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LAB Facilitates Division of Property between Husband & Estranged Wife

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By Elisha Hardingnel

A client of the Legal Aid Board, Fatmata James, took possession on Saturday, 6 June 2022 of her share of the matrimonial property on Tower Hill in Freetown allocated to her by the court after the eviction of tenants by bailiffs.

Fatmata James was given part of the matrimonial estate even though the property is in the name of her husband alone.  The court had ruled that the matrimonial property is jointly owned and should therefore be divided between the wife, Fatmata James, who is the plaintiff and husband Sahr James who is the defendant. The latter is a member of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF)

The court ruling follows an application by the Legal Aid Counsel, Cyril Taylor-Young at the High Court before Justice Mohamed Bawoh for partitioning of the property following the decision of the husband to separate from his wife. The husband had done so by forcing her out of the matrimonial home by subjecting her to intimidation and domestic violence. He then went ahead to bring in her girlfriend who he has been cohabiting with since then. 2020

“I had no choice but to leave our home because he (husband) did not want to see me and our son anymore and he was getting paranoid, I was afraid he could do anything to get rid of us,” Fatmata James said.

The Judge ordered that the joint property should be appropriately partitioned between the wife and husband. He further ordered that the rooms, apartments or buildings allocated to the wife should be made available to her immediately failing which the appropriate action will be taken to facilitate the eviction of the occupants.

Moreover, the husband should prepare similar document of an everlasting ownership pending the attainment of a freehold to the said land. Also, the husband was ordered to pay five million Leones (Le5, 000,000) to the wife which should be spread over a five (5) month period.

The matter was referred to the Legal Aid Board by the Gender Department of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces in February 2021. “Please give assistance to Madam Fatmata James whose marital status has been violated both domestically and psychologically by husband Sahr James of the 5thBattalion Wilberforce Barracks,” the referral letter notes.

“This lady reported marital issue on the 21 January 2021 and case scheduled for 23 January 2021. The matter was investigated and persuaded husband to see reason for reconciliation after 13 years of relationship with a child. The husband has threatened to divorce his wife,” the letter concludes.

Mediation of the matter by the Board stalled after Sahr James stopped attending the sessions. He became more interested in discussions around the mandate of the Board in terms of its jurisdiction over the matter than cooperating with the mediation. Moreover, he was adamant the property is not jointly owned because all the documents pertaining to ownership including the lease agreement were in his name alone. In the circumstance, the Board had no alternative but to go to court.

The Executive Director of the Board, Ms. Fatmata Claire Carlton-Hanciles has welcomed the judgement by the court describing it as a huge relief to the Board and most importantly female clients who find themselves in a similar situation. She underlined that the judgement has set a precedent which greedy husbands should learn a lesson from, that the person whose name is on the documents is irrelevant in determining ownership of a property that was acquired in the course of the marriage.

“We have had a similar matter involving an academic doctor who had wanted to kick his wife out of their house because all the documents pertaining to ownership were in his name,” she said. “It does not matter to him that the property was acquired in the course of the marriage and moreover the wife had contributed immensely to the property. He became cooperative once I told him in his face that the Board will institute legal action for permission to sell the property and divide the proceeds equally between the two of them.”

Eight New Paramount Chiefs in Kono Receive  Staffs as Symbol of Authority from President Bio

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By Elisha Hardingnel

President Dr Julius Maada Bio, on Saturday 11th June 2022 recognized, coronate and handed over staffs as symbols of authority to eight new Paramount Chiefs while also entreating them to be peace ambassadors in their various chiefdoms.

PC Kandeh Bamba II of Tambakha Yogbangie Chiefdom in the Karene District, PC Sheku Terenah Tongos Neya Konkoroba Franko Lai Marrah III of Neya Chiefdom in the Falaba District, PC Bai Shebora Thelleh III of Yoni Mamailla Chiefdom in the Tonkolili District, PC Masakma Madibie II of Kafe Chiefdom in the Tonkolili District, PC Kandeh Gbanka III of Ngowahun in the Bombali District, PC Bai Makarie N’kolo II of Gbanti Chiefdom in the Bombali District; PC Rtd Captain Prince Lansana Wonnie Bio V of Sogbini Chiefdom in the Bonthe District, and PC Alie Musa III of Mafindor Chiefdom in the Kono District were all recognized and went through coronation to serve their people in their respective chiefdoms.

“My administration has ensured that the institution of Paramount Chieftaincy is insulated from the challenging national politics. I have also ensured that under my supervision, the issues of central Government political manipulation of Paramount Chieftaincy elections are slowly becoming a thing of the past.

“Therefore, let me assure you all that the institution of Paramount Chieftaincy will continue to regain its past glory of being one that guarantees only official and rightful families compete among themselves in our various Chiefdoms across this Country,” said President Bio.

President Bio noted that the institution of Chieftaincy was and would remain a critical element of the administration of the State and reassured, especially the Paramount Chief elects that the sustainability of country’s nascent democracy and promotion of effective and community-national development could not have taken roots without their full and active involvement.

“On an occasion like this, I want to publicly recognize and express my sincere appreciation to all Paramount Chiefs across the country. As Paramount Chiefs, you provide the superstructure or foundation on which I and my team in the Executive arm of Government rely to function and execute the mandate of planning and delivering vital services as well as leading sustainable national development,” he said.

While presenting the new Paramount Chiefs to President Bio, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Hon. Tamba Lamina, said chieftaincy in the country was the foundation for governance since the colonial era. He further noted that in 2018 President Dr Julius Maada Bio promised to restore the dignity and respect that traditional rulers deserved, noting that the event was a testament to that commitment.

The Minister confirmed to the gathering that the process leading to the election of those traditional leaders was transparent and peaceful, noting that that was a sign of good leadership backed by decent democratic principles.

“The 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone gives the President the authority to recognize and coronate elected Paramount Chiefs. On that note, therefore, I humbly call on His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio to hand over the various staff of authority to our Paramount Chiefs. Thank you very much,” he concluded.

Giving the vote of thanks on behalf of his colleagues, PC Masakma Madibie II of Kafe Chiefdom in the Tonkolili District extended appreciation to the President and his Government for his leadership roles in governing the nation, saying that he had seen a lot of tangible development since the SLPP took office in 2018.

He also thanked the Council of Paramount Chiefs for their guidance throughout the entire process and promised that they would work with the Council and the central Government for nation-building.

 

VP Juldeh Jalloh Highly Impressed with Investment by Kingho Mining Company

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By Elisha Hardingnel

The Honourable Vice President, Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh on Saturday 11th June 2022, while conducting a site tour at Kingho Mining Company’s mining vicinity in Ferengbeya , Tonkolili District,  stated that he was impressed with the investment made so far by the company, which operates the New Tonkolili Iron Ore Mines in that part of the country.

Based on a special invitation from the Kingho Mining Company Management the Vice President was taken through several sites of the company’s operations including the mining pit, the processing plant and the Train Load Out (TLO).

At the end of the conducted tour, the Vice President said he was impressed with the company’s operation so far adding that the investment made so far perfectly resonates with the vision and aspirations of the Government.

Explaining the progress made so far by Government to revamp the mining sector of the country since been voted in 2018, he said, “when we took over our major aim was to make the mining sector attractive.” He furthered how they realized that in order to make the sector attractive and boost investor’s confidence, they need to reform the existing mining regulations and laws to reflect the dynamics of modern societies.

He added that already Government proposed a bill to repeal the 2009 Mines and Minerals Act to make the country attractive for investment and to improve competition among companies.

“In the next couple of years, this country will be the hub for exemplary mining. Our role is to support companies to get there,” VP Juldeh assured.

On the part of the company, Salim Sillah, Director in the Office of the CEO, Leone Rock Metal Group said so far the company has invested over 23 million US Dollars in maintenance costs to restore the Tonkolili Iron Ore Mines to a properly mining environment. He said such was not easily achieved as the company took over in 2020 during the peak of the global COVID 19 pandemic.

Salim Sillah said the company’s vision is to transform the iron ore mining industry of Sierra Leone from ore exporters to iron producing through the installation of a smelting plant in the country. He said once that is achieved, the company will be able to boost several sectors in Sierra Leone including employment for Sierra Leoneans, tax and royalties to Government and development of mining communities.

Hence, Salim Sillah called on the Government for more support to the company and assured of the company’s absolute compliance to the mining regulations and laws of Sierra Leone.

The Director was accompanied on the site visit with the Vice President by Mines Compliance Manager of Leone Rock Metal Group, Ing Samuel Kamara.

In another development the Vice President, Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh admonished indigenes of Bendugu Chiefdom in Tonkolili District to refrain from violent acts that have the proclivity of undermining the peace and security of the chiefdom. He advised all in the chiefdom, especially the youths to be law abiding, stressing that Government will not accept any form of violence from anyone irrespective of the person’s political belonging. “Government’s responsibility is to ensure all elections are peaceful,” he underscored.

The Vice President maintained that election is about campaigning through playing, singing, dancing.

“Bendugu people belong to one family, you should therefore not engage in fight because of politics or election. Rather play, laugh and eat together as a family”, he advised.

MCC Delegation Currently Engaging Major Stakeholders to Develop 1st Compact Program

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By Elisha Hardingnel

A delegation from the U.S. Government’s Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) arrived in Sierra Leone on the 13th June 2022 and is currently holding series of bilateral meetings designed to advance the development of the country’s first compact program – a large grant designed to facilitate economic growth.

During the three-day trip, the MCC’s Principal Deputy Vice President of Compact Operations, Kyeh Kim, is currently meeting with the private sector, Government officials, representatives from all political parties, and other development partners, particularly those interested in the energy sector.

It must be noted that the Government of Sierra Leone has requested the MCC to design a potential compact – in coordination with the Sierra Leone Compact Development Unit (SLCDU) – that directly addresses the lack of affordable and reliable electricity among households, businesses, and social institutions.

“Energy creates opportunities. Whether it is an opportunity to study after the sun sets, receive better care in a hospital, or the ability to establish or expand a business,” said Kim. “I’m looking forward to continuing our consultative process with our Sierra Leonean partners this week to ensure that the final compact is broadly inclusive and brings the opportunity of energy to all Sierra Leoneans.”

Currently, only 26 percent of Sierra Leone’s households are connected to an electrical grid, mostly in the capital Freetown, and unpredictable service blackouts force most firms to rely on costly diesel generators to support their operations. The lack of electricity also exacerbates the country’s food insecurity crisis by limiting the presence of processing and storage technologies that use electricity, contributing to high rates of crop loss and waste. The compact design process is analyzing how to address these challenges.

“Country ownership is at the core of MCC’s model,” said new Sierra Leone Country Director for MCC, Steven Grudda. “We look forward to sitting in person with Sierra Leoneans at all levels, from all sides, throughout the week to advance project designs that are inclusive and beneficial to all Sierra Leoneans.”

MCC’s Board of Director’s selected Sierra Leone as eligible to develop a compact in December 2020.  Over the last 18 months, MCC and the SLCDU have worked together to conduct joint analysis on the country’s economy and to identify potential opportunities for investments that will help address the lack of affordable and reliable electricity among households, businesses, and social institutions.

The proposed compact follows a $44.4 million threshold grant between MCC and the Government of Sierra Leone that improved clean water access and electricity services within Freetown.

The Millennium Challenge Corporation is an independent U.S. Government development agency working to reduce global poverty through economic growth. Created in 2004, MCC provides time-limited grants that pair investments in infrastructure with policy and institutional reforms to countries that meet rigorous standards for good governance, fighting corruption and respecting democratic rights.

 

UN Resident Coordinator Babatunde Ahonsi Urges Inter-Party Dialogue

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By Amin Kef-Ranger

In a Press Statement dated 10th June, 2022 and issued by the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office it was categorically stated that the United Nations in Sierra Leone expresses concern over the violent incidents that occurred on the 7th June 2022 in Bendugu town, Sambaia Chiefdom, Tonkolili district, ahead of the by-elections for the Member of Parliament of Constituency 056, leading to injuries to people and damages to properties.

Further stated was that the United Nations deeply condemns all forms of violence and calls on all parts of society – including political leaders and party supporters, traditional and religious leaders, national and local institutions, and citizens in general – to commit to a spirit of tolerance and to work together to maintain peace in Sierra Leone.

Also underscored was that the United Nations in Sierra Leone is calling for a prompt investigation of the incidents so that perpetrators may be brought to justice.

Finally highlighted was that the United Nations in Sierra Leone is urging dialogue, including between political parties, to resolve political differences maintaining that it stands ready to support such dialogue.

As the ‘Yagba’ Continues…. Vote Now to Keep Your Favourite Housemates in the House

Housemates Season 3

By Amin Kef-Ranger

Franklyn Gibson and Patricia R.J Will aka Chubby Gang were the two Housemates evicted  from the House on the 12th June, 2022 marking the end of an amazing journey for the two outstanding Reality TV stars.

However, the organizers of the show, AYV Media Empire and Africell SL have made provision for a one on one discussion with the evicted Housemates for fans which is hosted by Hurai Bangurah who will also be announcing lucky winners that have answered the fan-zone question on Facebook. There will be exciting games, questions and fun moments during the course of the programme.

The #Yagba continues for the Le 250 M cash prize & a round trip to Dubai.  Members of the public should continue to show love by voting for their favourite Housemates. For those residing in Sierra Leone they can vote with #Afrimoney. Just dial *161*10*1# with the NUMBER of any of the Housemates that someone wants to vote for.   For International voting go to www.housematessl.com or www.africell.sl .

It must be noted that after the latest eviction the Housemates have been uncoupled by the Chief of the House for a new coupling. They will be given the opportunity to choose someone whom they will be comfortable with for the week and performer their different tasks to win points.

However, it must be borne in mind that the fate of any of the Housemate is determined largely by the public through a voting process. Members of the public could vote as many times as possible for their favourite Housemates.

Many are now watching the Reality TV Show 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 the Reality TV Show.

In actual fact, the Reality TV Show is serving as a platform where the Housemates are taken through mental and physical exercises that  are helping in molding and shaping their characters. They are benefitting from being guided to be motivational speakers, to think critically as well as rationally, how to healthily interact, how to solve problems, to cook, to sing, dance, control emotions and stress.

The Housemates are given the opportunity to learn from visiting guests from certain corporate institutions who sometimes take them through certain subject matters, learn how to play games and a host of other things that are aligned to coping mechanisms in life.

Better put into perspective, Housemates Salone Season 3 encompasses providing mentorship for young aspiring Sierra Leoneans who believe they have talents that they are showcasing which is providing valuable insights to the everyday behavioral patterns of young people living together.

Put in other words, it could be succinctly stated that Housemates Salone is a kind of refinery where the competitors will go through life overhauling experiences to an extent that life after Housemates Salone will be completely and positively different for them.

Housemates Salone Season 3 is indeed bringing loads of smiles and evoking animated discussions among the young and old in various social circles.

Housemates Salone Season 3

In its Service Delivery… Management of NP-SL Ltd is Very Keen on Optimizing Customer Satisfaction

NP-SL: Held in Esteem for Being Foremost as a Resilient Company

By Amin Kef-Ranger

There is no doubt that NP-Sierra Leone Limited is highly known for prioritizing customer care and taking it to the highest pedestal in the country. Indeed such is indisputable when cognizance is taken of how Management is very keen on optimizing customer satisfaction in its service delivery on different fronts.

Members of staff of the company are very mindful of the fact that it is the customer that comes first and therefore needs the utmost attention always ensuring that transactions are conducted under a congenial atmosphere that always result into a win-win situation.

Through this brilliant and managerial initiative, the company has been making positive headways, positioning it to stand tall among other business entities in this part of the world.

The well-established oil marketing company is also relentlessly enhancing its strides to always ensure that 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.

Amidst various challenges that the company has encountered 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.

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.

CARL Concludes Two Day Retreat with Legislative Committee of Parliament on CPA

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By Foday Moriba Conteh

The Centre for Accountability and Rule of Law (CARL), with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has on Saturday 11th June, 2022 concluded a two day retreat with the Legislative Committee of Parliament on the Criminal Procedure Act (CPA) draft amendment bill. The ceremony was held at New Brookfield’s hotel in Freetown.

In his address, the Executive Director of  the Centre for Accountability and Rule of Law (CARL), Ibrahim Tommy told newsmen that if the reviewed Criminal Procedure Act is passed into law it would have many positive effects on the lives of people because it would reduce overcrowding in  correctional facilities across the county and also would reduce the period use to try criminal matters in court and better regulate the power that Police have to arrest and detain people for everyone to enjoy his or her civil liberties.

Tommy said they organized the retreat with Parliamentarians because over the years, they have been working with stakeholders to make sure that they change or review the Criminal Procedure Act 1965, adding that the CPA of 1965 is the law that the Judiciary uses for all criminal matters in the country which gives the Police the right to arrest, detain and charge matters to court for trial and it also describes the procedure of the matter.

The CARL Executive Director said they want to change so many provisions in the CPA 1965 furthering how they have also looked into the area of Police because they have the power to arrest and detain in ways that are not regulated as it is supposed to be.

He said the law says the Police should arrest and detain persons for 3 or 10 days before charging the matter to court. Tommy said they have proposed for it to be reduced from 3 to 2 days and from 10 to 7days.

The Executive Director added that if someone is convicted for any crime, the sentence should be very limited wherein a fine should be imposed or send the accused to jail adding that in the absence of such there will be overcrowding in correctional centres and so in the CPA draft amendment bill they want to make sure that there is an alternative sentencing in the new CPA.

He called on the authorities to be committed to the CPA draft amendment bill because after the two days retreat, the final vision would be presented to the office of Attorney General and Minister of Justice. He also called on them to take it seriously in order to have the final bill that would be presented to Parliament so that it will be enacted into law furthering that if they really care about everyone in the country, they have to pass the reviewed CPA into law because it would introduce a lot of changes in the criminal justice sector.

“As part of this project, we would continue to talk about the on-going efforts but once we have the new law appreciated we would use a lot of resources to engage the media, community people for them to understand what the new provisions as well as conduct a lot of training for various stakeholders,” he assured.

In his speech, Chairman of the Legislative Committee in Parliament, Hon. Marray Conteh thanked CARL, UNDP and Justice Browne-Mark for the relentless work they have been doing over the years to make sure that they review the Criminal Procedure Act of 1965.
He said as representatives of the people, they are charged with the mandate to make laws, represent them and provide oversight functions.

He said they deemed the process as very important because it will help them broaden their understanding of the reviewed CPA and with that information they would be able to make the right decisions and pass laws that would stand the test of time.

“I believe that whatever we are going to discuss during the review would aid the debating process as soon as the bill reaches Parliament. I believe we have come a long way and I believe we are going to reach the finish line. As I always say, governance is an issue of acting, participation and total involvement of key stakeholders as we all need each other in the process and I believe that when we put our country first in platforms like this we would be able to make decisions that would be in the interest of our people,” he said.

During the two days retreat, Justice Nicholas Browne-Marke gave a general overview of the CPA draft amendment bill and presented it to the Legislative Committee of Parliament.

During Sales Drive… Africell Managing Director Romances with Africell Customers

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By Foday Moriba Conteh

The Managing Director of Africell-Sierra Leone, Shadi Gerjawi, has on Tuesday 14th June, 2022 joined other senior members of staff of the company to engage customers within the Freetown Municipality on their customer sales drive engagement.

The Managing Director, who was posted at the Pademba Road axis in Freetown, out of humanitarian gesture, instructed his staff to bring down the price of the company’s Africell Phones which was sold at Le 50,000, for one, to Le25, 000, giving customers the opportunity to secure brand new Africell Phones.

The one day customer sales drive engagement by the company targeted 13 localities in Freetown around Pademba Road, PZ, Lumley, Funkia, Bottom Mango, Congo Cross, Congo Market, Kroo-Town Road etc.

Speaking during the ceremony, the Managing Director of Africell Sierra Leone, Shadi Gerjawi, said that the customer sales drive engagement is geared towards engaging Africell customers on what have been their experiences as Africell customers which include what new changes they want to see, what are their challenges as customers maintaining that as a company they will go back and act on those challenges in order to provide quality services to their customers.

He said that during the engagement the company was able to get first-hand information about the company of which he said most of the feedback received from customers were positive.

He concluded by stating that at Africell SL  quality customer care delivery service is at the heart of the company, of which he used the opportunity to encourage all to join the Africell family furthering how the company is always committed to provide the best service delivery to its customers across the country.

On his part, the Director of AfriMoney, Martison Obeng-Agyei who was also attached at PZ during the customer sales drive engagement tagged the event as a move in the right direction towards seeking the views of customers on the use of their services.

He said during this period they have been able to engage customers one-in-one in order to get first-hand information.

The Afrimoney Director informed all that Afrimoney has unique features that makes it secure to send the right amount of money to the right persons at the precise time, making it the most reliable and secured mobile money service in the country.

Yusuf Bangura, an Africell customer, commended the company for the customer sales drive engagement which he said is not only important but a timely intervention towards addressing customers’ concerns.

He expressed gratitude to the Managing Director of Africell Sierra Leone, Shadi Gerjawi, for his humanitarian gesture by reducing the prize of their Africell Phones from Le50, 000 to Le 25,000, stating that through his gesture many customers have been able to get the phones at affordable prizes.

WAYN Concludes University Peace Summit 2022

West African Youth Network,

By Foday Moriba Conteh

In their direct response to the significance of young people in fostering peace during and after elections in the country, the West African Youth Network, in partnership with various Students’ Union Government and with support from Bistum Regensburg in Germany has on Friday 10th June, 2022 concluded the 4 day University Peace Summit 2022 on the theme: “Students Shaping Peace Together, Conflict Mitigation, Mediation and Negotiation”. The University Peace Summit was held on Fourah Bay College Campus in Freetown.

Speaking to this medium in an interview, the Project Officer at the West African Youth Network, Edwin Nyamoh, said that the summit was geared towards addressing the role of students in the fight for peace and further equip them on strategic peace models through a diverse learning process aimed primarily at creating a safe space for students within and outside the education sector in the country.

He added that it also served as a direct response to the significance of young people in fostering peace during and after elections.

Edwin Nyamoh pointed out that the Summit has bridged the gaps between students from different learning institutions, thus fostering a collective approach to addressing the issues of violence, conflict, and peace building mechanisms and that it gave participants the opportunity to speak with a unified voice and create a platform for networking and productivity.

He maintained that the summit focused on areas like International Mediation, Community Conflict Mitigation, Conflict Analysis/Risk Assessment, Positive Peace/Social Change/Gender Empowerment Bill, Negotiations and Dialogue.

He concluded by encouraging participants to ensure that they replicate what they have learnt during the summit as a collective approach to addressing the issues of violence, conflict, and peace building mechanisms within and outside their various institutions.

The Head of Volunteer at the West African Youth Network, Fatmata Alie revealed that over the years the rapid spate of violence and insecurity have remained primary concerns more so amongst young people.  She said quite recently there have been reports of more than two violent outbreaks in three different universities in the country.

She continued that the summit has equipped them as students to serve as peace agents in their various universities and communities, as they learnt about means leading to peace, mitigation of conflicts and peace.

Fatmata Alie also urged participants to be peace ambassadors in their universities, communities more especially as the country will be conducting its general elections in 2023.

One of the beneficiaries of the summit, Chernor Bakarr of the Ernest Bai Koroma University, commended the West African Youth Network for organizing the summit which he described as not only important but a very timely intervention towards enhancing peace not only in their universities but the country as a whole.

He said that with the wealth of knowledge gained during the summit he is very equipped towards addressing the issues of violence, conflict and how to apply peace building mechanisms.

Chernor Bakarr assured all that he will ensure that what he has learnt during the summit will replicated accordingly.

Rakiatu Jalloh, another participant from A.I College in Freetown also used the opportunity to express gratitude to the West African Youth Network for equipping them on Conflict Mitigation, Negotiations and Dialogue, Conflict Analysis/Risk Assessment, Peace Building etc.

She maintained that with this knowledge she will work with other students or youth groups towards achieving the purpose of the summit.

The event was climaxed with a certification ceremony as all the participants from the various universities were certified as Peace Ambassadors.

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