Social Welfare Ministry in Partnership with UN Launches Disability Inclusion Programme

August 5, 2022

By Abubakarr Harding

During the launch of the “Advancing Disability Inclusion in Sierra Leone” programme on the 2^nd August 2022 at the at the New Brookfields Hotel the UN Resident Coordinator (RC), Babatunde Ahonsi, underscored that disability rights and inclusion are a critical element of the United Nations Country Team’s (UNCT) multi-year Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) with the Government of Sierra Leone.

The programme was done in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Welfare with the RC stating that it was made possible by the UNCT’s earnest pursuit of a funding opportunity provided through the global UN Partnership on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNPRPD).

According to the Resident Coordinator, partnerships will continue to be critical throughout the programme and therefore, called for continued support in the areas of technical inputs to the design of new systems, compiling and sharing good practices, tracking progress on identified objectives, and raising awareness of disability rights.

He commended the Ministry of Social Welfare, Organizations of and for Persons with Disabilities, the NGOs, and UN colleagues, who contributed to the initial Expression of Interest and other elements of the inspection phase in 2021, which included Research and Report and development of the full proposal.

Also, the RC stressed that the UN is committed to the success of the programme, especially the three implementing agencies – UNFPA, UNDP and UNICEF. The Country Representatives of UNFPA and UNICEF joined the RC with other UN personnel at the event.

In his statement, Vandy Konneh, Executive Director of Disability Rights Movement, commended the increased efforts from all stakeholders towards addressing disability-related issues. “Today, we can talk about cash transfer, the review of policies and most importantly, the implementation of the livelihood project,” Konneh said whilst referring to the UNPRPD as the “leading edge of the removal of barriers to people with disabilities.”

Officially launching the UNPRPD Programme, Minister of Social Welfare, Madam Baindu Dassama-Kamara, said the event was an outcome of the first ever expression of interest jointly developed by her Ministry, the UN and other stakeholders. “This is an initiative to shift from reactive to more proactive, result-oriented programming to drive implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and disability-inclusive SDGs with meaningful participation of persons with disabilities themselves,” she informed her audience.

The Minister also expressed the Government’s appreciation to development partners, including the UN, for their remarkable contribution to processes that would advance disability inclusion across all levels of national development. “The launch of this partnership is a significant event as we gradually realize the prominence of disability in the UN agenda for sustainable development,” she stressed.

Sierra Leone was among the 26 countries in 2021 to receive funding from the UNPRPD on its fourth call to advance the Convention on the Rights of People with Disability and increase the implementation of disability-inclusive SDGs. In 2021, the UN worked closely with the Ministry of Social Welfare and Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) to implement an inception phase of the programme, constituting an induction workshop on CRPD and SDGs, a country situation analysis, and the development of a full proposal for additional funding.

The Advancing Disability Inclusion in Sierra Leone Programme is a partnership of stakeholders including the UN, Government, civil society and organizations for persons with disabilities, seeking to actualize provisions of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Public Smoking Banned

August 5, 2022

By Abubakarr Harding

Parliament has on the 3^rd August 2022 enacted into law, with some amendments, the Bill entitled “The Tobacco and Nicotine Act, 2022”, after committing it to the Legislative Committee for further scrutiny.

The Bill sought to provide for the control and regulation of the production, manufacturing, importation, packaging and labeling, advertising, promotion and sponsorship, sale and use of tobacco, tobacco products, and other nicotine products, to provide for the improvement of public health by limiting the health harms caused by the use of, and exposure to, tobacco including nicotine, by reducing demand for tobacco and nicotine products and to provide for the incorporation of Sierra Leone’s obligations under the World Health Organization Framework Convention in Tobacco Control into domestic Law, to provide for the establishment of the Tobacco and Nicotine Control Secretariat responsible for the implementation of the Act and to provide for the other related matters.

The Deputy Minister of Health and Sanitation, Princess Dugba, piloted the Bill for its enactment.

Earlier the bill was debated intensively by Members of Parliament outlining its socio-economic benefits for the nation.

In an earlier development, Parliament, on the 2^nd August 2022, debated and passed into law with some amendments, the bill entitled: “The Arbitration Act, 2022″.

The Bill sought to provide for the Incorporation of the Convention on the Registration and Enforcement of Arbitral Awards 1958 (New York Convention) in respect of awards made in Sierra Leone or a contracting State, to provide for the implementation of the convention on the settlement of investment disputes between States and nationals of other States; to provide for fair settlement of disputes by domestic and international arbitration and to provide for other related matters.

Presenting the Bill prior to enactment, the Deputy Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Napoleon Koroma said the bill is necessary and timely and went on to highlight its importance.

He said the bill, when enacted into law, would address international arbitration, the commencement of arbitration, emergency arbitration, jurisdiction arbitration tribunal, the conduct of arbitral proceedings, power of the court of arbitration, and more.

In his submission to the debate, the Chairman Legislative Committee in Parliament, Hon. Sulaiman Marray-Conteh said the bill is not controversial and went on to inform Parliament that, when legislated, it would seek to address and empower the investors to have investment confidence. He also said that, Sierra Leone needs to legislate powerful laws for the State relative to arbitration.

Hon. Keikura C. Vandi highlighted the historical overview of the bill and underscored the need for the enactment of the bill for the improvement of the socio-economic development of the State. He said the bill would guide investors to invest hugely into the economy of the country.

Hon. Joseph Williams-Lamin said the bill, when enacted would address several challenges relative to investment.”This bill would give confidence to donor investments and security,” he asserted.

Hon. Dr. Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella, Leader NGC, said the Bill is timely and is needed. He also said since the country is moving with a lot of investments it is time for it is enacted and applauded the initiatives of the bill and called on them to popularize it for investment in the country. He endorsed the enactment of the Bill.

Hon. Emerson Saa Lamina, Leader C4C commended the Minister and the Ministry for bringing the bill to Parliament for enactment. He said the bill is timely for the nation’s investment. He said Clause 42-1 in the bill addresses fair judgment for conflicting parties and commended Dr. Abass Chernor Bundu for standing tall in writing the national constitution for Zimbabwe which addresses arbitration.

Rounding up the debate, Leader of Opposition Hon. Chernor RM Bah said it is necessary to catch up with other countries around the world and said when the Bill is enacted, it would make it easier for those within and outside to invest with confidence in Sierra Leone. He supported the enactment of the bill. “We need a bill for the growth and investment of the State, and I join to endorse the enactment,” he concluded.

In concluding the debate, the Acting Leader of Government Business, Hon. Bashiru Silikie said the bill is not contentious and heaped praises on colleague MPs for their contributions and underscored the importance of arbitration. He also reiterated that it would give investors confidence to invest in Sierra Leone.

Chinese Embassy Chargé d’affaires Throws Light on China’s Stance on Nancy Pelosi’s Visit to Taiwan

August 5, 2022

By Amin Kef-Ranger

In an exclusive interview conducted by this medium on the 3^rd August, 2022, the Chargé d’affaires ad interim of the Chinese Embassy in Sierra Leone, Li Xiaoyong, stated that on the 2nd August, the Speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi’s brazenly went ahead with her visit to China’s Taiwan region with deaf ears of China’s firm opposition and strong position.

According to him such a move sends a very wrong signal to “Taiwan independence” separatist forces maintaining how it is a serious violation of the One-China principle and the provisions in the three Sino-US Joint Communiqués.

He continued that it deals with a serious blow to the political foundation of China-US relations, seriously infringing China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and seriously undermine peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.

Li Xiaoyong underscored that as State Councilor and Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, said it proves once again that some U.S. politicians have become “troublemakers” of China-U.S. relations, and that the United States has become the “biggest destroyer” of peace across the Taiwan Strait and for regional stability.

He intimated how there is but one China in the world and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory, and the Government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal Government representing the whole of China.

“This is at the core of the one-China principle, and has become the consensus of the international community and a basic norm in international relations,” he furthered adding how in October 1971, the 26th session of the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 2758, which decided to “restore all its rights to the People’s Republic of China and to recognize the representatives of its Government as the only legitimate representatives of China to the United Nations, and to expel forthwith the representatives of Chiang Kai-Shek from the place which they unlawfully occupy at the United Nations and in all the organizations related to it.”

He pointed out that to date, 181 countries around the world, including the US, have established diplomatic relations with China on the basis of the one-China principle.

The Chargé d’affaires ad interim of the Chinese Embassy in Sierra Leone informed this medium that the one-China principle is the centerpiece of the three Sino-US Joint Communiqués and the premise and foundation for the establishment and development of diplomatic relations between China and the US.

He stated how in 1979, the US made a clear commitment in the Sino-US Joint Communiqué on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations that “the United States of America recognizes the Government of the People’s Republic of China as the sole legal Government of China” and “within this context, the people of the United States will maintain cultural, commercial and other unofficial relations with the people of Taiwan.”

Li Xiaoyong expressed the view that the US Congress, as part of the US Government, is obliged to strictly follow the one-China policy of the US Government and not engage in any official interactions with China’s Taiwan region.

He said Pelosi is the incumbent Speaker of the US House of Representatives and ranks second in the US presidential line of succession saying her visit to Taiwan, in whatever form, under whatever pretext and at whatever time during her tenure, would be a serious violation of the one-China policy as committed by the US Government, mark a major political provocation upgrading the official interactions and substantive relations between the US and Taiwan, and signal connivance and support for “Taiwan independence” separatist forces.

According to him, the world has seen very clearly that it is the US’s provocations that have led to the escalation of tensions in the Taiwan Strait adding that the US should and must take full responsibility for it.

He said Secretary of State, Blinken’s words confound black with white and have once again revealed the hegemonic mindset and extortionist logic of some people in the US maintaining that the US is essentially saying to them that, “I can make provocations against you as I please, but you cannot reject them or act in self-defense.”

“As I just mentioned, in 1979, the US Government made a clear commitment in the Joint Communiqué on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations,” he recalled highlighting that any US Government institution, Executive, Legislative and Judicial alike, must act on the foreign policy recognized and committed to by the US Government.

He claimed that the wrongful actions of certain US politicians in the past do not constitute a precedent and still less should they become an excuse for the US to repeat its mistake on the Taiwan question.

Li Xiaoyong said according to John Kirby, National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the White House, the US has seen no evidence of looming Chinese military activity against Taiwan.

He said in recent years, the US has claimed that it is committed to the One-China policy, but action-wise, it has been backtracking, and even blurring and hollowing out the one-China principle.

Li Xiaoyong disclosed that the US has inserted into its characterization of the One-China policy the so-called “Taiwan Relations Act” and the “Six assurances”, which were unilaterally concocted and have never been recognized and have been firmly opposed to by China.

He also revealed how the US has also gone against its commitment of maintaining non-official ties with the Taiwan region saying it has upgraded its level of contact with Taiwan and has steadily increased arms sales to Taiwan.

The Chinese diplomat maintained that many people with insight both within and outside the US have seen that very clearly maintaining how they have repeatedly pointed out the danger of US actions.

He said according to former US Secretary of State, Henry Kissinger, who said at this year’s World Economic Forum, “my understanding of the agreement has been that the US would uphold the principle of One China”, “I think it’s essential that these principles be maintained”, and “the US should not by subterfuge or a gradual process develop something of a two-China solution”.

Li Xiaoyong added that after news came out about Pelosi’s potential visit to Taiwan, many people, including those from mainstream media and think tanks in the US and former political leaders of some US allies, have publicly said that whatever reason Pelosi uses to visit Taiwan, it would be foolish, dangerous, and unnecessary; that it would be a dangerous gamble; that it would be hard to imagine anything more reckless and provocative than this; and that if the US side misjudges or mishandles the cross-Strait situation, it will lead to disastrous consequences for the Taiwan region and even the security, prosperity and order of the entire world.

He said it is the US side that has kept distorting and hollowing out the One-China policy, making irresponsible remarks and creating factors of tension on the Taiwan question.

“The US has recently begun to emphasize the importance of upholding all countries’ sovereignty and territorial integrity,” he said expressing hope that the US will honor those words first and foremost on the Taiwan question and refrain from applying double standards.

Li Xiaoyong concluded by stating that the position of the Chinese Government and People on the Taiwan question is consistent adding that resolutely safeguarding China’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity is the firm will of the more than 1.4 billion Chinese people.

He said achieving full reunification of the motherland is a shared aspiration of all Chinese people adding how China and Sierra Leone are time-honored friends and have been understanding and supporting each other on major issues of core concern.

The Chargé d’affaires ad interim of the Chinese Embassy in Sierra Leone concluded that China highly appreciates the Sierra Leonean Government’s long-time support for the One-China principle adding that the Chinese side believes that Sierra Leone will understand China’s just and rational countermeasures against the visit.

Njala University West African One Health Project Launched in Bo

August 5, 2022

By Jonathan Hindolo Kurabu, D Catalyst

The official launch of the Njala University West African One Health was done at Galliness Paradise Hall in Bo on the 29^th July, 2022 and was witnessed by health practitioners, partners and academics drawn from different walks of life in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Nigeria and Guinea

Welcoming the galaxy of dignitaries present, Deputy Registrar of Njala University, Bo Campus, Anthony Habib Kamara, thanked all for gracing the project launch describing it as an epoch-making event in the history of One Health amid the herculean tasks posed by the accompanied effects of zoonotic diseases.

Chairperson for the ceremony, cum Deputy Vice Chancellor, Njala University, Njala Campus and Vice-Chancellor designate, Professor Mohamed Bashiru Koroma, on behalf of the University and all health practitioners, commended , Professor Rashid Ansumana and team for their collective strides in securing the grants from the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) in Canada amidst competitive elimination screening phases among 45 top-notch research institutes across the globe out of which, four (4) Research Projects were selected.

Professor Mohamed Bashiru Koroma expressed optimism for a smooth sail of the project evidenced on traceable benchmarks by the Project Coordinator and other research project grants that have been successfully implemented in Njala University adding that “Njala University is now moving in the Direction of the New Direction”.

Project Lead from Njala University, Professor Rashid Ansumana, who also doubles as the Dean, School of Community Health said recognizing prevalence of outbreaks related to Zoonotic diseases in the wake of pandemics where nations scramble to assemble teams to respond to the outbreaks which often takes time and a devastation to the medical structures as evident in the Ebola menace, the West African One Health, a consortium of researchers from Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Guinea and Liberia seeks to underscore the menace of the triple threats-Ebola, EVD and Lassa Fever using the model titled, “West Africa One Health Actions for Understanding Preventing and Mitigating Outbreaks”

The objectives of the three years Project and a budget line of 4.3 M CAD for all participating countries according to Professor Rashid Ansumana are to: Assess the relationship between changing demographics, gender-equity, land use change and emerging diseases in West Africa, using gender-sensitive socio-ecological systems research.

It is also geared towards investigating the impacts of EVD, Lassa Fever and COVID- 19 on access to health for humans and animals, environmental health, livestock food security and socio-cultural practices by exploring the effects of gender equality and determining innovative approaches to improve gender equality.

Also, to develop and/improve, using gender-mainstreaming, Community Action Groups for Community Participatory animal disease surveillance, and Community Participatory human diseases surveillance and finally to explore zooanthroponoses (reserve zoonoses) in a COVID- 19 infected rural and urban West African Community.

The National One Health Technical Coordinator, Joseph Bunting -Graden lauded Njala University and its partners for such a historic milestone adding that since the launch of the One Health Platform, Sierra Leone has made strategic progress in establishing frameworks that guides and enhances inter-sectoral and interdisciplinary collaboration in addressing and re-emerging infectious diseases be it zoonotic, AMR, Chemical events or likes of these.

He said most of the human emerging infectious diseases in the world have arisen from animal sources which thus require a major intervention and productive potential to work on the relationship between the human surveillance systems and the animal health surveillance systems thus also presenting a glaring need for increased laboratory capacity.

Joseph Bunting -Graden averred that approximately, 75% of emerging pathogens are zoonotic; microbes with tendencies to mutate with each replication cycle. The ability to replicate and mutate, according to him, gives the advantage of selectively circumventing human interventions be they antimicrobials, vaccines or public health measures reiterating that such an inevitable situation poses an increasing threat to human survival and changing characteristics of pathogens triggered by change(s) in the environment.

One of Sierra Leone’s youngest and decorated researchers, Professor Alhaji U. Njai, from the College of Medicine & Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, described One Health as an integral component of health systems albeit not a new phenomenon in Africa where the African culture has since time immemorial lived in harmony with animals and humans but however stressed the relevance of the social component of One Health describing it as social determinants for One Health-Structural Violence, social epidemics and prioritization of diseases.

In his keynote address, Resident Minister South, Mohamed K. Alie said the New Direction regime under the hegemony of President Julius Maada Bio prioritizes health systems which unarguably is one of the major and plausible reasons why they were able to reduce the menace of COVID- 19.

He pledged Government’s unflinching commitments towards the One Health Approach.

Meanwhile, statements were made by representatives from Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Ministry of Agriculture, Partners in Health, AFENET, Njala University One Health Coordinator and Simeon Cadmus from the University of Ibadan in Nigeria.

One Health is a collaborative, multi-sectoral, and trans-disciplinary approach—working at the local, regional, national, and global levels—with the goal of achieving optimal health outcomes recognizing the interconnection between people, animals, plants, and their shared environment.

The Sick Pikin Project Appeals to Government & Doctors to Resolve Impasse

August 5, 2022

By Amin Kef-Ranger

In a Press Release, dated 3rd August, 2022,The Sick Pikin Project in partnership with Caritas Freetown stated that The Sick Pikin Project International observes keenly the ongoing strike action of the Sierra Leone Medical and Dental Council furthering how, on behalf of their beneficiaries, wishes to appeal to the respective authorities for urgent action to be taken to resolve the matter.

It was also added that they are cognizant of the fact that even in normal times, many struggle to access quality healthcare and such difficulty becomes compounded when healthcare givers, especially medical doctors, embark on a strike action.

Further stated was that given the above, The Sick Pikin Project International is therefore appealing to the Government of Sierra Leone to look at the demands of the doctors in a bid to meeting the healthcare delivery needs of patients especially children that have the potential to suffer the most from the current situation.

It was revealed that The Sick Pikin Project International currently has over 11 children in different hospitals that are in need of the services of medical doctors, with some in need of urgent surgeries stating how it is critical to note is that funds have been raised to meet their surgery costs but which cannot be undertaken now as a result of the ongoing strike action.

Underscored was that conversely, while the Project recognizes the challenges faced by doctors, it is also equally pleading with them to soften their request, provide a platform for further discussions with the Government and accommodate negotiations which eventually will lead to lives being saved by returning to work.
About Sick Pikin Project International: The Foundation was founded in 2018 to help poor sick children who are in dire need of critical medical care.

NP SL is an Epitome of Viable Indigenous Business Entities in the Petroleum Industry

August 5, 2022

By Amin Kef-Ranger

The Positive development strides of the NP SL Limited have made it the epitome of a viable indigenous enterprise in the Petroleum industry. It embodies what ordinary Sierra Leoneans can achieve when they come together with a shared vision and goal. With a capable Board of Directors and Management the company has contributed positively to the development of the nation.

NP SL-Ltd has turned the fortunes of this company since its inception into a viable profit making and job creation entity. In its employ are Sierra Leoneans occupying various senior and junior positions. With honouring its tax obligations to Government via the National Revenue Authority (NRA) in a timely manner, the company has contributed to the boosting of the country’s economy as well as the steady and meaningful execution of its Corporate Social Responsibility, which has improved the standards of living of many Sierra Leoneans.
The pro-active and sterling initiatives of NP’s Board of Directors and Management in respect of timely procurement of petroleum products and ensuring its availability on the market for public consumption, has seen a marked deviation from the days of fuel shortage to that of abundance.

It is highly commendable for a well-established and result-oriented company like NP-SL to have climbed to such an enviable position especially when cognizance is taken of the fact that it is exclusively owned by Sierra Leonean shareholders, a typical testimony of how local entrepreneurs could raise the bar high.

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.

The company’s introduction of a Smart Card to purchase fuel has been widely applauded as a very good initiative. A particular customer, with money in his or her NP Smart Card, could easily put in for the quantity of petrol or diesel that he or she wants and the supply is facilitated, after which the amount of money expended is deducted from the card. It is a very convenient way of doing such transactions in a cashless manner. Its biggest advantage is that it creates room for a customer to budget for fuel purchase over time. NP Smart Card is now trending and many are presently using it, saying they prefer it than using physical cash.

Some users of NP Gas that this medium spoke with, intimated how it is a very good device which has a high speed performance and very environmentally useful and friendly. Manufactured in different cylinder shapes, it is portable and affordable. NP Gas could be secured at all the company’s major Filling Stations, where the gas to refill it could be accessed.

The company has really exhibited that it is poised to expand its operations, a determination that has been manifested in opening branches in Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast and The Gambia. In all those countries, those NP branches are doing extremely well in terms of service delivery and payment of taxes to the home Governments.

Indisputably, there is no way that we can talk of a very successful company, amidst challenges encumbered along the way, without mentioning NP-SL because the company is greatly contributing to the socio-economic development of nations.

Magistrate Hadiru Daboh Sentences MOJ to 4 Years 11 Months Imprisonment

August 5, 2022

By Amin Kef-Ranger

Magistrate Hadiru Daboh, of Court No. 3 on Ross Road in Freetown, on the 4^th August, 2022 sentenced one Mohamed Sesay, Alias MOJ to Four (4) years and Eleven (11) Months imprisonment after he was found guilty on one Count Charge of Fraudulent Conversion Contrary to Section 20 (1) Paragraph (IV) of Larceny Act, 1916.

The particulars of offense state that the Accused fraudulently converted a TVS Motorbike with Registration No. ATS 123 given to him by one Samuel Gibril for commercial purpose.

The matter was prosecuted by PC14849 Bangura A.

AYV Miss University 2022 to Represent Sierra Leone in Nigeria

August 5, 2022

By Millicent Senava Mannah

During a Press Conference took place on the 4^th August 2022 at the AYV Media Empire Boardroom the winner of the AYV Miss University 202, Mariyam Lorba Konneh, was unveiled as a representative of the forth coming Miss University Africa, an international pageantry that will be hosted in Nigeria in November 2022.

The Director of Commercial Marketing and Brand at the Africa Young Voices (AYV), Daniel Moore, stated how the aforementioned competition will be as it is slated to celebrate beauty, brains and womenfolk especially with the way Africans accept how women should behave in public.

He continued that it is not one that endorses the Western type of pageantry which allows the display of nudity further revealing how the present Miss University Africa is an “Ijabist” from Somalia, stating how that subscribes to her Islamic faith and shows what their Muslim tenets will subscribe to and what will not be subscribed to.

Daniel Moore intimated that it is a joy for them to unveil Mariyam Lorba Konneh who has been chosen to represent Sierra Leone in the Miss Africa University 2022 also underscoring how she doubles as Miss IPAM and Miss University AYV.

He noted that the upcoming pageant does not just celebrate beauty and brains but will also celebrate good character, maintaining that it is not just about being beautiful and brilliant, but having a good character as well matters and according to him Mariyam possesses them.

Hawa Turay, Chairperson of the AYV Miss University Committee, said Mariyam is beautiful, intelligent and a well composed woman, explaining how she proved herself to the judges and that was how she won.

She expressed hope that she will deliver as expected of her, maintaining that she believes that she is the right person for the journey disclosing how Mariyam has been preparing for it for some time now.

She also highlighted her readiness to give her all the support she needs for the contest, encouraging all Sierra Leoneans to support her in any way they can, for her to bring the crown to Sierra Leone.

Speaking at the conference, Mariyam Lorba Konneh, a year two student at IPAM in the Banking and Finance Department, stated that she always wanted to be a star, and according to her, that was why she used the opportunity to showcase to the world what she is capable of doing.

She disclosed how she was raised in a decent environment maintaining how her very strict dad used to have a negative perception about pageantry but after she educated him about it his perception changed stating how her father and the entire family have been so supportive.

She maintained how good she is in manipulating people like how she manipulated her dad into seeing pageantry in the good light. Continuing, Mariyam said she will use the same manipulative skills to convince the judges in the contest that she is the best and that she deserves the crown.

Musu Atteh Konneh, the mother of Mariyam expressed her gratitude to God and the AYV Media Empire. “I am a proud mother,” she stated.

She affirmed herself and her entire family’s support to her daughter also confirming how strict Mariyam’s father is and how she was able to manipulate him.

Choithram Memorial Hospital Invites Medical Specialist from India to Train Local Medical Personnel

August 5, 2022

By Amin Kef-Ranger

In an engagement by the Management of Choithram Memorial Hospital, situated on Hill Station in the West End of Freetown, on the 4^th August, 2022, Dr. Gowrinath M. George, who happens to be the Medical Superintendent of the hospital, revealed that they started using dialysis as a form treatment on patients suffering from kidney failure in February this year with an average of roughly around 180 to 200 dialysis been done every month.

He informed that it was realized that some of the patients have been complaining of discomfort when being dialyzed by inserting a catheter, which is a thin, flexible tube that can put fluids into an individual’s body or take them out, to remove the toxins from the body of a patient.

Dr George said that since each patient may be undergoing dialysis 2 to 3 times a week, catheter needs to be replaced very frequently leading to multiple puncture sites and blood vessel blockade. This causes great discomfort and suffering to the patient.

The Medical Superintendent revealed that it was against that backdrop that the Management of the hospital decided to invite the Associate Director of Urology and Kidney Transplant from Max Healthcare in India to train medical practitioners in Sierra Leone to dialyze patients with end stage kidney failure by conducting an Arterio-Venous fistula through a small surgical procedure.

He continued that the beneficiaries of the training were drawn from Choithram Memorial Hospital and Connaught Hospital.

On his part, the Associate Director of Urology and Kidney Transplant from Max Healthcare in India, Dr. Ruchir Maheshwari, disclosed that

he conducted A-V Fistula Procedure Workshop on the 3rd and 4th August, 2022.

According to him, when an individual develops a kidney problem there are two forms of traditional treatments that are administered which are either the replacement of the kidney (kidney transplant) or the individual is placed under dialysis, which is the clinical purification of blood as a substitute for the normal function of the kidney.

He furthered that A-V Fistula offers a long term solution for dialysis and if taken care of properly would last for 6 months to a year.

He said it will result to a patient getting a better life with least complications.

Dr. Ruchir explained that for individuals who are suffering from permanent kidney failure they will have to be put on dialysis preferably through A-V Fistula unlike those whose conditions are not chronic.

He revealed that it is a procedure, which is not done in Sierra Leone and from what he learnt patients travel to nearby countries to get the procedure done.

“Through a two day workshop I conducted training for Sierra Leonean doctors with the hope that they will be the first set of doctors to conduct the procedure,” he expressed optimism adding that if the treatment is done in the country it will eliminate expenses and discomfort incurred in getting it done in another country.

Seven doctors plus one Dialysis Nurse In Charge at Connaught Hospital benefited from the training and they are: Dr Joshua Coker, Dr Aditya Das, Dr Afsar Ali Ansari, Dr Alhaji Gbla, Dr Mamadu Barrie, Dr Victor Conteh and Nyama Kamara, the Dialysis Nurse at Connaught Hospital.

He commended Sierra Leonean doctors for doing well and making strides in Healthcare service delivery.

The climax of the engagement was the award of a Certificate of Appreciation by the Management of Choithram Memorial Hospital to Dr. Ruchir Maheshwari, which was presented to him by Dr. Joshua Coker.

Kingho Mining Joins Steering Committee Showing Commitment to Proper Dispensation of Funds

August 3, 2022

By Abubakarr Harding

The Director of Community Affairs of Leone Rock Metal Group, the parent company of Kingho Mining Company, Judith Kosseh, has said that the company is open to working transparently in the disbursement of the over Le 5.3 billion (over five billion, three hundred million Old Leones) Community Development Funds (CDA) paid to the mining communities in that area.

She made that statement during the maiden Community Development Agreement (CDA) Steering Committee Meeting on Friday 29th July 2022 held in Bumbuna, Dansogoia Chiefdom, Tonkolili District, Northern Province of Sierra Leone.

In attendance were the Paramount Chiefs and the Regent Chief of the three mining concession chiefdoms of Sambaia, Dansogoia, and Simiria respectively; the National Minerals Agency (NMA) and Tonkolili District Council Chairperson.

She said, as a member of the Steering Committee, the company is showing great commitment to the proper dispensation of the funds.

NMA and Kingho Mining reps

On behalf of the NMA, Director of Community Relations, Ibrahim Satti Kamara said that as an agency, their major role is to conduct oversight in the proper utilization of the CDA funds. He said NMA will not select projects for the community nor will it have any control in the utilization of the funds, but rather will serve as a custodian to guide the regulatory and operational framework in the utilization of the funds.

PC Alimamy Bockarie Yallan Koroma of Dansogoia Chiefdom said the relocated communities of Ferengbeya, Foria and Wondugu which are all in his chiefdom are disadvantaged. He called on NMA to give corporate answers to the question of disbursing funds to them.

PC Musa Bamba Foray Jalloh of Sambaia Chiefdom also assured of his commitment to transparency and proper utilization of the funds for the benefit of all. He called on the chiefdoms to choose projects that will benefit all the mining communities.

John Tamba Kamara, Regent Chief of Simiria Chiefdom said he is willing to cooperate with the Paramount Chiefs for the betterment of his people, whilst adding that the projects identified are in line with the aspirations of the people.

In the Steering Committee Meeting, each chiefdom submitted one project which they have identified for their people. A project was approved for the construction of a guesthouse in Sambaia Chiefdom, a multipurpose centre in Dansogoia Chiefdom; and a health center in Simiria Chiefdom. All of these projects were selected by the chiefs on behalf of their people and were approved by the Steering Committee members.

In order to ensure effective utilization of the fund, the chiefdoms together with the National Minerals Agency (NMA), the District Council and Kingho Mining Company set up a Steering Committee that decides on the disbursement of the funds. NMA Community Relations Manager, Henry Kamara said that once all of the projects are implemented in line with the necessary recruitment and procurement laws of Sierra Leone, the remaining funds would be disclosed and other sets of projects will be requested for the chiefdoms again.

According to mining-related records, Kingho Mining Company is the first company in the history of mining in the Northern Province to pay 1% in annual revenue to its operational communities even before the provision becomes law. The money covers 1% of the company’s operational revenue raised for the year 2021.