His Excellency, President Julius Maada Bio has received the Chief Executive Officer of GOAL Global, Siobhan Walsh, and the Chief Executive Officer of Allied Irish Bank, Colin Hunt, during a courtesy visit at State House. The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the government’s development agenda and strengthening their longstanding partnership with Sierra Leone. Introducing the guests, the Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Madam Kenyeh Ballay, emphasized GOAL Global’s over 40 years of service in Sierra Leone, particularly in the health sector. James Riak Mathiang, Country Director of GOAL Sierra Leone, expressed gratitude to President Bio for his continued support. He highlighted GOAL’s operations across seven districts, which align closely with the government’s Big Five Game Changers. Mathiang noted their significant contributions, including providing clean water in operational areas and advancing the blue economy, a key pillar of the government’s Feed Salone initiative. Mathiang commended the Office of the First Lady, and Her Excellency Dr. Fatima Maada Bio, for the remarkable progress made in reducing teenage pregnancies. He acknowledged GOAL’s partnership with the First Lady’s office, which has been critical in addressing this challenge and thanked President Bio for creating a conducive environment for GOAL’s operations, underscoring the importance of the government’s support in achieving their goals. President Julius Maada Bio, in his response, lauded GOAL Global for its impactful contributions to Sierra Leone. He commended the organization for aligning its activities with the government’s human capital development priorities, particularly in women and girls’ empowerment. “GOAL’s footprint across the nation is tangible and appreciated,” the President remarked, adding that the government remains committed to supporting the organization’s programs. President Bio assured the visiting CEOs that Sierra Leone would continue to prioritize its partnership with GOAL Global to advance the nation’s development. The meeting underscored the mutual commitment to fostering sustainable development and strengthening the collaborative efforts between the government and international partners like GOAL Global and Allied Irish Bank. Credit : State House Media and Communications Unit

By Ishmail Saidu Kanu, Esq. Indeed, what a week! The issues surrounding our country’s football never amaze me anymore. The National Sports Authority (NSA) letter abdicating responsibility to pay Leone Stars’ technical team on the grounds of their unimpressive performance, Dididor’s notoriety of confronting match officials, the SLFA press release on a purported letter from the football world’s governing body, and SLFA’s leave to appeal Justice Ganda’s ruling in their legal battle with Moyamba District Football Association (MDFA) all together provide a whole dossier worth discussing. By way of disclosure, the issues examined herein are primarily based on discussions I am privy to on various social media platforms. I have been interested in the Leone Stars’ technical team issue. Unfortunately, I am not seized of the contract between the parties and, as such, would speak to general issues involving contracts. I understand that the NSA is responsible for paying the technical team, but I would assume that the contract is between SLFA and Leone Stars’ technical team, as per general practice. If this were the case, a valid contract would still exist between SLFA and Leone Stars’ technical team, irrespective of NSA’s letter based on the doctrine of privity. This doctrine states that the legal relationship between the parties to a contract is exclusive to them. Subject to exceptions, only those privy to a contract can participate in the benefits and bear its burdens. If the NSA is not privy to that contract, although they are responsible for paying the technical team, they cannot ‘terminate’ it, and whatever reasons preferred are immaterial. I am told that the NSA’s letter is premised on the technical team’s underwhelming performance during the recent AFCON qualifiers. However, stopping the technical team’s remuneration without any severance package only leaves SLFA legally vulnerable as a party to the contract. Therefore, they should act quickly to remedy the problem and avoid another potential litigation. My other interest is Dididor’s notoriety, which, unfortunately, is nothing new. In recent years, the frequency of controversies involving him during Premier League matches has become one of the hallmarks of his character. They say, to whom much is given, much is expected. Dididor is a senior football administrator and a lawyer. Sadly, even if provoked, his recent public behaviors leave much to be desired. As a football administrator, he should set the highest ethical standards, and belonging to arguably the noblest of professions further raises the bar. Being a usual suspect, especially in inglorious situations, undoubtedly leaves a scar on the reputation of someone whose name carries the suffix “Esq.” Something should be done urgently to restore sanity in our game. The current Premier League legal regime is inadequate; the maximum six-match ban and/or fine handed down by the Board lack the mojo to deter culprits. Stricter laws must be adopted to help dissuade hooligans masquerading as football officials from undermining the integrity of the game. In the meantime, I would suggest that SLFA refer repeat offenders to the relevant judicial bodies when duly constituted to impose sterner sanctions on recidivists, including banning them for years from the game. Such action will help curb recidivism, thereby upholding the integrity of the game. Another issue of note is the Press Release from SLFA, purportedly emanating from a letter from FIFA. The release expresses concern about the ongoing legal battle and infers the country’s potential suspension. The FIFA suspension cliché has been overplayed for a long time, and football enthusiasts are getting used to it. We have been there as a country before; hell did not break loose, nor would it break loose now. This intimidation tactic will not work; even if the heavens fall, the right thing must be done! It is also ill-advised to release a presser while being seized of the letter from FIFA; it makes the act suspect. The signed FIFA letter, without more, would have carried more weight – like from the horse’s mouth. In other words, rather than trying to interpret or give meaning to the letter, a simple verbatim publication of the FIFA letter would have SLFA the convoluted explanation in the presser and left readers to appreciate the contents and conclude themselves. More striking is that the release does not have any verbatim quote from the FIFA letter, further undermining its assertions. Be that as it may, it would be implausible for FIFA to ban a Federation simply because a member seeks statutory compliance in an “ordinary court” where there are no duly constituted independent bodies. Doing this would undermine good governance and risk recklessly opening the floodgates of statute breaches within Member Associations. Lastly, I have seen an application from SLFA seeking leave to appeal Justice Ganda’s December 23, 2024 decision. The thrust of the appeal can be grouped as capacity, jurisdiction, parties’ autonomy, and recourse to ordinary courts. The relief sought includes setting aside Justice Ganda’s decision, striking out the action brought by MDFA, ordering MDFA to seek redress through the judicial bodies, and holding Congress. Far from being contemptuous, this action only delays the inevitable, even if an appeal is lodged with the Supreme Court. As stated in my previous piece, a zero-sum legal battle risks further dividing the football fraternity, and reconciling it would be complicated, if not impossible, in the foreseeable future. Therefore, let the relevant stakeholders put aside their egos and amicably resolve this matter out-of-court in the interest of the beautiful game that hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of our countrymen and women enjoy following. Let the EXCOs take the lead to meet, discuss, and set a new date for Congress as quickly as possible. In doing so, history will be kind to them, for to do otherwise will leave an indelible scar on their conscience. May common sense prevail!

By Paul Kamara Mr Tejan Macavoray’s article titled: Democracy Under Siege, based on the indefinite ban to enter parliament on journalist Melvin Tejan Mansaray; imposed by Speaker of Parliament, Sengepoh Solomon Thomas is very telling. It reminds us all that when the press sits by and allow tyranny to reign supreme; it comes a time when it becomes the prey; even though, we all know that the press is the weeping boy; or, the hunter becomes the hunted. A journalist not only stands for the truth to tell it as it is to the powers that be; but he pursues and elevates it;  to ensure that justice must be seen to be done. The journalist nowadays can write on so many things and allow to thrive; but trouble befalls him if he dares cross the red line drawn by the untouchables; for that is a bridge too far. The post by Macavoray; did not actually state in clear terms what crime Mansaray fell prey to. It states that he is banned for reckless, malicious journalism; aimed to mislead the public on the controversial decision to remove the Auditor-General and her Deputy. It means, that the victim must’ve put on paper an opinion that parliament considers anathema; perhaps, contempt of Parliament. But whether Sengepor has the right to indefinitely ban a journalist for expressing his opinion on a matter of parliament; or, an outright bully, is another matter. The actions of the Bio Paopanista Parliament; do far has shown it is no repecter of the law in dealing with matters of the constitution. Examples are replete such as the forceful eviction of elected APC parliamentarians and imposition of an illegal Speaker. Or, the trampling of electoral laws and appointing electoral super domos based on party loyalty. Or, effecting executive orders to bring into play an electoral system to give undue advantage to Paopanista or power by force of might. Or, to arbitrarily cancel elections and the same time; hold bye-elections marred by violence, killings and outright destruction of ballot boxes by ministers. Or, for aggrieved MPs refused judicial justice and their cases thrown overboard. Or, the imposition of a PR System instead of the first past the post. Or, to conduct a census that negates the national constitution. Or, the conduct of national elections with no elections results tabled; that led to the Tripartite brouhaha. Or, claims by the APC that some of their MPs were bribed to back Bio’s call for the A-G and her Deputy to be sacked. Or, claims by opposition MPs; that the voting process was not properly constituted. And against this background, that the body set up to probe the A-G and Deputy was deemed suspect; as against reputable national and international auditing firms; that exculpated both the A-G and Deputy from culpability. Under such circumstances, anything that Mansaray wrote that castigates/ banalize the position of parliament is bound to ruffle feathers; and could’ve contributed to Speaker Sengepor’s arbitrary stance against  journalist Mansaray. Therefore, to say that democracy is under siege is a misnomer; for what the case portends is rather, the total erosion of democracy and the free press; and the total imposition of fascism. And it comes in the wake when a journalist Dixon Thomas; had to go into hiding on the alleged threats by the IG of Police Faya Sellu; and a truce brokered by members of SLAJ. And this umbrella body has also raised concerns; over the seemingly untoward action of  Speaker Sengepor. But the fact of the matter is that; the Salone parliament still operates under the canopy of a one-party mentality; in the same way Shaki brought both the APC and SLPP under one roof. The opposition always depend on the govt of the day for perks; to be holed in juicy committees where they too, can eke a living; apart from their increased salaries and emoluments. Lately, the opposition ayed when the Speaker announced for himself a salary rise and pension benefits; since they too, are beneficiaries; whilst a principal’s salary can hardly buy three bags of rice; much less talk about the majority workers who have to contend with pitifully inadequate, harsh conditions of living. Parliament as already stated; does not believe in democracy or the Doctrine of Separation of Powers; and are lackey to the executive power; just as the Judiciary is also subject to their whims and caprices. But has parliament the right to proscribe journalist Mansaray; infact, when Sengepor did not avowedly spelt it out that it was a contempt of parliament? Under Momoh, the editor of The Tablet newspaper, Pios Foray was arraigned before parliament for publishing an article; that described Momoh as a palmwine tapper from Binkolo. But the classic case to determine whether parliament has the right to take punitive action against a journalist; was that of the Torchlight newspaper editor, Shekito Tarawalli and the SLPP parliament under Speaker SM Kutubu; for which the editor was jailed for a month for contempt of parliament. For di People newspaper and it’s sister organization, the National League for Human Rights and Democracy; and in league with Dr Abdulai Conteh then CJ of Belize writing under the nom de plume Amicus Curiae; condemned the action of the SLPP; as arbitrary and that it kakaed on the national constitution. It posited; that parliament erred in law when it jailed Shekito bcos he did not commit any contempt within the precincts or four corners of the walls of parliament; described as contempt in the face. Rather, it was an article written outside the walls of Parliament; known as contempt out of the face of parliament. In the case of Mansaray, it is now left with the reader to discern whether Speaker Sengepor kakaed on the law or not. And until we recognize the Doctrine of Separation of Powers; and remove every vestiges of one-partyism in our body politics; both the APC and SLPP will always abuse democracy, the constitution and the Rule of Law with gross

Bongolistically. By Mallam O. As I completed in 2000 my doctoral degree in Statistics at the University of Dortmund, now the Technical University of Dortmund in Germany, I secured a postdoctoral position at the prestigious University of Heidelberg Medical School. There, I joined the Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Public Health, eager to apply my expertise to real-world challenges. My Director Prof. Dr. Dr. Rainer Sauerborn, Deputy Director Prof. Dr. Heiko Becher and colleague Prof. Dr. Olaf Müller are to date wonderful friends. It was during my first year in this role that an unexpected opportunity arose—a consultancy with one of USA’s top universities, the University of Pennsylvania (UPENN). This consultancy, under the Africa Census Analysis Project (ACAP), was led by its Director, Professor Tukufu Zuberi, an African American academic with a deep commitment to helping African countries own and analyse their census data. Tukufu’s leadership was inspiring, rooted in a vision to empower African nations to use their data for development. And there I was to help make this a reality. During my visit to UPENN, I met Tukufu’s Ghanaian PhD student, Ayaga Bawah. Ayaga was deeply involved in the ACAP initiative and shared his insights with a calm yet passionate demeanour. Our meeting marked the beginning of a professional relationship that would later see us working together in Accra, Ghana, where Ayaga served as my Manager for Science Programme of the INDEPTH Network, for which I was the Executive Director. Ayaga’s brilliance and dedication were evident even then, and it was no surprise that he later rose to become a Professor of Demography and Director of the Regional Institute of Population Studies (RIPS) at the University of Ghana. It was fulfilling to see how both of us had contributed to strengthening population data and its analysis in Africa. The ACAP consultancy involved travelling across Africa to engage with government officials, statisticians, and academics about the role of census data in shaping development policies. The assignment was both exciting and daunting. It felt like a culmination of my academic journey and the beginning of something even greater—a chance to bridge knowledge and practice, bringing data to the forefront of decision-making in Africa. My first stop was Johannesburg, South Africa, where I was immediately struck by the scale and sophistication of O.R. Tambo International Airport. It felt as though I had just woken up from a dream. It mirrored the infrastructural advancements of a nation striving to lead the continent, similar to what I had seen at Frankfurt am Main airport, leaving me momentarily disoriented. I held discussions on South Africa’s census issues with Statistician-General Dr. Pali Lehohla, exploring how ACAP could support their initiatives. Dr. Lehohla later became a valued colleague and a member of the Board of Trustees of the INDEPTH Network. Years later, in 2022, when I served as Vice-Chair of the United Nations Statistical Commission in New York, Pali and I shared a dinner. As we reminisced, we reflected on those earlier days and the strides we had made since then, appreciating how far our paths had intertwined over the years. From Johannesburg, I travelled to Gaborone, Botswana, a quieter but equally impressive place. There, I met officials keen on using census data to sustain their economic progress, particularly in the mining and agricultural sectors.I had the unique opportunity to meet the President of Botswana, a moment made even more memorable by the enthusiasm of my colleagues at the Statistics Office. They were thrilled to see a young Black African serving as their consultant, breaking the usual expectations and inspiring a sense of pride and connection. Next, I ventured to Maputo, Mozambique, a city that reflected strength and recovery. Mozambique, still emerging from its civil war, needed census data to rebuild its education and healthcare systems. The discussions were deeply tied to post-war planning and ensuring equitable resource distribution. In Harare, Zimbabwe, I encountered a vibrant yet tense environment. Census conversations here focused on dealing with the political sensitivities of data collection. The officials were determined to ensure the credibility of their numbers, which were critical for resource allocation amidst economic and social challenges. Nairobi, Kenya, brought a different energy. As a hub of East Africa, it blended modernity with traditional vibrancy. Census discussions revolved around urbanisation and the pressures it placed on infrastructure and services. Kenyan officials were keen to use data to better plan their cities and tackle inequalities. From East Africa, I flew to Accra, Ghana, a city that radiated warmth and purpose. Ghana’s census systems were relatively advanced, but the officials were eager to integrate new technologies to improve outreach to remote areas. The discussions highlighted their ambition to lead in data-driven governance. Banjul, The Gambia, followed. This small but dynamic nation offered unique challenges and opportunities. The officials were interested in linking census data with environmental changes, particularly the impact of coastal erosion on communities. My journey then took me to Freetown, Sierra Leone—home. Returning to Freetown stirred a mix of emotions. The city carried a sense of hope, yet the scars of the civil war were still evident. Census issues here were deeply tied to ensuring data quality and rebuilding trust in institutions. An amusing incident occurred when I visited Statistics Sierra Leone. At the security gate, I asked to speak to Dr. Osman Sankoh, the Chairman of the Council. The officer, looking a bit puzzled, asked who I was. “Dr. Osman Sankoh,” I replied. He paused and clarified, “I mean, who do you want to see?” “Dr. Osman Sankoh,” I repeated. He then asked again, “And your name?” I answered once more, “Dr. Osman Sankoh—that is my name.” His momentary confusion turned to a smile as the realisation dawned, and I was finally allowed through. It was a lighthearted moment that added a personal touch to the visit. Travelling across Africa for this consultancy was transformative. Each country revealed its unique challenges and triumphs, but there were also commonalities: urbanisation, the integration of technology, and the need for