May 10, 2024 - Public Review Newspaper

FAO launches new project in Sierra Leone on Harnessing SDG-based Agrifood System Transformation through the Empowerment of the Next-Generation of Agrifood Leadership in Africa (HASTEN).

ACHIEVEMENT, Agriculture, Environment, Food, Local

The HASTEN Project, a joint initiative between the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Governments of Rwanda, Lesotho, and Sierra Leone, empowers young leaders to drive agrifood system transformations. FAO, with its extensive technical expertise, is providing crucial assistance to launch the project this year and supporting its alignment with the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). An inception meeting was held on 6 May in Sierra Leona with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Security of Sierra Leone (MAFS) establish a common understanding of the project’s goals, objectives and scope among all stakeholders. The Director of FAO’s Office of Sustainable Development Goals, Stefanos Fotiou, kicked things off by setting the tone of the Project, “HASTEN will hone the skills of young professionals in transdisciplinary systems thinking, equipping them with the tools necessary to tackle complex challenges in the agrifood sector.” He further highlighted why this Project is so critical, “empowering the next generation to better sustainably grow their agrifood systems is not just an option but an obligation. And it must begin today. And, Africa’s young people offer extraordinary potential to achieve this.” The meeting was also attended by Ms. Laurie Manderino, Development Finance and Partnership Officer, UN Office of the Resident Coordinator on behalf of the UN Resident Coordinator, who pointed out the critical connections and alignments with existing goals and plans in Sierra Leone, like its upcoming fifth Medium-Term National Development Plan (MTNDP) for 2024- 2030, which serves as the UN and SDG Acceleration Roadmap. Particularly within this plan, the country’s National Goal 2 (having a highly-skilled, healthy, inclusive, and Gender-sensitive labour force) and National Goal 5 (having a public service that is streamlined, attracts and keeps the brightest national talents and is generally robust in tackling challenges to sustainable development). Sierra Leone has been categorized as a fragile state with chronic food insecurity because of periodic disruptions in food systems caused by natural disasters, disease outbreaks and socioeconomic factors. Furthermore, their food systems lack resiliency due to the increasing level of vulnerable populations with high levels of food insecurity over the past 15 years. However, the World Bank development indicators in agriculture, forestry, and fishing identify agrifood systems as having the largest share of national GDP (61%) and employing well over half of the labour force in the country (70%). Madam Neneh Bah-Jalloh, Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Coordinator in the Office of the Vice President, remarked, ‘’As a country reliant on importing essential goods such as food and fuel, Sierra Leone is facing heightened challenges due to the volatility in international supply chains and surges in commodity prices. The ‘HASTEN Project’ will boost agriculture productivity to fuel inclusive growth, increase access and availability of locally produced nutrient-dense and safe food, reduce our dependence on food imports, reduce hunger, increase export earnings, create jobs and build a resilient food system.” With approximately 33% of Sierra Leone’s population between 15 and 34 years old, it has one of the youngest populations globally. Therefore, focusing on youth education, skills and resources is essential to the country’s future. HASTEN hopes to provide transformational changes in young people to revitalize planning and implementation capacities for building sustainable agrifood systems in Sierra Leone. HASTEN is co-led by the FAO Office of Sustainable Development Goals (OSG), FAO Regional Office for Africa (RAF), Subregional Office for Eastern Africa (SFE) and the Subregional Office for West Africa (SFW) and will be implemented in close collaboration with FAO Country Offices in Lesotho, Rwanda and Sierra Leone.

SIERRA LEONE, AFRICA AND THE WORLD HAVE LOST AN INIMITABLE TRAILBLAZER : REST IN PEACE, PROFESSOR MONTY JONES

Commentary, International, Lifestyle

By Kabs Kanu Unbelievable. One of the nicest and most humble souls God has ever created, PROFESSOR MONTY JONES, passed away on Sunday. I shivered in shock and disbelief when I was called and told. I worked with him in the last government where he was Minister of Agriculture and Forestry. He was an angel . He was one of the most internationally famous Africans ever born. He discovered the genetic process to create new rice for Africa ( NERICA ) . He became the first African ever to be awarded the World Food Prize for this discovery. He loved me and my late buddy Ambassador Foday Mansaray so much that whenever he came for the UN General Assembly in New York, it was a pleasant moment for us. He was like the uncle you always wanted for Thanksgiving or Christmas. Professor Monty Jones was good at listening more than talking. He was always affirming and upbuilding others. Professor Monty Jones towered like a mighty colossus over all through the hallways of the UN. Presidents, ministers , ambassadors and other diplomats wanted to shake the hands of the man who created new rice for Africa , but he remained an impeccable model of modesty and humility. The world has lost a true gem and machine of international progress and advancement. He brought tremendous pride to Africa and Sierra Leone and his name will forever resonate throughout the halls of reknown of world history. May God grant eternal bliss to his gentle soul.

EDSA Engineer in Court For Land Fraud

Law Court Related, Local

By Feima Sesay Abubakar Barry an Engineer at EDSA on Tuesday 30th April 2024 has made another appearance before Magistrate Santigie Bangura of Pademba road court No.2 for alleged land fraud. The accused was charged with four counts of obtaining money by false pretences contrary to section 32 (1) of the Larceny Act 1916. According to the particulars of offence, on Friday 21st January 2022 at off Peninsular Road Banga Farm, Sussex, Freetown, with intent to defraud obtained the sum of two thousand united states dollars equivalent to the sum of forty seven thousand Leones(47,000) from Mahmoud Yurailie Sesay by falsely pretending that he has six plots of land lying situated and being at Peninsular Road Banga Farm Sussex for sale knowing same to be false. The police further alleged on count two that the accused on the 25th February, 2022 at 1A Liverpool Street, Freetown with intent to defraud obtained the sum thirty thousand united states dollars equivalent to the sum of seven hundred and five thousand Leones(705,000) from Mahmoud Yurailie Sesay by falsely pretending that he has six plots of land lying situated and being off Peninsular Road, Banga Farm Sussex for sale knowing same to be false. Count three stated that on the 1st June 202, at 1A Liverpool Street, Freetown with intent to defraud obtained the sum of ten thousand United States dollars equivalent to the sum of two hundred and thirty five thousand Leones(235,000) from the said complainant for the aforementioned land. Whiles count four added that the accused on the same date and place with intent to defraud obtained the sum of ten thousand United States dollars equivalent to the sum two hundred and thirty five thousand Leones(235,000) from the said complainant for the said land. When the charges were read and explained to the accused, no plea was taken. Felix Sesay a witness led in evidence by Sergeant Dwight Marcathy said he is an engineer and that that he knows the complainant Mamoud Sesay as his junior brother and further recognized the accused person in respect of this matter. He recalled on diverse dates between 21st January to 14th December 2022, adding that on the above date his sister Ramatu Kamara who stays in the United States of America requested to buy a piece of land. He said upon his sister’s request since he was busy, he instructed his junior brother Mamoud Sesay to go in search for the piece of land. The witness furthered that his brother called him and gave him an information that he has found a piece of land at Sussex which costs twenty two thousand dollars. Engineer Sesay said on the 21st January 2022 his brother updated him about the agreement for the land and he took photograph of the aggement and forwarded to him, later he asked his brother to find a legal practitioner for the next transaction which they did, and they started the transaction at Lawyer M.S Koroma’s Chambers The witness said they made fifty two thousand dollars payment at the said Chambers and later made another thirty thousand dollars to which he said he was the signatory. He said after payment, the accused told them that he would fast track the documents for the land because he has reliable people at the Ministry of Lands According to him, he did not accept the idea so he advised his brother not to accept the documents from the accused person. The witness furthered that the accused person gave him one document which he gave to his surveyor who identified so many errors on the document that was produced by the accused person. But the surveyor, he said, told them to go on and do the transaction, which they did the first transaction on the 1st June 2022, and made another payment of ten thousand United States dollars to the accused person at the said Chambers, but by then the accused person told them not to do any construction on the said land until 75% payment was done. The witness said himself together with his family went to the piece of land and they saw an ongoing construction on the land. Upon seeing that, he went to the accused person and informed him about what he saw at the land, and the accused he said told him that he was the one building on the land. The witness said on the 14th December 2022, they completed the payment of ten thousand United States dollars to the accused person and after the payment, he went to the Land around November 2023 to do a mainshift structure when one Mr Jalloh told him that the said land is under investigation at the High Court, adding that upon hearing that, he called his lawyer and his brother Mamoud called the accused person in the evening hours, his brother told him that he received text messages from the accused person that people were trying to claim the piece of land but he was going to win the case. There lawyer, he said, officially wrote the accused person to refund the money because the land has issues but said since then they did not get the money and the said land from the accused person. In conclusion said he later went to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) headquarters Pademba Road Freetown where they made report and statement was obtained from him. The witness was cross examined by defense counsel Ibrahim Turay . Magistrate Bangura however adjourned the matter to the 6th May 2024 whiles the bail of the accused person continued.

*OMBUDSMAN Meets THE DIRECTOR GENERAL OF THE SIERRA LEONE BROADCASTING CORPORATION

ACHIEVEMENT, Human Rights, local, Local

With the aim of building cordial working relationships and to continue with his awareness raising campaigns, the Ombudsman Tejan Ahmed Israel Jah Esq paid a courtesy visit on the Director General of the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation Madam Josephine Kamara and her Management Team at their Offices at Broadcasting House, New England Ville in Freetown. The Ombudsman congratulated her on her assumption of Office and noted that he also took up Office over three months ago. He stated that the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation is the national broadcaster and as such, it is a very important Institution his office would want to partner with. He noted that the Ombudsman’s Office was created by Section 146 sub-section 2 of the Constitution of Sierra Leone Act No. 6 of 1991. The Ombudsman remarked that his Office is mandated to receive and investigate complaints from members of the public/civil service and the general public, who have suffered injustice as a result of the administrative actions of Public Officials. He said that the Ombudsman’s Office uses the Alternative Dispute Redress Mechanisms when handling complaints. He noted that his mandate aligns with one of the President’s manifesto promises of revamping the Civil/ Public Service architecture. He further noted that his Office looks into administrative accountability and as well performs quasi Human Rights and Judicial functions. He further requested that both Institutions collaborate in raising awareness about the mandate and functions of the Office of the Ombudsman. Thanking the Ombudsman and Team for the visit, the Director General Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation, Madam Josephine Kamara noted that the mandate of the Ombudsman is very wide as it deals with transparency and accountability. She noted that in her 100 day plan, she will be developing policy and regulations that will ensure fairness for everyone within her Institution and noted that it will help create a good working environment for all employees. She further thanked the Ombudsman and Team and assured the Ombudsman of her Institution’s commitment for further collaboration.

*NRA COMMISSIONER GENERAL calls on journalists to Help in Awareness campaign on TAX MOBILIZATION DRIVE

Media, More News

BY JONATHAN HINDOLO KURABU ESQ. (D CATALYST) Determined to ensure increased domestic revenue generation and to foster amicable relationship between the National Revenue Authority(NRA), and the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists(SLAJ), the Commissioner General, National Revenue Authority,Mrs.Jeneba Bangura has today April,30th,2024 at Shangri La in Freetown engaged cross section of media practitioners drawn from across the country. Director, Corporate Services Department,NRA,Martina B. Egbenda,while stressing the importance of the media in tax mobilization,said the National Revenue Authority under the astute leadership of the current Commissioner General, recognizes the indispensable role of the media with a further description of being a vanguard and a bridge between the Public and the Government hence the compelling and justifiable need to explore opportunities for collaboration,shared insights, and collective goals. President, Sierra Leone Association of Journalists,SLAJ,Ahmed Sahid Nasralla, commented on the timely nature of the gathering in the wake of looming allegations of missing funds, misinformation, disinformation and the need for Ministries, Department and Agencies including the Private Sector to forge strategic relationship with the media through regular engagements and the need for an open door policy for disclosure of information for media consumption. On her part,the Commissioner General, National Revenue Authority,Mrs. Jeneba Bangura expressed profound appreciation to the Media practitioners for honouring their invitation amid onerous schedules. She furthered that for increased domestic revenue generation, the media should work concertedly with NRA for tax mobilization. She used the platform to educate the media practitioners present about some insightful major reforms geared towards revenue generation which amongst others include,Tax Stamp which widens tax base, increases domestic revenue mobilization, prevents goods from being smuggled, ensures market fairness, and protects consumers and the Fuel Marking which is geared towards controlling smuggled fuel in the market, ensures the right fuel is supplied and to control its distribution. Mrs. Bangura committed her institution to open channels of communication, regular briefings, constructive dialogue and need for collaboration. Media practitioners present, lauded the Commissioner General for the media engagement and encouraged her to help facilitate regular engagements with media practitioners on tax related courses.

Inadequacies in Protection of Children …

ACHIEVEMENT, News, Social Issues

By Fatmata Bintu Alhadi Speech to the Freetown Dinner Club on 13th April 2024 by the Honourable Ms. Justice Fatmatta Bintu Alhadi JA, FPMA (b) The removal of children from their birth culture and kin. This is because international adoption often results in a permanent removal of a child by the financial and geographical barriers to continued contact with birth culture and kin. This may have implications for the future development and identity rights of the internationally adopted child. (c) Circumstances of poverty often create greater vulnerability. The unremitting poverty and hardship experienced in poorer sending countries often make birth parents more vulnerable to pressure to relinquish a child for financial gain. A lack of support services and poverty, increase the likelihood of abandonment of children if birth parents feel they are giving the child a chance at better care. Postadoption opportunities for contact are limited, either by the nature of the adoption, or by the inability to practice openness because of the distance and financial resources required. (d) Market-Driven Economies Introduce New Risks for Children. The current rapid growth in the movement of children across borders and the increased demand and supply of children has resulted in market-related conditions developing for the legitimate trade of children. Under these conditions, it becomes difficult to protect the rights of children and the “best interest of the child” are less and less likely to be taken into consideration. Market related conditions for adoptions raise concerns that the legality of an adoption process may be compromised on account of the wealth or financial status of the adopter or of their representing agency. The question that therefore arises is: What can be done? I thank you for your attention.

ICELAND DELEGATION MEETS SPEAKER AND LEADERSHIP OF PARLIAMENT

ACHIEVEMENT, Legislative

The Iceland Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Her Excellency Asdis Bjarnadottir and team comprising visiting Members of Parliament led by Dilja Mist Einarsdottir (Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs), Mr Logi Einarsonon (Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the Icelandic Parliament), Ms Elin Rosa Sigurdardottir (Director General of the International Development Cooperation Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Iceland and Head of the delegation) paid a courtesy call visit to the newly elected Speaker of Parliament, Hon Segepoh Solomon Thomas and the Leadership of Parliament on Friday 3/5/2024. In a meeting held at the Speaker’s Board Room, Parliament Building at Tower Hill in Freetown, wide range of bilateral issues including fostering development for mutual benefits were discussed. In her opening statement, Her Excellency Asdis Bjaarnadittir said Icelandic Members of Parliament were in Sierra Leone on a study visit. She said they were trying to deepen bilateral ties with Sierra Leone and expressed interest in development programmes in the areas of fishing, and intended to promote renewable energy, and support the implementation of the country’s medium term national development plan and gender empowerment efforts. She went on to say, that Iceland has become a popular tourist destination and tourism is the highest revenue earner in recent times followed by the fisheries sector. She said there were huge potentials in tourism for Sierra Leone that the country could tap into for national development.“I see such great potentials in the partnership between Sierra and Iceland”, she said. Delivering her statement, the head of delegation from the Icelandic Parliament, Dilja Mist recalled how Iceland used to struggle with their economy and how they became self-sufficient in the 1980s through fishing and other economic diversification. On his part, the newly elected Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Ibrahim Tawa Conteh informed the team from Iceland about various supports received by fishing communities from partners, but the country has not realized enough from that sector. The Deputy Speaker categorically stated that their bilateral collaboration with Iceland would engender mutual benefits. While speaking about malaise including illegal fishing, not meeting the requirements for exporting fish to the European Union Market, the dynamic and youthful Deputy Speaker expressed hope that such collaboration would proffer solutions to the country’s revenue mobilization. He also informed the team that Sierra Leone has lot of touristic attractions and if bilaterally supported in this partnership, it would yield dividends. He reiterated that Sierra Leone fisheries is important to meeting the Feed Salone flagship programme of the government. Responding, Iceland MP, Logi Einarsonon said for Sierra Leone to realize it fishing potentials there must be strong measures or controls over the country’s natural resources and that value addition to fisheries products was a key driver to achieving this objective. He also advised the Leadership of Parliament to continue to promote gender empowerment policies in its development strategies. In his contributions, Acting Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Daniel Brima Koroma said Sierra Leone is not only endowed with fisheries resources, but currently progressing in democracy citing the just concluded speakership elections. He reiterated that, the country’s rich touristic attraction is not only limited to the coastal areas but also reported that Sierra Leone has West Africa’s highest peak, the Loma in the Bintumani Mountains. The MP appealed to the Iceland team to build the capacity of compatriots, in order to be able to combat foreign based illegal fishing and also promote investment in that direction. On his part, the Chief Whip of Parliament, Hon. Dickson Rogers raised concern over how vessels can be licensed based on the size of the boats and not the quantity and types of fish caught. He suggested that strong monitoring mechanisms over fishing be implemented to ensure that Sierra Leone benefits from its natural resources. He used the occasion to ask the Speaker to have a joint meeting with the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, the Iceland Team and Parliament in order to proffer solutions for mutual benefits and was quickly buttressed by the Speaker who suggested timeline for implementation of projects by the latter. In his submission, the Speaker of Parliament, the Rt.Hon. Segepoh Solomon Thomas said that the bilateral supports are laudable and noted their viability. “We are interested in the bilateral support as a country because we know it potential benefits”, he stressed. He said the joint meeting with the Ministry is to know what the latter is doing in light of benefits to the nation. “To modify or if it is about changing the law, we change the law”, he categorically stated and went on to reveal that three years ago a businessman visited him and asked him to sublet the coastal areas of Sierra Leone to him for two hundred million dollars yearly. The Speaker also informed the team that if all efforts prove futile in that direction they would consider investment alternative for the country’s fisheries and mineral resources through subcontracting to good investors. The Leadership in unison asked the Iceland Team to look for an investor who will give huge sum of money to government yearly and takes care of the fishing activities and only allow local fishermen to operate. The Iceland team responded to all the concerns raised and assured the Speaker and Leadership of continued support and constant communication to proffer lasting and sustainable solutions to the problems of fishing for a win-win situation.

CSOs condemn increase in toll gate tariff

ACHIEVEMENT

25/005/2024 PRESS RELEASE 200 CSOs and concerned citizens react to the recent report tabled and adopted by the Parliamentary government Committee on public works that roundly supports the initial report by the Miniter of works to increase the toll gate tariff. Citizens and the concerned CSOs irrevocably condemn this report that seeks to protect Clause 10.4 only, with a devastating effect in transport fare and commodity prices if the increment is to take effect on May 15, 2024. We call on the new Speaker to reject this increment on the following grounds;* The 200 CSOs and citizens are shocked and dismayed that the committee had only delt with Article 10.4 and ignored all other breaches like Article 16(1)(2)(3) that seeks an independent annual audited financial report which should inform both parties in the Agreement of the gross daily revenue and how much the CRSG has collected from the start to-date. All that has not only been ignored but the report has further concealed the breaches of Article 16(1)(2)(3) leaving the nation in the dark with no transparency and accountability. This has never been done since the start of this Agreement to-date. That is not only a breach, it is a disservice on the part of the committee to have wasted all this time and effort just to agree with the minister in making Article 10.4 the alpha and the omega of this Agreement. *2. The Committee report is insensitive to the effect of the punitive pass through effect the toll increment will add to the already suffering public as a result of a hike in commodity prices and high transport fare to the provinces for passengers going beyond Calaba town. The public further sees the segregation of heavy duty as being irresponsible. The increment on heavy duty vehicles above 12 tyres and other category is a non-starter as every increment will add more suffering. The Committee should understand that commodities transported from Guinea for instance by heavy duty transport are not sold to monkeys but for consumers. So why the rate segregation – because Drivers Union says so? Ideally, Members of Parliament are expected to consult with their constituents that elected them. But we have seen that the Committee put premium on Drivers Union which has nothing to loose but to add the bill onto commodity prices. They did not represent all Drivers as the body has been in disorder. The report does not reflect a true public consultation but had to listen to the dis-functional Drivers Union and protect the CRSG with Article 10.4. The average Vehicle volume Data by the Chinese is a sham and very misleading as the public does not have access to it. The Concessionaire (SLRA) or any independent body having access to the raw data or vehicle count must be conducted by the committee. Anything short of that is seen as a sham .The SLRA till to-date does not have access to the raw data. How come the committee report is claiming that the CRSG and SLRA report are the same? How did the committee arrive at such a misleading conclusion? We know that if SLRA makes any statement on this, it will be suicidal for the Heads. But we want anybody to prove to the public that the SLRA has access to the raw data. We have provided compelling evidence to the committee that the CRSG has destroyed and blocked all the alternative routes using their machines and cranes. In response the CRSG told the Committee that the Chiefs and Headmen told them (CRSG) to block all the alternative routes. This contravenes the Agreement and there is nowhere in the Agreement that justifies such an illegal action that led to national security threats. Yet still the committee has shifted the burden of constructing the alternative routes to SLRA. So our tax payers money should construct a road destroyed by the CRSG. This looks like a father beating up his daughter who has been gang raped by some strangers. Instead of chasing the rapists, the father is now blaming his daughter for wearing mini skirt and skin tights. The Native Consortium has provided video evidence to the committee and the court of public opinion, where CRSG arrested vehicles that they perceived to destroy the road through accident. These vehicles are being detained or packed at the CRSG compound at Songo and Masiaka. They will levy heavy fines on them without going to court. This does not only breach public transport regulations but also violates Parliamentary Standing Order (SO) 18 . ConclusionThe public vehemently opposes this punitive increment because is a failed promised by H.E President Bio in his 2018 campaign promise to review the toll gate downwards. Furthermore the report is a test for the new Speaker . We are asking the new Speaker to intervene by understanding the plight of the already impoverished state of the citizens if this toll increment comes into effect. The other implication if the tollgate fees remains as set, it will further erode the public trust on the 6th parliament. That the public should not expect any change from Parliament as a matter of fact, there was no point stopping the Works Minister from implementing the March 1 schedule date, because going to parliament was as good as going by the proposed March 1 schedule increment date as proposed by the Minister. Signed ………………………………..Edmond Abu JrFor and on behalf of the 200 CSOs

PRESIDENT BIO IS THE CHAMPION OF PRESS FREEDOM

ACHIEVEMENT, Breaking News, Media

By Ishmael Bayoh Today is World Press Freedom Day. It is a day declared by The United Nations General Assembly to be observed to raise awareness of the importance of freedom of the press and to remind governments of its obligations. This Week With President Bio’s Development Agenda will pay tribute to the glowing achievements made by President Bio in this direction. As a journalist myself of long standing, I will give first hand accounts of how President Bio has added respect to the profession. The most fundamental change that has happened in the media in Sierra Leone in over 50 years, is the freedom to practice journalism. For four years since the repeal of the Seditious Libel provisions in the 1965 Public Order Act, the media in Sierra Leone have now known, felt and enjoying what freedom is all about. President Bio shaped the future of human rights in Sierra Leone by repealing the obnoxious libel provisions in the 1965 public order. By doing that he made a massive progressive realization of human rights in line with national, regional, and international instruments. Freedom of Expression is guaranteed by Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 9 of the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights, and Section 25 of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone. Before the repeal, it had been a persistent pattern of practising under fear. With several journalists locked up, harassed, media houses shut down, and the SLAJ executive having the headache of running from one police detention to another and one court room to another, or kneeling down to beg one individual to another, President Bio promised to repeal that law if elected in 2018. He kept his promise, and became the Press Freedom Champion. The repeal came as a surprise to many people, even within the media. During the signing ceremony at State House, well-known journalists and former SLAJ Presidents did not mince their words of surprise and commendation to President Bio. Even Western diplomats were very impressed. The benefits after the repeal are abound as several strides have taken place like media pluralism; the registration of more newspapers, radio stations, and other media. It has, in no doubt, added to the general improvement in content and increase in the number of professionals coming into the media, contributing to the body of knowledge on the media ecosystem in the country. On December 7th, 2022 during the Presidential Media Cocktail at the Country Lodge, SLAJ President, Ahmed Sahid Nasralla was bold to have said that “the most fundamental change that has happened in the media, and which we seem to be taking for granted because we now have it: is FREEDOM! The freedom to practice our profession, which we did not have pre-2020, “. Explaining the benefits of the repeal, the SLAJ President remarked “I have even forgotten when last, I and my Executive visited the CID or the Police to secure the release of journalists detained under the obnoxious criminal libel law for doing their work. That is the freedom I am talking about.”. Further expressing how free the media is, he stated. “I am not aware of any journalist who is in jail in Sierra Leone for what they publish or broadcast or tweet. That is the freedom I am talking about”. In the past, a time like this on world press freedom day, the journalists would have to use several methods like protests, symposiums to draw attention of the state of the obnoxious libel provisions in the law book. A one time President of SLAJ, Alhaji Umaru Fofana left his hair to grow bushy as a way of protest. That is no more as journalists have now known the essence of commemoration. The gains that the media have achieved post repeal are so much in such a few years. President Bio has not abandoned the media but has made sure that the media is supported and collaborated with for national development. The annual government subvention to SLAJ continues to increase. The freedom of information which the recent MCC scorecard puts at 98%; the biggest leaps in the World Press Freedom Index two years in row (in 2020 and 2021) since the repeal of the criminal libel law; safety and security of journalists; development of a national framework, and a policy on safety of journalists in Sierra Leone; establishment of a National Coordination Committee on the safety and security of journalists in Sierra Leone; Sierra Leone joining the Global Media Freedom Coalition- a high level platform where governments engage and peer review their commitments to enhancing freedom of expression and free media; the historic media viability and investment conference held in June 2022; Sierra Leone has for the first time being listed as one of 17 countries in the world to benefit from the International Fund for Public Interest Media (IFPIM). With these remarkable results of a strong political will to ensure the media makes progress, i can safely say it that the media in Sierra Leone is now a subject of discussion in international media meetings where it is solidly anchored on better ideals of freedom of expression. The legal and other institutional framework for media operations in the country, the relationship between the Media and the Ministry of Information on one hand, and IMC and other operatives on another, are all well-designed and can best serve as a point of reference for most countries in Africa. Press freedom day is not only about a reminder to governments of the need to respect their commitments to press freedom but is also a day of reflection among media professionals about issues of professional ethics, media accountability and responsibility as enabler to state development.

Abu Bakarr Turay Declares for Bar Association Vice Presidency

Chinese Learning Program Promotes Cultural Diversity and Language Education

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Bai Mamoud Acquitted of Failed Coup Charges

Maritime Administration on a Two-Day Management talks to Develop Five-Year Strategic Plan

ACC REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO MONITORING PSSNYE PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION

Standards Bureau to Introduce Standardized Market Measurements

IMF talks on sustained reform momentum & efforts to improve macroeconomic conditions in Sierra Leone

ECOWAS National Office Takes on Wai Community in Pujehun on Cross-Border Project Implementation

NSA Certifies 10 Law Graduates

Sierra Leone”s new Ambassador to Morocco resumes duty

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