One of Sierra Leone’s outstanding football player, who plays for the National Team, Leone Stars and also plays for China Fortune Football Club (CFCF) Hebei in China, Mohamed Buya Turay, on Thursday 17th December, 2020, donated the sum of two thousand Euros (EUR 2,000), equivalent to 24 Million Leones to the Sick Pikin Project, in order to save the life of Baby Blessing Finda Abu, a 4-years old girl, who accidentally swallowed her ear ring. The donation took place at Caritas Head Office on Savage Street in Freetown.
Presenting the donation, Mohamed Buya Turay, applauded Sick Pikin Project for their laudable venture in saving the lives of less privileged children in the country.
He said that he saw the post on social media in relation to Baby Blessing Finda Abu, a 4-years old girl who accidentally swallowed her earring, after her class teacher saw her playing with it in her mouth and slapped her, which caused her to accidentally swallow it.
Mohamed Buya Turay added that as a patriotic citizen who believes in giving back to society, he decided to donate 2,000 Euro as a way of giving back to society and helping humanity.
He called on individuals and institutions to support the Sick Pikin Project in order to save the lives of sick children across the country.
Receiving the donation, the Coordinator of Sick Pikin Project, Ishmael Alfred Charles, expressed appreciation to Mohamed Buya Turay for his kind gesture, which he described as not only important but also timely.
He said that Mohamed Buya Turay saw the post on social media and was touched by the story, which led him to decide to donate to the Sick Pikin Project.
He said such action is a manifestation of patriotism, as a citizen who believes in giving back to society.
He said Blessing is currently admitted at a hospital, while the organization is trying to raise the needed fund for a rigid bronchoscopy or a Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, which will cost about $ 15,000 for the surgery, travel, accommodation, feeding and visa, adding that Blessing’s condition needs urgent action, or otherwise will cause her lungs to elapse and further her complications.
He pleaded to kind hearted individuals, institutions and groups to please donate and help save Baby Blessing Finda Abu, stating that well-wishers who want to donate should Call or Whatsapp +232 76 76722736 or +232 88230000 or visit their website at www.sickpikin.org.
The Sierra Leone Brewery Limited (SLBL), the country’s number one producer of favourite alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, was among corporate institutions that were awarded this year by the National Social Security and Insurance Trust for Compliance to the Social Scheme during a prestigious award ceremony that took place on Friday 11th December 2020 at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Aberdeen in Freetown during the annual NASSIT Employer Banquet and Award Ceremony.
Presenting the award, the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Labour and Industrial Relations, Hon. Hassan A. Sesay pointed out that recognizing the SLBL by NASSIT demonstrates the seriousness of the company in meeting the welfare of every employee.
He called on other corporate institutions to replicate what SLBL is doing, as that will serve as motivation for their employees.
In appreciation, SLBL Head of Human Resources, Mrs. Zorah Anthony, received the award on behalf of the company from the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Labour and Industrial Relations.
On behalf of the Management and Staff of Sierra Leone Brewery Limited, Zorah Anthony, thanked NASSIT for what she described as a wonderful award.
“It is a pleasant surprise to be recognized by NASSIT and for NASSIT to organize this award annually,” she stated, adding that their dedication and passion for excellence, and doing what is right through compliance to all statutory obligations, including the payment of NASSIT contributions, has earned the company such a honor.
She furthered that not only are SLBL employees great workers, but they are also great beneficiaries of the NASSIT scheme.
The Human Resources Head noted that providing retirement and other benefits to meet the contingency needs for workers and their dependents, has always been a central theme of SLBL’s culture of taking care of its employee’s welfare.
She said it is humbling to receive the award, furthering how it also puts extra weight on the shoulders of Awardees, as they need to live up to that reputation of institutions that befit the award.
“I want to use this opportunity to inform you that receiving an award and being recognized for an excellent job is always pleasant, but receiving recognition for a job well done is not the aim, the aim is to do what is right for all our employees and to safeguard their welfare in the latter part of their lives,” she averred, maintaining that the award happens to be the “cherry or icing on the cake”.
She pointed out that at SLBL they approach compliance levels in a specific way. “Responsible Brewing” is the unifying idea upon which we have rebuilt and reorganized our company in the wake of the industry and operational crisis, she disclosed, stating how it has three key pillars: First, responsibility to employees and customers, second, responsibility to the local industry (Local Content) and third, responsibility to the broader community, Sierra Leone.
“In offering our services to the nation, we ask ourselves three questions: Is it in the best interest of our employees and customers? Is it systemically responsible? And does this create economic value? The answer to each must be “YES”, she also revealed, also stating that they are recommitting themselves as a true corporate citizen and industry leader to continue the good work.
Also present was Albert Ojo Collier, Head of Corporate Affairs at the SLBL, who was, however in attendance as a member of the Board representing the Sierra Leone Employers Federation.
The National Petroleum Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd) is indeed one successful indigenous company which most of the citizens can boast of especially when consideration is given to the fact that this entity has stood the test of time weathering challenges that may have led to its downfall.
For such a commendable feat to be achieved during quite a long period of time now means that the company has been blessed with capable shareholders and Managerial teams that have been providing the requisite ideas and initiatives that continue to take NP from one higher level to another.
Providing its esteemed and cherished customers, right across the country, with rapt and efficient attention by always ensuring that their needs are well satisfied has been identified as one of the secrets behind the successes of the company. Management is very keen on prioritizing customer care which is why it is keen to know about their reactions as well as to listen to various concerns raised and always be in a position to address them.
Having amassed the strength and seeing the need to expand appropriately, NP-SL thought it fit to open branches in Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast and The Gambia and all of them are extremely functioning well to the utmost satisfaction of Governments plus its ever growing customers. In doing so, the company has been contributing towards job creation and poverty reduction more especially as it is virtually impossible for the Governments of these countries to provide all job opportunities for citizens.
When cognisance is taken of the fact that Governments need revenue to finance development projects it is important to find the sources of generating such. NP, as a company, is one of the biggest taxpayers to Government. Management always makes it as a point of duty to timely pay taxes and despite battling with existing and unforeseeable challenges there has never been an instance when it has been coerced to do so.
Many have praised NP for making available cookers popularly known as NP Gas which is safe for cooking purposes. These NP Gas cookers are sold at reasonable prices and could be procured in all their filling stations as well as from authorized dealers. At a time like this when it has been recognized that it is advisable, for health reasons, to avoid using firewood or charcoal for cooking purposes the best option could be NP Gas, which is hygienic, clean and quick.
NP Smart Card is currently trending and is a device that makes it possible to procure fuel without exchanging money. As long as the NP Smart Card holder has money in the card he or she can secure fuel based on the amount of money inside the card. It has been rated as a convenient way of purchasing fuel and is very secured.
Talking about effective implementation of Local Content Policy, NP-SL stands tall as it is truly the only 100% indigenous company that employs 100% Sierra Leoneans as workers. The company gives preference to employing Sierra Leoneans which is a clear indication that it adheres to the country’s Local Content Policy as utilizing local talents makes it possible for indigenes to acquire useful knowledge and skills through various training programs.
It is important to know that the company deals with individuals and various entities, always ensuring that its various petroleum products are available and are sold at affordable prices. There is a good business strategy in place whereby entities or customers are permitted to use chits to secure fuel and pay later. Such is very advantageous more so when those entities do not always have cash at hand to be purchasing petroleum products from time to time. This symbiotic relationship with its customers has been paying huge dividends making NP very endearing to all and sundry.
With regards recognition, the regulatory institution of the different petroleum companies in the country, Petroleum Directorate, has also lauded NP in recent time for its efficient service delivery in its areas of operation.
There could be no doubt to authoritatively state that NP-SL Ltd. is doing exceptionally well in all the countries it is functioning and indeed there are prospects for further expansion.
Without mincing the truth NP stands tall within the business landscape in and out of the country growing stronger and stronger as time goes by.
On Wednesday 16th December 2020 after intensive debate in Parliament over the Lungi Freetown International Airport expansion project agreement, which is aimed at broadening the scope to meet international standard, MPs then ratified the agreement.
The following agreement was ratified by Parliament:
1. Build-Operate-Transfer Agreement for the Construction, Financing and Concession of Freetown International Airport by and Between the Republic of Sierra Leone and Summa Airports (SL) Limited, Dated 12th November 2020
Presenting the agreement prior to ratification, the Deputy Minister of Transport and Aviation, Sadiq Sillah, said the new proposed construction of the Freetown International Airport would focus mainly on the construction of a new passenger terminal with the aim of targeting three million people, construction of a VIP/Presidential lounge, resealing of the runway, construction of the taxi way, a new airport traffic terminal, search and rescue fire force unit, rehabilitation of the car park and road safety and its signs.
The Minister said the new airport, when completed, would benefit the people of Sierra Leone and provide over two thousand job opportunities for Sierra Leoneans; adding that it would boost the tourism sector and provide government with much needed revenue. The Minister also said the new airport, when completed, would serve as a hub for cargo planes in the sub-region.
Making his submission to the debate, Hon. Ambrose Maada Lebby, Chairman Transport and Aviation Committee, commended President Bio for transforming the image of the country positively; adding that there would be a unit to monitor the operational activities of the Airport; saying the project is not a white elephant, but a real one under the canopy of the “New Direction Government”.
On his part, Hon. Dr. Roland Kargbo commended President Bio for the initiative relative to infrastructural development and described the project as “a fine agreement”. He decried the huge concession waiver given to the company and the huge money that is involved in the implementation of the project.
Hon. Aaron Aruna Koroma said the Bill of Quantity (BoQ) in the agreement is good for the country and commended the Ministry of Transport and Aviation for the agreement. He cautioned the government on employment and other benefits it stands to lose, and called on MPs not to ratify the agreement given its economic disadvantages to the country.
Contributing to the debate, the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Segepoh Solomon Thomas, announced that Sierra Leone has passed the compact scorecard and applauded the government and the people of Sierra Leone for the fight against corruption. On the project, he said the airport is just like the Toll Gate agreement, and underscored that the agreement would benefit the people of Sierra Leone.
Hon. Abdul Kargbo commended the government for the agreement, taking into consideration the enormous advantages the agreement has to offer to the people of Sierra Leone, but decried the huge financial consequences it would have on the government, Sierra Leone Airport Authority and Aviation Authority. He also implored the government to revisit and review the agreement, because it is lacking in its Corporate Social Responsibilities for the people of Sierra Leone.
Hon. Charles Conteh said the new proposed expansion of the Airport is not viable for the People of Sierra Leone and outlined several factors in the agreement that would serve as impediment for development in the country.
In his contribution, Chief Whip of Parliament, Hon. Dickson Rogers, said the expansion of the new airport project would boost the tourism sector, and allayed the fears of the opposition that no staff of the Authority would be laid-off. He also said the new airport would make Sierra Leone proud and give the country a new face-lift.
In rounding up the debate, Hon. Chernor R.M Bah, Leader of Opposition, subscribed and supported the idea of establishing a new airport and spoke on the need for the accessibility of the airport. He said other countries in the sub-region have constructed brand new airports from loan agreements and called for a better inland airport; considering time spent to reach one’s destination. “I’m not opposed to the agreement, but I want an airport that is quickly accessible within a definite location”, he stressed.
Concluding the debate, the Acting Leader of Government Business Hon. Bashiru Silikie, said during the ratification of the Toll Gate agreement by the previous government, as opposition then, they only critique the agreement, but they didn’t oppose the project. He said the airport expansion agreement is very clear and viable for the nation; whilst underscoring the enormous benefits it would bring to the people of Sierra Leone. He called on the opposition to collectively join the government to ratify the agreement as it would stand the test of time.
The Management of Sick Pikin Project, on the 15th December, 2020, commended the National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NASSIT) for helping a poor and sick child to undergo surgery at the Max Super Specialty Hospital in India.
Delivering a statement during a Press Conference at the CARITAS Freetown office, the Coordinator of the Sick Pikin Project, Ishmael Alfred Charles, thanked the Director General and Board of Trustees of NASSIT for their humanitarian support towards poor and needy children in the country.
He said the reason for holding the Press Conference was to inform the general public about the departure of the sick children on the 15th December, 2020 from Sierra Leone to India for further medical treatment. The Coordinator said he was grateful that they also had support from the Ministry of Health and Sanitation for the other kids.
Speaking to the Management of Sick Pikin Project and parents of the sick children, the Director General of NASSIT, Mohamed Fuaad Daboh, said it was an honour to be invited to the point of departure of Melvin Jessie Brima and other sick children for further medical treatment in India.
He thanked the Project Coordinator, Mr. Ismael Alfred Charles and Father Conteh, for inviting NASSIT to participate in the marathon that was organised by the Management of Sick Pikin Project in a bid to raise funds for sick children. He said that the marathon afforded him the opportunity to make a pronouncement on behalf of NASSIT that the Trust would fund one of the sick children for medical treatment.
Mr. Daboh said, in that vein, NASSIT later donated a total sum of Eighteen Thousand United States dollars ($18,000) on the 31st January, 2020 towards Melvin Jessie Brima, a sick child suffering from congenital septal defect from Kula Street, Bo.
Mr. Daboh further said that even though the primary reason for the establishment of NASSIT was to manage Sierra Leone Pension Scheme, the Trust could, also, intervene in critical situations where necessary like Melvin’s case to save life.
He expressed thanks and appreciation on behalf of the NASSIT Board of Trustees and Management and assured Management of Sick Pikin Project and parents of the sick children that he would continue to pray that God would guide the Sick Pikin Project and the kids.
The mother of Melvin Jessie Brima, Madam Mamawa Kemoh, expressed thanks and appreciation to NASSIT and all who in diverse ways contributed towards the medical treatment of the sick children, saying: “May God continue to abundantly reward all those who in diverse ways helped towards my son’s medical treatment”.
Managing Director of Guma Valley Water Company, Maada Kpenge
By Amin Kef Sesay
The Millennium Challenge Coordinating Unit (MCCU) and Adam Smith International (ASI), on Tuesday 15th December, 2020, held a one-day workshop at the Atlantic Hotel at Lumley Beach Road, Aberdeen, to mark the end of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Threshold – Guma Institutional Strengthening and District Metering Area (DMA) and Kiosk Demonstration Program.
In his welcome statement, the Managing Director of Guma Valley Water Company, Maada Kpenge, said when the MCC Threshold program started some 38 months ago, the question on the mind of every staff of Guma was; “why would the program invest so much on strengthening the institution rather than on the infrastructure?”
Mr. Maada Kpenge added that it is only now that Guma is realising that the program was a good one and it has delivered for Guma Valley and the Urban Water Supply, deliverables that has not been achieved with other previous interventions in Guma.
“It is one of the best interventions that Guma has had, it has mapped the road to universal access to water supply and also how Guma can create a sustainable water supply system for Freetown”.
The Guma Managing Director thanked the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), the Millennium Challenge Coordinating Unit (MCCU) and Consultants – SMEC, COBA/CONCEPT, ASI and others who worked tirelessly on the program to make it a success.
He added that the essence of the workshop was to discuss what was achieved during the implementation of the program, and more importantly, how can Guma take these achievements forward and work on the lessons learnt.
Speaking at the workshop, the Country Manager of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), Matt Langhenry, said the workshop is the culmination of a lot of hard work by the various consultations MCCU and Guma have put together over the past few years during the implementation of the Threshold program.
“Today we bring together what the Threshold program has done; and one tangible outcome is Guma’s performance. When we did the Result Based Financing (RBF) program, Guma was able to meet all of its targets – scoring 120% and was therefore eligible to receive a reward of $ 1.1 million dollars for its effort”.
Mr. Langhenry said he was very proud of the Threshold program, as it has made Guma to be more responsive to its customers. He thanked the Minister of Water Resources, Philip K. Lansana, for his strategic leadership given to the program.
The MCC Country Manager showered praise on the Managing Director of Guma and his team for pushing the Threshold Water Sector program and the Result Based Financing activity to be successful; “he knows water, he knows management, he knows how to put an organisation together and motivate them. Every dime that was earned during the RBF program was due to the leadership of Maada Kpenge. What he has done with Guma is incredible, and to me, that was a testament that came out of the program, and the work we all put together”.
Mr. Langhenry thanked ASI for working side by side with Guma, both indoors and outdoors, and also for working closely with the Aberdeen and Kingtom communities to get their buy-in for the DMA program.
Speaking via virtual link to the workshop, the Chief Executive Officer of MCCU, Ndeye Koroma, said that the partnership with Guma to successfully implement the Institutional Strengthening activity under the Threshold program is something everyone should be proud of.
“We have been able to improve the financial viability and operational efficiency of Guma Valley; we have also been able to successfully implement the RBF activity with Guma that has seen it perform above the target set for it. This is not something the MCCU did, this was an achievement by Guma itself through the support provided by ASI, because Guma has a good leadership in place”.
Madam Koroma added that the MCCU is collaborating with Guma to implement the DMA and Kiosk Pilot Demonstration activity in Aberdeen and Kingtom and that sustainable interventions are being put in place to solve the medium-term water supply issues in Greater Freetown.
The MCC CEO said Guma has demonstrated at every juncture that they are committed and want to ensure that they can provide the best services to the citizens of Freetown; “MCCU is supporting that process and MCC is funding that process. ASI has provided technical support, and at the end of the day; we can all sit in a room and reflect on the work that has been done and feel as though we have at least moved Guma in a positive direction that is sustainable with good foundation that can be built upon in the future”.
Speaking on behalf of the Board of Guma, Director Peter Amara thanked the MCC and MCCU for their timely support to Guma and assured the workshop that the Board of Directors are working assiduously to provide strategic oversight to Guma’s management for improved water supply services in the Western Area.
In his keynote address, the Minister of Water Resources, Philip K. Lansana, said the Government of Sierra Leone effort in dealing with water issues has been enhanced with the advent of the Threshold program, leading to improvement in the water supply system in Freetown.
The Minister added that Government has been making every effort to meet Goal 6 of the Sustainable Development Goals; he said this is reflected in some of the development projects that Government has undertaken.
“As I speak to you, we have a number of projects that Government is funding; we have the 6 Towns project, the Bonthe project, and also we have counterpart funding from Government to support projects like the Aquatic and the Freetown Emergency Recovery Project, both of which are implemented by Guma.
Minister Lansana said the MCC and MCCU interventions are key to the strides made so far in the water sector, “we are very grateful to the Government of the United States of America and the MCC for providing the funds and also to the MCCU for managing the projects”.
Under the Threshold program, water regulations and the Urban WASH Roadmap have been developed and are being implemented, the program has also supported the establishment of the National Water Resources Management Agency, the Minister added.
The Country’s Water Resources Chief also thanked the MCC for supporting the conditions assessments of the Guma Valley existing system; “for us to get it right, we need to know what we have, what is wrong with it and we need to know how to go about to fix it. They (MCC) have laid the foundation which we will base our development on, because when you understand the issues with data and evidence; you will be able to move ahead”.
The Minister praised Guma for performing beyond expectation during the program, especially under the RBF activity; “it gives me comfort to know that all Guma needs is support, when you support Guma, you shall see results”.
Hon. Lansana concluded his keynote statement saying he is looking beyond the Threshold program to the MCC Compact and a much more improved water supply situation in the Western Area.
During the workshop, presentations were done on the Institutional Strengthening interventions – Human Resources, Finance, Commercial, Technical Services, Corporate Services and the Company Financial Sustainability and Investment Plan by key staff of Guma.
Making his presentation, the Team Lead of ASI, Ken Wright, said his organization was tasked under the Threshold program to deliver on 3 key deliverables – WASH Sector Reform, Guma Institutional Capacity and DMA and Kiosk Pilot.
Mr. Wright said Guma is being held back by low investments and at the same time has lowest water tariff in the whole of Africa.
He added that ASI has been working for a tariff review for the past 3 years and that that effort will continue beyond the Threshold program to better positioned Guma financially.
In his presentation, Francis Lahai said the Threshold program has positioned Guma to become a data driven company. He informed the workshop that the company is working to improve access to low income communities through its ProPoor Unit and advised the public to desist from cutting pipes, as this leads to huge loss of treated and clean water.
The Guma Deputy Managing Director added that the company is currently installing meters in the Aberdeen and Kingtom communities and that this exercise will be rolled out in other communities across Freetown in due course.
Key recommendations from the workshop includes maintaining the company’s receptive capacity, building a strong Management Information System, reducing technical and commercial water losses and catchment protection to save the water bodies from drying up.
The $ 44.4 million Threshold Program was a partnership between the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) and the Government of Sierra Leone. One focus of the program was to more effectively deliver water and electricity services, with a focus on the greater Freetown area. Another focus area of the program was to support reforms increasing transparency and accountability in the delivery of these services to limit opportunities for corruption.
In October 2020, Ambassador Brewer joined Sierra Leone in welcoming the visit of Sean Cairncross, CEO of Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC).
By Foday Moriba Conteh
On December 15th 2020, the Millennium Challenge Corporation’s (MCC) Board of Directors selected Sierra Leone for an MCC compact program – a multimillion dollar grant agreement.
The compact program will follow the successful $44 million threshold agreement between MCC and Sierra Leone that is currently improving water and electricity services in the greater Freetown area.
Since MCC’s inception, MCC has invested more than $13 billion in economic growth projects around the globe that are expected to benefit about 190 million people. The US Government agency invests in projects that drive growth and help people lift themselves out of poverty, like power, education, clean water, land rights, and roads.
Once a country is selected for compact development, the partner country leads a constraints analysis that determines which sectors are limiting economic growth. This analysis is then used by partner countries to design the compact programs and tackle these constraints.
The final investment amount will depend on the strength of the projects and their ability to support long-term economic growth in the selected country.
The U.S. Government and the Sierra Leone Government are committed partners in Sierra Leone’s economic growth. Since 2012, the Government of Sierra Leone and MCC have worked closely together to support good governance and reducing poverty through economic growth. MCC looks forward to continued collaboration with the government of Sierra Leone and to launching the compact development process.
According to a Press Release issued on 17th December, 2020, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) wishes to inform the general public that it has received the sum of ONE BILLION LEONES (LE 1,000,000,000.00) from the Sierra Leone Cement Corporation (LEOCEM) as settlement for issues relating to unmetered electricity abstraction from the National Grid of the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA).
This payment follows an undertaking made by the Managing Director of LEOCEM Francesco Lanza, on 10th December, 2020, to pay the said sum, following negotiations and settlement by and between Ministry of Energy, the EDSA and the ACC.
It could be recalled that, as a result of the MOU signed between the ACC and the Ministry of Energy to support the Ministry to control corruption in the electricity generation and supply sector, on 20th March, 2020, a Team comprising the ACC’s Scorpion Squad, the Ministry of Energy, raided and discovered unmetered electricity abstraction lines at the LEOCEM Cement Factory in Cline Town in the East of Freetown.
This led to the invitation to the ACC of some LEOCEM staff, including its Managing Director Francesco Lanza to assist with the investigation. As a result, the Managing Director of LEOCEM made an undertaking to pay ONE BILLION LEONES (LE 1,000,000,000.00); which sum has been paid to the ACC for onward payment into the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Government of Sierra Leone.
The Commission wishes to further reassure the general public of its continued commitment in ensuring that public funds and resources are protected; and where necessary, recovered.
The End-Time Harvesters Evangelistic Ministries, popularly known as Zion Praise Tabernacle, will be hosting its Opening & Dedication of a 4,000 Seater Church Auditorium on Sunday 20th December, 2020 at Hill Station, Bottom Mango, back of Limkokwing College at 2pm prompt. The Theme of the program is: “A Wonder to Behold”.
In an exclusive interview with the General Overseer of Zion Praise Tabernacle, Pastor James Bangura, he stated that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is a call for expansion. Using parables of Jesus Christ to reinforce his statement, he expounded on the gospel.
He stated that believers are of the conviction that the Great Commission is an expansion of the Creation Commission: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations,” (Matthew 28:18-20).
The General Overseer continued that it is in this light that the church is imploring all to reproduce or multiply with the avowed view that expansion represents transformed lives of people connected to Jesus and His saving power, and people living their best lives for His cause in this world.
He said it is in that vain that the End-Time Harvesters Evangelistic Ministries, aka Zion Praise Tabernacle, got its inspiration to embark on an expansionist drive.
The Man of God highlighted that it began small like a mustard seed and is growing into a large tree in the nation. It seemed insignificant at first like yeast in a lump of dough, but grows in significance as it permeates the world.
He said that the Zion Praise Tabernacle as a Ministry had progressively advanced like the growing seed to become the full grain in the ear. (Mark 4:26-29). It did not happen by accident.
It is by the grace and the call of God upon the life of the General Overseer, according to Pastor James Bangura, that they developed the skills to reach out to communities with focus on building a Christ like people.
From what this medium understood, a building project requires faith, and it was accordingly stated by the Pastor that faith begins where the will of God is known.
The Minister of God said, “Before anything, as you know, begin by waiting on the Lord. Once you have received the clear vision from Him, write it down so you can run with it. This is a critical step, because the vision will anchor you when obstacles attempt to prevent its fulfillment.
He disclosed that fundraising was done through the involvement of all church members. Initially, a local and international project partnership campaign was launched, which includes members and non-members of the church.
“Besides, donations from family members, pastors and churches, friends, well-wishers all led to the success of the church,” he also intimated.
He told this medium that Zion Praise Tabernacle is already engaged in helping and working with individuals and churches to complement Government’s efforts through various activities, with the aim of building the minds of individuals, especially the youths, into wholesome thinking, thereby promoting good behaviour and morality that will influence self and national development by teaching them the word of God in order to truly know how to follow Jesus.
“The church’s development of providing a facility with larger capacity will help us to continue to preach, promote and teach the gospel for a better living and prepare individuals for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ,” he stated.
Zion Praise Tabernacle has branches within Freetown, namely: Tengbeh Town and Patricia Kabba school branches, with one in Rokel, rural Freetown. The Church aspires to expand to Makeni and Lungi, where a ground work for establishment is in the progress.
End-Time Harvesters Evangelistic Ministries, aka Zion Praise Tabernacle, is a Christian denomination established on 17th June 2013, and headed by the Founder and General Overseer, Pastor James Bangura.
The church is a living organism. Thus Zion Praise Tabernacle is growing realistically with significant structures. The church is blessed with Ministers and elders who are spiritual men endowed with wisdom, knowledge and vision, and who are deeply interested in rescuing the souls they are shepherding,
Zion Praise Tabernacle is proud of having Deacons and Deaconesses and workers of all departments, who believe in servanthood and who rejoice in working in special ways to God’s glory.
One of the cardinal tenets of the church is exalting Jesus Christ and His word that proclaims the “whole counsel of God,” and encourages and challenges, in a bold but loving way, everyone to draw nearer to God,
The Church regards worship as a privilege rather than a chore.
The praise and worship session is full of enthusiasm, the Lord’s Supper is thoughtfully observed, prayers are humbly and lovingly offered and members give generously, based on how they have been prospered.
Zion Praise Tabernacle meets almost every day to keep members in constant touch with their Maker. The following are our meeting days and time: Sunday: Divine Encounter Service:1st starts at 8:00am to 10:15am: 2nd starts at 10:30am to 12:30pm, Mondays: Deliverance Service at 6:30pm, Tuesdays: Women Ministry Meeting at 6:30pm, Wednesdays: Personal Prayer and Fasting: 5pm to 6pm, Thursdays: School of the Word (Bible Study): 6:30pm, Fridays: All-Night of Prayer, Saturdays: Evangelism and outreach: 5:00pm.
You are all invited come, Lets praise and thank the Lord for his wondrous works.
The now ruling SLPP government should not selfishly take all the credit for the country having become Millennium Challenge Corporation’s (MCC) Compact eligible that will bring USD400 million of much needed development funding into the country.
In strengthening the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), in putting in place new state administrative and financial management policies and measures to control fraud and misuse of public funds, ex-President Koroma undoubtedly did a lot to improve on good state governance; albeit his being greatly undermined by the ministers and heads of MDAs he entrusted state administration and management to.
Sierra Leone’s development and transformation program for realizing the country’s full potential continues to depend on good governance, democracy, respect for human rights, justice and the rule of law.
Indeed, good governance is perhaps the single most important factor in eradicating poverty and promoting development.
So far, progress on good governance has been encouraging, but challenges remain.
The Bio government continues to build on the good governance gains that have been achieved since the early 2000s which are:
(i)An effective state, (ii) mobilized civil society, and (iii) an efficient private sector.
The key elements of good governance then, are accountability, transparency, combating corruption, citizen participation, and an enabling legal/judicial framework.
Fighting poverty and improving human development must begin with the creation of wealth, a process that requires the existence of a robust entrepreneurial class.
We still have some way to go to achieve the type of reforms that can prevent dictatorship, corruption, economic decline and political violence, particularly in the maintenance of peace and security, as well as the promotion of economic growth and the creation of the wealth needed to confront poverty and improve human development.
Thus, without good and inclusive governance, the country will not achieve its social and economic targets.
It is imperative that the country entrenches mechanisms that promote constitutionalism, accountability, democracy, and good governance to achieve its development goals.
The number of Africans living in poverty remains high.
Unless effective anti-poverty and pro-poor policies are implemented, poverty will increase.
Fighting poverty and improving human development must begin with the creation of wealth, a process that requires the existence of a robust entrepreneurial class.
In order to achieve these goals, there must be peace and security—especially the peaceful coexistence of the various ethno-cultural groups in the African country.
Unfortunately, weak and dysfunctional governance structures continue to prevent the country from creating and sustaining the necessary enabling environment for peaceful coexistence, entrepreneurship, and wealth creation.
The absence of governance structures undergirded by the rule of law has failed to halt ethnic-induced violence. That violence stunts entrepreneurship and economic growth.
Peace and security, which are a sine qua non for entrepreneurial activities and the creation of wealth, are likely to be fragile without the provision of participatory and inclusive governance structures.
Weak governance manifests itself in other ways as well: Too often dysfunctional governance processes persist, creating environments where civil servants and political elites act with impunity, embezzling scarce public resources that could be used for education, healthcare, infrastructure, water treatment plants, electricity, farm-to-market roads, or technology. Elites are usually not incentivized to implement pro-poor economic programs that enhance the ability of the poor to participate productively and gainfully in economic growth, such as public investments in primary and secondary education, clean water, basic health care, and child nutrition.
The type of governance structure that we should strive for over the next decade is one that should address peaceful coexistence and economic development, inequality, the effects of climate change, health pandemics, and enhanced regional cooperation, as well as ensure the full and effective participation in both the economic and political systems of groups that have historically been marginalized (e.g., women, youths, and ethnic and religious minorities).
