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COVID-19 Vaccine Delivered across Continents Carries Profound Feelings of China toward Sierra Leone   -Hu Zhangliang, Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone

Hu Zhangliang, Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone

By Amin Kef Sesay

On February 25, 2021, 200,000 vials of COVID-19 vaccine donated by the Chinese Government to Sierra Leone arrived in Freetown across continents through concerted efforts and close cooperation by both sides. This is a precious gift from the Government and people of China to the Government and people of Sierra Leone, who are currently making unwavering efforts battling the pandemic.

Presently, countries all over the world are striving to get COVID-19 vaccine, but the supply can by no means meet the high demand across the board at the moment. China is still faced with the pressure of pandemic resurgence at home and is in earnest need of the vaccines.

Nevertheless, China has overcome the difficulties and donated the vaccines to Sierra Leone by special arrangement. The donation is one of the concrete actions in honoring H.E. President Xi Jinping’s solemn pledge of making China’s COVID-19 vaccine a global public good and contribute to the realization of the availability and affordability of COVID-19 vaccines in developing countries. It also vividly reflects the strong friendship between China and Sierra Leone as well as the decades-long practice of our two countries and peoples sharing weal and woe.

Over the past one year, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant adverse impact on Sierra Leone’s economic and social development as well as Sierra Leonean people’s lives.

Under the staunch leadership of H.E. President Julius Maada Bio, the Sierra Leonean Government and people have combated the pandemic with firm action and achieved commendable results. The Chinese side believes that the donated vaccines will substantially help beef up Sierra Leone’s tenacious fight against COVID-19, protect lives of the people especially the frontline medical and health workers, and contribute to Sierra Leone’s final victory over the pandemic.

Unity and cooperation are the international community’s most potent weapon to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic. China always upholds that humanity is a community with a shared future. China actively promotes international cooperation against COVID-19 and makes concerted efforts with the international community to protect the life and health of people in all countries.

United Nations data show that as of early February, 2021, a total of 107.3 million vials of COVID-19 vaccines have been vaccinated globally. 6% of the population in North America was vaccinated, ranking first; Europe 3.6%, Asia 0.9%, South America 0.7%, and Africa less than 0.1%. Some developed countries have purchased huge amount of COVID-19 vaccines, but the vaccine needs of less developed countries have not been met in time.

Against this backdrop, China is taking concrete actions to promote the fair distribution of vaccines. At the request of the WHO, China decided to provide 10 million doses of Chinese vaccines to the COVAX with a view to meeting the urgent needs of developing countries.

China has provided vaccine assistance to more 50 countries including Sierra Leone, and made arrangements to facilitate the importation of Chinese vaccines by nearly 30 countries.

The Chinese Government puts the safety and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine in the first place, and Chinese companies have been developing vaccines in strict accordance with laws and regulations. The Chinese National Medical Product Administration granted conditional approval for market use of the relevant vaccines based on strict and prudent evaluations. The safety and efficacy of the Chinese vaccines has been proven by scientific data.

As of February 20, 2021, 34 million doses of Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine have been administered among the Chinese people in China. The severe adverse reaction rate after vaccination is less than one in a million, which is much lower than the general influenza vaccine commonly used in the world. So long as the vaccines are stored and used in the prescribed appropriate way, there should not be serious safety issues. The effective rate of the donated Chinese vaccine was about 80% in China’s Phase III mid-term trial and 86% in the trial in the UAE. The effective rate of preventing mild symptoms from developing into severe cases was 100%.

Many countries such as the UAE, Bahrain, Pakistan, Iraq, Egypt, Brazil, Argentina, Nepal, Hungary, Turkey, Serbia have approved the use of Chinese vaccines. Many countries sent chartered flights to China for vaccine collection, and many Heads of State or Government received the vaccines at the airport. At least nine heads of foreign state or government have publicly received Chinese vaccine jabs. These are all votes of confidence in the safety and efficacy of Chinese vaccines.

China does not pursue any geopolitical goals in its international cooperation on the COVID-19 vaccine, does not calculate any economic benefits, nor attaches any political strings in the cooperation. China wishes to make COVID-19 vaccines truly peoples’ vaccine. Accusations from certain people who try to raise doubt over and slander Chinese vaccines or China’s vaccine cooperation are ill motivated, logically messed and baseless. China will continue to work with all parties including Sierra Leone to build a global community of health for all and achieve final victory over the pandemic.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, the 60th anniversary of independence of the Republic of Sierra Leone as well as the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relationship between our two countries. For a long time, China and Sierra Leone have been genuine friends enjoying mutual trust, mutual respect, mutual support, win-win cooperation and common development.

In this special year of 2021, China will earnestly implement the important consensus reached by H.E. President Xi Jinping and H.E. President Julius Maada Bio on the development of bilateral relations and work with Sierra Leone to elevate the two countries Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership to a new high for the betterment of our two countries and peoples.

Finally, I wish the Sierra Leonean Government and people greater success in combating the pandemic and achieving socio-economic development.

Journalists Complete 5 Day Training on Environmental & Climate Change Issues

By Foday Moriba Conteh

On the 26th February 2021, the European Union Delegation wrapped up its five days intensive hands-on training for environmental journalists with a certification ceremony at the New Brookfields Hotel in Freetown.

It was five days intensive work as the trainees learnt theoretical aspects of #climatechange as well as its impacts on Sierra Leone’s overall ecological health and the European Union’s actions in supporting Government to mitigate those problems.

The field trips served as an ‘eye-opener’ for the trainees and exposed them to the stark realities of environmental degradation and the challenges of biodiversity conservation particularly in the Western Area Peninsula National Park – with its diverse flora and fauna – serving as the main water catchment source for Freetown and its environs. Additionally, the vast coastline along the peninsular – famous for its pristine beaches and wetlands is similarly under severe threat due to sand mining, deforestation and other unregulated social activities. Those issues were largely observed and captured in the pitched articles and stories presented by the print and electronic media practitioners on the last day of the training.

As Salifu Chernor Kamara, who reports for African Young Voices television, puts it, “This training was impactful and very timely. It is time for us to act collectively to prevent future disasters by regularly reporting environmental issues, to not only raise awareness but by also ensuring accountability and transparency in the sector to save our planet.”

The trainees also visited the EU funded ‘Freetown Tree Town’ project sites managed and implemented by the #FreetownCityCouncil, an action that seeks to grow more trees around the mountains of Mount Aureol, Freetown Amusement Park and other locations where hundreds of fast-growing trees have been planted to re-forestate degraded areas in the municipality.

EU Ambassador Tom Vens noted, “It was very encouraging to listen and watch your presentations.  I also noticed that after these five days of training, you have become advocates and not only journalists. I am really happy to see the level of enthusiasm you have demonstrated to protect the environment.”

Tom Vens reminded the trainees that environmental issues are  ‘aligned causes’ that call for the involvement of all, while underscoring the significant role the media has to play to heighten public understanding about environmental hazards and its impact on people’s wellbeing.

He encouraged the journalists to continue to report on environmental issues upon return to their local communities and to use the networking opportunities created at the training to provide further support to the entire group. He further promised that the EU would continue to look for more opportunities to support the media in performing its critical function to society.

As a New Member of the New York Convention…   Sierra Leone Becomes Attractive to do Business

By Elkass Sannoh

His Lordship, Justice Desmond Babatunde Edwards, the Chief Justice of Sierra Leone, has disclosed that Sierra Leone is now an attractive place for doing business despite the challenges posed by the dreadful Corona Virus Disease.

The Hon. Chief Justice was speaking on the “New York Convention and the Enforcement of Arbitral Awards after Sierra Leone’s Accession to the New York Convention.” The workshop was organized by the Sierra Leone Bar Association and the Center for International Law and Policy in Africa on the 25th February, 2021.

According to Justice Edwards, Sierra Leone has made worthy and notable achievements including being a member of the New York Convention.

“On the 26th January 2021, Sierra Leone became the 166th Member of the UN Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards – known as the New York Convention of 1958 after depositing its 3rd Instrument, the instrument of Accession on the 28th October 2020 with the Secretary General of the UN pursuant to Article 12 (2) of the UN Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards and 90 days thereafter it became a member,” he said, adding that, “Sierra Leone being put forward as an attractive place for doing business will not be complete unless and until the New York Convention is domesticated and the Arbitration Bill is made an Act with further and necessary amendments if need be.”

In her welcome address, the Chairperson of the occasion, who doubles as President of the Sierra Leone Bar association, Madam Eddinia Swallow, said the workshop brought together national and international stakeholders to share knowledge, experience and best practice.

She said the New York Convention constitutes two fundamental principles which has revolutionized the resolution of dispute with international elements- the enforcement of arbitrational instrument and enforcement of additional Law.  She went on to say that more than 150 countries have ratified the Convention with huge benefits from tangible investments.

In his keynote address, the  Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Anthony Brewah said the New York Convention seeks to provide common legislative standards for the recognition of arbitration, agreements, court recognition and enforcements of foreign and non-domestic arbitral awards.

He said the convention principles aimed at ensuring that foreign and domestic arbitral awards are not discriminated against, rather it obliges parties to ensure enforcement in their jurisdiction.

The Attorney General and Minister of Justice said the Government of Sierra Leone is certain that the proposed Arbitration Act will address a number of issues that were either lacking or not dealt with adequately by CAP 25 of the Laws of Sierra Leone 1960.

Affordable Housing & Proper Town/City Planning Become Top Priority -Lands Minister Reveals

Dr. Turad Senesie Minister of Lands Housing and Country Planning

By Amin Kef Sesay

On the 25th February 2021, the Minister of Lands, Housing and Country Planning unveiled the vision of his sector during a maiden engagement with the Press.

In his statement at the Government Press Briefing, Dr. Turad Senesie announced that land allocation is no longer the sector’s top priority.

“Government will now focus on country planning and affordable housing as a priority and land allocation secondary,” he pointed out.

The Minister insisted that it is high time we started providing affordable housing facilities and ensuring proper town and city planning.

He reported that there is currently no land bank in the country, but pointed out that work is already underway to secure land and create a land bank for investment and other national development purposes.

“The reason for this is to ensure that we provide the space for large scale investment in agriculture, manufacturing and production that will create jobs and support economic growth,” Dr. Senesie highlighted.

He disclosed that the Ministry will pursue digitization of the entire land system in the country using robust and appropriate technology to solve conflicts emanating from land allocation, multiple land ownership and documentations.

According to him, the Ministry’s Directorate of Housing and Country Planning would be separated into two in order to achieve effective and timely public service delivery.

The Directorate of Country Planning, he said, will be charged with the tasks of developing or reviewing the Town and Country Planning Act to control and regulate town and urban planning; establish an Urban Design Unit, establish Country and District Planning Committees; and among others, initiate a holistic development plan including structure and local plans.

“The Directorate of Housing will effectively and efficiently work with partners to construct affordable housing facilities across the country for low and middle income earners, envision the modernization of our towns and cities to replace derelict and shanty communities,” he pointed out, adding that he will prioritize consultation and negotiation in dispensing duties.

“In order to ensure that we do not have a situation where we are forced to demolish structures erected, the Ministry will be empowering the Planning  Directorate with the appropriate policy that would require land owners to have clearance from the planning directorate before commencing construction on a piece of land,” he stated.

Minister Senesie reiterated that the Government has placed a moratorium on allocation and sale of state land until further notice as part of strides to restore peace and sanity in land issues.

“A Complaints Committee is now constituted and membership to the committee will be announced next week. The committee will immediately go into action to receive and investigate complaints over land ownership from April 2018 to January 2021,” he disclosed.

The Minister called on all and sundry to work towards ensuring our towns and cities compete with other towns and cities around the globe.

“This requires discipline, decency and honesty,” he emphasized.

Virtual Child Anti-Trafficking Program Launch Event to be held on Tuesday

By Amin Kef Sesay

The University of Georgia (UGA), the U.S. Department of State and World Hope International will co-host a virtual Sierra Leone Child Anti-Trafficking Program Launch Event on Tuesday, March 2nd at 2 pm. This free virtual launch event will detail the results of groundbreaking child trafficking research and a new, impactful program for child trafficking survivors in Sierra Leone.

The forum is presented by the African Programming and Research Initiative to End Slavery (APRIES) at the University of  Georgia School of Social Work, the U.S. Department of State Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, the U.S. Embassy in Sierra Leone, and World Hope International. The Honorable Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, Vice President of the Republic of Sierra Leone will be the keynote speaker.

The program launch marks an important step towards justice for child trafficking survivors in Sierra Leone. APRIES’ research, conducted in close partnership with Conflict Management & Development Associates (CMDA) in Sierra Leone, finds that children suffering from different forms of trafficking and exploitation in Sierra Leone are trapped in their situations with little prospect of help or intervention. In addition, a household survey conducted by APRIES and CMDA showed a number of children had been trafficked in the three study regions of Kenema, Kono, and Kailahun.

World Hope International (WHI) operates the only dedicated shelter for trafficking survivors in Sierra Leone. With this new program, WHI will expand its services and advocacy for child survivors in three essential areas: prosecution of perpetrators, protection of survivors, and prevention of future trafficking. WHI will work in close collaboration with the Ministries of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs, Justice and Local Government and Rural Development.

The Government of Sierra Leone has accomplished invaluable work in the fight against human trafficking within its borders. Trafficking survivors are gaining access to justice due to the tireless efforts of multiple Ministries and individuals. APRIES enthusiastically welcomes Government advocates for trafficking survivors to this exciting launch event.

“Our research shows great need for anti-trafficking programs and policies that support survivors and reduce the risks, drivers, and facilitators of trafficking at the community level. These programs should be locally appropriate, sustainable, responsive, and survivor-centered,” said Dr. David Okech, Director of APRIES and Professor at the UGA School of Social Work.

“The fight to end trafficking in persons requires collaboration and partnership between Governments and Civil Society,” stated US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Elaine M. French.  “The APRIES program represents an important step towards understanding and preventing child trafficking in Sierra Leone, while supporting survivors and addressing the root causes.”

The launch is part of a $4 million grant to UGA through the U.S. Department of State Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons Program to End Modern Slavery to measure the prevalence of child trafficking and implement anti-trafficking programs in hotspot regions of Sierra Leone and Guinea. APRIES staff Dr. Claire Bolton, Program Manager for Sierra Leone and Umaru Fofanah, In-Country Coordinator for Sierra Leone coordinated the launch event. Other planning committee members included Dr. David Okech, Director of APRIES; Bernadette Udo, Program Manager at World Hope International; and Dr. Rebecca Poon, MERL Coordinator, APRIES.

To see a full list of speakers and to register for the event, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sierra-leone-child-trafficking-program-launch-event-tickets-140296457481.

Contact: Claire Bolton, cbolton@uga.edu

As Mines Minister Commissions Alluvial Plant… Cheng Li to Produce 99.9 Bullion Gold Bars in One Year

By Amin Kef Sesay

Cheng Li, which is a large scale mining company that has been on six (6) months of site preparation and camp building is now properly set to commence full time operations in the country. Operating within the Northern Province of Sierra Leone, to be precise within the Diang Chiefdom in the Koinadugu District,  Cheng Li Mining Company, recently decided to beef up its production capacity by recently installing a state of the art alluvial plant.

The erudite Minister of Mines and Marine Resources, Timothy Kabba, commissioned the alluvial plant on the 26 February 2021, during a short but auspicious ceremony.

Minister Timothy Kabba expressed profound thanks and appreciation to the Mining Company’s Country Representative, Fassalay Tarawally, for what he termed as the latter’s relentless efforts in creating job opportunities for the people of Sierra Leone.

“Government is always ready to support you since the country needs people like you who always think positively of adding value to development,” the Minister heartily commended the Country Representative, a commendation which was greeted by thunderous round of applauses from the audience.

In his statement, the business savvy Country Representative of Cheng Li Mining Company, Fassalay Tarawally, disclosed that the commissioning of the alluvial plant is just the beginning of the mining operations as the company is a two-face mining company further revealing that the company would commission the hard rock plant within six (6) months. According to him, “in one year, the company is expected to start producing 99.9 bullion gold bars for exportation.”

Indisputably, Fassalay Tarawally is no stranger in the mining and minimal sector of Sierra Leone. He is one of the leading diamond and gold exporter in Sierra Leone with more than ten years’ experience.

Cheng Li Mining Company is a large scale gold mining project which is an affiliated mining company that engages in mining activities. The Mining Company has officially started operations after Six (6) months of site preparations and camp building. It is expected to employ hundreds of Sierra Leoneans within the end of 2021, and more priority would be given to the people of Diang Chiefdom.

Stakeholders who witnessed the commissioning ceremony were the;  Hon. Minister of Mines, PC Magba, the Executive Chairperson of EPA, the Deputy Director General of NMA, the Director of Mines, ONS, the Battalion Commander of Kabala, RSLAF, the AIG North, the Section Chiefs and Town Chiefs.

Castrol GTX Promo Has Taken the Country by Storm

By Amin Kef Sesay 

The National Petroleum Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd) ,it was understood, will never rest on its oars in continuing to avail its numerous customers with qualitative petroleum products from which much satisfaction is derived. As a company that cares for its customers, it makes all the necessary arrangements in a timely manner to always ensure that petroleum products are available thereby preventing any form of shortage from taking place.

To make its customers identify themselves with the various brands of its products, the company brings them closer through organizing various promotions from time to time.

It was against such a backdrop that NP-SL Ltd commenced the Castrol GTX Loyalty Lucky Dip Promotion on the 15th February 2021 which will run through till the 14th March 2021, meaning it will last for four weeks as part of the company’s annual activities.

For now every time a NP-SL Ltd customer buys 5 Liter of Castrol GTX from any NP Dealer Stations, he or she automatically becomes eligible to be part of the promo and stands to win an attractive prize.

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

The National Petroleum Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd) is more resolute to step up its operations in order to continue to give the best in terms of making available qualitative petroleum products for optimal performance of engines powered by diesel or petrol. Besides, the lubricants it markets have been classed as being among the best and could even be accessed in shops across the country.

The company’s shareholders and Management are working assiduously round the clock to ensure that all the necessary arrangements are sealed on time in order to facilitate business transactions for timely shipment, off loading and distribution of petroleum products to avoid any form of hiccup in the supply chain that could lead to dire consequences.

One area that the company will continue to put more emphasis on is maximizing customer care for which it has proudly bagged the accolade 1st For Customer Care. Just like how the hen cares for its offspring the motherly NP-SL Ltd do care about its numerous customers and even those who have not, out of the passion that collectively much could be achieved. The Shareholders, Board members and Management strongly believe that the concerns and recommendations from its customers and the public are so important that they must be taken into consideration for the mapping out of solid policies that will enhance the service delivering strides it undertakes. This wisdom on the part of the key players of the company continues to pay positive dividends and gives rise to a win-win situation.

The company has etched a name for itself as being the leading petroleum marketing company operating in the country that installed latest calibrated pumping machines at all its Filling Stations. These are transparent machines that do display the quantity of fuel requested for as well as the price. Satisfied with the quantity that is pumped as requested for which determines the amount of money to pay has definitely instilled trust in the company.

Still within the domain of 1st for Customer Care, the company is always in a position to enter into payment plans with its reliable and dependable customers including Ministries, Departments and Agencies for supplied fuel and lubricants as long as all the necessary modalities have been put in place.

When cognizance is taken of the fact that some of these institutions receive intermittent budgetary allocations then such an arrangement is very significant. Its significance in real terms borders on functional continuity of those institutions as they will be assured of supplies of petroleum products in as much as they keep honoring their obligations.

In implementing the Local Content Policy the company from the onset made it a policy to employ Sierra Leoneans as long as they have the requisite skills and expertise and such has helped to alleviate poverty by putting monies into pockets which could be utilized to take care of responsibilities.

For those who have not tried NP Gas for the first time it is now time to give it a try. Designed in sizable varying cylinders and sold at various NP Filling Stations, this cooking device has been rated as one of the best that is on offer for sale. NP Gas is safe, user friendly and portable. Trying it will spur you to recommend it to others.

NP Smart Card is now in vogue and is one of the latest technological devices used to purchase petroleum products. Using it has attendant advantages as evident in procuring fuel at any time of the day even during times when monies could not be accessed from banks. It is secured, easy to use and very quick. It is now trending.

To crystallize proposed projects into tangible realities on the ground, Government needs the required financial resources to effectively do so and one sure way is from collection of taxes which is the mandate of the National Revenue Authority (NRA).  The company is one of the big time tax payers in the country and it is very compliant in that direction.

The company is a source of pride for many Sierra Leoneans simply because it has successfully established functional and vibrant branches in Guinea, Liberia Ivory Coast and The Gambia. In all these countries the National Petroleum Limited is conspicuous and doing vibrantly well.

Mamadu Wurie Barrie Declared Wanted

Mamadu Wurie Barrie

By Foday Moriba Conteh

This medium received intelligence that a Sierra Leonean by the name of Mamadu Wurie Barrie has been declared wanted on the 23rd February 2021 by the Sierra Leone Police for leading a demonstration in the Northern District in 2016 that led to the loss of lives and destruction of properties.

This was during the period when the All People’s Congress (APC) Party, under the leadership of erstwhile President Ernest Bai Koroma was in State Governance. It all started with the Government’s decision to relocate the construction of a Youth Village to another district when in actual fact the original plan was that it should be constructed in the township of Kabala. This infuriated the youth and they therefore decided to peacefully protest which later turned out to be become violent leading to the death of three people, some sustaining serious injuries and properties worth millions of Leones looted.

It was alleged that Mamadu Wurie Barrie was the ring leader of the demonstrators and as a result he was declared wanted. He, however, fled the township for safety.
A special Commission of Inquiry was set up to investigate the issues that led to the demonstration, those involved and proffer recommendations. What came out glaringly of the Commission’s findings was that Mamadu was found wanting and it was recommended that he must be sentenced to jail.

When political power changed hands in 2018, after the Presidential and Parliamentary elections and the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) formed a new Government individuals close to Mamadu advised him to surface in the public. However, it was a precarious decision for Mamadu to adhere to simply because it was not certain that the SLPP Government will guarantee him his freedom because it was learnt that though he was the Public Relations Officer of the SLPP Koinadugu Branch he was not an ardent supporter of the then SLPP flagbearer, Julius Maada Bio, but rather was supporting another Presidential aspirant that hail from that part of the country, Dr. Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella (KKY) of National Grand Coalition that participated in that election.

It is against such a backdrop that it must be reiterated that even though the SLPP is currently in governance he cannot walk as a free man because the fact remains that he was not supporting the current President, Julius Maada Bio during the 2018 Presidential election.

As we go to Press the two children of Mamadu Wurie Barrie and his family are currently seeking refuge in neighboring Guinea after several intimidations and harassment by the Sierra Leone Police in order for them get respite and freedom from the psychological trauma that they have been subjected to.

According to a close Police source, who spoke to this medium on the condition of anonymity, the SLP is ready to offer an appreciable sum of money to anyone who will disclose Mamadu’s whereabouts, adding that if he ventures to surface in public he will be immediately arrested and sent to prison or clandestinely murdered in a manner that will leave no room for Police investigation.

Learning from A Pandemic: Three Lessons for Direct Selling

In a year marked by crisis and uncertainty, businesses around the world are at crossroads. The continuing impact of Covid-19 is evident across a number of industries. The direct selling industry, which has a reputation for being largely recession-proof was not entirely spared. This is particularly as it istraditionally a high-touchbusiness model. The very core of direct selling is the building of value through individualisedrelationships. This was affected by directives in connection with public health and safety.Given lockdowns and movement restrictions imposed in most countries and social distancing becoming the new norm, in-person meetings, events, and training programmes— which are the lifeblood ofdirect selling businesses—came toa grinding halt.

Despite the unprecedented nature of challenges, the direct selling industry again proved its swift adaptiveness and impressive ability to thrive in difficult conditions. Direct selling with its historically distributed workforce has proven to be incredibly robust during the pandemic as companies have pivoted to online solutions to support their community of distributors and help them bolster their income.

The US Direct Selling Association conducted a survey of its members to assess the impact of Covid-19 on their business. The findings indicate a generally optimistic outlook, with more than 60% of respondents claiming a positive impact on their companies.This trend will likely persist this year, thanks to the various changes that industry stakeholders have implemented to ensure long-term sustainability. Observing and learning from those who have overcome these challenges will serve as a great primer for direct selling in a (hopefully) soon-to-be pandemic-free future. Malou Caluza, Chief Executive Officer of QNET, shares her insights into the three valuable lessons that she has learnt from last year’s challenges.

  1. There is no turning away from digitisation

Video calls, contactless payments, e-learning, and online shopping are now a part of our daily lives. There is no turning back from this. The changes that accelerated during this time have set the foundation for a fully digital society. Direct selling businesses have always had a combination of online and offline support systems for their networks but in this past year going 100% online was the only option. Those who made the shift and channeled the changes in a positive way to educate their distributors and provided them with tools and support to help them build their business online, thrived!

When we had to transform our annual distributor convention into a fully virtual event, we approached it with some trepidation. An event that is normally spread over five days at a physical venue and involves around 15,000 participants had to now go online and provide people the same immersive experience they were used to. The response took us by surprise. Over 200,000 participants logged into a 3-day virtual event from around 50 countries. By going virtual, for the first time ever, we managed to penetrate a much broader and a far more diverse group of people than ever before in our 22-year history!

It is not just events and trainings that have benefited from the online approach bringing together previously diversely connected and unconnected groups. The digital transformation of onboarding programmes, business support materials, and an increase in the availability of on-demand digital content to enable business building, is also a very cost effective approach for companies to deliver support and systems to their networks.

Companies that have invested in improving and enhancing online customer experience for their distributors through their e-commerce platform and virtual dashboard will reap the rewards in the long run.

  1. Focus on your leaders

People are at the heart of any direct selling business. The lasting relationships direct selling companies build with their leading distributors shapes their growth and evolution. It is during times of crisis, people are looking to their leaders for guidance, support and hope. And those top leaders are looking to the company. The fortunes of many direct selling companies relied heavily on how their top distributors felt about the response of their company to the pandemic.

While building a relationship is an ongoing process, it is during times of crisis that people need to hear from you on a regular basis. Communicate, communicate, communicate. There is no substitute to this. And stay on-message.

At the onset of the pandemic, things were changing dramatically each day. The world was in shock and everyone was looking for information. Uncertainty fuels anxiety. We realised early on that we needed our leaders to be on the same page as us and change as we changed. We needed them to have faith that we were adequately equipped to respond to this crisis. This past year, my team and I have done more video meetings and conference calls than ever with our global leadership of distributors and the engagement and level of collaboration has never been higher. They have the pulse of the network on the ground and that is invaluable for any company that is making rapid changes in these troubled times.

  1. Learn to move on from mistakes

The swift and massive spread of Covid-19 is perhaps one of hardest-hitting crises the entire modern world has experienced in the last 100 years. No amount of crisis preparedness had armed any company to face the changes that hit home relentlessly over the first few months.

Considering the situation, mistakes were inevitable – everyone was trying to wade through unfamiliar waters. For many, there was no contingency planfor such an event. Terms like pivot, adapt, and reimagine are the new buzzwords which essentially mean trying new things. As with any trials, there are bound to be errors. The trick is to not let these mistakes get to you.

The best course of action is to understand the cause and prevent it from happening again. The lesson here is to learn from mistakes and setbacks quickly and move on, because evenin the midst ofa pandemic, the world does not wait for you to recover.

The Way Forward

This pandemic has caused a dramatic rise in the number of gig workers and micro-entrepreneurs.  Everywhere, there are signs of a revolution in the way people and companies generate revenue. Micro-entrepreneurship has become a much more common theme in the last few months as people are either losing jobs or are trapped in their homes and are looking to find new ways of working.

It’s hard to imagine a year of greater change, or opportunity, for direct sellers, than 2020. And this trend will continue into 2021. As long as direct selling companies have adapted to the change and learned valuable lessons from the past year, there has never been a better time for everyone than now.

About the author

Malou T. Caluza is the CEO of QNET, a prominent e-commerce based Direct Selling company with a global footprint. She has been with QNET for over 20 years. Having started her career in customer service, she went on to build an award winning global customer care centre for QNET before expanding into business development, operations, marketing and network success.

Malou has been awarded Best Executive in both Asia Pacific and Global categories in the Top Ranking Performers Awards of Contact Centre World held in Singapore and in the United States respectively. She was also awarded the CRM Director of the Year by Asia Pacific Customer Service Consortium in Hong Kong and is presently a CRE Community Leader, Honourable Speaker and Panelist in a number of Customer Service Quality Standard events arranged by Asia Pacific Customer Service Consortium in Hong Kong and Malaysia.

Malouhas the distinction of being the first female CEO of QNET and has been featured in “Asia’s 15 Over 50” – a publication that recognises most successful women in Asia.

 

 

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