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NP-SL is Poised to Take Development to Every Nook & Cranny in the Country

By Amin Kef Sesay

The National Petroleum-Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd) continues to be the proud recipient of warm commendations in and out of the country for its efficiency in timely service delivery and proactive stance in partnering with well-meaning Sierra Leoneans to construct and commission state of the art Filling Stations in different parts of the country.

These moves on the part of the petroleum importing and marketing company has ensured that residents in far to reach areas, which hitherto face serious constraints in accessing fuel and other petroleum products, can now do so with ease. Typical examples are the recent commissioning of Filling Stations in Kenema, Mattru Jong and Koidu City within the Kono District where before residents have to travel miles and miles away just to procure fuel, an ordeal that bike riders, boat owners, business individuals operating cinemas and even for domestic use wrestled with.

It is in that direction that we can actually see that NP-SL Ltd is not only interested in making profits but takes it that it has the responsibility of mitigating the petroleum sufferings that residents in remote parts of the country have been going through.

What this pro-active stance on the part of the company also means is helping to make available job opportunities from which the qualified fortunate beneficiaries do earn a living. The benefits will cascade to other family members and friends.

It must be underscored that the National Petroleum-Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd) continues to demonstrate that it is determined to ensure that the vast majority of individuals and institutions gain easy access to petroleum products.

As a progressive business entity, the company, which has been in the business of importing and marketing various petroleum products, for over forty years, from time to time there are individuals that do partner with the company to open new Filling Stations in different parts of the country.

NP-SL Ltd continues to make meaningful inroads within the petroleum landscape of this country. Based on effective and efficient service delivery, the result oriented company has drawn wide-spread commendations from near and far for holding the fort for far too long, weathering various storms.

One thing that the company  lays emphasis on is to give preference, in terms of employment, to exclusively Sierra Leoneans instead of considering bringing foreigners on board, except in instances where local expertise could not be sourced. This stance on the part of the company is in sync with the country’s Local Content Policy.

The company’s introduction of a Smart Card to purchase fuel has been widely applauded as a very good initiative. A particular customer, with money in his or her NP Smart Card, could easily put in for the quantity of petrol or diesel that he or she wants and the supply is facilitated, after which the amount of money expended is deducted from the card.

Some users of NP Gas that this medium spoke with, intimated how it is a very good device which has a high speed performance and very environmentally useful and friendly. Manufactured in different cylinder shapes, it is portable and affordable. NP Gas could be secured at all the company’s major Filling Stations, where the gas to refill it could be accessed.

Indisputably, there is no way that we can talk of a very successful company, amidst challenges encumbered along the way, without mentioning NP-SL because the company is hugely contributing to the socio-economic development of nations.

Management is very keen in ensuring  taking the company to every nook and cranny in the country.

Orange SL Commissions Its Franchise Shop In Zimmi

By Foday Moriba Conteh

With an avowed objective to ensure that their products and services are accessible to many all across the country, one of Sierra Leone’s leading mobile companies, Orange-Sierra Leone on Thursday 23rd September, 2021 commissioned its Franchise Shop in Zimmi within the Pujehun District, Southern Sierra Leone.

The new Franchise Shop in Zimmi will avail residents the opportunity to access the company’s products and services like the sale and replacement of sim cards, conduct Orange Money transaction, do Western Union Money Transfers, Ria Money Transfers, access MoneyGram etc.

Speaking during the event, the Chief Executive Officer of Orange Sierra Leone, Aminata Kaine disclosed that the commissioning of the Franchise Shop in Zimmi is geared towards bringing the company’s services at the doorstep of the people of Zimmi and its environs.

She revealed that Orange-SL, being the leading telecommunications company in the country is very committed to meet the growing demands of their valued customers across the country, adding that the company remains to be the widest  network provider in the country with 500 sites across the country of which she stated that 4 out of 5 Sierra Leoneans can access its network.

The CEO pointed out that the company is not only keen on increasing financial inclusion but as well digital inclusion with a main focus of leaving no one behind.

She commended Mohamed Lamin Jalloh, who happens to be their partner, for believing in the mission and vision of the company.

In her remarks, the Chief Commercial Officer at Orange Sierra Leone, Alimatu Mbaye, applauded the people of Zimmi for believing in Orange SL. She informed the audience that  the high presence of  Orange  top Management in the Zimmi is a demonstration of  the company’s commitment in making sure the least village in the country has access to affordable Orange services and products across the country.

On his part, Mohamed Lamin Jalloh underscored the significance of the launch of the Franchise Shop in Zimmi.

He stated how the local people in Zimmi and its immediate environs had long been complaining about the constraints they face in having to travel to Bo in order to access Orange products and services which includes top up, sim cards, Orange Money cash in & cash out, registration on orange money etc.

Mohamed Lamin intimated that the Franchise Shop in Zimmi will serve as a one stop centre  for its customers where customers can access orange products and services like Orange Money , sim cards, do replacement of sim cards, do Western Union Money Transfer, Ria Money Transfer, MoneyGram etc.

The Principal of the Zimmi Senior Secondary School Zimmi, Ibrahim Sesay, on behalf of residents commended Orange-SL for what he referred to as a laudable breakthrough and initiative maintaining that the people of Zimmi will continue to see Orange-SL as a family and work closely to protect their investment underscoring how the company has proven to be a reliable partner.

Ibrahim Sesay called on Orange-SL to help them revamp  their   educational infrastructures saying they are in dire need of serious rehabilitation  commending the company for being very supportive of the Free Quality Education (FQE) Initiative ushered in by President Bio.

The Town Chief of Zimmi Town, maintained that with the establishment of the Franchise Shop, Orange-SL has made Zimmi to become a buzzing town as residents from the environs will definitely move in and out just to access the company’s products and services.

“We will ever remain to be grateful to such a company that saved us from the rigours of  having to go all the way to Bo and other big towns to gain access to some of their services and products as well as to secure mobile accessories,” the Town Chief was full of praise.

So far the company continues to receive commendations from different parts of the country for its quality, affordable data and voice services and  for creating a landmark  in honoring its Corporate Social Responsibility (CRS) especially with the establishment of the Orange SL Foundation, which since its inception has been catering for various vulnerable groups rendering support in the areas of Health, Education, Gender and Sport.

On Gender Empowerment Bill 2021… 30 Female Journalists Gender Empowerment Bill 2021 & Media Influencers Trained

By Mary Kabay

The Ministry of Gender and Children Affairs in collaboration with the Sierra Leone Association of Women in Journalism (SLAWIJ) on the 23rd September, 2021 conducted a training programme for 30 female journalists and media influencers at the GGEM Hall on 57 John Street in Freetown on the topic: “Understanding the Gender Empowerment Bill 2021”.

Head of Programs of SLAWIJ, Aminata Finda Massaquoi, gave an overview of the training stating that it is based on the importance for female journalists to understand the Gender Empowerment Bill which they will be reporting on, merits of  the Bill and why they should promote it or relate to their various audiences.

Director of Gender Affairs in the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs, said he was indeed happy since the Ministry signed a Memorandum of Understanding with SLAWIJ to help propagate gender related messages through the media and facilitate empowerment trainings.

He added that women must not be excluded from decision making processes especially those related to development. The Director maintained that men have been appearing as the stronger vessels while women are lagging behind underscoring how it is important  to give opportunities to women  in the process of developing the country.

Charles Vandi categorically stated that the Gender Empowerment Bill is not a political Bill but rather a development Bill and therefore implored media practitioners to facilitate its propagation on various platforms.

Millicent Kargbo, Executive President  of SLAWIJ  in her statement said it is a delight for her organization to be part of the conversation related to the Gender Empowerment Bill since they are focusing on women empowerment and promoting female journalists in decision making and participation.

She said the Gender Empowerment Bill 2021 seeks to address the political and economic empowerment of women through representation in each district, for women to contest under the tickets of various political parties with a minimum of 30% of women participating in key decision making.

A  representative from Campaign for Good Governance, Sahr Kendema, elaborated more on the Bill, how it would be effective from its policy state to becoming a bill. He admonished all the female journalists and media influencers to help spread awareness on Bill to Parliamentarians and community residents in order to help propagate its relevance.

The Vice President of the Women’s Forum, Cecilia Bangura,  take the participants of the training  back to the 19th century during which period she said there were lots of workshops and trainings held for women to have more space in decision making.

She highlighted that women empowerment is important for their self esteem maintain that empowering women means giving them the right to access education, play key roles in the economy, politics and society as a whole maintaining that women can make meaningful and positive changes.

Gender equality and women empowerment USaid policy 2020 stated that  the policy is to improve the life of people around the world by advancing gender equality and women empowerment and girls to participate fully in the development of  their societies.

In the final sessions of the training the representative from the Campaign for Good Governance shared the outcomes of the consultations so far held  on the bill and other aspects . A legal analysis of the Bill to enhance media campaign was done by Elvis Enoh Esq.  and Aminata Finda Massaquoi delved into how to develop media messages from the Bill.

Brewery Signs Second Phase of WASH Response Project Contract with World Vision

By Amin Kef Sesay

The Sierra Leone Brewery Limited (SLBL) has on the 23rd September, 2021 signed the 2nd Phase of its contract with World Vision during a short but very impressive ceremony.

In attendance were Solomon Jamiru, Spokesman of NACOVERC, the Country Director of World Vision,  Sagane Thiaw,   the SLBL Corporate Affairs Manager, Albert Collier, Unisa Conteh, SLBL Corporate Affairs Assistant, staff of World Vision and a host of media practitioners.

In his statement, the SLBL Corporate Affairs Manager, Ojo Collier, on behalf of Management, welcomed all adding that it is indeed a testimony of another great opportunity to officially sign the Second Phase of the WASH Response Project contract after a successful first phase was implemented by the HEINEKEN Africa Foundation, Sierra Leone Brewery Limited and World Vision Sierra Leone to support communities in Sierra Leone in the fight against COVID-19.

He intimated that SLBL & HAF continue to support the people of Sierra Leone and are very proud to continue as exemplary corporate citizen to the health of Sierra Leoneans by supporting private sector initiatives of that nature.

Albert Ojo Collier disclosed that the project  was approved in 2020 by the HAF to help reduce the spread and impact of COVID-19 in Sierra Leone by investing in a six-month WASH response project worth € 210,625 to complement Government’s effort to improve WASH services in the country with objectives to scale up preventive measures to limit the spread of COVID-19 and to strengthen health system and workers.

“The implementation increased access to sustainable clean water and hygiene practices for poor, vulnerable communities in the project implementation communities in Freetown City,” he stated revealing how through the project they constructed three solar mechanized boreholes that are now benefiting 33,857 people in three communities in Freetown City.

He furthered that the project supported 6,550 vulnerable people in slums and hard to reach areas to access WASH kits which comprised of hand washing soap, buckets with taps, sanitizers, water collection and storage containers.

The Corporate Affairs Manger said in addition, members of those households were sensitized on the importance of hand washing to prevent COVID-19 and other common diseases such as diarrhoea by community volunteers employed by World Vision.

He also highlighted how WASH kits were distributed to 19 schools, a settlement for persons with disabilities and 6 religious’ institutions stating that additionally, World Vision supported 5 health facilities with hand washing stations and IPC materials.

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

He added that they are signing the second phase which is valued at $ 300,000 (an equivalent of over 3 Billion Leones), targeting 111,208 people directly and 222,004 indirect beneficiaries.

According to him the 2nd Phase will also further build on the established partnerships and lessons learned from Phase 1, and continue to focus on WASH activities to fight COVID-19 (incl. communications on vaccinations where applicable).

He noted that as sponsor they are very excited to start a new project, intensify their partnership and continue to deliver positive impact for  communities.

He expressed excitement to report  the sterling work they have committed themselves to as industry leader and true partner for development in Sierra Leone since they started our operations over 58 years ago in this country.

“Sierra Leone Brewery Limited continues to play an important role in the social and economic growth of Sierra Leone through our corporate social responsibility agenda, with the support of the HEINEKEN Africa Foundation,” he maintained cataloguing the various development interventions they have done in communities.

He disclosed how since 2014, SLBL, together with the HEINEKEN Africa Foundation has  invested an estimated amount of cash over Le 10 Billion in corporate social responsibility projects promising that they will continue to do more for worthy community projects to impact the people of Sierra Leone.

He revealed that in the next quarter, they will be announcing the approval and disbursement of funds for two new projects for Wellington and Calaba Town covering water and sanitation

“We count on the support of all Sierra Leoneans to continue to promote our brands. Buy your own local, Maltina non-alcoholic, Star Beer, Mutzig Beer, Guinness Stout, Amstel and Trenk Dark Malt Energy Drink among others ,” he appealed stating how it is the only way all can help to support their business and sustain their continued support to such projects.

“We always advocate for responsible consumption. Remember, Sierra Leone Brewery Cares for you and we strive to consistently improve the impact we make in Sierra Leone,” he concluded.

On the part of World Vision Sierra Leone Grace Kargbo, the Operations Director  stated her institution spends an average of about $1.5 million yearly on WASH Programs working with dedicated WASH staff, Government and community partners.

“We welcome the much-needed support from the HEINEKEN Africa Foundation to reinforce the WASH Program in the country, and we are delighted that this second phase has become a reality” Grace Kargbo stated.

REBUTTAL As UK Courts Exonerate him… Dr. Cyprian Okoro is beyond Reproach

Dr. Cyprian Okoro

By Amin Kef-Ranger

In some cases certain individuals believe they have the moral responsibility to protect others from harms-way by exposing a possible perpetrator capable of committing an offence or offences. At times, some people deliberately make up false allegations against others, trying to create the impression that indeed they are true when in actual fact such are geared towards settling old scores, gain cheap popularity and above all to willfully assassinate the character of well meaning people.

The personality, who is currently under Social Media attack, by a guy calling himself Trevor Young, is Dr Cyprian Okoro, a Senior Gynecologist whom his accuser alleged, “has the ability/opportunity to engage/deal with innocent pregnant women during their pre-natal care.”

He furthered that Dr Cyprian Okoro is a pedophile furthering that, “God alone knows how many women pussy this pedophile has been playing with all in the name of helping them”.

He recommended that the Sierra Leone Medical and Dental Council should not grant Dr. Okoro license to practice as a professional medical doctor in Sierra Leone.

In trying to justify his stance, the alarmist or whistle blower revealed that Dr. Cyprian Okoro, whom he referred to as a former doctor had been convicted of numerous sexual related crimes in the UK. He continued that in 2018 his license to practice medicine was revoked in the UK maintaining that it has come to their attention that he is now practicing medicine in Sierra Leone where there are much less oversight and accountability.

Looking at how strong are the allegations vis-à-vis the fact that it borders on dealing with lives, this medium therefore decided to undertake a thorough investigation in and out of the country to prove the veracity of those very allegations.

From what our investigation unfolded were that the whistleblower is obviously trying to use a historical racist attack and media manipulation against Dr. Cyprian Okoro which the latter experienced in the United Kingdom.

The reason that this medium will advance to justify that stance is the fact that it was proven beyond all reasonable doubts that a UK Court verdict dismissed the allegations and awarded costs in favour of Dr. Cyprian Okoro.  What is indeed so baffling is the fact that at that material time the media did not publish the story or twist in the event.

When this medium contacted certain authoritative medical sources in the UK to find out if they can help in our investigation what came out unanimously was that Dr. Cyprian Okoro’s case was a historical racially orchestrated attack that occurred in the UK many years ago.

What actually transpired at that time, according to a Senior British Medical Practitioner, was that there was a racist complaint by a female patient against Dr. Okoro alleging that he made inappropriate comments of a sexual nature to her during a consultation.

It was understood that the lady never complained that Dr.Okoro sexually abused or attacked her. The lady, it was further learnt, had actually been sending photos of herself to the medical doctor but got aggrieved when he did not respond to her gestures.

The situation was one that warranted Dr.Okoro to take his phone to the police as evidence which was taken as an exhibit and in the course of their investigations the Police handed him back his phone.

The phone messages helped the Police to conclude that the lady was making up a cock and bull story and so they decided to drop the case, called Dr. Okoro to inform him of their decision.

As if that seems to have laid the case to a rest, according to the British Medical Practitioner, however, for obvious racially motivated reasons, the Police said they saw ‘indecent’ pornography on Dr.Okoro phone and that they would charge him for “possession” of indecent video clips, something, which he attested, would not have been done to a Senior white doctor if not for the racial bias.

From what this medium also gathered, at the time of hearing in court, the Police admitted that all the short video clips had been sent unsolicited via WhatsApp to Dr. Okoro’s phone.

He explained that most likely Dr. Cyprian Okoro wasn’t aware of such at the time but the Police saw them when they initially examined his phone.

It was also understood that by the time the Police re-examined the phone before the Court case, 4 out of the 6 video clips had been seen and immediately deleted. The remaining two were still in the phone gallery. A racist jury (11 whites and only one black) didn’t consider the evidence that someone who deleted 4 out of 6 videos, sent to him unsolicited, has demonstrated that he has no taste for such videos.

Further learnt was that the Prosecution accepted Dr.Okoro never downloaded any of the videos and never shared or sent them to anyone else. They also admitted that no other similar videos were seen on his phone and work computers but the Police never cared to go after the people that sent the videos. It could therefore be deduced that it was a clear targeted racist prosecution.

As the events unfold, the General Medical Council (GMC) in England rushed to a disciplinary hearing and surprisingly upheld the lady’s words against Dr Okoro’s. His lawyers told the GMC that the substantive case by the lady was still in court but they didn’t listen and carried on to a racially motivated verdict.

Eventually, the High Court in Norwich dismissed the case about 5 months after the GMC hearing. This medium is privy to a copy of the court judgment. Again, surprisingly the outcome of the case was never reported by the media.

Dr Okoro was on a trip to this country when he was locked down by the COVID-19 pandemic and while here doing nothing, the opportunity came to operate the Salone Female Clinic.

He applied to the SL Medical and Dental Council and in his application stated the horrific racially motivated experience he had in the UK in their forms. The SL Medical and Dental Council indeed verified the racial discriminatory tainted allegations made against him.

Based on our findings Dr. Cyprian Okoro is a senior professional medical doctor whom has been vindicated of all the baseless allegations made against him by competent courts of law.

From the look of things, this medium can only express the conviction that those who are after him are up to continue unleashing an hidden agenda for reasons that may be brought to light.

 

 

As it is Poised to Commission its Franchise… Management of Orange SL Expresses Appreciation to its Subscribers in Bo City

By Foday Moriba Conteh
Senior Management of Orange SL has on the 21st of September 2021visited Bo City, Southern Sierra Leone purposely to express profound appreciation to its numerous customers for their loyalty towards the growth of the business.
Additionally, the team is currently engaging local authorities on the activities of the company in the area of CSR, Foundation, network expansion projects as well as products and services.
The visit will be climaxed with the commissioning of Orange SL franchise in Zimi on the 23rd September, 2021 .

Via Caritas Freetown Support… 30 Women Farmers Share Le80M Profit

By Theresa Kef Sesay

30 women farmers, all of them residents  of Tissana Village, Russel along the Freetown Peninsular axis were full of excitement to share-out eighty million Leones among themselves in their Savings and Loans Association (VSLA) after a successful one-year business.

It has been three years now since the VSLA was formed in that community by Caritas Freetown -Justice and Peace Commission (CF-JPC) in partnership with TROCIARE and with funds from Irish Aid.

CF-JPC Livelihood Project Field Staff, JimiamahTuray, in her remarks, explained that Caritas Freetown – JPC supported the women with assorted vegetables seeds and VSLA toolbox three years ago and that day was their third share-out session wherein 30 women share profits from what they have sold from their agricultural products.

She furthered that the project lasted for two years but the women did not stop after the two years but decided to continue from what Caritas supported them with which made them to enjoy their third share-out session.

According to her the highest person received Le 3,600,000 and the lowest Le 890,000 depending on how they brought in their profits.

Madam Turay went on to reveal that the initial stage the project targeted 25 women but the number was increased to 30 because of the commitment the others shown.

She described the project as sustainable because the women still continue with the seeds, farming and share-out session.

The beneficiaries of the project have their private gardens where they plant different agricultural produce besides their group farming.

The women outlined their business successes to this medium within the three years of the project during their VSLA Share-Out Session which took place on the 14th September, 2021 at Tissana Village.

Isatu Sesay said she bought land with their two years’ profit. She described the project as beneficial to them and expressed hope to invest with what she received that day.

Ramatu Koroma, a vegetable farmer, is another beneficiary. She explained that she always sells her products in the market after harvest.

Ramatu is currently paying for land in that village and also paying her kids school fees. She asked for more support from Caritas and JPC as they are happy for the project.

Aminata Sesay aka Woman Power said she is paying her children school fees, doing business out of the village and determine to have her own house in that village. She is planting okra, cucumbers among other things.

She joined Ramatu to ask for more help to continue what she is doing.

Hawa  Turay contact person for Caritas – JPC and CARL expressed thanks for the project and said they have lot of experience from the project because their livelihood is agriculture.

She called for more women empowerment in Tissana and beyond.

The women were excited to share their experiences about the project; display some of their businesses and achievement and their future plans.

 

Ace Ghanaian Journalist Switches Over to Popular Radio Station in Senegal

By Amin Kef Sesay

TofikAbdul Nasir has finally opened a new chapter in his journalism career with the West Africa Democratic Radio (WADR) in Senegal. The Ghanaian journalist who has been practicing the profession for almost a decade says he is happy with his new move and promised to give his best at the continental stage. He was a few months honored as Best Male News Presenter in Ghana.

West Africa Democratic Radio (WADR) is a successful media outlet in Senegal that broadcast in English and French languages to its affiliates in all the ECOWAS Sub-Region.

Already management and leadership of WADR, have expressed joy at having the hardworking Tofik Nasir join them as they have been monitoring his works from Ghana. Tofik is best known for his human interest stories, comprehensive knowledge on various social subject matters and excellent presentation skills when hosting shows or anchoring the news. In view of this, his new role at WADR will be News Anchoring, Producing, Hosting and Reporting.

The Ghanaian Gem who touched ground at Senegal’s capital Dakar, on Tuesday September 7, 2021 has begun showing good prospects and establishing a healthy interpersonal relationship necessary for a productive environment with other dynamic, talented, skilled and result-oriented young journalists from other parts of the continent.

Tofik expressed profound gratitude to God for the opportunity in his journalism career to serve and practice on the continent. “To God be the Glory for how far he has brought me, and how far he will take me to the globe.”

Tofik in an advice to young and dedicated Ghanaian journalists encouraged young Journalists to aim for higher platforms and not settle in their comfort zone.   “…it is prudent to begin with what you have and where you are yet do not be complacent at your small comfort zone, always aim big and global,” he admonished.

Tofik Abdul Nasir made a switch from modeling and acting to journalism and have tried hands on other enterprises yet finds love, fulfillment and satisfaction in the media space, as he is able to connect with humanity and be the voice for the voiceless in society and hold authorities accountable for development. He worked with Top FM, Pan African TV, Diaspora Network Television, and TV Africa.

NDMA Assesses Extent of Damage Caused by Kroo Bay Fire Disaster

By Foday Moriba Conteh

The National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) on the 20th September 2021 discharged a joint assessment team that comprised its Directorate of Relief and Response, Risk Reduction and Preparedness, Monitoring and Evaluation and Research Directorates in collaboration with the Sierra Leone Red Cross Society, CARITAS, and VIO-NET to visit the scene and ascertain the actual cause of the fire outbreak and the negative impacts it has had on the victims.

This move came in the wake of  a reported fire incident that occurred in Kroo Bay Community on Sunday 19th September 2021 that left hundreds of people homeless and properties worth millions of Leones destroyed,

The collaboration with other partners is in line with NDMA’s core mandate to ensure a coordinated approach in responding to disaster occurrences as a body responsible to manage disaster-related matters in the country.

An initial report stemming from the assessment indicates that the actual cause of the fire was ‘electrical malfunctioning’, in one of the affected rooms which quickly spread to other apartments and completely destroyed a total of 34 makeshift structures.

The assessment further reveals a total of 137 affected households, a population of 488 people including 12 aged victims, 02 with disabilities, 23 lactating mothers and 7 with severe injuries.

Fortunately, there was no loss of life, and no public facility was destroyed. However, a bakery, which is categorized as “other facility” was entirely destroyed and according to the victims, the bakery created job opportunities for them and was so significant to the entire community.

The affected victims now reside with host families, family members and friends within the neighbourhood as was revealed by the assessment. Also, food items (rice, salt, and vegetable oil), non-food items (cooking utensils, buckets, jerry cans, blankets, praying mats, kettles) formed part of the immediate needs of the victims.

The joint assessment team encouraged the victims to be calm and assured them of NDMA’s commitment to timely response in helping out with some food and non-food items in order to cushion the devastating effects of the fire that has ravaged homes, money and personal properties.

Management of NDMA has summoned a coordination meeting scheduled for Tuesday 21st September 2021 to determine and coordinate a suitable date for response.

Since its inception, the NDMA has responded to a population of over 15,000 across the country. Next week, the Agency through its Directorate of Relief and Response, will be crisscrossing the entire country to respond to various forms of reported disaster occurrences.

The NDMA is assuring the public of its resolve to effectively work, to reducing the risk of vulnerable communities and efficiently manage and/or respond to disaster incidences in the country.

ILCUF & NaCCUA-SL Ends First Credit Union Stakeholders’ Workshop

By Amin Kef Sesay

At the Sierra Palms  Resort on Lumley Beach in Freetown on the 16th September 2021 the Irish League of Credit Union Foundation (ILCUF), in collaboration with the National Cooperative Credit Union Association–Sierra Leone (NaCCUA-SL), ended the first Credit Union Stakeholders’ Workshop in Sierra Leone during which the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Rev. Abraham Sesay-Jones quoted the Credit Union song as saying that indeed it is a small world but that other people want to make it otherwise.

Participants at the workshop were drawn from the Ministries of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Bank of Sierra Leone, Trade and Industry, Social Welfare, Office of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, the Sierra Leone Teachers Union, UNCDF, Department of Cooperatives, NaCCUA Leadership, Sierra Leone Police, NRA and other stakeholders to enhance their capacity in their roles to ensure that CUs have timely regulations that will guide their leaders and members to abide by the Act, rules and policies governing their operations.

The Deputy Minister asserted that Credit Unions (CUs) are akin to Sierra Leone, that they have immense benefits and that he benefitted a lot from CUs while in the USA, that Government is dedicated to seeing the growth of CUs by providing access to finance but observed that Sierra Leoneans lacks the savings culture.

He continued that the Government recently approved the National Cooperative Policy to ensure that they are regulated, that the sector also now has a clear road map, that new Cooperatives are being registered while others have been audited nationwide and that Credit Unions are doing well nationwide reiterating that the sector is lucrative.

The Deputy Minister also expressed appreciation to the Irish League of Credit Union Foundation (ILCUF) for complementing Government policies and revealed that the revised National Cooperative Policy is aligned to other national documents/development plans including the Medium-Term National Development Plan 2019-2023, the Cooperative Act 1977 and the Financial Inclusion Strategy 2017-2020 assuring that Government is committed to supporting CUs by creating the conducive environment, that Government is looking forward to the expertise of  George Ombado and is hopeful that Sierra Leoneans would take advantage of the opportunities offered by CUs that they would not regret.

He further affirmed that regulation is a key challenge to CUs and that he wants the Cooperative Department to be transformed into an agency

In his presentation, George Ombado, Managing Director of the African Confederation of Cooperatives Savings and Credit Association (ACCOSCA), the guest speaker, enlightened about the promotion of financial inclusion in Africa and discussed the role of Government towards the Credit Union Development and Credit Union legislation and regulation.

He disclosed that ACCOSCA was established in 1968 with headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, that there is a need for a lot of commitment from Government officials for the growth of CUs in Sierra Leone, that the biggest CU in Africa is the Kenya Teachers Credit Union with $400 million asset base underscoring that the CU model is all about inclusiveness.

He informed that all past and present Presidents of Kenya since independence are CU members, that a board member of a credit union/Savings and credit Cooperative Organization (SACCO) who loans from a commercial bank loses his position immediately, that there is a need for trust, that Sierra Leone Government officials must be CU members underscoring that CUs can create impact in the economic development of Sierra Leone, that all sectors in Kenya like the police, teachers, army, doctors, nurses and the judiciary have CUs intimating that 50% of Members of Parliament in Kenya are members of CUs and as such providing solutions to their communities.

He went on to reveal that the Cooperative Bank of Kenya is the third-largest in Kenya, appealed to all to use their time to serve the people of Sierra Leone adding that Sierra Leone has participated in ACCOSCA programs.

Other topics discussed by the Managing Director of ACCOSCA are the need for CUs in Sierra Leone to invest in technology, institutional collaboration, safety and soundness: quality of assets, capital requirements, liquidity levels, examination procedure, institutional strengthening: improved management and financial soundness, provision of affordable financial services to members and encouraging the election of competent leaders.

George Ombado also dilated on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to reduce poverty.

Ms. Esther Johnson from the Bank of Sierra Leone (BSL) said the bank is appreciative of the fact that it is considered a key partner in the sector, that the bank would provide the level playing field for CUs to operate effectively with the right legislation and guidelines as well as ensure financial inclusion like CUs in other countries that are regulated by Central Banks.

She suggested that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) be signed between the Department of Cooperatives as well as NaCCUA and BSL for effective collaboration for the development of rules for effective supervision and commended ILCUF for its support to Credit Unions revealing that the bank has benefited from various training, both local and international, supported by ILCUF.

Earlier in her welcome statement, Lilian Songo, Chairperson of NaCCUA-SL disclosed that CUs have continued to improve with over 10,000 members, over Le1.6 billion shares, over Le7 billion savings and outstanding loans of over Le8 billion which she attributed to the support of ILCUF.

Highlights of the workshop were singing of the CU song and a 5 minutes’ video of ACCOSCA activities and the question and answer session while the vote of thanks was rendered by Peter Banting who expressed optimism that the partnership with stakeholders would continue.

During George Ombado’s visit to Sierra Leone, together with NaCCUA Chairperson Ms Lilian Songo and ILCUF Ltd General Manager, Solomon Mwongyere, they held other meetings with the Governor, Bank of Sierra Leone, Professor Kaifala M. Kallon, Deputy Governor, Monetary Stability, Dr. Ibrahim L. Stevens, Deputy Governor, Financial Stability, Sheikh A. Y. Sesay, Deputy Director, Other Financial Institutions, Ms Esther Johnson and the Deputy Director, Quality Assurance and Enforcement Division, OFISD, Samuel Akin Sesay.

George Ombado also addressed leaders of various Credit Unions, NaCCUA Leaders and ILCUF Ltd staff in Freetown.  Credit Unions in Sierra Leone are supported by the Irish Aid and Credit Unions in Ireland.

 

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