Sick Pikin Project Intervenes to Save 7 Years Old Senesie Lusanie

September 16, 2022

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

Senesie Lusanie is an orphan residing with his grandma, Mariama Lusanie, in Yargoi, Moi Maligie Section, Imperi Chiefdom within Bonthe District.

He is 7 years old and attended the Catholic Primary School in Yargoi and was in Class One before his unfortunate condition.

Senesie lost both parents in a recent sea accident that happened along the Yargoi and Mo-Maria Coast.

A sickness he is presently suffering from developed two months ago when the grandmother noticed a slight swelling in his lower jaw. Few days later, the grandmother took him to the health center nearby for treatment. But because the swelling was not severe at that time he was given some antibiotic medications.

After two weeks the situation began to get worse and the grandmother was worried and took him to another relative in Jong Chiefdom for help but unfortunately his condition did not improve, so Luseni was returned to Yargoi.

On Tuesday 6th September, 2022 a teacher who saw the sad state of Luseni visited the grandma and saw the poor boy’s condition. He immediately took pictures of him and floated it on social media as the staffers at the Healthcare facility in Yargoi had informed the grandma that there is need for her to take her grandson to another facility either in Mattru Jong or to Bonthe but the poor grandma was unable to meet even the transport cost.

The matter was brought to the attention of the Lead Campaigner of The Sick Pikin Project International who immediately organized his team for a snappy review and recommended actions to be taken.

Discussion was held with the medical team at ODCH Children oncology ward and they have generously agreed to receive Luseni and do all they can to help him.

This medium was informed that transport was provided for the boy and another relative to travel to Freetown on Tuesday 13th September, 2022.

Watch this space to get update on Luseni. Remember this is a mission you can be part of. Just call or message +23276722736 or +23276793010 or send a message via Facebook messenger or via the website on www.sickpikin.org

Afrimoney Launches Lelemu Song at Afriradio

September 16, 2022

By Abubakarr Harding

With the avowed objective of keeping their customers abreast with their services and promotions, Afrimoney has on Thursday 15th September 2022, launched their LELEMU song at Afriradio.

It could be recalled that earlier last month, Afrimoney released an advert informing the public about their various offers with the slogan ‘LELEMU,’ which lure the attention of all and sundry.

Thereafter, the ‘LELEMU’ word is now the new slang that is commonly used by all Sierra Leoneans and even foreigners.

According to the initiator of the ‘LELEMU’ word, Tamba Bee, the aforementioned slogan can be used in many ways based on the circumstance it is used. Tamba Bee added that the LELEMU chant will soon be followed by another catchphrase just to put a smile on the face of their subscribers.

Speaking during the launching ceremony, the Media Director of Africell, John Konteh said they decided to launch the LELEMU song due to the various questions members of the public have been asking about the meaning of ‘LELEMU’.

John Konteh furthered that the essence of the song is to see how best people can vibe to the song and be informed about the various Afrimoney offers by dialing *161# on any Africell number.

John Konteh continued to inform members of the public by stating that, after the launching of the LELEMU song which was done by housemates Eddie of 441 fame, Karafilo and M’posh, the public has been ‘vibing’ to the song. He added that, the ‘LELEMU’ song is now making its way in night clubs, pubs, restaurants, radio stations and even on various media platforms.

John Konteh said that on Friday the 16th September 2022, Afrimoney will be having a massive float parade within the Western Urban and Rural Areas with the motive of spreading the love messages and goodies to the people of Sierra Leone.

“We will be spreading the love across the country,” assured John Konteh, adding by craving on the indulgence of all and sundry to be part of the Africell/Afrimoney family.

He further added that with Afrimoney lots of goodies are install for the people of Sierra Leone and concluded that the satisfaction of their subscribers is their uttermost desire.

Kingho Mining Company Allocates 10% of Over NLe 530,000 2021 CDA Fund

September 16, 2022

By Abubakarr Harding

As part of executing its Corporate Social Responsibility, the Kingho Mining Company Limited, a subsidiary of Leone Rock Metal Group, has on Thursday 8th September 2022, revealed to residents of the relocated communities of Foria, Wondugu and Ferengbeya that 10% of the over 5.3 billion old Leones 2021 CDA fund has been disbursed to roll out key social and livelihood programmes in the three communities.

The over 530 Million old Leones (now Five Hundred and Thirty Thousand New Leones) were assigned specifically to the three communities who will setup a Committee that will handle the proper and transparent utilization of the fund.

During the event, Section Chief of Ferengbeya, Ibrahim S. Kargbo thanked the Management of the company for its developmental strides and promised to ensure the money is used for the targeted purpose.

The CDA fund was paid by the company to all three mining chiefdoms. It must be noted that the allocation of the 10% was an agreement of all three mining chiefdoms- Sambaia, Dansogoia and Simiria, who disbursed this fund to people of the relocated communities, whose original settlement is where the current mining project is stationed.

Madam Judith Kosseh, the Community Relations Director of the company outlined some of the challenges raised during their previous engagement but said water has been a huge challenge over the years which the company will now want to solve.

Chief Kaprr from Foria expressed gratitude for the percentage and stated that this development will go a long way for them and children yet unborn.

One Foray, who is representing the youth, stated that such fund should be deposited in an independent bank account which can only be accessed by relocated communities.

Salim Sillah, Director in the Office of the CEO reemphasized that LRMG banks on transparency and rapid community engagement to strengthen trust in their operational communities because anything they say as a company is valid as they bank on transparency in their service delivery.

It could be recalled that in the past, the company provided support to the relocated communities for women engaged in agricultural activities, and financial support to outstanding pupils who performed exceptionally in public examinations.

However, this time around, after several engagements with the relocated community people, the community team has successfully allocated the fund to improve the water supply situation. Hence it is believed that with the joint efforts of all stakeholders, the relocated communities will be better settlements.

NP-SL Always Takes the Lead in Giving Utmost Satisfaction

September 16, 2022

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

NP -Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd) has been highly rated as an indigenous business entity that always takes the lead when it comes to giving its esteemed customers utmost satisfaction where others struggle to make their way through.

As a thick skinned and reputable petroleum importing and marketing company that has mastered the trade of importing and marketing high grade petroleum products, this well established business entity has been highly rated as a well-positioned institution, within the realm of being a very pro-active company, that is always poised to pragmatically put concrete arrangements in place to ensure that the populace in this country gain access to qualitative petroleum products ranging from petrol, diesel, gas to lubricants, including the ever highly sought Castrol lubricant oil that has been certified to be very good for the efficient lubrication and functioning of various engines.

The company is well known for conducting its transactions in a very transparent manner, giving utmost satisfaction to its numerous and esteemed customers in different parts of the country.

NP-SL has in its employ, a workforce and is partnering with well meaning entrepreneurs in the capacity as Dealers to market the various petroleum products, the company imports, at various Filling Stations.

Looking back at various complaints about how the marketing of petroleum products was not all that transparent, today it is now non-existent for individuals to complain that when they are in the process of procuring petroleum products, pump attendants cheat them in terms of not getting their money’s worth.

The simple reason is because the Shareholders and Management of NP-SL Ltd were dynamic, indeed very business savvy to procure modern calibrated pumping machines which were installed at their various selling points or Filling Stations and are very capable of churning out the exact quantity of what is demanded and the price to be paid.

In this regard the company has, over the years, bagged the covetous accolade of, “1^st For Customer Care” and it is seemingly apparent that it will eternally maintain that enviable position.

During a random countrywide survey conducted over a period of time targeting a large percentage of customers of NP-Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd), with the avowed objective of sounding their views on the operations of the company in the country, the methodology utilized bordered on asking random questions in order to get their candid views.

When quizzed on how they view the way the company treats its numerous customers across the country, most of the respondents warmly reacted by stating that the Shareholders and Management of the company are doing extremely well in the direction of effective service delivery and giving utmost satisfaction to customers.

Mohamed Bai Sesay, a renowned Social Commentator, maintained that when it comes to customer care, NP-SL Ltd is second to none within the business landscape of this country.

“From what I so far learnt in order to conduct sales in a very transparent manner and to give customers their money’s worth, the Shareholders of the company decided to procure and install modern calibrated pumping machines at their various Filling Stations that are capable to pump the exact quantity of fuel, at the same time display the price and quantity,” he pointed out, adding that to even think that the pump attendants are cheating customers could only be a mere figment of one’s imagination, as anything like that is farfetched.

A Development Specialist of long standing intimated that for the country’s economy to grow sustainably it is but important to deepen local content further arguing that it is only when we make meaningful use of both our human and natural resources that development could transpire. And it is a policy of the company to give preference to indigenes when it comes to employment.

“Instead of depending on foreign expatriates, it is but very significant and cost effective to make use of what we have at hand to produce goods and services,” Abdulai Braima, an Economist averred, also stating that for NP-SL Ltd to make it a laid down policy and put into practice to offer employment exclusively to Sierra Leoneans is indeed laudable and no mean feat.

He further underscored that by offering jobs to Sierra Leoneans is a way of empowering the citizenry to take care of daily responsibilities and live improved standards of living.

“I really doff my hat to the Shareholders of the company for actualizing such a high sense of patriotism,” he expressed admiration.

A vast majority of those interviewed revealed that they are using NP Gas for cooking purpose, maintaining that it is very efficient and environmentally friendly. The NP Gas that they are referring to is a cooking device which is manufactured in different cylinder sizes and sold at affordable prices at the company’s Filling Stations. “I discovered that this device is very fast in terms of performance and is now going like hot cakes, as many are now going for it, especially when the gas that is used to refill it could be easily secured at various Filling Stations ,” Memunatu Forna, a business woman selling cooking utensils on Sani Abacha Street informed.

With regards the use of NP Smart Card, it is one that is now in vogue. Some personalities who are using it said they find it very useful and a convenient way of purchasing petroleum products. They added that they always ensure their NP Smart Cards are credited to be used to purchase fuel, be it petrol or diesel.

Momodu Fofana stated that the company is really growing by leaps and bounds. “For NP-SL Ltd to successfully establish branches in neighbouring Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast and The Gambia is indeed no mean feat, especially when cognizance is taken of the fact that these branches are operating vibrantly,” he pointed out.

From what was so far gathered throughout the conducted random survey, it can be safely concluded that NP-SL Ltd is indeed a living testimony of a successful and thriving business entity that is contributing significantly to the socio-economic development of the nation and worthy of emulation.

MEYA Mining Pays over NLe 1M as Surface Rate for the Period August 2021 – July 2022

September 16, 2022

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

In a notification of payment of surface rent signed by Dino Coutinho, as Chief Operating Officer of MEYA Mining, it was stated that the mining company is informing all stakeholders that as at 13th September 2022 they have effected Surface Rent payments for the period covering August 2021 – July 2022.

The mining company disclosed that a total payment of Le 1,431,930.00 (One million, Four hundred and Thirty-One thousand, Nine hundred and Thirty New Leones), being the equivalent of US$ 100,000 (One Hundred thousand US Dollars) has been deposited into the various bank accounts, using details provided by the respective stakeholders.

It also stated that the distribution of the payments was affected in accordance with Section 34 (A) of the Mines and Minerals Act 2009 and Section 2 (a) of MEYA’s Surface Lease Agreement, signed on the 7th June, 2019.

MEYA Mining continued that the ML 2/2019 Mine Concession with Chiefdom Boundaries reflect the percentage area for each of Nimikoro, Tankoro, Gbense and Kamara Chiefdoms.

The company used the opportunity to thank especially, their Host Chiefdoms and the respective communities (their Primary Host Communities), District Authorities, the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Resources, the National Minerals Agency (NMA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), all other relevant MDAs, Civil Society, members of the Fourth Estate, and their employees for their continued support.

MEYA further stated that it wishes to assure all stakeholders of their enduring commitment development of a world class commercial mine, even as they look forward to contributing to the development of Kono District in particular and Sierra Leone’s mineral wealth as a whole.

Beneficiaries are advised to contact MEYA finance department, Mr. Abu Nallah at email anallah@meyamining.com or telephone +232 30 222004 or +232 76 617839 in case of payment related queries.

Included in the notification notice was the following Distribution List:

The Paramount Chief, Nimikoro Chiefdom, Kono District, The Paramount Chief, Tankoro Chiefdom, Kono District, The Paramount Chief, Gbense Chiefdom, Kono District, the Paramount Chief, Kamara Chiefdom, Kono District, the Honourable Member of Parliament, Constituency 023 ,the Honourable Member of Parliament, Constituency 029 ,the Honourable Member of Parliament, Constituency 030 ,The Chairman Kono District Council ,the Senior District Officer, Kono District ,the Mayor, Koidu New Sembehun City Council, the Director of Mines, National Minerals Agency ,the Director Communications and Community Affairs, National Minerals Agency, the Regional Manager, National Minerals Agency, Kono District ,the Regional Manager, Environmental Protection Agency, Kono District ,the Manager, Anti-Corruption Commission, Kono District ,the Regional Coordinator, Office of National Security, Kono District Media.

Assaulted Gay Activist, escaped death from Parents and Community members

September 16, 2022

By Karifa Thoronka

In September 2022, Mohamed Foday Kabia was attacked by a group of family and community people while he was going home from work. He was severely beaten, wounded and almost killed for being a gay rights advocate. He was taken away from the scene by some sympathizers of his work after he was left to die.

Mohamed is an Amnesty International employee who holds a degree in law. While narrating the story of Mohamed, a close family member Musa Sesay, not his real name, noted that Mohamed started working as a gay rights activist in 2014 when his best friend was killed for being a gay. He continued by saying that Mohamed has been a staunch advocate of gay rights since his university days.

He further pointed out that Mohamed was born in a Muslim household and his father is a fervent Muslim who detests Gays and Lesbians in his community and country so when he found out that his son (Mohamed) has been a strong supporter and advocate of gays for years, he furiously vowed to kill him by any means possible.

It is significant to note that male same-sex sexual activity is illegal under Section 61 of the Offences against the Person Act 1861, and carries a sentence of imprisonment for life under Sierra Leonean law. Therefore, any involvements in activities that promote gay rights is not only prohibited by law but also subject people like Mohamed to discrimination, assaults and credible death threats in their communities.

In May 2016, police disrupted and shut down an LGBTI social event in Aberdeen; officers arrested 18 participants including Mohamed Foday Kabia and held them in custody overnight before being released. The experience of a 31-year-old IT student known as Francis Samuel Faya who was among those arrested at the time highlights the arbitrary nature of the arrests and the dangers of the anti-gay laws in our country.

He had been hired by the gathering organizers to fix their projector and was waiting to be paid when the police arrived. “I tried to explain to the police, but they refused to listen to me,” he said. “I was just at the wrong place at the wrong time” he concluded.

Mohamed has been missing since he was assaulted and almost killed by his family and community members. Some eyewitness said he has been taken to the hospital. I tried to interview him on the following Sunday morning at the hospital, but I was not granted access by the hospital authorities.

Wanted: Johnson Amadu Koroma and Associates for Arson and Fugitive Activities in Sierra Leone

September 16, 2022

By Fatmata Jengbe

The Koroma family is in a state of distress following the mysterious disappearance of 18-year-old Johnson Amadu Koroma. Johnson narrowly escaped from traditional secret society initiators who were preparing him for the final stages of chieftaincy ceremonies, which would have confirmed him as Chief Pa Kaprie Sawyer IV, succeeding his late father, Chief Pa Kaprie Sawyer III.

Johnson Amadu Koroma, the only identified successor to his father’s chieftaincy, belongs to a paramount ruling house. His mother, Madam Isatu Tarawalie, recounted a series of harrowing events starting on May 15, 2021, when ceremonial chiefs demanded her husband’s discharge from the hospital to a secret shrine under the pretense of aiding his recovery. She revealed that her late husband, like his father before him, was taken by these ceremonial chiefs and later announced dead, a loss that devastated the family.

On July 1, 2022, Johnson was reportedly abducted by individuals in traditional robes from his late father’s supermarket. Mohamed Bangura, a friend of Johnson, disclosed that after searching for Johnson, they discovered he had been taken to a ceremonial bush in Patebana. On August 10, 2022, Johnson’s friends launched a daring rescue mission, overpowering the guard and burning down the secret shrine in the process. They fled with Johnson, who was later found by Pastor Michael in a dire condition.

Pastor Michael, in an exclusive interview, detailed how he helped Johnson and his friends escape to Guinea after learning of their ordeal. Despite their efforts to remain hidden, threats persisted, and Johnson eventually disappeared again to avoid being forcefully taken back to the village.

The ceremonial Chief Pa Musum defended the coronation process, claiming it was agreed upon by the family and community elders after a series of meetings with both groups. He also described the disruption caused by Johnson’s friends, who allegedly threatened to kill the societal guard and burned down the ceremonial bush after they departed for the city on August 10, 2022, which was a demonstration day.

In an exclusive interview with Alusine Tarawaralie, a family member of Johnson Amadu, he explained why they decided to conduct a forceful coronation and command the ceremonial chief to proceed with the coronation. Tarawaralie mentioned that after a series of meetings with community members and the family, they agreed to go ahead with the coronation.

Patebana tradition dictates that a fugitive who evades societal rites is deemed a traitor, punishable by death, with their body mutilated and sacrificed to appease evil spirits. The Koroma family and community members have been unable to locate Johnson, and all attempts to reach him have failed.

Currently, Johnson is wanted by the police, who have offered a reward for any information regarding the whereabouts of Johnson and his associates.

The whereabouts of Johnson Amadu Koroma remain unknown, and the Koroma family continues to seek answers. Meanwhile, the police have declared Johnson and his friends, Augustine Joel and Prince Raty Jalloh, wanted for arson related to the burning of the secret shrine.

The community awaits further developments as the search for Johnson and the resolution of this complex cultural and legal situation continues.

Abubakarr Koroma is on the run, as police declare more people wanted over August 10 Riot

September 16, 2022

By Karifa Thoronka

Female street vendors who in August 2022 staged peaceful gathering against the soaring cost of living were joined on Wednesday by hundreds of political protesters, who clashed with the police and demanded the president to go, at least four police officers were killed, according to a police statement, and an unknown number of protesters died in the clashes.

However, according to reliable source lots of evidence collected by the police seem to be implicated Abubakarr Koroma of 72 City road Wellington Freetown being a member of the opposition party APC. He was seen part of the violent protest and that why he is declared wanted and placed on the police wanted list for riotous conduct and incitement in the Country.

The young Sierra Leonean Abubakarr Koroma was accused to be part of the protest in Freetown, as he was spotted during the riot destroying some police stations in the Eastern part of Freetown. After the event, house-to-house ride was started in various towns and cities in Sierra Leone, during which one of those raids in the city of Makeni, Dumbuya alias Evangelist Samson was killed in crossfire, a police statement said.

Whiles narrating to the media a Nephew of Abubakarr says that his Nephew Abu Bakarr was traumatized and frustrated when he heard that those in police custody would be charged to court on various charges, including riotous conduct, Murder and attempted coup against the current Government.

Until press time, the where about of Abubakarr Koroma is yet unknown.

Public Elections Act 2022 Becomes Law

September 14, 2022

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

The Public Elections Bill 2022, which was signed by President Julius Maada Bio, was one that sought to repeal and replace the Public Elections Act, 2012 (Act No.4 of 2012) to provide for supplementary provisions to Section 32 and 33 of the Constitution of Sierra Leone (Act No. 6 of 1991).

It could be recalled that in the not too-distant past the Bill was extensively debated by Members of Parliament bringing out its importance and the need to strengthen the electoral laws of the State.
After the bill was committed to the whole House and read page after page and clause after clause, with certain objections on certain clauses, it was resolved amicably by the Leadership of Parliament through a dialogue engagement with the Speaker of Parliament and the Attorney General and Minister of Justice.

The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mohamed Lamin Tarawally, piloted the Bill and it was passed into law with some amendments.

Europe is Africa’s partner for building our joint future Josep Borrell

September 14, 2022

By Abubakarr Harding

I am traveling this week to Africa, a vibrant continent that is preparing its future: pushing ahead the digital transformation, making farming more efficient and sustainable, building new infrastructure to reinforce connections between people, shaping the collective security of the continent and investing in Africa’s greatest resource: its youth.

On all of this, we propose Europe to be Africa’s partner of choice. European investment in Africa is over five times more than that of China. A quarter of African trade is with the EU; it is only 15% with China and 2% with Russia and 90% of African exports enter the EU duty-free. The EU works with African partners on building the continent’s first manufacturing sites for vaccines and we approved at the AU-EU summit a Global Gateway €150 billion investment package. With the European Peace Facility and our training missions, we help strengthen peace and security.

However, the world’s future is clouded by the devastating consequences of Russia’s war against Ukraine on food security, energy prices, debt and security issues. This war is affecting everyone, but Africa is one of its main collateral victims. While we know that some countries on the African continent look at this war from a different perspective than we do, I think we can agree on four fundamental points.

First: Europe, Africa – and the entire world – cannot accept a world of ‘might makes rights’, where big powers can claim ‘spheres of influence’ and attack neighbours to annex their territory. The Russian aggression against Ukraine is a perfect example of 19^th century type of cruel imperialism that Africa experienced. Precisely because Europeans are aware of their responsibilities in that era, the EU intends to stand against renewed imperialism. We must uphold and reinvigorate the multilateral order, to defend the rule of law as we decided jointly at the recent EU-Africa Summit. That is one particular reason why the EU supports the call of President Sall for a G20 seat for the African Union.

Second: We must act to ease the current food crisis. With over 70 partners, many in Africa, the EU is delivering along four strands of action: solidarity with those who cannot afford food; support to food production; facilitating agricultural trade including by getting Ukrainian grain to Africa; and aligning our food security response in the multilateral system with the UN at its core.

Others try to distract from their responsibility by blaming sanctions. However, the facts are clear. EU sanctions do not prohibit African countries from importing and transporting Russian agricultural goods, or from paying for them. The Russian war is the problem, not sanctions. If our African partners face any concrete issues importing agricultural goods that seem related to our sanctions, we will jointly look at this.

Third: We need to step up our joint work to preserve Africa’s security and safety. In that area, the EU is Africa’s most reliable partner, supporting African peace efforts in eleven missions across the continent. Last April, we supported the African Union with a further €600 million to improve conflict prevention, crisis management and counter-terrorism. This week, I will be in Mozambique and Somalia. In Mozambique, the EU supports the armed forces so they can restore security in the Cabo Delgado province, and our assistance measures via the European Peace Facility now amounts to €89 million. We are also finalizing programs to support the SADC and Rwandan contingents. Similarly, Somalia can count on our missions to counter piracy and train the Somali armed forces. With a total of €2.3 billion, the EU has also been a reliable supporter of the AU Mission to Somalia, for more than 10 years.

With 78 security personnel, Russia contributes very little to UN peacekeeping operations in Africa compared to the 6000 coming from EU countries. On the contrary, Russia contributes to the deterioration of the security situation in Africa with several hundred mercenaries from private military companies such as Wagner or Patriot. This presence only aggravates crises and multiplies the violations of human rights, as we see in Mali and Central African Republic.

Fourth: Africa and Europe should continue to prepare the future instead of falling back into the past. While some try to divide us by resuscitating old patterns, this ignores the long way we have come together during the last decades. Colonialism is an indelible stain on the conscience of Europe, but dealing with our responsibility for the past has made us better partners for the future. Europe is looking at Africa with fresh eyes: with optimism and confidence. That is the reason why we want to deepen our partnership, always giving top priority to “African solutions for African problems”.

However, others seem tempted to repeat the mistakes made once by Europeans, by seeking to simply extract African raw materials, control land and agriculture, place African countries in financial dependence or try to exploit the dynamism of its youth for their own benefit.

As we in Europe are working to reinforce the EU’s strategic autonomy, we are supporting Africa to do the same. We must all work with multiple partners, based on mutual respect and international law. These are the rules of the 21st century. In that framework, Africa and Europe should further deepen their ties and cooperation because your future is also our future.