On May Day… SLEF Chairman Inspires Employers that Concertedly, Current Business Challenges will be Surmounted

May 4, 2022

By Amin Kef Sesay

Celebrating Labour Day also popularly known as May Day, which happens to be the 1st of every May month in the year, stakeholders converged at the Family Kingdom Resort at Aberdeen in Freetown on the 3rd May, 2022 to mark the day during which occasion the keynote address was delivered by President Julius Maada Bio.

In his capacity as Chairman of the Sierra Leone Employers Federation, Ambassador Kobi Walker extended fraternal greetings to all in attendance thanking God for sparing lives to gather again this year in order to commemorate the 2022 May Day.

He also conveyed special thanks to the President and his Government for taking proactive measures which, according to him, largely prevented a second wave of the COVID 19 pandemic in the country which he said almost brought advanced countries to a standstill during the closing months of 2021.

Amb. Kobi Walker said no sooner had we thought the world had some respite then the Russian and Ukrainian crisis started on the 24th of February 2022, a crisis which he stated has significantly affected supplies of petroleum products and wheat to Africa in particular and the world in general.

He pointed out that recently, there has been increased cases of COVID-19 leading to infections of people in Shanghai and other cities in China which are important trading partners with Sierra Leone saying all of the recent developments have had a profound effect on the economy of Sierra Leone

The Chairman pointed out that the latest economic forecast on the Sierra Leone Economy can be seen from the Monetary Policy Statement of 5th April 2022 issued by the Monetary Policy Committee of the Bank of Sierra Leone which met on the 30th March 2022 from which he said he will reference and quote:

Inflation:

According to Statistics Sierra Leone, by exit March 2022,the annual National Consumer Price Inflation (year-on-year) stood at 22.06 percent points from 17.59 percent in February 2022.

The MPC statement affirmed that Global commodity-price inflation (especially fuel and food), high freight charges, the overall global negative supply shock created by the Russian – Ukranian crisis and the uncertainties surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic suggest that inflationary pressures are expected to persist in the near period.

The resultant increase in domestic fuel pump prices, which is bound to raise production costs economy wide, may most likely impose adverse consequences for domestic prices. In a nutshell, inflationary pressures are likely to persist in the near term.

Domestic Economic Growth :

According to the Monetary Policiy statement issued by Bank of Sierra Leone, Real Gross Domestic Product growth is expected to be stronger (5.0 percent), supported by an expected increase in activities in the agriculture, manufacturing, services and mining sectors.

However, the Russian-Ukrainian crisis and the ensuing sanctions regimes the Western powers have imposed on Russia, have heightened global economic uncertainty, which could significantly weigh on global economic recovery and commodity markets. This development may have an adverse impact on economic growth, especially for small open economies like Sierra Leone. It is believed that actual RGDP growth during 2022, more likely than not, will fall below its forecasted value of 5.0 percent.

Availability of Foreign Currencies:

The MPC noted the reduced supply of foreign exchange from exports ,FDIs and other sources of inflows in the face of increased demand for the importation of essential goods especially fuel and food. In particular, given the high unfulfilled demand for foreign exchange for the importation of key commodities (most prominently, fuel and food), the committee (set up by the Central bank to review monetary policies) is of the view that the demand pressures will lead to a significant depreciation of the Leone in the near future. Given the high pass-through effects of exchange rate depreciation on domestic prices, this will lead to higher prices, which will potentially negatively impact living standards of especially the poor.

The MPC also noted that current wave of exchange rate depreciation is not unique to Sierra Leone. The depreciation of the leone is similar to what is obtaining in most members states in the West Africa Monetary Zone based on weekly exchange rate analysis (The gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone )

The Federation however welcome the recommendations of the Monetary Policy Committe to the Directors of the Central Bank for the creation of two Special facilities which will provide foreign exchange for the importation of commodities that fall within the special facilities i.e

For importation of Fuel
For food items ( rice ,flour and sugar )

Kobi Walker said it is instructive to mention that the Federation will work assidiously with NASSIT, ILO and other related and relevant stakeholders to actualize the establishment of the informal sector scheme.

He said he has gone on record to inform the public that NP (SL)Ltd recorded losses in quarter 1 of 2022 of over SLL 60bn due to some of the reasons adduced above adding that equally so, employers in varioius sectors are also registering collossal losses in their businesses operations and activites.

The Chairman said nevetheless, armed with ruthless focus, dogged determination and relentless passion, the country‘s employers will surmount the current business challanges.

He said in summary, Employers are facing challenges in terms of: Increased inflation which can potentially reduce demand for goods and services offered by their members, Higher cost of foreign exchange for importations saying the proposed establishment of the two special facilities for employers through the Commercia lBanks willassist tremendously, the need to encourage commercial banks to provide bridging loans at affordable cost of capital to shore up the current dwindling working capital of employers and businesses, the current wave of shortage of electricity and water are adding to cost of production saying most employers have to resort to frequent use of generators and purchases of water from water bowsers owners and operators saying they are confident that will be addressed soon, Disruption in Global Supply Chain and the attendant consequencies and ramifications on businesses, Increased Freight Charges saying they understood from the Sierra Leone Association of Importers that average cost of container-Ex China are now as follows:

Movements in Freight Charges for 20ft Container

Pre Covid 19 US$2 ,500 .per container

Peak of Covid 19 US$12,000 per container

Currently US$7,000 per container

Movements for Freight Charges for 40ft container

Pre Covid 19 US$ 5,000 per container

Peak of Covid 19 US$ 19,000. Per container

Currently US$ 12,000 Per Container

Kobi Walker said the Employers have weathered the storm during the COVID 19 pandemic with the assistance of Government and their Employees adding that they expect such a cooperation and positive collaboration to continue .

He said Employers, notwithstanding the above, are currently reviewing the Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Hotel and Entertainment Industry Trade Group and the Industrial Trade Group Council.

According to him, that coupled with the Draft Labour Laws, which he said will be validated soon, are in line with the Theme for this Year ‚‘‘Ensuring Fairness at the Workplace.‘‘

He concluded by congraulating all including the President who are workers further thanking all for their kind and rapt attention and wishing God blessings on all and the land that we so love, Sierra Leone.

Via Ministry of Social Welfare… Chinese Embassy Offers Iftar to Muslims Observing Ramadan

April 29, 2022

By Millicent Senava Mannah

The Chinese Embassy in Sierra Leone has donated food items which include 800 bags of 25kg rice, 200 cartoons of 5L cooking oil, 200 bags of 25kg flour, 400 bags of 1kg sugar and 8,000 facial masks to the Muslim Community. The handing over ceremony took place on the 28^th April, 2022, at the Ministry of Social Welfare’s Conference Hall situated at New England Ville, Freetown.

Before handing over the food items the Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Hu Zhangliang expressed his delight to be present on the occasion. He furthered that as the country celebrates its 61st Independence Anniversary, he would like to use the opportunity to express his warmest congratulations and wished the Republic of Sierra Leone and its people happiness and prosperity.

“I wish to congratulate H.E. President Julius Maada Bio, the Sierra Leonean Government and People for the efforts made in promoting religious harmony and national cohesion,” he said adding how the achievements in advancing the well-beings of the Muslim community are also notable.

The Ambassador maintained that Muslims have been observing the Holy Month of Ramadan by displaying religious loyalty, strict self-control and sharing love, care also underscoring that in few days time they will be celebrating the traditional Muslim festival of Eid-al-Fitr.

He used the opportunity to wish all Muslims “Eid Mubarak” in advance.

He revealed that as a friendly gesture and on the advice of the Ministry of Social Welfare, the Chinese Embassy decided to donate the following items to the Muslim community through the major Muslim and Islamic organizations in the country.

“We know that over 70% of the population in Sierra Leone are Muslims and our Muslim brothers and sisters have done a lot in promoting the development of China-Sierra Leone relationship,” he also stated intimating that he wished that the donation will help the religious organizations to provide support to the less privileged persons and communities.

He said China and Sierra Leone are friendly countries in tradition recalling that last year marked the 50^th Anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Sierra Leone.

The Ambassador stated how over the past five decades, the China-Sierra Leone relations has been constantly enhanced on the basis of sincere friendship, equality, mutual trust, mutual support, mutual benefit and win-win outcomes.

According to him, in recent years, under the strong leadership of H.E. President Xi Jinping and H.E. President Julius Maada Bio, cooperation between their two countries in education, public health, agriculture, energy, telecommunications, infrastructure building, and human resources development etc. has yielded countless tangible results.

He revealed that, since 2018 alone, the Chinese side has helped the Sierra Leonean side build or implement about 20 projects or programs, stating that, all of which brought substantial benefits to the Sierra Leonean Government and People.

The Ambassador disclosed that since the start of the year, the Chinese side has cooperated with the Sierra Leonean side in commencing the rehabilitation of the National Stadium, commissioning 4 Mobile Clinics, the Myohaung Officers Mess and Single Officers’ Quarters, handing over a batch of water bowsers, fire engines, and vehicles adding that the two Governments have also signed a new Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation.

He mentioned that, although China and Sierra Leone practice different social and political systems, the two countries are genuine friends and equal members of the international society, also stating that the two sides have been cooperating closely in international affairs, effectively upholding international equity and justice as well as the common interests of the developing countries.

“I wish to take this opportunity to thank the Sierra Leonean Government and People including all the religious organizations for the valuable support to the Chinese side in matters related to China’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and dignity,” he said.

On her part, the Minister of Social Welfare, Bendu Dassama, expressed appreciation to the Chinese Embassy for what she described as a kind and timely gesture.

She continued that the donation means a whole lot especially in this month of fasting and praying adding how it is also the month of giving especially to the less privileged .

“The Ministry has nothing to do with distributions as year in and out we always ensure that the Muslim leaders themselves do their distributions,” she stated their position maintaining that they only step in to help with the planning with the avowed objective to ensure that the less privileged benefit from what has been donated.

She applauded the Embassy and the Chinese Government for their countless development support to the country and for always showing up when they ask for their assistance. She requested that they undertake more and more projects as there is so much to be done in the country.

The National Secretary General of the Supreme Islamic Council of Sierra Leone, Sheikh Ibrahim Barrie, said on behalf of his colleagues , they do consider it an honour to witness the handing-over ceremony of the food items that was graciously donated by the Chinese Ambassador to the Muslim Community.

“We are very happy to receive these items and we appreciate the support that the Embassy has been giving to the country,” he said adding that the occasion is very timely because it is coming during the holy month of Ramadan, and especially during the last ten nights of fasting..

He appreciated the Ambassador and the Government of China for the great support that they have been giving, not only to the Muslims but to the people of Sierra Leone as a whole.

Since 2012… How far Has GoSL Implemented the World Bank Civil Service Pay and Performance Project?

April 29, 2022

By Amin Kef Sesay

To create a capable Civil Service of the right size and job composition to deliver its core functions assigned by Government, in June 2012 the Government of Sierra Leone and World Bank signed an agreement to implement the Pay and Performance Project (PPP) for Sierra Leone.

The value of the project was US $17 million to finance the achievement of priority pay and performance reforms in the Civil Service which are needed to achieve the economic growth and poverty reduction goals of the country.

At appraisal by the World Bank in 2012, Sierra Leone’s public sector suffered a deficit in public sector capacity and performance, diagnosed as particularly severe due to a ‘missing middle.’ Specifically, the number of staff in Grades 6–10 was very limited, with only 11 percent of the total civil service workforce.

Low pay discouraged qualified candidates from entering the public. This was compounded by an unfair pay structure that resulted from:

(a) Establishment of autonomous Agencies and Commissions that performed key functions exempt from Civil Service rules,

(b) Growth of ‘outside grade’ appointees who were paid at discretionary salaries, and (c) the hiring of highly paid local technical assistants (LTAs) by development partners to support implementation of externally-financed projects.

One rationale for the project was to help strengthen the institutions and processes that were tasked with recruitment of the Civil Service, which would in turn reduce ad hoc patronage appointments.

At the time of project appraisal, large numbers of civil servants within the GoSL had been appointed under the one-party State outside of the formal recruitment process, including for reasons of patronage — not merit.

A culture of weak and opaque performance management within the Civil Service was suggested as an additional disincentive to attracting higher numbers of potential applicants. The Project Appraisal Document (PAD) mentioned a growing sense of demoralization among civil servants, given a lack of extrinsic incentives for performing their jobs well.

Project Objective

Against the above background, the objective of the PPP was to improve competitiveness and internal equity in pay setting, thereby enabling the Civil Service to attract and retain qualified professionals.

The project is designed to support three key reform initiatives within the Government’s overarching Public sector program, namely: Pay Reform; Recruitment and Staffing Performance Management.

Pay Reform

The GoSL’s ‘‘Multi-Year Public Sector Pay Reform Strategy (2011-2015)’’ was approved by Cabinet in February 2011. It outlined a comprehensive approach to reforming public sector pay over the five (5) year period. The Strategy recognized that remuneration should be commensurate with the responsibilities of the job, which necessitates the completion of a comprehensive Job Evaluation and grading exercise before enhanced pay is introduced in a new pay structure.

It was noted that a significant decompression of the pay structure is also needed in order to allow professionals and managers to be remunerated more competitively, while maintaining an affordable and sustainable public service wage bill in relation to GoSL‘s recurrent revenues.

Aim

The Pay Reform was intended to unify pay in Public Service by rectifying pay distortions, e.g., Civil Servants, Contract Officers, Teachers and other Public Servants by;

Developing a comprehensive pay structure for the Public Service including elected and political appointees and Mainstreaming essential Local Technical Assistants (LTAs) into Civil Service positions

Overall and Specific Objectives:

To attract, motivate and retain competent human capacity in the Public Service, Provide competitive remuneration, Attract and retain quality staff, Ensure value for money, Improve the performance and productivity of MDAs and individual Civil Servants; Increase Citizens’ trust and confidence in government; Strengthen the accountability of MDAs to the citizens and the Executive.

To Restore Academic Integrity… Higher Education Ministry & Stakeholders Adopt 10 Resolutions

April 29, 2022

Ministry of Technical and Higher Education (MTHE).jpg

By Amin Kef Sesay

The Ministry of Technical and Higher Education (MTHE) convened a meeting of key stakeholders in Government at its office in New England, on 26^th April 2022, in light of the recent developments relating to unaccredited universities conferring fake degrees and awarding fake certificates and diplomas in Sierra Leone, contrary to the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) Act 2001and the imperative to restore academic integrity and address public concerns.

Those in attendance included the Secretary to Cabinet and Head of the Civil Service, the Chairman of the Public Service Commission and the Director General of the Human Resource Management Office.

On the side of the MTHE were the Minister who chaired the meeting, the Deputy Minister, the Permanent Secretary, the Chief Technical and Higher Education Officer and other senior staff.

The meeting acknowledged press releases made by the TEC informing the public that the Dominion Christian University and African Graduate Universities are not accredited to confer degrees (i.e. Bachelors, Masters and Doctorate Degrees) in Sierra Leone and that such degrees are null and void.

The meeting further commends efforts by the Academic Staff Association of the University of Sierra Leone and the Conference of Vice Chancellors and Principals for condemning the conferment of fake degrees in Sierra Leone by unaccredited institutions.

In the joint meeting, the stakeholders also recognized the adverse effect of the conferment of degrees by unaccredited Universities to undeserving persons who have not pursued approved academic programmes, and the adverse effect on the country which has been a beacon of quality education over the years.

It was resolved during the meeting that all degrees awarded by the Dominion Christian University, African Graduate University and all other unknown unaccredited universities in Sierra Leone are declared null and void and should not be considered valid for employment or as a criterion for further studies.

That the Public Service Commission, the Cabinet Secretariat, the Human Resource Management Office, Health Service Commission, Parliamentary Committee on Appointments and Public Service, Local Government Service Commission. Judicial and Legal Service Commission, Teaching Service Commission, Tertiary Education Commission and all public universities are encouraged to conduct a system’s audit of all academic awards to ascertain their validity and all employees and/or appointees should be requested to produce their certificates for audit before 31st May 2022.

That all those who have been awarded Honoris Causa PhDs should make this explicit in all public documents

It was also resolved that collaborative efforts will continue with the TEC, law enforcement agencies and other relevant bodies to identify all unaccredited academic institutions in Sierra Leone that are currently awarding fake degrees , that the MTHE will work with the TEC to develop a policy on online courses and the conferment of degrees and the award of other qualifications, that the MTHE will establish a Directorate for the verification of all qualifications awarded by international universities and/or other institutions.

Those in attendance agreed that the MTHE will undertake urgent action with the TEC to review the TEC Act 2001 with the aim of strengthening its enforcement and regulatory powers for Higher Education Institutions in Sierra Leone, the MTHE and TEC will engage the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) to provide list of all institutions registered with the CAC in order to determine their eligibility to provide training and award degrees, diplomas and certificates, that the TEC and CAC will develop an agreement that will require both parties to collaboratively register institutions as training and business entities and that the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education will with immediate effect establish a help desk for members of the public to report the operations of all unaccredited universities engaged in the award of fake certificates.

Chinese Government Boosts Freetown & Lungi Airport with 15 Bowsers & 2 Fire Engines

April 29, 2022

15 China-Aid Water Bowers for the supply of water.jpg

By Foday Moriba Conteh

President Julius Maada Bio on the 26^th April 2020 commissioned 15 China-Aid Water Bowers for the supply of water in the capital city and two fire engines for the Lungi International Airport.

Ing. Philip Karimu Lansana, Minister of Water Resources, expressed delight and thanked the President for his caring leadership and for making sure that water distribution to every household is possible. He also thanked the Government of the People’s Republic of China for their continued support to Sierra Leone.

Ing. Lansana further noted that the water bowsers would provide adequate and reliable water supply because the exponential increase of the population and rapid growth of Freetown had challenged the provision of adequate water supply to all households in the city.

“These bowsers will add to the existing ones that will ameliorate the water situation in areas where there is inadequate or no network in Freetown. We are, therefore, very grateful to the government of the People’s Republic of China for this timely assistance,” he ended.

Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone, His Excellency Hu Zhangliang, said the donation of the 15 water bowsers and two fire engines is to support and improve the water supply situation and to further enhance the safety of the Lungi International Airport. He added that the machines are the best of their kinds produced in China and equipped with the latest technology.

“This donation is another vivid demonstration of the continued growth of China-Sierra Leone friendship and one of the concrete steps taken by China to support Sierra Leone’s development. They can be gifts from the Chinese Government to the people of Sierra Leone for the Sixty-First Independence Anniversary Day,” he concluded.

In his statement, His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio announced that his Government had indisputably done more to expand the existing water supply infrastructure and to make it more resilient in many years.

“Both the World Health Organization and UNICEF have stated that my Government has improved access to safe drinking water and sanitation over the last four years: 24% in the provinces; 6% in the Freetown area. They have also confirmed that my Government is making great progress on what they set out to do – increase access to potable water,” he said.

The President noted that low access could cause children to go fetch water and loses study time and that would expose them to social risks, adding that his Government’s focus is on human capital development.

“To address this problem, my Government has secured from the Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone, a total of 15 bowsers and 2 fire engines donated by the Government of the People’s Republic of China. The water bowsers will be used to enhance water service delivery to low-income communities in the Western Area,” he said.

President Bio Addresses the Nation on Independence Day

April 29, 2022

Sierra Leone’s 61 Independence Anniversary.jpg

By Foday Moriba Conteh

In his speech to the nation, marking Sierra Leone’s 61 Independence Anniversary, His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio informed the nation that the country, like all countries around the world, has continued to wrestle with the immense global economic crises and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said Global supply chains have been disrupted and everything around the world is now more expensive in every country maintaining how food, fuel, and other goods are now more expensive in United States, United Kingdom, France, China, Australia, India, Nigeria, Ghana, Guinea, and even in Sierra Leone than they were just a few months ago.

The President continued that his Government has taken immediate steps to soften the impact of these hard economic times through quick action economic recovery programmes and other subsidies as well as tax incentives that have kept essential goods in the market plus undertaking social safety net programmes to help out the hardest hit and most vulnerable of the citizens.

He said multilateral partners have praised his Government’s actions in successfully battling waves of COVID-19 saying in the last two years, the country’s response to the pandemic has been praised by the World Health Organization and the Centre for Disease Control.

He also intimated how they have also managed the economy responsibly and supported private sector growth, kept investments in human capital, infrastructure, energy, while protecting and promoting rights and good governance.

President said his Government has built and rehabilitated more school infrastructure, committed more money to supporting education, extended universal access to free quality education to all children, provided free learning and teaching materials, revamped vocational education, and fundamentally changed education in just four years.

That his Government has hired and trained more nurses and doctors, reduced maternal and child mortality, minimized the common disease burdens, built and rehabilitated more hospitals and community health care centres.

“In four years, we have increased agricultural productivity, introduced more mechanization in all sixteen districts, provided more input support for farmers, established more new cash crop fields, and expanded agricultural value-chains. This is more than any Government has ever done in four years,” he continued adding how they have built more roads and bridges, including rural roads and bridges, major international highways to Liberia, a highway to Moyamba, the Mabanga bridge, and the Magbele bridge. We are working on new highways in the Kono and Kailahun districts.

That they are building a $270M airport terminal, rehabilitating the national stadium for about $40M, building an ultra-modern foreign service academy, erecting several modern NASSIT regional offices, and all but completed the ACC and NATCOM headquarter buildings.

He said in just four years, they have expanded energy access and provided electricity to more towns and villages in Sierra Leone than any Government has ever done.

The President said his Government has expanded access to potable water across the country with brand new investments in water infrastructure and assets in all district headquarter towns and other towns and villages across the country.

He said in sectors such as fisheries, mining, tourism, the downstream petroleum sector, the environment, and more, his Government’s performance over these four years has been highly commended by independent international organizations.

That his Government has either passed or is working on more laws and policies for the protection of girls, especially from sexual offences, and, the promotion of gender empowerment and equality laws, disability rights and empowerment, mental healthcare and more.

He said the Government passed the Millennium Challenge Corporation scorecard every year excelling in the areas of control of corruption and ruling justly, have abolished the death penalty, repealed seditious libel laws, actively advocated for investments in an independent media industry, and joined the International Religious Freedom or Belief Alliance.

That there is no journalist in prison for the practice of journalism and have continually reduced prison populations, invested in and registered remarkable improvements in access to justice, disaster management, public safety, and the correctional system.

He said we are a tough and optimistic people in spite of the distractions of a few people, who have made talking bad things about the country a political hobby the Government is making great progress on all fronts.

The President appealed for all to focus on staying together to continue building a more resilient and progressive nation.

He said we have now earned the respect of nations all over Africa and the world and that International cooperation and support are at an all-time high and will keep doing more.

He ended by saying that in this holy month of peace and benevolence, let Sierra Leoneans continue to love their fellow-countrymen and women and understand that the purpose as a nation is bigger than personal ambitions wishing Ramadan Kareem and Happy Independence Day to all.

Op-Ed At 61, Sierra Leone Is A Nation In Crises

April 29, 2022

By Cornelius Oguntola Melvin Deveaux

At 61 years of independence, Sierra Leone is a nation of many woes; compatriots would agree it has all the hallmarks of a failed state.

In 1960, the Secretary of State responsible for the British colonies, Iain Macleod, had tacitly delayed granting independence to Sierra Leone. Secretary of State Macleod believed that it was important that the country should have shown that it could cope successfully with the problems of full self-government.

For this reason, Iain Macleod thought it wise to allow a year to elapse, and April 27th, 1961, was put forward as the date for the attainment of independence.

In his independence message to Sierra Leoneans on Thursday, April 27th, 1961, Prime Minister Sir Milton Margai warned there was much to do to bring improvements to all parts of the country.

Milton Margai pointed out that the most significant change independence brings is that we are now in complete control of our destiny and deciding our external and internal policies. He called on all to stand for the freedom and prosperity of men everywhere.

In his independence message to the Government and People of Sierra Leone, the 35th President of the United States of America, John F. Kennedy (1961-1963), was optimistic about an independent Sierra Leone, as the people of the United States of America, would cherish and hold dear the virtues of liberty and independence.

After 61 years of self-rule, it is only the unprogressive citizens and those oblivious of the good old days – when buying second-hand stuff like clothing, ornaments, furniture, and appliances were anathema to common sense, morals, and acceptable standards – who cannot fathom the depths to which our country has been educationally, politically, culturally, economically and socially drowned.

Good old days when what you wore on entering Alpha store, Duniya Store, Colisee and Charlie Girl boutique is not the same you wear when coming out.

Days when going to school was a pleasure; when education was dignified.

Days when you will send your child or ward to bring a taxi to your doorstep to take you to your destination.

Days when having breakfast-lunch-dinner were not a luxury and a privilege.

At 61 years of independence, a nation that was first in many spheres of human endeavor and development is lagging behind Nigeria, Ghana, Gambia, and many others whose nationals gained their education and inspiration from Sierra Leone.

A nation that was self-sufficient in rice production in 1961 is today a net importer of rice.

Sierra Leone was once considered the Athens of Africa. Today the country is besmeared with fake degrees, underperformance, mediocrity, and illiteracy.

At 61, ours is a nation where the business community continues a war of exploitation against the poor masses.

A nation where the tales of the political Judases are more revealing than the tales of the political liberators, where State plunderers are respected and whistleblowers despised.

At 61, the Judiciary, Legislative and Executive arms of Government are a disappointment. Civil society and the public service are a disappointment. Some Traditional leaders, journalists, politicians, and technocrats are all a disappointment. The people are a disappointment to themselves and the collective good of the nation.

A nation where every man and woman, consciously or unconsciously, perfect the manipulations and skullduggeries of the political class at their own expenses, where tribal hypocrisy, political sycophancy and bootlicking are the characteristics of politicians and their supporters.

Today at 61, we are a nation divided along political and tribal lines. A nation divided between the All Peoples Congress party and the Sierra Leone Peoples Party. We are a nation building the blocks of tribalism between the Mendes and the Themnes; building the blocks of division between the North and the South; building the blocks of inequality between the Haves and Have not.

We are a nation divided between the two political giants of our time: friends in a closet, enemies in public. Between former Ernest Bai Koroma and current President Julius Maada Bio.

We are a nation whose people seem not to know left from right and cannot distinguish the good from the bad.

We are a nation where the Police and Army find pleasure in gunning down its citizens and no longer protect them. A country where the misuse of public funds is the order of the day and the languishing of citizens in abject poverty continues unabated. A system where the Electoral Commission cannot guarantee free, fair and credible elections, the political parties regulating agency cannot ensure a level playing field for all political actors.

At 61, Sierra Leone is a nation in need of rebirth, in need of a rejuvenation of the minds and skills.

At 61, we have portrayed ourselves as a nation that has not been able to contend with the problems of self-rule. There is no denying that we are not in complete control of our destiny and have failed to stand for freedom and prosperity. We have not held dear the virtues of liberty and independence.

As we journey onward, we are a nation in dire need of a revolution – the revolution of the mind to liberate the conscience and a system strangled by partisan politics. We must end the era of bad politicians and other elements in our society. We must put the collective interest above self, nation above politics.

Hope this is a worthy independence reflection for all Sierra Leoneans.

About the author: Cornelius Deveaux is a politician, journalist, and writer. He was the founder and National Chairman of the Young People’s Party in 2002, Editor of the We Yone newspaper, former Deputy and National Publicity Secretary of the All Peoples Congress, and a former Deputy Minister of Information and Communications.

NP-SL Cherishes & Prioritizes Maximization of Customer Care

April 29, 2022

National Petroleum-Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd).jpg

By Amin Kef Sesay

Steadfastness in optimal service delivery has made the NP Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL-Ltd) one of the most outstanding and vibrant companies that is steadily operating, in thick and thin, in this country. Such largely emanates from the dogged determination on the part of 35 former employees of the then British Petroleum company, which decided to fold up its operations and sold shares, which these workers bought out of their end of service benefits and used as seed capital to commence the running of the now renowned NP-SL –Ltd.

Setting up the company was just one accomplished feat, but taking it from that level to where it is today, speaks volumes of the selflessness on the part of the shareholders, who were all Sierra Leoneans, to see their ‘baby’ grow and succeed up to an appreciable stage that they were yearning for. It is this selflessness on the part of the shareholders which eclipsed personal aggrandizement, misappropriation of funds and insincerity to such an extent that the resultant effect culminated into an overall success story.

At this material point in time the company has bagged a whole lot of recognition for its outstanding performances in the line of marketing qualitative petroleum products. It stands to be contested that NP-SL Ltd is the number one oil marketing company in this country, which is equal to none, as it continues to break new frontiers in its expansionist drive.

When the name NP is called, what immediately comes to mind is First for Customer Care and this is not a mere masquerading in borrowed robes, but rather a true accomplishment of what the company fervently believes in and is striving towards maintaining. To the Shareholders and Management of the company, providing utmost satisfaction in its service delivery to its esteemed as well as numerous customers is just as important as importing petroleum products into the country. Keen consideration is given to marketing high grade products that customers utilize for the effective performances of vehicles and other gadgets.

Besides, the company ensured that its pumping machines used in Filling Stations are modern and standardized in order to give customers their monies’ worth. These machines are very transparent, as it displays the number of litre pumped and the corresponding prices. Besides, customers concerns and suggestions are taken into consideration when policies are mapped out and Management decisions are arrived at, which makes it possible for various shades of opinions and inputs to be factored into how the company tailors its operations.

With the avowed aim of making their customers feel at home, NP-SL-Ltd has made the procurement of petroleum products very simple by introducing the use of NP Smart Card. NP Smart Card has unique embedded security features which cannot be easily faked by unscrupulous persons and the Card could be topped up to contain a considerable amount of money which a particular customer could use for purchasing purposes, with amounts deducted depending on the quantum of the products so far demanded. Indeed, it is a latest technological device and is becoming very trending.

For effective cooking purposes the company also has on offer for sale NP Gas, a device found in different cylinder shapes, that could be accessed at all the company’s Filling Stations as well as authorized dealers at affordable prices. Environmentally and medically certified as user friendly, NP Gas is presently going like hot cakes and there are energized workers in all the stations that readily offer tips or guidance as to how to optimally make use of this wonderful gadget. As a matter of fact a particular user can easily gain access to gas for refilling purpose.

A marked feature of the company has to do with its one hundred percent ‘Sierra Leoneaness’, having shareholders, Management and general staff who are all indigenes. Such a premium placed on making use of local talents and raw materials are parts of the core bedrock of the much talked about Local Content Policy.

Employing knowledgeable Sierra Leoneans to execute certain tasks has been a cardinal principle that has permeated the company’s existence throughout the periods it has been in active existence and such has been paying meaningful dividends. It also means offering various training opportunities to broaden the knowledge horizons of its members of staff for sound contributions to the company’s viability and buoyancy.

Bent on maintaining that stance, the company has been helping in poverty reduction because by offering job opportunities, either directly or otherwise, it is putting monies in the pockets of individuals to take care of responsibilities. Monies are spent internally as opposed to a situation where the company should have concentrated on importing foreign expatriates to do tasks that indigenes could do better.

NP-SL Ltd has, over the years, in its drive to roll out the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility complementing Government’s efforts to enhance improved standards of living. It has offered institutional capacity supports to vibrant entities.

To have branches in different parts of the country and going further to have presence within the West African sub-region tells of how the company is determined to grow. There are NP branches in Liberia, Guinea, Ivory Coast and The Gambia and the vibrant functioning of all those branches is a true testimony of how successful its shareholders and Management want to see customers enjoying qualitative petroleum products. The company is providing job opportunities in those countries and at the same time paying taxes, which form components of generated revenues that are used by the respective Governments to undertake the implementation of various development programmes and projects.

NP-SL is moving on the right trajectory and deserves all the necessary support it requires to move from one height to another. The company is poised to continue creating meaningful impacts and consciously moving towards the direction of always setting the pace for others to follow.

As Public Voting Intensifies… 60 Shortlisted Applicants Battle for 22 Spaces

April 29, 2022

By Amin Kef Sesay

In the ongoing public voting taking place via Africell-SL, there are sixty (60) applicants for Housemates Salone Season 3 Reality TV Show who are battling through the airwaves and other platforms to be voted for in order to occupy a limited space of just twenty-two (22) participants who would be given the green light to enter the House for the Show to commence.

It must be noted that the Reality TV Show, Housemates Salone Season 3, with the slogan “Di Game Get Yagba, If You Nor Able Na for Pull Hand, which will now commence on the 22nd May, 2022 in Freetown contrary to the previous date that was announced is still being eagerly looked forward to by the vast majority, in and out of the country to start especially those within the youthful age bracket.

For now the organizers of the Reality TV Show, AYV Media Empire and Africell-Sierra Leone are trying to get the competent applicants, who have gone through the audition stage, specifically twenty-two (22) of them, out of about sixty (60), that were shortlisted after the audition.

In order to make the process very democratic and transparent, AYV Media Empire and Africell-SL, decided to give members of the public the onus to do what is known as public voting.

Members of the public have been at liberty, since the voting process started ,to cast their votes via Afrimoney through the voters’ Africell lines by dialing *161*10#* plus the Numbers of their favourite contestants from any Africell line.

Now the organizers have added a new online voting platform and a brand new website have been established for international voters across the world to vote using credit or debit cards by just visiting https://housematessl.com and/or visit: https://www.africell.sl.

At this juncture it must be mentioned that hence the twenty-two Housemates are in the House they will be keenly competing for a Star Prize of Two Hundred and Fifty Million Leones plus a round trip to Dubai.

Besides, it was latter learnt that one of the sponsors of the Reality TV Show ,Zarlux Car Rental, has revealed that a brand new car will be given to the winner of the Zarlux Car Rental task that will be performed by the Housemates in the House during the course of the show.

Once Housemates Salone Season 3 commences it will be shown live on AYV Entertainment Channel 34, 33 and AYV on DSTV Channel 399.

According to the organizers, the upcoming exciting Reality TV Show is put together against the backdrop of promoting Youth Empowerment. Better put into perspective, Housemates Salone encompasses providing mentorship for young aspiring Sierra Leoneans who believe that they have talents that they could showcase which will provide valuable insights as to the everyday behavioral patterns of young people living together.

However, the most important aspect of the Reality TV Show is that it will serve as a conduit through which the Housemates are taken through mental and physical exercises that will end up to mould and shape their characters.

They will benefit 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.

These competitors will be given the opportunity to learn from what visiting guests from certain corporate institutions will teach them, learn how to play games and a host of other things that are aligned to coping mechanisms in life.

If it could be succinctly put in other words, 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 going to bring loads of smiles and evoke animated discussions among the young and old in various social circles.

For Media Excellence & Gender Activism… Asmaa James Highly Honoured as Officer of the Order of the Rokel

April 29, 2022

By Amin Kef Sesay

It is an indisputable fact that the recent recognition of the works and efforts of one of Sierra Leone’s erudite, influential, charismatic and caring female personality, who has on countless occasions raised her voice to ensure that justice is seen to be done, to give solace to the needy, marginalized and oppressed, mounting advocacy in the direction of girls and boys empowerment, in the person of Madam Asmaa Kamara James, is indeed worth celebrating, if not over celebrating.

Indeed, it is amazing and highly impressive that just within a short period of time , Asmaa, was honoured by the British High Commissioner to Sierra Leone, Lisa Chesney on the 21^st April 2022 as one, among six other Sierra Leonean women of substance, that were celebrated to mark Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee, for pushing boundaries and inspiring women as well as girls and secondly by President Julius Maada Bio on the 27^th April 2022 (Independence Day) as Officer of the Order of the Rokel (OOR).

Professionally and efficiently making use of the electronics broadcast platform, which is the Society for Radio Democracy 98.1 FM, this patriot of high integrity, has on times without number touched the lives of many, in and out of Sierra Leone, in many ways making hers a household name.

As Station Manager of Radio Democracy, with Frequency Modulation on 98.1, Asmaa James, has over the years, admirably worked tirelessly, with a very focused mind, to such an admirable extent that the challenges encumbered on her journey to taking the Radio Station to a lofty height and respectability it has attained today worldwide did not deter, distract or derail her from courageously trod on in order to live her dreams and positively impact society.

Through her flagship programme of Radio Democracy, “Gud Morning Salone”, she has on many occasions raised consciousness among the vast majority in and out of the country on issues bordering on various fronts, political and socio-economic issues in a manner depicting giving light to the blind. In her usual way of asking penetrating questions during radio interviews or engagements she has succeeded on many times in proving politicians and public officials wrong on their stance on certain national issues sometimes to the dislike of those engaged but at the end of the day poignantly making the truth always stand out. Consciousness was and is still given where non was existing before or was suppressed with the deliberate attempt to allow the masses to wallow in their folly which was exploited on for selfish ends.

Through that platform, the hitherto “voiceless” majority got and still continues to have the space to add their voices on national conversations through the phone-in periods of the programme which by every means could be dubbed as democratic. Her careful navigation of the political divide in her ways of posing questions to politicians and public officials has sometimes being misconstrued by politically charged listeners or supporters who have erroneously concluded that she is either in favour of the ruling Government or the opposition at different times in Sierra Leone’s political history. However, despite those seemingly distractions she stayed her course still with a focused mind.

But the name Asmaa James is not only limited to the radio as she has been passionately championing the rights of women and the Girl Child. She is the Founder of the Asmaa James Foundation (AJF), an advocacy movement geared towards promoting teenage sexual reproductive health and rights, with the objective of raising awareness, mobilizing women and girls to advocate and influence policies of sexual health in Sierra Leone.

Then came Girls + which an extension of AJF geared towards targeting young boys on promoting teenage sexual reproductive health and rights, as she has always said both sexes should be targeted for fruitful outcomes.

The records speak volumes of how she has raised her voice against rape, sexual penetration and the murdering of women or girls right across the country sometimes culminating in her declaration of Black Fridays to register or demonstrate indignation, protest, call for affirmative action to be taken and to influence policies at the highest levels.

Added to that advocacy work she has been passionately doing she has also lobbied for pregnant girls to be given the opportunity or space to pursue their education instead of allowing them to drop out of the educational system and for others to learn useful trades for self-reliance.

Her love for football is inspiring and she has demonstrated love for the darling team, Leone Stars, on numerous occasions, being among the fans that cheered the team recently in Cameroon, a passion which she shares in supporting the East End Lions Football Club.

Bagging two prestigious Honours within a short period is indeed a big accomplishment worthy of emulation and well deserved. She is indeed a perfect role model whose footprints should be followed by young aspiring and ambitious girls.

This medium therefore doffs its hat to one of Sierra Leone’s Greatest, Asmaa James. Stay blessed. We “Kollay Oh!!