Tourism Minister & UNESCO Experts Discuss Preparation of Gola-Tiwai Complex Dossier

August 3, 2022

By Abubakarr Harding

The Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Memunatu Pratt on the 29^th July, 2022 met with a team of experts from UNESCO, including UNESCO’s Associate Programme Specialist, Xiangling Chen and Wildlife Conservation Consultant, Matthew Hatchwell at the Ministry’s Head Office on Kingharman Road in Freetown.

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the preparation of the Gola-Tiwai Complex Dossier for Sierra Leone. The UNESCO experts would conduct stakeholder engagements and hold technical committee meetings with State party representatives in a view to finalizing the dossier.

The UNESCO World Heritage Centre based in Paris, France, supported by the Government of Japan has prioritized Sierra Leone to receive assistance in 2022 to build the technical capacity of Sierra Leone for Tiwai Island and Gola Rainforest National Park to be on the World Heritage list. Sierra Leone should complete and submit the dossier by the end of January 2023.

Giving the purpose of their visit, UNESCO’s Associate Programme Specialist, Xiangling Chen said they were at the Ministry to introduce the objective of their mission to the Minister. She recalled that in January 2022, they sent a mission from UNESCO to update the tentative list of Sierra Leone to include Gola and Tiwai, which she said is now updated and they are ready to start preparation of the nomination process. She added that they would have technical meetings after their field visits and establish the roadmap of the preparation of the nomination of the dossier. “Our objective is to finalize the dossier and submit it by January 2023,” she said. She appreciated the Minister’s support in the process saying they would keep her posted on progress as they get along.

In her remarks, Dr. Memunatu Pratt welcomed the UNESCO experts to Sierra Leone and expressed appreciation to them for undertaking such a very important exercise. She said the exercise is long overdue considering the fact that since the last nomination of the six sites, much have not progressed until she came, noting that even the UNESCO conventions were not ratified until she came in and resuscitated the link between UNESCO and the Ministry which she said has been very fruitful.

She maintained that Sierra Leone is endowed with wildlife, cultural, and eco-tourism heritage which have not been given much attention but with the efforts of the Ministry and Environmental Foundation for Africa (EFA) progress have been made together with the National Tourist Board. She said discussion around wildlife and cultural heritage sites have not been in the national discourse, hence there is need to raise the awareness on the development of the dossier and finalizing of the process.

Rokel Commercial Bank Loans Krootown Road Market Women Group Le 101 Million

August 3, 2022

By Hassan Rhoda

The Krootown Road Market Women Group was loaned the sum of Le 101 Million by the Rokel Commercial Bank, on the 1^st August, 2022, in a bid to empower women who are engaged in Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSMEs).

In his statement during the symbolic handing over ceremony of the cheque to the beneficiaries, the Managing Director of the Rokel Commercial Bank,Dr Ekundayo Walton Gilpin, said what they want to do is to relate themselves with market women who are in small and medium enterprise.

He went on to state that one of the functions of bankers is not only to sit in the air conditions, with coat and tie but to help smaller businesses thereby growing the economy together.

It was against that backdrop that the RCB has moved to various markets in the Western Area Urban to provide loan facilities for MSMEs, as women are in the majority in that sector. He therefore encouraged the women to pay the loan back to the bank as the money they are giving them does not belong to the Management and Staff of the bank but belongs to shareholders and they are only managing it. He ended on the note that their interest rate is better than other commercial banks thus making them the Peoples’ Bank. He added that with the loan facilities for this sector will grow the economy.

Director of Credit Risk Department at Rokel Commercial Bank, Morrison Conteh, noted that the beneficiaries are happy to receive the loan but as for him the only time he will be happy is when the women go through repayment schedule which is a policy to recover loans.

He furthered that over the years they have been having challenges of recovering loans from Sierra Leoneans particularly smaller business owners who have wrong notions that the loan provided to them by commercial banks is politics money, therefore they should deviate from that perception.

Morrison assured the women that they want to maintain a chain of relationship with market women but the only way to do that is to pay the loan back as money is available and what the RCB has done is just the pilot phase saying there is more to come if they comply with the repayment schedule .

The Constituency 125 Women’s Leader of the Ruling Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP), Madam Hawa Rogers, commended the Rokel Commercial Bank for providing the loan for Krootown Road Market Women.

She also commended the Managing Director of RCB whose leadership, she said, has continued to raise the banner of the bank higher on a daily basis. Madam Hawa Rogers emphasized that the women should have credibility and put politics aside for now and concentrate on development. She appealed to the women to repay the loan back to the bank so that more will come and those who did not succeed during the first phase to exercise patience as their time will come. She described RCB as the bank that is there to ensure women grow in society.

Manager of SMEs Department at RCB, Haja Fanta Jalloh, made mention of the financial inclusion strategy of the bank adding that they want to bring everybody onboard the banking system as they believe that will enable market women or smaller businesses owners to access loan facilities from RCB. She encouraged them to inculcate the habit of saving as it is good for them and their children.

Ramatu Bangura, who is the Chairlady of the Krootown Road Market Women Group thanked the Rokel Commercial Bank for providing the loan and promised that they would not let the bank down. She confessed that they have never had that kind of opportunity from any commercial bank in the country saying therefore they will make sure they live up to the expectations of RCB.

NRA Launches a Non-Tax Revenue Mobile Payment Application

August 3, 2022

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

A Non-Tax Revenue Mobile Payment Application, which is an E-Service channel to enhance easy payment access for all Government services offered by Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs), was launched by the National Revenue Authority (NRA) on the 28^th July ,2022. The goals of this particular reform are: to automate all non-tax revenue payments, resolve payment verification challenges, improve the entire collection process through a payment App and introduce online payment for ITAS, ASYCUDA, and SMEs.

The activity is part of the African Development Bank (AfDB) project titled ‘Enhancing Tax Compliance’ (ENTACO) which started in 2019.

Speaking on behalf of the Non-Tax Revenue Department, Commissioner Sheku Fadika, expressed the view that we should be honest as a nation to say we are far behind technological reforms and according to him, the NRA has broken that seal through seamless efforts.

He referred to the Electronic Cash Register (ECR) and the Integrated Tax Administration System (ITAS) as existing reforms at the Domestic Tax Department which have had a great impact on revenue generation. He also stated that technological innovation involves a huge investment which is why the NRA is keen on systems implementation.

Fadika summarized the features of the Mobile Payment App which according to him is inclusive of the integration of payment processes for all non-tax revenue streams.

He, therefore, reminded the audience that the present collection processes and procedures within the non-tax revenue operations through manual systems expose staff to human errors, oversight, insufficient use of time, and unnecessary work.

Fadika ended by stating that the response to those challenges by NRA is to adopt an E-payment system of the non-tax revenues through a mobile App developed by a local digital firm.

The Commissioner General at NRA, Dr. Samuel S. Jibao, shared similar sentiments by appreciating the presence of representatives from the various MDAs. He however used the platform to give a synopsis of recent Revenue Administration Reforms that the NRA has implemented since the inception of the present Board and Management in four years of leadership.

Dr. Jibao affirmed that apart from revenue generation, which has been effectively done since 2018, revenue growth has been consistent from 12.3% in 2017 to 15.5% in 2021 which is enough to be recognized by international partners as a Government dedicated to domestic revenue collection.

Delving into the new online payment for the non-tax revenue payments, he outlined that the functions of the system will include: Ease of payment of court fines and other payments for places where banks may not be available, Easy verification of payment, automatic receipting, and ease of reconciliation with the banks.

He rounded up his recollection of issues by calling on all and sundry who witnessed the live demo of the payment process to come on board in making this desire a reality.

Representing the African Development Bank (AfDB) Country Director, Felicitas Chi Cho Atanga said the bank is impressed with how the NRA management handled the implementation of the project. She further expressed that the AfDB is very much pleased with the launch of the Mobile App, adding that all the projects that have been implemented are up till now in effect.

In her brief contribution, the Chairperson of the Board of Directors at NRA, Tuma Adama Jento Kamara averred that she is a huge fan of how digitalization makes life easier for ordinary people. This speaks to the effect that when administrative bureaucracies are easy, staff will be given more time to focus on high-value activities. She posited that it is now stale to hear that the rest of the world is moving away from manual and disruptive systems emphasizing the role of the NRA which is not only limited to revenue mobilization but to create an enabling space for fairness in the tax system.

Bockarie Kalokoh, the Deputy Minister of Finance II, reiterated their supervisory role in the formulation of tax policies and regulations stating that the New Direction Administration is poised to modernize tax administration as a manifesto priority maintaining that it is therefore obvious that what the NRA is doing in automating and modernizing tax system in the country is the right direction.

He concluded by stating that as the digital revolution takes effect in revenue administration processes, the National Revenue Authority is determined to digitalize all Non-Tax Revenue payments as seen in the demo of the E-Service payment process.

Vice President & Amb. David Reimer Tour U.S. Coastguard Cutter Mohawk

August 3, 2022

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

In a Press Release dated 1^st August, 2022 issued by the US Embassy in Sierra Leone it was stated that the Vice President, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh and senior military leaders joined Ambassador David Reimer in touring the U.S. Coastguard Cutter Mohawk.

It was mentioned that following the port visit, Mohawk will also embark on a joint mission with officers from Sierra Leone’s Joint Maritime Committee’s (JMC) Joint Operations Center (JOC) and Ministry of Fisheries to protect Sierra Leonean waters.

“The U.S. Embassy is proud to welcome the USCGC Mohawk to Freetown this week,” said U.S Ambassador David Reimer. “Supporting our partners in maritime security is a vital U.S. policy priority. Cooperation on maritime security ensures not only safer and more secure oceans, but also helps safeguards Sierra Leone’s endangered marine biospheres, necessary for food security and the protection of the environment for future generations.”

“My crew and I are excited to be in Freetown,” said Cmdr. Andrew Pate, Commanding Officer of Mohawk. “One of our primary objectives during this deployment is to enhance partner nations’ capacity to operate effectively in the maritime domain and promote targeted, effective, intelligence-driven enforcement operations.”

Highlighted was that the United States and Sierra Leone have a proud history of working together to promote peace, stability, and security in Africa.

In March, Sierra Leone participated in exercise Obangame Express 2022, the largest annual maritime security exercise in Western Africa. These types of exercises strengthen partnerships and allow countries to work more closely on transnational maritime challenges.

The Hon. Vice President, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, it was stated, has on August 1, 2022 visited the USCGC Mohawk vessel at the Queen Elizabeth Quay Cline Town Freetown.

The visit of the vessel, it was underscored, is part of existing bilateral cooperation between the Governments of United States of America and Sierra Leone regarding maritime support and capacity building to effectively guard the country’s coast and maritime borders and resources. It also seeks to contribute to strengthening global maritime cooperation.

On his part, the Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh stated that he

visited the USCGC Mohawk vessel (WMEC 913), which according to him, is in Sierra Leone as part of the bilateral cooperation between the United States and Sierra Leone in the area of maritime support and capacity building.

He said enhanced capability to effectively police our coast is vital to safeguarding our maritime borders and resources while at the same time contribute to strengthening global maritime cooperation.

“I want to thank Cmdr Andrew Pate and his crew for the conducted tour and wish them a productive and enjoyable mission in Sierra Leone in the coming days,” he expressed gratitude adding how their mission is a vivid testimony of the outstanding partnership between the Government of Sierra Leone and the United States of America.

It must be noted that during the visit of the vessel, Mohawk will host ship tours for Sierra Leonean Government and military leaders as well as participate in discussions with fishing community members about the impact of illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, including a film screening by award-winning Sierra Leonean documentarian Lansana Mansaray.

Legal Aid Boss Lauds Using Sierra Leone-Flagged Cargo Ship to Transport Grains from Ukraine

August 3, 2022

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

Razoni, the Sierra Leone-flagged cargo ship was the first to leave port, carrying corn bound for Lebanon and other unspecified ships also would depart Ukraine according to a statement by the Turkish Defense Ministry.

Turkey and the United Nations brokered an agreement with Russia and Ukraine in late July to get grain exports going again amid a global food crisis that the U.N. says has been worsened by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The deal calls for safe passage of cargo ships traveling from ports in Southern Ukraine through waters in the Black Sea that Russia has controlled since starting the war in late February.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba welcomed the resumption of exports from Odesa.

“The day of relief for the world, especially for our friends in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa, as the first Ukrainian grain leaves Odesa after months of Russian blockade,” Kuleba tweeted. “Ukraine has always been a reliable partner and will remain one should Russia respect its part of the deal.”

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters Monday the departure of the first ship is “very positive.”

A spokesman for U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said ensuring grain can reach global markets “is a humanitarian imperative.”

“The Secretary-General hopes that this will be the first of many commercial ships moving in accordance with the Initiative signed, and that this will bring much-needed stability and relief to global food security especially in the most fragile humanitarian contexts,” Stephane Dujarric said in a statement.

Dujarric added that the World Food Program plans to purchase 30,000 metric tons of wheat to load and ship out of Ukraine on a U.N.-chartered vessel.

Reacting to this development, the Executive Director of the Legal Aid Board, Fatmata Claire Carlton-Hanciles Esq,said it is quite an honour to know that the first ship carrying grain from the UN-brokered grain sale agreement between Ukraine and Russia in their ongoing conflict is doing so under the flag of Sierra Leone.

She furthered that it means the ship is registered with the Sierra Leone Maritime Administration.

“It means both Ukraine and Russia see us as neutral parties,” she stated adding how such speaks volume of peace for Sierra Leone internationally.

According to her, the country is no longer the “cut han, cut foot nation” as we were referred to as a result of our war and congratulated President Bio, the Government and People of Sierra Leone adding that we cannot afford to go back to war.

“As the elections approach let us strive to be peaceful, resolve all I mean all our differences in a peaceful manner,” she admonished cautioning that when trouble comes those with money easily leave the country and those without remain and suffer saying we have been through it enough and nothing should destabilize our beloved country again.

The Legal Aid Board Head maintained that Sierra Leone is the only place we call home and individuals must not allow personal ambitions override our obligations to the oncoming generations.

She said tensions are in all countries worldwide but that madness does not take over commonsense arguing that in an election one person wins and another person loses.

“Remember before you were born there were other Sierra Leoneans,after all of us die there are going to be other Sierra Leoneans,” she said adding that in whatever capacity one finds oneself must remember that he or she is now a custodian of this nation.

“Let not your action make Sierra Leonean history treat you harshly,” she cautions maintaining that always must strive to give his or her best, put country first.

She said there is an 18th Century English novel titled “Waiting for Godot’ in other words waiting for God arguing how from the day we are born to the day we die we are waiting for God.

“During that period we grow up, go to school, some marry and have a family, get jobs, some retire etc,” she said asserting that all those human pastimes are to fill time gap whilst waiting to go back to God.

She advised to be careful with things like power, or the fight for it, how we treat and care for people and how we go about our daily chores.

“Some of us may have jobs, some of us not, some may have money, some not but whatever you do remember God who you will provide for you,” she advice further stating that if the birds of the fields do find something to eat you will also find it.

“Remember in the midst of our miseries something good happens to keep us alive and so no need to create tension on either national issues or domestic ones,” she said.

She advised all to strive to be happy saying despite its shams, drudgery, and broken dreams it is a beautiful world and we must strive to be happy in whatever situations we find ourselves as no condition is permanent adding that we are not better than all those we have buried..

NP-SL is Relentlessly Enhancing Strides to Ensure that Imported Petroleum Products are Available

August 3, 2022

By Amin Kef-Ranger

The well-established oil marketing company that has been operating in the country for quite a long time now, NP- Sierra Leone Limited, (NP SL-Ltd) is relentlessly enhancing its strides to always ensure that its imported petroleum products are available on the market and easily accessible to its numerous and esteemed customers. Management of the company has made it a matter of must for these products to be present in all the nook and cranny of the country.

NP-SL Limited, as a private entity, is purely an indigenous company that has mastered the art of importing and marketing petroleum products which include petrol, diesel, gas as well as certified lubricants, one of which is the widely used Castrol oil.

Amidst various challenges that have been encountered since the company was established, it has, however, successfully weathered those storms that could have dwarfed it or exposed it to extinction, save therapeutic intermittent Managerial injections that keep it upright and on the right course.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

UNOPS & Contractors Given 60 Days to Complete Health Facility in Kailahun

August 3, 2022

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

The government of Sierra Leone through the Ministry of Health and Sanitation and the World Bank in 2019 signed an agreement with the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) to design and construct one facility at Jojoima, Kailahun District which is one of the most vulnerable districts with high infant and maternal mortality rate in Sierra Leone.

The Construction of a Basic Emergency Obstetric and New-born Care (BEmONC) facility in Jojoima, in the Kailahun district, is a two years project which commenced in June 2019 and was to be completed by June 2021, with the objectives of strengthening the health system in Sierra Leone and bring about the necessary changes in the country’s health system to deliver better services related to reproductive, maternal, and child health with the targeted beneficiaries of under-fives, pregnant and lactating women.

But unfortunately, this project has suffered a considerable delay that has warranted several extensions.

This is the reason that a joint high-level mission comprising of the Minister of Health and Sanitation, Dr. Austin Demby, the World Bank Country Manager, Abdu Muwonge, Financial Secretary Sahr Jusu, and other officials of both the Ministries of Finance and Health left Freetown on Friday 29th July 2020 to conduct an inspection and supervision of the progress of the work the contractors are doing.

Welcoming the delegation to Jojoima town, the Paramount Chief of Malema Chiefdom, Chiefdom PC Lamin Gavao, thanked the team for the visit to his chiefdom and expressed appreciation on behalf of his people for the construction of the Basic Emergency Obstetric and New-born Care (BEmONC) facility in the Malema Chiefdom.

He continued that the facility will provide medical services to over ten communities and surrounding villages.

He however expressed concerns over the delay in the construction process, citing instances of public disorder between contractors and their employees and asking for quarters for Doctors and access roads leading to the hospital.

After a brief introduction and safety guidelines at the hospital site, the Main Contractor Professional Engineering Services, represented by their Construction Manager, Dephou Olu Johnson, proceeded with the tour of the facility.

During which the Minister of Health and Sanitation Dr Austin Demby expressed dissatisfaction over the delay in the construction work and asked that the contractors meet the 60 days deadline to hand over the building.

World Bank Country Manager, Abdu Muwonge stated that he does not want the project team to ask for another extension thereby urging the contractors to do whatever they can do to meet the end of September deadline.

He stressed that the responsibility to deliver the work is on UNOPS and not the contractors because according to him, the World Bank and the Government of Sierra Leone are in agreement with UNOPS and not the Contractor.

Financial Secretary, Sahr Lahai Jusu also indicated that the project has suffered several setbacks and crises and that this time UNOPs and its contractor must deliver on time. “We have no hesitancy as a Government to blacklist UNOPs and its contractors for future projects if they fail to meet this final deadline,” he added

In her response, Project Manager of UNOPS, Atinoke Iakonle, assured the delegation that they and their contractor have done most of the work and that the remaining will be completed within the 60 days with the level of both workforce and material mobilization they have done.

The delegation also stopped at Nixon Memorial hospital where they inspect the facilities of the hospital and at Giehun Luawa, in the Luawa chiefdom.

ECSL Commences Boundary Delimitation for Demarcation of Constituencies & Wards

August 3, 2022

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

In a Press Statement issued by the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL) dated 2^ndAugust 2022and signed by the Chief Electoral Commissioner and Chairman, Mohamed Kenewui Konneh, it was stated that the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL) is conducting Boundary Delimitation exercises for the demarcation of Constituency and Ward Boundaries in Sierra Leone, pursuant to Section 38 of the Constitution of Sierra Leone, 1991 (Act No. 6 of 1991) and other provisions such as : The Constitutional Instrument (Amendment) No. 2 of 2008; The Wards (Boundary Delimitation) Regulations 2008; The Public Elections Act, 2012; The Local Govt Act 2004; The Provinces (Amendment) Act 2017 and The Eight Establishment Orders 2017.

The ECSL continued how in that context, the Commission has set up a Boundary Delimitation Technical Committee with a clearly defined Terms of Reference adding that it will collaborate with Statistics Sierra Leone (Stats SL) for technical and operational assistance in providing Population Statistics Data, and expertise to draw electoral constituencies and ward boundaries using Geographic Information Systems technology.

Also included in the Statement was that the Commission will conduct series of nationwide public consultations and engagements during the Constituency and Ward Boundary delimitation activities and thereafter submit the Constituency and Ward Boundary Delimitation report to Parliament for approval as enshrined in the Constitution of Sierra Leone 1991 (Act No 6 of 1991).

It was concluded that after Parliamentary approval, the Electoral Commission will conduct nationwide awareness-raising campaigns on the allocation of seats and the Metes and Bounds descriptions of the Constituencies and Wards in the sixteen (16) electoral districts furthering that timelines on the Boundary Delimitation activities will be communicated to stakeholders in due course.

Caritas-Freetown Trains 30 Youth on the Franchise, Civic Rights & Responsibilities

August 3, 2022

By Millicent Senava Mannah

As elections draw closer, Caritas Freetown, a non-governmental humanitarian relief organization, with support from Trocaire and Caritas Sierra Leone National Office, has engaged 30 youths in a two-day Voters Registration Dialogue Workshop from the 1^st to 2^nd August 2022, from two communities in the Western Rural Area, Ward 385 Monkey Bush and Ward 394 Deep-Eye Water at Waterloo which took place at the Kandeh Turay Hall, Cole Town Community in Waterloo.

Giving an overview of the workshop, Idriss Gibson Mansaray, Programme Manager of Caritas Freetown, intimated that the purpose of the workshop is geared towards providing civic and voter education for citizens as they prepare to participate in the upcoming Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Council elections.

He furthered that they selected Wards from two different constituencies, Constituency 111 Ward 394 and Ward 385 in Constituency 108, which according to him, are hot spots in the Western Rural District during election periods.

The Programme Manager further explained that they consider the two constituencies as hot spots because the two elected Parliamentarians in those two constituencies were sacked through Court action.

He revealed to this medium that among the 30 people that were selected, 20 are women and 10 are men further maintaining that the reason for such is because women are more vulnerable than men.

“The people who often engage in conflicts are men; the ones that suffer most are women. We also selected more women than men because during elections their number outweighs the men,” Idriss Gibson Mansaray asserted.

He noted that the workshop was slated to target different political party supporters revealing how the beneficiaries were selected by their parties.

The Programme Manager revealed that the participants were taught when to register, how to register, their right to vote and to be voted for, their sovereign right to make their choices, and for them to also contest if they wish to, their right to belong to political parties and lastly to understand the electioneering processes.

“Election processes starts with registration and registration is too near from now, and that is why we want them to understand the processes, their civic rights and their responsibilities,” Idriss Mansaray stated.

Speaking at the training, Eliza Sillah, the Programme Manager of Caritas Justice and Peace Commission stated that they must understand their roles and obligations as citizens in a democracy, explaining how they should also know the importance of voting.

Madam Eliza taught the participants about the process and voting procedures, she further taught them how to make informed and independent choices in selecting their preferred candidates or parties.

Isatu Sesay, one of the participants from Deep-Eye Water, expressed her gratitude to the organization for such an educative training, stating how she learnt more about her rights and responsibilities as a citizen, and how when she returns to her community she will educate them on what she has learnt.

Ishmael Goba, another participant from Monkey Bush, also applauded the organization for such a timely gesture in educating them on civic and voter education rights, promising that he will cascade the knowledge acquired to his community.

Climax of the opening event was an interactive session followed by questions and answers.

MRCG Launches Right to Access Information Manual for Journalists

August 3, 2022

By Foday Moriba Conteh

The Media Reform Coordinating Group (MRCG), with support from the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, has on Monday 1^st August 2022 concluded a one-day training workshop for journalists on investigative and Anti-Corruption Reporting in the country at the New Brookfields Hotel in Freetown.

During the opening of the training, the Media Reform Coordinating Group also used the opportunity to launch the Right to Access Information Manual for Journalists in order to guide citizens, information holders but most importantly, journalists, on how to use Sierra Leone’s RAI Act to access information in the country.

In his welcome address, the National Coordinator of Media Reform Coordinating Group, Dr. Francis Sowa commended the Media Foundation for West Africa for their continuous support towards the activities of the MRCG and the media landscape in the country.

He revealed that the MRCG, with support from Media Foundation for West Africa, they are pleased to launch the Right to Access Information Manual for Journalists in order to guide citizens, information holders but most importantly, journalists, on how to use Sierra Leone’s RAI Act to access information in the country.

Dr. Francis Sowa added that after the launch of the manual, MRCG with support from the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, will also train journalists from selected media houses on investigative and Anti-Corruption Reporting in the country, adding that the training will capacitate journalists on investigative and Anti-Corruption Reporting which he described as an intervention by MRCG and partners towards empowering journalists in the country.

In her statement, the Project Coordinator of the Media Foundation for West Africa, Adizatu Moro Maiga noted how the MFWA has been in existence for over 25 years and is geared towards promoting media freedom, development and accountable governance across West Africa.

She maintained that for Sierra Leone they have been working with the Media Reform Coordinating Group on numerous activities and one of which is access to information, adding that access to information is becoming an important global issue.

Adizatu Moro Maiga further pointed out that access to information has become an important tool for development and accountable governance, but, however, added that it’s in that regard they have taken upon themselves as an organization, as part of their activities, to promote access to information in West Africa.

She stated that the Right to Access Information Manual for Journalists is part of MFWA’s continuous work on their access to information and trying to bring understanding on the whole complicity of the Right to Access Information Law.

The President of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists, Ahmed Sahid Nasralla, described both trainings and the launching of the manual as a laudable venture towards the development of journalists in the country.

He encouraged the participants to take advantage of the training which he said will empower them in the areas of investigative and Anti-Corruption Reporting.

Ahmed Sahid Nasralla maintained that the manual on the Right to Access Information for Journalists will guide journalists on how to use Sierra Leone’s RAI Act to access information. He enjoined journalists to use the Sierra Leone’s RAI Law in order to prove if the law is working.

The President pointed out that SLAJ will continue to advocate for the passing of the regulations that support the implementation of the Right to Access Information Act which he said since 2013 when the Act was passed Parliament has still not passed the regulations into law.

Launching the manual, the Minister of Information and Communications, Mohamed Rahman Swaray, commended the Media Reform Coordinating Group and partners for both the training and the launching of the manual for journalists.

He said that access to information is becoming a human rights issue around the world and as a Government they are very committed towards supporting that drive.

Commenting on the passing into law the regulations of the Right to Access Information Act Mohamed Rahman Swaray informed the gathering that Parliament has on Thursday 28^th July, 2022 laid the regulations in the House, adding that Government is doing its part to ensure that it creates the enabling environment for the media not only to access the much needed information but also for citizens who wish to hold Government accountable.

He encouraged journalists to use the manual, especially Chapter 3, which explains the steps involved in accessing information under the RAI law and that it provides a checklist on what is required when requesting information under the RAI law and that it also gives journalists quick tips on how to use the RAI law to access information in Sierra Leone.

The Commissioner for Right to Access Information Commission, Dr. Ibrahim Seaga Shaw also expressed similar views during the ceremony.

Closing the opening ceremony was the official launching of the Right to Access Information Manual for Journalists by the Minister of Information and Communications, Mohamed Rahman Swaray which was followed by the commencement of the training workshop for journalists on investigative and Anti-Corruption Reporting facilitated by Dr. Isaac Massaquoi, Lecturer Faculty of Communication, Media and Information Studies, University of Sierra Leone and Seth Joseph Bokpe, Senior Reporter, The Fourth Estate, Ghana.

MRCG Launches Right to Access Information Manual for Journalists