Former Editor of The Times-SL Newspaper who is currently the Managing Editor of Voice of Salone Newspaper, David Johnson, has bagged the IMC Media Excellence Award at the 9th IMC Awards ceremony held on Friday 23rd April, 2021 at Radisson Blu Hotel, Aberdeen in Freetown. He received the award for his coverages on Disability issues.
David Johnson is a brilliant writer who is very passionate about disability issues and has done many research papers on disability.
During his days at Fourah Bay College (FBC) University of Sierra Leone, he was regarded as the best student who wrote a research paper on the challenges faced by disabled people in Sierra Leone’s socio-economic sphere and was also applauded by the Disability Commission Executive Secretary, Saa Lamin Kortequee, for being the best student that broke record in FBC.
David Johnson has also been commended as the best researcher by Disability Action Group (DAAG) at the time he did a research paper on the topic: the Barrier Faced by Disabled people in the Socio-Economic Sphere and the Role of the Disability Commission in Championing the Cause of Disabled in Sierra Leone.
In the field of Journalism, he has scooped several accolades. Prominent among them is him becoming the Best Editor in 2020, an accolade given to him by the Chief Reviewer of Guild of Editors Sierra Leone, Mr. John Koroma, and his Voice of Salone Newspaper was also regarded as the Best Newspaper in 2020 in terms of upholding media ethics and practice.
Speaking after receiving the award, the CEO of Voice of Salone Newspaper, David Johnson, thanked God Almighty for giving him the wisdom which catapulted him to winning the Best Coverage on Disability Award. He thanked the Publisher of Times-SL, Sallieu Tejan Jalloh, for creating the platform for him to receive such an accolade.
He however dedicated the award to the management and staff of Times-SL Newspaper and those on his Voice of Salone Newspaper.
He said the award is a demonstration that hardwork pays and called on colleague journalists to be steadfast in their work not only for the winning of awards but also for promoting excellence in the profession.
“When you sit down to write or broadcast, don’t focus on winning an award. Your focus should be on performing a national duty diligently and playing your part in promoting ethical and professional practices,” the CEO of Voice of Salone affirmed.
As part of its efforts in implementing its Corporate Social Responsibility and encouraging solidarity amongst Muslims in the country, Bolloré Transport and Logistics on Friday 23rd April, 2021 donated assorted food items worth one hundred and thirty million Leones (Le130,000,000) to the Moa Wharf Community, Seaside Community, Port Authority and Ward 232 in the East End of Freetown. The move is to support Muslims within these communities. The handing over ceremony took place at the company’s Queen Elizabeth II Quay office at Cline Town in Freetown.
The donated items included: 108 bags of sugar, 158 bags of rice, 108 bags of onions, 78 bags of maggi and 78 bags of tinned tomato.
Distribution of the donated items will be facilitated by the stakeholders in these communities.
Handing over the food items to the stakeholders from the different communities, Head of Communications/Public Relations, Bolloré Transport and Logistics Gassimu S. Fofana revealed that the move by the company is part of their continuous support to their Muslim brothers and sisters who are observing the month of Ramadan.
He added that the holy month of Ramadan is a month of abstinence and blessings, adding that every year, since 2011 they have stood in solidarity with Muslims by making millions of Leones’ worth of donations during Ramadan to ease the burden on vulnerable communities.
Gassimu S. Fofana further revealed that prior to this latest donation the company on Thursday 15th April, 2021 donated building materials, assorted electrical materials and assorted plumbing materials worth millions of Leones to the Sierra Leone Police Force for the construction of a Police Post within the Moa Wharf community, adding that they have helped in building a new Police Post for the Sea Side Community and the renovation of the Ross Road Police Station.
Chairman of Moa Wharf community, Abubakarr Barrie, expressed appreciation to Bolloré Transport and Logistics for the donation which he described as not only important but very timely.
He revealed that over the years they received lots of gestures from the company. He added that the donation did not come as a surprise to them because the company has always been supporting them. He commended Bolloré Transport and Logistics for the donated items and assured all present that the donated items will be distributed to the intended beneficiaries.
Councilor of ward 423 Constituency 122, Councilor Radiatu B. Sankoh, expressed her gratitude to Bolloré Transport and Logistics for donating the assorted food items in order to support her ward in supporting Muslims and the less privileged in his community.
She noted that such a gesture will not only help them greatly but is a very timely intervention which will help sustain livelihoods of these Muslims as they observe the month of Ramadan.
The councilor assured all that they will use the donated food items to support the intended beneficiaries.
Chairman of Seaside community and the Transport Officer Port Authority made similar statements and commended Bolloré Transport and Logistics for the donated items.
In commemorating the country’s 60th Independence Anniversary and in strengthening their advocacy towards the welfare of the aged in the country, Dorwontony Organization for the Aged (DOFA) on Saturday 24th April, 2021 held a symposium for the aged on the theme: “Changing the Narrative for the Aged in the post COVID-19 Era”. The event was held at the 50/50 Group conference hall, Tower Hill in Freetown.
Making her statement, Chief Executive Officer of Dorwontony Organization for the Aged (DOFA), Doreen Barrie, noted that in spite of all the challenges facing Sierra Leone alongside other countries in this COVID-19 global pandemic, they are thankful to God almighty that the country has attained 60 years of Independence.
“But what does this mean for our aged population; one may be tempted to ask”. She went on to state that the last Population and Housing Census in Sierra Leone in 2015 revealed that 3.5% of the population is within the age 65 and above of which 47.4% are male and 52.6% female and that life expectancy at birth for males stands at 55.0 years while that of female stands at 56.8 years, while the average life expectancy for both male and female stands at 55.9 years.
She maintained that this is a very scary phenomenon; and all the more reason for the symposium to discuss issues around the elderly/aged people and their health and welfare, adding that this could not have come at a better time.
Doreen Barrie pointed out that studies around the COVID-19 as maintained by Health practitioners, have revealed that the elderly/aged are most vulnerable; and that the number of deaths within the age bracket of 45 and above around the world, speaks clearly, thus endorsing claims by our health practitioners that the virus kills elderly people more than it does the young.
The CEO applauded the Government of Sierra Leone and all stakeholders who have participated effectively in the fight against the Corona Virus Disease to the point where they can happily and conveniently say that the death rate within the aged population in this country, is not as high as in other parts of the world, and that this is all the more reason why their discussions should be tailored around what they need to do; not only as organizations caring for the elderly/aged, but as a people whose responsibility is to take care of those who took care of them at a
time when they needed all the love and care in order to grow up better and be able to give back to society.
She maintained that the country is gradually conquering COVID-19; and the country has been rated high in terms of their strides to control and eradicate this deadly virus of which she said they need to look beyond COVID-19 in terms of what they need to do to keep the aged population safe and healthy.
Doreen Barrie ended by thanking all present to help give meaning to the lives of aged people; and to continue the efforts of advocating and reaching out on their behalf so that they can all raise great awareness around their plight and their diverse needs.
Executive Director Campaign for Good Governance, Marcella Samba, applauded Dorwontony Organization for the Aged (DOFA) for their strive towards the welfare of the aged in the country.
She described the symposium as very timely in addressing issues of the aged in the country, adding that such an event helps provide information on how to package the advocacy strategy in changing the narrative for the aged in the post COVID-19 era.
She noted that this is not only happening in insolation but happening at a time when Sierra Leone is clocking 60 years of Independence.
Representing the Minister of Labour and Social Security, Thomas Kamara expressed his appreciation to Dorwontony Organization for the Aged (DOFA) and its partners for organizing such a laudable event on the theme: “Changing the Narrative for the Aged in the Post COVID-19 Era”.
He revealed that the Ministry of Labour is charged with the responsibility to look at issues around social security of which he said the aged is part of their constituent, adding that as a Ministry they have a scheme that caters for the aged.
Thomas Kamara said that the COVID-19 pandemic poses series of challenges including economic setbacks, and adverse health on the aged, adding that the emergence of COVID-19 has caused serious upheaval across the world considering the higher risks confronted by elderly people.
He disclosed that in addressing the negative effects of COVID-19 in the country especially with regard the aged, Government through the Ministry of Labor and Social Security provided emergency cash transfers to vulnerable aged persons across the country.
Chief Executive Officer of Dorwontony Organization for the Aged (DOFA), Doreen Barrie delivering her statement
The long-awaited hidden Treasure Reality TV Show organized by Africa Young Voices (AYV) Media Empire, Africell Sierra Leone in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs kicks-off tomorrow Tuesday 27th April, 2021 which marks Sierra Leone’s 60th Independence Anniversary.
The TV Reality show was formally launched on Thursday 22nd April 2021at the AYV Media Empire Headquarters at Wesley Street in Freetown.
The show promotes Sierra Leone’s Tourism Industry and to recapture the minds of Sierra Leoneans about their rich culture and tradition, heritage and to also attract tourists.
Speaking at AYV head office at Wesley Street in Freetown, AYV CEO Ambassador Anthony Navo Jr. revealed that twenty five gladiators who qualified at the audition will take part in the Hidden Treasure Reality TV Show which lasts for thirty days, beginning tomorrow 27th April 2021.
According to him, the show is going to be centered on cultural service distribution and jungle lifestyle to remind Sierra Leoneans about its past and present heroes and the journey to Independence as well as to showcase Sierra Leone’s touristic sites.
John Konteh, Media Manager Africell, informed his audience that the show is an Afrimoney project which is going to be a push for this year. He disclosed that Africell is the biggest brand in Sierra Leone and that the company is close to the hearts of Sierra Leoneans, adding that they also want to use the platform to spread the message that Afrimoney is the fastest way to send money across Sierra Leone at a cheaper, secured and accessible manner; no matter where you are in the country.
He said what makes the show unique is that it is going to portray Sierra Leone’s narrative as a country with rich history and culture and that this is not going to be told by somebody else but by Sierra Leoneans who are camped in a house together, adding that it would also portray how strong Sierra Leoneans can be when they are together. He maintained that Africell is always ready to support and work with AYV, He used the opportunity to encourage the twenty five contestants to give their best and make Sierra Leoneans proud.
On his part, the Chief Executive Officer of AYV, Ambassador Anthony Navo Jr. congratulated the twenty five gladiators for making it through the first leg of the show. He said AYV, Africell and the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural affairs are organizing the show to commemorate Sierra Leone’s 60th Independence Anniversary.
Ambassador Navo disclosed that a lot has been said about Sierra Leone in the negative but that it is now time to project the country in positive light. He assured viewers of entertainment of the highest quality, adding that this is one of the ways to support and promote Sierra Leone.
He extended his gratitude to Eminence Africa, Cribs International and all the other partners who have made the show successful thus far. He said he has been updated by his team that much work has been done to ensure that the show is successful.
Ambassador Navo went on to say it is a one hundred percent Sierra Leonean show which the people of Sierra Leone at home and abroad will greatly appreciate as it will be educative, full of suspense and intrigue while portraying Sierra Leone’s historical values.
Following series of disturbances at the Sierra Leone Road Safety office at Kissy Road where commercial bike riders attacked the office and destroyed properties belonging to the authority; and which continued at Congo Cross and Lumley Police stations onto Jui etc. in Freetown, concerned citizens and people affected by these disturbances are urging the government to hurriedly resolve the issue before it gets out of hand.
Commercial bike riders are vehemently angry over the impounding of their bikes plying the Central Business District (CBD) areas in Freetown. On Thursday 22nd April, 2021 these bike riders went on the rampage in Freetown in their hundreds demanding the release of their impounded bikes. The police however tried to prevent the situation from degenerating into violence and called for reinforcement to quell the situation but not before damage had been inflicted on the SLRSA premises.
The bike riders also stormed the Ministry of Youths to complain about alleged police harassment, extortion and arrest in the CBD.
It could be recalled that the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority (SLRSA) in collaboration with the traffic division of the Sierra Leone Police on the 21st April 2021 commenced a joint operation to clamp down on lawless bike riders with the objective of decongesting the Central Business District. In other words, the operation was undertaken in an effort to make way for the free flow of traffic in the Central Business District,
The operation was spearheaded by SLRSA’s Deputy Executive Director, James B. Bio, with support from the Director of Traffic Management and Road Safety, Assistant Inspector General of Police AIG Kapri Saidu Kamara.
On his part, James B. Bio, said the operation is a presidential directive which is in line with SLRSA’s drive to decongest the CBD for a free flow of traffic. The SLRSA Deputy Executive Director said the many bikes plying within the CBD has become a security concern and is causing so much trouble for law enforcement agencies like the SLP and the SLRSA.
“The proliferation of motorbikes plying the CBD is a serious security challenge to law enforcement agencies. We at SLRSA do have a duty to clamp down on whatever affects our operations and that of the livelihood and safety of other road users,” James B. Bio said.
The Director of Traffic Management and Road Safety, AIG Kapri Saidu Kamara, said the mandate of the Sierra Leone Police is to protect life and property plus anything connected to those. He said as a traffic law enforcement body, the SLP finds the proliferation of motor bikes in the CBD as very worrisome and the situation do pose a lot of challenges in executing their mandate.
He further maintained that the operation is a presidential directive and that the SLP is mandated to execute it to the letter in order to restore sanity on the roads.
Abdul Karim Dumbuya, Head of Communications and Outreach at SLRSA said the joint operation team on the 21st April 2021 apprehended about 150 commercial and private motor bikes within the Central Business District for violation of various traffic laws and each owner would be penalised according to the dictates of the law. He however maintained that the operation is ongoing and the public would be updated accordingly.
He said SLRSA is committed to ensuring the safety of all road users.
The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), Media Reform Coordinating Group- Sierra Leone (MRCG-SL) and Women in the Media Sierra Leone (WIMSAL) have conducted a one-day training workshop on women’s rights online issues in Sierra Leone for 40 female journalists, bloggers and activists in Freetown on 20th April, 2021.
With funding support from the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the workshop is aimed at improving digital literacy of 40 women (female journalists, women’s rights activists, bloggers and among others) leading to increased advocacy for women’s rights online issues in Sierra Leone.
“The MRCG is delighted to join hands with MFWA and WIMSAL to capacitate 40 women (female journalists, women’s rights activists, and bloggers on digital literacy and rights. We are optimistic that this one-day training workshop will serve as a foundation in creating an enabling internet environment that respects women online right and as well increase public awareness on women’s right online issues in Sierra Leone,” says Dr. Francis Sowa, National Coordinator of the MRCG.
“It is obvious that the advent of new media (Social Media) gives everyone the opportunity to become digital citizen and save modern society time to interact and share relevant information in record time. As we grapple with it in the physical world, gender gap and the violation of women’s rights such as cyber bullying and intruding on women’s privacy in Sierra Leone’s virtual community is increasingly becoming worrisome. This requires our timely, appropriate and collective actions as Journalists, Activists and Bloggers. Part of these collective actions is what we are here for today, that is to have a one-day training workshop on the issues of women’s rights in our digital community,” stated Femi Jarrett-Coker, President of WIMSAL.
At the workshop, the 40 women were introduced to Digital Rights, Social Media and Online Privacy and Identifying and Dealing with Online Abuses against women. They were also trained on Digital Storytelling and Digital Content Creation.
The workshop also trained female journalists, women’s rights activists, and bloggers on the effective ways of promoting women’s rights online in Sierra Leone, and further fashion ways of how participants can collaborate and contribute to Women’s Rights Online advocacy to increase public awareness and respect for online rights to help ensure that an enabling internet environment is created for women to access and use the Internet and benefit from its potential.
The Legal Aid Board on 19th April 2021 secured the discharge of six accused persons in the ongoing Special Criminal Session of the High Court in Magburaka presided over by Justice Unisa Kamara. The six were discharged for want of prosecution.
The Legal Aid Board indigent clients were standing trial on various charges ranging from Conspiracy to Larceny. Two of the six, Saidu F Kamara and Kennedy Conteh were discharged on the 19th April 2021 while the four others were discharged last week. The six were among 61 accused persons whose matters will be heard in the two-week hearings.
The two-week session commenced on 12th April 2021 and has so far seen the completion of the trial of 22 accused persons of which six were discharged while the remaining 16 were sentenced to various prison terms including time spent.
The trial of 39 other accused persons is still ongoing. This includes a matter between the State v Zainab Kabia (not her real name). Zainab is a juvenile offender who is currently battling a one-count charge of murder. The offender aged 15 is accused of murdering her stepson, Abu Bakarr Sidique Kamara, aged three years six months. The incident is alleged to have happened on 14 January 2021 at Mile 88 Village in the Yoni Mamallia Chiefdom in the Tonkolili district.
Accompanied by probation officers, Zainab made her first High Court appearance on the 16th April 2021. She has been travelling from Freetown to Magburaka to attend court sittings. This is due to the fact that there is no Juvenile Detention Centre in Magburaka or Makeni.
Zainab’s case was adjourned for the 19th April 2021 but could not proceed as the offender was not in court. Her absence from court on Monday according to the Bench was not unconnected to the difficulty of transporting her to and from Magburaka for court sittings. Her case is due to come up again on Wednesday, 21st April 2021.
Zainab and all the other accused persons in the session are represented by Legal Aid Counsels, Mohamed Korie and Ibrahim Samba.
On the 20th April 2021, the Minister of Lands, Housing and Country Planning, Dr. Turad Senesie, visited the Western Area Rural communities of Kerry Town and Mac Donald where he successfully settled critical land disputes and visited proposed development sites.
At Kerry Town, the Minister immediately moved into action to settle a serious land dispute between school authorities and other community members.
The dispute that had earlier resulted in a violent clash that warranted the intervention of the Police was brought to the attention of the Minister during a community stakeholders meeting.
Following physical verification of the disputed land, the community unreservedly embraced the decision of the Minister to properly assign boundaries that made room for an additional playground and other facilities for the school, while at the same time accordingly allocating boundaries to aggrieved community members in a manner that enhanced peace and supported a well-planned area with provision for access roads where there were none.
The Minister left the community after all the aggrieved parties including a lady that was seriously injured in the land commotion earlier in the day, were made happy.
Dr. Senesie was then taken on a conducted tour of the proposed development site in Kerry Town for the construction of a state-of-the-art hospital with support from the Lebanese Government. Site clearing is already at an advanced stage.
The Minister also visited the nearby proposed site for the construction of thousands of affordable housing facilities also to be sponsored by the Government and People of Lebanon.
A similar affordable housing proposed development site at the Mac Donald community was also visited by the Minister, alongside the Lebanese contractor after a brief engagement with leaders of the town.
According to the Minister, the visited Western Area Rural communities are expected to be used as model locations to pilot affordable housing facilities as part of his vision to provide low-cost shelter for the low and middle income level Sierra Leoneans.
He encouraged the community people to embrace national development, while assuring them that he will continue with his leadership style of constructive engagement with the people to ensure a win-win situation.
Minister Turad Senesie reminded the community residents that it is the responsibility of Government to properly manage all land in the country to ensure judicious utilization including proper planning and creating room for development that will benefit all and sundry.
“The New Direction Government is determined to lay a solid foundation for the future generation,” he emphatically disclosed, while stressing the need to properly manage land for a better future.
He urged the residents to support the new country planning and housing focus of the sector, while disclosing that the time to reverse the negative trend of land disputes, provide shelter and produce properly planned communities is now.
At the proposed development sites, the Minister cautioned all community members to desist from selling or constructing any structure, as according to him, those portions of land were strictly reserved for national development purposes.
Town chiefs and community people of both communities showered praises on the Minister for introducing a human-face approach in land management and administration.
The Minister was assured of absolute cooperation of the communities at all times.
They cherished the Minister’s approach of frank discussions and engagements, while praying that such engagements continue.
Aspiring for the position of Western Area Regional Chairman under the SLPP, Ing Patrick David Cole is very strategic in his approach to national politics, and he is very passionate about unifying and consolidating the Western Area supporters with a solid foundation for the Sierra Leone People’s Party to regain former and build new support bases within that axis.
David Patrick Cole is an astute and dynamic engineer, who has shown keen interest in contesting for the position of Western Area Regional Chairman of the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP), maintaining that if elected into that position he will ensure that the SLPP pull more votes in the Western Area.
Core supporters of the SLPP intimated this medium that among all those who have expressed interest to run for that position he is the fittest and therefore said they will do all they can to convince the delegates who will be eligible to vote to throw their weight behind him as he has all the wherewithal to give the SLPP a landslide victory if given the opportunity and do more for the party thereafter.
Have a feel of who is Engineer Patrick David Cole:
Patrick David Cole is a born Freetonian with humble beginnings at Leicester Village in the Mountain Rural District, with his father, Mr. Cole, and mother, Mrs. Victoria Cole.
He attended a public primary school in Gloucester, and later proceeded to the Albert Academy (AA) in Freetown. He later moved to Fourah Bay College, emerging with a First Class degree in Civil Engineering, and later gained his Masters Degree respectively. Ing Patrick David Cole is a Professional Civil Engineer with several professional and international Certificates.
Ing Patrick David Cole is a household name within the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP), with a proven track record geared towards being the fittest for the position of Western Area Regional Chairman. He has the political and technocratic experience to mobilize support bases of both young and old to raise the profile of the SLPP party within the Western Area.
He has innate potentials, coupled with available human resource capacities, to put the Western Area under the control of the SLPP Party.
This, he has demonstrated in his proven ability of empowering ordinary people to become champions of their communities, instead of hand-out victims of circumstances.
He joined the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) in 1997 and has served in different capacities with over 22 years’ experience in National Politics to positively influence support for the SLPP Party within the Western Area.
Ing Patrick David Cole contested in the Parliamentary Elections in 2007 within Consistency 092 and did remarkably well, though he narrowly lost the elections.
Mrs. Victoria Cole, mother of Ing Patrick Cole, served the Sierra Leone Peoples’ Party (SLPP) as Constituency 092 Chairlady from 1996 to 2008. During her tenure of service, she contributed immensely towards the elections in 1997, 2002, and 2007 subsequently. However Ing Patrick Cole also helped to establish the SLPP foot prints in the Western Mountain District and spent personal resources to promote a strong foundation for the SLPP.
He has helped to create employment for over 200 youths, as the MD of CL Group LTD, in a bid to advance the job creation vision of His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio’s New Direction.
Ing Patrick Cole has been working assiduously to train young people within the Western Area Region in-readiness for employment.
He has worked as a Consultant for Plan International Sierra Leone, UNFPA, and several other Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies. He has worked and implemented several projects.
Ing Patrick Cole has attained high national & international accolades in project development and project management.
In his capacity as Young Generation Leader in Constituency 092 at the time, he promoted the interests of young people in the Western Mountain District.
As MD of CL GROUP LTD, he designed and constructed the Kerry Town Ebola Treatment Center, designed the King Harman Road and Rokupa Government Hospital and the Kenema School of Midwifery.
Ing Patrick Cole is by no doubt the right man for the position of Western Area Regional Chairman.
He is an extrovert whose brilliance can be beneficial to all residents of Freetown and beyond.
Ing Patrick Cole is extremely energetic, outspoken and has the capability of coordinating people in the Western Area, under difficult and challenging circumstances, to produce quality results during opposition and in governance.
He is a God-fearing man, and above all, loves all people, regardless of their various regional, political and religious proclivities.
Patrick is calling on all regional delegates within the Western Area to vote diligently or wisely for him in the upcoming Regional Executive Elections as the Western Area Regional Chairman.
In the nation’s quest for development, understanding and appreciating the relationship between security, peace and development is intrinsically significant to the achievement of peace, cohesion and sustainable development.
However, Sierra Leoneans generally hold their police force which is responsible for law enforcement in contempt, accusing under every regime of undermining the rule of law by failing to responsibly and dutifully perform honorably its constitutional duties of enforcing law and order, protecting lives and property, preventing crime, detecting crime and prosecuting criminals in the court of law.
It was the hope of many Sierra Leoneans disillusioned with the police force that the appointment of Ambrose Sovula as the new Inspector General would instill fresh blood and a sense of purpose into the country’s so-called force for good. Yet as the English in their wisdom say, you cannot teach old dogs new tricks, nor should you put old wine in new bottles.
According to Amnesty International, the record of abuses and impunity leveled against citizens by our police force is such that no reform will be able to succeed without a strong commitment to accountability and redress of past abuses.
Against this background, it should be noted that in recent days and weeks four major and unrelated incidents put negative spotlight on the SLP. The riot at IPAM which was badly managed by the SLP; the untoward reaction of a police officer to use pepper spray against a Member of Parliament, the gunning down of a civilian at Hastings by an OSD officer and the alleged death of an EDSA due to police action. All these are pointers to the fact that the police need to relinquish certain behaviors if they are to be seen to be working in the interest of the people.
Including poor leadership and bad management, there are several administrative factors that contribute to the low opinion the people have of the integrity, professionalism and effectiveness of the police force to instill discipline and law and order in the society.
Lack of proper training and supervision, coupled with corruption and political interference continue to undermine public trust in the police. Of the challenges listed, the perception of corruption came out strongest.
Corruption is largely directed at the traffic police, CID and charge offices which are most frequent point of contact between the police and citizens. Other corruption-related claims include the demand for logistical support, such as transportation and the request for tips or bribes to encourage police to take cases.
The government recently increased the salaries of judiciary staffs without raising the salaries of the police, the gatekeepers of law and order. Another major challenge is poor salaries and conditions of service.
For instance, a corporal receives a salary of less than $100 a month, which is inadequate to meet personal and family demands. Not only do the low salaries undermine morale, it makes officers look for supplementary means (mostly corrupt) to meet their financial demands.
The police also contend with significant logistical challenges such as barracks, operational vehicles, transport, etc. As such, government and its development partners need to invest more in the force to ensure that it can meet the growing demand for security and justice in the country.
Political tension and mistrust, which embody negative peace, are challenges that the country continues to contend with. Police officers confess that there are instances when they are given ‘orders from above’ to direct their line of action to be taken in certain cases.
From a political point of view, what citizens want to see is an unbiased, professional police force that respects the rule of law, regardless of who the law breaker is or who he is connected to. Only then will the people have respect for the police as a force for good.
The heavy-handedness of the police brings to the fore the need to create a very strong, dependable, reliable force for good for effective law enforcement and for the maintenance of social order while simultaneously preventing the force from becoming tool of oppression through overaggressive law enforcement. This requires more democratic checks and controls to mitigate excesses and the use of discretion.
The police need to be retrained. Specific training recommended include community security, crowd control, dealing with young people, use of discretion, human rights and the rule of law, and fighting corruption within the police.
To further consolidate the peace-building process, and to improve on democratic policing, there is urgent need for continued investments in structural and systemic transformations within the SLP that the people will have confidence and trust in as we prepare to go into election in 2023.
The government needs to understand that it has a vital role to play in this, as it has the principal responsibility of protecting and promoting the rights and welfare of Sierra Leoneans.
