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Africell Impact Foundation Commences Training for 20 Bloggers

By Foday Moriba Conteh

In a bid to equip bloggers with necessary skills on how they can leverage on ways and ideas in order to improve on their work in the country, Africell Impact Foundation has on Saturday 11th March, 2023 commenced a two month training programme for 20 selected bloggers in the country. The training, which is to be conducted on every Saturday within the two months period, will be held at the Africell Impact Foundation E Learning Center on Wilkinson Road in Freetown.

Speaking during the commencement of the training, the Head of Digital Marketing at Africell, Kamanda Koroma, stated that the Africell Impact Foundation, which is the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of Africell, is all about empowering people to contribute to their communities, stating further that the Foundation helps to build strong and resilient communities by bringing people together, both digitally and physically and connecting them to opportunities in education, the arts, healthcare and more.

He said it is in that regard that they deemed it fit to commence a two months E-Learning training for 20 selected bloggers in order to equip them with the necessary skills that will help in enhancing their work.

Kamanda Koroma pointed out that the world is moving digital and that social media to the emerging market is very important, adding that the training will serve as an opportunity for those selected bloggers to be equipped on how they can leverage on ways and ideas in order to improve their businesses and to utilize the social media by themselves in an improved and professional manner.

He revealed that the training is completely free stating that after the training participants would have understood the major role that they play within the digital space.

The Head of Digital Marketing concluded by stating that the Africell Impact Foundation E-Learning Center situated on Wilkinson Road in Freetown is open to members of the public who intend to be equipped in various areas, and that interested members of the public should visit Africell’s official website for more details.

One of the participants, Osman Bendu expressed appreciation to Africell Impact Foundation for the commencement of the training which he described as not only important but very timely to them as bloggers in the country.

He said that from the commencement of the training he is with the strong conviction that at the end participants will be equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills needed to enhance their work as bloggers.

Osman Bendu concluded by encouraging fellow participants to make use of the given opportunity by Africell Impact Foundation for them to be well equipped at the end of the training.

Other participants who spoke to this medium expressed same sentiments.

SLP & UNODC Map Out Ways of Curbing Human Trafficking in Sierra Leone

Inspector General of Police, William Fayia Sellu together with Heads of the Family Support Unit (FSU), the Transnational Organized Crime Unit (TOCU) and the INTERPOL, on Tuesday March 7, 2023, held talks with a team from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) at Police Headquarters in Freetown. The theme of the meeting was centered on curbing the menace of Human Trafficking in Sierra Leone and the sub region .

Ms. Annalisa Pauciullo is the Regional Coordinator and Head of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants Unit of the UNODC. She was part of the meeting and she made a presentation. During her presentation, she stated that she would be establishing an office in Sierra Leone to address the issues of Human Trafficking and the smuggling of migrants from Sierra Leone.

She disclosed that Human Trafficking is a menace and it is a crime that is committed in different ways and for different purposes. She added that it could be for sexual exploitation or for financial or material benefits. She emphasized the dangers that are compounded in such crimes, which she said could either be death or physical injuries to the victim.

While the meeting progressed, Ms. Annalisa Pauciullo further revealed that her intention is to establish a long term partnership with Sierra Leone to address issues that fall within the mandate of her office. She said, Trafficking of persons, Cybercrime, Corruption and drug issues form part of the mandated areas of her office.

While concluding her presentation, she made it clear that she would be purely dealing with the criminal justice system where the Police appears to be very key. She further said that she’ll start her project assessment in Kambia, Kono, Kailahun, Kenema and Pujehun districts on the situation of Human Trafficking and Migrants smuggling.

“We are trying to form a working group to develop modules and a training manual on the Trafficking of human beings. We will therefore start with the law enforcement officers and the Judiciary to receive appropriate training so as to enable them identify potential victims of Trafficking. The essence of the training is to ensure enforcement standards on Trafficking are maintained and would remain sustainable even after my departure,” she concluded

The IGP, on behalf of the SLP, thanked the UNODC and expressed his gratitude on the presentation of Ms. Pauciullo. The IGP maintained that everything presented was for the good of the SLP and the entire nation.

While he gave his appraisal on the presentation, he also acknowledged that even though the SLP is pre- knowledge to issues of Trafficking, such knowledge needs to be continually reinforced for a better work output. He therefore conceded that building the capacity of his personnel had always been his utmost priority.

He welcomed the idea of the training and he opined that the best officer is the one who secures conviction in court. “Human Trafficking and Migrants smuggling are gradually becoming topical issues. Therefore, on behalf of my colleagues, we welcome this project and we promise to reciprocate our support for a fruitful outcome of this project,” the IGP concluded.

WANEP-SL Commences Implementation of Project to Prevent Election Violence

By Millicent Senava Mannah

Dr. Isata Mahoi, National Network Coordinator for the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding – Sierra Leone (WANEP-SL), in an engagement with the media, recently disclosed that the organization has been playing a crucial role in building peace in Sierra Leone. She disclosed that WANEP-SL is one of the national peacebuilding networks in the region and has been working with other partners to manage pre-election conflicts to maintain and build peace in the country.

She furthered how as part of its efforts to prevent  violence before, during and after the 2023 elections, WANEP-SL has embarked on a project to operationalize the National Election Response Group (NERG) and Insider Mediation and Negotiation Council.

“This project is being supported by the United Nations Peace Building Fund (UNPBF) through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP),” she revealed.

According to her, the National Election Response Group (NERG) is a multi-stakeholder platform that brings together various actors, including civil society organizations, traditional leaders, political parties, media, security agencies, and election management bodies to work towards preventing election violence.

“The Insider Mediation and Negotiation Council is a group of eminent personalities who will serve as mediators and negotiators in case of any election-related conflicts,” she also disclosed.

Dr Mahoi also shared that WANEP-SL’s new strategic plan for 2021-2025 aims to build the capacity of citizens, civil society, citizen groups, research institutions, ECOWAS, AU, and all relevant stakeholders towards ensuring, “an enhanced citizenry and State capacity for sustainable peace.”

She explained that the plan includes six strategic objectives, including enhancing the use of Early Warning and Conflict Prevention, building the capacity of women to enhance their roles in peacebuilding and conflict transformation, and supporting youth participation and voices on issues of governance, peace, and security.

She concluded by underscoring that WANEP-SL’s efforts to operationalize the National Election Response Group (NERG) and Insider Mediation and Negotiation Council during the 2023 electioneering process is a significant step towards ensuring peaceful and credible elections in Sierra Leone. She called on all stakeholders to support the project to ensure its success and promote peace and stability in the country.

 

 

 

Basic Education Ministry & SLAJ Engage to Discuss Education Outcomes

By Foday Moriba Conteh

The Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education in collaboration with the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) has on Thursday 9th March, 2023 held a one-day stakeholder engagement on education outcomes with journalists from various media houses in the country. The one-day engagement was held at the Phonso Complex, Ogoo Farm, Goderich.

Addressing the gathering, the President of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), Ahmed Sahid Nasralla, commended the move by the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education to hold the one-day stakeholder engagement on education outcomes with journalists.

He said that the engagement is a product of SLAJ’s initial meeting with the Ministry when the two institutions discussed areas of collaboration and engagement in order to see how the media can contribute towards the development of the educational sector in the country.

Ahmed Sahid Nasralla described journalists as the gatekeepers and that they have a key role to play towards supporting the work of the Ministry, adding that the media should not be considered as a channel of information dissemination but said the media can be a reliable partner in development.

He informed that over the years the media has contributed tremendously towards nation building of which he said the media was very supportive during the Ebola and Corona outbreaks and during other national emergencies in the country.

The President said that the engagement will serve as a beginning of a long-lasting relationship with the Ministry of which he urged journalists to see it as their own responsibility to support the Ministry.

On his part, the Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Dr. Monina David Sengeh, described the stakeholder engagement with journalists on the aforementioned issue as very significant in terms how such could help in enhancing the work of the Ministry.

He further stated that the engagement created a platform for both the Ministry and journalists to discuss the gains the Ministry has made over the years and on areas that the Ministry should improve on more going forward, which he said will enable the Ministry to prioritize impacts.

The Minister used the opportunity to inform pressmen of some of the achievements made so far, of which he informed pressmen that the Ministry has placed a ban on corporal punishment in all schools across the country including privately owned schools, adding that the move to introduce the anti-corporal punishment initiative in schools was to promote positive disciplinary methods and to effectively reinforce the ban on the practice of corporal punishment in all schools nationwide.

He said that the Ministry has also implemented the National Policy on Radical Inclusion in Schools, which according to him, seeks to ensure that schools in Sierra Leone are accessible to all children, in particular those children who have typically been excluded or pushed to the margins, adding that the policy is driven by a vision of justice and equity for Sierra Leone and the imperative that education is critical to reducing cycles of poverty and breaking down all stigma around disability, pregnancy, or parental status.

Dr. Monina David Sengeh said that the Ministry is aware that there are problems, issues and challenges but added that over the years they have consistently build the institution’s infrastructure in order for the Ministry to easily identify those problems, issues and challenges and further address them.

He called on journalists present to help the Ministry in bringing out the issues related to the education sector, which he said, will help them to take action geared towards addressing those issues.

Climaxing the ceremony was a question and answer session during which time journalists present asked critical questions on education outcomes in the country.

 

European Union Launches € 5 million Projects to Support Women’s Empowerment

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

In a Press Release dated 8th March, 2023 issued by the European Union it was stated that on the occasion of International Women’s Day, the European Union Delegation to Sierra Leone launched six projects out of which five focuses on women’s empowerment, and another initiative aimed at promoting gender equality in access to quality education in various districts of Sierra Leone.

The grant contracts for the projects foresee the implementation of activities related to promoting gender equality, women’s full enjoyment of fundamental rights and economic empowerment, as well as equal access to education in Sierra Leone.

The projects are funded under the EU’s Thematic Program for Civil Society Organizations 2021-2027, aimed at strengthening their engagement as key actors for good governance and development in Sierra Leone.

The grant contracts were awarded to six NGO coalitions, encompassing 16 NGOs and 4 District Councils, including Kailahun, Bonthe, Bombali and Kambia District Councils led by the following implementing organizations: Movement for Assistance and Promotion of Rural Communities (MAPCO), Kambia District Development and Rehabilitation Organization (KADDRO), TRÓCAIRE, Agency for Integrated Development Sierra Leone (AID-SL), Action Aid International Sierra Leone, and the Institute for Governance Reform (IGR).

Amongst the entities, 17 are Sierra Leonean and three European based, with a sound track record of supporting Sierra Leone’s developmental objectives and local ownership. These grants support actions in the areas of Women, Youth and Persons with Disability, Vulnerable/Marginalized people, and promoting gender equality in access to quality education, including providing internship opportunities for university students.

The first overarching priority of the CSO Program is an inclusive, participatory, empowered, and independent civil society and a wider democratic space in partner countries. This includes ensuring an inclusive and open dialogue with and between civil society organizations.

Speaking at the launch event, Ambassador Manuel Müller said: “The European Union is committed to supporting projects and investments that empower women worldwide, including in Sierra Leone.”

Ambassador Müller commended the recent enacting into law of the “Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment” (GEWE) Act, as an important progressive governance reform, that will be instrumental in further advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment in Sierra Leone. He underlined that the EU remains committed to supporting the implementation of the new Act.

The projects will last between two and three years, with an average investment by the EU of 800,000 EUR for each project, complemented by 1,000,000 total investment by the CSOs, which shows CSO’s ownership and commitment.

Inclusive Change Makers Group Conducts Training for Disable Women & Girls

By Abubakarr Harding

On Wednesday, March 8th, 2023, the Inclusive Change Makers Group hosted a day of training to improve access to sexual reproductive health rights for women and girls with disabilities. The group, which comprises of people with disabilities from three different countries – Sierra Leone, Kenya and Rwanda – received support from the Children’s Right Innovation Fund and One Family People to organize the event.

The training organized by the Inclusive Change Makers Group was a step towards ending discrimination against women and girls with disabilities. By educating healthcare workers and increasing awareness among the public, members believe that they can create a world where everyone has equal access to their sexual reproductive health rights.

Discrimination against women and girls with disabilities is a prevalent issue that often goes unnoticed. In many societies, women and girls with disabilities are looked down upon and face various forms of discrimination, including in their sexual lives. They often receive inadequate or no sexual reproductive health education and face stigmatization and discrimination from healthcare workers.

The Inclusive Change Makers Group’s training is a significant step towards ending discrimination against women and girls with disabilities. The group’s efforts to raise awareness on sexual reproductive health rights and educate healthcare workers will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the lives of those who have long been neglected and discriminated against.

The training is also an excellent opportunity to celebrate International Women’s Day, a day that promotes gender equality and women’s empowerment. Women and girls with disabilities are often left out of such discussions and initiatives, so it is vital to include them and empower them to know and claim their rights.

The group’s Coordinator, Monica Pa Bai, stated that the purpose of the training was to celebrate International Women’s Day and raise awareness on the sexual reproductive health rights for women and girls with disabilities, which is the main focus of the event. Monica also highlighted that women and girls with disabilities have been facing discrimination when it comes to their sexual lives at the hands of healthcare workers for far too long.

During the training, participants learnt about their sexual reproductive health rights and how to maintain healthy sexual lives. The aim was to ensure that all women and girls with disabilities are aware of their rights and to engage healthcare workers in ending discrimination.

One participant, Michaela Jak, expressed her gratitude to the Inclusive Change Makers Group for raising awareness about their sexual lives. She mentioned that discrimination is a challenge faced by women and girls with disabilities whenever they visit hospitals. However, the training helped her and others understand their rights and how they can maintain a healthy sexual life.

The Inclusive Change Makers Group’s efforts should be commended, and more organizations should follow their example. There is a need to address the inequalities and discrimination that women and girls with disabilities face, and education and awareness-raising initiatives are ways to start. The training on improving access to sexual reproductive health rights for women and girls with disabilities is an essential step towards ending discrimination against this marginalized group. We must continue to raise awareness, educate healthcare workers and empower women and girls with disabilities to claim their rights and live their lives without fear of discrimination or stigmatization.

 

 

45 Year Old Man Sent Down for 15 Years for Raping 70 Year Old Woman

Hon. Justice Alhaji Momoh-Jah Stevens, a Court of Appeal Judge presiding over cases at the Sexual Offences Model Court, has imprisoned 45-year-old Thaimu Kamara for the offence of rape.

Thaimu Kamara, a Fisherman, was accused of rape contrary to Section 6 of the Sexual Offences Act 2012, Act No. 12 of 2012 as repealed and replaced by Section 2 (ii) of the Sexual Offences amendment  Act No. 8 of 2019.

The Particulars of Offences revealed that the Accused, Thaimu Kamara on the 15th day of June 2022 in Freetown, Western Area of the Republic of Sierra Leone, engaged in an act of sexual penetration with a victim (an old woman) who was Seventy Years on the date of the said allegation.

The Accused Thaimu initially pleaded not guilty. The Prosecution in furtherance of its case filed a trial by a Judge alone application instead of a Judge and jury in accordance with Section 144(2) of the Criminal Procedure Act No. 32 of 1965 as repealed and replaced by Section 3 of the Criminal Procedure amendment Act No.11 of 1981.

The Accused did not object to him being tried alone by a Judge.

The Court granted the application for a trial by a Judge alone instead of a Judge and Jury since such application was made by the Prosecution in the interest of justice and fair play.

The Prosecution mainly led the formal Witness, a Police Officer-Detective Sergeant 11196 Mohamed Musa, who testified in Court that a report of Rape was made to the Police at Aberdeen Police Station, in the West End of Freetown on the 15th June 2022 by the Victim, an elder woman of Seventy years of age. The Victim was sent for Medical and an endorsed Medical report was tendered in Court. The Formal Witness testified in Court that the Accused was arrested; adding that the Accused did not deny the allegation of Rape. In other words, the Accused made a Confessional Statement.

The Witness was not crossed examined because the accused, Thaimu Kamara later admitted in open Court to the commission of the offence of Rape. The Charge was again read and explained, and the Accused now pleaded guilty. The Prosecution closed its case.

In his allocutus, the Accused begged for mercy.

According to Hon. Justice Momoh-Jah Stevens, since the Accused did not waste the Court’s time and had changed his plea to guilty during the testimony of the first Prosecution Witness, “I shall impose the minimum sentence.”

The accused Thaimu Kamara is sentenced to fifteen years imprisonment.

 

Political Parties Sign Communiqué to Promote Moral Values & Condemn Violence

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

A communiqué was signed on the 6th March, 2023 at the New Brookfields Hotel in Freetown, during a dialogue lunch convened by the Political Parties Regulation Commission (PPRC),  by  the Leadership/Representatives of the All Peoples Congress (APC), Coalition for Change Party (C4C), the National Grand Coalition (NGC), and the Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP),

The parties agreed to promote, observe and enforce the observance of the cultural and moral values of society and to condemn all forms of obscenities, vulgarities, hate speech and all other proscribed conduct in the Political Parties Act No 25 of 2022, against their political opponents.

It was also agreed that political parties will continue to engage and admonish their members and supporters to refrain from all such conduct, in the course of their partisan activities and that they commit to support and cooperate with the Sierra Leone Police, to identify and arrest perpetrators of all such proscribed conduct, in the course of their activities.

The Political Parties encouraged the PPRC to engage the leadership of Political Parties, before invoking the powers conferred on them in the new Act, each time there is perceived transgression by any of the Parties, in the spirit of mutual cooperation and goodwill.

 

 

SLAJ on the Road to Adopting a Gender Policy

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

On International Women’s Day 2023, commemorated on Wednesday 8th March, 2023 President of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), Ahmed Sahid Nasralla, in a statement, pointed out that the day is a significant one in the lives of women, not only in Sierra Leone but all over the world.

He said for ages, women have been suffering several forms of inequality and numerous discriminatory practices adding that the global occurrences leading up to 2023 and the notable actions taken by international stakeholders to curb inequality have resulted in the major steps being taken by local partners, especially women’s rights organizations and the Government of Sierra Leone for Sierra Leone to produce legal instruments that foster women’s empowerment.

The SLAJ President revealed how on Thursday, 19th January 2023, President Julius Maada Bio signed into law The Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) ACT 2022 an Act  that requires public and private entities to reserve 30 percent of their jobs for women in a bid to tackle gender imbalances in a male-dominated society.

He said SLAJ applauds the Government for taking into consideration the felt needs of the women in the country, by enacting the law saying it is a great step towards ensuring gender equality in all spheres of society.

According to him, while SLAJ recognizes that discrimination, harassment and inequality on the basis of gender are not limited to the media, the Association acknowledges that gender inequality is a major challenge in the media in Sierra Leone.

He pointed out that the media in Sierra Leone is male-dominated, in terms of ownership and representation in leadership positions across individual media institutions as well as in SLAJ and its affiliate bodies. Out of a total of 718 active SLAJ members, he said,  only 170 are women maintaining that there are significant changes in the electronic media but the print media still has a long way to go.

Nasralla stated that globally, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) focusing this year’s IWD celebration on “Women Reporting Conflicts”, reports that in 2022, 10 women were killed in the line of duty.

He said according to the IFJ; “Women journalists face extreme challenges while reporting on the ground, from military attacks and threats to police intimidation, surveillance, and systematic gender-based violence. Their safety is regularly put at risk, and many have developed their own tactics to stay safe.”

President of SLAJ revealed that Female journalists have fewer training opportunities, face discrimination and threats online in what they cover, and sexual harassment and intimidation in the workplace.

He stated that as we approach the June 2023 public elections, SLAJ is working with partners and Election Monitoring Bodies to ensure the safety and security of female journalists covering the elections as well as female politicians taking part in them.

According to him, the Media Reform Coordinating Group (MRCG) and the Women in the Media Sierra Leone (WIMSAL) have organized capacity-building programs for female journalists adding that the MRCG’s draft policy on safety and security also captures issues concerning female journalists in the country.

He said for them in SLAJ, they choose to address the issue of inequality, harassment and intimidation by ensuring that they embed the GEWE Act 2022 within the Association.

“SLAJ commits itself through its Gender Advisory Panel which comprises members and people from civil society to institute affirmative action within the Association,” he further disclosed adding how the Association through a project supported by Irish Aid will launch a draft gender policy and do a nationwide tour to fine-tune its content for implementation this year. That policy, he said, aims to contribute to gender equality and women’s empowerment in all forms of media in Sierra Leone.

“SLAJ is committed to non-discriminatory practices and very proud to have women journalists as key members of our governing structure: the chairpersons for our Disciplinary Committee, the SLAJ Electoral Commission, and the SLAJ Gender Advisory Panel are all women,” he said furthering that while SLAJ does not have control over the employment and editorial policies of media houses, the Association commits itself to support efforts to formulate policies that make the newsroom conducive for female journalists.

He expressed his deep admiration and respect for women’s incredible strength and resilience everywhere saying despite facing systemic barriers and discrimination, women have made significant strides toward gender equality.

The SLAJ President informed that according to the World Bank, the proportion of women with access to formal employment has increased by 3.3% globally in the past decade, which according to him is a testament to the hard work and dedication of women who have fought for their rights and demanded to be seen and heard.

He said, however, the fact cannot be ignored that women still face immense challenges naming the COVID-19 pandemic which, he said, has highlighted the disproportionate impact of crises on women, with women being more likely to lose their jobs, take on care giving responsibilities and experience gender-based violence.

Nasralla said but amidst all of that, there is hope as Women have shown time and time again that they are capable of overcoming adversity and creating positive change.

He said, in fact, a recent study by the Harvard Business Review found that countries with more women in leadership positions have had better outcomes during the pandemic.

“So let us celebrate the progress we have made, but let us also commit ourselves to do more,” he enjoined adding that all must continue to advocate for policies that promote gender equality, including equal pay, paid parental leave, and affordable childcare as well as support women-led initiatives and organizations that are working towards a more just and equitable world.

The SLAJ President said together we can create a world where every woman has the opportunity to fulfill her potential and live a life free from discrimination and oppression.

He called to stand in solidarity with women everywhere and work towards a brighter, more inclusive future for all.

He took the opportunity to recognize Mrs. Bernadette Cole and the late Diasy Bona, two distinguished women in the media in Sierra Leone whose contributions toward the development of the media in the country continue to inspire more women coming into journalism.

 

 

Sierra Leone Is Destined For Greatness

As the main portal to the country, the new Airport is part of the grand plan by His Excellency President Bio to increase Foreign Direct Investment in Sierra Leone and break the cycle of underdevelopment. It is no secret that his Excellency and our First Lady single handedly rebranded the image of our beloved Sierra Leone internationally.

The Honourable Minister for Tourism Dr. Memunatu Pratt and our Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation have worked tirelessly making the necessary international connections in anticipation of the new airport.

Some believe the airport is a renovation of the old one, this is because they do not believe it is possible to design and build this architectural masterpiece in 16 months. Convincing these detractors that it is actually a new airport is an exercise in folly. In the words of the great Winston Churchill “You will never reach your destination if you stop and throw stones at every dog that barks.” So if you still believe the world is flat, it does not negate the objective truth that the world is round.

The Airport has four terminals and an additional Presidential terminal that’s a joy to behold. The airport is so beautiful; it has every right to be listed as one of the tourist attractions in Sierra Leone.

Tourism is the largest industry in the Maldives. Prior to COVID, in 2019 Maldives had more than 1.7 million visitors with an average spend of $1,900. This is awesome considering the population the Maldives is under 600 thousand.

Sierra Leone has some of the best beaches, with Lungi being a prime example. Port Loko is strategically placed to be one of the best tourist destinations in the world. With proper town planning in Port Loko, Freetown will play 2nd fiddle to Port Loko in 15 years as a commercial hub.

Development of resorts and associated services has started in Sierra Leone. Fortunately investors are more flexible and are ready to work with a 10 to 25yr lease for land. So people in Port Loko and other areas of interest do not have the fear of losing their lands forever.

There is also a rush for package holiday companies to establish in Sierra Leone. This company offers a range of benefits to holidaymakers, including legal and financial protection under the Package Travel, and great value for money. With the number of resorts on the increase, this industry will increase our GDP.

The Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs (MTCA) organized a week long training of trainers workshop for public and private sector workers in the tourism industry. This was concluded on the 28th January, 2023 and the implementing agency was the National Tourist Board (NTB) facilitated by two Canadian Tourism Experts from the Ted Rogers School of Tourism Management. This initiative is getting Sierra Leone ready for the anticipated increase in both local and international tourists.

Gambia benefitted much from package holidays and chartered flights. It’s also worthy of note that prostitution is legal in The Gambia. Las Vegas is a desert strip but their marketing was phenomenal, Las Vegas is recognised internationally as one of the best tourist destinations.

Modern day example of the commercialization of the tourism industry, is the all mighty Dubai. It will be an effort in futility to match the infrastructural development of the UAE, but Sierra Leone can easily surpass most countries in the world in the area of eco-tourism.

Making our touristic areas malaria free is quite easy, fortunately we have no organizations yet clamouring for the protection of mosquitoes. Not forgetting how redenomination has psychologically made our currency more valuable. A hundred dollar does not make you a millionaire in Sierra Leone any more.

The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) gave Sierra Leone a clean bill and yes we qualified for the grant. This goes way beyond MCC, internationally; Mama Salone is a force to be reckoned with. It is a fact, we have a few detractors peddling lies under the guise of “politics”, but this Government will continue along the path of development. “The frown on the face of a goat would not stop it from being taken to the market.”- African proverb. Sierra Leone is destined for greatness, and that’s the path we must follow.

America was able to promote their tourism industry through their very vibrant movie industry. There is a direct correlation between the movie industry and tourism. A 2021 UNESCO report surmised that the African movie industry has the potential to generate $20 Billion annually. Hence we have the Human Capital Development in the film Industry Initiative.

It will concentrate on domesticated training in every aspect of the film industry with emphasis on commercialization. The maiden production “Fatima my Bride” was filmed in York village, the first outdoor screening of the movie was also in York. York is being touted as a picturesque tourist destination with Modern history. The initiative has several productions planed, with Tacugama the chimpanzee sanctuary as one of the areas planed for production to take place. One thing is certain; this initiative will ameliorate the challenge of Youth unemployment in Sierra Leone.

The new Freetown International Airport is a testament to what Sierra Leone can achieve with a visionary leader and also a precursor of greater development to come. This write up concentrates on the tourism sector, there are other areas directly linked to development because of the airport (international teaching hospitals, Universities, economic zones, industrial farming etc ) but these aspects will be covered by experts.

Fortunately the EU has reiterated its support for the development of Sierra Leone and the accusation of the EU being an extension of the opposition party in Sierra Leone is unfounded.

Sierra Leone is fortunate to have one of the best leaders in its history, we expect President Bio to break the cycle of underdevelopment and usher in an era of prosperity for this great republic.

 

 

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