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Three India-based enterprises are among the winners of a USD 100,000 global competition of Best Small Businesses

By Press Trust of India

Three India-based enterprises are among the winners of a USD 100,000 global competition of Best Small Businesses’ announced by the United Nations that are providing inspiring, diverse and impactful solutions in improving access to healthy and sustainable food.

Fifty small and medium-sized enterprises around the world have been announced as the Best Small Businesses of the Good Food for All competition, held in conjunction with the UN Food Systems Summit.

From India, the winners are Edible Routes Private Limited, Oorja Development Solutions India and Taru Naturals.

Selected from nearly 2,000 applications from 135 countries, the 50 winners showcase inspiring, diverse and impactful solutions in improving access to healthy, sustainable food. They will also share USD 100,000 in cash prizes, the UN said in a statement on Tuesday.

“Small businesses are the hidden heroes of our food systems, managing at least half of our food economies and keeping food on our plates throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, said Dr Agnes Kalibata, Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for the 2021 Food Systems Summit.

We must understand the challenges they face and work together to ensure they remain at the heart of efforts to improve the future of food.

Edible Routes, founded by Kapil Mandawewala, provides consumers easy access to naturally and locally grown, fresh farm produce, according to the company’s profile. Its business model offers farm allotments to city dwellers, within an hour’s reach, with the capacity to cater to 220 families.

The enterprise said its educational courses and workshops teach people to grow their own food and become stewards of community supported agriculture.

With rapid urbanisation, our vision of optimally using urban spaces to produce fresh farm food has immense potential, it said.

Oorja is a farming-as-a-service (FaaS) company that operates at the intersection between sustainable agriculture and renewable energy.

It finances, installs and maintains solar energy systems for agricultural use and sells affordable and reliable irrigation, milling and cooling services to farmers so they can transition from diesel to solar, the company’s profile on the UN Food Systems Summit community page said.

Founded and led by Amit Saraogi and Dr Clementine Chambon, Oorja has a team of 18 people in India and have so far implemented 24 solar projects reaching close to 2,000 beneficiaries and saving 30 tonnes of CO2.

TARU Naturals and Organics, founded by Ruchi Jain, is a grassroots movement of 10,000 tribal and small-scale farmers across India; a fair trade network connecting farmers to markets, with healthy, pure and organic produce.

The enterprise said it strives to build self-sufficiency across the value chain ecosystem for farm produce, intervening with climate resilient agriculture, clean post harvest technology, value added products and market linkages. We envision to safeguard sustainable rural livelihoods and double small-scale farmer incomes.

The UN said each winner was selected for how their business contributes to healthier, more sustainable and equitable food for the communities they serve; the strength of their vision for the future; and how well they communicate the current and future impact of their business.

Half of the winners are youth and nearly half are women. Winners come from a total of 42 countries.

“These food entrepreneurs are quiet revolutionaries. They operate in the toughest markets, having a real impact on rural poverty and hunger, said Cherrie Atilano, Food Systems Champion and founder of Philippine agri-business AGREA.

Despite this, they are too rarely given a voice on the international stage. With a conducive business environment, positive incentives and greater influence, they can deliver even more in the future.

The UN said many enterprises are innovating and scaling solutions for nutrition and sustainability, from an Israeli company producing chickpea protein powder, to an Italian start-up replacing plastic packaging with edible, bio-based natural polymers and in Nigeria, an inclusive and efficient commodities market is facilitating trade across the region.

Other winners from South Asia include Bangladesh-based research and development project Amader Khamar and iPAGE, an agritech service aggregator specialising in deep learning, precision hardware and software technologies, and Artificial Intelligence.

Nepal-based tech company DV Excellus that has been developing and operating an agrifood tech digital platform named Kheti.

Afghanistan-based Karwan saffron agricultural and livestock company; Sri Lanka-based North Lanka Family Foods that strives to connect the region’s small farmer communities to local and global markets producing well branded, innovative products adding value to agro-produce from this conflict-affected region of Sri Lanka.

With The Economy Sluggish… IMF Says Salone in Danger of Debt Distress

Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva arrives and starts her first day of work at the IMF

By Amin Kef Sesay

We all know that to continue to spend more than one earns results into mounting debt. The same is true for Governments and business entities. In which light, in 2019 Sierra Leone’s public debt was 2,951 million dollars. It increased by 130 million since 2018.

This amount means that the debt in 2019 reached 71.66% of Sierra Leone GDP, a 2.57 percentage point rise from 2018, when it was 69.09% of GDP.

According to the last data point published, Sierra Leone per capita debt in 2019 was 378 dollars per inhabitant. In 2018 it was 369 dollars, afterwards rising by 9 dollars. In 2009, the debt per person was 188 dollars (Source World Bank).

The Bank discovered that the macroeconomic situation remained challenging during the first half of 2019 (2019H1) as inflationary pressure and exchange rate depreciation increased. Inflation, which moderated from 18.2 to 16.8% in 2018, increased to 17.2% in 2019H1 reflecting a sharp depreciation of exchange rate and elevated non-food prices due mainly to the increase in fuel prices.

The Leone came under intense pressure in 2019H1, depreciating by 4.8% and 6.5% (YoY) at the official and parallel markets, respectively, reflecting lower-than-expected export receipts and donor inflows as well as increased demand for foreign exchange to finance imports.

Total public debt was estimated to increase from 60.9% of GDP in 2018 to 62.3% of GDP in 2019, reflecting depreciation of the exchange rate as well as increased domestic debt on account of the conversion of stock of arrears into debt.

The Bank analysed that the country remained at a “high risk” of debt distress for both external public debt and overall public debt.

This week, when IMF approved disbursement of US$ 44.2 million (SDR 31.11 million) to Sierra Leone to support the Government’s policy and reform efforts aimed at reinforcing the country’s recovery from the pandemic, preserving macroeconomic stability, and sustaining inclusive long-term growth, it warned that, “Looking ahead, continued strong policy efforts are needed to help the recovery while safeguarding macroeconomic stability. With a high risk of debt distress, this requires enhanced revenue mobilization, prudent expenditure management and continued external grant support.”

IMF notes that even though there are early signs of economic recovery, Sierra Leone continues to face COVID risks, and a tight financing situation amidst substantial development and priority expenditure needs.

With fiscal space remaining limited, reflecting still low revenue base, an elevated public debt level, and substantial COVID-19-related and other priority expenditure and development needs, IMF said that the Government’s reform agenda, supported by the ECF, should continue to aim at creating fiscal space for development by strengthening revenue mobilization, containing current spending and improving the efficiency of public investment.

Even though IMF foresees growth would recover to pre-COVID-19 levels in the medium term, it says there are considerable risks to outlook.

Over the medium term, non-mining growth is projected to average around 4.5 percent. The external position would remain vulnerable as international reserve coverage is expected to decline.

Risks to the outlook are significant and include, for instance, unexpected global shifts in the COVID-19 pandemic or an intensification of the third wave, uncertainties in the mining sector, lower-than-expected support from development partners or slower-than-expected reform implementation.

As Work Progresses on Hotel & Six Classrooms… Tourism Minister Expresses Satisfaction Over Ongoing Construction Work

By Foday Moriba Conteh

Dr. Memunatu Pratt has on the 28th July 2021 led a delegation from the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs and its implementing agency, the National Tourist Board including the General Manager of the National Tourist Board, Mrs. Fatmata Kroma and the Principal of the Milton Margai Technical College (MMTU), to inspect the reconstruction/rehabilitation of the 24 bedroom hotel, kitchen, prep/service and 6 classrooms of the Hotel and Tourism Training Centre (HTTC), Brookfields campus.

It must be noted that construction work for the rehabilitation of the Hotel and Tourism Training Center (HTTC) under the enhanced Integrated Framework Sustainable Tourism Development and Promotion Project is ongoing and as such, the consultant, Ideas Limited, charged with the responsibility for the supervision of works requested a maiden site visit with the contractors, Almadi Construction and Interlinks Investment.

The Minister said that she is satisfied with the First Phase of clearing and demolition that is going on well noting that although she is not a contractor she observed during the cause of the inspection some issues that were brought to the attention of the contractors such as the low railings of the building that should be raised up while some walls should be demolished and spaces opened, admonished the contractors to construct an external staircase or ramp for disables which she reiterated is very important for the use of both disabled students and guests as Government is promoting inclusiveness and asserted that this is the trend with all hotels and public buildings.

She noted that there is a good relationship between the consultants and the contractors in terms of moving the project forward, which she said is good in terms of resolving issues quickly.

The Minister also said the importance of the building, when it would have been completed, cannot be overemphasized mentioning that the world over tourism contributes to GDP and job creation and provides the capacity to manage natural and cultural resources, hence the essence to have a dedicated 24 bedroom teaching hotel.

She noted that the students would have the opportunity to practice in the hotel on campus and maintained that their intention is to bring the structure to a first-class hotel and tourism school which can compete with other schools in the world, adding that lot of work need to be done in ensuring that such serves as a foundation for subsequent tourism educational establishments nationwide.

The Engineer on Site for the contractors, Almid Cooperation, Engineer Abdulai Conteh said the project should last for six months after submitting their work schedules to the consultants. He said they have almost completed the demolition and have started the block work and the roofing.

He said they would work on the observations of the Minister and assured that the work would be completed before the end of the stipulated six months period maintaining that although they are being challenged with the rains, they will ensure that the work is completed on time.

Sierra Leone & China Celebrate 50 Years of Bi-Lateral Relationship

By Amin Kef Sesay

In marking the 50th Anniversary of bilateral relationship between the Sierra Leone and China  an Online Reception was held yesterday, the 29th July 2021 in which  Honorable Speaker of Parliament Abass Bundu, the Chief of Justice, Desmond Babatunde Edwards, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Professor David Francis, Ministers and Deputy Ministers, Respected Party leaders.

Ambassadors and High Commissioners, Members of the Diplomatic and Consular Corps and Chinese Compatriots participated.

The Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone, H.E Hu Zhangliang welcomed all expressing his deep gratitude to all for taking time out of their busy schedule to attend the reception.

He revealed that to their greatest joy and excitement, H.E. President Xi Jinping and H.E. President Julius Maada Bio have exchanged messages of congratulations on such an important occasion also mentioning how the foreign ministers of the two countries did the same.

The Ambassador underscored that, in his congratulatory message, President Xi Jinping extended warm congratulations and best wishes on behalf of the Chinese Government and People and in his own name to H.E. President Bio and through President Bio to the friendly Government and People of Sierra Leone.

The Ambassador further disclosed how in the message, President Xi said that, “ despite changes in the international landscape, our two countries have always rendered each other understanding and support on issues involving each other’s core interests and major concerns. Our cooperation in the economic field and that related to people’s well-being has yielded fruitful results. In the face of the stern challenges posed by COVID-19, our peoples have stood with each other and assisted each other in pandemic response, demonstrating our brotherly bond, one that has seen us through thick and thin.”

H.E Hu Zhangliang intimated that President Xi also stated that he places great importance on China’s relations with Sierra Leone and look forward to working with President Bio to cement the friendship and mutual trust, deepen practical cooperation, and promote further growth of the China-Sierra Leone comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership for the benefit of the two countries and its people.

 “50 years ago, our great leaders and forefathers late Chairman Mao Zedong and late President Siaka Stevens made the historical decision to establish diplomatic ties between China and Sierra Leone,” he went down memory lane adding how over the past 50 years, through joint efforts of the two Governments and People, China-Sierra Leone friendly relations have grown rapidly and yielded notable results to the satisfaction and pride of both sides.

He continued y highlighting that the past 50 years witnessed the come-into-being of the Youyi Building, the National Stadium, the Mange Bridge, the Magbass Sugar complex, the RSLAF headquarters in the 1970s and 80s, the China-Sierra Leone Friendship Road, the Bo Stadium, the Jui Hospital, the China-Sierra Leone Friendship Middle School and Primary Schools, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Office Building since 2000, and the second Juba Bridge, the Limkokwing-Regent Road, the Myohaung Officers’ Mess and Single Officers’ Quarters, the National Optical Fiber Backbone Network Phase Two and the newly started Foreign Service Academy etc. since 2018.

The Ambassador stated that the past 50 years witnessed the expansion of trade and economic cooperation disclosing that their bilateral trade volume reached 530 million USD last year and the accumulated direct investment from China to Sierra Leone reached 3 billion USD in 2020.

According to him, since 1973, the Chinese Government has dispatched more than 500 Chinese medical staff to Sierra Leone under the health assistance program and since1976, China has provided Government scholarships to over 1000 Sierra Leonean students for them to study in China saying since 1991, China has dispatched about 100 agricultural experts to Sierra Leone to provide technical training.

He informed participants that the past 50 years witnessed the development of the relations between the two countries  into a strategic level disclosing how there have been close exchanges of high level visits between the two countries and frequent cultural exchanges between the two people.

“Our two sides have not only deepened bilateral cooperation but also cooperated in appropriately addressing international and regional issues,” he stated furthering how they have supported each other not only in safeguarding national sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity but also in promoting world peace, common development and international justice.

“50 years down the path, China-Sierra Leone friendship is full of vitality, presenting a flourishing and thriving scene,” the Ambassador noted.

He said on this auspicious occasion, he would like to express sincere gratitude and appreciation to all those in the two countries and other friends who have made important contributions to the development of China-Sierra Leone friendship, including all at the reception.

“I wish to say thank you to all the political parties, the successive Governments and Parliaments, the various social organizations and friends from all walks of life in Sierra Leone for their precious support to the development of China-Sierra Leone relations,” he again expressed gratitude.

 The Ambassador attributed the remarkable achievements of China-Sierra Leone relations over the past 50 years to the natural result of mutual respect, mutual trust, mutual support and mutual benefit between the two sides.

He said in the past 50 years, China and Sierra Leone have always respected each other in choosing a development path that suits its own national conditions, never interfered into each other’s internal affairs and never imposed one’s will onto the other.

“China has never attached any political strings to its aid to Sierra Leone,” he said with pride adding how Sierra Leone has firmly adhered to the one-China principle.

He said the 50-year extraordinary journey of China-Sierra Leone relations would not have been so smooth and fruitful had it not been for the care from the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the major political parties of Sierra Leone adding how this year also marks the 100thanniversary of the founding of the CPC.

In conclusion, H.E Hu Zhangliang proposed a toast to the good health of H.E. President Xi Jinping and H.E. President Julius Maada Bio,

to the prosperity of the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Sierra Leone and the longevity of China-Sierra Leone friendship.

At Annual General Meeting….   Shareholders, NCP Chairman Extol Rokel Bank

By Amin Kef Sesay

On Friday 23rd July, the Rokel Commercial Bank had its 48th Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Freetown. The mood was convivial and pensive with shareholders eager to get informed about the Bank’s 2020 balance sheet and statements of accounts and other broader issues relating to the growth, transformation and sustainability of their beloved institution.

Like previous ones, last week’s AGM was manned by remarkable and notable professionals, like Dr.Prince Harding, Chairman of the National Commission for Privatization (NCP) (the NCP represents the Government of Sierra Leone as prudential shareholder in the Bank), Buffy Bailor, Chairman of the Rokel Bank Board. Bailor is a consummate accountant who is also President of the Institute for Chartered Accountants for Sierra Leone, Haja Wurie Bah and Marcella B. Jones. Amongst the shareholders was our own son of the soil, a seasoned ex-Governor of the Central Bank, resilient banker and economist, Dr Sampha Koroma and well known citizens, such as Rev. Acher-Campbell, but to name a few .

Worthy of note was the hallmark of the event- which was when the astute and articulate Managing Director, Dr Walton Gilpin who took the audience through a brilliant presentation on the Qualitative and Quantitative approaches he had adopted to manage the growth as well as guaranteeing the future of the bank.

Gilpin in his flawless oratory explained the new system the bank has adopted for fraud prevention, financial inclusion, positive profit trajectory, digitalization, financial depth, bonus shares and dividend.

According to Gilpin, all these new policies are encapsulated in the Bank’s strategic plan which seeks to put the Bank on an enviable platform of unlimited growth and expansion.

He pointed out that the Bank was part of the overall financial system, and therefore should operate in a syllogistic manner, contributing to overall economic growth and yielding positive returns to equity for the shareholders.

The Managing Director’s presentation drew uncontrollable applause from the audience and one individual that was notably impressed by Gilpin’s presentation was the Chairman of the NCP, Dr Prince Harding who could not resist the urge to stand up and boldly acclaimed Gilpin.

According to the NCP boss, the Rokel Commercial Bank’s new strategic plan is clearly in sync with the Government of Sierra Leone’s policy on economic development with special emphasis on streamlining the financial sector into a more viable component in its strive to attaining a key millennium Development Goal of achieving middle income status by 2035. The Chairman of the Bank’s Board, Buffy Bailor was perhaps rather less restrained when he stated:

“Special thanks go to the CEO/MD.  Dr Walton E Gilpin for his innovations, outstanding collaborative relationship with the Board and his strong and tireless efforts in directing the Bank’s day to day activities and for his highly fruitful engagements with stakeholders…”

According to the 2020 Statements of Accounts, the Rokel Commercial Bank has recorded a profit (before tax) of Le83.5 Billion in 2020 representing a 5% increase of Le79.4 Billion from the previous year.  With retained earnings increased from  Le966 Million in 2019 to Le44Billion in 2020 (over 4000 % increase), the Rokel Commercial Bank was reported to be financially stable and had met all prudential requirements of the regulatory agency.

Kingho Showcases 2nd Quarter of 2021 CDAP Projects

By Mary Kabay

Kingho Mining Company Limited has on the 29th July 2021, during a Press Conference held at the Harry Yansaneh Hall on Campbell Street showcased the company’s 2nd Quarter 2021 Community Development Action Plan (CDAP) Projects.

Judith Boi Kosseh, the Director of Community Affairs, Kingho Investment Company Limited intimated newsmen that

Kingho Mining Company Limited and Kingho Rail and Port Company Limited are subsidiaries of Kingho Investment Company Limited.

She disclosed that Kingho Mining Company Limited is currently carrying out mining operations in Sambaia, Dansogoia and Simiria chiefdoms respectively in Tonkolili District Northern Sierra Leone.

On the other hand, according to her, Kingho Railway and Port Company Limited operates the 192-kilometer rail services from the mines sites in Tonkolili to the sea port at Pepel in Kamasondo Chiefdom, Port Loko District for onward shipments.

She said as a group, they take community engagement and environmental issue very seriously maintaining  that is why they set up a specialist Directorate to work closely with stakeholders and communities at large to ensure that their operations do not negatively affect their normal livelihood but also provide an opportunity for developments.

“The Directorate of Community Relations at Kingho has developed an internal program to help build the capacity of staff in dealing with the very important aspect of our operation,” she further disclosed adding that based on the EPA statutory provisions, they recently developed a Community Development Action Plan (CDAP).

She said the company takes that mandate from Government seriously continuing that  in order to implement that, they organized training for their Community Liaison Officers (CLOs) covering all areas of operations on planning and implementation of the CDAP Projects.

Judith Boi Kosseh stated that the aim of the Press Conference is to discuss the 2nd quarter report of Kingho’s activities in those communities and to demonstrate how they have been complying as a company.

“Over the past three months we have undertaken several projects using Chiefdom based structure through the Chiefdom Representative Committees (CRC) set up in Chiefdoms we are operating,” she stated that those chiefdoms are Simiria, Dansogoia and Sambaia in Tonkolili District and Kamasondo in Port Loko District.

She intimated that the committees membership are selected from their various Chiefdoms but each committee also include two staff from Kingho to provide support and technical guidance on monitoring, planning and implementation process of CDAP projects.

“We are closely monitoring this new model to see how effective it will be for sustainable implementation of our projects,” she furthered adding how amidst COVID-19 they took great caution on their community engagement programs to comply with Government procedures.

She said, however, they have carried out several projects in the past three months. According to her, with recommendations from the four CRC, they launched massive agriculture projects to support women farmers.

That support, she informed, came at the time when the communities were preparing for this year’s planting season saying assorted farm tools were provided to women in those chiefdoms and a lot of women farmers came out in their numbers to show their support and appreciation maintaining that the farming tools will boost their livelihood and sustenance.

The Director of Community Affairs revealed how Kingho undertook rehabilitation and modernization of the only referral health centre in Kamasondo chiefdom.

She said consequent to the growing population as a result of the company operations in Pepel, hospital attendance has increased to about 300 patients per month, 30 deliveries and 20 admissions on average.

“We also provided the Pepel Health Centre with mattresses and beddings, undertook the rehabilitation of the Pepel Health Centre with the hope to encourage utilization of the medical facility available in the chiefdom and to further reduce infant and maternal mortality rate by 80%,” she stated.

She also mentioned the rehabilitation of a dilapidated school in Kegbema Community stating how the school is closer to the New Tonkolili Iron Ore (TIO) gate from Bumbuna, which according to her, was in a very bad shape and needed an urgent attention.

The Director narrated how children in nearby communities had to walk for miles to access improved schools in other towns saying the rehabilitation means that the Kegbema School will provide safe and habitable learning environment for hundreds of children in the mining community.

She also dilated on the construction of a roundabout at Mabontho Town, the headquarters of Simiria Chiefdom maintaining that the significance of the project is to help control traffic and minimize accidents in the largest town in Simiria Chiefdom.

Judith Boi Kosseh talked about the construction of a culvert at the main crossing drainages in Bendugu Town, the Chiefdom headquarters of Sambaia.

“The company takes it Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) very seriously,” she said with pride saying that collectively, within the past three months, Kingho Mining and Kingho Railway and Port sponsored football galas in honour of Sierra Leone’s 60th Independence Anniversary in all its operational communities.

She added that as part of their corporate social responsibility, they also did Ramadan food distribution in both Pepel and Tonkolili operational areas.

She said in joining the Government in their fight against coronavirus disease, they distributed preventive kits also revealing how they also donated cows to their operational chiefdoms as part of  the Eid-Al-Adha celebration.

“Individually, Kingho Mining Company also undertook the payment of our surface rents of 400 Million Leones to our three (3) mining communities, whilst Kingho Railway and Port Company undertook community sensitization, stakeholder engagement and conflict resolution in the Pepel Port area and all the railway corridor communities,” she stated.

“We are hopeful that that our CDAP and CSR Plans which were developed together with the community shall remain sustainable and provide collective ownership of delivered project,” she expressed optimism.

The Director of Community Affairs concluded by stating that all those activities and many more planned are demonstration of their commitment in fulfilling their obligations and to be considered a serious and credible partner towards the socio-economic development of Sierra Leone as a nation, whilst directly impacting positively on the livelihood of communities in their operational areas.

Other speakers made salient contributions. A question and answer session climaxed the conference.

GRAND-SL Donates Food and Non-Food Items to Susan’s Bay Fire Victims

By Foday Moriba Conteh

As part of their objectives to undertake humanitarian and developmental projects and activities, specifically targeting the underprivileged, vulnerable and marginalized group, particularly women and children in the country, Grassroots Action for National Development Sierra Leone (GRAND-SL), a non-governmental organization, has on Wednesday 28th July, 2021 donated food and non-food items which includes 20 bags of rice, 20 bags of Onion, 20 gallons of cooking oil, 50 packets of Maggi, sleeping blankets etc. worth millions of Leones to 150 Susan’s Bay fire victims. The donation took place at the Susan’s Bay community in Freetown.

In his statement, Acting National Coordinator of Grassroots Action for National Development (GRAND), Alie Tarawallie, disclosed that the Grassroots Action for National Development (GRAND) is a non-governmental organization with one of its objectives to undertake humanitarian and developmental projects and activities, specifically targeting the underprivileged, vulnerable and marginalized group particularly women and children in the country, adding that it against such a backdrop they thought it fit to undertake such a donation at the Susan’s Bay.

He added that such a move by the organization has been part of their normal practice especially during emergencies in the country, stating that during the Kaningo flash flood and the mudslide at Regent the organization also rendered such a gesture to the affected people.

Alie Tarawallie pointed out that during the outbreak of COVID-19 in the country, Grand-SL also undertook series of sensitization drives in order to curtail the spread of COVID-19 in the country which was also followed by some humanitarian gestures in order to cushion the effects of the COVID-19 on vulnerable groups in the country.

He said Susan’s Bay is one of the poorest slum communities in the capital of Freetown and that it was overcomed by a massive blaze of fire on Wednesday 24th March 2021 evening, destroying properties and leaving thousands of people deprived maintaining that as a responsible organization they thought it fit to make the donation on behalf of the general membership and they are doing so with the strong belief that such could be helpful especially at this moment when we are in the raining season.

The Coordinator pointed out that despite the fact that over 1,000 households were affected ,however, due to limited funds the organization decided to only target 150 most vulnerable victims of which he admonished beneficiaries to make good use of the donated items in order to support themselves and their families.

Pa Yusuf Conteh, one of the beneficiaries, applauded the Grassroots Action for National Development Sierra Leone (GRAND-SL) for considering them at this crucial moment in their lives, adding that the fire disaster destroyed all what they had  leaving them with nothing.

He called on other organizations to follow the organization’s footprint as residents of Susan’s Bay, especially the Aged, are in dire need of food and non-food items support considering the damages the fire disaster had caused to their lives.

Miatta Kargbo’s Integrity Remains Unblemished

By Amin Kef Sesay

After the Commission of Inquiry’s findings against one of Sierra Leone’s female political maestro and business woman, Miatta Kargbo and her appeal against same at the Appeals Court in Freetown, many Sierra Leoneans have described her situation as a witch hunt, especially as the Court refused to allow her lawyer, Melron Nicol-Wilson Esq., to produce fresh evidence before the Court on her financial status.

According to what some have said, Madam Miatta Kargbo was Presidential Advisor for Health, HIV/ AIDS, including Social Welfare and Children’s Affairs, and Labor and Social Security in the Strategy and Policy Unit of the administration of former President Koroma, later as Minister of Health and Sanitation.

She left political office in 2014 and thereafter got a consultancy as Coordinator – Social Protection and Capacity Building Post-Ebola Recovery, a DfID-funded Project under the Presidential Delivery Team (PDT), where she was being paid $6,000 monthly for 18 months.

Her exemplary performance may have not been liked by corrupt officials, who see her as a threat to their clandestine activities, whilst other committed staff saw her as an inspiration. They described her thus: “… she rewarded performance and did not practice nepotism, tribalism or regionalism….…during her tenure in office, the Ministry leadership was the most diverse in terms of gender – women in leadership, and regional diversity and party affiliation“.

During her tenure in the Ministry of Health and other political circles, Miatta may not have been appreciated by those who were not ready for change and/ or her expectations of high performance, and more especially not prepared to be led by a young and dynamic woman who may not have fit within the stereotype of the status quo. As has been the norm in the country, good people who delivered are often demonised by people who prefer the status quo to remain, and Miatta Kargbo was a victim of this cabal.

She left political office in 2016 and got a consultancy as Coordinator – Social Protection and Capacity Building Post-Ebola Recovery, a DfID-funded project under the Presidential Delivery Team (PDT), where she was being paid $6,000 monthly for 18 months.

During this period, Miatta was involved in business. Documents seen by this medium show that in 2016, two years after leaving office as Minister of Health, Kargbo acquired two haulage trucks for sand, granite, and other services. These trucks did several haulage services for customers who needed sand, granite, and dust, as well as provision of haulage services for Timber loggers.

She also had two tankers, bought from a loan she took from a local bank in 2011, using her parent’s house as loan collateral, which she finally paid in 2018. These tankers were contracted by NP-SL to supply fuel to various outlets in the country and proceeds paid into her account, according to documentary evidence seen.

Unfortunately, these were part of the new evidence that were not allowed in the Appeals Court, after Counsel of the State, Robert Kowa, refused to accept them into evidence at the appeals; which, according to her lawyer, could have explained the allegations of unexplained wealth, which the Court then sent to the ACC for further handling. In respect of allegations of missing ambulances, the Appeals Court exonerated her, as it stated that the ambulances were procured, delivered and used in the Ebola fight.

As things stand, many Sierra Leoneans are of the opinion that had the evidence been allowed at the Court of Appeal, allegations against Miatta Kargbo would have been debunked and the matter laid to rest, especially when at the very onset of the COI, Legal representatives of the various persons of interest, including the Bar Association, questioned the absence of rules of evidence in the trials/investigations.

Their arguments were all made to forestall such anomalies, and ensure a fair hearing of the persons of interest, unfortunately, their concerns were brushed aside and the COI continued without rules of evidence. It is against this backdrop that some of the parties have decided to appeal against the findings of the COI in the Appeals Court, where rules of evidence are observed.

UBA Sierra Leone Commissions New Branch at Adonkia

By Foday Moriba Conteh

As part of their commitment to complement the Bank of Sierra Leone’s efforts in promoting financial inclusion and inclusive economic growth as well as reaching out to the banked, under-banked and unbanked populace across the country, the United Bank for Africa (UBA) Sierra Leone has on Thursday 29th July, 2021 commissioned its newly constructed branch at Adonkia in the Western Rural District.

The Managing Director of UBA Sierra Leone, Usman Isiaka, conveyed greetings on behalf of the Group Chairman of UBA Plc ,Tony Elumelu (CON), the Group Managing Director (GMD)  Kennedy Uzoka, the Group Deputy Managing Director,  Oliver Alawuba who oversees all the 19 country businesses of UBA outside of Nigeria and his line supervisor Abiola Bawuah, the Regional Chief Executive Officer for West Africa.

He said he is gratified as he fulfills a legacy of his second predecessor, Chinedu Obeta, the former MD/CEO of UBA Sierra Leone whom, he said, started this journey of establishing the Adonkia branch of UBA about a year ago but now serving as the MD/CEO UBA Zambia.

Usman Isiaka added that at UBA, they are United by One Bank, and they remain committed to driving the global vision and mission of the Bank.

He further revealed that the Adonkia new branch is part of UBA Sierra Leone’s strategic intent of expanding their reach to the banked, under-banked and unbanked populace across the country under their 2021 Branch Expansion Project and the new UBA Branch Model and Prototypes that are expected to give their esteemed customers new
experience of a beautiful business environment as exemplified by
the edifice to be commissioned.

The Managing Director noted that the Adonkia branch is one of the 5 new customer service touch points (3 branches and 2 cash points) and that the Bank plans for the current financial year to bring the total number of their business offices in the country to 14 (10 branches and 4 cash points) for improved customer service experience and
convenience of their existing and prospective customers.

He disclosed that the new UBA Adonkia branch will provide to the delight of all the banking populace in that community and beyond.

Deputy Governor of Financial Stability of the Bank of Sierra Leone, Sheik Alhaji Yahya Sesay, described the new UBA Adonkia branch as truly modern and beautiful, which he said is a clear manifestation of United Bank of Africa’s continued investment in Sierra Leone and its desire to serve its esteemed customers in a conducive and modern environment.

He pointed out that as one of the top listed banks in the world, the UBA enjoys an excellent customer base, a diversified business structure and strong innovation capabilities and market that have continued to play a leading role in the banking sector throughout the years and has been a strong and vital anchor to the Sierra Leonean economy for over a decade now, adding that its contributions to the business community and the private sector has been tremendous even during the difficult times of the Ebola scourge and now COVID-19 global pandemic.

Sheik Alhaji Yahya Sesay disclosed that the Bank of Sierra Leone will always be a willing partner to any financial institution working towards increasing and improving banking services as one of the major objectives of the Bank of Sierra Leone is the protection of depositors’ funds and they therefore wish to assure the public that the banking system in Sierra Leone is strong, safe and resilient.

The Member of Parliament for Constituency 110, Hon. Kadijatu Davies commended the United Bank for African (UBA) Sierra Leone for considering her constituency to establish a branch which she said will be beneficial to her constituents.

She noted that Constituency 110 has been deprived for a very longtime in having a bank at their doorstep adding that they were faced with a lot of challenges in order to have access to banking services in that part of the country and that some had to come all the way to Lumley or in town to access such services, furthering that with the commissioning of the new branch those challenges will be things of the past.

Commissioning the new Adonkia Branch, the Nigerian High Commissioner to Sierra Leone, John Henry Omaku, commended UBA Sierra Leone for their expansionist drive which he said is a clear manifestation that the Bank cares about every Sierra Leonean.

He said that for over decades the United Bank for Africa has been empowering Africans in all aspects of life adding that their presence at Adonkia will definitely change the narrative in terms of banking services by adding positive values to their services.

John Henry Omaku encouraged the Bank to inculcate the mission of the Bank to residence so that they will see the need to bank with them so that others will emulate their footprints.

Climaxing the event was the officially commissioning of the UBA Sierra Leone Adonkia branch by the Nigerian High Commissioner to Sierra Leone, John Henry Omaku and the UBA Team which was followed by a conducted tour of the branch.

Holding Global Education Summit Spellbound… Dr. David Sengeh Dilates on Optimizing Radical Inclusion in the Educational Sector

By Amin Kef Sesay

On the 28th to the 29th July, 2021 the global community met in the United Kingdom to raise their hands in support of quality education for all children.

During a brief discussion on the 29th July 2021 in which the Education Ministers of selected countries participated, including Sierra Leone’s Minister of Basic and Secondary Education, Dr. David Sengeh, all of them dilated on policies and initiatives that have been rolled out in their respective countries geared towards enhancing education and human capital development.

Speaking with passion, Dr. David Sengeh, highlighted that there has been a tremendous change in the educational system in the country since President Julius Maada Bio took over leadership of the country. He laid emphasis on how they as a Government put premium on the importance of generating data which are used in making evidence-based decisions and policies as to how to improve the sector.

The electrifying moment was when Dr. Sengeh mentioned the way the Government is focusing on translating radical inclusion into reality in its approach to transform the educational system in the country that will be beneficial to many children in the country.

The Minister underscored that radical inclusion, within this context, means leaving no one behind furthering how just recently the Government approved the policy of accepting pregnant girls in school, how those living with disabilities and even the Girl Child are given consideration in accessing education.

He maintained that radical inclusion must not only be in theory but must be intentional and very broad based not leaving behind those in hard to reach areas. The Minister said the use of radio, television etc as well as the oldest form of technology, which is paper, can all play defining and significant roles in enhancing the learning skills of children.

Giving an example of how technology could be positively applied to enhance the educational system, Dr. David Sengeh, made reference to how accessing the National Primary School Examination (NPSE) results this year was digitalized in the sense that through just a simple text message  children or parents can get the examination results which were out few days ago. He said, hitherto, it took up to days when the results were out for it to be accessed because the process was cumbersome and costly were as of now it is almost free.

“In Sierra Leone we don’t joke with accurate data because it is only when you have the right data that you could be able to make informed decisions,” the erudite Education Minister cum Chief Innovator averred adding that proper measurement of impact generates data for further evidence-based conversations.

Dr. David Sengeh intimated this medium that it has been excellent having technical meetings with some partners including Education Outcomes Fund and Save the Children adding how they will also meet others like Fab Inc, EdTech Hub and Plan International.

He also stated how they held exciting discussions in London around Girls’ Education, Climate, Curriculum, etc with leaders of UK Govt with the likes of Gavin Williamson MP (Secretary of State) , Member of Parliament Hon. Wendy Morton, Hon. Nick Gibb MP and

Hon. Helen Grant.

“I have also had the pleasure of engaging other African Ministers from South Sudan, Ghana, Malawi and Senegal sharing ideas and exchanging solutions that work for us on how do we keep girls in school and ensure our educational and school systems are resilient,” he intimated.

On his part, President Bio stated that he had a very exciting meeting with Dominic Raab today in London adding that as a Government, they will continue to increase commitment towards education.

He underscored how he shared with the world the progressive reforms the Government had undertaken in Sierra Leone furthering that they will continue to increase financing, expanding access and promoting girl’s education for inclusive  and sustainable development.

It must be noted that President Julius Maada Bio and Dr. David Sengeh, continue to emerge on the world stage as global voices, thought leaders, consciences of innovation through radical inclusion for educational empowerment and sustainability.

The paradigm shift initiative by Minister Sengeh from teacher centered pedagogy to student focused collaboration and problem solving with application of analytical skills, critical thinking will definitely aid the process of children’s neural connections while serving as the formative platform for strong cognitive development.

Dr Sengeh’s strong background in technology has in no small measure informed his emphasis on data collection, data analysis and sound conclusion in his approach to evidence-based policy initiatives.

The Global Partnership for Education, the platform for the world education summit focused on facilitating inclusive partnership, bringing actors from all corners of the globe to collaborate, focus on evidence-based challenges, offer material, technical and financial support and sharing best practices from countries around the globe.

It could be recalled that President Bio and Dr. Sengeh have changed the DNA of education in Sierra Leone in just three short years. The catastrophic pandemic of the past 18 months has tested the resolve of the President and his Minister even more intensely, compelling both to reimagine education radically to include more vulnerable constituencies and children across the country.

The reimagining has involved but not limited to the use of technology to bridge the equity divide through the medium of radio and television. Mobile phones as devices through which educational materials like dictionaries and classroom resources are accessed, continue to be included in the nation’s educational toolbox of assets for equity and inclusion.

Building a more resilient educational infrastructure through a commitment to gender equity, teacher and professional development opportunities and making changes happen at systems level has been the hallmark of the President and the Education Minister.

A Social Commentator intimated this medium that contrary to what is being peddled on Social Media by some that it was quite unnecessary for President Bio and Dr. Sengeh to attend the summit since it was also online, that it is a wastage of taxpayers’ money, the undiluted fact remains that what Sierra Leone has achieved so far in rolling out the Free Quality Education Initiative and pledging 22% of its national budget to the educational sector are indeed worth showcasing.

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