Vice-President Victor Foh is in Kenya

Hon. Vice President, Ambassador Dr. Victor Bockarie Foh has left Freetown to attend a high-level meeting in Nairobi, Kenya on Data For Development In Africa.

In recognition of Sierra Leone’s Leadership in advocating for quality data for evidence-based decision making to ensure inclusive development, both Regionally and Globally, the Government of Sierra Leone is invited to co-host, with the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data (GPSDD) and the Governments of Kenya and Ghana, the first High-Level Meeting on Data for Africa’s Transformation to be held in Nairobi, Kenya on 29 – 30 June, 2017.

This critical meeting will showcase the innovations in data throughout the Continent and provide a platform for asserting Africa’s key role in achieving the SDG’s and promoting data as part of the essential infrastructure for economic growth and social progress.

Vice President Foh and his entourage are expected back in Freetown on Friday 30th June, 2017.

" I just wanted to be free and catch vibes".- Star zee on her latest EP "Collabo".

“I just wanted to be free and catch a vibe”. That’s how *Star Zee describes the creative inspiration behind her latest EP, Collabo. In celebration of the EP’s new single Leader 2 feat Stone Bwoy BET 2015 Award Winner/ 2017 nominee,” Star zee channeled her empirical, seductive vibe (“Am a star so you kyant bring me down,” she purrs) in her latest video, premiering very soon on Billboard charts globally.

Collabo Album — will be released September 2017 on Star Zee’s own Doz label via Above Average Distribution. Features 12 songs and 2 interludes that soulfully and thoughtfully relay the rapper/songwriter’s perspectives on motherhood, sensuality, unity, social consciousness and self-love.
Inspired by her 2-year-old daughter. “As adults, I feel we’re always trying to figure out how to rediscover that part of ourselves,” says Star zee, “and what would it be like if we never had to let it go”.
The song is a remarkable stance for the Sierra Leonean female legend to brake boundaries bridging the two nations Sierra Leone and Ghana.
The video was shot at Hatso Accra, by Ghana’s most prominent video director yaw SkyFace. Manager Black Mystic, informing Ghana’s Promoters Association that Star zee is about to drop another hit with Africa’s biggest Artist of 2017. “I love my humble beginning” she meekly stated.
The Sky is Star Zee’s location and success is inevitable for the Queen of Sierra Leone Rap/Hip Hop.

Royal Air Maroc (RAM) and Sierra Princess have joined forces to Help passengers traveling to Lungi Airport from Freetown.

Royal Air Maroc (RAM) and Sierra Princess have joined forces aid passengers traveling to Lungi Airport from Freetown. Now, when you buy an airline ticket with Royal Air Maroc, they will include a complimentary water taxi ticket with the Sierra Princess ferry.
In an interview with Musayeroh Barrie, the Country Director of Westminster, who owns Sierra Princess, said they started operations last December and they have been gradually developing the ferry service.
“Because of the quality of service we provide, the spacious area we operate at in the Government Wharf with a spacious car park, Royal Air Maroc thought it fit to partner with us for the next two months to see if we can continue the standard so that we can have a permanent relationship in the future.”
Barrie averred that the ferry is a 40-seater with enough space for luggage and to stretch your legs. She said all those who have travelled once with their boat have positive comments and they will always travel with them again.
“I know that it is difficult for Sierra Leoneans to come out of their comfort zone. Most of them have been travelling with other providers, but I urge you all to make a try and work with us for the first time so you can make your judgment.”
Miss Barrie said they will be bringing another ferry by end of July called Sierra Duchess. She said the coming of that boat is to strengthen their position as they want to start operating water taxis in the future.
An official at Royal Air Maroc, said, “Yes, they have an agreement with Sierra Princess and they hope it will be a positive one that they will continue for a long time.”

Lebanese community donates cleaning supplies

The Lebanese community, on Friday 23 June 2017, donated supplies to Operation Clean Freetown.
Handling over of cleaning equipment and food worth Le50 million at the YSC Complex at Wilkinson Road, Alie Colisee, Treasurer, Lebanese Community, said, “The donation is an effort by the community to improve on waste management in Freetown.”
“We are aware that the work is being done by community volunteers and we therefore sought the need that providing wheelbarrows, shovels, lake, head-pans will not be enough and we therefore consider in providing food for the volunteers.” Colisee added.
“If Sierra Leone is to be clean, health and safe, it has to be done by us and the community is in support of such drive.” Colisee stated.
The President’s Recovery Priorities representative, Yvonne Aki-Sawyer, said, “The objective of the initiative in reducing the risk of epidemics by improving solid waste management in the city.”
“We are targeting a Ward per day within the urban area,” Aki-Sawyer said. The intensive cleaning exercise will also target households to subscribe to the compulsory regular paid waste collection from youth groups within the community to ensure effective cleaning at all times.
Aki-Sawyer further commented the enforcement of bye-laws to achieve the objective of the initiative and encouraged Sierra Leoneans to keep their communities clean.

UNFPA supports midwives and helps mend health system

When World Health Organization (WHO) declared Sierra Leone Ebola-free over a year ago the country had already suffered over 3,900 deaths. Ebola killed over 200 health workers in Sierra Leone, including 56 midwives.
Fear and stigma plagued the healthcare system, especially reproductive health care. This left thousands of women and girls without maternal health and family planning services.
UNFPA and the Government of Sierra Leone are working to restore access to reproductive healthcare. “Before Ebola, we had limited midwives,” said Margaret Mannah-Macarthy, a UNFPA midwifery expert, “and now we have even fewer.” UNFPA is now supporting midwifery schools in Freetown and Makeni, which are expected to graduate 80 to 90 students, every year.Midwives from these schools will be able to provide a full range of services for pregnant women, from antenatal care and safe deliveries to postnatal care. They will also be trained to provide reproductive health services to the broader community, including neonatal care, family planning counseling, and diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted infections.
Some midwives are also eager to do community outreach. “I want to help communities to be less fearful about coming to the hospital,” said Jeneba Sia Bundo, a 29-year old midwifery student.At the National Midwifery School, one of the UNFPA-supported institutions, training will now exceed the rigorousness of the previous curriculum.“The Ebola virus highlighted some serious gaps and deficiencies in the curriculum that we teach the midwives,” Dr. Joan Shepherd, the school’s principal, told UNFPA

Vice President Victor Bockarie Foh Has Lunched ACTB Savings and Loans

Hon. Vice President, Ambassador Dr. Victor Bockarie Foh on Thursday 22nd June, 2017 launched the ACTB Savings and Loans Limited at their Old Railway Line office premises in Brookfields, Freetown.

In his Keynote Address, VP. Foh on behalf of His Excellency the President, Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma congratulated the Board, Management and Staff of ACTB Savings and Loans Limited for the great achievement in graduating from a Credit-only Microfinance Institution, to one that, like any bank, can now take deposit from its customers.

The awarding of deposit-taking license to the ACTB Institution, VP. Foh said, is a clear manifestation of the confidence reposed in them by the Bank of Sierra Leone, the national financial regulator. This, he furthered, is no doubt a testament to the extraordinary commitment to serving their customers whilst meeting the demands of their investors.

VP. Foh commended the all-Sierra Leonean Management Team and Staff for the note-worthy achievement of becoming the biggest non-bank lender in the country; reaching 17,000 active customers, 26 billion leones lending portfolio, with 9 branches in 8 Districts in the country and a staff strength of 96, noting that this is truly a success story.

Vice President Foh used the occasion to encourage Sierra Leoneans to utilise their potential in a way and manner that would add value to the country.

He averred that the provision of access to high quality and affordable financial services to the economically active poor people, is a strategic tool for fighting poverty in any nation. "Being cognisance of this, since he assumed office in 2007, President Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma and his Government have made financial and economic growth a central theme in our nation's development agenda, the Agenda for Prosperity", VP. Foh declared. He informed that the Financial Sector Development Plan and the recently launched National Financial Inclusion Strategy, are only a few of the critical steps taken by Government to lay a clear path to ensuring that affordable financial services are available and accessible to all Sierra Leoneans. He therefore, entreat the Private Sector to take the lead in economic growth.

VP. Foh asserted that his presence at the ACTB's launching is a testament of Government's commitment to fulfill all of its promises to the people of this country; supporting the growth of businesses that provide financial lifeline for the people of Sierra Leone. He assured his audience that the APC led Government will continue to provide the enabling environment for businesses like ACTB Savings and Loans to grow, thrive and expand their operations so that more and more Sierra Leoneans will have access to much needed financial services, prosper personally and grow our economy for the benefit of all Sierra Leoneans.

In closing, Vice President Foh saluted the Board, Management and Staff of ACTB Savings and Loans Limited, calling the occasion a success story that is worth sharing and replicating. He then, on behalf of His Excellency the President, Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma wished the Institution every success in their operations.

The program was chaired by the CEO of A Call To Business (ACTB), Joe Abass Bangura.

©PR/ Media Coordinator-Office of the Vice President

SLAF now on level II in Peacekeeping- CDS

As he concludes his maiden tour of various battalions around the Country, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) has disclosed that he is working on an immediate and long term plan for the Military.

Lieutenant-General, John Milton confirmed to Awoko that from all battalions visited his men were in high spirits, despite some of the challenges they are faced with on the ground.

He added that the visit also gave him the opportunity to listen to the concerns of troops, with regards to capacity and logistics, which he assured, will be looked into within the shortest possible time.

The CDS encouraged his men to maintain discipline at all times, noting that the United Nations have upgraded Sierra Leone Peace Keeping to level II, which puts the country in the position to send two battalion on peace keeping, which is a plus to the country, in terms of maintaining peace in troubled Countries.

On the issue of the military contributing to agriculture and infrastructure development, Lieutenant-General Milton replied in the affirmative that, as part of his tour he stopped over at the military agriculture unit at Moyamba and was impressed from what he saw, and with regards to army engineering, the CDS confessed that more capacity as well as logistics is needed for the unit to function and serve well within the military and the public, which will save Government from huge costs to give out private contracts.

He disclosed that staff of the engineering unit played a pivotal role during the ebola outbreak, of establishing treatment centres in collaboration with the British troops, which came in to help.

Also Lieutenant-General John Milton furthered that plans are underway to construct living quarters for troops at Kambia, while Wilberforce is under construction and the first phase of Gondama is completed.

Questioned on the upgrade of both the air and naval wing of the military, the CDS was quick to respond that indeed, there’s much work to be done in both sectors, which is included in his strategic plan, which will be out soon.

He said negotiations are on with close allies in terms of more capacity training and equipment to beef up the army to match up with International standards, noting that a modern army should be fully functional with all three wings, infantry, navy and air force, fully equipped.

With regards to lawlessness and high rate of indiscipline in society, the military chief emphasised that with the design of the national youth service program, which is to be introduced soon, it will be good that citizens be also given the opportunity to serve in the military for a period of time as part of service to the nation, which will further shape them morally and instill self-discipline in their lives, to make society better.

By Ade Campbell

Check Out Some of Abfad Music vidoes

Dr Zainab Hawa Bangura vows to make President Koroma succeed In His Development Agenda

Reacting to political issues during a press briefing organised by the 50/50 Group of Sierra Leone on Friday, Dr Zainab Hawa Bangura noted that her priority is to make President Koroma succeed in his development agenda.
As the United Nations Secretary General special representative on sexual violence who has amplified the voices of war- affected women in the international policy arena, Madam Bangura on Friday delivered the 10th annual Rajiv Bendre “women in public life lecture” on her personal and political quest for gender justice at the family kingdom hall.
Dr Bangura who is no stranger to the stories of despair, survival and resilience highlighted her quest for gender justice adding strategies she has embarked on in influencing world leaders to ensure that women’s rights are at peace with transitional justice processes.

Giving an overview of the event, Dr Fatou Taqi, president 50/50 Group of Sierra Leone stated that the series was launched in 2005 and named in honour of Rajiv Bendre, former director of the British Council in Sierra Leone who aided the establishment of the group that has transformed the lives of a good number of Sierra Leonean women for participating in politics and public life.
”The Rajiv Bendre lecture series is a platform to recognise and highlight the contributions of women in politics and public life who have made a difference in Sierra Leone and at global level and an opportunity to share their experience, thoughts and views with others,” Dr Fatou Taqi, president 50/50 Group of Sierra Leone added.

Citing unprecedented attention to the use of sexual violence as a tactic of war and terrorism, Dr Bangura discussed the widespread and systematic abuses that women suffer in situations of armed conflict by men.
Meanwhile, her deliberations on the said issues was analysed by Mrs Rhoda Nuni, Professor AM Alhgali, Mrs M Bob- Kandeh and Mr Umaru Fofanah.
Sylvia Villa

Sierra Leone's New Anthony general publishes first month performance report

The office of the attorney general and minister of justice of Sierra Leone, today informed the Sierra Leone Telegraph that after just thirty days of being appointed to head that office, Joseph Kamara (Photo), has accelerated access to justice in the country.

According to figures released by the attorney general’s office, between 4th of January and 4th February 2016, 95 indictments were filed and 53 refiled.

Of the 53 indictments refiled, 15% are said to be for offences of a very serious nature and 27% are in regard to sexual and gender based violence.

In addition, the attorney general is said to be pleased to report that he has listened to the concerns of rights groups and the general public, about the very slow pace of justice dispensation in the country.

And in the light of this, the attorney general is reported to have undertaken several administrative measures to enhance the expedition of justice in the country, in line with the president’s vision to reform the justice sector, by speeding up the justice delivery mechanism.

But the proof of the pudding is in the eating, as thousands of people are still languishing in the country’s main prison at Pademba Road in Freetown, where most have been locked up for more than two years, without appearing in court.

Last month, opposition leader – Alie Kabba (Photo), who was arrested on Christmas Eve, on what many believe to be a politically motivated charge of bigamy and jailed for several days at Pademba Road prison without due legal process, commented after his release that thousands of young people are being locked up in appalling conditions, without any hope of obtaining justice.

Dr. Alie Kabba himself is still awaiting justice, after being arrested three times in two months, on what appears to be political expediency, rather than the equitable administration of justice in Sierra Leone.

According to the office of the attorney general, the 95 indictments filed in the last 30 days, are expected to significantly impact the remand population of the Freetown Correctional Center.

It says that the increased level of indictments would provide inmates the opportunity to have their day in court and get justice.

The report also asserts that actions taken so far by the attorney general, will significantly contribute to addressing the perennial problem of overcrowding in the country’s correctional centres.

“The Public is therefore encouraged to cooperate with the Director of Public Prosecutions Division of the Law Officers’ Department to ensure the speedy and effective trial of matters before the court.

“The Attorney-General and Minister of Justice wishes to further emphasize to the public, that it is the Government’s urgent desire to restore public confidence and trust in the justice delivery system,” says the report.

Last month – Monday, 11th January 2016, Joseph Kamara – the man many in Sierra Leone believe to be hot favourite to succeed president Koroma as the ruling APC party’s presidential flagbearer in 2017, made history by becoming the first attorney general and minister of justice to publicly hand in his asset declaration form to his successor at the Anti-Corruption Commission – Mr Shollay Davies.

The head of the ACC – Shollay Davies commended the former anti-corruption commission boss, and called upon other government ministers and public officials to emulate the attorney general’s example.

He called on pubic officials in the country to ensure that their assets are declared in line with Section 119 of the ACC Act of 2008, which makes it mandatory for all public officials to register their Asset Declaration Forms annually.

The attorney general Joseph Kamara, told the Sierra Leone Telegraph that he has always complied with the requirements of Section 119 of the ACC Act of 2008, even as head of the ACC.