The Minister of Finance Dennis K. Vandi has in two separate meetings assured the New European Union Ambassador and British High Commissioner to Sierra Leone of the commitment of the Government of Sierra Leone to Public Financial Management reforms to enhance transparency and accountability in the public sector. These back-to-back meetings with the two diplomats took place at the Minister’s George Street office on Thursday 16th September 2021. In her statement the British High Commissioner to Sierra Leone Lisa Chesney MBE thanked the Minister of Finance and team for the meeting, stating that Sierra Leone is doing very well on the world stage on education and other policies decisions and reforms.  She commended the government for allocating 21% of its national budget to education. High commissioner Chesney spoke of other areas of interest and intervention like Election Funding, Healthcare, the budget process, water, economic transformation with the private sector at the center, and climate change. The European Union Ambassador Manuel Alexander Muller also, in his opening remarks stated that the European Union has been a long-standing partner to Sierra Leone over the years, adding that meetings of such nature will deepen understanding and cooperation between the Government of Sierra Leone and its partners. Ambassador Muller furthered that they acknowledge government efforts in public financial management reforms and that the Ministry of Finance is critical because of its role in the budget process from development to execution. “These roles with good reforms can be very useful in the fight corruption,” he said. In both meetings, the Financial Secretary Sahr Lahai Jusu informed the Ambassadors that the government is currently undertaking lots of reforms to improve transparency and accountability including supporting the fight against corruption. He continued that, discussions around PFM reforms are happening at the highest level of the presidency as well as trying to open up the platforms to Governance and Accountability Civil Society Organisation. In the area of audit recommendations, the Financial Secretary stated that government is not only trying to implement them but also will put out a report on the progress of the implementation for partners and the general public to know. He calls on partners to support these reforms including strengthening the PFM Act 2016 and automating procurement and financial transactions in the public sector. Minister of Finance Dennis K. Vandi thanked both ambassadors for their support over the years and also assured them of the government to not only improve public financial management but to also continue to allocate more resources to pro-poor projects, human capital development, and the fight against COVID-19. HRMO Engages MDAs on Annual Manpower Hearing Cross-section of representatives from MDAs By Musa Kamara The Human Resource Management Office (HRMO) – Directorate of Human Resource Planning and Budgeting has on Monday 13th September 2021 commenced days-long engagement session with MDAs on “Annual Manpower Hearing 2021 for 2022 Financial Year,” with theme, “Proper Human Resource Planning enhances Efficient Delivery.” Whilst addressing representatives of MDAs, Ansu S. Tucker who is the Director General- HRMO, underscored the relevance of the manpower hearing saying, this year’s session falls in line with the previous annual hearings which boils down to strengthening payroll management and improving medium term planning and budgeting of personnel cost in order to forecast and meet the manpower needs of the civil service, which sector (civil service), accounts for a significant proportion of the national budget. He mentioned that the Annual Manpower Hearing session is organized by HRMO and it is part of public financial management process. He went on to say, the hearing examines the human resource proposals and requirements of MDAs in order to determine their actual needs. DG Tucker admitted that some MDAs are not serious with the manpower planning and he therefore stressed on the importance of manpower planning- as it informs critical human resource decisions such as recruitments, promotions, exits or retirements as well as decisions to create new positions or increase the establishment of MDAs. The HRMO Boss disclosed that at the end of the manpower reviews, recommendations come in play and these recommendations are expected to be translated into viable plans that would meet the manpower needs of the MDAs. He acknowledged that some MDAs have undergone management and functional reviews in order to revamp their structures and align their functions to their new mandate and therefore, it is expected that those reviews should also form part of the manpower planning process. DG Ansu S. Tucker makes clear that, at the end of the hearings, HRMO and MDAs will come up with plans that have share understandings in accordance with the manpower plans of the various MDAs. He entreated that the manpower plans and budget of MDAs should be implemented as plan in order to avoid delays, which assure reduction in what he described as “voracity and unpredictability of the budget process” in order to make way for HRMO to develop strategic roles that would meet the HR needs of the various MDAs. Temple Run Not a Pathway to Success By Theresa Thomas Every citizen in Sierra Leone with the requisite qualification has a right to seek employment and work. Unfortunately, jobs are few are far between, even the government realises that job creation is a huge problem, with its youthful population mostly unemployed. Over the years it has been a lot of complaints from various women and youth groups about government’s inability to create job opportunity for its women and youths. This issue has been worsened by the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic. The few employed young people are losing their jobs as businesses continue to downsize staff due to low sales. This desperate attempt to seek greener pasture has led to an increase in irregular migration which many Sierra Leoneans have termed ‘Temple Run’. The journey across the Mediterranean Sea to Europe has left many Africans dead. Mabinty Kamara who attempted the dangerous journey explained the process is frustrating and full of challenges and some of the challenges she highlighted include language barriers, infringement

The Vice President of the Republic of Sierra Leone Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh will on Friday 17th September deliver the keynote address and launch the Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 Budget preparation process at the Policy Hearings to be held at the Ministry of Finance, Treasury Building Main Conference Hall in Freetown.  The Policy Hearings provide an opportunity for Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), including Local Councils to discuss and review the updates on sectoral policies as contained in the Medium-term National Development Plan. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, only ministers of Deputies and the Vote Controllers should attend(2 per Ministry). The Bilateral Budget Discussions for all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) will commenced on Monday 20th September to 8th October 2021 9:00 am to 6:00 pm daily. These Discussions will enable stakeholders to discuss and agree on policies that will guide revenue generation and resource allocations to various MDAs. The Ministry of Finance also in a public notice stated that all Vote Controllers are expected to follow all COVID-19 safety protocols during these discussions.  Furthermore, all MDAs are encouraged to submit 50 copies of their strategic plan and budget proposals to the Budget Bureau two (2) days before their scheduled date and all presentations should be done via PowerPoints. Representatives of the Development Partners, Non-Governmental Organisations, District Budget Oversight Committees (DBOCs), and Governance/Accountability Civil Society Organisations/Non-State Actors are invited to participate via zoom as well as follow through on various local radio, television stations, and newspapers. The Vice President is expected to lay the foundation for the policy direction for the financial 2022. Lands Minister Hosts U.S Ambassador The Minister of Lands, Housing and Country Planning Dr. Turad Senesie has hosted the U.S Ambassador to Sierra Leone and displayed a professional and exemplary leadership at the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Country Planning continue to attract development partners into the sector that was once marred with controversies. Just this week, the Minister of Lands, Housing and Country Planning, Dr. Turad Senesie played host to the United States Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Ambassador David Reimer, at the Minister’s Youyi Building Office in Freetown. The two development partners held critical discussions bothering on investment in housing, training and general management of the sector. The Minister briefed the Ambassador about the challenges inherited and major reforms being undertaken for the effective and efficient management of the sector. He spoke of the shift in priority from land allocation to provision of affordable housing and proper country planning, a policy that is already attracting investors from across the globe. The Ambassador was also informed about work being done towards reforming legislations and digitisation of the sector for proper management. He assured the Ambassador that the President Bio led administration will continue to take the appropriate measures as dictated by the country’s medium term national development plan. On his part, the U.S Ambassador urged the minister to continue with the good leadership being demonstrated already. He was particularly interested to know about steps being undertaken by government to attract more investment into the housing sector. In terms of skills gap, the Minister and Ambassador agreed that short term training is important for staff development. In that regard, the Ambassador encouraged the staff of the Ministry to take advantage of opportunities in acquiring short term trainings in the US. Over the last seven months since the appointment of Dr. Turad Senesie as Minsiter of Lands, Housing and Country Planning, the sector has attracted development partners and investors including the World Bank, UNFPA, JL Properties based in Ghana and TAF Africa Global headquartered in The Gambia, among others.  Orange announces massive AFCON packages for supporters Leading mobile company in Sierra Leone, Orange has announced a massive Africa Cup of Nations package for fans to support Leone Stars in Cameroon next year. A total of three packages has been announced; a Cheer Song Competition, Supporters Group Competition and Orange Juniors Challenge. The Cheer Song Competition will encourage fans to compose songs to support the national team. One person or a group can write their song and perform it. The cheer song must be exciting and uplifting. The Supporters Group Challenge will encourage fans to get different ways to support Leone Stars. How crazy or how excited can they be as fans? How can they drown out the noise of opposition fans and draw everyone’s attention? And most importantly how can they uplift the national team.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, His Excellency, Professor David John Francis, has paid a courtesy call on the new Director General of the World Trade Organization, Dr. NgoziOkonjo-Iweala at WTO Headquarters, Geneva, Switzerland. Professor Francis on behalf of the President, Dr. Julius Maada Bio congratulated Dr. NgoziOkonjo-Iweala on her appointment on 15 February 2021 and the assumption of office on 1 March 2021 as Director-General of the WTO, and commended her leadership and dedication on the ongoing subsidies, agriculture and trade negotiations at the WTO. His Excellency extremely thanked the Director General for championing Covid-19 vaccine equity and access for all initiative. The Hon. Minister outlined that the priority sectors identified by the Director General’s office are also identified as priority sectors of focus by the government of Sierra Leone- agriculture, fisheries, trade among others. Professor Francis reiterated Sierra Leone’s desire to continue receiving technical assistance and capacity-building support in fisheries, agriculture, e-commerce. In her short remarks, the World Trade Organization, Director General, Dr. NgoziOkonjo-Iweala applauded Sierra Leone`s efforts to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic and highlighted the country`s experience obtained from the Ebola outbreak has prepared the country to better respond to the Covid-19 pandemic. Dr. Ngozi said the task force for the COVID-19 pandemic composed of Heads of Prominent International Organizations working on delivering results interns of increased vaccine production volumes in the short term as well as longer term investments in vaccine production and enhancing the trading system`s contribution to the pandemic preparedness. The Director General reiterated her office`s commitment to providing the necessary technical and capacity building support in the field of agriculture, fisheries, and trade to the government of Sierra Leone. Dr. Ngozi also commended the government of Sierra Leone for adopting a human capital development strategy across sectors. Both the Honourable Minister and the Director General expressed that the meeting will serve as a basis for continued partnership and dialogue aimed at delivering results in the areas of common interests. PUBLIC REVIEW ARTICLE THE OSWALD HANCILES COLUMN  Land of Gold, Iron, and Diamonds!! Nar Way Dem? “The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has on the 26th August, 2021 filed an indictment against DANIEL KAPRI SESAY, a Mines Compliance Officer of the National Mineral Agency (NMA)….According to the particulars of the offence, Daniel KapriSesay …accepted an advantage for himself in order to make use of his influence to obtain a benefit from a public obtain… (Accepted) the sums of $5,000… $2,000 and $300…. to… facilitate the release and conveyance to Dubai, United Arab Emirates 15 kilograms of gold valued $350,000…”: ACC Press Release (ACC/PR/21/029, 30th August, 2021). A couple of days ago, when the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) put into the public domain that above Release, there has been less than 1% comment on it in the over 100 Whatsapp forum I am subscribed to.  That relative silence on what is happening to our mineral resources reflect to me the diseased mindsets of most Sierra Leoneans.  If that was a sex scandal, it would have generated hundreds of prose and audio comments.  If it was a story of $1,000,000 allegedly stolen from the finance ministry by a deputy finance minister, it would have been emblazoned on the front pages of many local newspapers.  But, a corruption story on “gold” by a “Mines Compliance Officer”…. – it has little news value to nearly all Sierra Leoneans.   For even the educated trapped in offices in Freetown  don’t seem to care what happens (what has been happening) to the vast mineral resources of Sierra Leone – gold, diamonds, titanium, iron ore, bauxite….  From the 1930s to the present,  we have been mining diamonds in Sierra Leone.  For about 40 years, the British and South Africans in the Sierra Leone Selection Trust (SLST) company dug into our ground and unearthed millions of dollars, maybe, billions of dollars, worth of the best jewelry diamonds in the world.  We don’t know exactly how much.  There are mines monitoring officers or mines compliance officers like KapriSesay in the ACC  Release who would be employed by government to seek the interest of the people.  They are supposed to be people of highest integrity – who would not be bribed; who would not be compromised.  Have they been?  How would they be chosen?  Are they known by the societies they have lived in to be honest people? Now, that a Daniel KapriSesay has been indicted by the ACC, can the print and electronic media turn the spotlight on him, and all such mines monitoring officers, and ask questions about them? Going to each of the major mining companies over the past ten or so years with video documentary crew, and talking with local and foreign professionals working in them, I have this suspicion that Sierra Leone does not have the technology, or, the honest human resources, to know exactly the quantity of gold, diamonds, titanium, iron ore, bauxite being mined and exported out of the country.  They take with child-like naivete what these mining companies tell them they would export.  And the mining companies apparently compromise the government- employed mines monitoring officers.  Successive parliaments don’t seem to care much about what goes on in this sector.  I find it pathetic that while mining companies could have been openly stealing our vast mineral wealth to the value of billions of dollars, governments would publish triumphantly “the IMF has given Sierra Leone a loan of $350,000,000!!”. The National Minerals Agency (NMA), where Daniel KapriSesay works,  was established when the APC held on to the reins of the presidency between 2007 and 2018. They exist to Administer and enforce the Mines and Minerals Act, 2009, and other Acts and related regulations related to the trade in minerals.  The NMA’s website states they have a “library” that “holds a huge volume of geological literature, bulletins, memoirs, short papers, maps, print and electronic journals, mining laws and documents to support bibliographical services to internal and external stakeholders”.  Typical sterile language.  Largely, the NMA has been conducting its

By Babsy I came to know the late Managing Director of the Sierra Leone Commercial Bank, Abdulai Fidelis Turay, through his predecessor, IdrissAloomaKamara who told him of all the good works I had been doing for the Bank as a Public Relations consultant/agent for Print Media. After I was introduced to him, he requested that we have a private meeting. In the meeting he told me that he likes working with honest people. He asked that anything I have to tell him, let me come out and say it. He implored me to work in the best interest of the bank so that it would grow. Fidelis believed in the media. He always ensured that the Bank had a good working relationship with the media. Fidelis was a man who believed in work. He said little but worked hard to achieve results. As a team player, he was a leader who liked consulting in order to get the opinion of others before making a decision. In terms of his personality, he was a cool, calm and composed man who did not like to see people bullied. He hobnobbed with staff in the bank down to the drivers and cleaners. Whilst he headed the bank, he never sacked anybody and granted promotion to over 90 percent of the staff as a way to motivate them towards higher performance. Fidelis was generous. He could easily sense what people needed. He was a secretive philanthropist who donated to countless worthy individuals and institutions. Fidelis believed in collective effort. Before the Bank launched any program, he will call me, and tell me to talk to his abled lieutenant BockarieKalokoh, Project Manager Dr. Orlean Cole and Festus Sowah to discuss about the product which the bank intends to be launched to know its utility and what dividends it would yield the Bank. His last official function was few months before his passing at the King George’s Home for the Aged where the Bank does annual donation to help the inmates. Making a statement, he disclosed that out of the profit the Bank makes, they deem it fit to share some of it with the poor and needy. It is notable that he insisted that all directors be present at the occasion and so the ceremony was pushed from 11am to 2 pm. Fidelis was a problem solver. He believed that every problem has a solution. He did not like people who saw the impossible or who think that it cannot be done. His death came to me as a big surprise. I received the shocking news on Sunday 15TH August, 2021 after talking to him the previous Tuesday to appeal to him for the Bank to honour all newspaper advertisement bills which he graciously did. Fidelis is dearly missed by not only me but all those that had the opportunity to work with him.MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PEACE Deputy Minister of the Environmentdeclares opens the Validation Workshop on the RNCCP for Sierra Leone The validation of the Revised National Climate Change Policy (NCCP) with support from UNDP attracted stakeholders from different MDAs including supervising agencies under the Ministry, Members of Parliament, Paramount Chiefs, and Civil Society Organizations. This was organized at the Hill Valley Hotel in Freetown. Delivering his keynote address, the Dep. Minister, Stephen Syril J. Jusu pinpointed that Sierra Leone like many other developing countries has had significant experience in dealing with environmental challenges. He noted that expansion of human activities in the mining  agriculture, transport and the industry sectors reminded citizens of the consequences in the form of flooding, erratic rainfall, erosion, global warming, land degradation and other natural disasters depicting that climate change is real. Consequently, he noted that climate change has increased the vulnerability of our people mostly women and children as the most vulnerable hence the need for the revised NCCP. In addition, he intimated that the participation of all relevant stakeholders during the validation of the revised NCCP is to reflect the present day situation that would stand the test of time. He took into consideration the Paris Agreement which Sierra Leone is signatory to, noting that it mandates the country to limit global warming below 2 degrees Celsius and to develop the Nationally Determined Contribution NDC. He continued that Sierra Leone has submitted its NDC to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change UNFCCC ahead of the Glasgow COP26 that would be hosted in November this year in UK. He said that in line with the Paris Agreement, the said policy extensively addresses climate change mitigation, adaptation, loss and damage, capacity building, human development capacity, research, technology development for climate change financing and gender equity. Sequel to this, he emphasized that without good NCCP, Sierra Leone would find it difficult to achieve its obligation under the Paris Agreement.    Conclusively, he commended UNDP for supporting the process as well as stakeholders from different institutions for their collaborations in pushing the process forward. He declared the validation of the NCCP open at the end of his address. The opening ceremony was chaired by the Senior Permanent Secretary in the Ministry while  statements were delivered by key stakeholders in fulfillment of their commitments in validating the NCCP. Mr. Gabriel Kpaka, Deputy Director General at the SL Meteorological Agency and UNFCCC National Focal Point chaired the Technical Sessions. SLCB Holds Vigil &Candlelight Procession for Abdulai F. Turay The Sierra Leone Commercial Bank (SLCB) has continued to offer prayers for their late Managing Director, Abdulai Fidelis Turay as they held vigil and candlelight procession yesterday Wednesday 1st September,2021 at the bank’s Car Park, Siaka Steven Street, Freetown. The programme was climaxed with praised and worship, SLCB song in memory of the late MD, tributes and candlelight procession, all in honour of the death of Abdual F. Turay. He was appointed in September, 2018 by President Bio as Managing Director of the bank where he demonstrated the true definition of a unique leadership style. His sojourned at SLCB made the

His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio has called at the residence of late Managing Director of Sierra Leone Commercial Bank to console the family of Abdulai Fidelis Turay, who passed away on 15 August 2021. The late Mr. Turay was appointed Managing Director of the Bank on 12 September 2018 by President Bio. He died at the age of 57. He had over 23 years experience as a banker, starting his career at the Meridien BIAO Bank (SL) Limited as a Clerk, and then the Union Trust Bank Limited Sierra Leone where he left as Assistant Director, Credit Administration & Risk Management before joining the Sierra Leone Commercial Bank. “On my personal behalf, I am here to console you to wipe your tears in this difficult moment. I pray that God grant him merciful judgment,” President Bio told the family. AT HASTINGS COMMUNITY… HUMAN SOLIDARITY CAPACITATES 50 YOUTHS National Coordinator for Human Solidarity, Gibson Idriss Mansaray and participants A Community Base Organization (CBO), Human Solidarity hasorganized  a one day training workshop for fifty (50) young people within Hastings community in the Western Area Rural District (WARD) on capacity building. The event happened at the Twin Hall, Hastings community on Saturday, 28th, August 2021 with the theme “Youth perspective on civil society space for sustainable development”. Welcoming participants to mark the official opening  ofthe trainingHeadman, of the Hastings community , Mr. Cecil Wright described Hastings as a big community with increasing number of inhabitants, noting  that the training would allow participants to discuss relevant developmental issues. He encouraged participants to disseminate vital information to all those that were not fortunate to be part of the training program, adding that the issue of capacitating or empowering young people with necessary skills and messages to foster development was not an easy task. Mr. Wright said that Government and his community leadership could not do it alone, dilating that if young people could come together and organize themselves accordingly, development would flourish in their various communities. He saidcommunity electricity, bad road network, water and sanitation, unemployment are issues needed to be discussed among youths to enhance a resolve on the challenges affecting the country .  He mentioned that youth development and community issues are voluntary work; he highlighting the fact that the training, in particular  was all about finding ways to decentralize development among the working population. Mr. Wright advised his audience against lawlessness because, according to him, it will hinderprogress; he frowned against the use of invectives in public by some young people. He said the security issue of Hastings community had been improving unlike in the past. In his presentation, National Coordinator for Human Solidarity, Mr. Idriss Gibson Mansaray said that his organization was found in 2013 at Hastings Village, but came into full time operations in 2014. He explained thatHuman Solidarity registered with the Western Area Rural District Council (WARD C) and other line institutions; recalling that they had carried out lot of community development activities, including sensitization on teenage pregnancy, early marriage and others. Mr. Mansaray noted that they have received funding from the British High Commission to work with women in leadership positions, noting thatlast year they brought together women parliamentarians in leadership positions from four political parties . The Youth Chairman for Hastings Village, AbubakarrKamaraexpressed delight to Mr. Mansaray for organizingtraining; he emphasized that development is the desire of every individual in society. He said the training would teach participants important lessons to foster sustainable development in communities, adding that Hastings community is far behind in terms of development. A female participant, Isatu Boyah prayed for the continuation and sustainability of the initiative and called on fellow women to work as a team in the interest of development of Hastings community . An indigene of Hastings, Mr. Emmanuel Scott described the youths as foundation in any society. Military Officer committed to High Court for murder By FeimaSesay After the testimonies of four prosecution witnesses, followed by the closure of the prosecution’s case, Magistrate Mark Ngegba, presiding at the Pademba Road Court No.2, on Thursday,  2nd September,  2021, committed one SahrDaramy, 48, a former military officer to continue his  trial in the High Court for allegedly killing Abu BakarrConteh. The accused person had made seventeen (17) appearances before he was committed to the High Court. Before the committal, Magistrate Ngegba narrated that the accused person was before the court on one count of murder contrary to the laws of Sierra Leone. He said the police had alleged that the accused person on the 19th December, 2020 murdered one Abu BakarrConteh. According him, the prosecution called four witnesses including one factual plus the police investigator who was cross examined by Lawyer C.I Williams. The Magistrate noted that in a preliminary trial, the prosecution needs to prove its case beyond all reasonable doubt, as well prove the existence of concrete evidence in the matter. He said he had gone through the evidence before him, and that  he was satisfied that the accused person has a case to answer in the High Court. It could be recalled that Police prosecutor, Sergeant 11223 Baindu Bona, had alleged that the accused on Saturday, 19th December, 2020, at Borbor Village, Peninsula road, Freetown, murdered one Abu BakarrConteh.