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In Port Loko District… Pee-Cee & Sons to Undertake Large-Scale Farming & Produce Processing

June 22, 2022

By Amin Kef-Ranger

One of the most successful business entities in the country renowned for importing and marketing standard as well as qualitative food items, beverages, and other essential goods in the country, including its famous Padi products, Pee Cee & Sons is currently on the verge of engaging on large scale agricultural and farming activities at Soktharr and Makassar in the Kaffu Bullom Chiefdom, within the Mathene Section, Port Loko District, Northern Sierra Leone, where the entity is cultivating a variety of cash crops notably oni

ons, okra, watermelon on 510-acre farmland.

It was reliably learned by this medium that Pee Cee and Sons has invested and will continue to invest hugely in the implementation of the Project.

This medium reliably learned that according to the Project arrangement, for now, and as the implementation gains momentum preference is given to residents of the chiefdom and district in terms of employment for working on the farmland.

Significantly, under the project, Pee Cee and Sons will start the cultivation of different types of cash crops on the farmland and after harvesting the produce will be processed, packaged, and labeled before they are internally marketed or exported.

The Honourable Vice President, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, during a site visit to the district, met with the CEO of Pee Cee and Sons, Mahesh Nandwani, and met at met Soktharr and Makassar towns in the Kaffu Bullom Chiefdom, Port Loko District.

Aware of the intention of Pee and Sons to engage in the large-scale farming, the Vice President used the opportunity to properly explain to the residents of the chiefdom about the agricultural project and the attendant benefits.

Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, through an interpreter into Temne, began by introducing the Chief Executive Officer of Pee Cee & Sons, Mahesh Nandwani, to the residents of the chiefdom informing them of the company’s intention to embark on large-scale farming as opposed to the type of small scale farming they are knowledgeable of and have been used to.

“If you have heard about Padi rice, Padi vegetable oil, and other products that are imported by Pee Cee and Sons well this man here is heading that company. He and other members of his business entity have decided that instead of importing some of the products that they market, which could be grown here, they could easily plant them here, harvest them and package them here for marketing locally and for exporting with the name of where they were produced inscribed on them,” the Vice President intimated the indigenes who raptly and jubilantly responded with thunderous applause.

He continued by intimating them that any one of them could be capable of becoming employed by the company whether educated or not and Pee Cee & Sons will willingly pay for services rendered.

“During the course of the implementation there are other benefits that you will enjoy more especially in terms of social amenities such as improved electricity supply that will improve standards of living,” he furthered, with those words greeted by deafening expression of praises for the Government and the CEO for taking development to them.

Already the construction of a bridge that will link the chiefdom to other settlements within the district is ongoing which is said to be part of the project, a development that most of the residents have been commending and happy about saying it will help greatly and drastically to reduce some of the constraints they have been encountering to gain access to other parts of the district.

The Vice President, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, and the CEO of Pee Cee and Sons, Mahesh Nandwani, were warmly received by the residents, who after the Vice President has explained to them what the project entails and its attendant benefits, expressed profound appreciation for the development intervention as well as profusely commending President Julius Maada Bio and his Government for encouraging investors to invest in the country under a conducive atmosphere. They also commended other completed development projects which they are now currently benefitting from.

Residents of the community were so overwhelmed with joy and promised to warmly welcome in their midst Pee Cee and Sons also expressed their willingness to cooperatively support the project.

Climaxing the engagement were the singing and dancing to traditional songs by the residents who were truly manifesting their joy and happiness over the good news they have received from the Vice President.

According to a development expert, who spoke to this medium, the agricultural project if well implemented will be a perfect example of a public-private partnership, somehow contribute to alleviating poverty in that part of the country, somehow boost the economy and mark a complete shift in how farming is done as it will not only be done on a large scale but the agricultural produce will be processed here.

Giving an example, he said high-grade onions, which are imported and then sold to wholesalers and retailers, could now be grown here, processed, bagged here sold on the local market with some exported.

“What this means is that a bag of homegrown onions sold on the market will definitely be cheaper in terms of price as opposed to those that are imported taking into consideration the payment of import duties, Goods and Services Tax, and other related charges,” the development expert averred.

SLAJ Concludes Triennial General Meeting 2022 in Makeni

June 20, 2022

By Amin Kef-Ranger

The Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) held its Triennial General Meeting 2022 in Makeni, Northern Sierra Leone from the 15^th to the 19^th of June 2022 at the University of Makeni (UNIMAK) Auditorium with the theme, “Towards An Economically Viable & Independent Media’’, which was attended by Media Practitioners from all the regions within the country and climaxed with the election of a new Executive body.

Those in attendance included the Mayor of the Makeni City Council, Sunkarie Kabba-Kamara, Paramount Chief Bai Shebora Kansangha11, the Deputy Minister of Information and Communications, Solomon Jamiru, the representative of the European Union Delegation, the Chairman of the Independent Media Commission (IMC), Dr. Victor Massaquoi and the CEO/MD of UBA Sierra Leone, Usman Isiaka, who delivered the keynote address as well as other well-wishers.

On day one of the Triennial Meeting, the President of SLAJ, Ahmed Sahid Nasralla, who went unopposed, informed the august body that

it is a tradition to remember colleagues who have passed on during the course of the year naming Abdul Khanja Jalloh, Amb. Jonathan Leigh, John Mansaray, Ransford Lubi Metzger, Alpheus Rogers, and Foday Musa prayed that the souls of the dear departed rest in peace.

He furthered that the 51st Annual General Meeting of the Association is specifically designed to continue the conversation around three key issues that are crucial to the development of the media and journalism in Sierra Leone making reference to Media Viability, Welfare, and Self-Regulation.

The SLAJ President underscored that he believes it is time for media owners to brace up and face the realities of the times we are living in maintaining how it is difficult to leave the past behind but stressing that media owners can only learn from it and use those lessons of the past to confront a future of limitless opportunities.

“It is time for a forward-looking posture to have a clear picture of where we want to be and work to get there by all means,” he enjoined cautioning that the days of giving excuses and always highlighting challenges should be over.

He stated how there will always be challenges but said it is how they are addressed that matters and that should be the focus adding that the question of how to transform the media is begging for collective ideas and sustainable solutions.

According to him, it is imperative to adopt new business models because certainly, the ones that have been used over the years are not working.

He asked the important question: “Do we have the market for all the huge number of media institutions the IMC has registered in its 22 years’ history to operate in the very small capital city whose numbers have decreased according to the latest Census?” challenging all to think and reflect.

Ahmed Sahid Nasralla asked the question if it is time for mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, partnerships, etc maintaining how indeed he thinks it is indeed time emphasizing that such time is now.

He said media owners and practitioners have an opportunity in the recommendations of the media viability and investment conference that was held in the recent past stating how the conference recommended a number of things to be done moving forward

The President stated how there is a dire need for a national policy on advertising, that Government and development partners should commit to a national fund for public interest media, the need to tackle gender imbalance in the media sector, reviewing the existing legal and regulatory framework for the media, how Government should continue to show the political will necessary to drive media market reforms and underscoring that perhaps, more importantly, the media should commit to re-engineering the industry in order to boost the potential for attracting private-sector investment and public subsidies.

He said there is the need to come together to work towards realizing the implementation of the aforementioned wonderful recommendations with the need for media owners to turn the searchlight on themselves.

“We need to have effective governance and management structures in our media houses,” he recommended.

He admonished that to help continue that very important conversation media practitioners and owners are honoured to have the CEO/MD of UBA Sierra Leone, Usman Isiaka, as keynote speaker to talk on the theme of the Triennial General Meeting.

“After this opening ceremony, Isiaka will join an entrepreneurial journalist from the Africa Paper-based in the US, and a digital media journalist to further discuss issues around the theme,” he revealed.

He furthered that the second crucial issue is the welfare of reporters or journalists in general, especially how to ensure their welfare which, he said, is an age-old problem of the media industry in the country.

The SLAJ President said when media houses become economically viable entities that should naturally reflect in the welfare conditions of reporters underscoring why the need to urge all media owners to adopt new and innovative approaches to their operations.

“We also urge all to be compliant with NASSIT and NRA regulations and for the IMC to be robust in ensuring compliance,” he stated adding how SLAJ is working with the Sierra Leone Reporters Union (SLRU), probably its largest affiliate body, and the most affected that is repeatedly described as poverty of the media, in their engagement with the Ministry of Labour to acquire a bargaining certificate that will help to address the welfare situation.

He disclosed how, Solomon Mwongyere, General Manager of ILCUF Ltd, a Credit Union body, was invited to talk on how to manage personal finances using the credit union model where journalists will be encouraged to own, use, control and benefit from credit unions adding that journalists can save and take credit at low-interest rates.

Dilating on Self-Regulation, he said, public-interest journalism depends on economic viability, independence, and professionalism of the media admonishing how such is the road all should take now.

He said to support that path, the SLAJ Disciplinary Committee (DC) is now very active in promoting adherence to the institution’s Code of Ethics.

“The Disciplinary Committee is now supported to do its work with the help of District Media Monitors across the country,” he informed disclosing how provincial trips were recently undertaken to appraise the work of the monitors and to hear cases of professional misconduct and threats against the work of the media.

He also talked about how an Annual National Media Awards will be done during the course of the meeting to recognize excellence and promote professionalism in the media sector.

The President expressed his wish for SLAJ, Freedom of Expression, and the Press to live long.

Other speakers, including the Mayor of the Makeni City Council, Sunkarie Kabba-Kamara, Paramount Chief Bai Shebora Kansangha11, the Deputy Minister of Information and Communications, Solomon Jamiru, the representative of the European Union Delegation, the Chairman of the Independent Media Commission (IMC), Dr. Victor Massaquoi and the CEO/MD of UBA Sierra Leone, Usman Isiaka, who delivered the keynote address, among others underscored the important roles the Media plays in fostering good governance, in deepening democracy, holding those in authority accountable. They also stressed that for the media to effectively play those roles it must be independent and therefore the importance to device viable means to maintain sustenance as opposed to becoming heavily dependent.

After deliberations in the auditorium, other activities held included Panel Discussions bordering on the theme, the unveiling of artistic drawings of past Executive Presidents of SLAJ, deceased and those alive including the current one, male and female football matches, Muslim and Christian thanksgiving services.

Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ)

Orange SL Launches Catalogue of Cloud Services

June 20, 2022

One of the leading telecommunications companies operating in Sierra Leone, Orange SL in its desire to support companies in their digital transformation has launched its catalog of cloud services. Enterprises that are customers of the company can now benefit from the IT infrastructure and data backup services in Orange’s secure data center.

As they are simple to use, the offers will allow Orange SL customers to be more agile in the development of their businesses and enhance their competitiveness. The company is also available to customers for personalized support.

The offers are Virtual Server which is quickly deployable for IT development or application hosting. This new and secure platform facilitates the deployment of business entities’ IT Projects.

Another is the Virtual Datacenter which has a set of computer resources to host an entire information system. It is a secured cloud infrastructure that allows someone to calmly manage the deployment of information systems.

There is also a Back up as a Service that easily and automatically saves data in the Orange Secure Cloud. That solution allows someone or a business entity to backup and restore the data of their servers and workstations as needed.

The Physical Server Hosting provides a safe and secure space for individuals or business entities’ physical “hardware” infrastructures in Orange SL’s Secure Datacenter.

For more information, contact enterprisebusiness@orange-sonatel.com or call +23273420420

Commemorating Day of the African Child… Orange Foundation Throws Party for Vulnerable Pupils from Various Schools

June 20, 2022

By Millicent Senava Mannah

As part of its humanitarian drive, Orange Foundation, an appendage of Orange SL commemorated this year’s Day of the African Child, on the 16th of June 2022, which had as its theme “Eliminating Harmful Practices Affecting Children” by organizing a party for school children at the company’s Headquarters on Hill Station.

Pupils from the Milton Margai College of the Blind, National School for the Deaf, SOS Harmameigner, Maranatha Primary school, and Albinism Family benefitted from the gesture by the telecoms company.

Giving an overview of the celebration, Orange Foundation Project Manager, Desmond Spaine, narrated the history of the Day of the African Child to the children. He intimated that, continentally, the commemoration is held in remembrance of the 1976 massacre of children in the black township of Soweto, South Africa, during the period of the barbaric ruthless apartheid regime.

Desmond Spaine continued that the children who were massacred went out on the streets to protest against White Supremacy, which according to him, was used as a leeway to suppress the exercise of their fundamental human rights. He furthered that although the children were harmlessly protesting for their rights to be educated in what they considered to be the appropriate way they were indiscriminately fired at by the white Police and most of them lost their lives.

The Project Manager averred that the remembrance of the Day is not meant to mourn the massacred children but rather to draw the attention of policymakers in the country to the relevance of children’s education.

He dilated on the importance of the co-existence of children living with disabilities and normal children devoid of discrimination and stigmatization.

The representatives from the different schools, who escorted the pupils, expressed their profound thanks and appreciation to Orange Foundation for the joy and laughter put on the faces of the children maintaining that indeed Orange SL is positively impacting lives in the country.

Climaxing the party, which was permeated with the serving of food, drinks and gifts was the organizing of activities intended to make the pupils happy and they included music and chair, singing and dancing competitions.

As Your Votes Matter to the Housemates… Join the Housemates Fanzone & Stand Chances of Winning Mega Prizes Every Monday

June 20, 2022

By Amin Kef-Ranger

As usual, the eviction of some of the Housemates in the ongoing Reality TV Show on the 19^th of June 2022 was very interesting and captivating. It marked the end of Week 4 and as well the amazing journey of the evicted Housemates which will indeed etch on their minds as a sad experience of a dream not becoming true.

At the end of the 4^th Week, the Housemates will now, within this new week, be uncoupled by the Chief of the House for a new coupling. Those who survived the eviction will now be given an opportunity to choose from among themselves those whom they believe they will be comfortable with to perform assigned tasks by Sir Chief or Madam Chief to win points that could put them at vantage positions to sail through the competition.

As the Yagba continues for the Le 250 M cash prize & a round trip to Dubai, members of the public should earnestly vote for their favourite Housemates. Members of the public residing in Sierra Leone could either start or continue to vote via Afrimoney. To do so, they should just dial *161*10*1# with the NUMBERS of the Housemates. For International voting, it must be done via www.housematessl.com or www.africell.sl .

It must be underscored that the fate of any of the Housemates is largely determined by the number of votes secured from the public through the aforementioned voting channels. Members of the public could vote as many times as possible for their favourite Housemates.

The Reality TV Show could be viewed live, on a 24/7 basis, on AYV Entertainment Channels 34 & 33 and AYV on DSTV Channel 399. It must also be noted that Housemates Salone Season 3 is also shown on what is widely referred to as Nigeria and Ghana DSTV.

Viewers now have a wide variety of platforms through which they could enjoy watching the Reality TV Show and make informed decisions about why they should vote for certain Housemates.

It will interest readers to note that as the Reality TV Show progresses there are various appendages emerging all geared towards adding spice to it.

The one that is trending for now is the Housemates Salone #Yagba Fanzone. This zone avails members of the public to win great prizes offered by sponsors and organizers of the show. For example, prizes like Le500.000 from Bet Salone, Chicken Town premium items and Africell Mifi. All that is required is to answer certain questions in the comment section of the Housemates Salone #Yagba Fanzone and be one of the lucky winners to grab mega prizes. Winners will be announced during the Fanzone show every Monday at 10 pm on AYV TV and on Social Media platforms.

It is also worthy to note that even when some of the Housemates had been evicted from the House they are not left in the cold as was recently demonstrated when the Ex-Housemates were having a beautiful moment in terms of consuming a delicious lunch courtesy of one of the amazing sponsors, WAY-LI Restaurant on 17 Rawdon Street in Freetown. Without any gainsaying, WAY-LI is among the best restaurants in town for all delicious meals. Visit today and enjoy!

The Ex-Housemates were Franklyn Gibson, Patricia R.J. Will aka Chubby Gang, Juliet Konya Sesay aka Juju Jerks, Lawrence Daniel Sesay aka Black Panther, Ina Elizabeth Cole and others.

Housemates Salone Season 3 is all about Youth Empowerment put together by AYV Media Empire and Africell Sierra Leone and is socially considered to be a Youth Empowerment platform which succeeded both Season 1 & 2.

As it has been realized the boarding of twenty-two Housemates under one roof, for a specific length of time, giving them the opportunity to interact on a daily basis is exposing the innate potentials they possess that could be harnessed and tapped for productive ends.

They are expected to perfect assignments delegated to them by Sir Chief or Madam Chief who are controlling their moves and actions as well as grade them as and when the show is progressing.

They are learning new skills from their co-competitors in the House, displaying coping mechanisms under various conditions and probably learning how to comport themselves when they find themselves in any public arena or gathering.

The Housemates are taught or learning by themselves how to prop up their self-esteem, be courteous, and courageous and control their ego under stressful conditions. They are being taught how to express themselves publicly, respond to questions, how to play certain roles in real-life situations.

In addition, some corporate institutions are using the platform not only to advertise but to also teach or school the Housemates and by extension the watching public what types of services they have to offer, how to go about performing certain tasks and anything else that has to do with empowering their minds geared towards cultivating positive mindsets. For example, the Rokel Commercial Bank taught them how to open an account.

The Reality TV Show is also exposing the Housemates to the outside world as it is viewed far and wide. Talents may be spotted and interested individuals may want to harness those talents to be used for the advancement of various human endeavours.

For now relax in your comfort zones, enjoy watching Reality TV Show per excellence and continue voting to save your favourite Housemates from eviction.

NP-SL Ltd is Exceptional for Taking Customer Care to the Highest Pedestal

June 20, 2022

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

Since the establishment of N-P Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd) several years ago, it has been contributing to job creation and poverty reduction, especially as it is virtually impossible for Governments across the world to provide job opportunities for all their citizens.

NP-Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd) is indeed one successful indigenous company that most of the citizens can boast of, especially when consideration is given to the fact that this entity has stood the test of time, weathering challenges that may have to weakened its performance, in terms of effective and qualitative service delivery.

For such a commendable feat to be achieved from its inception to now means the company has been blessed with a group of determined and business-savvy shareholders and a result-oriented managerial team that has been providing the requisite impetus and initiatives that continue to take NP from one high level to another.

Providing its esteemed and cherished customers, right across the country, with rapt and efficient attention by always ensuring that their needs are well satisfied are some of the factors and secrets behind the success stories of the company.

It’s no gainsaying that the Management of NP-SL Ltd is very keen on prioritizing customer care and in that direction is very much interested in listening to concerns as well as putting in place measures that address anomalies. The company also, from time to time capacitates its partners, such as Filling Station Managers and pump attendants, through training programs in a bid to optimize their abilities how to treat customers well. This is why the company is better known as 1^st for Customer Care.

Having amassed the strength and seeing the need to expand appropriately, NP-SL thought it fit to open branches in Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast, and The Gambia and all of them are functioning extremely well to the utmost satisfaction of governments plus its ever-growing customers.

When cognizance is taken of the fact that Governments need revenue to finance development projects; it is important to find the sources of generating such.

NP-SL, as a company, is one of the biggest taxpayers to the government. Its management always makes it a point of duty to timely pay taxes and despite battling with existing and unforeseeable challenges, there has never been an instance when it has been coerced to do so.

Many have praised NP-SL for making available cookers popularly known as NP Gas, which are safe for cooking purposes. These NP Gas cookers are sold at reasonable prices and could be procured in all their filling stations as well as from authorized dealers. At a time like this when it has been recognized that it is advisable, for health reasons, to avoid using firewood or charcoal for cooking purposes the best option could be NP Gas, which is hygienic, clean, and quick.

Talking about effective implementation of Local Content Policy, NP-SL stands tall, as it is truly the only 100% indigenous company that employs 100% Sierra Leoneans as workers. The company gives preference to employing Sierra Leoneans, which is a clear indication that it adheres to the country’s Local Content Policy, as utilizing local talents makes it possible for indigenes to acquire useful knowledge and skills through various training programs.

The introduction of the NP Smart Card has been acclaimed by many simply because it makes the purchase of fuel safe and cashless. All that the holder of the Card needs to do is to top up with money and use it to buy the quantity of fuel he or she requires with no exchange of physical cash. It is indeed a modern way of conducting transactions.

The company is one of the highest taxpayers to the National Revenue Authority (NRA) and is immensely contributing to revenue generation that makes the Government financially solvent to undertake various development projects.

In terms of rolling out its Corporate Social Responsibility, the company is doing so solidly evident in its support of various worthy causes that impact positively on communities and the nation as a whole. Examples abound to justify this assertion but because of space, such will be highlighted from time to time.

Without mincing the truth or any form of exaggeration, apportioning underserved praise it could be safely stated that NP-SL is immensely contributing to development in diverse ways and as a matter of fact, the company is standing tall not only in Sierra Leone but also within the West African sub-region.

Parliamentary Committee on Fisheries Engages Fishing Stakeholders in Tombo

June 20, 2022

Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources.

Chaired by Hon. Neneh Lebbie the Parliamentary Oversight Committee on Fisheries and Marine Resources have on Wednesday 15th June 2022 engaged fishing and marine stakeholders along with the Tombo Coastal Rural communities in the Western Rural Area, in order to ascertain information on fishing and marine activities.

In her remarks, the Chairperson of the said Committee in Parliament said since 2018 they have established a good working relationship with the fishing community, especially the artisanal fishermen.

She emphatically underscored the constructive working conditions and the relationship between the fishing community and the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources.

The Chairperson said they are on a fact-finding mission to ascertain how the fisheries and marine sector are doing, relative to illegal fishing, bad fishing nets, improve sanitation, positive working relationship with fishermen and the ministry as well as an update on surveillance the boats, the youth in the fisheries project, construction, and maintenance of marine properties and fishing safety.

Given an update, the Fishery Officer, Fatmata Binta Jalloh attached to the Tombo Community said with the collaboration of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), they have built an ice plant, toilet facilities, and over 142 pipe-borne water taps around the Tombo Community and underscored the positive working relationship with the fishing community and that of the ministry. In terms of working conditions and fishing regulations, she clarified that fishermen are using the right fishing gear.

Secretary-General of the Sierra Leone Fishers Consortium Union, Masudi K. Koroma commended MPs and the Committee for reuniting the operation of the fishing consortium around the county. He heaped praises on the committee for their leadership role and noted that they are working under a positive umbrella with all consortiums. He said the consortium needs the power to control fishermen and arrest them for illegal fishing. “We need the Ministry to support in this process,” he maintained. On surveillance, he said, collaboration is needed from various sectors in the fisheries sector to empower the fishing consortium.

In his Submission, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Consortium, Wudie Bakie Koroma said the coastal fishing communities that usually produced hazardous waste materials in their communities have been reduced drastically and acknowledged the tremendous improvement in sanitation, in the fishing communities. He also informed the Committee that, the project on youth in fisheries is going on well and applauded the ministry for supporting the process.

The illegal net, he said is one of the most challenging issues in the fishing sector, but noted that the Fishery and Marine Resources Ministry had supplied the right fishing nets to the fishing communities. He said there is a lot of illegal fishing going on in fishing communities across the country, and called on Parliament and the Government to do all in their powers to address the illegal fishing in the coastal communities.

He said the Tombo community is the hub of fishing in Sierra Leone and called for more pave sites for the fishermen to mend their nets and also pleaded with the Government to provide subsidies to fishermen to improve fishing nets. He blamed the private sector for selling and encouraging the use of illegal fishing nets by fishermen.

The Chairlady, Kadie Seto Fofanah, appreciated the Ministry of Fisheries sector for a good working relationship with the association and underscored the importance of the improved Smoke system, and oven provided by the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources for the fishing sector. She also praised the Ministry through UNDP for providing them with boats.

Welcoming the Committee at the Fishing Boat Yard at Tombo, Sarah Bah, Head of Tombo Community appreciated Parliament for their tremendous strides so far in improving the fishing sector. On bad fishing nets, he called on the Government to discourage businessmen from importing bad fishing nets into the fishing communities. He spoke on the recycling process of waste materials project to be supported in the Tombo Community. On the rehabilitation of government structures in the fishing sector, he said a board has been set up to the monitor government’s assert and properties

MPs who spoke at the meeting commended stakeholders in the fisheries sector and advised them to do more to address the issues of the illegal fishing, bad nets, and other related matters that are affecting the fishing industry

The Committee in their deliberations promised to engage Senior Officials of the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources to discuss on issues highlighted and find a way to address them.

Public Outcry Intensifies Against SLP’s Shaving of LAJ’s Hair

June 20, 2022

By Amin Kef-Ranger

As public outcry intensifies against the shaving of Alhaji Amadu Bah’s, popularly known as LAJ’s hair by the Sierra Leone Police, Legal Link, an organization that defends the rights of vulnerable groups in Sierra Leone, with Lawyer Rashid Dumbuya, as its Executive Director, has stated that it takes the greatest exception to the unprofessional conduct by the Sierra Leone Police with respect to the handling of an incident bothering on LAJ and his friends.

According to the Executive Director, it was alleged that LAJ and his friends were not only arrested and beaten up by the security forces over a fracas, but LAJ’s dreadlocks ( hair) were also forcefully cut off from his head by the Police while in detention.

He continued that despite the increased condemnation and outcry from both within and outside of Sierra Leone over such a travesty, the leadership of the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) is still in defiance of issuing out at the very least a statement, taking full responsibility for the excessive display of force, torture and inhumane and degrading treatment by subordinates against LAJ, a popular musician and critic of the Government of Sierra Leone.

The Lawyer said the willful omission clearly depicts the level of impunity that is at play within the leadership of the Sierra Leone Police Force as well as the degree of non-accountability that prevails within the law enforcement architecture in the country.

He said it could be recalled that several trainings have been conducted for the Sierra Leone Police on how to manage situations of such nature and their application of the use of force and democratic policing to quell them down.

Lawyer Rashid revealed how the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone for example facilitated in time specialized training on the use of force in line with the UN Basic Principles on the use of force and firearms for over 30 Local Unit Commanders (LUCs) in the country.

He underscored how in that training, all the LUCs present did pledge that they will never authorize the use of unreasonable, unnecessary, and disproportionate force in their quelling down of riotous situations or against suspects in detention as was displayed by their South African Police counterparts over the Marikana mines revolt.

“As was emphasized during the training, even were provoked, the ‘UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials dictates that the repelling force to be expelled must be equal, reasonable, proportionate, and necessary in the given circumstance,” he pointed out.

He said admittedly, while they condemn the acts of LAJ and his friends for reacting in an uncivilized manner while in the Jeep at the petrol station as evidenced in the videos on social media, however, they vehemently and unequivocally condemn the over-reaction of the Sierra Leone Police to cut off the hair of the Musician Rapper while in detention.

The result-oriented Lawyer said that noticeably also is the fact that even when the tensions had de-escalated, the callousness and unprofessionalism of the SLP became much more apparent.

He said while denial by the Sierra Leone Police over the cutting of LAJ’s hair still continues, video clips of interviews done by LAJ’s lawyer, father, and family members revealed that the musician’s dreadlocks (hair) have been shaved off; and there is also an outright resistance by the Sierra Leone Police to allowing them access to the suspect.

Lawyer Rashid said rumors even abound that LAJ is currently been tortured in a place called Benghazi, operated and managed by the Sierra Leone Police.

He said if those allegations are true, then such complicity by the Sierra Leone Police to deny access to the suspect and to further maintain a place by the name of Benghazi where the conspicuous patterns of torture is alleged to have been carried out amounts to a blatant violation of international, regional and domestic laws to which Sierra Leone is a party.

The Executive Director stated that LEGAL LINK, therefore, wants it to be known by the Government and leadership of the SLP that the act of shaving off LAJ’S hair alone, when measured by the standards of international law, clearly amounts to torture, inhumane and degrading treatment of a suspect for which the jurisdiction of the Treaty Body/ complaints mechanism of the United Nation’s Convention Against Torture (CAT) can be invoked and properly seized.

He said it is vital to further emphasize that the right to freedom of torture by the standards of the UN Convention Against Torture (CAT) to which Sierra Leone is a signatory is a non-derogable right (Edgar-omnes) and a peremptory norm of Customary International Law.

“This means that under no circumstances can it be justified for the Police to torture any human being in a democratic society needless to talk about Artists, Musicians, and critics of the Government,” he added.

The pragmatic Lawyer pointed out that LEGAL LINK is of the opinion that all that the Police were mandated and required to do by law on that fateful day was to effect an arrest on all alleged offenders, including LAJ, investigate and charge them to court for public order offenses as enshrined under the Public Order Act of 1965 where the evidence was pregnant and overwhelming.

He said but for the police to have decided to engage in a frolic of their own and acted outside the remits of the law by overtly torturing and executing brutal and excessive force on a harmless musician in their custody, in such scale and magnitude, amounts to a violation of not only the UN Convention Against Torture but also the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights, the Luanda Guidelines and section 20 (1) of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone.

He said as dictated by the Luanda Guidelines on Pre-Trial Detention, a regional instrument which Sierra Leone has signed up, ‘suspects awaiting trial must be guaranteed their basic fundamental human rights while in detention.

“Any infraction or limitation towards the access to, and enjoyment of these rights by suspects will therefore amount to a violation of both international, regional and domestic law,” he averred adding that LEGAL LINK, therefore, urges the leadership of the SLP and the Government of Sierra Leone to take full responsibility for the excesses that have occurred and to ensure the unconditional release of LAJ for immediate access to his lawyer, family, and medical treatment.

He said they further call on the leadership of the SLP to bring to justice the officers that shaved off the hair of LAJ and also ensure full compensation to LAJ for violations of his fundamental human rights while in pre-trial detention as required by the Luanda Guidelines.

He again stated that additionally, they are calling on the Independent Police Complaints Board to open up an impartial and independent investigation over the torture, the inhumane and degrading treatment meted out on LAJ and to further ascertain whether Benghazi does exist as a torturing center of the Sierra Leone Police over innocent and unarmed citizens held in detention, awaiting trials.

The Executive Director maintained that going forward, LEGAL LINK wants to draw the attention of the ruling Government that Sierra Leone deteriorated about four places below in the World Peace Index Report of 2022 when compared to the previous year.

He said that underscores the need for a more peaceful, inclusive, and humane approach to be adopted in dealing with issues in the country so as to de-escalate tensions and potential conflicts between and amongst State and Non-State actors as the country approaches the 2023 elections.

In conclusion, he disclosed that as a preventive approach, LEGAL LINK will commit itself to publish a quarterly newsletter titled: ‘POLICE WATCH” to help showcase not only the excesses within the SLP but also the good developments and success stories within the security architecture of Sierra Leone.

IOM & UNODC Launch Project to Enhance Resiliency and Living Conditions

June 20, 2022

By Amin Kef-Ranger

In a Press Release dated 10^th June 2022 the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reveal the launching of a project titled “Enhanced Resiliency and Living Conditions for Vulnerable Communities Addressing Economic, Health, and Food Security Challenges due to Impacts of COVID-19 in Sierra Leone” with support from the Government of Japan through the United Nations Trust Fund for Human Security.

It was further revealed that the project comes at a critical time when food insecurity and access to livelihood deteriorated due to rising food prices and fuel shortages as a result of global events such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Also stated was that as the country relies on imported goods and commodities including staple foods and fuel, increases in prices have critically impacted every household in the country, especially the most vulnerable, putting many of them into a spiral of further poverty.

Added was that in response to those challenges, the project aims to support the strengthening of the capacity of the Government and communities to prevent and mitigate public health challenges and provide resources to improve livelihoods and address obstacles to improve food security for enhanced community resilience.

Furthermore, it was disclosed how the Project will focus on building community capacity for the prevention of communicable diseases including COVID-19 through the provision of training and health and hygiene facilities, assisting persons displaced by disasters, and training vulnerable persons for livelihoods.

It was also highlighted that the program will actively seek to benefit women, youth, and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Sierra Leone.

Stated was that maximizing the potential of fishing to meet food and nutritional needs by addressing the sector’s vulnerabilities to multiple forms of illegal activities such as trafficking in marine species, corruption, document fraud, forgery, and human trafficking is key in the rollout of the project.

Also included was that efforts will be made particularly in the fisheries sector by enhancing the capacity in the sector to meet the food and nutritional needs of vulnerable communities, through a strengthened governance and trade environment.

“The interventions are timely and key to ensure that vulnerable communities including border areas improve their capacities to mitigate the impacts of crises and have the necessary skills and tools to control COVID-19 and other emerging public health risks, whilst also providing Non-Food Items (NFI) to persons in crisis-affected communities,” said Dr. James Bagonza, Head of Office at IOM Sierra Leone.

“Crimes in the fisheries sector are especially detrimental in a country such as Sierra Leone, where fish accounts for more than 40 percent of the total animal protein intake. The enhanced capacities of local authorities to prevent and counter threats in the fishery sector are paramount to unlock this sector’s potential towards food security”, said Dr. Amado Philip de Andrés, UNODC Regional Representative for West and Central Africa.

Cowbell Brand Honoured for Children’s Empowerment

June 20, 2022

By Foday Moriba Conteh

During the commemoration of the Day of the African Child 2022 in the country, Kids Super Star Sierra Leone awarded Cowbell, one of the brands of Premium Divine Trading Ltd, with a prestigious sponsorship award 2022.

The Prestigious Award was presented to the company on Thursday 16th June 2022 during a live musical concert and launching ceremony by, God’s Child, followed by an inter-primary school Africana Competition hosted on the Power Magazine field in the East End of Freetown.

The event featured young Sierra Leonean musicians from the Kids Super Star Sierra Leone Union, a group that creates a platform for kids with exceptional talents in any form of entertainment who are then projected as Role Models or Ambassadors within the society or communities where they reside.

It must be recalled that over the years Cowbell has been supporting Kids Super Star Sierra Leone to commemorate the Day of the African Child and during other events. Such has enabled the company to continue with its massive milk education and sampling by availing actual and potential consumers of milk nutritious packages to enable children and their families to get good nutrition through the consumption of cowbell milk and strawberry which were sampled during the live musical event.

In addition, the company also donated cartons of assorted Cowbell products to all the seven children who participated in the inter-primary school Africana competition and Kids Super Star Sierra Leone musicians who performed during the event.

Children present, who also had the opportunity to participate in a question and answer session moderated by the company’s representative, also won sachets of cowbell milk intended for them to get quality nutrition.

Presenting the Award, the Chairman of Kids Super Star Sierra Leone, Juan Idriss Conteh, expressed appreciation to Premium Divine Trading Company Ltd for the collaboration which, he said, has contributed greatly towards the promotion of the young talented musicians.

“Congratulations on receiving this Award for providing sponsorship to God’s Child Musical Concert and the Inter-Primary Schools Africana Competition. You have been great, keep up the great work,” he expressed goodwill and gratitude.

He appealed to parents to always buy quality food products from Premium Divine Trading Company Ltd, especially Cowbell milk, saying they are rich with all the necessary nutrients needed for growth within a family in order for the company to be at a vantage position to continue extending their humanitarian gestures to not only Kids Super Star Sierra Leone but to other groups in the country.

After receiving the Award, the Country Manager of Premium Divine Trading Ltd, Kenneth Konuah, commended Kids Super Star Sierra Leone for recognizing their effort as a business entity that is dedicated to the development of children in the country.

“Today our efforts towards the development of children in the country have been recognized by Kids Super Star Sierra Leone for which we are grateful as a company. On Behalf of Management I want to dedicate this award to all our amazing members of staff for their tireless efforts towards the company and to all those who have been buying our products,” he added.

He disclosed that the Day of the African Child is commemorated on June 16 every year since 1991 when it was first initiated by the Organization of African Unity in honor of those who took part in the Soweto Uprising of 1976.

Kenneth Konuah disclosed that Premium Divine Trading, as a responsible company, since last year thought it fit to collaborate with Kids Super Star Sierra Leone during the commemoration of the Day of the African Child in order to promote young talents, emphasizing the importance of good nutrition especially derived through the consumption of milk for growth and vitality.

Cowbell milk, he said is a rich source of protein, calcium, and vitamins A, B9, C, D E, and K otherwise referred to as Vitarich.

Kenneth Konuah informed the gathering that Cowbell products come in 14g sachet, 20g sachet, 360g sachet, and 400g tins for the milk. Also, cowbell food drinks package sizes are 40gs for the Coffee, Strawberry, Coconut, Choco-Malt, and Cowbell Mocha.

He said they are all produced in Ghana by Promasidor Ghana Limited for export sales to some West African countries including Sierra Leone.

He also used the opportunity to point out that Premium Divine Trading Company Ltd also distributes and markets Onga, Miksi Chocolate and coffee drinks, Xploza, Kremela, and Yumvita, the latter being an infant cereal with milk also containing wheat, rice, and maize and that they are the sole distributor of all the aforementioned products in the country.

Many who witnessed the event commended the partnership by the company saying it was a laudable move as the company commits itself to supporting the future generation of musicians and entertainers in Sierra Leone. Cowbell

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