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Indefinite Suspension of Lara Taylor-Pearce is Unconstitutional & an Affront to our Democracy!   – Sorie-Sengbe Marrah Esq.

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By Sorie-Sengbe Marrah Esq

In my opinion, the suspension of Madam Lara Taylor-Peace is the second most notorious constitutional ruckus of the last decade. The sacking of the former Vice-President, Chief Samuel Sam Sumana, whipped up quite an indelible constitutional frenzy. On that occasion, leading constitutional and legal figures brooked no delay in labeling the action an overreach of executive power by the then President.

The matter was eventually adjudicated by the Supreme Court but the angst against the sacking was even more inflamed by the unpopular decision of the highest court of the land. Six years later, here we are with the indefinite suspension of the head of the Audit Service Sierra Leone whom the SLPP Government in their self-vaunted Government Transition Team report had acclaimed as “probably Sierra Leone’s most effective institution…led by the Auditor-General, the dynamic Lara Taylor Pearce”. Mrs. Taylor-Pearce no doubt commands respect from both leading political parties, activists, journalists, and the public. Such respect she has earned from the quality and objectivity of her audit reports which have usually exposed corruption and mismanagement of funds within Governments, past and present.

On Thursday 11th November 2021, the BBC journalist, Umaru Fofana, broke the news of her indefinite suspension alongside one of her Deputies, Tamba Momoh. However, before her suspension the Auditor General had come under a hailstorm of intimidation and harassment by state officials and shockingly some leaders of other public integrity institutions. The saying that coming events cast their shadows cannot therefore be more apt.

As a governance and rule of law activist, the indefinite suspension of the Auditor General and one of her Deputies is in my humble opinion unconstitutional, unlawful and yet another scandalous affront to our democracy. Let me explain the premise for such an opinion. Firstly, by Section 119(9) of the Constitution of Sierra Leone, the procedural prescriptions for removal of a High Court judge from their office, also apply to the Auditor General. This evinces the intention of the framers of our Constitution to accord the very same protection against arbitrary executive removal of judges to the Auditor General.

By this provision, the office of the Auditor General is insulated from normal executive superintendence. Section 137(4) of the Constitution provides that the Auditor General shall only be removed from office for inability to perform the functions of the office or for misconduct. It should be noted that in either instance, the Judicial and Legal Service Commission (“JLSC” of which the Chief Justice is the head) would have to make a representation to the President that a question of the removal of the Auditor General ought to be investigated.

By Section 137(5), after receiving such a representation from the JLSC in regard the question of investigation, the President shall in consultation with the JLSC appoint a tribunal to investigate the complaint. As soon as the matter is referred to the tribunal, the Auditor General shall be suspended by the President pending the said investigation by the tribunal. At the conclusion of the investigation, the Auditor General shall only be removed on a recommendation for removal by the tribunal and an approval by two-thirds majority in Parliament.

From the above-referenced provisions, the determination of a matter for investigation should be made by the JLSC. In other words, it is the JLSC that determines that a matter has met the threshold for investigation and not the presidency. In this case, in the letter of the Deputy Minister of Justice dated 8th November 2021 (I’ll stay away from the controversy regarding who should have signed that letter, it is de minimis in relation to the unconstitutionality of the very reference), it is stated that several complaints have been made to the President concerning the Auditor General and her deputy.

The signer of the said letter hurriedly concludes, maiming natural justice in his haste, that such complaints amount to misconduct or lack of professional performance. It is clear from that correspondence and noting that no tribunal had been set up as at 11th November 2021, that the President’s indefinite suspension of the Auditor General and her deputy was ergo informed by those complaints. In essence, the Auditor General has been suspended just on receipt of complaints from unknown persons and not by any representation from the JLSC to the President as the Constitution mandates. Furthermore, she was suspended even before a tribunal is appointed contrary to the dictates of the Constitution. This flagrant infraction  therefore makes the indefinite suspension unlawful.

There has been a flurry of condemnation or at the very minimum, deep concerns by many interest groups and leading activists in Sierra Leone over the said indefinite suspension of Madam Taylor-Pearce. The Institute for Governance Research describes the Auditor General as “the beacon of integrity in the field of Public financial management”. Members of the Budget Advocacy Network note in a statement that the indefinite suspension of the Auditor-General “undermines public accountability…further hampers efforts in maintaining fiscal discipline and accountable use of public resources.”

50-50, the leading women’s rights group expressed fear that the suspension “negates the positive steps taken by the Government with the recent formulation of the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Policy (GEWE, 2020) and the Gender Empowerment Bill (2021).” While this Government is taking legislative action to empower women in Sierra Leone, they are in conduct attacking the woman who has epitomized excellent female leadership in Government for the last decade. I think that the gender empowerment legislation would count for nought if the conduct of our leaders towards women in top decision-making positions remains galling.

How the Government treats the leaders of public integrity institutions determines their degree of commitment to transparency and accountability. For a Government that campaigned on fiscal discipline and accountability, to make such move to suspend the Auditor-General in view of the antecedent harassment and intimidation by senior Government officials, erodes a great chunk of the public’s confidence in such commitment. Even more perplexing is the timing of the suspension, just when the 2020 Audit is set to be released.

A senior female colleague remarked in a WhatsApp group that this conduct is akin to removing the Chief Electoral Commissioner on the eve of announcement of the presidential election results or suspending Supreme Court judges just when they are about to deliver a judgment on a presidential election petition. This is the stark enormity of such suspension.

Let me repeat that in my view, what President Bio has done by sacking the most trusted public servant in Sierra Leone is unconstitutional and a dereliction of his commitment to building good governance institutions. I want to be on record in this position!

Orange Foundation Launches Super Coders Scratch Programme in Waterloo

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By Millicent Senava Mannah

One of Sierra Leone’s leading telecommunications companies operating in the country, Orange SL, in partnership with ST Foundation has on Tuesday 16th November, 2021 officially launched its Super Coders Scratch Programme  which is geared towards enabling kids to create their own games, animated stories, and interactive art and to share their creations with one another over the internet. The launching took place at the FAWE Junior and Secondary School, Waterloo, in the Western Rural District.

Human Resources Director of Orange Foundation, Agnes Songa, said the ICT programme is part of the company’s 1.5 million dollars package to support the Government’s Free and Quality Education Agenda, maintaining that their material support package is being implemented over a period of five years for corporate social responsibility actions through their Foundation.

‘’The launch of the FQE Super Coders Scratch Project will once more demonstrate Orange’s commitment to it Corporate Social Responsibility programs outlined as Orange Sierra Leone Foundation’s contribution towards the Government’s Free and Quality Education Project,’’ she added.

She continued that they developed five key projects which include Solar Kits for school children, distribution of hygiene packs for girls in upper primary and senior secondary schools, inter secondary competition for which the winning school stands to gain a fully furnished computer lab to be provided by Orange, amongst other projects.

According to her, in January 2021 Orange SL Foundation was launched  saying it operates like a Non-Governmental Organization that is responsible for the company’s  external Corporate Social Responsibility. She also highlighted that the Foundation stands on 3 main Pillars; Education, Health, Culture also stating how they look after Women, the Girl Child & Youth.

“We create social change in communities and in the lives of individuals because ‘We Care’ and are “Called to Care”, she stated hilariously.

The Country Director of ST Foundation, Mohamed Dumbuya, stated that they are partnering with Orange SL to impact knowledge on the children, furthering that there is no life without Information Communication and Technology and that they will continue with the project until their targeted objectives are realized.

He encouraged the children to work hard also motivating them to ensure that they work with the trainers, stating that Orange SL has already paid for everything.

FAWE Senior Secondary School Principal, Isatu Kabia, expressed gratitude to Orange SL for launching the aforementioned project in their school stating how they do consider it a great honor for them to be the first benefactor of the project.

Mariama Dalanda Jalloh, a pupil of FAWE School expressed, on behalf of others, their deep sense of gratitude to Orange SL and the ST Foundation for the project, maintaining that it is a great development for the only girls’ school in Waterloo to be part of the global village as technology is the center of things today.

Wellington Fire Disaster Throws Light on the Country’s Disaster Preparedness

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By Amin Kef Sesay

A fuel tanker explosion that killed more than 130 people recently in the Sierra Leonean capital, Freetown, has raised renewed questions over disaster preparedness in African cities and the urgent lessons that need to be learnt.

The 5 November explosion followed a road accident between the tanker and a lorry at a busy road junction in the city’s eastern district of Wellington, a densely populated semi-industrial hub. The resultant fireball destroyed homes, shops, and scores of vehicles and motorbikes – depriving countless people of their livelihoods.

It is far from the first large-scale urban disaster to befall Sierra Leone: The country sits in 47th place out of 181 nations on the World Risk Index 2021. A massive landslide in 2017 killed at least 1,100 people – buried in the same cemetery as the tanker blast victims.

President Julius Maada Bio has promised to set up a task force to investigate the latest tragedy and to make recommendations for much-needed change. The following provides an insight into how the explosion has exposed the gaps in Sierra Leone’s disaster readiness.

The Social Construction of Risk: The incident points to how people’s risk perception – and needs – can exacerbate vulnerability. Rather than treating the fuel gushing from the damaged tanker prior to the explosion as a hazard, Wellington’s residents tried to collect it as a windfall, underlining how poverty can drive dangerous behaviour.

Mitigating that risk calls for urgent and sustained public education on technological hazards of this nature, and on what should be the appropriate response in such circumstances.

Readiness of Medical Emergency Services: The volume of casualties seeking treatment – more than 100 severely burned victims – exposed a critical weakness in the preparedness of medical services.

Freetown’s healthcare system is underfunded, and hasn’t fully recovered from the 2014-2015 Ebola epidemic, which killed over 220 doctors, nurses, and other healthcare providers.

The city’s main referral hospital, Connaught, was overwhelmed with the influx of injured people from the fire disaster. Scarce medical supplies and limited bed capacity prompted the intervention of the World Health Organization – but there were delays in the time-sensitive treatment required by severe burn victims.

Rapid Disaster Coordination: There was a critical time lag of about 40 minutes between the time when the accident occurred and the subsequent explosion.

The scale of the disaster could have been minimized if a nearby police post had acted swiftly to cordon off the accident scene, divert traffic, and liaise with the fire service to deal with the highly flammable fuel discharge.

Road Safety: Road accidents are one of the main urban risks people face. Despite this, vehicle road safety testing is a rarity in Freetown, and the roadworthiness of large trucks in particular is questionable.

Anecdotal evidence suggests the brakes failed on a lorry carrying granite that then rammed into the fuel tanker, causing the disaster. Enforcement of mandatory vehicle safety standards would make accidents less likely.

Regulatory Push: Existing regulatory frameworks need to be revamped, and road safety is one glaring area. Road traffic deaths in Africa are the highest in the world.

This goes beyond the remit of the newly established National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) and requires a carefully coordinated approach with other bodies, including the Petroleum Regulatory Agency, the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority, and the Motor Drivers and General Workers Union.

Cascading Effects of Disasters: The full extent of the tragedy is not just the statistics on fatalities and injuries. The initial assessment reported the destruction of homes, shops, and market stalls, and more than 60 cars and motorbikes. The bulk of the loss is linked to income-generation activities and will have a lasting impact on the economic fabric of the area.

Talk of “recovery” should therefore be long-term and holistic, encompassing healthcare but also livelihood and social support for survivors and the dependents of the victims.

Proactive Measures to Minimize Future Risk: There is significant scope to improve emergency response mechanisms, including how disaster information is shared and acted upon.

This will be a test case for the NDMA as it aims to decentralize disaster risk reduction efforts, improve early warning and risk communication systems, and build institutional capacity.

Closing the Gaps:The gaps in the NDMA’s capacity, both human and infrastructural, must be critically assessed. The same goes for its support institutions, which include the security forces – key first responders in such emergencies.

The performance of the fire service also needs to be reviewed. For instance, previous major blazes in Freetown have highlighted how equipment limitations can hinder the speed of the response.

This tragedy is a wake-up call to ensure that disaster risk management budgets are protected, accessible, and deployed efficiently throughout the country to fill capacity and infrastructure deficits.

Public Awareness: Greater recognition should be given to the resourcefulness of community-based organizations and to their awareness-raising capabilities. These groups exist even in informal settlements and they can be drafted in to help with the design and delivery of appropriate risk messaging.

To Deliberate on Gender Empowerment Bill 2021… Sierra Leone Association of Women in Journalism Organizes Media Cocktail

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By Mary Kabay

The Sierra Leone Association of Women in Journalism on the 10th November, 2021 held a media cocktail, under the patronage of the Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs, Madam Manty Tarawalli geared towards engaging media practitioners on how they can meaningfully contribute in championing the campaign for the enactment of the Gender Empowerment Bill 2021.

Eminent personalities including HE Claire Buckley – Irish Ambassador, Ambassador Manuel Muller- Head of EU Delegation in Sierra Leone, a representative of the British High Commissioner, Head of WFP representing the UN Resident Coordinator, Setcheme Mongbo UN Women Head of Office, World Bank Country Manager, Hon. Rebecca Yei Kamara representing the Female Parliamentary Caucus, Chairman Independent Media Commission, National Coordinator Independent Radio Network, the Chairman Guild of Editors, Executive Director Campaign for Good Governance, Head of Department Mass Communication -FBC, Managing Director  of  Sierra Leone News Agency and media representatives from various parts of  the country were in attendance.

Marian Tina Conteh, Secretary General of Women in the Media Sierra Leone said the journey to get 30% quota for women representation and above has not been easy.

She underscored that their resilience is paying off given the fact that there is a compelling need for women to be part of the development movement of the State as they continue to play important roles not only in taking care of house chores but do work in strategic offices in both the public and private sectors.

According to her, the existence of such a bill is of great joy to them as Women in the Media Sierra Leone furthering how they will do their best to popularize it and work with organizations like SLAWIJ, who are actively involved.

HE Claire Buckley, Ambassador of Ireland in her statement said there had been a lot to think about since the Bill was approved by Cabinet in July and a lot to take forward after its tabling and first reading in Parliament.

“This is where I turn the focus on you – the media is absolutely crucial in this process,” she stated adding that giving a voice and visibility to women and girls and key stakeholders on the Gender Empowerment Bill in the news media constitute valuable resources that can be converted into societal influence and legitimacy.

She informed the media that they are in a unique position to promote the rights of women through the passing of the Gender Empowerment Bill 2021, while also disseminating important information about human rights and, in particular, women’s rights that will empower the citizenry and push the Government to protect those rights through improved governance.

On her part, Yeama Sarah Thompson, Managing Director of  the Sierra Leone News Agency  said without fair and balanced reporting on women issues, the media will be unable to play that role stating that they are lobbying the male MPs to enact the Gender Empowerment Bill.

“We have designed a strategy through which this law should be enacted so we will have more women in leadership positions,” Hon. Rebecca Yei Kamara, representing the Female Parliamentary Caucus vividly stated.

She said they are proud of the achievements Sierra Leone has made thus far but said there is still much that needs to be done to achieve SDG 5 – for gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls.

Country Director of WFP, Steve Nsubuga, on behalf of the UN Resident Coordinator stated that they want to ensure that the Bill is enacted.

Chairman of the Independent Media Commission, George S. Khoryama, said empowering women is to empower the nation as a whole maintaining that news coverage, documentaries, commentaries and editorials on the empowerment of women must be based on critical awareness and understanding of the feelings and emotions of women in the struggle.

“We stand in solidarity with the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs and every partner that has been supporting this advocacy process,” Sètchèmè Mongbo, UN Women Head of Office  said adding that a lot of relevant platforms and channels would be open towards educating the citizens and garnering the requisite support for this Bill.

The Hon. Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs, Madam Manty Tarawalli said nothing should be done for women without women and that economic justice facilitates economic growth and inclusive growth requires more women in the workplace.

The media representatives’ willingly committed to offering airtime to promote the Gender Empowerment Bill 2021 at their media houses.

Saidu Jabbie Bags Prestigious Visionary Award 2021

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By Foday Moriba Conteh

In recognition of his immense extraordinary leadership passion and vision in the country, one of Sierra Leone’s outstanding and prolific politicians and philanthropists, Saidu Jabbie (Mr.) commonly known as Jabs was on Saturday 3rd November 2021 among other selected personalities who proudly bagged the “Prestigious Visionary Award” from the Springs of Joy Ministries during a well-attended ceremony climaxing the 3rd Annual Vision Conference of the Springs of Joy Ministries with the theme: “As Far as You Can See” held at the Destiny International Worship Centre on Bass Street, Brookfields in Freetown.

Giving a background, the Founder of Springs of Joy Ministries, Abraham Siafa, described Saidu Jabbie as one of Sierra Leone’s outstanding philanthropists who has been working tirelessly towards poverty alleviation and facilitating lasting change in the lives of most vulnerable people in the country.

He maintained that Saidu Jabbie is the Chief Executive Officer of Jabs Group of companies in the United States of America and Sierra Leone and holds an MBA from Syracuse University in New York.

The Founder pointed out that Saidu Jabbie hails from Kono District where he attended both primary and secondary schools and furthered his studies at the Albert Academy where he did his ‘A’ level.

He also attended Fourah Bay College where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics, adding that he also holds a Honors  Degree in Accounting from Syracuse University, New York, USA,  a MBA from Syracuse University in New York and a Certificate in Sustainable Business Strategy from Havard Business School.

He also disclosed that Saidu Jabbie worked as Payroll Accountant at SALCOST Sierra Leone, Finance Manager Sierra Leone Oil Refinery, Operations Manager Glass Distributors, in the United States of America, and he is a retired US Army Veteran, furthering that he was also the former Chairman AWOL America Branch, present god-father of AWOL America and also former President KFCEO, USA.

Abraham Siafa further used the opportunity to throw light on the Springs of Joy Ministries. Abraham Siafa 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 at free tuition school in Lungi.

He continued that they do render assistance to less privileged children  by offering them school items  , adding how they have also been  doing other charitable work by providing 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 they commenced 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 marks the 3rd edition of the Annual Vision Conference which so far has attracted over 200 participants.

He said that as part of this year’s conference they deemed it fit to celebrate people who are contributing to nation building by awarding them with Visionary Awards, of which Saidu Jabbie falls among those personalities who are considered worthy to be recipients of the remarkable award.

Receiving the award, Saidu Jabbie copiously thanked the God almighty and the Springs of Joy Ministries for recognizing his extraordinary leadership passion and vision in the country.

He applauded the Springs of Joy Ministries for their tireless efforts towards serving humanity as the ministries has been rendering assistance to the less privileged children  in the country.

He maintained that he is not too surprise to be a recipient of the award owing to the fact that he has been working tirelessly over the years towards the development of young people in the country through mentorship and embarking on massive development projects in Koinadugu District which includes the construction of water wells, schools, mosque etc.

Saidu Jabbie revealed that during the Ebola outbreak in the country he was among one of the Sierra Leoneans who came from the United States of America to work as a volunteer during which time he stood firmly by the Koinadugu District Ebola Task Force, supporting quarantine homes with food and Ebola survivors in the post Ebola era.

He also provided clothing for persons in quarantine homes and members of the Ebola Task Force providing security at checkpoints in almost all the chiefdoms in the district.

Saidu Jabbie said these, among other things, are the reasons why he was not too surprise to be a recipient of the award, adding that the award will serve as a motivation for him to continue to do the things he has passion for.

He concluded by assuring all that he will continue to work in that direction towards the development of country.

Friends of Morris Support Fire Victims at 34 Military Hospital

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By Foday Moriba Conteh

As part of continuing their humanitarian gestures towards the health sector in order to support the Wellington November 5 Fuel Tanker Fire Victims, who are currently hospitalized in the country, Friends of Morris, a Non- Governmental Charity Organization under the dynamic leadership of its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), a Sierra Leonean based in the United States of America, Morris Koroma, on the 15th November, 2021 donated assorted medical items to the 34 Military Hospital.

The donated items were presented to the Deputy Matron of the 34 Military Hospital, Major Marion Dumbuya, at the Hospital premises by a cross-section of members of the Friends of Morris Charity Organization.

Handing over the items on behalf of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the President of Friends of Morris Charity Organization, David Tucker commended health workers for the tremendous work they have been doing since the occurrence of the incident.

He maintained that as a responsible organization that seeks the welfare of all they saw it befitting to donate the assorted medical supplies to the 34 Military Hospital adding how they are of the strong conviction that such could be helpful towards the treatment of the hospitalized fire victims.

David Tucker maintained that Friends of Morris is a registered Non- Governmental charitable organization (NGO) based in Freetown with the aim to alleviate poverty and facilitate lasting change in the lives of the most vulnerable children and families living in urban slums in the country of which he said over the years they have been providing support for children through education, health, and livelihood programmes as well as for children with special needs.

He revealed that their work remains focused on the most vulnerable living in slums, as they continue to maintain the personal community involvement that has become the trademark of their organization, adding that last year they supported approximately 500 children and their families through their different programmes of which 50 are supported through child sponsorship.

On behalf of the organization he assured of their continuous support towards national development.

Receiving the donation, the Deputy Matron of the 34 Military Hospital Major Marion Dumbuya, expressed appreciation to the Friends of Morris organization for what he described as a timely donation geared towards supporting the hospital with the medical items.

She described the donated items as mostly needed by the patients of which she assured the organization that the items will be used for their intended purposes.

Climaxing the ceremony was the official handing over  of the items to the Deputy Matron of the 34 Military Hospital Major, Marion Dumbuya, by the President of Friends of Morris Charity Organization, David Tucker and members present.

Interacting with his ‘Subjects’ on the One Hand….   Dr Adonis Abboud Enjoins Well Meaning Individuals to Care for Orphans

By Amin Kef Sesay

During the third edition of the Humanitarian Goodwill Awards 2021, which was hosted by the Orphan Empowerment Society held at the City Hall Auditorium on the 12th November 2021, the Honorary Consul of Yugoslavia to Sierra Leone, Chairman of the Board Multi Choice –Sierra Leone, Chairman Capital Radio and the Founder of Pikin Bizness, Dr. Adonis Abboud, was one of the personalities who addressed the audience who were present.

He started by stating that this year’s ceremony has taken on a greater meaning with the unfortunate incident of  the 5th November 2021 in which citizens lost their lives.

“My thoughts are with the families of those who lost their lives tragically while looking for what they considered as answers to their lack of stomach infrastructure,” he extended sympathy and prayed for the swift healing of those who survived the tragedy.

He said it is his prayer that the positive response to the disaster would be followed by assistance for them stating how they, their families must be comforted and counselled before the traumatic experience turns into a mental health challenge for them.

Dr.Abboud expressed hope and expectation that as a nation and a people we will learn immense lessons from the tragedy including how to respond to large scale calamities saying because as a result of what happened many are now orphans, homeless and helpless.

He said with absolute deference, it is a great honour and privilege to stand courtesy of The Orphan Empowerment Society (TOES) to deliver a address to mark the 2021 World Orphans Day.

Dr Abboud continued that  in the course of our journey in life, we often discover like Shakespeare said, that the world is indeed a stage and we move from one story to the next adding that whether we are the main actors, listeners, readers or writers, we live our lives engrossed in the stories of daily existence.

According to him, from the many stories we hear or come across, true or untrue, the orphan figure often stands out as one of the most prominent as a result of the millions of children all over the globe who have become orphaned through no fault of theirs, such as war, famine, displacement, disease or poverty and of course the latest, COVID 19.

He said the special Orphan Day, created by The Stars Foundation, was set aside to raise awareness about the number of children in this world who lack something most of us take for granted: parents.

“The Stars Foundation’s wish was to ensure that the world remembers them at least once a year, on the second Monday of each November and to motivate people to do anything they can, to help; as well as encourage active participation in raising awareness, support, and funding for motherless and fatherless children worldwide,” he revealed maintaining how it is a noble cause indeed. He touched on how COVID-19 has added to the increasing toll of orphans.

The philanthropist disclosed that in 1959, the United Nations adopted the Declaration on the Rights of the Child, which affirmed the rights of children everywhere to receive adequate care from their parents and the community.

He said, however, two decades after going to the brink of the abyss, on the streets, nooks and crannies of  society, are vestiges of Child poverty, homelessness and deprivation which are a scar on not only our society’s conscience, but also a waste of potentials.

Dr Abboud pointed out that they are very vivid evidence of years of systemic social neglect, cultural appropriation and exploitation, and we can ill afford to wait until tomorrow to act to deal with the problem as tomorrow would be too late for the child who finds himself or herself in such institutionalized social injustice and who may grow up profoundly damaged by the experience.

He said the 340,000 orphaned children feel the disparities of this country in particular as they have a one in five chance of dying before they reach the age of 5 and in some cases, over 50 percent chance of never learning
to read, despite the free education policy designed to correct this anomaly.

He appealed to well-placed Sierra Leoneans at home and abroad, to remember that a child who is not embraced by the village, will burn it down to feel its warmth.

“We need to remember that we do not inherit the earth from our ancestors we borrow it from our children,” he stated furthering how a child must be protected beyond and above considerations of tribe, religion, political affinity or creed, and also must be cared for, with due respect for the family and the nation, as an entity.

He said immersed in the busy schedule of our everyday life, most of us might not realize the pain and suffering orphaned children go through daily.

“Imagine no shelter, no parents, no one to love you and no one to take care of you,” he painted a scenario evoking empathy adding how it must be pretty difficult especially for an orphan child, who is seen; or even sees himself/herself, as a burden on someone, like relatives or the society.

He said this is more so especially, when they are taken advantage of, abused in every possible way, maybe denied education and many a times, have to go without proper food and shelter. It must be a very sad life.

“Sadly, some of us also, as we live in our own world of enjoyment, have a mind-set that orphans don’t exist and when we meet one, a few people might sympathize, but most still don’t act,” he bemoaned disclosing how the world and global society benefit when we help orphan children.

He maintained that instead of harming themselves and others, they grow up to be responsible, healthy adults that give back to the community they live in, instead of taking away from it.

Dr Adonis Abboud underscored that one don’t have to be rich to be a humanitarian.

“You don’t have to be rich to help somebody; You don’t have to be famous or even have to be educated,” he emphatically stated saying it simply starts with one’s neighbour, the person right next to you, the person sitting next to you, the child down the road; or the one that you heard about needing help or assistance.

He said all one needs to do is whatever one can to help in any way that one can. Putting it in other words he said it is being able to put oneself in someone else’s shoes and having empathy.

“Today I want to challenge each of you to make a commitment to help one person: one organization, one situation that touches your heart. If you’ve got the time, if you’ve got a Leone or two, if you’ve got space in your house, or work to offer then believe me you’ve got plenty to share,” he stated.

Dr Abboud concluded by stating that performing humanitarian acts helps to save lives, alleviate suffering and maintain human dignity and is based on a view that all human beings deserve respect and dignity and should be treated as such.

In another development, since crowned as Honorary Paramount Chief Adonis Bambamoi on the 15th January 2021 Dr Adonis Abboud paid a visit to Upper Bambara Chiefdom on the 12th November 2021.

Dr Adonis Abboud was in the company of Hon. P.C. Cyril Foray Gondor ll , Chiefdom Speaker Maada Stephen Gbassay Babawo  who was Chairman of the occasion,  the Mammy Queen , the Covid-19 Senior Exec. Alfred Jamiru and Coordinator/ interpreter Michael Jamiru

He first visited to Korbu headed by Section Chief, Moriba Brima and Bambara which is headed by Section Chief, Lahai Kanneh

The remaining 4 Section Chiefs all attended a special ceremony which was held at the Chiefdom Court Barray.

Also present were the First Lady, Mrs Foray, Naiahun Section Chief Lahai Momoh & his Deputy Jusu, Goleiwoma Section Chief Lahai Sundifu, Golu Section Chief Amara Momoh and Bomaru Guma

Section Chief Peter Amara.

Statements were made by the Hon. P.C. C.P.Foray Gondo ll, Honorary P.C. Adonis Bambamoi, all section Chiefs and Alfred Jamiru.

Dr Adonis Abboud then offered gifts to the six (6) Section Chiefs who each received a bag of rice and handed over 300 bags to children.

He also gave Souvenir Gifts of specially carved wooden sticks with a book to all 6 Section Chiefs.

The Pendembu Community Centre received a DStv Satellite System with a 43 inch flat screen to be installed in the coming week.

Pledges were also made for Laboratory equipment for the Pendembu Vocational school as well as FM radios dished out to 30 students in the JSS & SSS levels.

The vote of thanks was done by the Mammy Queen who gracefully presented the traditional thank-you gifts to the Honorary P.C. Adonis Bambamoi which included red palm oil, free range country chickens, plantain, yam etc.

The day ended with cheering songs by the students attending the ceremony.

NP-SL Ltd is a True Partner in Development

By Amin Kef Sesay

The National Petroleum Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd), it has been confirmed, is a successful enterprise that is hugely contributing to the socio-economic development of this nation.

This assertion could be justified when cognizance is taken of the company’s serious deepening of the country’s Local Content Policy as vividly evident in giving exceptional preference to employing indigenes contrary to bringing in foreign expatriates to execute certain tasks. This laid down policy that is strictly implemented has created room for the employment of Sierra Leoneans who have the requisite qualifications and skills giving them the opportunity to take care of personal responsibilities.

This admirable quality that NP-SL Ltd has been exhibiting throughout the years by the proper implementation of the country’s Local Content Policy is geared towards giving preferential treatment to indigenes or making use of local ingredients, in the form of human and material resources, instead of depending on those that are acquired through importation.

The company has deepened the laid down policy of giving preferential employment consideration to indigenes instead of relying on expatriates.  As long as Sierra Leoneans have the requisite qualifications and skills they are first considered for various vacant positions in the company. The greatest advantage is that the policy has made it possible for indigenes to be gainfully employed and live improved standards of living.

“I cannot find words to express how delighted I am as I can proudly say that NP-SL has changed my life completely since the company employed me,” one of the workers at NP Cotton Tree joyfully intimated The Calabash when this medium went out on a fact finding mission.

“As far as I have assessed in this country it is only NP-SL Ltd that has such a pragmatic policy of maintaining a policy that gives job preferential treatments to Sierra Leoneans and I have great respect for the indigenous company,” Raymond Cole, a Social Commentator eulogized.

With the introduction of NP Smart Card, which has gone viral, the Card can be credited with money and the amount of money utilized to buy fuel is debited after every transaction. With the use of NP Smart Card, customers are saved the hassle of having to always move with physical cash in their possession in order to purchase fuel and indeed there are times when one may not have time to rush to the bank to make withdrawals. Customers, who are holders and users of NP Smart Card, are at the vantage position to properly budget, through the amount that is contained in the card to buy fuel, during a considerable period of time, say a week or a month. Indeed, NP Smart Card has become trending.

In order to ensure that their customers derive value for money, it was thought prudent on the part of Shareholders and Management to make use of state of the art and highly modernized calibrated pumping machines which were installed at the company’s different Filling Stations capable of pumping the exact quantity of fuel, be it petrol or diesel, that a particular customer requested for.

This fine move by the company has helped instilled confidence among customers that they are really dealing with a very transparent business entity and getting what they are paying for. This singular business strategy has got many glued to a petroleum company that is considered to be marketing the best of petroleum products which include petrol, diesel, gas and high grade lubricants, one of which is the most sought out Castrol oil, said to be very good for the proper functioning of engines.

The company also markets NP Gas which is a cooking device that is manufactured in different cylinder sizes and sold at the company’s Filling Stations across the country. It can be easily refilled with gas, is said to be non-hazardous to the health of individuals and easy to operate. Its performance has been rated high and many are indeed going for it.

One yardstick that could be used to assess the potency and vibrancy of a company is how well it is entrenched or established. With regards NP-SL Ltd, one can actually see that the company, over the years, has grown by leaps and bounds as seen in its opening of branches in neighbouring Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast and The Gambia. All these NP branches, within the sub-region, are functioning very efficiently and contributing immensely towards the socio-economic development of those host countries. Through their operations, the company is paying taxes to the various Governments and indirectly boosting the revenue bases of those countries to roll out different development programs.

From all that have been said so far, it could be argued with all amount of certainty that NP-SL Ltd is indeed a highly successful and very competitive petroleum company that continues to stand tall within the business landscape of this country. And from the look of things it is poised to reach higher heights.

 

Choithram & NATCO Honour their Corporate Social Responsibility with a Difference

Choithram Group of Companies.jpg

By Amin Kef Sesay

Globally, it is an acceptable best practice for corporate entities to support development programmes within localities in which they are located and operating in the form of Corporate Social Responsibility. It is a way of giving back to society.

One of the well established corporate business entities that have been in operation in this country for decades, the Choithram Group of Companies, now a household name, is on record of never been found wanting in rolling out its Corporate Social Responsibility. In fact, the company has over the years been the recipient of a barrage of commendation for supporting the execution of meaningful projects and programmes that are today positively impacting the lives of residents in its operational areas. If those supports could be enumerated, time and space may not favour doing so at this material stage.

On the 15th November, 2021 during a brief but important programme that was held at the Choithram Supermarket Conference Room on Rawdon Street in Freetown, the business entity honoured its 2021/2022 Corporate Social Responsibility towards the Wellington Community where Choithram has two manufacturing or business entities, NATCO and Choithram Chemicals.

Present were Harish Agnani, the Member of Parliament of Constituency 115 (Wellington) Hon. Alpha Amadu Bah, Daniel Conteh, a Consultant and members of the Fourth Estate.

Harish Agnani welcomed all and extended heartfelt condolences for the untimely death of the 5th November Wellington fire disaster victims and wished those responding to medical treatments speedy recovery.

He said some of the victims were taken to the Choithram Memorial Hospital for treatment and the hospital is doing so free of cost.
“Choithram was one of the first responders after the accident by donating medical items and consumables to Connaught Hospital where many victims sustaining burns were admitted,” he added.

He disclosed that every year Choithram supports community development programmes within the Wellington Community where it is operating two entities.“We give out a total of forty million Leones in the form of our Corporate Social Responsibility and as always the monies are handed over to the community authorities comprising the Member of Parliament, Councillors, Youth Leader etc on behalf of the residents,” he furthered.

Harish continued intimating newsmen that there is a slight change this year in the sense that the Honourable Member of Parliament of the Constituency, where their business interests are located, Hon. Alpha Amadu Bah, approached them with the idea of giving additional support to help in the completion of ongoing projects that he is currently championing within that part of the country.

He went on to state that as a result of that new request from the Member of Parliament, Management of Choithram decided to increase the total amount of money towards honouring its Corporate Social Responsibility from forty million Leones (Le40, 000.000) to Forty Five Million Leones (Le 45,000,000).

On his part, a Consultant, Daniel Sesay, who liaises between Choithram and the public to assess the environmental impact of some of the company’s activities, said one of the projects that the Member of Parliament is implementing is indeed one that is very significant to the welfare of residents in that part of the country especially the market women. He confirmed that its successful implementation will prevent future flooding from taking place making easy access to the market smooth.

Hon. Amadu Bah expressed appreciation for Choithram’s timely honouring of its Corporate Social Responsibility further disclosing that he is currently implementing three main projects within his constituency one of which has to do with the paving of the Melon Street market axis.

“Given the high cost of building materials and other costs involved I deemed it fit to make a humble appeal to Choithram and indeed they positively responded although I still have to do some maneuvering in order to ensure that the projects are well completed,” he stated.

Hon. Bah revealed that out of what Choithram had been giving in the past, in the form of Corporate Social Responsibility, such were utilized successfully for the Koya electrification sub-project, the construction of a gravity water point of which he was glad to announce that the point has generated up to about eighteen million Leones since it was handed over to the community.

He said with the monies received for this year, they will use some for the completion of the ongoing projects expressing hope that the fencing of the market project will soon be completed as it is up to 85% near completion stage.

The official handing over of the cheques totaling Forty-Five Million Leones marked the highpoint of the occasion.

Commercial Driver Sentenced To 50 Years For Killing US Citizen

By Elkass Sannoh

Hon. Justice Ansumana Ivan Sesay (JA), Court of Appeal Judge, has sentenced 37-year-old Driver, Ibrahim Mansaray to fifty (50) years imprisonment for the gruesome murder and unlawful burial of 40-year-old United States Citizen, Masaah Kai Kai.

It follows a guilty verdict unanimously returned by an eleven-member jury in respect of a three count indictment of murder, burying a human body in a place other than the cemetery and larceny in a dwelling house.

In his summing-up to the jurors, Hon. Justice Sesay admonished them to put emotions or sympathy aside while they consider the facts of the case.

He said as judges of facts, they shouldn’t be concerned with the consequences of the outcome in any criminal action, adding that, “what is required of you is a cool, calm and careful examination of the evidence in this case.”

Referencing the indictment, Hon. Justice Ivan Sesay said it was alleged that the accused, on a date unknown between the 1st and 9th of August 2018, at Freetown in the Western Area of the Republic of Sierra Leone, murdered Massah Kaikai, buried her body in a place other than the cemetery and stole certain items valued Twelve Million Two Hundred and Eighty-Five Thousand Leones (Le12,285,000), being properties of the deceased, Massah Kaikai.

Justice Ivan Sesay went on to note that the standard of proof in any criminal matter is for the Prosecution to prove the guilt of the accused beyond reasonable doubt by proving the elements of the offences charged.

He said that the Prosecution must prove that there was indeed a murder with malice aforethought, that the deceased died within one year and a day, that the accused was of sound mind.

In respect of counts two and three, he said that the Prosecution must prove that a human body was buried in a place other than a cemetery and a proof of the items stolen.

State Prosecutor, Jessie Tucker led in evidence six witnesses during the course of the trial including Pathologist Dr. Simeon Owizz Koroma.

In his certified medical cause of death, Government Pathologist, Dr. Simeon Owizz Koroma, disclosed that the death was “neither accidental nor suicidal but homicidal, bearing all the hallmarks of a brutal killing with frantic efforts to conceal the heinous act.”

Evidence adduced before the court indicated that the deceased was a US Citizen who came to Freetown and was brutally murdered and buried at the back of her compound.

After some months of investigation by the Police, they were unable to determine whether it was murder or not which compelled the flying into Sierra Leone two U.S Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) Agents to help the Police with their investigations.

With support from the American Embassy, the decomposed remains of the deceased were exhumed from a hole she had been buried at the back of her compound. The accused was initially charged with kidnapping prior to investigations by the FBI Agents and he later made a confessional statement to the Police, admitting to have committed the offence.

In his allocutus, the convict pleaded for mercy and said it was an accident as he didn’t intend to kill the deceased, Massah Kai Kai. He added that the deceased was very good and nice to him.

Making her plea in mitigation, Defence Lawyer from Legal Aid Board, Cecilia Tucker, pleaded with the judge to temper justice with mercy. She added that the convict was a father of two children and a first time offender.

Acting on the verdict of the jurors, Hon. Justice Ivan Sesay sentenced the convict to 50 years’ imprisonment for count 1(murder) and another 10 years for count 3 (Larceny), with both sentences to run concurrently.

He ordered that the convict pays the sum of Five Hundred Thousand Leones (Le500,000) before he leaves prison for count 2 (Burying a human body in a place other than the cemetery).

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