TRACE JOENAL

By Abdulrahman Koroma After a local newspaper first published this article on October 2016, a sierra Leonean researcher and academic, John Benjamin Sesay is still in a state of quandary after his life came under threat as a result of his research activities on the Addax Bioenergy Project in Makeni, Sierra Leone. Ever since the story was published, he has still not nurtured the courage to visit his native land. Below is the story that was published in the SALONE TIMES Newspaper on October 10th 2016: Land Rights Campaigner Fears For His Safety If He Returns To Sierra Leone Academic Researcher, Human Rights, Peace and Security Advocate; Benjamin John Sesay is afraid for his safety if he returns to Sierra Leone. Benjamin who specifically focuses his advocacy on the effects of land grabbing on the lives of landowners in Sierra Leone is presently in Sweden contemplating his home coming. Benjamin first visited Sierra Leone in September 2013 and returned to Sweden after his research in J...

In line with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Act 2008 and amended in 2010, Seawright Mining Company through the report prepared by ECOSYS Sierra Leone Limited on proposed Diamond and Gold exploration project has ended two days Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) in the NjaimaSewafe, Kono District and GoramaMende in Kenema District Project ESHIA. Story By Mariama B. Bah   The events took place at the NjaimaSewafe Court Barray-Nimiyama Chiefdom, Kono District on Wednesday 21st December 2016 and Pondoru School –GoramaMende Chiefdoms, KenemaDistricts on the 22rd December, 2016 respectively.   In his welcome remarks, Chief Philip Koroma Chiefdom Speaker said the people of Njaima are very developmental oriented, unique, accommodative and friendly. He disclosed that there were lots of talks since Seawright started their operation in that chiefdom. He said the meeting explained it all about the operation of the company and what they stand for...

A series of solar fairs and activities were held across the country last week, and will continue in 2017. The ‘Solar Road Show’ was held to raise awareness on the power of decentralized solar energy as part of the Sierra Leone Energy Revolution. Activities included fairs and events in Newton, Freetown, Waterloo and Ma dengn, and radio messages that highlight the benefits of solar power.   A key focus of each solar fair was a “solar truck”, used to play music, and to power TVs, fans and fridges. A variety of solar powered lanterns, rooftop systems and phone charging equipment were also on display. The road show took place across the Western area and Freetown before ending at the annual Ma dengn Beach Festival. The events enabled hundreds of people to interact with, and learn about solar products and to meet members of the Renewable Energy Association of Sierra Leone (REASL). Radio messages explained how the public can find out more about solar technology and...

The Anglican Bishop, Thomas Wilson last Saturday organized his 2017 Anglican Church Children gathering and feeding at his Bishop’s Court Compound in Freetown.   Story By Abdulrahman Koroma   In an exclusive interview with Bishop Thomas Wilson, he revealed that the event is an occasion that the church has been conducting for so many years and that the church does not just feed children from the Anglican Church but also those in the surrounding areas in a way of expressing the love Jesus has for the children. He said the funding of the occasion has always come from internal support and that they are not just feeding the children but also allow them to dance and have fun with their friends and take home something they may like. Bishop Wilson stated that their last Children Gathering was done in 2014 and that they have never faced a situation where they cannot organize the occasion except for 2015 and 2016 based on the invasion of the Ebola epidemic. He said the occa...

The Sierra Leone Association of Ebola Survivors (SLAES) has over the weekend commemorated two years of their existence after the end of the Ebola scourge that calamitously hit the country, claiming the lives of many and seriously dented the country’s economy. Story By Salaam Deen Bundu   They commended the Government for its support in bringing them (Ebola Survivor) together and for giving them the enabling environment to function nationally as a unit under the purview of the Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs.     Speaking at a Press Conference held on Saturday 7 th January 2016 at the Social Welfare Ministry Conference Room, the President Sierra Leone Association of Ebola Survivors (SLAES), Yusuf Kabba, commended President Koroma for his commitment and support shown to them over the years and for introducing the Presidential Recovery Priority Programme which according to him have enabled them to secure a vehicle and office sp...

T he disappearance of one Gibrila Kargbo has been reported. He is a 17 year-old young man who was  left to die in the bush in the Northern  headquarter town  of Makeni, Bombali District, but was rescued  by a man who took care of him and reported the matter to the police. Gibrila Kargbo Attempted Murder Victim Disappears Momoh Turay, the man who rescued Gibrila, told this medium that Gibrila did not feel safe and was always afraid since he came to his rescue. He said Gibrila was afraid because his uncle, who took him to Makeni on the pretext of meeting business partners of his late father, Abubakarr Kargbo, has not been arrested by the police as he was expecting; instead, his uncle is allowed to roam free, giving  the chance to make another attempt on his life. Momoh Turay said Gibrila told him that his uncle, a senior Poro member, wants him dead, a reason he took him upcountry, tricking him to be initiated into the powerful Poro society in S...

The Executive Director of Young Peace Builders Sierra Leone, Herbert BiCoolBangura has revealed during a press briefing that his organization has received an outstanding support from Ainesville Soccer Academy in Florida United States of America. Story By Abdulrahman Koroma Herbert made this revelation on behalf of the organization on Friday 6 th January at the organization’s premises in Makeni. This donation came after Herbert’s professional exchange visit to USA through the support of the United States Department of States, IREX’s Community Solutions Program. In giving a brief background of his trip, Herbert BicoolBangura stated that he achieved and learnt a lot during the professional exchange program and that his organization was able to establish relationship with some organizations within the United States that are interested in Partnering and supporting young Peace builders programs, Government Development programs, especially those geared towards young women an...

It was indeed a colourful night for Art of Gold Byriri as they were recommended for their beauty makeup during Madengn beach festival. Art of Gold Byriri did the makeup for all the models that took part in the festival on the 17 and 18 December, 2016 at the RadissionBlu. Art of Gold Byriri also makeup their clients and did free makeup to others during the two days of the festival as a way of giving back to the beautiful ladies of Sierra Leone. Sierra Leoneans both graduates and non-graduates are currently undergoing intensive course in Makeup Artistry of all kinds at Lemont College as a way of empowering them. Founder of Art of Gold Byrir, Sierra Leonean born lady Rita Ukhuegbe’s dreams of empowering Sierra Leoneans especially women to be self-reliance.

The Foundation for Children of Ebola Affected Medical Workers (FOCEM) has distributed Scholarship to some of the affected children, as their contribution to ease the stress on some guardians that are taking care of children whose parents died during the Ebola episode in Sierra Leone.  The presentation which took place at FOCEM office in Freetown on Monday 19 th December, 2016 was done for the affected children in Freetown.   FOCEM National Program Administrator, ShekuAdnrewCoomber told his audience that FOCEM is specifically focused on meeting the educational needs of the children left behind by EVD related deceased health care workers. “FOCEM is non-political and non-religious and its remit extends to all areas of Sierra Leone. We are encouraging others to come; our membership is open to all.” He stressed that the health care workers children that are benefiting from the package includes Medical Doctors, Nurses, Laboratory Technicians and Cleaners amon...

By Ibrahim Joenal Sesay & Mariama B. Bah Sierra Leone former Vice President and leader of the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) Solomon Berewa has warned members of the party especially those that are vining for position of the party to minimize personal ambition and let the party interest come forward. The former Vice President was speaking to TRACE NEWS at his resident over the weekend. He went on to say when he was leading the party; things were going on very peacefully but now everything has changed.  “This is one of the things that boggled me more than anything. When I was in the party there was no infighting but after my departure, things began to go bad, the infighting began and various factions emerged. They are not doing the party any good. For a party to be successful, they must be united if they are not united how they can win an election?”

United Kingdom based Sierra Leonean Gospel-Singer, Minister Rebecca Arthur, aka Rebecca Jesus Conquer and Nigerian gospel-singer Sammie Okposo will rock Freetown on January 6 and January 13, 2017 with her anointed and soul-stirring gospel music and ministry. Minister Rebecca will be staging two concerts at the Miatta Conference Hall, Brookfileds, on January 6 and at the Miatta Park Lorn on Janauary 13, 2017 respectively. Minister Rebecca is one of the most anointed gospel singers who minster the gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ through her songs. She has ministered in many parts of the world, including the United States and Africa. She told SALONE TIMES Showbiz that she can’t wait to minister to her fans as they have been yearning to see her in Freetown. Minister Rebecca Arthur will perform for the very first time in Freetown alongside Sammie Okposo.

Staff and intern students of Africa Independent Radio (AIRadio) have ended a month of intensive training.  The training which commenced on Monday 21st November ended over the weekend at a colorful ceremony at AIRadio Office at Wilberforce. The training brought together over twenty presenters, producers, reporters, DJs and intern students. Station Manager of AIRadio, John Konteh thanked the BBC Media trainer Kelvin Lamdo for accepting to their request at a very short notice. He gave a five minute talk on rules for everyday life which emulated from a story he explained about a man that was trying to cut a tree. According to him if they would have asked for two weeks training, it would have been short and they would have missed many things but the one month have created lot of impact to their staff. “What we have done is that, the month training is to broadcast very well as broadcast journalists. Everyone committed themselves to the training everyday” He stressed th...

As a way of  alleviating the stress and burden of Angola fire victims, Nigerian  Association of Students Sierra Leone Zone has donated used clothing and assorted food items to the victims. The donation which was presented by the President of the Association took place on Monday 12 th December, 2016 at the Don Bosco Fambul Home were hundreds of children who suffered from the fire incident are currently taking shelter. Before presenting the items to the Director of Don Bosco Fambul, Prince Ogar John said among other things that they made such donation to console and to sympathize with the victims. Ogar John said this is the first donation they have made relating to fire but they have being making other humanitarian donations. Some of the items donated include 3 bags of rice, gallons of cooking oil, bags of salts, cartons of tomatoes and one bail used cloth. He said Nigerian Association of Students- Sierra Leone Zone is the parental body for Nigerian students in...

Art of Gold Byriri has started 10 days course on Makeup Artists of all kind for Sierra Leoneans as a way of empowering them. The course which started on Sunday 11 th December, 2016 at the Lemont College Brookfield in Freetown is part of a Sierra Leonean born lady Rita Ukhuegbe’s dream to empower Sierra Leoneans especially women to be self-reliance. Art of Gold Byririr is a make-up school for hair and head ties that is based in Nigeria but owned by a Sierra Leonean. In her address, owner of Art of Gold Rita Ukhuegbe said it takes so much passion to get the wiliness to learn. She disclosed that Art of Gold started in 2014 in Nigerian because she wants to add more values on the beauty of women through their face.

Folks, how are you doing? TRACE wants to wish you Merry Christmas and a bright and prosperous 2017 in advance.  It was on Sunday after this week TRACE was reflecting on some of the issues that came up in the country, these few months; issues such as the Passport, EDSA and Guma tariffs, Petrol and freedom of speech among others. As TRACE was reflecting on those issues, in his little corner, overlooking Freetown, TRACE came to the realization that the will of the people didn’t come to play. From all points of view, Millions of Sierra Leoneans condemned the move taken by the government to increase and cut subsidy as one that is not in their interest. It was clear that the government had one motive whether or not the people accept; they must implement some of those changes but for them not to be chastised by citizens they disguised in the form of consultation or sensitization. Just for them to say we informed and engaged the populace. The government has acted in such manner a...