The Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) has secured the Antoinette Tubman Stadium (ATS) in Monrovia, Liberia as its artificial home venue for the returned leg of the 2022 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Qualifier on Saturday, October 9, 2021, following CAF’s disqualification of the Siaka Steven Stadium and other playing facilities in Sierra Leone. Sierra Leone female U-20 last weekend defeated their Guinean counterparts in Senegal by a lone goal. SLFA had concluded fruitful deliberations with the Libera Football Association (LFA) authorities on the venue. To further wrap up the agreement and conclude pending arrangements, a four-man delegation headed by the Vice President II, AlieBadaraTarawallie left Sierra Leone on Monday, 27th September and are expected back on the Thursday the 30th September. Other officials in the delegation include: Abdul Osman Turay – North West Region Chairman; Sorie Ibrahim Sesay – Head of Competitions and AbubakarrKamara – Head of Protocol and events Management. The delegation was taken on a conducted tour of the facilities by the LFA protocol and held meetings with service providers and the Media. In another development, the delegation has also secured the same venue for the hosting of the first leg of the Africa Women’s Championship Qualifier between Sierra Leone and The Gambia on 18th October, 2021. LEONE STARS DELEGATION IN MOROCCO FOR 3 INTERNATIONAL MATCHES A cross section of the Leone Stars delegation has arrived in the Moroccan City of El Jadida ahead of three international friendly matches, as part of their preparation for the 2021 AFCON finals. The delegation departs the Lungi International Airport at around 8PM on Saturday onboard Air Senegal en route to Dakar through Banjul. In Dakar Senegal, the delegation transited onboard Royal Air Maroc and arrived in Casablanca at exactly 6AM on Sunday, before the delegation drove to the Moroccan port city named El Jadida where the delegation checked in at the Ibis Hotel. The delegation include seven (7) players and 16 Officials who left Freetown on Saturday. Additional home based and foreign based players are expected to join the squad later today and tomorrow. R.B LINESE’s players Alusine Koroma and Alhassan Koroma are the first foreign based players to have jetted in Morocco on Sunday afternoon to join the squad. Also expected to join the delegation are the President Thomas Daddy Brima, Vice President 1 Harold Nat-Johnson, Executive Officer KwekuLisk and General Secretary Christopher Kamara from the Sierra Leone Football Association, alongside the Minister of Sports Ibrahim Nyelenkeh, the Executive Director of the National Sports Authority Dr. Kenneth Brima, and more, will leave the shores of Sierra Leone for Morocco on Monday. Leone Stars will play their first match against South Sudan on the 6th October 2021, which will be followed by a clash with The Gambia on the 9th October and Morocco on the 12th October 2021 in Morocco. The Leone Stars delegation was warmly welcomed by the Moroccan Football Federation at the Casablanca airport. A delegation of the Sierra Leone Embassy in Rabat Morocco also paid a courtesy visit to the Leone Stars camp at the Ibis Hotel in Jadida, where they inspired the team and expressed commitment to support the team. The team will hold its first official training session on Monday morning ahead of the lined up friendly matches which are meant to prepare the team for the Cameroon 2021 Total Energies Africa Cup of Nations finals in January 2022. These friendlies will also give the technical staff the opportunity to assess and select players for the campaign.

IPRP Chairman making his statement during the budget hearing  By IPRP Communications Unit Chairman of the Independent Procurement Review Panel (IPRP) Emmanuel SaffaAbdulai, said the IPRP was underfunded. He made this disclosure during a one –day Budget Hearing for the Financial Year 2022 at the Ministry of Finance (MOF) Tuesday, 28 September, 2021. He said quotas being allocated in the previous years were ridiculous to run the daily operations of the office as compare to the magnitude of work. This Year allocation was only Five Hundred Million Leones allocated to the Institution, adding that the coming Fiscal Year of 2022 requesting for over a Billion Leones to run the institution and implement plan activities. The hearing was witnessed by staff of MOF, IPRP, Non State Actors (NSAs), the media and Community Based Organisations (CBOs). The IPRP is a creation of section 65 (1) of the National Public Procurement Act No. 10 of 2016. The IPRP is charged with the responsibility to review complaints from dissatisfied bidders about decision of procuring entity. Speaking during the hearing Chairman Abdulai said previous budget allocations of Five Hundred Million Leones to run the daily operations of the secretariat was paltry. The IPRP Secretariat was located at the National Public Procurement Authority Office at Tower Hill during his predecessors’ era and only one staff was representing the IPRP. He noted that such an operations undermined the IPRP in executing their duties efficiently, and referenced that one could not be a coach and at the same time referee for a team. He told budget hearing members that under his administration he had set up the Secretariat on 3A Wellington Street that was up and running with staff being recruited. ‘’ Our major constraint the Secretariat is without a generator in case of any power outage and vehicle for operations’’. He said He said the role of the IPRP was very vital in the procurement cycle, and that government spends over 70 percent in procuring goods, works and services. He said the amount requested for was not much and if the said amount being allocated in the next Fiscal Year would enable the secretariat to implement its plan activities. The chairman said activities for 2022 was to intensify stakeholder sensitization and community outreach especially in the provincial towns as well as Local Councils on core mandate of the IPRP. Also, to develop policies and other framework for effective and efficient complaints management. Moreover, to develop a website that would target the general public on awareness raising on activities of the institution. “IPRP Secretariat is here to restore accountability and transparency in the procurement processes,” he said. The Auditor General reports are vivid case study of breach of procurement rules, adding that 70 percent of government resources misappropriated due to flout of the PPA of 2016. Senior Financial Secretary MOF, Samuel Momoh appealed to the IPRP to roll out activity plan that was not executed, and that challenges highlighted during the presentation would be considered. Mr.Momoh asked members present at the hearing if the budget proposal presented by the IPRP for the Fiscal Year 2022 be accepted was in the affirmative. Regional Coordinator Non State Actors Kambia district Foday Dada, appealed to MOF to disburse the said quota requested by the IPRP so that their activities could be roll over to the next Fiscal Year.  ‘’Such an institution needs to be empower to effectively carryout their core mandate as procurement is becoming a bed rock for corruption in the country’’ he said. The budget technical team and stakeholders made their submissions that the Agency need to be bolstered because if government is to succeed in agricultural production the Agency could be a driving actor in doing achieving that. PRES. BIO AWARDS BEST TEACHERS Below is the speech delivered by President Julius Maada Bio at the event of awards to teachers Distinguished teachers and school administrators, The Honourable Vice President, 1. You may have noticed that I deliberately reversed sequencing in protocol in order to highlight the importance of teachers not only at this event but in our lives and for the future of this nation. In that regard, I crave your indulgence to all stand up and give all teachers – young, experienced, more experienced, retired, sick, or late — a standing ovation for one minute. Thank you. Thank you! Thank you! 2. If a bare-footed, five-year old village boy, who stared in awe and with great curiosity on his first day at school, today holds degrees from institutions of higher learning, can speak English and French, use technology, think critically, interact freely with world leaders, and is today President of this Republic of Sierra Leone, it is all because of the sacrifice, care, nurture, and patience of teachers. 3. Therefore, on this day set aside as World Teachers’ Day, it is all appropriate to celebrate, to honour, and to thank every teacher for all they have done. Through war and through pestilence, teachers have been at the very heart of our nation’s resilience and recovery. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, they kept schools open, imparted knowledge with characteristic selflessness, patiently prepared students for transitional examinations, and continued to mould and open minds as they are wont. 4. So today is about honouring those who may have been mocked, ridiculed, and under-appreciated for choosing a profession that does not bestow instant monetary wealth upon them. 5. Today is about recognising communicators, influencers, opinion makers, care givers; people who serve with empathy; who mould character, instil discipline and respect; who empower; who give passions, imaginations, hopes, and dreams an opportunity to blossom. 6. Today is about thanking those who when children have doubts, when they make mistakes, when they are unsure and frustrated, will patiently stand by and assure them that the best is always in them and they are the best who can ever be. 7. Today is about honouring those who have dedicated their lives to nurturing and developing the human capital of our nation and

The British High Commissioner to Sierra Leone Lisa Chesney has said that Sierra Leone will be invited on the COP-26 UK Climate change conference that will be takingplace on the 31stOctoberto November 2021 in the United Kingdom. Commissioner Lisasaid the UK-Sierra Leone relationship has brought along history and her primary Goal is to make sure that she take such relationship from strength to strength. She continued to say that a country like Sierra Leone is vulnerable to climate change and that she will make sure that Sierra Leone’s bio-diversity is protectedin order to foster economic growth. The Commissioner added that some of her top priorities in her agenda are making sure that theyfocus more on climate change, human capital development, health, education and economic growth and commended the government of Sierra Leone for working on some of these areas.    She continued to say that the conference is to bring world leaders Climate change campaigners expertise come together to take action to tackle climate and protect the environment. She said some of the most challenging issues Sierra Leone is facing were biodiversity adding that Sierra Leone is internationalinsignificant in it biodiversity and deforestation because 80% of Sierra Leoneans depend on wood and coal and it is challenging on climate point of view. She continued that the British High commission and the national council will be showing 5 films to mitigate some of this activities is to raise awareness on climate change by using awareness using the talent of sierra Leoneans film makers. The Commissioner said during the Cop-26 climate change summit they will be inviting all countries to come along with national develop constitution plan adding that her government is ready to work with every one including civil societies. ‘’Because Sierra Leone is making more progress in putting policies on climate change therefore the country need to have access on climate change finances provided by development countries’’ she said. The Commissioner said access to energy is another important priority the government of UK has invested €65M.in renewable energy for the smart climate policy and sierra Leone will be a beneficiary in that policy. Adding Sierra Leone has water power and the UK government with the World Bank has looked out for a power line between Bo and Keneme and mini solar grid that will be benefit about 600,000 people of Sierra Leone having access to energy. Commissioner Lisa Chesney ended that in achieving this challenges there must be an involvement with all the formal and informal sectors including government and the civil societies. Civil Rights Coalition Calls for Tax Waiver On Smartphones By FeimaSesay Internet is now considered as a significant part of the daily life of people and contributes in the development of nations across the world sharing and exchanging ideas, information and connecting business people, government schemes worldwide. It is against this backdrop that Alphonso Manley, National Coordinator of the Civil Rights Coalition, on Friday 1st October 2021 at his Fort street in Freetown, called on the government of Sierra Leone to offer tax waiver to smart phones importers. According to him, Africa is yet to catch up with Europe and the United States digital economy, and internet access is a key driver for economic growth and societal development. He said as a factor to achieve the sustainable Development Goal (SDG), and  also the need to access basic services through digital means, such as E- governance, E- education and E-health and mobiles, which he said is now the most reliable, cheapest and easiest way for financial transaction and other major electronic services. Alphonso further stated that Sierra Leone still has the lowest internet penetration,  standing at 18% which he said is as a result of the low access to smart phones in the country, as compared to other nations across Africa that have high penetration with rural connectivity. He stated that the problem is that mobile Network o He added that GST tax custom duty on smart phones, which will in turn increase access to smart phones and digital penetration in the country, should be removed, adding that majority of the population rely on smart phones to access internet that will pave the way for Mobile Network Operators to reduce the prices on data. Orange Making Remarkable Footprint in Africa &Europe By FeimaSesay Orange is in Sierra Leone with a strong industrial project that will lead to invest significantly to cover most of the population in the country with telecom services. As a result, Orange can now comfortably boast of the widest network in Sierra Leone covering about 85% of the country. Their ambition is to deliver an unmatched customers experience. The desire to increase customer satisfaction with the fastest internet speed on the widest coverage was central to this dream. Today,  Orange SL have far more sites than any other telecom service provider in sierra Leone with more than 445 sites carrying voice and date with the best customer experience nationwide thereby connecting thousands of new localities. Orange’s Green Energy projects in Africa and the Middle East targeting 2040. This project is geared towards ensuring that the company’s operations are environmental friendly whilst promoting health and safety. Orange is accelerating its solar projects in Africa and the Middle East to reduce its carbon footprint to zero by 2040. Across the entire region, many sites are not connected to the electricity grid and when they are, the quality of the grid often requires alternative backup solutions. To avoid using generators that run on fuel (fossil energy that emits CO2), Orange is putting in place several initiatives such as solar panels. Orange wants to be the major stakeholder of choice in the energy transition.In several of its subsidiaries, Orange is deploying innovative solar solutions and the latest generation batteries with partners specializing in energy. To reduce its environmental footprint, the Group is positioning itself in these countries as the biggest deployer of solar panels, with a renewable energy use rate already at over 50% for Orange Guinea, 41% for

By Alhaji Turay The All Peoples Congress (APC) Diaspora has sent a thank you message to all members of the party for adoption of the new constitution few days ago. Over the years, the Diaspora has become a great source of skilled human resource as well as political party in Sierra Leone. We believe this decision was collectedly, Logistical, financial, and moral support for the party and the country in general. This assemblage of Sierra Leoneans under the political arena of the APC party has proved to be a decisive factor in the political and socio-economic development of Sierra Leone. In the recently concluded, APC emergency National Delegates Conference (NDC) on the 17-19 September 2021 in  Makeni, the Diaspora was recognized and ratified as a Region in the constitution of the APC political party in Sierra Leone; we believe such decision was the collective effort of several political parties in Sierra Leone. As stakeholders in the party “we are very grateful, Foremost, the Diaspora would like to convey unreserved thanks and appreciation to the political party in Sierra Leone; we believe this decision was collective. National Chairman and Leader, Dr Ernest Bai Koroma, National Secretary General, Dr Alhaji Osman Foday Yansaneh, political parties in Sierra Leone                       We believe this decision was the collective’’.  National Advisory Committee (NAC), Diaspora Coordinator,Comrade Leonard Balogun Koroma and all other organs of the party for initiating and supporting the discussion to include the APC Diaspora in the APC constitution. Is another Testimony of the great value that you place on the Diaspora? ‘’We would also like to express our Gratitude to all the delegates at the National Delegates conference of 2017 for voting in favor of the Diaspora which set the stage for subsequent deliberations on this recognition and Ratification’’. ‘’Gratitude to all the delegates at the National Delegates Conference of 2017 for voting in favor Of the Diaspora which set the stage for subsequent deliberations on this recognition and Ratification. The decision of the delegates at the recent NDC to vote in favor of the Diaspora’’ The APC Diaspora has come a long way since its inception over half a century ago. To this End, we would like to acknowledge the remarkable commitment and effort of past and present Chairpersons, executives, and members of the various Branches that make up the Diaspora. As Diaspora, ‘’we would continue to uphold the philosophy of the APC supports the ideals and aspirations of the party, and work assiduously to bring the APC party back to power in 2023. A special thank you to all affiliate groups of the APC Diaspora for your tremendous support towards the APC while in governance and now in opposition.  We also want to extend our gratitude and appreciation to the 21-man Technical Committee for conducting the delegate’s elections in all the constituencies of Sierra Leone, and to planed and execute the emergency NDC in line with the orders of the High Court of Sierra Leone. Judiciary Looks to God The Judiciary of Sierra Leone Communications, Saint George’s Cathedral, George Street Freetown, 27thSeptember 2021: The Judiciary of Sierra Leone on Sunday, 26th September, 2021 ended the judicial service as part of activities marking the official opening of the 2021/2022 Judicial year. Preaching at the Saint George’s Cathedral on the theme, “For we’re his workmanship created in Christ Jesus onto good works, which God hath before ordained that We should walk in them,” His Lordship Bishop Thomas A. I. Wilson, Bishop of the Anglican Dioceses of Freetown admonished Judges and staff members of the Judiciary to dispense justice with the fear of God and in the interest of all. He told the congregants that his attention had been drawn to various media outlets about remarkable reforms in the Judiciary under His Lordship Justice Desmond Babatunde Edwards, Chief Justice of the Republic of Sierra Leone. He told the congregation that those reforms have justified the need for God’s continued direction of the leadership of the Judiciary. Scripture readings were done by the Honourable Chief Justice and the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Anthony Y. Brewah. The activities commenced on Tuesday, 21st September with the opening of the High Court Criminal Session with a total of 96 cases which were presided over by Honourable Justice AlusineSesay (JSC), who later assigned those cases to various Judges. On Friday 24th September 2021, the Honourable Chief Justice, Judges of the Superior Court of Judicature as well as members of staff converged at Masjid Hamdallah on Naimbana Street in Freetown, where Muslim prayers were observed. Delivering his sermon during the Jumaah prayer on Friday, Court of Appeal Judge, Honourable Justice AlhajiMomoh-Jah Stevens admonished worshipers to be humble in the discharge of their duties regardless of status. He reminded worshipers to have and practice the fear of God in every sphere of their lives and to be mindful of the day of accountability and stewardship before Allah on the day of judgement. Justice Momoh-Jah Stevens used the occasion to briefly introduce Honourable Judges of the Superior Court of Judicature to the public and other administrative staff, and implored worshipers to uphold the tenets of Islam especially the paying of zakat, which is one of the pillars of Islam. The service was held in recognition of God’s Supremacy and rulership in the affairs of men and from whom all strength is drawn in the discharge of our daily activities. The activities will continue on to the 1st of October 2021 when the Civil Session of the High Court will also be opened to mark the full commencement of the 2021/2022 judicial calendar. INFORMATION MINISTER HOSTS BRITISH HIGH COMMISSIONER TO SIERRA LEONE The Minister of Information and Communications Honourable Mohamed Rahman Swaray played host to the British High Commissioner to Sierra Leone Lisa Chesney at his Youyi Building office today Monday the 27th September 2021. The British High Commissioner and team were warmly welcomed by the Minister as they discussed government’s interventions in improving media freedom in Sierra Leone. Sierra

Prime Minister of England, Boris Johnson has stated at the UN General Assembly that his government is committed to providing £11.6 billion to help the rest of the world tackle climate change. He added that in spite of all the pressures on finances caused by COVID, “we have kept that promise to the letter.” He went on to explain to a galaxy of world leaders and dignitaries that in the allotted lifespan of a million, humanity has been around for about 200,000. He further said that “We still cling with part of our minds to the infantile belief that the world was made for our gratification and pleasure and we combine this narcissism with an assumption of our own immortality.We believe that someone else will clear up the mess we make, because that is what someone else has always done.” He warned that the world is approaching that critical turning point – in less than two months – “when we must show that we are capable of learning, and maturing, and finally taking responsibility for the destruction we are inflicting, not just upon our planet but ourselves.” He maintained that weekly, “we are doing such irreversible damage that long before a million years are up, we will have made this beautiful planet effectively uninhabitable – not just for us but for many other species.” He informed his audience that is why the Glasgow COP26 Summit is the turning point for humanity. The British Prime Minister stated that “We must limit the rise in temperatures – whose appalling effects were visible even this summer – to 1.5 degrees.We must come together in a collective coming of age.We must show we have the maturity and wisdom to act.” He stated that he is pleased and encouraged by some of the pledges the UN body has at the UNGA, including from Denmark, and “a very substantial commitment from the US that brings us within touching distance of the $100 billion in pledges.” But we must go further, and we must be clear that government alone will not be able to do enough. He rounded up by saying that he hopes that COP26 will be a 16th birthday for humanity “in which we choose to grow up, to recognise the scale of the challenge we face, to do what posterity demands we must, and I invite you in November to celebrate what I hope will be a coming of age and to blow out the candles of a world on fire.” Among 100 Most Influential African Women 2021: Tanzania President& Merck CEO Recognized By Winnie Botha from ‘For Africa’ Media The President of Tanzania, SamiaSuluhu Hassan; Merck Foundation CEO, Senator, Dr. RashaKelej; the Prime Minister of Togo, H.E. Victoire Tomegah Dogbe, the Vice President of Uganda, H.E. Jessica Rose EpelAlupo and the Vice President of Benin, H.E. Mariam ChabiTalatahave been recognized amongst 100 Most Influential African Women 2021. The list of 100 Most Influential African Women 2020, released by Avance Media group as part of ‘Be a Girl’ Initiative to acknowledges their efforts and accomplishments, which continue to inspire young people across the African continent and beyond. Senator, Dr. RashaKelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and President of Merck Foundation More Than a Mother has been featured in the list of 100 Most Influential African Women 2021, released by ‘Be a Girl’ Initiative, for the second consecutive year. Avance Media, a leading Rating firm, through its girls’ empowerment project,‘Be A Girl’, launches this annual publication to highlight and celebrate the astounding accomplishments of 100 women from Africa dubbed. https://100women.avancemedia.org/2021-honourees/ Merck Foundation CEO, President of Merck Foundation More Than a Mother and Member of Egyptian Senate, Senator, Dr. RashaKelej has been recognized for her efforts to transform patient care in Africa, breaking the infertility stigma through her poignant “More Than a Mother’ campaign and to empower girls in education so that they can reach their potential and pursue their dreams through ‘Educating Linda’ program. This is for the fourth time, Senator, Dr. RashaKelej has made it to the list of 100 Most Influential Africans (women and men). She has also been previously recognized by New African Magazine, UK in 2019 & 2020, for empowering women in general and infertile women in particular through the ‘More Than a Mother’ campaign. Senator, Dr. Rasha is truly a force of nature and one of Africa’s unsung ‘sheroes’ of women empowerment and health advocates. Speaking about this accolade, Senator Dr. RashaKelej emphasized, “I’m truly honoured with the recognition and very happy to be included in the list alongside many prestigious and renowned African Women. I congratulate each one of them. This is a huge validation of my journey and my efforts to empower women of my continent; it will certainly motivate me to work even harder and more sincerely towards my goal of transforming patient care for the people of my beloved Africa. Senator, Dr. RashaKelej is the brain behind the inspiring ‘More Than A Mother’ campaign – a rallying call against female infertility stigma. The campaign empowers infertile women through access to information, health, change of mind-set, and economic empowerment. More than 20 African First Ladies appointed as Ambassadors of “Merck Foundation More than a Mother”, which is very impressive. Hailed from Egypt, this versatile lady and a style icon is a trailblazer and influential in changing the perception of how fashion, film, music, and media can be utilized to address sensitive social issues through “More Than A Mother’ Fashion, Films, Songs & Media Awards as she strongly believes in the critical role of these fraternities in creating a culture shift. She has also contributed to the future of hundreds of girls through her ‘Educating Linda’ Program by supporting the education of many of the high performing girls by providing scholarships and grants that can cover school fees, school uniforms, and other essentials including notebooks, pens, and mathematical instruments, so they can reach their potential and pursue their dreams. “Empowering women starts with education, to enable them to

The President of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), Ahmed Sahid Nasralla, whilst commending the massive reforms at the Judiciary under the leadership of His Lordship Justice Desmond Babatunde Edwards, outlined the remarkable achievements in just two years. In his presentation on “Deepening Sierra Leone’s Democracy: Prospects and Challenges,” the SLAJ President said under the current Chief Justice, magistrates have been deployed in all Districts in the country, including Falaba and Karene. For the first time, he continued, places such as Kailahun District, Port Loko District, Moyamba District and Koinadugu District now have resident High Court Judges. According to him, this is indeed a new Judiciary, adding that, “we should be encouraged by the recent ruling of the highest court in the land giving victory to an opposition politician in the high profile political matter of dual citizenship.” President Nasralla saluted the Judiciary for opening its activities to the public through their Communications Department. “We should also be encouraged by the new public face of the once very conservative Judiciary arm of Government, now operating a Public Relations Department to interface with the public,” he said, noting that, “The fact that the Judiciary is also now allowing media cameras and recorders in court rooms during high profile public cases is a good prospect for justice.” He reminded the public that the Sierra Leone Judiciary was rated high above Nigeria, Uganda, Turkey, Mexico, Niger, Pakistan and a host of other countries in the World Justice Project (WJP) Rule of Law Index 2020. Another remarkable stride he highlighted by the Judiciary is the digitalisation drive with the first virtual court being established and a responsive website where all judgments are now posted. He told the jam-packed hall that there are still challenges, referencing acces to justice. He said despite the positive reforms taking place in the Judiciary, access to Justice still poses a huge challenge not only in Sierra Leone but Africa in general. This, again, is mostly attributed to lack of financial support by the Governments or a deliberate attempt by the politicians to stifle justice and redirect it in their favours. In Sierra Leone, considering the number of Judges amidst the growing population of around 7million, according to the census conducted by Statistics Sierra Leone, there are still not enough judges to dispense effective and efficient justice.

The Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources Mrs. Emma Kowa Jalloh has officially unveiled the Ministry of Fisheries’ Out Station Office, a public Toilet and presented one patrol boat with 115 horsepower engine to the people of Sulima in the Sorogbeima Chiefdom in Pujehun District on 28th September 2021. Unveiling and presenting the goodies to the people, the Minister of Fisheries reaffirmed His Excellency the President Rtd. Brigadier Julius Maada Bio’s commitment in ensuring that the promises he made to the people of Sulima during his 2018 campaign are actualized.  She maintained that the unveiling of their new out station office, the construction of the public toilets and the presentation of the out board engine machine were some of the promises the president made to the people of Sulima, and as the minister in charge of fisheries she is ensuring that the promises are actualized. She explained that officials of the Ministry of Fisheries will be attached to Sulima to ensure that they monitor and regulate the manner in which fish products are packaged and exported and also ensure that proper fishing procedures are followed. She commended the Town Chief and his people for providing the ministry with a piece of land for the construction of an ultramodern Smoke Oven for the fishmongers, especially Women in Fisheries. Madam Kowa Jalloh revealed that her ministry has purchased fishing nets that will be sold to licensed boat owners at a cost recovery price so as to ensure that the fishermen in the chiefdom practice proper fishing methods using the right fishing nets. She used the forum as an opportunity to introduce the new Quality Assurance Officer who will be attached to Sulima and Jendema respectively. She appealed to the stakeholders especially the local authorities in the Chiefdom, to continue to work in partnership with officials of the ministry to ensure that due processes are followed. The Resident Minister Southern Region Mr. Mohamed Alie expressed thanks and appreciation to the Minister and her team for visiting his region and for providing all those goodies for the people of Sulima. He assured the delegation of their continued effort to ensure that the will and wishes of the president are actualized. The Resident Minister urged the people to be committed in their work as the ministry will always be available to support them when needed. Expressing appreciation to the delegation, the Town Chief of Sulima Chief Shiaka Luseni Massaquoi heaped praises on the Minister of Fisheries and her team for their continued support to his chiefdom and also appreciated the goodies. He noted that the New Direction government has done a lot for the people of Sulima that they will not forget in a hurry. “We can now boast of having 24 hours solar electricity light in our town, a brand new two storey fisheries out station building, one brand new patrol boat with 115 horsepower outboard engine, and a public toilet that will prevent the people from defecating in the beach.  All these goodies we have received under this regime,” he said.  The Director of Fisheries Madam Kadijatu Jalloh appealed to the Navy personnel in the town to use the boat for its intended purpose. She called on the Women in Fisheries organisation to continue to be hardworking and work in line with the new fisheries officials that will be attached to the chiefdom. The meeting was chaired by the erudite hardworking Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources Madam Elizabeth Ellie.  Attorney – General Engages Global Nuclear Weapons Partner The Embassy and Permanent Mission of Sierra Leone in Geneva hosted the Executive Director, International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, Beatrice Fihn, paying a courtesy call on the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, the Honourable Mr. Anthony Yeihwoe Brewah, to discuss the 2017 United Nations Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), the status of the Treaty in West Africa and Sierra Leone’s accession to the TPNW. The event happened in Geneva, Switzerland, on Wednesday 29th  September 2021-  The Executive Director disclosed that his organisation will provide support to the Attorney General’s office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs toward the signing and ratification of the TPNW. Ms. Beatrice Fihn disclosed that 86 States have signed the treaty, out of these numbers, 56 States have ratified including 29 African States, Nigeria, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Gambia, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Togo, Niger, and Guinea-Bissau among others. ‘’I encourage Sierra Leone to participate in the first conference of States Parties to the TPNW in March 2022 in Vienna, where decisions will be taken by states parties who have signed and ratified the treaty. I want Sierra Leone to sign and ratify the treaty, we want to  the numerous experiences from the Arms Trade Treatyanother international treatyreaty Sierra Leone has chaired and participated. The Executive Director assured TPNW’s commitment to providing technical supports to the Government to enable the country to complete the process within the shortest possible time. Ms. Fihn applauded His Excellency, President Julius Maada Bio’s speech delivered at last week’s United Nations General Assembly, during which the President called on nations of the world to provide remedies for survivor s of sexual offence. The Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, the Honourable Mr. Anthony Yeihwoe Brewah, thanked the Executive Director, International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, for the assurances of deepening greater support for Sierra Leone to sign and ratify the 2017 United Nations Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, while noting the TPNW will complement existing instruments and efforts on nuclear disarmament and the peaceful use of nuclear science in Sierra Leone. ‘’Sierra Leone has active engagement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and has benefited from its expertise in the peaceful use of nuclear technology in improving agriculture, food security and food safety, developing groundwater resources, strengthening human health, and Improving radiation protection. In 2012, Sierra Leone enacted the Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Act. This Act established the Sierra Leone Nuclear Safety and Radiation

Chairman of the Independent Procurement Review Panel (IPRP) Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai, said the IPRP was underfunded. He made this disclosure during a one –day Budget Hearing for the Financial Year 2022 at the Ministry of Finance (MOF) Tuesday, 28 September, 2021. He said quotas being allocated in the previous years were ridiculous to run the daily operations of the office as compare to the magnitude of work. This Year allocation was only Five Hundred Million Leones allocated to the Institution, adding that the coming Fiscal Year of 2022 requesting for over a Billion Leones to run the institution and implement plan activities. The hearing was witnessed by staff of MOF, IPRP, Non State Actors (NSAs), the media and Community Based Organisations (CBOs). The IPRP is a creation of section 65 (1) of the National Public Procurement Act No. 10 of 2016. The IPRP is charged with the responsibility to review complaints from dissatisfied bidders about decision of procuring entity. Speaking during the hearing Chairman Abdulai said previous budget allocations of Five Hundred Million Leones to run the daily operations of the secretariat was paltry. The IPRP Secretariat was located at the National Public Procurement Authority Office at Tower Hill during his predecessors’ era and only one staff was representing the IPRP. He noted that such an operations undermined the IPRP in executing their duties efficiently, and referenced that one could not be a coach and at the same time referee for a team. He told budget hearing members that under his administration he had set up the Secretariat on 3A Wellington Street that was up and running with staff being recruited. ‘’ Our major constraint the Secretariat is without a generator in case of any power outage and vehicle for operations’’. He said He said the role of the IPRP was very vital in the procurement cycle, and that government spends over 70 percent in procuring goods, works and services. He said the amount requested for was not much and if the said amount being allocated in the next Fiscal Year would enable the secretariat to implement its plan activities. The chairman said activities for 2022 was to intensify stakeholder sensitization and community outreach especially in the provincial towns as well as Local Councils on core mandate of the IPRP. Also, to develop policies and other framework for effective and efficient complaints management. Moreover, to develop a website that would target the general public on awareness raising on activities of the institution. “IPRP Secretariat is here to restore accountability and transparency in the procurement processes,” he said.  The Auditor General reports are vivid case study of breach of procurement rules, adding that 70 percent of government resources misappropriated due to flout of the PPA of 2016. Senior Financial Secretary MOF, Samuel Momoh appealed to the IPRP to roll out activity plan that was not executed, and that challenges highlighted during the presentation would be considered. Mr. Momoh asked members present at the hearing if the budget proposal presented by the IPRP for the Fiscal Year 2022 be accepted was in the affirmative. Regional Coordinator Non State Actors Kambia district Foday Dada, appealed to MOF to disburse the said quota requested by the IPRP so that their activities could be roll over to the next Fiscal Year.  ‘’Such an institution needs to be empower to effectively carryout their core mandate as procurement is becoming a bed rock for corruption in the country’’ he said. Former President Koroma Gets International Job The Brenthurst Foundation, Africa’s pre-eminent think-tank focused upon economic development on the continent, has today announced that His Excellency Ernest Bai Koroma will be joining the Advisory Board. After obtaining a degree in business management at Fourah Bay College, Koroma enjoyed a successful career in the private sector working for the Reliance Insurance Trust Corporation as managing director before moving into politics. President Koroma served as President to Sierra Leone from 2007-2018. Since leaving politics Koroma has committed himself to supporting the democratic process across Africa, recently leading electoral observation missions in both Somaliland and, notably, Zambia. Here he played a key role as the head of the African Union Observation Mission in the transition of power from President Edgar Lungu to President Hakainde Hichilema.  JOB VACANCY:  Sierraloaded is looking for FULL TIME Journalists and Content Writers to join its growing team. CLICK HERE to apply. Dr Greg Mills, The Brenthurst Foundation Director, said: “We are delighted to welcome President Koroma to the Foundation. He brings with him unique experience of the African political landscape, further enhancing the quality of work we undertake.”  Advertisement – President Ernest Bai Koroma said: “The Brenthurst Foundation’s role in supporting governments to achieve economic growth and build policy which brings development has never been more important. I am excited to join the team and use my experience to contribute to their remarkable work.” DEAF ASSOCIATION WOMEN TO PARTICIPATE IN MISTER & MISS DEAF AFRICA 2021 By Mento & Alhassan               NCPD Chairman, James Taiwo Cullen handed over Le 30M cheque to participants With Thirty Million Leones (Le 30M) support from the National Commission for Persons with Disability (NCPD) to the Deaf Association Women Network Sierra Leone (DWANSL) to enable chosen members of the organization participate in Mister and Miss  Deaf Africa 2021 in Tanzania. Presenting the Thirty Million Leones (Le 30M) to the two participants in to the contests at the Commission’s office last Friday on New England Ville in Freetown, including Kadiatu Mariama Bangura, Musu Golley and the Interpreter, Misai Francis, Chairman of NCPD, James Taiwo Cullen who described himself as a replica of President Bio said “am happy to present the cheque to my lovely sisters of the deaf association”. He encouraged participants of the fashion show that they would get what they have requested for to enable them participate in the contest, expressing hope that participants would return home from Tanzania with laurels for the Commission and Government of Sierra Leone before presenting the millions cheque to beneficiaries. Speaking on the

By Anthony Vandy After the fire incident at Kroobay on Sunday 19th September 2021, the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) established an ‘INCIDENT COMMAND CENTER’ (ICC) at the disaster location, for effective coordination to the victims involved. On the 27th September 2021, the NDMA Incident Command Center wishes to inform the general public that it has received assorted items from partners’ intervention, to maintain the livelihood of the concerned victims of the fire outbreak. Items received so far and from the corresponding agencies and distributed to the victims are as follows: NDMA has donated 36 Pieces of Tarpaulins for 34 households, out of the 36, 32 beneficiaries have received their share, two pending and two returned to NDMA. GOAL-SL provided 137 bags of rice, 135 beneficiaries have received their share, one bag returned to GOAL-SL due to no claimant, and two absentees are pending for collection.  CONCERN-SL also provided 500,000.00 x 137 for the affected persons; 131 have benefited so far; six people did not show up and sum remitted to CONCERN-SL. There is an on-going wet feeding for 15 days, 137 mattresses, 137 blankets and assorted used clothing are all pending distribution. 137 Disaster relief kits received, inclusive: radio set, two blankets, two sets of cooking pots, one tarpaulin and utility rope. One small Jerry can, five table plates, spoons, stickers, knives, cups and cooking spoons. These items are yet to be distributed. Save the Children has vouched to conduct 1 Wet feeding x 1 Day for the victims. The National Disaster Management Agency reminded the public that the INCIDENT COMMAND CENTRE comes into effect based on the magnitude of an incident. We thank all those who continue to tender their support through the ICC, making the work of NDMA regimented. NO FUNDING FOR AWARENESS WEEK, AS… S/L NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF THE DEAF ACCUSED OF NEGLECT     Deaf Association President, Pa Alhaji Mohamed Rahman and Deaf Football Team  One of the leading disable organizations in the country, Sierra Leone National Association of the Deaf (SLNAD) have blamed the National Commission for Persons Living with Disability (NCPD) for an alleged discrimination and neglect of their annual activities, including the International Awareness Week of the Deaf commemoration and the West Africa Deaf Football Tournament, scheduled to take place in the City of Banjul the Gambia on October, 2021. Speaking to a cross section of journalists in a hurried mood yesterday in Freetown, President for SLNAD, Alhaji Mohamed Rahman informed the media that they had earlier submitted their budget for the said activities to management, but no feedback has yet to come from responsible authorities in the Commission. Mr. Rahman blamed the Executive Secretary of NCPD, Saa Lamin Kortorquee for not approving their budget up to date, adding that their outlined activities will not be held as planned because, he said “we are still battling to raise fund for the two activities underway”. He discussed that the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Kortorquee have already disappointed them to hold their Deaf Awareness Week celebration in Kailahun District, emphasizing that “I have never receive funding from NCPD for sign language training in Pujehun”. President Rahman highlighted that they have only received money twice for sign language training from Taiwo Cullen and not from the Commission directly since the passing or the enactment of the Disability Act 2011. Mr. Rahman alleged that the Commission is supporting various programs and activities of some disability groups except SLNAD which he said, had never get funding support from the said Commission. However, President Rahman further deliberated that SLNAD has branches at Bo and Kenema in the South East, alleging that, the Commission had never give a helping hand to the Association office branch in Bo City, while Kenema branch, he said, had received support from the Commission once and they are still waiting for the approval of the proposal they sent since last year. Responding to damning allegations, Research Manager for NCPD, (name withheld) maintained that the Commission had being supporting organizations working on disability issues, adding that the deaf association was not an exception. He recalled that recently, the Commission funded a Sign Language Interpreter that travelled down to Pujehun to help interpret a case which involved a hearing impaired girl, advancing that they had supported other speech and hearing impaired organizations in capacity building. “We are perturbed to get such negative feedback or allegation coming up from the press” he told reporters and revealed the plain truth that the Commission had only received subvention for the first quarter. As a Commission, Research Manager said, all their programs for this year were designed directly in line with livelihood activities and lamented that the Sierra Leone Union on Disability Issues (SLUDI) is the umbrella body for all disabled organizations. The Research Manager highlighted that the Commission had supported SLUDI to host their forth-coming elections and described accusation that the Commission is not supporting or neglecting activities of SLNAD as false, misleading and had potential to bring down the hard won integrity of the disabled commission. Research Manager concluded that “it pains us at the Commission to see and hear few people making baseless accusations against a reputable organization like NCPD. PRA to Generate Le821.4 Billion in 2022 Dr. Baluwa Koroma, Executive Chairman Petroleum Regulatory Agency By Amara Kargbo The Petroleum Regulatory Agency (PRA) has projected that it will generate Le821, 487,647,327.61 billion in the fiscal year 2022 for the government. Dr. Baluwa Koroma, Executive Chairman of PRA presented their budget yesterday, at the Ministry of Finance and assured the budget technical personnel and stakeholders that his Agency will generate such revenue based on the proactive reforms the Agency had developed and introduced guidelines for the downstream activities counting the construction of gas stations; importation of petroleum product; traders’ license; transshipment and bulk storage. The agency has also created a strategic relationship with the Ghana National Petroleum Authority that will support the ongoingreforms to introduce district monitoring officers in all fourteen districts across the country to support