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EU, GIZ & ECOWAS Call for Mainstreaming Gender in Small Arms and Light Weapons Control Process

By Edward Vamboi

As part of their move to develop  a clearly defined and articulated strategy to mainstream gender into Small Arms and Light Weapons control processes in the country, the European Union, GIZ, and ECOWAS has on Monday 12th April, 2021 supported the Women’s Forum on Mainstreaming Gender in Small Arms and Light Weapons.

Control Processes in the country under the Organized Crime West Africa Response to Trafficking (OCWAR-T), which is an ECOWAS project, co-founded by the EU and the GFFO, coordinated by GIZ and implemented by UNDP in collaboration with the National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons.

The one day engagement with Women in CSOs, the media and Government spheres to create a space for advocacy on Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) advocacy in all programming through an action plan was held at Hill Valley Hotel in Freetown.

In her opening remarks, the Coordinator of Sierra Leone Network of Small Arms, Adenike Cole, underscored that the gathering is geared towards discussing concrete ideas on how women can promote or support Small Arms and Light Weapons Control processes in the country. She went further to outline some of the issues around the proliferation of small arms and light weapons saying once such happens it affects the citizens.

She furthered how the assembly was conducted to clearly define and articulate strategies to mainstream gender into small arms and light weapons control processes in Sierra Leone saying that most times the topic is considered to be a masculine affair.

Adenike Cole disclosed that when there are issues of proliferation of small arms women suffer the most and because of that they are present to discuss and share experiences and proffer recommendations on how they can move forward.

In her concluding statement, the Coordinator said Civil Society Organizations, the media, representatives from the Government should be there to create some space of advocacy on small arms and light weapons control or to mainstream it in all programming through an action plan so that at the end of the day they will be able to promote social coalition.

Rtd. Brig. Gen Tamba Alieu,  Commissioner for Small Arms and Light Weapons informed the gathering that generally mainstreaming gender process is understood to be the process of assessing the implications on women and men of any planned action including legislation, policies or programs in all areas and at all levels with a view to promoting gender equality.

Rtd. Brig. Gen Tamba Alieu further disclosed that due to the widespread availability, mobility and the ease of the use of small arms and light weapons such has become a central concern relating to security and crime.

He noted that many surveys have registered increasing physical human right abuses or violations with the use of small arms and light weapons around the world, adding that according to national data in the country many women, girls and boys continue to be victims of small arms and light weapons as well as domestic violence.

Rtd. Brig. Gen Tamba Alieu maintained that the worse condition is that small arms and light weapons are misused within domestic settings which adds considerable impact on the communities without regard to sex or age furthering that the uncontrolled presence of small arms and light weapons in some communities in the country with its attendant consequences is worrisome for national security.

He pointed out that over the years they saw the sociological trauma associated with the misuse of small arms and light weapons and their impact on social coalition and family safety which equally affects women more than men because of their roles in society and the family.

The Commissioner concluded that research on small arms and light weapons, in relation to gender mainstreaming, in this case, shows that women and girls are mostly disadvantaged and are the victims, underscoring that many gender surveys conducted in Sierra Leone revealed that over 90% of women are worried about the use of small arms and light weapons to perpetrate sexual violence against them, while by the same rating is below 10% for men.

UNDP Representative, Kadi Jumu Peters, revealed that the Organized Crime West Africa Response to Trafficking (OCWAR-T), is an ECOWAS project, co-founded by the EU and the GFFO, coordinated by GIZ and implemented by UNDP in collaboration with the National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons.

She added that UNDP has been coordinating the project since its inception known as the ECOWAS, EU Small Arms Project, stating that as part of the project the UNDP has played an implementation role by assisting ECOWAS in facilitating the implementation of all activities ranging from awareness raising on small arms and light weapons , capacity building on the collection of illegal weapons to board communities replacing  weapons collected with development items that will benefit the communities or serve as alternative livelihood mechanisms.

She noted that in October 2020 the Project, through its implementation, provided motor bikes to communities in Falaba district and Sulaima Chiefdom as part of the project’s objectives for development initiatives.

According to her, UNDP, with the support of the EU and GIZ, equally facilitated the construction of two community boreholes in Kailahun District and four boreholes in Falaba District.

Kadi Jumu Peter disclosed that the project has also achieved about 80% in capacity building of the Commission following UNDP and ECOWAS facilitated capacity building trainings conducted in 2017 to date, adding that Sierra Leone has also been referred to as a success story when it comes to post country reconstruction development and that countries like Liberia and Benin etc. are referring to the Commission when it comes to policy progress in mitigating the spread of Small Arms and Light Weapons which she said the country should be proud of and that the country also need to do more.

She disclosed that mainstreaming gender into the Small Arms and Light Weapons control process is vital for a more inclusive, effective and sustainable programming to control its proliferation.

As SLP Commences 3 Days Retreat… IG Sovula Assures of Discussing Gains & Identifying Challenges

By Amin Kef Sesay

During the commencement of a retreat for high profiled police personnel at The Place Resort, Tokeh on the 12th April, 2021 in which President Julius Maada Bio, the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Deputy Inspector General of Police, members of the Executive Management Board (EMB), members of the Fourth Estate, invited guests, distinguished ladies and gentlemen were present, the Inspector General of Police expressed profound thanks and appreciation to all for honouring their invitation.

He revealed that the retreat is first of its kind in the history of the Sierra Leone Police.

“It was designed as a soul searching effort to discuss our gains and identify the challenges,” the IG stated adding that they are also going to use it for experience sharing with other Government agencies and organisations in order to identify and take home some best practices relevant to their work that will help make them more relevant to the people they serve.

He continued that it is believed that the effective functioning of an organisation is not only determined by the internal concerns but also influenced greatly by the many unstable external environmental factors.

The IG said for the sustenance of its survival and growth, the organisation must identify the opportunities and challenges and the risks and the limitations, presented by the external environment in which the organisation exists.

“It is also said that consultations are necessary to maintain co-ordination and effective organisational performance,” he furthered pointing out how it is therefore necessary for good leaders, when preparing and assessing a vision to consult widely in order to understand the expectations of stakeholders.

IG Sovula said they have therefore deliberately decided to invite selected stakeholders that they consider key in carrying out their mandate so that they can share their experiences and state how they feel about one another.

“We have also brought in the Ministry of Lands and Country Planning and groups like Motor Drivers Union, the Keke Riders Association, the National Union of Sierra Leone Students (NUSS), Petty Traders Association, the Dollar-Boys Association and Bar Owners Association among others who sometimes make our work very challenging; so that we can dialogue and have better understanding and an amicable working relationship,” Ambrose Sovula disclosed adding that they believe that approach will help them position the SLP for a service delivery.

“Your Excellency, we have completed the implementation of the 2015-2019 Sierra Leone Police Strategic Development Plan (SLP-SDP) and we are in the second year of the 2020-2024 Strategic Development Plan (SDP) that guides us to where we want to go,” he stated adding in working with their partners/stakeholders they have used various strategies, carried out many operations and undertake many other activities saying that they believe that there should be time to check what they have done to establish whether they are on course otherwise they review and take the right course.

According to him it is said that in creating the Vision, Mission and Values of an organisation, a good leader should always take into account the bigger Government vision and the environmental forces.

He said they are aware of the Medium Term Development Plan (MTDP) of his Government maintaining that the retreat would let them know whether what they are doing is in line with the Medium Term Development Plan (MTDP).

The IG stated that they believe that the constitutional mandate of the SLP cannot be carried out in isolation but through partnership and collaboration.

“Skeptics would want to know if this consultation is genuine; and whether we will encourage and welcome ideas and suggestions,” he argued adding  that some might also wonder if it will be regular and whether it will cover current plans, progress and future developments.

He assured the President, distinguished guests that the retreat will not be a talking shop; as they will value each and every contribution and those that would come in the form of criticisms will be taken in good faith.

The IG said the outcome of the three days engagement would be documented, aligned with their Strategic Development Plan and the Government’s Medium Term Development Plan.

“It would be reduced into Project Initiation Documents (PIDs), implemented, monitored and periodically evaluated and reviewed in order to get the desired result,” he revealed saying they believe that would add value to what they do.

“I want to further assure you Your Excellency, distinguished guests, that this will not be the last of retreat for the SLP; we would now take it as an approach in the corporate governance of the organisation,” he promised.

“Your Excellency, let me once more pledge our reassurance, loyalty and commitment to you, your Government and the people of Sierra Leone and to maintain that the Sierra Leone Police will continue to improve on our performance in providing the safe, secured and enabling peaceful environment for the successful implementation of your ‘New Direction’ agenda,” the Inspector General of Police concluded.

President Bio’s Honest Call For More Judicial Reforms…

President Julius Maada Bio

By Amin Kef Sesay

The Judicial branch of Government is in charge of deciding the meaning of laws, how to apply them to real situations and whether a law breaks the rules of the Constitution which is the highest law of our Nation.

The principal role of the Judiciary is to protect the rule of law and ensure supremacy of the law. It safeguards rights of the individuals, settles disputes in accordance with the law and ensures that democracy does not give way to individual or group dictatorship.

However, much we may hate or criticize it, if there is no Judiciary, then the rights of the individuals might not be conserved. People would face partiality, humiliation, discrimination, violence in every field.

Its Supreme Court interprets the Constitution and with the other lower courts; settles legal disputes; punishes violators of the law; hears civil cases; protects individual rights granted by the Constitution and determines the guilt or innocence of those accused of violating the criminal laws of the State.

It is very importance for the maintenance of the rule of law and the rights of citizens for the Judiciary to be free from Executive control and directives as it would be a formula for tyranny.

The reason being that under a traditional separation of powers arrangement, the independent Judiciary serves as a check on a rogue or overzealous Executive, as only with the approval of the Judiciary may someone be jailed long-term for (alleged) crimes.

In which light, at this transitional stage of the country’s democratic development, the President himself at his recent town hall meeting at Bintumani Conference Hall confessed that the Government is faced with the great challenge of securing the credibility and sustainability of the Judiciary and the rule of law.

The Judiciary and law enforcement authorities continue to be poorly equipped and there is a lack of infrastructure and well-trained personnel.

Adopting a comprehensive national action plan to reform the Judiciary would go a long way in not only reinforcing democracy but most importantly the fight against crime in society.

The Ministry of Justice should particularly emphasis on the training of personnel, access to justice and other legal and organizational reforms. The following intervention areas are highlighted:

  • Qualifying Judiciary personnel (initial and advanced training) at national and provincial levels
  • Specific training events for Judiciary personnel on topics related to criminal, criminal procedural and land law
  • Supporting Judicial reform with advice on legislation, reform approaches and strategy development
  • Improved access to justice, including financing mobile courts, equipping courts, training court personnel, and free legal advice for the public
  • Improving legal documentation: printing and disseminating legal literature and legal texts for the Judiciary as well as developing databases and Judicial archives.

Orange Foundation-SL Commissions Pre-School Center at Moyamba

By Foday Moriba Conteh

In line with their Early Childhood Development Center School Project, which also falls under their institution’s Free Quality Education support to the Government’s Free Quality Education (FQE) Initiative, Orange Foundation Sierra Leone has on Monday 12th April, 2021 commissioned an Ultra-Modern Pre-School Center at Kaionba Village, Korgbutuma Chiefdom within the Moyamba District, Southern Sierra Leone.

In his welcome statement, the Speaker of Korgbutuma Chiefdom, Moyamba District, Chief Adu Mbayawa, applauded Orange Foundation-Sierra Leone for considering his chiefdom for the construction of an Early Childhood Development Center School, of which he assured they will make good use of.

He noted that the people of Korgbutuma Chiefdom are very happy for such a development in their chiefdom which he said will surely complement Government’s Free Quality Education.

Adu Mbayawa assured all that the people of Korgbutuma Chiefdom and its environs will definitely make good use of the facility which will benefit their children to acquire early childhood education in that part of the county.

In her address, the Director of Orange Foundation-Sierra Leone, Jestina Betts, noted that she is overwhelmed to hand over an ultra-modern facility that will enable young children from that community to have access to early childhood learning, adding that this means that the children of Korgbutuma Chiefdom will have the same quality education foundation that children in Freetown attain.

She added that it is very evident that some of the facilities needed to ensure that the children in the provinces benefit from the Government’s Free Quality Education are not available in some parts of the country further stating how the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, which is the driver to ensure its implementation seamlessly across the country, understands the area of needs and has been pushing very hard to ensure that those needs are addressed.

Jestina pointed out that one of the objectives is to ensure that the Ministry gets an even distribution of early childhood development centers across the country.

She pointed out that they are happy to commission an Ultra-Modern Pre-School Center at Kaionba Village, Korgbutuma Chiefdom within the Moyamba District in order to support the Ministry in their stride to achieve that objective.

The Director of Orange Foundation revealed that this is the second FQE ECD School they have commissioned, noting that they have just recently commissioned one at Mayakie Village, Kambia District, and that they have equally commissioned the 2nd ECD School in Moyamba District, to ensure that the children in Korgbutuma Chiefdom have access to quality education in an environment that is conducive.

She admonished the children of Korgbutuma Chiefdom that as they commission the facility they must ensure that they acquire learning in a safe and comfortable space for free, of which she said this is not the case in some other countries or even some other areas in this country and that parents of some children pay a lot of money to ensure their children access such facilities. Congratulating them she said they are very lucky and privileged.

“Finally I want to take this opportunity to thank my team for managing this project within record time to completion. To our contractor this is indeed a great job well done. To the Paramount Chief, Section & Town Chiefs, community stakeholders and the land owning family we appreciate all the support you have given to ensure that the children of Korgbutuma Chiefdom benefit from this support. It is my desire to see that you wholeheartedly accept and guard this facility with open hands to ensure it is sustained for many years to come,” Jestina Betts concluded.

The Member of Parliament of Constituency 096, Moyamba District, Hon. Simon Fefegula also showered praises on Orange Foundation Sierra Leone for the construction of the ECD School in his constituency.

He maintained that the construction of the facility is not only important but also a very timely intervention which he described as very significant towards the development of children in the country, adding that with the construction of the pre-school in his constituency such will surely create positive impact on the lives of children in that part of the country.

n his keynote address, the Director General of NATCOM, Daniel Kaitibi, expressed appreciation to Orange Foundation-Sierra Leone for the laudable venture in constructing the said school in Korgbutuma Chiefdom, Moyamba District.

He said the Free Quality Initiative is a priority in the New Direction Agenda underscoring how His Excellency President Maada Bio considers education as very important which is why he implemented it.

The Director General also commended Orange Foundation-Sierra Leone for their effort in complementing the Government’s Free Quality Education initiative through the construction of the Early Childhood Centers.

He inspired pupils to take their studies serious underscoring how education is the key to success.

He also admonished residents to take advantage of the facility, take ownership of it and also allow their children to attend it.

A resident of Korgbutuma Chiefdom, who also happens to be a parent, Abdul Kamara expressed his warm appreciation to Orange Foundation for the construction of the pre-school in their chiefdom, furthering that the facility will help their children to get early childhood education just like children in Freetown.

He assured all that they will surely make good use of the facility as it is the first modern pre-school within the Korgbutuma Chiefdom in Moyamba District.

The event was climaxed by the official commissioning of the Early Childhood Center by the Director General of NATCOM, Daniel Kaitibi and the Chief Executive Officer, Orange-Sierra Leone Aminata Kane Ndiaye followed by a tour of the facility.

One Family People & SLAS Hold Family Affairs Musical Concert

The Executive Director of the Sierra Leone Autistic Society, Mary Penntimity and the Operations Director of One Family People, Hadiatou Diallo

By Foday Moriba Conteh

 As part of their continuous support in raising awareness on children living with Autism in the country, the Sierra Leone Autistic Society in collaboration with One Family People has on Saturday 10th April, 2021 held a family Affairs Musical Concert in honour of World Autism Awareness on the theme: “Empowerment of Young Persons with Autism Creating Inclusion in the Workplace, Highlighting Challenges and Opportunities in a Post Pandemic Sierra Leone”. The event took place at Babadorie Hill, Lumley in Freetown.

The event created the opportunity for children living with Autism to showcase their God given talents through musical performances in front of their parents and Guardians as well as invited guests.

Speaking to this medium in an exclusive interview, the Executive Director of the Sierra Leone Autistic Society, Mary Penntimity, noted that the event is held in honour of World Autism Awareness.

She revealed that World Autism Awareness Day is an internationally recognized day which is observed on the 2nd of April every year, during which period countries are encouraged to take measures to raise awareness about people with autistic spectrum disorders.  It was in that vein they thought it fit to hold a Family Affairs Musical Concert which availed the children living with Autism the opportunity to use their God given talents to express themselves, adding that children living with Autism have talents and abilities like any other children.

Mary Penntimity noted that her organization has been providing support for autistic children, young people and their families in Sierra Leone since inception, adding that they started with few children but now runs play schemes, have youth groups and support groups, furthering that their activities include providing vital community support and reducing the profound and dangerous isolation of autistic children furthering that they have also succeeded in establishing a school for these children.

She further revealed that the event itself is an eye-opener for parents and guardians to know that regardless of the fact that this children are living with Autism they still have God-given talents and they are very important in society.

She ended by calling on all to stop the discrimination against children living with Autism but rather  should see them as very important children in society and help in creating the enabling environment for them.

On her part, the Operations Director of One Family People, Hadiatou Diallo noted that her organization is a disability focused organization that has been working tremendously in creating a conducive environment for people living with disabilities across the country.

She added that World Autism Awareness Day is an internationally recognized day on the 2nd April every year geared towards raising awareness about people with autism and it against that backdrop they decided to partner with the Sierra Leone Autistic Society in order to give their support as an organization with the strong conviction that such will be helpful.

Hadiatou Diallo pointed out that they are very committed to see that they render their support to organizations working in the interest of people living with disability, furthering that although they have disabilities they should not be discriminated against but rather should be seen as useful children in society.

She commended the Government of Sierra Leone for their strides towards catering for people living with disabilities across the country owing to the fact that Sierra Leone has made notable progress in promoting inclusive development of which it domesticated the International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) into the Disability Act of 2011. Following that, Sierra Leone established the National Commission for Persons with Disability in 2012 to ensure that the Disability Act was translated into practice.

She also used the opportunity to call on all to complement the efforts of the Government in creating an inclusive environment for people living with disability more especially children living with Autism which she said deserve more care and attention.

Afrimoney Concludes Distribution of Le 400M to Fire Victims 

By Amin Kef Sesay

On the 12th April 2021 Afrimoney Sierra Leone in the presence of officials of the National Disaster Management Agency ( NDMA) and other stakeholders successfully ended the distributions of four hundred million Leones and one thousand five hundred and ninety-seven (1,597) mobile phones valued over eighty million Leones to all registered victims of the devastating fire accident at Susan’s Bay.

The distribution exercise started on Friday 9thApril 2021, at the Susan’s Bay Community and ended on Monday 12th April, 2021.

According to the Management of Afrimoney, the donation is part of Management’s contributions to help cushion the effects of the fire accident in the lives of victims.

Fatmata Conteh, a beneficiary whilst thanking the Management of Afrimoney said that the mobile phones and cash came at the time they needed it most. She went on to say that she lost all her belongings in the fire accident, adding that they have been fired-up by the Management of Afrimoney to start up their business. She disclosed that she has been finding it extremely difficult to cope with the prevailing circumstances left by the fire accident. She went on to say that some of them are the bread winners of their respective families and with the cash donated by the Management of Afrimoney, it will help them to start up their businesses.

“I will use my cash to start up my business and continue to provide food for my family,” said Fatmata Conteh, adding by assuring the Management of Afrimoney that the money will be used judiciously.

Also, 22 years old Mohamed Sankoh, a businessman described the donation as timely and thanked the Management of Afrimoney for supporting them. He added that the cash will help them greatly to return back to normal life. He went on to say that he is impressed with the donation, adding that the process is transparent. He assured that he will use the money to start up his business and continue to support his parents and siblings.

A pupil of the Ansarul Islamic Secondary School, Saidu Kargbo thanked the Management of Afrimoney for the kind support. He went on to say that he lost everything in the fire accident, adding that he will use the cash to buy some of his school items.

Other beneficiaries also thanked the Management of Afrimoney for supporting them with mobile phones and cash, which they described as a huge boost towards returning to normal life.

A total cash of four hundred million Leones and 1,597 mobile phones were handed over to 1597 households at Susan’s Bay and each household also received the sum of two hundred and fifty thousand Leones.

3 Years of President Bio… Accelerated Service Delivery Continues-Part I

President Julius Maada Bio

By Mohamed Sheriff

The 2018 general elections were a critical process in the advancement of the country’s democracy, peace, and development. April 4th, 2018 when President Julius Maada Bio became the fountain of honour of the Republic of Sierra Leone, it was a defining moment in the history of the country’s political dispensation. Also, a moment to reflect on the specifics development outcomes citizens want political parties to address in the face of the dying economy and development challenges.

The campaign manifesto of the New Direction Sierra Leone people’s Party (SLPP) attracted many citizens on how they want to leapfrog development and other social amenities.

Three years on, President Julius Maada Bio is making remarkable strides to address the eleven years of the APC’s failed economy, youth unemployment, social injustice, inclusive governance, among others.

Firstly, President Bio launched the Medium-Term National Development Plan, through the Ministry of Planning and Economy Development (MoPED), to address the socio-economic and cultural problems of communities and citizen holistically across the country. Citizens, political parties, and development partners are expected to support the plan in making the areas of agriculture, foreign direct investment, fishery sector, energy, education, telecommunication, among other things, achievable.

Education: Gains have been made significantly, especially when naysayers were thinking the Free Quality Education Programme was impossible, given that it was the flagship program of the Government. The Free Quality Education scheme is recording huge achievement; according to reports, school completion rates for boys and girls are at an all-time high. In 2015, for example, 48. 7% of boys and 65.4% of girls completed basic school education.

According to the Ministry of Basic and Secondary School Education, the school completion rate in 2019 stood at 92% for boys and 90% for girls. In three years, the Government increased budgetary allocation towards education from 15% to 21%, constructed and furnished new classrooms; paid examination fees for all, recruited school inspectors, recruited over five thousand (5,000) new teachers, promoted over two thousand teachers (2,000), provided 30% salary increments to teachers, and expanded school feeding program in the rural areas, despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Millions of pupils have returned to schools across the country.

Woman & Girls: The Government has made enormous efforts to promoting gender equality, equity, empowerment, and the protection of the rights of women and girls in Sierra Leone. Among the goodies include the First Lady’s successful ‘Hands off our Girls’ campaign; the Government’s reversal of the ban on pregnant girls from going to schools; the declaration of sexual violence as a national emergency; the establishment of a special court for rape victims, and the enactment of the Sexual Offenses (Amendment) Act, as recent developments in the promotion and protection of human rights, especially of women and girls, support to small business enterprises and loans to farmers.

 Human Rights Accountability and Transparency: Recently, Sierra Leone submitted its national human rights progress report to the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, making a significant milestone in respect of His Excellency, President Julius Maada Bio’s commitment to Human Rights Accountability and Transparency.

The report underlines, particularly, the Government’s to the Independence of the Judiciary as envisioned under the 1991 constitution, the Government’s commitment to “fundamental human rights and freedoms of the individual,” noting that “all the core non-dirigible rights have been firmly safeguarded”, there are no political prisoners in Sierra Leone under President Bio’s led administration.

It is on record that President Bio fulfilled his manifesto commitment to abolish the Criminal Libel Laws by repealing part v of the Public Order Act of 1965.  His government has taken to fight the Coronavirus pandemic and mitigate its impact. Those actions are rooted in the rule of law and are fully compliant with national law (Section 29 of the 1991 Constitution) and International human rights principles (Article 4 (1) of the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights). Government’s financial support packages to people and businesses to soften the harsh impacts of COVID-19.

The International community notes impressive records of actions and measures taken by President Bio to implement the 177 recommendations it had accepted from the UN during the last review of Sierra Leone’s human rights record. Through the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, the Government of Sierra Leone worked with Parliament to ratify in July 2019 a total of seven conventions from the International Labor Organization. With these conventions, Sierra Leone is now in a better position to protect victims of forced labour domestic and migrant works, as well as guarantee minimum standards in the provision of social security.

Corruption: President Julius Maada Bio has received accolades from the world and African leaders for his outstanding performance in governance, especially the war against corruption. Billions of Leones has been recovered by the ACC from past and current government officials, with Francis Ben Kaifala, the Anti-Corruption Commissioner, making frantic efforts in the fight against corruption.

1st Batch of Ebola Vaccines Received to Beef Up Prevention

By Edward Vamboi

On the 10the April 2021 the first batch of Ebola vaccines donated through the partnership between the World Health Organization (WHO) and the vaccine manufacturer Johnson & Johnson was received in the country.

A total of 30 000 regimen of the vaccines were approved for Sierra Leone to protect people at high risk of the disease. Each regimen consists of two doses and would be given to the beneficiaries approximately eight weeks apart. The first consignment consists of 640 doses. Another consignment of 3 840 arrived in Freetown on the 11th April. Subsequent consignments will be delivered during the period of the preventive vaccination.

The last Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone was in 2016. Since then, no positive case of the disease has been confirmed in the country.

With the current outbreak of Ebola in neighbouring Guinea declared on 14 February 2021, Sierra Leone was placed under a priority-one country for Ebola preparedness based on the imminent risk of potential cross border transmission.

Following the announcement of the outbreak and the imminent risk for Sierra Leone, the country activated its Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Systems to level 2 to enhance public health surveillance, active case finding and robust community engagement to prevent the spill over of the disease from the sister country, and ensure early case identification and effective response to manage any spill over and prevent spread into the community.

On the 7th April, the Ministry of Health and Sanitation launched a comprehensive six months Ebola Outbreak Preparedness and Contingency Plan to guide the country’s heightened preparedness activities. The vaccine delivery and the planned vaccination of  selected target groups is one of the strategic priority interventions that are being undertaken in Sierra Leone to protect those at high risk of contracting the disease should there be a spill over into the country.

“Despite the threat of Ebola outbreak and the multiple public health emergencies we are currently dealing with, there is greater hope and confidence in the improved capacities that Sierra Leone has built over the years to prevent these outbreaks and to promptly bring cases under control if they ever occur,” said Dr Steven Velabo Shongwe, WHO Representative in Sierra Leone.

“Our hope is also based on the great scientific developments and progress made over the past five years for the prevention and management of Ebola cases in terms of advances in Ebola vaccines, and therapeutics to treat confirmed Ebola patients. WHO will continue to collaborate with partners to harness and to provide technical support to Sierra Leone to save lives and protect the population from unnecessary deaths and negative socio-economic impact as was the case during the 2014–2016 Ebola outbreak that paralysed the country”.

Between 10 and 11 April 2021, a total of 4480 doses of the vaccines may have been delivered to health authorities in Sierra Leone. By the end of August 2021, a total of 30 000 regimen (60 000 doses) would have been delivered in Sierra Leone to vaccinate those at highest risk of contracting Ebola disease in the event of a spill over from the current outbreak in Guinea, thanks to the partnership between WHO, Johnson and Johnson and the Government of Sierra Leone.

The Ebola vaccine was mobilized by WHO from its headquarters in Geneva in partnership with the producer Johnson & Johnson.

Sierra Leone is working closely with neighbouring countries and regional and international organizations to strengthen collaboration in the fight against the disease. In March, the Ministers of Health from the neighbouring countries agreed on a common approach to improve coordination and cross-border collaboration to stamp out the outbreak in Guinea and prevent cross-border transmission.

The country’s effort to scale up its national emergency readiness capabilities is strongly supported by WHO, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, alongside other partners to build the required capacities for prevention and response, while continuing to monitor the situation in Guinea.

“Even if you don’t remember me, those 2.5 million children will remember me…” -President Bio

His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio

By James Samba- Technical Assistant to the Minister of Planning and Economic Development

Despite decades of reforms in education especially school improvement initiatives, large numbers of pupils were still underachieving, failing or being pushed out of school. Clearly, a distinctly new approach was needed, the time for a serious Government and policymakers to take a bold and comprehensive approach to education in Sierra Leone. There is no question that education is a powerful driver of change, transformation and prosperity.

As the 2018 elections drew closer, the conversation about how to change the direction of the country gained even more prominence— focus on education and many other critical issues Sierra Leoneans were facing. During the campaigns, the New Direction Manifesto stood out, representing ideas for how to increase access to childhood education and how to make higher education more accessible and affordable, ensuring that every child in Sierra Leone has an excellent education. What an ambitious plan!!!

It was on this manifesto that a man of dignity and valor arose to become the 3rd democratically elected President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, His Excellency the President Brigadier (retired) Julius Maada Bio, who postulated equity, accessibility, relevance, system-strengthening and integrity as the core of his Free Quality Education.

In September 2018, the President defied his skeptics to officially launch the New Direction Government’s flagship program—the Free Quality Education (FQE), paving the way for easy access to education for over 2 million children in the country.

“When I promised free and quality education my opponents said it was a political gimmick. But today, I have proven them wrong. In less than six months, we have shown that free education is POSSIBLE. I have always prioritized education as a means for development”, said President Bio.

A President, who means well for his country would invest in education in order to reinforce a society’s wealth and growth, where individuals can easily improve their own personal efficacy, productivity and outcomes. According to International Human Rights Law: “primary education shall be compulsory and free of charge whilst secondary and higher education shall be made progressively free of charge”, this is fundamental in guaranteeing everyone has access to education.

The cornerstone of President Bio’s Free Quality Education is to increase nationwide access to quality pre-primary, primary and secondary schooling, as well as school level technical and vocational education and training. The goal is that ALL children will be able to successfully complete basic education and be prepared to move on to pursue higher education or training as appropriate for the workforce needed for national development.

In 2020, the Government allocated Le1.4 trillion to the education sector representing 22% of the country’s annual budget. The FQE package includes: payment of tuition fees from primary to senior secondary school, provision of core text books, furniture and other learning materials including the payment of fees for all public examinations.

Because we have a President, who understands that in many developing countries, families often cannot afford to send their children to school that was why he separated the education sector, where we now have the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary School Education (MBSSE) and the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education (MTHE) and appointing a young, energetic, and dynamic Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary School Education in the person of Dr. David Moinina Sengeh.

This Minister, together with his team has been working very hard to provide sufficient supply of learning and teaching materials, providing a conducive environment for learning by constructing spacious classrooms, providing adequate text books, furniture, WASH facilities, trained and qualified teachers, increasing teacher’s salary by 30% and the recruitment of 5000 teachers ensuring that even the ‘hard-to reach-areas’ are not left behind. What an audacious step taken by a young man all in the spirit of a New Direction Government.

Recently, in Pujehun District the Ministry commissioned 18 new and refurbished schools in hard to reach places across the riverine areas. This also includes providing training and stipends for the volunteer teachers in those parts that have been neglected for decades. Mohamed Kallon, a resident in Bormu, YKK Chiefdom, Pujehun District, said “At first, when I heard the President was going to pay school fees for every child, I didn’t believe until the day I went to pay my son’s fees, and was told that it was free—I felt so relieved”.

“Every time I wake up, in the morning I always get excited because I now know there will be hot lunch waiting for me at the school,” said Jusu Kallon, a class six (6) pupil at the SLC Primary School in Bormu, YKK Chiefdom, Pujehun District.

In his citizen’s engagement on FM 98.1 ‘Gud Morning Salone Breakfast Program’ on Thursday 8th April, 2021, speaking on his Government’s administration after 3 years, President Julius Maada Bio noted that in order to have a happy nation, the people should be happy. He said that was why he took the burden of paying school fees for about 2.5 million school children in the country. President Bio said the parents of those children, who now put those school fees into other use, are quite happy because his Government has taken away that burden from them.

“No nation can ever develop without education. The future of this nation is our children. So, we have to invest hugely in educating the children and to have a happy and progressive nation in the future,” he stated.

After his 10 or more years of effective leadership of this great country, H.E President Julius Maada Bio would be widely considered as one of the greatest Sierra Leonean President’s for his courage and leadership in making education Free for ALL.

So, even if you don’t remember him, Jusu Kallon together with those 2.5 million children would remember him…

They would remember him for the 103 billion Leones subsidy paid for school fees…

They would remember him for the 69 billion Leones paid for school feeding…

They would remember him for the 3 billion Leones paid for furniture and other school materials.

They would remember him for the 5,000 teachers recruited…

They would remember him for 4,334 teaching and learning materials procured…

They would remember him for the 3,044 schools approved…

YES! THE KIDS OF THIS GENERTION WOULD SURELY REMEMBER HIM…

Anti-Corruption Commission To Investigate Audit Queries

By Amin Kef Sesay

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC), on the 12th April 2021, after its public hearings, in the Hall of Makeni City Council, chaired by the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Segepoh Solomon Thomas, decided to refer two audit queries relating to the Auditor General’s Report of 2019 to the Anti-Corruption Commission for further investigation.

The issues so referred to relate to the Falaba District Council in respect of revenues not brought to account for 27 receipt books totalling Le 142, 400,000 and irregularities with the monthly general cleaning incentive, the sum of Le 388, 800,000 with support documents revealing several discrepancies.

Chairman of PAC spoke on the audit process on the annual accounts of Sierra Leone, the production and tabling of its Report to Parliament through the Public Accounts Committee in order to investigate, ascertain their correctness or otherwise and recommend to Parliament regarding issues raised in the Auditor General’s Report of 2019.

Speaking on the role of the ACC and the Police during the investigative process by the PAC, he warned against volunteerism, lying under oath and presentation of forged documents highlighting that such would amount to Contempt of Parliament and perjury punishable for seven years.

Also speaking on human rights, he advised officials in Councils not to do business with service providers whose documents have expired.

Recognizing the efforts of staff supporting the PAC and thanking officials from the ACC and the Police in attendance, he observed “the country has been going in circles and there is the need for us to come together and do something different to change the narratives of the country positively”.

Before releasing officials from Kambia District to attend to an audit by the European Union, the Deputy Speaker duly noted that “parliamentary summons take precedent over any other matter, except with its own consent”.

In light of a parliamentary summons for the past CA of Karene District Council with a medical certificate and other officials of the said Council in Freetown on 28/04/2021, the PAC also directed summoning Ministry of Finance to provide an explanation for direct payment of sitting fees and allowances into the accounts of absentee councillors without guidelines.

Speaking on retrieving of property arrears to the tune of over Le 1 Billion and the Valuator who died with the password to access the needed data in Tonkolili District Council, improvement of drinking water, the Public Accounts Committee has ordered the said Council to close all its dormant accounts and bring to speed all NASSIT payments for staff in that Council.

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