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Sierra Leone Goes through Universal Periodic Review on Human Rights

By Foday Moriba Conteh

On the 12th May 2021 Sierra Leone reviewed on their human rights record. Sierra Leone’s review took place on Wednesday, 12 May 2021, at the ongoing 38th Session of the Working Group Universal Periodic Review (UPR) mechanism of the Human Rights Council at the United Nations Assembly Hall in Geneva, Switzerland.

The country’s first UPR took place in May 2011, and the second was in January 2016. At this 38th Session, Sierra Leone and 13 other UN Member States were reviewed from 3 to 14 May 2021.

The Head of the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Sierra Leone to the United Nations Office and Other International Organisations in Geneva, Ambassador Dr. Lansana Gberie, coordinated Sierra Leone’s in the review. The high-power Government delegation was headed by the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Hon. Anthony Y. Brewah. The delegation from Freetown participated using a virtual platform and Ambassador Gberie led an in-person delegation to the review in Geneva and moderated the discussions.

Introducing the delegation in Freetown, His Excellency Professor David John Francis, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said that Sierra Leone has made significant efforts to improve human rights since the last review in 2016, adding that the submitted national human rights report reflects achievements and challenges in fulfilling Sierra Leone’s human rights treaty obligations during the implementation period under review.

In his statement, Hon. Anthony Brewah Esq. said that Sierra Leone has made tremendous efforts in moving forward the Constitutional Review process, strengthening the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone, undertaking comprehensive justice sector and land rights reforms, and has taken important steps to abolish the Death penalty, among others.

“I reaffirm the Government of Sierra Leone’s commitment to the Constitutional Review process. My Government has recently approved the recommendations made by the Committee of Experts on the Justice Cowan Constitutional Review Report and the 2018 Government Whitepaper. They are currently at the Government’s printing department to be published”, the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice said.

“Following the 2nd cycle UPR in 2016, Government immediately commenced implementing the 177 accepted recommendations. We also fully implemented four (4) and partially implemented nine (9) of the remaining 31 noted recommendations. This is about 91% of the total 2nd cycle recommendations. Sierra Leone intensified efforts to eliminate discrimination against children, like persons with disability, the protection of the rights of children, women and other persons in vulnerable situations occupy centre stage in our Medium-Term National Development Plan”, he said.

Hon. Brewah maintained that Sierra Leone has been building strong institutions with expressed mandates and inherent powers to protect, promote and fulfill human rights, including the newly established Sexual Offences Model Court as part of the High Court of Sierra Leone.

During the interactive session, UN Member States commended Sierra Leone for repealing its 55-year old criminal libel law, for its robust fight against corruption, for its effective gender equality programmes, for allowing pregnant girls back to school, for embarking on an effective national civil registration programme, for hosting a successful Hands Off Our Girls Campaign as part of the national response to gender-based violence on women and girls, for guaranteeing the independence of the judiciary and other states institutions, and for combating human trafficking and child marriage.

As per practice, other UN Member States recommended that  the Government of Sierra Leone abolish the death penalty, eradicate female genital mutilation, provide training for law enforcement officers, and implement laws to address discrimination against women, girls, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups.

On female genital mutilation and other gender issues, Honourable Ms. Manty Tarawalli, Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs, said Sierra Leone is committed to the progressive realization of the rights of our people based on the freedom to associate and participate in cultural activities to the extent that they are capable of making such decisions.

Honourable Manty Tarawalli added that the Government’s policy that bans FGM initiation of girls under the age of 18 remains in force. She explained that the criminal law under Sections 18, 20 and 49 of the Offences Against the Person Act could be invoked to prosecute those who inflict assault or bodily harm on non-consenting adults in the course of performing FGM initiations.

“MOUs have been signed with all Chiefs and leaders of the secret societies, which gives them the authority to monitor and enforce the ban on under-age initiation of girls. At the same time, the Ministry of Local Government regulates the activities of the secret societies through the local chiefs. This has contributed to a sharp decline in the rate of FGM from 98% in 2007 to 78% (MICS 2019)”, she concluded.

Ambassador to Switzerland and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office and other International Organisations, Dr. Lansana Gberie, said Sierra Leone is firmly committed to a comprehensive approach to Sustainable Development Goals, adding that a successful implementation of the SDGs must directly address human rights issues such as the right to education and development.

When addressing concerns about the recent Cybercrime Bill that the Government introduced in Parliament a few months ago, Ambassador Gberie said that  nothing in the Bill could be used to stifle freedom of expression or the media. The Government has already taken the bold step to repeal the libel law, which had been used with great efficacy by successive Governments for 55 years and therefore, the Government committed that it would not pass any covert and uncertain mechanism to pursue the same ends that the libel laws were used for.

At the conclusion of the review, Sierra Leone promised to take on board all the recommendations carefully and would use the Human Rights Council session in September 2021 to indicate which recommendations it will accept or note.

The Vice President of the Human Rights Council thanked the delegation of Sierra Leone for engaging with the Council and providing a comprehensive record of the state of human rights in Sierra Leone.

 On another note the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone (HRCSL) on the 12th May, 2021 paid keen attention to the review of the country’s human rights records at the 3rd Universal Periodic Review by the Human Rights Council at the ongoing 38th review of States by the Council.

The HRCSL congratulated Sierra Leone as a State for the overwhelming commendations from other Member States of the Council for the tremendous progress Sierra  Leone has made in implementing recommendations from the last review of 2016 and for the effective handling of emerging human rights issues like the COVID-19 pandemic and its attendant State of Emergency regulations/restrictions.

Highlighted was that HRCSL notes in particular commendations relating to the repeal of the criminal libel law hitherto contained in Part V of the Public Order Act of 1965, the introduction of the Free Quality School Education, the lifting of the ban allowing pregnant girls in school, the Hands-off Our Girls Campaign, the establishment of a Model Sexual Offences Court, amongst others.

Ministry of Political Affairs Discloses the Setting Up of a Citizens’ Portal

By Foday Moriba Conteh

In the bid to enhance citizen’s engagement and participation in the design and implementation of Government policies, programmes and projects that will impact lives and contribute to sustainable national service delivery in the country, the Ministry of Political and Public Affairs on Tuesday 11th May, 2021 held a stakeholders engagement on the establishment of a Citizens’ Portal at a well-attended event held at the Golden Tulip Essential Hotel at Aberdeen in Freetown.

In his welcome address, the Minister of Political and Public Affairs, Ambassador Foday Yumkella, highlighted that people in many instances believe that the conduct of elections is the wherewithal of a democratic dispensation adding that one of the great American Presidents Abraham Lincoln, described democracy as the practice of a Government of the People, by the People and of the People.

He stated that it is in light of the third aspect of the definition which is, a Government of the people that they are now gathered to discuss with stakeholders on the need to establish a citizens’ portal.

Ambassador Foday Yumkella revealed that recent history has taught them that His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio is indeed a believer and promoter of democratic best practices especially demonstrating that the Government should always work for the well-being of the people.

He pointed out that it is against that backdrop the President’s vision focuses on the promotion of a citizens’ centric participatory governance approach that will serve as a platform through which citizens can interact with the Government in the promotion of peace, social cohesion and sustainable development in the country.

The Minister said that the citizens’ portal will enhance citizens’ engagement and participation in the design and implementation of Government policies, programme and project that will impact their lives and contribute to sustainable national service delivery in the country.

He implored all to give their best to enhance the actualization of an architecture that will promote democracy and governance to a greater enviable level in the country.

Adviser to the President, Ramond D’souza George, commended the Ministry of Political and Public Affairs for the laudable venture in pursuing the establishment of a Citizens’ portal.

He said that he is with the strong conviction that the establishment of a Citizens’ portal will serve as a platform through which citizens can contribute to achieving development outcomes and promote peace and national cohesion in the country that will increase efforts to systematically track and report results drawn from concerns by the public.

Delivering a statement on behalf of the Chief Minister, Jacob Jusu Saffa, Dr. Emmanuel Gaima said that His Excellency the President, Julius Maada Bio in his New Direction Manifesto promised the people of Sierra Leone that his Government will ensure that telephony and communications services will be improved to such an extent that they will contribute significantly to the country’s communications development and make such available at affordable cost to all.

He added that the infrastructure they are about to establish under the Ministry of Political and Public Affairs is consistent with the vision of H.E the President maintaining that it is a Government-owned application that will be available on Android and will be used as a tool to promote citizens’ centric participatory governance which will provide a nation-wide window to connect people with Government Organizations at all levels to raise their issues with authorities, complaints’ redresses and suggestions, adding that for the Government, it will help to promote the culture of quantified performance management and make Government entities accountable for their mandated roles and responsibilities.

Dr. Emmanuel Gaima pointed out that like many other Government functions, the establishment of the citizens’ portal will enable their esteemed guests to dilate on different topics such as: Social, Economic, Political, Cultural, Legal and Environmental Programs, among others as a way of enriching the architecture and structure of the Citizen’s Government Portal furthering that Government is committed to ensuring that citizens participate fully in its activities through Digitalization and efficient Electronic Governance system network.

Earlier before statement were made, in his presentation, the Citizens’ Portal Consultant, Alex Nallo, said that citizens’ participation has added value to the development, peace and social cohesion agenda of the Government, furthering that citizens are willing to participate but their ability to do so is limited describing the portal as an important tool in public administration as it offers citizens and Government authorities the opportunity to interact via channels that are complementary to traditional interaction channels such as  the phone or mail.

He said that the citizens’ portal has the potential to bring benefits to the country as it presents a simple user-friendly structure and collaboration features, responding to the challenges Government face.

Alex Nallo stated that the purpose of the citizens’ portal is to capture diverse experiences, assess lessons learned and outline methods and entry points to provide a more systematic and results-focused approach for the Government, noting that the portal will include beneficiary feedback, which entails empowering citizens to participate in the development process and integrating citizens voice in development programs as key accelerators to achieve results.

The event was climaxed by plenaries/deliberations and comments from stakeholders present as way of making their inputs.

 

Government Demonstrates Willingness to Abolish the Death Penalty

By Amin Kef Sesay

Eddinia Michaela Swallow, President of the Sierra Leone Bar Association, participated in a roundtable discussion on the abolition of the death penalty in Sierra Leone during a program that was held at the residence of the British High Commissioner, Simon Mustard.

In his opening address, Simon Mustard said that there are thirty countries that are yet to abolish the death penalty.

He spoke about the need for the abolition, adding that there is no proven justification that death penalty can deter crimes of the same nature.

President of the Sierra Leone Bar Association, Ms. Eddinia Michaela Swallow said she is encouraged by the level of commitment shown by actors of the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP), as well as representatives of the opposition parties regarding the abolition of the death penalty.

She stated that after a series of discussions, members of the Bar are overwhelmingly in support of the abolition of the death penalty in Sierra Leone.

She also said that the Bar Association had already presented a position paper to the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Anthony Y. Brewah, calling for the President of Sierra Leone to formally pronounce the abolition of the death penalty in Sierra Leone, and for Government to take legislative steps to amend all existing laws which provide for the execution of the death penalty.

“As a professional body of lawyers, the Bar Association is willing to provide the necessary support towards the drafting of the relevant law that will replace the death penalty,” Eddinia M. Swallow Esq. assured.

Speaking at the roundtable also were: The Deputy Minister of Justice – Umaru Napoleon Koroma; the Leader of Government Business in Parliament – Matthew Sahr Nyuma; the All People’s Congress (APC) Party Leader in Parliament – Chernor R.M. Bah; Momoh Turay of the UK/Sierra Leone Probono Network on the abolition of the death penalty in Sierra Leone; Simonnetta Rossi of UNDP and other stakeholders.

The Bar Association says that it “will continue to collaborate with other stakeholders as part of its efforts to increase advocacy on the death penalty and to accelerate its abolition”.

Prof. David Francis Meets With Members of the Diplomatic Corps

By Foday Moriba Conteh

The newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Professor David John Francis, on the 7th May 2021held a meeting with the country’s international community.

According to the Minister, the aim of the meeting with the various Ambassadors and Diplomats was to discuss President Bio’s vision of transforming Sierra Leone’s foreign policy from economic diplomacy to developmental diplomacy, where the national interest will serve as a core value for every development initiative.

He said that his mission as the new Foreign Minister is to trade Sierra Leone out of poverty by systematically using diplomacy at every opportunity in order to achieve the vision of President Bio for Sierra Leone.

He said the focus is to use development for the promotion of peace and unity and to move the country to a middle-income status.

He encouraged every Diplomat to align his or her country’s programs and activities in the country in support of the vision of President Julius Maada Bio’s new shift from economic diplomacy to developmental diplomacy.

“Your Excellencies, I am asking for your collaborative effort in joining us to sell Sierra Leone positively and present it’s unique opportunities so that Sierra Leone can be attractive for trade and investment for proper beneficiation for all,” he told the International community.

He highlighted some of the challenges facing Sierra Leone, whilst assuring the International Community of the Government’s willingness to work with them as critical friends.

Parliament Endorses Lungi Airport Expansion and Seaport Lease Agreements

By Amin Kef Sesay

Members of Parliament have debated and unanimously ratified amendments to an agreement signed by the Government to expand the Lungi International Airport, as well as its agreement granting leasing rights to Kingho Railway for use of the seaport to transport iron ore from the country.

Presenting the Kingho Agreement to MPs, Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, Timothy Kabba said that the Government stands to gain $2.5 Million from the port leasing agreement as well as other economic spinoffs.

Chairman of the Committee for Mines and Leader of the opposition C4C party, Saa Emerson Lamina described the Agreement as “detailed”, adding it could help boost the economy. He said that other mining companies operating in the sub-region would benefit from the services of the rail and port lease agreement.

Abdul Karim Kamara, a Member of Parliament praised the Mines Minister for successfully negotiating an out-of-court settlement with SL Mining Company which he said is welcome news to the people of Sierra Leone.

Abdul Kargbo said he worked for African Minerals Limited as an Engineer, adding that directly or indirectly Sierra Leoneans benefited from that investment. He criticised the Government for suspending mining operations, stating that it was a decision that has badly impacted on the economy but commended the Mines Minister for trying to revitalize the mining sector once again.

Leader of the Opposition, Chernor Bah MP, thanked the Minister for bringing the Agreement to Parliament for ratification. Speaking on the need to follow procedures before implementation of Agreements, he spoke about the huge investments made over the years by mining companies on the railway infrastructure from Ferengbeya to Pepel, under the supervision of the Government of Sierra Leone. He emphasized that “agreements must be followed through before the start of mining operations”.

Concluding the debate, Leader of Government Business, Hon. Mathew Sahr Nyuma said the Government is into changing the narrative by removing monopoly and allowing other mining companies to invest in the operations of the railway.

Members of Parliament also debated and ratified amendments relating to the build-operate-transfer agreement for the construction, financing, and concession of the expansion of the Freetown International Airport.  The Agreement is between the Government of Sierra Leone and the Russian owned SUMMA Airports Sierra Leone Limited.

Presenting the Agreement to MPs, Deputy Minister of Transport and Aviation, Rex Bhonopha spoke about the importance of the parliamentary amendment to remove ambiguities in the agreement.

Acting Leader of the Opposition, Hon.Ibrahim Ben Kargbo called for a speedy conclusion of the Airport expansion project and described SUMMA as a “trusted” company in that regard.

During Visit to Tourism Minister… German Ambassador Expresses Interest to Support Restoration of Old FBC

By Amin Kef Sesay

Horst Gruner, the Ambassador from the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany on the 11th May 2021 met with the Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Memunatu Pratt, where he expressed interest of the German support to the restoration of monuments with specific reference to the old Fourah Bay College (FBC) edifice.

Before delivering his statement, Ambassador Horst Gruner presented an excerpt from a brochure to the Minister which justifies that the Germans are the founding founders of Fourah Bay College (FBC), hence the first Principal of Fourah Bay College; Charles L.F. Haensel was a German.

He stated that the relationship between Germany and the Government of Sierra Leone is deeper than it is seen, mentioning that there are lot of German names in Sierra Leone. He said that from the Minister’s presentation during the tour of old FBC together with the President, he was impressed and had the courage to say that the German Government will contribute to the restoration of the Old FBC edifice, noting that he has already told German authorities in Berlin about it for which he has received positive feedback, and that the reason for his visit is to learn a little bit more about what the Ministry and its agencies are planning to do with regards the restoration of the old FBC monument.

In her statement, Minister Pratt told the German Ambassador that the document she received is only going to add to the knowledge about the history of FBC. She said that the Ministry and its agencies have ensured that the Old FBC building is fenced and nobody is residing there and that work has already begun in terms of how to restore the historic edifice.

She maintained that the Ministry is looking at three things to get Old FBC building back on track; immediate actions need to be taken so that the building do not fall apart, restoration work of the outside and fixing utilities, such as electronic archive, display room, toilets, conference room and ICT room.

Sierra Leone’s Malaria Eradication Efforts Supported by the United States

By Foday Moriba Conteh

On the 12th May 2021 the United States of America Ambassador to Sierra Leone, David Reimer, stated that: “The United States is proud to support efforts to eradicate malaria in Sierra Leone through the U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI),”

Ambassador David Reimer made that statement during a tour of United States-supported malaria projects in Bombali District.  The Ambassador, along with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission Director, Kendra Schoenholz, the District Health Medical Team, toured the Vector-borne Disease Insectary and Laboratory (VDIL) and observed a demonstration of Indoor Residual Spraying, a critical malaria control measure funded by PMI.

It was stated that since the project was launched in Sierra Leone in 2017, PMI has invested $60 million to fight malaria in the country.  In 2021, PMI will spend $15 million to support key malaria interventions that are aligned with the Sierra Leone National Malaria Control Program’s National Strategic Plan to achieve “access to malaria control interventions for all” and reduce malaria morbidity and mortality.

“Malaria is a leading cause of death for children in Sub-Saharan Africa,” stated Director Schoenholz, who oversees all USAID activities in Sierra Leone and Guinea.  “The United States, through PMI, has delivered more than 3 million bed nets, 2.5 million rapid tests and 2 million doses of fast-acting treatments to Sierra Leone as part of our commitment to fighting malaria.  These investments in malaria control and prevention helped reduce the rate of child mortality in Sierra Leone by 22% since 2017.”

“I enjoyed visiting the Vector-borne disease Insectary and Laboratory and learning more about their work surveilling the mosquito population, and monitoring the efficacy of insecticides,” stated Ambassador Reimer.  “I am proud of the support the United States Government has given this critical facility through USAID.”  The VDIL conducts systematic collection of Anopheles mosquitoes, the malaria vector, and tests these vectors for their resistance to the insecticides used in ITNs so that the MOHS has the most effective tools to prevent malaria for the people of Sierra Leone.

Ambassador Reimer and Director Schoenholz also observed a demonstration of the Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) process in Makarie village.  IRS is a critical intervention the President’s Malaria Initiative has supported to control the mosquitos that spread malaria.  This environmentally safe administration of insecticides kills the majority of mosquitoes inside houses during the peak malaria transmission period during and following the rainy season.  In combination with the use of insecticide treated bed nets (ITNs), indoor residual spraying protects families and children from becoming infected with malaria.

Both the Vector-borne Disease Insectary and Laboratory and the Indoor Residual Spraying program are implemented by the PMI VectorLink Project.  The Project is supporting the Government of Sierra Leone in planning and implementing safe, cost-effective, and sustainable IRS, ITN, and other life-saving malaria vector control interventions with the overall goal of reducing the burden of malaria.  PMI is led by USAID and implemented together with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Ambassador Reimer and Director Schoenholz also met with Paramount Chief Bai Sebora Kasangna II, Resident Minister Abu Abu Abdulai Koroma, and met with the District Medical Health Team during their visit to Makeni.

NPAA, GEF & WHH CONDUCT FARMERS EXCHANGE VISIT

Group photo of farmers and WHH team in cocoa farm. Credit photo: WHH

By Tamba Borbor

Welthungerhilfe (WHH) with support from Global Environment Facility (GEF), Manor River Union (MRU), National Protected Area Agency (NPPA) and IUCN on Wednesday 28th and 29th April 2021, during the implementation of the Ecosystem Conservation and Water Resource Management Project, took over 20 Farmers from Pujehun District to Kailahun District, on a farming exchange visit and also organized training workshop to impart more skill on farmers on Cocoa and economical fruit trees production.

George Muigai, Project Manager Welthungerhilfe, whilst giving an overview of the project, said that Welthungerhilfe is one of Germany’s biggest private organizations for development and humanitarian aid with the vision of ensuring that people are free from hunger and poverty.
He said the Ecosystem Conservation and Water Resource Management Project is funded by (GEF), through the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to the government of Sierra Leone – the National Protected Area Agency (NPPA).

Georg Muigai said the project is being implemented in the four Mano River Union countries of Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea and Ivory Coast. He further said that Welthungerhilfe  is in partnership with NPPA to implement the project in three Districts in Sierra Leone: Kenema, Pujehun and Kailahun Districts, which are mainly  located along the Gola rainforest belt.

George Muigai said the project provided support to protect against threats posed by climate change, deforestation caused by logging, Mining, charcoal burning, game hunting and wild fire and unsustainable agricultural system, through the encroachment of the forest by communities, establishment of diverse crop production and improvement of agricultural activities in the production areas.

He ended by saying that Sierra Leone stands to benefit so much from this project, adding that communities will be informed on the importance of natural resources and regaining the original state of the destroyed forest line.

Mustapha O Sheriff, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer WHH, said they decided targeted Pujehun District farmers to help them to engage in Agro foresting system, wherein they can have different crops in one garden and still have a very good production, based on proper management system, in order to prevent deforestation.

He stated that the government of Sierra Leone has set out regulations limiting the activities of communities along the Gola rainforest belt. This, he said, will affect their livelihood, considering the fact that their main source of income comes from their forest activities.

He said the project implemented by WHH will support farmers to plant economic fruits and indigenous trees as a sustainable source of income generation, coupled with support in technical training of farmers in good Agricultural Practices (GAP) for sustainable Agricultural enhancement.

Sheriff stated that the Gola rainforest edge communities, especially Pujehun District, in the Makpele and Barri Chiefdoms, have mostly depended on forest products and oil palm farming, which has made little gains over the years, but the new Farming from WHH will help them to invest in  economic trees like cocoa and timber trees with fruit trees, which are in less practice in these regions, even though these trees have proven to be a major economic source for kailahun and Kenema Districts, with a high yield in production rate, especially for cocoa, but Pujehun District remains yet to practice climate sensitive agriculture, especially in the Gola forest region, which has been heavily hindered by unproductive agricultural activities, Mustapha said.

Tamba Gbondo, Kailahun District Coordinator (SLE 1087) WHH, who served as the lead trainer, said he has organized a farm exchange visit for farmers from Pujehun district to Kailahun, through the support of GEF and NPAA, to make farmers knowledgeable in cocoa production and management in terms of rehabilitation and good agricultural practices.

This, he furthered, gives them the opportunity to visit well established cocoa product sites in Kailahun District, serving as essential good training and learning  practical experiences during the visit.

He stated that training workshop at the WHH office in Kenema was organized for the training of farmers, plus a participatory training approach with a question and answer session on key training topics from nursery establishment, management throughout planting and rehabilitation and quality processing, which eventually gives them the ability and confidence to pass on the knowledge to other farmers who do not have the opportunity.

One of the beneficiaries, Fatmata Koroma, said the training is a lifetime opportunity given to them by WHH, but however asked for more women to be considered in other projects.

“we felt lost, marginalized when the government asks us to stay away from the forest, because we thought that is our only means of survival, but with this new skills and support  given to us by WHH  on farming , we are now poise to live a better life than before.”

Alhaja Bockrie said he has been in cocoa production for a little over five years now, but have not been realizing much, because of missing steps from the Nursing to the harvesting period. He however said that he has learnt so much from this important training organized by WHH. He thanked WHH and requested for regular training.

Training session of famers on Cocoa and economical fruit trees production by WHH. Photo WHH

105 Years Old Pa Alhaji Musa Mansaray Calls for Humane Treatment for the Aged

Pa Alhaji Musa Mansaray is now over 105 years old

By Karifa Kello Thoronka

Centenarians are not common in Sierra Leone in our days. Taking greater control of one’s life is an important step toward improving one’s health, but many young people care more about indulging in pleasurable lifestyles rather than taking good care of their health. Instead they pay more attention to taking harmful drugs and engaging in other anti-social activities.

Yearning for long life is a common wish by many and some might just get what they wished for in life. Pa Alhaji Musa Mansaray is now over 105 years old staying at Gwent Height, within the Wilberforce Community.

Pa Alhaji Musa Mansaray said he is extremely happy for the timely support rendered to him by the Residential Elder Care Foundation in donating food items to him with some amount of cash, maintaining that many people are seeing them as burden to humanity instead of helping them to survive.

He said they could be very good resource persons who are capable and have the abilities of telling life impacting stories to young people through which useful lessons could be learnt.

Speaking on behalf of the Foundation, the Administrative Manager of Residential Elder Care Foundation, Karifa Kello Thoronka, disclosed that they have more plans afoot for older people in the country.

“We have a plan to extend our charity work to the provinces as soon as we have the requisite funding,” he stated.

Musa Mujahedeen Kargbo is the Finance Coordinator of the Foundation.  He appealed to individuals and companies to come onboard and support them in order to actualize the Foundation’s aims and objectives which are mainly geared towards properly catering for the needs of elderly people.

Kargbo concluded by thanking all those who contributed towards making their first donation recently to the elderly at Wilberforce turned out to be a success.

A Piece on Protocol Correctness

By Soulay Daramy (COR)

Belated Happy Independent Anniversary to my Sierra Leonean sisters and brothers. Very many belated hearty congratulations to all those who received insignias and awards during the independence anniversary awards ceremony held on Tuesday 27th April, 2021, marking the 60th independence Anniversary. A very special congratulations to “me yone person’’ who was honoured with a national award.

You deserve it and may Allah bless you for your contributions to mama Salone. Anniversary cheers everyone!! Without going into the merits or otherwise of celebrating/commemorating the 60th independence anniversary, I wish to simply state that anniversaries/should be celebrated or commemorated, no matter what. It is simply a reflection on a past event and looking forward to the future with renewed hope.

I am writing this piece, however, to share with the general public what a national award means and to point out some protocol mistakes we have made with the hope that we can learn not to repeat them at future engagements. Officials visit by other Heads of State to Sierra Leone and celebration or commemoration of a state independence are formal state events that deserve appropriate protocol attention. “ Nor to pikin bizness or lefu lefu ting’’ State protocol is required at it’s best.

Without malice and with all due respect to all those who organized the events, there were several unacceptable protocol mistakes for a state function. Mistakes which should never have happened if anyone of those involved in the arrangement had a little technical/protocol knowledge and experience. The task force was adamant in their refusal to seek appropriate advice. Someone from the corridors of power resulted in self exhaltation by saying “any tem wi de do dis una kin say le wi call so en so, nor to den normor sabi. Mi sef sabi. Afterall ar don woke na govement long pass den all. Wettin de wi ar nor sabi bot govement event’’.

What a shame and a sad state of affairs in the highest office. Length of stay in public service has nothing do with professionalism and expertise. One must undergo training in a specific discipline and years of stay in the field gives some experience that could be an added advantage to enable one know and understand the technical nitty gritty of the profession. Protocol is no exception. Protocol is simply about doing things in the correct way.

Orderliness and standard procedures that ensure we do things to maintain finesse and decorum in accordance with the prescribed laws/regulations guiding what we do.

Surely, visit of a Head of State to another country as well a national insignia award do have rules and procedures. When these rules and procedures are followed, the event can be classified as having gone well. The April 26 – 28th visit of Heads of state and the national awards ceremony were anything but correctly executed.

Let me begin with the National Awards, what they are and the rules and regulations that we must follow.

A national insignia and award is the finest and highest form of recognition and appreciation of a citizen by the State, for services rendered to the nation or mankind in a particular field over time or at a particular time. This is provided for in our national constitution which confers the powers upon His Excellency the President to give honour and tittles to us citizens. The national award Acts from Parliament further establish the rules, regulations and procedures of these honours and awards.

Accordingly, there are two orders of dignity in Sierra Leone known respectively as the ‘’Order of the Republic’’ and the ‘’Order of the Rokel”

The “Order of the Republic’’ is the premier Order of the State of Sierra Leone and consists of three (3) ranks in this order;

Grand Commander – GCRSL

Grand Officer – GORSL

Commander – CRSL

The “Order of the Rokel’’ which is the second Order of the State of Sierra Leone consist of five (5) ranks, in this order:

Grand Commander – GCOR

Grand Officer – GOOR

Commander – COR

Officer – OOR

Member – MOR

There is also a decoration for bravery known as the “Decoration of Honour” and two medals for merit and services known respectively as the: National Award Medal and The Presidential Award medals – Gold and Silver.

Over the years, the ceremony for the presentation of insignias and awards is done every year on the 27th April (Independence Day) except where His Excellency the President decides.

The national Insignia and Award Ceremony is the highest formal State function with the participation of the citizenry and the other arms of Government. It is a solemn event which takes place on a specific date to mark the occasion or as part of celebration/commemoration of some other event, in our case, the country’s Independence. The national Award Act further establishes a chancellery comprising the following;

The Attorney General, the Speaker of Parliament, the Chief Justice, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Information, the Secretary to the President as Secretary.

A member can be co-opted temporarily, as and when necessary, to provide technical back-up. The chancellery shall perform such functions as scrutinize the nominations from MDAs and general public, collation of a register of recipients, compilation of citations or any other duties the President may direct.

Preparations for the award ceremonies commence in September/October of the preceding year and announcement of awardees are made in January 1st (New Year’s Day message) for the upcoming ceremony in April. MDAs are normally requested to submit nominations for awards. The Act further specifies the insignias of each rank of the orders, the position of the badge of honour and how the sash should be worn.

The 2021 Ceremony!!

The National Award Ceremony is a highpoint in most people’s life. It affords the citizen an opportunity firstly to be identified from amongst the general populace for the distinguished, dedicated, exemplary or outstanding contribution or performance in a particular field of service to the nation. Secondly, it enhances the pride and boosts the ego of the individual by stepping forward at a magnificent ceremony and a laudable citation is read out.

Thirdly and most comforting and rewarding, it affords the citizen the wondrous privilege to be decorated by the highest authority the supreme power of the land – His Excellency the President. The significance of a national award therefore, is for a citizen to be:

  1. a) Identified
  2. b) Recognized and
  3. c) Decorated

These three instances should be played out to reflect the significance on the day of the ceremony. This year, the ceremony was rushed and the awardees were not accorded the opportunity to enjoy the splendour of their awards.

Granted, the global pandemic and other State events stood in the way, but at least the awardees specific distinguished contribution should have been properly highlighted. Furthermore, due to the desire to complete the program in record time, the traditional constitutional greetings and citations from the statutory instrument, which adds pomp and pageantry and solemnity to the event were completely omitted.

This was inappropriate and a deviation from the standard norm. The insignia award ceremony is the only national formal event in this country where ordinary citizens take centre stage and garner pride, honour and sense of belonging to a State. To water-down the proceedings to a mere school – like certification program is unfortunate and not good enough. The soothing and melodious beating of the retreat by a joint military and police bands was completely ignored, even though it was stated in the official program. That was a protocol breach.

Earlier, His Excellency the President hosted a few of his colleagues to dinner and the following morning, all visiting Heads of State were at a ceremony where they were decorated.

Let me say this, the Office of the President is the highest office in the land. There is no room for error and protocol at that level should be top drawer activity. Protocol blunders at that level are not acceptable. The State Chief of Protocol should conduct protocol matters at all times to ensure that correct protocol is always applied.

State protocol in most countries, Sierra Leone included, is the responsibility of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. All other MDAs play complimentary or supporting roles to ensure the events come out successfully.

The MFAIC is the only department that has the protocol competence to organize, direct and lead events, particularly with international participation.  Protocol specifics such as precedence, seating positions, flag designs and position, salutations at formal gatherings are cardinal principles in protocol. These are commonplace activities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation which is the competent agency to provide appropriate direction and services in these matters.

The several protocol mistakes during the recent visit/event were shameful and unacceptable. For example, the Sierra Leone flag at Lungi was vertical stripes. The Sierra Leone national flag is three equal horizontal bands of green, white and blue colours. One visiting Head of State was on the left of the host, to the surprise and shock of a visiting protocol officer. Proper protocol demands that the guest should always be on the right of the host – sitting, standing or walking on the red carpet. The sash on all the Heads of State were wrong (uniformly wrong). The Sierra Leone sash should flow from the left shoulder according to the regulation of the Act.

The common protocol blunder in Sierra Leone is the erroneous belief that everyone knows protocol elements. Nothing can be farther from the truth. Everyone performs protocol functions, all be it, unknowingly and/or unconsciously. But Foreign Service Officers have the competence and experience. They are trained and practice protocol on a daily basis.

Granted, mistakes or fauxpas do occur. But they are quickly amended if the culprits are aware of the mistakes. Lack of knowledge on the other hand may cause huge national embarrassment or disgrace. I hope we have had our share of national embarrassment from what happened in the recent past, from now on we should endeavor to follow protocol practices and procedures at future national and international events.

Protocol tips for an insignia and national award ceremony!!

Caution must be taken by the chancellery not to duplicate the award to any recipient

Previous recipient could only be given a higher award

The Breast star and badge shall be worn on the left breast and the ribbon across the chest shall be from the left – shoulder

A person appointed to any rank of the order may use the letters designating the rank, e.g., Soulay Daramy COR

A person appointed to any higher rank shall cease to hold any lower rank to which he/she may previously have been appointed. He/she shall also cease to be entitled to use the insignia and initials of any lower rank of the same order

The holder of any honour must conduct himself/herself in a manner consistent with the dignity of that honour otherwise the President has the power to withdraw title and honour.

The outstanding service(s) and sector of life which the awardee is decorated should be highlighted.

“He who knows and knows that he knows is wise. Follow Him”

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