A humanitarian organization, Never Give Up Foundation, which was established in 2016, has been working tirelessly to ensure the standards of children are elevated.
Just after it was established, the Foundation undertook different activities aimed at giving succour to children.
The founder of Never Give Up Foundation, Lance Mavin Marah explained that the main aim of the Foundation is to assist orphan kids and children with disabilities.
Lance Mavin Marah said his main intention is to ensure that he provides shelter, food, medications and scholarships for those children.
He said Baw Baw area is the place he is planning to construct a home for them.
He disclosed that he has been engaging the children in school feeding programme in July and intends to continue with it.
In 2018, Never Give Up Foundation was engaged in community feeding programme .
The same year, the Foundation took 30 kids to watch the Black Panther movie at the Lagoonda Cinema, West of Freetown.
The motive and idea behind that ,according to the Founder that is based in Germany, was to help those kids take their minds off the tension and words going around in town during the elections.

Black Panther Movie, he went on, was the best movie they can watch at this time because the film has Black Predominant casts and is focused on how rich the African continent is and how Africa would have looked if not for colonialism and the importance for Africans to work and stay together.

All the kids were so positive and grasp the concept of the movie and knew how important the family and nation are to them.

Some of the male kids wanted to be King T’Challa, the black Panther himself (Chadwick Boseman) and some of the female kids wanted to be the King’s mother Ramonda (Angela Bassett) because they said she was a caring mother and loved her son and some wanted to be the King’s sister Shuri (Letitia Wright) because they say she helped her brother a lot and knew lot about technology and others wanted to be the General in the King’s army Okoye (DanaiGurira) because they say she was loyal to her nation.

Lance Mavin Marah said for them that was very good for the kids to remember and learn how important it is to have education and help their nation. “We are planning in doing more for these kids in order for them to build our future because these kids are the future leaders,” he maintained.

The Executive Chairman of Produce Monitoring Board, Dr. James Vibbi has disclosed that the institution in three months from October to December 2018 generated the sum of Three Billion, Two Hundred and Thirty-One Million, Four Hundred and Nineteen Thousand, Six Hundred and Fifty-Five Leones (Le 3,231,419,655), saying that this revenue has been paid directly into the Single Treasury Account at the Bank of Sierra Leone.
He made this disclosure on the 31 January 2019 at his Lightfoot Boston Street Head office in Freetown.
He said the institution has the mandate to regulate, promote and improve the making in order optimize the export earning of farmers, encourage the production of quality produce to meet international standards.
He said since he took up office as the Executive Chairman of the Board, a lot of reforms have been done including restructuring the Quality Control, Marketing and Finance departments to make them more effective and efficient.
He informed that PMB has also streamlined its operations to improve on its organizational effectiveness to be able to deliver on its mandate.
He made it cleared that over the years the institution has been generating Le 4 Billion on average per year.
‘As provided for in Part V, Section 11 of the PMB Act of 2013, PMB charges a levy of 2.5% of the FOB value of the unit of measurement of any produce to be exported from Sierra Leone’ he noted.
He furthered stated that PMB’s presence has also been increased in some border-crossing points across the country to help forestall the smuggling of produce.
He underscored that these initial reforms have led to an unprecedented increase in revenue generated by PMB, and they are determined to increase this more by deploying additional staff at the border-crossing points to collect the statutory 2.5% levy on produce moving across our borders.
Dr. Vibbi emphasized that over the years the institution has been losing huge sums of money through under-valuation of export levies for produce and smuggling of produce at the border areas, and these are some of the key issues PMB has taken head-on, and they are determined to sustain this drive in order to generate more revenue to help the Government to deliver on its mandate.
In addition, he said the institution has in January 2019 generated a total of Eight Hundred and Ninety-Nine Million, Three Hundred and Sixty-One Thousand, Five Hundred and Ninety-Two Leones and Thirty-Three Cents (Le 899,361,592.33), adding that this is an evident that PMB will increase its revenue as time progresses.
He pointed out that January has been described an ‘off season’ for produce with Three Hundred Million Leones (Le 300,000,000) as highest revenue generated, but January 2019 has defied this norm given the reforms that have been implemented.
He said PMB will continue to engage famers across the country to improve on the quality of produces.
He assured that PMB will raise more revenue for government to facilitate it functions.

Medical doctors in Sierra Leone have accused the government of failing to respect an agreement they reached to put an end to last December’s devastating industrial strike action.The doctors, in a statement issued by the Sierra Leone Medical and Dental Council (SLMDC), the umbrella body representing professional doctors in the country, said the government’s promise to pay its members allowances beginning January have not been fulfilled.
The doctors downed their tools early in December over what they termed at the time unfavorable working environment and poor conditions of service.
A nearly two week long strike action left the health sector paralyzed.
Eventually an agreement between the doctors’ representatives and the
government was reached as presented in a communique signed by both
parties.
It detailed the plans with timeline to address all the concerns raised by the doctors over a two-year period, including increment in pay and their allowances.
According to SLMDC, the government agreed to pay specific allowances in the short term effective January 2019.
“To the dismay of medical doctors nationwide, these allowances were not paid as agreed in the communique,” the statement said, calling on the government to pay the full allowances by February 4. While calling on its members to remain calm and continue serving the people, the Council said it would convene a general membership meeting on April 4, to discuss the matter for further actions.

Even before the first hearing of a Commission of Inquiry probing alleged corruption of former Sierra Leone government officials, two of their successors in the current administration are accused of misusing funds meant to popularize the work of the Commission. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) announced on Friday that it had indicted two top officials in the Ministry of Information and Communication over the alleged misuse of monies meant to be used to sensitize the public about the Ccommission.
Mr Edward King, Director of Information and Sorieba Kamara, Senior Accountant at the Ministry, were indicted on three count charges.
According to the Commission, the two men connived to receive Le206million (US$23, 000) requested by Mr King in his capacity as Director of Information with the intention of embarking on a public sensitization and awareness raising on the need for such an anti-graft body.
The ACC said after cashing the money, Mr King became unavailable until an alarm was raised by officials of the Ministry.
His alleged accomplice, Mr Kamara, who prepared the cheque, later allegedly received the sum of Le115 million (US$13, 000) from Mr King.
The two are expected to make their first appearance in the High Court of Freetown this Monday.
Rumors of the missing fund and the subsequent detention of Mr King began early last month amidst the political debate over the legality of the Commissions of Inquiry which was formally launched on Tuesday and is expected to make its first hearing on Monday.
President Julius Maada Bio has waged a war on graft as part of his campaign against indiscipline in governance.
He has vowed to prosecute any member of his administration found wanting to demonstrate his determination to achieve that goal.

From what emerged after interviews were conducted by this medium it came out clearly was that the Big Brother TV reality show, which is going to first in the country’s history, is gaining high momentum .It could be recalled that the organizers are both the African Young Voices alongside Africell telecommunications company the first in. Currently, it is undoubtable that Big Brother 2019 is going to turn out to be an intriguing social event . What is notable is that free voting is steadily ongoing that will determine the successful and deserving competitors who will emerge to move to the final stage. Already 40 of these competitors have been shortlisted but after the ongoing public voting, 20 comprising 10 male and 10 female will qualify to enter the House on Valentine’s Day,14 February 2019.

It is indeed worthy to note that for transparency sake, the organisers of this Big Brother TV Reality Show decided to avail the general public the opportunity to participate in the selection of the 20 contestants who should enter the House by voting through the Africell Sierra Leone TOLL FREE LINE – 5500.

It is important to note that voting, via 5500, is absolutely free.

Interestingly, despite the name, Big Brother,, there is going to be a combination of ten male and ten female contestants in the House who are expected to display their talents on a variety of issues.
Each housemate will receive Le100, 000 for every day he or she stays in the House with the exception of the winner but the criterion for staying in the House depends on the amount of votes a housemate bags.

For now housemates are encouraged to convince their fans and supporters to be in readiness to cast their votes for them if they fall in the number of the 20 housemates selected to be in the House.

The competition is going to be very captivating and interesting especially after Sierra Leoneans have enjoyed a successful Big Sister Salone and saw the handing over of the star prize to the eventual winner.

The show is another opportunity for the Africa Young Voices Media Empire (AYV), one of the organisers, to not only entertain, but to empower young people to showcase their talents and at the same time create new millionaires among Sierra Leoneans.

After the just concluded auditions, the Judges of the Housemates Salone 2019 Television Reality Show released the list of Top 40 contestants.

Here are the names of the 40 contestants already shortlisted out of which 20 will be finally selected to enter the House:
1. Abu Turay
2. Affise Odubella
3. Alusine Kamara
4. Amina Konneh
5. Aruna Lamin
6. Bintu Kaba
7. Derick Kelvin
8. Diana Decker
9. Dwight Smith
10. Dyllis George
11. Emmanuel Coker
12. Enid Boston-Jones
13. Fatmata Sankoh
14. George Wyndham
15. Habbi Jalloh
16. Hassan Hallowell
17. Henry Fonah
18. Monica Yeani Ghaliwa
19. Ibrahim Shuhab
20. Ibrahim Sorie Barrie
21. Isata Marion Musa
22. Ishmael Mauzi
23. Jalikatu Conteh
24. Jennifer Jabba
25. Jonathan Fitz John
26. Kenchine Palmer
27. Kariatu Mansaray
28. Magdalene T Williams
29. Marvina MK Davies
30. Mohamed Alie Jalloh
31. Moriana Walker
32. Precious Kamara
33. RaIford Rollings-Bull
34. Rashid Dyfan
35. Regina B Jombo
36. Saheed Komkanda Bangura
37. Salamatu Kargbo
38. Salim Sahid Kamara
39. Sebatu Bright
40. Suad Koroma

The Sierra Leone Institution of Engineers, SLIE, and the Professional Engineers Registration Council, PERC, have met with His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio at State House to update him on their activities.

Professor Jonas Redmond-Sawyer of SLIE said the institution was a body aimed at fostering the practice of engineering in Sierra Leone, saying that they were delighted about the President’s pronouncement, during his State Opening address in Parliament, to partner with professional bodies like SLIE in addressing issues of development in the country.

He mentioned that that was a brilliant step because it would create a forum for dialogue and interaction between the government and professional bodies, which in turn would create a more efficient pathway to development in the country under the New Direction.

President of PERC, Engineer Tani Pratt, said they were a body empowered by an Act of Parliament of 1990 to regulate and control the practice of engineering in the country. He said they were beginning to fulfill some of their wider regulatory mandates, adding that they had started providing certification services to the Mining Industry by introducing a scheme for Mine Manager’s certificate of competency for surface.

He noted that despite the successes, PERC was concerned that its 1990 Act was unable to adequately provide them with the mandate to address all of today’s challenges, disclosing that they had started discussions with the Ministry of Works on ways to strengthen PERC and the engineering profession for greater impact on the ground as well as to facilitate the body’s increased involvement in national development.

“Failure to implement the improved regulations is one of the greater risks to the safety of our citizens as multi storey buildings continue to be built without adequate regulations. These are incidents waiting to happen as have been demonstrated in similar situations in Sierra Leone and the sub region,” he said.

On his part, President Bio thanked the two bodies for updating him on their various activities, saying that that had given him an insight on the ways they could help in developing the nation. He said different nations chose different pathways to development but noted that whatever ways a nation chose, engineers would form an important component. He added that the experiences already gained by members of the two bodies would be vital for the development of the country.

President Bio also said that he had always grumbled about engineers when considering the level of experienced engineers in the country as opposed to the kinds of poorly constructed buildings around, especially in the capital city, which was becoming a perennial problem.

On the proposed new Act, he said: “The Act itself must be made current and as soon as you present us with the reviewed Act, we will quickly move it through the natural stages of governance and get it back to you so that you have a new document that will empower you and also bring you to date.”

The governments of Sierra Leone and China have signed an agreement geared towards developing the fisheries sector in the West African country. The Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation between the two governments is meant specifically for the construction of fishing harbors across Sierra Leone, according to officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Sierra Leone’s Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation minister, Dr. Alie Kabba, signed on behalf of his government while the Chinese ambassador in Freetown, Wu Peng, signed on behalf of the Chinese government.
Dr Kabba, told a press conference marking the official signing of the $29 million deal, recalled that Sierra Leone has strong, cordial and strategic bilateral relationship with China that began on 29th July 1971, when diplomatic relations were established between Freetown and Beijing.
He noted that China has remained a major player in Sierra Leone’s growth effort, citing its role in the areas of infrastructure, health, human resource development, mining and agriculture.
“The growth in bilateral ties between the two countries witnessed a huge surge in 2016 when both countries decided to upgrade relations on a Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership in line with the implementation of the outcome of the Johannesburg Summit Forum on the China-Africa forum (FOCAC), which both countries saw as an opportunity to comprehensively expand and deepen bilateral, friendly as well as mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields so as to better benefit the two peoples” Dr. Kabba said, according to a statement issued by the Foreign Ministry.
“The signing of the Agreement on the Economic and Technical Cooperation between the government of the People’s Republic of China and the government of Sierra Leone is to demonstrate another level of friendship between our two countries,” he added.
Ambassador Wu Peng, for in his part, said the signing of the agreement was meant to further develop the friendly relations, economic and technical cooperation between the two countries, in response to the needs of Sierra Leone.
He said the deal is in line with Sierra Leone government’s development plan which prioritizes development of fisheries as means of diversification of the economy, noting that the project will bring substantial social economic benefits to the country.
Wu Peng explained that China was investing in the fishing sector because Sierra Leone was losing a lot of money through lack of capacity.
“The Chinese government has decided to support Sierra Leone in the development of fishery industry, as a result of request of President Bio,” he disclosed.

It is Joe Biden, former United States Vice President, who once said (and I entirely agree with him) that “fighting corruption is not just good governance. It is self-defence. It is patriotism”. Sierra Leone is presently at a crossroads of development where corruption is the only bridge that is still linking it to the unbearable odds of poverty and underdevelopment.
Yes, there is no doubt that Sierra Leone is a beautiful country that is enjoying the tranquility of religious tolerance. There is also no doubt that the intermarriages, interconnectedness and solidarity that bind our ethnic groups together are far greater than the politically motivated tribal propaganda that tend to divide them. Colonialism tested our unity and yet we emerged as an independent Sierra Leone; the decade civil conflict descended on us with ferocious and unforgettable destruction and yet we survived as one nation; the dreadful ebola raged at us with unprecedentedly contagious deaths and yet we still emerged victorious; even FIFA could not make us bow. And so unlike what any political faction may say, I strongly believe that Sierra Leone is a uniquely united nation that has gone against mighty tides and survived. But now is a time for us not just to survive; now is the time for us to burn the bridge of corruption and develop.
The wealth in our ground and riches in our seas are clear indication that Sierra Leone is indeed supposed to be a paradise. Our land is a true epitome of the Biblical description in Deuteronomy 8:7-9 that says: “For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, flowing forth in valleys and hills; a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive oil and honey; a land where you will eat food without scarcity, in which you will not lack anything; a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills you can dig copper.” But if Sierra Leone was made so rich then why is it that our brothers are risking their lives in the perilous journey of temple run; why is it that we are battling with scarcity of water and importing rice from China?; why is it that we lack so much in a land of abundance? The answer is simple; we are yet to burn the bridge of corruption. If Sierra Leone can be metaphorically said to be a woman then she is a 57 (fifty-seven) years old woman who has given birth to children who have failed to utilise their inheritance for their own good.
For over 57 years since independence our leaders have failed to make good of our inheritance because the effects of corruption are more real than the effects of their intentions. I condemn violence in all its forms, but the findings of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission clearly show that corruption is one major reason why members of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) resorted to the barrel of the gun in 1991. The United Nations in General Assembly Resolution 58/4 of 31st October 2003 noted with great concern the “seriousness of problems and threats posed by corruption to the stability and security of societies, undermining the institutions and values of democracy, ethical values and justice and jeopardizing sustainable development and the rule of law”. The African Union, in its Convention on the Prevention and Combatting of Corruption, has similarly expressed serious concern about the “… negative effects of corruption … on the political, economic, social and cultural stability of African States and its devastating effects on the economic and social development of the African peoples”.
In a time of unprecedented technological advancement, human development and scientific exploration; a time when other African countries such as Rwanda, Ghana, South Africa, Bostwana and others are making steady progress, we are still romancing with the chameleon of corruption coming in the guise of party politics, nepotism and regionalism and posing as if it is good – it is not. It is the only reason why Sierra Leone is where it is today; it is the only bridge that is linking us to poverty, increased infant mortality, gross inequality, unequal distribution of state resources, massive youth unemployment, poor health care and service delivery, lack of proper education and all its other vices. This is not the paradise that Sierra Leone ought to be. I therefore applaud the new zest of the Anti-Corruption Commission and the genuineness in the fight against corruption; it is a fight that we all must join. Every Sierra Leonean must join this fight because corruption is more than stealing public funds and property, it is the stealing of our destiny and the destiny of our children; corruption is the unsympathetic conduct of opportunistic zombies parading in fine clothing. As the Commissioner of the Anti-Corruption Commission, Francis Ben Kaifala, has stated, “[F]ighting Corruption is the biggest emergency issue for Sierra Leone”.
Those who watch the corrupt and do nothing are the reason why Sierra Leone as a 57 years old independent state is still depending on donor funding and still borrowing from the International Monetary Fund. Hence, I choose to stand with the fight against corruption and encourage all Sierra Leoneans to make this same choice. Let the Lungi Bridge be built and let the bridge of corruption be burnt. Corruption is indeed the ‘biggest emergency issue for Sierra Leone’ and we must burn its bridge and anyone caught in it. The time is now!
Joel Tejan Deen-Tarawally Esq.
Legal Practitioner
LL.M, BL, LL.B, BA.

Commissioner Mariam Samu who is heading the Southern Regional Office of the National Commission for Democracy has commissioned a platform and flagpole Project at the Methodist Girls High School along Gerihun Road, Bo.
Making a statement, Commissioner Mariam Samu said in the past, schools across the country used to mount the National flag while observing their daily devotions adding that the practice had died down decades ago.
Reiterating reasons for selecting the Methodist Girls High School for the donation, Commissioner Samu said during one of their numerous visits to schools together with their Regional Programme Manager, Andrew George, they realized that the school hasn’t a flagpole platform and the country’ s prestigious national flag noting that they cannot afford having a school without the National Flag.
She underscored the relevance of the national flag, National Pledge and the National Anthem describing them as symbols that bind national cohesion.
She noticed among plethora of issues that most pupils can’t read the National Anthem and Pledge effectively citing a prominent Sierra Leonean who did the same thing in the Well of Parliament and therefore craved the indulgence of the school authorities to make it a point of duty daily to allow their pupils to recite the National Anthem and Pledge adding that they should also know the lines and appreciate the relevance attached to each line, verse and stanza.
“We at the National Commission for Democracy are preaching national unity and national cohesion; it is only the Green, White, and Blue that will relate our citizenship. It is a vital form of identity which every Sierra Leonean must endeavor to embrace,” Commissioner Mariam Samu pointed out.
Principal, Methodist Girls High School, Madam Lucy Ann Mansaray thanked the NCD staff for the donation describing it as timely. She said the school was established on September 24th, 2007 with just 22 pupils; today she went on amid the challenges, they are proud of having an enrolment strength of over 800 girls.
Head Girl of the School, Marie P. Foday commended the NCD Staff for their kind gesture and promised on behalf of her colleagues to learn and appreciate the words, lines, verses, and stanzas in both the National Anthem and Pledge.
Donation of a Roll Up Stand and Civic Education Materials to the administration of the School climaxed the ceremony.

In her quest to celebrating a modest birthday, the Resident Magistrate, Court No:2 in Bo, Magistrate Isata Sellu Tucker has on recently dined with children at the St Paul School for the Blind and Physically Challenged Persons at the Sir Milton Margai Cheshire Home in Bo.

Making a statement, Magistrate Isata Sellu Tucker said she chose to celebrate her birthday with these children in order to rekindle the message of Hope.

She said being blind or disabled does not mean all hope is lost adding that disability does not mean inability.

Commenting on reasons for the donation of food and learning materials, Magistrate Isata Sellu Tucker opined that the learning materials including bags, books, pens, is a way of complementing Government’s efforts in the promotion of Free Quality Education in the country. She further promised to provide two bags of rice and five gallons of vegetable oil for children at the St Paul School for the Blind.

Principal, St Paul School for the Blind, Mr. Conteh showered profuse thanks on Magistrate Tucker for her kind consideration adding that for the past months they are battling with lack of food which he said is causing lots of inconveniences for the children and management.

Principal Conteh also craved the indulgence of the Magistrate to help protect the dignity of blind girls whom according to him are often abused and impregnated by those he described as being foolish.

He begged government through the officials present to relay their cries of food shortage to Government and Humanitarians.

Head Boy, St Paul School for the Blind, Alpha Bob Katta on behalf of inmates thanked Magistrate Tucker noting that in the history of their school, she is recorded as the First Magistrate in Bo City to accord them such a motherly Love. She prayed for God to replenish her needs and to further consider them in light of their plights and special needs.

Similar gesture was done to Children at the Sir Milton Margai Cheshire Home in Bo.

Financial Secretary for the Sir Milton Margai Cheshire Home, Prince Momoh said they are grateful to the Magistrate for her show of magnanimity adding that in the midst of their disability, nothing can limit them. He also disclosed the issue of government’s support which he said is not forthcoming since they reopened.

Among the donated items include, School bags, books, pens, sanitary pads to name but a few