Home Blog Page 884

Legalize & Decriminalize Marijuana Now -Consortium of CSOs Demand

By Amin Kef Sesay

In a Press Conference held on Friday 2nd July, 2021 at the Culture Radio in the outskirts of Freetown, to be precise within the Grafton Community, it was revealed that the Sierra Leone Rastafarian Council within the country has sent in a petition proposing to the Government for the Legalization and Decriminalization of marijuana in the country.

Calling on the Press to inform the public on the values of marijuana to the country and human beings, Mohamed Elijah Gegra, Chief Advocate and Lead Petitioner of the Council identified the   economical and medicinal values that developed countries are currently realizing after legalizing marijuana.

He furthered that the petition has been signed by 12,000 signatories across the country all consenting to decriminalize the planting and consumption of marijuana and calling for it to be legalized.

According to Spokesman of the Rastafarian Movement-Sierra Leone, Theophilus Sahr Gbenda, the consumption of marijuana is a right since the World Health Organization has removed it from the category of harmful drugs.

He highlighted that no Government can stop the consumption of marijuana also saying even the Military and Police Officers are consuming it in barracks.

Theophilus Sahr Gbenda informed that they are appealing to the Government to decriminalize marijuana for effective control.

In his keynote address, Mohamed Elijah Gegra (Fadda), Chief Advocate or Lead Petitioner, of the Sierra Leone Rastafarian Movement, , disclosed that the purpose of convening the Press Conference borders around the petition that the Rastafarian Council has presented to the Government on the 10th December 2020.

He added that many States in America and other countries like Canada, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, South Africa, Russia and have legalized  marijuana as an international herb rhetorically asking: Why not Sierra Leone?

According to him, the herb is highly efficacious and can medically cure dangerous disease like tuberculosis and asthma.

He added that it also has spiritual benefits, serves as an appetizer with advantages of enriching users’ creative intelligence, intellectual faculties and recreational potentials.

In his concluding statement he made mention of the youth beating the odds of life by engaging in the cultivation of marijuana and being peddlers just to make financial ends meet saying some do take it to forget harsh economic times stating that marijuana is in no way harmful  .

Ibrahim Bai Koroma, Executive Director of Citizens Rights Network Sierra Leone said as a Civil Society and a Human Rights Activist he is ready to support the petition for the legalization and decriminalization of marijuana maintaining that its economic value can develop the individual and the country as a whole.

Aiah Nabieu Mokuwah, Executive Director of the Institute for Drugs Control and Human Security said he has registered more than 400 marijuana growers adding that he is in support of Government legalizing and decriminalizing marijuana.

Chief Minister Engages Police Executive Management Board

By Theresa Kef Sesay

The Chief Minister, Jacob Jusu Saffa, has on the 30th June 2021,  engaged the leadership of the Sierra Leone Police Force at the Police Headquarters in Freetown.

Addressing the Executive Management Board, the Chief Minister, JJ Saffa intimated that Government is concern over about public disorders within the city and country at large.

He said the Government was elected on the platform of instilling discipline underscoring that the accelerated pace of overt regard for public order is  a concern the Government.

The Chief Minister cautioned the Police leadership not to play in the hands of business tycoons and politicians in the name of “orders from above”.

“In the New Direction Government there are no special privileges  hence a zero tolerance to Orders from Above,” he emphatically further urging the Police EMB to uphold their core function, be professional, remain apolitical and be a proactive force.

He said categorically that incidences of public disorder must require proactive response from the Police without necessarily waiting for instructions from Government.

Ambrose Sovula , Inspector General of Police the Police  expressed appreciation to Hon JJ Saffa for the support the SLP received during his tenure as Minister of Finance especially in the area of salary enhancement.  IG Sovula assured the Chief Minister that the Police EMB will initiate immediate action on the Special Unit for Public disorder together with a robust strategy to address issues of indiscipline within the rank.

All the AIGs and Commanders who spoke at the meeting pledged their professional support to uphold the core priorities of Government without undermining their integrity.

President Bio Hob-Nobs with Commercial Bike Riders Association Executive

By Theresa Kef Sesay

In a frantic move to fight against the spread of the coronavirus in the country President Dr. Julius Maada Bio on Friday 2 July 2021 at State House engaged the national, regional and district Executives of the Commercial Bike Riders Association and urged them to use their membership to sensitise the nation about the deadly Delta variant of the Coronavirus

The engagement, bringing together senior members of Government, the Inspector General of the Sierra Leone Police, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Youth Affairs, the Executive Director of the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority, took place at the Credential Room, State House.

Stating the purpose of the engagement, Chief Minister, Jacob Jusu Saffa, said that commercial bike riding had created a lot of jobs for a large proportion of the youthful population, adding that that had actually taken a huge burden off the Government which was working to create jobs for the youthful population.

“So, the purpose of this engagement is to have a face-to-face meeting with His Excellency, President Julius Maada Bio, who has always been a close friend to all bike riders,” he noted.

Umaru Talie Bah, President of the Sierra Leone Commercial Bike Riders Association, expressed delight for the recognition that President Bio and his Government have for them adding that they had long waited for such an opportunity.

“Your Excellency Sir, we are grateful for this opportunity and the recognition. We also want to thank the Ministry of Youth Affairs. We are now being consulted in every decision-making regarding our welfare,” Mr. Bah said.

He revealed that the Association has 1,666,000 active members and 1,256,000 non-active members, saying that the non-active members were those without bikes but assist active members in their everyday activities.

“Your Excellency and senior members of Government, it is worth noting that every year our association contributes an estimated Le 7.5 billion to the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority (SLRSA) to register, license of bikes and pay fines,” he noted.

Umaru concluded by stating that they were partners in development showing commitment to transform their dreams by helping the Government succeed in efforts to empower the youth. He, therefore, urged the Sierra Leone Police Force to be reasonable in their conduct of arresting and detaining defaulters.

In his response, President Julius Maada Bio thanked the leadership of the bike riders for their huge contribution to nation-building, saying that they were important because they had filled up a huge gap in the transport sector and touched a huge number of lives on a daily basis.

“The importance of this engagement is for us as a Government to look for ways you can be incorporated into the governance system of the state. We recognise the role you play in the economy. It is our business to promote and facilitate your safety and reduce the vulnerability of your work while riding your bikes,” he noted.

President Bio urged the bike riders to be responsible and abide by the rules and regulations binding their trade in the country, adding that they must do everything to protect the passengers and their bikes as the source of their livelihood.

He maintained that his Government would take concrete actions to make sure that the bike riders are informed and able to participate in major decisions about their association.

CCSL Reacts to President Bio’s COVID-19 Proclamation

By Amin Kef Sesay

In a correspondence signed by one Rev. Henry A. Samuels as President of the Council of Churches in Sierra Leone (CCSL) and Keziah Kargbo (Mrs.) as General Secretary dated the 2nd July 2021, addressed to all Heads of Churches, it was mentioned that the Council of Churches in Sierra Leone (CCSL),  with reference to the Presidential address delivered by His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio to the nation on  the 1st July, 2021 with regards measures to contain the 3rd wave of the COVID – 19 pandemic, which include the suspension of congregational worship for the next 1 (one) month, the Council of Churches in Sierra Leone (CCSL) was not consulted on any of the decisions reached further noting  that they  are in consultation with other religious organizations as to how the issue could be handled.

The CCSL maintained that in the meantime they are encouraging their congregations/denominations to be patient and abide by the COVID-19 emergency rules and regulations already in place.

It continued to advise all to please use all necessary pre-caution to enhance personal safety; wear face masks, wash  hands regularly and maintain social distancing adding that  all must continue to pray for an end to the epidemic in order for life to return to normal in the nearest future.

To Curtail 3rd Wave of COVID-19… President Bio Urges All to Take Urgent Steps to Stem the Pandemic

By Amin Kef Sesay

In response to the alarming growing number of Coronavirus cases reported lately, President Julius Maada Bio, in addressing the nation in a television and radio broadcast on the 1st July 2021, dedicated special tribute to the memory of fellow citizens who have lost to COVID-19, their relatives and community member further thanking healthcare workers, security forces, frontline workers, experts, and their partners who have stood by them as they battle the deadly pandemic.

The President commended the citizens for their great patience, cooperation, and compliance with public health advisories and measures since the index COVID-19 case on the 31st March 2020.

He continued that together as a nation and in peace the country has coped with financial and social constraints, restrictions on movement, and the general global uncertainties and anxieties caused by the pandemic.

President Bio intimated that they have not renewed the State of Emergency once it elapsed furthering how they eased restrictions on worship and travel and completely lifted the curfew.

“We did so then based on our assessment of COVID-19 infections,” President Bio told the nation.

President Bio informed that so far the country  has kept its children in schools and colleges at all levels; kept hospitals and all Government offices open; kept public services running; kept congregational worship centres open, kept businesses open; and, supported the most vulnerable of our citizens throughout this period.

He noted that their Quick Action Economic Recovery Programme has mitigated the impact of the pandemic and maintained the economy on an even keel.

“All COVID-19 emergency response pillars from the national to district levels have remained active,” the President said adding how all Government policies have been well-thought-out to minimise the economic and other burdens of the pandemic, to save lives, and to protect livelihoods.

The President said international partners and institutions have unreservedly praised the country’s competent handling of the first and second waves of the pandemic as the nation keeps case fatality ratios at under 3%.

He disclosed that, however, according to the World Health Organisation, the third wave of COVID-19 is here and the Delta variant has been recently detected in the country which he said is easily transmitted and it is very deadly.

President Bio said more people have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last few weeks, some have been hospitalised and 72% of beds in treatment and care centres are occupied adding that more people are dying with the Western Area being the epicentre of the latest wave .

He said they have assessed the data, carefully examined the patterns of infection and closely looked at the trends.

President Bio said they believe all must take urgent and necessary steps to stem this third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Sierra Leone and thus save lives and protect livelihoods.

He then announced the following interventions:
A nationwide curfew imposed for a period of one month effective Monday 5th July 2021 from 11pm to 5am daily, Congregational worship in churches, mosques, and other religious places suspended for a period of one month effective Friday 2nd July 2021, restaurants and bars  encouraged to use takeaway services and close at 9pm daily, Attendance at funerals, weddings, and other social events shall be limited to no more than fifty persons ,drivers and passengers strongly urged to get their COVID-19 vaccination prior to all intra and inter-district travels.

President Bio reiterated that all prior NACOVERC measures and advisories on proper face- masking, handwashing, and social distancing remain in full force.

He emphatically stated that NaCOVERC will enforce those measures strictly calling on all citizens to cooperate with the interventions saying that the aforementioned measures shall be reviewed from time to time based on scientific data and expert advice.

The President informed that the COVID-19 vaccines that are available in this country are safe and efficacious acknowledging that they have been approved by the country’s Pharmacy Board and the World Health Organisation.

He said that he and senior members of Government as well as over a hundred thousand citizens have been fully vaccinated.

“This vaccine will protect you against COVID-19 and protect your life,” he admonished strongly urging every eligible citizen to take the free COVID-19 vaccines that are widely available throughout the country.

Orange Intensifies Support to Lactating Mothers at Kroo Bay Community

By Foday Moriba Conteh

Madam Aminata Kane, Chief Executive Officer of Orange Sierra Leone Limited, in the company of  the Country Director of one of their partners, ICAP, on the 1st July, 2021 visited and presented support to lactating mothers at Kroo Bay Community.

Head of Public Relations of Orange-SL, Madam Annie Wonnie Katta presenting baby packs to lactating mothers stated that the issue of maternal health is a key aspect that is part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility.

“Our CEO is always concerned about supporting lactating mothers, which is at the center of her heart,” Madam Katta informed residents of Kroo Bay.

Jestina Sheriff, one of the beneficiaries, expressed gratitude to Orange and its partner for providing them with such a support to them at a trying time of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We will remain grateful to Orange for such a support,” she pledged.

Another beneficiary revealed that if not for the intervention of Orange-SL, she would have lost her life, adding that Orange has given her hope.

In a very short statement, the proactive Chief Executive Officer of Orange, Aminata Kane said they will continue to give support to the Maternal Screening Booth at the Kroo Bay Community.

She furthered that the project is part of Orange Foundation’s commitment to support deprived communities through its safeguarding maternal health projects in partnership with ICAP and the Ministry of Health. The CEO expressed appreciation for the role the staff and health personnel at the Orange Kroo Bay Community Multi- Disease Screening Booth have been playing.

Dr. Mame Awa Toure, ICAP’s Country Director in Sierra Leone, the implementing partner for Orange  SL, thanked Orange for the support and urged lactating mothers to continue to breastfeed their children, which she said is very key to the development of their children.

On behalf of the beneficiaries, Zainab Kamara, expressed thanks and appreciation to Orange and its  partner, ICAP, for their support to the women of Kroo Bay Community. She added that the support is timely.

The programme was climaxed with a conducted tour to see the different facilities at the Kroo Bay Community Health Center.

MRCG & MFWA Launches 3 Years Press Freedom Report

By Foday Moriba Conteh

As part of their strides to  accelerate Press Freedom in the country which it has been working  to achieve in the past three years, the Media Reform Coordinating Group (MRCG) in collaboration with the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) with support from the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA) has on Friday 2nd July, 2021 officially launched the State of Media Freedom in Sierra Leone Report for  the last three years (2018-2020) at the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists, Harry Yansaneh Hall on Campbell Street in Freetown.

Dr. Francis Sowa (PH.D), National Coordinator of the Media Reform Coordinating Group (MRCG) disclosed that the State of Media Freedom in Sierra Leone report was produced by the Media Reform Coordinating Group (MRCG) together with the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) with support from OSIWA.

He added that the report comprises media freedom issues in the country within the last three years-2018-2020 adding how the report contains an overview of laws, policies and institutions governing the media space in Sierra Leone; key press freedom and the safety of journalists; summary of press freedom violations recorded over the period, analysis of trends of violations, key perpetrators and victims; status of redress of violations; and recommendations to both Governmental and non-Governmental stakeholders on how to improve the situation.

Dr. Francis Sowa  intimated that the report reviews the arrest and detentions of journalists over the years using criminal and seditious libel laws in Part V of the ‘Defamatory and Seditions Libel Defamation’ of the Public Order Act (POA) of 1 965 (No. 46 1 965), before the said laws were repealed, stating that Part V of the Public Order Act served as an obstacle to the media in terms of fulfilling its democratic roles due to increased fear of incarceration arising from the provisions of the law which undermined freedom of expression guaranteed by the Constitution of Sierra Leone, Act No. 6 of 1 991 and by extension, international best practices and standards.

The National Coordinator of MRCG disclosed that even though the criminal libel law has been repealed there are still inconclusive cases relating to the arrest, detention, intimidation and harassment of journalists furthering that MRCG has since 2018 been producing its Press Freedom Reports stating cases, dates of attack/arrest or invitations of journalists and CSOs (relating to freedom of expression) in their line of duty and their current status.

He said that they will continue to call on the Government, politicians, organizations, institutions, members of society and even the media owners to support media freedom and safety and security of journalists in the country.

Addressing the gathering in a victual broadcast, a representative of the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), Muheeb Saeed, commended the Media Reform Coordinating Group (MRCG) for the collaborative efforts they made to put together the said report.

He raised the point that there is no need for reminders about the threats that journalists are prone to noting that while democratization has brought tremendous changes and swiping reforms to the media legal frameworks in many countries in the sub-region for the past decades, however, the media has seen a roll back of the gains it had made in many countries including Sierra Leone.

He added that in Sierra Leone as many other developing countries public institutions are chronically weak and the authorities sometimes deliberately keep them starve of the needed resources in order to make them ineffective.

He used the opportunity to commend the Government of Sierra Leone for the repeal of the criminal and seditious libel laws in Part V of the ‘Defamatory and Seditions Libel Defamation’ of the Public Order Act (POA) of 1 965 (No. 46 1 965).

Launching the report, President of Sierra Leone Association of Journalists, Ahmed Sahid Nasralla, also applauded the Media Reform Coordinating Group (MRCG) and partners for putting together the State of Media Freedom in Sierra Leone report within the last three years-2018-2020.

He stated that it is important to note that the report covers the period 2018-2020 in almost all of the cases his association intervened to secure the release of affected journalists, adding that as usual in some cases they succeeded and in some they did not but they kept on pushing, adding that some of the cases as highlighted in the report involve usual arrest and detention, physical attacks and assault by State security officers, intimidation, harassment etc.

Ahmed Sahid Nasralla, maintained that however in 2020 the media landscape witnessed one of the historic moments that has to do with the repeal of  the criminal and seditious libel laws in Part V ‘Defamatory and Seditions Libel Defamation’ of the Public Order Act (POA) of 1 965 (No. 46 1 965).

The SLAJ President  informed the gathering that freedom is not absolute but rather it goes with tremendous responsibility adding that he had been repeatedly informing journalists that even though the criminal and seditious libel laws has been repealed the civil libel law still exists.

He disclosed that following the repeal of the criminal and seditious libel laws they were able to dialogue with the Ministry of Information and Communications to facilitate the dropping of all cases that bordered on the criminal and seditious libel laws that were in court stating that such transpired.

Nasralla  told journalists that Freedom of speech is not a license to blackmail or to assassinate someone’s character but rather it is a license for journalists to practice professionally, ethically and responsibly.

Climaxing the event was the official launch of the State of Media Freedom in Sierra Leone Report featuring the last three years-2018-2020 by the President of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists, Ahmed Sahid Nasralla.

NP-SL Ltd Always Avails High Grade Petroleum Products

By Amin Kef Sesay

The National Petroleum –Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd) has been regarded as a well-positioned institution within the realm of being a very pro-active institution that is always poised to pragmatically put concrete arrangements in place to ensure that the populace in this country gain access to qualitative petroleum products ranging from petrol, diesel, gas to lubricants, including the ever highly demanded Castrol lubricant oil that has been rated to be a very good for the efficient  lubrication of various engines.

NP-SL is indeed poised to continue to avail its numerous customers with qualitative products that the company markets.

The company has in its employ, a workforce as well as distributors that market its various petroleum products. As far as it has been established, this laid down policy which the company is implementing to the letter, is complementing the efforts of the Government to deepen development.

Today, it is now non-existent for individuals to complain that when they are in the process of procuring petroleum products, pump attendants cheat them in terms of not getting their money’s worth. The simple reason is because the Shareholders and Management of the company were indeed very business savvy to procure modern calibrated pumping machines which were installed at their various selling points and are very capable of churning out the exact quantity of what is demanded and the price to be paid. In this regard the company has bagged the covetous commendation of, “1st For Customer Care”.

During a random countrywide survey conducted over a period of time targeting a large percentage of customers of the National Petroleum-Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd), with the avowed objective of sounding their views on the operations of the company in the country, the methodology utilized bordered on asking random questions in order to get their candid views.

When quizzed on how they view the way the company treats its numerous customers across the country, most of the respondents warmly reacted by stating that the Shareholders and Management of  the company are doing extremely well in the direction of effective service delivery and giving utmost satisfaction to customers.

Abdul Aziz Koroma, a renowned Social Commentator, maintained that when it comes to customer care, NP-SL Ltd is second to none within the business landscape of this country.

“From what I so far learnt in order to conduct sales in a very transparent manner and to give customers their money’s worth, the Shareholders of the company decided to procure and install modern calibrated pumping machines at their various Filling Stations that are capable to pump the exact quantity of fuel, at the same time display the price and quantity,” he pointed out, adding that to even think that the pump attendants are cheating customers could only be a mere figment of one’s imagination, as anything like that is farfetched.

A Development Specialist of long standing intimated that for the country’s economy to grow sustainably it is but important to deepen local content further arguing that it is only when we make meaningful use of both our human and natural resources that development could transpire.

“Instead of depending on the importation of certain consumable items and foreign expatriates, it is but very significant and cost effective to make use of what we have at hand to produce goods and services,” Andrew Soluku, an Economist averred, also stating that for NP-SL Ltd to make it a laid down policy and put into practice to offer employment exclusively to Sierra Leoneans is indeed laudable and no mean feat.

He further underscored that by offering jobs to Sierra Leoneans is a way of empowering the citizenry to take care of daily responsibilities and live improved standards of living.

“I really doff my hat to the Shareholders of the company for actualizing such a high sense of patriotism,” he expressed admiration.

A vast majority of those interviewed revealed that they are using NP Gas for cooking purpose, maintaining that it is very efficient and environmentally friendly. The NP Gas that they referred to is a cooking device which is manufactured in different cylinder sizes and sold at affordable prices at the company’s Filling Stations. “I discovered that this device is very fast in terms of performance and is now going like hot cakes, as many are now going for it, especially when the gas that is used to refill it could be easily secured at various Filling Stations ,” Memunatu Forna, a business woman selling cooking utensils on Sani Abacha Street informed.

With regards the use of NP Smart Card, it is one that is now in vogue. Some personalities who are using it said they find it very useful and a convenient way of purchasing petroleum products. They added that they always ensure their NP Smart Cards are credited to be used to purchase fuel, be it petrol or diesel. “Sometimes I don’t have to go through the hassle of going to the Bank on a busy Friday afternoon to withdraw cash just for the purpose of purchasing fuel that will last throughout the weekend. I do procure petrol by using my Smart Card and it is working perfectly well,” Musa Kalokoh, an Engineer told one of our reporters.

Momodu Fofana stated that the company is really growing by leaps and bounds. “For NP-SL Ltd to successfully establish branches in neighbouring Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast and The Gambia is indeed no mean feat, especially when cognizance is taken of the fact that these branches are operating vibrantly,” he pointed out.

From what was so far gathered throughout the conducted random survey, it can be safely concluded that NP-SL Ltd is indeed a living testimony of a successful and thriving business entity that is contributing significantly to the socio-economic development of the nation and worthy of emulation.

Kobi Walker Hosts Director of International Labour Organization

By Amin Kef Sesay

Kobi Walker, President of the Sierra Leone Employers Federation, has on the 2nd July 2021  hosted a working lunch for the Director of International Labour Organization (ILO) Office for Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone, Ms. Vanessa Phala at the Pulse Restaurant and Bar at Cathedral House, Gloucester Street, Freetown.

The SLEF President, who is highly celebrated for his efforts in promoting employers’ interest in Sierra Leone, said the purpose of the working lunch was mainly for acquaintance, familiarization and a social platform to seek possible ways for collaboration within the region.

He stated that the Sierra Leone Employers’ Federation (SLEF) was established in 1966 as a non-profit business association and serves as the main employers’ organization in the country. He made mention of how his office has worked with the International Labour Organization (ILO), Sierra Leone Labour Congress (SLLC), National Social Security Trust (NASSIT) and other institutions to bring about socio-economic development to the nation.

In his remarks, the Secretary General for Sierra Leone Labour Congress (SLLC) Mr. Max Conteh appreciated the Director for honouring the invitation within the shortest possible time. He commended ILO’s contribution and support to Sierra Leone over the years.  He went further to extend his appreciation to Mr. Walker, the President of SLEF for creating the platform for them to meet and chat with the young pragmatic Director.

In her response, the Director of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Office for Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone, who doubles as the Liaison Officer for ECOWAS, thanked the SLEF President and assured him of her maximum support. She explained her experience in Sierra Leone and commended the President for his relentless efforts and contribution to the nation.

Also in attendance were Munyaradzi Hove, (ILO) Country Lead for Sierra Leone,  Chiblee  F. Kamara – Acting Deputy Commissioner of Labour, Ministry of Labour ,and Social Security, Max Conteh – Secretary General, Sierra Leone Labour Congress,  Leslie R. Thomas,  Executive Secretary Sierra Leone Employers  Federation,  Allan Tuboku-Metger, Executive Assistant – Sierra Leone Employers Federation and  Joseph Allieu Sesay.

Korean Investor Kim’s Suicide… A Pointer To How Officials Frustrate Investors

By Amin Kef Sesay

Frustrated foreign Investor Kim’s suicide note reads: “If the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) were to be operated in this way, it could benefit individuals but the country’s development would be set back. With my death today, I want to let the world know about my injustice…”.

Commenting on this sad, tragic, unfortunate incident in our country, The Calabash can only state that if the institutional structure governing the enforcement of property rights, of commercial contracts, and of the legal framework for economic activity more broadly is weak or if corruption is important, not only are the costs of doing business magnified but the risks associated with capital investment are increased.  Both outcomes contribute to lowering the risk-adjusted return to capital.

The upshot is that favourable endowments of labor and natural resources are not enough to generate a high return to investment in physical capital.

If Government can provide healthy and well-trained labor forces, good infrastructure, and high-quality governance, then markets will provide the physical capital that will allow an increase in living standards.

Because of this failure, FDI flows into the country and Africa generally continue to languish.  In  searching  for  the  reasons  for  this stagnation, The Calabash has dug deep into  the investment environment  and  uncovered a  maze  of  second-order administrative barriers to the implementation and operations  of investments.  These barriers affect  both domestic and  foreign  private investors, they also have a disproportionate impact on  foreign  investors who usually  have higher  visibility  and  who  tend  to  adhere  more  strictly to  legal  requirements.

With the hope of promoting private sector development, the Government avows that it has liberalized the business climate through undertaking a  sweeping change  of policy in the past decade to liberalize and open  the economy.

To varying degrees, attention has been focused on areas such as

Creating a stable  macroeconomic environment; Liberalizing  controls  on  foreign  exchange  transactions; Liberalizing  price,  licensing,  and  other controls on  both domestic  markets  and  international trade; Rationalizing tax and  tariff structures, including  reduction of

average rates; Liberalizing investment laws and  restrictions;  and actively promoting foreign  investment  and  exports.

However, despite these and other improvement, the suicide of Kim suggests that old habits die hard.

In a country with  a  long  history of  Government’s  intervention and  administrative  direction  over  economic  decisions, the business environment suffers from complex, overlapping controls beyond  those easily identified as constraints on  investment.

The  persistence  of  these “second-tier” administrative  barriers to  investment,  combined with  a lack of institutional capacity  in the  Government agencies  responsible  for  them often  translates  into  a situation  where  these  mere  procedural tasks become major  obstacles  to  investment. Such difficulties can often be overcome only after long delays or with extraordinary payments.

This  discourages  investors,  even  many  who  may  have  made  a preliminary  decision  to commit  to the country.

“One-stop shop” established to streamline investment procedures, has been a big disappointment by failing to improve the situation and made it worse.

The reality is  far removed  from  the  incantations of  Government officials that  they  are now  “open  and  friendly”  to  private investors.  The country still needs  more  comprehensive reform  efforts,  combined with  radical overhauls  of  the  way in  which  Government agencies  operate.

At  an  implementation level,  many  officials  remain  distrustful of private  businesspeople or  at  least  view  them  simply  as a source  of

supplemental income generation.

Both  views can  mean  the  persistence  of  otherwise lower-level  irritants  to business  formation and operation, a  persistence that often magnifies the  irritants to the point of  constraints in  an  overall  investment climate  that remains hostile.

In  many  cases  the  “old” attitudes still prevail  among bureaucrats, who  assert  their  authority through less direct  controls, such  as their  ability  to  interrupt business  operations for  otherwise routine clearances, inspections, or  verifications.

In this  environment, existing  private  businesses  commonly complain  of  administrative  “harassment ” to  undertake  an  investment,  from  registering  a company  to  starting  operations,  in  full  compliance  with existing  laws  and  regulations.

In a tweeter post by popular human rights Lawyer, Augustine Sorie –Sengbe Marrah, he said, “Today, a former client took his life on allegations of injustice at the Ministry of Fisheries. Mr Kim was a good businessman who helped countless Sierra Leoneans. In my work, I hear about injustices everyday till I get sick to the stomach. Our Judiciary needs to do a lot more!”

1...883884885...1,369Page 884 of 1,369