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Two ISAT Personnel to Work alongside SLP ahead of June 24 Polls

Two newly transferred personnel of the International Security Advisory Team (ISAT) were welcomed by the Executive Management Board (EMB) of the Sierra Leone Police (SLP), through the Inspector General of Police, William Fayia Sellu on Wednesday 1st March 2023, in their usual meeting at Police Headquarters conference room . The transferred personnel are Lieutenant-Colonel Gary Wolfenden and Chris Weigold who has come to Sierra Leone from Britain to work along with the security sector, especially the SLP ahead of the June 24 polls.

Also, the EMB also bade farewell to the outgoing ISAT personnel, in the person of Lieutenant Colonel Rob Brown who demonstrated immense work output towards the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) during his tenure in Sierra Leone and the EMB hopes that his successors would emulate same.

AIG Mustapha Kamara and other EMB members lauded the coming of the newly transferred personnel and expressed their profound appreciations to the outgoing personnel  for his enormous contributions, and wished him well in his endeavours.

The Inspector General of Police,  William Fayia Sellu expressed his profound gratitude to Lieutenant Colonel Rob Browne for his enormous contributions and said he is looking forward to the new men to emulate same.

“On behalf of the SLP, I would want to extend my sincere thanks and appreciation to the British High Commission and we remain grateful”, IGP Sellu reaffirmed.

A gift of appreciation was given to Lieutenant Colonel Rob Browne as a sign of recognition for his tireless effort during his stay in Sierra Leone while a British Police whistle was given in return to the Inspector General of Police as an honour of recognition.

ISAT is a British team that seeks to augment and capacitate the security sector in Sierra Leone with a view to expanding on the work output of the Security Sector.

The two newly transferred personnel will be liaising with the security sector for the successful conduct of the upcoming multi-tier elections in the country.

𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐏𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐎𝐮𝐭

One thousand Police recruits graduated or passed-out on Saturday 25th February, 2023 at the Sierra Leone Peace Keeping and Law Enforcement Academy (SILEA) Hastings Campus. Amongst those who passed out, 758 were male, whilst 242 were female.

The recruits spent three months and some weeks at SILEA campus where they underwent rigorous physical exercises and covered various modules including: Public Order Management, Introduction To Criminal Law, Ethics And Discipline, Inter- Agency Collaboration and Gender.

Human Rights Issues among others.

Key speakers included the Vice President of the Republic of Sierra Leone Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, who admonished and cautioned recruits to be professional and apolitical in the discharge of their constitutional duties.

The Inspector General of Police, William Fayia Sellu, excellently informed the Vice President and distinguished guests, on the gains, innovation and challenges of the SLP since he was appointed as the Inspector General of Police.

Fayia Sellu, also pointed out the intended activities he and his Executive Management Board (EMB) intend to undertake, in the spirit of rebranding the SLP.

Notable attendees included; The First Lady, Fatima Maada Bio; the Internal Affairs Minister, David Panda Noah; the National Security Coordinator, Government Ministers and Senior Police Officers.

The Passing Out Ceremony was climaxed with awards to four recruits. Namely: Recruit 21486, Vandi Esther M, as Baton Of Honour  Presented to her by Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, Recruit 21355 Amara Andrew E, for Top Shot presented to him by  Fatima Maada Bio, 21425 Recruit Harding Christian for Best Drill/Parade, Presented to him by David Panda Noah, 21668 Recruit Ajamu Jamil Bozed, for best behaviour presented to him by IGP, William Fayia Sellu.

 

 

 

Tourism Ministry Holds Consultative Meeting with Stakeholders

The Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, with support from the World Bank, on the 28th February, 2023 engaged stakeholders in the public and private sector during a one day consultative meeting on Tourism Investment promotion. The meeting was held at Njala venue, Lumley Beach Road, Freetown.

Rationale of the engagement, which was spearheaded by a tourism consultant, was to work closely with the Ministry to identify and promote Sierra Leone’s top bankable market driven tourism product development opportunities, attract and secure foreign direct investment and domestic investment to help transform Sierra Leone into one of the most competitive tourism destinations in West Arica in the process.

The project includes the development of an investment portfolio and marketing collateral featuring the top 15 tourism investment opportunities, the completion of feasibility studies for the top five investment opportunities. The focus is on sustainable tourism development with emphasis on eco-tourism projects and activities that benefit local communities and protect the natural environment.

Speaking to stakeholders in the public and private sector , the Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Memunatu Pratt said the consultation is geared towards putting the public and private sector together so that there will be a process were they exchange ideas and views that look at investment opportunities in Sierra Leone. She added that her Ministry has been running around the country to situate tourism by ground laying activities in International marketing, infrastructure, legal environment, tourism governance, hospitality development, entertainment all in one package to put forward a very strong relationship with all the MDAs, Civil Societies and the Media Institutions.

She maintained that they are now at the stage where the ground work has been done and that the takeoff stage is about implementing all the laws and policies and that their biggest goal is to increase the investment in the tourism sector.

Minister Pratt added that with support from the World Bank, in the next 18 to 24 months, places like Leicester peak, Takugama, River number 2 beach, Bureh beach, Banana Island, Wara Wara and others would have been developed and will attract more Tourists in the country. She added that they are getting themselves ready to build investors confidence, build private sector promotion and also ensure that they send a loud and clear international message to the world that Sierra Leone in not only open for Tourism but also open for business. She said that the new airport is the biggest game changer that will give Tourists confidence to come to Sierra Leone. Dr. Pratt puts that they were there to look at investment opportunities and that they have a professional Consultant who is ready to take them through the process.

The Director of Tourism, Mohamed Jalloh presented the areas of investment in the tourism sector featuring it unique selling points and also highlighted the numerous strides the Ministry has made in repositioning the sector to conform with contemporary global tourism requirements.

The Consultant, John Perrottet in his presentation of Building Tourism Investment in Sierra Leone said for Sierra Leone to become a competitive tourism investment destination, engagements with the public and private sector are important, hence he was thrilled to be part of the session. He said the project was a wonderful opportunity for Sierra Leone to appeal to investors to invest in Sierra Leone. His presentation focused on what is needed to attract tourism investment, the recipe for success and what makes a destination unique in luring tourists and investment opportunities.

Participants of the session including key stakeholders in the public and private sector gave their various contributions from their standpoints as to what they think is required for tourism investment in the tourism sector to blossom.

 

Erstwhile C4C Mayor Shows Determination to Champion SLPP Campaigns

Former Coalition for Change (C4C) Mayor of Koidu New Sembehun City, Komba Sam, who recently declared for the ruling Sierra Leone Peoples Party, SLPP, has on the 1st March,2023 offered to lead the campaign for the re-election of His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio.

“I want to lead my people to the SLPP, so that we will give President Bio a second term, so that he can accomplish the many developments for Sierra Leone in general and Kono District in particular,” he stated.

“Today I am here to officially declare for SLPP under the leadership of President Julius Maada Bio. For me, this is a big day because, as a very young man, I have served my people in this part of the country for five years under the ticket of the C4C. However, the New Direction administration was there to ensure that irrespective of my political party, my city, and my district, we could make major accomplishments.

“I have worked with His Excellency’s Government and I know exactly what President Bio stands for and the development we have all achieved together as a Government. So, in the interest of this municipality and the entire population of the Kono District, I have worked on, discussed with, and seen the many developments President Bio wants for this nation, including ongoing projects.

“As the Mayor of Koidu New Sembehun City, I want to be part of the trajectory by making sure we work towards achieving those developments in the pipeline,” he explained.

Isata Feika Saffa, 25, an entrepreneur in Koidu Town, who was mobilizing people, described the day as very important in the lives of Sierra Leoneans in that part of the country, pointing out that, “We are here to support Mayor Komba Sam, whom we referred to as the ‘Back-to-Back Team’ based on the tangible development he was able to achieve in the municipality as Mayor.

“We, the women, young people, and the elderly in Kono District, are here today not only to witness our Mayor’s declaration ceremony for the SLPP party, but we are also here so that our Mayor will not go to the SLPP party alone.

“We want him to continue as our Mayor under the SLPP party. So, we are here to demonstrate our solidarity and to also express how happy and willing we are to go with him,” she reiterated.

Foreign Journalists Speak in Glowing Terms about Sierra Leone Tourism Potentials

By Millicent Senava Mannah

A group of foreign Journalists from America and Canada engaged the Media on the 2nd March, 2023 to share the experience they acquired during their tour in the country in an event that took place at the Conference Room of the Ministry of Tourism.

Speaking at the event, David Digregorio, who led the delegation said, they had a wonderful time in the country maintaining that people in the country are really hospitable.

He intimated that what they heard about the country and what they have seen with their eyes are quite different informing how there was lot of propaganda on Social Media that the country is not stable or peaceful, but how what they saw was exactly opposite to what they previously heard.

David commended the Minister of Tourism for her good work so far, proffering recommendations on how the sector can be improved also stating how they really had a good time in the country. He advised her to be authentic and not to try to please everybody but to continue to focus on what she is doing.

He also commended the people for their incredible culture, stating how he would love to visit the country again. He said that, when they return they will tell their people that Sierra Leone is an incredible country and how all the negative news about the country are untrue, and how they should also pay a visit.

David and the entire delegation almost said the same thing, and how they would return and write incredible stories about the country and its people, for people in the outside world to see how peaceful the country is, and for them to be inspired to visit, as a way of promoting the country’s tourism sector.

The Minister of Tourism, Memunatu Pratt, applauded them for their time and efforts utilized in undertaking the exercise continuing that normally they are a bit concerned about the perceptions of people any time they visit the country, and how they most times want to hear them say they are coming back as it is a good feedback.

‘’With all your experiences I am happy to see that you are able to connect our story to the destination. I have underlined the part where you say we are proud of our story. We are proud and we have no shame in talking about Sierra Leone,  because if we don’t talk about what has happened to Sierra Leone, it is going to be very difficult to appreciate what we are offering,’’ she stated.

According to her, their story must be connected to the people, lamenting that even after the civil war tourism was not part of the post conflict rebuilding.

‘’I can also tell that even with all the reforms that has been done, the legal instruments, tourism has not been part of it for the past thirty years. Today we are the most enviable Ministry, because the change is visible, you can see it, you can feel it,’’ the Minister asserted.

The Minister also revealed how they attracted the BUDAPEST Rally to have their finish line in the country twice now.

Terry Ward one of the foreign journalists, said that the people of the country are proud of their story, and where they have come from. He stated  how Sierra Leone is a beautiful country and how the people are very nice and accommodating. She affirmed that, she would visit the country again, and how it is a lovely place to be.

Bimbola Carrol, CEO, Visit Sierra Leone, said that tourism in the country has come a long way and how it is much more better than how it was before. He continued that, under the leadership of the Minister, the Tourism sector has made enormous changes, stating how she has passion for tourism and how she is indeed the most fitted in that position.

 

EU Delegation Dismisses Hon. Emerson Lamina’s Statement as Unfortunate & Unnecessary

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

Leader of the Second largest opposition Party in Sierra Leone Hon. Saa Emerson Lamina has requested from members of the Joint ACP- EU Joint Parliamentary Committee on Political Affairs to call to order the EU Ambassador to Sierra Leone Manuel Muller for interfering in the politics of Sierra Leone.

Speaking during the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly Hon. Lamina stated that it is sad to note that some faction of the International Community who should support Sierra Leone’s democratic gains are rather undermining it through their actions.

The Honourable cited Amb. Muller, whom he said ,”has become the mouthpiece and an extension of the main Opposition Party – The APC”.

The C4C leader informed the ACP-EU Parliamentarians as he catalogued the actions of Ambassador Muller as firstly he has been on record of interfering in recent parliamentary bye-election in Constituency 056. He stated that though the Ambassador was not an accredited observer, “he was seen on a motor bike moving from one polling station to another polling station making unsavory statements about the President and his Government”

Furthermore, Hon Saa Emerson Lamina cited another means of interference of the EU Ambassador on the works of the Electoral Commission, an Independent body.

He alleges that Amb. Muller has on many occasions attempted to influence its Chairman and commissioners  as the Ambassador has been on record saying : “ that in Makeni, the main opposition strong hold, I saw a huge crowd of people turning out to register; where as in Bo, the governing Party stronghold, people were few. How come now that more people registered in Bo than Makeni”.

Hon Lamina asserted that “this is an inciting comment that has the propensity of creating instability in our country”.

In a kind of response, the European Union Delegation to Sierra Leone stated in a Press Release, dated 2nd March, 2023 that it has taken note of the intervention of the Hon. Member of Parliament, Emerson Lamina, in the framework of a meeting of Parliamentarians of the EU-ACP group in Brussels on 1 March 2023.

The EU Delegation further stated that it was surprised about the content of the petition of Hon. Emerson Lamina, mainly focusing on allegations against the European Union which do not correspond with facts.

It continued how on the 13th February, H.E. President Bio visited Brussels and had fruitful meetings with the Commissioner for International Partnership, Jutta Urpilainen, the High Representative for Foreign and Security Affairs and Vice President of the EU Commission, Josep Borrell, as well as with the President of the Council of the European Union, H.E. Charles Michel who invited H.E. President Bio to a private dinner.

The EU Delegation continued that the tone and content of the statement of Hon. Emerson Lamina does not correspond with the strong partnership and good relations between Sierra Leone and the European Union as confirmed during the recent meetings that H. E. President Bio held in Brussels, which showed a clear alignment in principles, values and interests between the EU and Sierra Leone.

The European Union Delegation maintained that it considers the statement of Hon. Emerson Lamina an unfortunate and unnecessary incident which does not reflect the longstanding good relations between the European Union and Sierra Leone.

Based on the allegations of Hon. Emerson Lamina, the European Union Delegation to Sierra Leone said it wishes to issue the following clarifications:

That the European Union has participated in diplomatic watch exercises coordinated with other international partners in recent by-elections, including in Constituency 056 in Tonkolili district.

It also clarified that all staff of EU Delegation and other partners who participated in the electoral watch, including the EU Ambassador, were officially accredited at the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone as “International Observers” and followed the usual code of conduct for observers also disclosing how  No statement was made in that context.

According to the delegation, the EU Ambassador and other watchers of the EU Delegation behaved with full respect towards all electoral stakeholders and citizens and discretion.

It said the presence of the international watchers was recognized and appreciated by stakeholders and citizens in the field maintaining that after the by- elections, the European Union Delegation and other international partners briefed the Chief Electoral Commissioner on their observations.

It was also stated that the quote that Hon. Emerson Lamina has attributed to the EU Ambassador with regard to voter registration does not correspond with facts.

The European Union, it was established, is a longstanding and strong partner of Sierra Leone in the area of electoral support in addition to the fact that the European Union Delegation has an excellent working relation with the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone including election observation and in the framework of projects the European Union is financing to support Electoral Management Bodies to conduct peaceful, inclusive, transparent and credible electoral processes, with integrity and effectiveness.

Also mentioned was that the European Union is also providing technical assistance to the Commission and has supported its communication and gender and inclusion strategies and within that framework, an amicable dialogue takes place regularly between the EU Delegation and the Electoral Commission. In that regard, the European Union Delegation said it commends the open door policy of the ECSL Chairperson.

The point was underscored that as a question of principle, the European Union Delegation has no position on the electoral system that the Sierra Leonean authorities have decided to use for the conduct of 2023 elections and the EU Ambassador has never made any statement on the electoral system.

Rather it was emphasized that the allegations made by Hon. Emerson Lamina concerning statements of the EU Ambassador on the 10 August events do not correspond with facts.

In general, the European Union Delegation said it wishes to underline that the European Union believes that a strong democracy, with free, transparent, peaceful, credible, multi-party and multi-candidate elections, which give a chance to all voters to express their will and to all candidates to contest without impediment, greatly contributes to long-term peace and stability.

The EU, made it clear that it does not favour specific political parties or candidates and that the EU worldwide supports processes which allow that at the end of the day, elections are free, transparent, credible and inclusive, so that the people’s will is fully taken into consideration.

It continued how the EU, since 1996 ,has been supporting Sierra Leone Electoral Management Bodies’ work for peaceful, inclusive, transparent, multi-party and multi-candidate elections disclosing that the EU Electoral Observation Missions were deployed in Sierra Leone in the last 3 general elections, in 2007, 2012 and 2018.

Highlighted was that the EU and its Member States have committed over 7 million Euro to support transparent, inclusive, credible and peaceful elections in Sierra Leone in 2023.

It was disclosed that  Team Europe supports the project “Fostering Peaceful, Credible and Inclusive Elections in Sierra Leone 2022-2023” implemented by UNDP (contributions from Ireland and from the EU) and the ECOWAS Regional Programme “Peace and Security Architecture and Operations” (contributions from Germany and from the EU).

EU’s electoral support, it was maintained, is strictly non-partisan and aimed at building the institutional capacity of electoral management bodies and civil society organizations for effective, inclusive and peaceful electoral operations.

Further disclosed was that the Electoral Commission (ECSL), Political Parties Regulation Commission (PPRC), Police and the Judiciary are amongst the beneficiaries of EU funded technical assistance implemented by ECOWAS, UNDP, International IDEA and DAI.

The EU concluded by stating how it supports Civil Society Organisations as good governance and development actors, and therefore promotes domestic observation and citizens’ engagement in support to the inclusion of youth, women and people living with disability in electoral processes, as well as community-based conflict prevention and mediation.

 

APC Discloses New Executive Members & Unequivocally Condemns Violence

By Fatmata Jengbe

In  a Public Notice dated 27th February, 2023 signed by the Party’s  National Secretary General, Lansana Dumbuya Esq,  the All Peoples Congress (APC) stated how it wishes to inform the general public that at its National Delegates Conference held in Makeni from the 18th – 20th February 2023 the following national officers (with the exception of the National Leader) were elected to serve for a term of 3 years pursuant to Article 52 (a) of the APC Constitution 2022 commencing from the 20th of February 2023 – 20th February 2026.

No. NAME POSITION
1. Dr. Samura M.W. Kamara National Leader/Flagbearer
2. Hon. Alhaji Minkailu Mansaray National Chairman
3. Amb. Alhaji Osman Foday Yansaneh Deputy National Chairman
4. Lansana Dumbuya Esq. National Secretary – General
5. Hon. Osman Timbo Deputy National Secretary – General
6. Bai Mahmoud Bangura National Organising Secretary
7. Chernor C.S. Kamara Deputy National Organising Secretary
8. Sidie Yayah Tunis National Publicity Secretary
9. Mohamed Kamara Deputy National Publicity Secretary
10. Mrs. Memunatu Koroma National Treasurer
11. Alieu Kamara – Taylor Deputy National Treasurer
12. Africanus Sorie Sesay Esq. National Legal Adviser
13. Ms. Jerelyn O.P. Manly – Spain Deputy National Legal Adviser
14. Osman Jalloh National Financial Secretary
15. John Sorie Kabba Conteh Deputy National Financial Secretary
16. Rev. Michael Samura National Chaplain
17. Sheik Mohamed Lamin Kamara National Imam
18. Hon. Wurroh Timbo Jalloh National Whip

The APC stated further that the following national officers were also elected at their various Special Organ elections conducted before the National Delegates Conference to serve for similar terms.

No. NAME POSITION
1. Mariama Lowe Bangura National Women’s Leader
2. Haja Ya Alimamy Manso Kamara Deputy National Women’s Leader
3. Bernadette Nyella Kargbo Secretary, National Women’s Congress
4. Thomas Conteh National Veterans Leader
5. Dr. Joseph Sam Sesay Deputy National Veterans Leader
6. Peter S. Mansaray Secretary, National Veterans Congress
7. Anthony Osman Khanou National Leader,

Persons with

Disabilities
8. Baby Mariatu Conteh Deputy National Leader,

Persons with

Disabilities
9. Raymond Buck Secretary, Persons with Disabilities
10. Ibrahim Prince Tholley National Young Leader
11. Ansu Bernard Deputy National Young Leader Congress
12. Ibrahim Bai Tarawallie Secretary, National Young Congress

The Party concluded that in addition to the elections of the national officers, elections were also conducted for the positions of Regional Non-Executive National Advisory Committee Members, the Internal Auditor, National Internal Elections Management Committee Coordinator and members of the Internal Elections Management Committee.

In another Press Statement signed by Hon. Osman Timbo, as Deputy National Secretary General, the APC stated that it is with utter dismay and anguish that they make this press statement touching and concerning violent attacks on their Party officials and supporters perpetrated by state apparatus on the 22nd of February 2023 during the occasion of the return to Freetown of their Flagbearer; Dr. Samura Kamara and newly elected National Executive after having been giving full permission and cover by the Sierra Leone Police.

The APC said it could be recalled that on that day, in what was generally termed a “Triumphant Entry” of the All Peoples Congress Flagbearer into Freetown, hundreds of thousands of suffering Sierra Leoneans and party supporters flooded the streets to show solidarity for their candidate for the 2023 Presidential elections.

It continued that having seen the remarkable and spontaneous gathering of Sierra Leoneans like never seen before for a Presidential candidate, the state apparatus sprang into action to quench the peaceful solidarity  displayed and hurt the camaraderie shown by Sierra Leoneans to their candidate.

The party said it received reports of violent and unprovoked physical attacks on their National Secretary General; Lansana Dumbuya and his entourage, the driver and security personnel of the Mayor of the Freetown Municipality; Her Worship, Yvonne Aki Sawyerr, Madam Jennifer Kargbo; a former aspirant for the position of Deputy National Chairperson of the Party and the wife of the former Minister of Finance and the occupants of her vehicle, the seizure of the vehicle and other effects of Mahmoud Tarawally; former Deputy Minister of Lands, the beating, molestation and temporary detention of Rtd. A.IG. Karrow – Kamara and a multitude of other supporters and sympathizers, all perpetrated by State Security forces (Military Officers) believed to be members of the Presidential Guard Force, in no less a place but at a checkpoint spontaneously mounted close to the State Lodge at Hill Station in Freetown.

The APC said like any other unsuspecting vehicular users of the road, those people were passing by peacefully and without any crowd.

It added that their Secretary General and the passengers were asked out of his vehicle, his red cap roughly taken off his head and he was ordered to lay prostrate on the floor while his vehicle was ransacked also maintaining that they were subsequently beaten mercilessly resulting in visible physical injuries and psychological trauma. The APC pointed out that their Secretary General is still undergoing medical examinations and continues to complain of acute pain in his sides.

The Party claimed that similarly, his vehicle, money and other effects were confiscated and up till now they haven’t been returned. It stated how Mayor Aki – Sawyerr’s driver; Hassan Kamara and her security guard were beaten up and the Mayor’s laptop and other effects belonging to her, the driver and the security guard were taken but up till now the Mayor’s laptop is in police custody.

According to the APC, Madam Jennifer Kargbo was similarly harassed at the same place with guns being directly pointed at her face while they rudely asked to search the vehicle.  The APC said they threatened her and the passengers on board her vehicle and even damaged one of the door handles of the vehicle adding that as they were released, one of the guards smashed a half  filled stout bottle on her vehicle but thankfully she escaped unharmed physically.

The APC maintained that they are still yet to locate some of their supporters who were manhandled and/or retrieve the vehicles and other property taken from them.

Also, the Party again claimed that there are also reports of police brutality on their supporters at Calaba Town having been provoked by members of the Sierra Leone People’s Party’s Ataya base at Calaba Town.

It stated that the Police, in their trademark disproportional handling of events fired tear- gas canisters and nearly caused a stampede saying their party supporters were again beaten by police officers and bundled in trucks.

The Party said it is encouraging victims  to come out and  narrate their ordeals as they were not expecting their first press conference to be about that also underscoring that the APC is the Government in waiting and their hope was to share with supporters their programs and policies to build back Sierra Leone once they take power through the ballot box on 24th June 2023.

The APC said let it be made very clear that no intimidation tactics, harassment, arrests or bullying will scare them as they will not be fazed saying their people know what this election is about emphasizing that it is about their survival and saving the soul of the nation.

“What was clearly evident was scare on their part so they resorted to intimidation,” it was claimed with assurance given that the APC will only take power through democratic means.

The All Peoples Congress said it vehemently condemns all those acts of violence, harassment and gross human rights abuses meted by State Security Forces.

The Party noted that these worrying conducts of State Security Forces do not bear well on the country’s democracy adding that Sierra Leone has made a lot of gains in consolidating peace and improving the country’s image in showing respect for human rights and tolerance to opposition members.

According to the party, they urgently call on the Chief of Defense Staff, the Inspector General of Police and Office of National Security to investigate those acts of violence, harassments and gross human rights abuses and bring the perpetrators to book.

It pointed out that the Truth and Reconciliation Commission cited the role of security forces in maintaining or destroying the country’s fragile and hard-won peace saying they must not toy with it!

The APC said it is equally calling on the President Bio led Government to condemn those acts and facilitate the swift investigation of perpetrators to dispel any belief that the Government had any hand in the intimidation and assault of their members. It said what they demand is a level playing field for all political parties, freedom within the laws to operate just as is being done for the SLPP and its Flagbearer.

The APC said they will continue to urge their members to remain law abiding, as the APC Party, the-government-in-waiting, will not afford to jeopardize the peace of  the nation maintaining that their resolve is to see a peaceful and prosperous Sierra Leone maintaining that they will use lawful and democratic means to gain power as they refuse to be provoked.

It furthered that they are concerned about the business of ameliorating the harsh living conditions of compatriots and are busy devising workable ways to get the economy better and the nation once again on an upward trajectory.

The APC Party stated that it is focused on saving the nation of Sierra Leone and would continue to utilize all lawful avenues to make its voice heard and rely on the International Community to protect the country’s peace.

 

 

 

 

 

CIPE-SL Receives Grant to Promote Democracy & Electoral Freedom

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

In a Press Statement issued by the Coalition for Inclusive and Peaceful Election in Sierra Leone dated 1st March,2023 it was stated that the group which is made up of the  Talking Drum Studio – Sierra Leone (TDS-SL), the Independent Radio Network (IRN) and the Sierra Leone Association of Journalist (SLAJ), on Tuesday 21st February, 2023, signed a grant agreement with the FCDO (with UK aid funding) titled ‘Promoting Democracy and Electoral Freedom in Sierra Leone’ (ProDEF – SL).

It was further mentioned that it is a six months’ peace promotion and voter education intervention in eight of the sixteen administrative and political districts of Sierra Leone, which aims to support ‘cross community and political interest dialogue for peaceful and violence-free elections’ in June 2023.

The Coalition for Inclusive and Peaceful Election says it leverages coalition partners’ experience in delivering similar interventions in electoral processes, established community-level presence across the country, and extensive track record in community level peace promotion, as well as elections media programming.

According to the Coalition, the project will promote peaceful electoral engagement through platforms for cross party and community dialogue and debate,  enhance inclusive and meaningful participation of women, young people, and persons with disability in the electoral process; and increase the availability of trusted public interest information on democratic rights and responsibilities of citizens in the electoral and governance processes.

Speaking after the signing process, the British High Commission Deputy Development Director, Ursula Antwi-Boasiako, expressed the UK’s commitment to supporting the governance and electoral space in Sierra Leone, especially the role of civil society in promoting peaceful elections and holding Government to account.

She said, “Drawing on the UK’s longstanding relationship with Sierra Leone, we are happy to continue to support inclusive and democratic governance through peaceful and trusted electoral processes. It is our hope that the combined experience of the three national civil society organizations will contribute to peaceful electoral engagement that includes all voices, including women and persons with disabilities, but also holds those in power to account.”

In his statement, the National Director of Talking Drum Studio (the successor organization to Search for Common Ground) Alpha Kamara, whose organization signed the grant agreement on behalf of the Coalition submitted that, “The UK is a trusted partner to the Government and people of Sierra Leone. In 2018, the Standing Together for Democracy Consortium (also funded by UK aid) led the civil society election promotion and engagement initiative and organized the first ever successful presidential debate in Sierra Leone.

The Coalition for Inclusive and Peaceful Election in Sierra Leone stated that they are extremely pleased that, though in smaller scale, the grant will bring together their collective experiences and local presence as national civil society organizations to promote peaceful and inclusive elections in 2023 as we did in 2018.”

The project will be formally launched later this month by the British High Commissioner to Sierra Leone, H. E Lisa Chesney, MBE. Implementation will be led by the CIPE-SL consortium through a combination of community-led peace promotion interventions and media programming for voter education (with a cross cutting theme on inclusion embedded throughout). The programme will directly reach an estimated 300,000 registered voters (representing about 20% of all registered voters in the eight project districts), including at least 50% youth, women and PWDs, as well as key elections and democratic institutions, and security and peace promotion institutions. Indirectly, the project will reach an estimated 3,000,000 Sierra Leoneans (approximately 70% of the adult population and over 80% of the registered voters across the country), through media programming led by TDS-SL and IRN’s network of over 50 partner radio stations dotted across the country.

 

 

 

50/50 Group Concludes 2 Days National Women’s Conference Today

By Foday Moriba Conteh

With the aim of bringing together women leaders and other stakeholders to deliberate on the existing policies and laws that seek to address inequality and discrimination against women and girls in the country, Fifty-Fifty Group Sierra Leone, in partnership with Social Enterprise Development (SEND), will today Friday 3rd February 2023 conclude a two day National Women’s Conference on the theme: “Beyond Broken Promises: Making 2023 the Year of Accountability for Women in Sierra Leone.”

The two days conference was held at Fifty-Fifty Group headquarters on Tower Hill in Freetown.

In her address, the Past President of Fifty-Fifty Group Sierra Leone, Haja Mariama Fofanah, stated that the conference seeks to discuss the limitations and barriers to women’s increased participation especially at the political decision-making levels.

She added that Sierra Leone is a signatory to a number of conventions and international treaties that are geared towards the elimination of discrimination against women and guarantee the rights and protection of women. In that regard, the various sessions, according to her, will discuss and proffer recommendations on how laws and policies can be adequately translated and implemented to deliver tangible outcomes for women.

She disclosed that during the two days conference presenters and those who will be discussing(both male and female) drawn from diverse fields will present a contextual analysis of the various topics such as the status of the recommendations of the constitutional review process and the advantages and disadvantages of the Proportional Representation System for women, amongst others.

“Participants from across the country will enrich the discussion and contribute to the development of a national action plan, which at the end of the two-day deliberations will be handed over to the political parties for their review and commitment to the full implementation of the plan,” she further revealed.

Haja Mariama Fofanah reiterated that the rationale behind the engagement is to bring together women leaders and other stakeholders to deliberate on the existing policies and laws that seek to address inequality and discrimination against women and girls with the theme “Beyond Broken Promises: Making 2023 the Year of Accountability for Women in Sierra Leone.”

 

Waste Collection Bill Payment Made Easy with Afrimoney

By Foday Moriba Conteh

In a bid to make waste collection bill payment easy in the country, Afrimoney and Masada Waste Management has on Wednesday 1stMarch, 2023 signed a partnership. The partnership was signed during a press conference held at Africell’s Headquarters on Wilberforce in Freetown.

The partnership between the two institutions will give Sierra Leoneans the opportunity to pay their waste collection bill using Afrimoney at the comfort of their zones.

Welcoming the gathering, the Corporate Sales Manager Afrimoney, Alfred Joseph Lavalie, said Africell aligns itself to business by ensuring that they have a cashless society.

Lavalie pointed out that Masada is a household name and has been in operation since 2013 of which he expressed joy to see such signing which he said is very significant for the success of both institutions.

The General Manager, of Masada Waste Management, Sahr Dauda Karku, explained the process one can go through to become one of their customers furthering how they have been taking care of waste management within the Freetown Municipality since 2013.

He went on to state that they usually give a customer order form when ever a customer requests for their service, adding that for a new customer a bin is attached along with their offered services and once an individual pays the bin will be deployed.

The General Manager further disclosed that they carry out post payment services when an individual completes their requirements maintaining how they would have loved to carryout prepaid services but due to lack of the technology they are unable to do so.

Karku pointed out that for them to avoid the challenges associated with waste collection bill payment in the country they deemed it fit to enter into a partnership with Afrimoney which, he said, will now give their customers the opportunity to pay their waste collection bills easily and from the comfort of their zones.

“We are actually looking forward to this partnership and we hope that it will bring back our assurance of financial security to handle our needs,” he expressed optimism.

The Director of Afrimoney, Martison Obeng-Agyei spoke about the significance of integrating with mobile money maintaining that it is one that is bridging the gap between demand and supply.

He assured Masada of 24 hours Afrimoney service saying such will eliminate the delay of nonpayment by their customers adding that with Afrimoney, customers have the platform or conduit to pay for their services on a 24 hours basis and at their convenience simply because they have the power in their hands.

“We started today with the service and we will continue from here to ensure that we take Masada across the technology divide,” he said expressing gratitude to Masada for choosing Afrimoney and promised their unwavering support.

Martison Obeng-Agyei stated that Masada customers can dial *161# from their phone and select Option 2, find the bill payment option and select Option 11 to locate Masada.

He concluded by assuring of their 100 percent commitment towards the partnership with Masada. “For the customer, we will execute our aim of giving you the best in mobile money service,” Obeng-Agyei assured.

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