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Njala University’s Acting VC&P Engages Police, Traditional Authorities, and Bo Campus Administration

By Ralph Sesay

Professor Andrew Baimba, Acting Vice-Chancellor and Principal of Njala University, the 27th July 2021 met with Paramount Chief Lappia Boima the 1V of Bo Kakua Chiefdom and his traditional authorities, Assistant Inspector General of Police Southern Region, Aiah Edward Samadia and the Leadership of the Bo Campus Administration.

Introducing the Acting Vice-Chancellor and Principal to Paramount Chief Lappia Boima, Dr. Muneer Jalloh hinted that it has always been part of a longstanding tradition for the University Administration to introduce newly appointed Vice-Chancellors and Principals to the traditional authorities of the host chiefdom.

PC Lappia Boima was full of appreciation for the visit and thanked the University Administration for according them such respect. He reminisced his days at Njala University and paid homage to Dr. Jalloh and the incoming Vice-Chancellor and Principal for mentoring him throughout his University days and in his present capacity as Paramount Chief.
Acting Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Baimba thanked the University Administration for facilitating his visit to Paramount Chief Boima and lauded the support the University he has received from the leadership of the Chiefdom and called for a continuation of such support.

In another development, the Vice-Chancellor’s delegation also paid a courtesy call on the Regional Police Commander South, AIG Aiah Edward Samadia, and apprised him of the leadership transition at Njala University and the need for a cordial working relationship between the Police and the Njala University Administration.
AIG Samadia welcomed the delegation and noted that his policing style is pro-active and utilizes engagement and dialogue and called on the new leadership to engage the Police at all times to avoid major incidents.

Professor Baimba told the Police boss that they are dealing with very delicate human beings and it is always critical that they maintain a cordial relationship with the Police at all times.

The Acting Vice-Chancellor and Principal later met the Bo campus Administration and the Executive of the Academic Staff Association (ASA). He highlighted his key mandate as the Acting Vice-Chancellor and Principal from the Government of Sierra Leone and his expectations from members of staff within his short stay as Interim Head of the Institution.

He was received by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Bo Campus, Professor Mohamed Syed Fofanah, and the President of the Academic Staff Association, Claude Dimoh. The DVC Bo, campus, like many other academics and administrators within the University, has described Professor Baimba as a mentor and a very strong pillar in the curriculum and policy review processes of the University in the last two decades.

The visit to the Campus Administration, the Traditional Authorities, and Senior Police Commander in the Southern Region brought to an end to a series of familiarization visits by Professor Baimba to critical stakeholders of the University since he took up office on the 1st July 2021.

Throughout his familiarization meetings with Deans of Schools, Campus Administrations, University Administrators, Traditional Leaders of the Kori and Kakua Chiefdoms, Professor Baimba has called for commitment, integrity, and professionalism of staff members and the unflinching support of the traditional rulers to return to Njala University to its glory days.

Professor Andrew Baimba was appointed by Government to serve as a caretaker Principal due to his vast institutional knowledge about Njala University where he had served for over three decades. Since his assumption of office on the 1st July 2021 he has vigorously guided the management and functional Review of the programs and courses of the University in tandem with the vision of the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education.

He is of the view that Njala University should adopt a ‘Back to Basics’ approach and consolidate in the areas of the Pure and Applied Sciences with a view to regaining its lost glory as a leader in the training of quality science and agriculture teachers for secondary schools across the country.

NP-SL Ltd Steadfastness in Qualitative Service Delivery Never Fails

By Amin Kef Sesay

The National Petroleum -Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd) is Sierra Leone’s leading oil marketing company that has been very steadfast in its service delivery drive in terms of marketing high grade petroleum products and performing other auxiliary functions to the admiration of many.

As a result of  good managerial initiatives and decisions, the company has been doing extremely and exemplary well in terms of always ensuring the availability of those products in a timely manner which makes it possible for individuals to have ready access to them. It is no secret that the seriousness of the company, with regards ambitiously striving towards reaching the pinnacle within the business landscape not only in this country but far beyond, has heightened the confidence of its business partners to continue business relationships.

It must be hammered that NP-SL-Ltd is not extraordinary because like any business entity the company is susceptible to internal and external shocks that impact on its efficacy and sustainability. Currently, the high exchange rate of the dollar to the Leone, meaning the Leone has drastically depreciated, is affecting many entities, creating inflation (prices of basic commodities have skyrocketed) and impinging negatively on the overall standard of living. NP-SL –Ltd pays for petroleum products it imports and understandably whenever the price of the dollar goes up then it means the company is spending more Leones to buy dollars in order do so.

Accessing the very dollar has turned out to be a huge task as it is scarce which has created a situation whereby the company has to go the extra-mile to get the required amount of dollars it needs from time to time to import the products it markets.

For such an important company to continue to thrive it is but very prudent on the part of the Petroleum Regulatory Agency, the Bank of Sierra Leone and other commercial banks to give it the maximum attention and support it needs in the company’s bid to do foreign exchange transactions.

It has gone down the annals of history that the company is impressively one of the most successful indigenous entities that is sustainably forging ahead when others have collapsed for a variety of reasons.

A marked reality of the company’s viability is evident in its opening of branches in Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast, The Gambia and in all of those places it is providing qualitative customer care services to residents, making it a prime priority.

It has been established that NP-SL Ltd has been meaningfully contributing to economic growth through payment of taxes and rolling out meaningful interventions in the discharge of its Corporate Social Responsibility which are transforming lives and improving communities.

The company has gained reputation for offering different jobs to Sierra Leoneans throughout the country where it is operating and this has helped in improving standards of living.

NP-SL gives preference to Sierra Leoneans with regards offering jobs, a clear indication that it is strictly poised towards adherence to the country’s Local Content Policy. Utilizing local talents makes it possible for indigenes to imbibe useful knowledge and skills through training exercises that could be applicable in other places.

The company has one of the best cooking gadgets, known as NP Gas that offers suitability for cooking purposes. There are different cylinder sizes and they could be located at all the filling stations of the company and also accessed from authorized agents or dealers.

In this digital age, moving away from the traditional way of transacting business has now become the norm. It is along such a line that it was thought wise on the part of the shareholders and Management to introduce the use of smart cards. With these cards, customers can procure petroleum products of whatever quantity they do desire.

“Using NP smart card always makes transactions very easy and convenient for me,” a prominent entrepreneur informed.

For its solid service delivery to its numerous and esteemed customers right across the country, the company over the years, has gained widespread recognition and admiration evident in bagging awards from different organizations.

NP-SL Ltd is really promoting efficient service delivery, contributing positively to the socio-economic development of the country but it must be reiterated that contractual business agreements must be strictly adhered to by other parties so that such an important company will continue to operate unfettered.

Sierra Leone Brewery Limited Concludes 58th Annual General Meeting

By Amin Kef Sesay

The Sierra Leone Brewery Limited (SLBL) has on the 28th July 2021 held its 58th Annual General Meeting via Zoom. The Chairman of the Annual General Meeting, Jan-Kees Nieman, in his address to the shareholders of the company, welcomed all the participants further stating that due to the COVID-19 pandemic for the second time now in the company’s 59 year of history they are once more holding the AGM virtually on-line.

He informed participants that he will be presenting the Annual Report and Financial Statements of the company for the year ending 31st December, 2020.

Dilating on the business environment, the Chairman highlighted that the year 2020 was characterized by lower volume sold in the domestic market compared to previous years due to the global pandemic that was declared in March 2020. He underscored that the business environment in 2020 was challenging in terms of currency depreciation, 13.1% inflation, 13.4% and high money market rate of 8.0% which translated into high cost of running business.

Jan-Kees Nieman furthered that the excise duties on imported alcoholic beverages that were significantly lowered in 2018 were maintained at that level and continue to have negative impact on the competitiveness of their locally produced products.

“This affected our performance and the business case we had made for our large investments in the previous years,” the Chairman also intimated.

Touching on the company’s 2020 operating results, Jan-Kees Nieman revealed how SLBL delivered a positive business performance despite the challenging business conditions triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic. He disclosed that net revenue grew by 10.4% from Le160.0 billion in 2019 to Le 176.6 billion in 2020 also stating how the revenue growth was driven by the export market development with sales of Heineken beer and Desperados brands in Liberia and Guinea.

The Chairman also informed that the operating result deteriorated from Le6 billion profit in 2019 to Le 6.1 billion loss in 2020 stating how that was mainly as a result of restrictions put in place by the authorities to stop the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

“The Net Financing cost increased from Le35.4 billion in 2019 to Le 60.1 billion in 2020 primarily driven by the exchange losses as the Leone depreciated continuously,” the Chairman added explaining that as a result the net loss increased from a loss  of Le29.5 billion in 2019 to a loss of Le66.2billion in 2020.

The Chairman said in quarter one of 2020, the Brewery went on with its investment programme and commissioned an additional
four new Bright Beer Tanks each with a capacity of 700hl valued at 20 billion Leone meant to replace the old tanks and to improve the quality of their products stating that total investments in the Brewery and the company now amounts to 310 billion Leones in the last 4 years.

He maintained that their supply chain operations was affected by several disruptions at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic with
significant dislocation in supplies of spare parts, raw and packaging materials both locally and imported.

“Our local sourcing agenda continued to be a key strategic objective in 2020,” he stated adding how throughout the year, SLBL worked
closely with local farmers to grow sorghum for use as a raw material in their production.

The Chairman said, however, they suffered from the effects of COVID-19 movement restrictions especially during cultivation period (May-June) which, according to him, grossly affected the cultivation of sorghum crop of 2020.

He expressed their commitment to increase sorghum availability
in the light of the Finance Act, by the use of higher yielding seed varieties, increase in area cultivated and through larger semi-commercial farms and mechanized commercial farmers.

With regards sales and export, Jan-Kees Nieman, said 2020 was a special year, full of challenges and many surprises revealing how their sales team navigated the crisis by providing the necessary support to their customers and consumers at the point of consumption.

“Our Export sales to Liberia and Guinea represent 9% of our total volume and revenue,” he stated disclosing how they sold 12,000 HL to those markets which helped them grow their Revenue by Le. 16.8 billion.

The Chairman mentioned how they creatively executed some marketing activities in the midst of the COVI-19 restrictions, navigating the crisis
with the right communication to support growth whilst embedding social responsibility in brands.

He said even though the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic affected businesses and economies globally, SLBL continued to play an important role in the social and economic growth of Sierra Leone, through the company’s investment and growth strategy, job creation and their extensive corporate social responsibility agenda supported by
HEINEKEN Africa Foundation (HAF).

He revealed how SLBL executed a sorghum awareness campaign across various districts to develop, galvanize and attract more farmers to go into sorghum cultivation for commercial purposes, in order to meet the production requirements of SLBL as part of their local content commitment.
“We completed the remaining three out of seven solar powered wells across locations in Koya Town and Wellington Industrial Estate,” he stated adding how it was a HAF sponsored project on the implementation of seven submersible solar powered wells to provide clean accessible water for residents.

The Chairman said the project now benefits thousands of residents in those communities.

The Chairman said under the sponsorship of HAF, they did a signing ceremony and launched a project for over 2.3 billion Leones on
the 31st August 2020 in partnership with World Vision International to provide water and sanitation assistance in specific areas in the Western Area during COVID-19.

He also said there was no movement or change in the Board of Directors as all continued to perform their duties accordingly and performed the usual advisory, governance and strategic duties as
required.
He said the Directors to retire by rotation during the Annual General Meeting, in line with the provisions of Articles 106 of their Articles of Association, are Ivan D. A. Carrol and L.J. Tani Pratt furthering that in accordance with Article 108, being eligible, they offer themselves for re-election adding how motions for that will be put to the shareholders during the course of the proceedings.
Talking about 2021 and beyond he said the Board of Directors believes that the improvements and investments in 2020 will have a further positive impact in 2021 and beyond.
He said in 2021 they hope to recover from the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic although the risks are still high for the business locally as well as globally.
“We will roll out the Heineken “Evergreen” strategy with work streams looking at Growth, Cost and Value, Social Responsibility and Sustainability, People and Culture, Digital and Technology in 2021,” he expressed optimism adding that they will strive to continue to make positive impact in the development of Sierra Leone.

Dilating on their important initiatives, he said, they include their local sourcing particularly sorghum and expansion to other locally cultivated items such as barley.
He said with their Corporate Social Responsibility agenda, they will continue in 2021 working with communities to improve WASH facilities in the face of the continuing threat from the COVID- 19 pandemic.

“SLBL will remain a strong long-term reliable partner for the development of Sierra Leone and supporting national revenue strides,” he stated.
Prior to the commencement of the Annual General Meeting, the Company Secretary, Albert Ojo Collier readout the Notice of Meeting.

The meeting was climaxed with the presentation of a Financial Report by Bakertilly, an independent Auditing Firm, to the Shareholders of the Sierra Leone Brewery Company.

Chief Minister Urges Stakeholders to Relocate Male Correctional Centre

By Esther Wright

Jacob Jusu Saffa, the Chief Minister, in the discharge of his official duties has urged stakeholders at the Sierra Leone Correctional Centre (SLCC) to fast track the operationalization of transferring the Pademba Road Prisons to a location outside the capital city of Freetown.

He was addressing stakeholders at the Internal Affairs Ministry on the 26th July 2021 at the Ministry’s Conference room.

The Chief Minister noted that the plan of relocating the maximum prison is long overdue especially when consideration is taken of the high intake of inmates further admonishing the Director General to furnish his office with a programmatic briefing with timelines on the road map to achieve that objective in two weeks.

According to the Acting Director General of the Correctional Centre, Mr. Turay, they currently have about 4,478 inmates nationwide , with 1,888 convictions, 1,391 in Remand, 106 Condemned, 1,027 on Trial and 29 serving life imprisonments.

Blind Ebola Survivor Cries for Help

By Mahawa Kamara

That morning — it was a Friday, I remember — my daughter Mariama fell down on the stairs and injured herself. She began to bleed from a cut near her eye.

Before we knew it, someone had called the ambulance. Mariama and my youngest daughter, who slept in the same bed, were taken away by the Ebola emergency team. Mariama was not sick. She had gone through an abortion and so was going through a lot of remorse. That was all. My daughter was not sick.

The next thing I heard was that Mariama was dead. She was declared dead that same afternoon. My youngest daughter, who had a phone with her, told me so when I spoke to her.

The next day I tried to reach my youngest daughter. She did not pick up the phone. Later, I came to know she had also died.

My son and I were quarantined. Maseray, my eldest daughter who lived on Blackhall Road, came to stay with me, as she couldn’t bear to leave me during this time.

But that same day, the Ebola response team came back. They took me, my son, Maseray, and an old woman away. The old woman lived on the fourth floor of our building. She had just come to ask about our daughters.

We were all taken to different treatment centres. I fell ill at the hospital and spent three weeks there with Ebola.

When they released me, I came to know my son had died. I begged people to call Maseray for me. At first they tried to hide, but later they told me the truth: Maseray had died and the other woman, our neighbor, had survived. How could the old woman survive when my young, healthy child — who was not even sick — die?

The Government gave me a little money, Le 260,000. To look after my four grandchildren, I began to sell bisap [a local drink made of hibiscus flower]. I was able to make a living initially. But about a year after, I felt my eyes beginning to go.

I was taken to the Connaught Hospital. Then to the Sarolla Eye Clinic. I went to the doctors at Medicine Sans Frontiers and the 34 Military Hospital. All the doctors in these hospitals did their best. But their best was not enough. I ended up blind.

Now that I am blind, I no longer sell bisap. I live on the top floor of this five-storey building. I need to climb some 50 stairs to get to this single room. There are no railings. I cannot climb down the stairs myself. I cannot look after myself. My grandchildren and I survive on the charity of others. My grandchildren do chores for the neighbours and they give us some food.

For more than one year, our landlord has been trying to evict us. He took us to court last year. Luckily, the lawyer who helped us took pity on us. He paid our rent for a year. But that time is coming to an end now.

I don’t know what we can do. All I can do now is to wait. I am waiting for death to come. I am tired of asking the Government for help. I have nothing more to say to them. So today I am sending this message to the sori-heart people, the good people, of the world:

I, Aminata Sesay, am a blind Ebola survivor with four grandchildren. We have no one. Our condition is not good. We need help.

EU Congratulates Sierra Leone on Abolition of Death Penalty

By Amin Kef Sesay

The European Union, in a Press Release dated 27th July 2021, has stated that it welcomes the commitment of President Julius Maada Bio and the unanimous bipartisan vote in the Parliament of Sierra Leone on the 23rd July,2021 to abolish the death penalty maintaining that once enacted into law by the President, Sierra Leone will join the majority of countries in the world having abolished the death penalty.

It was highlighted that the death penalty is a cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment and no compelling evidence exists to show that it serves as a deterrent to crime, while any miscarriages of justice are irreversible.

The European Union, it was highlighted, strongly opposes the death penalty and will continue to work for its abolition in the few remaining countries that still apply it.

“The abolition of the Death Penalty Act 2021, has eliminated capital punishment for persons convicted for crimes such as murder, treason and aggravated robbery,” the Press Release pointed out adding how it marks a significant milestone in Sierra Leone’s Human Rights agenda as she joins other progressive nations, becoming 110th country in the world to abolish the death penalty for all crimes.

The EU says it remains a strong voice to support the eradication of the death penalty from Sierra Leone, providing support to civil society organisations advocating for legislative reforms and to guarantee and respect the right to life of persons convicted for capital offences under the country’s laws.

“We are pleased with the Government of Sierra Leone’s decision to abolish the use of capital punishment in all circumstances. This is a significant milestone for the protection of fundamental human rights and freedoms in Sierra Leone. To respect human life is a critical component in preserving democratic culture. The EU attaches great importance to strengthening the rule of law, human rights, and the consolidation of democracy across the world. I wish to congratulate the Government, Parliament and the President for this bold step,” says Tom Vens, EU Ambassador to Sierra Leone.

The EU maintained that prior to its abolition Sierra Leone has witnessed a steady increase in recorded death sentences although a death penalty moratorium was upheld in 2020 saying, however, there have not been any executions since October 1998.

Based on the Press Statement, by the end 2020, there were 78 people, all male, on death row, an increase of over 50% from August 2019 stating that recent sentences from the Kabala High Court Circuit session saw one woman sentenced to death by hanging.

The European Union stated that over the years it has joined hands with many others to advocate for and support the abolition of the death penalty and to create more space for the promotion and defence of human rights.

This, according to the EU, culminated in the unanimous vote by Parliament to abolish the death penalty saying it is a powerful sign of the commitment towards a partnership based on shared values.

OFP Commences Construction of Ultra-Modern Orphanage Home for Disable Children

By Foday Moriba Conteh

At a well-attended ceremony held on Friday 23rd July, 2021 the One Family People (OFP) Organization turned the sod for the construction of an Orphanage Home for Children Living with Disabilities at Grafton in the Western Rural District to be known as the New Mahanahim Orphanage Home.

In her welcome statement, Founder of the Mahanahim Orphanage Home, Aunty Melrose, expressed appreciation to the  Minister of Social Welfare, the Polio Challenged Association, Dorothy Springer Trust and Rev. Jalloh for their continuous support.

She commended the Minister of Social Welfare, Madam Baindu Dassama, for her efforts towards championing the issues relating to persons living with disabilities in the country, adding that since she took over, the Ministry has been very active in promoting the welfare of persons with disabilities in the country.

Aunty Melrose was recently recognized as one of the most 50 Influential Women in Sierra Leone because of her good work towards disable children in the country.

Delivering a statement, the Director of Programmes of One Family People (OFP), Hadiatou Diallo, stated that over the years her organization has been working with the Ministry of Social Welfare in empowering children living with disabilities across the country, stating that during this time of their partnership they discovered that many children with disabilities are suffering, some were abandoned by their families, some having multiple disabilities of which in most cases they end up living on the streets.

Madam Hadiatu further applauded the Founder of Mahanahim Orphanage Home, Madam Melrose Kamara, for her good work, courage and passion to care for children that have been neglected by their families noting that 90% of these children are not going to school as a result of their disabilities disclosing that the new building will be having seven (7) rooms with an office, a training room and social workers to help the children. She said originally it was envisioned to be a four room building but now it will be extended, including quarters for the boys and girls.

She revealed that Mahanahim was a Home for disable children established by Madam Melrose and since its inception she has been working tirelessly in order to take care of these unfortunate children in her Home, adding that due to an increase in the number of disable children who wanted to access the home and the fact that the space is small it can no longer accommodate all of those children.

She added that it is against such a backdrop that they decided to engage the Ministry of Social Welfare which supported the idea because it would be a Home for all including children living with polio and other forms of handicap as they cannot take care of themselves, they need people, they need good accommodation saying after the completion of the building it will house forty (40) disable children to live decent lives.

Founder of the Mahanahim Orphanage Home, Madam Melrose Kamara, said that her dream has come true to see these children live happy lives stating that is what she has been praying for over the years pointing out that over the years they have been struggling to have a structure more especially for children who could not work stating that a lot of disable children in her care lost their lives because of lack of good accommodation.

She disclosed that the turning of the sod for the construction of the Home has put smile on their faces as that will give the children a good place to sleep.

She ended by showering praises on the One Family People and the Ministry of Social Welfare for such a laudable venture which she described as not only important to them but very timely and assured them that after completion of the Home it will be used for its intended purpose.

A representative from the Polio Challenge Association, Sylvanus thanked the Minister and One Family People for their tireless efforts towards the development of children living with disabilities in the country.

He said POCA was established in 1992 to promote disable persons in order to be useful and productive citizens in society and that in 2004, the Founder of Mahanahim Orphanage Home, Madam Melrose Kamara, approached them with a vision to help abandoned children with disabilities especially those with severe conditions and the Association supported the initiative of which they signed an MOU to provide a space for them and it would be a unit for the Polio Challenge Association saying they are happy, willing and will continue to collaborate to rescue the lives of disable children.

Giving her keynote address, the Minister of Social Welfare, Baindu Dassama, expressed appreciation to the One Family People and partners for the construction of the said Ultra-modern Home for children living with disabilities.

She noted that the intending structure is for children who are severely suffering from disabilities and abandoned by their families. The Minister appreciated Madam Melrose for her good work and cordial relationship with the children. She said she admires the work Madam Melrose is doing because it is very difficult to raise these children especially when they are not her biological children.

The Minister tapped the One Family People on their back for their tremendous working over the years, adding that the organization was able to raise the funds for the construction of the said Home and that they have been very transparent in terms of accountability.

She maintained that on behalf of his Excellency, President Julius Maada Bio and the people of Sierra Leone she is turning the sod for the construction of the Home and assured them that the Government of Sierra Leone, through her Ministry, will continue to support such initiatives

Madam Baindu Dassama used the opportunity to call on members of the public to at least pay a visit to the Home when completed so that they can put smiles on the faces of children as a way of showing their contribution towards nation-building.

In The Interest of The People… APC Should Put Its House In Order

By Amin Kef Sesay

For those following the country’s politics on Social Media, it is plain to see that the All People’s Congress which is the only political party in Parliament capable of providing the people of Sierra Leone an alternate Government is not only in disarray but different factions are busy fighting each other.

The responsibility of the opposition in Parliament is to serve as check on the party in power on behalf of the people that voted for them, however, that seems to have become seriously compromised – given the amount of aberrations from constitutional rule that agents and proxies of this Government have engaged in since coming to power in 2018.

The opposition in Parliament should be clear about their procedural guidelines on rights and responsibilities in a democratic Parliament.  This emphasizes the role of the political opposition as an essential component of a well-functioning democracy.

In this regard, the Opposition’s main role is to question the Government of the day and hold them accountable to the public. This also helps to fix the mistakes of the Ruling Party. The Opposition is equally responsible in upholding the best interests of the people.

The principle of majority rule, reflecting the majority popular will, is a basic formal and legal criterion of a “Democracy”.  Within Parliament, decisions are taken by the majority. What the opposition does not know is that in actual fact, put together, the opposition is in the majority in the Sierra Leone Parliament. This gives it great strength to check the excesses of the Government as well as to influence decisions that it takes.

Agreed that the function of the opposition is not to rule, however, the opposition has other functions that include:

  • To offer political alternatives
  • To articulate and promote the interests of their voters (constituents)
  • To offer alternatives  to  the  decisions  proposed  by  the  Government  and  the  majority representatives
  • To improve parliamentary decision-making procedures by ensuring debate, reflection and contradiction
  • To scrutinize the legislative and budgetary proposals of the Government
  • To supervise and oversee the Government and the administration
  • To enhance stability, legitimacy, accountability and transparency in  the  political  processes

The extent to which the opposition fulfils these functions is a sign of the level of democratic maturity. If none of them are fulfilled, it is a sign of a dysfunctional democracy.

Another issue is how the leadership of Parliament tends to treat some MPs differentially when it comes to the allocation of Committee duties.

It is implicit that an MP is an  MP,  whether  in  opposition  or  not. Equal  treatment  of  Members  of  Parliament  has  to  be  ensured  in  all  their  activities and privileges. These typically include:

  • The right to vote on legislation, budgets, etc
  • The right to table bills and motions
  • The right to speak in debates
  • The right to ask oral or written questions of the Government
  • The right to participate in Committee work
  • The right to receive information and documents presented to Parliament
  • Parliamentary immunities, such as Parliamentary non-liability (Freedom of Speech) and parliamentary inviolability (Freedom from Arrest)
  • Freedom of Political Opinion, including protection from  “imperative  mandate”  and  the right to change party allegiance
  • The right to initiate cases before the Constitutional Court

Not all MPs enjoy all of these rights and competences.

 

Marking 50th Anniversary of Diplomatic Ties… Chinese Ambassador Expresses Wish for Everlasting Relations

By Amin Kef Sesay

To mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Sierra Leone which is the July 29, 2021 the Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone, H.E. Hu Zhangliang, has expressed the wish that: “May China-Sierra Leone Friendship be Everlasting.”

The Ambassador said since the establishment of diplomatic relations 50 years ago, China-Sierra Leone friendship has been sailing smoothly, with both countries always treating each other as good brothers, good friends and good partners in the spirit of mutual respect, mutual support and win-win cooperation.

He noted that with the joint efforts of both Governments and peoples, China-Sierra Leone friendly cooperation has been constantly enhanced, yielding satisfactory results and becoming a model of China-Africa cooperation and South-South cooperation.

“China-Sierra Leone friendship is just like the iconic cotton tree in the center of Freetown, time-honored yet flourishing and thriving,” he euphemistically stated adding that the past 50 years have witnessed the deepening of mutual political trust.

H.E. Hu Zhangliang Fifty years ago said the visionary leaders of the two countries made the historical decision to establish diplomatic relations revealing how in 2016, the relationship was elevated to the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership.

He further revealed that in 2018, H.E. President Xi Jinping invited H.E. President Julius Maada Bio to pay a state visit to China and attend the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

“During this visit, the two Heads of State reached important consensus on developing our bilateral relations and initiated a new phase of our cooperation,” he disclosed adding that in May this year, the two Heads of State held a telephone conversation, which further pointed the way forward for the development of the friendly relations.

He said over the years, no matter how dramatic the international architecture evolves, China and Sierra Leone have always respected each other in pursuing its own development path saying the two sides have always supported and understood each other on issues of core interests and major concerns and have always maintained close communication and coordination on international issues.

The Ambassador stated that the two sides never interfered in each other’s internal affairs and never imposed one’s will on the other.

He touched on how China has provided assistance to Sierra Leone to the best of its ability with nor political strings attached underscoring how while lending valuable support for restoring the legitimate seat of the People’s Republic of China in the United Nations in 1971, Sierra Leone has always firmly adhered to the One-China principle.

The past 50 years, according to him, have witnessed the growth of a win-win cooperation maintaining that after decades of joint efforts, the economic and trade cooperation has been constantly expanded with new contents and higher quality, bringing tangible benefits to both peoples.

He pointed out that during the FOCAC Beijing Summit in September 2018, China and Sierra Leone signed a MOU on promoting BRI (Belt and Road Initiative) Cooperation stating how bilateral trade volume reached about 530 million USDs in 2020 and China has been the largest trading partner for Sierra Leone for ten consecutive years.

The Ambassador informed that the accumulated direct investment from China to Sierra Leone reached 3 billion USDs in 2020 noting that  so far, dozens of Chinese enterprises have invested in Sierra Leone, injecting vitality to infrastructure building, transport, telecommunication, tourism, manufacture, fisheries and mining.

H.E. Hu Zhangliang said landmarks like Youyi Building, National Stadium and other projects concerning people’s livelihood such as hospitals and schools aided by the Chinese side, are vivid examples of China-Sierra Leone friendly cooperation.

He said from 1973 to now, the Chinese Government sent in 22 Chinese medical teams and several other health expert groups with a total of more than 500 Chinese medical staff to provide medical help and assistance.

“From 2014 to 2016, China was the first country to provide assistance to Sierra Leone in its fight against the unprecedented epidemic of Ebola, which is well known in the international community,” he stated adding that in 2020, after the breakout of COVID-19 pandemic, H.E. President Julius Maada Bio wrote a letter of sympathy to H.E. President Xi Jinping, the  Parliament of the Republic of Sierra Leone awarded a certificate of solidarity to the National People’s Congress of China and passed a resolution in support of China’s struggle against the pandemic.

He narrated that while going all out to fight COVID-19 itself, China, out of brotherhood and internationalism, was the first country to provide various emergency medical supplies and vaccines to Sierra Leone highlighting how the Chinese medical teams have been working day and night together with their Sierra Leonean colleagues to help contain the virus.

The Ambassador continued that since 1976, China has provided Government scholarships to more than 1,000 Sierra Leonean students for them to study in China.

He said over the past two decades, 5100 people from all sectors of Sierra Leone have been invited to attend various short-term training or exchanges citing The Confucius Institute of the University of Sierra Leone, which was established in 2012, saying it has become an important window and platform of cultural exchanges between the two countries.

The Ambassador said the China-Sierra Leone relationship is an epitome of China-Africa relationship noting that the principles of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith as well as the principle of pursuing the greater good and shared interests have been the guidelines of China-Sierra Leone friendly cooperation.

“Our two sides never seek unilateral benefits,” he stated adding that instead both emphasize mutual benefits and win-win results.

He said as H.E. President Xi Jinping said to H.E. President Julius Maada Bio in August 2018, “China and Sierra Leone have always been good friends who stand together through thick and thin, and share weal and woe. China will never forget her old friends. ”

The Ambassador said on his part, President Julius Maada Bio has repeatedly stated on different occasions that Sierra Leone and China are genuine friends who can rely on each other.

He said currently China has commenced a new journey of development towards realizing the Chinese Dream of great national rejuvenation and has started implementing the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025).

Sierra Leone, he said on the other hand, is implementing the New Direction Agenda and the Mid-term National Development Plan for the building of a more beautiful and prosperous country.

“While celebrating the 50th anniversary of our diplomatic relations, China is ready to work more closely with Sierra Leone, follow the important consensus reached by the two Heads of State, grasp the historic opportunity, strengthen solidarity and cooperation, and jointly build a stronger China-Africa community with a shared future,” the Chinese Ambassador expressed optimism stating how they are sure to make new glorious achievements in the cooperation and bring more benefits to the two countries and peoples concluding stating, “Long live China-Sierra Leone friendship!”

Signing Joint Commission… Sierra Leone & Gambia Commit to Enhance Economic Cooperation

By Theresa Kef Sesay

Dr. Mamadou Tangara, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad, on the 14th July 2021 signed a Joint Commission with the Internal Affairs Minister of the Republic of Sierra Leone, David Panda Noah, at his office in Banjul.

The signed Joint Commission is meant to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in the areas of economic development, trade and investment policies, financial services, information and intelligence sharing, education, health, tourism and culture, infrastructure development, security and military, agriculture, agro-processing, forestry and livestock development, fisheries and maritime resources, science, technology and innovation, youth and sports, local Government and issues of traditional Leaders, migration and settlement of the nationals of the two countries.

Prior to the signing of the Joint Commission, the Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Mamadou Tangara, welcomed the Sierra Leonean delegation to the country and assured them of the commitment of H.E President Adama Barrow and his counterpart President Julius Maada Bio in developing their countries. He said the Sierra Leonean delegation’s coming to The Gambia was an indication of the excellent bilateral ties between Banjul and Freetown.

Minister Tangara informed the delegation that President Barrow’s intention and focus is to leave a legacy that would be the envy of the world. This, he added, is based on consolidating democracy and to improve the socio-economic status of Gambians.

The Honourable Minister used the opportunity to return gratitude to Sierra Leone for the immense contribution it made to the development of the human resource base of The Gambia through education. Many Gambians in the past decades did their studies in Colleges and Universities in Sierra Leone through scholarships.

For his part, the Internal Affairs Minister and Head of Delegation, Panda Noah thanked the Government and the people of The Gambia for the warm welcome. He said the trip was possible as a result of the shared opinion of the two Presidents in developing their respective countries. “It is time to put words into action,” he posited.

The Gambian High Commission in Sierra Leone negotiated and facilitated the delegation’s visit.

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