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Pavi Fort Impressively Upgrades 3 Road Corridors in Freetown

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

Pavi Fort Road Construction Company continues to proudly impress many as a result of its continued and steadfast demonstration that as an indigenous civil engineering entity it can constructively and qualitatively build roads and bridges according to the right specifications and within deadlines or dates that match international standards and stand the test of time.

By also demonstrating that the utilization of Local Content in the development trajectory of the country could lead to quality outputs, Pavi Fort, has  contributed enormously in creating jobs for many, in helping to fund development programmes through honouring its statutory financial obligations and rolling out its Corporate Social Responsibility.

Pavi Fort, as it is usual, has been successful in the execution of its latest activities related to or revolving around the implementation of the World Bank funded Integrated Resilient Urban Mobility Project (IRUMP).

This Project involves the enhancement of three specific areas in Freetown: Kissy Ferry Junction, Congo Cross Roundabout and Lumley Roundabout which are referred to as road corridors.

The second major activity which the company is currently implementing has to do with road maintenance of some major streets in Freetown, the whole township of Kenema and refurbishing a hospital in Port Loko that was handed over to the Government by UAE among others.

Through the astute leadership of the result oriented and charismatic Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Pavi Fort, Alimu Barrie, one of President Julius Maada Bio’s manifesto promises which has to do with the delivering of improved road networks right across the country has been commendably translated into reality by Pavi Fort to the astonishment and admiration of funding agencies as well as the vast majority of people that are benefitting from those improved and qualitative works done by the reputable company.

Indeed, the current SLPP Government, under the stewardship of President Bio has done much to deepen development.

One successful accomplishment that the Government scored, under the leadership of President Bio, was securing funding from the World Bank for the implementation of the Integrated Resilient Urban Mobility Project (IRUMP).

The main objectives of the project are geared towards improving the quality of public transportation, addressing climate resilience, improving road safety in selected areas and enhancing institutional capacity in the transport sector.

As a reputable construction company, Pavi Fort won the contract for the implementation of the project in three areas or corridors namely : Kissy Ferry Junction, Congo Cross and Lumley. The works involved comprehensive corridor improvements that will cover complete traffic management measures including intersection improvements, coordinated traffic lights, improvement of sidewalks for pedestrian movement, drainage, etc.

Pavi Fort commenced work at Ferry Junction and within a short period of intense work the company completed re-graveling works, covering a 400-metre stretch from J Matter, around the Dockyard axis to reach as far as the Bomeh axis, in the East End of Freetown.

Next that followed was asphalt on the surface of the road, said to have been constructed forty years back, to bring it up to 10 cm from the previous 5cm and that involved three layers.

The company expanded the road from two lanes, on both sides, to three lanes, fixed a new drainage system to replace the old small clogged ones which will curtail or drastically reduce flooding on the road during the rains, and made provision for a traffic light to be fixed at the Ferry Junction intersection to control the traffic flow, fixed street lights, guard rails as well as convenient bus stops or parking spaces.

In an exclusive but snap interview with the Director of Operations at Pavi Fort, Juel Bernard Lawson, he started by intimating that the company is a Sierra Leonean owned company that is well geared to implement more projects in the country.

He informed that 85% work has been done at Ferry Junction, that ongoing work at Congo Cross is virtually completed and that at Lumley it is only the asphalt work that should be done also stating that intense work is taking place in Port Loko but 90% of work has been completed and that the reconstruction of the Kabala-Kurubola-Kono Road Project (261Km) was recently awarded to Pavi Fort.

Lawson told this medium that they are engaged on major cutting of Hill Kabala to Dogolia like Madina with 82 villages completed, Earthwork 80% completed, sub base 50% completed and by passing major curves like Kanuka Affair and close to Dogolia.

He disclosed that though it is an indigenous company Pavi Fort that employs local staff, however, sometimes they hire the services of experts who foreigners if the expertise could not be secured nationally furthering that when it comes to equipment the company has fleet of machines at its disposal to undertake various tasks.

Lawson also mentioned that they have asphalt plants at different places as part of their decentralization strategy also disclosing how they have the best paver which is an electronics device with an expert controlling it and Sierra Leoneans understudying from him.

In terms of challenges, he mentioned how it is difficult to work during day time because of congestion revealing how they work mostly at night. He also stated that work slows down during the rains and funding sometimes though not all times is also an issue to contend with.

The Director of Operations commended President Bio for prioritizing road construction and maintenance as well as for having confidence in an indigenous entity like Pavi Fort to undertake projects that formerly only foreign companies were contracted to do.

A Social Commentator stated that he will copiously praise Pavi Fort for one thing which is implementing various projects at the same time in different and distant locations, a feat which others could not maintaining that it shows how competent and efficient Pavi Fort is.

 

Gento Unveils a Standard Masjid in Madina, Tonko Limba Chiefdom

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

The SLPP endorsed Mayoral Candidate, Chief Mohamed Gento Kamara, who is a native of the Tonko Limba, has single handedly completed the construction of a Masjid at Madina Town, the Chiefdom head quarter of Tonko Limba Chiefdom with the main aim of unifying his Limba people in that part of the country.

Chief Mohamed Gento Kamara happily pointed out to residents that his dream and intention for undertaking the construction of the Masjid are in no way related to any aim of attaining political gains but to fulfill God’s wish, unify his tribesmen and most importantly contribute tangibly to the development of his Chiefdom.

Various stakeholders within the chiefdom were overwhelmed with joy stating that the construction of the Masjid symbolizes unity and total cohesion which will foster inclusive unification.

Paramount Chief of the Chiefdom underscored that they are blessed to have a developmental oriented personality like Chief Mohamed Gento Kamara.

He continued emphasizing the fact that him being the head of the Chiefdom is always in support of the President Bio led Government as a result of the tangible development and his intention to do more.

The opening of this historic mosque is symbolic and it is self-satisfactory to its beneficiaries especially the Chiefdom in entirety.

In attendance, there were plethora of dignitaries such as Hon. Manso Dumbuya, the head of Moliba Vehicles and many more who endorsed Chief Mohamed Gento Kamara imploring every Limba Freetonians to elect Chief Mohamed Gento Kamara as the Mayor of Freetown 2023.

Residents of the Chiefdom graciously and warmly thanked Chief Mohamed Gento Kamara for not only giving them a well refurbished Masjid but for all what he had done for them and promised their unflinching support to him and Hon. Manso Dumbuya in their political wishes.

 

 

 

CODE Certifies Twenty Serving Military Personnel 

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

The College of Digital Excellence (CODE), situated on 36 Main Motor Road, Congo Cross in Freetown on the 17th February, 2023 certified twenty (20) serving military personnel of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) after they successfully completed a three day Information Technology Clinic Programme which commenced from the 15th February, 2023 and ended on the 17th February, 2023. The certification event took place at the College’s premise.

Delivering a statement before the presentation of certificates to the graduands, Head of the Institution, CODE, Madhusudan Mukerjee, intimated all present that the offer of the opportunity by the Management of the College to train the serving military personnel was not the first time of doing so as in the past they had extended such an offer to especially school going pupils among others.

He continued that the three days training was geared towards giving the beneficiaries the foundational knowledge in some aspects of Information Technology with the aim that after completion they will build on what they have learnt or acquired.

The Head of the Institution expressed the view that with consistent building on the knowledge they have gained, over time, they will become successful bloggers. He also maintained that what they have learnt could be applied in the performance of their duties.

He disclosed that CODE is offering a wide range of Information Technology courses and is affiliated to one of the most outstanding Universities in India adding that their Certificates are recognized internationally.

Madhusudan highlighted that classes are conducted in a congenial learning environment further revealing how their teaching staff comprised Sierra Leonean and Indian tutors.

Air Commandore, M.S Kamara, who represented the Chief of Defense Staff, on behalf of RSLAF, extended profound thanks and appreciation to the Management of CODE for what he described as a laudable gesture to the military in training some of their personnel. He said the graduation should have coincided with the Armed Forces Day which, according to him, has been postponed and will be celebrated on this Wednesday coming.

M.S Kamara told the graduands that Information Technology is very important in contemporary times underscoring that it is an evolving discipline and as such they must make it a must to build on what they have learnt so far.  “Knowledge in IT gives you speed, efficiency, security and makes you outstanding in the performance of certain assignments,” he told the military personnel.

On behalf of all the military personnel that graduated, Private Isatu Kabia moved the vote of thanks. She thanked the Management of CODE for giving them the opportunity to learn. She also informed that the three days sessions were very interactive with practicals conducted.

Private Isatu Kabia assured that the knowledge they have acquired will be translated when carrying out their individual assignments within the military and expressed hope that the relationship between the College and the Military will continue to be fruitful.

 

ACC Recovers Over Le2 Billion from Four Public Entities as Unaccounted Public Funds  

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

In a Media Release issued by the Anti- Corruption Commission (ACC) dated 16th February, 2023 it was stated that the anti graft institution  in a Second (2nd) Serialized Media Release provides further update and informs the general public, on the actions taken so far on issues raised in the Auditor General’s Report of 2021.

According to the ACC, those interventions focused on aspects of possible or alleged corruption and conducts inconsistent with the provision(s) in the Anti-Corruption Act of 2008 as amended in 2019.

The ACC said after a thorough review and analysis of the aforementioned Report, the Commission initiated actions; with a view to investigating, prosecuting, or recovering of public funds, public revenue, public property, as may be necessary, in accordance with Sections 7, and 48 of the Anti-Corruption Act of 2008 as amended in 2019, respectively.

The Commission stated that as of  16th February, 2023 it  recovered Public Resources in the total sum of Two Billion, Thirty Six Million, Six Hundred and Sixty Five Thousand, Six Hundred and Seven (Old) Leones, and Six (Old) Cents (Le2,036,665,607.6), an additional Twenty Three Million (Old) Leones of monies recovered as contained in Media Release No1.

The ACC stated that the Audit Report of 2021 revealed that; in June 2021, the Sierra Leone Ports Authority (SLPA) awarded contract to IN2 Sierra Leone LTD for the supply of two (2) buses and one (1) Toyota Land Cruiser at the total cost of One Billion, Six Hundred and Thirteen Million, Three Hundred and Sixty Eight Thousand, Five Hundred (Old) Leones (Le.1,613,368,500) and 30% Advance Payment of Four Hundred and Eight Three Million (Old) Leones (Le 483,000,000) was made, but the vehicles were not delivered.

The ACC revealed that its investigation  established that SLPA awarded to IN2 Sierra Leone LTD the contract for the supply of two (2) buses and one (1) Toyota Land Cruiser and 30% Advance Payment was made to the Contractor who failed to deliver the vehicles.

That IN2 Sierra Leone LTD has agreed to refund to the Commission in full the money received as Advance Payment for the contract.

According to the ACC,  payment in the sum of One Hundred and Sixty Nine Million (Old) Leones (Le 169,000,000) has been made to the Commission, as part payment by officials of IN2 Sierra Leone LTD. The balance of Three Hundred and Fourteen Million (Old) Leones (Le 314, 000,000) should be paid on or before the 28th February, 2023.

Again the ACC said the Audit Report of 2021 also highlighted that, the National Minerals Agency (NMA) deducted a total sum of Three Hundred and Ninety Nine Million, Five Hundred and Seventy Nine Thousand, Ninety Six (Old) Leones and Thirty Nine Cents (Le 399,579,096.39) as Withholding Tax in 2021, but receipts submitted and verified amounted to Two Hundred and Thirty One Million, Six Hundred and Thirteen Thousand, Seventy Four Leones and Thirty Nine Cents (Le 231,613,074.39) leaving a balance of Twenty Nine Million, Three Hundred and Twenty Eight Thousand (Old) Leones (Le29, 328,000) for which no receipts were submitted for verification.

Further stated was that the NMA paid the sum of Two Hundred and Ninety Three Million, Four Hundred and Sixty Thousand and Fifty Six (Old) Leones (Le 293,460,056) as Pay As You Earn (PAYE), but receipts submitted and verified only supported the sum of One Hundred and Thirty Three Million, Nine Hundred and Nineteen Thousand, One Hundred and Forty Nine (Old) Leones (Le 133,919,149) with a balance of One Hundred and Fifty Nine Million, Five Hundred and Forty Thousand, Nine Hundred and Seven (Old) Leones (Le 159,540,907).

The ACC investigation revealed that it was true that, the receipts for the alleged documents were not provided to the Auditors for verification.

It also established that both the Withholding Tax of Twenty Nine Million, Three Hundred and Twenty Eight Thousand (Old) Leones (Le 29,328,000)  and the PAYE of One Hundred and Fifty Nine Million, Five Hundred and Forty Thousand, Nine Hundred and Seven (Old) Leones (Le 159,540,907) have been paid by the NMA.

The ACC said Receipts submitted have been verified with NRA to be authentic.

Going forward, it was instructed by the ACC that the NMA should ensure it adheres to the tax obligations during every financial year.

In that regard, the File has been accordingly recommended for closure, since the Twenty Nine Million, Three Hundred and Twenty Eight Thousand (Old) Leones (Le 29,328,000) and the One Hundred and Fifty Nine Million, Five Hundred and Forty Thousand, Nine Hundred and Seven (Old) Leones (Le 159,540,907) have been paid to the NRA, as Withholding Tax and PAYE respectively.

Moreover, the Audit Report of 2021 further revealed that the Bombali District Council failed to deduct and pay to the National Revenue Authority (NRA) Withholding Tax amounting to Nine Million, Two Hundred and Nineteen Thousand, and Six (Old) Leones (Le 9,219,006).

The ACC investigation however confirmed that the said Withholding Tax has been paid to the NRA and copies of receipts have been produced to the Investigators and same have been verified and confirmed by NRA authorities in Makeni. In that regard, the file has been accordingly closed.

It was also highlighted in the Audit Report of 2021 that  payment to the tune of Fifty Seven Million, Six Hundred and Eighty Four Thousand, Six Hundred and Twenty (Old) Leones (Le 57,684,620) was made to a Contractor for the construction of mini grain store at Bottom Oku, Wellington, Freetown, but that the project work was not implemented.

The ACC investigation established that the FCC awarded a contract to one Donald Walters for the construction of mini grain store at Bottom Oku, Wellington, in Freetown. The contract was not implemented by the contractor but has agreed to refund to the Commission in three equal tranches, effective February 2023, the full amount paid to him.

The ACC has therefore instructed that the full refund of the Fifty Seven Million, Six Hundred and Eighty Four Thousand, Six Hundred and Twenty (Old) Leones (Le57, 684,620) be made to the ACC by the Contractor, effective February, 2023.

The Commission stated that it shall continue to promptly update the public through Media Releases on its interventions in regard the Auditor General’s Reports of Sierra Leone.

In the spirit of collaboration and support, the ACC continues to thank and appreciate Audit Service Sierra Leone (ASSL) for their diligence and commitment in combating corruption in Sierra Leone and Parliament for their sustained and unflinching support.

 

US Ambassador Launches ELECT Project During Stakeholders Engagement

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

During a stakeholders engagement by the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone a Project titled, ” Ensuring Locally -led Elections are Credible and Transparent (ELECT) in Sierra Leone” was officially launched on the 16th February, 2023.

In attendance were the Chief Electoral Commissioner and Chairman, Commissioner Edmond S. Alpha, the American Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Ambassador David Reimer, the President of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), representatives of ONS, Independent Radio Network (IRN), National Election Watch (NEW) and other Civil Society groups on Governance and a cross-section of the Media.

During the launch, the CEC used the opportunity to update the meeting on the ECSL’s preparedness to conduct the June 2023 Elections and particularly the ECSL’s ongoing nationwide stakeholders engagement and awareness raising on the Proportional Representation (PR) electoral system that will be used to transform votes into seats in Sierra Leone.

The project is funded by USAID, the National Democratic Institute (NDI), and the International Republican Institute (IRI) and was officially launched by the US Ambassador to Sierra Leone.

New UBA Managing Director/CEO Pays Courtesy Visit to Minister of Finance

Mohamed Samura, the newly appointed Managing Director and CEO of the United Bank for Africa , the first Sierra Leonean to attain such a position in the bank, on Thursday, 16th February 2023 paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of Finance at his George Street office, in Freetown.

Introducing the new MD to the Minister, the outgoing Managing Director, Usman Imam Isiaka, stated that he has completed his service in Sierra Leone and is pleased to hand over to a young dynamic and competent Sierra Leonean in the person of Mohamed Samura.

He continued that UBA is the United Bank for Africa and not for Nigeria, which is why he said, they are grooming citizens to run the bank’s affairs in the different countries they are operating.

Usman Isiaka continues to state that Samura has the capacity and experience to excel in his new role and therefore solicits the cooperation and support of the Government and people of Sierra Leone.

The Minister of Finance, Ahmed Sheku Fantamadi Bangura congratulated the new MD on his appointment and committed to continue to work with the bank.

He stated that the role is a big one but also expressed confidence in his competence and experience.

Minister Bangura encouraged him to be supportive of the Government and to come up with innovative ways of collaboration, especially in the areas of regulatory challenges and debt market re-engineering.

The New Managing Director and CEO, Mohamed Samura in his response, thanked his predecessor and assured him of doing his best with his 17 years of experience in the banking industry to build on the gains already made by the bank.

He assured the Minister of Finance of continuing the collaboration with the Government, stating that they are looking for innovative ways to support the Government and contractors.

“I know I am not only representing myself in this role but also Sierra Leone, and if I succeed, it will open doors for other Sierra Leoneans” he added.

Similar sentiments of congratulations and commitments to support were expressed by the Deputy Minister of Finance Bockarie Kalakoh and Financial Secretary Sahr Lahai Jusu.

 

High Court Allows APC to Conduct National Delegates’ Conference

By Abubakarr Harding

High Court Judge, Honourable Justice Hannah Bonnie, after carefully listening to the oral submissions of S.K. Koroma Esq. representing Defendants/Applicants, and in consideration of the principle of natural justice which requires that the other side be heard, ordered that the Plaintiff/Respondent be given time to go through the relevant papers filed and served on him to be able to accordingly respond to the submissions made by counsel.

On Thursday, 16th February, 2023, Lawyers for the Defendants/Applicants (Interim Transitional Governance Committee-ITGC) filed a Notice of Motion to vacate the interim injunction restraining the ITGC from holding the Delegates’ Conference in Makeni slated for the 17th, 18th and 19th February, 2023. The Honourable Judge then ordered the Lawyers representing the Defendants/Applicants in the matter filed by Francis Kai Gbondo, a member of the APC Party, to serve the Plaintiff/Respondent but they were only able to do so at about at 9:00am that morning through his Chambers.

The Defendants/Applicant’s Lawyer-S.K. Koroma while canvassing the Court for stay of execution of the restraining order, went further to challenge the jurisdiction of the Court in granting the interim injunction.

According to Hon. Justice Bonnie, procedurally, Counsel for the Defendant/Applicant has to be given the opportunity to go through all relevant papers filed on him to be able to respond in line with the principle of natural justice.

The learned Judge pressed on C.Pujeh Esq. for Plaintiff/Respondent to file in all relevant papers in opposition on or before 4:00pm . C.Pujeh Esq. argued that he will be unable to do so and therefore requested for an adjournment next week.

The arguments continue, the matter has been adjourned to Wednesday, 22nd February, 2023.

In another development, Justice Hannah Bonnie was approached again with a fresh Ex-parte Notice of Motion by the Defendants/Applicants seeking an order for the APC Party to hold its National Delegates’ Conference on grounds that the injunction granted by the Honourable Court did not touch and affect the All Peoples Congress Party. That the Honourable Court do grant an order to the Transitional Interim Independent Elections Management Committee (TIIEMC) of the APC to conduct the National Delegates’ Conference slated for the 17th-19th February, 2023 in Makeni.

After listening to the oral submissions, Hon. Justice Hannah Bonnie granted leave to the All Peoples Congress to hold its National Delegates’ Conference effective 18th, 19th & 20th February, 2023 on grounds that the injunction didn’t affect the said APC Party.

Also, an order was also granted to the Transitional Interim Independent Elections Management Committee (TIIEMC) of the APC to conduct the National Delegates’ Conference in Makeni. There were no further orders as to cost.

Caritas-Freetown Engages Boys & Men on their Role in Combating SGBV

By Abubakarr Harding

Caritas Freetown on the 17th February,2023 engaged men and boys drawn from twenty communities in a one-day training exercise on SGBV prevention at Cole Town-Waterloo under a Project titled “Strengthening Behavioral Change on SGBV Prevention,” which was aimed at educating and raising awareness among men and boys about SGBV and its negative impact on women and girls.

The training exercise was a vital step in encouraging behavioral change among men and boys and promoting gender equality. The participants learned about the various forms of SGBV, the laws and policies in place to protect women and girls, and the understanding of Gender Based Violence (GBV).

Participants were also taught about the referral pathway, the role of Men and Boys to mitigate GBV and Sensitization skill. It was indicated that women and girls who have experienced SGBV often face multiple challenges, including stigma, shame, and lack of access to justice.

Caritas Freetown aims to address those challenges by working with communities to promote access to justice and hygiene for vulnerable women and girls.

Margaret Bassie, the Outreach Officer of Caritas Freetown, emphasized the importance of educating men and boys about their role in the community and the laws related to SGBV in order to fight against it.

She noted that  most SGBV cases are committed by men and boys and that any form of sexual act without the consent of the other party is rape, which is against the law.

Margaret explained that although both men and women can be victims of rape, men are less likely to report such cases due to their ego, while women are more likely to report them and therefore it is important to educate men and boys on the seriousness of SGBV and its negative impact on society.

She also revealed that Caritas Freetown has implemented this project in different communities  but this time they decided to work with other communities that have not benefited from the  project. The project is set to run for one year and will continue to focus on raising awareness among men and boys about SGBV, promoting access to justice and hygiene for vulnerable women and girls, and encouraging behavioral change.

She added that the work of Caritas Freetown in combating SGBV is commendable. By targeting men and boys, they are addressing the root cause of the problem and creating a more equal and just society.

James Aruna Kargbo from Rokel Community, a participant of the training session expressed his gratitude for being part of the program. He stated that while they have heard about SGBV before, the training provided them with a different perspective on the issue. He acknowledged the importance of understanding SGBV and the laws surrounding it in order to prevent it from happening in their community.

James further stated that with the knowledge gained from the training session, he will work to implement the new perspective and strategies to prevent SGBV in his community. He also pledged to educate others about the importance of preventing SGBV.

Barrister Christian Carter (Davies-Cole), a Gender activist and model Ambassador of Caritas Freetown, provided important insights into the laws surrounding SGBV in the nation. She stated that the Government has set up laws that criminalize sexual offenses, and anyone who violates those laws will be punished accordingly.

Barrister Christian Carter (Davies-Cole) went on to highlight some of the crimes of SGBV, which includes sexual penetration, rape, improper dress code, and other forms of gender-based violence. She emphasized the seriousness of those crimes and the negative impact they have on the victims and the society as a whole.

SLAJ President Calls for Media Empowerment for Effective Election Reporting

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

During the launch of a Project titled : “Ensuring Locally-Led Elections are Credible and Transparent (ELECT) in Sierra Leone” on the 16th February, 2023 at the ECSL Conference Hall in Freetown, President of the Sierra Leone Association (SLAJ) , Ahmed Sahid Nasralla, delivered a statement.

He stated that in today’s world, media plays a huge role in elections as it is the primary source of information for voters and can shape public opinion.

“Media can influence the outcome of an election by providing information about the candidates and their policies, as well as by providing a platform for candidates to express their views,” he established maintaining that the media can also set the agenda for the elections by ensuring that the politicians discuss issues that are close to the heart of the electorates.

The SLAJ President argued that, however, the Media can also be used to spread hate and false information and manipulate public opinion to the wrong end.

He pointed out that the media has always been a partner but somehow efforts  by media practitioners have largely gone unnoticed, in the sense that most people and organizations/institutions as well, only see the media as a tool for information dissemination.

“But we believe that the media is a partner and key player in elections and beyond,” he underscored stressing that it cannot be an afterthought.

He said looking at the media currently, support seems to be coming closer to the elections but issues around covering elections need to be sustainable over the years maintaining that in the pre-elections, elections, and post-elections more support should be given to the media adding that there should be continuous engagement and sustained support.

The President of SLAJ pointed out that in the 2018 elections, the media played a critical role to ensure peaceful and credible elections.

Ahmed Sahid Nasralla pointed out that currently, albeit somehow late, they are trying to position the media for the upcoming elections in a way that they are seen as a reliable partner and key player in the entire process, and not as a tool for information dissemination only.

“We are working with partners to conduct training for media practitioners across the country in a number of areas including elections reporting, conflict-sensitive and gender-sensitive reporting, and adherence to the IMC Code of Practice and the SLAJ Code of Ethics; especially for community radio stations,” he disclosed.

He also mentioned how they are also working with partners to ensure the integrity of the information landscape so that citizens get access to credible, reliable and timely information on the elections to help them make informed decisions.

“Hence, we will be engaged in countering disinformation and hate speech around the elections through pre-bunking, fact-checking  and debunking,” he stressed also stating how they  are working with the security sector to ensure the Media support them to provide security for every Sierra Leonean and they also help the Media to provide information to the public in a safe and conducive environment.

He said in addition, like they successfully did with the presidential debate in the 2018 elections, the Media also want to continue to promote a culture of dialogue and tolerance through political debates.

The SLAJ President said in that regard, SLAJ is leading a consortium of 11 organizations drawn from CSOs, EMBs, women groups, disability and youth under the National Political Debates Committee (NPDC) platform to organize another presidential debate for the elections.

He maintained that if the resources are available in time, the Media also wants to do lower level political debates to ensure that the elections are based on ideas and not on tribe or region or other divisive considerations.

Nasralla said it is no gainsaying that to do all of that, the media needs resources and unless the media gets those resources in a timely manner, the Media will only be employing the fire brigade approach, which is trying to put out the fire after it has started spreading when they could have prevented it by acting proactively.

President of SLAJ informed that Sierra Leone has had four democratic elections since the end of the war, two using Proportional Representation; the other two including the most recent (2018) the first past the post/single member constituency system was used.

He said in this year’s elections, it is going to be different because the country is going to use a different system altogether – a combination of PR systems.

He asked the following questions: What system are we using for the Presidential elections? What system are we using for Local Government elections? What specific system are we using for Parliamentary and Councillors elections? What are the thresholds for election to Council and Parliament?

How can independent candidates compete in these elections?

The SLAJ President said the forthcoming election is not the same as the country had in 1996 and 2002, which he said was only for Parliament, and that in 1996 it was the national block and 2002 District Block PR system.

In his view, this year the elections are more complicated.

He maintained that in order for the elections to be successful, the public needs to understand the mechanics of how they are going to be run stating that if the public doesn’t understand the methodology being used, the potential for confusion, misunderstanding or even conflict becomes very significant.

“The key role of the media in a democratic society is to provide information and education to the public,” he said adding how it is, therefore, very important that the media in Sierra Leone is empowered to be able to perform that role.

He said as of now, the media is not in a position to provide accurate information and education for the public because media practitioners themselves do not have a clear understanding of the different systems that will be used in the elections, particularly as it relates to the District Block PR system.

Nasralla said by now the media should be engaged in massive voter education and sensitization saying the media itself needs to be educated before they can educate the public, but stressed that the resources are not available.

He said there is a need to invest in community radio stations because they play a pivotal role in ensuring the participation of the bulk of the rural population in the elections.

“Community radio stations are hugely challenged; from ineffective governance and management structures to lack of resources,” he said stressing that Community radio stations only attract non-professionals as volunteers, and they lack the requisite knowledge and training to able to run such important platforms.

He said the only way out for them is training, training, training.

“ In the last elections we did a lot of training for journalists across the country and we were able to largely minimize the potential for community radio stations to be used as platforms to fuel conflict,” he said  stressing that most of those who benefitted from such training have moved on to better jobs.

The President of SLAJ stated that they have repeatedly called on the Government and the International Community who care about peace and national cohesion to invest in information and communication infrastructure.

“Our rural people need to have access to timely and reliable information on the activities of their central and local Governments,” he stressed.

Nasralla pointed out that Freedom of expression is fundamental in a democracy not only for the media but equally so for the voters and the politicians.

He said a huge task for this particular election is how we police the space to free it from hate speech, tribalism, toxic, divisive, and inflammatory statements.

“Therefore, as we call for responsible free speech, whether during debates or political activities/meetings, we equally call for cooperation and collaboration among the elections’ stakeholders,” he appealed adding that we must call out political leaders to be able to talk to their supporters to be law abiding and peaceful at all times.

He also suggested that they must call on politicians to stop sponsoring musicians to sing hate, division and use vulgarity but that they should be using musicians to sensitize and educate people about the elections.

“The entertainment industry, which also falls under the media in a sense, also has a huge role to play,” he stated.

According to the SLAJ President, studies have shown that countries that have come out of war and are trying to forge ahead a decade or two after, can easily slip back to conflict if those conditions that led to the war are not properly addressed.

He said, therefore, all need to collectively build that trust with one another and with the people.

“We need to cooperate and collaborate and we need to dialogue and share credible information,” he affirmed maintaining that  SLAJ is committed to working with all partners to ensure we have credible, transparent, fair, and peaceful elections.

PPASL & Partners Celebrate International Condom Day 2023 in Makeni

By Sahr Eric Dumbar Matturi

International Condom Day is celebrated on February 13 every year. The holiday is celebrated before Valentine’s Day in an effort to remind people that the condom is one of the best and most convenient ways of preventing pregnancies and Sexually Transmitted Infection.

Planned Parenthood Association of Sierra Leone (PPASL) with support from UNFPA joined other partners (UNAIDS, AHF, NAS, CARE, , MOYA and MTHE) in commemorating this year’s condom day.

The celebration was done in Makeni and Magburaka from the 10th-14th February 2023. The week-long celebrations encompass a Press Conference, Football Match, Marathon, Condom Fashion Show and National Dialogue for University Students. During the various engagements, condoms were distributed, HIV test carried out and certificates and prizes were awarded to winners in the various activities mentioned.

Sierra Leone has a mixed, generalized, and heterogeneous HIV epidemic with a high concentration among the key populations. DHS country reports show that the relatively small epidemic has grown steadily from 0.9%, 1.5%, 1.5%, and 1.7% prevalence in 2003, 2005, 2013, and 2019. Currently, six districts have a  prevalence higher than the national average. The IBBS report shows that HIV prevalence in key populations is considerably higher than in the general population: 11.8% among female sex workers, 4.2% among men-who-have-sex-with-men, 4.2% among people who inject drugs, 5.2% among transgender people and 3.7% among people in closed settings. It is also worth noting that Sierra Leone has one of the highest rates of Teenage Pregnancy in the world. Three in every ten teenage Sierra Leonean girls are pregnant, according to UNICEF (2015 figures) and 28% of girls between the ages of 15 and 19 have children (UNFPA, 2019).

 

 

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