January 24, 2017 By Hassan Gbassay Koroma

Presiding Magistrate at the Freetown Magistrates’ Court No.1, Dr. Abou Bhkarr Binneh Kamara, yesterday committed the murder matter of involving Joseph Foday Kabia and Amos Alimamy Kargbo, who allegedly murdered retired Magistrate Imran Rahman, to the High Court of Sierra Leone for trial.

Both accused persons were arraigned on three counts of conspiracy to murder, murder and robbery with aggravation, contrary to the laws of Sierra Leone.

The prosecution alleges that both accused persons on 23rd December, 2016 at No.3 Majay Town, Goderich, in Freetown, conspired with other unknown persons to murder the retired magistrate.

The prosecution further alleges that both accused persons on 23rd December, 2016 at the same address, while being armed with harmful weapons, robbed the former magistrate of assorted household items valued millions of Leones.

In his committal statement, Magistrate Kamara said he had gone through the evidence and was convinced that the accused persons have a case to answer in the High Court, thus committing the matter for further trial.

Testifying prior to the committal, wife of late Magistrate Rahman, Marie Rahman, said that on 24th December, 2016 she was in the United States of America when she received a mobile phone call and was informed about the alleged incident.

She narrated that she travelled to Freetown on 29th Decvember, and witnessed the funeral of her late husband on the 30th.

She said on 31st December, 2016 she was invited to the Criminal Investigations Department to identify certain properties of her late husband.

January 24, 2017 By Amadu Lamrana Bah

The House of Parliament is all set to unanimously approve lawyer Sulaiman Kabba Koroma as Chairman of the National Commission for Privatisation (NCP) on Tuesday 24th January, 2017.

According to reports from Parliament Building, Lawyer Kabba- who is not a first timer to be scrutinised  by the Committee on Appointments- appeared on Friday again and impressed the members with his humility,  professional background and contribution to national development.

Prior to his new appointment, the young  ‘Legal Practitioner of the Year 2012’  (AWOL) was Chairman of the enviable National Revenue Authority (NRA) where he performed extremely well by ensuring that the Authority regularly met and exceeded its set targets of revenue generation for Government. This was evident even during the Ebola outbreak, when most businesses were closing down, and some leaving the country.

Under his leadership, the NRA has won several prestigious awards as one of the leading agencies of Government that is serving its purpose and leading in its corporate social responsibility by strongly supporting education and providing symbolic financial support to relatives of medical personnel who died fighting Ebola.

“My new appointment is a fulfillment of President Ernest Bai Koroma’s promise and continued commitment to young people that he believes in them and will empower them as well as give them leadership responsibilities,” Kabba said.

As Chairman of the Commission Kabba will oversee the privatization and reform of public enterprises as well as amend, where necessary, laws relating to their establishment and administration.

“I am aware of the responsibility of this new job,” he noted, “but God being my helper, I will do my best not to disappoint President Koroma for the confidence repose in me and the young people who are looking up to me as mentor and role model.”

Lawyer Sulaiman Kabba Koroma is proud recipient in 2014 of the prestigious State award of Commander of the Order of the Rokel.

Meanwhile, being a member of several religious, cultural and social groups it is expected that the Parliament Building will be jam-packed with supporters to witness Kabbah’s approval.

 January 24, 2017 By Mohamed Massaquoi in Kono

As contest for various positions within the main opposition Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) heightens, one of the candidates for the position of Chairman and Leader, Dr. Morie Komba Manyeh, has officially announced his candidature in his home town of Kono, where he boasted of being the only qualified and accredited individual that would finally bring lasting peace to the membership of the SLPP.

Dr. Manyeh was the co-chairman during the Bishop Humper peace deal that intended to bring various factions together, more so when the party was in serious political turmoil in which party members vigorously attacked each other for sentimental reasons.

While addressing party members at the SLPP officer in Kono, Dr. Manyeh promised to serve as Peace ambassador to rejuvenate the party by working with every member of the SLPP, stating that the party needed collective efforts to win the forthcoming presidential, parliamentary and local council elections scheduled for 2018.

He added that he predicated his candidature on the principles of unity and oneness, especially when some of the party members were feeling deprived.

He said one of the reasons to have gone to Kono and declare his intention was to prove to the current party officers that he was coming from a strong political base that will add value to the struggles of the SLPP, nothing that Kono district was significant in the political arrangements of the country.

He observed that over the years, the interest and values of the district and the party itself have not been properly represented by various individuals, pointing at the ruling All Peoples Congress, which he said, has done little for the district.

 “I am in this contest not because of personal reasons but to properly represent my people on the political map of Sierra Leone. I have proven records of fostering peace in the SLPP at the stage we need each other for a general purpose that is to win come 2018. This is an opportunity that we should make a very good us of. The APC has misperformed to the better understanding of the people of Sierra Leone. It is now very clear that the APC led government is not the appropriate government and the people of Sierra Leone want an alternative, which is SLPP.But we cannot achieve it without our collective efforts,” he said.

Manyeh further stated that the people of Kono especially SLPP delegates from across the district decided to come out in the open to declare for him because they wanted to have a positive representation from the district and the entire eastern region.

He pointed out that during the days of Rev. Paul Dumba as party National Chairman from the Kono district, a lot of development took place across Sierra Leone, hence the people of Kono were yearning and also appealing to the entire membership of the SLPP to give them the opportunity to have the national chairman and leader.

“We are in this race not as enemies but brothers and sisters within the same SLPP. I believe in peace and not war. I believe in unity and not divisiveness. I want to call on you all of to support me to become the National Chairman and Leader of the SLPP.I believe I have the capacity and charisma to deliver my best for the SLPP and the country as a whole. Our people rely on us to form the next government. The international community wants to see unity in the SLPP. I want to assure you that I will deliver the peace that is needed for the SLPP to win the forthcoming general elections,” he said.

SLPP district Chairperson, Madam Sia Elizabeth Tongu, thanked Dr. Manyeh for his commitment and contribution towards the SLPP even at difficult moments.

She said the party needed quality leadership so that voters would have confidence to vote.

She said they have endorsed the flag bearer candidate, Retired Brigadier Maada Bio and Dr. Manyeh for the position of Chairman and Leader, so that Kono and its people would have a stake in the political arrangement of the SLPP.

She emphasised that Kono district has long been deprived and that there was need for them to come together for the general good of the people.

“As chairperson for the district and the entire delegates, we are here today to declare for our brother, Dr. Komba Morie Manyeh for the position of National Chairman and Leader of the SLPP. I am sure other delegates across the country will see reason to vote for our brother. All of us should work in the interest of SLPP,” she said.

The declaration of delegates from various constituencies within Kono and some parts of the Western Area formed the high point of the event.

While  addressing a presser in Kono, Maada Bio said he was yet to openly declare for any candidate for the position of national chairman and leader.

He said as a leader, he will not use his popularity and support among party members to suppress the candidature of an individual, adding that he did not have voting right to elect national officers but he definitely has a candidate in mind.

“This is an internal democratic process and all of those contesting for the said position are members of the SLPP. I have a candidate in mind who I believe I can work with for the success of this struggle but I have not done that in the open,” he noted

January 24, 2017 By Sahr Morris Jnr

Sierra Leone international, Alhassan Bangura (Al Bangura) has joined England National League North side, Nuneaton Town.

The former Watford and Forrest Green Rovers midfielder signed a six months deal with the sixth tier English football side and can’t wait to get started for his new club.

Confirming the deal on the club’s website, the club’s  gaffer, Tommy Wright said: “I am delighted to be able to bring Al to the club. I had a spell playing alongside him at Forest Green Rovers and quite simply he was a class above. He should never have been playing at that level but sometimes things like injuries and a change of management can dictate situations.

“If we can get him fit and playing regularly, he can be a big asset to us both on and off-the-pitch. He is professional, experienced and alongside the likes of Exodus and Langers, he will provide calmness on the field and a wise voice in the dressing room.”
Wright further stated that Al Bangura is a leader and a fighter who is hungry to be successful and not afraid to roll his sleeves to face any challenge.

The 28 year-old first played for Watford youth set-up in 2004 and later progressed to make over 70 senior appearances for the Hornets, which saw him scooped the club’s Young Player of the Season award along the way and also helped them gain premier league promotion.

Bangura made 16 Premier League appearances. After his Watford spell, Al Bangura had a loan spell with Brighton & Hove Albion and later joined Blackpool on a non-contract basis and spent a season with the club.
He then joined Forest Green Rovers in readiness for the 2011/12 season after spending some time in Azerbaijan with Tony Adams’ Gabala. Rocked by injury, the midfielder’s  progress was halted as he later joined Coventry City, where he stayed for the second half of the 2014/15 campaign before having a spell out of the game and returning at the turn of 2016 with St. Albans City.

January 24, 2017 By Sahr Morris Jnr

As the Sierra Leone Volleyball Association (SLVA) 2017 Inter Regional Volleyball Championship gets underway today, the four participating regions are in top gear to spring surprises in this year’s tournament.

With several changes and players moving in various regions, the tournament itself has been billed to be a mouthwatering showpiece throughout the six days actions.

According to the Southern Region assistant coach, Abdul Razack Kamara, they were in Freetown to create upsets and lift both the indoor and beach volleyball title.

“We were runners-up during the last tournament so we are ready this year to be crowned as champions,” coach Kamara said. On their hopes to excel in the beach contest despite their region lack of such facilities, he expressed high optimism.

“For the Beach Volleyball contest, we have the players who can rise up to the challenge. Because we do lack  beach venue for training session that was why we traveled earlier and had several training at the tournament venue, so we are ready for the competition and challenges,” he said.

Meanwhile, Team Western Area are considered as favourites for both beach and indoor and head coach, Ibrahim Totor Koroma, admitted that they will be using different approaches in the tournaments as they planned to introduce young players that will showcase their talents.

He said: “We are ready to face any team at the tournament despite losing few of our players to the other regions, but our strength, experience, determination and love of the game will inspire us to defend our beach volleyball title in both male and female categories. We will also maintain our male volleyball title and fight to regain the female title as well.”  

 January 24, 2017 By Sahr Morris Jnr

Sierra Leone international, Mustapha Dumbuya, has praised the Patrick Thistle staff, players and fans, who inspired him to fight back from the toughest injury spell of his career.

The right-back was given a huge ovation as he ran out for the second half to replace Callum Booth and the emotional defender was delighted to be back in action as he proceeded to deliver a lively 45 minutes.

Dumbuya said: “It felt really good. It’s what I’ve been looking forward to for the past six and a half months.

“It was an amazing welcome from the fans and it was emotional for me. My family was out there and I’m sure my wife was crying. The fans were brilliant during my comeback. The boys were great too. They were all delighted to see me play 45 minutes over in Spain,” he said.

“The manager and Scott Paterson have always been encouraging me. It’s been a tough six months, but there’s always light at the end of the tunnel. The gaffer wanted me to get on the ball as much as possible and get my fitness back.”

“I knew I was coming on, it was pre-planned. Me and the gaffer spoke about it and discussed whether I started or came on later. In the end it was down to him. It’s been really tough for me. I’ve had to stay mentally and physically strong. But I’ve done it and I’ve been looking forward to this day.”

January 25, 2017 By Mohamed Massaquoi in Kono

The Local Unit Commander (LUC) of the Tankoro Police Division in Koidu, Kono district, has confirmed to Concord Times the arrest of a notorious armed robber, whom he claimed have been causing problems for people in both the eastern district and across the country.

LUC David Sahib Koroma said the police had mounted a manhunt for Aiah James for various offences he had allegedly committed, before the fugitive ran out of luck last Saturday and went to the station to report his junior brother for allegedly mismanaging his business.

The police chief said his men quickly identified the fugitive as one of those on their ‘wanted’ list.

LUC Koroma further narrated that since he took over as police boss in the city, crime rate has reduced drastically as he works closely with the Local Police Partnership Board and local authorities to maintain peace and security in the volatile district.

He noted that community policing was the best model to curb criminal activities, adding that residents of Kono have expressed a huge sigh of relief that James had been arrested alongside his girlfriend.

“James came here alongside his girlfriend to report his younger brother. While the process was on course, one of my personnel alerted me that James is a notorious criminal that they have been looking out for. He was immediately arrested with the lady and a search warrant was conducted at his residence in Koidu city where a pistol was discovered. The investigation is ongoing and the matter would   be transferred to Freetown for further investigations,” explained the police officer.

A 2016 United States Department report on the rate of crime in Sierra Leone states that a concern for many businesses that have invested in the country is the continuing high theft and malfeasance by many employees.

The report further states that Sierra Leone was not immune to robberies, home invasions, assaults, and petty street crimes and that even with the employment of security personnel, many instances of crime still occur, adding that Freetown was not exempt from rising crime.

“Expatriates are the primary targets of crime due to their perceived wealth. Crimes against Americans have involved those of opportunity rather than targeting. These crimes include, but are not limited to, pickpocketing and thefts from hotel rooms. Americans have reported theft of money and property from locked hotel rooms,” the report stated.

January 25, 2017 By Ibrahim Tarawallie

The Minister of Finance and Economic Development has strongly warned project managers in government ministries, departments and agencies to follow due process to obtain in public procurement and financial management.

Momodu L. Kargbo made the warning during the official launch of a project titled: “Smallholder Commercialization and Agribusiness Development Project (SCADeP)” at the Bintumani Hotel in Freetown on Friday, January 20, 2017.

The five year project, which is being funded by the World Bank and the British Department for International Development (DFID) will be implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Security and other line ministries.

Kargbo slammed what he referred to as “ineligible expenditures” by project coordinators, in that monies were being spent in a way that was not in conformity with project directives, urging that such trend should stop.

According to him, his ministry was often inundated with payment requests for ineligible expenditures due mainly to the reluctance of project managers to follow due process and laid down procedures in public procurement and financial management.

He also warned that he would be going through all withdrawals before appending his signature and in some instances, and that he would refuse to sign those with discrepancies.

The Finance Minister maintained that the agricultural sector was critical to the maintenance of a stable economy, noting that the country had been spending a significant proportion of its foreign expenditure earnings on the importation of food.

He opined that a major contributing factor to high inflation in the country was the increasing costs of basic food items, most of which are imported, mainly because domestic production  was either inadequate or in most cases lacking.

He cautioned project managers as well as implementing agencies of the SCADeP project to exercise prudence in managing the finances of the project.

January 25, 2017 By Ibrahim Tarawallie 

The World Bank and the British Department for International Development (DFID) are supporting the implementation of a project which seeks to promote agricultural productivity through increase access to markets and finance.

The Smallholder Commercialization and Agribusiness Development Project (SCADeP), which is a five year programme, was officially launched on Friday (January 20) by Vice President Victor Bockarie Foh at the Bintumani Hotel in Freetown

The $55millioin project; $40million from the World bank and $15million from DFID, will help in improving the lives of 50,000 people, of which 40% are women and youth farmers and also build links between smallholder farmers and selected agribusiness firms who buy from them in the country.

During the event, World Bank Country Manager, Parminder Brar opined that Sierra Leone has all the ingredients necessary for successful agriculture, citing land, water and rainfall.

“Sierra Leone has a huge potential for growing it agriculture if you compare it to Africa. I have traveled around this country, the potential is incredible. You have the land, water and rainfall. Only 8.1% of the land in Sierra Leone is currently on agriculture right now,” he said.

He stated that Sierra Leone has an arable land area of 5.36million hectares, which is 74% of the overall land area of the country and that the amount of land which is actually being cultivated was less than 0.4million hectares.

According to him, there was absolutely no reason Sierra Leone should continue spending a whopping $350 million to import agricultural products every year.

Brar maintained that the bank saw the agricultural sector as priority number one because of the fact that it accounts for 50% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), with 70% of the population involve in agriculture.

He stated that the project would work under the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Security and other line ministries, to help the country and the president achieve the objectives of not only exporting products but also reducing food insecurity, which currently exist in many parts of the country.

While thanking President Ernest Bai Koroma for being the driver of agriculture, the World Bank boss reckoned that to move agriculture to the next level, access to inputs which is cheap and available all over the country is needed by the people, especially farmers.

British High Commissioner, Guy Warrington said: “The poor state of rural road network means that it is often too expensive for farmers to get their produce to the market, or it takes so long that goods perish before they can be sold.”

He stated with the United Kingdom’s $15million support to the project, it would help in tackling the problem by paying for the construction, rehabilitation and maintenance of over 500KM of feeder roads.

According to him, by connecting farmers to the road network, they would be able to sell their produce at market, increasing their incomes and helping them invest in their farms, as well as supporting their families.

He added that the project would also reduce the country’s vulnerability to food insecurity and also improve access for women and children in rural communities to school and health facilities.

Giving the overview, Project Coordinator, Sulaiman Sesay, said the project would promote smallholder commercialization by fostering productive business linkages between farmers and agribusiness firms and other commodity off-takers in the country.

He stated that the project would support four main commodity value chains; rice, oil palm, cocoa and poultry but added that other viable and profitable value chains can be supported after visibility study.

“This project is designed to address various forms of market failures which constrain smallholder agricultural productivity,” he said.

Officially launching the project, Vice President Foh said since assuming office in 2007, the president has made a commitment of empowering the rural poor by increasing their food security and income and sustain their livelihood.

He noted that evidence and experience have shown that while commercialization in agriculture was a promising path to poverty reduction and food security, it is not without planning and implementation.

“Today’s launch underscores government commitment to poverty reduction goals, empowerment of smallholder farmers, women, young people and agribusiness development. We have embark on this path knowing fully well that large number of our citizens are engage in agriculture, quite a number of farmers are engage in subsistence farming and there is no level of commercialization in agricultural production,” he said.

To ensure effective commercialization, the Vice President maintained that farmers need government and private sector intervention for support.

He said the government has supported farmers with inputs, expose them to new technologies and farming techniques, as well as promoting better seed production and assured that they would continue to support them in addressing environmental challenges relating to the use of fertilizers and pesticides.

January 25, 2017 

Executive Director of Legal Aid Board, Ms. Fatmata Claire Carlton-Hanciles has noted that the scheme was overwhelmed with complaints from people seeking legal service through the Board’s Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Service.  “Our offices are full to overflowing by 9 o’clock in the morning and this is putting a lot of pressure on us. People struggle to find space in our office, even corridors are cramped with those waiting to access our ADR service,” she said.

The ADR Officer, Reverend Bob-Kandeh said they always mediate an average of 13 to 15 complaints per day.

“We mediate a vast array of cases a day. I mediated fourteen complaints by the closed of business today. They range from benefit claim to wage, maintenance, estate, family and marital matters’

Reverend Bob- kandeh also disclosed that the ADR service received at least fifteen complaints from members of the public per day.

“We received a complaint from Kambia and we had to refer it to our Port Loko office,” he said.

Ms. Carlton-Hanciles said confidence in the quality of service provided by the Board’s ADR was growing in leaps and bounds and attributed the development to the fact that the service was free and speedy.

 “We mediate complaints in a matter of hours or days. We reconcile the parties unlike what obtains in the courts. We have resolved matters that have taken years in the courts,” he said.

According to Ms. Carlton-Hanciles, the police and the courts were referring matters to the Board for mediation.

“We have both police and a Magistrate court from Bo referring matters to us in a single week. Our message on matters the police should not be handling is gradually sinking down and this is increasing the pressure on us. The police are gradually shying away from matters relating to debt and land because it has been made clear that they should not be handling them,” she said.

She also disclosed that the Board was under pressure from those who were having problems with their lawyers or can no longer afford to pay for legal services.

“As we speak, some 150 former employees of the African Minerals are requesting legal assistance from the scheme even though they have a lawyer,” she noted.

Ms. Carlton-Hanciles said the Board will be establishing a second ADR service in the Freetown office to cope with the ever increasing numbers seeking the service.

Meanwhile, Ms. Carlton-Hanciles has continued his call on the judiciary and the police to join the Board in reducing the prison population.

“We are still struggling to address the overcrowding in our prisons and cells. I am deeply concerned about the state of affairs and would therefore like to call on the judiciary and the police to take the necessary steps to reduce the remand population in our detention facilities across the country,” she called.

January 25, 2017

One of Sierra Leone’s leading mobile companies, Airtel Sierra Leone has disclosed plans to invest a whopping $33million this year to aid the expansion of its operation across the country.

In July 2016, Orange together with its Senegal-based partner, Sonatel, completed the acquisition of 100% of Airtel in Sierra Leone.

During a presser yesterday at the company’s headquarters at Hill Station in Freetown, Chief Executive Officer, Sekou Drame, said the amount would be used to ensure modernization of their network, improve customer experience and operations.

With regards network modernization, he said they hope to renew all existing base stations with capacity upgrade to comply with international standards in terms of network and facilitate operations.

He revealed that they had already presented a proposal to the National Telecommunication Commission (NATCOM), detailing things they wanted to complete by the end of July this year.

 Mr. Drame noted that network densification in Freetown, Bo, Makeni and Kenema would also be done to resolve the present network congestion, while at the same time renewing transmission backbone by multiplying its current capacity to cope with the high data usage.

“We want to assure our customers of our determination and commitment to provide good services at all times. Our relationship with NATCOM is one of compliance,” he said.

January 25, 2017 By Jariatu S. Bangura

Members of parliament of the Appointment and Public Service Committee yesterday approved Dr. Mrs. Nemata Majeks-Walker as Chairperson of the Teaching Hospital Complex Administration board, Lawyer Sulaiman Kabba Koroma as Chairman of the National Commission for Privatization (NCP),as well as three others to serve in different capacities.

Dr. Mrs. Majeks-Walker has been a consultant and facilitator/trainer with work experience in gender, leadership, advocacy and politics since 1999. Her experience is also backed by a wealth of international work experience in many African countries, Asia and the United States respectively.

Prior to her appointment, Dr. Majeks-Walker was a freelance international consultant, manager, coordinator and fundraiser of the building project of the 50/50 Gender and Women’s Leadership Training Institute and also other women’s empowerment project.

Responding to questions by members of the committee on her new job, Dr. Mrs. Majeks-Walker said “my role is extremely important because of the state of our hospitals and health-care centres across the country. I have turned down many calls to serve in different capacities but accepted this one because of the great passion I have for our health-care system. It is very important that we encourage our doctors and other health specialists to remain in the country.

She stated that ‘for far too long,’ the nation has been suffering ‘severe brain-drain’  and that doctors and other health specialists have always seized the opportunity of overseas training apparently for greener pastures.

“Now that we are in the process of establishing Post-graduate colleges of health specialties in our country, we should be able to maintain standards that are commensurate to the health facilities of other countries in the world. The health-care delivery in this country needs to be improved,” she stated.

In her contribution, SLPP’s Hon. Helen Kuyembeh, said the health system in the country needed to be improved. She expressed optimism in the healthcare system in the country.

 “We should know where we are coming from and therefore we should know where exactly we are going. We are looking forward for your intervention and achievement in the health system”.

On her part, the APC lawmaker, Hon. Rosaline J. Smith said it was because of the inspiration of Dr. Majeks-Walker that many sierra Leonean women were in parliament, noting that her words of encouragement to move from the kitchens was a plausible one.

The other nominees included Dr. Zubairu Kalokoh- Chairman of the Electricity and Water Regulatory Commission, Sidi Alieu Bakarr and Arne Birger Johansen as Board members of Electricity Distribution and supply Authority (EDSA)

January 25, 2017

Team Western Area and Northern region get-off a flying start in the opening ceremony of this year’s Sierra Leone Volleyball Association (SLVA) inter-regional beach and indoor volleyball championship.

The much talked about tournament commenced with a bang for the Western Area team one and two, who had an easy win over their Southern opponent.

Francess Lanssana and Fatamata Binta Bah matched to a two straight set wins; 21-4, 21-8 over Southern Regions duo; Kula Soybandi and Umunatu Turay in the clash of team two, while Western Area team one pair; Muna Fofonah and Zaniab Kamara had to work harder in securing a 3-1 win over Bernadette Fofonah and Bilkisu Conteh.

Fofonah and Kamara secured 21—14 win in the first set but their Southern Region opponents, Bernadette & Conteh, took the second set 21-19 to force the match for a best of 15, which was won by the host team; 15-4.

The other female contest of the day saw a total dominance from quartet of the Eastern Region as team two pair; Lilian G Nguajah and Mariam Koroma had an easily 2-0 (21-18, 21-6) victory against Aminata Bangura and Zainab Dainkeh of Northern Region.

It was the same story for the other pairs as Jammie Sow and Iye K Kaira followed their teammates with 21-6-21-18 win over Zainab Kamara and Nasu Bundor of the North.

The story was different in the male category as it was a Western Area and Northern Region dominance. The tournament host and favourites; Abubakar Kamara and Ishmeal Bangura, worked-over their Southern Region duo; Momoh Janjua and Essomba Wills 21-11, 21-9. Like their team one, the Western Area team two also registered 21-10, 21-18 against Southern team two.

In the other battle of the day, both teams from the Northern Region also overpowered their Eastern Region counterpart 21-7, 21-14 and 21-11, 21-3.

January 25, 2017 By Sahr Morris Jnr

Sierra Leone midfielder will continue to pull on the colours of Finnish third-tier (Kakkonen) league side, Oulun Palloseura Jalkapallo (OPS) after putting pen to paper on a new deal.

The Sierra Leone international confirmed signing a new one-year deal with the OPS club that will keep him until the end of the 2017 league season.

According to  the striker cum midfielder, his new deal will officially start on the 28 January, 2017 and that he would be playing in the second-tier league Ykkönen.

Despite the Oulu-based club promotion bid was dealt with by a major blow following a shocking home defeat to FC Honka last season, Sesay’s side has been given a huge boost to compete in the second-tier this season, following the withdrawal of PK-35 Vantaa.

“I am very much pleased with the new deal and I’m now looking forward to playing in second-tier which I’m sure is going to be exciting but tough,” Sesay said.

King Buduski as he is fondly called, scored 14 goals in 19 appearances for Oulun Palloseura Jalkapallo in the Finish third-tier league last season.

January 26, 2017 By Joseph S. Margai

In a bid to achieve universal primary education by strengthening education system management in Bonthe district, the European Union (EU) has provided support to the Bonthe District Council in the tune of five hundred and ninety-four thousand, two hundred and nineteen Euro (€594, 219), which would benefit 10,000 pupils and 500 teachers.

The total cost of the project is sixty-six hundred and sixty thousand, two hundred and forty-four Euro (€660,244), with Bonthe District Council expected to make an input of sixty-six thousand and twenty-five Euro (€66, 025) from internally generated revenue, representing 90 percent and 10 percent inputs respectively.

At an event marking the launch of the EU supported project at the Bonthe District Council Hall on Tuesday, 24th January, 2017 Rita Ngadie Savage, chairperson of the council, said poor quality education in the district was of concern to the council, hence they sought support of the EU to intervene so as to improve on the already falling standard of education in the district.

She disclosed that the project would benefit 10,000 pupils, further training of  500 teachers, construct school toilets, provide clean and safe drinking water facility for schools, and rehabilitate schools that are in deplorable condition.

“The Boarding Home of the Centennial Secondary School, which was destroyed during the war, will be rehabilitated under this project. We have got situations where most pupils have been impregnated while in school because they were not on campus. We want to provide a place that they can call home while learning at the same time,” she explained.

She urged residents of Bonthe district to take ownership of the project so that it would benefit all pupils.

Magnus Musa, a representative of the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, said education in Bonthe district currently face numerous challenges including bad terrain, lack of trained and qualified teachers and poor infrastructure.

“Bonthe has 11 chiefdoms plus the Island. Five of those chiefdoms are situated in riverine areas and are difficult to reach. Most of the schools are make-shift structures and sometimes get destroyed by heavy rains,” he said.

He said the EU supported project would help to address some of the challenges affecting education in Bonthe district.

Head of EU Delegation to Sierra Leone, Ambassador Peter Versteeg, said the re-introduction of Local Councils was playing an important role and providing greater opportunity for the establishment of a centralised system of governance by devolving key functions from the central government.

He said that, more importantly, decentralisation allows people to actively participate in their own development, adding that it lays the foundation for improved accountability in governance and ensure local leadership of development by the Districts and City Councils.

“It is on that basis the EU has committed €594,219 to Bonthe District Council in order to help improve quality primary education by strengthening education system management in the district,” he said.

He said the project has ambitious targets and that it would strengthen the capacity of various institutional and societal stakeholders in education, noting that it would facilitate the training of 500 teachers and supports 10,000 children in 50 schools.

“The project will rehabilitate structures, provide furniture and build WASH facilities for children to have a better environment to learn. The building up of capacities for better service delivery and better access to primary education is vital for the country’s development. Primary education has an important place in the government’s agenda and the world’s Sustainable Development Goals,” he said.

He assured that the EU would act as a partner in supporting Bonthe District Council to achieve the objectives of the project and called on beneficiaries to make judicious use of the project resources and fully commit themselves to implementing activities.

In her keynote address, Sunkarie Kabba-Kamara, Mayor of Makeni City Council, said government was committed to achieving universal primary education, noting that education was the bedrock of development of the country.

“The problem with education is lack of ownership. We should change our mindset and take ownership of what we have. Child-centered teaching techniques should be strengthened. Teachers should be instructors. They should identify the problems in education and reverse them for the better,” she said.

She implored heads of schools to monitor teachers to ensure that right information is being disseminated to pupils, adding that teachers should manage school resources very well and repair those that ware and tear.

She noted that Bonthe district was one of the most deplorable districts in the country, and that some of the bottlenecks hindering education included teenage pregnancy and early marriage.

January 26, 2017

Parliament yesterday approved the appointment by President Ernest Bai Koroma of Lawyer Sulaiman Kabba Koroma and four others nominated by various professional interests to serve on different boards of commissions.

Lawyer Koroma is now chairman of the national privatization commission (NCP), responsible for the privatisation and reform of public enterprises, amend certain laws relating to public enterprises and provide for other related matters.

His task among other things would be to look at the extant list of over 24 public enterprises slated for divestiture as contained in the First Schedule of the Act that established the NCP.

“This is no small task. It is huge but with the right attitude and a team of dedicated people, we will succeed,” Koroma told a battery of friends who had gone to witness the session in parliament.

The World Bank is one of the country’s development partners that are working with government to strengthen public private partnership (PPP) to ensure that private sector participation benchmarks are met.

It recently urged that all stakeholders should focus on project evaluation capability and to allocate more resources in capital expenditure as two of the main pillars that support the growth of the country.

When asked what he made of the position of World Bank, the new chair of NCP said: “I am aware of some of the areas of interests. I know, among other things, that the bank wants projects such as the extension of the berths and refurbishment of the infrastructure and the security situation at the ports be captured in the government’s PPP structure. We will look into anything that will serve this country well.”

Lawyer Koroma, who earned his law degree at the Fourah Bay College and went through Law School in Freetown, was called to the bar in 2003. Four years later, and after a great private practice, the young trailblazer started his public life in 2007.

In 2008 the barrister & solicitor joined the board of the National Revenue Authority (NRA) as a legal representative. He carried himself very well and was made acting chair of the board, briefly, before he became the substantive chair in 2013. Three years down the line, Lawyer Koroma would emerge as that superintendent under whose chairmanship the NRA undertook several reforms that paid off.

Opposition politicians in parliament cautioned him and said they hoped he would continue to work in the interest of the country and not party, noting that the new appointment was a completely different challenge to his administrative experience at the NRA.

“Part of the reason for my success at NRA, like with all other institutions I have worked and led before, was the fact that I worked very closely with the Commissioner General to achieve the targets they had set themselves all through those years. I just believe in teamwork,” he said, adding that when His Excellency President Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma invested his credibility and put his faith in the young people of this country, all he wanted in return was for the youth to make him proud.

As one of those young people who made this country proud, not only under the aegis of the president, but also because of his private and public service as a lawyer, Barrister Koroma was honoured, in 2014, with the Commander of the Order Of Rokel (COOR), a prestigious award for service to people and nation.

“I am very humble to have been recognized in that manner. While I dedicate that to the confidence reposed in young people by the President, I also want to say that he will always be bold to say he will be on the right side of history. We all should thank God for him. As God may have it, two years before the COOR, I was awarded the best lawyer by AWOL in 2012, a very credible body in the realm of recognizing people who have distinguished themselves,” he added.

Lawyer Sulaiman Kabba Koroma is not new to being at the helm of affairs in very serious national offices that provide leadership in integrity building and enhancing transparency in public life.

Between 2009 and 2010 he was chair of the Independent Procurement Review Panel (IPRP), established by Section 20 of the National Public Procurement Authority Act of 2004 “for the purpose of conducting independent administrative reviews on complaints and challenges on award decisions by aggrieved bidders in the procurement transaction”.

Because of the work they did at the IPRP that was set up to ensure sanity, fairness, accountability and transparency in the procurement process, donor partners like World Bank and the United Nations Development Programme had praised the need for its existence .

January 26, 2017 By Hassan Gbassay Koroma

One Joseph Kargbo, an alleged cocaine dealer, was yesterday remanded at the Pademba Road Male Correctional Centre by Principal Magistrate of the Freetown Magistrates’ Court No.1, Dr. Abou Bhkarr Binneh Kamara, after he was arrested and arraigned for allegedly being found selling dangerous drugs, to wit cocaine.

The accused was charged with two counts of dealing in prohibited drug to wit cocaine, contrary to Section 7(C) of the National Drugs Control Act of 2008 and unlawful possession of prohibited drug to, wit Cocaine, contrary to Section 8 of the same Act.

The prosecution alleges that the accused on Saturday, 14th January, 2017 at Aberdeen Beach Road in Freetown, was found in possession of six wraps of the banned substance without lawful authority.

According to police report, on Friday, 13th January, 2017 police got a tip-off that a certain individual named Joseph Kargbo was selling hard drugs at ‘Plan B’ and other night clubs at the Aberdeen Beach vicinity.

The report states that between the hours of 23:00 and 00:00, a team of Transnational Organised Crime Unit (TOCU) personnel, headed by Crime Officer, Detective Inspector Mohamed Sebbeh Sanu, left for Beach Road, Aberdeen, where a drug interdiction operation was conducted on the accused and that six (6) ties of white substance suspected to be cocaine were found, leading to the arrest of the culprit.

The report continues that when the officers arrived at the crime scene the accused threw a Gold Seal Cigarette packet over a nearby fence into a certain unfinished building, adding that when the packet was discovered by the team of police officers, six wraps of white substance were found therein. The reports states that when the accused was interrogated, the accused admitted selling the banned drugs and that it was supplied to him by one Alpha

January 26, 2017 By State House Communication Unit

The Constitutional Review Committee (CRC) on Tuesday (January 24, 2017) presented its final report to His Excellency President Dr Ernest Bai Koroma at State House in Freetown.

According to the chairman of the presentation ceremony, Secretary to the President, Emmanuel E. B. Osho Coker, the CRC was established on July 30, 2013 by His Excellency the President. He described the presentation ceremony as not only a milestone in the journey to achieving modern constitutionalism, but also a momentous occasion in the sense that the ceremony took place within one of the relics of colonialism, signifying a poignant reminder of the enormous strides the country has made in the area of democracy and good governance since independence.

“The major civic education and consultation process undertaken by the CRC gave the people the opportunity to make meaningful contribution to constitutional change through many and varied recommendations,” he said and noted that the true hallmark of democracy is participation of the people and this is reflected in the manner in which the citizenry has participated in the work of the CRC.

Speaking following the presentation, President Koroma said that the remit of the CRC was to provide direction and scope within which the review process should take place, saying that he mandated the committee to ensure that it carries out its mandate in a fair, open, transparent and participatory manner as well as ensure the final outcome reflects the tolerance of the people of Sierra Leone amid “our political, ethnic, cultural and religious diversities.”

The objective of the exercise, the president stated, is to insulate “our nation from repression, from war and to align our laws with our aspirations of becoming a middle income country and a donor nation.”

 President Koroma described the CRC process as a “baby” that should be cared for and nurtured too. “My Government therefore funded the constitutional review process because it is our baby; it is the initiative of my Government to respond to the long standing recommendation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to review our instrument of governance; it is my Government’s response to the call by the Sierra Leone Conference on Development and Transformation to bring our constitution up to speed with our current and future development aspirations,” he emphasized.

 The president expressed appreciation of the efforts of every single member of the CRC, the various sub-committees, the stakeholders and the general public. He also thanked the United Nations Development Programme, the European Union and the Department for International Development for their support to see the process through.

 President Koroma assured of government’s commitment to the process and promised to quickly look into the report and come out with a White Paper which will be submitted to Parliament and subsequently put before the people for a national referendum. “This will then give way for the people, in whom sovereignty lies, to decide the fate of this proposed covenant,” he said.

 Commenting on the next general elections, President Koroma pointed out that the Civil Registration Authority has begun its public engagement on its own role in the electoral process; the National Electoral Commission will conclude the boundary delimitation and chiefdom de-amalgamation process, and assured that government and all stakeholders are working very hard to ensure that all these equally important processes fall in place to have timely elections. “This is the renewal we have undertaken as a nation and however tedious this may be, one thing is clear, together we are on track in building our democracy,” the president said.

 President Koroma went on to state that the conduct of the next presidential elections has been clearly defined and stipulated by the 1991 constitution of Sierra Leone, and pointed out that there is no need for undue speculations and no need for unnecessary tensions. “You don’t need to create tensions, the elections will go on as stipulated by the 1991 constitution, and the National Electoral Commission, the National Registration Authority and every stakeholder is already involved in the process,” he said. He disclosed that pronouncement for the next general elections will be made in accordance with the provisions of the constitution.

 Chairman of the CRC, Justice Edmond Cowan said the CRC was given the responsibilities to review the constitution taking into consideration emerging issues, ambiguity of laws, democratic gains, the TRC Report and the Peter Tucker Report. He added that his committee traversed the length and breadth of the country and held consultations with all stakeholders. The people, the chairman said, are sovereign and the constitution is supreme and therefore expressed hope that the views of the people are contained in the report.

Delivering his statement, the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara said the submission of the report marked another epoch in the democratic process of Sierra Leone as the country steps forward in engaging her people in the decisions that directly affect their welfare. He stated that democracy is about creating the enabling space and environment as far reaching consultations were held on issues, but not limited to the eligibility criteria for the Office of the President, the justiciability and recognition of human rights, citizenship, and unicameral system of parliament among others. The Minister noted that the enactment of a new constitution will improve good governance, political and economic stability and contribute public confidence in governance systems and processes, strengthen human right protection and improve Sierra Leone’s international standing as a progressive and democratic country leveraging peace and security in the sub region.

January 26, 2017 By Ibrahim Tarawallie 

A leading exploration company in Sierra Leone, AMR Gold Company has been recognized for their exemplary contribution in boosting community development and providing job opportunities to young Sierra Leonean graduates.

The Best Company award was presented by the Sella Development for Education and Progress (SeDEP).

According to the organisation’s Public Relations Officer, Mustapha Kamara, the award was for the company’s support towards education, youth empowerment, community development and welfare support to the elderly and other disadvantaged persons.

Kamara highlighted the rehabilitation of the Kamakwie maternity hospital, which is currently providing medical services to about six Chiefdoms, as one of the many goodies received from the company to help residents of Sella Limba and other chiefdoms in the Kambia district.

On his part, SeDEP’s National Coordinator, Alimamy S. Bangura, stated that they have enjoyed a good working relationship with the management of AMR Gold, while commending the company for constructing bridges linking villages to facilitate agricultural development, refurbishing the Kamakwie Court Barry and Police Station and providing scholarships for both primary and secondary schools, among others.

Receiving the Award, the company’s Admin and Finance Manager, Mohamed Sultan Daffae said: “This award goes to all our staff for their dedication and commitment. Our door is always open to give a helping hand for sustainable development within the country. We are currently constructing another school in Kayigrana village.”

Also, Country Manger Luke Rogers, commended SeDEP for what he described as ‘an impressive initiative’ and disclosed that plans were underway to support primary schools in Sella Limba Chiefdom by providing desks and chairs to help create a conducive learning environment for the pupils.

January 26, 2017 By Mohamed Massaquoi

As part of their social accountability measures in making  government institutions accountable to the people, the Open Government Initiative (OGI) is asking Sierra Leoneans to weigh their views on services provided by various government institutions including the Freetown City Council regarding waste management, street littering among others.

The Director of OGI, Madam Khadija Sesay, in an exclusive interview with Concord Times said her organisation was aggressively embarking on soliciting public perceptions across the country from the 1st of February to the 30th April, 2017 to ensure that Sierra Leoneans are well informed on developmental issues.

She said poor waste management, access to water facility, constant electricity supply and a reliable telecommunication services were key to the development of Sierra Leone, and that they wanted citizens to complain to their social accountability forum, so that government can take swift actions in addressing some of the challenges.

 ‘’OGI was created by the president to bring government to the people and the people to the government. This time our social accountability project is to improve on service delivery. It is also aimed at holding MDAS accountable in line with the president’s agenda for prosperity. We encourage Sierra Leoneans to call our toll free line 644 and send their messages,” she said.