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In Winneba,Ghana…   ECOWAS Speaker Receives Outstanding Traditional Accolade

By Amin Kef Sesay

Hon. Dr. Sidie Mohamed Tunis, Speaker of ECOWAS Parliament, has received an outstanding traditional accolade from the President of the Effutu Traditional Council in Winneba, Ghana. The accolade came during Speaker Tunis’ courtesy visit to the Palace of Neenyi Ghartey VII to thank him for the extraordinary hospitality given him and his delegation while in Winneba.

Dr. Tunis, in his statement, thanked the traditional leaders of Winneba for the hospitality extended by the good people of Winneba, noting that the Parliament’s meeting was successfully conducted.

He added that this will not be the last visit to Winneba, revealing that the Parliament will consider the possibility of hosting its September Extraordinary session in Winneba.

Acknowledging the appreciation of the Speaker, the President of the Effutu Traditional Council, Neenyi Ghartey VII, presented two carvings to the Speaker of ECOWAS Parliament; a seat symbolising that the Speaker and his delegation have a place in Winneba at any time and a carving of a mother carrying her child on her back and a pot on her head, which symbolises the invitation extended to the Speaker to support the fight against teenage pregnancy and uplift women and girls in Winneba.

He noted that teenage pregnancy is a major social challenge in that region and called on the ECOWAS Parliament to aid in their fight against it.

The President also decorated the Honourable Speaker with a traditional scarf and an African clothe as an expression of revered honour.

Speaker Tunis concluded by assuring the Traditional Council of the continuous collaboration and support from the ECOWAS Parliament, adding that the Parliament work closely with local authorities in the areas of women development, youth employment and social advancement.

Access to Quality Education is a Fundamental Human Right   -Pres. Bio Informs Global Education Summit

By Amin Kef Sesay

President Dr Julius Maada Bio, on the 29th July 2021, addressed the Global Education Summit an event held  in the United Kingdom, partly  to encourage donors to raise $5 billion in the next 5 years, along with commitments from partner countries on domestic financing for education.

He was one of only four African leaders participating in the 2021 Global Education Summit: Financing GPE 2021-2025 being co-hosted by the President of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta and the UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson.

“I want to start off by saying that access to quality education is a fundamental human right. Besides, my Government has already stated the human capital development piece of it. But also, we want to make sure that human capital development is inclusive. For women or girls in particular, there is, of course, gender disparity, especially in the schools.

“And certain norms and discrimination have not allowed the girls to be able to continue to do their education. So, we have to take care of that. And, again, when you think about the number of girls who dropped out of school, I thought that it would be a big failure, on my part as a leader who is very passionate about education, to leave any girl behind,” he said.

The President also addressed the question of why did Sierra Leone recently overturn a law so that pregnant girls would never again be banned from classrooms.

Julia Gillard, who is chair of the Board of Directors of the Global Partnership for Education, also asked the question of how did that action change the lives of girls across the country and increase access for all girls to quality education.

President Dr Julius Maada Bio said his Government’s policy was to make sure that all girls, irrespective of the fact that they were pregnant, or not able to continue school, go back to school after childbirth.

“It was for this reason that we brought in this new policy. What has it done? Well, of course, it has been difficult, we are trying to narrow the gender disparity gap, especially for pregnant girls. So, we had to bespeak this particular policy to make sure that those gender norms that militate against pregnant schoolgirls are taken care of. That is why we did this.

“What has it done? It has given confidence to girls, not to be pregnant, but to know that when they are pregnant, they still have another chance. That’s a huge number in Sierra Leone. Last year alone, from school census, we had about over 2000 girls who were registered pregnant schoolgirls. Normally, all of them will drop out of school, but because of this policy they have the chance to continue school. And our policy is about making sure that they stay in school as long as possible, and that they can return to school after childbirth.

You know, on a lot of occasions, we have put the burden on the girls, little girls in their formative years. We look at them to be sexual gatekeepers, who would have to say no. That is victimisation. We are being unreasonable. And of course, after they get pregnant, we accuse them again. And that means secondary victimisation. What our policy has done is it has gotten rid of the secondary victimisation.

We are doing everything to prevent early pregnancy. My wife is a big campaigner. She goes all over Sierra Leone. ‘Hands Off Our Girls’ is a campaign on her part, which means we don’t want anybody to tamper with these girls. But should they fall victims, we should not secondarily victimise them. And that is what this policy is about,” he said.

Death Penalty Awaits Pres. Bio’s Assent – Attorney General States

By Amin Kef Sesay

 It was highlighted on the 29th July 2021 at the Ministry of Information and Communications weekly Government Press Briefing that the Abolition of the Death Penalty Bill has been enacted by Parliament awaiting President Bio to append his signature.

The International Community has commended Sierra Leone for taking the bold step of becoming the 110th country in the world to abolish the death penalty which was replaced with life imprisonment of 30 years minimum jail term.

According to the Attorney General Anthony Brewah, the administration of President Bio is progressive and sees the death penalty as cruel and crude and not fit for purpose in modern times.

Lands Minister Sternly Warns Against Land Grabbing

Dr Turad Senesie Hailed by MPs for Clarifying Land Commission Bill
Minister of Lands, Housing and Country Planning, Dr Turad Senesie

By Amin Kef Sesay

During the Weekly Government Press Briefing in the Conference Room of the Ministry of Information and Communications on the 29th July 2021, the Minister of Lands, Housing and Country Planning, Dr Turad Senesie, dilated on the importance of Housing Planning.

He commented on how beach fronts have been damaged and land grabbing has become the order of the day determinedly stating that under his watch those anomalies will be tackled as well as sending a strong message that those that involved in land grabbing should desist forthwith as it is “bad business.”

Dr. Senesie intimated newsmen that there are plans to be implemented within the purview of providing affordable housing maintaining that there are various investors who are interested in that sector.

He mentioned HARBASS, ENSE Group Ltd as an American company based in Washington that intends to invest in housing in Sierra Leone revealing how they plan to build 10,000 housing units in Sierra Leone – 6000 in Freetown and 4000 in the provinces.

“JL Properties, another company that invests in real estate development and are located in Ghana also propose to build houses in degraded lands or brownfields,” he furthered adding that another massive company that has registered interest in the housing sector is TAF Global Africa that plans to build a SMART CITY of 15,000 housing units.

In one of our recent publications we ran a story which stated that the Minister of Lands was in The Gambia to engage the leadership of that country to facilitate the investment by TAF Global Africa in the area of investing in affordable housing in the country.

The Minister highlighted that the benefits of these projects are enormous in terms of job creation, taxes paid to Government and also providing affordable houses for Sierra Leoneans.

Climax of the briefing was the Minister’s reiteration of the Ministry’s zero-tolerance to land grabbing firmly warning land grabbers to desist.

Government Secures $68M to Provide Infrastructure in the Educational Sector

By Theresa Kef Sesay

The signing of a sixty-eight (68) Million Dollars project took place at the Ministry of Finance Conference Hall on George Street in Freetown on the 28th July 2021.

Government of Sierra Leone secured the fund to finance the Sierra Leone Education Sector Support Project (SLESSP) for both the Ministry of Basic & Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) and the Ministry of Technical & Higher Education (THE).

The project is funded by: Saudi Development Fund (SDF) – $25M, Opec Fund for International Development (OFID) – $20M, African Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) – $20M) and $3m from the Government of Sierra Leone GoSL respectively.

The SLESSP which was approved in 2019 to provide support to the Education sector in tandem with the Government’s agenda to improve the quality and accessibility to education in hard-to-reach areas across the country commenced on 8th February 2021 and is expected to close on 31st December 2024.

Minister of Finance, Denis .K. Vandi, explained that 75% of the project funds had been committed to civil works infrastructure and the project would focus on the construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, and furnished of six educational institutions which include: two technical and higher education institutions and four secondary schools (one in each region) as well as a new seven-story administrative building at New England Ville.

He furthered that the project will support Government’s effort towards the flagship free quality education program across the four regions – East, West, North, South.

The Minister further disclosed that the design stage is expected to last for a maximum of 90 days after which complete design drawings and specifications together with tender documents will be submitted for the commencement of the tender stage in November.

He urged the consultant (IDEAS Ltd. and ECG Engineering) to demonstrate their true expertise as stated in their company’s profile which earned them the contract by providing design drawings and technical specifications that will give value for money and timely execution.

On behalf of His Excellency the President, he pledged his support and commitment to ensure that funds are provided to execute the project.

The Project Coordinator, Education Support Project – Ing. Neilford E. W. Rose, in his overview of the project’s components, highlighted the beneficiaries which include the three campuses of the Milton Margai College of Education and Technology (Goderich, Congo Cross and Brookfields), with new construction of areas of 27,000 square meters and reconstruction of 21,400 square meters, the Bo Government Secondary School, Kenema Government Secondary School, Magburaka Boy Secondary School and the Prince of Wales Secondary School (with new construction areas of 31,250 square meters and reconstruction of 74,700 square meters, and seven-floor administrative building for the Ministry of Education in Freetown, covering of 3,136 square meters.

He revealed that the project steering committee comprised nine core members of all stakeholder institutions.

Speaking on behalf of their Ministries, the Deputy Minister of Technical and Higher Education (Sarjoh Aziz-Kamara) and the Deputy Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (Emily Kadiatu Gogra) noted that the project is timely and that hoped it would be implemented in time.

They appreciated the donors and assured them of their support throughout the implementation process further appealing for a long-lasting modernized infrastructure and pledged their commitment to support and sustain the project.

Standard Chartered Bank Former Terminated Staff Continue to Seek Justice

By Amin Kef Sesay

Some former aggrieved employees of the Standard Chartered Bank in Sierra Leone in the recent past decided to seek litigation into what they deem as unfair treatment related to unlawful and arbitrary dismissal.

The Bank is currently battling in the High Court of Sierra Leone presided over by Justice Sengu Koroma over alleged conspiracy and illegal termination of some senior employees.

Making his submission on behalf of the second defendant (Standard Chartered Bank PLC), Attorney Rasford Johnson, said the application is a notice of motion on behalf of the second defendant seeking for an order for the name of the second defendant, Standard Chartered Bank PLC to be struck out of the proceedings.

He said the application for the name of the second defendant to be struck out is based on the fact that it has been unnecessarily mentioned in the matter.

He said they rely on the content of the affidavit pursuant to Order 18 Rule 6 (2) Paragraph A of the High Court Rules, stating that the court on its own motion could strike out any party, who has been unnecessarily mentioned in the matter.

He said it is not clear who have been sued as the second defendant, because it could be Standard Chartered Bank PLC or Standard Chartered Bank.

He submitted that the issue of identification was confusing as to who the 2nd defendant is, noting that the Standard Chartered Bank is the operating company of Standard Chartered Bank group PLC, which is the ultimate parent company of the group.

He said neither Standard Chartered Bank nor the Standard Chartered Bank PLC has any contractual nexus with the plaintiff.

He said the complaint of the plaintiffs is that, they were unlawfully dismissed, thus noting that either Standard Chartered Bank or Standard Chartered Bank PLC employed the plaintiff.

He said the plaintiff letter of employment dated 2007 showed that he was employed by Standard Chartered Bank Sierra Leone Limited and that the letter was signed by the Head of Human Resource of the Bank.

Similarly, the lawyer said the termination letter of the plaintiffs dated 5th February, 2021, was from the Standard Chartered Bank Sierra Leone Limited and not Standard Chartered Bank or Standard Chartered Bank PLC.

He said it was unnecessary for Standard Chartered Bank and Standard Chartered Bank PLC to be a party because they are only shareholders and should not be sued to court, but rather Standard Chartered Bank Sierra Leone who employed them, adding that the claims should be on the employer and not the shareholder.

He said the requirement for one to maintain claims of conspiracy must show who the parties are and their relationship.

He said the particulars of the conspiracy offense only said the defendant, but did not state what the conspirators had done.

Trial was adjourned to Wednesday August 4th.

The plaintiffs are currently in court seeking redress for alleged dismissal after serving the bank for over fifteen to twenty years, respectively.

To Commence International Mobile Money Transfer…   Afrimoney Partners with MFS Africa

By Amin Kef Sesay

MFS Africa has partnered with Afrimoney, the Africell mobile money service. According to what this medium learnt, the partnership will enable mobile money users in the country to receive payments from abroad smoothly and affordably.

It must be noted that remittances from abroad amount to more than half of annual household consumption in Sierra Leone and therefore play an important role in economic growth. As of 2017, less than one in five people in Sierra Leone had a bank account, and mobile money provides an alternative to conventional finance.

This medium further understood that with this partnership in place, mobile transfer operator customers that are connected to the MFS Africa hub – such as MoneyGram, World Remit, and Xoom – can easily send money to mobile wallets in Sierra Leone.  With over 320 million mobile wallets connected to MFS Africa’s hub, it provides an array of new cross-border payment possibilities.

Dare Okoudjou, CEO and Founder of MFS Africa, commented on the partnership:

“To drive growth in Sierra Leone, bringing more people into the financial system is essential. We are excited to develop new financial pathways to the market with this partnership – Africell offers a compelling and easy way for Sierra Leonean people and businesses to access financial services easily. We’re expanding the possibilities for users by making it seamless and cost-effective to receive money across borders – whether that’s enabling a son or daughter in Freetown to send money home to his or her family or removing obstacles to entrepreneurs who want to look further afield for business.”

Andy Widmann, Group Director, Afrimoney, said:

“Afrimoney is driving greater financial inclusion in Sierra Leone and other African countries. Our partnership with MFS Africa adds to the strength of the Afrimoney platform by linking us to more international mobile transfer operators and giving these operators superior access to the growing market of Sierra Leone. Remittances are an important source of economic value for Sierra Leone, and we are pleased to be working with MFS Africa to make them easier and more affordable for customers.”

MFS Africa has enhanced the next-generation digital customer experience and further strengthened its position as one of the most innovative fintechs on the continent, making the whole remittance process easier.

NP-SL Ltd Proudly Avails Safe & Affordable Fuel for Fishermen & Vessels

By Amin Kef Sesay

Sierra Leone is indeed a very resourceful country and the marine sector has a lot to offer in terms of fishes and other sea animals from which huge revenue could be derived if harnessed very well.

In this time of the year, which is the raining season, fishermen are most times out on the seas with their motorized boats to catch fishes and other species like lobsters, shrimps, crabs etc. The boats that they use have outboard machines that are fuel driven. Accounts given by some of these fishermen are indeed mind boggling bordering on how mixed, impure and doctored fuel has damaged the proper functioning of their outboard machines sometimes putting their very lives in absolute jeopardy.

For some people living in certain communities to travel from one location to another out of their communities the only means is by using boats. Owners of those boats are indeed doing some kind of business and expect to maximize profits meaning they must be mindful of the quality of fuel that they purchase to power their outboard machines on their boats.

The Ministry of Youth, under its Youth in Fishing Project has empowered certain fishing groups, comprising young people, with boats as a way of providing a source of livelihood for them. The project is designed in such a way that the Government and the beneficiaries gain in a mutual way from the proceeds earned.

Experience has proven that doctored fuel, sold by unscrupulous individuals on the Black Market, is of inferior quality and causes a lot of damage to good engines.

The only way out of getting trapped into such a situation which could be very devastating is to access the qualitative petroleum products imported and marketed by the National Petroleum-Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd) which includes diesel, petrol , lubricants(engine oil) etc. These products have been internationally approved as well as nationally by the Petroleum Regulatory Agency (PRA), which is the regulatory agency of all petroleum marketing companies in the country.

NP-SL Ltd is a proud provider of safe and affordable fuel for fishermen and sea vessels. The relationship has existed now for quite a considerable period of time and Management of the company from time to time does all within its reach to strengthen it and keep it mutually beneficial. As a caring company known as 1st for Customer Care the Shareholders and Management of the company is currently wishing all its esteemed sea customers safety during this ongoing rainy season and encouraging them to always patronize with the company in terms of securing qualitative petroleum products.

As a matter of fact, feedbacks so far received from the vast majority of the general public relating to the operations of the National Petroleum Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd) and its contributions to national development indicate that the company is indeed doggedly committed to prioritize enhanced and utmost customer care satisfaction while conducting business transactions.   

The company is proud of partnering with business savvy individuals to open Filling Stations in various parts of the country.

Since it was established by 35 Sierra Leoneans, who bought shares from the Government years back, the company has grown from leaps and bounds; weathering storms that would have run it down. But the resolve of its shareholders and Management to succeed has been the centrepiece that has propelled NP-SL Ltd to a higher pedestal, equal to none in the sub-region.

Despite the above, the selflessness and commitment of the shareholders have made it possible for the company to empower many Sierra Leoneans and at the same time put it at a vantage position to continue to open more filling stations across the country.

NP-SL Ltd has cordially maintained a good business relationship with its numerous customers right across the sub-region where it has its presence and most have confessed that they are realizing optimum satisfaction in dealing with the company.

The company is also known for offering Sierra Leoneans affordable NP Gas cookers of various sizes, which are safe and very friendly to use. NP Gas cookers could be purchased at all their filling stations across the country and the very gas is also sold to replenish those that have been used.

The National Petroleum (NP) of Sierra Leone is 100% indigenously-owned and has been providing various jobs to residents across the country and even in neighbouring countries, thereby reducing poverty to a considerable level.

It is also on record that the NP is one of the largest taxpayers to the National Revenue Authority (NRA), financially empowering the Government to roll out various development projects.

The company has been lauded for its invaluable contributions towards building up the country’s economy.

As a serious petroleum business entity, NP-SL Ltd is proud of having various filling stations in various parts of the country and it is vibrantly functioning in Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast and the Gambia.

Without mincing the truth, the company has a capable and competent managerial team at the helm of affairs, which from time to time comes up with good initiatives, always ensuring that those initiatives are effusively, effectively implemented to create value for money.

Since it was established by 35 Sierra Leoneans, who bought shares from the Government years back, the company has grown from leaps and bounds; weathering storms that would have run it down. But the resolve of its shareholders and Management to succeed has been the centrepiece that has propelled NP to a higher level, equal to none in the sub-region. The synergy that runs through its members of staff has also contributed to the company’s growth.

The selflessness and commitment of the shareholders have made it possible for the company to empower many Sierra Leoneans and at the same time put it at a vantage position to continue to open more filling stations across the country.

The company deals with individuals and various sectors of society, always ensuring that its various petroleum products are available and are sold at affordable prices. This keen symbiotic relationship with its customers has been paying huge dividends, always resulting in a win-win situation, making NP very endearing to all and sundry.

The regulatory institution of the different petroleum companies in the country, Petroleum Regulatory Agency, has lauded NP-SL Ltd for its efficient service delivery wherever it is operating.

When people talk of the steady and effective implementation of the Local Content Policy, NP stands out tall as it is truly has 100% indigenes, particularly in Sierra Leone, as workers. This is one of the factors that have made the company to be a success story.

NP-SL Ltd is doing exceptionally well in all the countries it is functioning and indeed there are prospects for further expansion.

It can therefore be justifiably asserted that the National Petroleum- Sierra Leone Limited is the country’s reliable fuel provider as it always ensures that its stockpile is always at an appreciable level.

Police Impounds 4,725 Short Gun Cartridges & Large Quantity of Military Uniforms

By Foday Moriba Conteh

AIG Amadu Mannah, the Director of Operations of the Sierra Leone Police (SLP), has on the 30th July 2021 at the Police Headquarters, on George Street in Freetown intimated journalists at Police Headquarters that they are steps far ahead of criminals, making it possible for the frequent discovery of drugs, arms and ammunition and the arrest of the mischief makers.

“The SLP is on top of situation, and if you have been following our operations in recent times, you may have realized that we have not been missing target because we are proactive than ever,” he stated assertively furthering how the SLP, as an entity mandated by law to protect life and property, will relent no more even if the crime rate reduces drastically to a level it is no longer recognised.

Newsmen were taken aback when he disclosed that 4,725 short gun cartridges were arrested at Gbalamuya in Kambia District few days ago, and that on 29 July 2021, another large quantity of military uniforms were discovered and impounded at 41 Percival Street in Central Freetown, with 6 people already in police custody helping with investigations.

The AIG also revealed that a large quantity of dry leaves perceived to be drugs was intercepted at the Queen Elizabeth II Quay at Cline Town in the East End of Freetown, noting that the substance has been taken for forensic test to ascertain its drug component and validity for onward legal proceedings.

According to him, on the 28th July 2021, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr Ambrose Michael Sovula, launched a Training Of Trainers (TOT) for 35 Senior Police Personnel at the Sierra Leone Peacekeeping and Law Enforcement Academy (SILEA) at Hastings.

He additionally inform that the TOT and so many other capacity building activities are on-going across the country to help build on the development of the SLP.

He encouraged the general public to relay to the Police any information that could lead to the tracking of any person or group of persons that are suspected of being in surreptitious and subversive activities.

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