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 ...

As a way of giving back to the community, Global Group of Companies and Mariatu Kargbo Foundation have donated building materials to the Maria Polio School at Grafton for the construction of their school as well as learning equipment worth millions of Leones.  The donation took place yesterday at the school grounds on Wednesday 19 th January, 2017. The Chief Executive Officer of the Global Group of Companies Madam Zhang Jinling before presenting the items on behalf of the company and Maria who is currently in China said they believe that disability is just a perception and if they can forget what they have and see what they give there is a brighter future. “Let’s know them for their abilities not their disability as the only disability in life is bad attitude,” she urged all present. Global Group of Companies is the Company that is constructing the Sewa Grounds multi-purpose market.  Madam Zhang went on to say this is the first time Global Group of Companies is...

Two reporters of a local media outlet in Sierra Leone (Mikaliu Jalloh and Cherinor Abdul) are presently on the run after they escaped an attack by some members of the public who are totally opposed to Gay rights in Sierra Leone. The two Journalists who were very much celebrated for their outspokenness in condemning attacks and discrimination against Gays in Sierra Leone have gone missing for months now and their whereabouts remains unknown. Mikaliu and his colleague Cherinor served as the mouth piece for the isolated Gay community in Sierra Leone and used their positions as media practitioners to educate people about the need to accept those involved in the practice as it has to do with their human right and freedom. There actions received widespread condemnation and were said to have been issued with series of death threats by some angry members of the public who are in contention with their actions. Sierra Leoneans are highly religious and majority find it very difficult discus...

As the 2018 elections in the country are drawing closer, the political situation is becoming volatile-several people within the ruling All People Congress Party have decided to throw their hats into the rein.  SALONE TIMES has learnt that the selected Vice President, Victor Bockarie Foh commonly known as HIGH BARB is the frontrunner amongst the lots who want to become the Presidential Flagbearer of the APC. Foh who became Vice President by default now thinks he can become President, having consulted several stakeholders of the party that he is the most competent to succeed President Koroma, owing to his gigantic political experience. The reports also revealed that Victor Foh has also told the President that he will be contesting for the leadership of the party to the chagrin of President Koroma. The reports revealed that Victor Foh has the support of majority of the elders of the party who were marginalized by President Koroma. Puzzling though, is the fact that when V...

In the wake of a statement made by the World Bank Country Director, Parminder Brar, accusing government of Corruption, Sierra Leone’s Deputy Minister of Information and Communications, Conilus Devaux has threatened foreign nationals. Devaux told newsmen during a government press briefing that the government will use all options available to deal with any foreign nationals that tend to meddle with the internal politics of the country.  He pointed out that the attention of the government has been drawn to series of statements that are being made by foreign nationals working for international organizations in the country, which according to him, have been perceived by the wider citizenry as a deliberate deformation of the fact and a calculated ploy to misinform the public to foment disenchantment for the government. He said his government appreciates the effort being made by development partners in the country but that should not serve as a ticket to misinform the public and t...

Children of deceased Ebola medical workers on Thursday 12th January receive their scholarship package from the Foundation for Children of Ebola Affected Medical Workers (FOCEM) at the One World Link Bo Town. This is in line with FOCEM contribution to ease the stress on some parents and guardians that are taking care of them. In her brief statement, one of the parent’s Madam Marian Nunie suggested  that FOCEM organize an event that will bring them together, at list once a year for them to know each other and share ideas as FOCEM is not only operate in Bo. She also appealed to FOCEM Board of Trustees to think about those that are left out of the program. FOCEM National Program Administrator, Sheku Adnrew Coomber 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. He extended greetings from the Board of Trustees and their partners. Situation, he said is a bit diff...

Sierra Leone People Party is on the edge of destruction as petty squabbles have continued ever since the party was kicked out of power in 2007. The SLPP has allowed itself to be a public ridicule as there is no other day they are not in the news for all the wrong reasons. They don’t seem to be a party that wants to be in governance as the elections are drawing closer. The recent development of the SLPP wherein they now have parallel executive in which common sense should have prevailed, simply means that the party is in ruins. Camps have long being existing in the party as the Chairman of the Party Chief Somanoh Kapen is supporting Kandeh Kolleh Yumkelleh while the Deputy Chairman Prince Harding who is now the Chairman of the other faction is supporting Maada Bio. One may want to know in the midst of all these ugly developments, where are the elders of the party? Somebody told me that there are no elders in the party as those who should provide wise advice for the party have gott...

United Kingdom based Sierra Leonean Gospel singer, Minister Rebecca Arthur, aka Rebecca Jesus Conquer has commended Sierra Leone biggest GSM operator africell for their support toward her VIP and general concert title Rise Again Sierra Leone which took place on 6 th and 13 th January 2017 respectively at the Miatta Conference center. She described africell as a company that cares for all including non-subscribers. She pointed out that no wonder africell is the leading GSM Company in the country. She thanked africell for also showing love to them as most of the time companies turned down request to sponsor gospel show but africell has been there for them. She also thanked AYV, Hangkook, SGM,USATCe and Alttude Logistics.  Minister Rebecca Arthur performed alongside one of Nigeria Gospel-Singer Sammie Okposo during the VIP concert with her anointed and soul-stirring gospel music and ministry. Minister Rebecca is one of the most anointed gospel singers who mi...

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...