M. L. Bangura, Dr. Abdulai O. Conteh, D. F. Shears, Eddie Turay and Others Set To Rescue APC

May 31, 2021

By Edward Vamboi

Following a ruling, dated the 19th of April 2021, by Justice Adrian Fisher, to wit an appeal was filed and rejected by the same judge, custodians in the likes of M. L . Bangura, Dr. Abdulai O. Conteh, D. F. Shears, Eddie Turay, Madam Mabinty S. A. T. Koroma and others are set to rescue the party.

In a close door meeting with senior stakeholders of the Party, it is now clear that the above names mentioned will be having an emergency meeting to set up an interim body that will take the party to the two activities the court had granted them to take up before the hearing of the substantive matter. According to some of the stakeholders, they are convinced that the party can no longer be left in the hands of the current leadership for the fact that under their dispensation there had been many scuffles within and among members of the party. This to them does not send a good picture about their party.

Rumors had it that, in the weeks to come, massive changes are set to take place in the APC party considering the expediency of time to prepare for the next 2022/2023 elections. The leadership of the party and some members had been in court for almost three years now with no way forward. The refusal of the court on the 28th May 2021 against the appeal filed by the de-facto leadership of the party is a clear manifestation that members of the party must now come to terms with the realities that the party needs an urgent solution to map the way forward.

An agreement had been reached by senior stakeholders, who are also first generation members of the party to strictly follow court orders and set date for the next convention and adoption of the constitution.

It is not a novelty that the de-facto leadership has been the very reason why members of the party had been taking the party to court, just as it is also true that this is not the first time the party is going into an election with an interim body.

So to them, it is obvious that they step up hard and rescue the party from collapsing. New faces are set to take the party for its all talked about convention and adoption of the amended constitution.

More details shall be made available to the public as plans unfold to address the current shortfalls of the party.

Sierra Leone Needs a Law on Sexual and Reproductive Health – Consultant Avers

May 31, 2021

Consultant of the proposed Bill, Idressa Kargbo

By Foday Moriba Conteh

During his presentation on the Proposed Draft Safe Motherhood and Reproductive Health Bill during a one day stakeholders consultation meeting on the enactment of a Reproductive Health Law in the country held at the New Brookfield’s Hotel in Freetown the Consultant of the proposed Bill, Idressa Kargbo, revealed that the country needs a law on sexual and reproductive health in order to comply with obligations under the Maputo protocol and that it will also implement one of the Ministry of Health and Sanitation’s national targets under outcome 5 of the MTNDP.

Underscoring the purpose of the Bill, he said, it is to recognize and promote sexual and reproductive health rights of women in line with the Maputo protocol, noting that it will make sexual and reproductive health services safe, accessible and qualitative in order to respect, protect and fulfill the right to sexual and reproductive health of women in the country.

Idressa Kargbo stated that there is an urgent need to complete the incorporation of the provisions of the Maputo protocol by enacting the Safe Motherhood and Reproductive Health bill into an Act of which he added that there is need to consolidate laws on reproductive health.

During the one day stakeholders consultation meeting on the enactment of a Reproductive Health Law in the country, Co-founder and Chairman of PHAHA, Fodie P.O Kamara, revealed that the issue of unsafe abortion continues to plague us as a nation, adding that women and girls are dying further highlighting the need for collective approach in engaging key stakeholders on issues relating to the Bill.

He pointed out how they do appreciate the efforts made by the Inter-Religious Council for taking part in the stakeholders’ consultation as, according to him, such is a manifestation that they are on the right footing.

The Chairman also stated that tracing the journey of the Safe Abortion Bill from 2012 unto the day former President Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma refused to sign the Bill in 2015. They looked at the Memo and realized that there were fewer consultations among stakeholders, stressing that the reason for this key stakeholders’ consultation was to address that gap and see how they can achieve the Safe Motherhood Bill.

He revealed that they had signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Inter-Religious Council followed by a meeting with them on the 31^st January, 2019 wherein, they agreed to establish a Joint Advocacy Working Group, adding that concerns were raised during the first engagement with the Council and they have addressed those concerns.

On his part, the Head of Media of the Inter-Religious Council Sierra Leone, Rev. Tamba Bric Mbayo, who also represented the Council expressed gratitude to the People Alliance for Reproductive Health Advocacy (PARHA) for the consultative meeting and the presentation of the draft Safe Motherhood and Reproductive Health Bill to them as stakeholders which he described as a move in the right direction.

He said that as a Council they were not totally against the Safe Abortion Bill which former President Ernest Bai Korma refused to sign in 2015 saying, however, it was an understanding that some portions of it must be expunged.

Rev. Tamba Bric Mbayo added that since recommendations were proffered they never went back to the Council with the Bill underscoring how probably the issue would have been laid to rest.

He said, as a Council, they are very happy to be part of the consultation on the proposed Bill adding that they will take the draft bill to their constituents for further deliberations and recommendations which will be communicated to PARHA.

Delivering a statement during the one day stakeholders consultation meeting on the enactment of a Reproductive Health Law in the country, Deputy Minister of Health 1 applauded the People Alliance for Reproductive Health Advocacy (PARHA) for convening the meeting which he described as not only important but timely stating that the issues at hand need consultation and deliberations among relevant stakeholders.

He noted that the issue about the Safe Motherhood and Reproductive Health Bill is a national one considering the high and unacceptable mortality rate in the country adding that all hands must be on deck and fight towards the reduction of mortality rate in the country.

The Minister said the Ministry of Health and PARHA cannot do it and therefore collaboration with all stakeholders is significant.

He said as a Ministry they will sit together in order to look at the draft Safe Motherhood and Reproductive Health Bill and see how the Ministry will come up with recommendations.

Tourism Ministry & Madingo Organization Thrill Pres. Bio. First Lady, Others in Bo

May 31, 2021

By Foday Moriba Conteh

As a way of showcasing the country and promote its culture the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, in collaboration with Benso Mamaya, a Madingo organization on the 21^st May 2021 staged a cultural festival with performance from Guinean superstar, Sayon Camara.

The event which was staged at the Bo Shopping Plaza was attended by President Bio, First Lady, Fatima Bio and the Madingo tribe from all parts of the country.

The National President (Mansa) for the Madingo Union in Sierra Leone, Alhaji Kanja Sesay thanked President Bio for endorsing the recommendation of the Madingo people to recognise him as the President of the Madingo Union while assuring the President that there is now unity among the Madingo Union.

He continued that the first appointment he made as President of the Madingo Union was to appoint the First Lady, Fatima Bio as the Ambassador of the Madingo Union attached to State House and that the cultural performance by the superstar from Guinea is a show of unity by the Madingos.

Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Memunatu Pratt told the gathering that the event is a unique one, citing that since she became Minister, this is the first inter-tribal event organised by the Ministry that demonstrate unity among Sierra Leoneans.

She said the event not only showcased the culture and tradition of the country but also showcased strong women that are capable of moving the economy forward. She applauded the Superstar, Sayon Camara for her outstanding performance and also assured that the Ministry will continue to do same annually to showcase the peace and unity of Sierra Leone.

The President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Dr. Brig. Rtd Julius Maada Bio in his brief remarks said that the event is a celebration of multi-cultural activities by Benso Mamaya.

He commended the organization for the show of unity among themselves, while noting that he is part of them. The President concluded by thanking the superstar for the performance as he was astonishingly entertained.

Amnesty International Calls on Government & Donors to Prioritize Mental Health

May 31, 2021

By Amin Kef Sesay

In a new report published by Amnesty International on the 25^th May 2021 it was stated that survivors of traumatic experiences and others in need of support in Sierra Leone are being failed by the severe lack of available mental health services years after the country’s brutal civil war and devastating Ebola epidemic.

In ‘They Are Forgetting About Us’: The long-term mental health impact of war and Ebola in Sierra Leone, survivors reveal how they continue to struggle with a range of symptoms of distress, including lasting grief.

However, mental health services in the country fall far short of meeting people’s needs, due to multiple significant barriers. These include a lack of government spending, insufficient donor support, a shortage of skilled mental health professionals, and the few available services being concentrated primarily in cities.

“In Sierra Leone, people have endured horrific traumas in recent decades and the country is now also dealing with the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Rawya Rageh, Amnesty International’s Senior Crisis Advisor.

“Financial constraints and the challenges of a weakened health system face Sierra Leone, like many other countries – but mental health is not a luxury, it is a fundamental human right.

“The Sierra Leone government must now translate its policy commitments into tangible action by investing in improving mental health services. Working alongside national actors, donor governments and agencies should provide the assistance desperately needed to prioritize these much-needed systems of care.”

Amnesty International is also calling on the government to expedite the process of passing new mental health legislation to replace the discriminatory colonial-era ‘Lunacy Act’ of 1902, in order to bring national law into line with international human rights obligations.

Conflict-related trauma

Repeated exposure to trauma in conflict makes people more prone to developing mental health conditions. Many civil war survivors told Amnesty International they witnessed their homes and villages razed by rebel forces. Many watched their loved ones shot dead, or discovered their bodies as they ran for their lives.

Many people were left with permanent physical injuries and disabilities, after being shot or hit by shrapnel. Five interviewees were subjected to crude amputations by rebel forces, one of the war’s signature atrocities. They described pleading for their lives, as fighters cut off one or both of their hands or arms.

Marie told Amnesty International that her village was attacked in the late 1990s by rebel forces who cut off her left hand. She said: “I begged them, I said, ‘Please spare me in the name of God’… They said, ‘We are God here, we decide whether you live or you die’.” Marie said the fighters left her to die, and she had to finish severing her left hand herself in order to save her life.

Ebola-related trauma

Ebola survivors told Amnesty International of the immense psychological toll they experienced from the illness and its aftermath. Many described being so sick they did not know whether they would survive. They said the confusion, lack of information and overall poor government handling of the crisis at the time contributed to their distress.

The majority of Ebola survivors interviewed said they were profoundly impacted by the stigma and discrimination they faced even after their recovery. Several said community members blamed them for bringing Ebola to their areas.

Several survivors said the virus took the lives of multiple family members. Kaday described sharing a hospital room with four siblings after they all contracted the virus in 2014. She said: “They died, and I was the only one to cover them up. Even though I was on a drip, I had to crawl on the floor to cover their faces.”

The majority of Ebola survivors interviewed continue to deal with various health complications, including muscle pain and weakness, eye problems, irregular blood pressure, and forgetfulness. Several Ebola survivors said COVID-19 had brought back distressing memories and revived their persistent fear of death.

Social stigma and lack of support

In Sierra Leone, there remains major stigma around mental health conditions, with common myths attributing them to supernatural causes. People with psychological distress and mental health conditions frequently face abuse, yet there is insufficient effort by the government to combat this through public awareness and information campaigns.

Despite the clear immense need, mental health care provision is scarce. With a population of seven million people, Sierra Leone has only around 20 mental health nurses and three psychiatrists.

The very small number of mental health nurses placed in general hospitals around the country receive entirely insufficient support, enduring difficult working conditions and lacking formal transport provisions for home visits.

Of the 25 war and Ebola survivors interviewed by Amnesty International, 15 said they did not know about any current psychological counselling services on offer, either through government health facilities or NGOs. Overall, the formal mental health services that are available remain extremely centralized; there is a distinct shortage of community-based care.

Amina, a war survivor, told Amnesty International: “We need that kind of support in our community and that kind of counselling services, so that people who have [had] traumatic experiences and people who are going through all this kind of stress will be able to understand that life should go on, [that] there is a life and they need to live it.”

Many survivors instead rely on peer support networks which, although important, are not a sufficient substitute for professional mental health services.

Poverty is an additional factor seriously affecting mental health. Many survivors said broken promises of social protection and reduced livelihood opportunities have further undermined their wellbeing, and that they felt abandoned by both the government and international organizations that once provided aid.

Mariatu, an Ebola survivor, said: “In so many ways, they are forgetting about us.”

While emergency humanitarian programming helped deliver temporary mental health support, much of it ended in the aftermath of the immediate respective crises. The report shows long-term investment in government services is needed to provide sustainable and effective care.

“Not only is mental health a human right, it is a public good. The Sierra Leone government must now sufficiently prioritise mental health and request specific allocations from donors to properly expand its mental health and psychosocial services,” said Rawya Rageh.

“We are also calling on international donors to further support campaigns aimed at combatting the stigma that persists around mental health. This crisis cannot continue any longer.”

Methodology

Between November 2020 and May 2021, Amnesty International conducted research and interviewed 55 people, including 25 Sierra Leoneans across five districts who were directly exposed to violence during the war or contracted the Ebola virus. The ages of the survivors interviewed – 16 women and nine men – ranged between 28 and 73.

Amnesty International also interviewed, among others, Sierra Leonean mental health professionals; government officials; members of civil society organizations, including the Mental Health Coalition – Sierra Leone; and public health specialists and mental health experts.

Background

Between March 1991 and January 2002, Sierra Leone experienced an armed conflict during which tens of thousands of civilians were killed, and more than two million people were displaced.

In 2014, as Sierra Leone was still struggling to rebuild after the war, an Ebola outbreak affected West Africa. According to the World Health Organization, between May 2014 and March 2016, an estimated 14,124 cases were recorded in the country, including 3,956 deaths.

Pres. Bio Launches Operational Plans for the ‘Hands Off Our Girls’ Campaign

May 31, 2021

By Esther Wright

President Dr. Julius Maada Bio, on Friday 28 May 2021, launched the Operational Plan for the ‘Hands Off Our Girls’ Campaign 2021–2023 during the commemoration of the International Menstrual Hygiene Day, a programme that was organised by the First Lady, Madam Fatima Maada Bio at the Freetown City Council Auditorium.

Dr. Austin Demby, Minister of Health and Sanitation, stated that the commemoration of the day was significant as there is growing attention to menstrual health, adding that for billions of girls around the globe, menstruation remain a monthly reality saying that if not managed well could interrupt daily life, including schooling – increase absenteeism for girls.

“I am making this public pledge of a total commitment to the welfare of all our girls, the future doctors, nurses, lawyers, judges. We owe this to our girls,” he concluded.

United Nations Resident Coordinator, Dr. Babatunde Ahonsi, said he was honoured to be at the gathering and extended thanks and appreciation to the Office of First Lady for the laudable initiative to officially launch the Operational Plan of the ‘Hands Off Our Girls’.

He extended thanks to the Government of Sierra Leone for its commitment to eradicating gender-based violence and other harmful practices against girls and women, adding that the plan would promote the rights of women and help to advance the implementation of the Human Capital Development agenda of the Government.

“The United Nations here in Sierra Leone appreciates Your Excellency the First Lady for your exemplary leadership to move forward the agenda of enhancing the life chances of women and girls,” he noted.

The First Lady, Fatima Maada Bio, said the celebration of the International Menstrual Hygiene Day is very important to her because she is very passionate about the wellbeing of women and girls in the country.

She further stated that in 2018 President Bio sent her to tour the country, engage with women and girls and identify some of their challenges. The First Lady said the tour gave birth to the ‘Hands Off Our Girls’, adding that her advocacy is to ensure that women and girls are protected so that particularly school-going girls would discover their true potentials, be educated and add value to nation-building.

“I am making all this progress because I have a supportive husband who believes and pushes me with the brightest smiles to do more for the safety of our children, regardless of the region, political belonging or tribe,” she stated.

She continued by saying that the International Menstrual Hygiene Day demonstrated that menstruation is not a choice, therefore every child deserves a free sanitary pad.

“These sanitary pads are of high quality and meet all international standards,” she assured.

In his statement, President Julius Maada Bio recalled that as they ponder over their New Direction manifesto, they had always asked a number of critical questions as to why was it that Marian, Tenneh, and Aisha who entered Class One with Joe, Michael, and Tommy could not be accounted for during the WASSCE examination? He noted that the answers were grim.

“These stories were and have been replayed over and over all over Sierra Leone. Their stories are a giant scab on the conscience of those who can change their stories but have successively never done so. Those girls and their children constitute 52% of our country’s population but they are condemned through no fault of theirs to lives of penury, victimisation, and death.

“Over the last three years, we have taken bold risks. But we have been guided by the fervent belief that girls, like boys, must have an equal chance in life; that girls, like boys, must be empowered, invested in, and supported; and that girls, like boys, must be protected and respected,” he said.

The President also stated that that was why they had reversed the ban on pregnant girls in school, implemented a policy of radical inclusion in schools, and introduced the teaching of reproductive health adding that they had also spoken up about cervical cancer diagnosis and treatment personnel and facilities in the country.

“That is why gender inclusion is central to our Medium-Term National Development Plan and we have developed a Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment policy to guide our interventions in that regard,” he said.

He emphasised that more so, that was why the country’s indefatigable First Lady, Mrs. Fatima Maada Bio, had travelled to every corner of the nation and spoken from the heart about the “Hands Off Our Girls!” to girls, women, men, boys, chiefs and in communities.

“Her work speaks for itself in this Operational Plan 2021-2023. She has raised awareness and engaged State, non-state actors, the private sector, and institutions in advocacy and dialogue. Her work has brought renewed hope and fresh ideas in fighting discrimination and gender-based violence (GBV) by prioritising our interventions in relation to teenage pregnancy, and early and forced marriage; child prostitution, forced labour, and trafficking; women’s empowerment; maternal mortality; and sustainable childhood development, among others,” he concluded.

Is ACC Oblivious To Rampant Traffic Police Corruption?

May 31, 2021

By Amin Kef Sesay

Several times The Calabash during its anonymous peregrinations across the length and breadth has come across glaring blatant payment of bookings to traffic Police Officers operating their own tollgates.

On Friday morning, at around 10am at Shell by the new Leonco Filling Station, a Traffic Police Officer directed the Poda-Poda vehicle in which one of our reporters was in from Grafton. The reporter saw the apprentice take two five thousand Leones note from the money in his hand and gave the driver who followed the Traffic Police Officer that had stopped him to the nearby Police Station back of the SLRTC bus station.

After a while, the driver came back and told the apprentice that the Traffic Police Officer did not accept the ten thousand Leones. What he asked for was fifty thousand Leones, without which he will charge the driver to court. The fifty thousand Leones was paid.

Disgruntled passengers who obviously have seen this sort of encounter between commercial drivers and traffic police asked what the Drivers’ Union is doing to address this menace, which they the passengers bear the cost of in half way.

The driver said that they have no Union to defend them. The only Union they have is the one that daily collects money from them. He said when Traffic Police Officers demand if they fail to comply they take them to the Station and the arresting officer is not the one who prosecutes in court.

Asked if they do not hire the services of a lawyer to defend them, the driver said they live from hand to mouth to be able to afford such a luxury.

Police corruption is a form of Police Misconduct in which law enforcement officers break their political contract and abuse their power for personal gains. This type of corruption may involve one or a group of officers.

Briefly, while this daily daylight criminal enterprise by the Traffic Police Officers on the streets and their bosses at the stations benefit them it has seriously undermined the credibility of the leadership of the country’s so-called ‘Force for Good’.

It has also seriously dented President Bio and the Anti-Corruption Commission’s avowed fight against corruption big and small.

NP-SL Ltd: A Well-Positioned Entity, Responding to the Petroleum Needs of the Nation

May 31, 2021

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. The company conducts its transactions in a very transparent manner thereby giving utmost satisfaction to its numerous and esteemed customers.

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, “1^st 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.

Mohamed Bai Sesay, 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,” Abdulai Braima, 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.

Sick Pikin Project Facilitates Treatment of Two Children in India

May 31, 2021

By Edward Vamboi

As various types of sickness have debilitating effects on some children in Sierra Leone amidst challenges to access good medical treatments there are certain organizations that are very keen to facilitate processes for such disadvantaged children in order to get specialized medical attention.

One of those organizations is Caritas Freetown which is implementing the Sick Pikin Project and over the years it has done extraordinarily well in the direction of making it possible for children with rare medical conditions to get medical treatments out of the country.

During a Press Conference convened at the Caritas Office, St. Edward’s School Compound at Kingtom on the 28th May 2021by the Sick Pikin Project an update was given about the pending departure of two children on that same day.

According to the Board Chairperson of Sick Pikin Project, Grace. E. Jones usually they convene such meetings to inform the general public about latest developments that the organization had undertaken or is undertaking and try to identify as well as express gratitude to those who are investing their resources to support their project and those who are also giving their moral support to the project.

She intimated that the reason they decided to hold the press conference is to inform the general public that they are sending two children again for medical treatments and they will be leaving for New Delhi, India.

Grace. E. Jones said they will be undergoing surgeries, one of whom is Noah Conteh an eleven years old boy who swallowed the base of a pen and Alie Bassie Foday Kamara a two years old boy who is suffering from acute bronchitis which was caused by him accidentally swallowing his pen cover, ailments that have caused them so much pain and discomfort and there is no way that surgeries will be done in Sierra Leone.

Grace Jones said as an organization they have to seek resources from the Ministry of Health saying the Ministry have been so helpful to their project. She disclosed that the Ministry have been providing some funds which has enabled them to facilitate treatments Noah and Alie to be done in India.

She said they have also been receiving support from other institutions and individuals who have been giving their monies to ensure that they are able to send children out. Grace intimated how the children will be accompanied by their mothers.

She disclosed that as an institution they have been able to assist over fifty children since they started their project revealing that while a large percentage had the opportunity to travel out of Sierra Leone for their surgeries others have been able to get doctors internally to perform their surgeries as well.

On his part, Rev. Father Peter Konteh, the Executive Director of Caritas Freetown, said it is a delicate period for the kids who are going to receive further medical treatments in India but prayed that all will go on smoothly as planned.

He extended gratitude to all those who have been collaborating with them in diverse ways. Rev. Father Peter Konteh commended the volunteers who go out on the streets to beg for funds and encouraged more volunteers to come on-board in order to save the lives of suffering children out there with rare medical conditions.

Rev. Peter Konteh also appreciated the role the media is playing in popularizing their mission and vision. He said the media is a significant partner to the growth of the Sick Pikin Project.

Kadijatu Caulker, mother of Alie Bassie Foday and Fatmata Sesay, mother of Noah Lamin Conteh extended their sincere thanks and gratitude to the Sick Pikin Project and the Ministry of Health and Sanitation for coming to their aid and support sending the children for proper medical treatments in India. They also underscored that they had lost all hope until they came in contact with the Sick Pikin Project.

It was highlighted during the Press Conference that irrespective of the challenge that India is faced with in terms of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic the organization has planned everything to ensure that the patients are well taken care of and have also trained the patients on precautionary measures.

The two children and their mothers, it was intimated, will spend the night at Lungi Airport before departing Freetown for New Delhi via Accra and Doha on Qatar Airways.

Industrial Fishing Company Association Supports Construction of Fish Harbour at Black Johnson

May 31, 2021

By Amin Kef Sesay

The Sierra Leone Industrial Fishing Company Association (SLIFCA), in an issued Public Notice signed by its President, Bassem Mohamed, who is also the Managing Director of Sierra Fishing Company, Annie Joy Toure, as Vice President of SLIFCA, also the Managing Director Annsenkal Fishing Company, and finally by Alhaji Ibrahim Konteh, the Secretary General of SLIFCA and also Operations Manager, OK Global Fisheries Company, highlighted that the Fishing Industry in Sierra Leone has waited for a fish harbor complex for over 40 years since 1970, with many promises from their major international development partners.

They further posited that the construction of a fish harbor remains the main impediment for unlocking the wealth from the fisheries sector of Sierra Leone.

SLIFCA’s membership continued that they are aware of the planned fish harbor construction project at Black Johnson beach area which is executed by the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, with funds granted by the Chinese Government.

The members stated how they would like to inform the general public and Sierra Leoneans residing overseas that their membership is in total support of the proposed project for certain reasons.
They maintained that as a stakeholder group in the fisheries sector, their Association has been part of the negotiations for the establishment of the fish harbor both at local and international level adding that as main end users of the project, they strongly support its implementation.

Secondly, they pointed out that the industrial fisheries sector is currently challenged with berthing, bunkering, vessel maintenance, cold storage and processing facility, trans-shipment, vessel inspections and catch offloading, packaging materials, and required capacities for middle level manpower in refrigeration, net mending and marine engineering.

All these, they said, will be addressed as part of the technical backstopping which the fish harbor project will provide for the people of Sierra Leone.

“The Fish harbor will provide entrance channels and interior channels to allow free movement of our fishing trawlers and other vessels for anchoring areas or turning basins, including support facilities for refuelling, vessel repairs, bonded stores for wrapping materials, fish processing platforms including cold storage facilities for renting and other vessel bunkering facilities,” they argued adding how all will provide jobs for thousands of Sierra Leonean fish processors, fishermen and fishing financiers.

They went on to point out that a fish harbor complex will provide opportunity for their fishing vessels to offload and trans-ship catches on the shores of Sierra Leone instead of at the ports of other countries.

SLIFCA said their membership is currently constrained with limitations of adequate berthing areas for their fishing vessels, which have made some vessels to choose other countries for doing business.

“We have lost fishing investments to our neighbouring countries such as Ghana, Ivory Coast and Senegal where fish harbor complexes are available,” they lamented stating how all of their Tuna Vessels (over 60 tuna purse seiners) licensed by the Sierra Leone Government and fishing in the waters of Sierra Leone do not currently trans-ship their catches in Sierra Leone due to the absence of a fish harbor complex.

They disclosed that available designated berthing areas in the country do not meet the minimum standards for offloading and trans-shipment of fish from tuna vessels going forward to state how that reduces enormous revenues and economic returns for both the fishing industry and the Government of Sierra Leone.

“We would like to particularly point out to our people of Sierra Leone that the MFMR and SLIFCA is unable to enforce the required regulations for inspection of tuna vessels and other large fishing trawlers due to the absence of fish harbor complex in our country,” they said adding how such undermines the monitoring, control, surveillance (MCS) and the enforcement of hygiene and sanitary controls required for fish and fishery products to access International markets, including the European Union.

According to SLIFCA, based on the above reasons, they need to set the records straight both inside and outside of the country that referring to the project as a fish meal project or a rain forest sold out to the Chinese Government or Chinese Business interests is far from the truth.

“We would like to stress that the Black Johnson Beach area was chosen and demarcated for the fish harbor, only after the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources and our International development partners had done extensive environmental and social studies on several sites including the Kissy Dockyard Area, Murray Town Axis, Tagrin-Lungi Axis, Tombo Axis, that Black Johnson Beach area was chosen as the best suitable site for the fish harbor, with the least impact on resettlement of local communities and other social and environmental issues,” they stated and justified.

Orange Sierra Leone Launches Super Power 4G+

May 31, 2021

By Foday Moriba Conteh

One of the leading telecommunications companies in Sierra Leone, Orange SL, on the 28^th May 2021 launched what it termed as Super Power 4G+, which is a significant upgrade to an already fast and reliable 4G broadband service, during an auspicious and well attended programme that was held at the Bintumani Conference Center in Freetown and chaired by Desmond Spaine, Manager of Orange Foundation.

In attendance were the Head of European Delegation, Tom Vens, Her Worship the Mayor of Freetown Municipality, Yvonne Aki-Sawyer, Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary School Education, Dr. David Sengbe, the Deputy Minister of Information and Communications, Solomon Jamiru, Director General of NATCOM, Daniel Kaitibi and his Deputy Amara Brewah, Sekou Drame, Director of Sonatel Group and Chairman of Orange Sierra Leone Board, Fabrice Andre, Deputy CEO of Sonatel Group, the Chief Executive Officer of National Petroleum Sierra Leone Limited, Kobi Walker, the head of Bollore Logistics Captain Fabjanko Kokan and a host of other influential personalities in society as well as members of the Fourth Estate.

The Chief Executive Officer of Orange Sierra Leone, Aminata Kane Ndiaye, in her address prior to the official launch welcomed all whom she referred to their amazing guests as well as esteemed viewers across various platforms.

She continued that all are about to witness an event of monumental significance, truly revolutionary and game-changing which, according to her is the launch of the Super Power 4G+.

The CEO furthered how it has been a meal they have all savoured and soon it will be served adding that it is indeed a moment to behold, an era to live in.

Aminata Kane Ndiaye intimated that Orange Sierra Leone is a quintessential brand that is unrivalled in all respects with a purpose to improve the daily lives of the people of Sierra Leone through wonderful digital experiences.

“We leverage our core capacities and values to give our customers the best,” she proudly disclosed adding how they give their word and their word becomes their bond.

She excitedly stated that they exist because of their customers saying that is why they remain people-centered, with a passion to connect people and communities and leaving no one behind.

“As a company that promotes quality and efficiency in service-delivery, we don’t just talk about the best; we bring to you the best,” she said with pride maintaining that as always they are proud of being the first in the introduction of amazing offers, products and services.

The Orange SL CEO stated that it is the reason their customers get the best from them and enjoy unique varieties from their services.

She intimated how for a considerable period, the people of Sierra Leone have long desired for the much needed digital transformation that will ease their daily challenges.

“Our passion for service improvement has demonstrated the super power in us,” the CEO stated adding how they have finally brought all closer to what matters.

According to her the best is here saying it is with great pleasure and pride that she is announcing that 4G+ has become a reality on the Orange network.

“This is purely tailored to satisfy all your digital desires and keep you connected to the rest of the World,” she underscored furthering how they are confident that the new unmatched service will not only bring the best to their esteemed customers with an amazing life changing experience, but it will leverage the much needed digital transformation in the country and promote economic growth by boosting multimedia communications.

“With our super power 4G+ bearing the hallmarks of speed, innovation, quality, care and uniqueness our customers will enjoy the best of uninterrupted multimedia experience,” she assured stating how their customers are guaranteed of an increased internet speed which, she said, is doubled and much faster as compared to 4G.

“The 4G+ will make available increased bandwidth to high end phone users,” she stated maintaining that their customers will enjoy improved customer experience on data usage.

“With us, our customers occupy a stratum of satisfaction with nothing short of the best,” she again said with pride.

CEO Aminata Kane Ndiaye conveyed deepest gratitude and appreciation to key contributors who have helped them realize the epoch-making moment.

She expressed gratitude to NATCOM for their much needed technical and professional interventions in securing the 4G plus license. Similarly, she extended thanks to the Ministry of Information and Communications for what she termed as their fatherly guide in helping them successfully midwife the process as well as their dedicated staff, especially the network team, for their consummate competence and dedication throughout the journey.

She further applauded the organizers, Priority Solutions, for working tirelessly to put up a colourful event also appreciating their esteemed customers for their continuous patronage, trust and the level of confidence they always conferred to avail them the best.

“I beseech you all to explore our second-to-none super power 4G+ and make it an integral part of your lives,” she expressed goodwill also admonishing those who are yet to subscribe to their services to do so with unreserved speed and be a part of their life-changing digital ecosystem.

She used the opportunity to introduce their Orange Foundation, which she said is aimed at expanding the frontiers of their work with digital solidarity, implementing major programmes in health, disability, education and culture saying it is to reaffirm their solidarity in making Sierra Leone a better place.

The highpoint of the programme was the official launching of the 4G+ by the Chief Executive Officer of Orange Sierra Leone, Aminata Kane Ndiaye and the Director General of NATCOM, Daniel Kaitibi.

The rest of the evening was indeed very entertaining, full of pomp, pageantry and fun all the way.