The Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to the Republic of Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia, Isam Taib together with his delegation has in a meeting with Sierra Leone’s Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Memunatu Pratt discussed the potentials of the tourism sector and how it can be harnessed. The meeting was held at the Ministry’s conference hall, Kingharman Road, Freetown.  Commending the Minister for her commitment towards the improvement of the country’s tourism, Ambassador Taib said Dr. Pratt has the most exciting job in government that deals with projects and the development of tourism infrastructure. In her response, the Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Memunatu Pratt welcomed the Ambassador and team to the Ministry saying that since she took up office in 2018, the tourism Ministry has taken a turn for the better thanks to the vision of President Bio that saw tourism as one of the growth sectors for economic diversification. She informed the Ambassador that they have been able to situate Sierra Leone strategically in the international agenda worldwide by attending and exploring many international tourism trade fairs and markets and also the introduction of wildlife tourism. She said despite the huge gains made by the sector thus far, there are many areas that still need to be improved to get the tourism industry to international level. She highlighted the need to upgrade the national capacity of the hold country, training of tour guides, tour operators, support for museum management and also cultural exchanges of personnel between the two countries. She suggested a promotion on flight collaboration that will see Air Morocco bring tourists to and from Sierra Leone at a reduced cost. She called on the Ambassador to help lure investor from Morocco to invest in Sierra Leone.

Welthungerhilfe, Njala University, and partners have on Thursday 6th May 2022 commenced discussions at the Family Kingdom, Aberdeen, Freetown on the introduction of a Certificate Program in Organic Agriculture through the Agri-business Development from Organic Resources (ADORE) SLE 1070 Project supported by the European Union Boosting Agriculture & Food Security. George Muigai, Head of Project Agri-Business Development from Organic Sources (ADORE) disclosed that the project had identified a lack of expertise in organic agriculture in Sierra Leone. The project he further disclosed is working towards building technical expertise in training youths and other interested parties in organic agriculture at Njala University with the introduction of a certificate program at the School of Agriculture and Food Sciences. The project according to him is implemented against the challenges of climate change, fair trade, and the higher demands for these cash crops in the global market. The project, he went on will solicit more funding to scale up the expertise training to degree and higher degree levels at Njala University in the long term future. Professor Alieu Mohamed Bah, Dean School of Agriculture told the gathering that Organic Agriculture was practiced by default in Sierra Leone and that the new approach is now rolling out the process by design against the challenges of erratic climatic conditions and the importation of faulty fertilizers into the country which according to him is responsible for many cancer-related problems. Njala University according to him is proud to associate itself with this development and that it has contributed immensely to research around this area and now is the time for training and rolling out experts and professionals in these areas and also transferring knowledge to farmers as part of the cardinal mandate of the University. The two-day engagement in Freetown has brought together Chiefdom Authorities, District Councils, Ministries of Agriculture, Trade and Industry, Sierra Leone Export Promotion Agency (SLEIPA), Produce Monitoring Board (PMB), and Sierra Leone Standards Bureau. These stakeholders will brainstorm on the inherent gaps and also develop content for the proposed course in the 2022/2023 Academic Year. Njala University’s School of Agriculture is very pivotal in supporting the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and other private-sector-led agricultural interventions in Sierra Leone with the provision of the requisite expertise over the years. It is currently playing host to a number of high-profile agricultural projects in the country. Appeals Court Ruling to Hunt Pres. Bio   The Appeals Court of Sierra Leone unanimously delivered a ruling yesterday that could affect the current president and MPs on the exercise of their powers. The defence team headed by Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara Esq had argued that their client, former President Ernest Bai Koroma, did not act out of his powers when he instructed payments to be fast-tracked for the construction of Sewa Grounds and therefore cannot be brought before the court by way of litigation for such action. The defence team, therefore, asked the Appeals Court to clarify whether the Supreme Court should be asked for an interpretation of Section 48(4) which deals with presidential immunity. It took the three-man-judge seven months to decide whether they can handle the issue and when they did, the ramifications seem to be far- reaching. The question was whether the instruction, emanating from the executive discretion of the President to a state institution to expedite payment to a contractor can be subjected to litigation after that President has left office. The defence believes that it can lead to a floodgate of litigations on people holding public offices relating to the exercise of their duties. For many, this ruling has left the door wide open to any citizen to challenge  decisions taken by a president, Members of Parliament or any person holding executive positions after they had left office. “No state will properly function where the exercise of executive function is fettered by the threat of litigation,” said a senior legal practitioner. According to lead counsel Joseph Kamara Esq, their call for the interpretation of Sec 48 of the 1991 Constitution is not about shielding his client from accountability rather; it was to seek clarification on the provision of the law and how it affects the function of a president. Money Jagaban Rescues vulnerable groups By Alhaji Turay Sheik Mohamed Kamara a Sierra Leonean who is based in the United State of America has continued to render more service to the less privileged within the Freetown and its Environs. In his passion to extend a helping hand to the less privileged in society he has engaged in Youth empowerment, training widows on micro finance scheme, children living with disabilities and also providing basic amenities in different deprived communities in Freetown and its environs. Sheik Mohamed Kamara has also been providing financial support to the less privileged at different places of worship with food and non- food items to deprived communities. In an exclusive interview with this medium sheik Mohamed kamara said that he is doing so in memory of his parents who use to host and provide support to vulnerable children in their community. Mr Kamara expressed delight that to undertake such a donation for the development of citizens in the country especially children living with disabilities. He continued that the event itself is an eye- opener for the girl’s guardians to become aware that regardless of the fact that some of them are living with disability they should consider them very important in society. According to him this is according to the will of God Almighty, as part of his contribution towards the promotion of Islam in Sierra Leone and the world in general. “Recently I have donated one hundred million Leones towards the completion of Dwazark field masjid, which is in progress”, He explained. Citizens have also called on other humanitarian organizations and individuals to follow the footsteps of sheik Mohamed Kamara in order to support the less privileged.        The people of Malta Street eastern part of Freetown also joined the Kamara family to extend his heartfelt gratitude to Sheik Mohamed Kamara and

By Feima Sesay                           Former Aviation , transport and Works  Minister in the last  All People’s Congress Party (APC) led government ,  Alhaji Kemoh Sesay has been denied bail and sent to jail yesterday by a magistrate court in Freetown .  The court, presided over by Magistrate Sahr Kekura of Pademba Road court No 1  alleged that ‘’Cyber Stalking and Bulling’’ Against President Bio are acts of crime.                         The accused, Alhaji Kemoh Sesay was making his first appearance in court  on one count charge of what the court described as ‘’cyber stalking and bulling contrary to section 44(2(b) of the cyber security and crime act 2021. ‘’ The court said that the accused, sometime in March and April 2022 via social media, on  WhatsApp platform, in Port Loko district, in the Bakelo chiefdom ,  northern Sierra Leone ‘’wilfully and repeatedly’’ communicated directly to the president of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Rtd. Brigadier Julius Maada Bio in what it said was done in a way  that he knows to be ‘’ false, for the purpose of causing danger, obstruction, insult, injury, criminal intimidation, enmity, hatred, ill will or needless anxiety to Retired Brigadier Dr. Julius Maada Bio or cause such message to be sent.’’ The statement of the offence said.  However, the former minister pleaded not guilty to the charge.         The Lead defense lawyer, Lansana Dumbuya objected to the charge on the grounds that as indicated on the face of the information, the accused is charge with section 44(2) sub section 2 b. He argued that the particulars of offence, says that the accused sometime between March and April 2022 through social media via WhatsApp, ‘’ willfully and repeatedly communicated directly to the president. According to him, what was reflected in the particulars of offence  is not supported by statement of offence and that even the offence as listed in the information was wrong. He said there was no such offence under the cyber security crime act No2 of 2021 and that what was reflected in the charge sheet was different from what is in the act. He said that there is nothing in the act that talks about cyber bulling; hence, the charge was wrong. He asked the court to dismiss the charge; noting that such charge does not exists. “No matter what we do here we will be beating a dead horse”, he said. The prosecutor, ASP Davis Cole in reply said she could not response now to the application and that she did not have the authority hence; in the circumstances, requested for a date, citing that no authority was served on her by defense team as at yet.                    Lawyer Melron Nicole Wilson however applied for bail on behalf of the accused on the grounds that the accused is before the court on a wrong charge. He said the accused is a very senior citizen of Sierra Leone having served as a minister in very respectable ministries under the last government. He said the accused had a strong community ties and a senior member of the APC, adding that he is chairman for a bye election that will be conducted in the pot Loko district very soon. He added that the accused will not in any way jump bail or interfere with prosecution witnesses, noting that the accused has a slight disability issue and requires assistant in other to be able to move from one place to another. He referred the court to the provision of regulation 7 of the bail regulation of 2018 which deals with the issue of disability in terms of bail. He further urged the bench to take judicial notice of how the accused was brought to court. He added that even though the charge is very serious as it has to do with the first gentle man of the country but said he is prepared to stand as surety for the accused to show how credible he is. I therefore crave your indulgence to use the provision of the law and grant bail to a man who is before the court on a wrong charge”, he said. Prosecutor in reply said even though there is no application in opposition to bail by her, she insisted that but; the alleged  offence is against the first gentle man of the country.  She argued that the offences has to do with an audio and a repeatative one ; noting that the offence is against the state that has to do with cyber crime, adding that irrespective of the accused’s health condition.  She pleaded with the court to discountenance the bail application made by defense team .  The state prosecutor, in this case is Assistant Superintendent of Police Christiana Davis Cole.          The Defense lawyers were;  Melron  C.  Nicole Wilson, Lansana Dumbuya, AA. Bah, L .J Kamara, A. Dumbuya, F I Kamara, F Robin Taylor, M.F Sesay, A .H Sesay and S Bangura.                              Magistrate Sahr Kekura refused the accused bail citing what he said the serious nature of the offence charged.  The case comes up again on Monday 9th May 2022. For discriminatory loitering laws…   Human Rights Group Sues S/Leone At Ecowas  Court Avocado a human rights group has litigated the state of Sierra Leone for continuously keeping discriminatory loitering laws in the country`s statute books. In that regard, Advocaid has filed a case at the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Community Court of Justice in Abuja, Nigeria, against the Government of Sierra Leone, seeking to overturn the country’s discriminatory loitering laws. The Institute for Human Rights and Development in Africa (IHRDA) and Sierra Leonean lawyer, Eleanor Thompson, are legal representatives of the Plaintiff. Loitering is a petty offence that is defined in the Public Order Act of 1964 and the Summary Conviction Offences Ordinance of 1906. For example, section 7 of the Public Order Act provides that “Any person loitering in or about any stable house or building, or under any piazza, or in the open air, and not having any visible

The Management and staff of MR DISTERILLES wish His Excellency the President Rtd. Brig. Julius Maada Bio, Vice President Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, cabernet Minister, Members of Parliament, Customers and people of Sierra Leone. A happy and glorious Eid ul Fitir The Management and staff of MR DISTERILLES wish His Excellency the President Rtd. Brig. Julius Maada Bio, Vice President Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, cabernet Minister, Members of Parliament, Customers and people of Sierra Leone. A happy and glorious Eid ul Fitir

His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio has concluded a working visit to Yengema in the Nimikoro Chiefdom, Peyima and Tombondu in the Kamara Chiefdom, where he applauded the men and women of the Ninth Infantry Battalion of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces, RSLAF, based in Koidu. The President addressed the ground forces in Koidu City and commended the personnel for all they were doing to protect lives and property, reminding them that while their work would never go unnoticed, only God would adequately reward them for their service to the nation. At the various town hall meetings, President Bio expressed thanks and appreciation to the people of Kono District for their invaluable roles to the development of the country, adding that the history of the county would be incomplete without mentioning the contributions of Kono towards the sustenance of the economy. He further noted that his visit was to continue to assess development across the country and to interact with his people who trusted and voted him president. He noted that his government had identified various development projects that would add value to the beauty of the diamond-rich district, adding that work was in the advanced stage for Kono to have 24 hours of clean electricity. “My government has provided a full-fledged university for Kono. The road leading to the border with Guinea has also been commissioned and more roads within the district have been re-gravelled. With these developments, Kono will never be left behind like how it has been abandoned for the past 20 to 30 years,” he assured. The President also encouraged and challenged the people of Kono to embrace and own development projects that were ongoing, saying that the future of Sierra Leone would only be brighter and prosperous if everyone embraced and participated in its path to success. “I am a very grateful person and I appreciate everything somebody does. Kono has contributed so much to the development of this country. As a way of giving back to Kono and to every part of the country, my government has prioritised Human Capital Development as a permanent solution to the problems we are facing as a country. “I am investing in about 2.5 million of our children by paying school fees for all of them regardless of their origin, tribe, or colour. This is the biggest investment in education in the whole of West Africa,” President Bio explained. Member of Parliament for Constituency 023, Kono District, Honourable Musa Fofana, and a member of the opposition C4C party thanked the President for his leadership qualities, courage, determination and insistence on the development of the country, saying that as a member of the Sierra Leone Parliament he had seen a major development in every sector of governance. “Despite the odds against him by his political opponents, with humility, pride, and love for this nation, this President continues to navigate with consciousness and focused leadership. On behalf of the leadership of the C4C in parliament, the people of constituency 023, and the entire Kono District, I want to assure you, Your Excellency, that Kono will always support your visionary leadership. Thank you very much,” he noted. Mayor Aki-Sawyerr Engages DRK Foundation The Mayor of Freetown Aki-Sawyerr has engaged the DRK Foundation in Hague, Netherlands where she had the honor of delivering the Keynote Address to the Draper Richards Kaplan (DRK) Foundation International Retreat. Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation is the largest Venture Philanthropy in the United States. Borrowing from a venture capital legacy they find, fund and support social impact enterprises from Asia, Africa and Europe with exceptional leadership and innovative ideas that can scale. “In my keynote address I spoke about my journey from the private sector to public service, driven by my desire to protect the environment and to #TransformFreetown, and about my commitment to making a difference in the lives of Freetonians. I emphasized the importance of teamwork and that so much more is achieved when an inclusive, collaborative and data driven approach is adopted and when technology is harnessed. I spoke about remaining resilient in the face of challenges which will inevitably be faced by anyone seeking to make meaningful changes and encouraged the entrepreneurs to believe in their visions and to keep pressing on. Among the 40 social impact entrepreneurs who were at the Retreat, 20 operate in Africa and two (Last Mile Health and Seed Global Health) already operate in Sierra Leone.  With the latter, we had an opportunity to discuss expanding their current investments in the Freetown health sector and for those not yet operating in Sierra Leone I have begun conversations for bringing specific sanitation, education and technology enterprises to Freetown. One such engagement with Imagine Worldwide will strengthen our existing School Cluster Mentorship programme and compliment literacy and maths learning in the 519 participating primary and JSS schools. At FCC we keep working to join the dots, scale solutions and make a difference in addressing the challenges faced by our city as we strive to #TransformFreetown”  TEACHERS DEMANDS BETTER WELFARE The Teachers Solidarity Movement (TSM), is here to address the perennial hardship that the Politicians (SLPP and APC) of Sierra Leone inflicted on the lives of the Sierra Leonean Teachers. This Movement has representation in all the sixteen (16) administrative districts of Sierra Leone.  For sixty (60) years since Independent, teachers are being treated with recklessness and left to starve with impunity. Sixty years, Politicians keep telling us “Education is the key”, little did we know that Politics is the key. Sixty years our Politicians keep looting our state resources and keep announcing to the Public that “teachers are the largest workforce”, So what? Didn’t we deserve a better living like the Lawyers we taught, the Doctors we prepared, the Bankers we made, the Engineers we carved, the Police and the Army we instructed and the very Politicians we inspired???  Enough is enough. That’s more the reasons we have decided to come together and speak for ourselves without

The Parliament of Sierra Leone has debated and ratified the Zoodlabs agreement for the development of Sierra Leone. The following agreement was ratified by Parliament: 1. Contract between the Ministry of Information and Communications and Zoodlabs (SL) Ltd. for the Management of the Cable Landing Station. Presenting the agreement to Parliament, the Deputy Minister of Information and Communications, Solomon Jamiru Esq. said the agreement is geared toward the operation and maintenance of the landing station of the fiber cable; adding that, the process of awarding the contract was in the competitive bidding process and it was a cabinet decision for the unbundling of SALCAB, in order to have  an effective internet connectivity. The Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee for Information and Communications, Hon. Boston Munda said the agreement has lot of opportunities for the people of Sierra Leone. He said the liability that was incurred by SALCAB management has been paid by the management of Zoodlabs. On his part Hon. Latiff Sesay said he is one of the people who were in opposition to the dismantling of SALCAB, but after realizing the bad shape of latter, he concluded that, government had taken the right decision in awarding the contract to Zoodlabs.  He commended the management of Zoodlabs for improving internet connectivity in the country. Hon. Joseph William-Lamin spoke on the standard performance of Zoodlabs and applauded their operational activities in the country. Hon.PC Bai Kurr Kanagbaro Sanka III questioned the operation of Zoodlabs, prior to parliamentary approval of their agreement and went on to decry certain aspects of the agreement. Hon. Ibrahim Ben Kargbo said the idea of the agreement was to improve on the technology of the state and used the opportunity to give a historical background of the landing of the fiber optic cables in Sierra Leone. He commended the Ministry of Information and Communications for providing an alternative that is geared towards the improvement of internet connectivity and noted that, the agreement is “non-controversial”. Hon.Dr. Mark Momoudu Kalokoh commended the Zoodlabs agreement and referred to the agreement as “a good one”. Rounding up the debate, the Leader of Opposition Hon. Chernor R.M. Bah said there are no perfect agreements, but reiterated that Zoodlabs agreement is a good one. He encouraged the Minister of Information not to delay agreement of this nature in the future. He said since there are clauses in the agreement that talk about reviewing; he requested the Deputy Minister to inform the House for any future challenges, in order to address them. In concluding the debate, Leader of Government Business Hon. Mathew Shar Nyuma commended the opposition Party and colleagues MPs for mounting pressure for the laying and approvals of the Zoodlabs agreement, in light of its procedures.  He accentuated the positive effects of the agreement on the socio-economic development of the state, whilst underscoring a proper oversight on Zoodlabs operations. Orange SL Donates Food Items to Mosques At Thompson Bay Community By Feima Sesay As part of their social corporate responsibility (CSR), leading Mobile Telecoms in Sierra Leone Orange has on Friday, April 29th, 2022 donated food items to four mosques within Calton and Thompson bay community as part of their Ramadan Iftar. Speaking while handing over the donations, CSR Manager Mr. Kamel Abass, said that this is part of their cooperate social responsibility in giving back to society more so during this month of Ramadan as Muslims are fasting. He went on to state that Orange is a cooperate entity, and they are working with every community that is why they realize that this is the month of Ramadan a time of giving zakat. He further stated that these items are not too much but it is the heart of giving that is paramount at this time. He however encouraged the Jamaats to use the food items for the intended purpose during this time of fasting.  “You are so lucky because we have wrapped up this year’s process but through the call of the Minister of Sports Ibrahim Nyelenkeh today you are among those across the country that have benefited”,Mr. Abass concluded. In his statements, Chief Pa Alimammy Fofanah the 1st thanked orange Sierra Leone for what they are doing in the country and offers prayers for orange for such timely support towards Thompson bay community.  He said their goodness will not fall, noting that Allah will continue to make more provisions for their institution in whatever they lay their hands on.  He encouraged orange to do more as God will bless them. Alhaji Aruna Turay Imma, Rahman Mosque Thompson Bay thanked Orange Sierra Leone on behalf of his jamaats. He added that the Quran stated that the hand that is on top is better than the one under which means the giver is always appreciated by Allah. He says that at this time anyone who made a sacrifice God will bless that person and he also offers prayers for the orange mobile company and assures that the others mosques will receive their shear. Mohamed Hassan a community member joined the elders by thanking orange for the tremendous support that they have been reading to the community and other communities across the country. He reiterated that they will ensure that other mosque will receive their shear. He applauded orange for their relentless support given to Sierra Leoneans. He went on to thank the Minister of Sports Ibrahim Nyelenkeh for facilitating the donation as key stakeholders within the Thompson Bay community. Lands Minister Addresses UN General Assembly  By Mohamed Massaquoi Sierra Leone’s Minister of Lands, Housing, and Country Planning, Dr. Turad Senesie has joined other high-level speakers at the UN Headquarters in New York to submit actions taken so far on a very important global agenda known as the New Urban Agenda (NUA); that was adopted in 2016 at the UN Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urbanization (HABITAT III) in Quito, Ecuador. In his statement to the Plenary of the UN General Assembly on Thursday April 28, Dr. Senesie informed the august