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What We Need to Know about Approved COVID-19 Vaccines

Author: Dr.Manal Ghazzawi Specialist Pharmacist

By Dr. Manal Ghazzawi, Specialist Pharmacist

Many of us were unfamiliar with the names of these large multinational pharmaceutical companies until the COVID-19 pandemic came, and they started manufacturing the wonder vaccines! We have been hearing mainly about the Pfizer-BioNTech (Pfizer) and AstraZeneca (AZ) vaccines with the Pfizer vaccine being the first to receive emergency authorization from the World Health Organisation (WHO) since the outbreak began.

Emergency use of vaccines are authorized by WHO during disease outbreaks, especially those that constitute a public health emergency of international concern, like the COVID-19 pandemic or Ebola virus disease. The following are simple criteria that regulatory agencies across the world follow before any vaccine is authorised to be used by its population:

  • Satisfactory manufacturing and facilities
  • > = 50% efficacy
  • 2 months safety data post vaccination
  • End points to include incidence of severe COVID-19

Administration and dosage schedule for approved COVID-19 vaccines

It is recommended that each vaccine series should be completed with the same vaccine brand, except if the first dose of a particular brand was contraindicated. People who have reacted badly to mRNA vaccines (Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna) should be cautious when taking an Adeno.Cov-2.S vaccine (i.e. AstraZeneca) due to possibility of cross hypersensitivity. Any non-COVID-19 vaccines should not be administered within 14 days of COVID-19 vaccine administration.

For the AstraZeneca (AZ) vaccine, the recommended interval between the two doses a person needs for it to be most effective is 48 days, with the second dose being administered a minimum of four weeks after the first. Age administration is 18 years and older.

For the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, 2-dose series are administered 21 days apart. Age indication is 16 years and above.

The Moderna vaccine requires a 2-shot series given 28 days apart and is indicated for individuals aged 18 years and above.

The Johnson and Johnson (J&J) vaccine requires only one dose compared to the previously mentioned three vaccines which need 2 jabs at separate intervals. Age indication for the J&J vaccine is 18 years and above.

The Sinovac vaccine is manufactured in China and, like most traditional vaccines, works by using killed viral particles to expose the body’s immune system to the virus without risking a serious disease response. Only one dose is needed to be administered. Age indication is yet to be confirmed.

As seen in the table below, the Oxford AZ vaccine, Sinovac and J&J vaccines, make perfect sense to be imported into Sierra Leone due to their logistically friendly conditions. In Sierra Leone, we have constraints with cold chain facilities across the country which will make it almost impossible to bring in the other vaccines that have to be stored at freezing temperatures.

Recently, Sierra Leone received 200,000 doses of the Sinovac vaccine donated by the Chinese Government and on 8th March the first batch of 96,000 doses out of expected 528,000 doses of the AZ vaccine arrived.

Vaccine safety and efficacy

The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines have similar efficacy of 95% in preventing symptomatic COVID-19 infection after the second dose administration. For now, we cannot determine with certainty which of the vaccines are the most effective, due to differences in the design of their clinical trials and the different periods of existence of the new COVID-19 variants. These new variants emerged due to a mutation in pre-existing variants, called the ‘E484K mutation’, which has led to the Brazilian, Kent and South African (SA) strains. However, there is a particular concern about the SA variant, which has several changes in the spike protein. The spike protein is what the virus uses to bind itself to infect cells. It is no surprise that SARS COVID-19 mutated as all viruses mutate at an exceptionally increased rate. The COVID-19 virus has mutated a thousand times since its arrival a year ago. These new strains are more recognisable due to the virus’ unique characteristics that make it more able to survive and reproduce.

Clinical trials for both, the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines were conducted before the emergence of the troubling new variants from South African, Kent/Britain and Brazil. In fact, South Africa had to halt its AZ vaccine rollout early February as a result of discovering that the vaccine was not effective against its new variant. Scientists stated that the variant accounts for 90% of new COVID-19 cases in South Africa and it has been identified in 50 other countries so far. A trial of the AZ vaccine which involved about 2,000 individuals found that the vaccine offered “minimal protection” against mild and moderate cases. AZ now intends to develop a third dose that will cover the new variants, while Moderna plans to develop a booster shot after its two dose series. These new strategies involve rigorous technologic processes, therefore reducing production efficiencies and increasing production costs.

The next question that might pop into our minds is if the other approved vaccines are effective against the new variants. The J&J vaccine offered 57% protection against the South African strain and the Novavax vaccine had shown a 60% efficacy in SA which is still fairly good compared to the AZ vaccine. It is important to note that reduced protection does not mean no protection at all.

The mutation that has led to the emergence of the South African variant most likely causes reinfection as it escapes the immune response resulting in a reduction of longevity in neutralizing the antibody response. However, despite the negativities surrounding this predominant South African variant, a very recent study suggests it might offer protection against other variants of the virus. Vaccines that are produced as inactivated viruses such as the Sinovac vaccine, do not mount as enough neutralizing antibodies compared to vaccines that target the spike protein of the virus. The latter effect is produced for example by Pfizer-BioNTech and AZ vaccines.

Concerning the safety of COVID-19 vaccines, large clinical trials have indicated minor side effects, or I would say normal vaccine reactions. These side effects are as a result of the body building protection against the virus, and can include pain at the site of the injection, swollen lymph nodes in the arm where the vaccine was injected, tiredness, headache, muscle or joint aches, nausea, vomiting and fever or chills. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 11 cases of anaphylactic reactions (severe allergic reaction) per million doses among people receiving the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.

These anaphylactic reactions occur rarely and only among people who are allergic to vaccines generally and can be easily treated with epinephrine a few minutes after vaccination during direct observation. Every drug has its side effects, but there are many misconceptions especially with it being a novel treatment, that might cause immunization hesitancy in people. Misconceptions like the vaccine can cause diseases, infertility or changes your genetic code are incorrect. Vaccine hesitancy could lead to countries not achieving herd immunity and therefore not being able to contain COVID-19 infection, hence the pandemic will continue to linger.

COVID-19 vaccines’ effectiveness in prevention of transmission

From a recent UK preprint study conducted by Pfizer and AZ, their vaccines decreased the number of COVID-19 infections by 86% amongst healthcare workers, after 2 doses of the vaccines had been administered. Also, a pre-published paper in Israel showed that the Pfizer vaccine appeared to reduce all coronavirus infections—including asymptomatic infections—by 89.4% and symptomatic infections by 93.7%. In addition, some evidence supports a 74% drop of asymptomatic infections with J&J vaccines. However, there is need for a lot more time to conduct more peer reviews and larger randomised clinical trials to confirm prevention of transmission by COVID-19 vaccines.

Another critical factor that is worth mentioning is how infectious a vaccinated person is, especially if they develop asymptomatic infection? Again, though it is just a preliminary study, the Pfizer vaccine can help reduce viral load among asymptomatic individuals.

The bottom line is that vaccines which have been approved so far are safe and effective to a degree, but there are still many unanswered questions remaining and stronger evidence needed when it comes to the effectiveness in reducing transmission and high efficacy against the troublesome new variants. However, even minimal protection against symptomatic infections, severe diseases and hospitalization can still make a difference. Kudos to all scientists, public health officials and health care workers around the world who are working day and night to save us all.

Editor: Andrea Klingel
Director of Operations
SLURC

Shifaa and Dialysis Center Takes Kidney Health Sensitization to Streets in Freetown

By Foday Moriba Conteh

As the world is poised to celebrate World Kidney Day tomorrow, Thursday 11th March 2021, the Shifaa and Dialysis Center has on Monday 8th March 2021 commenced a three day street sensitization on kidney health which started at Up-Gun Roundabout on the first day, then continued at Lumley on the second day and will end today Wednesday 10th March 2021 at St. John in the West End of Freetown.

The three day street sensitization on kidney health will be climaxed with a program to be organized by Shifaa and Dialysis Center situated at 8 Campbell Street, Freetown to mark World Kidney Day.

Speaking to this medium during an exclusive interview, the Manager and Director of Administration of Shifaa and Dialysis Center, Dalanda Bah revealed that World Kidney Day is a worldwide event that is observed on the second Thursday of March every year, adding that the purpose of the event is to raise awareness of the functions and the importance of the kidney, how to reduce the frequency and impact of Kidney diseases and their associated health problems in the lives of individuals.

She added that it was against such a backdrop that they thought it fit to undertake such an awareness raising three day activity on the causes of kidney health complications and how to prevent contracting them. Dalanda furthered that it will be followed by free testing adding that there are series of causes of kidney failure that result into patients needing dialysis which include Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, smoking, alcohol intake, family history of  kidney diseases etc.

The Manager and Director of Administration also intimated that Shifaa and Dialysis Center, been a specialist clinic for Kidney diseases, thought it fit to embark on the three (3) day sensitization. She said the global theme of this year’s celebration is “Wellness” which they have domesticated into the local theme, “Education in Enhancing the Quality of Life” pointing out that with education on Kidney health such will help to make the populace become aware of how they can prevent themselves noting that they are doing so with the strong conviction that such could be helpful especially at this decisive moment when the issue of Kidney health complications has become alarming in Sierra Leone and the world as a whole.

She disclosed that in most cases once people are diagnosed with kidney health complications they become part of their lives especially those diagnosed with end stage renal failure which means their kidney cannot work again.

Dalanda informed that at Shifaa and Dialysis Center they perform dialysis which helps the body to do the work of the kidney artificially stating that they have the requisite and right equipment at their center.

She also stated that in order to promote the consumption of healthy diet they have the Shifaa Kitchen at the Center that doesn’t only provide healthy meals with no sodium or maggi for their patients and family members saying it is also open to members of the public.

“You can consider us as a One-Stop Renal Center in Sierra Leone as we provide qualitative care for all dialysis patients at every level of their diseases. We are capable of treating the renal patients requiring dialysis at any stage,” she also disclosed.

She called on all Sierra Leoneans needing Dialysis treatment to come and visit their facility as they provide the best quality treatments that are performed by well-known members of staff who are professionals maintaining that the Center is situated at a suitable and congenial environment, adding that the Center opens between the hours of 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Monday through Saturday.

According to her, on Sundays and after hours they are open for emergencies only and patients are asked to visit them at 8 Campbell Street in Freetown or contact them via Email: Shifaadialysiscenter@gmail.com, website: shifaadialysiscenter.com.

Mariama Turay, a business woman at Up Gun, expressed appreciation to Shifaa and Dialysis Center for the awareness campaign on kidney health which she described as a move in the right direction in addressing kidney health in the country.

She promised to put into practice all what she has learnt about the preventive and causative factors of kidney health complications stating that in turn she will also educate people around her about kidney health.

Abdul Kamara, a bike rider at Lumley, who also benefited from the awareness rising campaign showered praises on Shifaa and Dialysis Center for such a move in educating them on Kidney Health, adding that he has been smoking before but that he was unaware that such could lead to kidney health complication and stated that with this awareness he will surely stop smoking in order not to have kidney failure in the future.

1st Batch of 96,000 Doses of COVID-19 Vaccines Arrives

By Amin Kef Sesay

On Monday 8 March 2021 ,Sierra Leone received the first batch of 96,000 doses of the AstraZeneca-Oxford COVID-19 vaccine shipped via the COVAX Facility, a partnership between the Government of Sierra Leone, CEPI, Gavi, UNICEF and WHO.

From what this medium understood, such is a historic step towards ensuring equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines globally, in what will be the largest vaccine procurement and supply operation in history.

The delivery is part of a first wave of arrivals of an initial 528,000 doses that will continue till the end of May 2021.

On 6 March 2021, COVAX shipped 96,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, licensed and manufactured by Serum Institute (PVT) Limited from Maharashtra, India, to Freetown, Sierra Leone, arriving in the evening of 8 March 2021.

The arrival of this first batch of 528,000 doses will kick start the vaccination of 20% of Sierra Leone’s 8,000,000 population as part of the COVAX Facility in its unprecedented effort to deliver at least 2 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines by the end of 2021. This initial consignment of the vaccine and the immediate subsequent shipments will prioritize critical target groups such as frontline health professionals, vulnerable including the aged people and people with underlying health conditions.

“Throughout 2020, our health facilities have been faced with the task of responding to the pandemic, while at the same time, working to sustain the regular essential services including providing maternal and child health services,” said the Minister of Health and Sanitation. “The lifesaving vaccines which are now available for COVID-19, combined with the other important measures which we have adopted since the pandemic started, will afford us a good prospect to return to normalcy and to fulfil our obligations under the Universal Health Coverage programme.”

“We are delighted Sierra Leone has today received its first COVAX vaccine doses and we look forward to the launch of the vaccination campaign in the coming days. Thanks to the work of the Government of Sierra Leone and of the COVAX partners, and with the support of our donors, we have been delivering on our promise to begin vaccinating vulnerable populations around the world delivering over 10 million doses to our participating economies in the last 10 days.” said Charlie Wetham, Regional Head, Asia Pacific and Anglophone Africa at of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.

“The arrival of this first batch of Covid-19 vaccines in Sierra Leone under the COVAX Facility is testimony to the power of global solidarity in response to a global health and development crisis. Strong international solidarity is similarly required to address other pressing global challenges such as the climate crisis that threatens the world’s quest for sustainable development,” said Mr Babatunde Ahonsi, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Sierra Leone.

The need to be Proactive in investigating Sexual Penetration and Domestic Violence in Sierra Leone

By Mustapha Sheriff

In February 2019, President Julius Maada Bio declared Rape and Sexual Violence as National Emergencies in Sierra Leone. Sources say that the move was a major step towards addressing rape and all forms of sexual violence in Sierra Leone. In that declaration, President Bio said that each month, hundreds of cases of rape and sexual assaults were being reported against women, girls and babies with some of the fatalities being as young as three months old and that 70% of survivors of the traumatic experience being under the age of 15.

HE noted that thousands more cases of rape and sexual violence were unreported because some families and communities practice a culture of silence or indifference about sexual violence, leaving victims traumatized. “Of nearly 3,000 reported sexual assault cases, 602 of the survivors became pregnant; 7 of them contracted HIV/AIDS; 2,404 had STDs; thousands more were scarred and traumatized by the ordeal. Only 39 of these 3,000 reported cases were successfully prosecuted whilst 2,961 of the survivors of sexual violence were denied justice,” he disclosed.

You do not want to be a victim of sexual penetration and or domestic violence. It is on that note that I would fundamentally assume that you may also not wish to condone such practices because no matter how we tend to look at things, the vices that come in upholding such inhumane tendencies cannot be overstated. These are matters that society has struggled to address over the years, but there are now renewed commitments to ensure that the paradigm is shifted for the better.

Essential state and non-state documents have shown that we must not tolerate such practices in society. Paragraph 330 of the TRC recommendation reads; “Women and girls in Sierra Leone continue to be the victims of sexual violence. The Commission notes that the national laws of Sierra Leone are inadequate to deal with the prosecution of crimes of sexual violence, including rape, sexual harassment and other forms of sexual abuse.

The current rules of procedure and evidence in respect of crimes of sexual violence are not only discriminatory but are also offensive to women and girls.” 333 of the recommendations say “In order to address these inadequacies, the Commission recommends that laws that link the prosecution of sexual offences to the moral character of a complainant should be repealed”  This is an imperative recommendation.

The fact that such matters need to be addressed is obvious. There has to be a way we protect the dignities of our young girls and women. This is something that is of essence. It is in line with this that the regional Admin of the Family Support Unit at the Kenema Police Division, Inspector Charles Luseni has on Monday 30thNovember,2020 disclosed on the Kamboi Agriculture Radio Good Morning Show that, the Family Support Unit in Kenema is now more proactive to dealing with sexual offences and domestic violence cases in the Eastern Region than ever before.

Inspector Luseni said that the 2020 Sexual Offences Act is not distinct as compared to the 2019 Sexual Offences Law which he said clearly puts straight penalties for all sexual offences such as sexual penetration and all forms of sexual assaults, and that, there is now a distinct line between penalty among age bracket and compromise of all sexual offences, adding that, the 2020 Sexual Offences Law has put more seriousness on the issue, as penalties of 15 years to life imprisonment have helped reduced the increase of sexual offences and domestic violence.

The Regional Admin however explained that parental neglect, economic abuse, single parenting are all reasons for sexual offences and domestic violence. According to him, over 30 reported cases of physical assaults are from men against women and girls from across the Eastern Region. The issue of domestic violence is as a result of when women get tired of husband neglect, children and of their responsibility as household heads which caused a back clash that result into dangerous reaction, noting that men do not normally report their wives due to culture and ego.

“FSU is faced with tremendous challenges because FSU’s role is more of a civilian than that of the role of policing and that is the more reason the FSU is overburdened with social issues.”

Meanwhile, FSU Kenema has built a juvenile home for children in conflict with the law and the new building will soon be officially handed over to the AIG.

Inspector Luseni added that for sexual offences and domestic violence to reduce to the lowest rate, parents should sacrifice for their children and that perpetrators should know that the law is not a respecter of man, stating that boys and girls should concentrate on their education.

Recommendation 338 of TRC “calls on community leaders to discourage the practice of accepting monetary compensation for the crimes of rape and sexual violence as an alternative to reporting the cases for criminal prosecution.  Communities should be encouraged to pursue prosecutions for offenders of sex crimes.”

“These are serious matters that should not be treated with levity. Women and girls deserve better and that is why they should be treated with care and affection,’’ an elderly person living in the outskirts of Kenema Sierra Leone, told me.

This article is produced with support from MRCG through the ATJLF project on: “Engaging the media to change the narrative on Transitional Justice (TJ) issues in Sierra Leone.”

Laj-K Appeals for Government to Lift Ban on Organizing Entertainment activities

Entrepreneur and Entertainment Executive, Amb Alhaji K. Tarawally

By Amin Kef Sesay

Youth Activist, Entrepreneur and Entertainment Executive, Amb Alhaji K. Tarawally, aka Laj-K, has lamented that the restriction placed on organizing entertainment shows is seriously affecting them as entertainers.

According to him, they have seen their counterparts in Guinea, Gambia, Tanzania, Burundi, Gambia and other African countries organizing major local and international shows under some guiding principles to help sustain and keep their creative and entertainment industry and their economies alive.

“But Sierra Leone keeps moving on the contrary and it seems to be okay after the  untold sufferings of  a countless number of entertainers, and their businesses continue to perish in the name of COVID-19 response, which appears to be a stunt,” he bemoaned.

Laj-K said it is unwise to allow other major events to hold across the country, including political events, religious events, school concerts, public campaigns, rallies, Government functions going on as planned, and yet no Entertainment events.

He furthered that it is ridiculous and a complete wickedness to the creative industry maintaining that it is their livelihood and they can’t be stopped since they are not receiving any form of compensation.

“You continue cancelling our shows and events with no remorse,” he said calling on the Government to listen to them now before it’s too late.

He disclosed that he is hurt and venting his feelings because their businesses are dying and Entertainers/Celebrities are now turning into politicians or domestic beggars.

Laj-K underscored that it must be known that the entertainment industry has played a crucial role in the fight against COVID-19, raising awareness and adhering to the precautionary measures.

He stated that with all of those contributions, it appears that they are the biggest victims of the crisis while other sectors are partying.

The Entertainment Executive continued to appeal to the Government to lift the ban on the entertainment industry and follow the steps taken by other African countries that guide the conduct of entertainment events.

He said for the past one year, their investments have dwindled and their cries have been falling on deaf ears and no one cares.

“This is not only affecting us, but several others who directly or indirectly rely on entertainment events for their livelihoods,” he pointed out.

He disclosed that this is a wake-up call for all entertainers, entertainment stakeholders and the Government to map out possible ways of ensuring that entertainment events go on, as it is the case for our African counterparts.

Laj-K said  the current economic outcry, sufferings and brouhaha in the Creative Industry in Sierra Leone seem to be getting worse day by day for entertainers and the emerging businesses.

He stated that such has left him with no choice but to add his voice and passionately appeal and crave the indulgence of Government to allow them organize their shows or in the interim use or utilize some funds of the EU, IMF, WHO and other international supports as relief or recovery funding to affected businesses in the entertainment industry.

Castrol GTX Promotion Heightens Awareness about the Effectiveness of the Lubricant

By Amin Kef Sesay 

From a sustained monitoring exercise undertaken by this medium at various NP-SL Filling Stations countrywide what came out glaringly was that majority of the company’s customers expressed profound excitement for availing them the opportunity to know about the effectiveness and potency of the Castrol GTX lubricant.

“Through what I learnt from your write-ups and other information I got about the Castrol GTX Loyalty Promotion Lucky Dip from flyers I came to the realization that indeed the lubricant is the best among all the others I have used in the past,” Abdulai Kakay, an insurance broker intimated adding that before this time he knew little about how the Castrol GTX keeps vehicle engines in good running condition.

Abdulai’s view re-echoes the expressed views of others that this medium interacted with during the monitoring exercise.

The Castrol GTX Promotion commenced on the 15th February 2021 and it will continue up to the 14th March 2021, meaning it will last for four weeks as part of the company’s annual activities.

Within the context of the promotion,  every time a NP-SL Ltd customer buys 5 Litre of Castrol GTX from any NP Dealer Stations, he or she automatically becomes eligible to be part of the promo and stands the chance of  winning an attractive prize.

When the customer buys 5L Castrol GTX (20w50 or GTX Diesel) he or she has the opportunity to have one dip and for the GTX Ultraclean product he or she can have 3 dips.

There are two things to be discovered on the slip after any dip which are WINNER or Sorry! Buy More GTX.

The winner leaves his or her name and telephone number with the Station Manager of the Filling Station where the Castrol lubricant was bought and he or she will be later contacted by the Sales Supervisor.

As far as the promotion is tailored no customer goes empty handed as even losers will have some form of compensation at the end of the day.

Already there are flyers that provide information about the promotion and certain sales points have been activated in order to give the Promo wider coverage.

It must be noted that the Ultraclean 10w40 Castrol Oil is a multi-grade oil that can be used in hotter countries. GTX 20w50, though good for petrol engines, is also a multi-purpose oil.

It has been established that the Castrol oil in the white rubber is the one that is most often used as it maintains temperature and can be used on petrol engines.

This medium learnt that, NP-SL Ltd, from time to time conducts trainings for automobile mechanics and the company’s pump attendants in order for them to know the various specifications which could help them to guide customers on the actual type of Castrol GTX that will suit them.

It was also learnt that the Ultra-clean Castrol oil is going for Le250, 000 and the others (Castrol Oil) for Le200, 000.

What is certain is that Castrol GTX is more than just an ordinary oil as it is considered to be liquid engineering.

From an in-depth investigation conducted it was discovered that the Castrol GTX is less costly in the sense that it can last longer compared to other lubricants of inferior quality meaning that when consideration is taken of the amount of money spent on changing engine oil of inferior quality in comparison to Castrol GTX, then it discerns that indeed it is one that is cheaper because unconsciously much money is spent on procuring inferior engine oil of various variety than what is spent on Castrol GTX within the period of purchase under review.

Besides lasting longer, Castrol GTX lubricant enhances the good performance and efficiency of motor engines, minimizes hazardous gaseous emission and helps to properly clean motor engines or machines that may have been clogged by particles.

Apart from marketing petroleum products such as diesel, petrol, gas and kerosene the company also offers for sale NP Gas which is an environmentally friendly cooker that has been proven to be very effective for cooking purposes. It is sold at the company’s Filling Stations.

The company made it possible for customers to purchase fuel conveniently without using physical cash. With the introduction of NP Smart Card customers can purchase fuel as long as the smart card contains money. Whenever it is used the amount of money is debited and it can be credited for future use.

What is certain for now is that the Castrol GTX Promotion has created huge awareness about the effectiveness of this lubricant which it is said is not just an ordinary oil but liquid engineering.

UBA Poised To Change The Face Of E-Banking with New Mobile App 

Pan African financial instittion, United Bank for Africa (UBA), Plc is set to change the face of digital banking services with its new mobile banking app aimed at delivering first-rate services to customers.

The new UBA mobile banking app, has been armed with benefits and features designed to give its customers increased control and accessibility to carry out transactions with ease.

UBA’s Group Head, Digital Banking, Kayode Ishola, who spoke about the new banking app to members of the press during an international virtual media parley on Monday, explained that apart from being able to decide where they want their cards to operate and block, view, or request new cards straight from the app to suit their specific needs, the app has been tailor-made to give customers what they want, how and in the way they want it.

Reeling off some of the features and benefits of the app, he said a lot of investment in cutting edge technology and attention to details was put into the new UBA mobile app.

Ishola said, “The new UBA Mobile App is your personal finance manager built with a distinctive user interface that will change the face of banking. With this app, we are reimagining banking as our engagement has moved from being channel-based to being platform-based. The speed of the platform has been made to match the speed of light as we have cut down significantly on the number of processes expected to carry out your transactions.

“Interestingly, we have worked towards creating behavioural insight for our customers and working around this to address the real needs of our customers using the Omni channel platform and running on our open digital platform, which is very interactive and armed with lifestyle services. It is sleek and trendy with seamless user interface” Ishola stated.

UBA’s Head, SME Banking, Sampson Aneke, said that apart from the fact that the app has been created with journey that has a high-level of intelligence – as it can work based on frequent transactions, it can also speak to the specific country where it is being used as the new mobile app runs concurrently in the 20 countries of UBA’s operation interacting in the different languages and cultures in line with the specific needs and regulation of the country in focus.

“This all-encompassing platform which boasts of a new user interface because of its sleek, modern nature of delivering seamless experience across several devices; can be used as a budgeting tool, loan application and also allows customers view their expenses according to their various categories such as the amount spent on data within a particular period;” Aneke added.

On the security features of the app, UBA’s Group Chief Information Officer, Onyebuchi Akosa, said that security of the app are best in class adding that the new platform, which will revolutionise the way banking services are offered, promises to deliver increased personalized banking via a watertight and highly-effective security system.

“The new app has also been built with the best-in-purchase security features and has been modelled appropriately to ensure that all the features are working properly to secure transactions maximally. It is also important to mention that the bank took into consideration the virtually impaired, and thus has used voice recognition as a channel for transaction which suits both convenience and the visually impaired customers,” he said.

United Bank for Africa Plc is a leading Pan-African financial institution, offering banking services to more than twenty million customers, across 1,000 business offices and customer touch points, in 20 African countries. With presence in New York, London and Paris, UBA is connecting people and businesses across Africa through retail, commercial and corporate banking, innovative cross-border payments and remittances, trade finance and ancillary banking services.

United Bank for Africa Plc is a leading Pan-African financial institution, offering banking services to more than twenty-one million customers, across over 1,000 business offices and customer touch points, in 20 African countries. With presence in the United States of America, the United Kingdom and France, UBA is connecting people and businesses across Africa through retail; commercial and corporate banking; innovative cross-border payments and remittances; trade finance and ancillary banking services.

 

The Omrie Golley Story – Episode 4 of the Peace Process 1996-1997

By:  Noellie Marionette-Chambertin

Days after the historic meeting in Yamassoukro, Republic of Ivory Coast in March 1996, the leader of the NPRC Julius Maada Bio, handed over the reign of Government to President Ahmad TejanKabbah who swiftly formed a new administration and continued with efforts to achieve peace and reconciliation in the country. OmrieGolley had returned to London by then to continue with his law practice. Notwithstanding, however, he maintained contacts with the RUF whose main officials had decamped to Abidjan, same Ivory Coast since the meetings in the second city of Yamoussoukro. In Ivory Coast, FodaySankoh the RUF Leader had been provided with a home for himself and his immediate entourage.

Golley also reached out to the new SLPP elected President TejanKabbah who he had met a number of years previously, and who he was infact related to, through Kabbah’s marriage to Patricia Kabbah, nee Tucker, of Bonthe. Mrs Patricia Kabbah was a relative of Golley’s father, the HonourableMr Justice OmrieGolley, who had retired a number of years earlier, after a distinguished legal career in Sierra Leone.

Golley’s father started his legal career as Sierra Leone’s first UK trained Solicitor in November 1962, after graduating from the University of Hull with an honoursdegree in Law in 1958. He returned to Sierra Leone in 1962, and served in the judiciary in Sierra Leone. Initially he was Master and Registrar of the High Court in 1964.  He was later elevated to the bench as a Judge of the High Court of Judicature, then later as a Justice of the Appeals Court. GolleySnr was awarded the MRSL (Member of the distinguished Order of the Republic of Sierra Leone) in 1985, before he retired from Government Service in 1989. The distinguished statesman died in retirement at his home in Windsor, England in July 2009.

OmrieGolley Jnr, who by 1996 was very active in trying to restore peace in Sierra Leone, remembers his relationship with President TejanKabbah in the early days of his administration in 1996 initially as being cordial.

Golley states:

“Former President Kabbah knew of the existence at the time of the organization that I had formed to promote peace, the National Convention for Reconstruction and Development (NCRD) and was fully aware of my contacts with the RUF at the time. In fact he encouraged me to maintain my contacts with the RUF leadership in the pursuance of peace”.

That initial cordial and mutually respectful relationship between Golley and Kabba as the war intensified was one of the main reasons that propelled Golley to subsequently become legal adviser and spokesman for the RUF movement from 1998 until the signing of the Lome Peace Accord in July 1999.

As a sequel to the story of the relationship between the two personalities, TejanKabbah was to announce on national television and radio in January 2006 that Golley had been arrested whilst leaving Freetown for London on allegations of subversive activities. Golley was later charged with Treason, and was only released 22 months after in November 2007, when a new administration that had emerged successful in national presidential elections, headed by former President Ernest BaiKoroma. The All Peoples Congress (APC) Party government had pronounced that after careful consideration, the charges against Golley had no evidential basis in law and that the charges were politically motivated.

As a way of flashback for my readers, one can recall that in 1996, Golley was determined that any peaceful resolution of the conflict in Sierra Leone which by that time had entered its 4th year moving inexorably to its 5th, had to be a sustainable one. So during that time, Golley made frequent contacts between the Government of Tejan Kabbah and that of the RUF headed by FodaySankoh.

In the aftermath of the initial euphoria of the Yamassoukro encounter, it became swiftly apparent that the peace process had to be solidified and fermented with an Accord or Agreement which would deal with a permanent ceasefire, the disarming of all combatants involved in the fighting, together with structures to be set up to consolidate the peace and to transform the RUF into a political party with a view to entering the democratic process.

The Abidjan Peace Accord was signed on the 30th November 1996 and the main provisions called for the setting up of a Neutral Monitoring Group, the setting up of a Committee for the Consolidation of Peace, the removal of all mercenaries and foreign troops from the country, and the transformation of the RUF into a political party. On paper these provisions, had they been implemented to the letter, would have seen the start of a meaningful and sustainable peaceful settlement of the conflict. However, that was not to be. Not only did skirmishes continue between the Government troops and the RUF in different parts of the country, but both the Government and the RUF could not agree on the size or composition of the Neutral Monitoring Group.

In addition to these unfortunate events, in March 1997, FodaySankoh, the RUF leader, was arrested on a visit to Nigeria, on allegations of weapons violations. Additionally, some senior officials within the RUF were abducted at this time.

There appeared to be a dangerous split within the RUF itself, with a number of its senior commanders accusing those members who had been abducted, as traitors and sympathizers of the TejanKabbah Government.

This incident was compounded by senior RUF officials in Freetown, issuing a statement calling for the replacement of their leader FodaySankoh, following the abduction. This move was seen by others in the movement as proof positive that there was an unseen hand behind these events.

The unfortunate incidents referred to above in March 1997, created an intense climate of suspicion and distrust, not only between the Government and the RUF leadership, but within the ranks of the RUF movement itself.

Their leader had been incarcerated in Nigeria, and had denounced those members of the RUF that had been abducted by their comrades as traitors and puppets of the Kabbah administration.

Against this febrile backdrop, on the 25th May 1997, armed soldiers overthrew the Government of President TejanKabbah.

The peace process was in very serious jeopardy.

Note

For further enquiries on our episodes, please contact the writer:

Noellie Marionette-Chambertin

Phone number: +447535506716    

Email: noelliechambertin@mail.com

In Commemorating International Women’s Day… Premium Divine Trading Takes Yumvita Product to Higher Heights

By Foday Moriba Conteh

In commemorating International Women’s Day, the Premium Divine Trading Company Limited, on Friday 5th March 2021 held an awareness raising program on the Importance of Women in Leadership during an event that was held at the Methodist Girls High School in Freetown on the theme: “Women in Leadership Aspiring an Equal Future in COVID-19 World”.

Addressing the pupils,  the Honourable Member of Parliament for Constituency 037, who also doubles as the Deputy Whip of the main opposition APC party in Parliament, Hon Catherine Zainab Tarawallie, expressed appreciation to Premium Divine Trading Company for holding such an event which she described as not only important but  very timely.

She noted that International Women’s Day is celebrated on the 8th of March around the world as a focal point in the movement for women’s rights, adding that it is also a day to celebrate the achievements of women and raise awareness about gender equality.

Hon. Catherine Zainab Tarawallie highlighted  that Women in Leadership is very key, maintaining that when women become leaders, they bring skills, different perspectives, structural and cultural differences which ultimately drive effective solutions to societal
problems, adding that women constitute the highest population in the world and that in Sierra Leone women makeup of 52 percent of the country’s population but said even though they make 52 percent of the country’s population they are not given the opportunity in terms of occupying leadership positions.

She revealed that as of the 4th March 2021 there are 18 female Members of Parliament out of 146 parliamentarians saying such constitute 12 percent of Members of Parliament. Against such a backdrop, she urged them as pupils to take their studies serious underscoring how education is the key to success; “Education is a process of learning that one goes through in order to become somebody in society”.

Hon. Catherine Zainab Tarawallie pointed out that as the theme implies COVID-19 is real and they must adhere to all the precautionary measures that the Government and its partners have put in place also underscoring that it is only when strict adherence is maintained that all could stay safe.

She also encouraged them to buy Premium Divine Trading products as a way of supporting them to reach out to more communities with such gestures furthering that their products, like Yumvita, will revitalize them during study times.

On his part, the Country Manager of Premium Divine Trading Ltd, Kenneth Konuah, noted that Premium Divine Trading, as a responsible company, thought it fit to roll out such an event that was geared towards empowering women and girls in the country adding that they are holding such an event and doing so with the strong belief that such could be helpful in motivating the students especially as the world celebrates International Women’s Day.

He disclosed that Premium Divine Trading Company Ltd is a company that markets and distributes food products and that when it comes to food women play critical roles in food preparation.

According to him, in that regard they decided to celebrate International Women’s Day with Girls of the Methodist Girls High School in order to appreciate their potentials and that the company believes in their prospects and potentials to become great women and adorable mothers in the near future.

“Premium Divine Trading Company Ltd distributes and markets Cowbell, Onga, Miksi, Xploza, Kremela and yumvita which, in particular, is an infant cereal with milk that comes in three variants namely: wheat, rice and maize and wheat combined,” he intimated further disclosing that the package sizes are 50g and 400g and they are produced in Ghana by Promasidor Ghana Limited for export sales to some West African countries including Sierra Leone. He revealed that they are the sole distributor of all the aforementioned products in the country.

He encouraged the students to cherish healthy snacking by consuming Yumvita which he stated will help them as a company to do more of such gestures.

Managing Director of Premium Divine Trading Company Ltd, Mahmond Basma, disclosed that the business entity is a food distribution company that operates as an agent for Promasidor, a leading supplier of quality food products in more than 30 African countries, including Sierra Leone stating that their products are affordable and nutritional.

He said they have been selling and distributing products like Onga, Cowbell, Miksi, Xploza and Yumvita and that they are doing a lot to promote the consumption of good food in the country.

The Managing Director added that Women from every corner of the globe should come together on March 8, which, he maintained, is also a call to action for accelerating gender parity and that the day is celebrated with a global theme  “Choose To Challenge” which indicates that a “challenged world is an alert world and from challenge comes change”.

He encouraged the female students to buy their products stating that they will not regret as their products are of high quality.

The Principal of the Methodist Girls High School (SSS), Daisy Mcewen, expressed gratitude to the Premium Divine Trading Company Ltd for choosing her school to celebrate International Women’s Day with her Girls.

She revealed that the celebration has impacted the Girls as it exposed them to the importance of Women in Leadership and also motivated them to see themselves as important and empowered people who can meaningfully contribute towards the development of the nation and mould them to become responsible citizens in the future.

She pointed out that women face a lot of challenges across the world but said with modern day developments, things are going to change for the better as women’s rights are human rights and they will continue to press on as women.

A beneficiary, Mariama Kamara, who is a SSS 3 pupil, expressed appreciation to Premium Divine Trading Company Ltd for thinking of celebrating the International Women’s Day with them.

The event was climaxed by a Birthday Cake cutting for all students whose birthdays fell on the March 8, 2021 accompanied by all ‘March borns’. The pupils enjoyed the opportunity to cut a birthday cake which was prepared by Premium Divine Trading. All pupils were also given Yumvita products to enjoy.

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