DoFA Holds 2nd Symposium for the Aged

April 29, 2022

Dorwontony Organization for the Aged (DoFA).jpg

By Foday Moriba Conteh

In an effort to improve better living for the Aged in Sierra Leone, the Dorwontony Organization for the Aged (DoFA) on Saturday April 23^rd 2022, held it second symposium, at the 50/50 Hall Tower Hill in Freetown.

Deliberating on the purpose of the symposium, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Dorwontony Organization for the Aged (DoFA) Doreen Barrie, said the program mainly focuses on the welfare and status of the ageing people, particularly in this difficult period that the country’s independence was drawing closer and also want to remind Government and other institutions to continue to support the Aged.

She further disclosed that for far too long the aged had been neglected and therefore called for a rekindling of minds to care for the aged, hence the idea of organizing such a dialogue to create an opportunity for stakeholders to brainstorm and discuss the way forward and proffer solutions that will change the narrative of the Aged.

She disclosed further that they have a networking that coordinates and brings old people together across Freetown.

Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Labor, the Director Social Safety Net, Ministry of Labor and Social Security, Ibrahim Sheriff Kanu expressed gratitude to DoFA for their relentless efforts towards the Aged, adding that in 2004 the Ministry established a national social policy for the Aged in order to combat challenges faced by the Aged and over the years the program has provided assistance to many Aged people across the country.

In his keynote address, former Internal Minister, Rtd Paolo Conteh outlined challenges that old people faces in the areas of discrimination, physical inability, financial status, social and gender equality and also highlighted some of the benefits, in addition and called on Government and other institutions to see the need of paying more attention to them.

Climaxing the event was an experience sharing session by the aged who were present some of which were that they have been treated as expired, in the area of Justice, face social and financial inability, they could go all day long on empty stomachs with no food to eat not to talk of money , that people turn them her down and pay no attention to them because of their age and predicament.

Premium Divine Provides IftarTo Muslim Worshipers

April 29, 2022

By Foday Moriba Conteh

As a way to help cushion the burden on those who can’t afford a meal to break their fast as Muslims continue to observe the Holy month of Ramadan with fasting and prayers as well as extending love during this Holy Month of Ramadan, Premium Divine Trading Limited on Tuesday 26th April, 2022 completed their donation of assorted food items which included cartoons of Kremela, cowbell, Jaba, crates of Xploza drink all worth sixty million Leones to ten mosques spread across East and West of Freetown including worshipers of the Fullah Central Mosque, Lumley and the Central Mosque respectively. The donation took place at the respective mosques within Freetown.

Handing over the donations on behalf the company, the Marketing Executive of Premium Divine Trading Ltd, Isha Bangura said the Holy Month of Ramadan is a blessed month, a month the company cannot just let go without reaching out to all the Mosques within the Company’s main operational area and that the donation of these food items is their way of sharing the love of the Holy month of Ramadan with them.

She added that Ramadan is a special month of blessing and alms giving, and the gesture to these worshippers is a special way to give back to their Muslim brothers and sisters around this community as their own way of support as they observe the blessed month.

Isha Bangura maintained that as a responsible company, they thought it fit to embark on such a gesture by giving back to society in appreciation and show of love for the continuous business support and growth enjoyed among the Muslim community in the country.

She used the opportunity to inform the gathering that the company distributes and markets Cowbell, Onga, Miksi Chocolate and coffee drink, Xploza, Kremela and Yumvita , the latter being an infant cereal with milk also containing wheat, rice and maize.

The Marketing Executive revealed that they are the sole distributor of all the aforementioned products in the country.

She concluded by stating that the company has been doing a lot to promote the consumption of good food in the country also adding that the move by the company during the month of Ramadan clearly shows that the company cares about the wellbeing of Sierra Leoneans especially Muslims who are observing the fasting period.

One of the beneficiaries, Alhaji Wurie ,an Imam at the Fullah Central Mosque Lumley, thanked Premium Divine Trading Limited for remembering them in the Holy month and prayed that they blossom as a company.

He said the items are well appreciated and would be distributed for the intended purpose.

SLRCS Engages Volunteers on the Fundamental Principles, Acts & Emblem of the Society

April 29, 2022

By Foday Moriba Conteh

As part of their efforts to equip volunteers on the fundamental Principles, Acts and the Emblem of the Society, the Sierra Leone Red Cross Society has on Thursday 28^th April, 2022 concluded a one day orientation workshop for second set of volunteers in both the Western Area and Rural districts on the Fundamental Principles, Acts and the Emblem of the Sierra Leone Red Cross Society. The event took place at the SLRCS Headquarters on Wilkinson Road in Freetown.

In his presentation, the Secretary General of Sierra Leone Red Cross Society, Kpawuru Sandy noted that Humanity is one of the seven fundamental principles (along with Independence, Impartiality, Neutrality, Voluntary Service, Universality and Unity) of the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement, of which the ICRC and the Sierra Leone Red Cross Society are members.

Dilating on Humanity, he noted that the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement was borne out of a desire to bring assistances without discrimination to the wounded on the battlefield to prevent and alleviate human suffering wherever it may be found adding that the purpose is to protect life and health and to ensure respect for human beings.

Kpawuru Sandy added that Impartiality is another principle of the society of which he said the society makes no discrimination as to nationality, race, religious beliefs, class or political opinions, stating that it endeavors to relieve the suffering of individuals, being guided solely by their needs and give priority to the most urgent cases of distress.

The Secretary General noted that in order to continue to enjoy the confidence of all, the movement may not take sides in hostilities or engage at any time in controversies of a political, racial, religious or ideological nature.

He also maintained that the movement is independent and that national societies serve as auxiliaries in the humanitarian services of their Governments and are subject to the laws of their respective countries and they must respect their autonomy so that they may be able at all times to act in accordance with the principles of the movement.

Commenting on voluntary service, the Secretary General maintained that it is a voluntary relief organization not prompted in any manner by desire for gain.

The Secretary General also used the opportunity to shed light on the use of the Emblem and the Acts of the Sierra Leone Red Cross Society which he said in most cases there has been misuse and the society deemed it fit to also educate volunteers on the use of the Emblem.

He continued that the Sierra Leone Red Cross Society Act, 2012 is an Act to continue in existence the Sierra Leone Red Cross Society and to provide for other related matters which was enacted by the President and Members of Parliament and was put together for volunteers to understand what are embedded in it.

Speaking to this medium one of the volunteers of the Sierra Leone Red Cross Society Western Area Branch, Abdul Kamara expressed appreciation to the Sierra Leone Red Cross Society for organizing such a training which she described as not only important to them as volunteers but is also timely.

He revealed that having learnt about the principles of the society it has motivated her passion towards serving humanity and that she will ensure at all times to adhere to the fundamental principles of the society.

Abdul Kamara concluded by assuring the society that all what they have learnt about the fundamental principles, the use of the emblem and the Acts of the Society will be used in the interest of the society.

Closing the session was the question and answer session which was moderated by the Communication Officer of the Sierra Leone Red Cross Society, Madlyn Sharkah of which participants shared their understandings of what they have learnt and also recommended how the training could be improved.

High Court Ruling… APC Executive Dissolved & a 21 Man Committee to be Instituted

April 29, 2022

By Amin Kef Sesay

In the long awaited conclusion of the Alfred Peter Conteh Vs Ernest Bai Koroma & APC’s Case a ruling was finally given by Justice Adrian Fisher on the 28^th April, 2022 at the Court No. 1 Main Law Courts Building in Freetown where Ady Macauley Esq. represented the APC Party, Africanus Sesay Esq., the Secretary General of the party, Ambassador Osman Foday Yansaneh and I.I Mansaray Esq. representing Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma.

In his ruling, Justice Adrian Fisher dissolved the current APC National Executive including the National Secretary General, Ambassador Osman Foday Yansaneh, whom he ordered to vacate office within 14 Days and to further provide handover notes to the Interim Committee. He placed a perpetual injunction granted against the current National Executive from holding themselves out as Executive members, meaning they are no longer eligible to contest for any Executive position in the party.

He stated that the National Advisory Council (NAC) and all the Executive members of the APC were illegal in office as they were not democratically elected as required by the 1995 APC constitution and or the 1991 constitution of Sierra Leone.

The Judge continued that NAC in particular, save for the Chairman and Deputy Chairman, was not properly constituted as majority of their members were not democratically elected into office.

Giving the way forward, Justice Fisher ordered that an Interim Transition Governing Committee be formed to conduct the forthcoming National Delegates Conference. He maintained that the Interim Transition Governing Committee shall comprise of 21 Man Committee and nine (9) members of the Committee shall be appointed by the Plaintiff, Peter Conteh, one of which shall be the Chairman.

Justice Adrian also stated that the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, who is Hon Chernor Bah alias Chericoco shall nominate the following in consultation with members of Parliament: 2 from the North,
2 from the North West, 2 from Western Area, 2 from South,1 Young Generation representative, 1 Diaspora, 1 Women’s wing representative
1 legal representative of the party of not less than 20 years standing.

Added to that, he ruled that Interim Transition Committee should be formed on or before 14 days of the order of the Judge, exactly the 15th May, 2022 to take up office.

Looking into the legality of the APC National Executive, Justice Adrian Fisher said the APC Executive ought to have been elected not selected.

“The Nation Advisory Committee of the All People’s Congress party doesn’t have the POWER to override the party’s Constitution.” Justice Fisher said adding that the APC National Executive was illegally selected and not elected.

“APC acted contrary to its 1995 Constitution and the Sierra Leone 1991 Constitution,” said Justice Fisher, adding, “Political Parties are there to shape the Political Will of the People.”

He said there are no minutes of NAC meeting/s to be provided to the Court to confirm or dispute whether NAC met.

Furthermore, the legal representative of Alfred P. Conteh, Jessie M. Jengo Esq on behalf of his client has demanded over Le1.3 Billion from former President Ernest Bai Koroma and the All People’s Congress (APC) Executive which he made after the law court ruling .

According to Judiciary of Sierra Leone Communications, Jessie M. Jengo on behalf of his client asked the Court to award a cost of $83,860, an equivalent of Le. 1, 313, 617, 00 after successfully obtaining a perpetual injunction against the Defendant from holding themselves out as Executive members of the APC Party.

The energy transition – what future skills will be required to make it a reality?

April 28, 2022

Fatou Diagne, Head of HR at Aggreko Africa

Organisations that are prioritising transitioning to more environmentally friendly energy solutions will require a well-defined strategy, which requires an in-depth understanding of what future needs will arise. This then needs to be translated into a skills matrix based on new emerging technologies. According to Fatou Diagne, Head of HR at Aggreko Africa, this will require everyone from sales to the technical and engineering teams to understand those new emerging technologies intimately.

“Our customers want to engage with individuals who understand their concerns and challenges, and who can then tailor solutions for those. The commercial environment is also changing and the whole organisation needs to adapt from a technical, safety, financial and commercial output perspective. This is an industry-wide challenge as the focus shifts away from the products and solutions and more towards what the customer wants and needs.” She adds that health, safety and environmental (HSE) issues are also increasing in importance throughout this energy transition and will form a key focus area in Aggreko’s recently launched graduate programme.

Samuel Tuma, Head of Engineering at Aggreko Africa agrees. “The energy transition requires skills outside of those of traditional engineers or power system engineers. We are working with our team to ensure that they develop an understanding of the costs outside of the traditional financial part of it.” He adds that going forward five core skills will be required. “Those skills are the economic modelling of the power system, network studies and modelling to understand the impact of renewable integration into traditional conventional power systems, control system specialists, microgrid specialists, and engineering system modelling skills, which requires an understanding of how best to integrate renewables from a technical perspective.”

Tumma adds that while remote learning has paved the way to learn these skills from any environment, corporates also have a role to play. “Universities in the UK, Australia and even in Africa have developed remote learning solutions that allow individuals to continually grow their skills as new technologies emerge, without disrupting their careers. This enables ongoing learning and development, which will be crucial as part of the energy transition.” He adds that while there is a multitude of engineering specific learning solutions, success in renewable energy will also require an understanding of the local regulatory and legal environment, which is specific to the country in which you operate. “If you consider the vast differences between the different countries in Africa, for example, this requires an in-depth knowledge of each of their specific requirements. At Aggreko, we therefore not only encourage and support formal learning initiatives but also on-the-job training to ensure that our engineers are well balanced and versed in all aspects of renewable energy.”

Diagne believes that organisations such as Aggreko have an important role to play in ensuring the right skills are in place for the energy transition. “While they can learn the technical skills they require from universities, it is through on-the-job experience that they will learn the intricate details of what future solutions will require to equip themselves for the business world. Here graduation programmes such as ours will play a key role in ensuring that the industry is developing the right skills and resources to meet future needs. Industries across the board are changing and the sky is the limit for young people that are willing to learn these new skills and concepts. The graduates coming into this programme will come with fresh ideas and concepts and will ultimately shape our thoughts and strategies around renewables. In effect, they will own the strategy, because they are integral in shaping it. This will, in turn, impact the entire value chain – it is not just from a technical perspective, but sales, marketing, operations, and finance as well.”

Tumma concludes that the transition to renewable energy will require a well-rounded approach to ongoing learning. “While individuals are responsible for their ongoing learning, organisations will also have a critical role to play in sketching the roadmap of which skills are and will be required and supporting individuals in developing those skills to become successful players in the renewable energy market. And, of course, we must continuously be ahead of the curve as new technologies emerge, to ensure that we can evolve to include those in our solutions as client needs change.”

QNET HOSTS VIRTUAL CONVENTION 2022 WITH ENHANCED PORTFOLIO OF PRODUCTS

April 28, 2022

QNET's luxury Swiss watch and jewellery brand

Press Release

Direct selling company’s bi-annual convention attracts over 500,000 viewers from around the world to learn about new products, services, and training programmes.

QNET, a prominent e-commerce based direct selling company held the first of its flagship bi-annual virtual convention this year, the V-Convention Connect (VCC2022), streamed live to over half a million distributors and customers in approximately 50 countries.

This was the fourth event in the virtual edition of the flagship convention since the pivot to virtual due to the global pandemic.

“With virtual events now a global norm, we had to find new ways to keep our convention exciting and engaging for our participants. The main advantage of virtual events is it allows us to reach a much wider audience than ever before since the cost of participation is much lower. We strive to give our audience interesting and engaging content and an immersive experience that allows them to experience the magic and energy of being in a stadium surrounded by thousands of others. Fortunately, technology has allowed us to experiment and innovate with the virtual experience we give our audience, including a glimpse of QNET in the metaverse.” says Malou Caluza, CEO of QNET.

Utilising technological tools such as Unreal Engine and a virtual production suite, QNET transported audience members through different settings ranging from mesmerising city skylines to a dazzling centre stage inside a virtual stadium in a 3D environment.

QNET INTRODUCES A REVOLUTIONARY PERSONAL CARE LINE

QNET launched a new addition to its Swiss-made skincare brand Physio Radiance called the Physio Radiance Expert series, a revolutionary personal care line that addresses the most prominent signs of ageing around the eyes, face, and neck.

The Physio Radiance Expert series taps into the explosive growth in the global skincare market – valued at approximately USD140 billion in 2020 — as consumers have been moving their dollars from cosmetics to skincare and other self-care rituals as they spend more time at home as a result of the global pandemic.

The Physio Radiance Expert products include Instant Youth for Eyes and Instant Youth for Face. These new products use a breakthrough dermo-cosmetic formula that incorporate science-backed and clinically-tested active ingredients and are devised from a patented blend of natural extracts.

“Personal care is becoming increasingly essential to our daily routines. As more people explore their options and learn about the science behind a product, the demand for products that have demonstrable results is on an upwards trend,” says Caluza. “Our goal with Physio Radiance Expert is to respond to that demand and bring high-quality, efficacious products for our customers across the globe.”

QNET’S BERNHARD H. MAYER MODERN SWISS WATCH AND JEWELLERY REDEFINES LUXURY

Bernhard H. Mayer, QNET’s luxury Swiss watch and jewellery brand, proudly showed off its newest Empire collection at VCC2022 – beautifully finished Swiss-Made timepieces for him and her. Crafted with precision engineering, the Empire collection combines a classic style with a contemporary, sophisticated design aesthetic. Both gender variants come in two designs: stainless steel and rose gold, each embodying the sleek elegance and classic refinement befitting the collection’s title.

The brand also showcased its latest accessory for men, the Classe bangle, a statement piece in 18K gold-lined cuff, that also serves as a versatile accessory that effortlessly matches any outfit or occasion.

The Swiss luxury industry is known to be traditional with relatively rigid retail habits. Yet Bernhard H. Mayer embraced e-commerce as its primary channel of distribution early on and charted new growth as online retail surged throughout the pandemic.

Now, the brand is ready for the next phase of growth: the metaverse, an immersive virtual reality space where customers can engage in a highly curated physical-to-digital reality where they can see, touch, and experience Bernhard H. Mayer’s Swiss-Made luxury watches and jewellery. A preview of Bernhard H. Mayer’s upcoming metaverse destination, in partnership with virtual-world platform Decentraland, was one of the highlights of the convention.

Referring to how Bernhard H. Mayer aims to explore new avenues to bring its luxury offerings to a broader audience, Caluza says, “Bernhard H. Mayer’s unique blend of e-commerce and direct-to-consumer strategy has seen the brand experience great success over the past few years. We’re embracing the convergence of our physical and digital worlds via metaverse platforms as an opportunity for growth in the luxury watch and jewellery industry.”

Alongside Bernhard H. Mayer’s mission to drive a new path to accessibility in the luxury industry through e-commerce and the metaverse, the brand is firmly holding onto its promise of sustainability. All Bernhard H. Mayer’s fine jewellery products use ethically-sourced recycled gold from members of the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC), the leading ethical standard within the jewellery industry.

About QNET

QNET is one of Asia’s leading e-commerce based direct selling companies offering a wide range of health, wellness and lifestyle products that enable people to lead better lives. QNET’s grass-roots business model fuelled by the power of e-commerce has helped empower millions of entrepreneurs in more than 100 countries worldwide.

QNET is headquartered in Hong Kong and has a presence in more than 25 countries around the world through subsidiaries, branch offices, agency partnerships, and franchisees.

QNET is a member of the Direct Selling Association in several countries, as well as the Hong Kong Health Food Association and the Health Supplements Industry Association of Singapore, among others.

QNET is also active in sports sponsorships around the world. Some of the more prominent partnerships include being the Direct Selling Partner of Manchester City Football Club and the African Club League Championships of CAF.

For more information, please visit QNET’s website at www.qnet.net.

Entrepreneurial Opportunities and More Income for the youth through Direct Selling

April 28, 2022

The global economy is reeling from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine War. According to the International Monetary Fund’s World Economic Outlook 2022, “…economic damage from the conflict will contribute to a significant slowdown in global growth in 2022 and add to inflation. Fuel and food prices have increased rapidly, hitting vulnerable populations in low-income countries hardest. Global growth is projected to slow from an estimated 6.1 percent in 2021 to 3.6 percent in 2022 and 2023.”

Economic empowerment of people across the world continues to be negatively affected. Worst hit, are young people. Almost 90% of all young people live in developing countries and they are approximately three times more likely to be unemployed than adults. Although, this is partly because their limited work experience counts against them when they are applying for entry-level jobs, there are also major structural barriers preventing young people from entering the labour market.

Globally, one-fifth of young people currently have NEET status (Not in Employment, Education or Training), which means they are neither gaining experience in the labour market, nor receiving an income from work, nor enhancing their education and skills. Clearly, their full potential is not being realized. In the next decade, one billion young people will enter the labour market, and large numbers of young people face a future of irregular and informal employment.

All these statistics point to the need for alternative means of livelihood/source of income and entrepreneurship comes to mind readily. Barriers against young people having access to decent jobs are many, but entrepreneurship has proven over time to be the panacea for unemployment in many instances. However, for most of these young people to embrace or consider entrepreneurship as an option, it must not be capital-intensive. One of the least capital-intensive entrepreneurial venture the youth can engage readily in, is the direct selling industry.

The latest Direct Selling Report, published by the World Federation of Direct Selling Associations (WFDSA), shows global direct sales increased by 2.3% from US$175.3 billion in 2019 to US$179.3 billion in 2020. Global projection for economic growth in 2021 to 6%, up from 5.5%, and projects 4.4% growth in 2022.

But with all these projections, QNET experienced a record-breaking growth of up to 65% in some African markets. The increased demand for online shopping and the transition to digital played to the company’s strengths: high-quality personal relationships and a high-performing e-commerce platform.

The direct selling business was the original gig economy business before tech companies made this form of flexible employment opportunities popular in recent years. Many businesses around the world use the direct selling business model to promote unique products and services in categories such as wellness and nutrition, personal and beauty care, home care products etc.

For many people, direct selling offers them a great platform to become micro entrepreneurs and build a sales business promoting such products when they sign up as distributors of direct selling companies. The direct selling industry’s continued growth is not surprising. Historically, this industry has always experienced growth during economic recessions.

During shaky economic times, people have a renewed awareness of the need to establish more income streams and for those who are looking to start a business, direct selling offers an attractive opportunity to start one that does not require a lot of capital or the need to deal with operational and logistics hassles.

Companies with health and wellness products, such as QNET, experienced a significant boost in their sales thanks to increased awareness and personal health concerns brought on by the pandemic. These products took the lead in global direct sales at US$64.8 billion. This trend will likely persist in the following years.

Recently, QNET outdoored an enhanced range of products. This provides more alluring opportunity for young people to sell and earn commission on sales made.

Excuses made by young people regarding their state of joblessness may no longer hold water, as QNET and other technologically-driven businesses keep creating entrepreneurship opportunities through direct selling.

E-commerce is booming, direct selling is helping young people remove barriers to entrepreneurship and high cost of setting up a business. There has never been a better time to join Direct Selling than now.

To Allegedly Account for $142, 000… Chairman of Cricket Association Board of Directors Debunks Fraud Allegations

April 26, 2022

By Foday Moriba Conteh

During the Sierra Leone Cricket Association Elective Congress which was held on the 26^th June, 2021the former Chief Executive Officer in charge of management at the Sierra Leone Cricket Association, Francis Trevor Samura, was elected as Chairman of the Sierra Leone Cricket Association Board of Directors for a five years mandate following his landslide victory securing eight-four (84) votes out of ninety-one (91) votes cast.

According to a school of thought, since he was elected Samura does not seem to be serving his Association as promised in his campaign. It is also stated that there are allegations of widespread corruption and continuous breach of the Sierra Leone Cricket Association Anti-Corruption Code for Participants, which came into effect on the 25th September 2019.

Further mentioned was that several calls by Council Members as well as the general body for transparency and accountability were met with stiff resistance on the side of the current Chairman, whose close allies have allegedly used the Association’s financial resources as a goldmine opportunity.

According to the source of the allegation, the Association started receiving its crucifixion immediately after the Chairman’s elections when the sum of US$10, 000 (ten thousand United States Dollars) was withdrawn from the bank account at the Standard Chartered Bank for no just reason and the alert landed on the mobile phone of one of the former Executive Members.

It was furthered that several meetings were held with Chairman Samura to respond to the issue but failed to defend his action. That, according to some Association Members, served as the genesis of poor leadership qualities, lack of transparency and accountability and a selected few running the Cricket Association as an ‘Osusu’ scheme.

Another bone of contention highlighted is the bilateral competition with the Nigeria Cricket governing body, which recently hosted a tournament that the Sierra Leone Cricketers participated in.

The Sierra Leone Cricket Association reportedly had US$91, 000 in its account, but a mail sent by the Chairman, Francis Trevor Samura, indicated that there was only US$53, 000 left in the Association’s Account.

It is alleged that Cricketers continue to demand an explanation as to where the remaining cash went and why the Chairman allegedly loaned the sum of US$5, 000 from the Nigeria Cricket Federation, which according to stakeholders is an international disgrace.

Also stated was that in a special General Meeting hosted in November 2021, several allegations from members of the Association were made against the current leadership ranging from corruption, misappropriation of $142,000 and mismanagement of funds.

“Whilst we are trying to make an investigation to enable us to understand whether the proper procedures are being followed and to report to the Members, as is the right thing to be done, we regret to say that we continue to see situations wherein you keep on violating the Constitution and withdrawing money from the account at will. We believe that most of the financial allegations raised by the Council Members are very serious and require a forensic audit to prove whether they are true or not,” a letter sent to the Chairman stated, but again the Chairman failed to report or reply as required. Efforts made to get the side of the Chairman has proven futile, but it is now clear that Cricketers are planning to report the wide range of corruption issues to the Anti-Corruption Commission for a thorough investigation.

When this medium dug deeper into the allegations it discovered that amid the amazing achievements, governance-wise, in the Sierra Leone Cricket Association (SLCA) there were prying challenges, the major one being funding.

According to the Chairman of SLCA, Francis Trevor Samura, Government, through the National Sport Authority (NSA), has failed to provide timely support to the Association after giving reliable promises. He dispelled allegations that his Association has to account for US$142, 000. “How can we chop $142, 000 when we have spent over Le390 million to run domestic leagues, over Le382 million on staff salaries and other costs, over $120, 000 on international tournaments, spent on administrative activities and purchase equipment and renovate our office?” he questioned.

President Bio in May 2019 assured that his Government would look into the concerns of the Cricket Association and promised to invest in the discipline because of its impressive achievements. He assured that in the interim his Government would try to improve the conditions of the existing cricket training ground in Freetown.

The President and his Government have totally neglected the sporting disciple since he made the promise at State House.

The Association has been using its little resource to organize and finance seven (7) domestic leagues in 2021 including the Men’s T20 Premier league that was co hosted in Bo, Njala University Njala Campus; participated in three international tournaments without a cent from Government; conducted daily national training with allowances paid to over 120 players and coaches per-day from January to October 2021; undertook development programmes; supported players and staff on educational, medical and funerals; held a development and governance conference in Bo and held elective congress and several meetings in 2021 etc.

The Sierra Leone Cricket Association is the official governing body of cricket in Sierra Leone and is an Associate Member of the International Cricket Council, Full Member of the Africa Cricket Association (ACA), Full Member of the North West Africa Cricket Council (NWACC), a Member of the National Sport Council of Sierra Leone and the national Olympic Committee of Sierra Leone.

The organization was established during November, 1942 but gained the status of being Affiliate Member of the ICC in 2000. Prior to these dates, cricket was first documented to be introduced to Sierra Leone by the British Royal Artillery forces during 1898 at the Parade field and in 1922 at the Kingtom cricket oval which is known as the Home of cricket in Sierra Leone. The first documented international fixture is dated to have taken place during 1931 when Sierra Leone played the Gambia on a home and away basis.

Parallel Teachers’ Representative Movement Gives Government Ultimatum to Respond to Demands

April 26, 2022

By Amin Kef Sesay

In a kind of letter or Memo written by a group calling itself Teachers Solidarity Movement (TSM) dated 21st April 2022 and addressed to all media houses in the country and captioned: “Demands of Teachers and Proposed Course of Action”, it was categorically stated that the Teachers Solidarity Movement (TSM), is here to address the perennial hardship that the Politicians (SLPP and APC) of Sierra Leone inflicted on the lives of the Sierra Leonean Teachers.

It continued that the Movement has representation in all the sixteen (16) administrative districts of Sierra Leone maintaining that for sixty (60) years since Independence, teachers are being treated with recklessness and left to starve with impunity.

According to the TSM, sixty years, Politicians keep telling them “Education is the key”, little did they know that Politics is the key.

The Movement continued that sixty years Sierra Leone’s politicians keep announcing to the Public that “teachers are the largest workforce” and asked the questions: So what? Didn’t we deserve a better living like the Lawyers we taught, the Doctors we prepared, the Bankers we made, the Engineers we carved, the Police and the Army we instructed and the very Politicians we inspired and expressing tiredness by saying
“Enough is enough”.

The TSM stated how that’s more the reasons they have decided to come together and speak for themselves without any intermediary but through their Solidarity Movement.
They continued that as a Movement, they thought it wise to stand up together and fight their course without the Sierra Leone Teachers Union (SLTU) which to them has been a toothless bulldog.

Members of the group stated how they are calling on the Government of President Bio, the Teaching Service Commission (TSC) and most importantly the International Communities i.e, the European Union Representative in Sierra Leone (EU), the Departments For International Development (DFID), the US Embassy and the British High Commission to come to their rescue.

They went ahead to say they are making such clarion calls in order to save the Education of their Children as they don’t want to see the continuation of the” Mango Tree CERTIFICATION” ‘Yea Dominion Yea’ phenomenal.

Included in the letter they stated that they want to be GREAT Teachers as William Arthur Ward once said, “The Mediocre Teacher tells. The Good Teacher Explains. The Superior Teacher Demonstrates. The Great Teacher Inspires” further calling on Papa Government to allow them to be the Great Teachers that Inspire.

They also stated that it must be remembered that the, “The foundation of every State is the Education of its Youth”, quoting Diagenes.
Based on what they said, from time immemorial, the conditions of service for teachers have been treated with levity adding that in the present socio economic morass, teachers welfare can no longer be taken for granted, expressing indignation by stating that, “Enough is Enough”.

They also stated that it will be recalled that the Government of His Excellency, the President, Retired Brigadier Julius Maada Bio promised better conditions of service to teachers and to make teaching an enviable profession at the launch of the flagship free quality education programme.

The TSM said in two years of governance, a laughable 30% increment was made to the disappointment of teachers mentioning how in the interim, teachers have seen the harmonization of salaries of civil servants and officials of MDAs and that Teachers have also witnessed the increment in salaries of politicians and lecturers.
They stated that unfortunately, the Honorable Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education is on record to state that teachers cannot be paid better because of their numbers.

The TSM said that statement is disingenuous on the part of the Minister as he has recently misinformed the President in Bo that teachers welfare and conditions of service have been adequately taken care of but in reality, teachers have been reduced to be destitute, beggars and hustlers.
According to them, Teachers have, homes to run, families to care for, personal affairs to handle, children to educate, external relationships to manage, house rent to settle, Medicare, transport to and from school, bills to pay and a lot more.

They then posed the question: What future is there for children of teachers?
The TSM said this is the time teachers must stand up in solidarity and speak truth to power maintaining that: What is good for the goose should be good for the gander.

They argued that if a university graduate in political appointment and the civil service is paid twenty million Leones (Le 20,000,000) a month, what is wrong with the teacher with the same qualification to receive a meagre one million three hundred thousand Leones (Le 1,300,000) a month? TSM members stated how teachers have no transport allowances, no medical allowances, no rent allowances, no wardrobe allowances and no leave allowances and again asked the question : Are teachers not Sierra Leonean enough like politicians and civil servants who are given all these facilities?.

According to them, Teachers are demanding the following as a matter of urgency: Harmonization of salaries, Inclusion of all pin coded teachers on pay roll, Payment of School subsidies before the start of any term, Lucrative Rent Allowance of not less than one million ( le 1,000,000.00) a month ,a minimum Transport Allowances of not less than le 1,000,000.00 a month, free Medical for Teachers and their dependants listed in their NASSIT Update Form.

They called the attention of President Julius Maada Bio to know that the lives of the Teachers are in a precarious, risky and on an emergency life supporting machines waiting untimely deaths hence in the classroom swallowing chalk dust, for which they can no longer afford the 21 days ultimatum notice as required by law.
According to them until a positive response is obtained from stakeholders between now and the 24th April, 2022, teachers have the option to withhold their services until further notice.

The furthered by saying Teachers solidarity acknowledges the hypocritical press releases from the SLTU and CPSS but wish to reiterate that the welfare of those organizations is assured through the lack of transparency and accountability among their ranks maintaining that this time round, teachers will stand up in solidarity for their own welfare with or without SLTU, CPSS, NACHOT or whosoever ending by saying Long live Teachers Solidarity Movement and Long live Sierra Leone.

Copies were sent to the following: His Excellency, the President, Republic of Sierra Leone, His Excellency, the Vice President, Republic of Sierra Leone, The Chief Minister, Honorable Minister, MBSSE, Mayors and Chairmen, Local Councils, Parliamentary Committee on Education, SLTU, CPSS, NACHOT, SLAJ, CIVIL SOCIETY EU, DFID, US Embassy and British High Commission.

On the other hand, in a Press Release put out by the Security Sector in Sierra Leone signed by the National Security Coordinator, Abdulai Caulker, for and on behalf of the Security Sector it was stated that its attention has been drawn to an unfortunate press statement making the rounds on social media, authored by a group labeling itself as ‘Teachers Solidarity Movement” (TSM), dated 21 April 2022 requesting Government to address welfare concerns of teachers.

The Security Sector pointed out that it would like to remind the so-called TSM that the Sierra Leone Teachers Union (SLTU) remains the nationally recognized body mandated to advocate on behalf of teachers.

It continued that therefore any issues relating to disaffections over welfare issues for teachers must be channeled through the SLTU furthering that whilst the Security Sector recognizes that every teacher has the right to raise concerns about improvements in conditions of service, such concerns must be done within the framework of the law.

The Press Release added that for the TSM to incite other teachers to withhold their services as well as embark on the planned nationwide industrial action without recourse to due process is an infraction of the laws and will not be tolerated now and in the future.

It also maintained that to demonstrate Government’s commitment to addressing issues related to the welfare of teachers, the Security Sector recently held a constructive meeting with the Executive of the SLTU with a view to having amicable discussions on issues bordering on the welfare of teachers.

The Security Sector furthered how it wishes to assure the general public and all well meaning teachers that it is in firm touch with the authorities of the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) as well as the SLTU who have assured that schools will reopen for the Third Term session on the 25th April 2022 as scheduled, also stating that parents and guardians are therefore encouraged to send their children and/or wards to go to school at the scheduled date of schools’ reopening.

The Press Release ended by stating that let all be rest assured that any person or group of persons who attempts to disrupt the smooth reopening of schools will face the full force of the law.

Encroachment on Guma Valley Dam to Come to a Halt & Investigated

April 26, 2022

By Esther Wright

President Julius Maada Bio, on the 23^rd April 2022, visited the Guma Valley Dam at Mile 13, where he saw firsthand and with shock how the environment has faced massive encroachment, and called for the re-establishment of the Western Area Forest Green Belt and an immediate investigation into the activities of the Ministry of Lands and Housing for the concerning environmental infractions.

It must be noted that the Guma Valley Water Company relies principally on that single source, the Guma Dam and the Guma Water Treatment Plant at Mile 13, with over 90% of the total water supply to over 1.5 million people in the capital city of Freetown.

The President said his visit was geared towards seeing the enormity of the threat to the water source and to provide the required political leadership to lawfully prosecute and punish deforestation and those involved in land grabbing around the water catchment areas.

He added that the ongoing encroachment of the Western Area Forest Green Belt area of the Guma Valley Dam facility is an environmental concern that should be stopped immediately.

“The Western Area Forest Green Belt area is an implementation of Parliament. So, the land is protected by law. This is very annoying and concerning. All those who are responsible should face the law. This is an existential threat that will not be tolerated. We are going to re-establish the Green Belt and protect it,” the President furiously emphasized.

He also urged the police and military to work with the relevant stakeholders to return decorum and calmness around the facility, saying that they should engage the village headmen to restore and protect the environment and the water catchment areas.

“Inasmuch as we want everyone to build homes, we should do it within the confines of the law. Guma is a major source of water supply to Freetown. Encroachment into the land will limit the fetch and storage of water to the city. If you undermine the environment, it will not protect you,” he concluded.