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As She Feeds the Aged at Thunder Hill… DOFA and Legal Aid Sign MOU

By Fatmata Jengbe

On the 21st November 2020, the Dorwontony Organisation for the Aged (DOFA) with the support from Heritage Group of Company, provided food items and psycho-social counselling to the aged at Masoni on Thunder Hill, Kissy, East End of Freetown.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Dorwontony Organisation for the Aged, Doreen Barrie, in her statement to the aged highlighted how they were happy to be with them with the main objective of interacting with them and give them pieces of good advice.

She noted how it does not mean that simply because they are old they are no longer relevant in society and cannot play useful roles. The CEO maintained that they are reminding the Government about the challenges that old people face in their communities and want policies to be adopted that will improve their lives.

“You all need good food , good places to sleep as well as good medical facilities as they will help you to be healthy and strong. We are providing advocacy in that direction by appealing to the Government and Non-Governmental Organizations,” she intimated.

She revealed that they are partnering with the Legal Aid Board to provide legal representation for the aged whenever the need arises. Doreen furthered that they have talked with the community elders and stakeholders in order for them to give any form of assistance to old people at all times and not to disrespect them.

“I am also appealing to you to refrain from committing any form of sexual offence act as we noticed that some old people, who are incarcerated in prison, are perpetrators of various sexual offences but we don’t want to see a continuation of that,” the CEO stated adding that their No49 Pademba Road office is always open to them for any complaint one of them may want to lodge.

She informed that they came with some food that will be shares among them plus musicians who will perform for them just to make them feel lively.

Moriba Kamara, the Legal Aid Press Officer and Robert Kondema Kargbo, a Commissioner of the National Telecommunications Commission (NATCOM) talked about the importance of treating old people in dignified ways and treat them with respect.

It is worthy of note that the Legal Aid Board has on the 19th November 2020 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Dorwontony Organisation for the Aged (DOFA) to improve access to the scheme.

The MOU is geared towards ensuring older people have unhindered access to legal aid services provided by the Board which will enhance their access to justice. This will entail DOFA channelling all legal aid needs and challenges of the aged to the Board.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Executive Director of the Board, Ms. Fatmata Claire Carlton-Hanciles expressed delight at the partnership saying DOFA is a professional organization dealing with a specific category of vulnerable people the Board is eager to reach out to.

She welcomed the partnership noting she looks forward to a joint meeting at the home of the aged at Grafton. Ms. Carlton-Hanciles said she is personally touched to see young people get involved in pursuing the interests of the aged.

She urged the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of DOFA, Doreen Barrie to ensure the organization respect the rights of the aged.

She encouraged DOFA to follow the example of Mother Theresa emphasizing that it should focus more on what they can do for the aged and less on what the Government has done or is doing for them.

In a short statement, the CEO of DOFA said she is excited to sign the MOU right in the presence of their first referral case to the Board. Ms. Barrie expressed optimism that the partnership will grow to a level that will see more old people benefit from it.

The ceremony was climaxed with the signing of the MOU.

Kono Residents to Benefit from ACTB’s New Value Added Services

By Amin Kef Sesay

As a means of providing easy banking and loans to all, A Call to Business (ACTB) Savings and Loans has upgraded and up scaled its existing branch in Kono to a Class A category as was pronounced during a short ceremony.

At the colourful ceremony, which was held on Wednesday 18th November, 2020 in Koidu City, stakeholders and customers that graced the occasion lauded the move by ACTB.

ACTB Chief Executive Officer, David Kamara, informed his audience that the ACTB was established in Kono in 2016 just after the Ebola scourge.

“What we are doing is the upgrading and upscaling of our existing branch in Kono to a class A category,” he intimated.

He said that means indirectly they are bringing in capacity, new products and loans that are only in their head office in Freetown and other bigger branches.  “The difference is that Kono branch will be connected directly to the headquarters in Freetown which means direct transaction will be done and on real time basis.”

In terms of security, the CEO said they have a team of experts in IT and a good security system backed by a CCTV installation in all sensitive areas.

He pointed out that ACTB will not only operate in Koidu City as that is just a primary perimeter but they will go beyond the city, looking at the urban and rural areas.

He disclosed that in January, ACTB launched their Rural and Agricultural Financial Program that is looking at off farm loans and farm loans.

For the farm loan, he said, they do not give cash but look at the need of the planting season. During the first pilot phase they will start giving support in terms of seedlings and at the end of the planting season the beneficiaries will pay back with the seeds.

He said they also link them to people that are buying maize and rice and ensure they are treated fairly in that process.

He went on to state how they are basing their services on the traditional system by re-defining what people consider as Micro finance. “We are looking at the situation and needs on the ground and the products that will suit them.”

He also spoke about the School Development Loan which supports access to education.

Amadu Sahr Fayia, the Evaluation Officer, Koidu New Sembehun City Council, in his statement described the day as a memorable one for them. He said Kono is reliable and trust worthy for doing business and described them as the type of partners they do embrace as they help Council to generate revenue. He pledged the Council’s continued support and promised to educate residents of Kono about ACTB’s good gestures.

Operation Officer of the Tankoro Police Division, Tamba Kamanoh also pledged maximum security at all-time not only for ACTB but all other businesses in that region.

Established in 2008, ACTB Savings & Loans Limited (ACTB) provides financial services for Sierra Leone’s largely unbanked population. The company now has a microfinance and SME loan book above US$4.1 million and is on track for a loan book exceeding US$6 million by July 2018.

ACTB has grown to become a ‘pro-poor microfinance bank’ with 9 branches, 103 employees and more than 15,000 active clients. The company was granted its deposit taking license in May 2017 by the Central Bank of Sierra Leone, becoming the first credit-only microfinance institution in the country to transition into savings and loans. Between June and October 2017 over 10,000 new bank accounts were opened.

ACTB products includes: Premium Investment Account, Current Account, Osusu Account, Fixed Deposit Account, Savings Account and ACTB Smart Kids Account among others.

 

Sierra Leonean Students in Russia Heap Praises on Government

By Festus J. Lahai

On the 17 November 2020 Ambassador Mohamed Yongowa addressed Sierra Leonean students in the Russian Federation following the  receipt of their allowances for the 2018-2019 and 2019-2020 Academic Years.

He used the occasion to reaffirm President Julius Maada Bio’s unflinching commitment to education, describing him as a listening leader who is always ready to answer to the calls of his citizens at any time, no matter where they may be.

“Two weeks ago, I had a virtual meeting with you and I reaffirmed the Government’s commitment in ensuring that you receive your stipends and evidently this promise has now become a reality”, Ambassador Yongawo said.

He continued: “When I went to Freetown a month ago, I met with all the line Ministries and made them understand that you need this money. As the Embassy responsible for your welfare, we inherited two outstanding academic-year allowances which we have now paid”. The Ambassador also reiterated that this act “demonstrates the Government’s continued commitment to support Sierra Leonean students across the world”.

Ambassador Yongawo explained how he met with various Universities in Russia and appealed for more scholarships. That effort, he added, is now yielding positive dividends as there has been an increase of 40 students who have already gained admission to different Universities for various courses.

”Times are hard right now; even the biggest economies are suffering but our Government is doing its level best to meet the demands of every sector including education which is its priority,” the Ambassador maintained.

“I carry the title Ambassador but you should all also think of yourselves as Ambassadors representing Sierra Leone; your behaviour here is very significant for our image and to other students who may wish to acquire foreign education not only in the Russian Federation but all over the world”.

Sixty-two students received their allowances for the 2018-20219 Academic Year and thirty-nine for the 2019- 2020 Academy Year.

The students expressed their gratitude to President Bio and his Government and Ambassador Yongawo for the prompt response, especially when the winter season is about to start in Russia.

The Students’ Union representative, Ishmael Khadri Kamara said: “We are grateful to Ambassador Yongawo and His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio for his outstanding leadership in Sierra Leone, particularly his priority on Human Capital Development. But please consider the increment in our allowances because we are committed to learn and make our nation proud.”

Ambassador Yongawo was a former Students’ Union President in Moscow, and he is highly respected by his colleague Diplomats for his extraordinary stance for the African continent and Sierra Leone in particular.

Sierra Leone Scouts Association Blasts SLBC

By Foday Moriba Conteh

The Sierra Leone Scouts Association (SLSA) has on Friday 20th November, 2020, during a Press Conference held at its National Headquarters in New England Ville, Freetown, unequivocally condemn the recording and broadcast of the Sierra Leone Scouts Association Headquarters on the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation Television on Wednesday 18th November 2020, without the due permission of the Association.

This reaction came after the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation stated that the Association is using the said building as a religious place rather than using it as an office of which the Sierra Leone Scouts Association, a description referred  to as malicious with the intent of bringing the Association to ridicule.

In his address, the National President of the Sierra Leone Scouts Association (SLSA) expressed dissatisfaction over the recording and display of the Sierra Leone Scouts Association Headquarters on the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation Television without the due permission of the Association.

He disclosed how the Association has an active membership of 20,765 scouts, with effective administrative and governance structures in every district across the geographical boundaries of Sierra Leone.

The national President stated that by the statutory provision of SLSA, the sitting President of the Republic of Sierra Leone is the Chief Patron of the Association and from inception to date, the Ministry of Social Welfare has and is still the supervisory Ministry of the Association.

He revealed that the building in question was initially allocated to the Ministry of Agriculture but after few years it was allocated to the SLBC as Regional office. During the construction of the new Police Station at New England Ville the same building was allocated to the Sierra Leone Police. The Police later left the building and transferred to the new Police Station and since then they have been occupying the building in question.

Dr. Duramani Lakkoh stated how he noted the unfriendly publicity given to the image of the SLSA headquarters at New England Ville, Freetown, on SLBC Television and on Social media and in that regard said the leadership of the Association wishes to inform the general public that the property in question was legitimately allocated to the Sierra Leone Scouts Association by the Accommodation Committee, Office of the President in 2016 as replacement for the Sierra Leone Scouts Association’s Headquarters with land space of Plan L.O.A. 3684, Surveys No. SLS 3/98 and correspondence file No SLS 112/61 dated 2nd June 1968 that was allocated by the Government to the National Electoral Commission.

Furthermore, he said in February 2009, the National Electoral Commission (NEC) wrote to the former President of the Republic of Sierra Leone for relocation of the SL Scouts Association as the construction of the new NEC building will affect the SLSA headquarters and their land space and  on 7th June 2014, the leadership of SLSA received an official letter (Ref: OP/BF/59/266/01) from the Office of the President for a relocation to the old SLBC Regional building at New England Ville with effect from the 20th June 2014, and the Scout leadership responded accordingly.

He noted that it was against that background that the leadership and entire membership of the Sierra Leone Scouts Association expressed unreserved disappointment in the Management of the SLBC for recording and broadcasting the SLSA headquarters on both the national broadcaster television and on social media without the consent of the Scout Association as legal occupants of a Government structure with authentic documents.

He also pointed out that the Sierra Leone Scouts Association is one of the oldest and undoubtedly the largest youth organisations in Sierra Leone, founded in 1909 and that the Association is a legitimate corporate body of the Republic of Sierra Leone, established by Parliamentary Act 47, 1963 as a voluntary youth association furthering that the Association was established from the desire of the founder of the Scouting Movement, Lord Baden-Powell to improve society through the development of the characters and skills of young people to become good citizens in society.

“As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility, the membership of SLSA voluntarily contributed towards the fight against the Ebola scourge through social mobilization and Psycho Social Support. The SLSA also provided 2,576 scouts across the country to support the Government and the people of Sierra Leone to fight COVID-19 through social mobilization,” he underscored.

He added that on the 7th November 2020, three hundred and seventy (370) scouts voluntarily undertook a cleaning exercise on a 5 kilometers piece of land at the Lumley beach.

He said that the Association therefore demand public apology from the Management of SLBC for the unhealthy media exposure of their image and their hard-earned reputation.

Can’t ACC Find Another Way To interview Former President Koroma?

By Amin Kef Sesay

It is apparent that there is a game of the cat and mouse going on between the Anti-Corruption Commission and former President Ernest Bai Koroma over the issue of him presenting himself to the Commission for interview.

On two occasions now, ACC has failed to get a face to face interview with the former President due to extraneous circumstances that leave the ACC befuddled and frustrated.

The reason why the ACC has failed to bring the former President to the table mainly has to do with the perceptions of many supporters of the All People Congress and even dispassionate political watchers who see it as a vendetta against the former President.

In Makeni, we saw how a huge sympathetic human shield was formed to prevent the ACC from entering the former President’s residence to interview him.

In Freetown last week, we saw a battery of APC lawyers presenting themselves to the ACC but without the Person of Interest whom the ACC is interested in interviewing.

These two standoffs have caused people to ask if the ACC does not have a subtler, more dignified way of interviewing the former President instead of what many, particularly APC members and supporters see as subjecting him to public humiliation.

The former President is on record as having said that he gave teeth and latitude to ACC to investigate corruption and is not averse to being subject to scrutiny by the ACC.

However, the President protested double jeopardy; that he had been investigated by the Commission of Inquiry which made adverse findings against him to which he said he is going to stoutly defend himself against in the Appeals Court.

Secondly, there are many who have said that the President whilst in office has immunity from prosecution and as such, the executive orders that he gave for  which the ACC wants to question him is not strictly speaking legal.

At the same time though, there are other legally minded people who maintain that no one is above the law; as long as you serve as a public servant you are liable to be held accountable for your stewardship. They gave the instance of Jacob Zuma of South Africa and several other African Heads of State that have been subjected to corruption investigations.

Many people have said that the Commission is abiding by the legal provision that no man is guilty of an allegation until found guilty by a competent court of law.

Therefore, they stated that the ACC should not hound the former President as if he is convict on the run.

Rather, they maintain that the ACC should accord the former President all the dignity and respect that he deserves as an elderly statesman in going about getting him for an interview.

In this regard, many have suggested that the ACC can draw up a list of all the allegations of corruption that it has against the former President plus the evidence(s) to the effect attached to a document sent to the former President through his lawyer(s) requesting him to reply in person or in writing.

From that point, the ACC can then decide what next to do without what many call an unnecessary publicity of the interview.
Meanwhile, as the standoff between the former President and ACC continues, a bitter war of words has ensued between the Commissioner of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Francis Ben Kaifala and US-trained, US-based over-66-years-old Attorney Sorie Tarawally over the intention of the ACC to issue a warrant of arrest for the former President.

According to Sorie Tarawally, issuing a warrant for the arrest of former President Koroma would be a reckless act and likely to provoke internal unrest. Responsible Governments, he said, do not do things that will create unrest or disturb the public peace.

Mr. ACC Commissioner, he said, you do not have to talk to the former President before you do whatever you want to do. Apply some of what you learnt in the law; an accused or a suspect has the right to not incriminate him/herself by his/her statement, he continued.

ACC Kaifala said: “Tell Sorie that with all due respect he does not understand what the RULE AGAINST SELF INCRIMINATION IS. He may be mistaking presumption of innocence for that rule. That is sad for a lawyer. I will clarify for him below”:

Firstly, it is not a RIGHT contrary to what he posits. It is a RULE of evidence that applies only to WITNESSES who are not in fact themselves standing trial and NOT ACCUSED PERSONS…

Secondly, it is ONLY available in COURT and not outside of it. Anyone who wishes to rely on that rule does so in court. The ACC is not a Court…

 

President Bio Launches National Disaster Management Agency

By Theresa Kef Sesay

The National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) was launched at State House by President Julius Maada Bio on the 19th November 2020 who expressed hope that the agency will use science, innovation and data to predict, anticipate, plan for, and report on the full disaster management cycle.

“I have already identified new technologies that can be used to create effect. I am also challenging this agency to work with the Directorate of Science, Technology and Innovation to develop a robust, Sierra Leone made disaster management digital system.

“I also believe that mitigation and climate change resilience must be done in close collaboration with communities. Communities must have a vested interest in and must participate in dialogues on disaster preparedness and management. Youth and women must be accorded a central role in your work. Close collaboration with local Government and the private sector will be particularly useful to your work. So I expect you to develop strategies and structure well-defined and sustainable relationships,” he said.

He noted that the UN Resident Coordinator and World Bank Representative have suggested opportunities for global partnerships, adding that he expected the agency to leverage bilateral and multilateral cooperation in that area.

“Innovative partnerships with other disaster management agencies are possible. As a country, I also believe that we can identify innovative ways of funding disaster management that will be less onerous on our limited budget. I expect this agency to develop those forward-looking and effective policies and also guide the Government on how to plan investments in disaster management,” the President said.

In his welcome address earlier, Chief Minister Prof. David John Francis, credited for the establishment of the agency, said the occasion is in fulfilment of commitments in the New Direction manifesto to set up the agency and in the Medium-Term National Development Plan, with cluster 7 addressing vulnerabilities and building resilience.

“First, the Office of National Security (ONS) has an existing Directorate for Disaster Management, so the new National Disaster Management Agency will hit the ground running because ONS will provide the institutional home for core expertise to help the operationalisation of the Agency.

“Second, we have an indication of committed and enthusiastic bilateral and multilateral donors who are on standby, I understand, to support the operationalisation of the Agency,” he said.

World Bank Country Manager, Gayle Martin, said the role of any disaster management agency is multi-disciplinary and cross-cutting in nature, adding that it was, therefore, relevant to all sectors of the economy.

“Managing disaster risk requires a high level of coordination and convening power to work across a variety of stakeholders and sectors. The NDMA, therefore, requires the authority and ability to activate, or cause to activate, national emergency measures at the time of a disaster. It is also required to convene MDAs across sectors at the highest level— both during times of emergency, as well as in disaster prevention and preparedness.

“In the roll-out of the NDMA we are supporting the Government to develop two key timely activities: Firstly, the National Disaster Risk Management Policy is being updated to reflect new institutional arrangements and realities on the ground. Secondly, an Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan will be developed to ensure operational procedures and standards are in place in advance of future disasters,” she said.

United Nations Resident Coordinator, Dr. Babatunde Ahonsi, said the Sierra Leone office is ready to build the capacities and capabilities of the agency to rapidly and robustly respond to disasters, build skills in information management, coordination, operational readiness and response.

“The 2017 landslide response was a testimony of the strong partnership between Government and the United Nations and we look forward to continued partnerships with the National Disaster Management Agency and the Office of National Security,” he said.

Director-General of the National Disaster Management Agency, Lt. General (Rtd.) Brima Bureh Sesay, said their approach would be scientific, especially in the development of assessment tools, risk identification, analysis, indexing and interpretation, hazard mapping, vulnerability and capacity assessment, coordination, building knowledge.

“The Agency will strive towards accomplishing various targets and indicators encapsulated in the Sendai Framework agreed by the United Nations Disaster Risk Reduction, ensure implementation of the African strategy for disaster risk reduction and work towards effective enforcement of the National Disaster Management Act 2020,” he assured.

ReNIP Comments on the 2021 Budget

Beresford Victor Williams, the Chairman of one of Sierra Leone’s newest political parties, the Republic National Independent Party (ReNIP)

By Mary Kabay

Beresford Victor Williams, the Chairman of one of Sierra Leone’s newest political parties, the Republic National Independent Party (ReNIP), has intimated this medium that the budget presented by the Minister of Finance, Jacob Jusu Saffa on Friday 13 November 2020 with the theme “Economic Recovery for Job Creation and Human Capital Development” is a budget for the epidemic and the normal Budget rolled into one.

He said the Budget was created to set out medium term tax and spending plans till 2023. The emergency Budget aims at dealing with immediate potential consequences of the coronavirus by creating a deferred tax repayment in the budget to help big businesses and allow the poor people to finance the country till 2024.

According to him, the latter made the former a rather odd affair for the country  and for the poor citizens to finance the Ministry of Finance plan for the country for deficit spending.

He noted that all the economic forecasts on which the Budget are based were put together before any significant effect of the coronavirus was accounted for, and were therefore out of date during publication by the Government to have achieved an 89 percent based on the Bank of Sierra Leone base rate of 73.2 percent.

The actual percentage by the Bank of Sierra Leone was 3.2 percent based on the leading ration for the short-term disruption caused by the coronavirus. Any significant longer-term effect though on a smaller economy will mean that the tax and spending plans set out on 13 November 2020 will lead to an even bigger deficit than currently planned in the first few years of this Government planning by increasing the loan interest by 13 percent of Government borrowing. He stated that the Government and the National Revenue Authority (NRA) have granted tax breaks or deferred taxes to bigger businesses despite the more needed cash of almost Le 1.8 trillion to bring the cost in line with revenue expenditure.

These are the headlines from the budget based on ReNIP assessment?

  • The coronavirus package appears to be what was promised: targeted, and temporary for the economy. At Le 81 billion it is also sub-substantial for what needs to be achieved in the economy when private companies have contributed over Le 352 Billion. It looks fairly well designed but failed to meet the basic needs of the population. It remains to be seen whether it will be enough to support public services, support the vulnerable and insulate the economy from long-term effects.
  • The Macroeconomic and Budgetary Performance (MBP) economic forecasts are a little more positive than the Bank, but they are still very weak even before factoring in possible longer-term effects from the coronavirus. Projected growth rates averaging barely over one per cent a year for the next five years are feeble and indicative of an economy that is not in a robust position for coping with shocks like the coronavirus. The MBP continues to assume an inflation of 13.7 percent but the actual inflation is at 115 percent from 2018 to date.
  • Overall spending will rise by $176 million or 9% in real terms between 2019-20 and 2023-24, largely paid for by extra borrowing. This will mean the size of the State, measured by looking at public spending as a fraction of national income, stabilising at nearly 4% of national income, creating a national deficit of 96%. That is above its pre-crisis level and bigger than at any point between the mid-1980s and the start of the financial crisis. The project debt will be $750 million at the end of 2020 based on the projection from the Bank of Sierra Leone and Ministry of Finance.
  • The investment spending plans are very big. The intention is to get to the manifesto “ceiling” of 1.5% of national income in short order. This will take investment spending to its highest level in modern times. The challenge will be to ensure this money is well spent. That is a big challenge. The Government has borrowed between April 2018 and October 2020 in the tune of US$865 million equivalent of Le865,000,000,000 (Le8.65 trillion).
  • The current revenue collection plans are nothing like as generous as they appear. Average annual increases of 3.3% sound substantial for projected growth. This is not achievable as the Government is expected a retraction of the economy of 3.8 percentage.  Considering the amount from International borrowing, funding, and factor in planned increases for health, schools, defence and overseas aid, and there is relatively little here for other departments. If this spending envelope is stuck to there are plenty of public services, the NRA has only collected Le5.7 Billion (US$570,000) with a deferred tax of Le100 billion (US$100 million). The proposed revenue collection is not possible based on the data from the Ministry of Finance.
  • Current spending plans also look suspiciously front-loaded. Spending increases pencilled in for the next two years are much bigger than what follows. This could suggest top ups in later budgets and hence a need for more and more borrowing. The Government is borrowing more than investing in the development of the Nation. We need to attract the development of the nation via a new Governmental growth.
  • Current Economic Recovery spending per person for most public services will remain well below 2001-08 levels in 2024-25. The capital per person returning to 2002 – 08 levels. Outside of health though spending per person will still be 5% lower, and around 19% lower once account for the spending that is simply replacing International funding. We need to provide for our nation to be more effective in what we are doing.
  • Borrowing will be peaking at $250 million, nearly $80 million above its 2018-19 level. With promising increase spending the current budget balance target is looser than the maximum 12% deficit targeted. As election is on the horizon, more will be borrowed and far looser than previous Government commitment. Nevertheless, this appears entirely consistent with pre-election promises.
  • Underlying tax management rigorous changes to rise revenue relative to national income. The strategy to undertake transfer pricing audits, lacks the creditability of both the NRA and the Ministry of Finance. Growth is predicated to be weaker in 2021-2022 and this will continue until 2024 for growth to turn to it pre 2012 level, then debt could easily start moving decisively upwards.

Public finances Assessment

The Government spending and borrowing are both rising over the next few years. These are consistence in the way which appears consistent with the movement of the SLPP manifesto, but which is different to the paths they were on under previous SLPP Government, as borrowing and spending are not economically financial benefits to the Nation. In the ever-increasing borrowing costs mean there are sustainable risks of further inflation.

The first risk is that with more debt stockpiles, more than twice what it was pre 2018, with shorter maturities and a financing requirement much higher as a share of GDP than it was prior to the 2008 financial crisis, we are more vulnerable to changes in interest rates, inflation and undergrowth.

Secondly, debt is not falling  but increasing at a rate of 89% of NRA revenue collection, whiles deferring the tax collection to stimulate growth which seems to be at normal (if deeply disappointing) levels. It would grow sharply in the face of a downturn as big businesses start an exodus.

Most importantly, the current country framework and set of tax policies do not look likely to deliver the kinds of spending growth that were implied in this budget speech. Outside of increase in security wages (increase below inflation) and a few other protected areas like education, it looks like little will be available to increase spending. Due to the raising day to day real spending on public services, taxes will need to rise while austerity is clearly at an end in the sense that spending is rising, spending levels in many areas are set to remain well below 2006 levels for a long time to come.

The Minister of Finance has promised a comprehensive review of the fiscal framework. That is to be welcomed. It doesn’t matter how hard you review it, though, the iron laws of fiscal arithmetic will assert themselves. The only way that a change in the fiscal rules can help justify more spending without tax rises is if the Minister is happy to borrow more as debt continue to increase quickly.

Tax assessment

This budget is a spending budget fuel by heavy borrowing, to the tune of just over $190 million a year for the next three years. This is largely driven by the reduction in income tax from the mining sector and deferred tax created to other businesses. It is fair to say that on taxes, as on investment spending and on planned borrowing this budget did largely deliver on the, additional infrastructure project promises.

The Minister of Finance is looking to create new tax framework to help with the tax management and reduction in tax evasion. These strategies will not yield any benefit as the fundamentals are not in place to facilitate effective tax management systems.

One area where a strategy is desperately required is on “net zero Payroll”.  This  strategy which has been announced in previous budgets to combat the leakage of over payment to either “ghost employees” or “catfish employees”  was due later this year so perhaps a lack of direction this time round is forgivable, but the decisions made in this Budget don’t provide confidence in the Government that they are willing to solve this problem. The failure once again even to maintain the real value of fuel duties when oil prices are falling is not encouraging but public-private partnership initiatives were encouraged.

The Government has failed to provide tax   the agricultural industry, fishery industry, tourism industry and manufacturing sector.

The increase of wages and salaries for the security forces of 25% year on a yearly basis is 100% increase by 2023 though it is a shame for this distortionary and unnecessary increase for the security sector but the other civil servants will not receive any pay increase up to 2023 but only 2021.  The Government promised 25% increase for all civil servants workers, but only accounted for 6% increase.

Spending analysis

The cost of running the country for 2021 is analysed below:

Sector20202021Percentage increase Spending percentage
Le millionLe million
Wages                 3,300,000.00                3,500,000.006%34%
Debt interest                 1,100,000.00                1,300,000.0018%13%
Education                 1,540,000.00                1,540,000.000%15%
Health                    794,200.00                    794,200.000%8%
Social protection                         2,000.00                      81,100.003955%1%
Agriculture                    422,600.00                    422,600.000%4%
Fisheries                       14,600.00                      14,600.000%0%
Tourism                       12,600.00                      12,600.000%0%
Manufacturing                       16,200.00                      16,200.000%0%
MUNUFA FUND (Koindu Market)                                      –                      50,000.00100%0%
Electricity supply                       45,500.00                      45,500.000%0%
Water supply                       15,700.00                      15,700.000%0%
Road authority                    270,000.00                    270,000.000%3%
Repairs and maintenance                       12,700.00                      12,700.000%0%
Good governance                       10,400.00                      10,400.000%0%
Others                 1,653,500.00                2,174,400.0032%21%
Total                  9,210,000.00               10,260,000.00 100%

 

The total spending is Le10.26 trillion but failed to account for the Le2.174 trillion for the year 2021. We will further try to open a dialogue with the Ministry of Finance to explain further what the other represent as the budget has got a lot of gaps.

GAPS in the budget

The Government has failed to provide any data or financial information on the following areas:

  • Defence
  • Local Government spending
  • Pension and welfare
  • Sport
  • Human capital development

Conclusions

As we can see the Ministry of Finance has announced a 25% increase for all Government workers for 2021, but only the security forces will get 100% increase by 2023. The budget is full of gaps but only time will tell to the full effect of this budget as inflation is on the rise. The spending proposed by the Ministry of Finance is heavy spending that will result in a big increase in borrowing. Investment spending around tax management framework is promised but how quickly will this become effective.

There are plenty of risks and omissions in the budget. The biggest risks is the short-term increase in wages with no increase in taxes but taxes been deferred for the bigger companies, whiles the poor is bankrolling the country’s finance. In the longer term higher borrowing and debt carry their own risks. The lack of any coherent strategy on tax is a long standing problem in Sierra Leone. The lack of a strategy on net zero payroll will hopefully be sorted out later in the year.

Paramount Chiefs to Receive Monthly Salaries & Official Vehicles -President Bio

By Amin Kef Sesay

It was indeed a lively scene full of jubilation as the drumming, singing and dancing characterized the district of Kailahun on the 19 November 2020. Paramount Chief Mohamed Kailondo Banya and local authorities of Luawa Chiefdom were all set to welcome President Maada Bio to their district headquarter town and as well to express thanks and appreciation for recent developments in that part of the country.

The Paramount Chief publicly commended the health care workers, saying that since the COVID-19 outbreak the district response team had worked tremendously well to ensure that the disease does not spread to the whole of the district, a major business and commercial centre with an estimated population of about 30,411.

Presenting three newly elected Paramount Chiefs, the Local Government Minister, Tamba Lamina, said they had closely monitored the elections of the chiefs, adding that the processes were transparent. He also noted that over the years paramount chieftaincy had become so enviable that it attracted very highly educated citizens who were willing to leave their lucrative professional career jobs to serve their people at such local levels.

“I am happy to present the names of the following elected chiefs to be given their staffs by the President. PC Musa Nyandebo Gbaoghoto II of Jahn Chiefdom, Kailahun District  II; PC Dr Shamsu Mustapha Ngebeh VI of Peje West of Kailahun District  III; PC Brima Sulaiman Kamara of Kabonde Chiefdom of Pujehun District,” he announced.

Delivering his keynote address, President Julius Maada Bio congratulated the Paramount Chiefs on their win, adding that his Government had done a lot over the years to dignify and bring paramount chieftaincy closer to the central governance system. He also noted that he is serious about the welfare of paramount chiefs because if they as local authorities were productive in their rule, it would lessen the burden on the central Government.

“Under the New Direction Government, each and every Paramount Chief will begin to get a monthly salary, an official vehicle and salaries for all chiefdom administrators effective 2021,” he assured.

The President, however, admonished citizens of Kailahun to put more emphasis on education and agriculture as a means of transforming their communities, chiefdoms and the nation for the future of their unborn children.

Paramount Chief of Jahn Chiefdom in the Kailahun District, PC Musa Nyandebo Gbaoghoto II, on behalf of his colleagues, thanked the President and his administration for gracing what he referred to as a red-letter day.

“President Bio has been the only leader to demonstrate a true spirit of leadership by dignifying the paramount chieftaincy. My colleagues and I will forever remain grateful to you and the Government of Sierra Leone,” he said.

At the Gbalahun Court Barry in the Kailahun District on  20 November 2020 President Bio commissioned a new Court Barry in Gbalahun where he also encouraged parents to send their children to school.

Town Chief, Moiwo Bockarrie Korji, said that Dr Julius Maada Bio is the only sitting President to have visited the township since 1964. He welcomed the Government delegation, emphasising how much they were excited about the visit.

Chief Korji maintained that the visit of the President is a clear testament to his belief that governance should be closer to the people.

“We are very happy for this visit and to announce to you that the only junior secondary school in this town has been approved by your Government. We are also most grateful for the free quality education. It has removed the stress of paying school fees off parents,” he said.

In his brief statement the President told them that people were always at the centre of his administration, adding that that was why he had decided not to govern just from Freetown but wanted to come down to the provinces to see first-hand how his people are doing.

He further stated that the progressive nature of Gbalahun is so impressive that he feels enthused to provide more classrooms and teaching materials to schools, not only in the township, but in the whole of the country.

“We know the nature and importance of education. That is why my Government has prioritised it and we are paying for 2.5 million school going children across the country. My Government will continue to provide more classrooms, teaching and learning materials for effective learning,” he assured.

President Bio, however, admonished children of school-going age to make good use of the free quality education by studying very hard to make better grades, reiterating that education is the single most important pillar to transform a country.

Parliament Validates Strategic Plan to Enhance Operational Effectiveness

Parliament of Sierra Leone

By Theresa Kef Sesay

The Parliament of Sierra Leone has, on the 20th November 2020 in Committee Room One, Parliament Building, held a virtual validation session for its five year Strategic Plan to enhance its operational effectiveness from 2021-2025.

This virtual stakeholders’ validation session was supported by the EU Governance Sector Programme in Sierra Leone.

The Clerk of Parliament, Directors, Deputy Directors, Heads of Units and other Staff of Parliament who were in attendance made meaningful contributions and inputs towards the validation process. Representatives of UNDP and WFD were also in attendance and made significant contributions.

Project Director for the EU Governance Sector Programme, Sinisa Duric said among other things that the EU is committed to strengthening the capacity of the Parliament of Sierra Leone in many spheres in order to enhance its operational efficiency for national development; citing legislation, representation and oversight.

Speaking on the theory of change, Consultant for the development of the Strategic Plan, Dr. Rasheed Draman recalled that only 35 percent of the last Strategic Plan was implemented due to lack of funding.

Explaining the different types of legislatures including transformative, emerging and rubber-stamp, Dr. Draman said the Strategic Plan has 23 objectives laced with five goals which include building the institutional capacity of Parliament, strengthening law making, oversight, representation and relationship with citizens and resource mobilization for implementation.

Dr. Draman also spoke of the need to making the Office of the Clerk of Parliament nonpartisan through recruitment by the Parliamentary Service Commission with a secured tenure as in Ghana and the construction and staffing of offices for MPs both in Parliament and their Constituencies like what Ghana and other legislatures have done to enhance the effectiveness of MPs and their Parliaments aimed at meeting the expectations of their Constituents and the General Citizenry.

The Director of Center for Research and Parliamentary Studies, Mr. Mohamed Jalloh did the welcome address and Director of Parliamentary Assistance Coordination explained the background and purpose of the validation.

NGC Leadership Holds Dialogue with Vice President & Attorney General

By Amin Kef Sesay

On the 19th November, 2020, the National Grand Coalition Chairman and Leader, Dr. Dennis Bright, the NGC Parliamentary Leader, Hon. Alhaji Dr. Kandeh Yumkella, the National Secretary General, Alhaji Amadu Sheriff And the Legal Adviser, Ambassador Foday Dabor, paid a courtesy call on H.E. The Vice President, Dr. Juldeh Jalloh, and the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Anthony Brewah, in their respective offices.

For the past two years, the leadership of the National Grand Coalition (NGC) has been pursuing a legislative agenda involving several behind-the-scenes negotiations with Government officials, the APC and C4C for the introduction of a Bill that would enable the following: a) securing 30% of all elected seats for women b) citizens in the Diaspora to hold public office and parliamentary seats except for the positions of President, Vice President, Speaker, and security-related offices and (c) public servants to resign six (6) months (instead of twelve months) if they intend to contest in elections.

The Vice President welcomed the group and expressed his views on all the above issues, some of which he himself has pursued for decades since his days at Campaign for Good Governance.

He also elaborated that the Government is in an advanced stage of the review of the CRC report under which all the above issues will be addressed.  He explained the critical importance of electoral reforms, including proportional representation, to open the political space and promote inclusive governance.

The Attorney General acknowledged receiving the letter from Hon Yumkella in July, and assured the NGC team that the Government has held two retreats on governance issues and the CRC process where all these issues have been thoroughly debated and  incorporated. He thanked the NGC group for the additional inputs and documents they presented to him.

One of the outcomes of these important meetings is the reassurance given by the Vice President and the Attorney General that the dialogue will continue. Also, the Government will consider whether instead of introducing a separate Bill, all the recommendations being made by the NGC will be incorporated into subsequent amended Constitution of Sierra Leone.  The VP and AG underscored the need for a collaborative, bipartisan approach, involving all the political parties, and civil society groups to ensure successful promulgation of parliamentary laws (of the low-hanging fruits) that are not entrenched clauses in the constitution.

 

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