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Fourah Bay College Clocks 194 Years

By Foday Moriba Conteh

One of the three constituent colleges of the University of Sierra Leone (USL), Fourah Bay College (FBC), has on the 18th February 2021 celebrated its 194th year of academic excellence in a modest ceremony held at the Ajayi Crowther Amphitheatre on FBC Campus with the theme “FBC Repositioning itself for Transformation in the 21st Century Sierra Leone.”

The aforesaid historical college was founded on 18th February 1827, making it the first institution of higher learning in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The Pro Chancellor of USL, Professor Hector G Morgan, who also represented the Chancellor of USL at the ceremony said that FBC has over the years showcased a firm command of amazing resilience in gloriously manifesting outstanding academic excellence. He also encouraged staff and students of the college to demonstrate a profound standard of intellectual integrity among themselves describing it as an important instrument in fulfilling aspiring academic achievements.

Serving as the Keynote Speaker at the ceremony, the Minister Of Technical and Higher Education, Dr Alpha Wurie expressed sincere thanks and appreciation to the academic and administrative staff of USL for working effortlessly in providing excellent educational platforms to students despite the challenges faced in executing their duties. He also joyously made wonderful statements on visible transformative developments in several areas within the college ranging from the introduction of marketable courses to massive infrastructural developments.

Dr Wurie further stated the  Government of Sierra Leone’s commitment to supporting tertiary institutions in providing quality learning environments for students. He also encouraged staff and students of FBC to imbibe the culture of working towards protecting and upgrading the credibility of their college.

Administratively stating the premium importance of FBC as an academic institution contributing to national development, the Vice Chancellor and Principal of USL, Professor Foday Sahr disclosed that the USL Administration has effortlessly been working periodically in reviewing its standards distinctly highlighting the curriculum review processes geared towards meeting the current demands of the 21st Century Job Market. He also bravely highlighted some the challenges faced as a University , but was quick to express hope stating that the Government of Sierra Leone, Partners of USL, Alumni , and staff have all been supportive to the developmental initiatives of USL.

Extensively speaking on the need to improve standards in the college, the Deputy Vice Chancellor of FBC, Professor Lawrence Kamara highlighted some of the recent strides of the College Administration in repositioning the college in the 21th Century Sierra Leone.

‘’Following my appointment as Deputy Vice Chancellor of FBC in 2019, we have made considerable achievements as a college in areas such as providing the much needed security on campus, instilling discipline on campus, providing quality education for  students , reviving the Alumni Association of FBC , resurrecting Students Union Government Activities , infrastructural developments and working tirelessly in reinstating the hotel facility  for students among other things. We therefore call on our partners and the Alumni Association of FBC to give their supports in sustaining and improving the aforesaid areas,” Professor Kamara stated.

Other distinguished speakers at the ceremony who passionately spoke on the immense importance for all parties concerned to positively work in providing the much needed supports to the college included the Registrar of USL, Olive A.K Barrie , the Deputy Registrar of FBC,  Vivian M’cEwen , the President of the Academic Staff Association of FBC, Dr Williette, P.R.O. James , the Chairman of the event, Dr Abdulai Walon-Jalloh, and the Vice President of the FBC Students Union Government, Ms. Claudia J.D Redwood Sawyerr.

The Anniversary Celebration was climaxed with the hoisting of the college flag by the Pro Chancellor of USL.

Pujehun to Get School of Excellence for Girls  -Pres. Bio

By Amin Kef Sesay

President Julius Maada Bio has on Friday 19 February 2021 said in Pujehun  that in 18 months his Government will build and furnish a Junior and Senior Secondary School of Excellence exclusively for girls.

“It will cater for 300 pupils…It will be a full boarding school with state-of-the-art facilities. As it is a new secondary boarding school, we will plan for its future growth and expansion… We are building in a green zone to enhance the landscape, support the teaching of biology through maintaining the natural vegetation at the location, and keeping a land bank for future development,” he said.

The President noted that already they had granted full tuition waivers for all pupils at the Basic and Senior Secondary education level for all 326 approved schools that benefit from Government financial support, adding that 18,318 pupils were already benefitting from school feeding, 415,866 students had received free teaching and learning materials and core textbooks and 2 School buses had been provided to serve thousands of students in the district.

President Bio further stated that his Government would continue to provide support for agriculture in all chiefdoms throughout the district, adding that they were making available 200 hectares of new cocoa variety farms for 200 farmers in Galiness, Barry and Sorogbema chiefdoms in 2020/2021 farming season.

“We are also developing 109 hectares (Ha) of Inland Valley Swamp (IVS) for rice cultivation in Dama, Gaura, Koya and Tonkia chiefdoms for 211 households in 2020/2021 farming season. The developed swamps will promote double-cropping per year with expected yield of three to four (3-4) metric tons per hectare with improved seed rice variety,” he said.

Regarding infrastructure, the President said in addition to ongoing work, Government would tar 3 km of township roads in Bandajuma Sowa and throughout the district, Government had funded 100 solar-powered boreholes with 15 stand-posts for each town to serve about 12,000 people in Pujehun Kanga Chiefdom, Masam Kpaka Potoru Barri and Zimmi Makpele chiefdoms.

The President was also taken on a conducted tour of the facilities and investments of Socfin Agricultural Company Sierra Leone Ltd Oil Palm Plantation in Malen Chiefdom, where in 2019 a refinery was commissioned to process over 100 tons of crude palm oil per day producing cooking oil, soap and margarine for the local market.

“Our continuing relationship with SOCFIN demonstrates our recognition that agro-based production and industries are critical to economic development and supportive of our core commitment to improving food security. I am also informed that SOCFIN supplies two local refineries in Freetown and Sierra Leone has become a net exporter of palm oil. I am, therefore, happy to commission this important production factory,” he concluded.

Ministry of Tourism Engages Stakeholders of Beach Communities 

By Foday Moriba Conteh

On the 19th February 2021, the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs held a workshop with stakeholders of the Western Area Peninsular Beaches on beach development, tourism legislation and policy development framework at the Council of Churches Sierra Leone (CCSL) Hall on Kingharman Road in Freetown.

The Deputy Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, William Robinson who was Chairman of the event stated that the gathering is aimed at enhancing the good governance of the Tourism sector.

He lauded the presence of the beach communities headmen, whom he said are yearning for touristic development in their localities also maintaining that prior to the workshop, the Ministry visited all the Peninsular Beaches and found out that a lot has gone wrong,  but assured that with the determined leadership of  the Minister, Dr. Memunatu Pratt, things will get better.

The Deputy Chairman, Council of Headmen, Morlai Conteh thanked the Ministry for the workshop noting that it is the first time that the Ministry of Tourism has come down to the grassroots to know their issues, saying that there is now a relationship between the Ministry and the headmen.

He called on business owners within the beach communities to recognise the headmen as custodians of the beaches and requested the Ministry to strengthen security on illegal sand mining by initiating strict bye-laws as well as also engage the headmen in cleaning the beaches.

He complained that business people in the beach communities are paying taxes to too many institutions, which he said should be looked into.

The Chairman of National Tourist Board, Alieu Kokobay applauded the Ministry for taking the issues of the headmen into consideration. He called on the headmen to stand firm and resist any attempt by outsiders to take beach lands without developing them. He encouraged them to own and protect touristic destinations, noting that it will provide “bread and butter.”

The Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Memunatu Pratt in her statement said that this is the very first consultation with headmen in the Western Peninsular.

She stated that one of the New Direction’s Manifesto commitments is to make tourism one of the most important areas for job creation, reduction of poverty in order to rebrand Sierra Leone.

The Minister disclosed that all the international travels that the Ministry has embarked on are worth it because there is a lot of interest now in Sierra Leone, adding that the interest of the public in tourism is now immense.

She furthered that the biggest factor in beach development is the Western Area because of its enormous potentials and that the Ministry is committed to making Western Area a very attractive tourist destination.

Dr.Pratt stated that over the years, people have grabbed all touristic assets but they are on the process of retrieving those assets and went on to encourage the headmen to hope for the better as she is fighting their land issues.

Maligie Kamara did a clear and concise presentation on Tourism Legislation and Policy Development framework, and Henry Bayoh explained the impacts of climate change on the tourism sector.

IPAM Stages Triple Book Launch

By Amin Kef Sesay

Three lecturers from the Institute of Public Administration Management (IPAM), within the Faculty of Management Sciences, have published four books which were launched on the 17th February 2021 at the Africa Young Voices Empire (AYV) Multi Complex Auditorium, on Wesley Street, in Freetown during an event which was tagged Triple Book Launch.

One of the books launched is titled : “The Effect of Fiscal Policy and Private Investment in Sierra Leone” ( SLWS) written by Dr. Duramani Lakkoh.

The other is, “Sierra Leone Private Investment and Financial Sector Development Trends and Statistics”(–iUniverse USA) again authored by Dr. Lakkoh.

“Sub-Saharan African Immigrants in United States: A Narrative Inquiry of Their Assimilation Experiences into Mainstream American Society” (SLWS) is the third written by Dr. Jesse Porter.

“English Language & Communication Skills–A reference Guide for First Year College Students” (SLWS) written by Michaela Denison-George was the fourth.

This occasion was graciously honored by dignitaries in the academia and society in order to celebrate and publish the work of these three lecturers and also to encourage others to do more as it is the mantra of University lecturers to publish or else perish.

Deputy Vice Chancellor of IPAM, Professor Nonie gave a brief description of Dr. Jesse Porter, disclosing that he  is  a Faculty Deen who is working so relentlessly, a man that does his work effectively and efficiently.

“He is a quiet achiever and also supervises post graduate and undergraduate dissertations,” he further described him adding that he  is expecting more of such exposition as Dr. Porter has so far done.

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Sierra Leone, Professor Foday Sahr, on his part, stated that as the Principal of the University of Sierra Leone he is indeed happy to grace the occasion further stating that it is the first time in the history of the University of Sierra Leone to do a triple book launch which three of their colleagues are launching maintaining that they are celebrating them for jobs well done.

He said despite the challenges and pressures these three lecturers found ways to make themselves outstanding by penning down their ideas, did thorough research and brought out outstanding publications which must be a trigger for other lecturers to do more.

In his final statement he said for a lecturer not to perish they need to publish also expressing hope that the publications will not be only useful for students in the University of Sierra Leone but also for other Universities and colleges in the country.

Pro Chancellor of the University of Sierra Leone, Professor Hector G Morgan, said the book launch has been a fight between multiple topics that have been crossing the minds of the authors yet they had to make a choice of  the ones which they focused on and with the support from family members it has been a success.

He said the University appreciates high and concentrated work published adding that the authors can be assured that they have added significantly to their total score for promotion.

In his brief summary on the three books published, he recommended that Mrs. George’s book must be used in all preliminary stages in Universities as well as Dr. Porter’s which, he said, is based on a global problem as well as societal values in the country, Sub-Saharan Africa and the diaspora also commending Dr. Lakkoh’s technical writings for those who acquire wealth from the country’s local resources.

The Publisher of Sierra Leone Writers Series, Professor Osman Sankoh aka Mallam O   said their role is to review books and make sure they are well in place before publishing. He underscored that some publishers are named as vanity publishers because their aim is to have the money and never review.

Prof. Sankoh said together with his wife they are ready and willing to review books written by Sierra Leoneans as well as to fund them for publication. He informed the audience that after his first publication as a Mathematician and Statistician many people looked up to him as a father of writing and they started submitting their manuscripts for reviewing and editing.

A representative from the Ministry of Higher and Technical Education thanked the three authors whose books were launched. He highlighted the points the authors want to show case in their writings.

First of he spoke on the book titled “Sub-Saharan Immigrants in the United States” authored by Prof .Jesse Porter . He recommended his work as a great one as he juxtaposes the new wave of immigrants to the earlier ones.

The other book titled, “A Time Series Analysis from Fiscal Policies” authored by Dr. Lakkoh, he said, is set out to attack two fundamentals in encouraging sound fiscal policies that will boost the private sector as well as the Government side. He noted that the author has helped the inter-theoretical debate among the various schools of thought on fiscal policies. He expressed hope that the book will be of great essence to economists and financial experts.

Dilating on the third book titled, “English Language and Good Communications Skills” authored by Mrs. Michaela Dennison George, he said he is happy that her work is geared towards the improvement of  students’ knowledge in various institutions on the English language.

He finally celebrated all the authors and encouraged others that are hiding their writing skills and knowledge to bring them out.

The authors finally disclosed how they arrived at titling their books and what inspired them to write on these three sensitive topics

Sierra Leonean Diplomat to EU Becomes VP of Sustainable Development Committee

By Betty Milton

Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium and accredited to six other countries and the European Union (EU), Ambassador Samuel Tamba Musa has been elected as Vice President of the Sustainable Development Committee of the Organisation of Africa, Caribbean, Pacific States (OACPS). This took place on the 19th February 2021.

At the same time, Ambassador Musa will be representing the West Africa Group of Ambassadors on the Committee.

The focus areas of the Committee include rural development and food security; environment and climate change; research for sustainable development; education; health; information society; and other Intra OACPS cooperation programmes, which are aligned with the New Direction manifesto, the Medium-Term Development plan and on-going work by the New Direction to achieve the  Sustainable Development Goals(SDGS).

Taking up the position as Vice President, Ambassador Tamba Musa said he is very happy to be playing a representational role that placed him in a position to use his experience and skills in putting relevant contextual issues for national development at the centre of global discussions to benefit this country and other member countries of the OACPS.

“It is an opportunity to be involved in productive partnerships for sustainable development in the context of the work of OACPS,” Ambassador Tamba Musa said.

“The Government of Sierra Leone under the Leadership of His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio is increasingly investing in Free Quality Education, Infrastructure development, Health, Agriculture, Science, Technology and Innovations, taking into consideration factors that reinforce sustainability,” HE Musa concluded.

The Committee of Ambassadors is the second decision-making body of the OACPS. It acts on behalf of the Council of Ministers between ministerial sessions. It comprises Ambassadors from every State of OACPS who assist the Council of Ministers in its functions and in carrying out any mandate assigned as well as monitoring the implementation of the OACPS-EU Partnership Agreement with a view to achieving its stated objectives.

As the Figure Reaches 50…. Second & Final Batch of Corona Fet Ambassadors Unveiled 

By Amin Kef Sesay

On the 19th February 2021, during a brief orientation meeting held at the National Emergency Operations Center, the Spokesman of NaCOVERC, Solomon Jamiru, unveiled the second and final batch of Corona Fet Ambassadors.  There are now 50 selfless Sierra Leoneans from all walks of life helping NaCOVERC to fight myths, fake news, rumours and misconceptions as the country races to beat the Coronavirus.

It could be recalled that few weeks back NaCOVERC launched the Corona Fet Na We All Fet Facebook page and unveiled the first set of Ambassadors of the ‘Share 4 Mama Salone’ Initiative.

The UNICEF-supported innovative initiative is being rolled out by the Risk Communication and Social Mobilization pillar, to drive and sustain active citizens’ participation in its current battle to contain the spread of the second wave of the coronavirus in Sierra Leone.

Hon. Mohamed Rahman Swarray, Minister of Information and Communications encouraged the Ambassadors to be role models and support the Government’s commitment to win the fight against the virus.

“Let us all do the right things by following NaCOVERC’s protocols and be responsible citizens. If you notice that somebody around you is exhibiting any signs, do the needful. That way, you will anger one person and save Sierra Leone from further spread,” he said.

Tapuwa Mutseyekwa, Communication Specialist at UNICEF Sierra Leone, noted that the initiative would play a critical role in engaging communities, raising awareness and continued promotion of preventive measures to help bring desired changes to health behaviours.

The primary role of the Ambassadors will be to create and share simple but compelling content on the pandemic on various social media platforms and help counter false news, rumours and myth around COVID19.

On the 4th February 2021, the National COVID-19 Emergency Response Centre (NaCOVERC) launched the Corona Fet Facebook Page and also orientated the recent appointed Share for Mama Salone Ambassadors.

The Ambassadors were orientated on the initiative as an innovative means to roll out, drive and sustain active citizens’ participation in the fight against COVID-19 and help to contain the spread of the second wave of the virus during an event that took place at the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), at Cockerill North in Freetown.

Alfred Jamiru served as the Chairperson of the programme whereas Harold Thomas, the Risk Communication Lead of NaCOVERC gave an overview and the rationale behind the Share 4 Mama Salone initiative. The keynote Speaker was the Minister of Information and Communications, Mohamed Rado Swarray.

It was stated, during the programme, that the Risk Communication and Social Mobilization pillars of NaCOVERC, in partnership with UNICEF Sierra Leone, are rolling out the Share 4 Mama Salone Ambassador Initiative to drive an integrated outreach across traditional and digital media channels through 50 key influencers to build and mobilize support in the fight against COVID-19.

These multi- stakeholders are considered to be opinion leaders and administrators of WhatsApp, Facebook and twitter groups with each commanding a huge number of followers in social media and their communities.

It was further underscored that in a bid to promote the corona virus awareness in Sierra Leone, working with those Ambassadors will help position NaCOVERC and build trust in COVID-19 response as it expands outreach and broadens engagements with citizens.

It was also highlighted that the identified Ambassadors have wide networks and considerable influencing powers within the Western Area, the provinces and even outside the country.

The incentive to join the initiative, it was stated, is primarily patriotism further maintaining that by joining the initiative the Ambassadors will help Sierra Leoneans access and engage with critical information on COVID-19.

Also stated was that the Ambassadors will be working alongside the Social Media Team of NaCOVERC to support  the Spokesperson, RSCM, Advisers, Leads and RCSM sub groups.

The Share 4 Mama Salone Ambassadors shall among other things create and share simple but compelling corona virus contents on social media platforms especially Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram and Twitter.

They will Like and share alike posts on the NaCOVERC Corona Fet Facebook, proactively create editorial contents (stories, photos advocacy images, contests, campaigns, audio, video, info graphics, etc.)in cooperation with the RCSM Social Media Team and adapt for media pitching and posting to respective channels.

In addition they shall adapt multimedia assets from NaCOVERC RCSM for the consumption by the local audience, cross share content on the NaCOVERC Corona Fet Facebook page collaborate and support NaCOVERC in public events,use hashtags #Share4MamaSalone and #CoronaFetNarWeAllFet on all COVID-19 related postings, support NaCOVERC in countering false news, rumours and myths which undermine the efforts of the RCSM in behavioural change moves, sign up to one of the RCSM sub groups as a partner (media, messaging, social mobilization, monitoring and evaluation of  sub groups).

The Ambassadors shall provide contact details (preferable and active email addresses or numbers on WhatsApp to receive updates from NaCOVERC. In turn NaCOVERC will provide the Risk Communication and Social Mobilization pillars,

It will also provide counsel on social content/strategy as well as train the Ambassadors on innovative communications.

Stated was that NaCOVERC is ready to produce and share multimedia content to increase media outreach and enhance effective visibility.

NaCOVERC will also maintain and share with the Ambassadors regular, up-to-date, accurate information from the response, a media calendar of NaCOVERC’s key activities and all upcoming schedules.

With funding from UNICEF, NaCOVERC will support each Ambassador with credit to their nominated phones per week over a period of 8 weeks.

Yugoslavian Consul to Sierra Leone, CEO of Pikin Bizness, philanthropist and Honorary Paramount Chief, Dr.Adonis Abboud was among the second batch of the Ambassadors that went through the orientation.

BAN ‘Slaps’ NPPA for Reneging on Mandate

By Amin Kef Sesay

In a statement dated 18th February, 2021 issued by the Budget Advocacy Network (BAN), the organization highlighted that it has observed with keen interest the recent actions of the National Public Procurement Authority (NPPA), which seem to be defending defaulting Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) rather than being the regulator in different circumstances.

It revealed that on the 27th, January 2021, during the public hearing of the COVID-19 audit report by the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament, the NPPA defended MDAs on the procurement of bikes for the COVID-19 Response.

BAN continued that, for instance, the COVID-19 audit noted that a middleman was used to procure 230 Bikes at an inflated cost of twenty-one million, seven hundred and two thousand Leones (Le 21,702,000) per unit rather than going directly to the primary supplier who is based in Freetown and Bo for a price of twelve million, five hundred thousand Leones (Le 12,500,000) per unit adding that the NPPA did defend this procurement thereby neglecting the aspect of value for money, which is one of their (NPPA’s) core mandates.

It again furthered that on the 16th, February 2021, during the “Gud Mornin Salone Programme” on Radio Democracy, FM 98.1, the NPPA also defended all the sole-sourcing procurements of the Office of the Chief Minister.

Ban said even though the laws make provisions for sole-sourcing in certain situations, it is concerned over the use of that clause for some procurements.

Giving an example, the institution pointed at the issue of the procurement of three vehicles for the Office of Directorate of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), in which the NPPA stated that sole-sourcing was used because the price quoted was slightly below what are in the price norms.

The organization asked the question: Were all the criteria for sole-sourcing fulfilled? The institution said they believe that the reason given or advanced by the NPPA will not promote healthy competition and fairness in the procurement process in Sierra Leone.

BAN revealed that it is also concerned that the NPPA is actually neglecting some aspect of its statutory role of properly monitoring national procurements of which tax payers’ monies are used to pay their salaries.

It underscored that as the regulator, the aim is to ensure there is no monopoly in using a set of rules for relief purposes instead of ensuring the desired outcomes, which is to see that the right procurement procedures are followed to the letter.

The institution added that, if not addressed, monopoly, as a result of the sole-sourcing provision, will erode the people’s confidence and that would be detrimental to domestic revenue generation.

“We wish to state with emphasis that the NPPA’s statutory role as per the 2016 Act is to regulate and harmonize public procurement processes in the public service sector and promote economic development, which includes building capacities in the field of public procurement by ensuring value for money in public expenditures and  participation in public procurement,” BAN said categorically.

It continued that the NPPA needs to be reminded that public procurement is critical for accountability of public expenditure also maintaining how the process also supports good governance and assists with economic and social development and public trust in Government.

Procurement malpractices, it asserted, are enormous in almost every audit report published by the Audit Service Sierra Leone, which is alarming more so for an area where Government is spending close to two-third of the national budget.

In conclusion, BAN said in keeping to the desired call for procurement correctness and rid potential corruption emanating from procurement issues, the NPPA should stand ready to safeguard and strengthen the Authority rather than seen to be defending entities suspected to have breached public procurement processes or not respecting value for money.

Reacting to BAN’s Statement during the “Gud Mornin Salone” program on Radio Democracy, FM 98.1 of the 19th February 2021, the Chief Executive Officer of NPPA, Ibrahim Brima Swarray ,in a telephone interview denied all the points raised by BAN, stating that NPPA had been adhering to best practices and had in no way  attempted to defend errant procurement procedures carried out by MDAs, further emphasizing that his institution is keen on these MDAs undertaking public procurement according to laid down stipulations.

What, however, came out glaringly after the program, when this medium conducted a perception survey, was that public opinion unanimously condemned the NPPA Boss for defending MDAs that are flouting or circumventing procurement procedures.

Most that this medium talked to express the view that the defence put up by the NPPA’s CEO, during the radio telephone interview, was rather hollow, incoherent, not convincing in anyway with most saying he was very bogus as well as egoistic in his submissions.

The Budget Advocacy Network is organized around the three principles of the budget process i.e., Participation, transparency and Accountability.

BAN is composed of local and international organizations such as the Christian Aid (CA), Campaign for Good Governance (CGG), Network Movement for Justice and Development (NMJD), Western Area Budget Education Advocacy Network (WABEAN), ActionAid Sierra Leone (AASL), Search for Common Grounds (SFCG) and Transparency International Sierra Leone (TISL).

Mayor Aki-Sawyerr Thrills Residents of Monrovia

By Foday Moriba Conteh

Upon invitation by the Lord Mayor of Monrovia, Jefferson T. Koijee, the Mayor of the Freetown City Council (FCC) ,Her Worship, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr has ended a three day visit to Monrovia, Liberia where she served as keynote speaker for the 45th anniversary celebrations of Monrovia Day.

Monrovia Day is celebrated annually on the 16th of February to encourage Monrovians to embrace the city’s identity and to increase awareness of the city Government’s work.

It is noted that her visit also served as a platform for strengthening the relationship between Freetown and Monrovia and for finding practical ways to overcome the similar challenges both cities face.

One of the highlights of Mayor Aki-Sawyer’s visit was a Street Parade.

Mayor Aki-Sawyerr joined Mayor Koijee in the Monrovia Day Street Parade, which was led by the Monrovia City Police and which brought together residents of the city, students, women organizations and City Council staff.

The other was a Community Quiz Competition. Also, Mayor Aki-Sawyerr joined Mayor Koijee and his team at the New Kru Town community for the finals of a city hosted community quiz competition. The competition started in October 2020 and enabled youth from 160 communities across Monrovia’s 15 districts to test their knowledge in math, language arts, science, social studies and current affairs.

The third highlight was an evening of Cultural Renaissance and Awards. On Monday evening, the 15th February 2021 Mayor Aki-Sawyerr was one of three distinguished personalities honoured by Mayor Koijee and the Monrovia City Council during a cultural event that was attended by Government officials, members of the Diplomatic Corps, traditional leaders and Monrovia residents to celebrate Liberia’s cultural heritage.

What followed next were visits with Former President Madam Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf and Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor.

Mayor Aki-Sawyerr was hosted by Madam Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf on Monday 15th February as a member of the inaugural cohort of Amujae Leaders, the former President’s initiative to increase women participation in the highest public offices.

Also present at the event were a cross section of prominent women connected with the Amujae Leadership programme. Mayor Aki-Sawyerr met the Vice President on Wednesday and they discussed a range of issues affecting women’s empowerment and opportunities.

Then there was the 45th Monrovia Day Anniversary Celebration.

Mayor Aki-Sawyerr served as keynote speaker at the main event celebrating Monrovia Day.

Speaking on the theme was “Sustaining Smart Actions for Smart Cities”, Mayor Aki-Sawyerr highlighted 3 smart actions which were having a strategic plan with clear targets, focusing on resource mobilization and cultivating sub-regional city alliances that foster relevant knowledge exchange and problem solving.

Mayor Aki Sawyerr’s keynote address was followed by Mayor Koijee’s State of the City Address.

A Press Conference and Engagement with Youth of Monrovia came next. Mayor Aki-Sawyerr rounded up her visit to Monrovia with a joint Press Conference with Mayor Koijee and an interactive session with a cross section of youth in the Council’s Conference Room.

The sessions provided the opportunity for the Press and youth to ask questions about #TransformFreetown and the Mayors’ plans to further strengthen the relationship between Freetown and Monrovia.

Speaking to Mayor Aki-Sawyerr on her departure, Mayor Koijee thanked the Mayor for visiting Monrovia and reaffirmed his resolve to deepen the interaction between the two cities, noting that there is great potential for the cities to learn from and inspire each other. This was already being put into practice during the visit as members of the Freetown delegation joined the Monrovia sanitation team on a tour of the city dumpsite and other areas to better understand the city’s sanitation-related bottlenecks.

Mayor Aki-Sawyerr was accompanied on her visit by Councilor Zainab Conteh, Chairperson of the Foreign Relations Committee, FCC’s Foreign Relations Head of Department and 4 members of the Mayor’s Delivery Unit.

Plans are underway for a more in-depth working visit by the Mayor of Monrovia and members of his team.

GPE Program Utilization Rate by MBSSE Increases From 10% to 36%

By Theresa Kef Sesay

Celeste Staley, the Chief of Education at UNICEF Sierra Leone, has commended the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) for effectively implementing the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) program in Sierra Leone. She said the utilization rate of the GPE program in Sierra Leone has increased from 10% in February 2020 to 36% in January 2021. She described the utilization increase as a great achievement.

GPE provides technical assistance and funding to lower-income country Governments for every girl and boy to have hope and opportunity. In Sierra Leone, UNICEF-SL serves as the GPE Grant Agent.

The UNICEF Chief of Education was speaking at MBSSE’s validation retreat of the GPE Program in Sierra Leone.   The retreat created a platform for Government and partners to review and accelerate completion of the GPE Program in the country.

Speaking further, the UNICEF Chief of Education announced to the validation meeting that the GPE is happy with the accomplishment. She added that two years ago GPE was unhappy that only 10% utilization rate was realised, but she said, the current increase achieved in less than a year is a great relief to UNICEF and GPE.

At the end of the validation workshop, Celeste said the exercise was productive. She said key decisions were made as the way forward to accelerate the continued implementation of the GPE Program.

Accounting for the 36% utilization rate, GPE Program Officer at MBSSE, Jonathan Kpakiwa, said key outputs realized from the utilization rate among several others, are the establishment of 30 Early Childhood Development Centres, in Kambia, Port Loko and Bombali districts (these ECD centres will be ready for commissioning by the end of April 2021), capacity building exercise for 5000 teachers of primary 1 to 3 classes, support to the development of education policies, MBSSE’s system strengthening and the Ministry’s response to COVID 19 through distance learning ( Radio Teaching Program) and a number of nationwide comprehensive safety campaigns, one of which is the Zero school girls pregnancy campaign.

Commenting on the 36% utilization rate of the GPE Program, the GPE Coordinator at the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Amara Sowa, said the Ministry strongly desires to fully implement the GPE Program and as a result the leadership of the Ministry invited all the parties and stakeholders involved in the GPE Program to look at the Ministry’s collaboration with UNICEF.

Sowa said that the aim of the validation exercise was to address the challenges faced in the implementation of projects and programs connected with UNICEF and GPE. He said, during the workshop, the Ministry and Partners discussed the factors that have been slowing down the implementation of the program, and further decided on mechanisms and approaches that could make the implementation of the program smooth, fast and efficient.

In his address at the workshop, the Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Dr. David Moinina Sengeh noted that, what should be more important to everyone present at the meeting was what would happen after the workshop, which he called “problem solving”. He urged officials of his Ministry and partners to be mindful of the quality of results achieved when carrying out field operations to scale-up learning outcomes in schools and ensure equitable and quality access to education.

He encouraged his team to put in the required efforts in order to prevent the challenges highlighted in the validation workshop from showing-up in the next validation exercise.

NP-SL Ltd Castrol GTX Promo Gains Momentum

By Amin Kef Sesay

It has been established that one of the petroleum products that is marketed by the National Petroleum Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd), which is Castrol GTX, is more than just oil as it is considered to be liquid engineering.

What is really indisputable is the fact that as opposed to other cheaper and inferior engine oil, Castrol GTX is very effective on how it works in engines as well as less costly.

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.

As a company which is very passionate of offering its esteemed customers with high quality petroleum products, NP (SL) Limited thought it fit to make it possible for its customers to identify themselves with this effective lubricant engine oil through bringing to them the Castrol GTX Loyalty Lucky Dip Promotion.

It is a promotion that started on the 15th February 2021 and will last up to the 14th March 2021. In other words it will last for four weeks as part of the company’s annual activities which is geared towards giving back to its esteemed customers in order for the latter to identify with the brand.

For now every time a 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 GTX Ultraclean 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 is 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.

Again, from what this medium has so far observed, since the promotion started it has been gaining momentum as many customers are finding it very entertaining in participating in it and every day the number of participants keeps increasing.

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

Without any iota of doubt, NP (SL) Ltd is the leading petroleum entity in the country with branches in neighbouring Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast and The Gambia. The company markets high grade petroleum products which include petrol, diesel, gas and kerosene.

It also markets standardized cookers known as NP Gas which has been proven to be highly effective for cooking purposes, is environmentally friendly and sold at its different NP Dealer Stations of various cylinder sizes at affordable prices.

The Company also has what is known as NP Smart Card which is a chit that could be used to purchase fuel without physically exchanging money. As long as the card is credited with money it can be used to buy fuel of any amount which has been described as a convenient way of conducting transactions. From time to time the NP Smart Card can be credited.

The company is renowned for being a company that strictly adheres to the country’s Local Content Policy as it gives priority when it comes to offering of jobs to indigenes as opposed to foreigners. This has helped to reduce unemployment and poverty.

It can be no surprise for the company to deserve the enviable accolade of being 1st for Customer Care.

For now the Castrol GTX Loyalty Lucky Dip Promotion is in full swing for all NP-SL Ltd customers to embrace in order to stand a chance of winning attractive prizes.

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