2022 Chinese Ambassador Scholarship/Grant Benefit 20 Students & 108 Pupils

September 7, 2022

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

The Chinese Embassy in Sierra Leone on the 6^th September, 2022, held an Awarding Ceremony for the 2022 Chinese Ambassador Scholarship/Grant and a “Talk with Taikonauts Event” at the Bintumani Hotel in Freetown which was graced by the Chinese Ambassador, HE HU Zhangliang, Head of Political Office-HU Aimin, the Minister of Technical and Higher Education-Prof Alpha Tejan Wurie, Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Dr David Moinina Sengeh, representatives of friendly organizations, students, parents, well wishers and members of the Press.

In his statement, the Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone, HE HU Zhangliang, welcomed all to the 2022 Chinese Ambassador Scholarship and Grant Awarding Ceremony and “Talk with Taikonauts” Event.

He, on behalf of the Chinese Embassy and in his own name expressed sincere appreciation and thanks to Hon. Minister Wurie and Hon. Minister Sengeh for their precious support to today’s event. He also thanked the Sierra Leonean Government and People, particularly the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education and the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education for their efforts in promoting educational cooperation between the two countries.

The Ambassador furthered how in recent years, the Chinese Embassy has been awarding Ambassador Scholarships to outstanding college students and grants to needy primary and secondary school students in support of Sierra Leone’s educational development.

He said currently, 20 college students and 108 primary and secondary school students will benefit from the initiative extending warm congratulations to all those who are qualified for the 2022 Chinese Ambassador Scholarships and Grants.

“To date, a total of 135 local students have benefited from the Chinese Ambassador Scholarships,” he revealed adding how the 20 college students for the Ambassador scholarships were recommended to the Embassy by the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education as well as various colleges and universities across this country.

He also disclosed that the 108 recipients of the Ambassador grants were recommended by the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Fourah Bay College Junior Secondary School and the Sierra Leone – China friendship organizations.

HU Zhangliang intimated that due to space limits, the Embassy invited only 10 representatives of the grant recipients to attend the awarding ceremony as the other 98 students will receive the grants soon.

The Ambassador said this year marks the 51^st anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries and talked of how cooperation in educational development and human capacity building between our two sides are especially significant.

He said just in the past two decades, the Chinese Government has sponsored over 1100 Sierra Leonean students to study in China under various scholarship programs.

“The Chinese Government has also invited more than 5100 Sierra Leonean friends from all walks of life to China for short-term training courses or exchanges,” he stated maintaining that with the concerted efforts of the two sides, an additional 131 Sierra Leonean students have been admitted by the Chinese universities under the Chinese Government Scholarship programs this year.

He said meanwhile, the Chinese Government has been supporting the Free Quality Education initiated by His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio in various ways, such as providing 2 million RMB yuan as direct financial support, providing computers and other teaching equipment to some local schools and providing thousands of tons of rice aid for the school feeding program etc..

The Ambassador stated how in February this year, the Chinese Embassy cooperated with the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, the Confucius Institute of the University of Sierra Leone and the Sierra Leone – China Friendship Association in launching Small Small Chinese Lessons in five primary schools in Sierra Leone, offering opportunities of learning basic Chinese language skills to the students and helping bridge cultural distances.

The Ambassador informed all that after the awarding ceremony, they will be jointly witnessing a historic and most exciting moment i.e. “Talk with Taikonauts”, a program, which he said, was specifically arranged for their African young friends and it’s meant to share China’s experience and successes of space exploration with Africa and encourage Africa to build up its own great dreams.

He said the three Chinese Taikonauts who will talk with the African youth were sent into the Tiangong Space Station in June this year by Shenzhou-14 crewed spaceship.

The Ambassador said through the dialogue to be held shortly after they will be able to better understand the development of China’s space science and technology.

Both the Sierra Leone Ministers of Education expressed profound thanks to the Chinese Embassy in Sierra Leone and the Ambassador in particular for all the efforts that they made which culminated into what all is now witnessing.

They expressed optimism that the bilateral relationship between the two countries will continue to grow from strength to strength further admonishing the beneficiaries to make good use of the opportunities they have been given which others do not have access to.

Highpoint of the event was the expression of gratitude to the Chinese Embassy by the beneficiaries and their parents.

Social Media Threatens Sierra Leone’s Peace

September 7, 2022

By Foday Moriba Conteh

Social media evidently has the proclivity of weaponizing the use of data services and the internet ecosystem to inflict mayhem in Sierra Leone as recently witnessed.

Sierra Leone enjoys the lowest cost in data tariff comparative to other countries.

The low cost of data positively widened access, but not without its fair share of harm, especially the abuse of the service on social media.

The colossal damages social media has left on democracy and internet in Sierra Leone is becoming exponentially worrisome.

The feud and conundrums the country is witnessing – many have said the internet has been the conduit facilitated by the lowest cost of data tariff.

There is an imminent threat posed to freedom and democracy in our society with data driven political campaigns and the spread of disinformation through negative propaganda and fake online identities. There is an urgent call for it to be controlled in order to mitigate the consequences of social media.

The reckless use of social media permeated the recent insurrection that led to the loss of lives of security personnel and other citizens.

There is the call for telecommunications companies and internet providers to help the threat being posed by the reckless use of social media.

Elections are around the corner; these companies must support the country’s quest for peace and national cohesion. There is the inclination for a dramatic increase in the demand for data to peddle peace-threatening disinformation.

Sierra Leone’s Judiciary Joins Commonwealth of Magistrates and Judges’ Triennial Conference In Ghana

September 7, 2022

By Abubakarr Harding

Supreme Court Judge, Honourable Justice Emmanuel Ekundayo Roberts, led the delegation from the Sierra Leone Judiciary on the 5th September, 2022 to join other Judiciaries across the world especially within Commonwealth for a 5-day conference.

The 19th Triennial Conference of the Commonwealth Magistrates and Judges’ Association (CMJA) is the only International Association bringing together judicial officers at all levels including Chief Justices.

It was the second time that Ghana is hosting such an internationally recognized conference. It was first held in 2005.

In his welcome address, the Chief Justice of Ghana His Lordship Justice Anin Yeboah expressed delight, stating that it is a rare privilege and honour for Ghana to host “this all-important conference for the second time, the first being 2005.”

“The theme for the conference, “Access to Justice in a Modern World”, is most appropriate, bearing in mind that modernity calls for responsive approaches in the service of humanity,” said Hon. Justice Anin Yeboah, adding that the effect and impact of the Covid-19 virus which struck the entire world since the last quarter of 2019, have been far and wide.”

Hon. Justice Anin Yeboah said even Judiciaries have not been spared to this deadly effect with serious challenges to justice delivery leading to the emergence of holding Virtual Court sittings.

He informed that Virtual Court sittings have invariably become the new normal.

According to Justice Anin Yeboah, the 2022 Triennial Conference is an important forum, which offers an opportunity for Judges and Magistrates to share experiences, knowledge and innovations in dealing with some of these challenges.

On his part, the President of the CMJA, His Lordship the Hon. Justice Charles Mkandawire, said the objectives are to advance the administration of the law by promoting the independence of the Judiciary, to advance education in the law, the administration of justice, the treatment of offenders and the prevention of crimes within the Commonwealth.

He stressed the Association promotes better understanding amongst judicial officers of all ranks and from all parts of the Commonwealth of judicial independence issues and to explore the approach to those issues in different parts of the Commonwealth.

Declaring the conference officially opened, Ghanaian Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawamia thanked the organizers for agreeing to hold such a conference in Ghana after 17 years since it was held in the country.

He said the Ghanaian President, His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, is absent because he is outside the country for another international assignment that is equally important as the conference.

Vice President Dr. Bawamia said the theme is not only apt but timely, whilst urging all Judiciaries across the world to embrace the power of digital tool to access justice.

The Sierra Leone team comprised Hon. Justice Vivian Solomon (JSC), Hon. Justice Ansumana Ivan Sesay (JA), Hon. Justice Tonia Barnett, Hon. Justice Adrian Fisher (J) and the head of delegate.

Mass Turnout to Register for 2023 Elections A Good Sign…

September 7, 2022

By Ranger

As a nation, we have come a long way from the “Return to Democracy Elections” of 1996 when RUF rebels threatened to cut off the hand of anyone that voted. The enthusiastic turnout of citizens in all corners of the country to register to vote in the June 24 General Elections is a good sign that the people prefer to elect their representatives through peaceful than violent means.

Four generally peaceful, free, and fair general elections have been conducted to elect representatives since 1996. It shows that we have come a long way since then in accepting the ballot box as the means of retaining those representatives that served us well and booting out those that did not. That is the biggest advantage of representative democracy. When practised well, it serves to remind elected officials that at the end of the day, they are accountable to the electorate.

The huge turnout by both old voters and new ones is a clear indication that they want to have a hand in selecting those that they will delegate power to. The onus now falls on the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone to ensure that the process leading up to the Elections is not rigged in favour of any political interests. That is the only way there will be guarantee of the outcome being accepted peacefully by all.

The people too in their own best interest have to rise above parochial considerations to look carefully at the candidates that will be putting themselves up for election to determine well those that will represent them best. This is on the understanding that there have been many instances of politicians hoodwinking the electorate to vote for them with fake promises of bettering their lot only to after been elected forget the promises made to pursue their own selfish agenda. 2023 offers a big opportunity to the electorate to select accountable representatives.

Ex-Housemates Bag 10,000 New Leones from SL Brewery

September 7, 2022

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

During the recently concluded Reality TV Show, Housemates Salone Season 3, with the slogan, “De Game Get Yagba If U nor able Nar For Pull Han”, organizers of the Show, AYV Media Empire and Africell-SL made provision for corporate institutions to provide sponsorship and gave them the platform to advertize .

The competing Housemates were given various tasks to perform by some of these corporate institutions as a way of popularizing their products and services. The corporate institutions gave certain tasks to be performed by the Housemates on the understanding that prizes will be given out for best performances.

To honour that promise the SLBL formally presented prizes to Ex-Housemates who won the Mutzig Tasks during the Housemates Season 3 Reality TV Show. The presentation event was graced by top Management of SLBL and several Ex-Housemates who were colorfully and smartly dressed in their Mutzig Outfit (Mutzig hoodie, cap and T-shirt) as they met and held fruitful discussions with top Brewery Management.

“Team BOLD”, comprising of Ex-Housemates, bagged the prizes for winning the Mutzig Tasks. The team included Alice Hannah Kanjia aka Team Network; Patricia R. Tucker aka Patrose; Abdul Alhadi aka Double A and Yeanie Helen Sundufu aka Team Wanpot.

One of the members of staff of SLBL, Aminata A. Kamara delivered a statement on behalf of the Managing Director of SLBL, Laurent Bukasa.

She, on behalf of the Management and Staff of Sierra Leone Brewery Limited welcomed all to the stead of excellence, home of premium quality beers where they brew the joy of true togetherness.

According to her it is always a pleasure to see the relationship between their brands and consumers growing adding that they are elated to have had Mutzig – one of Sierra Leone’s leading beer brands – as one of the lead sponsors in the 2022 Housemate Salone Season 3 – The Yagba Season.

“I am also proud to say that we have been a part of AYV’s vision with Housemate Salone since Season 1 and it’s been quite a remarkable journey,” it was stated adding how at Sierra Leone Brewery Limited they have a range of non-alcoholic and alcoholic brands including Star, Amstel, Heineken, Maltina, Guinness, Trenk amongst others but for the purpose of the sponsorship, Mutzig takes center stage.

Mutzig Lager Beer, she intimated, is a superior-quality premium lager, locally brewed using the finest ingredients, and has been in existence for over 8 years.

She added that the brand is known for its support of activities that celebrates talents, entrepreneurs and high achievers, a beer that is distinguished not only by its distinctive packaging but also by the distinctive aromatic experience it offers.

Aminata told a gathering that was now ecstatic that it is a beer for champions, for the go-getters, the self-starters and the brave hearts that never quit, thus they say NEVER STOP STARTING!

“The Mutzig man/ woman believes success is a journey where hard work and dedication pays off ultimately,” she maintained adding how they believe in a dream big enough to scare them but they are BOLD enough to achieve them.

She said it is by no coincidence that Team Bold won the Mutzig Task because they contested against other strong teams who were of course equally capable of winning and they won against all odds.

According to Aminata, the teams were given 20 minutes to develop a play, music or a poem that will bring to life the Never Stop Starting message with a success based thinking.

She said the Housemates were very creative and their tasks were indeed quite insightful, educative and fun at the same time adding that the storyline of the winning team was quite good and they even did a combination of tasks within the 20minutes allotted time with interesting characters.

“Today we handover the check of 10,000 new Leones to Team Bold (Alice, Yeanie, Patrose) which will be equally shared between the team members,” she announced adding that they believe it is just the beginning of the journey for not only Team Bold but all contestants and hope to see more partnerships and collaborations in the future.

She, on behalf of SLBL, congratulated all challenging them to NEVER STOP STARTING and to take the world by storm specially congratulating the winner of the Season, Juliana Conteh (AKA Julie TOMBO, AKA The Yagba Diva) who was present

Aminata ended that it is also their desire to continue to partner with the Africa Young Voices in the identification of young talents and showcasing such talents to world saying the marriage will not end on that day today saying they believe that together they can make a difference.

Sierra Leone Brewery Limited

Mohamed Gento Kamara Will Be the People’s Soldier when he Emerges as FCC Mayor

September 7, 2022

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

Contemporary Sierra Leone politics is evident of certain structural changes to such an extent that stereotypical notions which were once true in the past no longer hold sway. The fading away of political strongholds of the two major political parties, the Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) and the All People’s Congress (APC) Party, is becoming much pronounced as the two are gaining footholds in areas in which they were exclusively not previously welcomed.

The same situation obtains for the contest of the Mayoral Seat for the Freetown City Council (FCC), a seat once considered to be the main preserve for the creoles but now, in recent times, indigenes belonging to other ethnic groups have been contesting for that same position.

Against this backdrop, it was welcome news to many, according to an intense investigation conducted by this medium that Mohamed Gento Kamara, popularly known as Gento, has decided to contest for the Mayoral Seat of the Freetown City Council in the forthcoming General Elections slated to take place in 2023.

According to a Political Science Lecturer at Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone, good leadership is not determined by the ethnic grouping one belongs to or as a result of certain historical antecedents, like what makes the creoles think they should have the God given right to head the FCC.

What also came out glaringly in the investigation undertaken by this medium was that the vast majority of the residents of Freetown have profoundly expressed the conviction that Mohamed Gento Kamara has all what it takes for him to be a very good Mayor of the Freetown metropolis.

Some maintain the view that Mohamed Gento Kamara is a household name not only earned from his impressive “handiwork” on the Hill Cut Road which his road construction company, Gento Group, rehabilitated and brought i up to standard but also as a result of his philanthropic gestures.

Others have even argued that as a matter of fact Gento is more popular because of his generosity, his good gestures to humanity than for his engineering skills.

There is a school of thought which believes that for an individual who once disclosed that when he was in the UK he learnt generosity and the importance of serving communities and how when he returned to Sierra Leone he continued helping others and even spread that mentality to the people around him adding how unlike in the UK, there are many more people here who need help, then we are talking of someone with a heart of pure gold.

Traders on Rawdon Street in Freetown intimated this medium that when in this country we talk of someone who willingly steps out to render positive contributions in order to restore normalcy during times of emergencies like when Ebola, Mudslide disaster and COVID-19 struck, unreservedly allowing the use of his equipment and providing succour to victims then of course that person is indeed capable of effectively leading.

The traders pointed out that it is their candid belief that if the social and economic situation of this country must change then we must have persons who are capable of beginning to change the lives of individuals maintaining that Mohamed Gento Kamara has those innate qualities.

When a cross-section of commercial drivers were engaged at the Texaco Park at Kissy in Freetown sounding their views of what they make of Gento vying for the Mayoral Seat, most of them stated that he is indeed fit for the position. They unanimously underscored that for an individual to provide employment for over one thousand people, honouring his tax obligations speaks volumes of how responsible Mohamed Gento Kamara is.

One of them jokingly stated that when it comes to cleaning the city then such could be an easy walkover as the Gento Group equipment will be readily available to be used in cleaning exercises thereby saving money that will be used to hire them.

A Social Commentator of long-standing repute argued that knowing Mohamed Gento Kamara as someone who believes very strongly in ethics, discipline and dedication, further revealing how he considers himself as a very dedicated person, such will make him a very good leader . He argued that with the widespread lawlessness that permeates the city’s life he believes we need someone who is good at infusing the sense of adherence to the tenets of the law and Mohamed Gento Kamara has demonstrated that and he is capable of rolling such out in the city.

He continued that Gento highly believes in teamwork and is someone who has maintained a high sense of commitment from the genesis of his business emphasizing that such has obviously produced great results and meaningfully impacted lives. Those, he averred, are leadership qualities that Sierra Leoneans should look for in individuals that are vying for political positions.

It therefore came as no surprise that the First Lady, Fatima Maada Bio, stated on her Facebook page that Mohamed Gento Kamara is the People’s Soldier and is someone she has known way before becoming the First Lady of this great nation as a friend and brother and that she knows when he is determined to see change for the good of the people he always stands tall and makes it happen.

Indeed as the First Lady succinctly puts it, in sync with the views that have been expressed by many, of Gento’s ambition to become the next Mayor of Freetown City Council, it is a timely move as he is going to be the true gem of the City of Freetown.

Magistrate Hadiru Daboh Discourages Desperate Lawyers from Making Bail Applications

September 7, 2022

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

It was a very interesting court sitting in Court No. 3 on Ross Road in the East End of Freetown, on the 5^th September, 2022 when Magistrate Hadiru Daboh ,in a no non-sense manner, stoutly refused to entertain eleven ( 11) desperate lawyers from making bail applications for 14 accused persons who were standing trial before his court for their involvement in the August 10^th, 2022 violent protests that occurred in the East End of Freetown.

The 14 accused persons were: Alhassan Kamara, Mohamed Sesay, Timoty Kamara, Mohamed Ibrahim Mansaray, Shadrack Williams, David Joe Lavalie, Gibril Sawaneh, Talton Ndawoma Thoma, John Lamin, Augustine Kokofele, N’fah Bangura, Alfred Kabba, Gibrilla Turay and Ibrahim Sesay.

On the other hand, the lawyers whose attempts at bail application were thwarted by the sternness of Magistrate Hadiru Daboh were: 1-S. Campbell-Esq, S. Sankoh-Esq, A. I Karim- Esq, A. O Gbla- Esq, A. B Kamara- Esq, I. Turay-Esq, R. S Bangura, C. Kabbia-Esq, M. Rashid- Esq, M. Massaquoi- Esq and S. M Gbobongto- Esq.

The matter, which was prosecuted by Sergeant 8534 Sesay G, was adjourned to the 12th September, 2022.

It could be recalled that on the 10^th August, 2022 when violent protests erupted in some parts in the East End of Freetown, in Makeni and Kamakwie, there were arrests made by the Police of those allegedly accused of actively unleashing acts of violence on that day.

The 14 accused persons fall within those that the Police arrested and charged to court on various counts of offences contrary to the Public Order Act.

NP-SL’s Savvy Business Initiatives Guarantee Availability of Petroleum Products

September 7, 2022

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

NP-Sierra Leone Limited, NP (SL-Ltd) is tirelessly working round the clock, engaging oil-producing companies in business discussions, to always ensure that supply is continually flowing in or maintained. This pro-activeness, on the part of the company, has made it quite possible for stocks to last over periods of time in order to avert the occurrence of shortages.

Interestingly, NP-SL is not a Government entity or appendage; no politician has a share in it as its shareholders are mere ordinary Sierra Leoneans, starting with 35 of them who some time ago bought shares from the Government out of their end of service benefits to establish what today has become a towering entity (NP-SL) to reckon with in the business landscape.

As had been fallaciously propagated by certain ill-motivated persons, who do not mean well for this country, that there are certain politicians that have vested interests in the company, our investigations have proven otherwise.

NP-SL is a 100% indigenous company to the letter and it has weathered various storms that could have dwarfed it or left it to extinct save therapeutic intermittent Managerial injections that keep it upright and on the right course.

Demonstrating its true Sierra Leonean identity the company has maintained a policy of strictly adhering to the Local Content Policy ensuring that it has a maximum indigenous staff in its employ. What this actually means is empowering our brothers and sisters to access employment opportunities and reduce poverty.

As a matter of fact some of its members continue to benefit from various trainings that have afforded them the conduit to imbibe useful skills to efficiently carry out certain tasks. If we are counting the number of companies that have upheld the Local Content Policy, without any iota of doubt, NP-SL could be seen at the top.

This intrinsic nationalistic posture of the company runs through and it is a sine qua non to overall national development. If such a compliance rate should have been followed by other local companies, willingly, without any pressure from the relevant authorities then indisputably this country should have been miles away in its development trajectory.

Business Management experts have made it abundantly clear that the way and manner in which customers are cared for in terms of talking to them, making them feel at ease go a long way in attracting them. Such should be done sincerely in order to make them more important. NP-SL for a very long period now has mastered that art and executing it so well which definitely is paying dividends.

1^st for Customer Care was earned by the company because it has been widely acclaimed by many for solidly executing such.

In its drive to optimize customer satisfaction the company went the extra mile to install calibrated pumping machines which are not only modern but trustworthy, as opposed to old pumping machines which certain unscrupulous individuals used to cheat unassuming customers.

This is helping to repose confidence in customers that they are dealing with a very transparent entity. The friendliness of their pump attendants is very impressive and they are always there to timely respond to various concerns.

Still within the purview of 1^st for Customer Care, the company is always in position to enter into payment plans with its reliable and dependable customers including Ministries, Departments and Agencies for supplied fuel and lubricants as long as all the necessary modalities have been put in place.

When cognizance is taken of the fact that some of these institutions receive intermittent budgetary allocations then such an arrangement is very significant. Its significance in real terms borders on functional continuity of those institutions as they will be assured of supplies of petroleum products in as much as they keep honoring their obligations.

For those who have not tried NP Gas for the first time it is now time to give it a try. Designed in sizable varying cylinders and sold at various NP Filling Stations, this cooking device has been rated as one of the best that is on offer for sale. NP Gas is safe, user friendly and portable. Trying it will spur you to recommend it to others.

NP Smart Card is now in vogue and is one of the latest technological devices used to purchase petroleum products. Using it has attendant advantages as evident in procuring fuel at any time of the day even during times when monies could not be accessed from banks. It is secured, easy to use and very quick. It is now trending.

To crystallize proposed projects into tangible realities on the ground, Government needs the required financial resources to effectively do so and one sure way is from collection of taxes which is the mandate of the National Revenue Authority (NRA). NP is one big tax payer to Government and it has been doing so timely.

NP-SL remains undaunted, unperturbed amidst all the challenges it is going through and conscientiously it is steadily contributing to the socio-economic development of the country as well as positively changing communities and lives.

Tanzanians Commend Dr. Patricia Laverley for Signing TAISP’s Loan and Grant Agreements

September 5, 2022

Tanzanians Commend Patricia Laverly for Signing TAISP’s Loan and Grant Agreements

By Abubakarr Harding

Citizens of Tanzania in East Africa are reportedly jubilating and full of praise for Sierra Leone’s former Finance of Minister I, Dr. Patricia Laverley after she completed the Signing Ceremony for Loan and Grant Agreements for the Tanzania Agricultural Inputs Support Project (TAISP) on 18^th August, 2022.

With billions of United States Dollars in her portfolio to support various developmental projects in Tanzania, in her capacity as African Development Bank (AfDB) Country Manager for Tanzania, Dr. Patricia Laverley, informed her distinguished audience which included Tanzania’s Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance and Planning, Emmanuel Tutuba, Tanzania’s Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Andrew Masawe, Directors and Government Representatives, that on behalf of the African Development Bank, she expresses the Bank’s sincere gratitude to participate in the Loan and Grant Signing Ceremony for the Tanzania Agricultural Inputs Support Project (TAISP).

She further said the project is part of the Bank’s emergency response to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. “Just when we thought we had plans in place to cushion the impacts from COVID-19, combined with the effects of climate change, countries across Africa faced new challenges with high prices for fuel and fertilizer, and these continue to adversely affect poverty and food security,” she said.

According to her, increase in the cost of edible oils and wheat is affecting all households in Tanzania but hitting the poorest most severely. She added that recent estimates show that the combined food, fuel, and fertilizer shocks will lead to an additional 1.2 million people falling below the poverty line in Tanzania.

The fertilizer shock, she noted, is most detrimental for poorer rural households, which rely more heavily on agriculture for their income and spend a larger share of their income on food.

She maintained that the analysis shows that reduced fertilizer availability and use in response to higher prices, will lead to real GDP contraction by 1.3 percent in Tanzania. “It is against this background that the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania requested support from the Bank to address these challenges through the implementation of the Tanzania Agricultural Inputs Support project (TAISP),” Dr. Laverley stated.

She went on to state that “hence, in response to the Government of Tanzania’s request, on 15^th July 2022 the Board of the African Development Fund approved UA 54.41 million, an equivalent of USD75.5 million in the form of a loan and grant to support the implementation of Tanzania Agricultural Inputs Support Project (TAISP). Out of this amount, UA 52.59 million (equivalent of USD 73 million) was approved as a concessional loan and the remaining UA 1.82 (equivalent of USD 2.5 million) as a grant.”

She further noted that the overall goal of this agricultural input support project is to boost local food production and strengthen the resilience of food systems to mitigate short- and long-term risks due to the Ukraine – Russia crisis and climate-induced stress in the country. “Specifically, this project will improve production, productivity, and profitability of priority crops (wheat, sunflower, and rice) by scaling-up the delivery of affordable inputs to smallholder farmers in the targeted areas. The project is structured in three components: (i) Scaling up food production; (ii) Financing fertilizer availability and affordability; and (iii) Enabling policy environment and institutional strengthening.,” she said, adding that “most importantly, this project is consistent with the Government of Tanzania’s priorities, the Bank’s Ten Year Strategy (TYS), our High-Five Strategic Operational Priorities, as well as our Tanzania Country Strategy Paper (CSP 2021-2025).”

She explained that the project will be implemented over a period of three years, and will focus on improving production, productivity, and reducing post-harvest losses of the priority crops (wheat, sunflower and rice) in selected districts: Arusha, Dodoma, Kilimanjaro, Manyara, Mbeya, Morogoro, Njombe, Rukwa, Singida and Songwe.”

She confirmed that the end result will be additional production of one million tons of food, which will directly benefit 1,200,000 households corresponding to 4,800,000 persons, including 40% women and youth.

She informed her audience that “to ensure outcomes are realized, the project will use the combination of investments in (i) rapid production, multiplication, and large-scale delivery of certified seeds of climate resilient and market-preferred varieties of the three crops (wheat, sunflower and rice); (ii) financing bulk purchase and production of fertilizers using trade credit guarantees; (iii) leveraging digital technologies for the delivery of smart subsidies of certified seeds and fertilizers to ensure transparency and inclusion, especially targeting women; (iv) strengthening extension services to promote good agronomic practices, greater fertilizer use efficiency and reduction of postharvest losses; and (v) implementing policy commitments to address the structural factors that prevent modern inputs from reaching farmers.”

She added that the Bank offers its sincere appreciation for the great work done by the Government of Tanzania Team including the Ministry of Finance and Planning, Ministry of Agriculture, and others who significantly contributed to the successful processing of this project. “The Bank encourages keeping the same team spirit during the implementation of the project so that we can achieve the intended objectives within the agreed time frame,” she stated, adding that “on behalf of the African Development Bank Group, I would like to reaffirm our firm commitment in supporting the Government and people of the United Republic of Tanzania in their efforts to realize their development aspirations.”

Global Study Consultants Reveal Assisting Sierra Leoneans Secure Masters & PhD Chinese Scholarships

September 5, 2022

By Foday Moriba Conteh

Global Study Consultants and Logistics has on Friday 2^nd September, 2022 held a one-day Belt and Road Orientation ceremony in honour of their 4 Masters and 6 PhD 2022/2023 Sierra Leonean Scholarship Students to study at Jiangsu University and Chang’an University in China. The event was held at the Africell-America Corner on Bathurst Street in Freetown.

The 4 Masters and 6 PhD 2022/2023 Sierra Leonean Scholarship students include: Victor Peacock-Sawyerr, USL Candidate who will pursue a PhD in Management Science and Engineering in Jiangsu University in China, Mohammed Koroma, Njala University Candidate to pursue PhD in Computer Science and Technology in Jiangsu University in China, Hadji D.S Kallon, Njala University Candidate to pursue a PhD in Water Conservancy Project in Chang’an University China, Maada B. Foh, Private Candidate to pursue Masters Degree of Civil Engineering in Structural Engineering in Chang’an University China etc.

Speaking during the ceremony, the Executive Director of Global Study Consultants and Logistics, Bockarie Momoh Foh said Global Study is more than a study agency as it is an educational partner.

He disclosed that they aim to source opportunities and partnerships from far and wide to further develop their own knowledge base back home adding that no man has a monopoly over knowledge and in the world of academia cooperation is key to survival.

Bockarie Momoh Foh pointed out that they also extend a hand of partnership to secondary and high schools as their robust team of consultants will make it easy for those looking to further their studies abroad to do so with ease as they go beyond the application process and employ the holistic approach.

“To the Government we re-echo that we are your educational partner. For a country to make steady progress, human capital must be developed continually. Those in positions of trust must seek legitimate and credible platforms for development in their areas of service. You can depend on our global platform to make such become possible,” he revealed.

He disclosed that with over 80 Sierra Leoneans already enrolled by their robust team, he thinks it is safe to say that they are a trusted partner.

The Executive Director called on the general public to rely on them as their educational partner, stating that it is very much unfair for one to become a prey to swindlers and fraudsters just because they are seeking for better education opportunities elsewhere in the world and that such a burning quest to acquire knowledge has been exploited by persons of little conscience and leave behind a trail of broken dreams and ambitions.

“As an organization, we make a commitment to the general public to be a trusted partner and see that your dreams are achieved. We know that the promises made here today will be tested in the weeks, months and years to come but we also know that with our strong resolve and God on our side we will not fail this nation and all those who have believed in us. This is our commitment to you, we are more than a study agency; we are your educational partner,” he concluded.

Speaking on behalf of the University of Sierra Leone, the Senior Assistant Registrar/Head of the Academic Affairs Division at the University of Sierra Leone, Prince A.J Williams congratulated the Global Study Consultants and Logistics team on the occasion of an orientation ceremony being held in honour of 4 (four) Masters and 6 (six)PhD Sierra Leonean students selected as beneficiaries of the Belt and Road Ph.D Initiative.

He further thanked them profoundly for their efforts in facilitating the
applications of the students which culminated in their successful placement into various educational faculties of Jiangsu University and other universities in China for the 2022/2023 academic year.

Prince A.J Williams pointed out that they recognize the importance of their cooperation, which has led to the two institutions signing a Memorandum of Understanding for their mutual benefits.

The successful applicants from the University of Sierra Leone are academic staff members whose acceptance into these programmes will go a long way to help towards staff career development to better position them for the tasks they have been employed to do.

He informed the gathering that the University continues to make frantic efforts at capacitating their academic staff as they seek to improve the University’s staff profile, adding that their partnership with Global Study Consultants and Logistics has further complemented their drive towards capacity building saying it is no doubt a welcomed and cherished opportunity in their quest for staff development.

Prince A.J Williams used the opportunity to encourage all applicants to make optimum use of the scholarship scheme with a view to ensuring that they come out with flying colours and be reminded that they are all ambassadors of their respective institutions and hope they will
represent them adequately.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Abdul Salam Kamara, a USL candidate, who will be pursuing a PHD in Management Science and Engineering, commended the Global Study Consultants and Logistics for facilitating the
applications of all the awardees culminating in their successful placement into various faculties in Jiangsu University and other universities in China for the 2022/2023 academic year. He further described the move as a laudable venture towards supporting human capital development in the country.

He assured all that, as awardees, they will make good use of the opportunity given to them and in turn they will come back and create the impact needed towards the development of the country.