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Mercury International Makes More Millionaires

By Amin Kef Sesay

The 10th of March  2021, made another success story for over Eight Thousand, Six Hundred (8,600) customers who won a whooping sum of over One Billion, Nine Hundred and Seventy-two Thousand, Seven Hundred and Seventy-Five Leones (Le 1.972.775.000) from the Nongowa Draw Edition 135 of the 590 lottery game. For many, it is known as one of the millionaires making lottery balls. Single 1-90, as it is popularly known, on last Wednesday.

It was one of the biggest accumulating wins in March 2021 with a register of over Seventy-three Thousand, Seven Hundred and Ten (73, 710,000) tickets as the Nongowa Machine, draw Edition 135 dropped the winning balls: 27-1-90-35-14 (Extra 6-(38), Extra 7-(85) in turbo 3.

One of the lucky winners, Alpha Sesay in a delight mood told Mercury International Public Relations Department how excited he was as he won Four Million Leones (Le 4, 000,000) from the said ball.

“I was so lucky because this is a ball I do play, but for over a month I decided not to play the said ball again, not until Wednesday when I was just moved and decided that I will play the ball throughout the day,” Sesay said, adding that, this was his second-biggest win in the lottery after winning Eight Millions Leones (Le 8, 000,000) from the Mercury International football product.

Mercury International Deputy Public Relations Manager, Sahr Morris Jr reacting to the winning news with a big smile said, as a Company, they are not only excited to see frequent winnings from all their products, especially for the lottery lovers but also encouraged all and sundry to realize their dreams with Mercury International lottery and football betting.

He said: “The Company is always happy to see people on the winning side. This is a clear indication of our transparency, fairness and the genuine operation of our games. My call today is, please play for fun and win with excitement.”

In October 2019, 1-90 made more millionaires in the country with over One Thousand (1,000) winners emerged as a payout of One Billion, Five Hundred and Fifty-Five Million, Two Hundred and Fifteen Thousand, Four Hundred Leones (Le 1, 550, 215, 400.00) was made by the Company.

Failing To Follow Up On Audit Recommendations… Parliament A Weak Link In Achieving MDGs

By Amin Kef Sesay

Given that the Parliament of Sierra Leone has not over the years played robustly its role of ensuring recommendations by the Audit Service to be implemented  make MDAs perform their development and service delivery roles accountably, effectively and efficiently, this means that in the last decade, hundreds of billions of Leones and millions of dollars meant for development have gone down the drain.

As such, a new type of national leadership is essential for success of the SDGs.

Achieving the ambitious goals by 2030 will entail harmonization across many sectors—from education, to urban development, to water supply, to climate mitigation, to maternal and child health, to name just a few priority areas.

In achieving the SDGs, it is crucial that Parliament works in tandem with Audit Service, ACC and the Executive including the Ministry of Finance to ensure value for money at all levels.

The Government should set national priorities in a pragmatic manner based on country priorities and the available resources.

Second, they should consider a whole of society approach—providing leadership to mobilize and harness the contributions of a diverse set of stakeholders including NGOs and the Local Councils.

Questions worth asking include, what is the best way for Government to organize and bring together domestic and global development priorities?

How can Government lead SDG implementation while at the same time leaving room for others to lead, maximizing the contributions of all involved? To what extent can policy coherence accelerate progress?

High-level political buy-in is critical, as it helps the Government to reorient policy framework, plan and budget to achieve the SDGs.

The success of the SDGs depends on the ability of Government to foster institutional collaboration and create ownership across institutions, both domestic and global. Getting there requires leadership from the top.

High-level attention and support from the Finance Ministry and the Treasury can be powerfully catalytic.

Resource strategies must go beyond aid budgets alone to packages that unleash financing for development, both from other Ministries as well as private investors and businesses.

This mixed approach of using development finance to mobilize additional finance towards sustainable development or blended finance is being used in 17 DAC member countries.

Blended finance has the potential to unleash greater levels of financing for development. Donor Governments must ensure that the resources mobilized target a broad range of development issues to meet the needs of the SDGs.

Auditors are also well-positioned to provide critical leadership and support to Government in its efforts towards achievement of the SDGs. Incorporating the SDGs in performance objectives and proposed outcomes of Government’s efforts promotes a coherent approach that ripples out into an agenda that is shared throughout different levels of the bureaucracy, Government-wide.

Government must pursue a coherent policy and regulatory environment to mainstream the SDGs across sectors, ensuring that their policies are on track.

The goals which are interconnected require making tough decisions on trade-offs and tackling obstacles of ownership and implementation.

National Government can provide direction as well as support in facilitating the leadership of local Governments in pursuing their own progress on the SDGs. Alignment with provincial and city Governments are crucial.

To achieve the SDGs, national leadership must reach into all parts of society, encouraging and harnessing all contributions for maximum impact.

Very much linked to political buy-in is ensuring that citizens, civil society, and the private sector are empowered to engage, drive progress, and challenge Governments on SDG implementation.

This involves hosting regular public hearings and workshops with external stakeholders, including youth, raising awareness and influencing Government’s policy concerning SDG implementation.

Governments must also provide the space and support for civil society to strengthen accountability, and changing behavior in the private sector.

Leadership will depend upon their ability to strengthen their own internal integration and policy coherence among different levels of Government.

At the same time, they must be champions in chief, acting as a strategic and encouraging partner to businesses, investors, philanthropies, universities, faith-based organizations, citizens’ groups, youth, and other parts of civil society.

No one is expecting the national Government to do everything, but they are best placed to take the lead and re-orient resources, coordinate capabilities, and maximize all efforts.

As such, Government should adapt a servant-leader mindset—guiding but not dominating, embracing new ideas, and challenging and complementing existing structures.

IMF Disburses $50.37 Million to Combat COVID-19 Shocks

By Theresa Kef Sesay

In a Press Release issued on the 15th March 2021 it was stated that the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved the disbursement of SDR 35.26 million (US$50.37 million or 17 percent of quota) under the Rapid Credit Facility (RCF) to Sierra Leone to help meet the urgent balance of payments and fiscal needs stemming from the deep and persistent impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

It could be recalled that the Government’s quick and decisive actions to contain COVID-19 prevented a larger outbreak and saved lives, yet they also came at an economic cost.

Containment measures, it has been noted, disrupted the transport of goods within the country, with a heavy impact on the services sector. At the same time, exports weakened significantly in 2020 due to weaker mining production and lower global demand.

Stated was that the authorities’ policy response has focused on saving lives and protecting livelihoods.

Mentioned was that the Bank of Sierra Leone (BSL) swiftly introduced a special facility for importers to help prevent disruptions to the supply of food and essential goods.

“Benefiting from the lessons of the Ebola health crisis, the authorities effectively deployed resources to support both health and containment efforts,” the Release highlighted adding that their Quick Action Economic Response Programme addressed the broader economic and social response, via support to farmers, direct cash transfers to vulnerable households and labor-intensive public works.

It outlined that the economic costs of the crisis—including setbacks to the Government’s revenue mobilization goals—together with the necessary crisis response have exacerbated the already-tight fiscal financing and strained debt position, adding that the continued support from development partners will be vital to recapture pre-crisis momentum and ensure a sustainable, inclusive recovery.

At the conclusion of the Board discussion, Tao Zhang, Deputy Managing Director and Acting Chair, stated that Sierra Leone is grappling with serious and persistent effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He continued that while the immediate health risks appear contained, 2021 will be another challenging year adding that the economic and social impact is likely to be protracted, exacerbating longstanding development challenges and the strained financing situation.

“The authorities have responded promptly to the crisis. In 2020, they scaled up health and other priority spending, consistent with their Quick Action Economic Recovery Programme. The Bank of Sierra Leone’s special credit facility helped ensure that food supplies were not disrupted. The 2021 budget continues to prioritize COVID-19 and recovery-related spending within a tight budget envelope.

“Emergency financing from the IMF under the Rapid Credit Facility will help meet urgent external and fiscal financing needs in 2021, and ensure that the authorities can maintain their response and recovery efforts. In line with their National Development Plan priorities, they continue to strengthen governance, including transparently reporting on their COVID-19 response, and publishing details of large emergency‑related procurement contracts.

“Looking ahead, the authorities remain committed to maintaining macroeconomic and fiscal stability, in line with their medium-term reform program supported by the Extended Credit Facility. They are taking steps to address vulnerabilities to debt sustainability, with IMF technical assistance. Nevertheless, Sierra Leone’s large development needs and tight financing situation will require concessional support, ideally grants, from the international community in the coming years.”

First to Receive COVID-19 Vaccine…   President Bio Leads by Example

By Amin Kef Sesay

On the 15th March 2021 President Julius Maada Bio took the first shot of the COVID-19 vaccine during a symbolic ceremony at State House, where Vice President Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh and opposition politicians also took the jab.

Before the vaccination, the President responded to the declaration of purpose of the occasion by Minister of Health and Sanitation, saying that because it was a major milestone, he would take the leadership in receiving the vaccine.

“That is to tell you that we should all try to be vaccinated as and when the vaccines are available for everybody. That is what leadership is about. We will give confidence to the rest of the population to receive their vaccines as and when it is available, so that we can get rid of COVID and pay attention to development, which should really be our preoccupation,” he said.

The National COVID-19 Emergency Response Centre, (NaCOVERC), had said the combined total of 296,000 SinoPharm and Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines being offered by the Government of Sierra Leone had undergone many tests and proven to be safe and effective because millions of people around the world had taken them.

Minister of Health and Sanitation, Dr Austin Demby, said the day was a very special day for Sierra Leone, adding that with the show of political will, they now had the tools in their arsenal to get ahead of the COVID-19 virus instead of reacting to it.

“When I asked the President if he would publicly take the vaccine, his response was ‘absolutely’. He also said, ‘as a leader, I would not ask people to take a vaccine that I am not willing to take myself’.

“We have shown resilience at every step of the way and today, with the new safe and efficacious COVID-19 vaccines, we take a bold new step in our march to get rid of COVID-19 from our country,” he said.

He added that in addition to other globally renowned regulatory agencies, both vaccines had been cleared for use in Sierra Leone through an Emergency Use Authorization issued by the country’s Pharmacy Board.

Dr. Demby clarified that even though they had 296,000 doses of vaccines, they would only be able to enrol just under 150,000 individuals.

“We expect more vaccines to come soon. As a result, for this first round of vaccinations, we will prioritize: Healthcare Workers, Political Leaders, Social Workers, Teachers and lecturers, Military, Police, Customs and Immigrations workers including Sea Ports and Airports, Prison Officers, Fire Force Officers, People over 70,” he said.

Hon. Ibrahim Tawa Conteh Fires Back

By Amin Kef Sesay

Honourable Ibrahim Tawa Conteh, representing Constituency 128, in the far West End of Freetown, reacting to the recent findings of the Anti-Corruption Commission has revealed that on the 22nd February 2021, he received a signed copy of the subject matter report of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) which, according to him was triggered by some media interviews he gave on 21st & 22nd October 2019.

“I should state that this report comes about sixteen months after my statement to the ACC,” he said maintaining that the signed copy of the report copied him is different in content from what was published.

Dilating on the issue of Constituency Development Fund (CDF), which the ACC reported that “MPs did not utilize the money for the strictly prescribed purpose….but they rather used the money for other developmental activities…as they deemed necessary” he questioned under which financial law or regulation did those MPs unilaterally decide to divert funds budgeted for a specific purpose to some other purpose underpinning that the ACC did not say.

He furthered that as a law-abiding lawmaker he presented receipts of use of his CDF funds for the intended purpose and stated that the ACC did not make any mention of that in their report.

Tawa said he also noted that on the issue of General Imprest and Parliamentary Oversight, the ACC reported, confirming his statement that Parliament received about 95% of its 2018 budgetary allocation. He said, however, ACC concluded that imprest for 2018 and 2019 “were expended and appropriate returns made” and that there was no specific disbursement of funds for parliamentary oversight even though it was a budgeted activity by Parliament and 95% of the total budget sum was received.

He highlighted that in the Anti-Corruption Act 2008 (ACA 2008), deprivation of funds to a public body amounts to misappropriation of public funds (Section 36(2) of the ACA 2008) but yet the ACC did not find this prosecutable.

The Member of Parliament also raised the issue that on the issue of Procurement, the ACC reported that “processes and procedures were not fully followed” and that there was “a serious lack of proper procurement and accountability regime in the financing structure of Parliament”.

The ACC concluded that the said anomalies need to be “immediately and properly addressed” without any recourse to Section 48 (1) which makes wilful or negligent failure to comply with procurement procedures a corruption offence.

In that regard, Tawa said he is convinced that in the report the ACC took on the role of investigator and tribunal.

“I believe that only the court has the jurisdiction to say if any action or omission amounts to misappropriation. The role of the ACC is to present the facts of the allegations to court and not to decide between the whistle-blower and the persons reported. I feel that the ACC’s prosecutorial discretion has been abused,” he averred.

As a whistle-blower, he continued, the report demoralizes his    resolve to help in the President’s promise to fight against corruption.

The MP made known that he has neither received support nor any form of protection from the ACC as a whistle-blower.

“Instead, I was treated as a suspect and subjected to rigorous investigations,” he said adding that  at the end of the day the Office of the Clerk of Parliament against whom his report was directed, has been described as a whistle-blower too.

He asked the question: How can the leadership of a serious institution lacking proper procurement and accountability architecture be a whistle blower?

The MP concluded by thanking everyone for their support, prayers and good wishes, stating that the fight for a New Direction shall continue maintaining that the outcome will not deter him  but has rather energised him to strive and to fight on.

A senior citizen intimated this medium that listening to the right Honourable, Ibrahim Tawa Conteh, shows vividly and without any iota of scepticism or doubt, tells that, in the midst of unpatriotic, selfish and partisan politicians, there are still decent and unique politicians who will always stand the test of time in defending and upholding the truth in ensuring the due processes are disproportionately maintained irrespective of intimidation, suppression or oppression.

Shalimar Trading Launches Ashok Leyland Products

By Foday Moriba Conteh

As part of the company’s commitment to serve humanity, Shalimar Trading Limited has on Tuesday 16th March, 2021 launched its new products, Ashok Leyland buses and trucks during a well-attended ceremony held at their Show House on Wilkinson Road in Freetown.

In his statement, the Chief Executive Officer of Shalimar Trading Limited, Moussa Mroue, disclosed that the company is committed to serve humanity, adding that since inception they have been working assiduously to ensure that they positively impact the lives of Sierra Leoneans across the country.

He added that they started Shalimar Trading Limited with just marketing motor bikes revealing how currently the company doesn’t only import motor bikes as they proceeded to market Kekes and now they are launching Ashok Leyland buses and trucks.

He disclosed that as a company they will continue to create the enabling environment for other businesses to thrive.

Moussa Mroue mentioned that the year 2021 marks 95 years when his family came to Sierra Leone, highlighting how they have been promoting development in the country maintaining that because he was born in Sierra Leone he thought it prudent to invest in the country.

He pointed out that agriculture is very important in terms of accelerating the development of any country further pledging his commitment to support agriculture in order to make Sierra Leone food sufficient and become an exporter to neighboring countries.

Regional Manager of Ashok Leyland, Rashan Menon applauded Shalimar Trading Limited for doing business with them furthering that Ashok Leyland is an Indian multinational automobile company and one of the largest commercial vehicle, truck and bus manufacturers in the world.

He disclosed that they are well known for the production of high quality vehicles of which he assured all that Shalimar Trading now has high quality vehicles urging all to do business with them.

Director of Licensing at the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority (SLRSA), Assanatu J. Mansaray, said that they are very proud of Shalimar Trading because of the fact that since they started operations in the country they have empowered many young people. She assured the company of their usual support.

Assanatu maintained that the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority (SLRSA) was set up to regulate and coordinate development in the transport industry, including the registration and licensing of vehicles, the licensing of drivers, the promotion of road safety, the prescription of routes for passengers and enhance the transportation of goods of which she commended Shalimar Trading for complementing their efforts in achieving road safety and good transportation in the country.

Delivering his keynote address, the Minister of Transport and Aviation, Kabineh M. Kallon, also commended Shalimar Trading for the launch of the Ashok Leyland buses and trucks which he described as a move in the right direction.

He said the company has provided jobs for Sierra Leoneans across the country through motor bikes and Kekehs businesses which he said have contributed towards the reduction of unemployment in the country.

He assured the company of his Ministry’s support and called on other businesses in the same direction to emulate the footprints of Shalimar Trading further emphasizing that they are really contributing towards the development of the country.

NP-SL Ltd is an Epitome of Astute Entrepreneurship

By Amin Kef Sesay

Indisputably, one of the dominant companies that have been making steady progress, growing by leaps and bounds within the business landscape of this country is the National Petroleum-Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd). It is widely acknowledged that the company has dominated the petroleum trade in the country based on its proactive stance with regards the importation and marketing of high grade petroleum products including petrol, diesel, gas and lubricants of which one of the best is the widely used Castrol oil.

Being an indigenous company that cherish its numerous customers, NP-SL Ltd, over the years, has placed high premium on customer care, which it has effectively rolled out over the years to such an extent that it has earned the enviable reputation of 1st for Customer Care. It is within that realm that the initial shareholders of the company, thirty-five (35) of them, thought it entrepreneurially prudent to import and install modern calibrated machines at all its Filling Stations.

These are automated and high precision machines which have the capability of pumping the exact quantity of fuel that a particular buyer or customer requests for, displaying quantity (in litres) as well as the price(s). With these machines, contrary to what used to obtain in the past when less sophisticated pumping machines were used, customers have sincerely attested that they do derive utmost satisfaction whenever they do transactions expressing the belief that the process is really transparent.

Within that same domain of satisfying and providing care for its customers, the company made it a must that all its Filling Stations should have safety regulations. That is why it cautions its customers and others that they should not use naked flame, that mobile phones should be switched off, engines must also be switched off at Filling Stations when fuel is pumped among others.

In order to ensure that fuel is distributed timely to all its Filling Stations in the country, the company has maintained a fleet of tankers (vehicles that transport fuel) and they are regularly maintenance in order to ensure that they are roadworthy.

The company has also sustained an open door policy in the sense that it encourages customers to express their concerns as well as recommendations which the Management takes into consideration whenever major decisions are taken, geared towards the development of the company. It has been ascertained that whenever customers have the feeling that their inputs are well respected such does not only bring them closer but also gives them the satisfaction that they are indeed relevant and highly regarded. This is exactly what NP-SL Ltd does and that has been paying good dividends. As far as the Shareholders and Management are concerned their customers do matter.

With the avowed objective of making fuel transactions easier and very convenient for its esteemed and numerous customers, the company again introduced the brilliant idea of introducing the use of NP Smart Card. This is a cashless way of transacting business or in other words purchasing fuel without using physical cash. The holder of an NP Smart Card could present the card at any Filling Station, as long as it contains money, and request for the quantity of fuel he or she requires.

The card is then slotted into the pumping machine with the subsequent discharge of the amount of fuel into a car or jerry can. This method of conducting cashless transaction is very advantageous in the sense that a customer is saved the hassle of intermittently rushing to the bank to withdraw cash for the sole purpose of purchasing fuel. This is so because already his or her NP Smart Card is loaded with money for that purpose. Indeed, it also provides security as the card is securitized only having the particulars of the holder which cannot be used by another person.

Human beings cannot exist in the absence of food as it is a basic necessity of life. Food is prepared in various ways but one popular way of doing so is by cooking. In this part of the world, most households are dependent on largely using wood and charcoal for cooking purposes. However, the cutting down of trees to be used as wood and charcoal have been frowned upon by environmentalists on the grounds that such is contributing negatively  to the depletion of the environment and pose other adverse consequences on the ecosystem.

Against this backdrop, the Shareholders and Management of the company thought it fit that to assuage that they must introduce a safer way of cooking. It was out of this idea that the initiative of introducing an environmentally cooking device arose and NP Gas was borne. Manufactured in different cylinder sizes, NP Gas has a high precision performance and to refill it is simple as the gas could be accessed at all the company’s Filling Stations in the country. Many whom have tried them intimated this medium that it is worth having at home and one could never regret having it but would rather recommend it to others.

NP-SL Ltd has etched its name in the sands of time for embracing and effectively rolling out the country’s Local Content Policy. As one of its major priorities, the company has placed high premium on giving employment preference to Sierra Leoneans. It is only on rare circumstances that the company make use of expatriates and in most cases it is when local personnel cannot be sourced.

In a country where accessing a secured and suitable job is like finding a needle on the beach for a company like NP-SL Ltd to avail Sierra Leoneans the opportunity to access job is indeed commendable. This posture, on the part of the company, has given the beneficiaries the opportunity to live improved lifestyles and have a sense of believing that they are contributing to national development.

A company that has vibrant branches in neighbouring Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast and The Gambia speaks volumes of a serious company that is determined to grow. In all those countries, the company employs indigenes and is paying taxes to the Governments which in turn are used to fund various development programmes.

From what have been said so far, NP-SL Ltd is a company that is making Sierra Leoneans proud and is an epitome of selflessness with a strong passion to further climb higher heights. Indeed, the company is a truly a success story!

165 Children Benefit from Choithram International Foundation Scholarship Gesture

By Amin Kef Sesay

The Choithram International Foundation, on the 15th March 2021, handed over a cheque Le 110,000,000.00 to the Choithram Scholarship Fund to improve education in Sierra Leone. Financial Controller of Choithram Group, Harish Agnani handed over the cheque to Madam Easterline Palmer who is the Chairperson of the Choithram Scholarship Fund Committee for onward distribution to the beneficiaries.

In his brief statement to Pressmen during the occasion, Harish Agnani intimated that the donation to the Choithram Scholarship Fund is done annually with the avowed objective of improving education in the country.

“This is a regular gesture from Choithram International Foundation set up by late Mr.T Choithram Pagarani and every year funds are allocated to assist needy school going children,” he additionally disclosed underscoring how such is in sync with the vision of the late Mr. T. Choithram Pagarani bordering on improving education and health facilities in the country.

He disclosed that this year, the sum of Le 110,000.000 was been allocated by the Foundation and a total of 165 children will benefit from the gesture.

Harish Agnani also revealed that the Choithram International Foundation had been regularly funding the Choithram Scholarship Fund since its inception in 1967 also informing that like previous years they shall pay fees for a medical student amounting to Le7, 500,000.00

Dilating on other gestures, he said the Choithram International Foundation also provides funds not only for the day to day running of the Choithram Memorial Hospital but also to procure modern medical equipment to upgrade the facilities there in order to match up with international standards.

He said apart from that, the Choithram Charity Trust also supplies foodstuff to the Old Peoples Home and Children’s Home on a monthly basis.

“All of these are considered as part of Choithram Group’s Corporate Social Responsibility,” Harish Agnani highlighted.

He extended thanks and appreciation to the members of the Choithram Scholarship Fund Committee for relentlessly working, over the years to ensure that the annual exercise becomes success stories.

On her part, the Chairperson of the Choithram Scholarship Fund Committee, Madam Easterline Palmer, thanked the Choithram International Foundation for continuing, over the years, to provide educational supports to needy school going children across the country.

She maintained that scholarships are awarded only to those who truly need or deserve them adding that the scholarships are applied for. After application, she informed, the applicant is asked to provide details of his family’s financial status plus passport pictures and based on their assessment in line with stipulated criteria they determine who and who must benefit.

The chairperson further maintained that the process of verification is so transparent and there has been no instance of any form of foul play. She thanked other members of the Committee for all their useful inputs.

Madam Easterline Palmer encouraged the school going children to do their best educationally as well as entreating the parents to always ensure that their children concentrate on their academic work by monitoring their performances and providing them with basic learning materials.

“If you as a beneficiary fails in school then automatically you become ineligible to continue to benefit from future scholarship awards,” she categorically stated adding that because of the prevalence of COVID-19 only fifty five (55) children will be awarded on the 15th March 2021 and the process will continue on the 16th and 17th March.

Two parents, Mariama Saccoh and Alice Kai Kai expressed profound thanks and appreciation to the Choithram International Foundation for their kind gesture and pray that God will continue to provide for the Group.

A chorus of, “Thank You Choithram” by all the beneficiaries present formed the highpoint of the auspicious event.

Orange Foundation-SL Commissions Ultra-Modern Pre-School Center at Kambia

Chief Executive Officer, Orange Sierra Leone, Aminata Kane

By Foday Moriba Conteh

As part of 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 15th March 2021 commissioned an Ultra-Modern Pre-School Center at Mayakie village, Mambolo Chiefdom within the Kambia District, Northern Sierra Leone.

In his welcome statement, Paramount Chief of Mambolo Chiefdom, Kambia District, PC Bai Shebora Lion the II, 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 also used the opportunity to commend President Bio for the implementation of the Free Quality Education which he said was a move in the right direction but lamented that there are certain people within his district who are bent on sabotaging the Free Quality Initiative by demanding money from the pupils and by extension the parents maintaining that because of that the Free Education is not properly functioning in that part of the country.

PC Bai Shebora also revealed that teachers in the provinces are faced with a lot constraints revealing that some of them are community teachers and they are trained and qualified but their names are not in the Government teachers’ voucher of which he made a humble appeal to the Minister of Basic and Secondary School Education, David Sengeh, to map out a system which will include a special provision for teachers in the provinces.

The Chief Executive Officer, Orange Sierra Leone, Aminata Kane, in her statement said that the commissioning of the Early Childhood Development Center School in Kambia District is part of the company’s commitment towards enhancing the Government Free Quality Education, adding that the company is the first telecommunications company in the country to contribute to the Government’s Free Quality Education (FQE) Agenda by pledging the sum of $1.5m in material assistance over a period of five years.

The CEO noted that prior to the event the Foundation also launched the Maternal Health Project in the country saying it is geared towards safeguarding the health of pregnant women, lactating mothers and under-five Children currently as a pilot phase targeting the Kroo Bay community in Freetown.

She commended the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education for making Early Childhood Development a priority, furthering that it is very key in building the capacity of children.

On behalf of Orange Foundation, Aminata Kane, noted that they are honoured to hand over the pre-school to the people of Mayakie in order to give their children the opportunity to learn and grow which in return will enable them to give back to society. She urged them to make good use of the facility and take ownership of it.

The Minister of Basic and Secondary School Education, David Sengeh, commended Orange Foundation for the construction of the Pre-School at Mayakie, within Kambia District, which he described as very important towards the development of children in the country.

He stated that after the outcome of the previous WASSCE which was not good as expected he stated in a radio interview that if pupils are to perform excellently in their WASSCE they have to start from pre-school, adding that with the construction of the pre-school at Mayakie it will surely create positive impacts on the lives of children in that part of the country.

David Sengeh 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 the Free Quality Education pupils.

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

The Minister outlined the Ministry’s support to the newly constructed pre-school of which he said the Minister will provide 3 Early Childhood Development (ECD) kits for the facility, curriculum and text books, locally made toys and training for the teachers.

A resident of Mayakie, who also happens to be a parent, Fatmata Sesay expressed her warmest appreciation to Orange Foundation for the construction of the pre-school in their village, furthering that the facility will help their children to get early childhood education.

She assured all that they will surely make good use of the facility as it is the first modern pre-school at Mayakie within Kambia District.

 

Stats SL Technically Ready to Conduct the 2021 Mid-Term Population and Housing Census’’ says World Bank Country Team

By Amin Kef Sesay

The World Bank Country Manager in Sierra Leone, Dr. Gayle Martin and other senior World Bank officials both in Sierra Leone and in Washington DC, including Task Team Lead, Abdoullahi Beidou and Resident Statistics Advisor, Elizabeth Foster, have said that Stats SL is more than technically ready to conduct the 2021 Mid Term Population and Housing Census.

This disclosure was made by the World Bank in a virtual meeting called by the Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Dr Francis Kai-Kai, whose Ministry supervises Stats SL on Thursday 10th March 2021, to know the state of affairs and understand how far preparations have gone for the 2021 Mid-Term Census.

Commencing the meeting, the Minister of Planning, Dr Francis Kai-Kai, underpinned Government’s commitment to the Mid-Term Census stating that the President, Julius Maada Bio, is committed to supporting the process.

He commended the strides taken so far by Stats SL leading up to the Mid-Term Census amongst which are the locality verification which is complete; the district sensitization which had been completed in all provincial districts; the recruitment for the cartographic work which had also been completed; the deployment of the field staff which is ongoing; and the Pilot Cartography which was undertaken and completed in 3 areas in the country including Kailahun, Kambia and Western Area.

In her remarks, World Bank Country Manager, Gayle Martin, said that the bank is committed to the Mid-Term Census process and that their technical and financial support remains intact. She noted that she was thrilled that the Minister called the meeting to discuss progress made so far in their partnership with Stats SL on the Mid-Term Census as their role is to support institutions within Government

Making a short statement, the Resident Statistics Advisor of the Word Bank in Sierra Leone, Elizabeth Foster, stated that she has been working with Stats SL over the years on censuses and many other surveys. She underscored the need for Stats SL to quickly move to the field to start the cartographic work having recently worked with Stats SL on the pilot cartography which was undertaken. She concluded that after seeing first-hand for herself the functionality of the EA Pad which was used for the Cartographic pilot and which is to be used for the full Cartographic exercise and the work put in so far, she can confirm that Stats SL has the Technical readiness to undertake both the cartographic work and the main census enumeration

The Quality Assurance Specialist for UNFPA, Samuel Palmer, who was in the meeting with the UNFPA Census Specialist, Baris Ucar, said that UNFPA was also committed to the process of organising a quality and acceptable census and as such ,they have been working with the implementing agency to ensure critical milestones are met

The Statistician General and CEO of Stats SL, Prof. Osman Sankoh (Mallam O), in his presentation thanked all the partners and the Minister for their invaluable support to the census process so far. He informed all that Stats SL had recruited 32 IT graduate staff who are all set and ready to strengthen the IT Infrastructure that has been set up at Stats SL for the Census.

He continued that the recent rave reviews of the EA Pad was as a result of the tireless effort of the cartographic consultant, Adebayo Olatubosun, contracted by the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), who he said are providing technical support to the process and have already sent a number of consultants who are working with Stats SL to ensure quality delivery of work.

He said that it was only Sierra Leone in the entire Africa that will first do both a digital cartography and census as both Kenya and Ghana did non-digital cartography for their respective censuses. ‘‘As such, Stats SL is poised to put Sierra Leone on the map for delivering on a quality and internationally accredited Digital cartographic work and Census’’ he concluded.

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