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SL Brewery enforced Local Production of more Sorghum and Boosts Farmers capacity to support Local Content Policy

By Amin Kef Sesay 

The Sierra Leone Brewery Limited (SLBL) from the 11th March 2021 to the 13th March 2021 visited the South-Eastern Provinces of Kenema and Bo and also Tonkolili District in the North/Central on a pre sorghum cultivation campaign.

The team comprised the Corporate Affairs Manager, Albert Ojo Collier, Unisa Conteh, Corporate Affairs Assistant, Denis Jusu, Chairman Sorghum Farmers and Marketers’ Association.

From what this medium learnt, the quantity of sorghum received in the Brewery in the past harvest periods has been very low and disappointing, and other interested parties are everywhere trying to convince farmers to sell their harvested grains to them. The effects of COVID-19 also hang on the farmers as economic challenges get tough daily.

In that regard, SLBL has plunged more effort to increase its footprint in local sourcing and making local cultivation of sorghum an even more priority. SLBL is also finalizing its plans to introduce the local cultivation of Barley in Sierra Leone for the first time in the country.

SLBL has experienced low supply from farmers in the recent past harvests, since the commissioning of the Mash-filter equipment and other machineries now allowing the brewery to use more sorghum. Thus, there is the need for more sorghum as they are in dire need to also improve the company’s footprint on sustainable local sourcing of ingredients.

The drive that was recently undertaken will address increased awareness of the benefits of sorghum cultivation stimulating confidence building among the farmers.

In this pre-harvest period SLBL engaged farmers in the provinces to reassure them that the Brewery will be buying all produced quality sorghum.

During the last day the team joined JAMJAY Agricultural Company to launch a 100 hectare sorghum farm to test the cultivation of a new sorghum variety that is planted for only Three months (as opposed to the usual Catic variety that is planted for six months).

In his speech during the launch of the JAMJAY Sorghum Farm, the Corporate Affairs Manager of the Sierra Leone Brewery Limited, Albert Ojo Collier, said he is profoundly grateful to Jamjay Company for inviting the Sierra Leone Brewery Limited to attend the great occasion and formal launch of the iconic sorghum farm.

He maintained that Sierra Leone Brewery Limited since the last 12 years has offered many opportunities for the commercial sorghum cultivation sector to stimulate innovation, promote local content policy, and ensure continued growth.

He underscored that agriculture is a powerful driver of the economy and a powerful driver of jobs as well as prosperity for the nation.

“I am of course particularly pleased when a farmer in the sorghum cultivation extension in the country is leading the way,” he stated adding how it is a time of great change in the sector, with both challenges and opportunities appearing from all angles.

He highlighted that the Sierra Leone Brewery Limited (SLBL) has been in operations in Sierra Leone for over 58 years and has stayed in the country through the difficult times of the ten years civil war, the Ebola Virus Disease in 2014-2016 and now complementing Government effort to fight against COVID-19.

The Corporate Affairs Manager maintained that the company has strategically positioned itself as a good corporate citizen and has invested significant efforts and funds to setup a new sorghum value chain and contributes to the development and job creation in the agricultural sector.  

“Since 2005, Sierra Leone Brewery Limited has been a major contributor to the agricultural sector through its local sourcing project for sorghum which is a clear demonstration of our commitment to the development of Sierra Leone, poverty alleviation and job creation,” he furthered.

He disclosed how the SLBL anticipates several Key Strategic Directions identified including to help farmers respond to market and environmental opportunities.

“Our investment effort represents an ambitious plan to promote and develop Sierra Leone’s agri-food sector, enhancing productivity, organization and development,” he also revealed.

Albert Ojo Collier said specifically for sorghum development, SLBL has installed a Mash Filter equipment (project costing over Le. 52.6 billion) equipment which allows to utilize more sorghum in their production processes.

He said in addition, SLBL had launched a beer made of 100% Sierra Leonean sorghum in December 2016. “As a result, our needs for more sorghum have grown enormously and more farmers are benefitting. Our sorghum volume has been more than doubled, and this year our sorghum usage increased to 1.3 million metric tons. Our farmers are not even meeting a half of this target,” he intimated.

He said that is why they call on the intervention of Government and other donors to support the large scale cultivation of sorghum in the country.

“Development partners can aim to develop Loan Fund facilities in order to further extend finance to farmers,” he recommended adding that it is expected to have a multiplier effects in the economy with increased livelihood of farmers, job creation and more tax revenue for the Government.

 He said the Sorghum Farmers Association estimates that over 25,000 farmers and farmers’ family members will benefit from that initiative with SLBL saying the impact will further be extended with the growth of our business.

According to him the Jam Jay Sorghum farm happens to be the first model test case for their new sorghum variety which is cultivated in only 90 days period, as opposed to the usual Katic variety which is cultivated for 6 months period.

He said with this new variety, planting period will be boosted as farmers will work towards a shorter harvest period. “The successes of this farm will be replicated to support plantation by other farmers all over the country,” he said.

He stated that to meet the demand of Sorghum needed by SLBL to support production, the CREATE (Community Revenue Enhancement through Agriculture and Technological Extension) project is working with more farmers and with SLARI on new varieties, training, financing and planting materials to help increase their yields.

The project, he said, is managed by the European Cooperative for Rural Development (EUCORD), funded by the Dutch Government, HEINEKEN International and Sierra Leone Brewery Limited.

He maintained that if we want to promote the Made in Sierra Leone initiative, the bottom line is income for the farmer has to remain the priority because without a producer, we do not have a product.

He said there is a world of opportunity out there for Sierra Leonean farmers and food processors.

“We have the resources – our productive farmland and our fresh, clean water, we have the know-how, right across Sierra Leone — and right here in this farm,” he said adding that it is a winning combination to keep Sierra Leone agriculture out in front.

Kroo Bay to Benefit from Orange-SL Maternal Health Project

By Foday Moriba Conteh

With the aim to provide support to optimize maternal health services and to complement Government’s Free Health Care Policy (FHC) in the country, one of Sierra Leone’s leading telecommunications service provider in the country, Orange Sierra Leone has on Friday 11th March 2021 launched the Maternal Health Project in Sierra Leone which is geared towards safeguarding the health of pregnant women, lactating mothers and under-five Children primarily as a pilot phase targeting the Kroo Bay community. The launch took place at the Miatta Conference Car Centre at Brookfields in Freetown.

The said project is intended to reinstate new hope in the Kroo Bay Community approximately inhabited by 21, 770 people in one of the most densely populated slums communities in Freetown.

In her statement, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Orange Sierra Leone, Aminata Kane informed the gathering that the launch of the Maternal Health Project in the country is about regarding mothers’ health and safety as very key in society, adding that in most cases mothers are worried about the health and safety of their babies.

She noted that maternal health remains the biggest challenge in Sierra Leone as 1 out of 70 mothers stand a risk of dying while giving birth which she said is not good for the country.

The CEO pointed out that the project is extremely important to them as it reflects their commitment to contribute to social goals by engaging and supporting sustainable development in the country.

“Today, Orange has established a formidable partnership with the Ministry of Health and ICAP to reduce Maternal Mortality in Sierra Leone by the launching of this project. I need no emphasis in stating that Maternal Mortality continues to plague the lives of our women across the country. During the past years, our consultations and interactions with Sierra Leoneans have revealed that Maternal Mortality is a very serious issue, hence the rationale for our company’s intervention,” she maintained.

Aminata Kane said in Sierra Leone, statistics has shown that 1 in 17 mothers has a lifetime risk of dying in connection to childbirth and also with a population of 6 million people, the country has one of the highest mortality rates in the world with an estimated 1, 165 deaths per 100,000 live births, adding that these deaths can be prevented through a wide range of interventions such as what the project intends to achieve.

He added that together with their partners they have identified the Kroo-Bay community as one of the communities with the highest percentage of maternal mortality over the years stating that the project shall be a community based driven campaign geared towards reducing maternal mortality in deprived communities.

The CEO furthered that it will allow Orange to provide Community Health Promotion, Multi-disease screening services, Baby Care Boxes and SMS Alert for checkups, M-Health Services and IPC Measures for Maternal Health Services.

Country Director of ICAP Sierra Leone, Dr. Hawa Turay noted that ICAP-Sierra Leone would collaborate with Orange Sierra Leone and Ministry of Health and Sanitation to combat maternal and child health in the country, furthering that they had gained reputation over the years for supporting the Ministry in the implementation of several projects notable among them was the Infection Prevention and Control project.

She assured all that they would stand by Sierra Leone to ensure that less than 70 deaths are recorded out of 100, 000 births with the aim to provide support to optimize maternal health services.

Representative of the National Telecommunications Commission, Amara Brewah, expressed appreciation for the launch of the said project which he said is a timely intervention in addressing maternal health issues in the country.

He said that awareness-raising is an integral component of the project and he is with the view that the people have to be constantly informed about maternal health services so that they could know exactly what to do when they are in need of such services.

He also stressed about the importance of  a public education campaign of which he said community health workers should be utilized in educating women about maternal health risks in their communities and that pregnant women who present clear health risks should be encouraged to visit health facilities.

He reiterated that the overall goal of the project is to improve maternal health services noting that Government had made significant efforts in that direction.

The Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Thomas Takpawu Samba revealed that FHC remains a top priority of Government and said MoHS had made significant gains in delivering quality health service to the people of Sierra Leone.

He disclosed that in 2019, about 707 deaths were recorded out of 100, 000 (One Hundred Thousand) births. He however assured the people of Sierra Leone that MoHS remains committed to meeting the target of recording less than 70 deaths per 100, 000.

Giving his keynote address, Minister of Health and Sanitation, Austin Kembay expressed appreciation to Orange Sierra Leone for the kind gesture.

He maintained that the status of a pregnant woman should be the concern of everyone in the community as the child to be given birth to could be a President, a good medical doctor or a good teacher.

The Health Minister also informed that his Ministry had been working relentlessly to bring down the number to less than 70 deaths. He called on health workers to manage such pre-existing conditions as obesity and other health implications among pregnant women and lactating mothers.

He pointed out that managing those health conditions leads to a successful delivery, adding that the attention of health workers to pre-conception, conception, labour and delivery and post-delivery and that these are critical periods in handling maternal and child deaths in communities.

The launching of the project by the Minister formed the high point of the occasion.

WAICA Hands Over Library & Training Center to Sierra Leone Insurance Commission

By Mary Kabay

The West African Insurance Companies Association (WAICA) Reinsurance Corporation has handed over a Library and a Training Center for insurers in the country to the Sierra Leone Insurance Commission on the 10th March 2021 during an event that was held at the Sierra Leone Insurance Commission Office on Hill Station in Freetown.

The Commissioner of the Sierra Leone Insurance Commission, Arthur N. Yaskey in his welcome address at the opening ceremony of the training center and library, donated by WAICA Reinsurance Corporation, extended gratitude to the Guest of Honour, the Hon. Deputy Minister of Finance 1, Patricia N. Laverley and to all those who took time off their busy schedules to attend the event.

He said the event is part of the 10th Anniversary Celebrations of the WIACA Reinsurance Corporation, stating that they are indeed proud of their achievements over the years and to be part of the celebrations.

Arthur Yaskey furthered that when the Management of WAICA Reinsurance Corporation proposed to do something remarkable for the insurance industry in the country during their 10th anniversary celebrations they discussed and agreed to establish an Insurance Training Center and a library.

He extended sincere appreciation to the Chairman of WAIC , Koffi Duffor, the entire Board of Directors, the Managing Director and CEO of WAICA, Ezekiel Abiola Ekundayo and his Deputy Dr.Abiba Zachariah and the Management and staff of WAICA for all what they have done for the Commission.

He noted that the creation of the training center is in sync with President Maada Bio’s flagship program of enhancing human capital development in this county.

The Commissioner intimated that one of the key functions of the Commission is to undertake sustained and methodological public education on issues relating to insurance in general.

“This training center and library will be a resource center to help in ensuring that we continue to fulfil this aspect of our mandate,” he underscored adding how it will not only be used by individuals within the insurance industry but also by professional bodies that would wish to engage in professional training of their members.

He stated that the library especially will be open to students who wish to engage in research maintaining how they are ready to encourage them to come and use the facility.

“However, the library will be initially an E-library with state of the art computers and internet connectivity,” he disclosed revealing how later it will be stocked with books not only from one chartered insurance institute of Great Britain but from other insurance institutions around the world.

Yaskey pointed out that during their last annual general meeting of the West Africa Companies Association (WIACA) held in Freetown in 2019, they adopted a vision to have a local insurance institute that would be affiliated to the Chartered Insurance Institute of Great Britain as was done by Nigeria and Ghana.

He reaffirmed that the training center and library are the nucleus of the Sierra Leone Insurance Institute.

On his part, Ezekiel Abiola Ekundayo, Group Managing Director of WAICA Reinsurance Company in his statement disclosed that the institution is an International Reinsurance Company and it was incorporated in Sierra Leone on the 7th March 2011 and launched in Nigeria on the 15th March 2011.

He disclosed how the corporation obtained its license on the 31st July 2011 and commenced operations on the 1st August 2011.

He stated that the Parliament of Sierra Leone ratified the Headquarters Agreement between the Corporation and Sierra Leone in April 2012 and the said Agreement granted Diplomatic status to WAICA Re Plc.

According to him, the corporation is jointly owned by five English speaking countries of West Africa: Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia and The Gambia.

He said this year, 2021, marks their 10th anniversary and they are thankful to God Almighty for enabling them to make a lot of accomplishments in their journey so far.

Ezekiel Abiola Ekundayo appreciated the foresight of their founding fathers in the establishment and nurturing of company to the very enviable position it occupies today on the West African continent.

He said since its incorporation in Sierra Leone in 2011, West African Insurance Companies Association (WAICA) Reinsurance Corporation  has experienced a rapid growth, becoming the 7th largest reinsurance company in Sub-Saharan Africa (excluding South Africa) as at 1st July 2020.

“As of today WAICA Re has a solid footprint on the continent of Africa with the presence in the major hubs of Tunisia (North), Kenya (East), Zimbabwe, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, and Cote d’Ivoire,” he further disclosed adding that from these physical locations they service over forty-five countries across the continent and beyond with a subsidiary in the United Kingdom that was incorporated in April 2019.

“As at December 2020 the company’s Gross Written Premium (GWP) stood at over USD 103m which represents a Combined Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 122% since inception in 2011,” he revealed maintaining that similarly total assets and shareholders’ funds have experienced a Combined Annual Growth Rate ( CAGR) of 40% and 32% respectively.

He said over these years WAICA has been involved in several initiatives aimed at giving back to the industry as they serve their various regional locations.

“As a responsible corporate citizen in Sierra Leone we have always given back to the community where we operate,” he continued to reveal.

He said some of the projects undertaken by them in the past include: Youth in Agriculture in 2013, the construction project of SLICOM, procurement of furniture for SLICOM, purchase of an official car for the Commissioner, assistance to the St. Georges Home for the Aged, Ebola epidemic donation, landslide victims’ support.

Ezekiel Abiola Ekundayo stated that the presentation of the high profiled training institute and library to the insurance industry through SLICOM is a demonstration of their commitment to the Sierra Leone insurance industry.

The Deputy Minister of Finance 1, Patricia N. Laverley, on behalf of the President said Sierra Leone has been home to this outstanding company since its incorporation on the 7th March 2011.

“Just as the country has provided the economic and political ambiance for WAICA to flourish as a diplomatic entity we are also proud of the immense contributions the company has made to the economy and the growth of the public,” she maintained.

She underscored that WAICA Re has proven to be the true partner in the nation’s development, which is in line with the vision of the founding fathers, geared towards supporting the Sub-Regional socio- economic development efforts of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

She stated that the support WAICA Re has contributed to the country include the $30,000 seed money for the Youth in Agriculture Project, the fight against Ebola, support to flood victims, the construction of the Head Office of the Sierra Leone Insurance Commission and since 2018 sponsorship one student each year to study at the West African Insurance Institute in The Gambia with the view to develop insurance professionals in  the country.

The Deputy Finance Minister encouraged other insurance institutions to emulate from what WIACA Re has done by bridging the gap for professionals in the insurance sector.

 

Returnees & Youth Leaders add their Voices in Forestalling Irregular Migration

By Foday Moriba Conteh

On Friday 26th February, more than 20 District Youth Officers, District Chairpersons and some other members of the District Youth Councils established a network with migrant returnees to raise awareness about the dangers of irregular migration.

Irregular migration is a serious challenge among young people in Sierra Leone. Government officials, returnees and most recently youth leaders have taken the fight head-on to increase awareness raising efforts on the risks involve in desperate journeys.

The formation of the Network is one of the results of a one-day national town hall meeting held in Kenema City with the theme “Youths in Migration: The role of young people in preventing irregular migration”.

The objective of the National Youth event was to have a conversation with youth representatives on the risk of irregular migration, its impacts on young people, and also to discuss ways on how these young leaders can contribute towards changing the behaviour of their peers to make informed migration decisions.

“Those of our brothers and sisters who attempted ‘Temple Run’ were faced with acute hardship including wilderness trekking and crossing waterways in unsafe vessels and a lot of other challenges, in a bid to look for a better life in Europe. Some even lost their lives during their travels” explained Tejan Kellah, Chairman National Youth Council. “To address this problem, as young leaders, we have a great a role to play to engage our peers” he added.

He further stated that: “The Youth Council has a very big network of youth across the country, and we are delighted to join forces with migrants’ returnees to use the strengths of our network to take awareness raising campaigns in the 16 districts of Sierra Leone”.

Irregular migration is becoming a serious concern in the country. The number of youths who embark on irregular journeys to Europe has increased in recent years.

“Our survey indicated that every year, about 8,000-10,000 young men and women depart Sierra Leone through irregular means. 80 % these travels are being conducted from Sierra Leone via the Sahara Desert/Mediterranean Sea enroute to Europe”said Dr James Bagonza, Head of Office, IOM Sierra Leone

“Also, there is an increase in the number of young women who are being lured and scammed by smugglers into paying huge amount of money for fake job opportunities in the gulf countries’’ he added.

Dr Bagonza further stated that: “if district youth leaders and returnees can work together, they can be able to reach a as many youths as possible with the right information on safe migration”.

The Government believe in human capital development, so as a Ministry we have a major role to play in ensuring to prevent youths from going to ‘temple run’ and build their capacity to contribute positively to national development. And this is exactly what we are doing through programmes like the youth in fisheries, youth in agriculture and the car wash project among others”, emphasized Hon Luseni Kallon, Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs.

In Sierra Leone, 45 migrant returnees’ volunteers have been trained in peer-peer communication and equipped to raise the awareness on the dangers of irregular migration and to promote safer, orderly and migration.

“We have been to ‘Temple Run’ and have experienced the challenges associated with it. So, we are better placed to work with the existing youths’ councils to share our stories with young people” said Sheku Bangura, Migrants as Messenger Volunteer, and Head of the Advocacy Network Against Irregular Migration.

Justice Miatta Samba Sworn-in as Judge of the International Criminal Court

By Fatmata Jengbe

Justice Miatta Maria Samba the newly sworn- in Judge of the International Criminal Court ( ICC) has disclosed that, “I feel very proud and elated to be one of the judges of the first permanent Criminal Court. I am particularly happy to put Sierra Leone on the map”.

Speaking to the Sierra Leone’s Information Attaché to the Embassy in Brussels after being sworn in at the ICC at the Hague, Netherlands, Justice Miatta Samba, the first Sierra Leonean to hold such a top position stated that Sierra Leone will now be known for its respect for International Criminal Justice and how much “we as a people and nation respect the human rights of other people,” she emphasized.

Her appointment is consistent with the emphasis the Government has placed on education for all especially the girl child. She commended His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio for his support to education as his flagship program.

Justice Miatta Maria Samba was sworn in as Justice of the Supreme Court of Sierra Leone following her appointment by His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio and approved by Parliament on 23 February 2021.

She explained that “my job at the ICC will be a full time job, but as much as I have been sworn in today, I will not yet be a full time judge until I am called to serve. I will continue to work at the Supreme Court of Sierra Leone until such a time I am called upon by the ICC”.

On the 8th March, the World Commemorated International Women’s Day: what does her appointment mean for women? She stated  “this shows women are making headways, I can tell you that today’s swearing in at the ICC brings 18 Judges to the court of which half the number are women”.

Justice Samba said women were making headways in other tribunals and other areas of work. “We have female judges at the International Court for Justice and going back home, we have women appointed by President Bio to serve in various capacities and are doing exceptionally well,” she stated.

“I compete equally and I hope my fellow women will speak up for what they believe in,” she underscored.

The Problem Is… How should land be owned and by whom should land be administered?

Dr. Turad Senesie Minister of Lands Housing and Country Planning

By Amin Kef Sesay

Due to the conundrum of disputes among the State, communities, land owning families and individuals, the new Minister of Lands upon assuming office announced setting up of a Lands Dispute Resolution Complaints Committee which has become effective.

After many years of poor lands administration and management by the Ministry, injustice, and sometimes violent confrontation involving armed men, police and soldiers, the Committee’s remit is to look into land disputes between April 2018 and January 2021.

For a start, the Committee should predicate its work on the question of what is State Land and what is private and community land and how their ownership is determined.

The reason why land disputes are so pervasive is because it underpins all human activity, including dwelling, farming, agriculture, industry, leisure and sports.

Land is the object of competition in a number of potentially overlapping ways: as an economic asset, as a connection with identity and social legitimacy and as a political territory.

Competition over land and its resources is at the center of the nexus between land and conflict. Competition can occur between any number and type of identity groups, whether based on ethnicity, religion, class, gender, or generation.

Land-related issues figure into many violent disputes around the world. Ongoing communal violence in Nigeria and Sudan is tied to competition over scarce fertile land and poor resource governance.

Disputes over access to land and valuable mineral resources drove wars in Liberia and Sierra Leone, and the nearly 25-year war in Sri Lanka was fought over geographic claims to an ethnic homeland for the country’s minority population.

Understanding the role land plays in the conflicts of so many nations can help policymakers develop strategies to ease tensions among groups, limit conflict, and potentially avoid violence and the poverty trap.

Failure to address these bedrock issues may increase the likelihood of conflict and perpetuate poverty.

To address land-related conflict, it is essential to correctly identify the roles played by land in the conflict.

What factors create vulnerability to land conflict, heighten unproductive competition, and exacerbate tension?

Are these factors the primary cause of conflict, or are there other contributing factors?

Some important factors that create vulnerability to land conflict include:

Land scarcity: Due to legal constraints on access, skewed distribution among users, or an absolute shortage of land in relation to demand, scarcity can leave many with little or no land and create intense competition for land.

This scarcity can result from generally very high person/land ratios but can also be distributional, where one group has appropriated most land, leaving land a scarce good for most others.

It can be influenced by demographic shifts and factors such as climate change and can be either national or local.

The last decade has seen a dramatic increase in the global demand for land, driven by growing demand for mining and agricultural products, biofuels, carbon sequestration, and conservation uses.

The new demand offers developing countries opportunities for badly needed foreign direct investment and inputs of technical and managerial expertise.

In many developing countries Governments consider land not registered as private lands to be allocated at will for investors. For this reason, vast expanses of public lands attract the interest of private investors. However, Governments and investors alike may fail to take into account that what appears to be vacant and sparsely settled lands are in fact claimed by local communities.

Much of the public land being committed to new uses has been used and claimed under local custom for generations by local communities. Large areas of such land are often land used as pasture or cultivated under forest-fallow systems.

Land is a limited and multipurpose resource and most countries depend upon some combination of markets and regulatory frameworks to mediate competition.

If these mechanisms are working well, conflict is unlikely, but markets are often constrained by regulatory and administrative barriers or by information problems, and politicians, local authorities and crooked judiciary officials often thwart good land governance.

As it establishes Complaints Committee…  Lands Ministry Frowns on Recent Deforestation & Forest Degradation

By Amin Kef Sesay

According to a Public Notice issued on the 9th March 2021 by the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Country Planning a Complaints Committee has been constituted to look into land disputes in the Western Area between April 2018 and January 2021.

The Nine-Man Committee, that was set up, is hosting its sessions at the Bank Complex in Kingtom, Freetown and started doing so on the  9th, March 2021.

The Committee is receiving formal complaints from the general public at the Bank Complex Venue and through Email to the address: complaints@molhcp.gov.sl

It was highlighted that all those who feel aggrieved on land allocation issues over the aforementioned period under review should forward their official complaints to the Committee with photocopies of all relevant documents to substantiate their claims.

Stated also was that the Committee has been mandated to look into these land grievances and to submit its findings and recommendations to the Government for appropriate actions.

In another development, the Ministry of Lands on the 10th March 2021 stated that it has been observed that while the Ministry has established a dispute resolution committee to address the overwhelming concerns raised by the public over the manner in which lands were administered or allocated, certain individuals have embarked on massive unauthorized construction and forest degradation activities.

It said the Ministry has also noticed with dismay the recent deforestation and forest degradation along the Western Area Peninsula National Park (WAPNP) and other Protected Areas.

According to the Ministry, those activities have damaging effects on the surrounding environment.

In that light the Ministry said it is entreating the general public to desist from any of such unlawful activities saying defaulters will face the full force of the law.

It said against such a backup, the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Country Planning is deploying State Land Guards along the WAPNP, Wetlands, Waterways, Bridges and Hilltops.

The Ministry said it is encouraging members of the public to cooperate with these guards and report any illegal activity to the local authorities in the respective communities for prompt action.

It could be recalled that an Inter-Ministerial Committee on Lands and Water Catchment was constituted with a view to protect the Forest Reserves and Water Catchment Areas within the Western Area. These areas have been mapped out and collectively protected by the Committee headed by the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Country Planning.

The Ministry, it said, it appreciates the efforts and collaboration of the local authorities around these various communities and assures all of utmost cooperation, fairness, accountability and transparency in the administration and management of the land sector.

CAF Exceptionally Lifts Ban on Siaka Stevens Stadium

Siaka Stevens Stadium

By Foday Moriba Conteh

In a Press Release issued by the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) dated 10th March 2021 and signed by Ibrahim Kamara, Head of Media- SLFA, it was stated that in an official correspondence to the Sierra Leone Football Association by CAF dated the 10th March, 2021, the CAF Emergency Committee has, “based on the COVID-19 pandemic and current travel restrictions”, decided to exceptionally lift the ban on the Siaka Stevens Stadium and allow only the remaining AFCON 2021 Qualifiers (match-day 5 and 6) to be played.

The Release went on to state that after the above-mentioned match-days, Sierra Leone’s playing territory “will automatically again be removed from the list of CAF approved stadiums and will not be available for selection on CAF Competition Management System”.

The SLFA President has confirmed that she is engaging in talks with the appropriate CAF officials who will visit Sierra Leone with a view of advising the Ministry of Sports on the improvement of stadium technical infrastructures which will meet with CAF/FIFA competition standards for future matches.

Legal Link Convenes 1st National Conference on Women & Leadership

By Esther Wright

The Christian Lawyers Centre also known as LEGAL LINK joined the world on the 8th March 2021 to celebrate International Women’s Day at the Africell American Corner on Bathurst Street in Freetown.

As part of the lined up activities to commemorate the day, the organization hosted the 1st National Conference on Women and Leadership in Sierra Leone.

Speaking on the theme, “Women and their Journey towards Leadership: Challenges, Opportunities and Prospects” the keynote speaker, Dr. Sylvia Olayinka Blyden, in her opening remarks, thanked Lawyer Rashid Dumbuya, the Executive Director of Legal Link for his determined effort in defending and advocating for women’s rights in the country.

While expressing her delight, she emphasized that she was highly impressed with the activities conducted by Legal Link especially regarding the rights of women and vulnerable groups in Sierra Leone.

She also reminded the audience that Lawyer Rashid Dumbuya defended her at the CID when she was being detained beyond the constitutional period required by law.

According to her, for those reasons combined with the seriousness she placed on the International Women’s Day event, she said she endeavoured to honour the invitation even though she is currently bereaved.

Dr. Blyden said women deserve significant places in society but advised that there must be no compromise in choosing female leaders for top positions in society based on gender sentiments.

She emphasized that, “we should choose a woman as a leader based on merits and not because it’s women’s time”.  “Let us carefully look for a better leader regardless of his or her gender,” she admonished.

She intimated the audience of some good qualities which a leader must possess which are; God fearing, courageous mindset and resilience, one who cannot sit on the fence in times of crisis, loyalty, honesty, one with the ability to forgive others, innovative, full of enthusiasm and intelligence etc.

The Guest Speaker said when a leader is chosen  that lacks compassion for humanity, one that is a fool that is so tense in addressing issues rather than bringing joy and happiness,  society and its people will suffer greatly.

She further espoused that even though many women have been able to rise to many leadership positions in the country, they have however been unable to occupy the presidency, vice presidency and speakership positions in the country.

She confirmed that women are less corrupt in society than men and therefore would serve better than the men in these positions if given the chance.

Dr. Blyden called on Sierra Leonean women to aspire for the above positions and break the long standing taboo that had existed ever since.

One big challenge faced by women according to her “is the fact that we are living in a patriarchal dominated society in which women are required for certain reasons to be submissive to men”.

This conditioning has become a great challenge for women towards their journey of politics and leadership in the country.

She ended up by calling on women “to use their cranial cavity instead of their pelvic cavity to get to the helms of leadership”.

Rashid Dumbuya Esq, the Executive Director of Legal Link gratefully thanked Dr. Sylvia Blyden for honouring the invitation and for her unflinching efforts in serving as a role model and symbol of courage to younger women aspiring for leadership in the country.

He expressed his admiration by confessing that he had never seen such an outstanding woman in Sierra Leone who has been so resilient in confronting political and legal obstacles without any fear or intimidation.

“She is hardly being reduced to silence in matters connecting to civil rights and social justice,” he added.

“Even at the Commission of Inquiry and in criminal court proceedings, Dr. Blyden, as one with no legal background defended herself and came out victorious,” he continued.

Lawyer Dumbuya said he was inspired and felt motivated to invite the long serving female human rights activist and journalist to tell her story, inspire and encourage younger women to come forward and compete for leadership positions in the country.

Other Civil Society activists, including a female representative from the National Commission for Persons with Disability (NCPD), explained that women are still being discriminated against especially disable women but however called on all disabled women to keep going in order to reach their potentials and destinations in life.

A vibrant female activist, Ms Marian Pleasant Kargbo who was also one of the panellists and Executive Director of Pleasant Foundation, espoused that there is a path to success as young women despite the stiff challenges they are presently experiencing in the society.

She however pleaded with women to continue to empower themselves in order to be able to attain the heights of leadership.

Executive Director of Citizens Advocacy Network, Thomas Moore Conteh, appreciated Legal Link for convening such a well celebrated event for women.

He said that despite the huge challenges meted against women in the country, some progress have been made in the promotion and protection of women’s rights in society.

Moore affirmed that the establishment of a special court dealing with sexual offences and the lifting of the ban for pregnant girls in school are all indicators that there is hope for women to one day succeed in their quest for equal participation in the political landscape of the country.

Other speakers who similarly spoke on the same theme include representatives from Environmental Alert, National Youth Coalition,   FBC Law Society, school going pupils from Methodist Girls High school (MGHS), Freetown Secondary School for Girls (FSSG) and host of other participants.

It was however recommended by the audience at the end of the program for a few resolutions to be made to Government for urgent consideration regarding women’s rights and livelihoods.

These recommendations include: The urgent need for better inclusion of women in governance and decision making institutions; the urgent need to provide micro financing support for women to boost their economic status and livelihoods; the urgent need to provide scholarships to female students in technical courses in the University of Sierra Leone  to foster economic independence of women; the urgent need to address the issue of domestic Violence in a bid to protect women in the domestic arena and the urgent need to provide health support and health education to women in Sierra Leone to help save their lives and children.

The program was climaxed with joyous celebrations.

As 2 in Police Net… 2 Mortuary Attendants on the Run after Attacking Office of Administrative Assistant

By Edward Vamboi

Two attendants at the Connaught Teaching Hospital Mortuary in Freetown are on the run while two others, Abdul Conteh and Thomas Garber are in Police net following their alleged breaking into the office of the Administrative Assistant at the mortuary, spattering of faeces at some office equipment and the carting away of Le12, 750,000 (Twelve Million Seven Hundred and Fifty Thousand Leones).

According to the Administrative Assistant, Sinneh Kamara, four Mortuary Attendants last Friday 5th March, 2021 received official posting letters from the Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MoHS) for them to be transferred to other health facilities with immediate effect. They are Alhaji Kanjay, Abdul Conteh, Thomas Garber and Titus Riddle.

Sinneh Kamara said on Tuesday 9th March 2021, the Maintenance Manager at Connaught Teaching Hospital was to monitor the mortuary cold-room at 10:00p.m. to see whether it was in good working order after it had been repaired. He added that the Maintenance Manager came and monitored the cold-room in fifteen minutes and left.

The Administrative Assistant said he was still at the vicinity of the mortuary when he saw one of the posted staff, Alhaji Kanjay sneaking into the Connaught Hospital compound through the small gate towards Lightfoot Boston Street.

Sinneh Kamara said shortly after spotting Alhaji Kanjay sneaking into the hospital compound, he drove home since he had to return to work very early the next day. He said when he reported for work on Wednesday morning, he was shocked to discover that some unscrupulous persons had broken into his mortuary office through the ceiling, spattered his office equipment and some vital documents with faeces and carted away Le12, 750, 000.00 (Twelve Million Seven Hundred and Fifty Thousand Leones) that was kept in the first drawer of the office table.

Sinneh Kamara furthered that the unscrupulous persons damaged the ceiling of the mortuary parlour and passed through it to gain access to his office after damaging its ceiling as well and did nauseating things that are unthinkable, adding that even the main office chair that is often used by one of the two Nigerian Pathologists recently recruited by the President was spattered with faeces.

He lamented that the intruders also soiled the Video Display Terminal (VDT) of the Apple computer and some important documents with faeces, adding that they even left a note with threatening remarks which they pasted on the VDT with faeces, such as “Sinneh Kamara get ready for the war and to die. This is just the beginning of the war.”

Sinneh Kamara said the file copies of the official posting letters of the suspects were also not seen in the same drawer where the money was kept.

This medium gathered that on the day the four suspects received their official posting letters, Abdul Conteh and Alhaji Kanjay were so furious and frustrated that they openly started using invectives and making unprintable remarks against Sinneh Kamara, as well as using innuendoes in an uncouth manner. They even threatened to kill him this time around.

Also on Tuesday 9th March 2021, Sinneh Kamara said one of the posted staff, Thomas Garber led his family members to the mortuary to make an arrangement for a post-mortem. He said after interrogating the family members, he told them Thomas Garber was no longer working at the mortuary because he has been transferred to another health facility.

The Administrative Assistant said after he had told the family members that he was in charge of coordinating all post-mortems at the mortuary, Thomas Garber then openly challenged him that he was still a mortuary attendant and even refused to leave the facility. He said the mortuary attendant was so adamant that the Police attached to the mortuary had to caution him before he left the scene.

Sinneh Kamara furthered that when he reported the incident to the Hospital Management, the Hospital Secretary, Mustapha Yokie gave him the go-ahead to report the matter to the Police. He said he then reported the matter to the Police and two of the suspects, Abdul Conteh and Thomas Garber have now been arrested and are helping the Police with the investigation.

According to the Hospital Secretary, Mustapha Yokie, prior to the transfer of the four suspects, the Hospital Management had set up a disciplinary committee to look into certain anomalies at the mortuary, including siphoning of funds for burial services, insubordination and indiscipline. He said following their findings, the committee recommended to the MoHS the transfer of the four suspects.

Mr. Yokie stressed that the transfer of the four suspects was recommended by the disciplinary committee and not by the Administrative Assistant, noting that the Hospital Management is very much determined to maintain zero tolerance to indiscipline and other vices that have the propensity to undermine the Hospital Management.

In an interview with a female Mortuary Attendant, Beatrice Peterson, she told this medium that she saw one of the suspects, Abdul Conteh very early on Wednesday morning at the vicinity of the hospital even before Sinneh Kamara arrived at the mortuary and discovered what had happened to his office.

A car washer at the Connaught Hospital, Winston, intimated that he also saw one of the suspects, Thomas Garber on Wednesday at around 4:52a.m. at the hospital emerging from the dark with a torchlight, plastic bag in his hand and another bag on his back. Winston said when he interrogated him to know what he was doing in the hospital at that time of the morning, he told him to forget about what he had seen.

“So when I later heard about what had happened in the office of Sinneh Kamara at the mortuary, I did not hesitate to conclude that Thomas Garber must have a hand in it,” said Winston.

Meanwhile, the police have mounted a manhunt for both Titus Riddle and Alhaji Kanjay, who are believed to be in hiding in Freetown.

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