February 24, 2017 By Jonathan Abass Kamara and Kadrie Koroma

Deputy Chief Medical Officer 1, Dr. Sarian Kamara, has said that the National Integrated Pesticides Management Policy will serve as guidelines to support future legislation and regulation frameworks on pesticides.

Launching the National Integrated Pesticide Management Policy 2016 on Thursday February 23, 2017 at the Miatta Conference Centre, Dr. Sarian Kamara reiterated that such regulation shall cover production, package, labelling, importation, storage, sale, distribution, transportation, use and safe disposal in Sierra Leone. She noted that the policy will also provide decision-makers with direction by setting out a framework to guarantee improvements that are aimed at ensuring that pesticide are used and disposed of throughout their full life-cycle that pose no adverse effects on human, animal health and the environment.

She stated that the ultimate goal of the national pesticide management policy is to achieve effective, safe and sustainable vector-borne disease, agricultural, household and public health nuisance pests’ management system. The objective she said is to provide clear evidence-based communications that meet the needs of the implementing partners, health and agriculture professionals and ensuring that those working in Primary Health Care are provided with the support required to provide quality health services to the people of Sierra Leone.

The Deputy Chief Medical Officer reminded her audience that the policy direction of the plant protection strategy for Sierra Leone will be driven by a clear understanding and adoption of Integrated Plant Management (IPM) principles and practices for the growing of healthy crops. Decision making in IPM strategies and measures she said is based on regular monitoring and analysis of pest problems by farmers.

She thanked the Directorate of Environmental Health and Sanitation, Pest Control Unit of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Security, agencies, NGOs and donors for their time and effort in providing guidance.

The Director of Environmental Health and Sanitation, Dr. AnsumanaSillah underscored the importance of the Policy noting that Pesticides Management and its safe use is a global issue that needs national attention.

Pesticides he said, if not properly manage will lead to deaths of human and wild life including aquatic species, adding that if not effectively disposed will also affect community by polluting the environment and water sources.

He said with the partnership with NGOs and other key stakeholders including the Ministry of Agriculture Forestry and Food Security, they are poised to ensure that pesticides imported into the country are the right type, and use efficiently and disposed safely to avoid unnecessary harm to human, wild life, and domestic animals.

Making his statement, the World Health Organization (WHO) Health and Sanitation Environmental Coordinator and Health Security and Emergency Lead, Dr. Harry Opata lamented the huge amount of pesticides used in the African region estimated at over 800, 000 tons annually with no comprehensive statistics on it use. This Dr. Opata said poses a serious challenge and called for an integrated approach to address the situation.

He reiterated that vector borne diseases are also becoming a threat and calls for its management and control in the African region noting that most countries in Africa do not have policy or legislation. Commenting on the Integrated Health Regulation, Dr. Opata opined that it binds member states in Africa to take the challenge towards providing a strategic plan that would enhance further steps for the overall safety and security of the region.

He said WHO is committed to the task and reiterated their support towards achieving the desired goal of the policy.

Head of the Crop Protection Service, Ministry of Agriculture Forestry and Food Security, Raymonda Johnson spoke about the importance of the policy to the crops and lives stock division in their Ministry and the nation in particular, and expressed their commitment to support the Ministry of Health in the implementation of the policy.

She said the country is now moving from small scale farming to large scale farming, adding that it is good that Sierra Leone is rising to international standard in the area of Pesticides Management and Control.

Madam Johnson disclosed that her Ministry has made available resources to review the National pesticides use, and expressed concern over illegal trade and the porous borders with street pesticides that is affecting international trade.

Other highlights include statement by Consultant, Pest Management, Dr. Ibrahim Shamie and an overview of the internal contents of the policy by Health Superintendent, Mr. BockarieSesay.

February 24, 2017 By Sahr Morris Jnr

National Olympic Committee of Sierra Leone (NOC-SLE) has finally broken silence over the power struggle within the Sierra Leone Athletics Association (SLAA) and the country’s National Cycling Association (NCA).

Both the SLAA and the NCA were recently engaged in power struggles that saw the emergence of a parallel executive recognised by the country’s Sports Ministry, while the incumbent bodies were recognised by their respectively international federations.

However, both the NOC-SLE President, Dr. Patrick Coker and his Secretary General, Joseph Nyande, has made it officially known  that they only recognised the incumbent SLAA executive headed by Abdul Karim Sesay and the NCA executive being govern  by Winston DC Crowther.

NOC-SLE President admitted that they were aware of the existing wrangling in both Associations, adding that their position as to whom they were working with, was based on the respective correspondence from their individual international Federations.

Reaffirming his president’s statement, the NOC-SLE Secretary General said they still recognised both Karim Sesay’s led administration and the Crowther’s presidency, because it was in line with the International Olympic Committee’s charter.

“The NOC-SLE recognise the incumbent of both Association because we have received letters from their respective international federations including reports and we will not work with any other administration until their International federations says otherwise” Nyande said and further cited regulations 27.1  & 28 of the Olympic Charter.

The regulations 27.1 of the Olympic Charter reads: “The mission of the NOCs is to develop, promote and protect the Olympic Movement in their respective countries, in accordance with the Olympic Charter.”

While 27.2.1 &2.2 stated: “To promote the fundamental principles and values of Olympism in their countries, in particular, in the fields of sport and education, by promoting Olympic educational programmes in all levels of schools, sports and physical education institutions and universities, as well as by encouraging the creation of institutions dedicated to Olympic education, such as National Olympic Academies, Olympic Museums and other programmes, including cultural, related to the Olympic Movement; 2.2 to ensure the observance of the Olympic Charter in their countries.”

This latest statement from the top brass, NOC-SLE officials, has prompted reaction from the NCA Secretary General, Curtis Johnson, who occupied the same position in both the Crowther administration and the Percy Nicol’s executive. In just few words, Johnson said: “The ends justifies the mean.”

February 24, 2017 By Sahr Morris Jnr

Sierra Leone and Guinea U-21 Beach Volleyball male and female team have automatically gained qualification to the World Championship without flying a ball following the non-show of the other six Nations.

The West African nation was billed to host the 2017 Zone II World Championship qualifiers from February 24th-26th at the newly constructed Beach Volleyball arena in Freetown.

However, according to the Sierra Leone Volleyball Association acting Secretary General, Mohamed Alhaji Bockarie, the failure of the other six nations; Senegal, Cape Verde, Guinea Bissau, Gambia, Mali, and Mauritania to compete implies the two nations has  gained an immediate progress to the championship.

Bockarie said they were expecting teams from February 22 until the 23 but because they failed to arrive with no further communication, the tournament was called-off, thus giving both Sierra Leone and Guinea the qualification leeway.

Sierra Leone was given the hosting right after winning the bid to host the tournament at the Zone II general assembly recently held in Dakar, Senegal.

February 24, 2017 By Sahr Morris Jnr

Sierra Leone international, Mohamed Medo Kamara, savoured a stunning strike that helped his Al Kuwait side to lift the Emir’s Cup and the midfielder hailed his goal as one of his best of his career.

The 29-year-old struck in an unstoppable right-footed 30-yards stunning volley into the top corner of the Kazma SC net in the 8th minutes of play to give his side the lead and his third goal since joining the Kuwaiti Premier League outfit last season.

“It is one of my favourite for sure I think so,” Medo said when asked if it was his best goal of his career.

“It was a goal I will always remember because it was in a big occasion and a spectacular one,” said the former Bolton midfielder, who looks forward to score similar goals like that.

Kamara’s Al Kuwait went on to win the match 4-2 at the Jader Al-Amed International Stadium with Syrian strikers  Firas Al Khatib, Juma Saeed, and Fahad Al – Hajri all registered their names on the score-sheet.

The Emir’s Cup is one of the biggest and the country’s most popular sports event. The maiden edition was first played in 1972 and was won by Al Ahli.

Meanwhile, The Kuwaiti-based club, Al Kuwait SC a few weeks ago also won the 55th edition of the Prince Cup for the 12th times in their history after beating Qadisiya 5-3 on penalties.

Medo Kamara is on the verge to land his third trophy – Al Kuwait leading Al Arabi with just a point from their opening ten league matches.

February 27, 2017 By Patrick Jaiah Kamara 

Following the recent wrangling within the inner circle of the Alliance Democratic Party, the National Commission for Democracy NCD has issued a strong warning for the party to be transparent and accountable to its members.

A press statement from the Commission issued by NCD called on the membership of the ADP to put their house in order and follow due process in addressing issues arising from the current situation in order to ensuring sanity in the body politic of the nation.

“The Management of NCD is calling on the membership of the ADP and by extension all political parties to play by the rules of the game to ensure that a democratic good governance environment is enhanced in our beloved motherland even as the process of democratic consolidation is given a boost,” the release stated.

The release stated that operatives of all political parties must accept the reality that they should be accountable to the people of the nation through the Political Parties Registration Commission (PPRC) and must do everything to spare people the painful reality of considering the political arena as being problematic.

The statement continued that political parties must do everything within their powers to win the trust and confidence of the people of Sierra Leone as they are the actual custodians of political power and in them  true sovereignty, with the politicians enjoying delegated power through the ballot box as established by the social contract.

“The NCD is stating in very clear terms that the people of Sierra Leone deserve better especially with due consideration given to international best practice and as such the ADP should put its house in order or otherwise risks losing the respect, trust and attention it is seeking from the people of this nation,” the release added.

The release noted that all political parties must respect the provisions of Section 35 of the 1991 Constitution in its entirety with emphasis on Sub-Sections (2) & (3).

The Commission urged all institutions to contribute their quota to the laudable effort with the availability of the right kind of leadership and structures to make for strong institutions that will stand the test of time.

It further noted that politicians should set the pace and give the nation a quantum leap in terms of acceptable democratic standards that resonate with best practice as time is of the essence.

It could be recalled that the Deputy Chairman of the ADP, Ibrahima Soumah Mansaray aka Brima Togo, recently wrote a letter to the Political Parties Registration Commission, accusing his Chairman and Leader, Mohamed Kamarainba Mansaray, of corruption and monopoly over the running the party’s affairs.

The former top footballer of Freetown United, who went unopposed at their delegates’ conference last year, said he had not been given space to serve as deputy effectively, alleging that his boss performs all functions in the party.

Debunking the allegations, Mansaray said on Radio Democracy Good Morning Show that his deputy’s actions were ‘baseless and an act of malicious fabrication and insubordination’ to the leadership of the party.

 February  27, 2017

Sierra Leone will receive US$4 million from the World Bank Group’s Global Environment Facility (GEF) for strengthening the national legal and regulatory framework, institutional development, strengthening fisheries monitoring, control and surveillance to reduce illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing activities.

According to a release from the bank,a large part of the funding will be used for supporting coastal communities to have better fishing practices, handling, processing and storing of fisheries products and data collection. Funding will also be provided for livelihoods transfer grants to individuals in fishing communities to better improve livelihoods.

The release noted that funding for the fisheries sector in West Africa has been provided through the West Africa Regional Fisheries Program (WARFP) which is a program covering Cape Verde, Liberia, Senegal and Sierra Leone.

“Funding for the Sierra Leone component had been halted in 2014. This grant signals re-engagement of World Bank in the fisheries sector,” the release noted.

 The grant agreement was signed between the Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Momodu L. Kargbo and the World Bank Country Manager, Parminder Brar on 8^th February 2017. The negotiations for this grant were led by the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR).

“The Ministry of Finance and Economic Development welcomes this new grant from the World Bank for the fisheries sector, which has proven to be crucial for food security during and after the Ebola outbreak,” said Momodu L. Kargbo, Minister of Finance and Economic Development.

“This grant is a step in the right direction to begin the second phase of WARFP preparation and will help support the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources to improve the management and regulation of the fisheries sector to ensure the sustainability of our fisheries resource.”

Long-term economic, social, and ecological success in the fisheries sector requires awareness and behavior change at all levels. The project will help strengthen the capacity at both the Ministry level and the community level so both the top-down and bottom-up approaches can play important roles.

“The fisheries sector currently provides close to 80% of the protein to the population of the country. This sector has great potential to further increase food, nutrition, employment, and income to Sierra Leoneans,” said Parminder Brar, World Bank Country Manager for Sierra Leone.

“Sierra Leone has one of the best fishing grounds in the world that need to be nurtured for harvesting the wealth of the ocean in a sustainable manner. It is good that the Government has taken proactive steps to strengthen the Joint Monitoring Centre and the patrol boat has been active. We look forward to working with the Government to ensure that revenues from fisheries are increased, the artisanal sector and fishing communities are strengthened and illegal fishing is reduced.”

The fisheries sector in Sierra Leone has the potential to bring food security and boost the country’s revenue, as it supports direct employment of around 100,000 people and indirect employment of as much as 10% of the population. The country could sustainably generate US$186 million each year, US$74 million of which can be generated from the industrial segment targeting high value species (demersal).

The West Africa Regional Fisheries Program’s development objective is to support countries to maintain or increase priority fish stocks and the benefits that they can provide to the region, with a focus on benefits for poverty reduction and food security.

Agric.Minister highlights challenges

February 27, 2017 By Hassan Gbassay Koroma

The Minister of Agriculture Forestry and Food Security, Professor Patrick Monty Jones, has cited inadequate rural financial services, limited large scale irrigation facilities, weak rural infrastructure, weak extension services, heavy reliance on rain fed agriculture, weak capacity in research and statistics, and low value addition as some of the challenges facing the agriculture sector.

The minister highlighted the above challenges while delivering the keynote address at the well-attended launch of the 2016 State of Food Insecurity report in the World on Thursday 23rd February, 2017 at Radison Blu Mammy Yoko Hotel, Aberdeen in Freetown.

He noted that to overcome those challenges, the agriculture sector strategic objectives and priority activities should include increased production and productivity of staple food crops through value chain approach for food security, promote commercial agriculture, promote and increase value adding activities for agricultural products because value added to the value chain is 26 per cent for Africa compared to an average of 72 percent for the rest of the world, and  increase the production and export of cash crops and improve access to finance for farmers.

He said in Africa, about 60 percent of the population was estimated to live in rural areas and that Africa land area is vast, with adding that 40 percent availability of arable land.

He said agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa is strongly based on household, small scale farming and that majority of African farmers cultivate less than 10 percent of their land, which he said could be attributed to many factors including poor governance of land tenure and shocks and stresses due to climate change resulting to food insecurity.

The minister continued that the State of Food Insecurity in the world was first published in 1999 and has consistently raised awareness of the state of global and regional hunger and has also discussed underlying causes of hunger and malnutrition.

“The key objective of the publications has always been to monitor progress towards the United Nations Millennium Development Goals established at the 1996 World Food Summit and in particular to monitor progress in the MDG1  on eradicating extreme poverty and hunger,” he said.

He added that regional overview of Food Security and Nutrition 2016 report on SDG2, targets and provides mandate on other food security and nutrition indicators, policy development and intervention for food security in the region and in countries.

He said Sierra Leone calls for attainment of food self-sufficiency as approved by the leaders in the ‘Malabo Declaration, and  that to achieve it, the country has aligned it agriculture programmes to the Agenda for Prosperity and the Presidential Recovery Priorities  to increase production and productivity, commercialise the agriculture, promote agricultural business centres, promote value chain for rich, cassava, sweet potatoes, cocoa, coffee, palm oil, livestock and promote forestry products  including carbon credit development and trade.

In her opening remarks as Chairperson of the event, Deputy Minister 1 at the Ministry of Agriculture Forestry and Food Security, Madam Marie Jalloh, said everyday too many men and women across the globe struggle to feed their children with nutritious meal in a world where they cannot produce enough food to feed everyone.

She further stated that 795 million people, one in- nine, still go to be bed with an empty stomach and even more, one in- three, suffer from some form of malnutrition, adding that eradicating hunger and malnutrition remain one of the greatest challenges.

Doing power point presentation on the SOFI Report, the FAO Assistant Director General and Regional Representative for Africa, Mr. Bukar Tijani, said recent assessment of food insecurity through the lenses hunger experience, revealed that 153 million individuals about 26 percent of the population above 15 years of age in Sub-Saharan Africa suffered from several food insecurity in 2014 to 2015.

He said  one out of four individuals above 15 years of age in the region on average was hungry but did not eat for a whole day because there was not enough money or other resources.

He said over 220 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa are undernourished, while  153 suffer from food insecurity, with  child malnutrition still high as one out of three children under age five are stunted.

Principal warns against cheating, cultism

February 27, 2017 By Ibrahim Tarawallie

Acting Principal of the Institute of Advance Management and Technology (IAMTECH), an affiliate to Njala University, has strongly warned students to stay away from cheating during examination and cultism on campus.

Dr. Michael Wundah was speaking over the weekend during the matriculation ceremony conducted for over six hundred students, who have met the entry requirements to pursue various programs, including Accounting and Finance, Development and Economics, Human Resource Management and Computing Science, leading to the award of Diplomas and Degrees.

“We don’t encourage cheating and cultism. Students have to work hard for their grades. You have to go through the institution and not the other way round. Keep your dignity to yourself because this institution is not for beauty contest. You are here to sweat very hard to earn your diplomas and degrees at the end of your course,” he warned.

He said even though they would not be too hard on students but they would not encourage indiscipline of any sort, as they strive to train the mind, intellect and moral conduct of students, who chose to join the institution.

He also warned new students if they were in the institution through the back door, they should be prepared to work harder as there would be no free grades from lecturers.

Dr. Wundah frowned at plagiarism, as according to him, students were many a time guilty of cutting and pasting assignments from their colleagues instead of going the extra mile.

“We are offering holistic education as we care for everything that makes you a human being. This is what makes us unique and different from other tertiary institutions and we must maintain it at all cost,” he said and urged students to speak English at all times on campus.

He urged students to take control of their own destiny by perform well in their academic work so as not to shame or disappoint their parents or guardians.

Dean of Management Sciences, Abdulai Bobson Turay maintained that even students were free to associate themselves with any social club, cultism should not be practiced.

February 27, 2017 By Victoria Naomi Saffa 

The Water, Hygiene and Sanitation Media network(WASH-media)  toured various public toilets within the Freetown municipality and visit the Kingtom dumpsite over the weekend.

The visit targeted Krootown road market and its surrounding and facilities at the Kingtom dumpsite.

 The visit was part of the WASH-Media activities in looking at WASH facilities across the Freetown municipality and other parts of the country.

Speaking to journalists during the visit, Caretaker of the Krootown road market toilet facility,Yah Posseh Bangura, said lack of water was a big challenge for them using the facility, adding that they have  no running tap at the market, and that  they always  pay some  boys to fetch water.

She said people pay five hundred Leones to use the facility but stressed that people were reluctant to use the facility, because of the unavailability of water.

The environmental officer of the Freetown City Council (FCC), Sulaiman Zainu Parker, said water crisis is beyond the reach of council, noting that it lies squarely on the shoulders of the Guma Water Company.

“We have engaged Guma in that direction but nothing seems to be done as at the moment. The last time we engaged the Guma management on this aspect, they told us that they are working towards taking water to different areas of which Krootown road area is among the listed places,” he said.

 Parker also expressed frustration over the poor performance of the facility in terms of revenue generation but stressed that they would not relent in supporting it.

The visit to the Kingtom dumpsite was one with disappointment on the note that the sludge polder that was providing the necessary facility for the disposal of faeces was no longer operational, and that it was overwhelmed with garbage.

 Faeces collected from across the city was now being deposited almost everywhere within the dumpsite, with people encroaching on it on a daily basis.

The FCC Environmental officer told Journalists that council did not have the money to rehabilitate the polder or relocate the dumping.

He said council was working with the World Bank to rehabilitate the site and eventually fence it to prevent people from entering or encroaching on it, noting that the site was no longer environmental friendly.

WASH-Media Coordinator, Kumba Filie, expressed dissatisfaction over the appalling condition of the site, noting that council needed to do more in salvaging the situation.

February 27, 2017 By Victoria Naomi Saffa

The Movement for Public Accountability and Development (MoPAD), has organised one day training for seven district facilitators on financial literacy in the northern provincial headquarter town of Makeni.

The training was part of capacity building for district facilitators.

In his opening remarks, the Board Chairman, Abdulrahman Morlson Sesay, said the project was borne out of the 2017 National Strategy of the Bank of Sierra Leone on financial inclusion.

According to him, the strategy was designed by the bank to enhance inclusion of every Sierra Leonean in the financial sector and financial operations in the country.

“In Sierra Leone, most of the people don’t operate bank accounts especially people in the private sector and this is not good for the country. People continue to keep their moneys at home even when we now have banks and other financial institutions operating in the country, coupled with micro financial institution and mobile money companies which are safe and guarantee,” he said.

The board chairman informed participants that the project will be targeting the fourteen political districts in the country, but that MoPAD will only be responsible for seven districts including the Western Area Rural, Port Loko, Kambia, Bombali, Tonkolili, Koinadugu and Bo district respectively.

He said they would also be reaching out to two secondary schools in each of the targeted district.

He said the project would focus on introducing the concept of financial literacy to school children in the targeted schools, thereby supporting them to identify one development initiative for which they will save for and execute within the project period.

“Participants of this training are expected to serve as district facilitators in the project that the BSL has approve a total of Fifty Million Leones for the two partners and Twenty Five Million Leones (Le 25,000,000),” he said.

The national coordinator, Fatmata Olive Scale, thanks the facilitators for honouring MoPAD invitation and called for their continued cooperation during the intervention.

She also expressed appreciation to the BSL for the support and partnership towards building the capacity of young people and children on financial literacy, which according to her is very important for the economic development of every nation.

She concluded that facilitators will be responsible to supporting  MoPAD and the respective schools to achieve their objective.

The training covered topics including the basic concept of financial inclusion & literacy, the importance of savings, financial institution and their operations in Sierra Leone, and the mandate of the BSL.

Fatmata Charm, the facilitator from Kambia, expressed appreciation on behalf of the participants and said that the training was relevant and timely more so, when they were faced with financial austerity in the country.

“If people and our children begin to save for the future, most of our problems will have financial solutions,” she concluded.

The Movement for Public Accountability and Development (MoPAD) is a civil society organisation working on public financial management, public accountability and financial transparency.

Minister of Local Government calls for cease-fire

February 27, 2017 Max A Konneh, MLGRD

The Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Maya Moiwo Kaiakai, his Deputy, Hadiru Ibrahim Kalokoh and some Senior Management Staff of the ministry have engaged representatives of the Kroo Descendant Development Union on issues bordering protest made by them, following the appointment of the new Kroo Tribal Headman, Prinsto.

Addressing members of the group at the conference hall of his ministry, the Minister of Local Government said they thought it necessary to engage and elicit the reservations and opinion of the protesters with a view to charting the way forward and bringing a lasting solution to the brouhaha.

The meeting, he noted was a further demonstration of their desire to dispel the misconception that the ministry is insensitive to their plight and grievances.

He said government is very mindful of the decisions it makes and the need to promote peace and harmony among communities as well as women’s participation in governance.

“No amount of anger and animosity can solve the problem,” he said, while admonishing members of the Kroo tribe to exercise patience and desist from all forms of ‘mudslinging and verbal media attacks.

He cautioned them to observe a cease-fire, find a common ground through mutual understanding and work towards charting the way forward.

The Minister promised to hold further discussions with parties concerned to ensure an amicable settlement of the matter.

 In his contribution, the Deputy Minister of Local Government, Hadiru Kalokoh ,thanked the visitors for responding to their invitation and intimated the gathering that the normal procedures and processes were followed before appointing the Kroo Tribal Head, Prinsto in consultation with a seven-man Committee earlier approved by the Kroo tribesmen.

He said five thematic areas were considered including those which prescribed that a tribal head should not hold any position in a political party and any one vying for that position must have vast knowledge of the language, customs and tradition of his tribe and the ability to understand and interpret government’s policies.

He said the decision to appoint Prinsto was based on rules and regulations governing the ministry and not on the basis of favouritism.

His ministry, he said is not averse to the Kroo descendants’ decision to choose their head man but followed procedures that have been applied to other tribes in the past.

 “We don’t want to set a precedent that cannot be followed, he told the gathering,” he said.

The Deputy Minister reiterated that the ministry did not reject the protesters choice, Mrs. Ajua Morris because of her gender or political affiliation but purely on the basis of set procedures and criteria. 

On the issue of the seven-man Committee, the Deputy Minister said they refused to the union’s proposal to dissolve the committee because of what he called inconsistencies on their part, adding that there was also wrangling among them as to who will receive the ministry’s correspondences.

 Although a notable nominee, who understands the tradition and culture of the Kroo tribe, failed to show up during the interview, Mr. Kalokoh said they were able to go through the other criteria and took the necessary action.

 The Chairman of the Committee of Five of the Kroo Descendant Development Union, Rev. Tully Wales thanked management of the ministry for inviting them. He said they rejected the appointment of Mr.

 Prinsto as their Head Man on the grounds that majority of his compatriots are not in favour of his appointment; the interview board was not properly constituted as there were no representatives from the Kroo ethnic group;  the newly appointed Headman has no idea of the culture and tradition of the Kroo tribe and has not been showing concern and interest in the welfare and activities of their union and compatriots.

He accused the ministry of being biased and failing to respond to their decision to dissolve the hitherto constituted seven-man committee. He therefore called on the ministry to withdraw their letter of appointment to the appointee and allow them to go through the normal process of electing the candidate of their choice.

February 27, 2017 By Sahr Morris Jnr 

Four Sierra Leonean cricketers; Lansana Lamin, Edward Ngegba, John Bangura and James Tommy are expected to depart the country’s shores on 27th February 2017 for a-month long elite cricket training in India.

The quartets who were selected by the Sierra Leone Cricket Association (SLCA) Management and Board members in January will have to undergo several skills training including technique in the T20 and 50 overs matches.

Earlier, the SLCA board chairman, Beresford Bournes-Coker, informed journalists about the said program stating that he was informed about the said training program by the Botswana Cricket Association boss, Girish Ramakrishna.

“The program is designed to develop players batting, bowling and fitness skills. During the session, the players will get video analysis and will play T20 and 50 overs matches,” Bournes-Coker said, adding that the training came at the right time especially so when the country was preparing for the ICC Division 1 tournament in South Africa that  already bill for April, 2017.

Lamin is the national senior team captain and an all-rounder, while Edward Ngegba is the national U19 skipper, a spinner and also an all-rounder. Both John Bangura Batsman and James Tommy are batsmen.

February 27, 2017 By Sahr Morris Jnr 

Sierra Leone forward, Alhassan ‘Crespo’ Kamara on Saturday continued his good run in front of goal by helping BK Häcken notched a 3-1 win over Atvidaberg in the Svenska Cupen (Swedish Cup).

The former AIK Solna striker gave his side the lead just 5 minutes of play before Emil Bellander level thing up for the visitors five minutes before the break.

An own goal by Jens Jacobsson restored BK Häcken’s lead 10 minutes after the restart before Nasiru Mohammed’s 70th minutes strike seal the win for the home team and gave them an edged closer to a quarter-final place.

‘Crespo’ Kamara’s strike was the forward third in two matches in the Swedish Cup and his sixth goal in his last four matches. Last weekend the former FC Kallon striker scored a brace against Division 2 club BKV Norrtälje in Häcken’s 4-0 win.

“It’s always fun to score with such midfield and such adjustment feet I just need to stay ahead and keep working hard. I also need to run, defending on the right side and just go for it,” Kamara told the club website.

Next up for Crespo’ Kamara and his BK Häcken side will be against his former team Örebro SK on March 5, 2017.

February 27, 2017 By Sahr Morris Jnr 

Regent Olympic Cricket Club maintains and extends their unbeaten run three out of three against Kent Cricket Club (KCC) in the ongoing Sierra Leone Cricket Association ODI Cricket Premier League on Saturday.

The Regentonians secured a 66 runs victory against their fellow newcomers at the at the Prince of Wales School ground thanks to good batting performance.

Olympic were all-out for 160 runs in 31.3 overs with E.Akpoa scored 27 runs, Hassan Kamara scored 16 runs while Charles Kargbo notched finished as the team’s topscorer with 30 runs not-out. Olympic were able to gathered 49 extra runs.

KCC bowling saw M.L.Kamara grabbed 3 wickets in 7.2 overs while the likes of Nabeel,Tembeh and Osman Sankoh all secured a wickets.

In the second inning, KCC were limited to 94 runs in 22 overs as Emmanuel Pessima was the team top scorer with 26 runs, R.Tembeh scored 13 runs and Nabeel was limited to 10 runs with an extra of 22 runs.

Charles Kargbo matched his good batting form with another good display on his bowling game notching 3 wickets from 17 runs.

March 2, 2017 By Hawa Amara

Magistrate Dr. AbouBhakarrBinneh-Kamara yesterday convicted one FodayKargbo to ten (10) months  imprisonment for being found in possession of eight(8) boxes of small arms containing 200 rounds of ammunition, marked “A(A’ 500 MM.

In his plea of mitigation on behalf of the convict, defense counsel, C.F Edward, pleaded with the Bench to temper justice with mercy, stating that the convict did not wasted the time of the court.

He continued that the said exhibits were taken from the convict and assured the Bench that he would not commit the same offence again.

Dr. Binneh-Kamara stated that due to the plea of mitigation made by the defense counsel, the convict would serve ten (10) months imprisonment  or pay a fine of one million, two hundred thousand Leones, while stating that  the exhibit be handed over to the state.

The convict was before the Freetown Magistrates’ Court No.1 on a count’s charge  of unlawful possession of small arms and ammunitions without license contrary to law.

According to the charge sheet, the convict on Thursday, 16 February, 2017 at MkitehKoya Chiefdom in the Port-Loko district, was found in possession of 8 boxes of small arms containing 200 rounds of ammunition marked “A(A’ 500 MM.

Pathologist outlines causes of death

March 2, 2017 By Hassan Gbassay Koroma

 Government pathologist, Dr. Simeon Owizz Koroma, yesterday testified and outlined the causes of death of one Daniel Salieu Kamara, an Operational Support Division (OSD) Officer, who was allegedly murderedbySolomon Bondi and Ector Sesayon Thursday, 1^stJanuary, 2015, at No.9 OffBeckle Lane, Tengbeh Town, western Freetown.

Both accused persons are standing trial in the Freetown High Court on two count charges of conspiracy and murder, contrary to the laws of Sierra Leone.

The prosecution alleges that on 1^st of January, 2015, atNo.9 Off Beckley Lane, Tengbeh Town, the accused persons conspired with unknown individuals to commit a felony to wit murder and did murder the deceased.

In his testimony at the Freetown High Court presided over by Justice MonfredSesay, Dr. Koroma introduced himself as the Consultant Pathologist for the  Ministry of Health and Sanitation and Head of the Scientific Support Unit at the Sierra Leone Police Force to the rank of  Chief Superintendent of Police.

He said part of his responsibility includes training medical students; performing both hospital and medico-legal autopsy on corpses as and when authorized by the Chief Medical Officer.

He recalled on the 7^th of January, 2015, and upon the instruction of the Chief Medical Officer and request from the Freetown Coroner, he performed an autopsy on the remains of DanielSalieu Kamara.

He said the remains of the deceased were identified to him by one Samuel Abubakarr Kamara, his elder brother, Detective Police Costable 857 Kamara A, Investigating Officer and the Scene of Crime Officer, Inspector I. S Dumbuya.

He said upon conclusion of the autopsy, he listed all his findings which he signed and issued copies to the elder brother and the police as well.

He narrated that the deceased died as a result of neurogenic shock due to fractures of the horns of the hyoid bone laryngeal bone, thyroid and cricoid cartilages, dislocated fracture of the cervical vertebrae- one to four due to manual strangulation and spinal cord injury.

He further narrated that there was massive intracerebral hemorrhage, as a consequence of extensive skull fracture and bullet wounds of upper and lower extremities.

The matter continues.

March 2, 2017 By Elizabeth A. Kaine

Some pupils interviewed by Concord Times have commended the school bus service provided by the Sierra Leone Road Transport Corporation (SLRTC), thus thanking government for providing service.

Kadijatu Kamara of the Saint Joseph’s Secondary School commended government for providing bus services, saying: ‘’I am happy that school buses are here mainly for pupils. It is easy to access the buses in the morning and I want to thank the government for considering us.”

Another pupil from the Freetown Secondary School for Girls (F.S.S.G),MariamaJolloh, also noted that the school bus project  wasone of the best projects that  government has ever implemented, and that they were happy to pay Le1000 despite the increment in the prices  of petroleum products.

The school bus programme is being implemented as a pilot project under the President Ebola Recovery Priority goals, albeit exclusively targeting schools in the Freetown.

Mohamed Jongo, a Senior personnel at the Sierra Leone Roads Transport Corporation and a  Traffic Regulator, told Concord Times that  out of the one hundred buses, some were allocated to school pupils and that they have been properly utilized as they were  not used  by individuals for their personal  gains but rather to provide services to the nation.

“You know that transportation can never be enough but for the mere fact that the government can provide 70-85 percent for pupils and members of the public, that is quite remarkable,” he said.

Sierra Leone’s public transport system has been fraught with many challengesfor a long time. Its infrastructure – roads, vehicles, human resource, sales architecture and maintenance equipment, were completely devastated during the country’s 11 years war.

Even though the conflict ended about two decades ago, fixing the roads and bridges and putting worthy vehicles on them to serve the public was as capital intensive, thus organising the sector has been difficult.

March 2, 2017 By Jariatu. S Bangura

As Members of the Appointment and Public Service yesterday approved Justice Patrick O. Hamilton as Chairman of Political Parties Registration Commission, Alpha MuctarrJalloh as chairman, National Revenue Authority, Speaker of Parliament described the former as a man of honour.

Justice Hamilton, who has spent his entire working life in the judiciary, joined the Law Officers Department in 1977 .Through hard work and dedication to duty, he  rose through the magisterial ranks to the position of Principal Magistrate, 1990-2000.Thereafter, he was promoted as High Court Judge 2000-2004,Justice of the Court of Appeal, 2004-2009, Member, Judicial and Legal Service Comission,2007-2009, Justice of the Supreme Court, 2009 to date, Commissioner, and Law Reform Commission 2010 to date respectively.

While making his address, Speaker of Parliament,ShekuBashiru B. Dumbuya, said Justice Hamilton has demonstrated honour throughout his life,and that he could better handle the political intolerance that is  being displayed in the country.

Meanwhile, Justice Hamilton told the committee that he had read through the ‘Political Registration Act’ and wasau fait with the primary functions of the Chairman as provided by the Act.

He assured the committee that: “I am going tobe as neutral and impartial as I have always been in the judiciary. I will give independent and fair decisions when approved by MPs.”

On the burning issue of Political parties defaulting to submit audited financial reports to the PPRC as required by law, Justice Hamilton opined that the PPRC Act has a provision for the annual submission of audited reports of political parties’ finances to the commission.

“What remedy is needed in the future is the penalty for defaulters. There is no provision for the penalty in the Act. I cannot see the PPRC, for now, improving punishment where the Act has not provided any. That is why political parties are delaying in submitting their audited financial reports,” he noted.

He continued that the above issue should be looked into by the Law Reform Commission, with a view to making amendments to the Act in question.

“I am of the view that there must be a penalty where political parties fail to forward their financial statements. The fact that they are not funded by government does not mean that their accounts could not be looked into. If I obtain the blessing of members, I will take a look at these and other issues to strengthen the Act,” he assured.

“PPRC is a novelty in our political history. It is growing baby and a growing baby needs to be nurtured properly.”

March 2, 2017 By Ibrahim Tarawallie

The Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone (HRCSL) hason Tuesday (February 28) concluded its fourth referral partnership meeting at the commission’s conference room on Tower Hill in Freetown, where issues on referral cases were discussed.

The commission has been collaborating with various ministries, departments and agencies and other organisations that were most suited for the past years to address certain complaints brought to them by individuals.

During the course of the meeting, the referral partnership policy and its terms of reference was endorsed by those present.

According to the Director of Complaints Investigations and Legal Services, Doris Sonsiama, the policy seeks to solidify their relationship with partner institutions and establish effective partnership with them in order to synergize the efforts of collaboration in dealing with referred cases through its quarterly referred partnership fora.

She said the aim of the partnership meeting was to give as well as obtain information from different partners within the forum on referred cases.

The forum, according to her, was formed to obtain information from partners on referred cases and also to provide relevant information on matters referred to them.

Also speaking, Chairperson of HRCSL, Brima A. Sheriff, said the presence of partners was an indication of their seriousness to the wellbeing of the partnership forum. He urged them to discuss critical human rights issues of violations and to look at progress made with regards referred cases.

He commended the various institutions for the complementary work and the successes achieved in working on referred cases.

Also, updates, human rights issues, feedbacks and reports on cases the commission had referred to it partners and those referred to the commission were discussed.

Officials from the National Commission for Persons with Disability, Independent Media Commission (IMC), the Sierra Leone Police, Ministries of Social Welfare Gender and Children’s Affairs and Local Government and Rural Development, the Independent Police Complaint Board, Political Parties Registration Commission (PPRC) and the Ministry of Labour and Social Security made meaningful contributions for furtherance of the partnership.

March 2, 2017 By Joseph S. Margai

Project 1808, non-profit making organisation founded by a Sierra Leonean US-based scientist, Dr. AlhajiN’jai, is putting modalities in place to prevent any disease outbreak in Sierra Leone.

It could be recalled that the country  was over the years hit by two big disease outbreaks-cholera and Ebola and the memories of the later still lingers in the minds of many Sierra Leoneans.

Dr. N’jai informed this medium in an interview on Wednesday that his organisation would soon come up with community health checks and disease surveillance programs in Makeni and Freetown.

“Project 1808 is partnering with SONY Corporation, University of Tokyo and University of Wisconsin Madison to organise large big screen movie for public viewing and health surveillance checks at the same time for communities in Sierra Leone. The program is called “Wellbodinafo check am Sierra Leone,” he said.

Asked why the program would only focus on Freetown and Makeni, he said they were engaging the two communities because they recorded high number of Ebola survivors.

He disclosed that the program is funded by Asia- Pacific Alliance for disaster management (A-PAD).

This is not the first time Dr. AlhajiN’jai has been supporting the country. During the Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone, he brought three of the world’s known scientists to find a way to eliminate the disease.

As a Research Fellow at the Department of Pathological Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, he has been discussing Ebola and its contributing factors in West Africa on The Progressive.

N’jai argues that while Ebola is a very deadly disease, the real circumstances behind its dramatic outbreak in West Africa have more to do with poor healthcare, weak education systems and a general lack of sustainable development.

His research work has been focused on toxicology, genomics, immunology, stem cell biology and systems biology.