The High Commissioner of the Republic of Ghana to Sierra Leone, Francis Abakah, has called at State House to bid farewell to His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio, after four years of his tour of duty in the country. He said it was a pleasure to serve his country in Sierra Leone, and thanked the government of President Bio for his consistent assistance in promoting peace and security in the sub-region. High Commissioner Abakah further noted that during his stay in Sierra Leone, he saw enormous transformation, ranging from the introduction of the Free Quality School Education Programme, to major reforms in the legal system and the just concluded launch of the socioeconomic development programme for persons with disabilities. He added that those transformations were good for nation building. “Thank you very much, Your Excellency, for making time to see me and my delegation. Ghana and Sierra Leone have enjoyed great diplomatic relations. We shall always continue to support each other,” he maintained. In a brief remark, His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio thanked the outgoing Ghanaian High Commissioner, saying that the two countries had enjoyed sisterly relations in the region for a long time. He noted that “there was always a time to say hi and time to say goodbye”. “I want to wish you well in your new posting. I am happy that we have been able to live together. Thank you very much,” he concluded. Bar Association Awards Over 20 Eminent Legal Practitioners Bar Association President receiving her own award from the Chief Justice The Sierra Leone Bar Association on Friday, 10th December 2021 at the Country Lodge Hotel in Freetown during their Annual Dinner and first Awards Night awarded over 20 eminent Sierra Leonean legal practitioners for their dedicated service and outstanding reforms in the administration of justice. President Bio, First Lady, Chief Justice and Wife on the High Table The Guest of Honour was His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio who presented an Honorary Award to the Country’s Chief Justice, His Lordship Justice Desmond Babatunde Edwards in recognition of his innovative reforms in the Judiciary. The Bar Association President, Madam Michaela Eddinia Swallow used the occasion to call on President Bio to ensuring the immediate review of the Sierra Leone 1991 Constitution. “Let me also use this opportunity to state that the Sierra Leone Bar Association is concerned about the Constitutional Review Process and we hope that as a Reformer you will usher us a progressive Constitution,” said President Swallow. She saluted President Bio’s bravery and courage in abolishing the Death Penalty. The Bar Association President went on to commend President Bio for the giant developmental strides undertaken so far. “Mr. President, your legislative reform agenda which has manifested in the repeal of the seditious libel law, the proposed Gender Empowerment Bill and your support for a proposed Constitutional amendment to allow dual citizens to be qualified to be elected as Members of Parliament will serve as an inspiration for many of your colleagues in the sub-region,” she said. Whilst commending the Chief Justice for what she described as “impressive reforms in the Judiciary,” President Swallow reminded the Chief Justice about the challenges lawyers are confronted with in Courts. She highlighted delayed judgments, long adjournment of cases and the absence of prescribed fees for execution of judgments. “I am sure many judges here had once been practitioners and they are all too familiar with these challenges,” Ms Swallow said. She however assured the Chief Justice of their unwavering support to help address these challenges. She finally encourages colleague lawyers to be united as, “where there is unity there is strength. This year’s Bar Association Dinner was climaxed with awards ceremony and the recipients included the Justices of the superior court of judicature, senior practitioners, pupils, staff members in the Judiciary and the Justice sector. Marampa Mines Landowners Demand Removal of Community Relations Department By Hassan Bruz Lunsar Town in the Marampa Chiefdom will once again occupy the centre stage for the wrong reasons, if swift moves are not taken by the relevant authorities to unruffled the situation. This time around, the potential rumpus is bound to be far more destructive considering the categories of Persons involved. The pending uprising will certainly affect the apparent smooth operations of the Marampa Mines in case the issue is not treated with the deserved seriousness. For those following the trend in the Marampa Chiefdom Headquarter Town of Lunsar, it is heart thudding to recall how the incident that led to the destruction of the Compound of Paramount Chief Bai Koblo Queen II and the subsequent attack on the Lunsar Police Station started in triviality.  Little did People know it was going to result to such a huge damage of properties including some youthful’ lives. That incident had a spreading repercussion as some people were instantly relieved from their gainful employments whose Dependants are now struggling to eke a living. Although that incident occurred a little over one year now and the Paramount Chief is almost back in Lunsar, yet the matter has not been thoroughly resolved as many more people are currently languishing at the Maximum Correctional Centre in Freetown. All of these zeroed to the fact that a ‘stitch in time saves seven’ which means the Incident could have been averted if swift measures were adopted in time. It is proper to state that a similar situation is developing and in the same Chiefdom Headquarter Town of Lunsar. Several consultative meetings have been conducted and decisions have already been made. So far People seemed very much resolved to go the extra mile should their concerns continue to be disregarded. Unlike the previous incident in which the demands of the Rioters were not quite known, this time around there seem to be a classified set of People with a defined demand. This is about the Owners of the Lands on which the Marampa Mines – the Company that is Mining Iron Ore in the Chiefdom operates. They

The Freetown City Council (FCC) has provided another 40 tricycles to improve waste collection in Freetown. The 40 tricycles were handed over to youth groups to build on the gains made by the Waste Management Micro Entreprises Program. In January this year, Freetown was chosen as 1 of 5 cities from low-middle income countries that have been granted the Global Cities Fund by the Mayors Migration Council. The Global Cities Fund for Inclusive Pandemic Response is an initiative to respond to the unmet needs of cities as they support migrants, refugees, and internally displaced people during Covid-19 pandemic. In Freetown, the grant will provide direct financial and technical support over one year to help youths from informal communities set up 40 new waste collection businesses to provide this indispensable service to new households. 50% of the cost of the tricycle will be paid by the youth group as part of the loan repayment scheme and an “Osusu” scheme will be created for the maintenance of the tricycles. The Program will also facilitate and mentor youth groups on business development. This ambitious program directly contributes to the council`s target to have at least 60% of solid waste collected and safely disposed of by 2022. More importantly, it helps us create jobs at a time when COVID-19 has presented unprecedented challenges for many young people that have migrated to Freetown from rural areas. The FCC will continue to work tirelessly to make Freetown a cleaner city, and to transform the lives of some of our most vulnerable residents! Information Minister Addresses at   Presidential Media Cocktail At the just concluded presidential cocktail Mohamed Rado Swarray addresses journalists and highlights government achievement since 2018.Below is the speech of the Information minister. Please permit me to congratulate the Statehouse Press Secretary Yusuf Keketorma Sandy and his able team for successfully organising this third edition of the Media Cocktail.  There is no doubt that the Media Cocktail has become a proud tradition of this Statehouse. It is now a hallmark of Your Excellency’s presidency.  I am very delighted to be here tonight, to wine and dine with my colleagues of the Fourth Estate. It is not often that media practitioners are in this light-hearted mood when they meet with those of us in government. It is not often that we get the opportunity to banter, backslap, laugh and poke fun into the vagaries of life. Yet, as cheerful as we all are today, let us not gloss over a few pertinent media-related issues. And I would like to focus on the future of journalism as we know it, its associated business models, and the continuing relevance of the profession to national development, especially in this age of the 4th industrial revolution.  Your Excellency, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,  We have a very good backdrop for journalistic practise, which is that the media under President Julius Maada Bio has enjoyed more freedom, more engagement, more access to government information and more support than under any other leader since independence.  But I have also said, and I will repeat today, that with more freedom comes greater responsibility. As the saying goes: To whom much is given, much is expected. The emphasis on media responsibility or accountability is not a contrivance of His Excellency’s government; it is a clarion call that is anchored in the principle of ethical universalism. In other words, the truth is the truth; we cannot call it anything else. Conversely, what is a lie in Matotoka, Sierra Leone is a lie in Managua, Nicaragua. The acclaimed Nigerian storyteller, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, expounded on this Universalist underpinnings of facts-based journalism some time ago when she charged journalists to: “Change the media, make it about truth, not about entertainment, not about profit-making, but about truth.” She added: “And while you’re doing it, be astute about when you need balance and when you don’t. Because sometimes seeking balance gets in the way of telling the truth. If you’re reporting about the sun rising in the east, you do not need to hear the other side because there’s no real other side.” Your Excellency, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,  Indeed, we do have several the-sun-rising-in-the-east narratives about President Bio’s administration. I am talking about accomplishments that are cast in stone and whose positive impacts do not and should not lend themselves to any political or intellectual debate. Let me mention a few of those media-related achievements. 1. President Bio repealed the Criminal Libel law because of his strong political will and conviction about the role of the media in national development. 2. President Bio institutionalized the payment of subventions to SLAJ, in fulfillment of a commitment enshrined in the manifesto he ran on for president. 3. President Bio is the only president in living memory to calendarize a media cocktail every year. That is the reason we are here today. In addition, he has personally visited radio and TV stations to be interviewed. 4. Under President Bio, journalists are now paid salaries and making social security contributions. These contributions provide much-needed security in old age or in the event of death. 5. The country’s rating has improved considerably on all global media rankings. 6. Sierra Leone has won global acclaim and has been admitted as the fifth African member of the Global Media Freedom Coalition, which serves as an inspiration to other countries to imbibe the values of press freedom and free speech. I could go on and on. These are truths. There is no other side to them.  I must acknowledge that SLAJ rightly bestowed on President Bio the Champion of Media Freedom award during their fiftieth-anniversary celebrations earlier this year. I commend SLAJ for that recognition. Your Excellency, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,  The media is at a crossroads. Editors and other media owners now face a stark choice: innovate or die. Newspaper, radio and television audiences continue to dwindle as people seek alternative sources of information. As you well know, anyone with a mobile phone is now a “journalist.”

The World Bank Board has approved an International Development Association (IDA) grant of $75 million to improve natural resources governance, enhance inclusiveness and promote sustainability of development financing. This Development Policy Operation (DPO) is the first in a series of three operations focusing on Inclusive and Sustainable Growth Financing, aimed at supporting the government’s efforts to build the foundations for a robust, inclusive, and sustainable economic recovery from the pandemic. “The World Bank continues to be an active partner in supporting Sierra Leone’s recovery from severe shocks in the aftermath of the Ebola Virus Disease, and the current COVID-19 pandemic,” said Abdu Muwonge, World Bank Country Manager for Sierra Leone. “We stand ready to further support the Government of Sierra Leone to transform the economy, make it resilient to shocks while improving the well-being of the Sierra Leonean people.” Sierra Leone faces major economic and social challenges, including substantial gender gaps that lead to low human development outcomes. The country’s growth potential has been constrained by limited spillovers from the mining sector, and poor access by the population to financial services, natural resources (such as, land and minerals), and high-quality education. The reforms supported by this DPO address some of the most critical structural impediments to raising potential output and improving resource allocation in key sectors of the economy and are well-anchored in Sierra Leone’s Medium-term National Development Plan (MTNDP, 2018–2023). This DPO supports the Government’s efforts to build the foundations for a robust and inclusive economic recovery from the pandemic and promote sustainable development financing of the Budget. In the short term, the operation will help the government close the country’s large financing gap, as it emerges from the pandemic. It supports policy reforms under three pillars: improving natural resources governance through land and mining reforms; enhancing inclusion through reforms to support women’s economic participation, access to quality education and financial inclusion; and ensures sustainable development financing through measures to improve fiscal sustainability and debt transparency and management. This DPO will address poor governance of the mining and land sectors, limited access to financial services, limited job creation, and the quality of education.  As the COVID-19 shock has eroded the country’s fiscal position, this DPO proposes reforms that will help minimize the immediate tradeoff between supporting the economy and maintaining fiscal sustainability. It aims to improve fiscal and debt sustainability and address weaknesses in the public procurement process. By addressing regulatory issues in the land and mining sectors, this DPO is expected to help mitigate climate risks through progressive afforestation of mining sites, protection of forest reserves, improved environmental standards and community involvement in managing the environment. “This Operation builds on previous development policy engagement in Sierra Leone, while also introducing new elements. It has a direct connection with the previous DPO series (“Productivity and Transparency Support Grant” over the period 2017-2020) and continues two policy reforms –the mineral and mines and lands reforms – whose implementation was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Kemoh Mansaray, Senior Economist and Task Team Leader. The financing by this DPO closes a critical fiscal gap essential for maintaining macroeconomic stability during the pandemic. The World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA), established in 1960, helps the world’s poorest countries by providing grants and low to zero-interest loans for projects and programs that boost economic growth, reduce poverty, and improve poor people’s lives. IDA is one of the largest sources of assistance for the world’s 76 poorest countries, 39 of which are in Africa. Resources from IDA bring positive change to the 1.6 billion people who live in IDA countries. Since 1960, IDA has supported development work in 113 countries. Annual commitments have averaged about $21 billion over the last three years, with about 61 percent going to Africa.  Centre for Disability Students begins at FBC By: Maa-Oul-La-Neine Tunis The Administration of Fourah Bay College (FBC), University of Sierra Leone (USL) has established a Special Resource Centre for Students with Disability within its campus at Mount Aureol, Freetown. The establishment of the center is considered by many people as a laudable move by the Administration, as Students with Disability mostly find it challenging to compete with able-bodied students in realizing their dream of attaining tertiary education. The center aims at enhancing the promotion of Article 24(1) of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which provides for the right of persons with disabilities to education without discrimination and on the basis of equal opportunity ;  Article 8(3) (f) of the 1991 constitution of Sierra Leone, which explicitly protect the rights of older persons and persons with disabilities in the area of care , welfare and educational opportunities;  Article 15(2) of the Sierra Leone Persons with Disability Act, 2011 which advocates for the provision of special needs for persons with disability in an educational environment;  and other local and international instruments protecting the rights of persons with disability in an educational institution. Calmly explaining the need for the establishment of such an important facility for Students with Disability on campus, the Deputy Vice Chancellor of FBC, Professor Lawrence Kamara described the establishment of the center as one of the modern obligatory fulfillments of the Administration in meeting the needs of disabled students. He however pointed out that further work is required to fully modernize the center for its users.  “ The Administration will continue its strive in ensuring an enabling platform for Students with Disability on its campus, and it will also be open to working with Alumni and well-wishers of the college in promoting the issue of students welfare on campus,” he added Speaking on behalf of students with disability at FBC, a final year student in the Mass Communication Department, who also doubles as the President of an Association of disabled students on campus known as Students with Special Needs, warmly thanked the college administration for establishing the centre, describing it as a form of recognition for students with disability to be regarded as full constituent members of

Judiciary of Sierra Leone Communications, Main Law Courts Building, Freetown, 14th December 2021: High Court Judge presiding over cases at the Anti-Corruption Division of the High Court in Freetown, Honourable Justice Adrian Fisher has admitted Dr. Samura Matthew Wilson Kamara and three others to bail in the sum of Two Billion Leones and two sureties each. The accused persons; Saidu Nallo (1st accused), Adikali Foday Suma (2nd accused) Foday Vahfomba Bawoh (3rd accused), Dr. Samura Matthew Wilson Kamara (4th accused) with the exception of Dr. Kandeh Foday Basil Kamara (5th accused) and Jules Sanders Davies (6th accused) who are currently out of the jurisdiction, are before the court on 48 count indictments ranging from misappropriation of public funds, conspiracy to commit a corruption offence, abuse of office and other corruption related offences. Count one as indicated on the face of the indictment records failure to comply with applicable procedures and guidelines relating to Procurement contrary to Section 48 (2)(b) of the Anti-Corruption Act No. 12 of 2008 as amended by the Anti-Corruption Amendment Act, No. 9 of 2019). 1st accused (Nallo) faces 3O Counts, 2nd accused (Suma) 4 Counts, 3rd accused (Bawoh) 20 Counts, 4th accused (Samura Kamara) 2 counts, 5th accused (Dr. Kandeh F.B. Kamara) 16 Counts, and 4 Counts for 6th accused (Davies). Dr. Samura Kamara, of No. 41 Tarawalie Drive, Malama in Freetown in the Western Area of Sierra Leone, being a former Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation is alleged to have on a date unknown between the 1st day of January 2016 and the 30th day of April 2016, deceived his principal, the Government of Sierra Leone, by giving to the Cabinet a Cabinet Paper document that he knew contained a misleading statement to wit, statement that, “The Companies undertaking the renovation or constructions are reliable and were subjected to a rigorous vetting process.” Upon their arraignment, all accused persons denied any wrongdoing. The accused persons were represented by a battery of lawyers with the exception of the 6th accused who is not represented at this stage. Following the bail applications made on behalf of the accused persons, Hon. Justice Fisher admitted the accused persons to bail in the sum of Two Billion Leones and two sureties each which must be property owners in the Western Area with one of such properties in each case valued at least One Billion Leones.   Each property must be registered in the name of the surety in the office of the Administrator and Registrar General and must be free from all encumbrances. Each surety must surrender the originals of all title deeds to the office of the Master and Registrar and must produce a valuation certificate confirming the valuation of the properties to be used, which must be dated within the past three months. Justice Fisher ordered each accused person to surrender all travelling documents to the office of the Master and Registrar, forthwith as well as not to conduct any interviews with the press or comment publicly on proceedings until the end of the trial. He used the occasion to admonish the press and members of the public to only report accurately what obtains in court in terms of the evidence given in the proceedings in general and nothing else. “Any reporting calculated to interfere with the course of this trial would be treated as contempt of this court for which there would be penalties,” Justice Fisher warned. Before the close of official hours today, 3 of the accused persons fulfilled their bail conditions with the exception of 3rd accused, Foday Vahfomba Bawoh, who has been sent to the Male Correctional Center. The matter has been adjourned to the 5th of January for pre-trial proceedings.

While the Vice President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh was commemorating the Universal Health Care Day at the Miatta Conference Hall at Youyi Building Brookfields, he used the opportunity to send a strong message to Sierra Leoneans both home and abroad that Census is not politics. “Census is not politics but simply development”, he said why* delivering his keynote statement. The VP highlighted the importance of the census both in Krio and English arguing that “census is about data collection to enable government, local institutions, NGO’s and development partners to plan their interventions and support”. He said that the distribution of development opportunities such as energy, water, health care centers and workers depends on the demography of respective localities. “Get counted and have your share of nurses, clinics, medicines, tap water and light”. The VP later recounted how wrong data was responsible for Sierra Leone to fail the MCC score on Child Immunization. We need to correct the date to get development planning right. At the event, the VP catalogued the gains that have been made in the health sector and the continued commitment of the government to build a viable health system governance to deliver affordable health care delivery to citizens. He said that Government is keen to address the leadership and governance challenges in the health sector including the human resource deficit. According to the VP, so far, the data points to the progressive efforts of government particularly in primary health care. I have never been associated with corruption -Samura Kamara In a passionate press release to all Sierra Leoneans, presidential candidate for the APC, Dr. Samura Kamara stated that he has worked diligently and honestly for Sierra Leone for over forty years and that he has never once been associated with corruption. Below is the full text of his release:  My Fellow Sierra Leoneans I, Samura Matthew Wilson Kamara, APC Presidential candidate in 2018 and now a very prominent presidential aspirant for 2023, have lived and worked for over 40 years in Sierra Leone and other credible international organizations as a trustworthy public official. Never has my name been associated with criminality. I have never been accused of any corrupt practice. I have never been in court on any charges whatsoever. This nation and many international organizations have been very proud of my track record and performances in the various capacities of Economist at BSL, Financial Secretary at the Ministry of Finance, Governor at BSL, Minister of Finance, and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations I have diligently and honourably again served several international institutions, in particular, the Commonwealth Secretariat in London, the World Bank, the IMF, the African Union at various times on numerous assignments. That confidence you had in me afforded me the opportunity of being selected as the flag bearer of the APC in the 2018 Presidential election. Now, I am charged with corruption and to appear in court on two counts on Tuesday, 14th December 2021. I am very innocent of those charges though they may have tended to smear my name and hard-earned reputation, affecting my family, supporters, and admirers. It will be a trial of the character of Samura Kamara, the professional whom you have all known for over 40 years in public service for my nation. Like many people who have gone through such challenges, mine is a test of my stamina and resilience. But the resolve to help my people through quality and effective leadership shall never wane under such allegations. I shall come out clean and smelling of roses and reinvigorated in the belief that State Institutions must serve the people according to the law and be devoid of partisan political sentiments and prejudices. Once again, let me re-echo my belief in the fight against corruption and the strengthening of state institutions to work independently. I ask my family, supporters, and admirers to chronicle the events, remain calm and patient as the proceedings progress, and not play into the hands of the trigger-happy security and government personnel. Parliament ratifies mines’ agreements The Parliament of Sierra Leone has debated and ratified two mining agreements geared towards the socio-economic development of the State. The following agreements were ratified by Parliament: 1. Large scale mining agreement between the Government of Sierra Leone and Marampa Mines limited and 2. Third amendment to that certain agreement of November 20, 2021 by and between the Government of Sierra Leone and  Sierra Rutile limited Presenting the agreements prior to ratifications, the Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, Timothy  Kabba said both agreements are good for the development of the state; adding that it is required by law for the ratification of these agreements to be approved by Parliament.He highlighted the benefits of these agreements towards the development of the national economy. On the Rutile agreement, he said, the company had operated in the country for far too long and had generated revenue for the state and urged Parliament to ratified the agreement to help the company structures itself base on its  financial challenges and investment. The Leader of C4C in Parliament, Hon. Emerson Saa Lamina, who doubles as Chairman of Mines and Mineral Resources  Committee in Parliament said the current Minister of Mines is a blessing to the people of Sierra Leone; citing his tremendous work accomplished in the mining sector. He praised the positive restructuring process of  Marampa Mining Company and highlighted the duties and responsibilities expected from the mining company. On the Rutile agreement, he said it would enable government to receive benefits. Hon. Abdul Karim Kamara said the expansion of the Marampa Mines is a blessing and noted that the private sector should be encouraged  to operate and highlighted the huge capital benefits government and the people of Sierra Leone would derive; adding that Marampa Mines is a unique company in terms of its corporate social responsibility. Hon. Alice Jebbeh Kumabeh commended the agreements and called on the House for ratifications, whilst referring to the

By Feima Sesay Orange Sierra Leone has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Koidu New Sembehun City Council. The MOU was to enjoy a new partnership with Sierra Leone’s leading telecoms company and premised on revenue collection for the council. The mode of payment for licenses and property rate, under the new partnership, will be done via orange money for onward transfer to the council’s account. A memorandum of understanding was signed by Orange Money Chief Executive Officer (CEO), David Mansaray and Koidu City mayor, Matthew Komba Sam. The memorandum of understanding will be kicks off January, 2022. In his address during the signing ceremony, CEO Mansaray said the new partnership was unique as it would ease revenue collection for the council. “It provides convenience for the tax payers and the collectors,” he emphasized. What is of key importance is the widening of the revenue base of the council by blocking leakages. “If council used to collect Le1, 000, 000 (one million Leones) in a year, we hope to make it Le3, 000, 000 (three millions Leones),” Mansaray assured. He further said that council as an institution had rendered similar services to other organizations adding that there would be no difference for Koidu City Council. He continued that over 330 Orange Money agents, Mansaray said, would be utilized in the revenue collection drive. Using the agents yields high returns as hard-to-reach communities which used to be left out would be covered. “A great opportunity awaits the council,” Mansaray assured. To bolster this new found partnership, transparency  would be observed  throughout the tax collection exercise. “We are going to provide reports and reconciliation to ensure that money collected is properly accounted for,” Mansaray assured. Joint communication, he went on, would be enhanced to raise awareness so that tax-payers would know when and how to pay. He also promised the council of Orange Money’s deep commitment to the partnership to make it fruitful. “We are in this together; we will do everything possible to make this relationship fruitful,” he assured. In the council’s coming marathon event and wall-painting exercise, CEO Mansaray assured the council of his organisation’s support. Speaking on behalf of council, chief administrator, Francis Mischeck Tiffa expressed hope for a revenue increase with the new partnership. “Year in year out, we budget for and project what we must collect, but most times, we cannot meet our target. Under the partnership, we hope to make it up,” the CA expressed hope. Tiffa pointed out petty corruption and hard-to-reach areas as obstacles to the tax collection drive. Auditors, he said, often referred to as ‘cash loss’ since council could not present what they project. “Orange Money is here to block the leakages,” he said. The Chief Administrator said several councils in the country were already into the partnership thus making a case for Koidu City Council to go into the partnership. He assured Orange Sierra Leone of heightening its communication services by way of road shows, radio discussions and advertisements to inform the public about the new deal. In his address, Mayor Matthew Komba Sam said tax collection was a major challenge for the council. He however noted that with the new partnership, the challenge would be laid to rest. The mayor also did not lose sight of the financial leakages associated with the manual tax collection in recent times. “Money is a liquid asset which could be taken away, but with the partnership, the money is safe,” the mayor expressed hope. Mayor Sam called on the people to cooperate in paying their taxes as quality services would be delivered.  ‘I Have Never been Associated with Corruption’ – Samura Kamara In a passionate press release to all Sierra Leoneans, presidential candidate for the APC, Dr. Samura Kamara stated that he has worked diligently and honestly for Sierra Leone for over forty years and that he has never once been associated with corruption. Below is the full text of his release:  My Fellow Sierra Leoneans I, Samura Matthew Wilson Kamara, APC Presidential candidate in 2018 and now a very prominent presidential aspirant for 2023, have lived and worked for over 40 years in Sierra Leone and other credible international organizations as a trustworthy public official. Never has my name been associated with criminality. I have never been accused of any corrupt practice. I have never been in court on any charges whatsoever. This nation and many international organizations have been very proud of my track record and performances in the various capacities of Economist at BSL, Financial Secretary at the Ministry of Finance, Governor at BSL, Minister of Finance, and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations I have diligently and honourably again served several international institutions, in particular, the Commonwealth Secretariat in London, the World Bank, the IMF, the African Union at various times on numerous assignments. That confidence you had in me afforded me the opportunity of being selected as the flag bearer of the APC in the 2018 Presidential election. Now, I am charged with corruption and to appear in court on two counts on Tuesday, 14th December 2021. I am very innocent of those charges though they may have tended to smear my name and hard-earned reputation, affecting my family, supporters, and admirers. It will be a trial of the character of Samura Kamara, the professional whom you have all known for over 40 years in public service for my nation. Like many people who have gone through such challenges, mine is a test of my stamina and resilience. But the resolve to help my people through quality and effective leadership shall never wane under such allegations. I shall come out clean and smelling of roses and reinvigorated in the belief that State Institutions must serve the people according to the law and be devoid of partisan political sentiments and prejudices. Once again, let me re-echo my belief in the fight against corruption and the strengthening of state institutions to work independently. I ask my family, supporters,

By Paul Kargbo The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) boss on Monday addressed media practitioners at their Gloucester Street office in Freetown on the 2020 Auditor General’s Report concerning the huge misappropriation of public funds.  The Commissioner of the ACC, Francis Ben Kaifala Esq. informed the media that with regards to the Auditor General’s Report 2020 which highlighted huge misappropriation of public funds, he added that the handlers of those state funds should provide proper explanations to his office but that if they fail, they stand the risk of spending Christmas in detention. “Over the years we have forged a very friendly relationship with some of these Ministries, Departments and Agencies and we have built on mutual trust with them, and they understand that we are merely doing our work as the Parliament delegated to us to fight corruption, but this does not stop us from doing what we have to do to achieve the same goal to ensure that we control corruption,  So we appreciate our  counterparts the Public Accounts Committees, but more generally, we salute Parliament for their support to our work,” the ACC Commissioner told journalists. According to Lawyer Kaifala, from the 2019 report, the issues where not as plenty as compared to the 2020 report where thousands of issues have been highlighted. According to him, it takes a year before the audit report comes out the same way the audit report for 2020 is only coming out. “If we start with the presidency, it does not mean an issue in the local councils will not be looked into, and the fact that we take our work very seriously and so even now, which is the Christmas season, we have been combing through the most recent audit reports identifying issues that need to be activated,” he said. He continued to state that, issues that have to do with councils and payment that were supposed to be paid will be looked into and those that have paid will be returned into the Consolidated  Revenue Fund (CRF) and that actions have been taken on the Audit Report  and that the ACC will continue to take action as “we are not saying all the reports that have been brought out do not mean somebody has stolen, we have quite a number of non-disclosures of loan agreements, but somebody has to explain to us what is happening and we want people particularly if they are listening to this report, to prepare themselves to give us a quick explanation if not, the Christmas celebration will not be spent well,” he warned. According to him, for Embassies and High Commissions, 51 issues were found; while for ministries, department and agencies – 281 issues were found, whereas for public enterprises, commissions and donors of hundreds of projects – 635 issues were found. He added that all these departments need investigation and if found guilty will face the full penalty of the law.  He assured the media that as a Commissioner, he is going to take strong action on the Auditor General’s report. He went on to state that, the constitution gives the President certain immunities which exclude him from any form of investigation while serving as president and that the president has been robust in the fight against corruption in Sierra Leone but that all those that are around him are not prone to such immunity. James Baggie Bio: Fittest Candidate for SLRSA DG Since his appointment by the Board of Directors, Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority (SLRSA) to serve in the capacity of SLRSA Acting Director, James Baggie Bio has been up to the task and is demonstrating to the admiration of the Board, management and staff at SLRSA that he is indeed cut-out for the job. Since he assumed office in an acting capacity, James Baggie Bio is ensuring that he manages the business of the Authority with the support and consultation of Board members, management and staff which our sources say has been the best thing that ever happened to the SLRSA because consultation and team work had been lacking. James Baggie Bio’s style of leadership they say has brought a lot of dividends to the SLRSA and the Authority is more united and work is going on at a perfect pace with everyone satisfied that at last, the correct and fittest man is now in charge. They are calling on President Bio to make James Baggie Bio the substantive DG taking into consideration the monumental changes he has put in place at the Authority which in turn has allowed the Authority to see and experience the major transformation and development it had been lacking. Mr. James Bio has been serving the institution for over a decade and has been relentlessly behind the scenes of the SLRSA ensuring that the entity thrives and reaches the pinnacle of of development and revenue generation that would make any proud of working at the SLRSA.  =COMMENTARY= Where is Emerson Amidu Bockarie? In Sierra Leone, many people can recall how Emerson Bockarie a political song writer gained momentum and added value to the country’s development and music industry. Emerson Bockarie started his music career decades ago and most of his songs were focused mainly on corruption and mismanagement of the country’s resources by government officials especially past and present ruling governments. In Africa, musicians who always sing against political leaders/government face several challenges such as harassment, intimidation by some government officials who may want to personalize the issues. But over the years, this artist passively ignored all the harassment intimidation and criticism and forged ahead with his career without any divided mind. But the question the general populace of Sierra Leoneans may want to ask is: whether Emmerson Bockarie is missing in action? It is almost a year since the people of Sierra Leone are waiting for new songs he may come out with. Over the years there where different reports published including the Audit Reports that pointed out massive corruption of the Sierra Leone People’s