U.S. Assistant Secretary for African Affairs Molly Phee: Register to Vote!

September 5, 2022

I, and other officials and friends in Washington who follow Africa, watched in sadness and dismay as the events of August 10 unfolded. We mourn with Sierra Leone the unnecessary loss of life on that day and urge a transparent investigation into allegations of excessive use of force. In response to these incidents, the United States has called for all to exercise restraint, temper rhetoric, and begin an honest, inclusive dialogue. We have also underscored the importance of freedom of expression and freedom of peaceful assembly. These fundamental freedoms are enshrined in the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, and in Articles 19 and 21 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which the United States and Sierra Leone are both parties. Of course, all protests should be peaceful and political violence is never acceptable.

Sierra Leoneans will have the chance to make their voices heard in next year’s election. The first step will take place between September 3 and October 2, when Sierra Leoneans can register to vote. I urge all eligible Sierra Leoneans to take advantage of this opportunity and register, and to remain involved in the electoral process by informing yourselves about the issues and exercising your right to vote.

Sierra Leone and the United States have a lot in common. As fellow democracies, we believe that Governments should reflect the will of the people. We believe citizens have fundamental rights, and those rights should be protected. We believe the best form of Government is one that is inclusive, where the voices of all members of society are heard. These guiding principles require our continued attention and effort.

Sierra Leone has much to be proud of since the difficult days of its civil war. You have held free and fair elections, undertaken successive peaceful transitions of power, and are ranked as one of the most peaceful countries in Africa. I urge you to continue building on these past successes through dynamic participation in your admirable democratic process.

President Bio Dialogues with Stakeholders in the Transportation Sector

September 5, 2022

By Abubakarr Harding

President Julius Maada Bio met with members of the Motor Drivers and General Transport Owners, Boat Owners and Operators, Commercial Bike Riders and Kekeh Riders’ Union, on the 2^nd September,2022 as part of his ongoing nationwide engagements with critical groups on peace and national cohesion.

While thanking the transport sector players for responding to his call, the President said: “As a Government, we consider this meeting very important because the role you are performing in our nation is so important, such that a lot of things will only happen in a society with your intervention”.

He said the development and growth of the country were to a large extent dependent on how well or badly they worked toward moving around with lives and property from one point to another.

“Because of the role you are playing in the different modes of transportation, there is hardly anything about national discussions the State can embark on without engaging them. Today’s engagement is to honestly sit and analyze the issues, trying to understand exactly what happened during the 10 August insurrection that has changed our development strides, presenting a bad image of our country on the international stage.

“Interestingly, most parts of the country were peaceful. Several Sierra Leoneans were surprised by the violence on that day but went about their normal business. Despite the insurrection, as a Government, what we noticed was that most of you did not join, and so did the greater population. What they achieved on that day was the killing of police personnel, the death of civilians, and the loss of property,” he said.

President Bio said even after their violence, global prices of basic commodities did not go down because there is still a global crisis, adding that Sierra Leone is not an exception because it would always remain a part of the global village and the Government could not shy away from that.

“What I am happy about is that, even though your activities were disrupted on that day, as soon as calm returned, you were able to come out and continue moving people around. When the country’s economy is moving, you are the sector moving it. When goods arrive in the country through the seaport, you move them to their destinations. The transport sector is very important, and I am happy that you have decided to keep your peace and abide by the rules and laws of the country.

“I am calling on all of you to help in the fight against tribal bigotry. No matter where you are in the country, let’s fight this war against bad politicians because we are one people in a country called Sierra Leone. I have only one message for you and that is to send your children to school because they are the future of this nation. My doors are open to a free, frank, and national discussion that is in the interest of peace and national cohesion,” President Bio concluded.

President of the Motor Drivers and General Transport Owners Union, Alpha Bah, said: “What happened on August 10 was influenced by bad politicians that used our youth negatively on that day but rest assured that the entire membership of the Union will vote for you come 2023. We will never cry down your Government because fuel is available in all fueling stations across the country with no fuel shortage”.

President of the Commercial Bike Riders Union, Umar Bah, President of the Boat Owners Union, Sheku Tejan, and President of the Kekeh Riders Union, Ibrahim Serry, all condemned and denounced violence and expressed their delight at being recognized by the State.

President Bio Unveils St. Joseph’s Secondary School New Florence Dillsworth Building

September 5, 2022

By Abubakarr Harding

During a very auspicious and inspiring event held on the 2^nd September 2022, President Bio unveiled a new building at the St Joseph Secondary School in Freetown named after a former Principal of the school, Florence Dillsworth. The new building is an additional structure to help return the school to a one-shift.

“When I made education a centerpiece of my Presidential campaign, cynics laughed at the seeming simplicity of my thought process. They did not believe that human capital development would appeal to Sierra Leonean voters…

“I choose education because I believe in the transformative power of education for personal development, community development, and for national development. I am pleased that over the last four years, citizens of this great nation have shared this vision and this dream with me, and you are all making our common aspiration to make Sierra Leone a global leader in education a reality once again,” he said.

The President also shared what he said was a bird’s eye view of how well-regarded his Government’s efforts and successes were across the world.

“In July of 2021, I was one of only two Heads of State invited to the London Summit of the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) by the then Executive Director, Alice Albright, and the GPE senior leadership.

“Right here in Freetown, in May 2022, my Government hosted over 13 Ministers from across Africa and championed the development of the Freetown Manifesto for Gender-Transformative Leadership in and through Education.

“In May of this year, UK Minister for Africa, Vicky Ford, visited Sierra Leone and we discussed our shared commitments to girls’ education. Through the Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO)’s Leh Wi Lan project, we are collaboratively working on providing essential learning materials for every pupil and even more.

“In recognition of our work in education over the last four years, I am currently the Co-Chair (along with the UNESCO Director-General) of the UNESCO High-Level Steering Committee for Sustainable Development Goals 4,” he said.

Explaining the purpose of the gathering a senior ex-pupil of the school, Professor Miriam Conteh-Morgan, said in October 2020 they laid the foundation for the construction of the beautiful edifice, noting that notwithstanding the challenges of accessing funds, there were high hopes for the project to be completed.

She said the initiative for the construction of the building was to synchronize the two shifts system to one quality education shift system.

Proprietor of the school, His Grace the Archbishop Edward Tamba Charles, said they were grateful to His Excellency the President and the First Lady for making time out of their busy schedules to open the building, adding that it showed commitment to education.

He also commended the ex-pupils of various chapters for their commitment to ensuring that their collective dream was realized.

Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Dr David Moinina Sengeh, said because of President Bio’s vision for quality education in the country there had been an addition of over 1 million pupils that had been enrolled in various schools under the Free Quality Education initiative.

First Lady Madam Fatima Bio, who is an alumnus of the school, described the occasion as one that needed to be celebrated, noting that President Bio’s focus on education was not political but intentional because he believed that that was the only way to sustainable development.

She further thanked the President for his numerous supports to education policies, adding that that was why she brought her own support for girls through the “Hands Of Our Girls” project, which also covered the provision of sanitary pads for girls.

She ended by donating 300 chairs and tables to the school while encouraging them to do more and assured the girls of another distribution of sanitary pads by the end of September 2022.

Chief Electoral Commissioner Encourages Sierra Leoneans to Turn Out & Register

September 5, 2022

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

The Chief Electoral Commissioner and Chairman of the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone, Mohamed Kenewui Konneh, on the 3^rd September 2022, marking the commencement of national voters registration exercise, stated that registration will commence as scheduled on Saturday the 3^rd.September in readiness for 24 June 2023 Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Council elections.

He revealed that the voter registration process will be in two phases with each phase taking 15 days and at every phase, the designated registration centers will be opened at 07 a.m. and closed at 5 p.m. across the country in every constituency and ward.

The Chief Electoral Commissioner further disclosed that the first phase will start on 3^rd September and ends on 17^th September adding how the Commission will need two days to mobilize equipment and staff across the country to start the 2^nd phase on the 20^th September which will end on the 4^th October 2022.

“I encourage every eligible Sierra Leonean including those who will be 18 years old on 24^th June 2023 to turn out in your numbers and present yourself at the registration center where you intend to vote and update your details,” he appealed to Sierra Leoneans.

Mohamed Kenewui Konneh stated that documents required for registration are a valid Sierra Leonean passport, previous Voter ID card, a National ID card, certificate of registration from NCRA, or Sierra Leonean birth certificate.

He warned all those who intend to do or encourage double or underage registration not to attempt because they would be caught and prosecuted adding that the Commission is working in collaboration with the Security sector to ensure the safety of lives and property.

The ECSL Chairman also pointed out that the Commission is also working with EMBs, local and international partners to ensure best practices and credibility of the process.

He said they will continue to work within the legal framework to ensure that citizens have unhindered access to the registration centers and be registered.

“The Commission has established a Situation room at the ECSL Headquarters to respond to public concerns during this period,” he intimated maintaining that the public can call on a toll-free number 838 on Africell, Orange and Qcell networks.

He ended up thanking all for contributing toward a peaceful voter registration process for the June 2023 multi- tier elections.

Freetown to Serve as Final Destination for Budapest Rally 2022

September 5, 2022

By Abubakarr Harding

A confirmation has been made on the 1^st September, 2022 that Sierra Leone will for the second time be the host country for the finish line of the 2022 Budapest-Freetown Challenge. That confirmation was made known to the Media by the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs (MTCA) and the National Tourist Board (NTB).

The General Manager of the National Tourist Board, Fatmata Hamid-Carew recalled that the Ministry and its agency, the National Tourist Board launched the Budapest-Freetown Challenge in February 2022, but due to the effect of the COVID-19 outbreak and the closure of borders of participating countries, there were doubts that the event would hold this year. She was, however, pleased to inform the gathering that the Budapest Rally 2022 will be hosted in Sierra Leone.

The Director of Tourism, Mohamed Jalloh told the gathering that because of the fruitful and effective collaboration with MDAs, including the Office of the President, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Sierra Leone Police, the 2020 rally in Freetown was successful and that is why the event is being brought to Freetown again as the final destination.

He said this year’s rally has attracted 566 participants with 242 vehicles to participate from the start line further explaining that the rally begins from Hungary to West Africa through the Sahara, it passes through Hungary, Austria or Slovenia, Italy, France, Spain, Morocco, Western Sahara, Mauritania, Senegal, Mali, Guinea and ends in Freetown.

He continued that the rally will enter Sierra Leone through Gbalamuya on the 6th November, 2022 and the finish line ceremony will be held on the 8th November, 2022 with President Bio as the Keynote Speaker.

The Minister of Internal Affairs, David Panda Noah said he is excited to be part of the rally again having been involved in 2020 event during his time at SLRSA. He called on Sierra Leoneans to work with the Ministry and the security sector to ensure that the visitors are safe while assuring that his Ministry will play its part in ensuring that the event is done in a safe and secured environment.

In her address, the Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Memunatu Pratt expressed delight that the event is happening again in Sierra Leone, saying that for them to deliver on this mandate there should be a strong collaboration between her Ministry and other MDAs as it happened during the 2020 rally in Freetown.

She maintained that Sierra Leone got remarkable commendations for the way they handled the finish line in 2020 and it was considered the best destination since they started the rally in 2005, hence they are hosting the Budapest-Freetown challenge in 2022.

The Minister said bringing over 600 visitors to Sierra Leone shows a strong registration of international confidence in Sierra Leone in terms of safety, collaboration, hospitality and cultural awareness.

Babadi Kamara Takes Peace Messages to Young People in the South

September 5, 2022

By Abubakarr Harding

Babadi Kamara, a well known businessman and sports personality has, in recent times, undertook massive anti-violence campaign in the Southern province of Sierra Leone targeting young people in that part of the country.

According to him, the aim is to give hope to young people and encourage them to be responsible citizens.

Kamara who is well known for transforming the lives of young people through sports and other development spheres is of the view that young people are key to the development of a nation like Sierra Leone.

Many have seen his recent move as complementing President Bio’s youth development agenda, which he stated in his May 2019 State Opening of Parliament speech, noting that “In the New Direction, we shall continue to view youth unemployment as a human capital development and security challenge and will adopt a holistic, integrated and coherent approach to create jobs. This was the explanation for the adage in 2008 “global” and now “de gron dry”. It is imperative that we robustly address the challenge of youth unemployment.”

“We can only develop our nation when we are united and peaceful,” Kamara told young people in Bo City and added that they must be responsible, willing to learn, hardworking, and committed to transforming their communities and nation. “We only have one Sierra Leone that we must be proud of. Let us say no to violence and embrace development at all levels,” he told the youth.

Through his Leadway Company, Bo Rangers Football Club, and other businesses, Babadi Kamara has employed the services of hundreds of young people directly and indirectly as part of his own contribution to nation-building.

Young people, he said should reject the spirit of fear, discrimination, and division among people because this is poisonous to national development. “Violence endangers our hopes of peace and building inclusive societies. You should be partners of Government and Government programs,” he urged young people.

Kamara is not only famous for promoting sports in Sierra Leone he has provided seed monies to mostly young people with the sole aim of enabling them to become self-reliant. His key focus however has been on education, which he had described as the path leader of the youth. “It is with the help of education that the youth can choose and seek their interests,” he stated and goes with the conviction that they choose their ways and directions of lives and furthered that education is important to young people because it provides youth with tools and critical skills to employment, provide for themselves and their families.

It could be recalled that Babadi Kamara provided education support to Bo Secondary School as his contribution to the Free Quality Education Project by donating essential learning materials.

He said the donation was part of his continued effort to complement the effort of His Excellency the President Brigadier (Rtd) Julius Maada Bio in providing free and quality education for primary and secondary school pupils in Government and Government-assisted schools.

He noted that education is the most powerful tool to overcome poverty and many socioeconomic challenges in society. “Everyone should prioritize learning as it is the key to enhancing individual, community, and national development,” he reiterated.

Osman Yaah & Adeola Carew Emerge as Winners in Orange SL Pitch Event

September 5, 2022

By Abubakarr Harding

The 4th Edition of the Orange Social Venture Prize (OSVP) pitch event took place at the telecommunications company’s Headquarters on the 1^st September 2022 during which eight (8) finalists participated for the whooping sum of One Hundred and Fifty Million Leones (Le150M).

On that day Orange Sierra Leone presented two young Sierra Leoneans with prizes for emerging as winners in the Orange Social Venture Prize, which was an entrepreneurial competition that encourages the most creative business concepts from young Sierra Leoneans.

Osman Yaah of the Auto-Smart Irrigation and Energy Company Ltd emerged as this year’s winner bagging the Le 100,000 National Grand Prize and NL50, 000 went to Safe Space Sierra Leone’s Adeola Carew.

In his statement, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Orange Sierra Leone, Sekou Amadou Bah said: “This marks the Fourth Edition of the Orange Social Venture Prize (OSVP) emanating from Orange’s position as the go-to digital partner for startups in Africa and the Middle East.”

He informed that the OSVP was established 12 years ago with the goal of rewarding the best technological projects that have a positive social impact and provide solutions to pressing social issues, particularly in the areas of education, health, agriculture, mobile payment, and sustainable development in Africa and the Middle East.

The CEO continued that by giving back and touching lives, Orange as a brand continues to have a direct impact on people’s lives.

“We adhere to the philanthropic way of thinking,” he stated furthering that since the prize’s first phase in Sierra Leone, the OSVP has established itself as a household name and a partner of choice for ICT start-ups.

He said in order to boost the project and encourage female involvement; they added an extra award in 2021 maintaining that the incentive offered a technical solution to better the lives and circumstances of women.

Sekou Amadou Bah disclosed that Orange’s innovation strategy, which is devoted to offering financial support and putting expertise in the development of new enterprises utilizing ICT, includes the pitch session that took place on the 1^st September, 2022.

Osman Yaah, the founder and CEO of Autos Mart Irrigation Company SL Limited, won the $100,000 prize after presenting a creative business idea that enables the use of mobile phones to supply water to farms from any location in the world, resulting in the development of the first digital agricultural irrigation system in Sierra Leone. It is a locally produced alternative that aids farmers in year-round farming via auto-smart irrigation.

Farmers can grow all year round with that approach as they don’t need to wait for the rainy season. Osman maintained that despite having 70% of arable land, we are still unable to feed ourselves. He highlighted that mechanized farming and sustainable agriculture are the only ways Sierra Leone can attain food security and eradicate hunger.

The local and international judges were drawn to Adeola Carew, Founder and CEO of Safe Space SL, as she presented a business idea that aims to change Sierra Leone’s culture of silence on reproductive issues and build a community where people feel safe to discuss their issues without feeling shame or stigma and get help finding solutions. She did that by opening a sexual reproductive center and developing a special mobile app to help with the process.

In an interview, Carew claimed, “There is little information about sexual reproduction, teenage pregnancy, and maternal mortality in this country, but if we use technology, it will be simple to access information. For example, if you’re being raped, you can easily access a resource point with your phone where you can find contacts for the closest police station and also an expert who will help you fight your case.”

In addition to being a poet, writer and sex-positive campaigner, Carew is a creative entrepreneur.

Orange Social Venture Prize (OSVP)

Peace Commission Engages Church Leaders on National Peaceful Cohesion

September 5, 2022

By Abubbakarr Harding

The Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion (ICPNC) has on Friday 2^nd September 2022 met with Church leaders and representatives at the ICPNC Conference Hall in Freetown.

In her presentation, the Executive Secretary of the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion, Hawa Sally Samai, gave the audience a synopsis of what prompted instituting the Commission, the scope of its mandate, activities already undertaken, the successes and challenges they are grappling with.

She informed the church leaders from different denominations, that the upholding, maintenance and sustainability of peace throughout the country is not only limited to the Sierra Leone Police but is rather a collective responsibility as different sectors of society has a role to play.

“As Church Leaders it is good that you work closely with the Commission to preach peace throughout the country as such will create huge impact in enhancing peaceful co-existence,” she appealed.

The Executive Secretary lamented that it is very unfortunate that some people easily resort to violence means to make their voices heard or to register disagreement maintaining that it should be otherwise by making use of acceptable channels to express grievances and disaffections.

She unequivocally condemned the August 10 violent protests in some parts in Freetown, Makeni and Kamakwie which claimed the lives of innocent Policemen and civilians calling them acts of cowardice.

“Now that an independent Committee has been set up to investigate the August 10 violent protests it is our hope that all those responsible will be held accountable and pay for their actions,” she expressed optimism.

Hawa Sally Samai called for collective action to de-escalate political tensions maintaining that as the country prepares for the 2023 General Elections all efforts must be made at this material time to scale up awareness of the importance of upholding the peace, of peaceful co-existence and national cohesion by preaching peace messages.

“As religious leaders you have clearly defined constituencies in light of your congregations and I believe that through the messages that you preach their behaviour patterns could be positively impacted,” she stated and appealed to them to be very proactive in that direction.

The General Overseer of the Faith Healing Bible Church, Pastor Francis A. M. Mambu, stated that individuals cannot live well deserved lives if they are not peaceful adding that equally too a nation cannot be progressive if there is no peace among its citizenry.

He said church leaders need to be part of the peace campaign because the church happens to be the place where different people from different tribes meet with one goal adding how he has been doing such as a leader by using different platforms.

In an interview with one of the Board members of the ICPNC Rev. Shudankeh Johnson, he stated that engaging religious leaders is very much important as Churches and Mosques are conduits through which the peace is uphold.

He added that if there are places where there is national cohesion then it is the churches and mosques because they are places where people from different tribes with different political affiliations congregate, worship and socialize.

Outgoing 3 Infantry Brigade Commander Hands Over Office to His Successor

September 5, 2022

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

During a brief military ceremony held at the 3rd Infantry Brigade Headquarters at Murray Town in the West End of Freetown, the outgoing 3rd Infantry Brigade Commander, Major General D Alpha, handed over office to his successor, Brigadier General AS Bockarie. It must be noted that the 3rd Infantry Brigade covers Freetown, Lungi and Kambia.

Major General D. Alpha received a Quarter Guard Parade after which he officially handed over the 3^rd Brigade flag of Office to his successor.

The outgoing Commander then showed his successor key places in the Brigade Headquarters and briefed him. Some of the key places include the Brigade Multi-Purpose Complex – which is under construction –and Triple Canopy – an American private security company that provides integrated security, mission support and risk management services to corporate, Government and nonprofit clients – which is located at Murray Town Barracks.

During his handing over speech, Major General D Alpha thanked all his officers and men for their enormous support and called on them to support the new Commander and give him their commitment and loyalty.

He advised the officers and men of the 3rd Infantry Brigade to continue to be apolitical and to “bring our ideas and talents to bear in order to create a synergy”.

The incoming 3rd Infantry Brigade Commander, Brigadier General A.S Bockarie, thanked his predecessor for the warm reception and promised to continue his good works. He also urged officers and men of the Brigade to “be part of the solution and not the problem”, maintaining that his leadership philosophy is humility and iron discipline.

The program ended with a joyful albeit solemn traditional military procession out of the barracks led by the Military Police vehicle with the outgoing Commander on the back of a pick-up van bidding farewell to his officers and men on either sides of the street as his vehicle was slowly driven out of the Brigade Headquarters.

Salone Lives Matter Decries Online Sexual Exploitation of Women & Girls In Sierra Leone

September 5, 2022

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

The Salone Lives Matter (SLM), with Henrietta Mbawa as Chief Executive Officer, as an organization having the mandate to advocate for the protection of children, women, and girls, vulnerable adults and those living with disabilities through stories told via films has on the 1st September 2022 emphatically stated that its members are deeply concerned over the most recent heinous act of leaked sex tapes circulating on social media.

It continued that according to investigations they conducted the videos of young girls and women engaged in sexual activities were being shared widely on social media and shared hundreds of times adding how the leaked tapes have not only caused upset but were most alarming since some of the participants appeared to be unaware that they were being filmed.

The Salone Lives Matter maintained how the release of the sex tapes also violates the human rights of the victims going ahead to state that the act also violates the Sierra Leone Cyber Crime Act 2020.

“We at Salone Lives Matter believe our women and girls of Sierra Leone should and must be protected from being hurt and mistreated in body or mind and to be free from all forms of sexual abuse,” it was categorically stated.

The organization says it also strongly believes the actions by those sharing the clips also amount to a form of cyberbullying that can have adverse psychological effects on the participants, such as depression and suicidal ideation.

It maintained that as a network, Salone Lives Matter is calling on Civil Society and human rights organizations, and the Government for an immediate investigation into the matter and for the culprits to face the full force of the law when convicted.

Salone Lives Matter is asking individuals to join them by adding names to their list and send an email to info@salonelivesmatter.com or send them a direct message via their Facebook page further calling on members of the public to refrain from sharing the clips.

In the meantime, Salone Lives Matter says it is also calling on the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs to consider providing an emergency number for the victims and their families to contact for help and advice adding that if a person a victim, is he or she should please don’t hesitate to contact them through their direct message service on their Facebook
page – Salone Lives Matter today adding how they will be happy to pass individual details to appropriate services for support.