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OFP Disburses Over 2 Billion Leones to POs for 2023 Programmatic Year

By Foday Moriba Conteh

In a bid to support children living with disabilities in the areas of health, education, livelihood and social inclusion using the inclusive development strategy in the country, One Family People organization with support from Liliane Fonds has on Friday 10th March, 2023 allocated the sum of Two Billion Five Hundred Million Old Leones (Le 2,500,000,000.00)to be divided amongst their six partner organizations in the country. The event took place at the One Family People’s Office on Congo Cross in Freetown.

The six partner organizations that benefited from the fund included: Dorothy Springer Trust, Kono Cheshire Services, Disability Awareness Action Group, Welfare Society for the Disabled, Polio Person’s Development Association and Sierra Leone Autistic Society.

Reading the press statement on behalf of One Family People, the Program Manager, Samuel POV Macaulay, said that the allocations are in fulfillment of one of their core responsibilities as the strategic partner organization of Lilliane Fonds in Sierra Leone (to Sign/renew Contracts and Agreements with Partner Organizations within their Network) as well as to demonstrate transparency and accountability by informing the general public about their 2023 Child Empowerment Annual Plan and  budget allocation to their partner organizations.

He added that the funding allocation to these organizations will enable them to support the development of children and youngsters with disabilities in the areas of health, education, livelihood and social inclusion using the inclusive development strategy to make their environment accessible.

He said that every year POs are required to design their annual plans, applying the Community Based Inclusive Development Strategy formerly known as Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) (where applicable), with a strong lobby and advocacy approach and submit to OneFamilyPeople.  Equally, OneFamilyPeople is required to assess and advise on POs’ annual plans to be submitted to LF for financing, register these plans/projects in the LF database (Pluriform), monitor progress and assess reports in accordance with the schedule agreed upon.

“Therefore, at the completion of the design phase of these plans, we are now informing the   general public and our beneficiaries about our collective plans for 2023 geared towards complementing Government efforts, as well as key successes of 2022, highlighting the synergies between our work and committing towards broader participation in the implementation process,” he revealed.

The Program Manager also emphasized to their POs in the presence of stakeholders and the fourth estate, the importance of complying with OFP-PO Agreement, PO eligibility criteria, communication guide, child protection policy, and reporting requirement, stating that as they seek to improve delivery in all spheres this year,they want to encourage their partners to continue working with Government line Ministries and local authorities.

He pointed out that as an organization they are of the strongest conviction that the support they are providing for the children through their partners have broken barriers and opened doors for them to access basic health and education facilities, improved livelihood and enhanced social inclusion using the inclusive development strategy, furthering that as a way of achieving the sustainable development goals 2030, OneFamilyPeople is committed towards creating the enabling environment for an inclusive society where no one is left behind.

“In lieu of the above OneFamilyPeople is calling on Stakeholders to come onboard and mount a sustainable campaign against all forms of stigma and discrimination against Children and Youngsters with Disabilities. It is our belief that together with our partners we are providing the basic needs for our beneficiaries, but we are equally of the strongest conviction that it is not enough and we need to do more. It is on this backdrop that we are calling on all to support us and know that there are no small actions and creating a barrier free society begins with you,” he concluded.

Speaking on behalf of the partner organizations, the Executive Director of one of the implementing entities, Welfare Society for the Disabled, that benefitted, Joseph Alieu Kamara, expressed appreciation to the One Family People and the Liliane Funds for the support they have been giving them over the years to implement programs geared towards the development of people living with disability across the country which he described as very pivotal in addressing issues of disability in the country.

He said that through the support of the organization they are currently supporting children with disability which has open doors for those children, furthering that they support the children to access health and education facilities, improve their livelihoods and enhance social inclusion using the inclusive development strategy formally known as community-based rehabilitation in the country.

Joseph assured all that the funds will be used for the intended purposes and will benefit the lives of children living with disabilities across the country.

All other partner organizations’ representatives also highlighted their achievements for 2021 and also outlined their future plans for 2022.

On his part, the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, Saa Lamin Kortequee, commended One Family People and the Liliane Fonds for allocating such an amount towards supporting persons with disabilities in the country.

He said that the move by the organization is part of their strides towards complementing Government’s efforts.

Saa Lamin Kortequee encouraged partner organizations to make good use of the opportunity in supporting children living with disabilities in the areas of health, education, livelihood and social inclusion using the inclusive development strategy in the country as part of what the fund is meant for.

The event was climaxed with the official signing of the agreement between the One Family People and the six partner organizations.

Onga Celebrates Salone Women Again

By Foday Moriba Conteh

Commemorating International Women’s Day 2023 in the country and following the successful introduction and growth of the Onga food seasoning brand on the Sierra Leone culinary market, Premium Divine Trading Company Limited, strategic agents of Promasidor Holdings has on Saturday 11th March, 2023 concluded a 4 days customer appreciation event within major markets in Freetown.

The week-long event enabled Premium Divine Trading to interact with Onga Mummies and Women across all the major markets in Freetown which included Waterloo, Lumley, Portee, Calaba Town, Funkia, Guard Street, and Dove Cut Markets in order to appreciate them using the 2023 International Women’s Day week. They toured the aforementioned markets with drumming and dancing to the nation’s favorite Bubu music.

The move by Onga was to appreciate all of their Onga mummies for their continued business loyalty over the five years of the company’s products on the Sierra Leone culinary market.

During their visit to these markets the company offered free product samples of their Onga Cow and beef to women, which was also followed by free gifts to Onga Mummies through a lucky dip which was surprising and gratifying to all market women.

The Onga mummies later commended Onga for such an initiative, adding that this year marks the second year when the organization has embarked on such as amazing event which they said they had never never witnessed before in the country and pledged their continued loyalty to the brand.

Speaking to this medium, the Country Manager of Premium Divine Trading Limited, Kenneth Konuah, said they are holding such an event and doing so with the strong belief that it will help in motivating the Onga Mummies and Women of Sierra Leone to continue to patronize the brand within the country.

He disclosed that the Premium Divine Trading Company Ltd is a company that markets and distributes food products and that when it comes to food women play critical roles.

The Country Manager informed all present that the Premium Divine Trading Company Ltd distributes and markets Cowbell, Miksi, ,Kremela and Onga which has become Salone’s favourite seasoning.

Onga comes in various variants which includes: Onga Beef Flavour, Onga Shrimp Crevette, Onga Chicken Poulet, and finally the new Onga Stew Flavour which is an improvement over the earlier one introduced. He intimated that all of these products are produced in Ghana by Promasidor Ghana Limited for export sales to some West African countries including Sierra Leone. He revealed that Premium Divine Trading is the sole distributor and marketer of all the aforementioned products in the country.

He concluded by encouraging all women in Sierra Leone to continue to patronize the company in all their products especially the new Onga Stew Flavour which he described as one of the best favourite food seasoning in the country.

He disclosed that every year women from every corner of the globe come together on March 8 to celebrate saying as a responsible company they thought it fit to celebrate with their Onga mummies.

He also revealed that the business entity is a food distribution company that operates as an agent for Promasidor Holdings,a leading supplier of quality food products in more than 30 African countries, including Sierra Leone stating that their products are affordable and nutritional.

Isatu Kamara one of Onga Mummies at Dove Cut who benefited from the gesture by the company, commended the company for such an initiative stating how they are very happy to be celebrated even as the world celebrates International Women’s Day.

She revealed that she has been cooking with Onga all this while and that Onga is the best food seasoning in the country, continuing that the Onga is exceptional among all other food seasoning in the country.

She stated that the move by the company to celebrate them has served as a motivation to all Onga Mummies and Women in order for them to continue to patronize with the company.

“Today I want to use this opportunity to wish all women across the country Happy International Women’s Day and I would also want to inform all women across the country that Onga is the best food seasoning that gives your food a wonderful and perfect taste. Let us all as women continue to buy Onga products,” she concluded.

UK Foreign Secretary Signs MoU on Trade and Investment with GoSL

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

President Julius Maada Bio has, on the 9th March, 2023, met with the United Kingdom’s Foreign Secretary, The Rt. Honourable James Cleverly, on his way out after signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government to improve trade relations between the two countries.

Appointed Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs on 6 September 2022, the former Conservative MP was visiting the country, the birthplace of his mother, when on International Women’s Day in Bo he announced a new strategy to help women and girls.

“Trade drives growth. It drives prosperity and development. Women’s empowerment is the best tool when it comes to lifting millions of people out of poverty in the world. The MoU will enhance the trade and investment relations between the UK Government and Sierra Leone. It will help transform the very long relationship between the two countries.

“It will unlock exciting new international business opportunities in Sierra Leone and 64 other countries worldwide. It will not only cover duty-free export for businesses from Sierra Leone into the UK, but it will also ensure much easier ways of selling Sierra Leonean goods to the UK, with greater opportunities for businesses in textiles and palm oil businesses,” he informed.

He told the President that he was grateful for the warm welcome he received during his visit to the country and expressed hope that the agreement would help transform and strengthen the bilateral relationship between the two countries.

“The British Government wants to see Sierra Leone become a middle-income country, with more investments coming into the country from UK firms and entrepreneurs growing their own businesses. The two countries have a long history, but by also doing business and trading together, they can develop a genuine relationship. The UK will be very supportive of that,” he said.

In his remarks, President Julius Maada Bio assured the UK Foreign Secretary of his Government’s commitment to fully implement the MoU in the interests of his Government and the people.

“You can rest assure that my Government will do whatever we can to ensure we achieve those aspirations. That is the essence of a Government: to make sure the business climate, the incentives, and everything that we have to make sure that we have an ecosystem that is conformable as far as businesses are concerned.

“My Government wants to make sure we attract the best businesses. With the relationship between the two countries, it is easier to do business with the UK. So that is why we are excited about the MoU and we are hopeful that your visit to Sierra Leone will help keep the relationship and expand beyond what it is at the moment,” he noted.

He acknowledged the difficult times around the world but expressed hope that as leaders they could comfort, protect, and secure their people’s interests by taking into consideration the global hike in prices.

“As a Government and people of Sierra Leone, we are excited about your visit, the signing of the Sierra Leone-United Kingdom Memorandum of Understanding on Trade and Investment, and the launch of a bilateral trade and investment forum,” he concluded.

 

Capitol Foods Ltd & Government Trade/Investment Agreement Sails through Parliament

A trade and investment agreement between the Government of Sierra Leone and Capitol Foods Limited, geared towards the economic development of country, has been ratified by Parliament on the 9th March, 2023.

The Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Haja Isata Abdulai-Kamara, in presenting the Government Motion, recalled the establishment of the Capitol Food Products and explained the investment of products. She categorically informed all that the company produces non-alcoholic beverages on affordability, and went further to state that the company has already invested Fifteen Million United States Dollars to set up a manufacturing facility in Kenema.

The Deputy Minister further informed Parliament that Capitol Foods Limited is also intending to expand its operations by establishing fruit juice processing plant and bottling with installed production capacity of between 60, 000 and 120, 000 liters per day and plastic production unit at Grafton within eight months.

Pointing out the significance of the investment, the Deputy Minister said that the company would predicate on the promotion of the local content policy and also has the tendency to export products, in light of improving the foreign exchange rate.

She spoke comprehensively about many other potential opportunities that the company would provide and assured everyone that the agreement would result in economic growth and development amidst huge employments.

In his contribution to the debate, Hon. Charles Abdulai stated that the agreement is a continuation of the Capital investment. He stated that the agreement is not controversial, but some areas need to be scrutinized to mitigate some risk factors. The MP lauded the agreement for reasonable tax exemptions and employment.

The Capitol Food Products, he said, is so beneficial and the agreement is good for the people of Sierra Leone.

Hon. Dr. Mark-Mahmoud Kalokoh spoke about the investment capacity of the company and informed the House that they as Opposition would always support what is good. The MP highlighted the potential investment opportunities of the company and safety measures as well as the payment of taxation.

He also advised them to work in tandem with the felt needs of the people on Corporate Social Responsibility.

Hon. Keikura Vandy said one way the Government could boost the economy is to promote the impact industries and the company is one. According to him, the Government had intended to create a business environment and enhance security for indigenous industries. The MP went on to say that when the business is well capacitated, more investors would be attracted to establish industries. He assured the House that the investment aspect would improve the economy.

Hon. Alex Rogers criticized the agreement on the grounds that most of the agreements lack some important documents including Environmental Social Impact Assessment,  Free Prior Informed Consent of the people and Comprehensive Business Plan and also to work with the felt needs of the people.

Hon. Dr. Roland Kargbo said that the agreement is not controversial, but raised some concerns based on experience with regards supply and demand. He also spoke about sustainability of payment of royalty to landowners. He advised the Ministry to look into the critical issues.

Hon. Williams-Lamin thanked President Bio for creating such an investment environment and expressed appreciation for the company investment capacity. The MP highlighted the importance of the agreement in term of fund transactions through the Bank of Sierra Leone. He also spoke about security and safety of the workers and commended the company for investing in food, while other countries are deprived of such products.

Hon. Sahr Charles raised series of concerns over the proposed implementation of Corporate Social Responsibility in consultation with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the guarantee of employment of Sierra Leoneans in senior management positions by the company. The MP went on to also raise concerns about proposed implementation of local content policy and how to address accidents of workers during operation and the time frame of the conduct of operation in light of the initial stage. He expressed worries that the company would make excuses to delay operation. The MP used the opportunity to ask the Ministry to encourage Standards Bureau to step up to ensure standards. He described the agreement as a good one and expressed hope that it would open employment for the people.

Hon. Francis Kaisamba said that the company is doing well and informed all that Sierra Leone needs such type of companies to improve the economy. He noted that it would be prudent to come along with company management for such occasion.  He raised concerns that the company has not done much in terms of Corporate Social responsibility for Kenema.

In rounding off the debate, the Acting leader of the Opposition, Hon. Hassan Sesay said that they would always support what is good for the people of Sierra Leone. He spoke on the improvement of foreign exchange by the company and the economic boom. He buttressed risk management factors earlier mentioned by previous speakers  and the company’s compliance with due diligence and also training of locals. The MP asked the company to provide medical service for their workers. He expressed hope that all that is in the agreement or paper be implemented.

Concluding the debate, the Leader of Government Business Hon. Mathew Sahr Nyuma clarified that the company had already spent Fifteen Million Dollar $15USD on the facility in Kenema. He explained about the level of production capacity and affordability of the products. He also spoke about the responsibility of the company in light of promoting local farmers and the responsibility of the Government with regards to agribusiness and improving the livelihood of the farmers.

“I want the company to buy from local farmers to empower them,” he appealed.

The Leader explained the obligation and regulations of the company including recruitment, and insurance policy. He went on to suggest periodic training for workers to mitigate certain risks and also asked various institutions to improve on monitoring to enhance standards of products, in light of health considerations. The MP admonished the company to produce in consonance with quality standards and asked the House to consider the financial dignity of the company, relative to transparency.

However, the Leader expressed concerns over the company compliance with Corporate Social Responsibility of the people in Kenema and the scale of employment.  The Leader underscored consistency of Government policy, so as to capacitate SMEs to patronize with the company in order to boost the economy. He emphasized on the removal of bureaucracy of access to loan. He encouraged the company to thrive on capacity building training based on knowledge transfer for locals.  He emphasized on monitoring the enforcement relative to the implementation of the laws.

 

Restoration Foundation for Women brings Hope to Destitute Women & the Girl Child

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

During an auspicious event that was held at the Radisson Blu Mammy Yoko Hotel on Aberdeen in Freetown on the 29th January, 2023, a nascent organization, Ruach Restoration Foundation for Women, situated on 58 Circular Road in Freetown launched its Restoration Centre Building Project.

Those in attendance included the Deputy Minister of Information and Communications, Solomon Jamiru Esq, the Director General of the National Telecommunications Authority- Daniel Kitibi, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs-Mamadi Gobeh Kamara, Ing Andrew Keili , the Executive Director of the Rainbo Centre- Daniel Kettor, the private sector, legal profession, religious leaders, families, well-wishers and other women and girls’ organisations.

Moderating the event was a former electronic media journalist who later became a banker, Ms Hannah Foulah, who in her opening remarks recalled the 8th of April, 2022 when news break out that a 43 year old Nigerian gospel singer, Osinati, died.

She said conflicting reports were given as to the cause of death some stating that she died of throat cancer. She, however, pointed out that her death was attributed to physical abuse inflicted on her by her husband who was also her musical manager. According to her, many were wondering why the late singer suffered emotional and psychological abuse for so long without voicing it out. She underscored that there are some deaths that are preventable maintaining that it is disturbing to think of a woman in her prime who had her life cut so short.

The moderator asked the question of what are we doing to bring the boys onboard with the objective of breaking the cycle of violence furthering that women are not the weaker sex, they make the bulk of the population and can do commendable things.

According to her, when power lies in the hands of the majority a revolution is possible. She expressed gratitude for the enactment of the GEWE Act adding that organizations like the Ruach Restoration Foundation for Women is helping the Government to address issues related to Gender and Sexual Based Violence. “They want to bring hope and empower women in order to create a new Sierra Leone,” she informed the audience.

In her welcome address and declaration of purpose, Catherine Finda Greenwood, stated that she welcomes what she referred to as their partners saying they were carefully selected to share their dreams and aspirations with them. She disclosed that the purpose of converging was to officially launch the Restoration Centre Building Project.

Catherine expressed appreciation for the passage of the GEWE Act and for the efforts made by all in empowering women.

She revealed that the main focus of the Restoration Foundation for Women is to empower destitute women and the Girl Child by providing counselling for women and avail them skills training opportunities for self reliance.

Catherine elaborated that the main project of the Foundation is to build a thirty (30) room Restoration Centre for Disadvantaged/Abandoned Women and the Girl Child.

She revealed how the Foundation has been gifted with three town plots of land at Peninsular Area further intimating how the Centre will be able to house disadvantaged/abandoned girls, women who are homeless, those who have suffered from domestic violence and even prostitutes who want to leave the streets but do not have the means to get a place to stay.

“The facility will provide a safe environment for their mental and emotional wellbeing as well as equip them with various skills/talents to become emotionally and financially stable so that they can go back into the society as meaningful citizens,” she stated going further to state that the women/girls will be in the facility for a transitional period and to receive the care and training that will suit their circumstance and get them restored to a position or state in which they can go out into the society.

“The Foundation will ensure that well-trained and professional caregivers administer the care that suits each woman/girl child so as to get the desired results of healing and restoration,” she told the audience also informing that there will be skills training in tailoring, hairdressing and cosmetology, baking/pastry, logistics, driving, entrepreneurship and other hands-on skills.

She pointed out how the Foundation will also be engaged in the discovery of the untapped talents and gifts of these women and girls to ensure they receive the appropriate training to enhance such talents and gifts adding that  areas of interests that will be looked at are singing, acting, painting, arts and crafts and general artistic talents and gifts.

She called on other organizations to join hands with them to identify destitute women and the Girl Child that need help and counsel them in the Word maintaining that the organization has a Christian leaning which is why they deemed it fit to counsel these women in the word or gospel.

Catherine referenced the gospel musician, Osinati, underscoring that her story depicts the harrowing experiences or treatments a lot of women are going through but cannot talk about them because they don’t have the space or prefer to persevere suffering in the hands of their husbands for the sake of the children they have adding that even the elites go through such and not just the downtrodden.

Chairperson of Legal Access through Women Yearning for Equal Rights and Social Justice (LAWYERS), Fatmata Forster, in her statement gave some gloomy statistics of the status of women in Sierra Leone, one of which according to UNFPA states that 62% of women in Sierra Leone have experienced violence. She pointed out that because of the discouraging statistics that is all the more reason why the fight for women empowerment is necessary.

According to her, twenty years ago LAWYERS was formed to provide pro bono legal representation for disadvantaged women and girls. She said the aims and objectives of the organization speak to the services they offer adding that she is delighted to see more organizations come onboard as they LAWYERS have their own limitations stressing that other organizations could take off from what they could not do. Fatmata stressed that an organization like the Restoration Foundation for Women is being launched.

She made a passionate appeal for support to be given to the organization, especially financial support in order for it to undertake its building project.

Fatmata ended up wishing members of the organization all the best assuring them that LAWYERS will always respond at their beacon calls.

The Program Manager for Rainbo Initiative, Anthony Sam, intimated that they do operate in six districts disclosing that recently they relocated to their new office on 4 Williams Drive where they have opened a Satellite Centre.

He said Rainbo started as a response to one of the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) and since then they have been offering free medical and psycho-social support and in 2014 it became an independent entity and survivors of SGBV have been treated in their thousands.

He said he is happy that an organization or a Foundation of such nature is about to be launched to help women and girls get better lives stressing that the vision of the organization aligns with theirs. He promised that the Rainbo Centre will work closely with then assuring them of sharing knowledge as they continue to care for the beneficiaries as well as their restoration strategy.

The climax of the event was the official launch of the Restoration Foundation for Women by Commissioner Simitie Lavaly Esq also called Mrs. Simitie Zorokong of the Human Rights Commission for Sierra Leone after which donation pledges were collected from the audience geared towards the building project of the Foundation.

The Vote of thanks was given by the Founder and Executive Director of the Foundation Edith Chaytor Esq.

 

 

 

 

 

NP-SL is Keen in Optimizing Customer Care & Satisfaction

National Petroleum Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL-Ltd)

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

There is no doubt that the NP-SL Ltd is highly known for taking customer care to the highest pedestal in the country. Indeed such is indisputable when cognizance is taken of how Management is very keen in optimizing customer satisfaction in its service delivery on different fronts.

Members of staff of the company are very mindful of the fact that it is the customer that comes first and therefore needs the utmost attention always ensuring that transactions are conducted under a congenial atmosphere that result into a win-win situation. For this brilliant and managerial initiative the company has been making positive headways positioning to stand tall among other business entities in this part of the world.

With a capable and result-oriented ‘Team NP’, working collaboratively and assiduously, where even the cleaner is regarded as highly relevant there is bound to be positive outcomes and the company has mastered this by ensuring that synergy is enhanced.
One admirable quality that NP-SL Ltd possesses is working tirelessly and effectively using its contacts with oil producing countries in order to ensure that there is timely purchase and delivery of petroleum products to avoid shortages.

It goes without saying that fuel, for example, could be a political commodity in the sense that fluctuation in its price would make a Government likeable or unpopular. When the price goes up then people blame the Government for that but if it goes down it is kudos for the political administration.

Its timely importation of petroleum products has earned NP high commendations from various quarters simply because it helps to cushion unrest and other forms of disadvantageous effects one of which is increase in transport fares, increase in the prices of certain commodities. The pro-activeness of the company invariably has a direct impact on poverty reduction in variable ways.

Some who may not be aware of the fact that NP-SL Ltd is wholly owned by Sierra Leoneans vis-à-vis the visibility of the company and how it is remarkably striving could find it hard to believe that it a truly indigenous company.

However, that remains the plain truth when it is learnt that it was Sierra Leonean 35 workers formerly working for British Petroleum (BP) who pulled together their end of service benefits to purchase shares which were used to establish NP, which today is a success story of an indigenous company, having branches in various parts of the country and in other four West African countries namely Liberia, Guinea, Ivory Coast and The Gambia. The company’s operations right across the spectrum is contributing towards revenue generation and job creation for many.

With gas as one its marketable products it was thought wise to be producing gas cookers, popularly known as NP Gas, which could be access at their different filling stations. According to investigation conducted NP Gas is cooking-friendly, safe and long lasting. It is going at an affordable price and many are going for it.

When reference is made to Local Content then NP-SL Ltd stands tall within that realm as nearly all its members of staff are Sierra Leoneans thereby making use of local talents everywhere they are operating. The Local Content Policy is indeed an engine of growth and NP is making full use of it.
Without any iota of doubt NP-SL Ltd is growing taller and taller as time goes by.

 

 

First Lady Pilots Hands Off Our Girls Male Strategy in Freetown

First Lady, Dr. Fatima Maada Bio, has on Friday 10th March 2023 at the Auditorium of the City Council Building in Freetown engaged adolescent boys in an open and frank conversation on the Hands Off Our Girls campaign.

The official launch of the ‘male-strategy’ of the Hands Off Our Girls campaign targeted over 1,000 adolescent male pupils from various secondary schools in the country.

Her Excellency the First Lady educated the boys on the need for them to embrace gender equity and equality as a yardstick for development and not to see it as a competition between men and women.

“Without gender equity, development is stifled,” the First Lady emphasized while urging the boys to focus on their education and support their female counterparts.

Her Excellency spoke of her passion towards the welfare of the boys, while noting that her focus on the girls over the years is to ensure proper grooming for the most vulnerable groups.

She announced that the Hands Off Our Girls male strategy seeks to achieve a better understanding of the welfare of the boys and ensure they are empowered with the required education to partner with and support the girl child.

She used the platform as an opportunity to thank President Bio for the free quality education initiative with special reference to the radical inclusion policy which has ensured vulnerable groups including girls stay in school against all odds.

“President Bio’s free quality education has ensured that boys will only stay out of school as a matter of choice,” she narrated, while encouraging the boys to ensure they stay in schools.

She used the platform as an opportunity to appreciate all stakeholders that have been collaborating with the Hands Off Our Girls campaign.

She called on the boys to take advantage of the solid foundation President Bio is laying for them.

He advised the boys to be mindful of politicians that will want to use them for violence and other electoral malpractices.

“Election is a game for policies and ideas and not violence,” she pointed out, adding: “Election is not for children but politicians.”

She used the forum as an opportunity to highlight the successes of the Hands Off Our Girls campaign, which include heightened awareness, the establishment of a special court for rape cases, the review of the sexual offences act, the free sanitary pads distribution, the ongoing construction of a 500-bed hospital complex and the adoption of two United Nations Resolutions to accelerate and ensure justice, protection and remedies for women and girls, among others.

The school boys had the opportunity to ask questions, make suggestions and share opinions on welfare and other relevant issues.

The Country Director for Care International expressed appreciation to the First Lady for the introduction of the Hands Off Our Girls male-strategy, which according to her, perfectly aligns with the work of her institution.

The boys were treated to electrifying music performance from leading musical acts like Rap Gee, Star Zee, Famous and Empress P.

 

 

Gento Celebrates Great Women Breaking Concrete Ceilings

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

The Gento Group of Companies was one of the private entities that  joined other entities in the country, on the 8th March, 2023, to commemorate International Women’s Day on the theme, “DigitALL: Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality”.

It was a special day set aside to reflect on how far the issue of gender parity in the country has been addressed and to celebrate women that have accomplished remarkable feats as well as the commendable inroads they have made which hitherto were taught to be the exclusive preserve of only men.

Chief Executive Officer of Gento Group of Companies, Mohamed Gento Kamara, warmly wished the women of this country a happy and impactful International Women’s Day celebrations, especially female employees of the company. He encouraged them to be innovative, live their dreams, pursue their ambitions as well as candidly assured them of his unflinching support in helping them realize their full potentials and pursuits in life.

It is worthy to note that the company’s CEO, who doubles as the aspiring SLPP sole Mayoral Candidate for the Freetown Municipality, is a fervent believer in gender equality more especially as he firmly considers it is an integral part of the company’s policy that should be actualized and out of the fact that he has seen it practically working well at first hand.

In how gender equality obtains at the Gento Group, one outstanding and vivid outcome of the demonstration of making judicious use of the opportunity and space that the company offers is a female employee of the company that goes by the name of Admire. This remarkable lady was initially employed as a Cook by the Gento Group but with her daily interactions at the quarry site, she developed a strong interest to operate one of the big machines.

For someone who had no education, no prior machine or engineering knowledge, this must have been a joke.

Regardless, she was persistent and pleaded with the CEO to give her a chance. A chance she did get and she made the very best of it leaving only amazement in her trail; a cook who became an Excavator Machine Operator.

She always exudes confidence at the wheel and mastery of its operations as she gently manoeuvres a caterpillar from a parking lot towards the quarry for onward loading of a truck parked nearby, being part of her daily routine.

Admire has been able to use the money she earns from this job in training her child up to University level! She expressed her thanks to God and Gento whom she has come to identify as her benefactor.

CEO of the company, Mohamed Gento Kamara, during a snap interaction, intimated this medium that on the occasion of International Women’s Day, he wants to use it as an opportunity to celebrate “Admire” and other great women out there doing their little bits at breaking concrete ceilings.

A senior employee of the company frankly averred that on International Women’s Day women of such stature and determination are to be celebrated because they are the type of examples that cause others to look inwards, realize their potentials and act accordingly.

As for Admire, she firmly believed that despite the fact that she is a female, however, she could do better what a man can do, which peculiarly in this case was to operate an excavator machine not resting on her oars as the company’s cook.

She mentioned how she approached the CEO and determinedly informed him about her intention to which he readily and gladly offered her the opportunity and made good use of it to become an Operator, shifting away from being a cook.

Admire told this medium that she is encouraging other young women out there, who consider themselves as drop outs in society, not to give up in life but to keep pushing on until they achieve their dreams.

She expressed gratitude to the CEO of the company for believing in her and giving her the opportunity to realize her ambition.

Another female employee of the company that is an epitome of gender parity in the company, Adama Kposowa, narrated how she joined the company as a young graduate saying through hard work she imbibed useful skills that have transformed to become a very good engineer and always successful in carryout certain tasks for the company.

She emphasized the fact that the opportunity that she was offered was unfettered and she harnessed it and made proper  use of it also profusely commending the CEO for always offering equal opportunities to both female and male employee of the company as well as tapping into their potentials. She advised young girls to learn useful skills that could help them earn incomes and take care of responsibilities. Adama also extended thanks to the CEO for all the support he has been rendering to all the employees of the company.

Other female employees expressed similar sentiments.

It must be underscored that the stories of these women coming out from the Gento Group is one that strongly supports the theme “DigitALL: Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality” as all the women are engaged  in the field of Civil Engineering which was once considered to be a male dominated profession.

Orange SL Women Organizes Food Festival to Celebrate International Women’s Day

By Abubakarr Harding

In commemorating International Women’s Day, Orange SL Women organized a Food Festival which took the form of a cooking competition among female staff members on Friday, March 10, 2023 at the company’s headquarters in Freetown.

Martha Sumaila, the Head of Communications Department at Orange Sierra Leone, stated that the company organized the event to engage women in the office and to showcase their cooking abilities. She added that the women were organized into different groups from various departments within the office.

The competition was keenly contested, with each group striving to win the grand prize of 3.5 million Leones for the winner, 2.5 million Leones for the second position, and 1.5 million Leones for the third position. She added that to emerge victorious, each group was judged based on the taste of the food, the hygiene of the environment where the food was prepared, the coordination of the team, and the presentation of the food.

Speaking about her experience, Sarine Zubairu from Team Potato Leaves expressed her excitement about participating in the competition. She noted that the event provided a platform for female staff members to showcase their culinary skills and learn from one another.

She added that Orange Sierra Leone Women is committed to promoting gender equality and empowering women in the workplace. The cooking competition is just one of the many initiatives the company has implemented to foster a more inclusive working environment, she said.

 

Judiciary Spokesperson Assures WIMSAL of Support

The Judiciary of Sierra Leone’s Spokesperson, Elkass Sannoh, has on the 10th March, 2023 at the Atlantic Beach Hotel on Lumley Road in Freetown, on behalf of the Hon. Chief Justice of the Republic of Sierra Leone, His Lordship Justice Desmond Babatunde Edwards, assured Women in the Media-Sierra Leone (WIMSAL) that they would continue to provide the enabling environment for female Journalists to practice their profession professionally within the remit of the law.

He was making a statement at the 15th Anniversary celebration of WIMSAL on the theme: “Positioning Female Journalists to Promote Women in Politics.”

According to Elkass Sannoh, the Hon. Chief Justice believes in a transparent administration and therefore the media is very important in moving in that direction.

“We would continue to support the media, We would continue to support our Journalists to make them vibrant and effective,” said the Judiciary’s Communications Director, Elkass Sannoh, assuring that, “Hon. Chief Justice Edwards is a friend of the media, and he has demonstrated that with support to the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists-SLAJ and now WIMSAL.”

Cataloging the remarkable achievements of the Judiciary, Elkass Sannoh said the Chief Justice is indeed a blessing to the Judiciary.

“We have contributed over Four Billion Leones to the Consolidated Revenue Fund through Court fees, Court fines, Estate duties and Liquor License fees,” he said, adding that this is the first time such money were raised and made public.

He said the Judiciary has now received global recognition with the appointment of the first Sierra Leonean Vice President of the Regional Commonwealth Magistrates and Judges Association. This was possible after the current Chief Justice had to settle a non-payment for ten years.

He said to enforce the Trafficking Act, Anti-Money Laundering and Combating of Financing Terrorism Act, 2005, five persons have been convicted for the first time.

Statements were made by various speakers, including the SLAJ President, Ahmed Sahid Nasralla, who encouraged WIMSAL to be united and avoid distraction.

The Guest Speaker was Dr. Sylvia Olayinka Blyden.

 

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