To Enrich Your Lives… Always Drink Olinda Slim & Pure Ceylon Tea

February 16, 2022

Olinda Slim Tea and Olinda Pure Ceylon Tea are 100 percent natural and consist of a selected composition of ingredients that have been ascertained to help control body weight and appetite. The hand-plucked luxury green tea blended with garcinia, lemongrass, ginger, and cinnamon both assist in living a healthy lifestyle in a sustainable way.

Olinda Tea is a creation by a family of master tea tasters and passionate tea makers whose unwavering commitment to ethics and excellence spans over 5 decades.

Make Olinda Slim Tea & Olinda Pure Ceylon Tea become your trusted beverage partners for life. Each will transform and enrich lives in many ways.

Contact Emkay Store SL Ltd as it is the sole distributor of Olinda Slim Tea & Olinda Pure Ceylon Tea and many other products which include: Nutribom Infant Cereal Nurtilac, Nutrilon and H&H infant formulas (Corn milk and Cereal for infants), Confectioneries (inclusive of items for children’s birthday parties), etc.

Emkay Store SL Ltd could be located at No:12 Sani Abacha Street Freetown, Sierra Leone or call +23288 604-402.

Dilating on the 4th Industrial Revolution, Entrepreneurship & Innovation… Orange SL CEO Held FBC Engineering Students Spellbound

February 16, 2022

By Foday Moriba Conteh

Aminata Kane, the erudite and affable Chief Executive Officer of one of the foremost telecommunications company that is impressively operating in the country, Orange Sierra Leone, recently took students of the Engineering Department at Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone, through the concepts, theories and practices of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, Entrepreneurship and Innovation under the topic: “Private Sector and Start-ups in the World and in Sierra Leone: How the Private Sector is Solving Critical and High Impact Societal Challenges?”

The Orange-SL Chief Executive Officer succinctly delved into the various aspects of the topic in a manner which was commendably good, holding the students very attentive as they imbibed new ideas. Hers was an interactive session with the students who were very excited to draw from her wealth of knowledge and happy to have a rapport with her. The course was facilitated by the Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Dr David Moinina Sengeh.

Upon satisfactory completion of her delivery, according to the students they were able to:

Know the wider trends in technology and innovation particularly as related to the fourth industrial revolution from a theoretical and practical point of view

Appreciate and understand the mindset of entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship including idea development, raising capital and collaboration.

Develop fundamental critical thinking, entrepreneurial thinking and problem-solving skills.

Know the processes of starting up and financing businesses and enterprises in Sierra Leone.

The charismatic CEO in expressing how she felt interacting with the students said it was indeed a great encounter as the student used the opportunity to ask pertinent questions bordering on the (still perceived too high) prices of telecoms, the cost of digitalization, how to have long lasting impact, supporting entrepreneurs at every step of the way, and how big companies can try and fail when it comes to innovation.

She also profoundly thanked Dr. David Moinina Sengeh for inviting her as a guest lecturer saying she really had a blast and informed the Chief Innovator that next time they will do a joint lecture on Tech, Fashion and Music.

As this Season “Di Game Get Yagba…” Housemates Salone Season 3 Poise to Showcase Sierra Leone

February 16, 2022

Housemates Salone Season 3 is here for real as Africell Sierra Leone and African Young Voice Television (AYV TV)

By Amin Kef-Ranger

The answer to the many questions that have been inundating this medium for quite a while now, sometimes annoyingly but understandably causing slight distractions during hectic work is nowhere. Though varying in how they were asked, however, they were focused on one thing: when is the next Season of Housemates Salone going to commence. One could sense the eagerness and the yearning in those questions for an entertainment show that, in the past, exuded beauty, the fine talents of young participants, the social interaction among the participants laced with fun, providing entertainment galore for numerous viewers in and out of the country who were glued to their TV screens to watch a Reality Show that has so far been classified as second to none.

Indeed, Housemates Salone Season 3 is here for real as Africell Sierra Leone and African Young Voice Television (AYV TV) on the 13th February, 2022 launched the Reality TV Show at the Lagoonda Entertainment Complex in Aberdeen in Freetown with the slogan: “Di Game Get Yagba, If You Nor Able Na for Pull Hand”.

The launch brought together people from different walks of life including high personalities in society such as the Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Memunatu Pratt, the Chief Executive Officer of the African Young Voices Television , Anthony Navo Jnr., Chief Executive Officer of Africell, Shadi Gerjawi, Housemates Salone Season 2 Winner, Sarian Conteh among others.

Before the officially launch, the Minister of Tourism, Dr. Memunatu Pratt underscored the significance of the Housemate Salone, especially on the area of how it will help rebrand Sierra Leone to tourists and also attract international attention.

According to her, the Reality Show will be the first major event during COVID-19 further maintaining that it will contribute to the rekindling of the tourism sector, overcome the impact of the pandemic in the country, will be remarkable and give the society a new expression of life.

On his part the Chief Executive Officer of Africell, Shadi Gerjawi, informed the audience that they have come up with adequate measures that will ensure that the required health precautionary protocols will be observed as the event will be streamed live.

“It will also help people stay at home and watch the show that will be streamed on a 24 hours basis,” he continued adding how all the participants will be quarantined in the House with no contact with the outside world.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Africa Young Voices (AYV) Media Empire, Ambassador Anthony Navo Jr. disclosed that his passion for the Sierra Leone entertainment is among the reasons why he established the Media Empire.

“I was inspired to establish Africa Young Voices Media Empire (AYV) because of the many raw and great talents I saw in Sierra Leone in journalism and entertainment who needed a platform to showcase their talents to the World. This Housemates Salone Reality Show is also a result of that same vision,” he stated maintaining that the Show will be live on DSTV as part of their commitment to not only showcasing but as well providing a bigger platform for the Sierra Leone entertainers across the globe.

“I’m happy that we are celebrating Season 3, with the show set to be shown live on DSTV Channel 399. This is the first Sierra Leone Reality TV Show that will be shown to millions across the World through our new partnership with DSTV. It now means a bigger platform for our entertainers to attract bigger opportunities,” he furthered.

He ended by thanking his team, the sponsors for making it a reality and appealing for unity in the entertainment industry.

Housemates Salone is a reality television show produced by Africell and AYV TV. The show features 20 young guys and girls living together in an isolated house with no connection to outside world and viewed live on broadcast TV and Radio, online Streaming (Social Media, YouTube) and AfriTV (IPTV) for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The show is about entertainment, fun, competition, games and exposure crowned with BIG WINS.

The application forms are now available on all AYV and Africell platforms. The application forms are now online on AYV and Africell platforms. To apply, please click the links below:

https://www.africell.sl/housemates/

www.ayvnews.com

The detailed application form is to properly evaluate an interested person’s qualifications as a suitable candidate for Housemates Salone. Kindly make sure to answer all questions correctly and honestly in the form. You will automatically be disqualified from the selection process if any of the answers turns out to be untruthful or if you withheld requested information.

Please carefully read the section below entitled Housemates Salone – Information for Applicants before completing the rest of the application form.

Note that the eligible participants must be 21 years and above. The date for the submission of Application Forms is the 20^th February, 2022.

First Lady & Dr Sylvia Olayinka Blyden Reunite on Valentine’s Day

February 16, 2022

It will indeed be an unforgettable Valentine’s Day for the First Lady, Madam Fatima Bio and the versatile Dr. Sylvia Olayinka Blyden.

That day will go down the annals of history of this country as a reconciliation meeting between Dr. Sylvia Olayinka Blyden OOR and H.E. Mrs. Fatima Maada Bio took place on the 14th February 2022, news was first broken by one Michael J. Kanu.

Accompanying the reunion meeting were photos shared on Facebook by the Office of the First Lady alongside a short, poignant caption saying: “FINALLY, TWO SISTERS MEET”.

According to Sylvia Olayinka Blyden the 14 February 2022 was has an amazing day as it marked the 5th anniversary of the death of her late father Babatunde Blyden who passed away on Valentine’s Day in 2017. She continued that the family arranged to serve Awujoh food to people and locales that her Dad was close to.

So in the morning, she visited the Blyden graves at Race Course Cemetery to pour water (Libation) to Daddy and to her other ancestors including her great-great-grandfather Dr. Edward Wilmot Blyden, the Father of Pan-Africanism.

Then she moved to Kissy Road/Terry Street to drop off Awujoh food. Then it was time to move up to the Foulah Town mosque (which original mosque was first built for Muslims by her Blyden ancestor despite he was a Christian). At the mosque, she dropped off some Awujoh food and as always, she was most warmly welcomed by the Imams and Mosque Leaders despite the unannounced arrival of the surprise food.

Then it was the turn of Firestone Cultural Society at Mountain Cut to also receive some Awujoh food. Her Dad was a lifetime Patron and so she is as well.

After serving a few other places and people, it was time for her to zoom over to Goderich to meet her beloved Baby Sister, (our First Lady Fatima Maada Bio) at her Office. That is someone whom she (Dr Blyden) should have never allowed politics to separate them – The day was her very first time of seeing or speaking with the First Lady for ten years now. The photos of her and Fatima speak for themselves. The natural smiles said it all. It was a big mistake on their part to get separated over Politics. Thank God that unfortunate separation is now over.

Dr Blyden concluded by saying that indeed, the day was a Valentine’s Day to remember wishing her lovely Daddy’s soul to continue to rest in perfect peace alongside the other Blyden ancestors.

Three Accused Persons Jailed for Sexual Penetration

February 16, 2022

Court of Appeal Judge presiding over cases at the Sexual Offences Model Court in Freetown, Honourable Justice Alhaji Momoh-Jah Stevens (JA) has on the 14^th February 2022 sentenced a 30-year-old Driver, Adams Conteh to 15 years’ imprisonment for sexually penetrating 12-year-old Agnes Bovi (not real name).

Conteh was before the court on a one count indictment of sexual penetration contrary to Section 19 of the Sexual Offences Act 2012, Act No 12 of 2012 as repealed and replaced by Section 4 (a) (iii) of the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 2019, Act No. 8 of 2019.

According to the Police, Conteh, on a date unknown between the 1st day of January 2021 and the 12th day of August 2021, at Freetown in the Western Area of the Republic of Sierra Leone engaged in an act of sexual penetration with the victim, a pupil.

Upon his arraignment, the accused had denied the allegation brought up against him by the State.

Hon. Justice Stevens granted the trial by Judge alone Application made by the State Prosecutor, Musa Pious Sesay, in the interest of justice and speedy trial.

During the course of the trial, Lawyer Sesay led in evidence a number of witnesses in support of his case.

The Class 6 pupil at the time and victim in the matter had told the Police that she agreed to accompany her friend to the compound next to them. She said while they were there, the accused made a sign to her with his hand and called her inside their house which she did.

She said the accused used the occasion to forcefully sexually penetrate her and left her in pain as she was bleeding because she had been deflowered.

She said she couldn’t tell her mother because she was afraid until she fell sick and was later discovered to have been sexually penetrated.

After the close of the Prosecution’s case, the accused testified in his own defence and called a witness in support of his case.

After thorough examination of the totality of the evidence adduced before the court, Hon. Justice Stevens noted that the accused was as guilty as charged.

In his allocutus, the convict pleaded for mercy.

In his plea in mitigation, Defence Counsel C. Taylor Young said that his client was a first time offender and had been in custody since his arrest.

He was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment.

In another related matter, Justice Stevens also sentenced a 19-year-old Pupil, Samud Brima Conteh to 5 years’ imprisonment term to run concurrently.

Conteh, who was 17 at the time of the investigations, was before the court on a three count of Sexual Penetration.

He was alleged to have on the 3rd day of May 2020, at Freetown in the Western Area of the Republic of Sierra Leone engaged in an act of Sexual Penetration with a 12-year-old pupil.

In his statement to the Police, Conteh admitted that the allegation against him was true.

20-year old Teacher, Alieu Sheik Umar was also sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment for sexual penetration.

Umar had denied having any relationship with the victim who was 13 years of age at the time.

The victim identified the accused as her Arabic Teacher.

Significance of Valentine’s Day in a Modern Troubled World…

February 14, 2022

A Commentary By Ranger

In a time when once-happy marriages quickly descend into misunderstanding, confusion, controversy, conflict, rejection, violence, loneliness, regrets, and ultimately divorce, it is refreshing and inspiring to see that millions and millions of people, young and old, across the world still believe in the redemptive and uplifting power of love by celebrating Valentine’s Day.

Significantly, the fact that millions of people of nearly all countries, races, classes, languages and cultures join together in celebration of Valentine’s Day shows that there is no other element stronger than love to keep mind, body, soul and spirit healthy, hearty and hopeful throughout the changing periods and ages of time.

Significantly, one can tie the spirit and celebration of Valentine’s Day to the definition of love given by St. Paul in 1 Corinthians 13 of the New Testament of the Holy Bible that says:

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs.

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres. Love never fails.”

This is my absolute favorite spiritual verse because love applies to absolutely everything in this world and is about completely devoting your life to serving your spouse and truly being there for them through everything.

God is love and this verse is love. This is God speaking to us directly through scripture, showing us how to live our lives with an open heart, and always leaving plenty of room for Him.

The verse paints a picture of building one another up instead of tearing each other down. It paints a picture of a podium that you both stand on, and you both reach your hands down to help the other one up.

It shows that love means no one gets left behind because you are both equal. Love always fights to come out strong in the end, because the magnetic pull between you and your partner is unbreakable.

Love your family, because even though you enter and leave this world alone, they were the first ones there. Blood is a pretty powerful bond and you wouldn’t have turned out to be the person that you are without your background and the people that raised you.

Love your past and your culture and your family; be proud of who and where you come from. Remember that people make mistakes and at the end of the day they’re still your mother or brother or daughter. Apologize and stand up for your love for them.

Love absolutely everything around you. Love your job and your home. Appreciate the opportunities that you are faced with because nothing stays gold forever. Remember this verse when you are going through a difficult time.

Love is a kind and beautiful thing that is full of hope for the future. Love God, trust Him and be patient because you don’t know what’s coming.

Love your creator because He is kind and caring, not angry or taunting.

God is never evil; He is truthful and powerful and wants you to just trust Him. God will never fail because He will always be there to listen to you.

Most importantly, love yourself. This is your life to live – And loving others and God and the experiences that surround you become so much easier when you love yourself.

So take the time each day to relax and breathe for five minutes, to look in the mirror and smile at the reflection, to point out a good quality instead of always picking out your flaws.

When you truly yourself and others, you are patient, you are kind. You do not envy, you do not boast, you are not proud. You do not dishonor others, you are not self-seeking, you are not easily angered, and you keep no record of wrongs. You do not delight in evil but rejoice with the truth. You always protect, always trust, always hope, and always persevere. You never fail. You are not a failure or a mistake or even a bundle of flaws.

So open your eyes and embrace everyone around you, approach each day with a positive attitude and act out of selflessness.

Remember this verse and repeat it to yourself and live a life of truth and smiles and love. You are made out of love and you are full of love, so spread it around.

Yumvita Celebrates Back to School with St. Joseph Pre-School

February 14, 2022

By Foday Moriba Conteh

In a bid to complement Government’s Free Quality Education Initiative and its school feeding program in the country, the Premium Divine Trading Company Limited, through their Yumvita products has on Friday 11^th February 2022 celebrated Back to School with 250 pupils at the St. Joseph Pre-School on Charlotte Street in Freetown. During the event the company used the opportunity to educate pupils on the importance of good nutrition and also distributed to 2 Sachets of Yumvita each to the 250 pupils.

Speaking during the ceremony, the Country Manager of Premium Divine Trading Company Ltd, Kenneth Konuah, revealed that the back to school event is geared towards complementing the Government’s Free Quality Education Initiative and its school feeding program of which he said as a responsible company they thought it fit to embark on such an event that will enable pupils to have good knowledge of their products and also have free access to those products through the company’s free distribution of the Yumvita products to these pupils maintaining that they are doing so with the strong belief that such could be helpful in educating pupils on the importance of good nutrition that will help them to grow.

He further disclosed that the business entity is a food distribution company that operates as an agent for Promasidor, a leading supplier of quality food products in more than 30 African countries, including Sierra Leone stating that their products are affordable and nutritional.

Kenneth Konuah continued that the Premium Divine Trading Company Ltd distributes and markets Cowbell, Onga, Miksi, Xploza, Kremela and Yumvita which, in particular, is an infant cereal with milk that comes in three variants namely: wheat, rice and maize combined. He further disclosed that the package sizes are 50g and 400g and they are produced in Ghana by Promasidor Holding Limited for export sales to some West African countries including Sierra Leone. He revealed that they are the sole distributor of all the aforementioned products in the country.

He encouraged pupils to cherish healthy snacking by informing their parents or guardians to always buy Yumvita for them which he stated will help them to grow healthy.

On his part, the Business Development Director at Promasidor Holding Limited, Daniel De-Suza, in his remarks, encouraged pupils to go in for the company’s products especially Yumvita which he described as one of the best foods for children and even adults which he said is of high quality and when consumed will definitely nourish the body.

He reiterated the company’s support to the Government’s Free Quality Education Initiative and its School Feeding Program for pupils, adding that inasmuch as children receive quality education it also important that they also receive quality nutrition which he said with Yumvita quality nutrition is assured when consumed.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, the Head Teacher of St. Joseph Pre-School, Marian Turay, expressed gratitude to the Premium Divine Trading Company Ltd for choosing her school among others to benefit from the back to school event which she described as a laudable venture towards educating pupils about the importance of good nutrition which will help them to grow.

She assured the company that as teachers they will relate the information to their parents about the importance of giving their children good nutrition which will make their children healthy and active.

Climaxing the event was the distribution of the Yumvita products to the 250 pupils by the Marketing Manager of the company, Isha Bangura, the Managing Director of Premium Divine Trading Company Ltd, Mahmoud Basma, and the Business Development Director, Daniel De-Suza.

Parliament Ratifies Joint Venture Agreement on The Sierra Leone State Lottery Company Limited

February 11, 2022

Sierra Leone State Lottery Company Limited (SLSLC).jpg

By Amin Kef Sesay

In another development, Parliament has on the 8^th February 2022 debated and ratified with unanimity, a joint venture agreement between the Sierra Leone State Lottery Company Limited (SLSLC), the Government of Sierra Leone (represented by the National Commission of Privatization (NCP) and Accord Logistics for the development of Sierra Leone.

Presenting the motion, the Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr. Edward Hinga Sandy said the agreement was part of the overall vision of making the betting industry more attractive and lucrative for the citizens.

The Opposition Whip, Hon Hassan Sesay said for Sierra Leone State Lottery to be revived is a move that they should celebrate. He went on to say, anything that is related to development, they as opposition would support. He informed that the company is not only State owned but is an indigenous company with a tendency to create more employment, taxation and noted that the agreement was not controversial.

The Chief Whip, Hon. Dickson Rogers, recalled that turning issues had been addressed in the agreement. The Whip used the opposition to expressed serious concerns over defyingf the Local Content Policy, where more foreigners are gaining jobs at the detriment of citizens. He advised the Minister to ensure that, the Local Content Policy is well applied, in light of employment.

Rounding up the debate, the Acting Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Ibrahim Ben Kargbo said the purpose of the company’s establishment was to benefit the State. He made it very clear that they as opposition do not had any controversy about the agreement. He expressed hope that the revived company would benefit the people and also admonished the Minister for properly monitor in the implementation process.

The Leader of Government Business, Hon. Mathew Sahr Nyuma thanked all MPs for their various contributions. The Leader highlighted various issues raised, relative to local employment and made it abundantly clear that, the Local Content Policy was going to be considered. “The assets are going nowhere, before, during, and after the operation” he assured.

In his response, the Minister of Trade and Industry assured the Honourable House of the full implementation of the Local Content Policy and related labour laws

In another development, Parliament has on 8/2/2022 debated and passed into law the Bill entitled, “The Wildlife Conservation (AMENDMENT) Act 2022”.

The Bill seeks to amend the Wildlife Conservation Act, 1972, and to provide for other related matters.

Presenting the Bill to Parliament, the Minister of Environment Prof. Foday Jaward, informed that, the document being reviewed is fifty years old and went on to tell Honorable Members about their intensive consultations and advocacies across the country. He spoke about the risk and threat on wildlife. Illegal mining, hunting and other activities he said are hazardous to wildlife.

The Minister spoke about international treaties that are there to protect wildlife. In light of the benefits including tourist attractions, the Minister spoke about fines and penalties in lieu of protection.

Speaking on the Bill, Hon Daniel Koroma said it was timely to speak for the voiceless adding the that, wildlife does not speak for itself. He expressed concerns that the Bill only addressed the administrative setup and went on to say the 1972 Act was inadequate to protect wildlife. He advised the Minister to go beyond the administrative procedures and address protection of wildlife.

The Chairman of Environment, Hon. Jusuf Mackery said wildlife conservation required protection and went to say, they have ratified several treaties in that regard, but the protection he said was not enough. He said the implementation of the document required budget, coordination and other related supports. While admonishing all, the Hon. Chairman said that, human activities including mining hinder wildlife conservation. He assured all that soon the Minister would bring the Parent’s Act and other documents for review and proper protection of wildlife.

Hon. Catherine Zainab Tarawallie said they were expecting the amendment with protection of wildlife. Speaking about massive destruction of wildlife conservation, the Hon. Member told colleague MPs that the Tamba-krima Wildlife conservation has lost its past glory.

The Deputy Chief Whip, Hon Alusine Kanneh said he was a strong conservationist and recalled incidences about wildlife protection in the Gola Forest Conservation. He said animals deserve to live and therefore encouraged colleague MPs to pass the Bill and implement the document. He assured that his government is so serious about animals’ protection and that the President has passion for animals’ conservation.

The Opposition whip, Hon Hassan Sesay said they needed a complete overhaul of the Conversation Act. He expressed concern over personal benefits to destruction of conversation, referencing Kenya as the role model for conservation. He categorically stated that the country does not have exotic animals anymore. In light of their expectation, he said a holistic document, was required to improve on conservation to attract tourists and wildlife protection. According to the opposition Whip, strong collaboration and coordination were required to achieve tourism and conservation.

Hon. Mohamed Kanneh said a lot has been done by the Minister on the protection of the environment. He informed that exotic wildlife including elephants, leopards, and others are still in the Gola Forest and informed that, when it comes to the protection of the wildlife strong collaboration is required between those that protect the environment. “Environmental protection goes along with conservation” he stated.

The Acting Leader of Opposition, Hon Ibrahim Ben Kargbo said the country needed to do more to protect the wildlife, adding that, the authorities should make follow up in that regard. He noted that the country was losing a lot of wildlife and urgent action was required in that direction. He said as opposition, they would support conservation and they also needed the Parent’s Act.

He recalled his participation in animal conservation and assured all of their support. He said the environment cannot be protected in isolation, adding, that it required strong collaboration. “We need wildlife for our holistic support” he informed that some of the animals are no longer available. “Whenever the government comes with good legislation, we will support it” he ended.

The Acting Leader of Government Business, Hon. Dickson Rogers thanked his colleague MPs for their contributions and assured that, the Parent’s Bill will come to Parliament. According to him, the administration must be completed before the actual bill comes to Parliament for ratification. He reassured that the government highly considered conversation. He informed that, with the Parent’s Act, animal cruelty will stop immediately. He thanked the Minister of Environment for his contributions to national development.

With Parliamentary Ratification… Local Government Elections to hold after Every Five Years

February 11, 2022

By Foday Moriba Conteh

Parliament of Sierra Leone has on the 8^th February 2022 debated and passed into law a Bill entitled: “The Local Government (Amendment) Act, 2022”.

The Bill seeks to amend the Local Government Act 2004; to extend the period for local council elections from four years to five years, to extend the tenure of the chairperson and councilors from four years to five years to reflect the tenure of other elective public offices; to reduce the budget costs and to provide for other related matters.

Presenting the Bill prior to ratification, the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Dr. Tamba John Sylvernus Lamina, said The Local Government Amendment Act 2022, would make local councils’ elections permanent and to be conducted in line with the general elections every five years. He highlighted the challenges presently involved in conducting Local Councils elections

In his contribution to the debate, Hon. Abdul Karim Kamara said the review of the voter register and boundary delimitation should not affect the election of the Local Council’s Election.

Hon. Daniel Koroma said the bill before the House is simple and commendable and noted that, the amendment bill would seek local Council’s election to be conducted in every five year instead of four year. “We are in support of the bill in moving the election to five years instead of four years,” he affirmed.

In his contribution to the debate, Leader of C4C , Hon. Emerson Saa Lamina, said the Bill before the House is appropriate and decried the past Government and the Minister that was in charge, Maya Kai Kai for failing to address the issues including slating an appropriate date for Local Council Election in line with the general election. He said it is appropriate for the postponement of the Local Councils Election to five years and said that it costs US $ 24 Million to conduct Local Government Elections by the National Electoral Commission

Hon. Francis Amara Kai Samba said the bill is non-controversial and asked colleague MPs to support the passages of the Bill.

Hon. Moses Jokie supported the Bill and said the past Government introduced the “four four four” (444) system of elections and all political parties supported and participated in it.

Rounding up the debate, the Acting Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Daniel Koroma thanked the Minister for slating Local Council elections permanent to five years.

Concluding the debate Leader of Government Business Hon. Mathew Sahr Nyuma commended MPs for their contributions and expressed that Parliament has taken the right step in the right direction. He commended the Minister for strengthening democracy in asking Parliament to defer the Local Councils Elections to five years.

In other development, the Parliament of Sierra Leone has on the 8^th February 2022 debated the Bill entitled “The National Protected Area Authority and Conservation Trust Fund Act, 2022”, and committed it to the Legislative Committee for further scrutiny

The bill seeks to amend the National Protected Area Authority and Conservation Trust Fund Act, 2022, and to provide for other related matters.

Presenting the Bill to Parliament prior to ratification the Minister of Environment, Prof. Foday Jaward, said this Bill seeks to review and develop the ecosystem in the country; adding that a nationwide consultation was made on the bill with stakeholders in order to have a document that can stand the test of the time. He said the revised Act, when implemented would protect and preserve the ecosystem. He said in protecting the environment, the country would benefit from the green scenery.

Hon. Yusuf Mackery, the Parliamentary Chairman for the Environment said there had been a lot of deforestation in the country more particularly land degradation. He spoke on the need for collaboration with other Ministries to safeguard the environment

Hon. Daniel Koroma in his submission commended the Environment Ministry for bringing the Bill to Parliament to address the protection of the environment. He called on the Minister to be more proactive in dealing with the protection of the environment making references to the total deforestation of the peninsula forest.

Hon. Musa Fofanah commended the Minister of Environment and his team for showing the willingness to address the protection of the environment. He said most of the protected areas had been deforested by timber loggers and called for proper actions to be taken

Hon. Moses Edwin said the passage of this new bill would help to address the challenges of the environment.

Hon. Joseph William-Lamin applauded officials of the Environment Ministry for taking the leadership role to address the effect of climate change.

Hon. Ibrahim Kamara said his Constituency hosts the largest forest in the country. He said the Tambaka-Kelimi National Park rainforest is depreciating through deforestation of timber logging and new settlements

Rounding up the debate, the Acting Leader of Opposition, Hon. Ibrahim Ben Kargbo, spoke on the effects of deforestation and the implementation of the green belt for the protection of the environment. He spoke about the need to collaborate with Government to protect the environment

Concluding the debate, the Acting Leader of Government Business, Hon. Bashiru Silikie, said officials of NPAA need to step up in protecting the environment. He advised the supervisory Ministry to do the needful in collaborating with other environmental agencies to address the effect of climate change.

Chinese Ambassador Takes SLPP Youth Wing Through the CPC’s Great Successes

February 11, 2022

By Amin Kef Sesay

His Excellency, Hu Zhangliang, the Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone, on the 9th February, 2022, held an online meeting and shared the experience of the Communist Party of China (CPC) with the Sierra Leone’s People’s Party National Young Generation Council (NYGC).

The meeting, co-organized by the Chinese Embassy in Sierra Leone and the SLPP Youth Wing, was attended by Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to China, His Excellency Ernest Ndomahina, the SLPP Secretary General Hon. Umaru Napoleon Koroma, the SLPP Organizing Secretary Hon. Musa Moigua, the NYGC leader Ing. Francis Kallon, the NYGC Deputy Leader and 120 members.

Ambassador Hu began his remarks by acknowledging that the ongoing Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic is a show of China’s national strength which in turn speaks volumes for the strong leadership of the CPC.

Ambassador Hu elaborated on the experiences of the CPC’s great successes in its century-long journey from five aspects.

The first is People-Centered Philosophy and Policies.

Ambassador Hu pointed out that since its founding in 1921, the CPC has remained true to its original aspiration and mission of seeking happiness for the Chinese people and rejuvenation for the Chinese nation. Staying committed to communist ideals and socialist convictions, the CPC has united and led the Chinese people of all ethnic groups in working tirelessly to achieve national independence and liberation, and then to make China prosperous and strong.

Numerous Party leaders and members sacrificed a lot, including even their precious lives, for the betterment of the people. President Xi Jinping, who is also the General Secretary of the CPC, has profound love for the people and has always directed that all China’s policies should put people in the first place. As a result, the Chinese people wholeheartedly support the CPC and the approval rate for the CPC and the Chinese government is above 90% according to many international surveys.

The second is theoretical and practical innovation.

Ambassador Hu explained that another fundamental reason behind the great achievements of the CPC is the guidance of scientific theories. In the course of revolutionary struggle and socialist construction, CPC has been committed to the true strength of Marxism: freeing minds, seeking truth from facts, advancing with the times, and applying a realistic and pragmatic approach. The CPC has abided by the principle that practice is the sole criterion for testing truth and grounded all its efforts in reality. Furthermore, the CPC has provided prompt answers to the questions of our times and our people, and kept adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of our times. Currently, the CPC is guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era on its march toward the great national rejuvenation.

The third is adhering to the Leadership of the Party and Constantly Strengthening the Building of the Party.

Ambassador Hu stated that adherence to the CPC’s leadership is the fundamental political assurance for realizing the Chinese dream of the great national rejuvenation. The leadership of the CPC in China has been shaped by history and is the choice of the people. Nowadays the CPC has over 95 million members. Such a big party in a big country like China must have a strong leadership core.

The Resolution of the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee states, “The Party has established Comrade Xi Jinping’s core position in the Party Central Committee and in the Party as a whole, and defined the guiding role of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. This reflects the common will of the Party, the armed forces and the Chinese people of all ethnic groups, and is of decisive significance for advancing the cause of the Party and the country in the new era and for driving forward the historic process of national rejuvenation.

” The Party has always attached great importance to the building of the Party, committed to improving Party conduct, upholding integrity and combating corruption, which explains why the Party has always maintained its vitality and won the support of the people.

The fourth is the united front.

Ambassador Hu averred that the CPC has always attached great importance to the building of a united front, uniting all forces that can be united, safeguarding the interests of the people instead of pursuing its own special interests and denouncing the “winner-takes-all” mentality. Under the leadership of the CPC, China gathers the strength of the people through the whole-process people’s democracy, which includes all the elements of democratic politics such as electoral democracy, consultative democracy, social democracy, grassroots democracy and civic democracy. It is a model of socialist democracy that covers all aspects of the democratic process and all sectors of society. It is a true democracy that works and has effectively ensured that all Chinese people manage state affairs through various channels and forms.

The fifth is an independent foreign policy of peace.

Ambassador Hu stressed that since the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the CPC has adhered to an independent foreign policy of peace, advocated the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, firmly safeguarded national independence, sovereignty and dignity. In the new era, with the international balance of power undergoing profound adjustments, the CPC Central Committee with President Xi Jinping at its core proposes to develop a new type of international relations, promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, champion the shared human values of peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy, and freedom, and steer the tide of human progress.

Ambassador Hu concluded his speech by stating that the CPC and SLPP have enjoyed solid friendship and held exchanges and discussions on important issues such as governance, national development, poverty reduction, youth and women’s empowerment. This helped constantly enrich and elevate China-Sierra Leone relationship to a new high. In last May, President Xi Jinping and President Julius Maada Bio had a telephone conversation and reached new consensuses on the development of China-Sierra Leone relations. This year, China will continue to work with Sierra Leone to implement the top leaders’ consensuses and the outcomes of the FOCAC conference, strengthen solidarity and cooperation, achieve common development and progress, promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, and jointly create a better future.

Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to China, H.E Ernest Ndomahina extended sincere congratulations for the ongoing Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. He noted that both the SLPP and CPC have common belief in people-centered philosophy and respect for party leadership. He said he was greatly impressed and admired the massive poverty alleviation strategy that CPC has undertaken to lift its people out of poverty.

The SLPP Secretary General, Umaru Napoleon Koroma, thanked Ambassador Hu for his remarks that have given them a clear picture of what CPC has done for the people of China and share with them the valuable experience of leading China towards major achievements. He agreed with the importance of the strong leadership of a Party. He recalled his visit to China at the invitation by the CPC that changed his views on China. He reaffirmed the SLPP party has always been a great friend of the CPC and it will continue to be committed to the One China policy.

Francis Alpha Kallon, the National Young Generation Council Leader of SLPP, said their SLPP party has produced best leaders since independence, pointing to recent appointment of President Bio as the AU Chairman on Africa Peer Review Mechanism (APRM). He said President Bio has set the path for poverty alleviation by making education a key priority in the country. He appealed for an exchange program between the SLPP Youth wing and the CPC youth wing as well. He praised Ambassador Ndomahina for helping organize the meeting between the SLPP NYGC and the Chinese Embassy in Sierra Leone.

Before the meeting was concluded, Ambassador Hu also answered questions raised by the attendees on how the CPC overcame the challenges during its early tough days, and what role they youths have been playing in the CPC’s development.