Angel to Angel undertakes Capacity building training for Children

January 24, 2020

Cross Section of the capacity building training beneficiaries

By Foday Moriba Conteh

In order to enhance the development of children in Sierra Leone, especially girls, Angel to Angel a non-profitable US based entity established by a group of visionary women with the avowed aim of providing educational opportunities for girls particularly in Sierra Leone and Africa in general on Sunday 19^th January, 2020 undertook a one day capacity building training for children within the Freetown Municipality at Biz Bazaar in Freetown.

In his address to the beneficiaries, Angels to Angels National Coordinator, Saidu Sankoh, revealed that the one day capacity building training for girls was geared towards building the capacity of children. He lamented that there is a stereotypical belief in Sierra Leone that the girl child cannot fit into male dominated areas, but said with training such will help girls to believe in themselves.

He noted that during the training they also used the opportunity to educate both old and new beneficiaries with the avowed aim of educating them about the various packages Angels to Angels Sierra Leone have in store for them and to make sure that the new beneficiaries emulate the positive attitudes and hard work of old beneficiaries.

He noted that the organization is striving to help break the cycle of poverty through education which provides opportunities for a better future for girls further underscoring how they seek to empower girls by providing them with educational scholarships which they have been doing for the past years, adding that in this 2019/2020 academic year they will continue to extend more supports to girls across the country, through the support from the United States of America Board members.

He ended by admonishing parents to be aware of their roles and responsibilities towards the development of their children highlighting how they have pivotal roles to play towards the development of their children. In that regard he encouraged them to monitor their children.

Mariatu Conteh, a parent of one the beneficiaries expressed her deepest appreciation to the organization for awarding their children the scholarships, adding that such a gesture is really helping them and their children.

She assured the organization of their commitment as parents to ensure that they monitor their children and promised that they will make good use of the available opportunity.

She called on other humanitarian organizations to support Angels to Angels Sierra Leone as many other girls in Sierra Leone are really challenged in terms of accessing education but said with support they will continue to benefit from programmes or projects that the organization will be implementing.

Statistics Sierra Leone Unveils 2019 Consumer Price Index

January 24, 2020

By Amin Kef Sesay

The institution that is charged with the responsibility of compiling statistical data in the country, Statistics Sierra Leone has released the 2019 Consumer Price Index.

According to the Report, Headline National Inflation Rate Annual national consumer price inflation (year-on-year) went up by 0.80 percentage point from 13.09 percent in November 2019 to 13.89 percent in December 2019. The monthly national consumer price inflation for December 2019 is 0.41 percent; up by 0.21 percentage point from 0.20 percent in November, 2019.

The national monthly CPI (2008=100) increased from 280.04 in November 2019 to 281.20 in December 2019 resulting to 0.41 percent inflation this month.

This is due to increase in the monthly inflation rate in three regions in December compared with November: Eastern region increased from -2.84 to -0.33 percent in December 2019 comprising Kenema –0.87 and Kono 0.17 percent; Northern region from -2.59 percent in November to -1.25 percent in December 2019 and in the Southern region from 0.17 percent in November to 0.58 percent in December 2019.

Western Area declined from 2.87 percent in November to 1.50 percent in December 2019. The national year-on-year inflation for December 2019 is 13.89 percent, which indicates an upward trend compared to 13.09 percent in November 2019.

Three regions show upward movements: the Western Area from 15.66 percent in November 2019 to 18.76 percent in December 2019; Eastern region from 17.14 percent in November 2019 to 17.19 percent in December 2019; Southern region from 10.62 percent in November 2019 to 11.84 percent in December 2019; while Northern region decreased from 8.21 percent in November 2019 to 5.43 percent in December 2019.

Hands Off Our Girls Campaign to be Taken to another level by Youth Groups

January 24, 2020

By Fatmata Jengbe

On 22 January 2020 the Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs, Lusine Kallon engaged a cross-section of Western Area Youth Councils and Heads of Youth Groups to discuss the way forward after the successful support accorded to the national launch of HE Fatima Bio’s flagship Hands off Our Girls campaign at the Siaka Steven Stadium in December 2019.

According to Mr. Kallon, he is highly grateful to all youth groups for coming out in their thousands to support the initiative. He added that the Ministry of Youth Affairs is proud to have youth groups across the country supporting national initiatives and that the Ministry cannot make any significant headway without the involvement of the youth.

Speaking in his capacity as Chairman of the first dialogue between the Ministry and the various youth groups, Mr. Kallon cited the importance of dialogue which he said bridges the gap between the youth and the Government and enables the Government to draw up plans and come out with policies that can positively affect youth progress. He said the Ministry is determined to ensure that daily dialogue is maintained between the Ministry and the youth groups.

Updates on the previous meeting between the Ministry of Youth Affairs and youth groups was done by Ambassador Foyoh while an update on the Signing up of the Commitment Banner was presented by Sia Comfort Nyukeh, Gender Officer, Ministry of Youth Affairs.

Tejan Z. Kellah, District Youth Council Chairman Western Urban District admonished his colleagues to stay focused and work in tandem with the Ministry of Youth because according to him, the success of the Ministry is ultimately the success of youth in the country. He buttressed the words of the Deputy Minister saying that when they work together the achievements would be great. He also thanked the youth groups that participated in last December’s national launch of the Hands off Our Girls campaign, adding that there is much more youth in this country can do when they are determined to work together for the overall benefit of Sierra Leone.

Ms. Nyukeh said among other things that the Ministry of Youths is planning on implementing a project which has to do with Sexual Reproductive Health and Gender-Based Violence, adding that it seeks to complement the efforts of the First Lady and that the meeting is in continuation of what was started last year; basically seeking to ensure that the girl child enjoys more space to ensure she is able to realize her full potentials and to not be subject to any form of harassment inimical to her growth as a person. She maintained that the move is to complement the efforts of the First Lady in initiating the Hands off Our Girls campaign. She added that the girl child falls within the age bracket of 15-35 and that girls, between15-19 are mostly the ones that are sexually penetrated. She said it is the responsibility and mandate of the Youth Affairs Ministry to ensure that a safer space is created for these girls to actualize their dreams.

Youth leaders from various groups gave their inputs; making suggestions and recommendations on what they believe should be included in their action plan leading to the presentation of an award to the First Lady and presentation of a Commitment Banner with signatures of numerous heads of institutions agreeing to support the Hands off Our Girls Campaign.

Suggestions and recommendations that were floated by the various youth leaders included employment of Social Workers at all schools across the country; establishing a Free Toll line to report sexual abuse and related matters; having school-going girls getting haircuts to identify them easily; opening Virginity Clubs with special inducements such as full scholarship for girls who maintain their virginity until a certain age; getting the police, youth groups, professional groups and other parties to present position papers on the day the award and presentation of the Signed Commitment Banner is made, among several other suggestions and recommendations.

The climax of the meeting was a question and answer session which was professionally handled by the Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs, Lusine Kallon who answered most of the questions and provided expert advice on the way forward.

Fix Solution is Poised to undertake Biometric Registration of Inmates in the Provinces

January 24, 2020

By Cycil Cole-Showers

An institution known as Fix Solution is now set to implement inmates’ biometric registration in Waterloo, Port Loko, Kenema (male & female), Makeni (make & female), Sefadu, Bo (male & female), and Makeni (male & female) Correctional Centres respectively, according to Rita Wright- Director of Admin and Operations Fix Solution.

She made this disclosure in a meeting with the Director General of the Sierra Leone Correctional Service, New England Ville, Freetown.

The data system management for inmates which is named: National Inmates Identity Management Systems (NIIMS) was launched on the 15th January, 2019, and since then, it has been successfully tested in the Pademba road, Female, and Male Re- Integration Centres in Freetown.

The system was developed and deployed by Fix Solution (SL) Ltd in partnership with the Sierra Leone Correctional Service (SLCS) and the Justice Sector Coordination Office (JSCO), with funds from the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA).

“All the tools such as computers, internet dongles, finger print scanners, and camera have been made available already for ease of work. However, we still have to install the NIIMS software in all the computers for the Centres up- country,” Rita informed.

She said they are working on setting up a situation room in Freetown for the monitoring of work being done where NIIMS is available, adding that competent people will be identified to manage data processing, records and assurance. The Director of Admin & Ops also mentioned the need for there to be Regional Supervisors and two support staff who are well- versed in I.T to train and monitor NIIMS officers.

“Fix Solution will continue to do the cloud hosting of the data being generated from different Centres, and we will also develop the mobile app for the system as well.”

Joe Pemagbi, who is the Country Officer for OSIWA, pointed out the fact that his institution is not in the “habit” of taking credit for an initiative that did not spring from them, admitting that the idea of inmates’ biometric registration came as an autosuggestion from the SLCS. He said all they came with were funds and provision of the requisite expertise to carry the process forward.

“This initiative has now been taken to the Judiciary and the Police as well, so as to merge the work of the Justice- chain in Sierra Leone”.

Touching on the issue of funding, he said OSIWA “is still trying” to gather more funds to facilitate the training for the would- be- supervisors of the NIIMS.

Extending thanks to OSIWA and Fix Solution, the Director General of the Sierra Leone Correctional Service- Mr. Joseph Lamboi said he was looking forward to “further extension” of the project. He said it was a project that has earned the SLCS a lot of “accolades” from the government and the public.

Sierra Leone Telecommunications Report is Now Out

January 24, 2020

By Fatmata Jengbe

In a latest report dubbed The Sierra Leone Telecommunications Report – 8th series there is a complete view of the Sierra Leone telecom ecosystem along with trends and growth factors shaping the future of the market.

The future value proposition for telecommunications market in Sierra Leone to 2025 is detailed in the report. It also provides imperatives for gaining market share in the highly competitive telecom industry. It provides unmatched depth and breadth into drivers, challenges, tariffs, competition, subscriber behaviour, infrastructure, regulatory support and others.

The report also presents detailed insights into Sierra Leone’s mobile communication, fixed telephone and fixed broadband markets. Subscriber count and penetration rates are forecast for each of the sub-sectors including cellular, fixed landline and broadband segments from 2005 to 2018 and 2019 to 2025.

With Long Term Evolution (LTE) rapid expansion and slowdown in 2G and 3G services, the Sierra Leone telecom market is evolving rapidly. Embracing mobile connectivity, IoT, cloud services and smartphones has become vital for telecom companies. Operators across the value chain are forced to adapt to these emerging market changes to sustain revenue and profit.

Sierra Leone telecommunication market size, revenues, investment and infrastructure data is also included in the research work. In addition, business environment in the country is compared with five peer markets in the region to analyse Sierra Leone market prominence on regional front.

Telecom operators in Sierra Leone are witnessing wide range of challenges including rapidly changing customer patterns, financial and technological challenges. Identifying the emerging trends and converting them into actionable strategies is vital for sustaining profitability. This report analyses leading telecom companies in Sierra Leone across the value chain, SWOT analysis, tariffs and financial profile.

In addition, the report offers detailed forecasts into the country’s demographic factors such as population by age group, gender and region. Macroeconomic factors that form the base drivers for telecom growth and branding & pricing strategies including GDP and disposable income are included.

The research work also includes detailed SWOT analysis of Sierra Leone telecommunications market to enable users to identify key trends and hidden opportunities. It identifies emerging and new market trends across segments in the industry.

The study also includes recent telecommunication market developments, mergers, acquisitions and new launches, spectrum availability, tenders and other developments.

Key Findings of Sierra Leone Telecommunications market and introduction 2018 include prominent Sierra Leone market trends on sales, tariffs, packages, infrastructure, technologies, regulations and companies.

The report enables clients to boost revenues from new and existing customer base, identify key trends and hidden opportunities, gain clear understanding of the country’s telecommunications value chain.

It also design sustainable and competitive strategies in times of rapid development, promote understanding the paradigm shift in consumer preferences, compare growth in Sierra Leone telecommunications business with its peer markets and insights into the role of legal and regulatory bodies in Sierra Leone.

MP Alex Mattia Rogers Outshines In China

January 24, 2020

Hon. Alex Mattia Rogers displaying his certificate

By Theresa Kef Sesay

Member of Parliament for Constituency 102 in the Pujehun District, Hon. Alex Mattia Rogers, lifted Sierra Leone to another level in China when he participated in the Chinese Ministry of Commerce and Tourism seminar.

The People’s Republic of China Ministry of Commerce and Tourism in collaboration with Sierra Leone Ministry of Tourism and other line ministries across the world conducted the seminar which lasted for a month.

The training targeted 6 continents and 22 countries and focused on tourism, cultural cooperation and trade.

Hon. Alex Mattia Rogers explained that his participation on the seminar came through the invitation that was extended to the Parliamentary Oversight Committee on Tourism.

He said two Members of Parliament from Sierra Leone including the Principal Clerk and representative from the Ministry of Tourism went for the training last month.

Among the 22 countries, Hon. Alex Mattia Rogers was elected leader during the training and during the gradation he was appointed to give the graduation speech.

He described the training as one that means a lot pointing out that the bilateral relationship between the two countries is remarkable.

He said China Tourism sector is well improved which he said Sierra Leone is yearning to have such.

Hon. Alex Mattia Rogers went on to commend the Tourism and Cultural Minister of Sierra Leone as a loyalist to national development. He said President Bio made no mistake in appointing her in that Ministry as with such woman that Ministry will be transformed.

He disclosed that they were going to submit a report to Parliament and the Tourism Ministry for them to implement what they have learned.

“I don’t have any doubt in this Government that they are ready to promote tourism as we have natural beaches that can attract tourists among other things.”

He said the tourism sector is high on the President Bio’s agenda and with such he believes that Sierra Leone will develop and tourism will raise revenue for the Government.

The magnificent showdown of Hon. Alex Mattia Rogers has caused him to uncontestably become a member of that particular institution

IOM Provides Solar Lanterns to Flood Victims in Resettlement Camp

January 24, 2020

By Alfred Fornah

In order to respond to one of the social needs of 106 households at the resettlement camp (‘Mile Six’), located 50 kilometres outside Freetown the International Organization for Migration (IOM) last week distributed solar lanterns to those residing there.

The resettlement camp was established by the Government of Sierra Leone following flash floods between 2015 and 2017, and a tragic mudslide which killed hundreds and left thousands homeless.

“The camp is currently facing many challenges and key among them is the absence of electricity,” said Jeneba B. Kargbo, Chair of the displaced families at Mile Six Community. “The solar lanterns will provide precious light in our homes and the camp facilities. They will improve our children’s academic performance by providing them extra hours of light to study and can also help keep snakes out of our homes,” she added.

“The solar lamps will improve and enhance the quality of life of people in the community,” said Akao Kunikazu, Project Manager at IOM Sierra Leone. “Most importantly, the lamps are rechargeable and provide hours of light in the evening, so families can feel safe at the camp after dark,” he added.

The donation of the solar lanterns was made possible through IOM’s partnership with the Japanese multinational electronics corporation, Panasonic. Through this partnership, over 1,000 people in households and health centres received solar lanterns across Sierra Leone.

Last year, the company participated in a side event organized by IOM during the seventh Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD). At this event, Panasonic Corporate Social Responsibility Director General reaffirmed the company’s commitment to continue its partnership with IOM.

School Pupils of Makorbeh Village Primary School Benefit from Donation by Chinese Philanthropist

January 24, 2020

Francis Guo, celebrating his goodwill gesture with school pupils

By Abu Bakarr Kargbo

A Chinese national working in Sierra Leone, Francis Guo, who has been regarded as a kind person, recently extended a humanitarian support to school pupils of the Makorbeh Village Primary School in the Port Loko District. School pupils in classes 1 and 5 received school bags containing school materials and school fees, which serves as a major boost to their academic work. Francis Guo’s gift sparked great jubilation in the school as pupils, school authorities and parents celebrated the laudable venture, which they said came at the right time when things are extremely difficult in the poor community.

Nice sentiments were expressed by school authorities and parents for what they described as a friendly gesture. They thanked Guo for the support and asked that other Chinese nationals in the country to emulate his good example.

His donation serves as a major step to the education sector, which the Government had placed a premium on because of its importance to the development of the country. He believes that investing in education is the right step to boost development in the country.

The goodwill came at a time when the People’s Republic of China is celebrating the Chinese New Year, or Spring Festival. The 2020 Chinese New Year falls on January 25, Saturday, and it’s the year of Rat.

In spite of the physical distance, different cultural and historical backgrounds between China and Sierra Leone, both Chinese nationals and Sierra Leoneans enjoy the shared development concepts and goals.

The Chinese believe in giving out red envelopes as gifts to bring luck during important occasions during the Spring Festival. During the Chinese New Year, money is put inside red envelopes which are then handed out to younger generations by parents, grandparents, relatives, and even close neighbors and friends. Although he did not hand over the traditional red envelop, Francis Guo’s donation was seen as a move in the right direction.

Tourism Minister & Delegation ‘Sells’ Sierra Leone in Madrid

January 24, 2020

Dr. Memunatu Pratt, Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs & Delegations

By Foday Mooriba Conteh

Of late much attention has been placed in developing the Tourism sector which it has been agreed is a prime mover of the country’s economy. Indeed efforts have been made and others are still in progress to revamp a once vibrant but a now moribund sector and it is hoped that all will lead to fruitful dividends.

In less than a month’s time after the country’s Tourism sector returned from the Matka Nordic Travel Fair, Helsinki, Finland, the relentless Hon Minister has led another tourism delegation to make the second impressive appearance in FITUR: International Tourism Trade Fair in Madrid.

The country’s tourism team will in the next five days market and promote Sierra Leone’s tourism potentials which objective has been positioned by erecting the third largest stand and space in the African section of the events.

The exhibition will occasion several meetings and business deals and the delegation will discuss core tips to be followed as principles and international best practices recommended by Philip Kotler, the guru in marketing.

The event is a Rift Valley Expedition which is placed as a leading Tour Operator in Spain. It enlisted Sierra Leone as one of the new lead travel destinations in Africa just last year.

The National Tourist Board in its mandate as the marketing and promotional arm of the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs see the need to make this impressive appearance in Fitur Spain Markets as an indication of a proactive marketing and rebranding drive. It offers an opportunity to improving and creating more positive reviews in the generating regions.

This year’s Fitur attracted diverse trade and businesses worldwide. It will feature exhibition of goods and services of tourism and hospitality credence.

Sierra Leone is therefore poised to reach, connect, network and position and to strategically place itself as a new player on the list of new destinations to visit, endorsed by Rift Expeditions.

During the five days ahead, the team will strategically assess and interpret Key Performance Indicators (KPI) based on the previous and current events attended.

Sierra Leone’s attendance this year is to also continue the rebranding path as this is the second coming of the team. “The team will diagnose the impact created from our first entry and also measure the Spanish Markets; how best the orientation of the destination is improving, and as well note the readiness of the hubs,” says Dr. Memunatu Pratt, Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs.

She says the visit will also enable the team calculate the essence of the country’s participation last year. “Our Green, White and Blue flag has been lifted up among other countries of the world.” “This year’s stand happens to be the third largest stand and space in the African section, and the colours speak volume of elegance and zest that send message of vibrant cultures and hospitality, as the general promotional materials speaks volumes of readiness and pro-activeness at all times.”

It could be recalled that the Tourism marketing team, recently concluded participation in the Matka trade fair in Finland Helsinki, where Sierra Leone created immense impact in the marketing and rebrand processes of the destination to Finnish markets and Nordic States in general.

2019 Global Corruption Ranks Sierra Leone 10 Places Up

January 24, 2020

By Brima Sannoh

In a latest release, Sierra Leone is said to have progressed ten (10) places upwards in the Transparency International’s Global Corruption Ranking, moving from 129 in 2018, to 119 out of 180 countries surveyed in the 2019 Transparency International Corruption Perception Index (TI-CPI). The country also increased its score from a stagnant thirty (30) points in 2016, 2017, and 2018, to thirty-three (33) in 2019, making a three (3) points gain, scoring above the sub-Saharan average of 32.

The CPI, released on Thursday 23rd January 2020, reveals that for the first time, in more than five years, Sierra Leone is ranked under 120, and the thirty three (33) points scored is the highest the country has ever achieved since its inclusion in the TI index. Sierra Leone now leads sixty one (61) countries in the global campaign against corruption, and more than 28 African countries, including Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria, Togo, Kenya, among others.

This year’s report reveals that “Sub-Saharan Africa’s performance paints a bleak picture of inaction against corruption,” revealing that “a staggering number of countries are showing little to no improvement in tackling corruption.” The report also suggests that “more than two-thirds of countries – along with many of the world’s most advanced economies – are stagnating or showing signs of backsliding in their anti-corruption efforts.

The CPI is an annual survey indicator used by TI, the global civil society organization leading the fight against corruption, to assess perceived levels of public sector corruption across the world.

Within the past two years, Sierra Leone has increased its score in the ‘Control of Corruption’ Indicator in the Millennium Challenge Corporation Scorecard, moving from forty-nine percent (49%) in 2017, to seventy-nine (79%) percent in 2019, making thirty percent (30%) upwards. By that report, Sierra Leone is among the top ten performers in our income category.

Similarly, Sierra Leone has also scored high in other global and regional anti-corruption rankings. In the Global Corruption Barometer of 2018*, the country is ranked 3rd out of thirty five (35) African Countries surveyed on “Government’s Effectiveness in the Fight against Corruption.” In the Afro-Barometer 2018, fifty four (54%) of Sierra

Leoneans agreed that the government is performing “very well” in the fight

1...867868869...1,065 Page 868 of 1,065