Government of Sierra Leone Commences Annual Celebration of Education Week

December 7, 2022

By Millicent Senava Mannah

The Government of Sierra Leone has commenced the 2^nd Annual Celebration of Education (ACE) Week, from the 5th to the 9^th December, 2022. The theme for this year is, “Education Transformation for all” with the remarkable event taking place at the Freetown International Conference Center, Bintumani, at Aberdeen.

Representative of the President, who was the Keynote Speaker, Prof. Alpha Wurie, Minister of Technical and Higher Education, expressed how elated he is, to be in the shoes of His Excellency the President.

He noted that, the President is very passionate about Early Childhood, and how they have achieved a lot in such a short while continuing how the President has now taken the lead on issues with basic numeracy, issues with comprehension, and foundation.

Professor Alpha Wurie intimated that the President’s Free Quality Education has given many children the access to education revealing that one hundred and forty thousand pupils took the NPSE, one hundred and twenty thousand pupils took the BECE, and one hundred and eighty six thousand took the WASSCE, and how they were all paid for.

He maintained that, the figures show that the Government has been paying for pupils who are reseating the examinations otherwise the figures would not have been higher as it is.

According to him, School Feeding and the provision of School Buses were initiated to make life easy for pupils.

“As a country we need to celebrate where we are going, though we are not there yet,” the Minister stated.

Alpha Wurie further revealed that women doing Science in the University will receive scholarship from their first to final year and according to him, students who are experiencing difficulty in paying their fees can now have access to loans.

The Deputy Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education disclosed that since they started the Free Education, the Government has spent Eighteen Million Five Hundred Billion Leones continuing that, they have done a lot to increase the number of passes in public examinations, which includes, NPSE, BECE and WASSCE.

She commended the Teaching Service Commission, for their relentless efforts to train over five thousand teachers for them to have the methodology to teach the children, and how there is now improvement in Mathematics, Sciences and English Language.

The British High Commissioner, Lisa Chesney, expressed how happy she is to be part of the celebration and how there are many things to celebrate.

She commended His Excellency the President for his effortless drive to improve education in the country, and also for making education free and accessible for all including the less privileged.

Lisa emphasized that the relationship between her country and Sierra Leone is really strong and according to her one of their flagship programs is education, assuring how they would continue to support the Government in terms of education.

An official of the Tertiary Education Commission stated that education is one of President Bio’s flagship programs, and according to him, they are committing 21% of the country’s budget to education.

He furthered that as a Commission, they are charged with the mandate to regulate tertiary institutions in the country maintaining that, the Commission was setup by an Act of Parliament, to fulfill the President’s mandate to improve education in the country.

There were interludes of performances staged by disabled pupils of the Deaf and Dumb school as way of manifesting that no one should be left behind.

Aminata Konneh, a pupil from the Girls High School, in her vote of thanks, on behalf of her colleagues, extended her appreciation to His Excellency the President for his Free and Quality Education affirming that they will ensure to make good use of the free and quality education.

Prince Jacob Macauley to Seek Supreme Court Interpretation of Section 41

December 7, 2022

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

One of Sierra Leone’s finest Economists, Prince Jacob Macauley, has finally decided to go to the Supreme Court for interpretation of Section 41 of the country ‘s 1991 Constitution, which deals with the eligibility of interested persons to contest for the position of President. Section 41 lays down the requisite qualifications for persons desirous of contesting for the position of President of Sierra Leone.

It could be recalled that Prince Jacob Macauley recently wrote a letter to the President, Chief Justice, Speaker of Parliament and other relevant authorities expressing his concern over the said provision in the Constitution, which, in his view, provides for an Independent Candidate to contest for the position of President (Section 41 d refers), though no one had taken advantage of the said provision.

However, since he wrote to the authorities on his desire to take the opportunity provided by the said section, he has had no response on the said matter and he is now left with no option but to take the matter to the Supreme Court for interpretation of the said section.

See Section 41 of the 1991 Constitution:

No person shall be qualified for election as President unless he—

is a member of a political party;
is a citizen of Sierra Leone;
has attained the age of forty years; and
is otherwise qualified to be elected as a Member of Parliament.

Prince Macauley maintained that as an independent candidate who does not wish to belong to any political party, it is his right, according to d. of the above Constitutional provision to contest for the Presidency. In the above section, an intending candidate should be a Sierra Leonean, has attained the age of forty and is otherwise qualified to be elected as a Member of Parliament.

In his view the above section suggests that one cannot be a member of a Political Party to contest for the Presidency, as long as that individual is otherwise qualified to be a Member of Parliament.

The fact that no one had ever tried to contest as an Independent Candidate for the Presidency does not mean that an Independent Candidate cannot contest for the seat. The above section suggests, in his view, that d. is an alternative for a person who does not belong to any Political Party and does not in any way wish to be one, but wishes to contest for that seat, is qualified to do, except the Supreme Court of the land states otherwise.

Prince Macauley has been a fervent exponent of prudent economic policies, and has severally criticized the policies of the current Bank Governor, which has brought the country’s economy on its knees. On every action taken by the Bank Governor, Prince had given his own view on what should have been done. He had predicted the entire catastrophe that has befallen the country through the failed economic policies of the Bank Governor, and is known to be a reliable reference on economic policies.

His criticisms and predictions of the fate of the economy if those policies are implemented has earned him respect by many Sierra Leoneans, who see him as the right man to turn the fortunes of the country around, as in the current situation that the country is in, only an expert with proven understanding of the way economies run can transform the nation and bring sanity.

That aside, Prince Macauley is determined to go to the Supreme Court for Interpretation on the said Section 41. D. Some political analysts agree with him that the said section offers every Sierra Leonean above the age of 40 years and qualified to be a Member of Parliament, to contest for the Presidency. They also agreed with him that one does not have to belong to a political party to contest for the Presidency, especially if one has the relevant support from the populace to do so. To insinuate otherwise, is to infringe on his right to contest for that position, which is a complete violation of his constitutional right that is enshrined in the country’s constitution.

President Bio Bags African of the Year 2022 Award

December 7, 2022

President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Dr Julius Maada Bio, emerged winner in the 11^thAfrican Leadership Persons of the Year Award – 2022. The President emerged as the winner in the category, African of the Year, after polling over 68% of the total votes to beat other contenders in the category.

He emerged winner in the overall category –African of the Year, with the poll attracting a combined total vote of over 15,000 and over 1 million active online engagements during the voting period, as at the close of the poll on Friday, December 02, 2022, at midnight Central African Time.

The poll, which has become the continent’s premium vote-based awards, attracted over 12,000 votes on the African Leadership Magazine website and over 3000 votes via email.

Winners for the 11^thedition of the award shall be presented with the honour instruments on February 16^th, 2022, during the annual African Leadership Magazine Persons of the Year Award ceremony, billed to hold in Port Louis, Mauritius.

President Bio won a popular vote and came to power in 2018 on the promise of prioritizing Human Capital Development and providing free and quality education to the citizens of Sierra Leone. Four and half years on, he has sustained his commitment amidst economic shocks occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.

Recent data by the UNESCO Institute for Statistics put the country’s total Government expenditure on education at 32% of the GDP – making it one of the highest in the world. His Government’s massive investment in health, agriculture, mining and infrastructure development also contributes towards reshaping the country’s socioeconomic development trajectory.

In describing the nominees for the 11^th Edition of the coveted prize, the Chairman, Dr Ken Giami, noted that:“Our nominees see progress, where others see retrogression; they see possibilities amid challenges. They are on a mission and are eager to lead Africa to the Promised Land,” he said.

The African Leadership Magazine Persons of the Year Awards is Africa’s premier vote-based endorsement, reserved annually for the leading Africans who contribute to promoting the continent’s progress and positively altering Africa’s perceived negative image. The annual event has also become a platform for honouring people-centred leadership and Africans pursuing a pan-African agenda in their chosen fields. This year’s event will provide a platform to celebrate the continent’s merchants of hope, ready to lead an army of change agents and reformers, to build an Africa that works for everyone.

Other winners in the different categories include: Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director General World Trade Organization – African Female Leader of the Year; His Excellency Hakainde Hichilema, President of Zambia – African Political Leader of the Year; Dr Patrice Motsepe, Founder and Executive Chairman of African Rainbow Minerals – African Industrialist of the Year; amongst others.

Legal Link Exposes ECSL’s Violation of Section 27 (5) of the Public Elections Act Of 2022

December 7, 2022

Remove term: Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone ( ECSL) Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone ( ECSL)

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

In a letter dated the 5^th December, 2022 written by the Executive Director of Legal Link, Lawyer Rashid Dumbuya, on behalf of entire Legal Link, and addressed to the Chief Electoral Commissioner & National Returning Officer Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone ( ECSL), Mohamed Kenuwai Konneh, he stated that they note with disdain and utter consternation that he has neither acknowledged receipt nor replied to their letter dated 28th November 2022 requesting ECSL to extend the voter exhibition and verification exercise and also transparently explain and show stakeholders how and why ECSL deleted about 250,000 registrants from the voters’ register.

He furthered that as a legal advocacy group they take the greatest exception to that kind of treatment of a valued partner and called for a more measured approach by the Commission in addressing vital issues raised by valued partners of ECSL in the future.

Lawyer Rashid continued that be that as it may, however, having perused his released statement on voter exhibition and verification few days ago as well as listening to a few policy statements from key stakeholders of ECSL, they are of the firm belief that ECSL is determined not to heed to their request for an extension of the voter exhibition and verification exercise beyond the 5 days scheduled by the Chief Electoral Commissioner for such a herculean process.

The Legal Link Executive Director stated that in the light of such blatant refusal, they are left with no option but to openly draw his attention and inform him that ECSL is in violation of Section 27(5) of the Public Elections Act of 2022 which requires the institution to do the voter exhibition and verification exercise for a period of 14 days.

He continued that for purposes of clarity and the avoidance of doubt, the said provision under Section 27 (5 ) of the Public Elections Act 2022 is quoted verbatim..27 (5)..” A provisional list of voters shall be exhibited for a period of 14 days”.

Lawyer Rashid Dumbuya stated that from the above it is clear as crystal that his voter exhibition and verification exercise which lasted only for 5 days does not conform with the expected period required for such exercise as stated under Section 27 (5) of the Public Elections Act 2022.

He continued that it would be safe to state that his institution has violated the mandatory provision of the Public Elections Act 2022 by his willful failure to extend the exhibition and verification exercise.

“Mr Chief Electoral Commissioner, you will also agree with us that the rationale for ECSL embarking on a voter exhibition and verification drive amongst other things is to afford those who participated in the voter registration process an opportunity to confirm, correct, include or make objections to their records on the provisional voter register so as to prevent possible disenfranchisement and/ or disruptions on polling day,” he stated.

He added that by their observation of the exhibition process and by his own admission in his released update statement on the exhibition and verification exercise, it is clear as crystal that his fundamental objective of the voter exhibition exercise was gravely undermined due to the shortness of the time frame allocated to complete the exercise.

Giving an example, he said he did admit in his update that about 50,000 registrants were photo-less while others complained of spelling mistakes and errors on the face of their records.

The Executive Director argued that the prevalence of all of these anomalies warrant a pause by ECSL to make room for additional time to fix them in a convincing and more appreciable way and not resort to quick fixes or abracadabra approaches like the much talked – about mobile app you have been trumpeting around.

“How many Sierra Leoneans can really afford a smart phone or can easily understand the complexities of operating such apps and devices?” he asked the Chief Electoral Commissioner.

The Lawyer also asked, “What benefit will it bring to ECSL in the long term if the institution is seen running with the electioneering process with such break neck speed and complexities but later end up in a big mess?” but answers that it will certainly not be good for the institution’s legacy and reputation in the future.

He said in light of the above and in the interest of transparency and integrity of the process, they urge that he allows for the 14 days period to elapse as required by law so that the mammoth of problems that eclipsed the voter exhibition and verification phase will be fully addressed and dealt with accordingly.

Lawyer Rashid said a rushed exhibition and verification phase may hurt supporters of all political parties in the future suggesting that it is in the best interest of all stakeholders to ensure a successful exhibition and verification process so that electorates are not disenfranchised down the line.

He stated that as one of their valued partners, they trust that he will do the needful and save them the burden of filing legal papers to have him compelled to follow his public duty under the law.

According to him, he said that there is already a great deal of public distrust for the ECSL institution and such distrust is increasing at a geometric progression as he continues to make erroneous decisions in the conduct of public elections in the country.

Executive Director of Legal Link said already the Chief Electoral Commissioner’s blatant refusal to carry out the boundary delimitation exercise, thus paving way for the forceful introduction of the PR system, is an issue that is still fresh in the minds of many Sierra Leoneans and hence, his refusal to extend the exhibition and verification exercise might just add more salt to injury.

He continued that in relation to his recent action of deleting over 250,000 registrants from the voter register, let them again remind him that such unilateral decision poses a clear and present danger to the nation’s body politic, security and democratic credentials.

Lawyer Rashid said hence, it may be prudent, just, fair and equitable in the given circumstances for ECSL to allow for an independent inquiry to be carried out over those huge number of deletions in a bid to ascertain whether in fact these registrants were actually guilty of double registration as alleged by his institution.

He added that they at LEGAL LINK hold the view that the right to vote and be voted for in periodic elections is a fundamental human right to be enjoyed by all eligible citizens in a democratic society as guaranteed under Section 31 of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone.

“Denying citizens therefore the enjoyment and / or exercise of such fundamental human rights without justifiable limitations constitute a violation of both domestic and international law,” he said maintaining that as they await his response to those burning concerns raised in the letter let him please accept the assurances of their highest regards.

4 Police Officers Sentenced to Jail for Possessing Illicit Substances

December 7, 2022

By Dauda Koroma

Magistrate Mark Ngegba, presiding over the Pademba Road Magistrate Court No.1 on Monday 5th December 2022 passed sentence on four sacked Police Officers, after the Exhibits Clerk produced and tendered exhibits involved in the matter.

According to the Exhibit Clerk, Detective Sergeant 13905 Mohamed Usufu Jalloh, he was on duty on the 22nd November 2022 when he received from Sergeant 10831 Sesay A. the following exhibits; 226 cannabis sativa, 20 wraps of Kush, 6 tablets of tramadol and 1 wrap of cannabis Sativa. He said he registered the exhibits into the Court exhibit book as against the Serial No. 16/2022

It could be recalled that on Monday 28th November, 2022 four dismissed Police Officers, Haja Saffiatu Conteh, Alpha Kargbo, Ibrahim Collier Hazeley and Mohamed Nabieu pleaded guilty, while the fourth accused Santigie Turay pleaded not guilty before the Court for the offences charged against them.

They were charged with six counts of unlawful possession of cannabis sativa, Kush and tramadol all contrary to Section 48 (1) of the Pharmacy and Drugs Act of 2001.

The particulars of offence indicated that the first accused, Haja Saffiatu Conteh, on Tuesday 8th November, 2022, at SILEA campus, Police Training School, Hastings, was found in possession of two hundred and twenty-six (226) wraps of cannabis sativa contained in a black plastic bag weighing at 20 grams without lawful authority.

The second accused ,Alpha Kargbo on the same date and place was found in possession of ten (10) wraps of Kush contained in a medical sachet weighing at 0.4 grams without lawful authority, and was also found in possession of six tablets of Tramadol also contained in a medical sachet weighing 0.2 grams without lawful authority.

Ibrahim Collier Hazeley was found in possession of 1 wrap of cannabis sativa weighing 0.4 grams without lawful authority and Santigie Turay was also found in possession of 1 wrap of cannabis sativa weighing 0.4 grams, while Mohamed Nabieu was found in possession of 1 wrap of Kush weighing 0.2 gram without lawful authority.

In his plea mitigation, Defense Counsel, Ahmed Atata Mansaray Esq. pleaded with the Bench to tamper justice with mercy, which according to him, his clients are first time offenders. The learned Lawyer pleaded with the Bench to pass minimal punishments on the convicts.

In his ruling, Magistrate Ngegba cited the previous status of the convicts and also the seriousness of the offences.

He therefore sentenced the first convict Haja Saffiatu Conteh to serve a jail term of 10 months, second convict Alpha Kargbo 12 months, third convict Ibrahim Collier Hazley to 6 months, while the fifth Mohamed Nabieu to serve a jail term of 8 months respectively, all to run concurrently.

The fourth accused Santigie Turay was remanded, while his matter comes up on Monday 12th December, 2022.

Sierra Leone Spelling Bees May Miss USA Competition

December 7, 2022

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

It is no gainsaying the fact that though Sierra Leone is a member of the African Spelling Bee Consortium, the possibility of Sierra Leone’s spelling bees getting to the African Spelling Bee championship to be held in the USA might be a far-fetched dream.

However, there is still a small time left for the country to participate provided the Government may decide to reverse its initial response of non-availability of funding for that purpose or a private entity decides to support the participants to take part in the competition.

Despite this, Malawi’s representatives at the African Spelling Bee in Uganda-File photo African Spelling Bee Senior-Champion are set to travel to the United States of America (USA), soon.

The prize includes airfare and accommodation for the champion and one parent. The National Malawi Spelling Bee founder, Lewis Mbaula, said Scripps National Spelling Bee is the biggest and oldest Spelling Bee, in the world.

“Scripps National Spelling Bee is a partner of Malawi National Spelling Bee and also works in partnership with Spelling Bee organizations around the world,” Mbaula said.

Participants of African Spelling will be drawn from 20 countries and, according to Mbaula, 18 countries have confirmed their participation and they include Malawi, Uganda, Nigeria, South Africa, Zambia, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Sudan and Lesotho.

African Spelling Bee was first hosted in South Africa in 2016 and then 2017, before moving to Kenya in 2018 and then Uganda in 2019.

The contest returns this year following a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19.

In Sierra Leone, the founding member and Executive Director of the Initiative in Capacity Building Association International (ICBAI), Isata Harding, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology is still working to ensure that Sierra Leone participates in the Spelling Bee Competition across Africa and the world at large for primary schools across the country.

Isata Harding believes that Spelling Bee is a healthy competition that is done internally in schools and externally in communities as a national and international competition.

She added that it would be a good thing to get the children interested in a venture that will change their perspective for the better on both education and against violent conduct. She said improvement in reading will definitely have positive effects on students.

On the issue of this year’s Spelling Bee competition to be held in the USA, she maintained that she is disappointed that the Government of Sierra Leone and other partners could not provide funds to assist the three competitors for the Spelling Bee in the USA. She maintained, however, that she is optimistic that before these competitors travel, they would receive God’s blessing in addition to the blessing of the Government as far as tickets and emoluments are concerned.

Past Sierra Leone Spelling Bee Competitions were in the likes of Blessing Carew (three years old), Simon Kamara (ten years old), Godfreyna F. Kamara (fourteen years old) and a host of other contestants that travelled out of Sierra Leone, to compete against their colleagues from other countries in Uganda and lately in Dubai where they emerged victorious, even if they did not come out as winners!

Against this background, Madam Isata Harding is calling on the Government, Education Ministry and other players to do what they can to assist the Spelling Bees reach USA to participate in this year’s competition.

Chengli Mining Company Pays 1 Billion Leones as Surface Rent to Land Owners

December 7, 2022

In strict accordance with the Mines and Minerals Act of 2009, Chengli Mining Company has paid One Billion and Eighty Million Leones to land owners of Diang and Sambaya Chiefdoms for operating in their communities.

Such a positive move made by the Mining Company was to ensure that the communities improve in infrastructural developments.

Residents of Diang and Sambaya Chiefdoms were reportedly extremely happy with the One Billion and Eighty Million Leones paid as surface rent by Chengli Mining Company.

The gleaming smiles on their faces show that they were overjoyed for having a huge investment and a source of livelihood in their communities.

It must be noted that this is the third time Chengli Mining Company is paying surface rent to communities in their mining operations

Chief Executive Officer of the Company, Fassally Tarawally, said devoid of the many challenges the company is faced with over the years they would continue to pay the surface rent to the two chiefdoms as well as keep on building the capacity of the community people.

Government authorities including Minister of Youth Affairs, Mohamed Oman Bangura, Resident Minister Northern Region, Abu Abu Kamara, and honorable members of the host communities were very pleased with the great work done so far by the mining company and by putting smiles on the land owners’ faces.

They reaffirmed Government’s commitment to creating the enabling environment for private sector investment to thrive and called on residents to work with the Chengli Mining Company closely for the benefit of both the company and the host communities.

Community authorities and Paramount Chiefs promised the Government representatives and Chengli Mining Company Management that they will embark on massive development with the sum paid.

Companies like Chengli Mining pays millions of dollars a year to the Government for a large-scale gold mining license.

The company has over the years helped the community with communications networks, school buildings, Water Supply, health centers, and the construction of a Chiefdom Court Barray amongst many other developments.

It is expected that the two chiefdoms will utilize the surface rent money for the growth of the communities.

NP-SL Highly Acclaimed as a Viable & Sustainable Oil Marketing Company

December 7, 2022

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

By Amin Kef-Ranger

Recent research conducted by this medium indicated that, based on viability and sustainability tests on oil marketing companies in Sierra Leone, it was discovered that the operations of NP-Sierra Leone Limited make it the most viable and sustainable oil marketing company apart from it being an internationally approved service deliverer.

It is on record that NP-SL is a company that it is worth its salt, evident in the company receiving various “Best Company of the Year” Awards, on a yearly basis, during award-giving ceremonies.

Being Sierra Leone’s leading and longest-serving oil marketing company, NP- SL Limited continues to weather emerging challenges gallantly as it endeavors to give optimum satisfaction to millions of customers across the country.

The research included tests on the standard and quality of the NP-SL’s products which customers say they have never had cause to grumble about.

It should be noted that customer care is one key element to the success of NP-SL.

Another most important feature of NP-SL is its smart cards which customers can use to make transactions very easily and conveniently. It is a cashless way of conducting transactions as long as the amount of money that the smart card contains is sufficient to procure any additional fuel needed.

The public’s recognition of the invaluable contributions of NP-SL , both to its numerous customers across the country and to national development, has seen it bag meritorious awards from different national and international organizations.

NP-SL is well anchored in neighbouring Liberia, Guinea, Ivory Coast and The Gambia where it operates as a truly multinational Sierra Leone company.

Since its establishment, NP has been meaningfully contributing to economic growth through payment of taxes and rolling out meaningful interventions in the discharge of its Corporate Social Responsibility that are transforming lives and improving communities.

The company always ensures that petroleum products are always available, thereby preventing shortages that could create shocks in many quarters. The level of confidence which overseas business partners have reposed in the company has made it possible for it to enter into payment agreements thereby keeping the demand and supply chain open and running.

The company has gained international reputation for offering a variety of managerial and technical jobs to Sierra Leoneans and other individuals in all the countries it operates.

NP-SL, by giving preference to employing Sierra Leoneans is a clear indication that it is adhering to the country’s Local Content Policy. Utilizing local talents makes it possible for indigenes to acquire useful knowledge and skills through training courses with the knowledge acquired applied in other places.

In addition, the company sells the best cooking gas that is available in hundreds of outlets across the country, thereby contributing to creating cleaner environments, thus aiding the work of EPA. NP Gas, it has been proven is easy to handle and the very gas to refill it is also sold by the company.

It must also be mentioned that NP-SL is on record for being the foremost indigenous company that is contributing in diverse ways to overall national development.

Buhari Expresses Gratitude to China for Opting to Construct ECOWAS Headquarters

December 7, 2022

President Muhammadu Buhari led a high-powered delegation of African leaders on Sunday to perform a ground-breaking ceremony of the new China-aided Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) headquarters building in Abuja.

Buhari, in his statement at the event, noted: “that today is a great day for the Sub-Regional Organization.”

He said it is also a great day for China-ECOWAS Partnership as the community has waited for this day, since the 10th of July, 2019, when ECOWAS and the Peoples’ Republic of China signed an implementation agreement for this diplomatic gift to the West African States and this no doubt represents China’s commitment to the sub-regional organization.

Buhari, therefore, expressed profound gratitude to the Government of the People’s Republic of China for committing to building a befitting new complex to house the Sub-Regional Organization.

“This arena, where today’s ceremony is taking place when completed, would house the three major ECOWAS institutions, namely the ECOWAS Commission, the Community Court of Justice and the Parliament, which China is committed to building.

“The agreement between the People’s Republic of China and ECOWAS has been a long and slow process, which started with a vision, to build the EYE OF WEST AFRICA. This was envisioned as an all-inclusive architectural phenomenon. The building would represent the three hundred and eighty million West African citizens and would remain a befitting edifice to the region and the continent”.

The President further disclosed that the Nigerian Government and the ECOWAS Institutions in Abuja had agreed to consolidate ECOWAS operations in one complex as a departure from operating at three different locations.

“The new complex would represent the unity and brotherhood of the member-states, as well as signify a re-commitment to progress and regional integration. It will be our home and a regional rallying point.

“I want to extend my warmest appreciation to the Government of the People’s Republic of China, for their financial and technical contribution to ensuring that a monument of this nature is built on behalf of our region.

“I also want to thank the previous and current Management of the ECOWAS Commission for working in collaboration with China and Nigeria towards the realization of this project.

“I wish to confirm to you that I have given directives to the various relevant Nigerian Ministries, Departments and Agencies under the coordination of the Nigerian Ambassador and Permanent Representative to ECOWAS to ensure the smooth facilitation of the project.”

The Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Nigeria, Cui Jian Chun also said since its establishment in 1975, ECOWAS, with 15 member States and nearly one-third of Africa’s total population, has pursued strengthening regional integration and promoting development and cooperation among the region as it has become a driving force to foster lasting peace and sustainable development of the region and Africa at large.

He added that China is a steadfast proponent and committed partner of ECOWAS and the past decades have witnessed strong growth of cooperative relations.

“To sponsor and construct the new ECOWAS Headquarters is a vivid reflection of China’s support to the work of ECOWAS as well as the traditional friendship between China and the West African countries,” he added.

Choithram Hospital Offers Free Orthopaedic & Cardiology Screening & Treatment

December 7, 2022

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

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.

The hospital from time to time has been bringing specialized medical personnel from Germany and India to render professional medical services to people of Sierra Leone.

Against this backdrop, the Choithram Memorial Hospital will be organizing a camp of 2 days Orthopaedic and Cardiology examination and treatment commencing on the 16th and ending on the 17th December, 2022 at the hospital premises on Hill Station in Freetown.

It must be noted that Consultation, investigations and medical opinion shall be free of cost.

This medium was reliably informed that renowned doctors and specialists in the persons of Dr. Akshay Kumar Saxena, Senior Consultant Orthopaedics & Joint Replacement from Max Smart Super Specialty Hospital, Saket New Delhi (India) and Dr. Manjeet. The attending Consultant Cardiologist from Max Super Specialty Hospital, Saket New Delhi (India) will examine and suggest treatment for all potential Orthopaedic and Cardiology cases.

It must be noted that Max Healthcare, one of the leading healthcare networks in North India, is now closer to Sierra Leoneans even during challenging times of pandemics. They understand that not all Sierra Leoneans can plan to visit India for medical treatment, but they’ve got them covered through the 2 days free expert consultation on Orthopaedic and Cardiology related issues.

Interested persons must note that prior registration is mandatory and they must book an appointment at Choithram Memorial Hospital on or before the 15th December, 2022 as only limited spaces will be available.

To book individuals must call +232-76-541-331 or send booking to www.cmhfreetown.com