Drizilik and Dalas Bantan to Perform Live in 1st AfriCaribbean Festival

August 29, 2022

By Abubakarr Harding

Two of Sierra Leone’s finest artists, Drizilik and Dallas Bantan will be performing live at the AfriCaribbean Festival to be hosted for the very first time in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

The first AfriCaribbean music festival is a promotional partnership with Miami carnival, a non-profit organization named Miami- Broward.

The Miami Carnival is seemingly dedicated to bring a safe family festival in South Florida and outlying areas to foster community pride, civic involvement and providing critical opportunities to the Caribbean people in South Florida with an aim of sharing the Caribbean culture.

It was established also to promote cultural exchange and building an economic cooperation in the multi-ethnic and multi-cultural environment of South Florida.

With such a history, the AfriCaribbean festival is designed to take such cultural values to Africa with a first stop in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

This will be an ultimate festival event showcasing Sierra Leonean music (Gumbe), African Music (Afro-beat) and Caribbean music (Soca Calypso) within a six days long festival of arts, and a lot of entertainment bounties lined up for your December festivities.

It is indeed a bold step in the creative industry as it is believed to bring together Africans, Caribbeans, African Americans, Afro Latinos and Afro-Asians through Music, arts, culture and ancestry.

AfriCaribbean Festival is expected to be a platform to celebrate, showcase heritage, promote local and international talents through such an experience that will culminate in the presentation and unveiling of a set of commemorative artworks from the district of Maryland and Virginia arts community to the residents of the city of Freetown bringing together the African and Carribbean Culture in one unique location in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

Visitors are expected from around the world to participate in the six days long festival.

Drizilik and Dalas Bantan from Sierra Leone are amongst the list of international artists to perform during the festival to be held on the 28^th of December 2022 to the 2^nd of January 2023.

Sierra Leoneans should expect a unique and culturally diverse experience that has never happened in any other African country.

The festival is proudly powered by Eminence Africa Entertainment Sierra Leone’s leading event professionals.

SAVE the Children Capacitates NDMA Staff & Others to Deal with Women & Children in Emergencies

August 29, 2022

By Abubakarr Harding

SAVE the Children International has on the 24^th August,2022 concluded a three-day capacity-building training for staff of the National Disaster Management Agency and other institutions on the protection of children and women during disasters and emergencies.

The training attracted 52 participants from the NDMA, Family Support Unit of the Sierra Leone Police, Ministry of Social Welfare, Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs and the National Commission for Social Action and covered topics such as Safeguarding of Women and Children in Emergency, Gender in Emergency and Protection of Women and Children in Emergency.

The training also focused on enhancing the capacity of NDMA in the collection of data especially those related to children and women during disasters and emergencies. Other topics such as the importance of Gender in Emergency Preparedness Planning (EPP), Integration of Gender into EPP & Emergency Response, Gender EPP Guidelines, Legal and Normative Framework of Child Protection in Emergency, Commitment towards Gender Equality in Emergency, Child Protection Minimum Standards in Humanitarian Action (CPMS) and the Key Guiding Actions for Child Protection in Emergency were looked into.

Speaking at the commencement of the training, the Country Director of SAVE the Children in Sierra Leone, Patrick Analo expressed his appreciation for the mutual and beneficial relationship that has existed between his Organization and the NDMA. He also mentioned that SAVE the Children has partnered with and supported the NDMA, especially in the areas of capacity building and the provision of relief items to disaster victims, since its formation.

“I think SAVE the Children International has played a pivotal role in building the capacity of the NDMA since its establishment. We have supported the Agency’s operations and activities, and we have also benefitted a lot from those supports,” he said

The lead facilitator, Madam Claudia Campbell stated that the participants were trained on how to protect children and women from harm and injury and also respond to the needs of children efficiently during emergencies.

“The knowledge and skills gained will enable you to follow the required standards and principles to competently protect children and women from violence (Physical & Mental) and to effectively assist survivors of disasters,” she stated.

Tourism Minister Receives 1st Phase Findings of Preservation of Old FBC

August 29, 2022

By Abubakarr Harding

Stephen Battle and Aziza Chaouni, the Project Manager for the World Monuments Fund and the Architectural Consultant respectively, have on the 22^nd August 2022 presented findings on the first phase of the preservation of Old Fourah Bay College to the Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Memunatu Pratt at the Ministry of Tourism on Kingharman Road in Freetown.

World Monuments Fund is the implementing partner for the United States Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation grant that was awarded in 2021 to preserve Old Fourah Bay College. The grant will cover the first phase of what will be a multi-phase project. The scope of the first grant was to prepare a comprehensive analysis of the current state of the structure, carry out limited emergency stabilization to prevent further damage and develop a plan for reuse of the structure in consultation with the community and key stakeholders.

The Project Manager of the World Monuments Fund, Stephen Battle said they were at the Minister’s office to present the findings on the preliminary work done on the Old Fourah Bay College edifice to the Minister before making the findings public and that they are glad to get the Minister’s feedback on what they are proposing for the restoration of old Fourah Bay College.

Presenting their findings, the Architectural Consultant, Aziza Chaouni started by showing the Minister the different phases of the project. She said the first phase was covering the architectural design and emergency measures, once that is done they will seek from the US Ambassador to fund the rehabilitation, she said. She assured that they will be done with the first phase by the end of October, 2022.

On her part, the Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Memunatu Pratt said the project is on course and was impressed by the amount of work done on the edifice thus far considering how it was and how she was seeing it on paper. She stated that the restoration of old FBC will be an educational and recreational opportunity for not only Sierra Leoneans but for international tourists. She added that the monumental edifice will be multi-purpose and multi-dimensional in a way that it will have an education museum for Sierra Leone, digital library facilities and part of the building will be used for income generation.

Tourism Minister Receives 1st Phase Findings of Preservation of Old FBC

Eight Heads of Mission Present Letters of Credence to President Bio

August 29, 2022

By Abubakarr Harding

President Julius Maada Bio has on the 25^th August 2022 received Letters of Credence from heads of eight missions to Sierra Leone, warmly welcoming them during a formal presentation ceremony and encouraged them to strengthen the healthy diplomatic relationships.

Among the new Heads of Mission who presented their diplomatic credentials to the President were Ambassadors-designate of Sweden, H.E. Urban Sjorstrom, H.E. Jens Kraus-Masse of the Federal Republic of Germany, H.E. Seyed Khalil Sadati Amiri of the Islamic Republic of Iran, H.E Enrique Emesto Escorza of the United Mexican States.

Also were High Commissioners-designate H.E. Mrs. Worwomyo Agyeman of the Republic of Ghana, H.E. Edward Kafu Chinoza of the Republic of Zimbabwe, H.E Selma Ashipala Musavyi of the Republic of Namibia and H.E Hadera Abera Admassu of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.

While receiving the letters, President Julius Maada Bio congratulated the new Heads of Mission on behalf of his country and its people, stating that his Government is also looking forward to stronger bilateral relations that would strengthen healthy and good diplomatic ties.

He later proposed a toast to the healthy and beautiful relationship between Sierra Leone and the eight countries.

The new Heads of Mission assured of their countries’ continued support for Sierra Leone’s policy on human capital development, foreign capacity building, and more mutually beneficial relations.

They expressed their appreciation for the warm welcome and said that they felt honoured to present their letters of credence and hoped to be able to represent their respective countries in Sierra Leone.

C4C Parliamentary Leader Cautions PPRC Chairman to Disapprove Party Surrogates

August 29, 2022

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

In a letter written by Hon. Saa Emerson Lamina, Leader of the Coalition for Change (C4C) in the House of Parliament, dated 26th August, 2022 and addressed to the Chairman of the Political Parties Registration Commission (PPRC) he stated that he wrote on behalf of the majority of disheartened members of the C4C Party to refer to the letter of 19th August, 2022 addressed to him and signed by certain individuals claiming to be representing the “majority of legally elected C4C Party Members of Parliament” and to encourage him, as PPRC Chairman, to continue to discountenance their false claims and the glaring seed of discordance they are planting within the party until the High Court of judicature presided over by Justice Samuel O. Taylor JA, proclaims final ruling on the matter that seeks to ensure justice and restore sanity within their party, the Coalition for Change (C4C) Party.

Hon. Saa Emerson informed the PPRC Chairman that it is their candid belief, that the signatories to that letter; cognizant of their mischievous actions over time are surrogates being used as pawns by certain people outside the party with an agenda to sellout in order to meet the political chauvinism of their paymasters and therefore are masquerading as representing the “majority” of legally elected C4C Party Members of Parliament, with nothing to show to the people in their constituencies of responsibility.

He continued that the group of persons have by all indications fundamentally breached the party’s ideals and principles and the social contract with the people and have therefore lost the confidence and trust of the party loyalists in particular, the people of Kono District because of the apparent breach for want of selfish political patronages and satisfaction of their political paymasters.

The C4C Parliamentary Leader said they are drunken by such a pursuit to the extent of being oblivious of the fact that their being in Parliament is as the result of the efforts of dedicated and committed people like his humble self, who formed and established the C4C Party as a political entity.

“These people have surreptitiously connived with incendiary intentions to undermine the party’s gains in the 2018 general elections,” he lambasted disclosing that as Founding Members they cannot therefore seat idly by and allow such benefactors of their sacrifices to get their way at the expense of the majority of party members both in Sierra Leone and in the Diaspora.

He maintained that in retrospect, in his letter to him as PPRC Chairman, he deliberately restrained himself from mentioning the names of colleague Members of Parliament on the understanding that they are Honourable men and they are far removed from the whole C4C legal debacle in court; the simple reason being that, they are neither plaintiffs nor defendants in the matter between the defunct National Executive and some founder members of our beloved party.

Hon. Saa Emerson said, however, that apparent show of taking sides in the matter cannot be unconnected with perhaps their superficial understanding of the Order of the learned Justice Samuel O. Taylor JA.

He pointed out that Be-it-as-it may, they have removed the sheep-clothing over themselves to now openly identify themselves with the defendants thereby drawing a battle line between them as surrogates and the true, loyal and committed C4C Party Members who still firmly believe in the ideals and principles of the party.

The legislator stated how they have unequivocally identified themselves with people who are before a court of law to clear their heads over fiduciary improprieties, anti-party actions and double standards.

He said he wish to talk less on the many reproaches they have brought to bear on the C4C party, but said suffice it to state that their disloyal activities are seriously undermining the much needed cohesion, harmony and the recalibration of the C4C as a formidable political party, while they have no tangible developments to show to the membership of their beloved party.

“We will therefore continue to stand by the truth for the sanctity of our party and we beseech your good office to do the needful in ensuring the harmonious and political meaningfulness of our party in the democratic dispensation of this country,” he appealed in the letter.

Hon. Saa Emerson said the C4C Party, has over the past four years displayed cogent political liberalism in Parliament as demonstrated by their tangible contributions to debates in the open Well as well as at Committee Stages, all for the good of country and in line with the party’s ideals and principles.

He said to place on record, on behalf of the general loyal membership, that as someone who sacrificed time and resources, helped in garnering trustable party Diaspora support and working to keep the trust of their members through sustainable service delivery; he looks forward to the return to basics for the party and for its sustained political leadership for the people of Kono District and their membership that is spread throughout the country and in the Diaspora.

“I am against injustice and marginalization of people who through their sweat and pains were key in the formation of the party,” he stated adding how he is for structural reconstruction that will harness and strengthen the gains of their party and to consolidate the party as a way forward for a sustainable positive political participation.

He, in that regard called on the High Court to speedily conclude the C4C Party matter expressing the wish of encouraging all those with their sworn determination to undermine the party’s ambitious political forward-march.

Hon. Saa Emerson maintained that bullying and insensitive marginalization antics will not augur well for their collective aspiration saying such will only be a de-service and a misplaced agenda.

He registered how they will not sit by to witness any bullying tendency in the C4C underscoring that while they wish to remain steadfast to the ideals and principles of their party, he is encouraging the PPRC Chairman to continue dealing with the following under mentioned officials duly recognized to coordinate and administer the affairs of the party ahead of any consensual agreement and or final verdict of the court. The listed individuals are: Abubakarr Santos Bangura, Madam Theresa George and Sahr Nyandemoh.

Copies of the letter were sent to the Chairman ECSL, the Executive Secretary ECSL, Justice S.O. Taylor JA, J.J Campbell Esq; the Global Leader C4C and the Press.

Chief Minister Celebrates Parliament For Transparency And Accountability…

August 29, 2022

By Ranger

A front-page headline in one of the local tabloids titled: “Chief Minister Celebrates Parliament for…” caught the eyes of The Calabash, a news medium that likes to comment on the crucial role Parliament is supposed to play in holding the Executive arm of Government accountable for the annual policy statements it makes to the nation; as well as the role of scrutinizing properly how MDAs utilize annual budgetary allocations made to them which the Audit Service Sierra Leone has consistently, over the last fifteen years, reported is not been diligently done by the Parliamentary Accounts Committee; followed by disciplinary action, as prescribed by law, taken against defaulters in ensuring good governance.

No doubt, a responsible Parliament which rises up to its role of ensuring public transparency and accountability is an indispensable adjunct of proper public financial management, without which a developing nation with limited financial resources will find it hard to not only provide its citizens with basic public amenities and services but also to undertake development activities from home generated funds.

As such whilst institutions like ASSL and ACC can do their bit in the fight against corruption which is the biggest stumbling block to development, the fight will only be effective and deterrent when Parliament follows up on the ASSL annual findings of malfeasance and cooperates fully with ACC and the Judiciary to ensure that no stone is left unturned to retrieve misappropriated public funds.

But then the question is: how really transparent and accountable Parliament itself had been to the people that elected them?

Sometime this year, the nation was taken aback when, without consultation with the people that elected them, amidst the excruciating financial hardships that the masses face, MPs unanimously agreed to give themselves fantastic pay and allowance increases without any consideration of asking Government to do likewise for the public sector. Transparency and accountability of Parliament implies first and foremost that MPs remain in touch with the people that elected them to represent them and to articulate their wishes and expectations and to take them to the Government and to take the feedback from Government back to their people? How many MPs maintain constituency offices where on a regular basis they meet constituency Executives to discuss matters pertinent to the people?

The complaint of many constituents is that the majority of their MPs only know they exist and are important when elections come. Other than that, the people say they hardly see their MPs, not to talk of interacting with them. So for the people who elect Parliamentarians, this is first and foremost the transparency and accountability they want from Parliament.

Sick Pikin Project Amazingly Saves Three Years Old Umu George’s Life

August 29, 2022

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

The Sick Pikin Project has once more succeeded in saving the life of a young girl who otherwise would have continued to suffer in pain, shame and probably would have died prematurely.

Indeed, it is normal to see a cute little baby girl who smiles all the time. However, it is strange to see such a girl who cannot even keep her head upright first before one start considering why she’s not as smiley as other little girls of her age. Three-year-old Umu George is such a rare girl.

Baby Umu was born with a little lump on her neck. Her low-income family parents from Sindikoh Village, Kono District Eastern Sierra Leone, wouldn’t have imagined the kind of torture which that tiny congenital bulge would bring to their baby’s life until it began to increase rapidly in size as Umu grew older. After three years, medical reports measured Umu’s neck lump at around ‘21×12 centimeters; that small tumor had grown enormously, such that it occupied her entire neck. As Umu George’s condition worsened, she could not eat and on most days, she could not sleep either and sometimes throws up a lot. Life had become constant torture for her.

Even though Umu’s case was first registered to The Sick Pikin Project, it was without any clear details and substance as there was much misinformation about her condition, until Sister Ezzatu Josiah who championed her case and brought it for proper registration thereby enabling access to Umu. Through this point of contact, The Sick Pikin Project shared pictures and stories of Umu’s pitiful situation on all its social media handles, which timely attempt brought heightened awareness about how direly little Umu was in need of immediate medical attention.

What Umu suffered from looks like what is commonly called ‘geh-geh’ in Sierra Leone and it is sometimes believed to be a supernatural condition. But through the support of Sister Ezzatu, she was brought to Freetown for medical attention. The certified medical diagnosis of Umu’s neck tumor revealed that she suffered from a condition termed ‘‘Cervical Teratoma’’. The recommendation by the medical doctors was that the child required a possible surgery overseas to “optimize her wellbeing and growth potentials”.

Many efforts were employed, a GoFundMe account was created and The Sick Pikin Project along with the Kumba Nganga Alli Foundation based in the UK helped to raise funds, however, the total amount that was raised was 1,696 British Pounds Sterling. The Fundraising was really slow and even the Ministry of Health and Sanitation was approached but it was still a snail’s pace and Umu’s pains were becoming unbearable.

The Sick Pikin Project then reached out to Mercy Ship requesting for help but that was taking a lot of time until the intervention of Dr. Sandra Lakoh began to look into the case. After several discussions and reviews done in Freetown by Dr. Sandra Lakoh, the medical crew in the Ship used the scans and reports to do some preliminary assessments before eventually inviting the Lead Campaigner and Co-founder Ishmeal Alfred Charles to travel with Umu, her mother and the Niece of Sister Ezzatu.

So arrangements were made for Umu George to undergo a surgical operation on board the Mercy Ship’s floating Hospital Ships currently in Senegal. The funds raised on the GoFundMe were used to cover travels and related expenses even though it was not enough Sister Ezzatu covered the rest, and the surgery was done totally free of charge, remember this surgery would have cost us $15,900 USD.

Umu’s condition had caught the attention of many kind-hearted donors both nationally and internationally. Several generous and love-hearted people were truly touched by this girl’s predicament and they willingly donated to her cause. And so, through the financial support gathered from the Sick Pikin Project committed donors and supporters and the generosity of the Mercy ship, Umu George underwent the surgery which was excellently successful. She has finally said goodbye to that great lump on her neck for life.

In that regard the Sick Pikin Project would like to thank God for Umu George’s life, taking time to celebrate with all of who championed the campaign to save Umu.

The Sick Pikin Project said it considers the Mercy of Hope, Mercy Ship, and their dear Sister Ezzatu Josiah who resides in the United Kingdom (UK) as worthy of reckon. According to the humanitarian organization the latter practically became Umu George’s mother and showed the entire world that love has no boundaries adding that Sister Ezzatu coordinated the Kumba Nganga Alli Foundation in the UK and facilitated the fundraising for Umu’s case.

The Sick Pikin Project expressed thanks to God also for causing their paths to cross with Dr. Sandra Lakoh of Aberdeen Women’s Center Freetown who helped ensure that Umu George met all the requirements for safe surgery in Senegal.

The organization is also grateful to the International Patient Referral Team on the ship and all their amazing professional team of love saying Christ is truly manifested in their actions.

It also extended gratitude to the team at Ola During Children’s Hospital in Freetown, Dr. Neile Bell and Dr. Abubakarr Bah, and the host of other medical and non-medical staffers as they helped to keep Umu alive while she was admitted for over 6 months mistaken.

The Sick Pikin Project also thanked Mercy Ships that give free life-saving surgeries and for even so generous to accommodate and feed Umu George and her attendants while onboard their vessel.

“We acknowledge and appreciate our ever-consistent, generous, and loving donors who have made up their minds to join us on a journey of saving one child at a time,” the Lead Campaigner and Co-founder of the Sick Pikin Project,Ishmael Alfred Charles, delightfully said.

The Sick Pikin Project could be visited via their website: www.sickpikin.org

Or you can follow them on Facebook: The Sick Pikin Project International.

506 Suspects were in Police Detention, 133 Released

August 29, 2022

By Foday Moriba Conteh

During the Sierra Leone Police Press Briefing held at the Police Headquarters on George Street in Freetown on Thursday, 25 August, 2022 the number of suspects in its custody, the number that has so far been discharged were disclosed and the way forward following the August 10 insurrection, as of 24 August, 2022, charted.

Head of Criminal Investigations Department (CID), ACP Richard Peter Gibao Roberts, commonly known as RPG disclosed that, as of Wednesday 24 August, 2022, the total number of suspects in their custody was five hundred and six (506) and that on the same day the cumulated number of suspects released was one hundred and thirty three (133).

According to the CID Boss, the release of the 133 was unconditional after thorough investigations and separating them into different categories including those caught during curfew, random arrest on August 10, and those who bear the greatest responsibilities.

The release of the 133 suspects, he said, is the reason for investigations in order to ascertain the truth and evidence which can be used to proffer charges noting after investigations, there was no evidence against the 133.

ACP RPG went on to state that they have also released 24 suspects who were minors to the Ministry of Social Welfare for reunification with their parents or guardians.

He underscored that the number in custody cannot be static as they still have suspects who are on the run with others in hiding and that arresting continues on a daily basis.

“I wouldn’t want to say now that after releasing the 133, we have so, so number in our custody, because if I give you a figure and after here we arrest, the number you will report, will be different from the one in our custody,” said the Chief investigator.

Head of Community Relations Department (CRD) Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), Edna Ansumana informed that, the SLP in its crime prevention strategy bid would be embarking on a massive and robust community sensitization on safety and security and the misuse of social media.

The sensitization and community engagement, she said, would be done in partnership with stakeholders, the Local Policing Partnership Board (LPPB) and is aimed at bringing policing to the doorsteps of citizens and building trust and confidence.

Freetown City Council Refunds Over Le180M to ACC

August 29, 2022

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

In its latest public notice, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) categorically stated that it has, on 23rd August 2022, through its non-conviction-based asset recovery process, recovered in full the total sum of One Hundred and Eighty-Seven Million, Nine Hundred and Four Thousand, Eight Hundred and Three (Old) Leones (Le: 187,904,803.00) cash, being monies which Audit Service Sierra Leone flagged as inappropriately paid from the Freetown City Council (FCC) funds, by the Council to the Head of the Mayor’s Delivery Unit.

According to the ACC, the said monies were paid to the Commission by “Interested Persons” through their civil recovery process, following negotiations in that regard.

It could be recalled that in an ACC Media Release dated 11th May, 2022, it was stated that the Commission had concluded investigation into the Freetown City Council (FCC), relating to issues highlighted on the Council in the 2019 Auditor General’s Report concerning payments of Council funds to a staff of the Mayor’s Delivery Unit.

The payments, the ACC continued, totaling One Hundred and Eighty Seven Million, Nine Hundred and Four Thousand, Eight Hundred and Three (Old) Leones (Le 187,904,803) according to the 2019 Audit Report, were paid to the Head of the Mayor’s Delivery Unit (MDU).

The Commission furthered that it confirmed in its investigations that the monies paid to Head of the Mayor’s Delivery Unit were not consistent with the Local Government Act of 2004 and other regulations relating to the utilization and management of public funds and resources.

In that respect, the ACC said it therefore recommended a civil recovery process maintaining that with the payment of the aforesaid sum of money, the civil recovery process has been completed and the file has now been closed.

The ACC said it wishes to reassure the general public that it will not relent in ensuring that public funds are protected, and where necessary, recovered also thanking the Audit Service Sierra Leone, one of its partners, for their good work.

Eight Finalists to Compete in Orange Social Venture Prize Pitch Event

August 29, 2022

By Millicent Senava Mannah

The 4th Edition of the Orange Social Venture Prize (OSVP) pitch event will take place on the 1^st September, 2022 in which eight (8) finalists will participate for the whooping sum of One Hundred and Fifty Million Leones (Le150M).

It will be recalled that as part of their efforts to promote local innovation for development, sustainability and business development growth geared towards transforming the lives of young innovators in the country, one of Sierra Leone’s leading telecommunications service providers, Orange Sierra Leone, in partnership with Innovative Sierra Leone on the 6th April, 2022 launched the 4th edition of the Orange Social Venture Prize in Sierra Leone and 12th edition in Africa and the Middle East during an auspicious event held at the company’s headquarters on Hill Station in Freetown.

In her address during that occasion, Head of Public Relations at Orange SL, Annie Wonnie Katta expressed delight,on behalf of the company, to launch the 4th Edition of Orange Social Venture Prize (OSVP) in Sierra Leone, adding that as a mobile telecoms company they are poised to be the lead digital partner for start-ups in Africa and the Middle East furthering such was the rationale why Orange Middle East & Africa (OMEA) initiated the OSVP 12 years ago in order to reward the best technological projects that will positively impact and provide solutions to social challenges mainly in the fields of education, health, agriculture, mobile payments or sustainable development in Africa and the Middle East.

She also intimated that the competition is organized annually in all 17 Orange affiliates in OMEA and that the three winners from each of the 17 countries are availed the opportunity to compete in a grand international contest were 1 out of the 51 contestants will emerge as the winner adding that the International winner will bag a whooping sum of 25 thousand Euros.

“Orange Sierra Leone joined the OSVP Challenge in 2019, three years after joining the OMEA family. We have successfully held three national competitions in 2019, 2020 & 2021 respectively. The 2019 winner, Aminata Kandeh, and the 2020 winner, Bayoh Turay won 10 million and 20 million Leones respectively to support the growth of their businesses.

She said today Aminata is a proud owner of a thriving Agro-Fish farm in Bo while Bayoh Turay is now gainfully employed by Orange as a trainer in the Orange Digital Centre where he is providing his expertise in coding and mentorship to young aspiring innovators,” she informed the audience at that time.

The Head of Public Relations continued by stating that in 2021 they accelerated the tempo of OSVP with the support of their Partner, Innovation Sierra Leone to bring more meaning to the innovation axis and increase empowerment for young start ups/innovators/entrepreneurs in the country, continuing that out of a total of 128 applicants, Haja Isata Bah of ‘Uman for Uman’ emerged as the Winner of 2021, with a prize of 100million Leones to improve her business that is positioned to support women and girls by ensuring availability and affordability of recycled menstrual hygiene pads.

She continued that also in 2021, they introduced an additional prize to increase female participation and to promote projects offering technological solutions to improve the living conditions of women adding that in the new category, Sia Chaywai, emerged as the winner with a 50 million Leones grand prize to support the enhancement of her mobile clinic project.

Annie disclosed that this year, 2022, they are poised to spend a whopping 150 million Leones for the 2 categories of the OSVP competition, 100 million Leones for the general prize and 50 million Leones for the women’s category and that for the second consecutive year they will continue with the women category and this year they shall go live with a local theme with the catch phrase, “Orange Tech Queen”.

The Managing Director of Innovation Sierra Leone, Francis Steven George, underscored how the partnership is to identify, support, and promote digital talents, instigators for change in digital marketing.