Home Blog Page 900

Pleasant Foundation-SL Commissions Safe Space Hub and Administrative Office

By Foday Moriba Conteh

In a move to create places where young people can have their say, enjoy a home away from home and school away from school affordable and welcoming environments for young people to spend time and explore opportunities for social and personal development in the country, the Pleasant Foundation Sierra Leone has on Monday, 31st May, 2021 commissioned its safe space hub for adolescents and Administrative office at an auspicious event held at Beaconsfield on Ferguson Street in Freetown.

The said Safe Space Hub for adolescents and Administrative Office is situated at F28-F29 Beaconsfield on Ferguson Street in Freetown.

In her address, Marian Pleasant Kargbo, Chief Executive Officer/ Founder of Pleasant Foundation-Sierra Leone, disclosed that during the past six years her organization has been working tremendously in order to support children within the Western Rural District with scholarships and school items worth millions of Leones. She added that they have now decided to expand their scope and in that regard they have decided to change from Pleasant Children Foundation (PCF) to Pleasant Foundation-Sierra Leone of which adolescents, women and youths have been included in their programs.

Marian Pleasant Kargbo pointed out that the expansion will give the Foundation the opportunity to support mothers of the beneficiaries with micro-credits and also open a vocational institute in order to empower Teen Mothers.

She maintained that the commissioning of the Resource Centre and Safe Space Hub for Adolescents will serve as a place where young people can have their say, enjoy a home away from home and school away from school, affordable and welcoming environments for young people to spend time and explore opportunities for social and personal development in the country.

The CEO  further revealed that they started with 10 less privileged children but said with the support of certain institutions and individuals in 2020 they were able to donate school items, comprising books, bags, shoes, uniforms etc. worth millions of Leones to 500 less privileged children during their annual event which was tagged “Each One, Educate One Campaign to Send Orphan, Street Children and Less Privileged Kids to School” at the Emirates Hall, within the  Rokel Community in the Western Area Rural District, adding that this year they are expected to target 1000 less privileged children.

She encouraged all to make good use of the facility in order to empower themselves and  in that vein further  stimulated them to take such as an opportunity for them to explore opportunities for social and personal development in return  by giving back to society as she is doing currently.

Marian Pleasant Kargbo called on humanitarian organizations and individuals to support them in order to help more children, adding that because of the support they got they decided to extend from 500 children in 2020 saying their dream this year  is to target 1000 children maintaining that such could only be actualized if humanitarian organizations and individuals throw their support behind their vision.

Marian Pleasant Kargbo, Chief Executive Officer/ Founder of Pleasant Foundation-Sierra Leone 

Sick Pikin Project Unveils United Kingdom Branch

By Foday Moriba Conteh

With the strong objective to save the lives of more poor and sick children in the country, the Sick Pikin Project ,in partnership with Caritas Freetown, has  unveiled its United Kingdom Branch which seeks to bring help to the future generation  as stated in a Press Release dated 3rd June, 2021.

The Sick Pikin Project, which was set up in Sierra Leone few years ago, thought it prudent and necessary to register international branches in order to help raise funds for poor and sick children with severe health complications who cannot be treated in Sierra Leone but rather facilitate sending them abroad to get specialized medical treatments the needed treatment to save their lives.

Since its inception, the project has help raised funds and saved the lives of  over 58 children with complex, various health conditions, like congenital heart diseases, biliary atresia, cancerous tumour, imperforated anus, hydrocephalus, to name a few.

The beneficiaries of the project and others have expressed how significant this project is in its mission to give “little angels” a second chance to live. However, this has not been achieved on a platter of gold, raising funds for whatever charity purpose is a herculean task. Sick Pikin Project volunteers have been raising funds on the streets to meet the huge demands to save the life of one child at a time. Currently, the Project has a total of 38 other children with complex conditions similar to those highlighted above.

To deal with one congenital heart disease case can cost as much as $15,000 USD, medical fees, accommodation, and traveling expenses. Having dealt with more than 20 of such cases, coupled with the need for urgent action before further health complications, evidenced their financial challenges and the need for fundraising success and it is for the abovementioned reasons and more that led the organization to expand their fundraising strategy beyond the shores of Sierra Leone, to reach more people for financial support that will enable the organization to address the increasing demand to save lives of poor and sick children.

The virtual officially launching will be on Zoom on Saturday, 5th June, 2021 at 6 p.m. UK local time. The Zoom Link is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81083594400.… Meeting ID: 810 8359 4400 Passcode: 371271.

AU-EU Partnership Prioritises Education for a Brighter Future

Jutta Urpilainen EU Commissioner for International Partnerships

By Amin Kef Sesay

According to the AU-EU Partnership for a Better Future the COVID-19 pandemic has compounded the learning crisis in Africa by severely limiting access education.

By early April 2020, it was stated, the crisis had left more than 20 million pre-primary, 160 million primary, 56 million secondary, and 8 million tertiary level learners out of school with no access to continued learning and teaching facilities across the continent.

It highlighted that people are the most important resource they have and in the next 15 years, 450 million young Africans will be looking to either find or create a job for themselves.

Asking the questions, Will they be able to build a career in one of the emerging sectors? Will they have the right skills and competences to meet the evolving demands of the labour market? The answer is yes – yes, if they act now.

The partnership said it is crucial that they invest in the future and allocate adequate funds to education today, enabling the necessary reforms.

It was pointed out that the European Union (EU) intends to increase spending on education in partner countries covered by the International Partnerships portfolio from 7% to 10%.

“The African Union (AU) encourages its Member States to increase their budget allocations for education, and to improve overall domestic resource mobilisation,” it was suggested adding how mobilising more resources and improving spending are central to quality education systems and to improving resilience to future shocks.

Both continued that there is also a need to innovate the development, provision and delivery of education at all levels, taking advantage of digital learning.

They added that the Continental Education Strategy for Africa (CESA 16-25) emphasises the need to harness the capacity of ICT to improve access, quality and management of education and training systems in Africa.

The partnership stated that there is no doubt that digital learning opportunities have immense potential to transform education and training through greater accessibility, affordability, and relevance.

“Furthermore, hybrid learning models and the application of modern technologies in other aspects of education beyond delivery is essential to guarantee the quality of learning, while reducing inefficiencies,” it was underscored.

They expressed the conviction that partnerships will be another key part of the solution – including partnerships with civil society, the private sector, and global education partners.

It stated that in the new EU–Africa Strategy, under “Partnership for sustainable growth and jobs, the European Union aims to focus on education, skills, research and innovation in Africa which means improving access to inclusive and equitable quality education for all.

“Partnerships will be sought for developing innovative approaches and improving learning outcomes that can meet future demands, including in emerging fields such as the digital sector and green and climate-friendly technologies,” they maintained stating that the EU will focus on supporting the availability and quality of teachers at all levels of education disclosing that it is estimated that around 17 million teachers will be needed in sub-Saharan Africa by 2030 to achieve universal primary and secondary education.

“The EU is committed to working with its Member States in a ‘Team Europe’ spirit to deliver maximum impact,” it assured saying in Mozambique, for example, the EU and Member States are preparing an ‘E-YOUTH’ Initiative, which will help better match competence-based vocational education and training with the needs of the market, so that young Mozambicans can access jobs more easily.

It was said the Initiative will also empower girls and women by supporting them to enter science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields of study, and by promoting coding.

“Promoting innovations that safeguard gender responsive education and education for refugees, persons living with disabilities and special needs, and those living in underserved communities should also be prioritised in order to ensure these children are not disproportionately affected by the current changes in education delivery,” it was mentioned going further to point out that adopting sustainable innovations in education delivery and management in Africa means improving education quality for all, so that everyone can reach their full potential.

According to the partnership, the education event, “Building Skills for the Future”, hosted by the AU, EU and UNICEF on the 20th April marked a major milestone in the partnership of the EU and AU, and in their joint work on education.

Both agree on the importance of quality, inclusive and equitable education for all, at all levels, and the critical importance of increased investment and partnerships in achieving that.

They said their joint actions will focus on strengthening education systems at all levels, pay particular attention to protecting the gains that Africa has made in addressing the learning crisis, to addressing inequalities in access and learning, and to matching skills with jobs.

“We will seek to harness the potential of digital learning and to build digital competencies while bridging the digital divide,” they resolved.

The partnership stated that decisions on the future relationship of the two continents will be taken at the EU-AU summit, but they we can say already today: education will be a top priority of the partnership, as the foundation for a successful, prosperous and sustainable future for both continents.

To support a Cancer Patient… Diaspora Focus Donates 20 Million Leones to Thinking Pink Foundation

By Foday Moriba Conteh

In extending a helping hand in order to save the life of a sixteen years old girl, Adama Kalokoh, who is suffering from breast cancer, Diaspora Focus, which is a media, development and humanitarian organization with a mandate to help less privileged children in the country has on Monday 1st June, 2021 donated the sum of Twenty Million Leones to the  Thinking Pink Breast Cancer Foundation in order to facilitate the treatment of Adama Kalokoh a breast cancer patient who is currently admitted at the Connaught Hospital in Freetown. The handing over ceremony took place at the Headquarter of Thinking Pink Breast Cancer Foundation on Bathurst Street in Freetown.

Handing over the cheque to the Thinking Pink Breast Cancer Foundation, the CEO of Diaspora Focus Organization, Dr. Emmanuel J.M. Stafford,  said when he got the pathetic information from one of his staff, he thought it right that members of Diaspora Focus at home and aboard should give a helping hand in order to save the life of the sixteen years old girl of which he said members welcomed the initiative and contributed the said amount which they are presenting to the Foundation on behalf of Diaspora Focus.

Dr. Emmanuel J.M. Stafford expressed appreciation to members of Diaspora Focus (UK, Ireland, USA, Norway, Sierra Leone branches etc.) for their support towards saving the life of the sixteen years old Adama Kalokoh who came from a poor and deprived home.

He commended Thinking Pink Breast Cancer Foundation for their tireless efforts in changing perceptions and misinformation about cancer in the country.

He called on other individuals and organizations to follow their footprint in order to support Adama whom he said needs help at the moment.

Receiving the cheque, the Founder/CEO of Thinking Pink Breast Cancer Foundation, Madam Cremelda Parkinson Pratt, expressed gratitude to Diaspora Focus for the laudable venture in supporting Adama Kalokoh, adding that they are very much pleased for such a wonderful support received so far.

She disclosed that the breast cancer surgery of Adama was done successfully and that she is responding to treatment positively at the Connaught Hospital.

Cremelda Parkinson Pratt revealed that her Foundation has been embarking on educating the public on Breast Cancer Awareness nationwide and to also teach the public about the importance of early detection, adding that they also provide support for women suffering from the disease through counseling, advocacy and financial support.

She pointed out that their mission is for every Sierra Leonean woman to be aware of her breast and gain access to affordable treatment and medication with a vision to raise awareness on breast cancer nationwide through education/sensitization of which she pointed out with the support received from Diaspora Focus such will definitely support their strides.

Madam Pratt called on other international organizations to emulate the good works of Diaspora Focus in helping young girls who are suffering from breast cancer. She also called on the Government to raise awareness about breast cancer across the country.

A member of Diaspora Focus, who also happens to be a medical doctor, Dr. Ramesh Pamnani, also noted that he had been following the due process to see that the breast cancer surgery of the young girl went on successfully. He extended appreciation to members of Diaspora Focus and Thinking Pink Breast Cancer Foundation for their great humanitarian support.

To climax the event the team visited Adama Kalokoh at the Connaught Hospital where the Human Resource Officer of Diaspora Focus, Madam Adama Bundu presented assorted food items with a cash token to the sixteen years old girl.

Adama Kalokoh, on her sick bed, extended appreciation to the general membership of Diaspora Focus Team both at home and abroad for their humanitarian gesture. She also commended the Thinking Pink Breast Cancer Foundation for the support the Foundation has been giving her from detection to the surgery.

“I want to thank God Almighty, the Diaspora Focus and Thinking Pink Breast Cancer Foundation for this great support,” she expressed gratitude.

She said few days ago Diaspora Focus visited her and extended their love and courage. She also intimated that she is much better and thanked the Almighty God for a successful surgery.

11 Specialist Cadets & 549 Recruits Commissioned into RSLAF

By Theresa Kef Sesay

On the 3rd June 221 at Benguema Barracks in the Western Rural District, President Dr. Julius Maada Bio commissioned 11 specialist officer cadets comprising 5 medical doctors, 2 pharmacists, 3 nurses, and 1 Catholic Priest and 549 recruits into the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF).

“With a proportion of sixty percent women in our last two recruitments, we have exceeded the threshold of the UN resolution – one of the very few African countries to do so.

“As a Government, we are doing our part. We have applied a 25% pay raise right across the sector. Since 2018, Sierra Leone has worked toward compliance with United Nations Resolution 1325 and recruited more women into the armed forces than at any time in our country’s history,” he said.

The President also stated that he was truly delighted to participate in the passing-out parade, adding that Sierra Leone is grateful that the specialists had offered their professional training and expertise to serve in the country’s armed forces.

“To the Army General Staff, Training Commandant and dedicated team of officers and men who have transformed civilians into professional soldiers; who have barked out orders and pounded parade ground; who have instructed them during live-fire exercises and various manoeuvres; thank you for undertaking this very daunting task and accomplishing it with aplomb,” he said.

While he called on the gathering to rise and join him in giving a round of applause to all veterans and all serving men and women of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces, the President praised the bravery of those men and women making immeasurable sacrifices.

“We were lionhearted in battle; we fearlessly made peace; we have staunchly held up the peace. To all those who made the ultimate sacrifice, those who were injured, those who are retired, and those who have passed away, we owe each of them a debt of gratitude as a nation.

“We have started that irreversible process of transforming our armed forces into a modern professional force. For the first time, the recruitment process has been transparent, citizen-owned, and free of influence so that even charcoal sellers like Private Tenneh Conteh and farmhands like Private Phillip Kamara had an equal chance to serve their nation,” he said.

As a former soldier himself President Bio recalled that he was happy that comprehensive and rigorous training modules had been instructed, advanced training and proper regimentation would follow, and then well-polished soldiers would be deployed to their units.

“The soldiers will gain more knowledge from advanced training, be disciplined and loyal, uphold a strong service ethic, and forever believe in ‘Serving the Nation.’ Remember, a professional soldier is always a professional soldier first. He or she is not a thug-for-hire for politicians,” he said.

President Bio said in spite of budgetary constraints, the Government had made good on their obligations to the country’s servicemen and women in a timely way, adding that they had also constructed 6 modern forward patrol bases to accommodate soldiers along the country’s borders.

“We have completed 48 apartments at Wilberforce being married quarters and the Boom Defence at Kingtom. An ultra-modern Myohaung Officers Mess and Single Officers’ Quarters will be commissioned by August of this year. 34 Military Hospital is being transformed with new infrastructure and equipment, 100 hospital beds, an administrative building, and a paediatric centre for excellence, thanks partly to the great work of the First Lady of the Republic of Sierra Leone.

“We will continue apace with various infrastructure initiatives with a view to providing our servicemen and women with habitable quarters and appropriate facilities.

“Let me conclude by reminding this graduating class that your primary obligation is to serve your nation with honour and courage at all times. While we are a nation at peace, we must sustain that peace, support national development, and continue building the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces we want,” he said.

Earlier in his welcome statement, Col. H.S Jalloh, the Commandant of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces Training Center, said he was honoured to welcome distinguished personalities from all walks of life to Benguema, where he called the bastion of military professionalism in the country.

He further explained that the journey of those specialist officers and recruits started in December of 2020 after they spent 6 months of uninterrupted training that led to their transformation from civilians to military officers and soldiers.

He added that the best pieces of training were conducted by qualified instructors in and out of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces and confirmed that the performance and character of the officers and soldiers were credible and satisfactory.

Cowbell Promotes Good Nutrition on World Milk Day

By Foday Moriba Conteh

As part of efforts to raise awareness about the importance and benefits of milk consumption in the country, for the first time in the history Sierra Leone,  Premium Divine Trading Company Ltd, a food distribution company that operates as an agent for Promasidor, a leading supplier of quality food products to more than 30 African countries, including Sierra Leone, on the 1st June, 2021 joined the world to commemorate World Milk Day which is an international day established by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations to recognize the importance of milk as a global food. It has been observed on June 1 every year since 2001.

During this year’s commemoration, the company embarked on massive milk education and sampling by availing actual and potential consumers of Cowbell the opportunity to enjoy good nutrition through cowbell milk at key points within the Freetown Municipality. This was executed by making available dry samples of cowbell powdered milk as well as wet samples of cowbell coffee and strawberry for commuters within the Freetown Municipality to enjoy. Major centers that the event took place are:  the Eastern Police and Ferry Terminal.

In addition, five buses that commute within the Eastern and Western parts of Freetown were branded cowbell and commuters surprised with a free sachet of cowbell. Also, the event is to continue for the week, thereby enabling thousands of commuters from Lumley, Aberdeen,  Dwarzk, PWD and Calaba town enjoy quality nutrition from cowbell.

Speaking on behalf of the company, Marketing Executive of Premium Divine Trading Ltd, Isha Bangura disclosed that World Milk Day is observed every year on the 1st June to recognize the importance of milk as a global affordable nutritious food, adding that the main objective of the day is to focus on increasing awareness about the benefits of milk as a nutritious product for consumption by all and sundry which he said was established by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations in 2001.

She intimated that Premium Divine Trading, as a responsible company, thought it fit to embark upon this exercise in order to join the world in commemorating the day through massive education or awareness creation on the importance and benefits of milk within the Freetown Municipality, adding that during the process they intended to educate and make contact 10,000 commuters emphasizing the significance of consuming cowbell milk which he said is a rich source of protein, calcium and vitamins A, B, C, D  E and K otherwise referred to as Vitarich.

The theme for this year’s World Milk Day is focused on ‘Sustainability in the Dairy Sector’ adding that safe, pure and hygienic milk is the only thing that can meet the health demands of many.

Cowbell products comes in 14g sachet, 20g sachet, 360g sachet and 400g tins for the milks.  Also, cowbell food drinks package sizes are 40gs for the Coffee, Strawberry, Coconut, Choco-Malt and Cowbell Mocha. They are all produced in Ghana by Promasidor Ghana Limited for export sales to some West African countries including Sierra Leone.

Ms Isha, added that Premium Divine Trading Company Ltd also distributes and markets, Onga, Miksi Chocolate and coffee drinks, Xploza, Kremela and Yumvita , the latter being an infant cereal with milk also containing wheat, rice and maize.

She revealed that they are the sole distributor of all the aforementioned products in the country.

She concluded by saying that as a company they can guarantee the availability of quality milk  for consumption  by everyone with Cowbell Milk, adding that they are doing so to discourage the use of unsafe milk products on the market.

Speaking to this medium, Moses Kamara, a Photographer who benefited from the milk education and the sampling of cowbell milk commended Premium Divine Trading Company Ltd for the laudable venture in reaching out to communities with milk education describing such as
very important towards the development and growth of all.

He said that the Cowbell Coffee and Milk are very rich in nutrients and they contain all what the body needs for proper growth.

“From now on I and my family will always buy products of Premium Divine Trading Company Ltd especially Cowbell  milk because it is a real milk with all the necessary nutrients,” he pledged.

Moses Kamara encouraged all to buy Premium Divine Trading Company Ltd
products,  stating that they will not regret as their products have the required nutrients and they are of high quality.

On his part, Head of Event at Premium Divine Trading Company Ltd, Foday Sesay, also disclosed that they have been selling and distributing products like Onga, Miksi, Xploza, Yumvita, Cowbell sweet Milk for some years now and promised to increase their efforts in that regard.

He furthered that they are doing a lot to promote the consumption of quality food products in the country adding that the move by the company is part
of their efforts in raising awareness about the importance of milk in
the country and it clearly shows that the company cares about the wellbeing of Sierra Leoneans.

Foday Sesay encouraged all to go in for the company’s products especially the Cowbell Milk which he said is of high quality and
when consumed will definitely nourish the body as it has all the required nutrients needed by the body.

The recent move by the company was seen as a laudable venture it undertook as it manifests that it appreciates both actual and potential customers during this year’s commemoration of World Milk Day.

As Bio Addresses U.N on Corruption… Opinion on His Govt’s Fight Against Corruption Mixed

Sierra Leone president Julius Maada Bio attends a press conference after a meeting with Ivorian President on May 4, 2018 at the presidentaial palace in Abidjan. / AFP PHOTO / Sia KAMBOU

By Amin Kef Sesay

At the 32nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday June 2, 2021, President Bio told global leaders that Sierra Leone believes that, “…the fight against corruption is good for governance, peace, businesses and good for increasing national development…”

Since the late President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah established the ACC in the early 2000s, as evidenced to by the Auditor General’s annual audit of public funds, promising anti-corruption programs have capitulated soon after take-off.

They failed largely because successive administrations have had to make the difficult choice between provoking the wrath of potentially destabilizing powerful pro-corruption forces and pressing on with the war on corruption.

The current anti-corruption campaign pursued by President Bio is perhaps the most revealing. President Bio rode to power in 2018 principally on the strength of his electioneering pledge to wage a fearless anti-corruption war as his priority.

The majority of the electorate granted him the democratic mandate to perform that feat. After notable initial triumphs, the war on corruption lost momentum. Today we see it openly practiced by Traffic Police Officers, Traffic Wardens, Police Station Officers, Teachers, School Heads, Hospital Staffs, etc.

Thus, many are of the opinion that, although he told the UNGA that, “the country has consistently had control of corruption indicators in the MCC Scorecard, leading to it being selected to develop a compact”; like past administrations, the Bio led New Direction Government has lost or is losing the war on corruption. This, many say, is due to the Government’s failure to address the underlying causes of corruption

As it appears the impetus to fight corruption is subdued by the cognizance of the adverse implications of such an undertaking on the survival of the administration and sustenance of political stability.

It is not that that there is lack of awareness of its adverse impacts, nor the desire to dismantle the regime of corruption. Instead, attempts to combat corruption easily buckle under the pressure of potent ’anti-anti-corruption’ reactions.

Worse than non-compliance with anti-corruption measures, anti- anti-corruption reactions emanate from powerful pro-corruption forces determined to stymie anti-corruption efforts that threaten their continuous reproduction. These forces possess the capability to undermine political stability and survival of an administration that pursues a tough war on corruption.

This is because the State itself is fragile – in the sense that it is not strong enough to perform effectively rudimentary governance functions (including enforcing rules on acceptable conduct in public service and society) and ensure constructive State-society interactions.

So what happens is that the anti- anti-corruption forces dictate the terms for creating and maintaining stability.

Conducting any form of governance rests not on the State’s ability to exercise its sovereign authority (which it lacks internally), but on a system of appeasement and patronage.

Hence, State-society relationship is characteristically transactional, hinged on preserving a regime of unrestrained illicit accumulation of public resources by prevailing social forces.

Not recognized is how this situation affects anti-corruption enforcement as the administration is confronted with a ’share or fight’ dilemma: perpetuate the regime of corruption and maintain stability or combat corruption at the risk of upsetting the equilibrium.

Whatever the choice, the outcomes are consequential. Allowing the pillaging undermines development, and fighting corruption becomes counterproductive to the administration’s longevity and sustenance of stability.

Isha Johansen Discloses Her Non-Participation in Upcoming SLFA Presidential Election

By Edward Vamboi

It is no longer a secret that Isha Johansen will not stand for re-election as President of the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) in  the upcoming SLFA Congress elections slated to take place on the 4th and 5th June 2021.

Isha’s decisions to withdraw from the polls will bring an end to her eight-year leadership as Head of the SLFA.

With the remaining three candidates in the Sierra Leone polls all men it means Africa will be left without a female football association President.

Johansen’s decision comes after she was elected as the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF’s) only woman representative on the Fifa Council in March.

“As a recently elected Fifa Council member, I will be required to play a higher level and more active role as a global Ambassador for football and Fifa,” Johansen said in a statement.

“My new role will require extensive global travelling and consequently increase demands on my time. “After much deliberation and soul searching, it’s with sadness that I have decided to announce the withdrawal of my candidacy for President in the upcoming SLFA elections.

“I hereby offer the new SLFA Executive and staff my best wishes for the future and assure my full support from within FIFA.

“I want to thank all of my supporters and well-wishers from across the country for their unwavering loyalty, integrity and for the years of dedication to our cause and vision in changing our narrative and raising the game of football in Sierra Leone. “I remain your friend, mother, and sister in football.”

Johansen has pledged to continue to supporting Sierra Leone’s football development through her new role at Fifa.

“Whilst I pride myself in the belief that I have played a significant role in restoring integrity, compliance and good governance in our nation’s football, my fervent prayer is that we do not lose what we fought so hard to build,” she continued.

“As long as we continue to respect the rules of compliance and good governance, I pledge to expend every effort to ensure the delivery of football development programmes and infrastructure in the deserved benefit of our children and our nation.”

Johansen’s withdrawal leaves Sadick Deen-Nyarkoh, Thomas Daddy Brima and Rodney Michael to stand in the upcoming SLFA presidential election.

Michael has been allowed to stand on a provisional basis by the Court of Arbitration for Sport until his case before them is concluded.

Johansen became the first woman to be President of SLFA when she was elected unopposed in 2013 for a four-year term after three other candidates were disqualified from standing.

Among those prevented from contesting the polls were former Inter Milan and Monaco forward Mohamed Kallon and Michael, who is a former Premier League Board Chairman.

Elections were meant to be held back in 2017 but were delayed by Fifa, with Johansen’s mandate extended until certain conditions relating to integrity checks were met, which has seen her stay in office for another four years.

Her reign as SLFA boss has not been a smooth ride with allegations of corruption, controversy, infighting as well as dealing with the Ebola and COVID-19 crises.

She faced stiff opposition as soon as she took over as President from supporters of rival candidates angry over their removal from the ballot sheet.

While the Ebola crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic halted football in the country many of the country’s top clubs have also boycotted domestic football at different times since Johansen has been President.

Johansen has also faced criticism over the time that it has taken for an investigation into match-fixing allegations against players and officials which began in 2014, with some of the accused only cleared last year and others still being looked into.

All those involved have always denied any wrongdoing.

Johansen herself has also been the subject of corruption allegations and in 2016 she spent a night in custody when detained by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) after failing to attend a hearing.

She and the SLFA Secretary General, Christopher Kamara, were subsequently set aside twice, first in 2017 and last in 2018 after they were indicted on corruption charges by the ACC.

This led to the suspension of Sierra Leone from international football in October 2018 by Fifa who saw it as a third party interference in the running of the SLFA which contravenes their statutes.

The suspension was only lifted in June 2019 after both Johansen and Kamara returned to their posts after they were cleared of all corruption charges by the Sierra Leone High Court.

 

As He Clocks Three Years in Office… Chairman Kasho J. Holland Cole Outlines Successes to Newsmen

By Alpha Sesay

The Chairman of the Western Area Rural District Council (WARDC), Kasho Joseph Holland Cole, has clocked three years in office since he was elected in 2018.

During a Press Conference held at the Western Area Rural District Council Conference Hall on the 1st June, 2021, Kasho J. Holland Cole, outlined to Press men the successes, which he said, he has so far scored in positively transforming the Western Rural District within his three years of active service.

He intimated that he got into politics in order to lift his people out of poverty with the philosophy: “One District Where Your Neighbourhood or Your Background Doesn’t Define Your Future”.

That philosophy, he pointed out , triggered him to work assiduously in transforming WARDC within the  last three years he has spent in office.

According to Kasho, three years back before assuming office, WARDC was faced with numerous challenges like a weak administration, inadequate staff capacities, poor working environment for staff, poor educational system as most schools were hosted in either makeshift structures in either churches or mosques with poor WASH facilities.

In the area of an effective health care sector, he disclosed  it was challenged as there was a poor referral system, poor health infrastructure, an increase in maternal and infant mortality rates, untrained and ill-motivated health personnel and lack of basic medical logistics, the total lack and maintenance of feeder roads and poor fiscal management.

With those monumental problems inherited by him, over the three years, he informed newsmen that he worked relentlessly to ensure the effective transformation of the Council by introducing and implementing a robust fiscal discipline and efficient financial management system which led to the continous annual appraisal by the Auditor General as one of the best Councils for its prudent public financial management and utilization of funds.

Kasho explained that under his watch, he has revamped the health sector and therefore succeeded in decreasing maternal deaths by 45% in 2019 and over 80 % of children were fully immunized in 2018 /19.  Albeit these tremendous strides, it was further learnt that he succeeded in rehabilitating the community  health facility staff quarter at York Health Centre, procured  four motor bikes for  the health facility in the district , procured tracer drugs and basic equipment to improve on the availability and utilization of health care services for PHUs , championed the solarisation and upgrade of two community health centres in Grafton and Kissy Town, undertook the  rehabilitation of  the Newton Isolation Centre for COVID-19 response in the district, constructed a motorized boat for drug distribution , facilitated the solarisation of  the facility and water system at the Hastings Community Health Centre and gave support to the day to day running of the Waterloo Government hospital.

Kasho Holland J. Cole further stated how he also ensured the availability of safe drinking water through the construction of the Tombo Water Supply System supported by UNICEF, led the construction of a small water supply systems at Angola town, Hamilton village, Russel Village, Deep Eye Water in partnership with Guma Valley Water Company with funds from the African Development Bank under  the Freetown Wash Aquatic Environment Revamping Project.

In the area of infrastructure, with the limited revenue generated, Kasho disclosed that within  3 years he was able to rehabilitate the REC Primary School in Adonkia, undertook the  construction of a type one class A market at Yams farm, rehabilitated the Western Area District Library in Waterloo, gave a facelift to the Council office administrative building, undertook the ongoing construction of a six classroom block with office and store in Kossoh town, supported small community-driven interventions in nine communities /wards.

These interventions include the flood mitigation support at Regent, the completion of the Community Health Centre at Tombo, maintenance of the Jui community road, the construction of a Police Post at Yams farm, fencing of the Rokel field, constructing a bridge at Cole town, constructing two public toilets in Kent/York and the procurement of environmental and sanitation materials to support the Local Fishermen Association in Goderich.

Currently , the Council is about to embark on the construction of the   Waterloo market to a modernize one  with crèche, cold room, stores, and a car park , with funds under the Local Government Development Grant, which procurement process has just been concluded.

The massive improvement and routine maintenance of feeder roads at Russell , Benguema, Goderich roads,  the re-channelling of clogged culverts , drainage reshaping, and light grading of some economically viable feeder roads in the district from Newton junction to Rogbery, Rogbery to Gbonkaylay, Samuel town to Pumweh, Macdonal to Kortopemah and Rogbery to Manalo Street, Waterloo.

The reviewed conditions of service for support staff and the increased salaries of all support staff by more than 80% are all achievements scored by Kasho as the conditions of service of staff then were at a very low ebb, support staff were paid below the minimum wage, NASSIT for support staff were not paid and all the aforementioned problems contributed to the dampening of staff morale and the frequent staging of protests by staff during the previous administration.

Presently, all these aforesaid challenges have been addressed by Chairman Kasho Holland J. Cole with prudent leadership accomplished feats that make him stand apart.

 

Students in China on Government Scholarship Plead to President Bio for Release of 2020 Allowances

By Amin Kef Sesay

Sierra Leonean students studying in China on Government scholarship, who according to Chinese law are not allowed to work, are yet to receive their 2020 annual allowances from the Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL).

This unfortunate situation has left the affected students in China languishing as their colleagues in Russia received theirs.  The million dollar question all students are now asking is whether the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education is still thinking about them because such type of delay had never happened since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Sierra Leone in the early 70s.

It is also worthy to note that the 2020 Students Allowance was supposed to be in the 2020 annual budget which is normally presented to Parliament in 2019. The reason for this dramatic delay is also a cause for investigation by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

Students in China are therefore pleading to President Bio, who is their only source of hope, to kindly intervene into the matter so that they can have their 2020 allowances and to prevent any recurrence in the delay of  getting their allowances.

1...899900901...1,368Page 900 of 1,368