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CSOs Call for Speedy Investigation & Affirmative Action on Extra-Judicial Killings

By Amin Kef Sesay

In a new report titled, “Story on Youth Disenfranchisement and Protest in Sierra Leone: Response and Recommendation” also referred to as the Bombali Human Rights Committee Report-2020, the root causes of youth disenchantment, frustration , recourse to violence to vent out grievances with recommendations how to remedy their plight were treated deeply.

During a report aired by the BBC correspondent in Sierra Leone, Umaru Fofana, on the 4th August 2021 he spoke on issues bordering on concerns raised by certain Civil Society Organizations over fracas that emanated in different parts of the country involving angry youths and the Police in which lives and properties were destroyed.

Umaru Fofana cited the Tombo, Makeni, Pa Demba Road Maximum Prison incidents stating that dozens of people were killed in the hands of  security forces but since then authorities have not looked into the incidents and take the necessary actions against the perpetrators.

He made references to the Tombo incident when as a result of the enforcement of the COVID-19 restrictions residents of that community resisted leading to a confrontation with the Police and lives were lost.

Umaru Fofana also mentioned the attempted jail break at Pa Demba, Maximum Prison where again security forces were said to have gunned down prisoners.

He again cited  how during the process of removing a standby generator in Makeni by officials of the Ministry of Energy and the Electricity, Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA) a fracas ensued between irate youths and the Police which led to the destruction of properties and lives.

According to Umaru Fofana, since the ugly incident took place it has been quite a considerable period of time now that no affirmative action has been taken by the authorities who have the mandate to do so.

He said a group of Civil Society Organizations has apportioned blame on the authorities challenging them to act as the new report disclosed.

According to his report, in July 2020 gunshots echoed in Makeni which was a combination of string of violence that characterized mainly the opposition strongholds in Northern and Western Sierra Leone.

Umaru informed that in the fishing village of Tombo young men were protesting against the COVID-19 measures that hinged on their survival leaving the local Police Post torched and two people were shot dead allegedly by the Police.

In a recorded insert played by Umaru Fofana, one of the victims of the Makeni incident, Hassan Kargbo, a twenty-two-year-old, said he was shot by a member of the security force on that fateful day.

He said, Hassan Kargbo, told him that since he was shot on his spine he cannot stand on his own and he spent three months at the Emergency Hospital in Freetown and when he was discharged pain has been the constant feature of his life in anything he is doing and was told that surgery cannot be done on him locally but needs to be taken abroad for better treatment.

Hassan, according to the BBC Correspondent, said all what they are crying for Makeni is justice.

Umaru Fofana continued in his report that while some of the protesters are standing trail and have been denied bail since the incident  it is a year now and nobody has been brought to book for the killings.

Valnora Edwin, a female rights-based activist who led the research that culminated in the publication of the Report when asked by Umaru Fofana to comment on the said issues said the youth had issues in terms of feeling not being part of the decision making, not being considered as worthwhile and they have low-level of trust for the State and Community structures and so they decided to take those issues in their own hands and the best way they thought of doing so was to mount up  protests that escalated to killings and burning down of buildings to which the Police responded but underscored that the protest could not have been proportionate to the treatment they actually faced in the hands of the Police.

She said ,however, from the interviews conducted they realized that at some point the Police in Makeni were stoned and at some other points the youths did not have any weapons but mounted blockades further arguing that the use of live bullets was not a proportionate response.

According to Umaru Fofana the Report recommends, amongst other things, that an independent investigation be mounted by the State that the killers should be held accountable, compensations be paid to victims’ families and the injured.

The BBC correspondent interviewing the country’s Inspector General of Police, Ambrose Sovula, on Whatsapp who was in Lebanon, the latter denied his troops’ actions. He said the Police responded professionally stating that they are equally human maintaining that in most cases gunshots are fired at the Police during protests and they cannot sit down and watch people cause damages to critical infrastructure rendering the State cripple and dysfunctional.

Umaru Fofanah ended his report by stating that the history of Sierra Leone is replete of security forces killing protesters without any affirmative action taken in return.

With Bill Winters as Group CEO…   Standard Chartered Plc Fighting to Abandon the Sierra Leone Franchise

By Amin Kef Sesay

The matter brought against the Standard Chartered Bank –Sierra Leone by two former senior staff for illegal, unlawful and discriminatory dismissal came up in the High Court of Sierra Leone on the 4th August 2021 presided over by Justice Sengu Koroma.

Taking the cue from the previous court session, the lawyers for Standard Chartered Bank, Lambert and Partners, continue to push for the removal of the parent Standard Chartered Plc (The Group), with Bill Winters as the Chief Executive Officer, from the case against the Bank by two senior staff for illegal, unlawful and discriminatory dismissal.

However, according to our source, the Group that took the decision to dismiss the senior staff has now reviewed the entire incident and fighting hard to be removed from the matter.

What is for now is somehow baffling is that a decision, which was solely made within the vertical Management structure of Standard Chartered Plc (The Group), is what they are now dissociating themselves from, that is the local franchise Management in Sierra Leone which apparently exposes the newly appointed Chief Executive Officer of the local franchise to be dragged to court to answer to a matter she had never been a party to.

The lawyers for the Bank (defendants) also noted that, the letter of dismissal was signed by the Head of Human Resources Standard Chartered Bank SL, Mariama Kamara, substantiating the position that Standard Chartered Bank Sierra Leone Ltd took the decision.

However, the lawyers for the plaintiff clearly stated that Mariama Kamara was merely a conduit used by Standard Chartered Plc to deliver the dismissal letters and in this case, she was not treated fairly nor with respect.

The salient point that is incontestable is that as the Head of Human Resources of the franchise she should at least be involved in a matter impacting two senior staff, who before their dismissal were acting as Chief Executive Officers at different periods, especially where there is no conflict of interest.

It is uncommon to see a multi-national company with great reputation fight to separate the operations of the parent body from its subsidiaries leaving the local Management to fight a matter for which they had limited influence.

Standard Chartered Plc is a Global Company that prides itself to its shareholders and regulators with the mantra to be ‘Here for Good’ and ‘Here for People’. Lamentably, it is now looking to abandon the Local Management for a decision allegedly considered to be grossly unfair and unreasonably excessive leading to the dismissal of senior staff that was taken at the Group level.

In the High Court on 4th August 2021, the lawyers for the plaintiff also presented that even though persons who are subject matter experts within Standard Chartered Plc investigated the matter and concluded that the concerns raised by Standard Chartered New York in the reference transaction were based on false alerts, the Group proceeded to have the pre-meditated disciplinary meeting and dismissed the staff without giving them the opportunity to be heard through appeal which is part of the Group’s process.

In a brief review of the case, the lawyers for the plaintiff, highlighted that in a single transaction, Standard Chartered Bank, New York, UK, UAE, Germany, Nigeria, Ghana, Global Business Services, etc. have persons who were directly involved in the process. Therefore, there is a very likelihood a significant number of persons within the vertical management structure of Standard Chartered Plc (The Group) will be called by the court to answer to their roles in the transaction and failure to attend might be considered as “Contempt of Court” on the part of the Standard Chartered Plc the 2nd Defendant (The full details of staff will be published in our next edition).

At this stage of the proceedings what is clear is that, the Management of Standard Chartered Bank Sierra Leone and other franchises in different geographies, should now wake up to the reality that, they will be held accountable even though they serve as conduit for decisions made by the Group, and in the court of law the Group will push for their removal from such responsibilities.

The matter will continue in court next week as the lawyers of the plaintiff, Yada Williams and Associates continue to put their case for Standard Chartered Plc (The Group) to remain as a material party in the matter.

Smearing Campaign Against Hon. Musa Tarawally Hits the Brick Wall

By Amin Kef Sesay

This writer could vividly recall the significant statement made by a seasoned  Social Commentator, in the wake of the repeal of Part V of the 1965 Public Order Act that used to criminalize Libel, that the repeal should not be seen, particularly so on the part of media practitioners, as a license to blackmail  well-meaning and innocent members in society.

As if the Social Commentator foresaw the worse in terms of the proliferation in the publication of baseless and unfounded stories against targeted individuals, of late certain sections of the media in the country have become so enmeshed in assassinating the characters of individuals and damaging the good image of certain institutions out of hidden agendas. Very unfortunate!

This news medium, with its Motto: “Building a Better Sierra Leone”, stands for anything that is in favour of developing Mama Salone for the benefit of the vast majority and not the selfish minority.

It is against such a backdrop that this medium became interested in stories making the headlines that Alhaji Musa Tarawally, while he was Minister of Lands in the erstwhile APC Government, was involved in various dubious land deals from which the State benefitted insignificantly were as he and others lined up their pockets with colossal sums of money.

The author of the stories alleged that, “a 13-acre State land- which housed Solar Hotel at Aberdeen, was allegedly sold in 2013 to Hisham Mackie for a mere $ 10,000 according to Ministry’s records”.

He also mentioned lands at Aberdeen Bridge at Makainteh in Waterloo, at Clay Factory, Kissy Dock Yard.

Indeed the allegations are alarming! This prompted this medium to go into action in order to conduct an independent investigation to know the veracity of those allegations.

What were unearthed from our investigation are indeed quite contrary from the aforementioned allegations. In the first place, all those land transactions were legally and genuinely done with the right procedures followed.

As a matter of fact the quotations given as monies paid for such lands are indeed fictitious and misconstrued as against the facts that one of the said lands was initially leased to a group of foreign and local shareholders of Solar Hotel Company by previous Governments, before the APC Government came to power, for 99 years, renewable for another 99 years at a seven thousand Leones (Le: 7,000)yearly rent basis which  in any way cannot generate Four Million Leones  (Le 4,000,000) revenue for the period of 99 years.

From what was learnt the shareholders decided to sell to a Sierra Leonean and the Ministry of Lands, Country Planning and the Environment under the tenue of Hon. Musa Tarawally negotiated over One hundred thousand US dollars ($100,000), equivalent to Five Hundred Million Leones (Le500,000,000) for Government which is far more than what the Government would have benefited from the 99 years lease plus another 99 years renewal.

Ex-President Koroma after dismissing Hon. Musa Tarawally for political reasons, set up  a Committee to investigate all  transactions during his tenure  which was concluded with no wrong doing found against him and the then Director of Surveys and Land.

Based on the findings of this medium erstwhile Minister of Lands, Dr Denis Sandy also investigated the aforementioned transaction and cleared it as a legitimate and good transaction that benefited the Government of Sierra Leone significantly.

This medium, while conducting its investigation, discovered that there is a constitutional provision that the Minister may make grants, lease and sell State Lands in such manner and subject to such conditions as may be required and as he may deem proper.

However, there are internal systems within the Ministry of Lands whereby all leases, grants and sales of State land are processed technically by the Director of Lands and Surveys, send them to the AG’s office for legal advice and preparation of conveyance before such sales are signed which means that Ministers perform such sales on technical and legal advice and all monies paid for land leases are paid directly to the National Revenue Authority (NRA) officials stationed in the Ministry.

Therefore, in no way can the Minister of Lands circumvent that system for any personal aggrandizement otherwise he or she risks falling into the net of the Anti-Corruption Commission.

From what again was understood, because of his no nonsense posture while serving as Lands Minister, from 2013 to 2015, failing to yield to unsavoury advances by some powerful individuals in the APC Party and Government who saw him as a threat and wanted to acquire pieces of land through the back door, Musa Tarawally was framed up and accused of shady land deals in December 2015.

This forced former President Ernest Bai Koroma to relieve him of his position with immediate effect and a Committee was set up to look into all land transactions during his tenure. However, what came out from the Committee’s finding was a no case submission totally exonerating him of all allegations.

Again, when the Report of the Justice Biobele Commission of Inquiry (COI) and those accepted by the Government as contained in the White Paper came out it was recommended that Musa Tarawally  refund the sum of Le235, 000,000 (Two Hundred and Thirty-Five Million Leones), alongside Barba Fortune who wasn’t  the  Permanent Secretary during his tenure as Lands Minister. The recommended refund of the said amount was borne out of the same allegations of involvement in shady land deals.

However, he appealed the recommendation and out of the independence of the Judiciary and lack of evidence, Hon. Musa Tarawally won his appeal case and the Court of appeal exonerated him with a ruling for Government to repay all monies spent by him. Meaning, there were no evidences that could prove beyond all reasonable doubts that Musa Tarawally is or was guilty of the aforementioned allegations.

But what is somehow incomprehensible is the fact that all these issues now raised in the Press against Musa Tarawally were long investigated and clarified.

Even a kindergarten kid could simply tell you that the aim of the publications does not lie in exposing corruption but rather a well calculated ploy to smear the good image of an individual who commands high respect in and out of the country.

Does this way of practicing journalism is in tandem with the seasoned Social Commentator apprehension that repealing the criminal libellous Act could be a license to blackmail? It somehow seems so but it should be kept in mind that the Law is there and it is supreme for which there is provision to seek redress.

SPIRITANS Sierra Leone & Liberia Support Mud-Slide Victims with Assorted Food Items

By Foday Moriba Conteh

As part of their efforts in supporting the August 14 2017 mudslide flood victims in the country, the SPIRITANS Sierra Leone & Liberia of the Catholic Mission with funds from the World Mercy Fund/ Barmherzigkeit Dublin 14, Ireland has on Thursday 5th August, 2021 donated assorted food items, which includes bags of rice, onions, Maggi worth millions of Leones with cash to 100 households of the mudslide victims on the project titled: “Livelihood Support To Motomeh Mudslide Victims”. The ceremony took place at St. Martin De Porres Hall on  Black Hall Road in Freetown.

It could be recalled that in the early hours of 14th August 2017, torrential rains caused parts of Mount Sugar Loaf, a range of hills surrounding Freetown, to slide into the Regent Village vicinity which led to heavy loss of lives and properties.

The flood caused widespread destruction of at least 1,245 properties with over 300 houses being destroyed. According to ONS information, the mudslide rendered 11,816 people displaced of which over 7,000 were sheltered in temporary camps in Freetown.

Speaking to this medium, Development Coordinator for Spiritans, Rev. Father Augustine Berewa, commended the World Mercy Fund/ Barmherzigkeit Dublin 14, Ireland for funding the project.

He said that the Spiritans also known as Holy Ghost fathers were catholic mission missionaries who doesn’t only believed in praying but rather also believed in relating the love of God to one another.

He stated that after the 14 August 2017 torrential rains which caused parts of Mount Sugar Loaf to slide into the Regent Village vicinity the floods caused widespread destruction of properties and the loss of lives, adding that they thought it fit that they should not only be praying for  the victims but rather to also find a way to support these victims of which they reached out to individuals and institutions in order to support the Spiritans so they can  support the Mudslide victims.

Rev. Father Augustine Berewa revealed that World Mercy Fund responded to them by providing the funds for the implementation of the said project in the country as a way of supporting the victims, stating that this is not the first time they have been supporting disaster victims as they have been supporting them over the years.

He disclosed that this donation supported 100 households who are victims of the Mud Slide as part of the organization’s support in mitigating the negative impact of the Mud Slide on the victims.

Yusuf Conteh, one of the beneficiaries, applauded the Spiritans of the Catholic Mission and the World Mercy Fund for considering them at this crucial moment in their lives, adding that the said Mud Slide destroyed all what they had  leaving them with nothing but said with the supports they are receiving will definitely held them greatly.

He assured the organization that they will make good use of the donated items in order to support themselves and their families in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.

Pleasant Foundation Launches ‘Each One Educate One’ Campaign 2021

By Foday Moriba Conteh

As part of their support to less privileged children in the country, the Pleasant Foundation-Sierra Leone has on the 3rd August, 2021 launched its ‘Each One Educate One’ Campaign which is geared towards creating an opportunity for everyone to make an impact in the lives of less privileged children by volunteering to cater for a child. This year the Foundation is poised to reach out to 1000 with school items worth millions of Leones using the ‘Each One Educate One’ Campaign.

Speaking to this medium, the Chief Executive Officer/ Founder of Pleasant Foundation-Sierra Leone, Marian Pleasant Kargbo, disclosed that during the past six years her organization has been working assiduously in order to support children with scholarships and school items worth millions of Leones.

She added that Sierra Leone is struggling with inadequate job opportunities, lack of skills required for growth and development, inadequate access to quality education to name but a few, adding that the less privileged, who desire to be educated, have been deprived and the lives of these children can be saved through education.

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world,” she quoted Nelson Mandela and posed the question: Do you know that you can change the world in your own little way by investing in the Pleasant Foundation Sierra Leone?”

She pointed out that Pleasant Foundation Sierra Leone is a national Non- Governmental Organization that promotes ‘Education without Discrimination’ for the less privileged, furthering that since 2015, the Foundation has been working tremendously hard to ensure that children are given access to quality education whether rich or poor.

The CEO revealed that the Foundation started by sponsoring 10 less privileged children but said however in 2020 with the support from some institutions and individuals they were able to cater for 500 less privileged children with school items worth millions of Leones using the ‘Each One Educate One’ Campaign.

She maintained that ‘Each One Educate One’ campaign is a project that creates an opportunity for everyone to make an impact in the lives of less privileged children by volunteering to cater for a child, pointing out that this year, the Foundation is poised to target 1000 less privileged children to benefit from the scholarships and school items donation.

Marian Pleasant Kargbo extended appreciation to all the institutions and individuals that have been supporting her Foundation. She called on all to support the campaign disclosing how somebody could support a child with a minimum of Le 400,000 which will cater for the whole academic year inclusive of school items.

She ended by calling on all meaningful Sierra Leoneans both at home and abroad who want to support their campaign to visit their Administrative Office situated at F28-F29 Beaconsfield on Ferguson Street in Freetown or call on +23279 188-197 for donations or enquires.

CSOs Raise Concerns Over Prolonged Detention of Mohamed Kamarainba Mansaray

By Foday Moriba Conteh

One of  the most outstanding Civil Society Consortium, comprising rights-based organizations with its key focus and commitment to promote the culture of democratic accountability, good governance, human rights, rule of law and socio-economic justice to ensure a transparent and accountable society in the country, the Consortium for Good Governance, Human Rights, and Democracy (CGHRD) has on Tuesday 3rd August, 2021 during a press conference held at the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists Hall on Campbell Street in Freetown raised concerns over the prolonged detention of Mohamed Kamarainba Mansaray who has been standing trial on the allegation of sexual penetration.

Speaking during the press conference, the National Coordinator of Consortium for Good Governance, Human Rights, and Democracy, Marcus Bangura noted that CGHRD has been closely following the trial of Mohamed Kamarainba Mansaray, Leader and Chairman of the Alliance Democratic Party (ASDP).

He added that while CGHRD acknowledges the fact that the matter is “sub judice” and its merits cannot be discussed out of court, they, however, wish to unequivocally state the following: that CGHRD fully appreciates the nature and sensitivity of the trial of alleged sexual penetration and that the trial has spanned over a year and no verdict has been delivered.

He maintained that Mohamed Mansaray remains innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction, noting that he has already spent over one (1) year in detention at the Male Correctional Center without bail on account of the aforementioned allegation.

He revealed that CGHRD is in possession of an Independent Medical Report by competent Medical Practitioners, certified by the Chief Medical Officer suggesting that Mansaray’s health status is gravely degenerating as the days go by maintaining how it is the considered opinion of CGHRD that the prolong detention of Mohamed Mansaray has the proclivity to endanger his right to life.

Marcus Bangura furthered that given his precarious/deteriorating health status, CGHRD is humbly appealing to the good conscience of the Honourable Judge presiding over the matter under trial to use his discretion judiciously and grant Mohamed Mansaray bail, pointing out that granting Mohamed Mansaray bail will not in any means suggest that the matter under trial has been closed.

He said, however, it will go a very long way to solidify public confidence, trust in the judicial independence and /or jurisdiction.

“In respect of the foregoing, CGHRD wishes to seriously emphasize the pressing need for our judicial system to always uphold, maintain, defend and promote the ideals of free and fair trial; irrespective of the socio-economic or political status of the persons involved,” he concluded.

Earlier, the Public Relations Office of the Consortium for Good Governance, Human Rights, and Democracy, Thomas Moore Conteh, noted that the consortium is a rights-based entity of likeminded organizations with key focus and commitment to promoting the culture of democratic accountability, good governance, human rights, rule of law and socio-economic justice to ensure a transparent and accountable society in the country.

He also reiterated that they have been closely following the trial of allegation of sexual penetration involving Mohamed Kamarainba Mansaray and as consortium had hold their peace in commenting on the matter over a year now, but that the consortium deems it fit to comment on the said issue because of the nature of the matter that has to do with rights.

Thomas Moore disclosed that that the prolonged detention of Mohamed Mansaray could be tantamount to a violation of his right stating how they will continue the mount campaign for him to be granted bail.

CEO Jennifer Thompson to Embark on Free Medical Outreach

By Foday Moriba Conteh

One of Sierra Leone’s outstanding philanthropists, who has overtime catered for the felt needs Sierra Leoneans with a footpath record of Sustainable Development in women’s empowerment, child development in the country, Jennifer Adeshola Thompson who is the Chief Executive Officer of The Jennifer Thompson Foundation and The No Child Left Behind Initiatives organization is poised to embark on a free medical outreach program in the country scheduled to commence this August.

The said free medical outreach program is geared towards promoting good health facilities for Sierra Leoneans during these trying times of which she called on like-minded doctors and nurses both  at home and abroad to join her in her efforts to support the less privileged with free medical treatment in the country.

The free medical outreach program, which happens to be her first phase, with commence this August to September 2021 whereas beneficiaries will have free Medical Checkup and treatment which includes free blood sugar test, blood pressure Check, Malaria test and treatment, Free typhoid testing and treatment, Prenatal Consultation, COVID-19 response and sensitization.

Speaking to this medium in an exclusive interview, the Chief Executive Officer of The Jennifer Thompson Foundation and The No Child Left Behind Initiatives, Jennifer Adeshola Thompson said the program will target those who could not afford proper medical health due to lack of finances, adding that it will also cater for vulnerable people living in the deprived and marginalized communities in the country.

She noted that because of poverty a lot of vulnerable people, especially children cannot get basic medical assistance for ailments like Typhoid, Malaria, high blood pressure and high blood sugar stating how they are common medical needs that could be treated if only detected timely.

The CEO maintained that during the free Medical Checkup and treatment they will also be embarking on COVID-19 sensitization in the different communities they will be targeting on how they should properly protect themselves and their loved ones, furthering that fighting COVID-19 needs collaboration, following the COVID-19 guidelines and procedures instituted by the Government of Sierra Leone and NaCOVERC.

“I am looking forward to working with doctors, nurses, midwives, volunteers, interpreters, and the Ministry of Health and all community health care workers as a whole,” she intimated.

Jennifer Adeshola Thompson, it could e recalled has demonstrated true philanthropy and her compassionate gestures have left lasting footprints in the realm of development, especially positively impacting the lives of young people in the country.

President Bio Hob-Nobs with Heads of Sierra Leonean School Associations in London

By Esther Wright

A fruitful meeting was held between President Julius Maada Bio and the heads of Sierra Leonean School Associations in London, just after a successful Global Education Summit during which the President championed the call for girls’ education.

Speaking at the Millennium Hotel in Knightsbridge President Bio recognised the good work being carried out by members of the Sierra Leonean alumni associations while imploring them to consider doing even more for their schools and for the country.

“Nobody is going to build our country up for us, except ourselves”, President Bio highlighted.

During the engagement, which was facilitated by the Sierra Leone High Commission in London, the President lamented over the dire state of our educational institutions and the severe drop in standards which, he said, had been borne out of many years of total State neglect. The task to rebuild the glory and the substance of our proud scholastic past “is huge”, he pointed out, adding “but we are determined to achieve our goals”.

Even more concerning, the President stressed, is the daunting prospect of competing with a global community that is already bristling on the cusp of the 4th industrial revolution using the waves of an expanding digital revolution. The President cautioned that for Sierra Leoneans to function effectively in this emerging world order we must properly position our youths to propel themselves forward and work to adjust our systems to the demands of the emerging era.

Running through the President’s speech was the theme of “Girls’ Education” and “Women Empowerment”.

“No country can rise if it fails to protect and project the female sector of society,” he stated. Protecting young girls from what he referred to as “secondary victimisation” was repeatedly hammered home to the audience.

President Bio explained that he was initially amongst those opposed to allowing girls to go back to school following pregnancy. He said that he had to completely change his stance on this subject because “it is not fair to victimise the victim,” the President underlined.

With the “Radical Inclusion” policy, the country’s school census last year recorded the return to school of a thousand schoolgirls who had earlier left because of pregnancies. He also revealed that, perhaps due to the urge to overcompensate, the statistics is suggesting that these girls are doing better in their exams. President Bio also mentioned the efforts being made to protect young girls from sexual predators including the establishment of the “sexual offences courts” to facilitate prosecution. To strengthen that effort, he revealed, “we would need to build up the forensic capacity of the prosecutorial bodies”.

While strongly condemning those who prey on young school girls, President Bio praised the efforts of the First Lady, Fatima Bio, for her tireless efforts in bringing the issue of rape and molestation of young girls to the centre of the national debate. The ‘Hands Off Our Girls’ campaign, President Bio maintained, has helped many girls to continue classes even during their menstrual period and has also given a lot of confidence to many more girls around the country.

While acknowledging that we are far from achieving the ultimate goals the President, however, maintained that “we are doing very well as a country” pointing out that we are being internationally “recognised for our good work and the great efforts that we are making in many areas”. He made glowing references to the nation’s exemplary fight-back against the COVID-19 pandemic and the country’s MCC Compact eligibility stride.

In a speech that came across as frank and fervent, the President did not just acknowledge the enormity of the task on hand but also gave his listeners a lot of hope. “I don’t just want us to stay as a democracy, I want us to be a liberal democracy”, he challenged. Alluding to the two prominent instruments that past Governments had most relied upon as tools to cow and kill their opponents, President Bio said that expunging the Criminal Libel law and the Death Penalty from our national law books were both a reflection of what he personally values and represented the right steps in the right direction for the country.

The School Association Heads, representing over 30 schools from all over Sierra Leone, spent hours listening to and exchanging views with the President. It was an interactive engagement which left the audience visibly impressed with the level of passion and the depth of candour displayed by the President in pointing out the problems and discussing the solutions.

From follow-up conversations, the mood of the audience was roundly captured in the words of Philip Selati Koroma, President Magburaka Old Boy’s Association (MOBA), who also happens to be the Vice President of the Tonkolili Association and Chairman of the MABBEN Family Association (comprising of six chiefdoms including Magbonto, Bumbuna and Bendugu): “This was fantastic! The President looks and sounds extremely appealing when you see and hear him in person. He comes across as sincere, purpose-driven and very convincing.”

Once upon a time, he helped to redeem Sierra Leone from the shackles of an autocratic cult, now President Bio is on a journey to reclaim our long lost status as the centre of learning. An increasing number of Sierra Leoneans are beginning to appreciate the full extent of his vision and more and more are prepared to march in step with his endearing aspirations for our beautiful nation.

The Sultan Center in Kuwait Kickstarts Employment Zoom Interviews in Sierra Leone

By Emperor Bailor Jalloh  

Overseas employment interviews started in Freetown on the 2nd August, 2021 via zoom by The Sultan Center (TSC) in conjunction with the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS) and SOS Labour Ghana, an overseas decent work placement company based in Ghana but also operating in Sierra Leone with MLSS. The employment zoom interviews are taking place within the Ministry of Labour and Social Security at New England Ville.

These employment zoom interviews are part of the recruitment process of The Sultan Center (TSC) in Kuwait for a target of 200 (two hundred) Sierra Leone youths candidates for decent work as cashier and sales workers who are also expected to be trained as butchers in Kuwait like any other standard and professional employer in the labour market in a bid to gauge the distinct capabilities of potential employees such as good English Language communication skills, good attitude, presentable  among other basic requirements.

Candidates for cashier and sales work, who are also expected to be trained as butchers, will receive monthly salary of $ 693 (six hundred and ninety three United States Dollars) instead of the initially stated $ 360 (Three Hundred and Sixty United States Dollars).

The employment zoom interviews are scheduled for two weeks – each week is scheduled for three days zoom interview sessions from 10 am GMT to 3 pm GMT every day, except otherwise.

Week one , day one started on Monday 2nd August, 2021 and to end on Wednesday 4th August, 2021 except otherwise. While week two, day one is scheduled for Tuesday 10th August, 2021 and end Thursday 12th August, 2021 except otherwise.

In addition, week one, day one zoom interview session agenda featured the following distinct personalities: Rev. Dr. Princess A. K. Ocansey, Principal Legal Migration and Decent Work Consultant/ CEO SOS Labour Ghana, Alpha Osman Timbo (Esq) Minister of Labour and Social Security, Lucky Diwan of Sultan Center and Frank of SOS Labour Ghana.

On 31st July, 2021, The Sultan Center (TSC) pre – interview and coaching zoom session was also conducted and the 15th July, 2021 TSC information zoom session by employer was also conducted.

The Sultan Center (TSC) is Kuwait’s largest independent retailer and is a leading supplier of supermarket items, perishables and general merchandise in the Middle East. TSC operates 13 (thirteen) major retail outlets in Kuwait and holds a 15 (fifteen) percent share of the country’s retail market.

Sierra Leone Hosts High Level ECOWAS Meeting

By Amin Kef Sesay

Commencing on the 2nd August, 2021 and ending on the 6th August, 2021 at the Atlantic Hotel on Lumley Beach at Aberdeen, Sierra Leone is playing host to the ECOWAS Integrated in Country High Level Advocacy, Coordination and Capacity Building of Multi Stakeholders on the Implementation of ECOWAS IHL, TIP, Gender Based Violence and Child Rights texts in the context of COVID-19 pandemic.

The ECOWAS representative, Madam Fatmata Jam, appreciated the partners for their involvement and thanked VP Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh for the warm reception accorded her on behalf of the Government of Sierra Leone.

Formally welcoming the Commissioner, Vice President Dr. Juldeh Jalloh thanked the ECOWAS Commissioner, expressing appreciation that ECOWAS is leading such an advocacy mission that usually comes from international bodies such as the UN and EU.

ECOWAS, Dr. Juldeh Jalloh said is taking the front line on issues that are “close to our hearts.”

VP thanked the ECOWAS Commissioner for acknowledging Government’s efforts in the area of gender and children affairs citing the many gains made in that direction. “Upon assumption of office,” he stated, “Government had to grapple with the issues of gender based violence and sexual abuse”.

President Bio, he said, rose up to the realities and challenges of the time with significant steps and actions that explain the massive progress Sierra Leone has made on gender and children’s issues.

These included; legislative reforms establishing institutions such as the Model Court on Sexual Offenses and reinforcing the Family Support Unit of the Police. The VP concluded by reinforcing the Government’s commitment to advancing the cause of women and children while at the same time continue to fight trafficking in persons.

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