Sierra Leone News: As It Gains International Respect… NP-SL: Most Viable & Sustainable OMC

July 21, 2019

According to recent research on the viability and sustainability of oil marketing companies in Sierra Leone, it was found that the operations of the National Petroleum – Sierra Leone is the most viable and sustainable; apart from it being an internationally approved service deliverer.

The research included tests on the standard and quality of the National Petroleum-SL products which customers say they have never had cause to grumble about.

It should be noted that customer care is one key element to the success of the National Petroleum Sierra Leone (NP-SL).

Another most important feature of NP-SL is its smart cards which customers can use to make transactions very easy and convenient.

The public’s recognition of the invaluable contributions of NP both to its numerous customers across the country and to national development has seen it bag meritorious awards from different national and international organisations.

NP is a company worth its salt and the company has received many awards; the latest being: “Best Company of the Year” that was received on 6^th July 2019 during the National Business Award 2018/2019 held in Sierra Leone at the prestigious Bintumani Hotel.

Being Sierra Leone’s leading and longest serving oil marketing company, the National Petroleum (NP) SL Limited continues to weather the storm gallantly as it endeavours to give optimum satisfaction to millions of customers across the country. NP-SL is also well anchored in neighbouring Liberia, Guinea, Ivory Coast and The Gambia where it operates as a truly multinational Sierra Leone company.

Since its establishment, NP has been meaningfully contributing to economic growth through payment of taxes and rolling out meaningful interventions in the discharge of Corporate Social Responsibility that are transforming lives and improving communities.

The company always ensures that petroleum products are always available, thereby preventing shortages that could create shocks in many quarters. The level of confidence which overseas business partners have reposed in the company has made it possible for it to enter into payment agreements thereby keeping the demand and supply chain open and running.

The company has gained international reputation for offering a variety of managerial and technical jobs to Sierra Leoneans and other individuals throughout the countries it operates.

NP-SL by giving preference to employing Sierra Leoneans is a clear indication that it adheres to the country’s Local Content Policy. Utilizing local talents make it possible for indigenes to acquire useful knowledge and skills through training courses that could be applicable in other places.

In addition, the company sells the best cooking gas that is available in hundreds of outlets across the country, thereby contributing to creating cleaner environments, thus aiding the work of EPA.

In this digital age, moving away from the traditional way of transacting business has now become the norm. As such, NP introduced the use of smart cards with which customers can procure any quantity of petroleum products easily.

Sierra Leone News: Monarch Beverages Launch Planet Products

July 21, 2019

On Saturday 20^th July 2019, Monarch Beverages officially launched “Planet Beverages” in Sierra Leone at their head office on Percival Street in Freetown.

The launch came after a big partnership with the organizers of the Miss Fourah Bay College 2019.

Speaking at the event, Adeyemi Paul, Communications Director of Planet Beverages disclosed that Monarch Beverages has been in existence since 1919 in Atlanta Georgia, United States of America adding that Monarch Beverages is a diversified, international beverage company operating in over 50 countries and offering over 200 products spanning traditional carbonated soft drinks and new age categories such as Reaktor energy drinks, Planet Orange, Planet Cocktail, Planet Red mix, Planet Bubble Up Lemon, Planet Bubble Up Tonic, Planet American Cola and Planet Mango etc.

He said that over its 30- year’s history, the American Cole brand has grown from a premium quality cola to many highly customized flavors. The one constant factor has been that American Cole beverages offer excellent taste and superior value to customers.

He went further to say planet brand encompasses a premium quality of cola and an ever increasing list of innovative flavors. The brand was initially developed for the South African market but has found a loyal following in other countries like Sierra Leone.

Adeyemi Paul said that Reaktor energy is a classic energy drink packaged in PET bottles for more affordability and practicality (resalable). Reaktor energy’s packaging was specifically adapted for PET in order to deliver value: efficient & top notch ingredients, great taste, attractive packaging, and more content at a price accessible to everyone.

He ended by saying planet beverages are here to stay and they are ready to give their support to any other event as a way of fulfilling the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility.

Jacob Mansaray, organizer Miss Fourah Bay College 2019, thanked Planet Beverages for their partnership, sponsorship during their event which he said was not only important but timely adding that this partnership is just a start as they have big events to partner with them.

Mansaray, on behalf of the Miss FBC team, presented a Certificate of Appreciation to the entire Management of Planet Beverages Sierra Leone for their partnership.

He called on other companies to copy the footprints of Planet Beverages adding that they will continue to work in unison.

Sierra Leone News: Despite Economic Challenges… Aureol Insurance Continues To Deliver A Very Strong Performance

July 21, 2019

The Managing Director addressing shareholders

Aureol Insurance Company (AIC) on Friday 19^th July 2019 held its 32^nd Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the Atlantic Hall of the National Stadium, Brookfields in Freetown at which event the chairperson of the Board of Directors, Mrs. Yasmin Fofanah revealed that the AGM is to receive and consider the Audited Financial Statements for the year ended 31^st December 2018 and the reports of the Directors and Auditors thereon to declare a dividend, elect Directors and to fix their remuneration as well as appoint the Auditors and authorize the Directors to fix their remuneration.

“The insurance industry continues to be characterized by declining insurance rates and market shares, stiff bargaining powers of buyers and slow growth which are a reflection of the overall economy. Despite the economic challenges and the volatile business environment, Aureol Insurance Company continues to deliver a very strong performance. Claims paid amounts to Le8.25 billion in 2017 compared to Le9.23 billion in 2017,” Mrs. Yasmin Fofanah disclosed.

She also enlightened that the Sierra Leone economic growth slowed to 3.7% in 2018 compared to 3.8% in 2017 due largely to cessation of iron ore mining operations but that however, it is anticipated that there would be improvement in economic activity with the recommencement of iron ore production and export adding that increased foreign direct investments in the agriculture and tourism sectors and public investments in infrastructure in 2019.

According to Mrs. Yasmin Fofanah, inflationary pressures increased from 16.59% in June 2018 to 19.29% in October 2018 intimating that this was mainly due to increase in food prices, which was compounded by a depreciation of the Leone and an upward adjustment in the domestic pump price of fuel adding that inflation rate decreased to 18.14% by November 2018 due to stability in the exchange value of the Leone against major currencies and an improved domestic food supply during the harvest season and closed the year at 17.46%.

The Chairperson of the Board continued that the exchange rate appreciated against the United States Dollar slightly during the third quarter of 2018 underscoring that despite the injection of foreign exchange among other measures, the Leone depreciated against major currencies during the fourth quarter of 2018.

Mrs. Yasmin Fofanah further articulated that on the future outlook of the company, growth in wealth and improved income hold significant opportunity for the company although challenges remain including building efficient marketing network, educating customers about insurance and other financial products and developing affordable and relevant insurance policies.

She also underscored that in the medium to long term, Aureol Insurance Company would continue to play a vital role in Sierra Leone’s economy informing that homes and cars would remain central to the lives of a large and growing segment of the population reiterating that protecting these assets with insurance would continue to be essential for both businesses and individuals.

The Chairperson said looking ahead; the company has good prospects as they anticipate that profit levels would be sustained subject to large claims being kept within normal bounds and that profitability is not unaffected by severe movements in exchange rates, significant changes in fiscal parameters or other exception factors stressing that the company intends to continue to underwrite profitability that would not be unaffected by severe movements in exchange rates, significant changes in fiscal parameters and other exceptional factors.

She assured that Aureol Insurance Company would underwrite profitability and consistently pay dividends regularly to its shareholders in addition to enhancing shareholder value affirming that indeed experience has shown that Aureol Insurance Company operations combines capacity, integrity and more importantly good judgment in a manner unique in the insurance business underlining that this blend of strengths is a huge asset for the company’s shareholders that would only become more valuable with time.

Shareholders unanimously voted for all the resolutions with no objections.

Earlier, the representative of BDO, the auditing firm, in his financial report stated that the financial statement of Aureol Insurance Company presents fairly, in all material respects, the financial performance and its cash flows for the year that ended in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards and the requirements of the Companies Act 2009 and the Insurance Act 2016 highlighting that the company complied with all legal and regulatory requirements.

Highlights of the AGM were the reading of the audited financial statements by BDO, the question and answer and the interactive sessions.

Sierra Leone News: ‘UBA Marketplace’ More Sierra Leoneans To Grace Africa’s Largest Entrepreneurial Event

July 20, 2019

UBA Marketplace, Africa’s biggest trade fair will be hosting some 20,000 visitors and over 100 small and medium enterprises, plus top private and public sector players on the 26^th & 27^th July 2019. This year’s Forum, themed “Empowering African Entrepreneurs”, will take place at the iconic Transcorp Hilton Hotel, in Nigeria’s capital city of Abuja. Top artists like Wizkid, Niniola, Dj Cuppy, Dj Neptune performing as Cynthia Nassardine, RMD will also be gracing the 2-Day event. More Sierra Leonean entrepreneurs were captured in this year’s TEF Entrepreneurship Programme. The event seeks to promote young entrepreneurs and business people across Africa and create the enabling environment for interaction among business owners and the mentorship of youths.

Kenneth Uzoka, Group Manager of UBA Plc had this to say about the event “I think everyone realises the fact that we need to prioritise the private sector. We need to encourage entrepreneurship and the youths. This is the driving factor and the major reason why we are organising an event of this magnitude’.

It could be recalled that at the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Business Forum, a partnership agreement was signed between the UNDP and the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) to financially support 100,000 young entrepreneurs in Africa over 10 years. The partnership is dubbed TEF-UNDP Sahel Youth Entrepreneurship Programme. The President of Niger, H.E Mahamadou Issoufou joined UNDP and TEF to launch the programme.

The partnership was announced at the 12th Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union (AU), where TEF Founder, Tony Elumelu and UNDP Regional Director for Africa, Ahunna Eziakonwa joined African Presidents at that forum.

The TEF Youth Entrepreneurship Programme has benefited 7,520 local entrepreneurs across 54 African countries in five years of existence. Selected applicants will each receive a maximum of $5,000 non-refundable seed capital, access to mentors, a 12-week business training and networking opportunities and will join the previously announced 3,051 beneficiaries of the 2019 cohort of the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme.

The applications will be run on TEFConnect and forms will be available in any of the branches of the United Bank for Africa (UBA). Following the end of the application window, an initial longlist of 5,500 applicants will be selected to undergo the 12-week business training. After the training, the final shortlist of 2,000 applicants will be announced to join the previous 2019 TEF cohort.

Below is the hyperlink to be accessed.

https://www.ubagroup.com/nigeria/market-place-africa/

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bz-vH90nhKe/?igshid=1dt4s1ic1qg1o

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bz96T5znmn9/?igshid=5x5sdkbwlp61

Sierra Leone News: Developing the Music Industry in Sierra Leone

July 18, 2019

Music is the simplest and most powerful means of connecting the people of this country. It bridges linguistic and cultural divides, and it is a vehicle for identity and expression. Collectively, with music we can generate rich social, cultural and economic benefits for this country.

For the industry to grow, our artists must create meaningful lyrics in their songs – lyrics that are good and entail important issues, not just about love that has dominated the music industry.

There are many good songs by other artists that talk about women’s rights and other important issues. We should be able to put morals and values into the music industry.

The government through its ministries must be able to invest into the production, promotion and sustenance of the industry, as we have seen in other countries like Nigeria and South Africa whose government have spent huge amount of their taxpayer’s money to invest into their entertainment industries.

This in turn has yielded good dividend by not only creating jobs for the youth but also developed both the social and economic sectors of their countries.

Music producers are most important when it comes to moving the music industry to its best.

Even though we have good engineers that have produced well in the past and present, they must try in every way to improve their talent when it comes to producing music.

We must also be able to train unprofessional singers to know how to sing and make quality songs which is where we have entertainment experts. The government must come in.

Young artists must endeavour for now to learn from both local and international artists that have made their mark in order to improve their talents.

There is a saying that amongst many good singers and writers; if you want to be a good rapper, listen to every song of Tupac Shakur and if you want to be a pop singer if you listen to Michael Jackson.

Radio and club DJs must also help in their own way by banning all inappropriate music from the radio and night clubs that they spin.

Have less foreign artists music played on both the radios and in night clubs as many others have done.

The clubs and radio owners must instruct their workers to play at least 80% of our local music if they want to help in the promotion of our local artists.

Our artists and there video producers must be able to create more attractive videos with good technical qualities that will attracts viewers whenever aired on TV.

Sierra Leone News: Dr. Kai Kai Takes Center Stage at UN General Assembly

July 18, 2019

Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Dr. Francis Kai Kai

Sierra Leone has joined several other nations to present a 2^nd Voluntary National Review Report on the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), at the on-going High-Level Political Forum 2019 at the United Nations General Assembly.

In his presentation, on behalf of the multiple stakeholders in Government, civil society, the private sector, youth and women’s groups and development partners in Sierra Leone, the Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Dr. Francis Kai Kai emphasised on the need for the global community to pay special attention to countries in fragile situations. He said in order for countries to walk out of fragility, they have to continue the hard work in making the people central to the planning and development of their countries.

Sierra Leone also organised a Side-Event on the theme: ‘Walking out of Fragility: Education and Justice for All” to showcase progress made in the implementation of the SDGs with a particular focus on SDG 4 (Education) and SDG 16 (Justice). The event was co-sponsored by the Canadian Mission to the United Nations. The panel of discussants included Ministers of Government (Foreign Affairs, Basic Education, Justice and Attorney General and Planning and Economic Development), Members of Parliament, and Civil Society, youth and UNDP / New York.

As the co-Chair of the International Dialogue on Peacebuilding and State-building (IDPS), Dr. KaiKai also launched the 2019-2021 Peace Vision, which focuses on three mutually reinforcing themes: Enhancing National Cohesion; promoting Gender Equality & the Women, Peace and Security agenda; and supporting a peace-promoting private sector. The vision articulates a series of commitments against which the IDPS members will hold themselves and each other accountable.

The 2019 High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) is the global forum for reviewing successes, challenges and lessons learned on achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

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.

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