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2 narrowly escaped death

By Foday Kamara

Reports reaching this medium indicate that two people, Dauda H. Kargbo and Esther Ngegba, narrowly escaped death from irate Ojeh society men at Rosenor village in Kambia District, Northern Sierra Leone, on February 7, 2022.

Eyewitness accounts have it that it all started immediately after the death of Esther Ngegba’s husband when her uncle made a proposal for the surviving elder brother of the late man to inherit her but Esther vehemently opposed the proposal, calling it archaic and barbaric.
“I am not the property of my late husband to be inherited by his blood relations,” the widow Esther Ngegba is quoted as yelling in disgust, further citing how her late husband’s elder brother killed his legally wedded wife by forcefully initiating her into his Orjeh secret society.

“No, I will never be the next to fall victim to such a seeming ritualistic act.”

Eyewitnesses accounted that Esther Ngegba, the other day, introduced a man called Dauda Kargbo as the man she intended to marry next, but to her dismay, her uncle opposed her choice and insisted on his earlier proposal regarding her late husband’s elder brother.

On February 7, 2022, however, Dauda Kargbo was helping Esther transport her fruits from one of the remote villages to Rosenor when her late husband’s brother spotted them on top of a motorcycle. He immediately halted them. He rushed at them and allegedly lent Esther a heavy slap in the jaw, querying her why she should be together with Dauda Kargbo on board a motorcycle.

Dauda could not, however, maintain his cool but reacted angrily with all his might, scolding him strongly. In the interim of the scuffle, the man’s secret society colleagues coincidentally arrived at the scene and immediately got hold of Dauda, whom they manhandled and whisked to the chief of the section.

At the chief’s barry, eyewitnesses indicated that the late man’s elder brother, being the ‘Agba’ or head of the Orjeh secret cult, told Section Chief, Pa Alimamy Kamara, that Dauda and Esther had committed an offence by assaulting him and destroying the charms of the Orjeh society in his possession.
In the twinkle of an eye, therefore, large crowds of Orjeh society men stormed the place like ants over a lump of sugar, warranting the chief to lock up Esther and Dauda in one of his rooms.

The irate society men were said to be snoring angrily for revenge and strongly demanding the release of the two to be forcefully initiated for assaulting their ‘Agba’ and at the same time destroying the charms of the secret society with him.
It is said that Esther and Dauda had to carefully break the wooden window over which they jumped and escaped narrowly.

Chief Pa Alimamy Kamara said he locked up the two to prevent them from being lynched by the angry society men, but that when they eventually broke the door into the room and realised that they had escaped, they reproached him very hard and demanded that he produce Dauda and Esther.

“I also had to flee for my life to the police station because, as an Orjeh society man myself, I know it would not have been easy for me,” the chief said, lamenting how members of his household were harassed and humiliated while away.

At the time of going to press last night, we learned that Dauda and Esther had been declared wanted as their whereabouts remained unknown.
This medium is monitoring the situation.

ICPNC Members Intimate Irish Ambassador of its Activities & Plans

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By Foday Moriba Conteh

The Irish Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Claire Buckley, was briefed by the Executive Secretary and senior staff of the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion (ICPNC) about the Commission’s activities and plans and discussed possible areas of collaboration.

In her overview, the Executive Secretary of the ICPNC, Hawa Samai, explained that the said Commission’s mandate is to promote peace and cohesion, including examining the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and Bintumani 3 conference, which are vital in fostering national cohesion.

She informed the Ambassador about the ICPNC’s three-year strategic plan, which, when finalized, will serve as the blueprint for the Commission’s activities. She mentioned that they were working on an election preparedness programme to cover the pre-, during and post-elections period. She added that the TRC recommendations would be prioritized and incorporated into the five thematic pillars in the strategic plan.

According to Madam Samai, a key component of the Elections Preparedness Programme is the setting up of a Situation Room, which will require, among others, the training and deployment of peace monitors all over the country to provide regular updates on the situation on the ground.

She said the Commission would coordinate its activities with EMBs, including NEC, PPRC and other existing institutions with a similar mandate, to avoid duplications of interventions.

The Irish Ambassador welcomed the work done so far by the Commission as well as their plans (as outlined in the strategic plan) to promote peace and reconciliation and prioritizing of gender issues and United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325, in all their interventions. She also expressed key interest in the Commission’s strategic planning document and what is its roles and the institution’s partnership collaborations for the elections will be. With her Governance advisor, Josephus J. Eillie, they promised to further engage the Commission’s work.

Orange Foundation & Thinking Pink Breast Cancer Foundation Raise Awareness on Cancer

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By Millicent Mannah

As the global cancer community commemorates World Cancer Day, Think Pink Breast Cancer Foundation in collaboration with Orange Foundation Sierra Leone, have on Friday 4th February 2022, launched an awareness campaign  with the theme “Close the Care Gap”. Think Pink Breast Cancer Foundation and Orange Foundation Sierra Leone joined the campaign to call on everyone, collectively and individually, to commit and to strengthen actions aimed at reducing the impact of cancer in Sierra Leone.

The Founder and Chief Executive Officer for The Pink Breast Cancer Foundation (TPBCF), Mrs. Pratt, in her opening statement expressed her gratitude and thanks to all medical personnel fighting the good fight. She added that February 4th is a day that the entire world comes together to raise awareness about cancer. She added that World Cancer Day is a global movement that is uniting a global initiative that brings people all over the globe together, in an effort to raise the cancer awareness profile in a positive and inspiring way.

As the data collection relating to cancer is at a all time high, she called on all aid movements to come onboard and help tackle the rising number of Cancer victims, because cancer is a disease that requires attention at the onset and also public education. She went on to say that as the theme for this year is “Close the Care Gap”, she urged all those in the fight to do more than is required to make sure that every Sierra Leonean receives equitable access to care, attention and funding for treatment.

She furthered that Thinking Pink Breast Cancer Foundation is a full member of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), and it is a call to action from the Government, international partners and to every individual in Sierra Leone, to come together and realize that cancer is not only real, but it is also claiming a lot of lives. Mrs. Pratt, affirmed that not too long ago people were of the idea that only old people can contract Cancer, but statistics have proven that young people especially children aged nine – can also be infected with breast cancer, and that is why “Close The Care Gap” is a strong phrase which signifies that everyone needs to do more.

She added that cancer is a curable disease depending on early detection. She called on government institutions, Sierra Leone Cancer Society international partners, and Non-governmental organizations to take a look at the troubling situation affecting cancer victims –Financial constraints, illiteracy and discrimination amongst other variables are some of the leading factors that are negatively affecting the fight against cancer.

Mrs. Jestina Betts, on behalf of Orange Foundation Sierra Leone, acknowledged the efforts of those leading the fight against cancer. She affirmed that Orange as a leading and responsible telecommunications operator pride itself in not only connecting its customers to the digital Eco-space, but they are also providing the essentials for every Sierra Leonean.

She added that Cancer is a global concern that requires not only the help of the health sector, but also the private sector, and this is why under the health pillar in the Orange Foundation Sierra Leone, has partnered with Thinking Pink Breast Cancer Foundation over the years – and as today marks another monumental event in the long historical partnership between Thinking Pink Breast Cancer Foundation and Orange Telecommunication, their partnership has spanned over the years through sensitizing the public on the importance of Breast Cancer and also providing financial support to aid the treatment of breast cancer for patients.

She mentioned that over the years, Orange Foundation has been supporting Thinking Pink Foundation with staggering programs; such as the breast cancer marathon and sensitization in several schools, market places and Public offices nationwide. She affirmed that over 3.000 people were screened in 2020/21nationwide with hundreds of abnormalities were found during these tests, she added that despite this is a sad news for the victims, but knowing the disappointing truth is better than being ignorant. However, she firmly believed that this year’s theme is very much appropriate, as “Close the Care Gap” is a gallant call to all and sundry to play a part in creating a cancer free world.

Orange Foundation and thinking Pink are leading the demonstrations to show that they care about eradicating cancer through strong sensitizations, screening and treatments. She affirmed that “Closing the Care Gap” is not about big companies and brands fighting for cancer, rather it is about every individual making the decision to stop cancer in their own little way, as breast cancer is not only affecting women, as studies have shown over the years of great abnormalities in men. She ended that the fight is not going to be an easy one, but together, they are going to make real progress in eradicating cancer. She urged all Sierra Leoneans to take up the responsibility of fighting cancer together.

Emmanuella, a pupil and survivor who is not much older than 15, has been suffering from breast cancer for years and she explained her story and difficulties in relation to the disease. She thanked Thinking Pink Breast Cancer Foundation and their partners for the good works they have done for her and other cancer victims over the years. She also urged all Sierra Leoneans to be doing daily check-ups and know their status. She added that the fight against cancer requires the attention of all, and as a volunteer in the fight against cancer, she encouraged all Sierra Leoneans to join the fight in any little way they can.

Dr. Ruth Taylor, mentioned that 41 million people are affected by breast cancer each year in sub-sahara Africa alone. She added that we cannot talk about cancer without mentioning Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs).She went to say that NCDs are the number one cause of death and disability in the world. The term NCDs refers to a group of conditions that are not mainly caused by an acute infection, result in long-term health consequences and often create a need for long-term treatment and care. These NCDs are becoming alarming which is also a key factor in the high rate of cancer, and this is a urgent need for action by government and other institutions to help tackle this problem. She also encouraged all Sierra Leoneans to abstain from using tobacco and alcohol consumption as these two are key factors in developing cancer.

Thinking Pink Foundation focuses on nationwide breast cancer awareness. They try to raise awareness in communities, schools, universities, marketplaces, corporations and institutions – and support women with funds for their treatment options and source funds for out-of-the-country treatment as Sierra Leone lacks complete infrastructure in terms of cancer in the area of chemo and radiotherapy.

ECOWAS Resolves not to Impose New Sanctions Against Burkina Fasso

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By Samuel Manford (Accra, Ghana)

ECOWAS has decided not to place any new sanctions on Burkina Faso, after the military in the country took political power from the democratic Government of former President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré.

This was decided at the second Extraordinary Summit of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Heads of State and Government on the political situation in Burkina Faso, which was held in the Ghanaian capital, Accra, on Thursday, February 3, 2022 in response to a recent spate of coups in the region.

Conspicuously empty were the seats of representatives from Mali, Guinea and Burkina Faso as the 15-member regional body held an emergency summit after Burkina Faso on January 24 became the third member to be overtaken by the military. Burkina Faso’s President, Roch Marc Christian Kabore was deposed amidst public anger at his handling by armed groups.

The resurgence of coups in the region is alarming as Thursday’s talks come days after the President of Guinea-Bissau, Umaro Sissoco Embalo, survived an attempted coup after assailants armed with machine guns and assault rifles attacked the Government’s palace.

Burkina Faso followed Mali, where a coup in September 2020 was followed by a second in May 2021, and Guinea, where elected President Alpha Conde was deposed last September.

At the opening ceremony of the summit, the Chairperson of ECOWAS, Nana Akufo-Addo, the President of the Republic of Ghana in his speech said the emerging threats which stemmed from military interference in Mali had spread its contagious effects to Guinea, Burkina Faso and recently, almost took place in Guinea-Bissau just two days ago on February 1, 2022.

He lauded the President of Guinea-Bissau Umaro Sissoco Embalo for attending the summit as his presence was an indication of his resolve as well as members of the regional bloc to find a solution to military uprisings. President Embalo survived an attempted coup after assailants armed with machine guns and assault rifles attacked the Government’s palace on Tuesday. About eleven people, mostly civilians lost their lives in the shooting in Bissau and the perpetrators are currently being investigated.

The region’s recent turmoil has stoked fears among ECOWAS countries that efforts to steer West Africa towards stability and democracy are failing.

“The trend must be contained before it devastates our whole region,” Akufo-Addo said.

“This summit will focus on the emerging threats in our region that stem from the military’s interference in Mali and its contagious influence in Guinea and Burkina Faso,” he said.

Thursday’s one-day meeting, which follows the Extraordinary Summit held virtually on January 28, 2022, after the January 24 coup d’état in the country. After the Summit, the Authority deployed immediately a high-level mission of the ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff led by Ghana’s Chief of Defence Staff to hold consultations with the Military leaders on Saturday, January 30, 2022.

After which a Joint Ministerial Mission led by the Chairperson of the Council of Ministers, led by Ghana’s Minister of Foreign affairs, was also deployed to assess the political situation in the country on Monday, January 31, 2022. The delegation also included the President of the ECOWAS Commission and the United Nations representative for the Sahel and West Africa (UNOWAS). They met with the military junta led by Lieutenant Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, leader of the Patriotic Movement for Safeguard and Restoration (MPSR). The delegation was also granted an audience with the deposed former president Roch Marc Christian Kaboré, who was under house arrest.

During the visit, the junta declared it had restored the constitution, which it had swiftly suspended following the coup, and named Lieutenant Colonel Damiba as President and Head of the armed forces during a transition period.

However, the duration of the period and other key questions have not been detailed. Kabore, like his former counterpart in Mali, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, was toppled by disgruntled officers on the back of public protests at the handling of a jihadist insurgency.

The reports of the two missions to Ouagadougou following the coup were submitted to the Authority of Heads of State and placed under review at the summit during the closed-door session of the summit where the ECOWAS leaders assessed their outcome. The West African leaders decided against imposing further sanctions on Burkina Faso after the meeting. “We are going to ask the Burkinabe authorities to propose a clear and fast timetable for restoring constitutional order,” said a source, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Burkina Faso becomes the third ECOWAS member state to suffer a military takeover in the past 18 months after Mali and Guinea. Those countries have been hit by far-reaching sanctions in addition to suspension from ECOWAS ranks.

The African Union (AU) has also suspended Burkina Faso from its Peace and Security Council. The bloc has slapped sanctions on Mali and Guinea for failing to restore civilian rule after military takeovers. Additional measures have included the closure of borders by ECOWAS members, an embargo on trade and financial transactions as well as targeted sanctions against individuals.

Meanwhile, in Burkina Faso, the junta on Wednesday, lifted a nationwide curfew they imposed after seizing power in a coup last month, the military announced.

The restrictions were imposed on January 24 after mutinous soldiers arrested President Roch Marc Christian Kabore following a revolt at several army barracks in the capital over the handling of jihadist attacks in the Sahel nation.

Lt Col Sandaogo also reshuffled the country’s military leadership, a change sought by soldiers in the January mutiny.

Former sports minister Colonel-Major David Kabre was appointed chief of the general staff of the armed forces, with Col. Adam Nere becoming chief of staff of the army.

Valentine’s Getaway to Baracuda Island

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By Theresa Kef Sesay

Salone Adventures is coming up with a special Valentines Getaway package to Baracuda Island. The tourism company is planning to take individuals and groups to the Baracuda Island on Saturday 12th February 2022.

The package includes a Boat trip to and fro Baracuda Island, a welcome cocktail on arrival at the island, food, drinks, games, a romantic evening and much more.

Baracuda Island is located off Tokeh Beach, It is an 8 minutes boat ride from Tokeh to the island. The Island is ‘untouched’, it is opening it’s doors for the first time with a major event. The island is a perfect destination for nature lovers.

Individuals or group can now book in for this once in a lifetime event. For bookings: info@saloneadventures.com Tel:+232 99 735865 or Web: www.saloneadventures.com

ABOUT SALONE ADVENTURES

Plan your next tour for the exquisite locations of Sierra Leone with us, to enjoy a stress-free tour. We arrange tours for small groups with great guides and all site seeing. Hotel Booking is also available. Come and make memories to last a lifetime.

Fitness Activities

For all our fitness enthusiasts, we help you achieve your health goals by arranging fitness activities like yoga, running and hikes for individuals and small groups at the extraordinary locations of Sierra Leone. You will never feel more motivated to be fit!

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GTBank Partners with Orange Money to Introduce Bank2Wallet Service

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By Foday Moriba Conteh

Orange Money Sierra Leone Limited has with Guaranty Trust Bank-Sierra Leone (GTBank) on Wednesday (2nd February 2022) launched the Bank2Wallet service that connects customers directly to their bank account and it enables them to pay for goods and services. The platform is also used to check bank balances, withdraw and pay in cash.

GTBank’s Managing Director; Ade Adebiyi said the bank’s partnership with Orange money is part of the financial inclusion and taking banking services to the doorsteps of customers. He added that the bank is making sure that its electronic platform provides the best services, and furthered that its partnership with Orange money is to strengthen its rule in financial inclusion and collaboration to provide services across the country.

“GTBank continues to innovate in things that it provides to customers. It has positioned itself to explore and take its banking services across the country,” the MD said and went on to assure that transactions on the platforms are safe as they are of international best practices.

Adebiyi said with partners like Orange money GTBank will continue to provide quality services across Sierra Leone and hoped that there will be more collaboration to bring more products to the market.

Orange money Chief Executive Officer, David Mansaray revealed that the service is to make financial services easy for customers. He said the partnership with banks has been tremendous and that partnering with GTBank will be great as the bank has contributed immensely to the development of Sierra Leone.

“Our partnership will help us have access to GT Bank’s liquidity and it will be of immense benefit to customers and aggregators,” he noted and furthered that more funds will come to distributors. “GTBank will also benefit out of it and the service will provide sticky funds to the bank,” Mansaray told his audience.

Customers, he said now have the ability to save and earn interest. “I hope that more services will be developed in the future to improve the partnership,” the CEO said.

Sadia Kanu, Partnership Manager at Orange Sierra Leone in her product service presentation, disclosed that those who want to enjoy the electronic service must have a valid orange money sim that is fully registered and also be a customer of GTBank.

“You must have a registered Orange sim, use #144# to access the service, select option 6, select 1 that shows Link my bank account, see the list of bank partners and subscribe select option and option 7 (GTBank), enter your orange money secret code and you’ll receive an activation key via SMS that will be given to the bank to be fully registered for the service,” she said and also stated that “to complete your registration, please hand the activation key you received by SMS to your bank agent within 240 minutes”.

Victor Cleveland, Head of E-Business at GTBank, assured that the bank is committed to serving customers at all times.

Arthur Kallon, Head of Corporate Affairs at GTBank, thanked both companies’ Directors for launching the partnership successfully.

In Calling For Investigation of Certain Businesses… NRA Board Chairman Acted Within the NRA Act

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By Amin Kef Sesay

The Minister of Finance undoubtedly has the statutory authority to oversee and supervise State corporations and statutory bodies like the National Revenue Authority.

However, to unilaterally cancel a directive ordered by the Board of that Authority or institution would be, in the opinion of The Calabash newspaper, carrying that oversight and supervision powers a bit too far; as recently happened when the Minister of Finance ordered the NRA Board Chairman to rescind a letter calling for certain businesses to be investigated.

Recently, the Honorable Minister of Finance, Dennis Vandi ordered the Chairman of the Board of the National Revenue Authority, Dr. Tuma Adama Gento-Kamara, to discontinue immediately investigation of certain business houses which he said will impact negatively on the financial and economic governance of the State.

“We have no doubt that such action by the Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the NRA will result in an unhealthy business environment, impacting on the financial and economic governance of the State.”

Mr. Vandi went further to write that: “In view of the foregoing, I hereby direct that all the invitations sent for the said investigation to the concerned businesses be rescinded with immediate effect.”

On the other hand, the Act governing the NRA Board clearly states that, “The Chairman of the (NRA) Board shall be appointed by the President, subject to the approval of Parliament from among persons with knowledge, integrity and practical experience in matters relevant to the functions of the Authority.”

Further down, the ACT states that, “In the performance of the duties of Chairman, no action or other proceedings shall be or be instituted against any member of the Board for or in respect of any act or thing done or omitted to be done in good faith in the exercise or purported exercise of his functions under this Act.”

Constitutionally, only the NRA is charged with the responsibility of assessing and collecting domestic taxes, customs duties and other revenues specified by law, as well as administering and enforcing laws relating to those revenues, which by implication includes investigating businesses for whatever reason relating to how they conduct their businesses.

Our investigation further revealed that Section 16 of the NRA Act states that, “in the exercise of its functions, the independence of NRA shall not be subject to the direction or control of any persona of authority or authority…”

Against this background, it is good to know the history and the mandate of the National Revenue Authority (NRA) which was established on the 13th September 2002 through an Act of Parliament called the National Revenue Authority Act, 2002 (Act No-11).

Prior to the establishment of the NRA, Government revenue collection was fragmented and undertaken by the then Customs and Excise Department, Income Tax Department, Government Gold and Diamond Office and several other MDAs.

One of the most outstanding reforms in the Sierra Leone Tax System was the bringing together of these revenue collecting agencies under the umbrella of the National Revenue Authority. The NRA has since played a vital role in formulating and implementing tax reforms that have resulted in increased revenue mobilization and trade facilitation.

Mandate

The NRA is charged with the responsibility of assessing and collecting domestic taxes, customs duties and other revenues specified by law, as well as administering and enforcing laws relating to these revenues.

Mission

Includes the effective administration of the Revenue System and facilitation of trade to enhance Government fiscal space for national development

Functions include: Revenue Collection, Trade Facilitation, Border Management and Control, Product Standards

Core Values:

Integrity – Commitment to the highest standards of trust and honesty.

Transparency – Ensuring full disclosure of information as required by law.

Accountability – Ensuring that appropriate mechanisms exist for Staff to be held accountable for their decisions and actions.

Discipline – Ensuring staff conducts themselves in accordance with the NRA Code of Conduct and other established principles of good governance at all times.

Collaboration – Work in collaboration with stakeholders and associated institutions to improve our services delivery and overall performance.

Thus we are of the opinion that in calling for investigation of certain businesses, the NRA Chairman did not act ultra vires of the Law establishing and governing NRA, but was well within its confines and operational guidelines, rules and regulations.

Basita Michael Exposes the Dual Face of the ACC

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By Amin Kef Sesay

One of the country’s outspoken legal luminaries, who have never been economical with the truth bordering on important or sensitive State matters, is indisputably, the Founder and Governing Officer of the Institute for Legal Research and Advocacy for Justice, Basita Michael.

She argues that whether it is true or not, for most people, the continuous failure of the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) to investigate countless allegations of corruption and abuse of power against members of the current regime in contrast to its enthusiasm to investigate and prosecute political opponents has unfortunately created the impression that the machinery of the ACC is being used as a shield for members of the sitting Government and as a sword against the opposition with the aim to eliminate political opponents and/or keep them in check.

She furthered that such an impression has been tightened and heightened due to the ongoing investigation of the Mayor of the Freetown City Council, Yvonne Aki-Sawyer.

“I humbly believe that perhaps the mistake that the ACC and the Government are making is to realize that the harm of such an impression on us as a nation far outweighs its benefits,” she stated her position.

Basita argues that firstly the impact of such an impression questions the very legitimacy of the ACC and the sincerity of the Government to fight corruption and secondly it poses the real risk of revenge when regime change happens.

“We can’t afford to continue to be trapped in the cycle of revenge,” she expressed a wish cautioning that we must avert the risks of that happening again to our beloved countrymen and women.

Basita Michael ended up recommending that it would therefore be ideal for the ACC and the Government to change course and take on the fight against corruption impartially and avoid appearing to use their authorities as a weapon to repress opponents.

She concluded by stating that failure to do so will be detrimental to us as a country and risk undermining the strides the Bio regime has made.

Nutribom Multigrain 350g Baby Food is Nutritious for Babies Aged 6 Month +

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By Esther Wright

Nutribom Multigrain (6mth+) 350g is an excellent everyday food source ideal for the healthy balanced diet for babies from six months of age which ensures their healthy growth and development. Nutribom contains important vitamins such as iron; vitamins A, C & D and zinc to name a few and is easy to digest as well as easy to prepare. Nutribom Multigrain (6mth+) 350g is the perfect daily complementary food for your baby.

With Nutribom Multigrain, the best of ingredients have been selected to provide a balanced and delicious meal for your baby. Nutribom should be given to babies from 6 months upwards. It is rich in vitamins and minerals. It is easy to prepare and is the perfect daily complimentary food for your baby.

Nutribom Multigrain (6mth+) 350g is good for babies aged 6 months+, having a baby is one of the happiest moments of your life. Nutribom wants to be part of this amazing life experience. The best ingredients have been selected to provide a balanced and delicious meal.

It is formulated to fight malnutrition in children and the essential nutrients keep the child nourished and healthy. This is a pure natural cereal processed with no additives.

Nutribom is a great food for weaning babies ages 6 months and above.

It helps to boost the immune system, rich in energy and support total fitness of the body.

Contact Emkay Store SL LTD, the Sole Distributor of Nutribom Infant Cereal and many products which include: Nurtilac, Nutrilon and H&H infant formulas (Cornmilk and Cereal for infants), confectioneries (inclusive of items for children’s birthday parties), rice, Olinda (pure Ceylon tea, green tea and slim tea), Flavoured tea – ginger etc.

For wholesale and retail locate Emkay Store SL Ltd at No. 12 Sani Abacha Street, Freetown, Sierra Leone or call +23288 604-402.

Chinese Economic & Commercial Counselor Debunks The Guardian Report on Illegal Fishing

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By Amin Kef Sesay

In response to an article that was published by an international news medium, The Guardian,  that Chinese vessels are  engaged in illegally fishing activities in Sierra Leonean waters with debilitating negative effects on the country’s local fishermen, Du Zijun, the Economic and Commercial Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Sierra Leone decided to set the records straight.

He said they have noted with concern that some local and foreign media recently published a report titled “Illegal Overfishing by Chinese Trawlers Leaves Sierra Leone Locals Starving,” and therefore wish to make the following points.

First, that the remarks in the report on low license fees and the inability of the Chinese fishing enterprises to promote the economic development of Sierra Leone are totally groundless. According to him, Fishery is one of the traditional areas of China-Sierra Leone cooperation starting from the 1980s.

He pointed out that in 2017, the Governments of China and Sierra Leone signed a Memorandum of Understanding on fishery cooperation, laying a solid foundation for the healthy and sustainable development of that cooperation.

Du Zijun stated that as far as he knows, there are more than 100 industrial fishing vessels and over 12,000 small fishing boats operating in the exclusive economic zone of Sierra Leone.

He continued that at present, with the approval of the Chinese authorities, 5 Chinese fishing enterprises are operating in Sierra Leone with about 40 fishing vessels adding how these Chinese fishing enterprises and vessels have created thousands of direct jobs and tens of thousands of indirect jobs for Sierra Leoneans.

“In recent years, the Chinese fishing enterprises paid nearly 10 million US dollars of various fees including license fees to the Sierra Leonean Government annually and also helped Sierra Leone earn a lot of foreign exchange through the export of fish catches,” he claimed.

He went on that during the Ebola epidemic and the COVID-19 pandemic, the Chinese fishing enterprises managed to continue their production, playing an essential role in maintaining the local jobs, ensuring the supply of fish in the local market, stabilizing prices, and enhancing people’s livelihood.

“The Chinese fishing enterprises have worked actively to fulfill their social responsibilities, established good relations with the local communities, and donated money or materials to victims who suffered from natural disasters, all of which were highly appreciated by the Government and people of Sierra Leone,” he argued furthering that to sum up, the Chinese fishing enterprises have made significant contributions to the promotion of the economic development of Sierra Leone and the improvement of living standards of its people.

The Economic and Commercial Counselor stated that secondly, the accusations in the report that China has seized the interests of Sierra Leone’s fishery resources and led to their reduction are entirely untrue.

According to the regulations of industrial fishing licenses in Sierra Leone, he pointed out, fishing enterprises operating in Sierra Leone should keep at least 30% of their catch for the local market.

He stated that actually, in normal years, more than 65% of the catch by the Chinese fishing enterprises remained in the local market, which has greatly met the living needs and enhanced food security of the local people.

Du Zijun said ,in recent years, to promote the sustainable development of the fishery industry of Sierra Leone, China has been gradually reducing the number of fishing enterprises and fishing vessels in Sierra Leone, and actively reduced the production capacity.

Besides, China, according to him, at the request of the Government of Sierra Leone, has dispatched a scientific research vessel to carry out a survey on fishery resources in Sierra Leone to help promote sustainable development of the fishery sector in the country.

He said the Chinese fishing enterprises and their Sierra Leonean counterparts and employees share common interests maintaining that they fully understand that the sustainable development of Sierra Leone’s fishery industry benefits both sides.

The Chinese diplomat stated that thirdly, the blame in the report on the Chinese vessels’ under-declaration of catch and destruction of local fishermen’s boats and nets is merely speculation or a one-sided allegation.

He said the Chinese Government always requires the Chinese fishing enterprises to operate in compliance with laws and regulations of Sierra Leone, monitors the Chinese vessels through surveillance systems, and asks the vessels to report their locations every hour.

“The Chinese fishing enterprises abide by the laws and operate strictly in the waters stipulated by the Sierra Leonean Government bearing all certificates and documents required,” he argued adding that besides, each fishing vessel is equipped with a Vessel Management System (VMS) and an observer is dispatched by the Sierra Leone Government to supervise the operation of the fishing vessels including loading and unloading of the catch.

He stated that generally speaking, Chinese fishing vessels and local fishing boats get along with each other well stating how even in the case of rare frictions between the two sides, the Chinese fishing enterprises always deal with it in a proper way according to the laws and regulations of Sierra Leone and in cooperation with observers and local agents. Chinese fishing vessels, he said, also take such measures as strengthening observation and voluntarily moving away from busy fishing grounds to avoid frictions.

“The Chinese fishing enterprises have been following the fishery policies and regulations of Sierra Leone, and have been working under the supervision of the fishery authorities of Sierra Leone,” he asserted.

With regards the fourth, the accusation that the Chinese Embassy in Sierra Leone did not respond, he said, is not a fact. According to him, after receiving the e-mail from the author, a Mr. Yeung, of the above-mentioned report, the Chinese Embassy wrote a letter of reply via email and expressed willingness to communicate with him on relevant subjects, but thereafter, the Embassy did not receive any further response.

He said the Chinese side has always been following and will continue to follow the principle of sincerity, actual results, amity and good faith and the principle of pursuing the greater good and shared interests to carry out friendly and mutually beneficial cooperation with Sierra Leone.

Du Zijun assured that China is committed to helping Sierra Leone in her social and economic development.

He expressed hope that the relevant parties would treat the fishery cooperation between China and Sierra Leone objectively rather than with prejudice against the Chinese fishing enterprises or with tinted glasses.

“I believe the Sierra Leonean Government and People will, out of fairness and justice, continue to promote and uphold our cooperation in various areas, including the fishery sector,” he concluded adding that if the relevant report is aimed at undermining China-Sierra Leone cooperation or tarnishing China’ s image, it will be very disappointing, unnecessary and to no avail.

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