Pan African Youth Leadership Foundation to Host 100 Most Influential African Leaders

January 23, 2023

The 100 Most Influential Leaders in Africa 2023 will be hosted by the Pan African Youth Leadership Foundation in partnership with Luminous Hills Limited in Ghana.

It will bring together influential leaders from various sectors in Africa and will be hosted on the 14th April, 2023 at the prestigious British Council in Accra, Ghana.

Speaking in an Interview, the Executive Director (West Africa) of Pan African Youth Leadership Foundation, Salako Adebowale said, “this year’s edition is expected to surpass previous editions in terms of participation as we have over 40 African Countries represented in this list. Our objective is to showcase and celebrate the best of African Young Leaders.”

The Chief Executive Officer of Luminous Hills, Oluwatosin Aleriwa said in a statement, ” My Organization is always willing to partner with platforms and initiatives that will showcase and promote African youths.

As a young person, I understand how it feels when your efforts are recognized and appreciated,” he added.

The Pan African Youths Leadership Foundation (PAYLEF) is an all inclusive leading African platform representing and safeguarding aspirations of millions of youth across the African Continent. We envisage becoming the single largest youth body representing millions of African Youths across Africa by 2030.

Campaign for Good Governance Applauds Enactment of the Gender Bill

January 23, 2023

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

In a Press Statement issued by the Campaign for Good Governance (CGG) and dated the 19th January, 2023 it was stated that the Campaign for Good Governance (CGG), the GEWE Technical Team and Members of the Yellow Ribbon Campaign are extremely happy that His Excellency the President, Julius Maada Bio, has signed into law the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) Act 2022 after its passage by the Parliament of Sierra Leone on the 15th November 2022.

CGG furthered that the GEWE Act, among other things, provides for at least 30% representation of women in Cabinet, Parliament and appointment in Ambassadorial and Foreign Missions, the Civil Service, Legal Council and in private institutions and enterprises with more than 25 employees.

It continued that beyond such the Act also extended maternity leave for women from 12 to 14 weeks, strengthens gender budgeting in the public sector and creates structures for gender mainstreaming across all sectors of life.

The CGG added that the historic event is a culmination of political will, the collective advocacy and leadership of the women of Sierra Leone, gender promotion agencies and progressive men and women who believed that a democratic, just and inclusive society is one that meaningfully includes it women in every decision-making structure of the society.

According to the Civil Society Organization, while they are not where they want to be as women, it is a significant entry point for women’s empowerment and equality that they can build on.

It stated that importantly, the Presidential assent of the GEWE Act of 2022 shows that when all work together and knock doors repeatedly with a clear focus and commitment remarkable ground-breaking achievements will be made irrespective of differences and political persuasions.

CGG and its partners extended thanks to HE President Julius Maada Bio for listening to the Sierra Leonean women, the Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs Madam Manty Tarawallie for her commitment to what was a long and tedious process, Parliament for passing such a progressive law and international development partners who stood by them throughout the long journey.

It stated that, however, the real winners are the women of Sierra Leone, national CSOs and other gender promoters and ‘Foot Soldiers’ who campaigned and knocked doors traversing the country.

CGG concluded by stating that a significant milestone has been met in the fight for gender equality and Women’s Empowerment adding that it is the beginning of another long journey to come, ensuring the Act is implemented to its fullest but said in the meantime, let them celebrate their collective success today and extended congratulations to all.

Gender Equality & Women’s Empowerment Bill Becomes Law

January 23, 2023

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

It was indeed another milestone in the history of Sierra Leone when on the 19^th January,2023 at the Foreign Service Academy President Bio signed into law the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Bill 2022, now GEWE Act 2022, and cited some transformative Government reforms and gender policies in the last four and half years of his presidency.

“For me, women’s economic empowerment and protection are not political rhetoric. Empowering women is essential to the health and social development of families, communities and countries. Women can reach their full potential when they live safe, fulfilled, productive lives.

“When I became President, I proclaimed that gender is firmly on my New Direction Agenda. The future of Sierra Leone is female; we must do all it takes to facilitate the timely, full, and unconditional inclusion of women in our national life, governance, and development,” he said.

He emphasized that with the new law, they hoped to break barriers to parliamentary representation and said he looks forward to a more vibrant and diverse Parliament with greater numbers of women and women’s voices. He used the occasion to urge all political parties to go beyond the legal minimum of the number of women when they compiled their proportional representation lists ahead of the elections in June this year.

He noted that his Government had taken on deep-rooted and multifaceted challenges confronting women in the country, adding that their framework for action had also taken a broad and even sweep of those challenges by introducing progressive policies and measures, reviewing existing laws and proposing new legislations.

President Julius Maada Bio also told the well-attended event, which attracted people from the private sector, gender activists, women’s leaders and girls as well as development partners and representatives from the diplomatic community, that as a Government they were eager to work with them to create more jobs for women, harness business cultures that promote diversity and inclusion and invest in training programmes tailored to create more job opportunities for women.

“Can we do more? Yes, and this Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act, which I am signing into law today will now address the gender imbalances in this country comprehensively.

“The key provisions of this law speak to the principles of inclusion, representation, participation, and a more responsive posture on gender. These include: At least 30% representation in Cabinet; At least 30% representation in Parliament; At least 30% of all appointments as Ambassadors/High Commissioners;

“…At least 30% of all positions in Local Councils; At least 30% of all jobs in the Civil Service; At least 30% of all jobs in private institutions with 25 and more employees; Maternal leave extended from 12 weeks to 14 weeks; Financial inclusion for women;

“Mainstreaming of the gender requirements across all sectoral policies and legal frameworks; Gender Responsive Budgeting; Gender Units within every Planning Directorate within MDAs; and The creation of a multi-sectoral Gender Steering Committee to oversee the implementation of the GEWE Act,” he said.

President Bio also paid tribute to his late mother, whom she called Yei Amie, noting that she had always been the first to think of when he thought of strong women and leaders.

“I have often told the story of my humble and selfless mother, Yei Amie Navo Bio, who, upon my father’s passing, bore the burden of raising our family and inculcating in us the work ethic and sense of service I am privileged to have today.

“She and other resilient women in my family formed the foundation upon which I stand. They come from a long history of Sierra Leonean women who have been the foundation of our people and communities as mothers, leaders, warriors, educators and, very crucially, peacemakers,” he said.

He insisted that there was no path to a democratic, free, stable and prosperous society that did not include women’s central and uninhibited participation, adding that they could not have written the history of Sierra Leone’s democracy without mentioning the role of the brave women who risked and sometimes lost their lives to fight for peace.

“From Queen Nyarroh of Bandasuma (modern-day Bandajuma) a warrior, a leader, a mediator and a peacemaker; to Madam Yoko, one of our most prominent historical leaders and a notable mediator; to the prominent Madam Nenge of Baoma Chiefdom born into a hierarchy of warriors.

“…to Adelaide Casely-Hayford who fought for the rights of women, the preservation of African cultural heritage and formulated a plan for girls’ education over 100 years ago; to Constance Cummings-John, who pushed for vocational education of girls and was the first woman in Africa to join a municipal council in 1938. The list is endless.

“This story is why, now that we have a stable and peaceful Sierra Leone, we cannot afford to have women, who make up 52% of our population, not featuring prominently in politics and leadership. Women’s Rights are Human Rights. Women’s rights are not about making women better or stronger,” he asked.

Manager and Head of Office at UN Women in Sierra Leone, Setcheme Jeronime Mongbo said, “Gender has to be a priority on the President’s agenda to be able to gather this VIP crowd. Thank you, Mr. President. Equality means a state of being equal in status, rights, and opportunities”.

She further disclosed that while the world was not on track to achieving equality by 2030, she was, however, certain that the GEWE Act 2022 was shortening the road for Sierra Leone to make huge progress because the Government had set a ground-breaking precedent for women’s rights and equality in the region.

Irish Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Her Excellency Claire Buckley, said, “This is evidence of His Excellency, President Julius Maada Bio’s true and passionate commitment to gender equality and women’s rights. Ireland and Sierra Leone are partners with a shared commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals and the gender policy, empowering women and girls, and ending all forms of discrimination and violence against women and girls”.

She added: “Today, we are one step closer to that goal. When women and men do not have equal access to resources or equal opportunities to take part in decision-making, there are direct economic and social costs”. She further stated that gender inequality is a fundamental human right but that addressing it would create the necessary foundation for a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable world.

NP-SL Pump Attendants Groomed to Professionally & Ethically Respond to Customers’ Concerns

January 23, 2023

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

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

When this medium embarked on a fact finding mission by engaging Pump Attendants at various NP Filling Stations across the country about their posture to members of the public what came out glaringly was that they have been thoroughly groomed, at different times, on how to effectively respond to genuine concerns that are raised or do occur from time to time.

They proudly and succinctly explained that at certain instances they are adequately prepared to address some of those concerns furthering how if they could not effectively handle them then they refer them to Management for the way forward.

The Pump Attendants engaged were very unanimous in divulging the fact that they regard all their esteemed customers as very important and therefore should be treated with the maximum attention and respect they deserve.

They agreed that the utmost satisfaction of their customers must be paramount and guaranteed at all times out of the avowed conviction that it is the customers that add value to their business venture or enterprise.

It must be noted at this juncture that NP-SL-Ltd is a petroleum importing and exporting business entity that has dominated the petroleum landscape in this country and it has in operations for quite a long period of time now and is still positioned to be at the forefront as far as marketing petroleum products is concerned.

When assessing privately owned business entities in this country, attributes such as efficiency and effectiveness in timely service delivery must be used as yardsticks in measuring its operations.

Indisputably, the company is renowned for its pro-active stance in always trying to optimize customer care, which the Shareholders, Board and Management regard as the requisite engine for effective service delivery.

As for the Shareholders and Management of the company, achieving customer satisfaction is very key which is why it does everything within its reach to give customers high grade petroleum products.

Through its pro-activeness and the ultimate need to succeed, latest innovative and technological pumping machines were installed at various Filling Stations, one of which are calibrated pumping machines that pump the appropriate quantity of petroleum products paid for. As they are very transparent, these calibrated pumping machines continue to instill confidence in customers that they are dealing with a very transparent company as well as feeling that they are getting their money’s worth.

Within the same ambit of bringing technology closer to its customers for enhanced transactions, the idea of availing its customers the use of NP Smart Card was borne. Today we hear of “fuel on your smart card” which figuratively could be interpreted within the context of using a financially loaded NP Smart Card to purchase the right number of petroleum products one intends to utilize without any physical monetary transaction taking place.

Using NP Smart Card guarantees safety, saves time and gives an air of importance to the holders, some considering them as the crème-de la crème of society, when in actual fact anyone can make use of it. It creates a situation where a customer will intermittently know the financial reserve in his card and use such information to make informed decisions as to further top up or utilize, for example, the quantity of fuel that the balance amount could procure.

With a view to make people gain easy access to a device that could be suitable for various cooking purposes, NP Gas was introduced and since gas is one of the petroleum products that is up for sale then it just falls in place that it will be prudent to make it convenient for people to access them at their filling stations and from authorized dealers, going at affordable prices. It had been undoubtedly proven that they are environmentally friendly and safe to use as well as refill.

When job opportunities are created from time to time, the negative impacts of poverty subside with a corresponding upsurge in peace and tranquility.

Instead of tempers rising, daggers drawn out there will be joy and harmonious co-existence. Through its expansionist drive and to match up with modern trends, NP-SL has been providing various jobs for many who were hitherto at the lower ends of society. Family lives have been transformed for the better and there is room for future positive outcomes.

As a matter of fact, NP-SL-Ltd has been recognized for being a company that has doggedly insisted on maintaining its indigenous posture. Its shareholders are all Sierra Leoneans and they put premium on maintaining an indigenous stance with majority of its staff being indigenes. The company is very mindful that with the implementation of the Local Content Policy it is positively contributing to the socio-economic development of the country. NP is committed to serve the people of this country.

Having branches in neighbouring Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast and The Gambia shows that indeed NP-SL Ltd is striving to become a multinational company. Such is a big achievement that is widely celebrated by many as it depicts seriousness and progress on the part of an indigenous company that was formed years ago by former employees of the British Petroleum Company who bought shares out of their end of service benefits to form what is a towering oil marketing company that has gained a foothold in the West African sub-region.

Choithram Hospital Free Surgical Camp Returns

January 23, 2023

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

One of the renowned medical facilities in the country, Choithram Memorial Hospital, which is a private hospital situated on Hill Station in the West End of Freetown, through the pioneering work of the current Sierra Leonean Ambassador to Germany, Dr.ML Baryor and in collaboration with Bintumani Association will be offering a Free Pediatric Surgical Camp from the 11th March, 2023 to the 23rd March, 2023.

Management of the hospital revealed that a team of German Paediatric Surgeons, who have been visiting Sierra Leone since 2010, will be in the country to perform Paediatric Surgeries free-of-charge at the hospital.

Worthy of note is that this is not the first time that Choithram Memorial Hospital is organizing a Pediatric Surgical Camp as it has been doing so in the past in a bid to avail individuals who could not afford the costs to access good medical treatment.

Speaking to this medium in an exclusive interview, the Medical Superintendent of Choithram Memorial Hospital, Dr. Gowrinath M. George, intimated that patients, aged 15 years and below, are qualified to benefit, adding that patients will be screened at various centers and the final list sent for scrutiny and final evaluation out of which some of the patients will be referred directly to Choithram Memorial Hospital at Hill Station, Freetown, where the operations will be performed for free.

He revealed that the German Team consisting of eight (8) persons, including the Project Coordinator, Dr. Morley Wright and Dr. Ibrahim Al-Naib, including the 3 General Paediatric Surgeons, Dr. Sarah Al-Naib, Dr. Esther Lau, and Dr. Tilman Gresing, and 1 anesthetic doctor (Dr. Kathrin Rüsse) will be administering treatments.

Dr. Gowrinath M. George maintained that the spectrum of conditions to be treated include General Surgeries like Neck fistula and Cyst, Soft Tissue Tumors and Sequelae of Thermal injury, Malformation of the Urogenital and Gastrointestinal tract, Hernias in children, Hypospadia, Undescended testes, Abdominal Wall deformity, minor contractures after burns adding that malformation of the spine will be treated depending on its severity and accompanying lesions.

“Hydrocephalus and Myelomeningoceles, Incomplete Closing of the Backbone, Clubfoot/Talipes, Esophageal stricture, Cleft lip and Palate are excluded,” he stated categorically.

The Medical Superintendent urged interested patients to please contact them on +232 76 292082 or visit the Hospital from Monday to Friday to register for screening.

Registration will open from the 16th January, 2023 to the 10th February, 2023.

On his part, the Chief Administrator of Choithram Group, Harish Agnani, stated that providing qualitative medical treatment for people from all walks of life in the country, since its establishment, has been the vision of Choithram Memorial Hospital.

In another development, the hospital in collaboration with Interplast from Germany will be also offering Free Consultation and Treatment by experienced Plastic Surgeons from Germany from the 23rd March 2023 to 3rd April, 2023. The Free Consultation and Treatment will be coordinated by Dr. Eric Wongo, Plastic Surgeon and Coordinator of the Camp.

Dr. Gowrinath M. George further disclosed that patients suffering from Post Burn Contracture, Disorder/Deformity of hand, feet or wrist, Tumors of Hand and Feet and Cleft Lip and Palate can benefit from the Free Consultation and Treatment.

E. Dr. M. L. Baryoh, Sierra Leone Ambassador to Germany, has been the bridge between Bintumani Association (German Paediatric Surgeons), Interplast (German Plastic Surgeons) and Choithram Hospital.

Dr. George said, ‘had it not been for the efforts H. E. Dr. Baryoh the Camp would not have been possible. He had several meetings with all the parties to bring them on board. I am grateful to him for having chosen our hospital to deliver surgical care to the needy of our beloved country. ‘

He also urged interested patients to please contact them on +23276541331 for registration or visit the Hospital on Hill Station in Freetown, adding that registration will commence from the 16th January, 2023 to the 10th February, 2023.

Mines Ministry’s Chief Accountant to Account for Over Le68 Million

January 23, 2023

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

It has been observed of late that one of the ways through which public funds are diverted into private coffers within Ministries, Departments and Agencies is the issuance of cheques to individuals or entities as well as making cash payments, using public funds, without adequate supporting documents.

This anomaly was conspicuously noticed within the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Resources as it was observed that during a specific period in 2021 certain officials of the Ministry issued cheque and cash payments to staff of the Ministry and suppliers totaling Le928,867,439 but not supported with expenditure returns such as invoices, receipts and signed list of beneficiaries.

When the Senior Accountant within the Ministry was asked why the supporting documents to justify the utilization of funds were missing, he responded that the aforementioned documents are now available for inspection.

However, when the documents were closely examined to justify the utilization of expenditures totaling Le859,932,439 for the period under review were closely looked at it was noticed that a balance of Le68,935,000 could not be accounted for as adequate supporting documents were not available to be examined.

What this portends is that something fishy may have transpired in which the Senior Accountant could have machinated single handedly or in partnership with other top Civil Servants in the Ministry.

Whether the said amount is in limbo or could be refunded by the Senior Accountant in the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Resources is something that is to be seen materialize otherwise it going to be another vital resource that has gone down the drain to benefit just one man or a few instead of the State.

More on this as investigation Continues.

NaFFSL Trains District Representatives to Undertake National Farmers Registration

January 23, 2023

By Foday Moriba Conteh

The National Federation of Farmers of Sierra Leone (NaFFSL) in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS) has on Friday 20^th January, 2023 concluded a one-day training for district representatives which included National Executives, District Coordinators and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security Monitoring and Evaluation Officers for all 15Agricultural Districts in order to equip them to undertake a National Farmers Registration drive across the country. The ceremony was held at the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security Office in Bo District.

In his statement, the Director, Agric Extension Services Division at the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Aiah J. Thorlie, commended the move by the National Federation of Farmers of Sierra Leone (NaFFSL) towards undertaking a national farmers registration drive, which he described as very important towards complementing the work of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security in having a national farmers database in the country.

He said Sierra Leone as a country should have a database of farmers across the country, which he said will be used by NaFFSL and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security in terms of addressing challenges faced by farmers and also give support to farmers in the country.

Aiah J. Thorlie assured the National Federation of Farmers of Sierra Leone (NaFFSL) of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security continuous support.

The National Coordinator of the National Federation of Farmers of Sierra Leone (NaFFSL), Brima Babo said that the federation had been undertaking activities to help increase their productivity and enhance household levels of food security in the country, adding that with the national registration of farmers in the country this will support their goal.

He revealed that the registration drive will seek the full contribution of farmers of different value chains and stakeholders in the sector to have a database of farmers in order to buy-in into the current transformation and Government policy shift plans.

On her part, the President of NaFFSL, Madam Yatta Samah said NaFFSL is an Umbrella Organization of farmers in the country, adding that the federation has been undertaking activities to help increase their productivity and enhance household levels of food security.

She said that the federation is proud to inform all that as part of their efforts towards having a database of farmers in the country the federation will be undertaking a national farmers registration drive that will give them the correct database of the farmers in the country with specific commodities.

Madam Yatta Samah said the gathering brought together district representatives and the technical people from the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security that understands issues faced by farmers in the country in order to make the farmers registration drive a reality, stating that as part of their commitment towards making the drive a reality the federation deemed it fit to undertake the one-day training in order to equip them as to how to undertake the national farmers drive in the country.

She used the opportunity to express appreciation to His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio for his tremendous efforts towards the development of the agricultural sector in the country adding that His Excellency has placed premium on Agriculture and in that regard his Government has supported farmers with tractors, seeds, fertilizers, physical cash, IVR system and female friendly machines, which she said has actually supported local farmers in the country.

“We know the Government has made some efforts towards the agriculture sector, but I want to also use this opportunity to appeal with the Government and development partners to support the National Federation of Farmers of Sierra Leone (NaFFSL) which is the Umbrella Organization of farmers in the country,” she appealed.

The President concluded by calling on all farmers across the country to come out in numbers in order to participate in the National Farmers Registration Drive, which she said will help them on their advocacy and lobbying on issues faced by farmers in the country.

She further informed the gathering that each farmer will pay a minimum sum of 30 New Leones as their registration fee.

Concluding the opening ceremony was the official commencement of the training on how these district representatives will undertake the national farmers registration drive by the led consultant, which was followed by the disbursement of over 200,000 New Leones to all the District Representatives in all their 15 Agricultural Districts as their facilitation fees to undertake the registration drive in their various district.

Ambassador Golley Declares for 2023 APC Flagbearer

January 23, 2023

By Foday Moriba Conteh

During an auspicious and carnival-like ceremony held on Saturday 21^st January, 2023 at the All People’s Congress Regional Office in Pujehun District, Southern Province of Sierra Leone, former Ambassador to the Republic of South Korea, Omrie Golley, officially declared his intention to lead the APC party to the 2023 elections.

In his address to residents of the district, Ambassador Omrie Golley stated how he has been working towards building a brighter future for Sierra Leone during his entire adult life maintaining that two decades ago, when the country was going through it darkest times, he placed himself at great personal risks to help restore peace in the country.

He intimated that he then served as the country’s Ambassador to South Korea, working to strengthen the fragile peace the country had won, securing investments and resources for the nation’s development and building Sierra Leone’s reputation across the world, adding that he then established agricultural projects across the country to support and educate the people in modern farming techniques with the aim of achieving food security.

“Now I stand before you to announce that the time has come for me to take a more central role in building a better future for Sierra Leone. This is an important moment for our country, for all of us. In days and years to come, I believe our fellow citizens and their children, even their grandchildren, will look back on this hour, this day, and recognise it as the point when Sierra Leone finally demanded the future it deserved,” he informed the gathering.

He maintained that the task facing this generation of leaders is not to make promises that have been heard before and it is not to promise the earth and then forget about those promises once safely in office, adding that the challenge is not to allow a small minority to grow wealthy by the efforts of millions of hard-working honest people underscoring that the task is to turn a new page in the nation’s history.

He elaborated that it is to forge a new Sierra Leone that rejects the cynicism and broken promises of the past, that restores citizens’ pride and dignity and that draws a line under the misery, division and poverty of the past, and shapes a new future for ourselves and children.

“A new energy, a new hope, a new optimism that will transform our country that will make the kind of change we want to see a reality – inevitability. We cannot say to our people that business as usual is good enough. People want change, and they need someone they can trust to deliver a positive transformation of Sierra Leone,” he disclosed.

The Presidential Aspirant noted that he believes the time has come for him to step up and he believes that he can bring the APC party and the people of Sierra Leone together and lead the country to meet this challenge of which he therefore announced that he is standing to be the flagbearer for the APC, and the next President of Sierra Leone.

He informed the gathering that he has been at one with the APC since the early 1990s and he has supported the party in good times and in difficult times, furthering that he will continue to support the values of the party and have great respect for his brothers and sisters who have already declared their candidacy for flagbearer. But he stated that he believes the time has come for fundamental change and he wants to play his part to deliver that change.

“You know that I am an experienced peacemaker and unifier. I will end the division in our party and bring people together. I will unite North and South, Muslim and Christian. I will bring all our tribes and factions together. There is a reason that my campaign message is ‘Forward Together,”

He maintained that because unity is the most important quality required of the flagbearer: only if the APC is united will they defeat the current President, revealing that he has unique experience in promoting the development of our nation, both as Ambassador and through his agri-education projects.

Omrie Golley disclosed that as President he will build on the experience to transform agriculture in Sierra Leone, making the most of the country’s God-given advantages to achieve food security and end the widespread hunger of the masses.

He added that he will tackle endemic corruption in society, ensure that the mining of the country’s natural resources benefits all and not just a small few, will build a modern healthcare system which will be there to take care of us all, adding that he will ensure all Sierra Leonean children have access to an education that gives them the best possible start in life.

“Our problems are too large’, they say; ‘too long-term, too ingrained, too expensive to fix,” I am not one of those people. For I have faith, faith in my fellow citizens, Faith in Sierra Leone,” he maintained.

He disclosed that instead of just preaching from afar, he has made personal sacrifices, used his own resources, his own skills, his own two hands to start building that future, with a vision to lead the nation: unite the APC party and the people, and heal the divisions of the past.

“I am here to build a Sierra Leone where no-one lives in hunger and suffer oppression. And I stand here to ask for your support. Together, we can deliver that brighter future for Sierra Leone,” he concluded.

Other dignitaries present at the ceremony including a Senior APC Party Stakeholder, Ms Cecilia Ngobeh, the APC Youth Representative, Issa Soko Tarawally, the APC Veteran Supporter, Hon. Amara Adikali Kamara also made statements of which they all threw their support behind Ambassador Golley for the 2023 APC Flagbearer.

Abu Bakarr Sesay Desperately Wanted by the Poro Society in Sierra Leone

January 23, 2023

By Alvin Lansana Kargbo

Abu Bakarr Sesay, born on May 6, 2003, has been declared wanted for what certain members of the Poro Society deem a grievous crime. The Poro Society, a secret and highly revered organization for boys and men in Sierra Leone, is known for the esoteric powers attributed to its members and the mystical Poro devil. This secret society which is shrouded in mystery commands significant respect and fear in the areas where it operates, especially in the rural areas.

The fate of Abu Bakarr Sesay began in the quiet village of Konta, located in the Port Loko District of Northern Sierra Leone. Tradition in this village dictates that when a powerful and influential member of the Poro Society passes away, his son must replace him. Abu Bakarr’s grandfather had been one such member, holding considerable sway within the society and his father is still a strong member. When his grandfather died, it was decreed that Abu Bakarr, against his wishes, should take his grandfather’s place in the Poro Society.

Abu Bakarr was forcibly taken to the Poro Bush, a secluded area only accessible to society members. The initiation rituals within the Poro Bush are known to be grueling, involving various secret ceremonies and oaths. One of the most feared aspects of initiation is the marking of a new member’s back, a rite that signifies their complete indoctrination and acceptance into the society. Members are also required to swear an oath of secrecy, forbidding them from revealing the society’s activities to non-members. This secrecy is one of the core principles that sustains the Poro Society’s mystique and influence.

While in the Poro Bush, Abu Bakarr Sesay began contemplating escape. He was not alone in his desperation; two other young boys of his age shared his sentiments. The three of them saw their chance on the 6th January, 2023 and seized the opportunity to flee. Their escape was narrow and they knew the gravity of their situation. The Poro Society has a strict law: anyone who has not been fully initiated but has seen the inner workings of the society and then escapes must be killed for betrayal. This law made their flight fraught with danger.

The Poro Society members, realizing the escape, mounted a frantic manhunt. They were determined to capture the boys and uphold the society’s laws. The situation became even more serious when the society members abducted Abu Bakarr’s mother, accusing her of complicity in her son’s escape. She was detained for two to three weeks, undergoing interrogation and hardship. Eventually, the society members concluded that she had no knowledge of her son’s plans and released her. However, the damage had been done; the incident left a lasting impact on the family.

The Poro Society has a long-standing presence, particularly in Sierra Leone’s provinces and rural areas. Its initiation ceremonies are rumored to be extremely rigorous, with the aforementioned marking of new members being one of the many trials they face. The society’s strict codes and oaths of secrecy ensure that its internal affairs remain hidden from the outside world. Members who uphold these oaths are respected and often ascend to leadership roles within their communities.

What Abu Bakarr Sesay and the other boys did was considered sacrilege. Their actions threatened the very fabric of the society’s secrecy and tradition. If captured, they would face instant death. The society’s resolve to enforce this punishment is unyielding, reflecting the seriousness with which they guard their traditions and secrets.

Despite the severity of the situation, human rights organizations have long campaigned for the Government to ban secret societies in Sierra Leone. These organizations argue that such societies perpetuate human rights abuses and restrict individual freedoms. However, these campaigns have not gained much traction. Secret societies like the Poro are deeply embedded in the customs and traditions of the communities that practice them, and any move to ban them is met with significant resistance.

As the manhunt for Abu Bakarr Sesay continues, his story has become a symbol of the clash between tradition and modernity in Sierra Leone. On one hand, there is a deep respect for cultural practices and the role they play in the social structure. On the other hand, there is a growing recognition of individual rights and the need to protect those who wish to opt out of such traditions.

Abu Bakarr’s escape has also raised questions about the rights of individuals to refuse participation in cultural practices that they find objectionable or oppressive. While the Poro Society sees his actions as a betrayal, others view it as a courageous stand against coercion and an assertion of personal freedom.

As Abu Bakarr Sesay remains at large, his fate hangs in the balance. His story is reminder of the complex interplay between tradition, culture, and individual rights.

Confucius Institute Holds Spring Festival Celebration Gala

January 20, 2023

By Foday Moriba Conteh

During a well-attended ceremony held on Thursday 19^th January, 2023 at Taiji Garden, Fourah Bay College, the Confucius Institute Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone, held its Spring Festival Celebration Gala which is commonly known in English as the ‘Chinese New Year.’

The Chinese Director of the Confucius Institute at Fourah Bay College, Professor Jing Man said that in their traditional lunisolar calendars, a year is divided into 24 solar terms and the first one is Lichun: » # which Starts the spring and marks the beginning of the New Year.

She said that the festival was traditionally a time to honor deities as well as ancestors and also a tradition for every family to thoroughly clean their house, in order to sweep away any ill fortune and to make way for incoming good luck.

“With our hope of good fortune, we have successfully established over 20 teaching sites across the country, targeting every level of education, and are now targeting all regions with the University of Makeni (UNIMAK) taking the forefront and next shall be Njala University in Bo, furthering that also through hard work and mutual contributions, they now have the BA Chinese with Honors program at the University of Sierra Leone Fourah Bay College, which will provide our first set of graduates this year,” she revealed.

She told the gathering that they now have Chinese language as a core module for all Year 1 Limkokwing University students, and a core for all language students at the University of Makeni and they have successfully launched the program at the Prince of Wales (POW) Senior Secondary School to provide more options for pupils to continue their tertiary education with a hope for more schools to follow.

The Chinese Director said in addition to their continuous support and provision of Scholarships to students, which has seen hundreds of Sierra Leoneans studying in China since 2012 till date. Recently they have 3 students offering their BA Chinese program in popular Universities in Shanghai, Changsha and Ganzhou, 2 prospective Doctoral candidates, 2 one academic year students, and some students studying for their Master’s degree in China saying they are planning to send more.

On behalf of the institute, he used the opportunity to recognize the support and sponsorship of the Chinese Embassy, Fourah Bay College, the University of Sierra Leone, Institutions hosting various teaching sites, various Chinese companies and businesses, friends and students for their tireless efforts and continuous support to the Confucius Institute.

She concluded by calling on all to brighten the Confucius Dream, the Chinese dream and to strengthen their China-Sierra Leone friendship, to promote education, adding that this Year of the Rabbit awaits their cooperation and efforts to make it a successful and prosperous one.

Representing the Vice Chancellor and Principal, Fourah Bay College, the Special Assistant to the Vice Chancellor and Principal, Prince A. J. Williams on behalf of the management of the University of Sierra Leone, the Vice Chancellor and Principal extended warmest congratulations to the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Sierra Leone and the entire citizenry of the People’s Republic of China, the Board of Directors and staff of the Confucius Institute here at Fourah Bay College on the celebration of the Chinese Spring festival which also doubles as the Chinese New Year.

He stated that the Confucius Institute has actually been of immense advantage to students and staff of the University of Sierra Leone with a sizeable number of students now communicating well in the Chinese language and more and more students and members of staff as well, are now expressing interest to study the Chinese language.

“The University of Sierra Leone congratulates you on your achievements so far since the establishment of the Confucius Institute in Sierra Leone. The Vice Chancellor and Principal wants me to inform you that the University administration will continue to provide the enabling environment for the Confucius Institute to flourish,” he concluded.

The Deputy Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Sarjoh Aziz-Kamara, pointed out how China and Sierra Leone have had a sustained relationship for over 50 years which he said will continue to depend on educational and cultural exchanges.

He noted that the celebration of Spring Festival by extension the work of the Confucius Institute and the country’s long-standing relationship with China and the diplomatic relations between the two countries have rendered Sierra Leone numerous benefits in the areas of education, health, infrastructure, Agriculture etc.

On his part, the Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone, H.E Wang Qing, described the Spring Festival Celebration Gala as a very important event.

He said that China and Sierra Leone are time bond friends enduring the past 52 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations and the diplomatic relations between China and Sierra Leone has developed over the years.

H.E Wang Qing described the Confucius Institute at Fourah Bay College as very unique and impressive, adding that as the 4^th Confucius Institute in Africa it has developed over the past 10 years into a platform for China-Sierra Leone cultural exchange and cooperation as well as mutual learning and appreciation of various cultures and collaboration.

The Confucius Institute during the ceremony awarded its Outstanding Teaching Sites of which 5 Teaching Sites were awarded which include Fourah Bay College, Armed Forces Technical College, Limkokwing University, Fourah Bay College Junior Secondary School, and Fourah Bay College Primary School. This was also followed by announcement of its Chinese Stars from their various teaching sites and the Spring Festival Cultural Performances.