President Bio Discusses Free Quality Education, DSTI with UNESCO Director-General

November 14, 2019

By Brima Sannoh

In Paris, France, on Tuesday 12 November 2019 His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio engaged the Director-General of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Audrey Azoulay, on the significant impact of the Free Quality Education Programme and the establishment of the Directorate of Science, Technology and Innovation, DSTI.

During the engagement on the margins of the 40th Session of UNESCO’s General Conference, the President also disclosed how his Government had prioritized education as the foundation to support all other Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He added that the investment in education was an investment into the future and not about winning votes, noting that the expansion of the country’s fibre optic was in readiness for digital education.

President Bio also highlighted the Government’s commitment to improving heritage sites, biodiversity and culture in Sierra Leone.

On her part, the UNESCO Director-General commended the President for prioritizing education, particularly access to universal education and girls’ education. She spoke about the ongoing collaboration between her organization and the government on a diagnostic of the education system.

Ms Azoulay also informed the President that UNESCO would support various areas such as providing technical assistance to the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, support for planning and advocacy for more funding, support for teacher professional development and curriculum development and partner on Artificial Intelligence.

Earlier, His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio also took part in a high-level panel discussion on the theme: “Youth Perspectives on Multilateralism”. During the discussion, he called for young people to be involved in the governance of the state and be agents of multilateralism.

Plans afoot by FCC to introduce Cable Car system in Freetown

November 14, 2019

By Theresa Vamboi

The Freetown City Council is already working on reducing emissions from waste by setting up a controlled and regulated waste collection and management system within its integrated solid and liquid waste management strategy.
FCC is now also exploring opportunities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation by looking at alternative, greener, and more sustainable modes of transport. One of these solutions is implementing a Freetown Cable Car system, a mass transit concept that can transport up to 6,000 people per hour over an aerial cable.

Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr met with Governor-elect Anibal Gaviria Correa, former Mayor of Medellin, the first city in the world to introduce Cable Cars as a mass transit system. Governor-elect Correa explained how Medellin started with one Cable Car line 16 years ago and how the city is now constructing its 6th line. Governor-elect Correa is currently President of Cities Alliance. Also in the meeting was Hon Clare Short, former UK Secretary of State for International Development and Chairperson of the Cities Alliance Board. The City of Medellin and Cities Alliance are committed to supporting Freetown in realizing this initiative.

Mayor Aki-Sawyerr had a briefing meeting on Monday 4th November with the Minister of Transport and Aviation and senior ministry officials to present the Cable Car concept and the pre-feasibility studies already undertaken by FCC. The concept was positively received by the Ministry. An FCC team is now working with technical experts and other stakeholders to conduct a full feasibility study on the technical and commercially viability of this mode of transport for Freetown. The Mayor and FCC are committed to deliver a greener, more environmentally sustainable and efficient transport solution for Freetonians.

In Paris… Pres. Bio Impressed with how Orange Sierra Leone is Championing the Telecoms Digital Revolution

November 14, 2019

By Foday Moriba Conteh

His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio and delegation together with Aminata Kane Ndiaye CEO of Orange Sierra Leone visited the Orange Labs in Paris, France on the 13^th November 2019 where they discussed issues bordering on E-education, Smart metering, National identification, OPAL & more to support Sierra Leone.

After the discussions, His Excellency, The President, Julius Maada Bio in an autograph maintained: “As always Orange is an interesting telecommunications company but for this particular visit I am very impressed by the innovations taking place.”

The determination and affirmation of championing the telecommunications digital revolution was first made by Aminata Kane Ndiaye during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Directorate of Science, Technology, and Innovation (DSTI) at State House sometime in the recent past.

It will be recalled that when President Julius Maada Bio visited Harvard and MIT in March 2019, Madame Kane Ndiaye, who was present at the meetings promised that Orange would support Sierra Leone’s digital transformation.

Based on the signed MoU with DSTI, a coding school was planned to be established as an innovation hub at the Institute of Public Administration and Management (IPAM). Earlier this year IPAM allocated the fifth floor of the Institute’s new building for an innovation hub with a signing of a MoU with DSTI.

IPAM’s commitment has paved the way for Orange to engage DSTI and for the three institutions to form a public-private partnership to meet the shared objectives of supporting the technology and innovation ecosystem in Sierra Leone.

In her statement at the signing of the MoU, Madame Ndiaye said Orange Group seeks to empower young people across the African continent with skills for tomorrow but that the coding school in Sierra Leone will be a first of its kind. “We are here to create an enabling environment for whoever wants to be a part of the revolution that’s going on around the world,” said Madame Ndiaye.

“Writing code is not something you wake up and do; it’s something you need to learn. So this is why we decided to partner with DSTI to make sure that along with English, along with French, along with Krio, Sierra Leoneans can learn how to code.”

She said that the coding school would create new job opportunities for Sierra Leoneans. Orange and many other multinationals operating in the country currently have to bring technologists from different parts of West Africa to do coding and computing in Sierra Leone because those skills are not readily available in the market. She thanked Dr. Moinina David Sengeh, Chief Innovation Officer, DSTI and the Ecosystem technical lead for their openness to collaborate with the private sector.

“IPAM took the lead and generously gave us their best space for the innovation hub, and now with this commitment, Orange is taking us closer to our goals,” said Dr. Sengeh, Chief Innovation Officer, and DSTI.

“When we do digitization, the private sector in Sierra Leone; the banks and the telecommunications companies are the largest industries, so they are most important. We are engaging with the private sector and linking them with the Government to ensure that the solutions that we implement for Government, can be used by citizens,” he said.

With this partnership, DSTI and Orange SL will bring coding skills to the general public and create a space where anyone with a proven interest in learning computer languages can become a coding expert.

The coding school will officially open its doors to the first class of students at the end of the year. Aminata further disclosed that the company is operating in over twenty five countries across the globe, in over twenty countries in Africa, serving over one hundred and twenty million people.

Orange Sierra Leone CEO made the disclosure during an interview on Facebook live from the United Nations 73rd General Assembly in the United States of America where she was invited by the Global System for Mobile Communications to be part of a panel discussion to chart the way forward on how telecommunication operators could play a role in the development of Africa.

According to her it was the first time for her to be part of the United Nations General Assembly and that one thing she found interesting, constructive and positive about the event, was the great dialogue between public, private sectors, Non-Governmental Organizations, government and businesses.

Many have attested that Orange Sierra Leone has been a trusted partner in development as the company, through various promotions has positively transformed the lives of many. Just recently, the company ended the distribution of sanitary pads to female pupils in twenty secondary schools in Freetown. That was part of the five million dollars pledge that the company committed to the smooth implementation of the Free Quality Education for school-going pupils after realizing that girls do not attend school when they are experiencing their menstrual cycle.

For President Julius Maada Bio heaping such a commendation on Orange Sierra Leone came as a result of no mean accomplishments by the company. It is anticipated that many stand to benefit from the innovation hub at IPAM which obviously will cascade to overall national development.

The CEO stated that Orange will continue to be part of the revolution to transform Sierra Leone as champion in the digital revolution.

QNET TRAINS MORE THAN 25,000 INDEPENDENT REPRESENTATIVES IN 11 AFRICAN COUNTRIES ON PROFESSIONAL MARKETING

November 13, 2019

Ghana, Nov 8, 2019 – QNET, a leading global e-commerce based direct selling business has heightened its efforts to ensure that the company is professionally represented across its Sub-Saharan African markets. The company has launched a series of on-ground training programmes and advocacy campaigns across multiple countries in the region to ensure that the QNET business is represented properly and professionally.

QNET offers a wide range of health, wellness and lifestyle products through an e-commerce platform that are marketed by independent representatives in different countries using the direct selling business model. These representatives are compensated through commissions based on volume of product sales. The direct selling industry globally has experienced challenges with misrepresentation of the business, products and earning potential. In Africa, where the industry is still in its nascent stages, a lack of awareness often leads to misconceptions being formed about the industry as a pyramid or financial scheme.

QNET has pioneered the direct selling industry in many countries in the Sub Saharan Africa region. The company has offices in Rwanda and Cote d’Ivoire and has a presence through local agents in several other countries including Ghana, Cameroon, Tanzania, and Senegal.

Since January this year, about 25,000 independent representatives of QNET in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Mali, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Tanzania and Togo have been provided training and education. This encompasses knowledge about the direct selling industry, QNET products and its benefits, the compensation plan of QNET, policies and procedures related to conducting the business, and most importantly professional and ethical practices in direct selling.

These training programs are conducted under the umbrella of the QNET Pro initiative. Launched by the company as a global education programme, QNET Pro empowers its representatives with the right information, values and industry best practices to enable them to build a long-lasting business.

“As one of the more prominent companies in the direct selling industry operating in this region, we take our responsibility towards education and advocacy very seriously. We are on a mission to dispel the myths and rumours that have plagued the industry and our business. We are taking all necessary steps to change the perception of this business. In addition to the in-person training programmes, we also have online webinars, digital tools, and mentorship initiatives to guide our distributors in building their business the right way,” says Mr. Biram Fall, QNET’s Regional General Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa.

In addition to the QNET PRO initiative, the V-Educate programme was launched in May 2019 and has also trained about 17,000 people in more than 20 cities covering 11 countries in the Sub Saharan Africa. This programme focusses on leadership building, professionalism and ethics, and mentorship.

QNET takes violations of its policies and code of conduct very seriously. The company backs responsibility with action through its solid network integrity review processes. This year alone, disciplinary actions were taken against 18 independent representatives in Ivory Coast, Ghana, Guinea, Burkina Faso and Cameroon, for various violations.

QNET Pro Trainers have conducted trainings in more than 35 locations worldwide this year.

End.

APC Opposition Leader takes a Snipe at Bio’s Cabinet Reshuffle

November 13, 2019

By Hon. Chernor Maju Bah – Parliamentary Leader of the main opposition All People’s Congress

On Thursday, November 7th, 2019, President Bio shocked the nation with a cabinet reshuffle that comes across to many as insensitive and needless.

One of his cardinal campaign messages was that, within one year, his government will turn around the economy which he described as ‘battered and the worse in Sierra Leone’s history’. President Bio persistently accused the erstwhile APC government of a bloated cabinet and wastage. But almost two years on, Sierra Leoneans have experienced economic hardship never before seen. Inflation has only hyper galloped with prices of basic commodities increasingly becoming unaffordable.

Everyone agrees that this President Bio led government has in all accounts failed to sustain the growth they inherited from the APC, let alone improve on it. The biggest disappointment has been the very poor management of the economy. Report after report, including the MCC, has pointed to this fact that the government’s economic management has been disastrous.

Therefore the public expectation is that after almost two years of trying the same failed policies, it’s about time this government changed course. But what we have seen is a dogged continuation on the wrong direction as demonstrated in this most disappointing cabinet reshuffle which doesn’t even align with the president’s own avowed development priorities.

How can you run such a sham economy yet you are adding undue pressure on the budget by creating new ministries, appointing more deputy ministers and keeping the same old non- performing ones!

And on the new embassy in Turkey, even the current embassies, consulates and missions are not well resourced, yet a new embassy has been opened under such difficult circumstances; the timing is just simply wrong.

It’s also a shame that this reshuffle ignored the gaping need for more inclusion of women in cabinet, which from the outset has been a serious deficiency in this government.

I think that this cabinet reshuffle is a deliberate denial of the suffering and aspirations of the general public; it clearly shows that the establishment doesn’t care about how the electorates feel. This is a totally insensitive and unnecessary cabinet reshuffle.

Aki Sawyer Decongests Traffic Jams in Freetown

November 13, 2019

By Penpusher Sesay

It’s an undisputed fact that the persistent traffic congestion in the capital city for years now, has recently been minimized drastically due to the remedial solutions and developmental strides being introduced by Her Worship Yvonne Aki Sawyer. Through her apt manifestation of leadership skills, it’s now justifiable that the once congested areas of notorious traffic jams (Kissy Road, Goderich Street, Lumley Market, East End police, Abacha Street, Shell) are now relatively calm with traffic flow and ease of pedestrians’ access.

This timely intervention in proffering laudable solutions and the implementation of the stringent enforcement of the law by the Mayor, has unequivocally decreased the unnecessary static-traffic that used to be a thorn in the flesh of commuters and many residents around the peripherals of these vicinities. This traffic wahala that had once been a thrust for many excuses by people being late for work, pupils and students missing their first period of their timetables, traders getting stuck in the middle of the journey, diplomats and high profile dignitaries late for important functions, has been ameliorated.

This is one of the bold steps being taken by the pragmatic Mayor in helping out to cushion free flow of goods and services for socio-economic viability, and in lessening Okada injuries being caused by super traffic jams years back.

Despite the fact that many attempts have been made by some authorities to curtail and address this traffic issue, but all efforts by then didn’t yield their fruitful dividends. However, the swift and innovative way Mayor Aki Sawyer together with the concerted efforts of military personnel are handling this traffic mitigating idea, speaks volume of the vision of the Mayor to transform Freetown within her four years mandate.

She is bound to succeed, and we so believe that she can work that out to meet her set policies, actions and leadership drives in making Freetown one of the most enviable cities in Africa and thus attracting crowd of tourists and trustworthy investors.

To say the least, the quick flow of traffic can enhance and accelerate economic activities, albeit the comfort it will provide for Freetonians plying these major streets in the capital city.

As someone that has perused carefully the transform Freetown initiative documents, I can attest that if only these policies inked are implemented and followed by successive Mayors, then nothing will stop Freetown to be ranked amongst the most beautiful cities in the globe, as this transform Freetown initiative has a bunch of goodies to offer.
The Mayor is set to break the unwanted rules and set new wanted ones when it comes to mitigating traffic jams in the capital. She’s all set to be a Heroine of developmental strides in our capital.

Sierra Leone Participates fully at ICPD25 Summit in Kenya

November 13, 2019

By James Samba

As this year marks the 25th anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) which took place in Cairo 1994, where 179 governments adopted a landmark Programme of Action, which set out to empower women and girls for their sake, and for the benefit of their families, communities and nations; Sierra Leone has shown dedication by joining several others at the ICPD25 Conference in Nairobi, Kenya.

The Summit is held from 12th -14th November 2019, at the Kenyetta International Conference Centre, in the Kenyan capital Nairobi, and the Sierra Leonean delegation which is drawn from various sectors including Government officials, youth groups, UNFPA, UN Women, Members of Parliament and Sierra Leone High Commission in Nairobi officials, is headed by Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Dr Francis Kai-Kai. The Minister is expected to deliver a statement during the ICPD25 Conference where he will present Sierra Leone’s commitment to the attendant challenges of the country’s growing population and in development.

This year’s summit, according to the organizers, “will take an integrated approach, covering five themes and highlighting the power of gender equality, youth leadership, political and community leadership, innovation and data, and partnerships to accelerate progress throughout.”

The five themes are: Universal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights as a part of universal health coverage; financing required to complete the ICPD Programme of Action, and to sustain the gains made; drawing on demographic diversity to drive economic growth and achieve sustainable development; ending gender-based violence and harmful practices; and lastly, upholding the right to sexual and reproductive health care even in humanitarian and fragile contexts.

“Nairobi Summit will reenergize the global community, breathe new life into the ICPD agenda and sustain and amplify gains made since 1994. It will be a springboard for governments and other organizations to announce voluntary, global commitments—including financial ones—that will accelerate progress. Innovative financial models and far more resources—from governments, international financial institutions and even private sector partners—are required to finish the ICPD agenda by 2030” organizers confirmed.

Also key amongst the Sierra Leone delegation to the summit are the Minister of Youth Affairs, Mohamed Orman Bangura; Sierra Leone High Commissioner to Nairobi, HE Joseph Francis; Minister Plenipotentiary at the Sierra Leone High Commission in Nairobi, Abdul Karim Kargbo; Director of Gender, Ministry of Social Welfare Gender and Children’s Affairs, Charles Vandi; UN Women Representative, Dr Mary Okumu; UNFPA Representative in Sierra Leone, Dr Kim Dickson; Honourable Member of Parliament Rosemarie Bangura and others.

Finance Minister Presents 2020 Budget to Parliament

November 13, 2019

By Theresa Vamboi

Jacob Jusu Saffa, the Minister of Finance, on Friday 8th November 2019 presented a Bill entitled: “The Appropriation Act 2020” to Members of Parliament for consideration and subsequent approval for the services of the Republic of Sierra Leone for the Financial Year 2020.

The Appropriation Act, 2020 is seeking to authorize expenditure from the Consolidated Fund for the services of Sierra Leone and for other related matters. The Act is deemed to come into effect on the 1st of January 2020; with the total sum to be granted to His Excellency the President for the year 2020 by Parliament to the tune of Le 8.6 Trillion.

In commending the Budget to Parliament, the Minister of Finance referred to it as “the Bread and Butter Budget”; aimed at job creation and putting funds into the pockets of the citizenry of the country; particularly women and the youths by re-introducing a national micro credit scheme that will be executed by the Ministry of Trade through NGOs; micro finance institutions; commercial and community banks as implementing partners.

Overall, the Budget is aimed at consolidating and improving human capital development and employment in the country; the minimum wage will be increased from Le 500,000 to Le 600,000; job creation through innovative financing; recruitment of health workers, teachers and police officers; introducing payment of salaries to mayors/chairpersons and their deputies and increment of sitting fees and transport allowances for councillors; and the increment of salaries for core staff of council effective April 2020. The Budget has therefore been read the first time as part of the approval process in Parliament.

The Parliament has also given due notice to vote controllers to religiously attend and follow the Budget approval process in Parliament; otherwise their budgetary allocations will be withheld.

Pres. Bio Calls for Swift Action on Guinea Bissau’s Political Impasse

November 13, 2019

By Alim Jalloh

On Friday 8 November 2019, His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio called on the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to take urgent action on the deteriorating political situation in Guinea Bissau and prevent any instability in the region.

He made this call at the Extraordinary Session of the ECOWAS Heads of State and Government convened in Niamey by the Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government and President of the Republic of Niger, His Excellency Mahamadou Issoufou.

Addressing his colleagues, President Bio observed: “Everything we have stood for and all the democratic gains we have made in this region are being tested”. He called for strong condemnation from ECOWAS of the political situation in Guinea Bissau, adding that: “We must be ready to change the mandate and strength of ECOMIB. Let us translate our words into action. Now is the time to act”.

The actions of President Jose Mario Vaz of Guinea Bissau, including the dismissal of Prime Minister Gomes and the dissolution of the government, received unanimous condemnation by all Heads of State and Government because they were deemed illegal and contrary to the decision of the Authority during its 55th Ordinary Session. The Heads of State and Government expressed their deepest regrets at the turn of events, which had plunged the country into crisis and brought on the threat of civil war.

After hours of closed-door deliberations, the Authority of Heads of State and Government issued a final communique which contains the following: “that the date of 24th November 2019 for the first round of Presidential elections in Guinea Bissau must be complied with; that the Authority condemns President Vaz’s decision to dismiss Prime Minister Gomes and the appointment of a New Prime Minister; that the Authority reaffirms its full support to Prime Minister Gomes and demands the immediate resignation of the newly appointed Prime Minister;

“The Authority directs the President of the Commission to present a list of any individuals who may have undertaken actions to derail the electoral process and upset political stability for immediate sanction; that the Authority decides to strengthen the ECOWAS Mission in Guinea Bissau (ECOMIB) to position it to respond to all challenges before, during and after the elections and that the Authority decides to dispatch to Bissau a high-level mission of Heads of State and Government led by the Chair of the Authority and the mission will be preceded by a mission of ECOWAS Chiefs of Defence Staff.”

After the reading of the final communique, President Bio was selected by the Chair of the Authority to move the vote of thanks on behalf of the Heads of State and Government.

The President departed Niamey on Saturday 9 November for Paris, where he participated in the Paris Peace Forum, the annual international meeting for all actors of global governance initiated by French President Emmanuel Macron.

Planning & Economic Development Minister attends ICPD25

November 13, 2019

By James Samba

Dr Francis Kai-Kai, Minister of Planning and Economic Development over the weekend, departed Sierra Leone for a three (3) day International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD25) at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre in Nairobi, Kenya.

The summit’s objective is to mobilize political and financial momentum to advance the ICPD agenda, indispensable in achieving the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development, in particular, around harnessing demographic dividend, reducing maternal and child mortality and eradicating gender violence.

Yesterday, 12th November, Minister Kai-Kai participated in a signing session on Financing that is required to complete the ICPD Program of Action, and to sustain the gains made. This session will discuss how community members, stakeholders and political leaders can scale up successful interventions and lock in the financial investments needed to meet this goal.

The Minister also delivered a statement during the ICPD25 Conference where he presented Sierra Leone’s commitment to the attendant challenges of the country’s growing population and in development.

The Summit, which is co-convened under the auspices of the Governments of the Republic of Kenya, the Kingdom of Denmark and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), marks the 25th anniversary on the adoption of the landmark Program of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development by 179 Governments in Cairo, Egypt 1994.

The delegation also includes, Minister of Youths, Representatives from UNFPA Sierra Leone, Member of Parliament, Youth and Physically Challenged, CSO’s and Vicky the Poet among many others.

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