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Chinese Ambassador Forges New Alliance with the Anti-Corruption Commission

By Foday Moriba Conteh

H.E. Hu Zhangliang, Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone and team, on the 19th May, 2021 paid a courtesy call on the Commissioner of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), Francis Ben Kaifala Esq. at his 3 Gloucester Street Office in Freetown, and made donations to the Commission in furtherance and support of the country’s remarkable Anti-Corruption efforts.

Ambassador Hu conveyed special sentiments to the Commissioner on behalf of President Xin Jingping and the Government and people of The People’s Republic of China for the alluring credentials that the Commission has gained over the past three years in the fight against corruption; and encouraged the Commissioner and his team to be relentless in the fight, as it bodes well for the actualization of the country’s development aspirations and international image. *”You have impressed us, you are fearless, and dedicated to the fight against corruption, as corruption is a tumor in the development goals of a country,” Ambassador Hu said.

He furthered that China also has a robust approach to fighting corruption; stating that the huge successes of the ACC in the fight against corruption has driven them to forge this new alliance with the Commission, with the view to identifying areas of much needed support for the Commission. He ended by expressing hope that the donated items which are; four desktop computers, one projector with screen, and a set of office desk and chair will help to further support the work of the Commission. He stated that this was merely an initial gesture of goodwill but said there will be more in the future as the relationship develops.

In his statement, Commissioner Francis Ben Kaifala welcomed Ambassador Hu and his delegation to the ACC and expressed gratitude to the Chinese Embassy in Freetown for their thoughtful consideration in deciding to support the fight against corruption.

He said, “We have made great progress in the fight against corruption over the last three years with the existing capacity that we have; so you can only imagine how many more grounds we would cover with the requisite capacity and support. We still battle with many institutional challenges including; the lack of a purpose built anti-corruption office to accommodate more personnel- but one is under construction; inadequate tools to carry out the work, modern forensic equipment etc.

Most importantly, the Commission intends to make massive investments in corruption prevention with the required funding.  So your support is timely and appreciated.”

Commissioner Kaifala also emphasized on the need for technical support to the Commission through capacity building programs which will enhance the skills of staff to carry out their work with greater efficiency.

The Commissioner of the ACC later took the Ambassador and his team on a conducted tour of the Commission’s offices at Gloucester Street.

Sierra Leone and China share diplomatic relations that stretches back to 50 years. During this period, the country has benefited greatly from Chinese support especially in the area of infrastructure; and most recently, massive student exchange programs and scholarships.

The meeting was chaired by the Director of Public Education and Outreach of the ACC, Patrick Sandi.

NP-SL Ltd Continues to Stand Tall Within the Petroleum Landscape

By Amin Kef Sesay

It is strongly incontestable that the leading petroleum marketing company in the country, the National Petroleum- Sierra Leone Limited, is well known to stand tall within the realm of enhancing customer care by making it a key objective in its modus operandi. This is indisputable when thorough cognizance is taken of how Management is very keen in optimizing customer satisfaction in its service delivery on different fronts.

Members of staff of the company are very mindful of the fact that it is the customer that comes first and therefore needs the utmost attention always ensuring that transactions are conducted under a congenial atmosphere that result into a win-win situation. For this brilliant and managerial initiative the company has been making positive headways positioning to stand tall among other business entities in this part of the world.

With a capable and result-oriented ‘Team NP’, working collaboratively and assiduously, where even the cleaner is regarded as highly relevant there is bound to be positive outcomes and the company has mastered this by ensuring that synergy is enhanced.
One admirable quality that NP-SL Ltd possesses is working tirelessly and effectively using its contacts with oil producing countries in order to ensure that there is timely purchase and delivery of petroleum products to avoid shortages.

It goes without saying that fuel, for example, could be a political commodity in the sense that fluctuation in its price would make a Government likeable or unpopular. When the price goes up then people blame the Government for that but if it goes down it is kudos for the political administration.

Its timely importation of petroleum products has earned NP high commendations from various quarters simply because it helps to cushion unrest and other forms of disadvantageous effects one of which is increase in transport fares, increase in the prices of certain commodities. The pro-activeness of the company invariably has a direct impact on poverty reduction in variable ways.

Some who may not be aware of the fact that NP-SL Ltd is wholly owned by Sierra Leoneans vis-à-vis the visibility of the company and how it is remarkably striving could find it hard to believe that it a truly indigenous company.
However, that remains the plain truth when it is learnt that it was Sierra Leonean 35 workers formerly working for British Petroleum (BP) who pulled together their end of service benefits to purchase shares which were used to establish NP, which today is a success story of an indigenous company, having branches in various parts of the country and in other four West African countries namely Liberia, Guinea, Ivory Coast and The Gambia. The company’s operations right across the spectrum is contributing towards revenue generation and job creation for many.

With gas as one its marketable products it was thought wise to be producing gas cookers, popularly known as NP Gas, which could be access at their different filling stations. According to investigation conducted NP Gas is cooking-friendly, safe and long lasting. It is going at an affordable price and many are going for it.

When reference is made to Local Content, which by law is a Policy, then NP-SL Ltd stands tall within that realm as nearly all its members of staff are Sierra Leoneans thereby making use of local talents everywhere they are operating. The Local Content Policy is indeed an engine of growth and NP is making full use of it.
Without any iota of doubt NP-SL Ltd is growing taller and taller as time goes by.

Chinese Embassy sets the Record Straight on $55M Fish Harbour Project

Economic and Commercial Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Sierra Leone, Du Zijun

By Amin Kef Sesay

The Economic and Commercial Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Sierra Leone, Du Zijun, on the 19th May 2021, said in a statement related to the $ 55M Grant China-aid Fish Harbour Project that he has noted that some local and foreign media outlets have recently published some false reports on the said Project for Sierra Leone on the basis of some unfounded social media news.

Du Zijun furthered that he finds it difficult to understand such kind of groundless speculations, attacks and smear stating that he wishes to make the following points: That the project is an assistance for the purpose of promoting the development of Sierra Leone’s fishery sector.

He further disclosed that the content of the project is to build a fish harbour rather than a “fish meat mill” underscoring how it is purely a Sierra Leonean project rather than a Chinese one.

“The accusation about Sierra Leone selling 250 acres of land to China is totally groundless,” he emphatically intimated adding how the site selection and environmental impact assessment of the project are determined or conducted by the Government of Sierra Leone in accordance with stipulated laws and administrative procedures.

Du Zijun said the Chinese side will decide on the establishment and implementation of the project after the Sierra Leonean side completes its relevant work.

He highlighted that the accusations of not paying attention to environmental protection and destroying the ecological environment are completely sensational and hypothetical.

The Economic and Commercial Counsellor maintained that it is an insult to the Government and People of Sierra Leone to claim that the Government is incapable of doing relevant work or does not consider the interests of the people.

He also posited that some people make relevant remarks about the project in the name of environmental protection, but their real intention may not be to protect the environment, but to hinder the implementation of the project and thus hinder the economic and social development of Sierra Leone.

Du Zijun asserted that some people indulge in criticizing and accusing China- Sierra Leone and China-Africa cooperation for one reason or another, but they are unwilling to contribute in a substantiated way to the economic and social development of Sierra Leone and other African countries.

“The Sierra Leonean people and the African people can see it through very easily,” he averred assuring that the China-Sierra Leone and China-Africa friendly cooperation will not be detracted by such groundless accusations.

In a related development, in a bid to enhance the proposed Black Johnson Fish Harbour Project in the Freetown Peninsular, a team of Ministers from the Ministries of Marine Resources and Fisheries, Environment and Water Resources and representatives from the Ministry of Lands on Tuesday 18th May 2021 paid a visit to the proposed project site, known as Black Johnson.

According to the Minister of Fisheries, Emma Kowa Jalloh the rationale behind the visit was to ascertain the actual location and to know who falls within the harbour area as well as to clarify issues of the land.

She said the Project will commence as it will come with various benefits such as making it possible for bigger vessels to come into the country , make it easier for Sierra Leonean officers to do inspection on vessels, create jo opportunities , increase revenue generation etc. The Minister made it categorically clear that all those having houses on the piece of land where the project will be implemented are going to be compensated since it is a private property.

It was the Minister of the Environment who clarified that the land in question does not fall within the rain forest as purported by some on Social Media assuring that the project will not pose any serious ecological impact.

Pres. Bio Extols the Petroleum Sector for Effective Performance

By Amin Kef Sesay

One of the public institutions that President Julius Maada Bio, on the 18th May 2021, during his address in Parliament to mark the proclamation of the Fourth Session of the Fifth Parliament of the Second Republic, highly extolled for exemplary performance since taking over governance is the Petroleum Regulatory Agency (PRA).

The President said categorically that even through COVID-19, the Petroleum Regulatory Agency is constructing a second petroleum jetty, has maintained an open-market policy, developed a new tank farm to hold strategic stock, introduced guidelines for downstream activities, maintained price stability based on a transparent pricing formula in spite of supply chain disruptions, and significantly improved petroleum revenue and service delivery in the downstream petroleum sector.

Such a commendation coming from the First Gentleman while addressing such an August body speaks volumes of how the infusing of good and sober managerial initiatives could resurrect or transform an important public institution which had gone down the drains due to political meddling at the expense of the State. Indeed, it cannot be swept under the carpet that the good thing that happened to the PRA was the coming in of Dr. Brima Baluwa Koroma as Executive Chairman after his appointment by His Excellency, President Julius Maada Bio.

Together with a team of competent colleagues, Dr. Koroma has taken such a significant public institution from one that was almost dysfunction to become a very vibrant entity that is currently generating huge revenue for Government, some of which could be plough back to make the petroleum industry become buoyant and highly competitive.

The result-oriented Executive Chairman instituted certain reforms within the sector which brought about a turnaround that has been occasioned by marked improvements evident in the restoration of investors’ confidence and widening the market space which has attracted new players. As a matter of fact this medium was made to understand that a new player is in the offing and it is known as All Petroleum Products.

Three years at the helms of affairs at the PRA, the Executive Chairman has been able to institute reforms that have helped to sanitize the downstream sector, by restoring investor’s confidence and opening market space for new players like the All Petroleum Products who are set to start full-scale operation as an oil marketing company in the country.

Another sterling reform initiative that is been rolled out through the technical expertise of Dr. Brima Baluwa Koroma borders around improving the petroleum industry infrastructure and this includes constructing tank farms in various locations and exploring the possibility of rehabilitating the oil refinery.

Also of significance is ensuring bulk transportation and retailing with the aim in mind of enhancing petroleum product security and affordability. Besides, the PRA has ensured that strict compliance to set regulations by players within the industry is maintained.

President Bio was quite right when he pointed out that in spite of the ravages of the corona virus the institution was able to increase revenue. Indeed, records reveal that petroleum revenue under the indefatigable PRA Boss increased from Le473billion in 2018 to Le753billion in 2020.

As a serious regulatory entity the PRA has made it a laid down policy to be constantly monitoring available stocks of oil marketing companies always admonishing them to have adequate supply.

Research discloses that petroleum importation grew by 27.9% from 340,060 metric tons in 2018 to 459,960 metric tons in 2020 and annual sales and distribution recorded 416 million litres in 2020 with an improved run-rate expected by the end of 2021.

With the PRA now having its own Platts with twenty-four hours updates is indeed a remarkable feat. Platts means a price benchmark service for the oil industry. Platts pricing plus a premium or minus a discount is the preferred pricing mechanism on that requirement.

Before such an achievement Platts used to be a challenge for the Agency and they used to rely on data from oil marketing companies to know whether there would be any increase or decrease in the world market. That made the Agency to be in a disadvantaged position to know movement in the world market.

Today, PRA has its own Platts with twenty-four hours updates which have made them follow every trend in the world market.

True to the words of President Bio during the COVID-19 pandemic the PRA ensured access to adequate, reliable and cost-effective petroleum products which largely was why the country never went out of supply despite those lockdowns and halt in sea transportation.

Through the leadership style of Dr. Koroma though there were situations when Serra Leone recorded a combined increase in platts price and exchange rate depreciation which resulted in a significant breach of the 5% trigger mechanism, Government decided to keep the pump price unchanged at Le8,500 per litre, which was below the market price, costing Government  huge sums of money just to cushion the effect of the pandemic given the loss of jobs and income.

Without mincing the truth, the Petroleum Regulatory Agency truly deserves a pat on the back for the impressive reforms it has rolled out and for those under implementation. And the brain behind all these good transformation is the charismatic Executive Chairman, Dr. Brima Baluwa Koroma.

Statement by the Economic and Commercial Counsellor of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Republic of Sierra Leone Regarding the China-aid Fish Harbour Project

Mr Du Zijun, the Economic and Commercial Counsellor of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Republic of Sierra Leone

I, Du Zijun, Economic and Commercial Counsellor of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Republic of Sierra Leone have noted that some local and foreign media have recently published some false reports on the China-aid Fish Harbour Project for Sierra Leone on the basis of some unfounded social media news.

I find it difficult to understand this kind of groundless speculations, attacks and smear. I wish to make the following points:

First, it is an assistance project that the government of Sierra Leone has requested the Chinese government to help construct for the purpose of promoting the development of Sierra Leone’s own fishery sector. The content of the project is to build a fish harbour rather than a “fish meat mill”. It is a Sierra Leonean project rather than a Chinese one. The accusation about Sierra Leonean side selling 250 acres of land to China is totally groundless.

Second, the site selection and environmental impact assessment of the project are determined or conducted by the government of Sierra Leone in accordance with its own laws and administrative procedures. The Chinese side will decide on the establishment and implementation of the project after the Sierra Leonean side completes its relevant work.

The accusations of not paying attention to environmental protection and destroying the ecological environment are completely sensational and hypothetical. It is an insult to the government and people of Sierra Leone to claim that the Sierra Leonean government is incapable of doing relevant work or does not consider the interests of the Sierra Leonean people.

Third, some people make relevant remarks about the project in the name of environmental protection, but their real intention may not be to protect the environment, but to hinder the implementation of the project and thus hinder the economic and social development of Sierra Leone.

Fourth, some people indulge in criticizing and accusing China- Sierra Leone and China-Africa cooperation for one reason or another, but they are unwilling to contribute in a substantiated way to the economic and social development of Sierra Leone and other African countries. The Sierra Leonean people and the African people can see it through very easily.

The China-Sierra Leone and China-Africa friendly cooperation will not be detracted by such groundless accusations.

Kingho Prezy Jets in, Promises more Investment Opportunities

President of Kingho Energy Group received by staff of Kingho SL

By Abdul Malik

Colin Ding ,President of Kingho Energy Group, has intimated that  he is very happy to be in Sierra Leone and will do more in creating more investment opportunities in the country.

Colin Ding during a brief interview session

Ding made that statement in the early hours of the 18th May 2021on his arrival at the Freetown International Airport, where he is leading a group of investors from the People’s Republic of China to review the progress of the current Kingho projects across the country.

He said he is very happy to see that Sierra Leone has controlled the COVID-19 pandemic based on the robust and efficient leadership of His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio.

In addition, the President of Kingho Energy Group said that he satisfied to see the massive progress of Kingho projects in Sierra Leone which he attributed to the love and support that the people and Government of Sierra Leone have rendered to the company. He underscored that the support from Sierra Leone is what serves as the basis for them as investors to come with more investments into the country.

Thus ,he said,  he is pretty much optimistic that their coming and further deliberation with the Government of Sierra Leone will open more pathways for investment opportunities in the country expressing hope that based on the support given to the company so far, they as investors will give in their very best in achieving the vision of the mining sector of Sierra Leone.

Note:

Kingho Investment Company Limited is the parent company of Kingho Mining Company Limited and Kingho Railway and Port Company Limited.

Kingho Mining Company and Kingho Railway & Port Company acquired a Large-Scale Mining License to operate in Sierra Leone.  Government of Sierra Leone officially handed over the New Tonkolili Iron Ore Mining site to Kingho Mining Co Ltd on 23rd September 2020 whilst they signed the Lease Agreement for the railway with Kingho Railway and Port Co. Ltd on 8th January 2021, respectively.

Kingho Mining Company Limited, a subsidiary company, is to undertake mining at the New Tonkolili Iron Ore Mines in Sambaia, Dasogoia and Simiria chiefdoms of Tonkolili District, Northern Province of Sierra Leone, whilst Kingho Railway and Port Company Limited as another subsidiary company operates the 192 kilometer railway which leads from the New Tonkolili Iron Ore Mines to the Port town of Pepel, in Kamasondo Chiefdom, Port Loko District.

The mines, railway and port all started official operation in early March 2021.

Welthungerhilfe Trains Farmers in Soap & Facemask Making

By Tamba Borbor, Public Relations Officer, WHH SLE 1079

German International Non-Governmental Organization, Welthungerhilfe (WHH) in collaboration with Lizard Earth has on Thursday 6th and Friday 7th May 2021 trained farmers on soap and cotton face mask making in Madina Community, Jawei Chiefdom in the Kailahun District.

Speaking at the opening of the training on facemask making on Thursday 6th May, Tamba Gbondo, the District Coordinator of WHH’s COVID-19 Fair Trade Emergency Initiative project (SLE 1087) which is funded by GIZ stated that the six months intervention is geared towards promotion of sustainable growth in the cocoa value chain in Sierra Leone.

He disclosed that the project has an additional component which is the Linking Agriculture, Natural Resources and Nutrition (LANN) which deals with hygiene and sanitation.

“As a farmer you can never eat good and healthy food without considering hygiene and sanitation otherwise you will fall ill,” Tamba Gbondo stated, urging the fifteen (15) farming participants to adhere to the health preventive measures in curbing the spread of the novel coronavirus.

The WHH District Coordinator informed that they are working with 1,500 farmers in 33 farming communities across the Kailahun district with an implementing partner called- Lizard Earth.

The face mask and soap making exercise he further explained is aimed at enabling the farmers produce it to protect themselves and generate income later.

Hawa Bockarie, the Manager of Linking Agriculture, Natural Resources Management and Nutrition (LANN+) component of SLE 1087 project in her statement stated that under this project, cocoa farmers in the target communities have benefited from several training programmes aimed at boosting production while also ensuring they protect themselves and family from the COVID-19 virus by teaching them to produce cotton face masks and soap for regular handwashing.

“You would be able to produce face mask and soap for yourselves which you can also sell to accrue income to take care of your families,” she stated. She stressed that her organization stresses on the need for farmers to know the types of nutritious food to prepare for their children and family to allow them grow up healthy and strong.

“We don’t want you to travel far away just to buy a face mask hence the reason for the training to produce them yourselves,” Hawa Bockarie stated.

The Consultant Tailor, responsible for training the participants to produce the face masks- Ansu K. Salia admonished the farmer participants to be attentive and take the process seriously to acquire life skills which can provide protection and income for them at the end.

“WHH is an organization that cares so much about the farmers and communities they work with. Considering this, they decided to provide this training to farming comminutes in Kono, Kenema and Kailahun to ensure the locals can produce face masks for themselves instead of traveling afar to get one,” Salia explained. He urged the farmers to pass on the knowledge and skills gained to others for the benefit of their communities’ health and safety.

One of the farmer participants, Yatta Martin noted that the training is very important as it provides them the opportunity to locally produce face masks and soap which can be used for preventing coronavirus transmission and engage in regular handwashing in addition to commercializing same to raise income.

“I want to thank Welthungerhilfe on behalf of other farmers for this good initiative at a critical time when the world and our country is also faced with the threat of COVID-19 pandemic,” Yatta Salia said.

A total of seven men and eight women farmers took part in the two-day training exercise which focused on a step-by-step instructional approach to make the two selected items of local soap and cotton face masks.

For the latter, participants were shown how to first draw up the shape of the face mask using a pre-shaped card which they then cut in exact measure with a scissors and then sew by hand using needle and thread and later affix the elastic which is strapped around the ears.

In making the soap, the trainees first measure the palm oil and caustic soda in exact quantities; boil in a pot and mix with water in a big bowl respectively and allow to cool overnight.

The following morning, the boiled palm oil is mixed with the liquid caustic soda and stirred continuously until the mixture starts to stiffen. At this stage, the mixture can stand for some time to further harden after which it is poured on a wooden table to be rolled up in rounded ball shapes. These are then allowed to further harden up as the final product. The round ball shaped soap can be grinded into powder form or used as it is.

Indian-Led Ground-Breaking Cancer Test Hopes To Launch This Year

India Times

Marked by a simple blood test followed by molecular analysis, Mumbai-based Epigeneres Biotechnology and Singapore-based Tzar Labs have named the test HrC.

New Delhi: 

An Indian biotechnology initiative has claimed a striking breakthrough in the early detection of cancer that could dramatically advance the diagnosis of the disease, saving millions of lives, once cleared by regulators as early as the end of this year.

Mumbai-based Epigeneres Biotechnology and Singapore-based Tzar Labs, both led by nanotech scientist Vinay Kumar Tripathi and his family, have published their findings claiming 100 per cent efficacy in a peer-reviewed reviewed journal out of Berlin.

Dr Tripathi’s sons Ashish and Anish, who are involved in the management of the two companies, told NDTV that their trial was able to identify 25 different kinds of cancer in a 1,000-person clinical study and solved one of the biggest challenges with the disease – detecting it in time for treatment.

“We intend to bring this technology to India first and our aim is to have it introduced by the end of the year. This is of course something that needs regulatory approval and we are talking to the right parties in the country,” Ashish Tripathi said.

Marked by a simple blood test followed by molecular analysis, the family has decided to name the procedure HrC after Dr Tripathi’s son-in-law and former high-profile Mumbai police officer Himanshu Roy who died by suicide in 2018 fighting with cancer.

“Our technology can detect any type of cancer. There are around 180 types of cancers that are known to man. Twenty-five is mentioned (in the first published paper) because those were the number of cancers that were covered in the clinical trial,” Ashish Tripathi said.

His brother Anish Tripathi said it was very easy to take the test and it could detect signs of cancer years before the symptoms show up. It currently takes 3-4 days to get the results but automation advancements can bring it down to 2 days, he said.

“Most tests are invasive. This is a very simple test. You go for a blood test, it’s non-invasive. You give a sample of 5 ml of your blood. And we run a test on that,” Anish Tripathi said.

Asked about pricing, they said, “We are going to keep it extremely low. That’s the ethos of the company. We want this test to be made available to every individual and we want it to be affordable. The ambition is a world where all of us just need to do the HrC test just once a year and we will catch the cancer at Stage 1 or before.”

Ashish and Anish are brothers of best-selling author Amish Tripathi, who hailed their breakthrough on Twitter.

So proud of my father VK Tripathi, and brothers @tripathi_ash18 & @AnishTripp for this path-breaking discovery. Once this goes thru further trials & rolls out, every family that suffered from cancer (as we did) will have a very powerful tool to save their loved ones.@epigenereshttps://t.co/oxyqrp5qF0

— Amish Tripathi (@authoramish) May 7, 2021

CommentsAshish and Anish Tripathi said more global clinical trials are planned for their procedure and they would like to offer the HrC test under the brand of their companies.

https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/indian-led-early-cancer-detection-breakthrough-clears-key-trials-2438347

First Lady Launches 2022 Budapest-Bamako Freetown Challenge

By Foday Moriba Conteh

During a Cocktail held on 15th May, 2021 by the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs and the National Tourist Board at Country Lodge Hotel in Freetown, the First Lady of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Fatima Maada Bio has officially launched the 2022 Budapest-Bamako Freetown Rally.

In his opening remarks, the Director of Tourism at the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Mohamed Jalloh stated that he is excited that the Budapest-Bamako Freetown Challenge 2022 would he hosted in Freetown for the second time. He recalled that in 2020 Sierra Lone played a significant role in hosting more than 700 participants from more than 80 countries that participated in the Budapest-Bamako rally which, he said, was amazing and a rare scene that would only be seen on Television.

He pointed out that the rally holds tremendous benefits for Sierra Leone as it raises the profile of Sierra Leone to host international events, an opportunity to demonstrate the safety and peacefulness of Sierra Leone as a Tourist destination and a platform for cultural exchange.

The Honorary Consul of Hungary in Sierra Leone, Jihad Eter, in his statement thanked the Minister of Tourism, Dr. Memunatu Pratt for her continued effort in making the event a success, while noting that the Minister’s effort is to improve tourism in Sierra Leone by implementing Government’s policies under the New Direction with particular emphasis on promoting, marketing and improving the international image of Sierra Leone.

He maintained that Sierra Leone was confirmed by the UN World Tourism Organization as one of the world fastest growing tourist destination.

Jihad Eter thanked the organizer of the rally, Andew Szabo, a Hungarian for choosing Sierra Leone again as the finish line for the Budapest-Bamako Freetown rally 2022.

He revealed that the participants of last year’s event told him that they were overwhelmed with enthusiasm by which the people of Sierra Leone welcomed and accommodated them. He noted that Sierra Leone and Hungary have strengthened their bi-lateral relationships in many development sectors particularly in education.

The Minister of Sports, Ibrahim Nyelenkeh, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer of Africell, Joe Abass Bangura and the Internal Affairs Minister, David P. Noah all pledged their continued support to making the Budapest-Bamako Freetown Rally 2022 a success.

Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Memunatu Pratt, in her address ,said the launch of the Budapest-Bamako Freetown Rally 2020 is another historic event for Sierra Leone going forward. She said lots of positives are visible in Sierra Leone especially in the tourism sector that has been revived by the political will of President Bio.

She stated that because of the hospitality of Sierra Leone, the country will be hosting the Budapest Rally for the second time in 2022 and that Sierra Leone’s image is being portrayed positively in the world especially in Europe. He called on all to play their roles for Sierra Leone to continue to be the host country for the finish line.

Minister Pratt maintained that apart from the natural resources that Sierra Leone possesses, the Country is highly ranked in the Global Peace Index; 46th in the World and 4th in West Africa, hence the country continues to play host to the Budapest finish line. She commended President Bio for the strides made in promoting the hospitality industry and also dedicated the Budapest-Bamako Freetown Rally to President Bio. She said 2022 will be a golden year for Sierra Leone as the country will be playing host to more than 2000 participants of the Budapest-Bamako Freetown Challenge.

Launching the Budapest-Bamako Freetown Rally 2022, the First Lady of Sierra Leone, Fatima Maada Bio said the 2020 event will not only change the face of Sierra Leone but will also sell Sierra Leone internationally.

She commended Minister Pratt for the tremendous strides in changing the narrative in the tourism sector, noting that President Bio did not make a mistake in making her the Minister of Tourism.

She called on the Tourism Ministry to sell the beauty of Sierra Leone especially taking the guests to the beautiful beaches in the provinces. She admonished all to embrace the guests, make them feel comfortable as the benefit is for all Sierra Leoneans devoid of region, tribe or political party.

The Managing Director, Rokel Commercial Bank, Walton E. Gilpin launched the Tourism Traveltainment Magazine and the Sierraously Surprising “Mama Salone” video/song done by Rozzy Sokota entertainment.

The event was climaxed by the presentation of PATWA (International Travel Award) to the Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Memunatu Pratt for her strides in making Sierra Leone a travel destination.

DOSL Concludes Two Days Vocational Capacity Building Training for Youths

By Foday Moriba Conteh

In a bid to make Sierra Leone a global market and for young people to acquire entrepreneurship skills and become self-reliant in society, the Daughters of Sierra Leone (DOSL), a women empowerment organization based in the United States of America has on Tuesday 18th May 2021concluded a two days vocational empowerment training for young people on the Theme: Monetizing Your Knowledge Through Online Courses at the New Life Ministries International Miracle City on Ross Road in Freetown.

Speaking during the event, founder of Daughters of Sierra Leone (DOSL), Rita Felleh Arah, revealed that the two days vocational empowerment training is geared towards making Sierra Leone a global market and for young people to acquire entrepreneurial skills and become self-reliant in society.

She reiterated that the knowledge that will be acquired by the participants, especially women, will enable them create positive impact in their immediate communities.

Rita Felleh Arah stated that the organization is aimed at promoting the development of Sierra Leone and other African countries and to empower women with the tools they need to be socially conscious.

In that regard she further encouraged women and young people to take advantage of the training as it will help them to acquire entrepreneurial skills and become self-reliant in society.

The Founder also disclosed that the second session of the training will be held at the Milton Margai College of Science & Technology from the 20th-21st May, 2021 with seasoned facilitators drawn locally and internationally to impart knowledge in participants at various courses.

On her part, the Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Memunatu Pratt, on behalf of the President and the people of Sierra Leone congratulated the Daughters of Sierra Leone in undertaking
such a laudable project in Sierra Leone which she described as an excellent hallmark of what a true patriotic Sierra Leonean is.

“You have not come back only to criticize and focus on yourself, you have not come back to always destroy the image of the country using online digital technology particularly social media, you have not come back to look at your fellow compatriots and leave them in poverty, you are not here because you have a stake in the politics of Sierra Leone, or engaging in the SLPP- APC debates because you are a Sierra Leonean,” she maintained

The Minister added that this decision sits at the heart of Sierra Leone]s development as they are in a country where over 50% of the youth population can survive through the creative and performing arts if the right skills are harnessed and resources mobilized and that this industry is purely private sector driven but with a country that has no appetite for private sector development in the country.

She noted that the creative industries sector
accounts for 7% of the world’s GDP, growing at an annual rate of 8.7%.
More so, the majority of cultural goods are exported by developed nations, with developing countries accounting solely for 1% of total exports despite their rich cultural heritage and abundance of talent, adding that the development of the creative industries sector is not only an engine to increase the shares of developing countries in world trade, but can also directly benefit poor communities by generating income, creating jobs and empowering artists and people.

Dr. Memunatu Pratt pointed out that in Sierra Leone creative industries and the digital economy have a long way to go though it is central to the country’s heritage, our socio-economic and sustainable development needs of a country.

She also encouraged young people, especially women, to take advantage of the training as it will help them to acquire entrepreneurial skills and become self-reliant in society.

Assistant Director of the Home Economics Unit at the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary School Education, Mariatu Allier Koroma, applauded Daughters of Sierra Leone (DOSL) for the laudable venture in organizing the vocational empowerment training for young people in the country.

She pointed out that there is need for Sierra Leoneans to be empowered with skills that will make them self-reliant and contribute meaningfully to the job market.

Mariatu Allier Koroma also commended participants, especially women, adding that there is always the saying that when you educate a woman, you educate a nation and when you educate a man you educate an individual furthering that moreover, this monetizing knowledge training program is very timely in Sierra Leone especially when Sierra Leoneans will be capacitated for the job market and train them online through the internet to be able to generate their own money considering the current situation of female youths who are suffering in the hands of men they are victims of early pregnancy.

She maintained that she is with the strong conviction that the training will make an impact on participants whom she said are lucky to be selected to participate in the training.

Mariatu Allier Koroma urged them to give their due cooperation to enable them understand the course and be able to apply the skills to enrich themselves and at the same time build the economy of the country by transferring the knowledge gained from the training to others.

One of the beneficiaries, Margret Kargbo, expressed appreciation to Daughters of Sierra Leone (DOSL) for organizing such a training which she said has given her the required entrepreneurial skills.

She promised to use the skills acquired to empower others stating how she really learnt new ideas in terms of marketing her ideas.

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