Africell Sierra Leone, on the 7th May 2021 donated food items as Zakat to Muslims who are observing the Holy Month of Ramada nationwide. The donation formed part of the company’s annual Ramadan donation to support the Muslim community.
According to Abdul Aziz Kamara, Africell Head of Events and Sponsorship, the company this year distributed food items worth millions of Leones that include rice, oil, sugar, milk, onions and tomatoes as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility and to show their solidarity with all Muslims during this fasting period.
He explained that, as a company, they are giving support to every Sierra Leonean including the Christian community, but during this Ramadan month they are going around the country to support Muslim brothers and sisters with Zakat during the last ten days of the fasting.
Abdul Aziz Kamara informed the Muslim community that Africell is a religious tolerant company having employees from all religious background. He also assured that the company would not only limit its gesture to food items, as they will also provide Public Attention (PA) Systems on Pray day for the community or Mosques who cannot afford it.
He then conveyed the company’s Managing Director’s message to all Muslims nationwide and wished them a blessed Ramadan.
Commending the company, Imams around the country thanked the Africell Management and Staff for standing with them during this holy month of Ramadan and for providing food that will help the poor. The Mosques applauded the Company for such a positive gesture and held special prayers for the Company.
As they continue to give their annual Ramadan gifts to Muslims observing the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims residing in the Western Rural Area have applauded the Management of Karpowership for supporting them.
On the 7th May 2021, the Management of Karpowership made an amazing gesture to Muslims in that part of the country by donating five hundred bags of rice, forty-five (45) bags of sugar, ten (10) cartoons of sachet milk, ten (10) bags of salt and ten (10) boxes of cheese.
All the aforementioned items, according to the Management of Karpowership, are to support Muslims observing the holy month of Ramadan.
The donation ceremony was held at the Bassa Town Playing Field in Waterloo in the Western Rural District of Freetown and it attracted hundreds of Muslims in that locality and even beyond.
In his opening remarks, the Chairman of the Council of Elders in charge of the Western Rural District, Osman Kalalain in a joyous mood thanked the Almighty God for making it possible for them to witness the ceremony, adding that they are hardly considered by institutions that are operating in the Western Area of Freetown.
In that light, he recognized and appreciated the efforts made by the Deputy Minister of Energy, Dr. Eldred Tunde Taylor and Hon. Joseph Ahmed Turay of Constituency 108 for attracting the Management of Karpowership to their people and prayed that Allah will give them the blessings of the holy month of Ramadan.
Kalalain described the ceremony as historic and unique, adding that it attracted major stakeholders in their communities and beyond. He also thanked the Management of Karpowership and His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio for their relentless support to the energy sector.
The Local Representative of Karpowership, Yankey Sawanneh, assured that Karpowership is always willing and ready to provide uninterrupted power supply to the people of Sierra Leone.
He recalled that in June 2018 Karpowership signed a contract with the Government of Sierra Leone through the National Utility Company, Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA), Ministry of Energy and Ministry of Finance to deploy a Powership with the sole aim of supplying electricity to the people of Sierra Leone. He added that they have succeeded in supplying 80% of the electricity needs of the people of Sierra Leone.
“Karpowership is supplying 80% of Sierra Leone’s total electricity needs,” he said, adding that in June 2020, a new agreement was again signed with Government to extend the contract for five more years with 63 MW capacity during dry season and 23 MW capacity during the wet season.
He further said that Karpowership has been adhering to the contract and for over three years, they have been supplying electricity. He continued to inform that Karpowership has been supporting various sectors of the country; especially the education and health sectors. He disclosed that through the timely intervention of the Deputy Minister of Energy, Dr. Tunde Taylor, the Management of Karpowership deemed it fit to extend its helping hands to Muslims of the Western Rural District. He concluded that despite the difficulties posed by the corona virus, the company has the people of Sierra Leone at heart.
The Deputy Minister of Energy, Dr. Eldered Tunde Taylor said that Karpowership has been a reliable partner with the Government of Sierra Leone to provide interrupted electricity supply to the people of Sierra Leone. He maintained that Karpowership is currently supplying 80% of Sierra Leone’s total electricity needs adding how Karpowership has been touching the lives of Sierra Leoneans not only through the electricity power supply but also by implementing its Corporate Social Responsibilities.
He said reaching out to the people of the Western Rural District is a laudable venture and applauded the Management of Karpowership for its support to the people of Sierra Leone.
Hon. Joseph Ahmed Kanu of Constituency 108 expressed similar sentiments and urged other institutions to follow the good footsteps of the Management of Karpowership.
Also, the beneficiaries thanked the Management of Karpowership for supporting them.
To observe the principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and to honour the Founder Henry Dunant, the Sierra Leone Red Cross Society has on Saturday 8th May, 2021 joined the world to commemorate World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day with the theme: “Together We Are Unstoppable” , which is an annual celebration of the principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement that is celebrated on 8 May each year.
The event commenced with a float parade which started at Aberdeen Road Junction and ended at the Family Kingdom in Freetown where various statements were delivered by stakeholders present.
Delivering a statement, on behalf of the Secretary General of the Sierra Leone Red Cross Society, Yusuf Kamara, Director of Resources Mobilization and Communication, Sierra Leone Red Cross Society noted that World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day is observed on May 8 each year to commemorate the principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
He added that the World Red Cross Day 2021 theme is appropriately named ‘Unstoppable’ this time stating that it has been named in view of the ongoing challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and how volunteers and frontline workers around the world are sharing strength with those in need relentlessly during this time.
“While most of them are asked to stay at home, a few brave ones are out there on the streets selflessly aiding those affected by the virus and we are celebrating these unstoppable heroes and we will continue to rightly celebrate them every day,” he underscored.
Yusuf Kamara maintained that the Red Cross and Red Crescent (RCRC) Movement is comprised of 192 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies with 160,000 local branches and has around 14 million volunteers worldwide adding that in Sierra Leone, the National Society is supported by 18,000 volunteers.
“So today on World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day we say thank you to our 18,000 volunteers who give their time and apply their skills to make their communities safer, more resilient, and more inclusive,” he expressed gratitude.
On behalf of the leadership team of the Sierra Leone Red Cross Society, he used the opportunity to thank their partners in and out of Sierra Leone, especially the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the British Red Cross, Finish Red Cross, Icelandic Red Cross, International Committee of Red Cross, Kuwait Red Crescent and Qatar Red Crescent; NDMA, WFP, CRS and ISDB for supporting the course of action of the Sierra Leone Red Cross Society.
Head of Delegation representing the International Federation of Red Cross & Red Crescent Society, Alhaji Abu, maintained that on the 8th May every year, they celebrate the unwavering compassion and commitment of millions of volunteers and staff around the world who provide life-saving assistances and ensure that people in need can live with greater resilience and dignity.
He pointed out that their volunteers and staff use local solutions to address the needs of vulnerable people where ever they are, wherever they may be and whatever they may need and that they are truly grounded in the local community where they understand the culture, languages and needs and are best placed to develop local solutions with support from the National Headquarters.
“Going forward, in the face of new emerging diseases and an increasingly volatile global environment we need to build a more coherent and resilient Sierra Leone. We all know that any individual, family or community, can be easily torn apart because of its vulnerable points. Hence, we must strengthen all sectors of our society, including the vulnerable to ensure that we remain a stable and robust nation,” Alhaji Abu enjoined.
Volunteer Coordinator, National Disaster Management Agency, Francis Kandeh commended the Sierra Leone Red Cross Society for the strides they have been taking as a society in making communities safer, more resilient and more inclusive.
He assured them of the Agency’s continuous support towards supporting the course of action of the Sierra Leone Red Cross Society.
In his presentation, the Director of Programs and Operations, Nelson Nyandemoh, said the Sierra Leone Red Cross Society is the world largest humanitarian network, with 3 main components which includes the International Committee of the Red Cross, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the 192 national societies which he said are acting before, during and after disasters & health emergencies to meet the needs and improve lives of vulnerable people, furthering that they persuade decision-makers to act at all times in the interest of vulnerable people.
He noted that as a Society they are guided by seven fundamental principles which include humanity, impartiality, neutrality, unity etc. noting that the movement supports communities to become stronger & safer and to recover from crisis through development projects and humanitarian activities.
Underscoring the role of public authorities to the movement, Nelson Nyandemoh said public authorities can help the Red Cross through the following: legal recognition, Safe Access, understanding and implementing Resolutions of the IC, funding and financial concessions-tax exemptions & beneficial rates from Govt. services such as petrol & telecommunications; land or office space, licenses to NS to provide fee-based services-FAT and annual subventions.
As part of their efforts geared towards rolling out the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility in the country, the leading indigenous oriented petroleum marketing company in the country and beyond, the National Petroleum Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd) has on Friday 7th May, 2021 donated assorted food items worth millions of Leones and a cheque of Five Million Leones (Le 5,000,000) to the Ihasan Masjid at Kissy in Freetown.
The assorted food items that were donated to the Mosque included 15 bags of rice (50kg), 7 gallons of cooking oil, 7 bags Onion and 7 bags of sugar.
Handing over the items on behalf of the company, the Sales Manager of NP-SL Ltd, Vandi Bockarie revealed that the move made by the company to donate the aforementioned assorted food items to the Masjid Ihasan is part of their continuous extension of love to the people of Sierra Leone, especially Muslims, during the month of Ramadan.
He added that the donation is also a way of thanking the Masjid, which is very close to their terminal at Kissy for contributing to the successes of the company, furthering that fasting is one of the major pillars of Islam.
The Sales Manager stated that NP-SL Ltd considers them very important saying in that regard the company is very committed to enhance the cordial relationship that exists between them as a company and the residents of the community.
Receiving the donated items, the Member of Parliament for Constituency 119, Hon. Worroh Timbo Jalloh, expressed appreciation to the National Petroleum Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd) for the kind gesture which he described as not only important but very timely.
He appealed to the company that such gesture should be continued as it is very important in supporting residents of the community. He assured all that the donated items will be utilized for the intended purpose.
One of the Imam of Masjid Ihasan, Nabie Musa Kamara, also expressed thanks and appreciation to the National Petroleum Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd) for their timely intervention. He said the company had shown love, not only to the Mosque, but also to Allah, noting that the donation is exactly what the Almighty God wants for His people.
He also extended gratitude to the CEO of NP-SL Ltd Kobi Walker, and further prayed for God’s continuous blessing on the lives of all members of staff and the Company in particular.
The Petroleum Regulatory Agency was established by an Act of Parliament in 2014 to grant licenses and regulate the downstream sector.
Over the years, the entity has been lacking the required leadership needed to realize its full potential despite its revenue potential.
Having been in the corporate world for years with outstanding and indelible performance, Brima Baluwa Koroma was appointed as the Executive Chairman of PRA by His Excellency, President Julius Maada Bio to be part of the New Direction’s transformation drive; an appointment which has added a cap in the feather of the Government’s revenue mobilization initiative.
“We came in at a time when the sector was in desperate need of reform as unresolved challenges continued to impact the sector with weak investor appetite. The sector was constellated with limited players, frequent supply disruption and declined Government revenue,” said Baluwa Koroma, Executive Chairman of PRA while explaining the status of PRA when the New Direction Government of His Excellency, President Julius Maada Bio took over in 2018.
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.
How he made this possible, he explained: “My leadership started off by having a relentless focus on three critical areas; Firstly by developing policies to open up the market space, restoring fairness in the industry to all players that will increase sector efficiency and transparency.
Secondly, by focusing on initiatives to develop the petroleum industry infrastructure to attract new players to look at the possibility of resuscitating our oil refinery, constructing tank farms across the regions, bulk transportation and retailing as this will enhance petroleum product security and affordability and lastly, by enforcing compliance through our District Monitoring Officers to our petroleum laws and tax commitments”.
Before now, little or nothing was known of the performance of the downstream sector and the untapped opportunities available for investors. But transparency and accountability are the mantras of the New Direction, petroleum revenue under the dynamic PRA Chief increased from Le473billion in 2018 to Le753billion in 2020.
This remarkable achievement was made possible due to robust monitoring and efficient revenue management reforms brought in by the PRA boss and the sector now contributes 15% to the country’s domestic revenue drive.
In the past, fuel is being considered a political commodity which has the tendency to make any Government unpopular. But despite the volatility and unpredictability of the sector, which sometimes affect both producers and importers, the sector has been able to make fuel a necessity in the country despite Sierra Leone being a net importing country with private sector dominance.
Immediately he took over in 2018, Brima Baluwa Koroma adopted a human-face approach by constantly monitoring available stocks of oil marketing companies and appropriately advised them to have an adequate supply. This made 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 in 2021.
Platts, which is another determiner for the price of fuel, used to be another 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. This 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.
The outbreak of Coronavirus affected institutions and brought numerous challenges across the world. Amidst those challenges, the PRA was able to maintain its financial performance. According to Baluwa Koroma, the Government policy during the COVID-19 was to ensure access to adequate, reliable and cost-effective petroleum products and this was why the country never went out of supply despite those lockdowns and halt in sea transportation.
“Global Oil prices are exogenous and continued to be affected by sharp volatility between May and December 2020. 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 Le7,000 per litre, which was below the market price, this cost Government Le83bn as this was to cushion the effect of the pandemic given the loss of jobs and income.
This presupposes that Sierra Leone was selling the lowest pump price in the sub-region. The objective was to reduce the already socio-economic burden on the people during the COVID-19 pandemic. This also poses a huge challenge on the fiscal space for the Government as other sectors were either shut down or operating at a bare minimum,” he said.
Responding to where he would want to see the Agency in the future, Baluwa Koroma said that despite the numerous successes at PRA, their focus is to create a viable industry so that every sector within the value chain get the most of their regulatory framework as there is a clear trend towards an improved service delivery sector, maximized economic benefits and improved revenue for the Government.
“The outlook is very promising; we want the Government to participate in the value chain, having a potentially storage depot, the regulatory agency to become a principal custodian of petroleum stock and serves as a last resort in times of emergency. The country has a modern port and enjoys a natural harbour with 13 meters on high tide, Sierra Leone is well placed to become a petroleum hub for the Mano River Basin,” he assured.
With the dogged objective to avail its numerous subscribers with the fastest internet connectivity , one of the country’s leading mobile telecommunications companies in the country, Orange Sierra Leone, on the 5th May, 2021 officially launched its latest mobile service, which is the 4G plus during a well-attended Press Conference held at the company’s headquarters on Hill Station in Freetown.
Speaking during the program, the General Secretary of Orange Sierra Leone, Haffie Haffner, noted that the launch of the 4G plus forms part of the company’s commitment to offer its customers an advanced technological service in order to enable them access improved communications.
She disclosed that they are the first mobile company to launch a 4G plus network in the country further intimating how their engineers are working around the clock to ensure that faster and better services are provided with the 4G plus adding that in such a regard 30 sites have already been upgraded across Freetown with the 4G plus to facilitate quality service.
Haffie Haffner said that with the launch of the 4G plus, customers will now enjoy the fastest internet connectivity in the country going further on to state that by the end of 2021, the company would have rolled-out the 4G plus service to 110 sites across the country giving Sierra Leoneans across the country the opportunity to have access to qualitative and fast internet connectivity.
“This revolution ensures a truly high-speed broadband mobile internet and an unmatched life changing experience in digital communication. I want to wish our valuable subscribers a wonderful time with the 4G plus service,” the General Secretary expressed optimism.
Prior to the launch of the 4G plus, the company used the opportunity to update the media on the activities it has implemented in the recent past and what they intend to implement going forward.
On network, Daniel Fornah, said barely years ago, Orange (SL) started an ambitious project to transform and modernize its network infrastructure and enhance service delivery to its valued customers, adding that the company has far more sites than any other telecom service provider in the country with 440 sites carrying voice and data with 2G and 3G furthering that they intend to rollout 50 sites with 4G, and they have also deployed 47 kilometer of fiber within Freetown and the regions.
He also disclosed that the company is poised to establish a Data Centre which will be constructed in Bo district.
The Director of Orange Foundation, Jestina Betts, also outlined the Foundation’s activities of which she revealed they embarked on the construction of 3 CEDs centers in three districts namely Kambia, Moyamba and Pujehun which cost the Foundation 1.6 Billion Leones.
She added that the Foundation from 2015 also adopted 50 Ebola orphans/survivors residing at the SOS Village that it is supporting with a yearly budget of 235 Million Leones, also highlighting that they also embarked on food distribution amounting to 300 million Leones to vulnerable groups which include the National School for the Deaf, Milton Margai School for the Blind, Women with Physical Disabilities through DRIM and the Sierra Leone Autistic Society.
Disclosing the Foundation’s plans going forward Jestina Betts stated that they intend to establish a Women Digital Centre for Illiterate Women plus a Drop Girls Orange Digital Centre-Fab Lab and Digital Schools.
In his presentation, CEO of Orange Money, David Mansaray, noted that as part of its efforts to continue to put smiles on the faces of its valued and esteemed customers across the country Orange Money on Tuesday 13th October, 2020 launched the “Orange Money Shorki Love” promotion which offered 3 Billion Leones including 5 Brand New Cars to be won adding that all the prizes were won.
He added that on September 24th 2020 Orange Money launched another new product, “Orange Money Lajor” which, according to him, is a small loan scheme that eligible customers can access
without producing guarantors or collateral securities as traditional commercial banks do request before granting loans.
The CEO of Orange Money further revealed that Orange Money also partnered with banking institutions including the Rokel Commercial Bank, Access Bank, Sierra Leone Commercial Bank etc. to launch the Bank to Wallet & Wallet to Bank Services.
On her part, Head of Public Relations, Annie Wonnie Katta, used the opportunity to inform all that Orange SL has launched its third edition of the “Orange Social Venture Price” (OSVP) with a whopping star price of One Hundred Million Leones up for grab by innovative Sierra Leonean men and women who have ventured into the business world with innovative ideas especially on the use of technologies for social and economic development.
In addition, the International Women’s Prize, is the first to be observed in Sierra Leone wherein an assessment of how ICT solutions will positively impact women’s development. Grand prize for this category include 50 million Leones with an internet Speed Box router and a Monthly subscription over a period of 6 months.
Acting Head of Marketing, Felix Macaulay, informed that during this Ramadan they are reaching their subscribers in two directions: 510 Million Leones worth of food items in prizes will be won by their subscribers who will use their services like mobile recharge, Orange Money transactions etc. on a daily, weekly and monthly basis.
He also added that they are currently rolling out an activity called “Shabe Sunakati” of which they breakfast with Muslims in different communities disclosing how they started it at Dwarzark and Kissi Town formerly known as the Waterloo Refuge Camp and will continue it in the provinces.
During a Press Conference held at the Police Headquarters on George Street on the 5th May 2021 it was disclosed that Eight (8) Police Officers have been suspended and undergoing investigations for various allegations including unlawful discharge of fire arm, mob justice, illegal detention and incitement among others.
The officers include the four happy trigger Operational Support Division (OSD) personnel that allegedly shot and killed the late Alpha Kargbo aka ‘One Derda’ at Hastings Village, Abu Bakar Bangura who was caught on social media video hitting a lady’s head with a gun magazine, Inspector Mohamed Agama Kamara who sprayed a pepper spray on MPs during a scuffle at the Well of Parliament, Constable James .M. Kamara who detained a suspect for four days without taking statement from him and one Inspector who went to the Road Safety Authority during the commercial Motorbike Riders berserk to create incitement
Dilating on the suspension, Director of Community and Gender Affairs of the SLP, AIG Mustapha Kamara, explained that the fate of these officers now hangs in a balance, confirming that they are not only under suspension but are being investigated.
He however pointed out that during the recent riots, some police officers were also targeted and seriously injured by irate youths especially the commercial motorbike riders.
“Police stations were destroyed, officers seriously injured and police bikes burnt down. We did not see or hear anyone from the public sympathizing with us or condemning the act of the youths,” AIG Kamara lamented noting that the public only focus on the excesses of the Police.
Any organization, he said, has some bad elements and the Police is not an exception.
Recruitment into the SLP, he furthered, is not based on knowledge on the individual character but on qualification stressing that the Police is the true replica of any society “when society is lawless, the Police would also be lawless” he said.
The Community Affairs Director went on to underscore that human beings by nature do not want to be regulated, noting that the only thing that control a man is the fear of the law.
He disclosed that the Sierra Leone Police is looking at a training package that will help mould the conducts and professionalism of officers in riot and public disorder response.
At the Presidential Lodge in Freetown on the 5th May 2021 the President of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association, (FIFA), Giovanni Vincenzo Infantino and the Confédération Africaine de Football, (CAF) President, Dr. Patrice Motsepe, have called on His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio and promised to improve on the country’s football infrastructure to be able to host the African Cup of Nations.
The Minister of Sport, Ibrahim Nyelenkeh, welcomed the delegation from the football world governing bodies, saying that it was history in the making that the country was hosting the sitting presidents of FIFA and CAF for the first time.
“I am not surprised. You must have heard about Government’s assiduous strides and relentless efforts at developing and supporting football from the grassroots to the national level,” he noted, adding that the present Government had supported sport, particularly football, more than all others in the history of Sierra Leone.
While introducing the visitors, the President of the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA), Isha Johansen, said that their visit was as timely and historic as it was meaningful to the country. She thanked them for choosing Sierra Leone as one of their three Africa nation tours, the others being Côte d’Ivoire and Liberia.
FIFA’s President Infantino told the gathering that it was an honour and a pleasure to be in Sierra Leone, saying that they were very committed to helping and supporting Africa shine in the world.
“We know how important football is in Africa. Football is talent, football is passion in Africa. In Sierra Leone, in particular, football is not just a game, football is life. I think the time has come where we have to move forward and look into the future.
“FIFA and CAF stand for due process, for integrity, for democracy and to make sure that we can once again put aside all negativities that have tarnished the image of football in the country in the last few years. Let us move to promote a positive and united approach because we need unity in this country,” he urged.
The Swiss and Italian national, who has been President at FIFA since 26 February 2016, also called on all stakeholders to work together to make football very attractive and a way of life. He said everyone needs to work together for the development of the country, particularly in Sierra Leone where football is much more important.
CAF’s President Motsepe first thanked President Bio for his honesty, integrity and brotherly exchange of ideas, before calling on all to work together and with him in the best interest of football and a beautiful country.
He confessed that the President represented a new breed of leadership not just for Sierra Leone but for Africa, adding that the country had also produced exceptional football players and expressed hope that it would continue to produce great players. He pledged CAF and FIFA’s commitment to supporting Sierra Leone with the requisite infrastructure to host the African Cup of Nations in the not-too-distant future.
In a brief statement, President Bio welcomed the Presidents of FIFA and CAF, noting that football remains a fashion that the people of this country love and cherish.
“It is one of the uniting forces in Sierra Leone. We are very polarised when it comes to politics, but when it comes to football you can see the passion, you can see the joy. It is a different Sierra Leone, especially with football,” he assured.
He also stated that normally when passion clashes, there are always bits of challenges, but emphasised that the country looks forward to an SLFA leadership that would move the country as a nation. He advised that the people should not be deprived of the game that every Sierra Leonean loves.
President Bio further stated that besides the politics of football and the few challenges with regard to infrastructure, the people of this country are friendly and good. He called on the leadership of the two world football governing bodies to invest in the infrastructure of the game in the country.
“On behalf of the Government and people of Sierra Leone, I want to thank you and would like you to come again. Thank you for coming and you are welcome to Sierra Leone,” he concluded.
The Two university graduates from the University of Sierra Leone, Lilian Taylor and Kadiatu Kamara
By Foday Moriba Conteh
Two university graduates from the University of Sierra Leone, Lilian Taylor who recently graduated with Honours in Early Childhood Care and Education at Fourah Bay College (FBC) and Kadiatu Kamara who also graduated with BSC in Business Administration at the Institute of Public Administration and Management (IPAM) have commended Angels to Angels Sierra Leone organization and its United States of America Board members for the support given to them over the years to pursue their academic studies.
Lilian Taylor and Kadiatu Kamara have been beneficiaries of the Angels to Angels Scholarship programme for the past 10 years, of which the organization has been supporting them since secondary school till their completion of their degree programmes.
Speaking to this media, Lilian Taylor, one of the graduates noted that she has been a beneficiary of this scholarship program for the past 10 years saying such helped her greatly to pursue her studies.
She added that the organization has over the years been very supportive to her and other less privileged pupils, mainly girls, with fees, school materials, career mentorship program etc. as a fulfilment of the vision of the organization stating how even in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic in the world the organization supported them maintaining that the organization was very instrumental towards her academic endeavor.
“For me to be a university graduate today I want to thank Angels to Angels for their tireless support they have been giving me over the years.
Since I came in contact with the organization my life has never been the same. On behalf of me and my family I want to dedicate this degree to Angels to Angels organization especially the Founder of Angels to Angels, Fatu Quinie Sesay and the Angels to Angels United States of America Board members for all the support they have given me over these years in my academic journey,” she expressed gratitude.
She pointed out that the organization is striving to help break the cycle of poverty through education and that since she was awarded the scholarship it eased the burden on her parents to purchase school materials and the payment of fees which she described as very important towards the empowerment of young people in the country especially women.
Kadiatu Kamara, who also graduated with a Bsc in Business Administration at the Institute of Public Administration and Management (IPAM) noted that she is overwhelmed with the support rendered to her by the organization and its USA membership Board.
She added that the kind gesture was not only important but very timely in the country. She called on other humanitarian organizations to come on board to support disadvantaged girls who are in dire need of such support in pursuing their studies.
She revealed that the organization, over the years, has been empowering girls by providing them with educational scholarships and funding their educational pursuits in order to see them go through the primary school level to University level saying they have been doing so over 11 years now.
Kadiatu Kamara admonished children who are currently benefiting from the scholarship program to make good use of the opportunity, intimating that the organization is keen to ensure that these girls muster confidence to pursue their dreams and become role models for others to emulate.
A parent of one of the beneficiaries, Millicent Taylor, expressed her deepest appreciation to the organization for the gesture, adding that with the organization’s support such lessen the financial burden on her as a mother.
She ended by admonishing parents to be aware of their roles and responsibilities towards the development of their children; underscoring that they have pivotal roles to play towards the growth of their children. In that regard she encouraged them to monitor their children’s’ activities in relation to their academic pursuit or endeavor.
Millicent Taylor extended appreciation on behalf other parents to the Founder of Angels to Angels, Fatu Quinie Sesay and her daughter Michaela, the USA board members of the organization namely Dr. Kathy Forlenza and her daughters Kate and Stefanie, Mrs. Stephanie Pangia and her daughter, Sarah, for the support they have been providing to needy children over the years.
Newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Professor David Francis
By Foday Moriba Conteh
In a bid to relay his vision on how the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation could align its operations, the newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Professor David Francis has on the 6th April, 2021 during a well-attended Press Conference held at its Head office on Tower Hill in Freetown informed Pressmen that the Ministry will be shifting from Economic Diplomacy to Development Diplomacy which he said will look at the national interest as a very key driver towards national development.
Professor David Francis noted that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is a very strategic Ministry in the implementation of President Maada Bio’s manifesto Agenda, adding that he is ready to work in collaboration with all sectors in order to transform the Ministry.
Minister Professor Francis stressed that Sierra Leone needs a shift of foreign policy from Economic Diplomacy to Development Diplomacy to position herself for a post COVID-19 era of which he said he is very proud to inform all that the shift from economic diplomacy to development diplomacy is based on the fact that development diplomacy is about putting diplomacy at the forefront to achieve the development aspirations of the people of Sierra Leone.
He further clarified that economic diplomacy is one form of diplomacy which he said centres around trade and investment were as public diplomacy is about foreign aid development assistance, adding that political diplomacy looks at bilateral and multilateral relationships among States.
Professor Francis said the Ministry wants to ensure the alignment of His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio’s New Direction’s vision with the National Foreign Policy focus with the aim to transform the country into a respectable, enterprising, dynamic and inspiring country that is respected internationally, starting from the sub-region to the continental and international levels.
He maintained that development diplomacy is the blueprint that cuts across the flagship human capital development trajectory, the Medium Term National Development Plan and the New Manifesto commitments maintaining that the centre of development diplomacy focuses on the achievement of development priorities, adding that when Sierra Leone as a nation achieves its national development objectives priorities and aspirations the country will become more peaceful and secure underscoring that such will make the country a developed nation that is set to achieve a middle income status that His Excellency Julius Maada Bio is so desirous of.
The newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs said the Middle Income Status could be achieved by using development diplomacy to engage bilaterally and multilaterally with State and non-State actors to make Sierra Leone an incredible place where everyone will be yearning to stay.
Underscoring the fundamental principles of the shift from economic diplomacy to development diplomacy he noted that they will look at trade and investment, in-country benefactions and value addition pointing out that in order to achieve such we have to invest as a nation, achieving the goals and upholding fundamental human rights, enhancing bilateral and multilateral partnerships for development.
The Foreign Minister went on to state that the new administration at the Ministry is going to introduce Periodic Performance Management to ensure that the Ministry has an excellent and competent staff, adding that they are going to create a professional, disciplined, determined, committed and aspiring Foreign Service and Foreign Ministry that will be delivering in the national interest.
Prior to his statement, the Chairman of the briefing, the Director of Administration and Finance at the Ministry, Edward Kawa, informed Pressmen that the meeting is been convened for the Minister and the Deputy to relay their visions on how the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation could align its operations with His Excellency President Bio’s ‘New Direction’ agenda within the framework of the National Medium Term Development Plan.
