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Information Ministry Concludes Media/CSO Engagement in Bo City

By Foday Moriba Conteh

In a bid to review the key achievements of  the New Direction Government headed by President Julius Maada Bio via his key manifesto commitments, the Ministry of Information and Communications has on the 28th November 2021 concluded the 2nd edition of a 3-days Annual Media/CSO Engagement on the theme: “Enhancing The Media Contributions To Good Governance and Democracy in Sierra Leone”.

The engagement was in line with the Ministry’s vision to bring information to the people and bridge the information gap between them and the Government

Commencing on the 25th November, the event ended on the 28th November 2021 at the Bo Inn, Bo City, Southern Sierra Leone.

It brought together MDAs, Media practitioners and Civil Society representatives to deliberate on President Dr. Julius Maada Bio’s policies and programs as reflected in the Medium Term National Development Plan 2019-2023.

Speaking on the importance of the retreat, the Minister of Information and Communications, Mohamed Rahman Swarray maintained that the Government of HE President Julius Maada Bio is committed to run an open, transparent and accountable Government that seeks the best in terms of the interests of the people.

He expressed delight for a successful media engagement, furthering how it is a vision he initiated when he was working at the Lungi International Airport where the need to connect the Airport’s operation to the media and the communities was vital.

The Minister said that in his pursuit to promote President Dr. Julius Maada Bio’s agenda in operating a transparent and accountable governance system, the Ministry organized the first retreat in Bo City stating that it has now been made an annual event.

Mohamed Rahman Swarray informed the audience of President Dr. Julius Maada Bio’s signing of the Global Media Freedom Coalition ,saying it makes Sierra Leone the 5th African nation to do so maintaining how such really shows the Government’s commitment to promoting a free media and protect journalists in the course of carrying out their work.

President of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists, Ahmed Sahid Nasralla, in his statement mentioned the gains that have been scored within the media landscape, extending gratitude to thanks to President Bio for keeping to his promise in ensuring that the criminal libel law is expunged from the country’s laws. That notwithstanding, he mentioned the many challenges media practitioners are facing and called on the Government to look at them critically  for appropriate action to be instituted.

Speaking at the opening session, the Chief Minister, Jacob Jusu Saffa, who was the keynote speaker thanked the Ministry of Information and Communications for the brilliant initiative of assembling journalists and civil society activists to educate them on the many achievements of the President Bio led Government. He pinpointed the free quality education, the fight against corruption, introduction of the student loan scheme, facilitating road construction, improving the energy and other sectors as huge successes of the Government which, he said, journalists as well as CSOs should propagate. He then officially declared the retreat open.

During the two days session, several MDAs presented policies and programs and achievements, which according to them are in line of fulfilling, the New Direction manifesto promises. The media/CSOs were given the opportunity to ask questions which were adequately addressed.

Climaxing the event was the final session which specifically featured MDAs and the media interacting in terms of discussing Government’s programs and policies.

We Yone & Partners Give a Facelift to the Free Quality Education Initiative

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By Foday Moriba Conteh

Education in Sierra Leone is legally required for all children for six years at primary level and three years in Junior Secondary education, but a shortage of schools and teachers has made implementation impossible.

Over the years, the country witnessed the intervention of various Non-Governmental Organizations with some, as part of their planned activities, constructing schools in certain parts of the country, thereby greatly helping in making it possible for kids to gain access to education.

One of those Non-Governmental Organizations, We Yone Child Foundation, a charity organization that is working towards improving the lives of vulnerable children and their families in Sierra Leone through quality education and life empowering opportunities.

It could be recalled that in December 2019, We Yone Child Foundation came in contact with the Wegdam Food Link B.V. and Wegdam Foundation.

In a year, Wegdam Food Link B.V. and Wegdam Foundation in partnership with We Yone Child Foundation renovated 6 classrooms, an administrative building with toilet facility, the agriculture school garden where children are taught practical agriculture and the farm produce used for school feeding at the Magbele ferry village, Port Loko District.

The construction of the six classroom block, with toilet facility, play ground in Kamabonko Village, in Kamakwie, Karene District, employed 8 teachers who are fully paid by the Wegdam Food Link B.V. and Wegdam Foundation in partnership with We Yone Child Foundation with the school currently hosting 355 pupils.

As part of supporting girls with skills training, the Foundation established a skills training centre that accommodates over 50 students, mostly teenage mothers.

Wegdam Food Link B.V. and Wegdam Foundation in partnership with We Yone Child Foundation also donated bicycles to enable children go to school. This is as result of the many children who work three to four miles to go school every day exposing them to danger.

They also provided agricultural seedling loan to over 100 farmers that will help them start their own business with the aim of supporting their children.  A business grant was also given to over 48 families in Kamabonko village which have helped families establish their own small businesses and engage in farming activities.

Also worthy of note is that the Foundation also donated used clothing to residents of Kamabonko village and its surrounding villages within Karene District, Northern Sierra Leone.

In Freetown, Wegdam Food Link B.V. and Wegdam Foundation in partnership with We Yone Child Foundation has supported 28 teenage mothers to acquire skills in tailoring at the Dwarzack community with over 300 sewing machines that was shipped from Holland.

Upon completion of the two year training program, Wegdam Food Link B.V. and Wegdam Foundation in partnership with We Yone Child Foundation will provide start-up kits like sewing machines to the beneficiaries to enable them start their own businesses.

Wegdam Food Link B.V. and Wegdam Foundation have committed to be shipping six containers of educational materials every year to support the children. The Foundation has also donated a 8 14 utility truck that will be used to raise funds and support the activities.

Both are also supporting the construction of a secondary school and have undertaken the responsibility of paying the members of staff.

The Wegdam Food Link B.V. and Wegdam have also donated sporting materials, supported in setting up of computer training centres to help train young boys and girls in Microsoft applications, coding and business management programs to prepare them for the 21st century job market.

Springs of Joy Ministries Donates To 150 Children & 200 Women in Bo

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By Foday Moriba Conteh

As part of their efforts to reach out to the less privileged children in the country, the Springs of Joy Ministries on Saturday 28th November, 2021 donated food and non-food items to 150 children and 200 women in Bo District, Southern Sierra Leone.

The 150 children and 200 women were drawn from two churches namely Love Synagogue Church and Global Church of Salvation in Bo District of which 75 children and 100 women benefited from each church.

Speaking during the ceremony, the Founder of Springs of Joy Ministries, Abraham Siafa, stated that children are supposed to be sources of happiness and blessing to families, communities and the nation of which he called on all to play a part in helping to mold their characters so that later in their lives they could meaningfully contribute to national development.

He disclosed that the donation supported 150 children and 200 women with food and non-food items as part of the organization’s support towards deprived communities across the country.

Founder of Springs of Joy Ministries, in giving a synopsis of the entity, said the Ministry started about 15 years ago as a Music Ministry in Sierra Leone but said over the years it was transformed into full Ministries with churches also disclosing how they also have a free tuition school in Lungi.

He continued that over the years they have been rendering assistances to less privileged children by offering them school items, of which he disclosed that the donation of the food and non-food items to the 150 children and 200 women in Bo District falls under the organization’s outreach program to less privileged children in the country.

He further informed how in the past they have rolled out other charitable works which includes the provision of free medical support to deprived communities as well as engaging in feeding people living with disabilities in the country.

Abraham Siafa maintained that 3 years ago the ministry has been organizing a Vision Conference with the aim to raise up visionaries in the country and beyond in order to make a difference in society, noting that this year’s conference marked the 3rd edition of the Annual Vision Conference which so far has attracted over 200 participants.

Speaking on behalf the beneficiaries, Founder/General Overseer, Apostle Solomon Ken Kargbo, expressed appreciation to the Springs of Joy Ministries for considering Bo District for the donation.

He described the donation by the Springs of Joy Ministries as a clear manifestation that they doesn’t only believe in praying but also believe in relating the love of God to one another by supporting the less privileged.

He encouraged the beneficiaries to make good use of the donated items in order to support themselves and their families.

The Pastor in charge of the Global Church of Salvation, Pastor Timothy Solomon Musa, also commended the Springs of Joy Ministries for the donation.

CGG Launches Yellow Ribbon Campaign in Support of Gender Bill

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By Millicent Senava Mannah

The Campaign for Good Governance, in collaboration with the Sierra Leone Association of Women in Journalism (SLAWIJ) in collaboration has on 29th November 2021, at the Radisson Blu Hotel at Aberdeen in Freetown, launched the yellow ribbon campaign, one that is geared towards the empowerment of women, especially by popularizing the Gender Empowerment Bill.

Chairperson of the occasion, Millicent Kargbo, in her statement intimated that the Yellow Ribbon Campaign is a symbol of hope and solidarity, further revealing how it had been launched in many countries for various campaigns.

Millicent continued that though they have not fully achieved what majority are yearning for as a nation, however, many strides have been made, among which she highlighted the huge awareness among their populace of the rights for women and their immense contributions to society.

She added that the launch of the yellow ribbon campaign by the Campaign for Good Governance, Trocaire and their partners is a way of extending solidarity to the campaign for the empowerment of women, especially around the Gender Empowerment Bill 2021 which she referred to as the most topical issue now.

Giving an overview of the launch, the Programme Manager of CGG   , Sahr Kendema said the launch is nothing new but rather a continuation of the advocacy work on the Gender Empowerment Bill that is currently before Parliament.

“With the support of the media and women groups it is important for the simple fact that if the bill is enacted it will do this country a great deal of good and this is in line with the SDGs goals. We have only 18 women in Parliament out of 146 and that must change,’’ he stated.

President of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), Ahmed Sahid Nasralla, assured them that SLAJ is strongly in support of the bill and he will continue to endorse it until it is enacted by Parliament.

He encouraged other men to be in support of the Gender Empowerment Bill so that women will become eligible to have access to loans from banks in order to be financially empowered.

The representative of Trocaire, Soudi Austina Sellu, showed appreciation to the women for supporting the enactment of the Bill. She continued by calling on everyone to support it while assuring of Trocaire’s continued support towards the enactment of the bill.

On her part, Hon. Catherine Tarawally in her statement commended the women of Sierra Leone for supporting the bill.

She maintained that the women of Sierra Leone stand at 52 percent of the population but lamented that the 48 percent are so powerful that they continue to push women to the lowest ebb.

“We are here to affirm that the bill will be passed in Parliament. Yellow is bright and yellow is unique and the more reason we should yellow the campaign for the enactment of the bill into a law.  We are small in Parliament but we are powerful,’’ she said

She added that they must use the yellow ribbon campaign to change the dynamics in Parliament further admonishing that it  must  be used for the betterment of the women in Sierra Leone.

President Bio Decorates &Installs Four Public University Chancellors at State House

By Amin Kef Sesay

Chancellors for four public universities in Sierra Leone were installed and decorated at State House by President Julius Maada Bio on  the 30th November,2021 during which event he  assured them of autonomy in governance and urged them to project the integrity of their respective institutions.

Dr. James Sanpha Koroma is now Chancellor of the University of Sierra Leone, Professor Sahr Gevao, Chancellor of Njala University, David Omatshola Carew, Chancellor of the Ernest Bai Koroma University of Science and Technology, and Justice Nyawo Finda Matturi-Jones, Chancellor of the Kono University of Science and Technology.

Dr. Koroma is a celebrated banker, economist, founder and Managing Director now Chief Executive Officer of Union Trust Bank Ltd. Before then he held several national public offices and international leadership positions in the UN, World Bank, and was former Governor of the Bank of Sierra Leone in 1998.

Prof. Gevao, appointed Chairman of the Sierra Leone Council for Post-Graduate Colleges of Health Specialties in 2019, has a distinguished academic and professional career with the College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone and Ministry of Health and Sanitation.

Mr Carew is a distinguished economist, who served as Minister of Trade and Industry and before then he was Minister of Finance from September 2007 to February 2009 in the previous Government. Before becoming Minister, Mr Carew was the Managing Partner for KPMG, before it became Baker Tilly SL.

Justice Matturi-Jones is a retired Supreme Court Judge, described by her peers as a fine woman with unblemished character, who worked across Sierra Leone right from being a Magistrate to serving for many years as High Court Judge in Kenema and eventually became a Supreme Court Judge in 2016.

While welcoming the gathering, Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Professor Alpha Tejan Wurie, said it was a unique occasion for a sitting President to relinquish his position in the University, saying that it was indeed hard in Africa for one to give away such a prestigious position.

He added that such a drive, by President Julius Maada Bio, was to depoliticise public universities and to expand the educational sector, promote effective management and proper productivity.

“As chancellors, you will be the exclusive administrators of your various institutions. I, therefore, urge you all to work hard and add more value. You will be managing and protecting the image of those universities,” he noted.

Chairman of the Tertiary Education Commission, Professor Aliyageen Mohamed Alghali, noted that it was a bold step by the Government, adding that the step was a show of commitment to increasing access to education in the respective institutions. He added that the Commission stood ready to advance the management and development of the universities for quality service delivery.

Speaking on behalf of her colleague chancellors, Justice Matturi-Jones thanked President Bio for the confidence reposed in them to govern the various universities and for his drive to support and strengthen the educational sector.

She assured that they would be diligent in the exercise of their duties as chancellors and further reminded her colleagues that the task before them was a difficult one further expressing hope that they would work harder so as not to fail in their various duties.

In his statement, President Julius Maada Bio recalled that when he made the decision to depoliticise public university governance, he was intentional and had thought about it, adding that his decision was also about assuring a future of effective and autonomous governance for public universities.

“So, we are here today to not only celebrate a promise delivered, but to work towards a future of excellence and development at our universities. The constraints and challenges are still many, no doubt. But that is where focused and autonomous leadership supports the growth and development of our public universities.

“With the politicization of university governance, public universities relied on what subsidies the Government could allocate to those institutions. Lower allocations led to frequent student strikes as student rations and services were reduced to bare minimums and university hostels, faculty housing, libraries, and lecture halls fell into rapid disrepair.

“The correlated decline in the economy had impacts on investment in public universities. Financial mismanagement and a lack of investment in physical and digital infrastructure were evident,” he said.

The President bemoaned the already diminishing university autonomy, which brought about diminished participation of faculty and staff in the operations and future of their institutions. He added that because of the arbitrary executive interference in everything about the university, faculties were dispirited and staff eventually saw themselves as having lesser stakes in ensuring excellence in their own institutions.

“The consequence was obvious – a sharp decline in the quality of higher education in our country. Curriculum offerings were not aligned with the skills’ development needs of the country.

“So, when I made the decision to depoliticize public university governance, it was well-thought-out and intentional. It was about assuring a future of effective and autonomous governance for public universities.

“In the New Direction Manifesto, we made a firm commitment as a party to ‘establish a university system that employs its own leadership as chancellors.’ These would be persons with ‘distinguished and proven records of higher education leadership, significant international clout and contacts (funding and research networks), and who are reform-minded,” he said.

Some Useful Takeaways from the Aborted SLPP Women’s Leader Election in Kailahun…

By Amin Kef Sesay

It is very certain that the management of political party affairs sometimes involve disputes among members.

Most importantly, given the series of brouhaha that have attended the ruling SLPP’s lower level elections, most notably the one in Kailahun last Saturday, going forward; it looks like it is high time the party leadership convenes regional workshops on internal dispute resolution aimed at promoting peaceful dialogue among members; as well as to enhance the skills of political actors for conflict management.

Such forums will provide the youth and women leaders with an important opportunity to share their experiences and provide an avenue to draw lessons on how dispute resolution can be enhanced.

From what we saw in Kailahun, internal political party dispute issues range from nomination, membership, leadership, and dissolution, among many others.

If such disputes are not resolved speedily and amicably, the results may be far reaching for both the party and the nation.

For the party, disputes may result in formation of camps within the party, decamping of members to other parties, the weakening of the party and in some cases, the actual demise of the party in question.

Whereas in a democratic environment political debate and conflicts can be anticipated, they must be managed within a framework that prevents conflicts from escalating.

Within political parties, the internal party rules system must not only foster intra-party debate but also regulate the mitigation and resolution of disputes arising from political party activities. Outside of the internal party rules system, there must be a mechanism of a judicial nature for adjudicating disputes arising from political parties’ activities in a manner that promotes democracy, justice and rule of law.

Considering this background, a Political Parties Disputes Tribunal must be an established as an institution that is mandated with fair, just and expeditious resolution of disputes.

This will enhance the internal capacity of political parties to resolve disputes in a matter that promotes intra-party dialogue.

From what we saw in Kailahun, amongst others, these issues cause dispute:

– Nominations

– Membership

– Godfather syndrome

– The conduct of leaders

– Tyranny of the leadership in imposing on members what is not fair and acceptable

Proposals for effective intra-political party dispute resolution:

– Adherence to the party Constitution

– Installation of an independent internal disciplinary committee

– Having an (external) independent body to solve a dispute

– Having guidelines and principles to guide the dispute resolution process

– Discouraging nepotism and impunity within political parties

– Constitutional amendment to have an internal dispute tribunal

– Having well defined rules and regulations for handling coalition disputes

– An independent body to solve coalition disputes

– Opening the proceedings to the members of both parties to the dispute

Orange Sierra Leone Commemorates Ethics & Compliance Day 2021

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By Foday Moriba Conteh

With the main objective of complementing Government’s efforts in trying to combat corruption and raising awareness on ethics and compliance in the private sector, one of Sierra Leone’s leading GSM mobile operators, Orange Sierra Leone has on Tuesday 30th November, 2021 joined other 29 affiliate bodies in commemorating its 9th Ethics and Compliance Day with the theme: “Stick on the Basics-Integrity, Responsibility & Compliance-NACS Strategy for the Public Sector”. The commemoration was held at the company’s headquarters on Hill Station in Freetown.

In her address on Tone at the Top message, the Chief Executive Officer at Orange Sierra Leone, Aminata Kane, noted that the Ethics and Compliance Day is set aside for the purpose of raising awareness among all employees about Ethics and Compliance challenges and risks and to strengthen the company’s approach to Ethics and Compliance within all
Orange operations which, according to her, will strengthen the momentum of Orange’s Action Plans, mitigate associated risks, build a consistent and structured communication on Ethics and Compliance within the company and its affiliate bodies.

She furthered that Orange Sierra Leone, due to its commitment towards Ethics and Compliance, the company’s compliance has improved from level 1 to level 4 over the past three years.

Underscoring their strengthen on ethics and compliance, she disclosed that Orange, as a group, has set up a code of ethics and anti-corruption policy also adding that the company is committed to conduct its activities in accordance with set principles and ethical behavior to fight corruption.

In her presentation, the General Secretary of Orange-SL, Haffie Haffner, noted that the Ethics and Compliance Day is a key event in the operations of the company as a responsible operator.

“The business environment is becoming tougher (stricter laws, higher standards and greater security) by stakeholders, including customers, more inspections and investigations, harsher penalties, etc. Orange is underlying its commitment to create the digital world of the future by building the trust for and with its stakeholders,” she maintained.

She pointed out that the objective of day is to make each employee accountable related to ethics and compliance programmes and corruption prevention.

Haffie Haffner added that Orange-SL therefore undertakes to comply with all national, European and International legal and regulatory provisions applicable to businesses related to the fight against corruption, notably amongst others, the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the UK Bribery Act, the French “Sapin 11” law.

On her part, the Deputy Director of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy Secretariat at the Anti-Corruption Commission, Edita Fofana, commended Orange Sierra Leone for undertaking such a venture by commemorating this ethics and compliance day which she described as very pivotal towards the fight against corruption in the country.

She also disclosed that the relationship between Orange-SL  and  the ACC has been very
cordial of which she added that the Chief Executive Officer at Orange Sierra Leone, Aminata Kane is a member of the National Anti-Corruption Steering Committee.

She noted that National Anti-Corruption Strategy  seeks to establish a high set of public standards and sets in motion systemic improvements to strengthen the national integrity system and to maintain a high standard of integrity, discipline and ethics in the
private management of the public and private sector.

She concluded by encouraging the company and staff to maintain high Ethics
and Compliance in their daily work.

The Country Head of Conduct, Financial Crime and Compliance at Standard Chartered Bank, Victor A. Kargbo, stated that for every regulatory compliance obligation there are regulatory bodies that are empowered to issue laws, legislations and guidelines which companies must comply with.

He described compliance as a person’s, company’s or organization’s ability to adhere to standards, regulations, rules or policies.

On ethics and conduct, he maintained that the company has a legal person who demonstrates commitment to ethical standards by making policy statements and enforces the statement consistently across the company without compromise for business performance.

These policies are not respecters of any person and should be enforced consistently without favor of which he encouraged the company to continue in their drive in raising awareness on ethics and compliance within their company.

Climaxing the event was a digital quiz competition organized by the Ethics and Compliance Department at Orange Sierra Leone during which staff of the company won prizes ranging from mobile phones, fly boxes, Mifi etc.

In Bo… SLAJ President Says Media Practitioners Will Continue to Put Government on its Toes

President of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), Ahmed Sahid Nasralla.Jpg
President of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), Ahmed Sahid Nasralla

By Amin Kef Sesay

The Ministry of Information and Communications, in actualizing one of its core planned institutional activities, convened its annual Media and Civil Society Organization Engagement at the Bo Inn, in Bo City, Southern Sierra Leone from the 25th to the 28th November, 2021.

In attendance were the Minister of Information and Communications, Mohamed Rahman Swaray, a cross section of the Ministry’s staff, some Government officials and representatives from various Media Houses and Civil Society Organizations in the country.

During the course of the engagement, the President of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), Ahmed Sahid Nasralla, delivered a statement.

He said SLAJ is very pleased to be part of the initiative by the Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) to bring Government officials to sit with the Media and CSOs and give account of the progress they have made in achieving the manifesto promises of the Government.

“We were here last year at this same venue for this same program,” he stated furthering  how SLAJ has cooperated with the MIC on several fronts and have achieved great things for the Sierra Leone media through dialogue and consultations.

He pointed out how in 2020 they worked together to achieve the historic repeal of the obnoxious criminal libel law saying it took SLAJ 50 very long years to achieve that victory maintaining how for media practitioners that is a huge achievement.

Ahmed Sahid Nasralla informed the audience that they worked together to see the enactment of the IMC Act 2020 which now requires media employers to pay their reporters above the minimum wage and also pay their NASSIT contributions.

“We also worked together to get a balanced Cyber-security and Crime Act 2021 signed into law by His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio to protect our cyberspace and promote responsible use of social media,” he also revealed adding that they worked together to fulfill the Government’s promise of annual subvention to SLAJ and using the opportunity to draw attention that this year’s allocation has still not been disbursed.

The SLAJ President also mentioned how they are also working to have land for SLAJ headquarters or for SLAJ to acquire the depreciating Daily Mail Building at Rawdon Street, Freetown.

“We are further working to host an investment forum for the media as an action point following the repeal of the criminal libel law,” he stated touching on how  just several days ago President Bio signed the Global Pledge on Media Freedom on behalf of Sierra Leone, making the country the 5th to do so.

He affirmed that in the area of free expression and free media (and media pluralism) as a country we are doing very well, and as such SLAJ commends the Government for that.

However, he categorically spelt it out that the one area media practitioners have not cooperated as partners is the Government getting favorable coverage or reporting in the general media.

“This is not to suggest that the Government requested for favourable coverage in return,” the SLAJ President made a clarification.

He said despite all the achievements the Government has made in the area of free media (and other sectors), however, the  general media have maintained a position of constant suspicion and criticism of the Government.

“This is what we do as media and it is the right thing to do to put Government on its toes,” he averred adding that no matter what good a Government does, the media want to know how, who and who were involved by way of support, what procedures were followed, and above all why? And the media will conclude that there is still room for improvement rather than praise-singing the achievement,” he puts it contextually maintaining that it is the nature of the job media practitioners do.

He said as they are gathered as media and CSOs to listen to Government officials, which according to him, is good but it is also good to let Government understand their own side of the story.

The SLAJ President said such is so because after the engagement many Government officials will not take calls from media practitioners or reply to their messages.

“I have heard Government officials give the excuse that journalists harass them for favors rather than for journalistic purposes,” he highlighted maintaining that such is not always the case, if that excuse is anything to go by.

“When we call or text it is most times about doing a honest story,” he underscored adding how journalists want to crosscheck information, or to get a quote, because it is part of their job to source their stories credibly.

He continued that in the end, it might be a promotional story, or a story putting a Ministry or Agency or Office in a good light.

“So please take our calls and respond to our text messages seeking relevant information about the work you do,” he appealed.

The President of SLAJ said during the COVID-19 pandemic they have seen Government’s intervention in various sectors to cushion the impact in those sectors.

He hammered home the point that People, including the Government, think journalists are fine but stated that the reality is they are not fine.

“10 to 15 years ago the price of a bag of rice was around 30 to 50 thousand Leones; today it is about 500 thousand Leones a bag,” he said stating that as journalists they have families too and  are bread winners of their families arguing that it is difficult in light of low revenues for  media houses.

He also stated that 10 to 15 years ago journalists paid around 3 thousand United States Dollars for office rent, that was about 3 million in Leones but said today, that same 3 thousand dollars is about 30 million Leones.

“The ink used by the newspaper industry, 10 to 15 years ago was about 20 thousand Leones, today, it is about 120 thousand Leones; the newsprint used by the industry was about 12 thousand per pkt, today, it is about 120 thousand Leones,” he lamented adding how radio stations, especially community radio stations, are struggling with overhead costs against very, very low revenue generation or income.

The President said it is the understanding that  Government is providing support to some community radio stations, but said they would have loved for such support to go through SLAJ or the IMC so that the perception of ‘political gifts’ is avoided).

Ahmed Sahid Nasralla pointed out that when one puts all of those increment within the context of journalists’ source of livelihood- ADVERTISING, one begins to see the reality of the situation.

He said 10 to 15 years ago they changed the price journalists charged for adverts in their newspapers and for radio stations. He lamented that today those charges are still the same despite all the astronomical increment in the prices of the raw materials they use.

“Even the cover price of newspapers is still the same for many years now,” he further bemoaned adding that when adverts are given to newspapers it usually takes 3 to 4 months to pay for them stating that in fact some Government offices don’t pay at all.

He continued that even when some institutions pay, some of their employees in charge of placing those adverts demand commission of 15 to 20 percent.

“If you don’t honour that be rest assured that your media house will not be considered next time,” he laid the situation bare.

He maintained that the pro-opposition media, as well as independently critical media, hardly benefit from Government advertisements.

“So I encourage you all to ponder on our situation and let it be in your minds as you go back to your various offices,” the SLAJ President reasoned out.

On the Right to Access Information Commission (RAIC) and the Independent Media Commission (IMC) he said those are institutions that are critical to the operation of the media.

“I appeal to the MIC, the line Ministry, to make a case for these institutions to be adequately funded to perform their functions efficiently,” he implored.

Addressing colleague journalists, he stressed on the essence of maintaining professionalism and ethical behavior at all times in the execution of their sacred duty.

“Avoid irresponsible practices such as blackmail, character assassination, accusing people wrongly, resist and reject the temptation to do the bidding of politicians,” Ahmed Sahid Nasralla admonished.

He extended thanks to the Minister of Information and Communications and his team for the initiative imploring continuing to work together to make it better and meaningful.

President Bio Declares 10th December as Date for Commencement of 2021 Mid-Term Census

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By Amin Kef Sesay

His Excellency, the President, Julius Maada Bio, in the evening hours of the 27th November 2021 addressed the nation, via radio and television broadcast, an address that focused mainly on the 2021 Mid-Term Population and Housing Census.

The President stated that in July 2020, he proclaimed the conduct of a Mid-Term Population and Housing Census to be held in December 2020, which according to him, was postponed to 2021 due to the global effects of the COVID-19 pandemic as international technical experts could not travel and the shipment of 20,000 electronic tablets from Kenya was delayed.

The First Gentleman continued that throughout the process, Sierra Leone has received significant support from her friends and partners, especially the President and Government of the Republic of Kenya, the World Bank, UNFPA, UNECA, UNICEF, the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, and the Mano River Union.

“From within Sierra Leone, we have also received tremendous support from the Parliament, Political Parties, Paramount Chiefs, Local Councils, the Statistics Sierra Leone Council, Civil Society Organizations and the Media,” President Bio disclosed furthering how in readiness, he was informed by the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development that Statistics Sierra Leone has completed and updated digital cartographic maps, conducted a digital pilot census to gain experience and learn lessons and set up solid technological infrastructure and processes for managing data.

The President told the nation that Statistics Sierra Leone has also recruited and will soon commence the training of 15,000 field staff, including enumerators, supervisors, IT, and administrative support staff.

President Bio highlighted that they are conducting this 2021 Mid-Term Population and Housing Census for three key reasons: To correct the anomalies of the 2015 Population and Housing Census, to provide credible and reliable data that will help  plan, implement,
and monitor development interventions by the Government of Sierra Leone and development partners in respect of the current Medium-Term National Development Plan 2019-2023 and the follow up national Plan and thirdly to prepare the country for the next Population and Housing Census.

The Chief Executive Officer stated how this will be the first-ever digital census in Sierra Leone adding that the country will thus join other African nations like Ghana, Kenya, Ethiopia and Liberia in using technology and digitalization to conduct a census.

He intimated that the digital technology used will ensure that households, villages, and towns that were not reached in previous censuses are reached this time and enumerated.

That approach, he justified, also assures that all inhabitants and housing structures throughout Sierra Leone will be fully covered averring that digital data generated therefore will provide an excellent sampling frame for conducting subsequent statistical surveys.
The President asserted that additionally, statistical indicators derived from the 2021 Mid-Term Population and Housing Census will also show the progress the country has made since the 2015 Census and what challenges need to be addressed in the overall development of the country.

He told Sierra Leoneans that Statistics Sierra Leone will therefore commence a two-week electronic enumeration of everyone in the sovereign territory of Sierra Leone from the 10th to the 23rd of December 2021stating how during the census exercise, Statistics Sierra Leone will collect administrative, demographic, social, and economic information on all persons.

“We need to know how many people live in Sierra Leone and where they live,” President Bio emphatically stated maintaining that by knowing where people live, what their living conditions are, and what development challenges they face, his Government and development partners can better plan and implement investments in their communities.

“Our development partners and my Government are firmly committed to ensuring objectivity, transparency, and professionalism throughout the census exercise,” he affirmed urging every citizen to participate fully in this exercise.

“I, therefore, declare the night of 9th December 2021 as Census Night, and the 10th of December 2021, as the date for the start of electronic enumeration for the 2021 Mid-Term Population and Housing Census for Sierra Leone,” President Bio concluded his address.

NP SL Always Takes the Lead Where Others Want to Take Off

National Petroleum Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd).jpg

By Amin Kef Sesay

The National Petroleum -Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd) has been highly rated as an indigenous company that always takes the lead whereas others want to take off or bulldoze their way through.

As a thick skinned and reputable petroleum marketing company that has mastered the trade of  importing and marketing high grade petroleum products, this well established business entity has been highly regarded as a well-positioned institution within the realm of being a very pro-active company that is always poised to pragmatically put concrete arrangements in place to ensure that the populace in this country gain access to qualitative petroleum products ranging from petrol, diesel, gas to lubricants, including the ever highly sought Castrol lubricant oil that has been rated to be a very good for the efficient  lubrication of various engines.

The company is well known for conducting its transactions in a very transparent manner, giving utmost satisfaction to its numerous and esteemed customers in different parts of the country.

The company has in its employ, a workforce and is partnering with well-meaning entrepreneurs as Dealers that do market its various petroleum products at various Filling Stations.

Looking back at what used to prevail, today, it is now non-existent for individuals to complain that when they are in the process of procuring petroleum products, pump attendants cheat them in terms of not getting their money’s worth. The simple reason is because the Shareholders and Management of NP-SL Ltd were indeed very business savvy to procure modern calibrated pumping machines which were installed at their various selling points or Filling Stations  and are very capable of churning out the exact quantity of what is demanded and the price to be paid.

In this regard the company has, over the years, bagged the covetous commendation of, “1st For Customer Care” and it is seemingly apparent that it will eternally maintain that enviable position.

During a random countrywide survey conducted over a period of time targeting a large percentage of customers of the National Petroleum-Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd), with the avowed objective of sounding their views on the operations of the company in the country, the methodology utilized bordered on asking random questions in order to get their candid views.

When quizzed on how they view the way the company treats its numerous customers across the country, most of the respondents warmly reacted by stating that the Shareholders and Management of  the company are doing extremely well in the direction of effective service delivery and giving utmost satisfaction to customers.

Mohamed Bai Sesay, a renowned Social Commentator, maintained that when it comes to customer care, NP-SL Ltd is second to none within the business landscape of this country.

“From what I so far learnt in order to conduct sales in a very transparent manner and to give customers their money’s worth, the Shareholders of the company decided to procure and install modern calibrated pumping machines at their various Filling Stations that are capable to pump the exact quantity of fuel, at the same time display the price and quantity,” he pointed out, adding that to even think that the pump attendants are cheating customers could only be a mere figment of one’s imagination, as anything like that is farfetched.

A Development Specialist of long standing intimated that for the country’s economy to grow sustainably it is but important to deepen local content further arguing that it is only when we make meaningful use of both our human and natural resources that development could transpire. And it is a policy of the company to give preference to indigenes when it comes to employment.

“Instead of depending on foreign expatriates, it is but very significant and cost effective to make use of what we have at hand to produce goods and services,” Abdulai Braima, an Economist averred, also stating that for NP-SL Ltd to make it a laid down policy and put into practice to offer employment exclusively to Sierra Leoneans is indeed laudable and no mean feat.

He further underscored that by offering jobs to Sierra Leoneans is a way of empowering the citizenry to take care of daily responsibilities and live improved standards of living.

“I really doff my hat to the Shareholders of the company for actualizing such a high sense of patriotism,” he expressed admiration.

A vast majority of those interviewed revealed that they are using NP Gas for cooking purpose, maintaining that it is very efficient and environmentally friendly. The NP Gas that they are referring to is a cooking device which is manufactured in different cylinder sizes and sold at affordable prices at the company’s Filling Stations. “I discovered that this device is very fast in terms of performance and is now going like hot cakes, as many are now going for it, especially when the gas that is used to refill it could be easily secured at various Filling Stations ,” Memunatu Forna, a business woman selling cooking utensils on Sani Abacha Street informed.

With regards the use of NP Smart Card, it is one that is now in vogue. Some personalities who are using it said they find it very useful and a convenient way of purchasing petroleum products. They added that they always ensure their NP Smart Cards are credited to be used to purchase fuel, be it petrol or diesel.

Momodu Fofana stated that the company is really growing by leaps and bounds. “For NP-SL Ltd to successfully establish branches in neighbouring Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast and The Gambia is indeed no mean feat, especially when cognizance is taken of the fact that these branches are operating vibrantly,” he pointed out.

From what was so far gathered throughout the conducted random survey, it can be safely concluded that NP-SL Ltd is indeed a living testimony of a successful and thriving business entity that is contributing significantly to the socio-economic development of the nation and worthy of emulation.

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