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DStv-SL Announces Price Reduction on Monthly Subscription

By Foday Moriba Conteh

During a conference held on Thursday 16th March, 2023 at the Country Lodge Hotel on Hill Station in Freetown, the Chief Executive Officer of Transnational SL/DStv Sierra Leone, Natalia Abboud, has informed pressmen that as of 1st April, 2023, DStv price reduction on its services will take effect.

She added that monthly subscription prices on DStv Premium, DStv Compact Plus, DStv Compact, DStv Family and DStv Access will decrease by 50% and 30% respectively effective the 1stApril, 2023.

Natalia Abboud informed the press that they are constantly looking at various ways to thank their customers for their ongoing support and loyalty whilst delivering a world-class entertainment service at a price they can afford.

She maintained that the price drop across the DStv bouquets is their way of demonstrating a commitment to Sierra Leone and to their customers to ensure they receive the best possible access to great entertainment at an outstanding value.

The CEO stated that MultiChoice is committed to putting customers at the heart of every decision they make and aims at continuously delighting them with great entertainment and the best value, adding that DStv viewers of all ages and tastes should expect great entertainment in the month of April.

She stated how, “M-Net brings the laughs with a brand-new comedy Colin from Accounts. The newly rebranded kids’ channel Cartoonito launches new title including Bugs Bunny Bullders where classic Looney Toon characters come together to learn valuable lessons. For music lovers, catch a collection of concerts from Ray Charles and Salif Keite on Qwest, And, stay in for movie night with your favourite superheroes with DC Universe weekends on TNT,” adding that in the latest leap in providing customers value, MultiChoice will make great entertainment even more accessible to its customers in Sierra Leone.”

Giving a breakdown of the price adjustments which, she said will affect Sierra Leone ,excluding local GST, includes Premium from $82.00 to $52.17, Compact Plus from $53.00 to $30.00, Compact from $25.00 to $19.13, Family from $19.00 to $11.30, Access from $12.00 to $6.09 etc.

“The DStv price reduction in Sierra Leone will see customers enjoy more of their favourite contents more affordably. This comes at a time when customers are encouraged to fight against piracy by subscribing to DStv Sierra Leone through Transnational SL. Lid, legally recognized as the sole authorized representative of MultiChoice DStv in Sierra Leone,” she averred.

The CEO pointed out that across the African continent, DStv presents the most value from other competitive pay TV offerings, stating that over the past 30 years of which, DStv Serra Leone has operated in the market, they have worked tirelessly to ensure they provide unrivalled channels for their customers to enjoy.

The Chairman of DStv Sierra Leone, Adonis Abboud, said that in 1987 when people had no access to international news except through Focus on Africa, they came with the first Startalight system in the country in order to give a chance to everybody to be informed and entertained.

He added that they also installed Startalight Television at Fourah Bay College which made the college became the first college to have Startalight Television within West Africa.

Adonis Abboud said that amidst all the efforts they are making they found out that the market has been flooded with Nigeria decoders that are brought into the country without paying taxes to the Government of Sierra Leone, adding that such an action bordering on smuggling is not good for future investors.

He said the risk of allowing foreign decoders into the country without monitoring them could make it possible for children to see harmful contents which he said is not good for the country, continuing that DStv has a parental control policy that protects children from viewing programs that they are not  supposed to view.

The Director of Regulatory Administration at the National Telecommunications Authority, Smart Kokofele, said that the move by DStv Sierra Leone to announce the reduction in prices is adhering to the call of the people of Sierra Leone.

He said that the existence of Transnational SL goes beyond the GST they pay to Government as they have over the years proven to be partners in development due to their Corporate Social Responsibility in the country.

Smart Kokofele said that National Telecommunications Authority has provisions to prohibit, punish any entity that illegally broadcast within the country, adding that they do so by jointly collaborating with other regulatory agencies.

 

NDMA  Unveils Localize Disaster Management Report

An evaluating local disaster management report was launched by the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) in collaboration with Bournemouth University UK on Friday 10th March, 2023.

The research report document is gearing towards addressing disaster using community members or structures as they are more au fait with community’s terrain in terms of responding to disaster.

Director-General of National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) Lieutenant General Brima Sesay noted that the launch of the report offers many relevant insights and recommendations for his agency and other key disaster management institutions in the country to consider and take forward in future disaster management and response mechanism.

He furthered that the focus of evaluating disaster research document is to improve sub national disaster in Sierra Leone is especially timely and appropriate for the work of NDMA.

According to him, the agency in line with its plan objectives for 2022 has expanded its presence across the provinces with the appointment of new NDMA Provincial and Districts Officers that significantly improves the capacity of the agency in the entire Sierra Leone.

Retired Lieutenant General Brima Sesay mentioned that the value of the focus on resolvable single points of failure as a methodology and how rigorous academic research can lead and shape viable policy recommendations that policymakers can regard as realistic, affordable options for Sierra Leone and African disaster management more widely.

Director-General also emphasized the need for community involvement in disaster management and response as community members share common values and concerns of the victims of disaster at lower levels. He revealed the strategic partnership with Bournemouth University and the relevance of such partnership as they would be conducting numerous research on disaster management and response that would be helpful for disaster prevention and academic research for higher learning institutions in Sierra Leone and other African countries.

The Consultant from Bournemouth University Prof Lee Miles highlighted the challenges facing disaster management and response at provincial and district levels such as insufficient IT equipment for NDMA Provincial and District Officers, severe reliance of these provincial and district officers on their private phones for regular communications to head office in Freetown and weak internet coverage and connectivity across many parts of Sierra Leone.

He ,however, concluded on the note that evaluating disaster research findings indicate that there have been remarkable improvements in many areas of provincial and district disaster management in Sierra Leone in recent years.

 

 

Sierra Leone Delegation Hosts Side Event on Strengthening SGBV Prevention & Response in Sierra Leone

The Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs in partnership with Purposeful has on Tuesday 14th March, 2023 at the sixty-seventh session of the Commission on the Status of Women concluded a successful event that discussed Sierra Leone’s successes in the prevention and response to SGBV.

In her statement, the Hon. Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs Madam Manty Tarawalli said in 2018, Sierra Leone was averaging 4000 cases of rape with 90% of the cases being children. To mitigate that the Minister said, the country put in place the Sexual Offences Act 2012 and its amendment in 2019, with stringent penalties. She added that the Domestic Violence Act 2007 also addresses violence against women.

Hon. Minister Manty Tarawalli said to implement the Sexual Offences Act, the Ministry has developed – a SGBV Response Strategy, a SGBV Prevention Strategy, a Partnership Strategy on SGBV and SGBV Coordination Strategy. She said the Ministry has established a toll-free line and in partnership with Rainbo Initiative established One Stop Centres across all districts providing Free Comprehensive Survivors centred services in response to SGBV.  Among other successes, Hon. Manty Tarawallie highlighted the Special Offences Court that fast track cases, adolescent sexual and reproductive hubs, integration of sexuality education into basic education curriculum, the male involvement strategy, and District GBV steering committees across all districts.

The Deputy Executive Director of UNFPA, H.E Diene Keita, said Sierra Leone’s Human Capital Development focuses on girls and that speaks volume. While she commented on the importance on a forensic lab for SGBV, she said in other countries “some judges have not been able to enforce the laws because they don’t have the evidence”, they don’t have a lab but SL has without a lab. She affirmed her commitment to Government. “We will mobilize everything that is important including technical expertise to support you,” she said.

Madam Rebbeca Khalil, SGBV Response Coordinator, Rainbo Initiative said since 2003 they have provided medical, treatment and psychosocial support to over 45,000 women and girls. She said they have been working with the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs in providing response services to SGBV survivors. She commended the strides taken so far by the Ministry. She said to further strengthen response at district levels – building coherent messaging by services providers is important. She also noted limited knowledge on the GBV laws in communities, and the need for improved support to SGBV survivors including additional safe homes.

The Co-Founder and CEO of Purposeful, Chernor Bah, applauded the Government for strides taken in addressing SGBV. “When I reflected on all the things I wanted to see done in the right direction, I have to come here as an activist and say kudos to the Government,” he said. Mr. Bah also spoke on the Survivors Solidarity Fund, a local initiative to support SGBV survivors through the Rainbo Initiative which he said raised over $100,000.

Minister of Social Welfare, Hon. Baindu Dassama-Kamara, spoke on the Social Protection Policy her Ministry is currently working on that will further protect women and girls.

A delegate from Kenya who attended the event, asked the Minister of Gender, Hon. Manty Tarawalli, to share with other African countries the strategy that has encouraged women and girls to report SGBV cases. She said in Kenya reports of SGBV cases is still low.

MIC/NatCA Conclude 3-Days Smart Africa Digitalization Program Workshop

By Foday Moriba Conteh

In a bid to accelerate sustainable socio-economic development on the continent, ushering Africa into a knowledge economy through affordable access to Broadband and usage of Information and Communications Technologies, the Ministry of Information and Communications in collaboration with the National Communications Authority (NatCA) with support from the Smart Africa Program has on Thursday 16th March, 2023 concluded a 3-day peer learning and stakeholders’ Workshop on Smart Africa Digitalization Acceleration Program (SADAP) on the theme: “Engagement in a Peer Learning on the Role of Government in Unlocking the Digital Economy- A case study of Sierra Leone.”

The 3-day workshop, which focused on how the world is going digital and how Governments across the world are using digital tools to provide social and economic services to their citizens was held at the Atlantic Lumley Hotel on Lumley Beach Road in Freetown.

Speaking during the opening of the workshop, the Operations Officer at World Bank, Lydia Mesfin said that the Government of Sierra Leone saw digital technologies and the digital economy as an engine for national development and made lots of efforts in driving that agenda in the last few years, adding that when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, countries that leveraged on digital assets – broadband connectivity and digital public infrastructure reached more beneficiaries and delivered social assistance faster and more transparently.

She said that the workshop is organized at a very important time, and they are glad to see more collaboration and partnership in the growing digital ecosystem in Sierra Leone, adding that the World Bank support the Sierra Leone Digital Transformation Project, with a total of $50 million USD project to support expanding access to broadband internet, enhance digital skills and to improve Government’s capacity to deliver public services digitally.

Lydia Mesfin concluded by stating that digital transformation requires joint efforts of all stakeholders. She said that the World Bank wishes to further strengthen collaboration among development partners and broader stakeholders who are active in digital space in Sierra Leone maintaining how Digital economy is transformational for much of Sub-Saharan Africa and Sierra Leone cannot afford to be left behind.

The Chief/ Strategy & Growth Officer, Smart Africa, Didia Nkurikiyinfura, said the workshop is organized under the auspices of the Smart Africa Secretariat in close collaboration with the Government of Sierra Leone as part of Smart Africa Digital Acceleration Program (SADAP) with the main objective of “Leveraging the Digital to accelerate Africa’s socio-economic transformation”

He revealed that Smart Africa’s mission is to transform Africa into a single digital market by 2030 saying this transformation cannot become a reality without a real commitment from stakeholders, to help develop national policy to promote connectivity and enhance an adequate and harmonized regulatory framework.

Didia Nkurikiyinfura maintained that during the four days of the workshop, through the different interventions, presentations and exchanges, they will review the requirements mentioned above to successfully carry out the mission of digital transformation of their dear continent through the example of Sierra Leone.

“According to the GSMA’s State of Connectivity in Africa 2022 report, 22% of the population is connected (approximately 240 million people), 61% of the population suffers from a digital service usage gap (680 million people) and 17% of the population (180 million people) suffers from a coverage gap,” he disclosed.

The Director General of NatCA ,Daniel Kaitibi, in his statement said as a regulator they work with the Government, operators and consumers. He said the decision they make are deliberate and intentional and may affect the people they work with positively or negatively as a regulator.
He added that those decisions are to make sure that everybody have access and welcomed the decision of Smart Africa.

Giving the keynote address, the Deputy Minister of Information and Communication, Solomon Jamiru, described the 3-day peer learning and stakeholder’s Workshop as very historic and that it will give a sense as to how they are all on the technological curve.

He said that there is still a need to connect Africa with Africans and that it is also important to connect African businesses and, in the process, will cluster into Africa trade.

The Deputy Minister said that in 2021 when the ITU Telecoms Africa was hosted in South Africa, Africa was the most unserved, adding that 22 years later Africa is still unserved of which he maintained that more work is needed to be done.

He said that the peer learning and stakeholder’s Workshop is a wonderful opportunity for countries to look inwards and to be inspired by the countries specific examples in order to look at the diversity of their interventions and also be able to take with strong determination appropriate steps to ensure that they reach the unserved and underserved areas.

Other representatives present at the workshop, including Mobile Network Operators also made similar statements during the opening of the workshop.

Zoodlabs, Michel Group of Companies and Universal Access Development Fund (UADF) also participated in the workshop as key players in the drive of digital transformation in Sierra Leone.

UN Presents Certificate of Reaccreditation to HRCSL

The United Nations, through its autonomous global body known as Global Alliance for National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI), has on the 15th March, 2023 accorded the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone (HRCSL) a Certificate of Reaccreditation as a “Grade A” national human rights institution.

GANHRI is the international statutory UN body charged with the responsibility to assess National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) in respect to compliance with the UN Paris Principles, the global legal instrument that sets out the establishment and operationalization of NHRIs.

The following pillars are the key criteria considered in assessing an NHRI for Accreditation/Reaccreditation by GANHRI in accordance with the Paris Principles: independence (non-interference), pluralism, broad mandate & broad functions, effectiveness of work, adequate funding by Government, international cooperation, among others.

The Certificate of Reaccreditation was presented at GANHRI’s Annual General Assembly in Geneva on 15th March, 2023 and was received by the Chair and Vice Chairpersons of the Commission, Patricia Narsu Ndanema (Mrs.) and Victor Idrissa Lansana Esq, respectively.

The Commission says it wants to uses this opportunity to thank the Government for its financial support towards its operations and for its non-interference in compliance with the Paris Principles, and to also graciously thank its other major partners including the Embassy of Ireland, the UNDP, OSIWA, DHRCs, MDAs, CSOs and traditional leaders, to name a few.

The Commission hereby assures everyone that it will jealously continue to protect its independence and will ensure the human rights of all persons especially vulnerable compatriots at all times.

Sierra Leoneans Want a Non-Violent June 24 Elections

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

With all the plans, counter-plans, meetings, arrangements, marches and other activities with political undertones doing the rounds across the country, the bottom line is Sierra Leoneans are not looking forward to an election that would degenerate into violence and chaos.

This is because Sierra Leoneans have been through quite a lot beginning with the eleven years old senseless war, and up to the current economic difficulties and general hardship facing the average Sierra Leonean.

Sierra Leone has conducted at least four successful elections and transferred power without incident. The peaceful and uneventful transfer of power from one regime to the other goes a long way to show that Sierra Leoneans can do well when they put their minds to it.

Sierra Leone enjoys democratic credentials to the envy of other African countries and to the extent that, this country has been classified in several international forums as one of the most peaceful, democratic and law-abiding countries in Africa and the world at large. Such accolades should not be discarded or destroyed by selfish politicians and their supporters,

The coming elections must be conducted by the relevant authorities in a manner that upholds these democratic and peaceful credentials Sierra Leone is known for. Sierra Leoneans therefore must actively play pivotal roles in ensuring that they eschew violence and do what they can to promote peace overtures with rival political group supporters.

At this coming election, Sierra Leoneans should understand the reality that no political party is bigger than Sierra Leone and therefore, as citizens of this country, we must all take the front seat in ensuring that peace and decorum form the basis on which the June 24, 2023 elections are conducted.

No country has ever been worse off because it lacks violence and unity. But much can be achieved by a country in the absence of violence and the presence of unity.

Chinese Two Sessions Lay out the Blueprint for the Future and Bring New Opportunities for China-Sierra Leone Relations

By Wang Qing, Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone

The National People’s Congress （NPC) and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC),which are the annual Chinese sessions, have just been concluded in Beijing. The two sessions have always been an important window to understand China. The “highlights” of this year’s two sessions were as follows:

The Two Sessions are an important window to show a clear picture of the whole-process of people’s democracy in China. In the modern states, The People as Masters of the Countrycannot be a “lofty” political slogan. We need to achieve democracy with practical institutional arrangements and measure it in the country’s political and social life. The 2,977 deputies to the 14th NPC are from various industries and places across the country and the 2,169 CPPCC members from 34 sectors basically cover all areas of society. Through the platform of the two sessions, public opinions can reach the “top” from the “bottom”. The international community vividly compares the two sessions of China as the process of “consensus building”, where the “big issues of the country” are closely linked to the “small issues” of people’s livelihoods, and the “what the people want” resonates with the “what the party and the government do”.

The party’s proposition for the national will, and the people’s voice are highly unified. The first session of the 14th National People’s Congress elected the new Leadership of China. Xi Jinping was unanimously voted as President of China and Chairman of the People’s Republic of China Central Military Commission, which fully reflects the common will of the Party, the armed forces, and the Chinese people of all ethnic groups. This also fully embodies the high degree of unity between the will of the Party, the people and the state. It is what the Party and the people hope for.

The Two Sessions are an important window to see China’s development prospects. Over the past five years, in the face of multiple shocks that exceeded expectations, China has withstood the test and achieved a five-year average annual growth rate of 5.2%, increasing its GDP to about 18 trillion US Dollars and continuing to be an important engine of growth for the world economy.

However, China’s development is still unbalanced and inadequate. Currently, our development is focused on providing for people’s basic needs. Going forward, the focus will be shifted toward delivering a life of better quality for the people. In particular, we will enhance our capacity for scientific and technological innovations, build a modern industrial system, and transit toward green development.

The Two Sessions particularly emphasized the importance of high-quality development and put forward a series of specific initiatives. The target of GDP growth of around 5%, which China proposed is in line with economic laws and realistic requirements, and also demonstrates China’s firm determination to promote high-quality development. Although the world’s economic situation this year is generally not optimistic and there are still many unstable, uncertain and unpredictable factors, China will take a number of actions such as optimizing macro policies, expanding demand, advancing reform and innovation, and preventing and defusing risks, so as to inject new impetus to the global economy with its own high-quality development and create more opportunities for the world.

To sum up, like Chinese new Premier Li Qiang said, the prospect of Chinese economy will break winds and waves, and sail toward a brighter future.

The Two Sessions are an important window to comprehensively understand China’s foreign policy. At the press conference of the two sessions, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang comprehensively explained China’s foreign policy, stressing that China will continue to implement the mutually beneficial strategy of opening-up and always be a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development, and a defender of the international order.

What is happening in the world today? What should we do? Humanity is once again standing at the crossroads of history. China’s answer is clear. We will build on our extensive partnerships to promote a new type of international relations. We will take openness and development as our objective. We will facilitate high-quality development and high-standard opening-up. We will uphold an open and inclusive world economy, and will generate new opportunities for the world with our new development. We will take multilateralism as the way forward. We will promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, make global governance more just and equitable. We will offer more, better Chinese insight and solutions to help meet humanity’s common challenges.

Concept Paper” and “China’s Position on the Political Settlement of the Ukraine Crisis ” , exploring solutions to both the symptoms and the root causes of international security challenges and showing China’s responsibility for maintaining world peace. During the two sessions, Saudi Arabia and Iran announced the restoration of diplomatic relations under the active mediation of China, which is a successful practice of the Global Security Initiative and sets a model for regional countries to resolve conflicts and differences through dialogue and consultation. This year marks the 10th anniversary of China’s “One Belt, One Road” initiative, Over the past decade, the BRI has galvanized nearly US$1 trillion of investment, established more than 3,000 cooperation projects, created 420,000 local jobs, and helped lift almost 40 million people out of poverty. China will host the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation this year. Taking this as an opportunity, we will work with all relevant parties for more fruitful outcomes from Belt and Road cooperation. At present, With the COVID situation turning for the better in China, we’re steadily resuming exchanges with the world. We’ve pressed the “acceleration button”, and sounded the clarion call for our diplomacy. Not long ago, China released the “The Global Security Initiative

The Two Sessions have sent out rich signals, giving the world a sense of a confident and down-to-earth China. Looking ahead to 2023, it will be a very important year for China’s development, as well as for China-Sierra Leone and China-Africa relations. China is willing to work with Sierra Leone to strengthen high-level contacts, deepen exchanges and cooperation, and promote new progress in the China-Sierra LeoneComprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership, so that the people of our two countries can benefit more from China-Sierra Leone practical cooperation and create a bright new era in our bilateral relations together.

 

 

NRA Board Chairperson Advocates for Women Owned Businesses to be Supported

Wintrade Global Women in Business Network held a three day Summit on the theme :“From Ideation to Realization: Delivering Prosperity through Intercontinental Trade” from the 13th -15th March 2023 at the House of Commons, Lloyds of London, the House of Lloyds and the London Stock Exchange respectively across the UK. The summit was a platform for Women Entrepreneurs to drive prosperity through Inter- Continental trade.

The rationale behind convening the Summit was to connect women globally to decision-makers for opportunities and to celebrate women in leadership. The Three-Day summit was the first in-person event since the start of the COVID pandemic and is dedicated to promoting “Womenomics” and the role of intercontinental trade to drive economic growth and prosperity.

Chairperson of the National Revenue Authority Board, Tuma Adama Gento- Kamara in her keynote address noted that her story resonates with the struggles and pain of the African Woman on the one hand, and her joy and triumph on the other hand.

She intimated the audience that it does not matter what one is talking about within the context of women on the continent, the story of the African Woman is framed in resilience, ecstasy, beauty, culture, fashion, and spirituality. The NRA Chairperson therefore underscored the importance of supporting women owning businesses across the continent of Africa and Sierra Leone in particular.

She pointed out that the Government of Sierra Leone is building the support structures for women to thrive in their field of endeavors. The recently enacted Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act 2022 which now ensures that one in three members of Parliament, as well as local council must be a woman.

According to her, the law is a monumental advancement for gender equality in Sierra Leone, a country ranked 181 out of 191 countries in the UN Gender Inequality Index.

She further intimated how the law enshrines improvements to women’s access to finance, employment opportunities, equal pay, maternity leave, and–critically–political representation.

“The Act establishes a 30 percent quota for women’s participation in Government for both appointed positions, including cabinet, Ministries, Ambassadorial roles, and elected positions, such as parliamentary and local council seats.

Tuma reiterated that before the enactment of the law, women represented just 12 percent of parliamentary seats and four out of the 32 cabinet positions.

“The quota in this Act will go into effect ahead of Sierra Leone’s upcoming presidential, parliamentary, mayoral, and local council elections on June 23, 2023,” she stated with pride.

As Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Country’s Revenue Authority, Tuma said they have ensured a leap in the representation of Women in the Senior Management of that organization; something that was non-existent when they were appointed almost five years ago.

She said they are doing this believing that men are very critical in the final analysis of things, so they approved a paternal leave for the men just as it would happen in the case of women.

Mrs. Gento-Kamara was speaking on the importance of supporting women led businesses; something herself and her Husband Mohamed Gento Kamara have been doing for a very long time. One of the reasons she stated why they are making such gestures is that they are waging war against the deepening economic inequality against women in Sierra Leone.

Quoting a study done by the World Economic Forum, gender inequality is strongly associated with income inequality across time and countries of all income groups. According to her, the study reveals that women are more likely to work in the informal sector, in which earnings are lower, which widens the gender earnings gap and exacerbates income inequality.

She said to bring that into perspective in our context, it requires as little as 20 British Pounds Sterling for that single mother to start petty trading so she can feed and perhaps provide lunch and uniforms for her children. The NRA Chair said when her Husband and herself finance petty traders, they are helping to close the economic inequality gap thereby reducing gender inequality which all are fighting for every day.

Mrs. Gento- Kamara said she came from a country where opportunities are endless, especially when almost all professions are male dominated.

“One of the promising spaces for women to thrive and are doing their level best is in Business,” she stressed.

As an entrepreneur herself, she had supported very promising start-ups since business is an essential part of the economy. “I have always wanted to promote diversity in business”. She said Women entrepreneurs bring unique perspectives, experiences and ideas to the table which can lead to innovative solutions and new business opportunities.

She said when women owned businesses are supported  it helps create a more inclusive and diverse business community.

She continued that Women owned businesses serve as role models for future generations of future entrepreneurs adding that when young girls see successful entrepreneurs, they are more likely to believe that they can achieve their dreams and start their own businesses.

“By supporting women owned businesses we inspire the next generation,” she averred reiterating that supporting women owned Businesses is an excellent way to support women empowerment.

Tuma lamented that Women Entrepreneurs are often under-represented in the Business World; they face unique challenges such as lack of access to funding and mentorship.

She then argued that by supporting women owned businesses all can help women overcome those challenges and gain the confidence and skills they need to succeed.

Other Speakers included top executives, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders from various industries, including finance, technology, healthcare, and education. They shared their experiences and offered practical advice on overcoming obstacles and succeeding in the global business arena.

“We are thrilled to host this year’s Women in Business Summit, which has brought together some of the most influential voices in the business world,” said the Founder of Wintrade Global, Dr. Yvonne Thompson CBE.

The Conference is expected to end on Wednesday 15th March, 2023.

It must be noted that for the past 25 years, Wintrade Global Women in Business Network has assisted over 25,000 women and is dedicated to supporting, developing and celebrating women in business across the globe.

 

Orange SL Launches 5th & 13th Editions of Orange Social Venture Prize

By Abubakarr Harding

On Monday, March 13th, 2023, Orange Sierra Leone launched its fifth edition of the Orange Social Venture Prize (OSVP) and the 13th edition in Africa and the Middle East at the company’s Headquarter Office on Hill Station in Freetown.

Danetta Young, the Secretary General of Orange SL, delivered the welcome address in which he highlighted how the OSVP aims at promoting digital inclusion, startup acceleration in technological innovation for youths across Sierra Leone and to drive gender equality and inclusion by promoting access for women.

Young emphasized that Orange SL aims to contribute to socio- economic development and to support local, social and environmental innovations. Furthermore, she pointed out how the competition also aims at encouraging entrepreneurship in Sierra Leone by giving back to society and communities in which they operate.

Kamal Omar Sheriff Abass, the Head of Public Relations & Corporate Social Responsibility at Orange SL stated that as a telecoms company, Orange is positioned to be a digital partner for startups in Africa and the Middle East.

He added that such was the reason why Orange initiated the OSVP thirteen years ago to award the best technological project with positive impact and solution to societal challenges mainly in the field of education, health, agriculture, and mobile payment for sustainable development in Africa and the Middle East.

Abass revealed that the competition is organized annually in all seventeen orange affiliated alliances. He added that the three winners from the 17 counties will get an opportunity to compete in a grand international contest where one out of the 51 contestants emerges as the winner. He added that the international winner will bag a whopping sum of €25,000.

Abass continued to explain that Orange SL launched the OSVP competition in Sierra Leone in 2019, and three years after joining the Orange family, they have successfully held four national OSVP competitions in the past four years respectively. He added that the competition was accelerated through the support of their partner, Innovation Sierra Leone, to add more meaning in the innovation axis and to increase empowerment to young startup innovators and entrepreneurs in the country.

Abass announced that Osman Yah emerged as the winner for the national contest in 2022 and won a grand prize of hundred thousand Leones, and Joseph Koroma emerged as the International grand winner for Sierra Leone out of 17 Orange affiliates and won the grand prize of €25,000.

He added that in 2021 they introduced an additional prize to increase female participation and to promote projects offering technological solutions to improve the living conditions of women in this new category. Adeola Carew emerged as the winner with a 15 Million Leones grand prize to support the enhancement of her Save Space Project.

Abass intimated that officially submissions of applications is now open adding that applicants from the 17 Orange Affiliates in Africa and Middle East including Sierra Leone must apply for both the National and International competition and should submit their applications on or before the 21st May 2023 at the website below:

Links to apply:

He disclosed that the competition has two stages: The National stage for which Applications will be collected from the 13th March to 21ST May 2023 for the National and Women’s competition saying at the end of the application phase, a jury made up of representatives of the Orange’s start-up ecosystem will meet to select the 3 national winners and the Women’s Noble winner. The winners will receive the following prizes: NLe 100,000 – National Winner and NLe 50,000 for the Women’s Winner.

With regards the international stage, he disclosed that the 3 winners from each subsidiary in the 17 Orange Affiliates in Africa and Middle East will be automatically selected for the international phase and will be evaluated by an evaluation committee made up of Group employees.

He continued that after their evaluation, they will select 10 finalists and a final jury of African tech influencers will select the top 3 winners of the OSVP International Grand Prize in October/November 2023. The winners of the international competition will receive the following prizes:  €25,000 for 1st place, €15,000 for 2nd place and €10,000 for 3rd place.

According to him, as equal opportunities are a key aspect of Orange policy, the International Women’s Prize will also be awarded for the fourth consecutive year. This prize will be awarded to a woman who offers a technological solution to improve the living conditions of women (women’s independence, job creation or preservation, gender data collection, digital and financial inclusion, etc.). The winner will receive €20,000.

He encouraged young people across the country to participate in this year’s 2023 OSVP competition by submitting their innovative startup projects as well as calling on women to participate and to submit their applications.

Sierra Leone’s Honorary Consul Assures Sierra Leoneans that Justice will Prevail 

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

Sierra Leone’s resident Honorary Consul in Lebanon, Pa Hashim Hussein Hashim has assured Sierra Leoneans residing in Lebanon that investigations have intensified into the tragic fire incident that consumed five Sierra Leoneans and leaving two in critically conditions. He went further to assure that if it is proven that there was any foul play then they will take appropriate action. The Consul lamented that there are some Sierra Leoneans in Lebanon whom the Consulate is not aware of maintaining that some enter the country without going through the right channels.

This medium was reliably informed that a fire incident that occurred on the 11th March, 2023 engulfing a building in the Bouchrieh Dam region of Lebanon left in its wake the tragic death of five Sierra Leoneans and two others in very critical conditions.

What has been established for now is the fact that the tragic incident occurred after a bitter misunderstanding ensued among the affected victims, resulting into an acrimonious argument that culminated into the inferno that engulfed the building claiming five lives and leaving two in critical conditions.

Immediately as the news break out, swift actions were taken by Sierra Leone’s Resident Honorary Consul in Lebanon, Pa Hashim Hussein Hashim, Lebanese Union in Sierra Leone and the Government of Sierra Leone to respond to the unfortunate situation.

In an engagement by the Sierra Leone’s resident Honorary Consul in Lebanon, Pa Hashim Hussein Hashim, on Monday 13th 2023, expressed profound and sincere condolences to the bereaved families on behalf of himself and the Government of Sierra Leone further assuring the Sierra Leoneans residing in Lebanon that His Excellency President Brig. (Rtd) Dr Julius Maada Bio is very concerned about the welfare of every Sierra Leonean living and working in Lebanon and has called on him to ensure that, the fatal fire incident is properly and speedily investigated to get to the bottom of it.

He further intimated that he would do everything humanly possible to protect them in Lebanon.

Pa Hashim Hashim also visited the two Sierra Leoneans currently hospitalized in Lebanon and assured that they would be fully supported until they recover and leave hospital.

In an earlier Press Release dated 12th March, 2023 and issued by the Consulate of Sierra Leone in Lebanon it was stated that on March 11th, 2023, the Consulate of Sierra Leone in Lebanon was informed of a devastating fire in the Bouchrieh Dam region of Lebanon.

The Consulate continued that tragically five Sierra Leonean citizens lost their lives in the incident while two others are currently hospitalized in critical condition further revealing how it is working closely with both the Lebanese Police and the Sierra Leonean Government to obtain a thorough report once investigations conclude further intimating that a representative has been sent to monitor the condition of the two injured women.

It also reaffirmed that it is currently in engagement with the authorities in Lebanon to ensure that the welfare of Sierra Leoneans in the country is guaranteed at all times.

In another Press Statement dated 12th March, 2023 this time made public by the Lebanese Union in Sierra Leone deep regret was expressed over the painful accident that took place in the Bouchrieh Dam area in Lebanon claiming the lives of five, whom they referred to as their brothers and sisters and injuring two others who are in critical condition in the hospital.

Also stated was that the President of the Lebanese Union, Abass Khazem is communicating with the Consulate of Sierra Leone in Lebanon for the official result of the investigation to build on what is required.

The Union also wished God’s mercy on everyone who died in the accident adding that may the Lord be with the wounded and grant them speedy recovery.

“We wish healing for the wounded and our hearts are with the families of the victims,” the Lebanese Union expressed sympathy.

On the part of the Government of Sierra Leone it stated that through its Honorary Consul & Embassy in Iran they will work with Lebanese Authorities to conduct a speedy investigation & establish facts for necessary action and to work with them to repatriate the bodies back home for a dignified burial.

According to a Political Commentator, already some have been giving distorted accounts of what really led to the tragic incident. He averred that it is really wrong for some individuals to make quick assumptions and baseless accusations before the official reports or statements emanate after the investigations may have been concluded.

He argued that while similar incidents occur daily in other communities worldwide, the language and tone towards the Lebanese have become more aggressive and abusive maintaining that such is worrisome.

It must be noted that the Lebanese Community has been in Sierra Leone for decades, and some have established businesses here with deep personal and familial roots in the country now considering Sierra Leone as their second home.

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