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HRCSL Sheds Light on Grey Areas in Abolition of the Death Penalty Act

By Foday Moriba Conteh

The Human Rights Commission, during a Press conference held on the 28th July, 2021 at the Commission’s Conference Hall on Tower Hill in Freetown, welcomed the commitment of President Julius Maada Bio and the unanimous voting in the Parliament of Sierra Leone on the abolition of the death penalty maintaining that once enacted into law by the President, Sierra Leone will join 119 countries in the world that have abolished the death penalty and including 21 countries in Africa.

In his statement, the Vice Chairman of the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone, Victor I. Lansana said that the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone (HRCSL) was established by an Act of Parliament with the mandate to promote and protect human rights in the country, adding that every Sierra Leonean is entitled to Human Rights.

He said since the establishment of the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone the entity has been advocating for the abolition of the death penalty in the country’s law books.

Victor I. Lansana maintained that many people have been misunderstanding the meaning of the death penalty of which he used the opportunity to educate the populace saying it means somebody who has gone through all the legal processes in court and has been found guilty of either for murder, robbery with aggravation, mutiny treason etc. maintaining that once found guilty the person is entitled to a death penalty.

The Vice Chairman said that the Offences Against the Person Act, 1861, the Larceny Act, 1916 that deals with robbery with aggravation, the Sierra Leone Military Forces Act, 1961 that deals with mutiny, the Treason and State Offences Act 1963 that deals with treason and related offences if any is committed by a person and found guilty he or she is culpable to the death penalty.

He said if instituted then the State is guilty of “Murder” because if the State could kill its own it is called legal or lawful murder and that over the years the death penalty has been applied in political cases.

He said that as a Commission they are aware about the political landscape in the country and they have been advocating for the abolition of the death penalty in the country’s law books.

Victor I. Lansana reiterated that the Commission since its inception has been calling on successive Governments for the abolition of the death penalty and that they have not only been engaging Governments but also partners for them to see reason for that to be done.

He noted that the abolition of the death penalty is not an invitation to lawlessness and therefore called on all to refrain from taking the lives of other citizens. He urged all to be law abiding and respect public servants or law officers.

Victor I. Lansana said that inasmuch as the Commission welcomes the abolition of the death penalty it has some observations and recommendations to make to the Anthony General and Minister of Justice, adding that Section 63 of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone makes provision for a Presidential Pardon through which the President  could pardon any one for any of the aforementioned offences be it murder, robbery with aggravation, mutiny or treason furthering that it is  in that regard that the Commission is recommending that Section 63 of the Constitution of Sierra Leone 1991  be amended to give effect to the provision contained in the Abolition the Death Penalty Act of 2021 so that it will exclude all of those offences like murder, robbery with aggravation, mutiny or treason from presidential pardon.

The Vice Chairman said that they also noted that Section 59, Sub Section 6 of the Correctional Services Act of 2014 makes provision for remission which is a way of abetting a jail term whereby if prison authorities find out that a prisoner has been behaving responsibly while serving his jail term the prison authorities by that provision will abet his or her imprisonment, adding that Sub- Section 6 of the Correctional Services Act of 2014 makes it clear that life imprisonment means 21 years and that when  the death penalty was abolished and replaced  a minimum of 30 years was stated for someone  convicted for any of the aforementioned offences saying it is but very clear that there a conflict in law of which he said that as a Commission they are recommending that the Anthony General and Minister of Justice should address such a lacuna.

Legal Aid Board Plays a Pivotal Role in Turning the Wheels of Justice

By Theresa Kef Sesay

The Legal Aid Board is a non-profit Government agency that commenced operations in May 2015 following the passage of the Legal Aid Act 2012. It is currently the largest and most visible legal aid organization.

One of its core functions borders on providing Legal Advice and Legal Representation to indigent persons in Sierra Leone regardless of nationality.

Another of its key functions relates to offering Legal Advice and Assistance through Mediation. Others include the dissemination of Legal Education through Community; School and Radio Phone-ins and Regulation of Legal Aid Provision.

Since it started operations in the country the Legal Aid Board has made commendable achievements. The Board has offices in 26 cities and towns across the country within the Freetown/Western Urban, Western Area Rural, the 14 district headquarter towns upcountry and the ten chiefdoms the most recent being Kamara, Soa and Gbense Chiefdoms in Kono District.

So far 453, 809 persons, including foreign nationals, have benefitted from the scheme from its inception in May 2015 to March 2021.

24,768 benefitted from the scheme in 2015/16; 83,053 in 2017; 106,655 in 2018; 112,841 in 2019, 85,852 in 2020 and 40,640 in the first quarter of 2021.

The Legal Aid Board continues to carry the criminal calendar by virtue of the fact that it represents indigent accused persons, who are in the majority, brought before the General Courts. It represented all accused persons brought before the Special Criminal Sessions upcountry in the first half of 2021.

The Board is one of the lead institutions in the implementation of Goal 16 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

23 satellite offices have been established called Community Advisory Bureau to ensure communities take some ownership of their justice needs to reduce the pressure on the Police and courts.

Like any institution the Legal Aid Board has certain challenges it is wrestling with. The institution has 18 Legal Aid Counsels/Lawyers on its staff which is way below the minimum number of lawyers needed by the Board.

Furthermore, the Board has a total of 65 Paralegals and Volunteer Paralegals which is also far below the minimum requirement provided in the Legal Aid Act 2012.

Section 14 (2) of the Act provides that:  “The Board shall appoint at least one Paralegal to each chiefdom.” There are 190 chiefdoms in the country.

Against the aforementioned backdrop, the Board needs more staff particularly Lawyers (10) and Paralegals (28). The former will greatly play roles covering the Sexual Offences Court in Freetown and Courts which have been established upcountry by the Chief Justice of the Republic of Sierra Leone.

In its latest strides, the Legal Aid Board has conducted a nationwide UNDP- funded training of Police Investigators and Prosecutors on the 2018 Bail Regulation. The final training took place at the Kailahun District Council Canteen in Kailahun town on the 29th July 2021.

The training was conducted in eight districts with Kailahun being the last. The project targeted 50 Investigators and Prosecutors from each district thereby bringing the total to 400 officers who benefited from the training during the last four weeks.

The first training was held in Moyamba district on the 7 July 2021. This was followed by Bo on July 8; Kambia on July 14; Port Loko on July 15; Kono on July 21; Tonkolili on July 22; Pujehun on July 27 and Kailahun on July 29 respectively.

The trainings were geared towards addressing abuses and challenges in respect of bail which people face from the time they are arrested by the Police until their matters are concluded in the courts.

Moreover, the officers were trained on the guidelines and factors which they should follow when granting or denying bail to suspects at Police Stations or accused persons in the courts. This is meant to ensure consistency in the application of bail both at the police and the courts as prescribed in the Regulation.

It was the expectation that the training will enhance the capacity of Police Officers to address injustices and conflicts in communities.

APC NAC Deserves Applause for Respecting High Court Order

By Amin Kef Sesay

Any society where citizens do not obey and respect the law is not too far away from chaos and anarchy. Thus, the rule of law requires that our society be ruled by law, and not by the arbitrary (often self-interested) decisions of the small group of men and women who happen to wield public and private power at any given point in time.

It also requires that the law must be applied by law-enforcement agencies consistently and impartially. Government officials, along with everyone else, should be legally and publicly accountable in the courts.  And the courts must be independent enough – as a matter of institutional design and judicial mind-set – from other State organs to make this a real check on power.

Equally importantly, the laws must provide everyone with reliable guidance in advance about what is legally required, permitted and prohibited.  If the laws are unclear, secret, constantly changing, or retroactive, or if officials and judges do not comply with the law impartially without fear or favour, then it becomes impossible to act within the law.

As such, even though the All People’s Congress Chairman and Leader was a little bit defiant in accepting the ruling of High Court Judge, Justice Adrian Fisher, ordering the Party to hold an Emergency National Delegates Conference to validate the party’s new constitution that in essence will end the life of the party’s current national executive body, the APC National Advisory Council deserves applause for respecting and conforming gracefully to the rule of law.

In conforming to the Court order, the APC leadership has held talks with the Political Parties Registration Commission (PPRC) on the process leading up to the party’s Emergency National Delegates Conference, following the party’s decision to take steps to organize the said convention, in line with a High Court Order imposed on the party early this year.

A gratified PPRC in appreciation of the dialogue meeting used the opportunity to thank His Lordship, for his magnanimity, in not only granting them his esteemed audience, but for hosting the meeting. PPRC also appreciated the goodwill demonstrated by both sides of the divide, in the greater interest of their Party.

By way of commentary, it is worth noting that in a stable political society, the issue of the legitimacy of authority rarely arises. Citizens obey laws or consent to judicial decisions without thinking too much about it. But in a sharply divided political society like ours, the question of legitimacy starts to be asked when citizens are less confident of the justifications for the exercise of power.

At first glance, democratic legitimacy can seem to be a function of laws or numbers. If laws are being followed, then an exercise of political power appears legitimate. Or, if democratic majorities favor a policy, then executive action consistent with that policy usually appears legitimate.

In that light, going by the case brought against APC and its leadership by Alfred Peter Conteh and the judgment of the Court, legitimacy is a function of a set of ethical concerns that go beyond what a law is or what a democratic majority decides. There’s no fixed set of such concerns but they generally include such matters as whether key constitutional matters are consistent with basic moral values; fair procedures (electoral and otherwise); and a spirit of fair play along the lines of “you win some and you lose some”.

That is what Justice Adrian Fisher’s judgement did in making some concessions to the defendants to continue with their functions to convene the APC Emergency National Delegates Conference but excluding them from being part of it because of their illegitimacy.

Orange Money Service Continues to Make Life Easier & Better for Sierra Leoneans

By Esther Wright

Orange Money is an appendage of Orange Sierra Leone, which is the parent body. As a matter of fact, Orange Money Service, since its inception, is contributing to making life easier for individuals when it comes to paying bills, money transactions, top up, bank to wallet and many more.

It has been established that Orange Money has been one of the best services in the country that people are appreciating every day because it has been benefiting Sierra Leoneans in different ways.

Since the service was launched it has never seized to operate as it is always working and very active. There are Orange Money shops, kiosks and franchisee all over the country where individuals can do all their Orange Money transactions with ease and there are people who are always ready to attend to subscribers.

It must be noted that Orange-Sierra Leone values its customers as the company always make sure they enjoy the best quality services at any time.

To get a feel, go now and make use of this unique service and do all your transactions at any Orange Money shop, kiosks and franchisee all over the country.

Leaving No One Behind… NP-SL Ltd’s Customer Care Initiatives Are Second to None

By Amin Kef Sesay

It is strongly incontestable that the leading petroleum marketing company in the country, the National Petroleum- Sierra Leone Limited, is well known to stand tall within the realm of enhancing customer care by making it a key objective in its modus operandi. The Company cares for all irrespective of being considered high or low in society. This is indisputable when thorough cognizance is taken of how Management is very keen in optimizing customer satisfaction in its service delivery on different fronts.

Members of staff of the company are very mindful of the fact that it is the customer that comes first and therefore needs the utmost attention always ensuring that transactions are conducted under a congenial atmosphere that result into a win-win situation. For this brilliant and managerial initiative the company has been making positive headways positioning it to stand tall among other business entities in this part of the world.

With a capable and result-oriented work team, working collaboratively and assiduously, where even the cleaner is regarded as highly relevant there is bound to be positive outcomes and the company has mastered this by ensuring that synergy is enhanced.
One admirable quality that NP-SL Ltd possesses is working tirelessly and effectively, using its contacts with oil producing countries, in order to ensure that there is timely purchase and delivery of petroleum products of high quality to avoid shortages.

It goes without saying that fuel, for example, could be a political commodity in the sense that fluctuation in its price would make a Government likeable or unpopular. When the price goes up then people blame the Government for that but if it goes down it is kudos for the political administration.

Its timely importation of petroleum products has earned NP high commendations from various quarters simply because it helps to cushion unrest and other forms of disadvantageous effects one of which is increase in transport fares, increase in the prices of certain commodities. The pro-activeness of the company invariably has a direct impact on poverty reduction in variable ways.

Some who may not be aware of the fact that NP-SL Ltd is wholly owned by Sierra Leoneans vis-à-vis the visibility of the company and how it is remarkably striving could find it hard to believe that it a truly indigenous company.

However, it remains the plain truth when it is understood that it was 35 Sierra Leonean workers formerly working for the British Petroleum (BP) Company who pulled together their end of service benefits to purchase shares which were used to establish NP, which today is a success story , having branches in various parts of the country and in other four West African countries namely Liberia, Guinea, Ivory Coast and The Gambia. The company’s operations right across the spectrum is contributing towards revenue generation and job creation for many.

With gas as one its marketable products it was thought wise to be producing gas cookers, popularly known as NP Gas, which could be access at their different filling stations. According to investigation conducted NP Gas is cooking-friendly, safe and long lasting. It is going at an affordable price and many are going for it.

When reference is made to Local Content, which by law is a Policy, then NP-SL Ltd stands tall within that realm as nearly all its members of staff are Sierra Leoneans thereby making use of local talents everywhere they are operating. The Local Content Policy is indeed an engine of growth and NP is making full use of it.

The use of NP Smart Card has gained wide currency as it is used to purchase fuel in an easier and convenient way. As long as the NP Smart Card contains money it could be used to purchase any amount of fuel that an individual may require at a particular Filling Station. It prevents individuals and enterprises from moving around with huge sums of money for the purpose of purchasing fuel. It has now become trending.

Castrol GTX is said to be among the best lubricants that makes engines to perform very better giving longevity to the engines of vehicles and other equipment that do use engine oil. Going at affordable prices at NP Filling Stations it is one that vehicle owners will never regret securing for their vehicles.

By making their numerous customers feeling at ease and getting them comfortable, treated with dignity, friendliness it can never be disputed or contradicted that indeed NP-SL Ltd truly deserves the accolade of 1st for Customer Care.

Without any iota of doubt NP-SL Ltd is growing taller and taller as time flies by.

FGM Remains A Topical National Issue

By Amin Kef Sesay

Despite the fact that Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is globally recognized as an extreme violation of the rights of women and girls, the practice is widely accepted in Sierra Leone – both as a social and cultural norm.

Sierra Leone does not presently have any national law that explicitly prohibits and punishes the practice of FGM. Previous efforts to criminalize it have not materialized.

On Tuesday July 27th, 2021 the Forum Against Harmful Practices, a coalition of 17 Civil Society Organizations engaged the Parliamentary Caucus Committee on the elimination of FGM.

The Secretary General of FAHP, Madam Aminata Koroma said the purpose of the meeting was to update Members of Parliament especially the anti FGM Caucus members about the status of FGM in the country and the important role MPs play to end the practice in the country.

The coalition, she said, has made several strides over the years to ensure that the country eliminates the practice of FGM and become part of the global village on eradicating traditional harmful practices.

Madam Koroma informed Lawmakers that the Sierra Leone Government has signed many treaties and international conventions aimed at protecting women and girls from Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Sierra Leone.

She informed the Committee that the National Strategy that was prepared by the Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs, FHAP with support from UNICEF during the last regime is yet to be signed.

The Secretary stated that the National Strategy on FGM reduction is not fighting to abolish the ‘Bondo’ culture but removing FGM from the bondo institution.

She admitted that Bondo society has several cultural benefits for women and girls and that the Coalition is only campaigning for the eradication of the harmful part of the society.

However, she maintained that FGM has no health benefit on women and girls and that the practice has social and economic implications.

She said that FAHP has made several strides to help curtail the rampant initiation of women and girls into FGM but realized that there is no political will which is key to end FGM.

FAHP, she added, has realized that politicians are the one sponsoring Soweis to initiate women and girls with the ultimate aim of wooing votes.

She appealed to MPs to influence the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs to sign the National Strategy which will serve as safeguard tool for the campaign against FGM in Sierra Leone.

In 2014, Government placed a countrywide ban on FGM to control the spread of the Ebola Virus Disease. Individuals found guilty of carrying out the procedure were fined and although this led to a drastic reduction in the prevalence of FGM at the time, the ban was not effected long term. The practice of FGM resumed and has since then been going on uninterrupted. Reports of women and girls being kidnapped and forced to undergo the cut are common.

Due to the lack of political goodwill; failure by the State to condemn FGM; and remarks from various political leaders justifying the practice, this human rights violation continues unabated.

In this regard, one of the anti-FGM campaigners, ‘’Equality Now’’ called on President Julius Maada Bio, the Ministries of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs; Internal Affairs; Health and Sanitation; and the Sierra Leone Judiciary and law enforcement mechanism to:

Permanently ban FGM by enacting and enforcing a comprehensive anti FGM law

Support educational outreach to relevant communities and local chiefs on the harms of FGM

Protect women and girls who are uncut, from intimidation and abuse

We further call upon the First Lady Fatima Bio to take FGM as part of her Hands off Our Girls campaign that seeks to protect girls from various human rights violation such as child marriage and sexual violence that are greatly interlinked with FGM or happen as a result of FGM.

Culturally, women and girls who have not been cut are often frowned upon and prohibited from taking part in certain community functions. The practice is for the most part carried out by traditional cutters (Soweis) who yield a lot of power and control over traditional women.

Sierra Leone Association of Women in Journalism Inducts New Members 

By Mary Kabay

The Sierra Leone Association of Women in Journalism (SLAWIJ) has on the 31st July 2021 inducted or orientated thirty one (31) new members into the Association during a brief but very auspicious event held at the Association’s Head Office on 29 Jones Street in Freetown with the theme: “Women Journalists Taking Center Stage in Media Development”.

Eminent Lady Lucy- Ann Ganda, who was unavoidably absent, but her statement read out encouraged women to be strong and be ready to take their work serious and to be at the centre of prominence in the sphere of journalism.

As Executive President of the Association she explained the roles and responsibilities of members of the Association to its members revealing how the organization was formed in March 2020 with the core aim of promoting the welfare of female journalists in Sierra Leone and increase their visibility to transform the media landscape through professional development programs and advocacy.

She dilated on the Mission and Vision of the Association which, according to her, borders on fostering the representation of women in journalism within the media in Sierra Leone and building an informed gender awareness in the media in order to have empowered women journalists in leadership positions.

Touching on the objectives, she said ,the Association is advocating for the rights of women journalists , to endeavor to address the challenges of women journalists in the media, to empower women journalists to attain leadership positions within the media, to foster an informed gender sensitive media in Sierra Leone, to capacitate women journalists to report on women issues and other male dominated areas of reporting and to organize and unite media women in fellowship and link them with similar organizations internationally.

She also highlighted the programs of the Association stating that they are based on advocacy and communications, capacity building and training, research and development and outreach.

“Our corporate values are media professional ethics, transparency and accountability, honesty and integrity and respect for human rights,” she informed the new members.

In disclosing the organogram of the Association she made mention of the Executive President, Director of Programmes, Director of Finance, Director of Public Relations, Human Resource Director, Secretary, Adviser, Regional Coordinator for the Easter, Northern and Southern Provinces, District Coordinators and the membership.

She said the current membership strength is over sixty (60) including the founding members of the organization adding that their membership cuts across eminent women in journalism (the print and electronic media), Public Relations or Communication Experts, development media and students.  Criteria for becoming a member were also specified.

Eminent Lady Lucy- Ann Ganda furthered that the organization is also partnering with the Ministry of Gender and Children Affairs, Legal Aid Board Sierra Leone, Initiative, Rainbow Initiative, Patriotic Advocacy Network and Internews.

“SLAWIJ has a strong social media presence that has played a great role in its visibility,” she stated disclosing how the Organization has the following Social Media Platforms: https://www.slawij.com/, Email:slawij20@gmail.com, Facebook-9,200 likes, Instagram-441 followers and Twitter-222 followers.

Eminent Lady Aminata Finda Massaquoi, Head of Programmes, in outlining the programmes they have done so far, explained that SLAWIJ ‘s has been  reaching out to communities in order to sensitize them on the COVID-19 preventive measures, observed the Menstrual Hygiene Day, donated pads to women in quarantined homes and spoke to women about the importance of 16 Days of Activism which she said they undertook in various districts.

Elvis Enoh Esq did an introduction on Gender Based Violence explaining that many female journalists have suffered from it.

He said if every girl that is born suffers from rape and they cannot show their faces in the public then there is no need for the Association to exist. He said that gender equality is based on women empowerment.

As Baby Devine Departs to India for Treatment…  Sick Pikin Project Gives Support to Save Another Child’s Life

Foday Moriba Conteh

As various types of sickness have debilitating effects on some children in Sierra Leone amidst challenges to access good medical treatment there are certain organizations that are very keen on facilitating the processes for such disadvantaged children to get specialized medical attention.

One of those organizations is the Sick Pikin Project which, over the years, has done extremely well in the direction of making it possible for children with rare and complicated medical conditions to get medical treatments out of the country.

During a Press Conference convened at the Caritas Office, within the St. Edward’s School Compound at Kingtom on 30th July, 2021, by the Sick Pikin Project an update was given about the departure of 9 months Baby Divine Kamara who was born with congenital heart disease and has ever since been living with that challenging condition as she struggles to breathe. The organization informed newsmen that she and her mother departed from Freetown on Saturday 31st July 2021 for New Delhi, India where her heart surgery will be done. The Sick Pikin Project also used the opportunity to update the Press on their intervention in her case.

In his address, the Lead Coordinator of Sick Pikin Project, Ishmael Alfred Charles, disclosed that the Sick Pikin Project was inspired by a single baby, Baby Mustapha who had a life-threatening situation with little hope of surviving. Baby Mustapha was suffering from Biliary Atresia and needed a liver transplant.

He narrated how through the astute interference of well-meaning Sierra Leoneans led by Ishmael Alfred Charles, inspired by Fr. Peter Konteh they drew attention to Baby Mustapha’s attention and it became so alarming that the attention of the First Lady, Fatima Bio, was drawn and she joined in the campaign for the child to be treated, adding that the campaign for baby Mustapha was a huge success and the necessary funds were raised for the transplant.

“Today Baby Mustapha and many other babies have been saved through the campaigns mounted by this Project. We were very naive to think that
after Baby Mustapha’s case there will be no more cases,
unfortunately, there have been many more ‘Baby Mustaphas’ crying
for help,” he informed.

Ishmael Alfred Charles pointed out that it is against such a backdrop that the Sick Pikin Project was established to help beg for families who are confronted with such cases in order to not only save the lives of children but to also help in restoring the lost dignity of families as it has happened for the over 60 children they have helped so far, adding that as of the30th July 2021, there are 23 more cases of sick children awaiting funds and that the most worrisome thing is that they don’t know when and where the next help will come from as on a daily basis the complications increase.

Underscoring the most common cases that the project has helped since inception he stated Congenital Heart Diseases, Hydrocephalus, Imperforated Anus, Wilms Tumor etc.

Ishmael Alfred Charles revealed that the project has recently facilitated the treatment of Tanya A.M. Kamara who was suffering from Congenital Heart Disease, Alie Foday Bassie Kamara who was also suffering from Congenital Heart Disease, Noah Lamin Conteh who swallowed the base of a bic pen and Isatu Bangura who suffered from Wilms Tumor.

He extended appreciation to those who donated and helped them secure the partial funds for Baby Devine Kamara but said they are still looking for donations to enable them raise the balance and pay for the oxygen which is Le16,000,000 (Sixteen million Leone) and that all those who want to render support should contact the Sick Pikin Project on +23276-722-276/+23276-793-010.

He further called on all to help The Sick Pikin Project to focus on giving children another chance to live and by donating to the project in order to make it happen stating that a little amount monthly will not be little when using it to save lives.

Kadijatu Caulker, mother of Alie Bassie Foday extended her sincere thanks and gratitude to the Sick Pikin Project and the Ministry of Health and Sanitation for coming to their aid and in order to support her child get proper medical treatment in India, adding that she had lost all hope until she came in contact with the Sick Pikin Project maintaining that she is proud to say Alie Bassie Foday has gone through the treatment and he is doing well.

Isatu Kamara the mother of 9 months Baby Divine Kamara also expressed gratitude to the Sick Pikin Project and the Ministry of Health and Sanitation for facilitating the treatment of Baby Devine in India. She expressed optimism that her child will go through the surgery successfully.

Aberdeen Women Centre is Positively Functional Amidst COVID-19

By Mary Kabay

In an exclusive interview that was conducted at the Aberdeen Women’s Centre on the 30th July, 2021 geared towards finding out how the Centre is faring on amidst the coronavirus pandemic since its inception in the country one of our reporters caught up with Dr. Virginia Kofi King of the Maternity Center.

She started by saying that when the coronavirus struck the country there was initially a low turnout of pregnant women attending the clinic was declining. The reasons, she cited, that were responsible for the declining number was the imposition of a curfew stating how such was limiting the patients’ accessibility to the Centre.

Dr. Virginia Kofi King further stated that even the 117 Emergency Toll Number that was activated for calls to be put through was not active adding that patients residing in hard to reach areas were difficult to access during emergencies.

“Though some of them were expected to reach the clinic for post-natal treatment yet they were not willing to do so out of fear of contracting the coronavirus,” she stated.

She disclosed that at one point in time the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) intervened offering Baby Mother Packages to encourage more pregnant women to visit the clinic and after they deliver the packages are donated to them.

Dr. Virginia Kofi King disclosed how they mounted a robust COVID-19 sensitization drive targeting their workers as well as the patients to creates awareness and lessen the risks of contracting the virus.

She furthered that in the wake of the robust sensitization they started witnessing large turnout of pregnant women attending the Clinic for check-ups and delivery.

We extended the sitting positions and rearranged the beddings for delivery in order to maintain social distancing,” she explained adding how the number of pregnant women visiting the maternity Centre went back to normalcy.

Dr. Virginia also disclosed that they have never experienced a drop in the number medical caregivers at the Centre in terms of nurses and doctors since the outbreak of the pandemic stating how all of them  have  been working full time  stating that all suspected COVID-1 relating to members of staff forced them to contract volunteers.

She said so far obstetrics has its challenges but stated that they have been having 90% of successful delivery cases although they had to refer few cases but said generally cases were successfully treated.

In terms of her expectation, she said medical caregivers should work hand in hand to reduce the number of maternal mortality cases. She expressed hope of reaching out to pregnant women residing in hard to reach areas that do not have access to quality medication during and after child birth.

Princess Sam, one the pregnant woman attending the Clinic, on behalf of women attending the maternity clinic revealed how she started attending clinic since last month furthering how they have been having optimal care and support from the doctors and all workers.

She said they are continuously sensitized on the precautionary measures to be adhered to in order not to contract the Coronavirus.

Princess also stated that medical personnel at the Clinic are treating all delivery cases professionally and they have been largely successful in saving lives.

Generally, the clinic is doing well because they have adequate medication and optimal care for patients is the goal of each worker.

The Aberdeen Women’s Centre is known for its comprehensive fistula repair treatment in Sierra Leone and has the capacity to treat up to 300 fistula patients per year.

The Centre also takes a holistic approach to the care of women and children and in 2010 opened its own maternity unit to provide the highest standards of maternal healthcare for the women of Sierra Leone, thus preventing the occurrence of obstetric fistula in the first instance and ensuring a safe environment for childbirth.

The Maternity is now the second busiest in Sierra Leone, delivering up to 3,000 babies each year.

The Aberdeen W omen’s Centre also runs an outpatient children’s clinic which treats more than 20,000 children each year, providing a primary care facility for children in the surrounding community aged 15 and under, including immunizations and health education. The paediatric team also provides a twice weekly outreach clinic in the Kroo Bay slum of Freetown, providing much needed primary care to the most disadvantaged children.

PRA Inaugurates Industrial Safety and Security Committee

By Amin Kef Sesay

An Industrial Safety and Security Committee was inaugurated on the 28th July 2021 by the Petroleum Regulatory Agency (PRA) with the aim to create a strong inter-sectorial collaboration with stakeholders. The committee comprising members from various Ministries including Ministry of Trade, Ministry of Works, Sierra Leone Police, ONS and Civil Societies, will serve as an umbrella body to manage the prevention or mitigation of any security threat along the terminals.

From what was learnt by this medium, the Committee will also focus on new range of industrial protection initiatives and help solve sticky emerging problems within the sector.

The Executive Chairman of PRA, Dr. Brima Baluwa Koroma, speaking during the inauguration underscored the need for collaboration among the various key players for the safety, security of the individuals as well as the State and for peaceful co-existence to be optimized.

He gave a brief run-down of where the industry was and how far the New Direction Government of His Excellency, President Julius Maada Bio had transformed the sector to become a viable entity.

The PRA Boss revealed Government’s commitment in repositioning the petroleum downstream to respond to the emerging challenges, taking into consideration the critical nature of the sector in national infrastructure and being a significant contributor to national development.

He appealed for a total cooperation among oil operators and stakeholders in transforming the workplace health and safety at all the various petroleum terminals including the Jetty facilities.

Various stakeholders highlighted critical roles they will be playing in accordance with the Committee’s mandate.

The committee comprises of the following institutions:

  1. Petroleum Regulatory Agency
  2. Ministry of Trade & Industry
  3. Ministry of Works & Public Assets
  4. Ministry of Information
  5. Ministry of Lands
  6. Ministry of the Environment
  7. Office of National Security
  8. Chair, Parliamentary Trade Committee
  9. Sierra Leone Police
  10. Environment Protection Agency
  11. Sierra Leone Maritime Administration
  12. NP- Sierra Leone
  13. Total Sierra Leone
  14. LeonOil
  15. Petrol Jetty
  16. Petrol Leone
  17. APP Sierra Leone
  18. Civil Societies
  19. National Fire Force
  20. The Member of Parliament
  21. The Councillor.

The Committee is expected to be having regular meetings, discuss extensively environmental and security situations around the various Oil installations and Jetty which are part of the country’s critical national infrastructures.

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