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World Vision/HAF Support 100 Fire Victims with Le100M

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By Amin Kef Sesay

As a way of providing support and relief for victims of  the PMB Fire Explosion, which claimed the lives of many, destroyed properties worth millions of Leones and left some survivors with serious injuries, World Vision Sierra Leone with support from Heineken Foundation on the 30th December 2021 donated One Million Leones (Le1,000.000) each to the discharged victims and others who were seriously affected by the unfortunate disaster as well as households that the COVID-19 outbreak hit extremely hard.

The donation, which in other words was described as a recovery package to help support livelihoods, targeted  100 households which brought the totaling amount of money donated to 100 Million Leones

In attendance were Saffa Andrew Koroma  the World Vision Country Health Adviser, Grace Kargbo, World Vision Programmes Director, Councillor  Arthur Mansaray of Ward 403, Deputy Director of the National Disaster Management Agency(NDMA), Halima Mansaray,
Mayor Aki-Sawyer, Ward Councillors, the Communications Manager of the Sierra Leone Brewery Limited (SLBL), Unisa Conteh and the World Vision team.

According to, Grace Kargbo, the Integrated Programmes Director of World Vision-Sierra Leone, they decided to go to Wellington with a package of cash to support the beneficiaries to start up life again after the gruesome disaster. She added that as an organization they were stepping in order to support Government’s efforts in providing solace for those affected due to the explosion.

Grace further told those present how they have been working with the National Disaster Management Agency to provide the list of all those that were affected, maintaining  that even if the victims were not there to collect the One Million Leones they have representatives to do so.

On his part, the Communications Manager  of the Sierra Leone Brewery, Unisa Conteh, disclosed that what are all witnessing falls under its Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Project further disclosing that they are in the community to support families that had been affected by the COVID-19  pandemic as well as those that were affected by the fire explosion.

He further revealed that as a company they rolled out a partnership with World Vision Sierra Leone, and together they decided that the fire victims are one of the groups  they will be targeting in order to benefit them a lot because they are vulnerable and have suffered a lot from the fire explosion. Unisa further stated that since the incident occurred the victims’ families have been struggling which is why they decided to do the donation as a way of providing the leeway for recovery.

He continued by stating that the project is targeting the central part of Freetown and the second phase of the project is targeting three thousand individuals, bringing the amount to two billion Leones. Unisa explained that the disaster occurred when the project was ongoing.

The SLBL Communications Manager disclosed that they had implemented Solar Water Well and Educational projects in some communities when COVID-19 was raging, further mentioning that it was through World Vision Sierra Leone that the WASH Project was implemented and it was huge.

The Mayor of Freetown Municipality, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, thanked World vision Sierra Leone and Heineken Foundation for the support given to the discharged patients.  She disclosed that the Freetown City Council had also been providing food for the doctors and nurses treating the patients.

Aki-Sawyerr disclosed that the Council is also registering people that were affected by the tanker fire explosion also stating that as a Municipality they will support the fire victims with One Million Leones to each of the three hundred and nine affected families. She encouraged people to go for their sim cards at the All For One Mission Orphanage on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. She said they will donate through Africell, that there will be no charge for the transfer of the money and everyone will be receiving the money.

One of the victims by the name of Joseph Koroma thanked World Vision Sierra Leone and their sponsor for the support given to them.

It could be recalled that in 2020 Heineken Africa Foundation and the Sierra Leone Brewery Limited (HAF/SLBL) entered into partnership to help reduce the spread and impact of COVID-19 in Sierra Leone by investing in a six-month WASH response project worth €210,625 to complement Government’s effort to improve WASH services in the country with objectives to scale up preventive measures to limit the spread of COVID-19 in selected communities and to strengthen health systems and health workers.

The implementation increased access to sustainable clean water and hygiene practices for poor, vulnerable communities in the project implementation communities in Freetown City.

Constructed were three solar mechanized boreholes that are now benefiting 33,857 people in three communities in Freetown,  and also supported 6,550 vulnerable people living in slums and hard to reach areas to access WASH kits including hand-washing soap, buckets with taps, sanitizers, water collection and storage containers.

Members of these households were sensitized on the importance of hand-washing to prevent COVID-19 and other common diseases such as diarrhea by community volunteers employed by World Vision.

WASH kits were also distributed to 19 schools, a settlement for persons with disabilities and 6 religious’ institutions.

Additionally, World Vision supported 5 health facilities with hand-washing stations and IPC materials.

Because of this exceptional performance and collaboration with the Sierra Leone Brewery Limited/HEINEKEN Africa Foundation, World Vision was allowed to carry out a second phase of the project with a common commitment to continue promoting lifesaving hygiene education and hand-washing facilities in the urgent fight against COVID-19 in Sierra Leone.

In view of this SLBL/HAF and World Vision signed the second phase which is valued at $300,000 (an equivalent of over 3 Billion Leones), targeting 111,208 people directly and 222,004 indirect beneficiaries. This phase will also further build on the established partnerships and lessons from Phase 1, and continue to focus on WASH activities to fight COVID-19 (incl. communications on vaccinations where applicable).

As sponsor, SL Brewery Ltd./HAF is very excited to see the implementation of the second phase of the project, intensify their partnership and continue to deliver positive impact for our communities.

Sierra Leone Brewery Ltd is a partner for growth and development in Sierra Leone.

Join Us Live at Zion Praise Tabernacle as…   GOPE Mission Offers Back to School Prayers on Saturday

By Amin Kef Sesay

Have you heard the Good News?  Here it is:

The Gospel of Peace Evangelism (GOPE) Mission, with Evangelist Steven-Ferewa Kamara as Head of Mission, is heartily inviting all to its 1st Edition of the 2022 Back to School Prayer on Saturday 8th January 2022, with the  theme: “Break the Limit” (Isa. 43:19) from 10:00am to 1:00pm, at Zion Praise Tabernacle, Hill Station, Bottom Mango, Near Limkokwing University, Freetown.

According to Evang. Steven-Ferewa Kamara, the Head of Mission, the Lord Jesus gave a personal instruction and a special call to all His followers to take specific action while on this earth. “Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-20). He furthered that the Great Commission is the end of the Gospel and the beginning of faith in action for all Christians.

“Our focus is to help and work with individuals, churches, schools and organizations through various activities such as: conferences, school, college and university campus ministry, door to door and community awareness of Jesus etc. with the aim of building the minds of individuals into wholesome thinking, thus promoting good behaviour and morality that will influence self-development; GOPE Mission also teaches the lost and the saved the Good News about Jesus, so they truly know how

to follow Jesus,” he intimated, adding how Evangelism is their mission.

GOPE Mission is an inter-denominational mission borne out of the principal objective to present Jesus Christ to a dying world in the power of the Holy Spirit, leaving the results to God. Evangelism is at the heart of what GOPE does. It is the goal and the reason that they are here in the world and is the byproduct of spiritual development.

The Contacts are: C/O Zion Praise Tabernacle, Hill Station, Bottom Mango, Near Limkokwing University, Freeto wn. Email: gopemission@gmail.com Cell: 079202088 / 078 538181

The 2020 Audit Report: Travelgate, Embassygate, Fiscal Indiscipline and the Known Unknowns  

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By Hon. Kandeh K. Yumkella, Ph.D. 

“They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship…I have fought the good fight, I have finished my race, I have kept the faith”. (2 Timothy 4:7).

On 14 December 2021, Parliament received the Auditor-General’s report on the accounts of Sierra Leone 2020 and a report titled “Auditor-General’s Report on the Audit of the Sierra Leone Embassies and High Commissions in Africa for the period 2011-2020.”

The next day, Hon Hassan Sesay (Constituency 050) and I gave notice of motion for a debate of the report and hopefully all the other reports that have never been debated in Parliament. As happened with the 2018 and 2019 audits, we may never be allowed to debate the 2020 audit in clear breach of the provisions of subsection 5 of section 119 of the Constitution of Sierra Leone, which states that “Parliament shall debate the report of the Auditor-General and appoint where necessary in the public interest a committee to deal with any matters arising thereform.” There are many reasons why we must debate the 2020 audit report.

Which Audit Report?  

The findings in the current 2020 reports are appalling and demonstrate systematic, crude and flagrant thievery. It also shows poor compliance with established laws, rules and practices, as well as a lack of accountability and transparency and questionable use of taxpayer monies. A few days later, we read in the Africanist Press (AP) that critical information in the report received in Parliament was missing. This raises some immediate concerns.

First, who prepared the report we received? The best practice in auditing is that the auditor(s) who prepared a report should sign it so that they are accountable for the veracity and integrity of the information presented.

Second, if alterations were made, who made the alterations and why? Our current Fifth Parliament must investigate any allegation of modifications to the document and take appropriate action if this is the case.

Last week, instead of shinning the light on the latter, some in Parliament called for the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to investigate Audit Service Sierra Leone. Let me be clear – such a request is an insult to the collective intelligence of all Sierra Leoneans. We deserve to know the truth about the stewardship of our resources. We need to know the truth to get to the bottom of the decadence, charade, and blatant irresponsibility that is pervasive.

The Fox and Chickens  

Most pundits have missed the point that some of the most blatant abuses of the Public Financial Management (PFM) Act 2016 were committed by the Ministry of Finance.  A close examination of pages 262 to 271 of the 2020 audit report provides a litany of evidence of the lack of fiscal transparency, prudence, and the total absence of a sense of responsibility. This includes spending billions above what Parliament approved, non-substantiated procurement processes, lack of receipts, ghost workers, among others. This is like asking the fox to watch over the chickens, or do-as-I-say, not-as-I-do. One colleague said to me, “unless the President acts fast, this government will be remembered as “Talk and Chop.”

Here are some examples from only the Ministry of Finance.

  • The Ministry of Finance spent almost double the amount approved/appropriated by Parliament for its operations. The amount budgeted for the recurrent and capital expenditure for the Ministry for FY2020 was Le 164 billion and the amount spent was Le 271 billion.  Is it not against the provisions of section 112-114 of the Constitution? Is it legal for anyone/institution to spend funds from the Consolidated Revenue Fund without Parliament’s approval? If any institution can spend double its approved allocation, then what is the use of a parliamentary appropriations process.
  • Paragraphs 3.1.1 to 3.1.4 lists several withdrawals from the Ministry’s imprest Account without internal payment vouchers and supporting documents of almost Le 10 billion.
  • 3.1.6 limitless petty cash where an aggregate of Le 4.1 billion was spent from a petty cash account that is supposed to have a limit of Le100 million. The Ministry insists that there is no limit to their use of petty cash.
  • Payment splitting of cheques paid to the same institution on the same day for the same services.
  • 3.1.8 sole-sourcing of hundreds of millions without minutes of negotiations or report of the procurement committee.
  • 3.1.10 Budget overrun of Le106 billion in the Ministry of Finance.

Travelgate 

A review of the report on Travelgate will leave you in disbelief.  Hundreds of thousands of US dollars were physically airlifted to ostensibly pay bills (which were allegedly never paid). Then there is what I call an innovation – falsification of hotel receipts by the Office of the President for the President’s hotel stay. Take a minute to wrap your head or mind around what you have just read. We know the President does not book tickets or pay hotels bills. To demonstrate a zero-tolerance policy on corruption on these specific issues related to Travelgate, the President should immediately suspend the officers concerned while ACC investigates. In fact, it has been alleged that several other hotel bills were falsified. Mr. President must immediately clean house; heads should roll. People should resign now.

Responsibility of Parliament  

It is already bad enough that for four years, we have not debated the Auditor General’s reports in contravention of section 119(5) of the 1991 constitution. It is terrible that the Auditor General is unceremoniously suspended ultra vires and we did not ask questions. Concerning the latter, we expect Parliament will conduct an independent investigation because ultimately, only Parliament can remove the Auditor General by a two-thirds majority of Parliament.

On the broader issue of holding the government accountable and supporting the fight against corruption, the ball is now in our court. Through its oversight responsibilities, Parliament can help stop these continuous malpractices and abuses by organized syndicates in MDAs and subvented agencies.

The report has been laid in Parliament, so what? Will we examine it? Will we openly and adequately debate the report and subpoena witnesses and documents with the powers and authority of a high court bestowed on us by subsection 6 of section 93? There are known facts in the report.

The Known Unknowns  

But there are many things we know we do not know yet. Some critical known-unknowns people have sent me include the following:

  1. Who manages the President’s travel, the Chief Minister, or the Secretary to President? Who knows what and when did they know it?
  2. Who cleared the fake receipts for submission to an official audit?
  3. How long has this been going on? How many of the 60-80 trip receipts were falsified?
  4. How much money may have disappeared in the past four years? If the average falsification is $150-200 thousand per trip (based on this case study of the Lebanon trip), then for 60-80 trips, the range is $6 million to $16 million may have been embezzled.
  5. Who directly managed this egregious corruption Travelgate account for the four years between 2018-2020?
  6. When will the President make a statement to the public given that this is his flagship fight against corruption or suspend the offenders until investigations are done as he has done with the Auditors?
  7. Will the tribunal set up to investigate the Auditor-General and one of her deputies be a Kangaroo Court? Who ascertains their neutrality, impartiality, and credibility to deliver justice?
  8. What did the President know and when did he know it?

We, the political leaders, must not renege on our responsibilities to hold the government accountable. If we do, the citizens will not forget or forgive how we aided and abetted corruption by deliberate negligence. May the Almighty save us from their wrath.

As the Quran exalts us in (4:135) Believers! Be upholders of justice, (164) and bearers of witness to truth for the sake of Allah, (165) even though it may either be against yourselves or against your parents and kinsmen, or the rich or the poor: for Allah is more concerned with their well-being than you are. Do not, then, follow your own desires lest you keep away from justice. If you twist or turn away from (the truth), know that Allah is well aware of all that you do.

FAHP Condemns Death of 21 Year Old Woman Due to  FGM

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By Amin Kef Sesay

The Forum Against Harmful Practices (FAHP) has reported that a 21-year-old woman, Maseray Sei, died as a result of excessive bleeding after her clitoris were cut. According to members of the Forum, the death of Maseray is a wake-up call to all women organizations.

“We don’t need to work on FGM before you can make a statement condemning the action which has led to the death of another woman…. We are all Maseray,” Rugiatu Neneh Koroma Head of the Forum stated.

Forum Against Harmful Practices (FAHP), a coalition of 21 organizations working to End FGM in a press release, is calling on Government through the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs to take the necessary action to give justice to the late woman.

“One death is too many in the name of culture,” Rugiatu averred and added by calling on women groups to see the need to join the campaign to protect the lives of their compatriots, of which most are not only illiterate but ignorant.

“We have a responsibility, all human rights issues are women’s issues, End FGM,” she entreated.

In a Press Release issued on the 22ndDecember 2021  on the incident of the death of a 21-year-old woman in Bonthe District, the Forum Against Harmful Practices (FAHP) said it has come to its attention  that a 21-year-old woman was found dead in a bondo bush at Nyandeni village, Imperri Chiefdom, Bonthe district. It was reported that the late Maseray Sei was found dead at approximately 4: 30am on Monday 20th December 2021 having allegedly bled to death after undergoing FGM/C in an initiation with other young women.

It continued that FAHP has also been informed that four Sowei women and, the Acting Section Chief Nasiru Koroma of Bigo Section, who permitted the initiation, are helping the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) with investigations at the Sierra Rutile Police Division in Moriba Town, whilst the corpse has been taken to the Bo Government hospital for postmortem.

FAHP, said it is appreciative of the fact that the matter is being investigated by the SLP and that a postmortem has been ordered.

“We also want to remind all Sierra Leoneans that the ban on initiations into secret societies during the COVID- 19 emergency outbreak has not been lifted,” it was indicated furthering that any initiation programme, therefore, is against Government regulations and those funding and promoting initiations can also be held liable.

FAHP states that the cutting of girls and women’s clitorises for no medical or any valid purpose, wherever it is carried out, is a barbaric act and has no place in Sierra Leone.

FAHP stated that its membership visited the Bo Government Hospital on the 20thDecember 2021, to confirm the arrival of the corpse from Bonthe.

According to the Forum, The Public Relations officer in Bo Government Hospital advised that the corpse will be kept at the mortuary until the pathologist and only medical doctor certified to perform post-mortems returns to office.

FAHP ,a coalition of 21 registered NGOs working to End FGM/C in Sierra Leone working in all the six regions of Sierra Leone, has committed to pay all bills throughout this period until a post-mortem is carried out.

FAHP and its partners, including the International Community, are therefore calling for the total abandonment of this harmful practice.

“We are also calling on the Ministries of Gender and Children’s Affairs, Social Welfare, Local Government and Rural Development and Political and Public Affairs and all stakeholders to use this unfortunate incident to shift their stances from ‘age of consent’ to total abandonment and a ban of FGM/C, uphold the Bondo heritage, Bondo is not FGM/C,” the Forum affirmatively stated.

Chinese Military Medical Expert Group to Depart from Sierra Leone

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By Amin Kef Sesay

The Chinese Military Medical Expert Group (CMMEG) in Sierra Leone has called at the presidency, on the 21st December 2021,at the Presidential Lodge,  to bid farewell to His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio after one year of service in the country.

CMMEG came in 2020 and has been playing an active role in the country’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone, His Excellency Hu Zhangliang, thanked President Bio for making time to bid farewell to the medical team, saying that the coming of CMMEG to Sierra Leone was indicative of the diplomatic and friendly relations that had long existed between the two countries.

Ambassador Hu further noted that CMMEG was given the specific duty of performing the tests on samples collected and also conduct treatment on COVID-19, especially critical cases, noting that more than a thousand samples had been tested and over 200 patients in critical conditions were treated.

Team Leader of the CMMEG, Weiwei Chen, thanked the President and people of Sierra Leone for working with them during the course of their stay in the country. She said that they enjoyed good working relationship with the local medical professionals.

“We hope Sierra Leone becomes better and better,” she concluded.

In a brief response, His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio expressed gratitude and thanked the President and the entire citizens of the People’s Republic of China, Xi Jinping, for their support whenever Sierra Leone needed them. He added that the diplomatic cooperation would continue to bring the two countries together.

President Bio further noted that aid from China was a demonstration of the quality of leadership the two countries had always displayed.

“I must hasten to say thank you very much. We will always have fond memories of what we have done together,” he noted.

Sierra Leone Brewery Limited Awards Five Long Serving Employees

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By Millicent Senava Mannah

The Sierra Leone Brewery Limited (SLBL), the country’s leading manufacturer of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages which majority of its esteemed customers have praised for their rich contents, has on the 22nd December 2021 held it’s Long Service Awards Ceremony to recognize employees that have served the Brewery dedicatedly for 10, 15 and 20  years.

During the ceremony, the following employees were meritoriously awarded:  Onesimus Abioseh Thompson who has served the company for 20 years, Frederick Mansaray and John Taylor serving the company for 15 years respectively, Khalil Kamara and Lamini Amadu Bereteh for serving for 10 years.

Speaking during the ceremony, the Human Resource Manager, Madam Humu Kamara, stated that she felt gratified and privileged to award certificates and cash donations to 5 of the company’s employees whom she referred to as pivotal in enhancing progression and delivery at SLBL.

She maintained that the tradition of recognizing the good service that their employees are giving to the company is particularly a motivating factor and should be a stepping stone for continued service.

Madam Humu stated that those who received various awards will join others before them to set bright examples to those who are yet to receive Long Service Awards.

She expressed gratitude for all their contributions to the company stating how they are very proud to celebrate such a milestone together with them and their loved ones.

“We would also like to recognize the support of the spouses and family members of our celebrated employees today, who without doubt have immensely contributed in their own way to make sure that the awardees could give their best in their various roles within the company,” she maintained also extending thanks to them.

Speaking to one of the Awardees, Khalil Kamara, he expressed his sincere thanks and appreciation to the company for recognizing his hard work and years of service.

He further encouraged those who are yet to receive Long Service Awards to continue to work hard and be dedicated towards the progress of the company as it pays.

As Microfinance Institution of the Year…   Diaspora Focus Awards ACTB Savings & Loans

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By Theresa Kef Sesay

For the best Microfinance Institution of the year 2021 the lot fell on a Call to Business (ACTB) Savings and Loans as the institution bagged another outstanding award which was dished out to it by the Diaspora Focus.

This came in the heels of the financial institution being awarded as the best Regional Micro Finance Bank of the year by the Manor River Union Bankers.

ACTB was awarded during the Diaspora Focus National Development Awards 2021 last Friday with the theme “Together we build the Sierra Leone we want”.

ACTB Savings and Loans Chief Executive Officer, David Alpha Kamara, while receiving the award, on behalf of Management and Staff, thanked Diaspora Focus for awarding A Call to Business Savings and Loans Limited as the Microfinance Institution of the year amongst other notable Microfinance Institutions.

Kamara pointed out that this is a win for the Microfinance Industry in Sierra Leone, as over the years there has been a tremendous reform within the sector.

He stressed that as an institution, A Call to Business Savings and Loans Limited is poised to continue to provide financial access and services to the people of Sierra Leone, adding that the award came at a time when the Institution is on track in consolidating its leadership position in Sierra Leone.

Diaspora Focus is an organization established in the United Kingdom (UK) to advance the cause and welfare of Africans living abroad and returning home to better integrate and contribute meaningfully to their societies as a whole.

In attendance, were guests from all walks of life. The award is as a result of the great contribution of the ACTB Saving and Loans Limited to nation building as well as its outstanding performance, commitment to Business excellence, best practices, and socioeconomic growth.

Hong Kong’s Democracy Makes Steady Progress Under “One Country, Two Systems” Policy

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A Commentary By Amin Kef Sesay

Hong Kong is an island that lies off mainland China. For about one hundred years, it was ruled by Britain until it was returned to China in 1997.

China’s State Council Information Office on Dec 20, 2021 issued a white paper titled: “Hong Kong: Democratic Progress Under the Framework of One Country, Two Systems”, which presented a comprehensive review of the origin and development of principles and position of the central Government on democracy in Hong Kong.

The white paper said that under British colonial rule, there was no democracy in Hong Kong. The British Government repeatedly rejected all calls for democratic reform in Hong Kong. The sudden interest of the British Government in “electoral reform” at the end of the colonial rule revealed its ulterior motives: to undermine China’s sovereignty and full governance and extend British political influence after Hong Kong’s return to China, by turning Hong Kong into a de facto independent or semi-independent political entity.

The white paper pointed out that after resuming the exercise of sovereignty on 1 July 1997, the Chinese Government implemented the basic policy of “One Country, Two Systems” and established democracy in the HKSAR. The Basic Law grants extensive democratic rights and freedoms to Hong Kong residents. The UK has no sovereignty, power of administration, or right of supervision over post-1997 Hong Kong, nor does it have the right to intervene in Hong Kong affairs in any form.

The white paper stated that since Hong Kong’s reintegration into China’s national governance system, the central government has remained committed to the policy of One Country, Two Systems and to the Basic Law of the HKSAR, fully supporting the orderly development of democracy in Hong Kong in accordance with the law. In the face of repeated interference and disruptions, the central government has never wavered in its commitment to support Hong Kong in developing democracy and has never faltered in its efforts towards this goal. Any rational observer can clearly see that since Hong Kong’s return to China, its people have gained much greater access to political participation and enjoy more democratic rights than ever before. Democracy in Hong Kong is flourishing.

The white paper mentioned that taking advantage of the profound changes that are sweeping the world, anti-China forces have ramped up their efforts. The implementation of the One Country, Two Systems policy in Hong Kong is faced with a situation of growing complexity, both internally and externally, and the struggle over the development of democracy in the region has intensified. The 2019 turmoil and the chaos in the election for district councils both revealed shortcomings in the electoral system of the HKSAR.

To put an end to the political turmoil in Hong Kong in recent years, a series of major decisions have been taken by the CPC and the central government. Measures taken accordingly, including strengthening the central authorities’ overall jurisdiction over the HKSAR in accordance with the Constitution and the Basic Law, have restored order to Hong Kong, returning the democratic process to a sound footing, the white paper added.

The white paper concluded that with their political vision, the CPC and the Chinese government are certain of the long-term success of the socialist system on the mainland, and they are equally certain of the long-term success of both the capitalist system in Hong Kong and a form of democracy suited to its realities.

The publication of the white paper upon the successful completion of the first general election of the Legislative Council (LegCo) under the improved electoral system serves to pre-emptively address the major issue of Hong Kong’s democratic development, leaving no room for slandering by external forces.

The smooth formation of the LegCo through elections manifests the broad representation, political inclusiveness, balanced participation and fair competition of the new electoral system, hence enhancing the HKSAR’s democratic system. A total of 153 candidates from all walks of life, who hold different political views, vied for 90 seats. Among them are experienced political figures, talented young people, scholars, accountants, lawyers, construction workers, bus drivers and “Hong Kong drifters,” which make the election highly representative.

Meanwhile, some US and Western forces are not willing to see the success of the Leg Co election. Long before this election, the propaganda machines in the US and West had ramped up their efforts to smear the election and even instigate some Hong Kong people to cast an invalid ballot. Such blatant interference in an election is the invasive behavior which the US and Western countries often uses to criticize other countries and regions. Now they are targeting Hong Kong with such tactics, which exposes their true intention and hypocrisy.

After the voting began, opinion agencies in the US and West hyped the turnout level. Actually turnout is never the sole benchmark to measure whether a society is democratic and whether it functions normally. In 2020 when former president Donald Trump and incumbent President Joe Biden vied for the US leadership, the turnout was the highest for 120 years, but such rates were pushed by serious political division and intense political confrontation. Not long after the election, the attacks on Capitol Hill took place, which shamed the US-style democracy to the greatest extent.

The new LegCo election is a firm step toward Hong Kong’s good-quality democracy and rule of law. Rooted in the motherland, and buttressed by democracy and the rule of law, a free and inclusive Hong Kong will continue to prosper, to enjoy enduring stability and harmony, and to open itself to the world.

Orange Money Signs Partnership with Koidu New Sembehun City

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By Foday Moriba Conteh

In a bid to make the payment of property rates and licenses easy and affordable for residents of Kenema City from their comfort zones using Orange Money effective 2022, Orange Money on Tuesday 21st December 2021 signed is Memorandum of Understanding with the Koidu New Sembehun City Council at the Council’s Conference hall in Koidu City.

The MoU between Orange Money and the Council will enable residents of Kono District to pay their property rates, licenses and other city rates to the Council using Orange Money.

Addressing the gathering, the Mayor of the Koidu New Senbehun City Council, Mathew Komba Sam welcomed the Orange staffs and noted that he is excited to have them in his city to sign a partnership. He noted that it is a long journey and he is happy that today they are going to climax it by signing a Memorandum of Understanding with Orange Money.

He noted that as a Council, cash collection has been challenging for them because there were some individuals who collected such money and hold on to it, noting that with Orange money now partnering with them will see an end to such fraudulent transactions. And with the coming of Orange money, their money will go straight to the bank.

Mathew Komba Sam noted that Orange Money has helped boost the financial aspect in the country, because with Orange Money people will not have to go to the banking hall to send or collect money. He added that with the partnership with the Orange Money it will help them to accumulate their funds because accumulating funds has been a challenge for the Council. Furthering they have accepted Orange Money to partner with them and urged the People of Kono to also accept the move in good faith.

In his statement, the CEO for Orange Money, David Mansaray, said he is excited and happy to partner with the Koidu New Sembehun City Council, noting that such partnership will help increase the revenue collection of the Council. He also noted that the partnership will help reduce the corruption in the revenue collection. And that Orange Money is committed to support the Council with their developmental drive. He added that they will make sure that all the monies collected are being accounted for.

He added that they have agents all over and that the agents will be deployed to support all forms of collection at any given point or time. He added that another form of support that they are going to give to Council is a joint-communication, were they will help citizens of Koidu to know that they have established a relationship with the Koidu New Sembehun City Council and also help the people of Koidu understand that they need to pay all those taxes.

Closing the event was the official signing of the Memorandum of Understanding by the Chief Executive Officer of Orange Money, David Mansaray and the Mayor of the Koidu New Sembehun City Council, Mathew Komba Sam.

Diaspora Focus Holds National Development Awards (NaDA) 2021

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By Foday Moriba Conteh

The International Committee Board & the Management and Staff of Diaspora Focus on Friday 17th December 2021 held the 10th edition of the National Development Awards (NaDA) at the Golden Tulip Hotel, in Freetown.

The event was graced by top dignitaries including Government officials, diplomats, heads / reps of International Organizations, top officials of the Police, the Military, NGOs, Banks, Members of Parliament, academics & business magnets.

Awards were presented to individuals & Institutions for meritorious services in various facets of life, including Government ministries, departments and agencies, business houses, military and police personnel, banks, academics & other top professionals including Col. Hassan Coomber, ASP Joan Bull Kamara, Col. Dr. Stephen Sevalie, Rev. George Spilsbury-Williams, Mr. H. H. Walker, Amb. Francis Ben Kaifala, Dr.Duramany-Lakkoh &Dr. Nellie Bell, who won the Medical Personnel of the Year.

From the governance platform, awards were presented viz: Minister of the Year Award went to the Minister of Basic & Senior Secondary Education – Dr. David M. Sengeh, Deputy Minister of the Year went to the Deputy Minister of Information & Communications Hon. Solomon Jamiru, MP of the Year went to Hon. Abdul Kargbo (of the APC), Parliamentary Committee Chairman of the Year goes to Hon. Saa Emerson Lamina (of the C4C Party).  Mayor of the Year goes to HW. Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, District Council Chairman went to Kasho J. Holland -Cole, Police Officer of the Year went to ASP Alieu Turay & Military Officer of the Year went to Col. Albert Jusu.

The CEO of NP SL – Mr. Kobi Walker retained the position of CEO of the Year, & Board Chairperson of the Year went to the Board Chairperson of NRA: Mrs.Tuma Adama Gento Kamara.  The Award for Bank of the Year went to Rokel Commercial Bank, Micro Finance Institution of the Year went to ACTB  Savings& Loans. School of the Year Award was clinched by Naiahcom High School and College of the Year went to FBC. Road Construction Company of the year went to Pavi Fort

The Executive Chairman of PRA – Dr.Baluwa Koroma, MD of Rokel Commercial Bank – Dr. Walton E. Gilpin, Vice Chancellor of EBK University: Rev. Prof. Edwin J.J. Momoh & CEO of Sento Foundation – Madam Sentmile O. Palmer (from UK) were appointed Ambassadors for various groupings.

The following distinguished personalities & institutions clinched the exceptional awards in category five (5) including: Capt. Alice Kuria Sesay, Hon. Dr. Memunatu Pratt, ACP. Abdul Moigueh, Hon. Mohamed Rahman Swaray, Mr.Sheku Lexmond Koroma of SLIEPA, Mr. Sheik Sesay, Sup. Nourah Adama N’Gobeh, Mr.Idrissa Sankoh, Dr. Washington D. Chambers, Mr. Christopher Kalokoh, Mr. Donaldson Ken Davies, Mr. Joseph E. Kapuwa, PRA, IOM,  KPISS Ltd., The USL, SMEDA, APRM, EBK University…, SLNSC, UNIMTECH, SLBL, Integrated Trade Services, Shalima, etc.

The Electronic Media of the Year award went to AYV & Print Media of the Year went to the Exclusive Newspaper; NP SL won the Gas/Fuel Station of the Year, whilst Papa Cleff Beach Bar clinched the Entertainment Center of the Year award.

The event was well attended and brought together Sierra Leoneans and friends of Sierra Leone from all walks of life.

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