Sierra Leone News: PPRC Urges PWDs to Come Forward

July 18, 2019

The Chairman of the Political Parties Registration Commission (PPRC), Mr. Abdulai Masiyambay Bangurah on Tuesday 16^th July, 2019 called on the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) established by section 2 (1) of Act No.3 of 2011, to invoke section 6 (2) of the same Act and recommend measures that, would guarantee the political rights of PWDs.

Those measures he says may include, but not limited to the amendment of the Disability Act, with a view to expressly provide for the political rights of PWDs. “The PPRC will be more than willing to lend its support to those efforts” he continued.

In his key note address, the PPRC Chairman implored The African Youth with Disabilities Network, to continue to collaborate with other youth groups in their advocacy, for a just and inclusive society, as envisage by goal 16 of the Sustainable Development Goals.

The PPRC Chairman made these statements at a one day awareness raising workshop for PWDs participation in Governance and Politics in Sierra Leone.

With the theme, “Cohesive and Inclusive Participation in Governance and Politics in Sierra Leone”, the programme was organised by the African Youth with Disabilities Network Sierra Leone (AYDN-SL) in collaboration with the Political Parties Registration Commission (PPRC) with funds from OSIWA.

The programme was climaxed with two interactive sessions on “Cohesive and Inclusive Participation in Governance and Politics in Sierra Leone” and “Introduction of the concept of Intersectionality and challenges faced by Persons with disabilities and recommendations for the way forward”

Sierra Leone News: Sexual Violence; Aid Work & Prevention Response

July 18, 2019

The theme of the 2019 Aid Worker Security Report is sexual violence. As we reviewed the data on sexual assault, I started relating the figures to my experience managing an NGO country office in Sierra Leone. We had about 120 staff, roughly half of whom were women.

World Health Organisation (WHO) statistics for Africa show that the lifetime prevalence of non-partner sexual violence against women is 11.9%, and 36.6% of ever-partnered women have faced physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence in their lifetimes. Translated to my country office that would mean that 20 or more of my colleagues had faced physical or sexual intimate partner violence; and six non-partner sexual violence.

In a recent survey of UN staff, 1.3% of respondents reported experiencing an attempted or actual sexual assault in the workplace within the last two years. Again, if that applied to my country office, that would mean that one of my female colleagues might have been sexually assaulted at work while I was in post. Some of my colleagues would have been LGBT (although not openly), and we know even less about their experiences of harassment and assault. There would also have been a chance that some of my male colleagues would have experienced sexual violence. Just as disturbingly, it is likely that some of my male colleagues were perpetrators of sexual assault.

Our security guidelines and management systems paid no attention to any of these issues. We did worry about, and attempt to mitigate, the risks of sexual assault by armed actors and criminals. We did have an instance where staff were abducted and sexually assaulted by the Revolutionary United Front (RUF), but we were poorly prepared for the necessary after-care and support. But the fact that a significant minority of my colleagues were likely to have experienced sexual violence, and that some of them might have been assaulted or have been at risk of assault by colleagues, was not on the radar or included in our security thinking.

Thankfully, this year’s Aid Worker Security Report suggests that this is starting to change. Following the Haiti scandal in 2018 and the resulting focus on safeguarding, organisations have started to put in place stronger policies and procedures. In 2019 the European Interagency Security Forum – an NGO consortium – and the UN published new guidelines on managing sexual violence.

Both endorse an ‘empowered bystander approach’ to help take the onus off potential victims for preventing violence. But there is still a long way to go in ensuring that organisations are doing all they can to provide the support needed to ensure that all staff, whatever their gender or sexual orientation, can work as safely as possible.Better data is needed to address the huge problem of under-reporting of sexual violence. Organisations are trying to make reporting simpler, non-threatening and available through multiple channels, and this needs to continue. Further anonymous, comprehensive staff surveys would help gives a better picture of the scale of sexual violence. More attention is needed to the experience of LGBTQI individuals, and the experiences of national staff and national NGOs.

Changing organisational cultures requires long-term and sustained effort to tackle the silence and stigma around sexual violence and fears around reputational risk to organisations. These issues require a shift of mind-set – from assuming that security management is just about the external (protecting staff from outside threats) to also focus on the internal – protecting staff from each other within and across organisations. This means increasing organisational capacities for investigation, disciplinary action and prosecutions, and support to victims. It also means acknowledging that the aid sector cannot possibly be immune from the wider societal experience of sexual violence, and accepting that sexual assaults will occur. Organisations must do their best to prevent them from happening, but they also need to be ready to respond when they do.

Sierra Leone News: ON INTERNATIONAL NELSON MANDELA DAY, SAVE SALONE MOVEMENT CLEANS CENTRAL FREETOWN

July 18, 2019

As the world celebrates the International Nelson Mandela Day on July 18, the Save Salone Movement supports the Transform Freetown Project by cleaning the central business district of the city. The cleaning exercise was done by Save Salone Movement in collaboration with ‘Push-carts’ youths around Freetown. Strategic areas (which are the key landmarks of the City of Freetown) were chosen for this exercise. They include the Sierra Leone National Museum, the Freetown Cotton Tree, the Taylor Cummings Garden, State Avenue and front of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters.

Speaking to this media, the Founder and Director of Save Salone Movement, Murtala Mohamed Kamara says the initiative is in line with the Transform Freetown project by the Freetown City Council, “We are doing this to complement the efforts of the Freetown City Council and the government to transform the city. And one key component of this transformation is the cleaning aspect. This is why the Save Salone Movement mobilizes the ‘Push-carts’ youths to undertake this activity.”
He noted that this is not the first time his Movement is contributing to national development. In recent past, the Save Salone Movement has supported Free Quality Education program of the government, where they donated learning and teaching materials, scholarships and other supports to the Kroo Bay Community, the Motormeh Regent community and more. The Movement was founder in 2017 specially to use media advocacy for national development.

The Save Salone Movement donated dozens of hand gloves, nose pads, and other incentives to these ‘Push-carts’ youths, with plans to design programs to engage them to develop themselves and the nation. The Movement is working on to establish an association and provide skills training programs and also help them with business supports. The Movement is calling on all Sierra Leoneans and philanthropists across the world to support this initiative. There were over 20 youths drawn from different backgrounds in Freetown.

In thanking the Save Salone Movement, the Chairman of the ‘Push-carts’ youths, Mr. Desmond George expressed his appreciation for the donations and supports they are getting from the Movement, but calls for more supports. “We are happy that the Founder of Save Salone Movement is transforming our lives by empowering us. Others are neglecting us but he is adding value to us. But we need more supports”, he said.

The Educationist of the Sierra Leone National Museum, Olivette L. Barnette expresses her appreciation for the Save Salone Movement in keeping the Museum and it’s environs clean and healthy. “We are extremely happy for the services the Save Salone Movement is rendering to this historic site, especially in celebrating the life of a great African hero – Nelson Mandela. This is not the first time the Movement is supporting the Sierra Leone National Museum. We are grateful for their continued supports,” said Mrs. Barnette.
She further explains the importance of the International Nelson Mandela Day, “We celebrate this day to encourage people to emulate the good works of a Pan African hero.” It is also important for us to undertake community development services.”

According to Murtala, they chose to undertake this cleaning exercise to remind Sierra Leoneans about the life and contributions of the former South African President and the Apartheid hero, Nelson Mandela, to the African continent and the world at large. According to him, this will develop the culture of celebrating our heroes and heroines. July 18th was set aside to celebrate the life of Mandela globally.

Sierra Leone News: On August 18, APC, SLPP, UP & NGC… Debate for the Battle of Constituency 110

July 18, 2019

The Africa Young Voices Media Empire (AYV) shall on Sunday August 18^th 2019 organise a debate among the four parliamentary candidates aspiring for a re-run election in constituency 110, Peninsular Goodrich scheduled for August 26^th 2019.

The disclosure was made at a press conference held on Thursday 18^th July 2019, at their office head quarter Wesley street Freetown.

Speaking to a galaxy of journalists, the Director of News and Current Affairs at AYV, Samuel Wise Bangura, said that as an institution they have positioned themselves to be using information and communication for development and to see how they can use it to develop civil space and increase citizens’ participation in the democratic practices of Sierra Leone.

He added that the press conference is geared towards bringing the four parliament tary candidates in constituency 110 for them to give their commitment to participating in the upcoming debate scheduled to take place on 18^th August 2019 at the Africa Young Voices Media Empire at Wesley Street in Freetown.

He said the debate will create a platform for proper interface between the people and the aspiring candidates in order for the aspirants to articulate their visions, policies, plans in line with the need of the constituency and the people to have the opportunity to know and understand the policies made by the aspirants as a way of holding them accountable if elected as member of parliament.

He added that the debate will be looking at six thematic areas which are challenges faced by the constituency:

Fishing, Sand Mining, Education, Women and Youth Empowerment, Health and Sanitation and many other things are the critical challenges faced by the constituency, adding that the aspirants will make their commitment in addressing these challenges.

Managing Director Africa Young Voices Media Empire Dr. Ezekiel Duramani Lakkoh, congratulated the News and Current Affairs department for the initiative and also congratulated the newly-elected executives of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists for a well-concluded election.

He said that as an institution they are very committed to the political and democratic aspects of the country, adding that they will give their support in terms of resources, strategies to ensure that there is a formidable debate.

He said that this cannot be done by the Africa Young Voices Media Empire alone but that it is a joint effort by all media houses across the country.

Femi Claudius-Cole, 2018 presidential aspirant for the re-election in constituency 110 of the Unity Party said they as a party are committed towards the debate and that as an aspirant she is ready to participate in the debate in order for her to articulate her visions, policies, and plans in line with the need of the constituency, adding that people should stop voting by party sentiment but rather by individual’s commitment.

Khadijatu Davies aspirant for the re-election in constituency 110 of the All People’s Congress party disclosed that she will have to discuss with her party concerning her commitment towards the debate and whatever decision taken by the party she will update the organizes.

Sahr Sam Ansumana who represented the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) aspirant, who according to him was avoidably absent, stated that his candidate is committed towards the debate. He also noted that the aspirant is presently working towards the development of the constituency.

Desmond Stanley Cole Acting National Publicity Secretary NGC Party who represented the aspirant also said his candidate is avoidably absent but is very committed towards the debate as a platform for him to showcase his plans and policies for the constituency.

Sierra Leone News: LAB Chair Informs UN about Implementation of International Criminal Justice – Goal 16

July 18, 2019

The Chair of the Legal Aid Board, Justice Miatta Maria Samba has said at the panel discussion jointly organized by the Missions of Argentina, Norway, Ecuador, Liechtenstein, Netherlands, Senegal, Spain, the Parliamentarians for Global Action and Sierra Leone on ‘The Critical Role of the International Criminal Justice in Achieving Sustainable Development Goal 16’ that the establishment of the International Criminal Court (ICC) represents an embodiment of the global resolve to advance International Criminal Justice. The event took place at the United Nations in New York on the International Day of Justice on 16 July 2019.

Justice Samba looked at the broader context of the Rome Statute System, the necessity for domestic implementation (especially in Sierra Leone context) and the link to the legacy of the Special Court for Sierra Leone.

‘The Legacy of the Special Court acts as an indirect driver of Sierra Leone’s commitment to implement the Sustainable Development Goal 16 and promote International Criminal Justice,’ she said, adding ‘…and there exists a necessary nexus between capacity development and the Rome Statute System for Sierra Leone and other states which is a positive and proactive complementarity.’

She noted that the Legal Aid Board started as a pilot legacy programme of the Special Court for Sierra Leone. She added that the Board seeks to promote social justice for all by protecting people’s rights, promote fair treatment and provide legal assistance to people who cannot afford the services of a lawyer.

She further noted the Special Court created the avenues for critical capacity building opportunities for the judiciary and law enforcement officers. ‘Training sessions typically aimed at law enforcement institutions (Judiciary, Police, Military and Prison Officers); and activities focused on fostering community rehabilitation and self-reliance, such as empowering Local Courts and Community-Based Initiatives like Reconciliation Panels involving Paramount Chiefs, Religious Leaders, leadership of the Military and Police as well as Civil Society Leader,’ she noted.

Justice Samba said that the most telling of capacity building of the Special Court is the human resource capacity development of the Justice Sector Personnel in the country. She stressed that the hybrid character of the Special Court meant Sierra Leoneans were appointed to serve at all levels of the Court, from the Appeals Chambers (including the Presidency) to secretariat functions.

‘At the closure of the Special Court, most returned to the public service in Sierra Leone, including myself,’ she said, adding ‘The present Supreme Court of Sierra Leone is constituted by majority of Justices who served in various capacities at the Special Court. Sierra Leoneans, including my good self, served as Prosecutor and Defence Attorney at the Court; the Executive Director of the Legal Aid Board was once the Principal Defender at the Court,’ she added.

Justice Samba said the jurisprudence of the Special Court has contributed in no measure in addressing sexual and gender based violence (SGBV) in the context of International Criminal Justice. ‘This contribution has been translated into concrete efforts by the Government of Sierra Leone and Civil Society to address lingering SGBV scourge in Sierra Leone,’ Justice Samba said, adding ‘From the declaration of the now lapsed State of Public Emergency on rape and other forms of SGBV by the President, to the civil society advocacy ‘Black Tuesday Movement’, Sierra Leone continues to take action and demonstrate its abhorrence of SGBV.’

Sierra Leone News: ‘Pres. Bio Returns Soon, Hale & Hearty’ -Press Secretary

July 18, 2019

Commenting on recent fake news of President Bio’s health, Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman, Keketoma Sandi laughed it off saying it was not the first time State House had heard such diabolic lies, adding that it will not be the last.

He maintained that it is the usual attention-seeking behaviour by certain members in the Opposition who do not have the capacity to contribute to alternative policy ideas or national development dialogue; and so, they resort to fake news.

He added however that President Julius Maada Bio is very much energized and will continue to live for many more years, and that President Bio went on a private family trip and that he has right to his privacy. He went on to say that the fact is ‘President will return soon energized and refreshed to continue the wonderful achievements he has made so far.’

The Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman, Yusuf Keketoma Sandi went on to state that President Julius Maada Bio would not be distracted by fake news following malicious lies and propaganda on his health by members of the opposition.

“We have a President who is very focused to address the challenges his Government inherited from the previous APC administration because of bad leadership. In just slightly over a year, he has restored international economic credibility to the country; Sierra Leone is now a role model in Africa for the fight against corruption; President Bio is now regarded as Champion for Human Capital Development and a pacesetter for innovation, science and technology in governance in Africa,” Keketoma said.

Commenting on the fake news of President Bio’s health, Keketoma laughed it off saying it was not the first time they had shared such diabolic lies and it will not be the last. He said that it was the usual attention-seeking behaviour by certain members in the opposition who do not have the capacity to contribute to alternative policy ideas or the national development dialogue so they resort to fake news. He added the President was very much energized and will continue to live for many more years not only to continue transforming the country but also to see that his legacy will be preserved by successive SLPP-led Governments.

Asked why President Bio’s trip was not announced to the public, the Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman stated that “We have released Press Statements on all official trips of President Bio abroad. This is not an official travel rather it is a private family trip. He has right to a private and family life and that must be respected. The fact is that even when President Bio went to ECOWAS last year and we released a statement on his travel for that official engagement, those who wanted to create mischief said President Bio was in a wheelchair. The President will return soon energized and refreshed to continue the wonderful achievements he has made so far. The President is not distracted and we are not distracted by fake news.”

Sierra Leone News: Meet the New NATCOM Chairman

July 18, 2019

The National Telecommunications Commission (NATCOM) is the statutory institution set up by an Act of Parliament to regulate telecommunications entities operating within the country.

By virtue of its significant roles that it continues to play, NATCOM is a very instrumental appendage for overall national development. At this material time NATCOM needs a Chairman who is a team player and more importantly someone who can efficiently raise much needed revenue in line with the two dedicated brains in the persons of Maxwell Massaquoi as Director-General and Daniel Kaitibi as the Deputy Director General.

The viability of NATCOM largely hinges on its Chairman who is always a Presidential nominee that must be approved by Parliament. Mohamed Fouad Sheriff was recently appointed by His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio to serve as the new Chairman of NATCOM, subject to Parliamentary approval.

For those who know the proposed NATCOM Chairman, they will honestly certainly agree that Fouad Sheriff is indeed suitable and fit to head NATCOM and that his appointment is not a mistake.

One thing that is distinct about the Bio led SLPP Government is the appointment of highly educated individuals and professionals to key positions whom the populace confidently believes have the wherewithal to deliver as per their mandates and responsibilities. The proposed NATCOM Chairman fits well into this category.

Mohamed Fouad Sheriff is a Sierra Leonean who holds a Bachelor of Science with Honors degree and a Master of Technology in Aquaculture with vast experience in Fisheries Planning, Fisheries Management and Project Management.

Besides, he has over the years bagged a lot of prestigious certificates in the United Kingdom, United States of America and in Africa, lending credence to his penchant to acquire more knowledge. Sheriff has worked extensively in Sierra Leone and acquired a vast wealth of knowledge in different roles based on his work experiences.

He is a true patriot who prefers to contribute to his country’s strides to overcome national development challenges instead of using his enviable qualifications to bask in lucrative jobs overseas as others do.

He hails from Southern Sierra Leone, a Muslim, married with five children.

Graduating as an excellent student, Sheriff was appointed as Research Assistant in the Botany Department at Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone from 1976 to 1978. His responsibilities include but not limited to direct and conduct practical for 1^st year to Honors and to lecturing years 1, 2 and 3 students in Botany.

The proposed NATCOM Chairman was Senior Project Officer, Oyster Culture Project (IDRC/GOSL) from 1978 to 1985 during which time he conducted trials with various culture methods, trails for seed collection, growth and Biological Studies, seed monitoring, collection and growth as well as report writing.

He served as Fish Culture Extension Officer from 1985 to 1987 and his responsibilities included fish pond construction in inland valley swamps in North-Western Sierra Leone, seed production and distribution to pond fish farmers as well as training fish farmers in pond construction and management.

1987 to 1989 he was Project Manager, EU/GOSL Kambia Fisheries Project where he prepared annual work program and supervision of its implementation, coordinated the technical assistant team project activities, managed finance, equipment and prepared reports.

As National Project Director of EU/GOSL Integrated Artisanal Fisheries and Community Development from 1989 to 1992, Sheriff excelled in preparing annual work programs, supervising implementation, coordinated and supervised individual work programs of Technical Assistance Team, prepared technical specifications for overseas purchases, monitored as well as supervised relevant tasks of the Monitoring Control and Evaluation Unit together with co-management of project’s equipment and finances.

Working as Principal Fisheries Officer within 1993 to 1997, he was responsible for fish and fishery product health inspection onshore and onboard fishing vessels. Also, he inspected fish receiving facilities including fish processing plants and supervised recorders on board licensed fishing vessels apart from overseeing log books of industrial fishing vessels. He played key roles as Assistant Director of Fisheries, Deputy Director of Fisheries, Director of Fisheries and Marine Resources. In all those capacities he made indelible marks that impressed all his supervisors and donor partners.

He also serves as the Internal Auditor of the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP), auditing the finances, income and expenditure of the party. He has been very actively participated in all party activities.

Fouad Sheriff has to his credit field experiments in brackish water ponds in Nigeria (1981), a publication titled “Aquaculture in Sierra Leone: An Overview of Status & Potentials (1983), “Traditional Fishing Technologies in the Pujehun District”, “Artisanal Fisheries in Sierra Leone: A Strategy for Sustainable Development” (1991).

Some may want to question why appoint someone with impressive qualifications in Fisheries to regulate the telecommunications industry as Chairman of NATCOM.

The answer is simple. An individual like Mohamed Fouad Sheriff who has the pedigree to manage any institution, with his vast wealth of long standing experiences he has acquired over the years, can easily manage or oversee activities of that institution and make NATCOM more functional.

He has worked with different stakeholders both at home as well as abroad not to talk of a host of members of staff in different institutions and professionals which places him at a very vantage position to effectively manage and lead.

If Fouad Sheriff could effectively manage projects and individuals within the fisheries industry, where it is so difficult to perform managerial functions, then there is no iota of doubt that he will do so exceptionally well as NATCOM Chairman.

NATCOM could not be any exception to be perfectly managed by an individual who has a Midas touch that turns anything to gold.

In a snap interview with Maxwell Massaquoi and Daniel Kaitibi, NATCOM Director General and Deputy Director General respectively, they sincerely intimated that from what they know about the newly appointed Chairman, it is certain that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

“Things are going to work out smoothly and new initiatives will be rolled out to make NATCOM more strategic and relevant to the country’s development trajectory. We are ready to work with anybody who is focused and exactly knows how to work selflessly with any dedicated to fast track national growth,” both affirmed, adding that there are many good things that could be accomplished through effective teamwork.

Thus, it will be an understatement to say that Fouad Sheriff is fit and poised to take NATCOM to higher heights when approved as the substantive NATCOM Chairman.

Sierra Leone News: ACC Exonerates SLP of Procurement Fraud

July 18, 2019

Commissioner of the Anti-Corruption Commission of Sierra Leone, Francis Ben Kaifala

Following referral by the Independent Police Complaints Board (IPCB) based on a report by the Proprietor of Door to Door Enterprise (DDE) to them, on alleged procurement fraud by the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) management, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) carried out investigations into the procurement of Accoutrements for the Sierra Leone Police from 2014 to 2017, recent findings confirmed that the procurement of accoutrements by the Sierra Leone Police was contained in their procurement plan for the year prior to the said procurement, and that the Procurement Unit of the SLP conducted the procurement process accordingly.

Furthermore, their investigations also confirmed that DDE was one of the most responsive bidders after the technical and financial evaluations, for which a letter of notification of award was written to DDE, but no contract was signed by SLP and DDE. However, the Police put on hold the actual contract due to the outbreak of the Ebola Viral Disease in 2014. This made them revert to the use of Request for Quotation (RFQ) procurement during that period to keep the Police procuring goods.

It further was established that sometime in 2017, DDE through the Request for Quotation (RFQ) procurement process supplied one thousand, six hundred (1,600) pairs of boots to the SLP instead of one thousand, three hundred (1,300) pairs, with an excess supply of three hundred (300) pairs of boots which were all distributed by the SLP Stores Department.

It was also established that contrary to the claim by the Police, the unit cost for a pair of boots was three hundred and fifty thousand Leones (Le 350,000), and not three hundred thousand Leones (Le300,000). The excess supplies, plus the deficit in the cost per unit was also concluded by the investigations to be one hundred and seventy million Leones (Le 170M).

In conclusion, our findings confirmed that, the claims by DDE were largely true; albeit there were misunderstandings as to the reasons for the suspension of the DDE’s contract which was because of the outbreak of the Ebola. However, the supplier (DDE) was not properly informed about the reason and he felt that the process was corrupt. It was finally concluded that the police owe him, on a purely contractual basis, the sum of one hundred and seventy million Leones (Le 170M) for the supply of various accoutrements for the SLP which he is entitled to recover.

Apart from that, the process was found to be corrupt free though a few systems and processes lapses need to be put in place by the police–in respect of which they have been accordingly advised.

Sierra Leone News: IOM Doles Equipment to Fight Human Trafficking

July 18, 2019

Last week, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs (MSWGCA) in Sierra Leone, held a handing over ceremony of equipment to the Sierra Leone Trafficking in Persons (TIPs) Task Force Secretariat at the MSWGCA.

The Secretariat was established in 2005 following the enactment of the Anti-Human Trafficking Act, to coordinate activities, and provide administrative assistance to combatting human trafficking in a country where each year, thousands of girls and boys are trafficked for forced labor or sexual exploitation. However, the lack of ICT equipment has been a major challenge to the Secretariat’ operations.

Through the Africa Regional Migration Programme implemented by IOM in Sierra Leone with funding from the U.S. Bureau of Populations, Refugees and Migration (PRM), IOM supports the Secretariat through capacity building, materials and equipment to improve assistance to survivors of human trafficking, and improved capacities to undertake awareness raising activities.

The equipment donated includes office furniture, three laptop computers, a printer, cartridges and an internet modem.

“These materials will not only support data collection, reporting and information exchange but also facilitate the work of the task force in identification, screening, referral and provision of protection assistance to victims of trafficking”, said Alhaji Sanusi Tejan Savage, Head of Office, IOM Sierra Leone.

“Although significant progress has been made, we should not relent in our efforts, as Sierra Leone remains a source, transit, and destination country for children and women being trafficked for forced labor, commercial sexual exploitation”, Mr. Savage stated.

The Honorable Deputy Minister of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs, Mohamed Haji Kella in his statement emphasized the need for equipment and capacity for the effective operations of the secretariat. “We did not have enough equipment, so the donated items will greatly help the TIPs Task Force to deliver their mandates”.

In March this year, IOM organized a training of trainers for 33 officials of the TIPs National Task Force to strengthen their technical capacity to efficiently provide assistance to victims of trafficking, enhance the prevention of trafficking through the adoption and encouragement of local initiatives to improve the well-being and opportunity for potential victims.

Sierra Leone News: Ports Management Hailed for Benefits Payment to Ex-Workers

July 18, 2019

The Executives of the Sierra Leone Labor Congress and other stakeholders including the Sierra Leone Ports Authority Senior Staff Association and the Dock Workers Union have showered praises on the management of the Sierra Leone Ports Authority for the first phase of payment of benefits to ex- employees of the Sierra Leone Ports Authority which commenced on Tuesday 16^th July at the Sierra Leone Labor Congress headquarters.

The SLPA management few months back vowed to pay all benefits (monies) due former employees of the Sierra Leone Ports Authority and this was a demonstration of the commitment to its vow, said the Vice President of the Sierra Leone Labor Congress, Alhaji Muctarr Williams, adding that the first phase of payment has brought hope to other ex-employees whose payment will be effected soon. Alhaji Williams commended the ex-SLPA employees for their patience.

The Presidents of the Ports Authority Senior Staff Association and the Dock Workers Union, Idrissa Mango Tarawally and Alpha Bundu, expressed similar sentiments on SLPA management and other stakeholders including the former Chairman of the National Commission for Privatization (NCP), the Ministry of Labor and the Ministry of Transport and Aviation.

Addressing former employees, the General Manager of the Sierra Leone Ports Authority, Dr. Abdulai Fofana reiterated his management’s commitment to pay all benefits due ex-SLPA employees. He said his administration inherited a bad economy and urged ex-employees who are yet to receive their benefits to exercise patience as Management is working on their payments.

SLPA Deputy General Manager, Yankuba Askia Bio said it is a tough moment for management as they inherited plethora of cases of non-payments of ex-workers benefits from the past management. He assured stakeholders that the new management will put the records straight.

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