The High Court of Sierra Leone Holden at Freetown, it was stated in a Press Release dated the 7th November 2022, presided over by the Honourable Justice Komba Kamanda JA, has on Thursday 3rd November 2022, convicted Akuna Daniel Shorunkeh Sawyer, former Quality Assurance Officer of Plan International (1st Accused), Biasie Turay, former Admin Officer of Plan International (3rd Accused), Moses Ogendeh Kamara Chief Executive Officer of Community Empowerment and Rural Development (CEFORD) and of 9 Ogendeh Drive, Korgbo, Ogoo Farm, Freetown (5th Accused), Mohamed Ishmyle Bangura, Chief Executive Officer of Bombali Youth in Action (BOYA) and of No. 49 Payne Street, Makeni, (6th Accused) and Abubakarr Kanu, Salesman at Eddiecan Investment Enterprises and of No. 2 Magburaka Road, Makeni (7th Accused).
The Hon. Justice Komba Kamanda convicted Akuna Daniel Shorunkeh Sawyer, on Eleven (11) Counts of corruption charges; Misappropriation of Donor Funds, contrary to Section 37(1) and Conspiracy to Commit a Corruption Offence, contrary to Section 128(1)(a), of the Anti-Corruption Act No. 12, of 2008.
The learned Judge sentenced Akuna Daniel Shorunkeh Sawyer to a cumulative fine of Four Hundred and Sixty Thousand New Leones (NLe 460,000) or three years imprisonment. The Judge further ordered that the convict pays back to the ACC within six months, from the date of the judgment, One Billion, Three Hundred and Forty Nine Thousand, Five Hundred and Thirty Thousand (Old) Leones (Le 1,349,530,000), being monies he misappropriated and conspired to misappropriate from donor funds meant for the people of Sierra Leone.
Biasie Turay, Mohamed Ishmyle Bangura and Abubakarr Kanu were each convicted on one Count and each sentenced to pay a fine of Thirty Thousand New Leones (Nle 30,000) or three years imprisonment.
Moses Ogendeh Kamara was convicted on Counts 2, 3, and 4 of the charges; Conspiracy to Commit a Corruption Offence, contrary to Section 128(1)(a), and Misappropriation of Donor Funds, contrary to Section 37(1) of the Anti-Corruption Act No. 12, of 2008. He was sentenced to a cumulative fine of One Hundred and Ten Thousand New Leones (Nle 110,000) or three years imprisonment.
It could be recalled that Akuna Daniel Shorunkeh Sawyer, and Seven Others, were on 1st December 2016, indicted by the ACC for misappropriating and conspiring to misappropriate donor funds meant for the people of Sierra Leone.
Meanwhile, the 2nd, 4th, and 8th Accused persons, Christian Clemens, Patrick Abubakarr Mahoi, and Hassan Bangura respectively, were acquitted and discharged by the High Court of Sierra Leone.
In the evening hours of Wednesday 2nd November, 2022, at the Faalah Checkpoint in Bo, Sub Inspector Mohamed Marruf Bongay attached to the New Traffic Management Office, Bo West Division, assisted by D/PC 18286 Patrick Mohamed Ngobeh attached CID Bo – West Division and a Road Safety personnel commonly called Kutteh attached to the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority in Bo, intercepted
A vehicle with Reg No A12080 was intercepted in the evening hours of Wednesday 2nd November, 2022, at the Faalah Checkpoint in Bo by Sub Inspector Mohamed Marruf Bongay attached to the New Traffic Management office in the Bo West Division, assisted by D/PC 18286, Patrick Mohamed Ngobeh, attached to the CID Bo – West Division and a Road Safety personnel commonly called Kutteh attached to the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority in Bo, in which they discovered 110 wrapped parcels of dry leaves suspected to be Cannabis Sativa commonly referred to as “Jamba” in our local parlance. There were also in the same vehicle some goats and a sheep.
The Regional Police Commander South, AIG Harold AMC Hanciles, and other departmental heads were immediately informed. Hanciles immediately rushed to the scene of arrest and ordered that the said vehicle with the exhibits plus the two available suspected passengers be taken to the Regional Police Headquarters in Bo for investigation, which was done.
Altogether two suspects are in police custody yet three others, including the driver and two female are on the run. Investigation is in active progress at the Transnational Organized Crime Unit, (TOCU) – RHQ South.
Sierra Leone’s Consulate Planning Office in Finland in cooperation with Africell Sierra Leone, Nordic Eco Properties SL Ltd, Ripsta Culture Worldwide and the Salone Reggae Movement is replicating the idea of climate resilience in civic education and grass root awareness raising campaign at the Attouga Stadium, Freetown Sierra Leone on the 18th and 19th November, 2022 wherein numerous Sierra Leonean reggae musicians will share stage with a popular Finnish musician Charlotta Kerbs who will be sounding the messages of climate change mitigation in the world and especially in Sierra Leone as the country was listed among climate disaster prone countries.
This musical explosion will come in the heels of the Sharm El Sheikh Climate Change Conference which is held in Egypt commencing on the 6th and lasting to the 18th of November 2022.
In retrospect, the indelible scar of the mud and landslides coupled with frequent flooding occurrences that claimed the lives of a good number of Sierra Leoneans is a serious cause for concern that must be addressed by grass root and Government strategic planning schemes through constant engagement on the causes and negative impacts of climate change in particularly Sierra Leone.
According to the Sierra Leone’s Consulate Planning Office in Finland, the urgent need of climate awareness is a global phenomenon to which Sierra Leone is no exception. The head of the Consulate Planning Office Mr. Sorie Obai Kamara also disclosed that given the COP 27 conference in Egypt, Sierra Leone is also joining forces with Finland in promoting a climate friendly planet through Government to Government arrangement; Sierra Leone is almost an official member of the Finnish Coalition of Ministers of Finance on Climate and through culture and touristic exchange: Sierra Leone Reggae Festival Vol 2 in which a Finnish will perform and deliver the message of climate actions for a better planet.
The Protocol Officer of the Sierra Leone’s Consulate Planning Office, Keijo Mikkanen, call on every Sierra Leonean to attend the climate change reggae festival at Attouga Stadium on the 18th and 19th November, 2022 so that the interaction and sharing of ideas will bring better understanding of the subject matter. He further opined that, their office will continue to do all within their reach to connect Finland and Sierra Leone in terms of culture, tourism, agriculture and educational exchange.
Akibo Kamara added that the people of Sierra Leone must stop cutting down trees at random but instead embark on planting trees around water catchment areas to save our country from the foreseeable climate disaster predicted by world researchers.
In privileged conversations with Pump Attendants at various NP Filling or Gas Stations in different parts of the country what came out glaringly was that they have been groomed to always respond to genuine concerns of customers. They informed this medium that during certain instances they could address some of those concerns but if not then they must refer such to their senior colleagues or the Station Managers. They were unanimous in recognizing that the customer is presumably always right except otherwise when foul play is suspected. They also maintained that customer satisfaction must be guaranteed at all times because it is the customers that add value to their businesses.
Adhering to best practice, from time to time the company provides training for attendants and Station Managers on effective service delivery and how to deal with customers.
It is an open secret that NP-Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL-Ltd) is a petroleum importing and exporting company that has dominated the petroleum business landscape of this country for quite a long period of time now and it 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 come out vividly to facilitate successful business transactions.
With regards NP-SL Ltd, the company is renowned for its pro-active stance in always trying to optimize customer care, which the Shareholders, Board and Management hold in high esteem with the view that in the absence of its numerous customers then the company’s existence could become irrelevant.
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 instil 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 transactions. Using NP Smart Card guarantees safety, saves time and gives 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 balance of finance on 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 tranquillity. 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. This is a big achievement which must be widely celebrated by many as it only depicts seriousness and progress.
On the evening of November 4, President Xi Jinping attended the opening ceremony of the fifth China International Import Expo (CIIE) held in Shanghai via video link and delivered a speech titled “Working Together for a Bright Future of Openness and Prosperity”. Hon. Dr. Edward Hinga Sandy, Minister of Trade and Industry of the Republic of Sierra Leone, attended the opening ceremony virtually.
President Xi Jinping noted that five years ago, he announced the decision to hold the CIIE for the very purpose of expanding China’s opening up and turning China’s enormous market into enormous opportunities for the world. Today, the CIIE has become a showcase of China’s new development paradigm, a platform for high-standard opening-up, and a public good for the whole world.
President Xi Jinping stressed that openness is a key driving force behind the progress of human civilizations and an intrinsic path toward global prosperity and development. The world today is confronted with accelerated changes unseen in a century as well as a sluggish economic recovery. We should commit ourselves to openness to meet development challenges, foster synergy for cooperation, build the momentum of innovation, and deliver benefits to all. We should steadily advance economic globalization, enhance every country’s dynamism of growth, and provide all nations with greater and fairer access to the fruits of development.
President Xi Jinping noted that as the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China has underscored, China remains committed to the fundamental national policy of opening up to the outside world, pursues a mutually beneficial strategy of opening up, and adheres to the right course of economic globalization. We will amplify the interplay between domestic and international markets and resources, strive to create new opportunities for the world with our own development, and contribute our share to building an open global economy.
—China will work with all countries and all parties to share the opportunities in its vast market. We will step up efforts to cultivate a robust domestic market, upgrade trade in goods, develop new mechanisms for trade in services, and import more quality products. We will establish pilot zones for Silk Road e-commerce cooperation and build national demonstration zones for innovative development of trade in services, so as to encourage innovation in trade and promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation.
—China will work with all countries and all parties to share the opportunities from its institutional opening-up. We will steadily expand institutional opening-up with regard to rules, regulations, management and standards, put into full effect the new Catalogue of Encouraged Industries for Foreign Investment, and further develop the national integrated demonstration zone for greater openness in the service sector. We will implement the strategy to upgrade pilot free trade areas, accelerate the Hainan Free Trade Port development, and tap into their role as pilot platforms for comprehensive reform and opening-up.
—China will work with all countries and all parties to share the opportunities from deepened international cooperation. We will engage fully and deeply in WTO reform negotiations, promote trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, and enhance international macro-economic policy coordination, with a view to jointly fostering new drivers for global growth. We will endeavor actively to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement (DEPA) to expand the globally-oriented network of high-standard free trade areas. We will firmly support other developing countries and assist them in growing faster, and promote the building of a human community with a shared future.
Before he ended his speech, President Xi Jinping stressed that the path is unfolding before us, and a brighter future beckons beyond. China is ready to work with all countries to practice true multilateralism, build more consensus for openness, jointly overcome the difficulties and challenges confronting global economic growth, and make sure that our commitment to openness will bring about broad prospects for global development.
Mabel Akuwa Roberts, a prominent political activist and founder of the civil society group Voice of the Voiceless, became one of several opposition-aligned figures who reported escalating harassment and intimidation during a period of intense political tension in Sierra Leone.
Known for her outspoken criticism of the government of President Julius Maada Bio and her advocacy on behalf of marginalized communities, Roberts had steadily gained national attention. Through her organization, she mobilized young people, many of whom were affiliated with the opposition All People’s Congress (APC), to speak out on issues of governance, hardship, and human rights abuses.
In the lead-up to the August 10, 2022 protests, Roberts was among several activists accused without formal charges of inciting unrest. The protests, sparked by economic grievances and growing frustration with the government, were met with a brutal crackdown by state security forces. Human rights groups documented multiple civilian deaths, including reports of close-range shootings, and the use of force against unarmed demonstrators.
During and after the unrest, Roberts reported multiple threats to her life and livelihood. Allegedly targeted by supporters of the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP), she experienced what family members and colleagues described as politically motivated intimidation. Her home was reportedly visited several times by unidentified individuals in plain clothes. In one instance, community members claimed that ruling party sympathizers threatened her publicly, accusing her of “undermining state stability.”
She was also accused without legal basis of sponsoring youth involved in the August protests because members of her organization where alleged spotted in the protest. She was invited by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Sierra Leone Police and was released after 24 hours. While the Sierra Leone Police did not formally charge her, her name circulated in government-aligned media and unofficial lists of “agitators,” increasing public suspicion and endangering her safety.
On several occasions in October 2022, the Sierra Leone Police stormed Roberts’ residence in an attempt to arrest her reportedly acting on what insiders described as “orders from above.” These raids often occurred in the early hours of the morning and were carried out with aggressive force. However, due to timely tips from neighbors and sympathizers, Roberts narrowly escaped arrest, further escalating her fear for personal safety and deepening concerns among civil society groups about the politicization of law enforcement.
On several occasions, she received threatening messages from unknown individuals and was also attacked multiple times at her workplace.
A close associate of Evangelist Samson, the late chairman of the APC-aligned group TAGMEN who was shot and killed by security forces in Makeni few days after the same protests, because he was label as one of the instigators of the protest. Roberts had worked with him on advocacy campaigns through their respective organizations. Their collaboration and joint public appearances were often used by critics to label her as a “political instigator,” despite her assertions that her activism was peaceful and rights-based.
Since then, Roberts has remained a polarizing figure in Sierra Leone’s civic space. To some, she represents the voice of the voiceless; to others, a challenge to the status quo. What remains undeniable is that the events of 2022 marked a troubling chapter in the country’s democratic landscape where the line between activism and criminalization became increasingly blurred.
Civil society organizations have since called for greater protections for human rights defenders and an end to politically motivated harassment. As Sierra Leone continues to grapple with balancing national security and civic freedom, the experience of Mabel Akuwa Roberts serves as a cautionary tale of how dissent can be dangerously misconstrued as disloyalty.
J-20 fighter jets of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force deliver dazzling flight performances at the opening day of Airshow China 2022 in Zhuhai, South China's Guangdong Province on November 8, 2022. Photo: Cui Meng/GT
A Z-20 utility helicopter of the People’s Liberation Army releases flares during a flight performance at the opening day of Airshow China 2022 in Zhuhai, South China’s Guangdong Province, on November 8, 2022.Photo: Cui Meng/GTA Z-20 utility helicopter of the People’s Liberation Army releases flares during a flight performance at the opening day of Airshow China 2022 in Zhuhai, South China’s Guangdong Province, on November 8, 2022.Photo: Cui Meng/GTA YU-20 aerial tanker releases all three of its aerial refueling baskets during a flight performance at the opening day of Airshow China 2022 in Zhuhai, South China’s Guangdong Province, on November 8, 2022.Photo: Cui Meng/GT
When the six-day Airshow China 2022 kicked off on Tuesday in Zhuhai, South China’s Guangdong Province, spectators were greatly amazed by the country’s most advanced J-20 fighter jets’ outstanding flight performances with challenging maneuvers of tactical significance in a very humid weather, as well as their landing before the general public for the first time, which experts said, together with flight performances of the YU-20 aerial tanker and the J-16 heavy fighter jet among others, constituted a confident and high-profile move that not only showed the capabilities of the aircraft, but also served as a deterrence to “Taiwan independence” secessionist and external interference forces.
After consecutive days of bad weather in Zhuhai, rainfall stopped on Tuesday, the first day of the airshow, blessing all the aircraft with a cloudy weather condition barely okay for the delivery, and maybe more importantly, the crowd’s proper audience, of flight performances.
Despite some strict COVID-19 prevention and control measures, the spectators found it all worthwhile when four J-20 fighter jets of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force appeared from afar in a diamond formation and flew across the event site.
After some circling, two J-20s faded away into the clouds, and the other two dazzled the crowd with many challenging maneuvers with high Gs that tore the air apart, with the wakes distinctly visible because of the high humidity.
While people already know that the J-20s would land on the ground for the first time at an airshow due to an earlier rehearsal, the audience still stood on their toes to get a clearer view on them. Many gathered as closely as they can to take pictures of the J-20s or have their photos taken with the J-20s, as this was their first opportunity to do so.
“Thrilling, satisfying” are some of the words many spectators told the Global Times describing the event. When the J-20 performed its first landing at the show, many viewers shouted, “It is coming! It is like we are about to celebrate the Chinese lunar spring festival. Bravo! The Chinese PLA Air Force!”
One of the last moves in the J-20s’ performance was a rolling while ascending, with the aircraft’s nose kept changing the direction it was pointing to. This shows that the J-20 has excellent mobility and very flexible aim, which can give it advantages in air combat, Zhang Xuefeng, a Chinese military expert, told the Global Times on Tuesday at the airshow site.
The J-20 can perform supersonic cruise and has subsonic super maneuverability at the same time. This is realized thanks to the J-20’s unique aerodynamic design of lifting body with strakes and canards, plus domestically developed engines, Zhang said.
A four-aircraft formation of the J-20 is a large tactical unit with high combat-oriented significance, Song Zhongping, a Chinese military expert and TV commentator, told the Global Times on Tuesday.
The J-20’s first static display at the airshow displayed China’s confidence in the aircraft, reflecting that many warplanes of this type are already in service and have formed complete combat and logistics support capabilities, and that this advanced stealth fighter is no longer “mysterious,” Song said.
Besides the J-20, the YU-20 aerial tanker also delivered its first flight performance to the public, as it released all three of its aerial refueling baskets, showing its capabilities to host aerial refueling for two small aircraft simultaneously or for a large aircraft.
The J-16 heavy fighter jet was another main combat aircraft of the PLA Air Force that performed at the airshow. The J-16 released flares while performing a combat roll, as the beautiful move led many on the ground to express admiration.
The PLA Army for the first time sent the Z-20 utility helicopter, the Z-10 attack helicopter and the Z-8L transport helicopter to conduct flight performances at the Airshow China.
Other equipment like drones also attracted attention.
“This is the third Airshow China I have visited. This year, I was looking forward to seeing new aircraft like the H-20 bomber or the J-35 fighter jet. Now that they did not come, what I’m interested next is drone development,” Atsushi Okudera, chief of Japanese newspaper The Asahi Shimbun’s Guangzhou/Hong Kong bureau, told the Global Times at the airshow on Tuesday.
Photo: Cui Meng/GT
Sending a warning
Many of the aircraft on display at the airshow, including the J-20, the J-16 and the YU-20, participated in a large-scale military exercises around Taiwan island in August following US house speaker Nancy Pelosi’s provocative visit to the island that seriously violated China’s sovereignty.
Other first-time exhibits, including the KJ-500A early warning aircraft with in-flight-refuel capability, a JH-7A2 fighter bomber carrying what seems to be a stealth air-to-surface cruise missile and an H-6K bomber carrying two what seems to be air-launched ballistic missiles that analysts said can target aircraft carriers, can also play vital roles over the Taiwan question, observers said.
The PLA Army’s Z-20 utility helicopter, the Z-10 attack helicopter and the Z-8L transport helicopter are also a perfect combination in a potential horizontal landing mission when operated from a Type 075 amphibious assault ship of the PLA Navy, as the Z-20 will lead the assault under the escort of the Z-10, followed by the Z-8L, analysts said.
These weapons and equipment are not aimed at Taiwan compatriots, but “Taiwan independence” secessionists and external interference forces, Song said.
If it comes to that, the PLA will use the best weapons and equipment there are to counter Taiwan secessionists and end a potential military conflict with the smallest cost; it is also important to show external forces like the US what the PLA is capable of, Song said. “The PLA will put the moves, performances and capabilities displayed at the airshow into practice,” he said.
Both new missiles carried by the H-6K bomber and the JH-7A2 fighter bomber are stand-off weapons that can contribute to the PLA’s potential anti-access and area denial missions against external military interference, Song pointed out.
With the YU-20 aerial tanker that can extend the range and endurance of fighter jets, bombers and early warning aircraft, the PLA Air Force can more easily break the first island chain created by the US in an attempt to contain China, analysts said.
The PLA’s main combat aircraft, including the J-10C fighter, the J-15 carrier-based fighter, the J-16 heavy fighter, the J-20 stealth fighter, the KJ-500A early warning aircraft and the H-6N long range strategic bomber, are capable of receiving aerial refueling, according to media reports.
As part of their efforts towards equipping media practitioners to promote Adolescents Sexual Reproductive Health & Rights through advocacy in the country, the Planned Parenthood Association of Sierra Leone (PPASL) has on Friday 4th November 2022 held a one-day Refresher Training for media practitioners from different media houses within the Freetown Municipality to promote Adolescents Sexual Reproductive Health & Rights and COVID-19 and control measures in the country. The one-day training was held at the Association’s Conference Hall on Richard Street in Freetown.
The one day engagement session to address the unmet need for family planning, maternal health, CSE, gender-based violence, harmful practices that includes FGM, early childhood marriages, unsafe abortion, and HIV and AIDS, amongst others were addressed. The training also covered the basics of SRHR reporting, evidence-based reporting, simplified language for SRHR issues, as well as investigative skills, and writing for different audiences, including policy makers, social media, among others.
Addressing journalists, the Executive Director of Planned Parenthood Association of Sierra Leone, Dr. Sarian Kamara said that the training will serve as a platform in order for PPASL and journalists to have frank discussions geared towards promoting Adolescents Sexual Reproductive Health & Rights through advocacy in the country.
She added that the Adolescent/youth population constitute a significant segment of the country’s population but are challenged with various sexual reproductive issues negatively affecting their holistic development in the country.
“As an Association, over the years we have established a strong partnership with the media but we need to be proactive in addressing the appalling health status in the country because the development of the country depends on the welfare and effective contribution of all and sundry to the socio-economic development of Sierra Leone,” she maintained.
Dr. Sarian Kamara stated that they cannot succeed in this venture alone but needs effective collaboration with the mass media to perform the critical roles of informing educating and entertaining and that they believe, with the media support they are all poised to ensure a successful outcome in their interventions.
She pointed out that they believe a holistic approach to Sexual Reproductive Health and Family Planning service provision can improve the health status of women and young girls and also reduce SRH problems including teenage pregnancy, Sexually Transmitted Infections Maternal mortality etc. in the country.
The Executive Director maintained that the training will allow journalists to use their different media platforms to empower diverse young people with vast, accurate, and age-appropriate information on sexual and reproductive health hence improving their overall well-being and also serve as peer pressures to ensure the Governments and policies makers meet to their commitments to the Abuja Declaration and other crucial documents at national and international levels as health is wealth.
In his presentation on Health Status of Sierra Leone, the Youth and Communication Officer at Planned Parenthood Association of Sierra Leone, Samuel Yemeh Koroma, said that the objective of the engagement is to build the capacity of Media Practitioners to be well-informed in reporting in the media, on pressing issues and concerns on SRH&R, as well as identify gaps and opportunities in legal and policy reforms in the implementations of SRH& programs as the media does not only contribute to raising awareness on SRHR issues among the general public, but also plays a critical role in reaching decision-makers.
Samuel Yemeh Koroma added that the engagement will enable the journalists to produce informative pieces that will increase the level of awareness of SRHR among the public, educate them on pertinent issues and help create dialogues in the public.
He said that according to the 2019 Sierra Leone Demographic and Health Survey Teenage Pregnancy between 15-19 years was 21 percent and that 1.7 percent HIV prevalence for women and men 15-49 years.
The Youth and Communication Officer concluded by encouraging journalists to see Adolescent Sexual Reproductive Health & Rights as very important issues that need effective collaboration with the media in order to ensure a successful outcome in their interventions as an association.
A Media and Public Relations Expert, Ahmed Sesay also presented on International & National Treaties, Ethics in Media, and Media Advocacy.
Closing the engagement was a frank discussion between facilitators and journalists on the promotion of Adolescents Sexual Reproductive Health & Rights in the country.
As the Hands of Hope Radio Station, operating on 100.5 Frequency Modulation (100.5FM), starts broadcasting at 28 Battery Street in Kingtom, Freetown owned by a female journalist, Mariama Khai Fornaha, a broadcast journalist with over fifteen years’ experience in Radio Journalism, a gender activist, radio producer, radio presenter, radio mentor and reporter, hers has become the first female journalist radio station in the history of Sierra Leone.
Mariama Khai Fornah, for several years worked with BBC World Service Trust now the BBC Media Action as a Local Trainer and travelled to different radio stations in the South-East of Sierra Leone providing training on Basic Journalism and she was chosen amongst several journalists by BBC WST to cover the trials of former President of Liberia, Charles Taylor, in The Hague.
In 2008, she became the first African female journalist to report on the Charles Taylor’s Trail in The Hague and her reports were broadcast through several radio stations including United Nations (UN) Radio, Cotton Tree News, 98.1, Eastern Radio Kenema and News Tabular across Africa.
Upon her return to Sierra Leone, she worked as Assistant Producer for BBC Media Action weekly radio show on the Charles Taylor’s project called ‘HAGUE LINK’’ a programme that was meant to regularly give updates of the trials.
She is an award winning journalist for the 2011 Independent Media Commission (IMC) Best Female Reporter in Sierra Leone and 2016 Student Award as Best Departmental Student -Adult Education (The Evangelical College Theology) and Best Radio Presenter from Student Union of the Eastern Polytechnic in Kenema.
Speaking to this medium, the Chief Executive Officer of Hands of Hope Radio, Mariama Khai Fornah, said that the Radio Station operates on 100.5 Frequency Modulation (100.5FM) as a licensed commercial broadcasting radio station in the country, secured its license to operate in April 2021 and they have been broadcasting limited programs due to the covid-19 challenges.
She maintained that the radio’s vision is to inspire hope and enhance resilience in communities across Sierra Leone and beyond the radio also deals with issues around livelihood, gender, the environment, governance, legal, civics, culture & arts, and educational issues among others in a balanced way to achieve its vision.
Mariama Khai Fornah, however, added that as the name implies, the radio is established to serve as an element of hope to Sierra Leoneans and this can only be achieved through concerted efforts, support and contributions from every Sierra Leonean.
She revealed that the radio station has various outstanding programs which are outlined to inform, educate and entertain the general public on issues dealing with Morality, Governance, Corporate Services, Youth Affairs, Women Empowerment, Child affairs, Climate Change, and a whole lot of packages that will be of help to their wide range of listeners.
The CEO craved all to be part and parcel to promote and support the radio to achieve its vision and mission. She further urged all to support the radio through News Coverages, Advertisements (in he forms of Jingles and Public Notices) promotions, Obituaries, radio discussions and possible partnership for airing.
She said that all those who want to work with the radio should contact them at 28 Battery Street on Kingtom, in Freetown or call on the following numbers: 076570029/099150504 or via email handsofhopesalone@gmail.com/fkhaima@gmail.com.
The Director of Afrimoney Sierra Leone has intimated that they have introduced the donation platform as another additional service in the *161# Afrimoney mobile system which is meant to help churches, mosques and other organizations to receive money for themselves in the country.
Speaking to this medium, Martinson Obeng-Agyei said Afrimoney is a mobile money solution offered to all Africell Subscribers in a secure way to store and manage money in an account linked to one’s Africell sim card, similar to a bank account system.
Martinson Obeng-Agyei furthered that to be eligible for this platform, one has to ensure they register the said organization to Afrimoney which will be given a sim card with a short code that will serve as the account code to transfer money in an accessible way to low-income earners with minimal requirements for registration and transaction.
Martinson Obeng-Agyei continued that this mobile money platform is a means of receiving money without physical presence as one might not be chanced to go to church or mosque but however will be able to pay their offerings, tithes, Zakat, charities or to honour any other financial obligations or gestures.
Martinson Obeng-Agyei added that to make use of this platform, one can dial *161#, select the first option which says send money and after that one highlights the third option which is a donation, and one will be given three options which is option one for church, option two for mosque and option three for others which is any other organization individuals are dealing with and then select one of the options based on the organization one is dealing with and after that one will be asked to input the said organization code and then confirm the said code.
Martison said that some of the criteria they look for before registering any organization is their registration documents, the signatory of individuals that will have access to the mobile account, national identification and what have you to ensure credibility and certainty when entering into the agreement.
Mr. Obeng-Agyei uniquely highlighted that this platform is just the same as an account but with the aid of the sim card which serves as a connecting point to access this service as it will help the crowd funding capability of these organizations and as the leading telecommunications company in the country they ensure that this service is on free of cost basis in a quest to help these organizations.
Furthermore, Mr. Obeng-Agyei said that the importance of the mobile money system is enormous as it reduces transaction costs for users and helps households to better manage their cash flows; it allows firms to invest and build capital over time, fostering the creation and expansion of business; and it facilitates faster and more efficiently in terms of mobile money transaction.
In addition, he said that since they re-launch of the mobile money service in 2020, they have made rapid improvements in a faster and more secured mobile money platform with a wider array of services as Africell, puts mobile money at the heart of its expansion plans which will allow their customers to send funds swiftly and securely to individuals and organizations on any network and even those without phones on a twenty-four-hour basis using a unique code.
He concluded by imploring all and sundry to make use of the various offers of Afrimoney like the transfer of money domestically, payments for goods, and services, and to also pay bills such as EDSA, DSTV, and WAEC among others, buying Africell services like Airtime, Data, collect international remittances and the payment of salaries as the benefits are huge with effective and efficient service delivery in the country.
