity for industrial purposes. “No country will develop without a solid productive sector. A productive sector cannot move an inch without an expansive energy access,” emphasized the Vice President.

He revealed President Bio’s philosophy to move Sierra Leone from the utility sector to a productive energy that attracts investors, and build industries that can create jobs and increase Government revenue. He expressed Government’s satisfaction with successes in the sector.

He said that the ECOWAS Region needs to make a radical shift from utility energy to productive energy. He encouraged the ECOWAS Parliament to see the need and adopt a regional approach in the energy sector that will make the transition vital for the prosperity of the Region, if ECOWAS wants to realize Vision 2050.

Honourable Sidi Tunis, Speaker of ECOWAS Parliament stated that the West Africa Parliament is committed to strengthen representative democracy and contribute to the promotion of peace and stability in the sub-region. He reaffirmed that a free, transparent and peaceful election is the surest way to ensure the transfer of the sovereignty of the people to those who govern them.

He expressed commitment to work with the ECOWAS Commission to do everything possible to guarantee free, fair, and credible elections in Sierra Leone. The meeting was attended by Members of Parliament from ECOWAS countries, and other essential staff of the House.

 

 

SLAJ President Underscores the Role of the Media in Ensuring Free, Fair &Violence Free Elections

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

During the Sierra Leone Bar Association (SLBA) Annual General Meeting 2023 which was held at the Fabulous Resort, York Village in the  Western Rural District on Friday 17th March 2023 one of the personalities that delivered a statement was the President of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), Ahmed Sahid Nasralla.

In his Opening Courtesies he extended warm felicitations from the National and Regional Executives and Members of SLAJ furthering how he was extremely honoured to be invited to be part of a panel discussion on ‘Ensuring Free, Fair and Non-Violent Parliamentary and Presidential Elections on 24th June 2023’.

He established how the SLBA has been a long-standing trusted friend of SLAJ, dating back to the 1970s, 80s, 90s…to now revealing how at their  last AGM he did mention in his statement that because of this relationship the two professions are becoming so inextricably tied that there are now members on both sides.

He added that in the not-too-distant future they will have a member of SLAJ elected President of the Bar, and a member of the Bar becoming President of SLAJ.

The President of SLAJ maintained that he thinks it needs to underscored that free, fair and non-violent elections is critical to the development of any democratic society adding that modern democracies have succeeded or failed depending on how free, fair, peaceful, and credible their elections have been.

According to Ahmed Sahid Nasralla, Elections are a fundamental aspect of democracy, providing citizens with the power to elect their leaders and hold them accountable.

He expressed the view that, however, recent global events have highlighted that this is not always the case, with many countries experiencing electoral violence and fraud.

“According to the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA), there were 180 elections worldwide by 2020, and only 63% of them were considered free and fair,” he gave a statistical figure arguing that in Africa, the numbers are even worse, with only 37% of elections being free and fair within the same period.

He stated that the recent elections in Kenya and Nigeria were not captured in that statistics but pointed out that this is a significant challenge that needs to be addressed to promote democracy and stability in Africa and other regions worldwide.

According to him, to ensure free, fair, and non-violent elections, starts with information justifying it by saying if the information about the elections is not correct or credible the outcome will also not be credible.

He argued that Citizens need the right information to help them make informed choices about who should lead them underscoring that it is at this stage that the media comes in.

The SLAJ President also stated that to ensure free, fair, and non-violent elections also requires all stakeholders to play their roles professionally and effectively adding that one of the critical stakeholders in that regard is the media, whose role cannot be overemphasized.

In outlining the role of the media , one of which is to provide accurate information, he intimated the audience that it has a crucial role to play in providing accurate and unbiased information to citizens about the elections.

He also regarded  the media as watchdog maintaining how it serves in that capacity during the electioneering period by monitoring the electoral process and reporting irregularities, thereby promoting transparency and accountability.

Another role he dilated on was Voter Education in which he registered how the media also plays a crucial role in educating voters on their rights and responsibilities, thereby promoting an informed electorate.

He told all present that voters need to be educated about the electoral system and processes- how to register to vote, how to verify a name on the voters list, how to collect a voter ID and how to vote on polling day.

“Voters further need to be educated about electoral laws and punishment; and about the candidates and political parties that are contesting the elections and their track-records and manifestos,” he suggested adding that there must be the provision of equal access underscoring how the media should make its platform accessible by/to all candidates, all political parties, and the ordinary people, including minority groups, without discrimination.

The SLAJ President also mentioned the promotion of dialogue. He stated that the media should promote dialogue among politicians and citizens during the elections through the organization of political debates and discussion programs.

Setting the agenda, he recommended as another important role of the media especially by ensuring that the issues that are closest to the heart of the voters are being discussed by the politicians.

In terms of collaboration, the SLAJ President argued that there is also the collaborative role of the media by ensuring working with other stakeholders- the EMBs, Security sector, Civil Society Organisations, etc- to ensure free, fair, and peaceful elections.

He also mentioned the training of journalists reporting on the elections to ensure ethical standards, professionalism and non-partisanship or independence throughout the electoral cycle.

In relation to the challenges, Ahmed Sahid Nasralla, stated that according to the latest reports by the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), Sierra Leone’s media environment is generally free and diverse, with hundreds of radio stations and newspapers, as well as TV stations and online news portals operating in the country.

He, however, pointed at Intimidation and Harassment as challenges. He maintained that there have been instances of media intimidation, harassment, and censorship by the Government, security forces, and political parties and their fanatic supporters.

The SLAJ President referencing the 2018 elections revealed that there were also cases of hate speech, fake news, and incitement to violence by some media outlets, which contributed to the tense atmosphere and electoral disputes.

Another challenge, he mentioned, is the digital space which, he said, is now commonly called social media. He argued that the traditional or legacy media has no more control over content creation as anyone with a smart phone can now easily create their own content and post on the information highway.

He said issues of fake news, disinformation, propaganda and hate speech and inciteful messages are common place in this new and diverse space, thereby confusing the voters on what to believe and not to believe.

In the estimation of the SLAJ President, there is also the challenge of media poverty which, according to him, is making journalists vulnerable to the dictates of politicians.

ROLE OF SLAJ

Dilating on the role of SLAJ, the President stated that as the umbrella body for the media in Sierra Leone, SLAJ is working with several donor partners including the National Democratic Institute (NDI), National Endowment for Democracy (NED), Irish Aid, UK Aid (FCDO), the EU, the UNDP, and the Elections Commission Sierra Leone (ECSL) to implement projects aimed at ensuring free, fair, inclusive, transparent, and non-violent elections.

He noted that to implement those projects, SLAJ is working in partnership with local stakeholders including the Independent Media Commission (IMC), the Independent Radio Network (IRN), Talking Drum Studio, the Media Reform Coordinating Group (MRCG), and the Inter Religious Council (IRCSL).

According to him, the projects include training of journalists on elections reporting, regulations governing the print and electronic media, the journalists’ code of conduct, conflict and gender sensitive reporting, and countering disinformation and hate speech and inciteful messages around the elections.

Concluding, the President of SLAJ, Ahmed Sahid Nasralla, said to ensure that the 2023 elections are free, fair, and non-violent, the media should focus on the following aspects: Providing accurate, balanced, and factual information to voters, candidates, and stakeholders, including on the electoral laws, procedures, and results.

That the media should avoid sensationalism, propaganda, and hate speech that could incite violence, discrimination, or prejudice against any group or individual and should also promote ethical standards and professional conduct among journalists, editors, and media owners, through training, codes of ethics, and self-regulation mechanisms.

He maintained that media practitioners should monitor and report on electoral irregularities, malpractices and violence, with due diligence and impartiality, to help prevent or redress any violations of the law or human rights.

Nasralla also argued that collaborating with the electoral management body, civil society, and other stakeholders will help to promote a peaceful and inclusive electoral environment, through public debates, voter education, and conflict prevention initiatives.

 

 

 

 

Lands Ministry Set to Conduct Land Raffle Draw for Okada & Kekeh Riders

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

In a public notice issued by the Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Lands, Housing and Country Planning, Abdul R.M Fofana on the 20th March, 2023 he categorically pointed out that in continuation of the Land Raffle Model that was introduced in 2021 by the Minister of Lands and Country Panning, Dr. Turad Senesie, the Ministry is once more set to distribute State Land to citizens in the motorcycle and tricycle trade (Okada en Kekeh Riders).

According to the Ministry, it has identified Plots of State Land in the Crown Colony to be allocated to Sierra Leoneans through the Land Raffle Model that ensures fair, transparent, and equitable distribution of State Land resources to its citizens.

The Raffle Draw is scheduled to take place on Friday 28th April, 2023 and it will target Motorcycle Riders (Okada Riders) and Tricycle Riders (Kekeh Riders) across the country.

In that regard, the Ministry said it is inviting all Motorcycle and Tricycle Riders to apply for State Land by presenting a Valid Driver’s License at the Ministry’s Front Desk on the 3rd Floor of Youyi Building in Freetown to obtain a hard copy of the Application Form for FREE or download the Electronic Application Form from the website of the Ministry – www.molhcp.gov.sl.

Furthermore, the Land Raffle Applicants should attach photocopies of their Motorcycle/Tricycle registration documents, valid driver’s license and Union Membership Cards.

Completed Application Forms should be returned to the Front Desk of the Ministry on or before Friday 14th April 2023 to qualify to take part in the Public Land Raffle.

It could be recalled that the Ministry of Lands Housing and Country Planning introduced the State Land Raffle Model in December 2021.

Two Hundred (200) Sierra Leoneans from all walks of life benefited from a total of 400 Town Lots of State Land at Upper Allen Town on the maiden raffle draw.

Another 500 Sierra Leoneans (Civil Servants, Teachers/Lecturers, Journalists, Doctors/Nurses, and Forces) benefited from 1,000 Town Lots of State Land at Kent Junction and Bureh in the Western Area Rural Communities.

The Ministry stated its commitment to continuing to allocate State Land to Sierra Leoneans using various models in a fair and transparent manner.

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