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For Outstanding Work… Ishmael Charles of Sick Pikin Project Nominated for 2022 African Genius Award

January 24, 2022

By Amin Kef Sesay

Ishmael Alfred Charles, who was captured at the age of nine to fight in the ill-famed Sierra Leonean civil war that ended in 2002 is relishing the restoration of his biblical years eaten by locusts.

The Programs Manager of Caritas Freetown is transforming lives of thousands of vulnerable people in the West African country that experienced decades of political upheaval and social strife.

The Sick Pikin Project (the Sick Babies Donation Project), which the former child soldier co-founded in 2018 to help children from needy families secure costly surgeries abroad has also earned him a nomination for the 2022 African Genius Awards, a platform that has recognized the likes of Aliko Dangote, Steve Biko, and Chinua Achebe.

Charles’ childhood was, however, not easy. It took him years after he unchained himself from the shackles of violence to speak publicly about his experience in Sierra Leone’s 11-year civil war.

Charles told ACI Africa in an interview that he was a nine-year-old school boy when rebels first captured him and trained him alongside other boys to fight in their ranks.

The rebels, he said, found him visiting his father who was an artisanal miner at a village that was endowed with diamonds in Sierra Leone’s Kono District. Charles’ parents had long separated and they “took turns” staying with him.

“I did not grow up in a stable family. My parents separated when I was still very young and they took turns staying with me. My mother stayed in Freetown (Sierra Leone’s capital city) while my dad worked as an artisanal miner in Kono. I practically attended two schools all at once: one in Freetown and another in Kono to fit into my parents’ schedule,” Charles stated.

“I spent most of my time in Freetown. But when rebels attacked and Freetown was under fire, my mother thought it best for me to spend more time in Kono with my father. Everyone thought that Kono was safe. Little did we know that the rebels were coming for the diamonds in Kono,” Charles said, and added, “I was captured during a visit to my father in Kono.”

Charles recalls his capture sometime in 1991 at the onset of the conflict in Sierra Leone, saying, “The rebels attacked our village, burning houses, killing people and capturing those they thought could commit various atrocities in their ranks. Men were captured. Boys were snatched away too. We ran for many hours and the rebels eventually caught up with us in a forest where we were hiding.”

He narrates that there was a lot of hostility amid the violence and villagers could not welcome newcomers who were fleeing from their own villages.

“I was alone with strangers when I was captured. A fire we had lit to prepare something to eat is what brought the bandits our way and they took us. My father was captured separately in another village where he had gone to do some business,” Charles narrated.

Charles says that he was in a long queue of boys who were losing a limb each as punishment for their misconduct when a military plane swooped in, causing confusion and giving the boys the opportunity to flee. Some boys lost their limbs but Charles was among those who managed to escape unscathed.

When the Sierra Leonean conflict ended in 2002, Charles went back to school without having undergone any formal psychosocial support.

“I harbored terrible memories of what I had witnessed even as I went back to school,” he said, and added, “My mother and I agreed that I could never say anything about what I had seen in the war. She thought that for me to move on with my life, everything about me being a child soldier was to be buried in the past. My mother feared that I would be stigmatized if I shared what I had gone through.”

Charles says that the first time he shared his experiences as a child soldier was with a Catholic Priest some time in 2012. It was the Catholic Priest who encouraged him not to shy away from his past, noting that his story would be an inspiration to people undergoing difficulties.

“Today, I can freely talk about my childhood experiences. I am even working on a book that will have everything about my years as a child soldier and my life after the war,” he told ACI Africa January 14.

The 38-year-old who works as Caritas Freetown’s Programs Manager told ACI Africa that many former child soldiers are still walking around with daunting memories of what they saw and did.

“Child soldiers in Sierra Leone were not properly re-integrated into the society. The children who spent many years being taught how to survive in the jungle have not been taught how to survive where there is no conflict,” Charles says.

He adds, “Child soldiers were taught how to use the barrel to get anything they wanted. They were taught how to loot, how to give commands and how to sleep with anyone they wanted. Today, they don’t know how to work hard for their living, how to buy clothes and how to get married.”

In addition to his campaign roles at the Sick Pikin Project and at Caritas Freetown, Charles oversees various development projects at the Healey International Relief Foundation as the organization’s In-Country Manager.

Started only in 2018, the Sick Pikin Project has managed to raise enough funds to send children who had various complicated health conditions that required complex surgeries abroad. The children have been treated in hospitals in India, Spain and Italy. Other children have been treated in hospitals in Sierra Leone through the project.

In his circles, Charles has Fr. Peter Konteh, the award-winning Sierra Leonean Priest who co-founded the Sick Pikin Project and is also the Executive Director of Caritas Freetown and Acting Director, Caritas Sierra Leone.

Charles describes Fr. Konteh as a father and a mentor, saying, “He has put a lot of trust and confidence in what I do. There are times that I get depressed and Fr. Konteh is always there as a loving father and my counsellor. He has helped me grow in the past 13 years we have been working together.”

He says that the nomination for the 2022 African Genius Awards, which recognizes individuals who have contributed to the development of their countries through activism, business or literature, cements the trust that people have in the organizations he represents.

After Thorough Scrutiny… Alpha Khan, KES Boyah & Eight Others Sail Through Parliament

January 24, 2022

By Esther Wright

Ten Presidential appointees were approved by Parliament of Sierra Leone on the 20^th January 2022 by the Parliamentary Committee on Appointment and Public Service, chaired by the Acting Leader of Government Business, Hon. Bashiru Silikie.

The following presidential nominees were approved: Hon. Rtd. Brigadier General Komba E.S. Boyah as Resident Minister, Eastern Province, Justice Ansumana Ivan Sesay as Chairman of the Legal Aid Board ,Sadiq Sillah as Ambassador to the Arab Republic of Egypt, Mamusu Massaquoi as Deputy Minister 2, Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Haja Isata Abdulai Kamara as Deputy Minister, Ministry of Trade and Industry, Andrew Ansu Fatorma, as Chairman of the Road Maintenance Fund Administration (RMFA) ,Dr. Anthony Sandy as Chairman of the Health Service Commission, Abdulai Caulker as National Security Coordinator of the Office of National Security (ONS), Hon. Alhaji Alpha Bakarr Sahid Kanu as Resident Minister (with Cabinet rank) of North Western Province and

Ms. Isatu Moses as Member of the National Youth Commission (NYC).

Seconding the motion, the Whip of the Opposition Hon. Hassan Sesay said it was their duty to approve people nominated by President Bio. The MP zoomed out Retired Brigadier KES Boyah as former Member of Parliament with outstanding military experience. He recalled that, the nominee had a strong human relationship with other people including political opponents, when he was in Parliament.

“I commended him for that, but he never crossed to other party,” he noted and went on to say that, the nominee is a man of integrity. He also commended other nominees including Mamusu Massaquoi, Hon Justice Ivan Sesay and Sadiq Sillah for their sound standings and other records. The Opposition Whip then went on to decry Hon. Alhaji Alpha Bakarr Sahid Kanu for what he referred to as “Going with the wind” and warned President Bio to beware of the nominee. He used the opportunity to advise all the nominees to go and serve the nation positively.

Hon Sahr Jauna spoke well of all the nominees including Andrew Ansu Fatorma after pointing out the ONS Coordinator, Mr. Caulker for good work. According to the MP, the nominee’s appointment was not a mistake. He told colleague MPs that the nominee has diligently served Sierra Leone especially ONS.

“Your appointment is received with blessings” he revealed and commended all the nominees.

Speaking on the debate, Hon. Abdul Karim Kamara said Isatu Moses from Kambia is well known for developing young people and encouraged her to go and set the pace in her new designation. According to the MP, Hon Alhaji Alhaji Alpha Bakarr Sahid Kanu was his mentor, but skillfully thanked and decried him.

An independent Member of Parliament from Pujehun, Hon Shaka Sama decried the immediate speaker for the disparaging statement he made against Hon Alpha Bakarr Sahid Kanu and admonished all and sundry to stop the hypocrisy. He advised the nominee to continue to be friendly and serve his country. “What Sierra Leone needs more is people with integrity,” he stated and went on to thank President Bio for giving a fair share to Pujehun District, in light of appointment. He commended and cautioned all the nominees to prioritize field visits and not to rely on rumour.

Leader of C4C, Hon Saa Emerson Lamina described the set of nominees as a hybrid of qualified people. He said all the nominees have the required qualifications and they were able to convince the Committee on Appointment and Public Service during the course of their interviews. He thanked Hon. Brigadier General, KES Boyah, for his appointment and spoke of his grassroots affiliation. He admonished Andrew Ansu Fatorma, to serve well in his new capacity. Similar piece of advice was giving to others. The Leader spoke well of Hon Alhaji Alpha Bakarr Sahid Kanu for transparency, integrity and encouraged him to promote national cohesion. “Avoid pulling down syndrome,” he advised.

President of the Female Caucus in Parliament, Hon Veronica Kadie Sesay said all the nominees were qualified for their various appointments and went on to thank President Bio for appointing more women to positions of trust.

The MP referred to Hon Alhaji Alpha Bakarr Sahid Kanu as a liberal person, very positive and committed to national service. In light of national cohesion, she said the nominee was fit to man the new position.

While contributing to the debate, Hon P. C. Bai Kurr Kanagbaro Sanka Ill used the opportunity to say Leone Stars had promoted more unity and national cohesion. “What the Leone Stars has done, nobody has done it,” he stated. The Hon PC outlined some of negative issues that had divided Sierra Leone. He urged all and sundry to fight against those issues. The Hon P.C encouraged the nominees to go and serve the nation. Recalling, the rebel war days, he thanked Retired Brigadier General KES Boyah for his military operations.

Hon. Francis Amara Kaisamba, while referencing the constitution said all the nominees were qualified and admonished them to work hard in their designated offices to promote the agenda of the President. He commended Hon. Retired Brigadier General KES Boyah for his appointment in tandem with, his experience and encouraged him to focus on development, security and unity. He advised the nominee for RMFA to serve well, in light of service delivery . He gave similar piece of advice to the newly appointed Ambassador to Egypt Republic.

Hon. Mohamed Bangura whilst contributing to the debate, admonished colleague MPs to be mindful of their disparaging statement against others, especially, when they that are nominated for position of trust. He said the opportunity and immunity they had as MPs would not last forever. He categorically stated that, Hon Alhaji Alpha Bakarr Sahid Kanu is a true member of the APC. “I know he is a performer and that is why he has maned several positions in the country” he stated. Referencing nation cohesion and political tolerance, the MP informed that, he used to share TV podium with President Bio, when he was flagbearer and they are friends, he disclosed and went on to say, “Does that make me SLPP?” He rhetorically asked. He emphatically informed that, the Hon. Alhaji Alpha Bakarr Sahid Kanu does not has barriers and also encouraged him to come back to his party three month prior to the 2023 Election.

Hon. Abdul Latif Sesay said the Hon Alhaji Alpha Bakarr Sahid Kanu is his cousin and is a top performer. According to him,, since the SLPP came to power, they had not been doing well and that is why they had borrowed the nominee from the APC. He admonished all the nominee to work towards unity. He appealed to all nominees to work hard.

Hon. Foday Marion Kamara called on colleague MPs to speedily approved the nominees. Spoke about his personal relationships with three of the nominees including Isatu Moses, Isata Abdulai and Hon Alhaji Alpha Bakarr Sahid. He informed that, the nominees are all good and urged them to deliver.

Contributing to the debate Hon Hindolo Moiwo Gevao spoke well about Hon Justice Ansumana Ivan Sesay for his service delivering at the justice sector. He also informed that, despite the innuendos, Hon Alhaji Alpha Bakarr Sahid Kanu is one of the finest Sierra Leoneans. He used the opportunity to appeal to all the nominees to give credence to unity as well as cohesion, relative to development.

The Independent Member of Parliament from Kailahun, Hon. Quinton Salia-Konneh spoke about national cohesion, in light of the appointment of Hon Alhaji Alpha Bakarr Sahid Kanu. He noted that the nominee must be the most celebrated person in the country. He commended almost all the nominees including Hon Retired Brigadier General KES Boyah, Mamusu Massaquo and others.

Rounding up the debate, the Acting Leader of Opposition, Hon Ibrahim Ben Kargbo referenced the rancour on social media about the appointment of Hon Alhaji Alpha Bakarr Sahid Kanu. According to the MP, he mentored the nominee and his appointment will not cause any harm on the APC. “We here on this side have taken an objective position on the appointment of Hon Alhaji Alpha Bakarr Sahid Kanu” he stated. He related the appointment of the Late Hon Dr. Salia Jusu Sheriff of SLPP by Late President Siska Stevens to Hon Alhaji Alpha Bakarr Sahid Kanu. He advised the nominee not to make any hullabaloo about his appointment.

He recalled that, during the last Parliament, Hon Retired Brigadier General KES Boyah was very friendly and had no barrier. The nominee he said is one man that they should respect. He congratulated all including the Ambassador to Egypt and urged them all to perform. “The President has quietly and clearly identified Sierra Leoneans who are worthy of Note to man various positions” he said and urged all the nominees to do well.

Concluding the debate, Acting Leader of Government Business Hon. Bashiru Silikie said the Committee on Appointment and Public Service had done due diligence and they were very unanimous in their decision relating to the interviews of the nominees. He urged the nominees to go and deliver. “Excuses will not be tolerated” he stated firmly. He urged the nominees to deliver on government programs and projects, in light of the development of Sierra Leone. “The President has bestowed so much confidence on you” he stated. He asked the nominees to thrive on new ideas, unity, national cohesion and development.

Finally, he encouraged Hon Alhaji Alpha Bakarr Sahid Kanu to continue his good job and work hard to deliver on national cohesion and unity He asked him to make President Bio and Parliament proud. He also commended other nominees and asked them to surmount challenges.

Making reference to youthful nominees, he said President Bio believes in young people and admonished Isatu Moses to deliver.

In his felicitation, the Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Dr. Abass Chernor Bundu advised the nominees to go and work in the interest of the state. The Speaker told the nominees that, their approval by Parliament wouldl endorse the trust and confidence bestowed on them by the President.

In Spain… Tourism Minister Holds Fruitful Discussions to Attract Key Stakeholders

January 24, 2022

2022 International Tourism Trade Fair.jpg

By Theresa Kef Sesay

The Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Memunatu Pratt graciously met with the Spanish royal family, King Felipe VI and Queen Kerizia in Fitur , Madrid, Spain where the 2022 International Tourism Trade Fair was underway since 19-23 January, 2022.

Madam Pratt was among dozens of Tourism Ministers from across the globe that attended the prestigious meeting with the Spanish King and Queen aimed at creating durable social networks amongst touristic countries, with Spain being a leading international tourist destination.

Fitur is a global meeting point for tourism professionals and the leading international tourism trade fair.

The focus of the fair, where Sierra Leone has a unique cultural booth, is on Sustainable Tourism Development; taking full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities.

Along that line, Madam Pratt has met with colleague Ministers from across the world, dozens of tourism partners and the media from different countries as she showcased the unique tourist experience that Sierra Leone has to offer to an international market.

Madam Pratt has also met with officials of the United Nations World Tourism Organization, a specialized organ tasked with the promotion of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism.

UNWTO dedicates itself to meeting the specific needs of member States and supports them in their efforts to develop and promote the tourism industry as an engine for socioeconomic growth and poverty alleviation through the creation of employment.

With tourism expected to grow in the coming years, Madam Pratt also met with top airline operators including the British Airways General Manager in Madrid, Juan Carlos Alvarez Flores.

Also, the General Manager of the National Tourist Board (NTB) Madam Fatmata Carew held fruitful discussions with key tourism stakeholders at the Trade Fair and assured them that Sierra Leone has the platform for safe investment into Eco Tourism and hospitality.

“You all are welcome to our beautiful country Sierra Leone and we are ready to receive you all at any time in our country” Madam Fatmata Carew noted.

RCBank, IPAM Ends First Ever Seminar on Financial Inclusion and Digitalization

January 24, 2022

By Amin Kef Sesay

The Rokel Commercial Bank and the Faculty of Accounting and Finance of IPAM have concluded a one day Seminar on Financial Inclusion and Digitalization in Freetown.

The Seminar, which attracted over 500 participants from the private and public sector was the first-ever to be held in Sierra Leone and the first of such collaboration between a financial and an academic institution.

Academic and professional experts in the country’s financial industry discussed and provided insights on how the financial sector can leverage on major emerging trends like digitalization, financial Inclusion, financial literacy and financial intermediation (channeling funds between lenders and borrowers). The sessions were so interactive that participants were able to digest various concepts that allowed them to appreciate the seminar.

A general consensus among the notable speakers at the event was that the financial sector in Sierra Leone should ensure that financial products and services are accessible and adorable to all individuals and businesses regardless of their personal net worth or company size and that the barriers that exclude people from participating in the financial sector must be removed. The Bank Governor, Professor Kelfala Kallon was more succinct when he maintained….”the deposit rates paid on savings must be high enough to convince net savers to make their funds available to the financial system.

Additionally, bank charges or access to consumer savings should be minimized so as to increase the net returns on savings and thereby in-centify households to use the financial system for savings. On the demand side of that market, financial institutions must also ensure that the Mammy Fatus of this world find it beneficial to borrow from the financial sector…… investment demand is inversely related to the lending rate…this the higher the lending the rate, the lower the demand for funds for investment….”
Prof. Kallon commended RCBank for organizing the Seminar and emphasized on the timeliness of a such a seminar.

RCBank Managing Director, Walton Ekundayoh Gilpin made a brilliant illustration of how Financial Inclusion is better enhanced through innovation. Gilpin explained how mobile cash transfer systems like the Rokel Bank E-kopor has made life easy for customers and non customers alike.

The Seminar was climaxed by the twin launch of an Executive Masters Program in Banking and Finance by IPAM and the third edition of the Rokel Herald Magazine. The Seminar was moderated by the Dean of Faculty of Accounting and Finance, Dr Ezekiel Duramani Lakoh.

Orange Money Dishes Le50M Each to 5 Winners of “Na wi de Play’ Promo

January 24, 2022

By Millicent Senava Mannah

Orange Money, an appendage of Orange-SL, has on the 21^st January 2022 dished out 50 Million Leones cheque each to five lucky winners of the ‘Na wi de play’ promotion during an event that took place at the company’s Head Office on Hill Station.

The draw was part of Orange Money’s end of year promotion for 2021, with a winning package which included free air ticket to witness AFCON competition in Cameroon and some cash prizes.

The winners were: Abibatu Bockarie, Gibrilla S. Bellay, Samuel Morlai, George Brown and Chernor Bah.

One of the winners, Abibatu Bockarie, a student of IPAM in expressing her appreciation to Orange Money stated that the money came in timely and will help her to take care of some of her pressing needs.

“I am very excited to receive this money; it is indeed a very good start. I will use the money to pay my fees and start a big business.” Abibatu said.

Gibrilla Bellay, another winner, expressed gratitude to Orange Money furthering how he has just lost his father also disclosing that his sibling is about to enroll in a university, so receiving the money will be of great help.

It was the biggest offer given by any other Telecommunications Company in Sierra Leone as an annual December promotion.

It was designed to be a weekly draw taking place from Monday to Friday and broadcast on different radio stations across the country, from 5pm to 6pm, and on Saturday on SLBC and Star TV.

Customers, who qualified to win part of the 3 billion Leones every week and a free trip to watch the AFCON in Cameroon with all other expenses paid, fell under the category of those subscribers who withdrew or sent Orange Money on daily basis while the Promo was on.

For Nourishing Your Babies…. Nutribom Baby Food is the Answer

January 24, 2022

By Amin Kef Sesay

It is a well established fact that in any given society individuals loves to play with healthy, bouncing babies who are always sources of joy, pride and inspiration as opposed to those that are unwell for lack of nutritious diets. Again, it is medically accepted that breastfeeding should be a must for kids within a particular age bracket as the mother’s breast milk contains all the necessary nutrients that a child needs for healthy growth.

Indeed, having a baby is one of the happiest moments of any parent’s life and to see he or she growing up healthy and smart brings unending joy.

For parents to witness those joyous moments in their children’s growth will somehow largely depend on the type of food that they administer to their kids.

In order to achieve such, Nutribom wants to be part of that amazing life experience. Nutribom Infant Cereal is an excellent everyday food source ideal for a healthy balanced diet for babies from six months of age.

It ensures your baby a healthy growth and development. Nutribom contains important vitamins such as iron, Vitamins A, C & D and Zinc to name a few and easy to Digest, easy to prepare. Nutribom Infant Cereal is the perfect daily complementary food for your baby.

Emkay Store SL LTD is the 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 contact: Emkay Store SL LTD at 12 Sani Abacha Street Freetown, Sierra Leone or call +23288 604-402.

Bollore’s Captain Fabjanko Kokan Transfer Whips Sad Emotions among Key Stakeholders

January 24, 2022

Captain Fabjanko Kokan.jpg — Captain Fabjanko Kokan, crowned Pa Kapr Komrabai Kawaleh (meaning Ambassador of Light)

By Amin Kef Sesay

When the announcement broke out that the Country Manager of Bollore Transport and Logistics, Captain Fabjanko Kokan, will soon depart the shores of this country many Stakeholders that worked alongside him were taken aback and expressed sadness over the new development.

Managements and Staff of the Freetown Terminal Limited, Sierra Leone Ports Authority, National Commission for Privatization, National Revenue Authority, Shipping and Clearing Agencies, the media and close friends that have over the years seen and realized his true stewardship were emotionally moved.

Kokan will be replaced by the current General Manager of Freetown Terminal Limited, Bertrand Kerguelen. “I am going to leave Sierra Leone but I am not going far away from you. I will be on next door Guinea supervising all Bollore activities in Sierra Leone,” Captain Kokan informed newsmen on the 20^th January 2022.

It could be recalled that on 24th September 2021 at Menthaba Village in the Sanda Tendaren Chiefdom, the Bollore Country Manager was officially accord with the title Pa Kapr Komrabai Kawaleh (meaning Ambassador of Light), by Ceremonial Chiefs.

Captain Kokan stated that he is always willing to serve Sierra Leone under the Bollore Group, which was founded in 1965, as its founders lay premium on development.

“I love working and following people. I work with different classes of people irrespective of their tribes, religion, or political affiliation,” he said and added that he does not judge people but he rather accepts what they are and that he judges people on what they do. “If you want to change the world you have to surrender to good people, give them trust and responsibilities,” Kokan said and added that “we can change the world if we work together. One finger cannot pick up a stone.”

Under his leadership, Freetown Terminal Limited recorded a direct contribution to the National Revenue Authority ($73.5 million), National Commission for Privatization/Sierra Leone Port Authority ($65.3 million) and the National Social Security and Insurance Trust- NASSIT ($1.6 million) a total of $140.4 million. His company invested $156 million (including extension), employed directly 322 workers (98.8% local staff), 27, 057 indirect employment, 5,954 induced employments.

He is departing Sierra Leone at a time when Bolloré Ports is integrating Environmental, Social, and Governance. (ESG) issues into its development strategy. From the direct impact of its activities to the indirect impact linked to the execution of its services, the company is innovating to reduce its carbon footprint and preserve biodiversity. This is demonstrated by the implementation of the “Green Terminal” certification program for its port terminals, audited by Bureau Veritas. FTL is working to install in 2022 1 Mega Watt of solar energy 100% renewable to target the Green Terminal certification.

Some of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility activities in recent years include, a donation to Don Bosco with the sum of 5000 Euros, fifty bags of rice, provided assorted school items to Scholl pupils in their communities of operations costing Le152,582,750, fire response by its fire engine to surrounding communities, supported the construction of a primary school in Menthaba Village and provided school bags and assorted school materials, donated to City of Rest, supported the Breast Cancer Awareness with Le20 million, provided 30 scholarships to deserving students, 1303 pupils benefited from material supports in its community, took part in World Anti Corruption Day, supported with tanks to airport expansion project, provided support to Moa Warf police Post etc. The company has raised funds through its annual marathon fundraising event, which has gone as direct support to education, health, food and other charitable supports to vulnerable groups.

City Learning Platform Engages NGOs & CBOs on Slum Upgrading

January 24, 2022

By Mary Kabay

City Learning Platform, in collaboration with its partner organizations on Friday 21 January 2022 held a day conference for multi-stakeholder organizations geared towards discussing issues related to planning of city programmes as well as slum upgrading.

The event, which was well attended by international non-governmental organizations, non-governmental organizations and community based organizations was meant for the development and inclusion of all these bodies to become a unified unit that will become an agent of change in the country especially for slum related issues.

Joseph Marcathy, from the City Learning Platform gave a recap of their previous programs they have conducted stating how they are using the participatory approach further disclosing that this is the fourth event they have so far organized.

He stated that this should be time for reflection maintaining how no single organization can handle disaster issues in the country disclosing that most of the activities that some organizations have embarked on in that direction appeared to be fruitless.

Joseph Marcathy continued that the desire of the Sierra Leone Urban Research Centre is to promote development stating that the City Learning Platform has been engaging organizations and their development partners on principles of engagement and livelihood activities as they are central to community residents.

He said giving attention to deprived communities is what the fourth edition of their programmes is all about with special emphasis on slum upgrading through direct or indirect discussions as well as contributing to slum upgrading.

The keynote speaker for the event, who works as a Researcher for the International Institute for Environment and Development, Dr Alexandre Aspan Frediani, touched on the methodology of community area planning. He underscored the importance of the participatory approach to slum upgrading and spoke about responsive urban development limitations, coordinating and democratizing urban governance, strengthening existing networks of social mobilization and addressing challenges of urban development.

Dr Alexandre Aspan Frediani also elaborated on what is needed to be in place to achieve those goals of which he identified local mobilization, methodologies and expertise, multi level governance structure, enabling supportive policy and planning frameworks and sustained programmatic interventions.

Climaxing his address, he spoke on policy planning and mentioned countries that are into it and its benefits to economies maintaining that Sierra Leone should try to embrace the participatory slum upgrading approach or model.

Alusine Sesay, an intern from the FCC Mayor’s Delivery Unit and Sheikh Mohamed Npha Janneh Planning Technician of the FCC Mayor’s Delivery Unit made important contributions.

They highlighted the problems of informal settlements in the city which give rise to people residing in slums and disaster-prone areas, levels of urban degradation and loss of green spaces.

Also, they talked of the vision of the Freetown City Council which, according to them includes, slum relocation and provision of new affordable housing schemes.

Director of Relief and Response at the National Disaster Management Agency, Sinneh Mansaray touched on the area of Informal Settlement Regeneration in Post Disaster periods. He maintained that there is no one organization that can control disaster issues.

Explaining the role of the National Disaster Management Agency in the country he said the power is vested in them to control disasters, to undertake relief and response functions, focus on mitigation and reducing disaster risks as he makes references to the Susan’s Bay and Kroo Bay disasters where the NDMA played major roles.

The various organizations present during the meeting were divided into three focus discussion groups were as the Director of Research at the Sierra Leone Urban Research Centre, Brima Koroma climaxed the event with a plenary session and spoke on key supporting mechanisms and recommendations.

Problem Against Equatorial Guinea Was… Leone Stars Lacked Midfield and Scoring Power

January 24, 2022

By Amin Kef Sesay

Whilst the defense and the goalkeeper are central to preventing an opposing team from scoring goals, without a solid, energetic creative midfield to supply the forwards with balls to fire at the opposing team’s goalkeeper, a team can expect no magic.

Communication is key on the field. Every player needs to know what they are doing and what is expected of them. But we all saw how disorganized communication and coordination among our players was in the match against Equatorial Guinea.

Our midfield was lost in wonderland. We saw them running up and down the field with no clue among them as to how to neutralize the highly effective Guinean midfielders that were running havoc and easily feeding the 7, 11 and 10 with balls to keep the Leone Stars defenders and goalkeeper busy.

To say the least, compared to the earlier two matches against the Algerians and the Ivoirians, Leone Stars past Thursday was a poor shadow of themselves.

Kei Kamara when he got the ball hung on to it too long making it easy for him to be dispossessed and for a counter-attack to be launched by the Guineans.

Because we did not know how to coordinate well between the defenders and the midfield to start the kind of offense play that the Guineans were very adept at, we could have easily conceded three goals in that first half without any reply from our one-top man Musa Tombo who could not unleash his prowess because he was completely starved off passes by a midfield that was finding it very had to cope with the pace and resourcefulness of the Guinea attack.

When midfielders receive the ball, they should be able to keep the ball and not allow themselves to be tackled. Using their body as a shield between the ball and the other team’s players is a skill every midfielder needs to master. The Guineans showed that skill.

Simply put, we failed to score against the Guineans because our midfielders could not provide the link between the attack and the defense. They also could not defend as well as attack which would have enabled them to control and dictate the tempo of the game.

We were supposed to have played an attacking midfielder, a defensive midfielder, a wide midfielder and a central midfielder. Each of these, but for Caulker and Kakay, did not perform their different roles well, causing undue pressure on our defense and the goal keeper.

As the name suggests an attacking midfielder has more of a responsibility for helping out with the team’s attacks on the opposition than the other midfielders.

The attacking midfielder should play slightly ahead of the other midfielders behind the attacking players on the team. They should not be going back to defend all the time which allows them to be further up the field of play and nearer the opponent’s goal when they are needed.

A great attacking midfielder can be the difference between goal-scoring opportunities being created or not. Pitifully, we had no creative, imaginative attacking midfielder to create opportunities for the forwards that had the vision to see where the ball needed to be passed or where another player is about to run to before anyone else.

A midfielder has to be able to keep going. His stamina level needs to be high and must have the mental strength to continue playing in any circumstance. We lacked that.

We lacked the two vital wide midfielders that were fast enough to outflank the Guinean defenders and with pinpoint accuracy send Musa Tombo on his way. The Guineans had these and so kept our defense outstretched.

Then most importantly, because the aim of a football is to score more goals than your opponents, having as many goal scorers as possible in the team is an advantage. Thus, some midfielders such as Lothar Matthäus, Frank Lampard, Rikardo Kaka, Michel Platini, Zico scored well over 100 goals each throughout their soccer careers.

Under its “Do Something For Salone Initiative”… West African Youth Network Cleans Levuma Beach in Freetown

January 24, 2022

By Mary Kabay

The West African Youth Network, on the 18^th January 2022, joined partners and other organizations to engage in the Joseph Kaifala’s “Do Something for Sierra Leone Initiative” as it was engaged on a large cleaning operation at the Levuma beach in Freetown as part of their efforts to foster cleanliness and development.

The West African Youth Network is a youth service organization that works in a number of West African countries. Since its establishment in 2001, WAYN has been working with young people in West Africa on peace consolidation, conflict resolution processes, youth inclusion in governance and border capacity building to strengthen the security situation.

The “Do Something for Salone” Project, according to Edwin Nyamoh, Project and Finance Officer at the West African Youth Network, is a wake-up call for all citizens, noting that they owe it to their country to make it a better place as citizens.

He explained that the beach cleaning activity at Levuma was inspired by the TRC Report’s recommendation that every Sierra Leonean should help their country in whatever manner they can, which is why the organization decided to undertake the cleaning of the beach.

Nyamoh explained that they are now focused on two projects: Peace and Education. According to him, the Education Initiative target issues like corruption, an unjust system, and marginalization in schools. The Peace initiative, on the other hand, is aimed at targeting university students.

The West African Youth Network, according to Rebecca Petz, a Civil Peace Worker, was created in 2001 in reaction to the civil wars in Sierra Leone and Liberia.

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