TRACE JOENAL

By Mariama B. Bah As a way of supporting government’s free and quality education initiative in the country, the Development Initiative Programme with support from Terra Tech Germany has donated learning materials to ebola/ mudslide pupils and also supported thirty vulnerable women groups in the western urban and rural respectively. The donation ceremony attracted hundreds of ebola/ mudslide beneficiaries, councilors, chiefs, important dignitaries and media practitioners. The Program Manager Flex Kpange noted that they donated the learning materials to the ebola/mudslide victims as a way of supporting the New Direction government to achieve its goal of the free quality education to all Sierra Leonean in line with the Sustainable Development Goal. He explained that each ebola/mudslide beneficiary would receive a package comprising two dozen exercise books, bags, pens, uniforms, shoes among others. He noted that the items would serve as a relief for caregivers who were making lots of...

I n line with her passion and vision to support people regardless of their background, one of Sierra Leone’s finest philanthropist, celebrity and cultural Ambassador to China Mariatu Kargbo through her foundation empowered the youth of Lakka. Lakka is one of the remote and deprived villages in the Western Area Rural District, Freetown Peninsular with hundreds of youths being unemployed, a good number of them spend their precious time in the ghettos but through the Mariatu Kargbo Foundation smiles have returned to the faces of Lakka youth. Maria over the weekend donated a pressure wash machine, 4000 watt generator and 55 LCD flat screen TV to the Lakka Youth Organisation. Mariatu Kargbo Foundation Secretary General, Adel Karim Damdas before presenting the items to the youth on behalf of Maria said what Maria is doing is to empower the youths for them to earn their living and create more rooms for others. He went on to explain that Maria through her Foundation has done a lot for pe...

The Chief Executive Officer of Seawright Mining Company, Dr. Alfred Seawright has handed over a state of the art cold-room to the people of Nimiyama Chiefdom, Kono District. The colourful ceremony which took place at the chiefdom on the 20th February this year brought together different stakeholders as they described the project as one of their biggest dreams that had come true. Dr.Alfred Seawright thanked the Chief for giving him an open hand. He said Seawright Mining does not undertake individual projects but one that will benefit the entire community. He pointed out that they were undertaking more of community development projects. Both chiefdoms in which they are operating, he said made requests to them and one of the requests was the provision of a cold room. He promised to do the same in the other chiefdom but pointed out that that the next one will be more advanced than the current one. Dr. Seawright said he felt very comfortable with the honorary chief position given to ...

Since it was established in 2016, Never Give Up Foundation has been working tirelessly to ensure the standards of children are elevated. Just after it was established, the foundation engaged in different activity as a means of giving joy to children. The founder of Never Give Up Foundation, Lance Mavin Marah explained that the main aim of the Foundation is to assist orphan kids and children with disabilities. Lance Mavin Marah said his main intention is to ensure that he provides shelter, food,medications and scholarships for those children. He said Baw Baw area is the place he is planning to construct a home for them. He disclosed that he has been engaging the children in school feeding programme in July and Independent programme in April last year but intend to continue with it. In 2018, Never Give Up Foundation engaged in community feeding programme in December 2018. The same year, the foundation took 30 kids to watch the Black Panther movie at the Lagoonda Cinema west of Fr...

Even though the two dominated religions books both the Holy Bible and Quran condemn the practices of secret societies in Sierra Leone but yet still there are some elements in this society who are not willing and ready to comply to such request of the holy books and that the most recent one was the ‘Poro’ Society which led to the disappeared of Osman Maddie from his native land. A hunt has been launched in the entire Bombali District for Osman Maddie who they alleged has refused to be initiated into the traditional ‘poro’ secret society as an obligation to assume the mantle of leadership as elder son of Abdul Conteh (father) who was the traditional leader of the poro secret society. The ‘poro’ secret society is predominantly being practices among men in the South and Northern part of Sierra Leone where young boys even within tender age are force to be initiated into the society. Unfortunately for Osman Maddie step father Abdul Conteh happen to be section Chief of a village and automati...

As the political momentum continues to develop in the country, there has been an outpour of political bashing within the rank and file of the ruling All People Congress as to who is fit or unfit to replace President Ernest Bai Koroma. The latest person in line to condemn other candidates in the party is the Minister of Works and Infrastructural Development, Kemo Sesay. He condemned those he referred to as opportunists. In his exclusive interview with a local tabloid, Kemo Sesay reportedly said that some of those who want to be flagbearers in the party only joined the party in 2007. Kemo Sesay implied that many of those fighting for the flagbearership were opportunists who only joined the party after they were offered jobs by President Koroma. He lashed out that some of the people who are now spending lavishly in the party are only doing so because of the gains they envisage. This many people believe that it is a statement against John Bonor Sesay who is a cousin of the President...

By Abdulrahman Koroma Court file has revealed that one of sierra Leone’s Member of Parliament, Mabinty H. Bangura was duped Le100,000,000 (one hundred million Leones) by his step-son. Mabinty H. Bangura, sitting Honorable of Constituency 42 in Kambia District, on Monday 24th July, 2017 testified in court that she entrusted the said money to her step-son for a building project. Hon. Mabinty also stated that the accused person, Ibrahim Kabia was hired as an electrician in the said building project and that the accused was first given the sum of nine hundred thousand Leones (Le 900, 000) to buy electric cables for the electrification of the said building. She stated that the accused was mandated to control whatever goes in and out of the store, and that the accused was also directed to release things to the caretaker whenever work was in progress. Mabinty also narrated that the accused in two occasions received five million Leones from her to buy one hundred bags of cement “but th...

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 By Abdulrahman Koroma 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 ...

Sierra Leone’s biggest GSM operator Africell has concluded their Ramadan Show with the distribution of case and other prizes amounting to Le. 542,176,000 (Five hundred and forty two million one hundred and seventy six thousand Leones) for over 370 winners. The presentation of prizes took place on Friday at Africell Head office in Freetown. In his statement, Africell Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Joe AbassBangura said the promotion was officially launched on Saturday 24 th June, 2017. “This promotion in the true africell style, provide our subscribers with the opportunity to observe the month of Ramadan, play fun games and win great prizes in the process.” He stressed that the Africell Ramadan Show was designed for subscribers to win over Le. 500,000,000(Five Hundred Million Leones).

The Minister of Water Resources, Momodu Elogima Maligie II together with staff of his Ministry have held a fruitful community meeting as a way of getting feedback on the dry season water projects. The meeting which took place at Kabbasa Lodge on Thursday 29 th June was for ward 394,392, 393 and 391. The Minister while addressing members of the constituencies  said water situation in this country is not an easy task for the government and its people. He said in the provinces, the Ministry has 42 stations that have been installed. He spoke about how government plans was to build the Rogbere dam which should have served from the East end to central Freetown while Guma dam should have served the western area of Freetown. He said the Rogbere dam project came to mind when President Koroma visited Nigeria where he saw such initiative but he said the Ebola epidemic and the dropped of the Iron Ore in the world market made things more difficult for them. “It was not the dream...

As Sierra Leone continues to be admired by the world for its religious tolerance between Muslims and Christians, youths in Constituency 129 on Sunday 25th June 2017 came out in their numbers to celebrate this year's EiduFitri or end of Ramadan. To preach peace, unity, and love amongst youths in that part of the city, the leading contender for the parliamentary symbol in Constituency 129 under the All Peoples Congress (APC) party, Lamin A. Kamara, aka 'Sir Jay', organized a football competition for various categories including women. The matches, played on Sunday 25th and Monday 26th June 2017 respectively, brought together ghetto youths and gangsters under a single platform to interact and promote peace, unity and development. At the end of the matches, the APC aspirant, 'Sir Jay' presented cash prizes to the winners disclosing that this is not the first time he has been associating with youths in the constituency, the reason he is optimistic that if awar...

In line with their dream to empower young people, the International Ambassadors of Sierra Leone (IAMSL) Pageant Agency (IAMSL) has disclosed their plans and success stories about pageantries. Mrs Zainab Dauda Bangura is mostly called CEO2 as the assistant to Swadu Natasha Beckley founder of (IAMSL). Centre: Swadu Natasha Beckley founder of (IAMSL) She began to explain about Swadu Natasha Beckley, former beauty queen, pageant coach and producer. Natasha is the founder of the International Ambassadors of Sierra Leone (IAMSL) Pageant Agency, a charitable organization that believes in the developing youthful national talents and providing them with the tools to build up their personal and professional careers. According to Mrs Bangura IAMSL objectives are: Mrs Zainab Bangura CEO 2 ·          To showcase the accomplishments and potentials of today’s young Sierra Leonean women. ·          To pr...

By SiLNoRF Communications Unit In recognition of the relentless effort exerted in the area of human rights advocacy, the Funds for Global Human Rights (FGHR) on Thursday 15th June 2017 presented a Plaque in appreciation of the tremendous contributions of the Sierra Leone Network on the Right Food (SiLNoRF). It could be recalled that the FGHR funds after working in West Africa for almost 13 years decided to focus on other themes in other parts of the world. Therefore, its presence and activities in West Africa is to be reduced. Throughout its presence in West Africa, SiLNoRF is one of the most outstanding organizations that have contributed in no uncertain terms to the actualization of FGHR Vision and Mission. It is on that note that FGHR decided to honor SiLNoRF among few other organizations in West Africa. Last week, a two man delegation from the Head Office in Washington DC visited SiLNoRF to express their appreciation for what they described as the wonderful partnership betwee...

Monday 19th June 217 saw more millionaires in the on-going Africell Ramadan show 2017 as Umaru C. Kamara a Lecturer at the Northern Polytechnic in Makeni with GSM number 077528368 won Le 50,000 Million. Kamara first won Le 500,000 when he chose moon15 out of 30 moons and later he was taken to the second stage of the show where he was asked to choose from the stars labelled 1 to 42. He chose Star 15 and the key to the door was given to him and he finally chose Box C. Zackaria Sankoh a student from the Ernest BaiKoroma University with GSM number 030247115 won Le 10,000 Million when he chose Box B. He first won a Plasma TV when he chose Moon 5. Africell Ramadan Show presenter Abdular Jalloh aka Tamba Bee said the show called for subscribers to access the millionaire corner once but because of the good gestures of Africell they decided to give more access to other subscribers.  Other winners include: Ibrahim of Tengbeh Town 030205420 won Le 500,000, Mohamed 077639090 w...

Vice President of the Republic of Sierra Leone Victor BockarieFoh has called on all Sierra Leoneans to fight for the right and dignity of children in the country.   He made this called in Kambia, the northern district of the country during the commemoration of 41st Day of the African Child that was organised by the Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender and Children's Affairs in collaboration with its international and local partners. Vice President Foh expressed government's commitment in protecting and upholding the right and dignity of children at all levels. He described the local theme for this year's celebration as timely, stating that it's time for all to come together and fight for the right and dignity of children across the country.

Kamarainba Mansaray, Leader Alliance Democratic Party yesterday accused Vice President BockarieFoh as the mastermind to his arrest vis-à-vis alleged unlawful possession of firearm. Kamarainba claimed his arrest came shortly after Vice President Foh summoned the AIG East, KarrowKamara, his Local Unit Commander Segbewma Police Station,  Supt. Joseph Kargbo to his Tower Hill office, blaming and mouth lashing them for failing to arrest the former when he was found in possession of a firearm. That he (Kamarainba) came to know this when called upon by the police at their Freetown headquarters in relation to the alleged weapon/firearm found his possession while on a political campaign trip in Segbewma a week later. “On my arrival at police headquarters, I first met LUC Joseph Kargbo who angrily told me he was summoned to the office of the Vice President, where incidentally he was badly treated and later ordered to unnecessarily caused my arrest and without delay prosecution too,” ...

Transparency for Development (T4D) in collaboration with it partners (WASH-Net and MOPDA including the Media) has ended 3 day comprehensive interface meeting with community stakeholders and staff and volunteers from different health posts and centers in Kailahun District. Giving an over view of the project to partners at the MOPDA Office in   Bo,    JesicaCreiton from the Harvad School of Governance underscored the importance of having a   community-led transparency and accountability process in improving health   in most deprive, hard to reach areas and riverline areas. She said the focus of the project is to address the many challenges faced by patient especially women and children in accessing health care services including maternal and newborn health. She furthered  that the T4D  is on it  its Phase II  project and it will involve information gathering, identification of community activities, scored card meeting,  social acti...

Mohamed Bah of Bo but currently in Kenema on a visit with GSM number 099054993 was on Monday 12 th June 2017 named as another winner of the on-going Africell Ramadan show 2017. He is a student that sat to the WASSCE that is still waiting to be enrolled into the university. Currently he is not doing anything as there is nobody to support his education. Mohamed first selected Moon 29 that gave him Le 500,000 and continue with the show by selecting Star 39 that holds the original key to the Millionaire corner and when he accessed the key he was asked to choose from BoxesA, B and C and eventually he selected Box B which hadLe 10 Million. Africell Media Relation Supervisor who is the presenter of the Ramadan showsAbdularJalloh aka Tamba Bee, encouraged subscribers and non-subscribers to be part of the biggest family. He said the promotion is not restricted to anybody but one that is meant to improve the lives of their subscribers. He continued to say the 2017 Africell Ramadan S...

Kono district Council is to account for huge sum of money to the tune 260 Million Leones. This was exposed in Parliament when they visited Parliament on Monday 12 June 2018.  Hon SahrFatorma discovered that the council received Le 400 million but that they need to explain for the remaining Le 260 Million. Hon Dan Y. Sesay said the council spent Le 222 Million but the Chief Administrator Tamba Musa responded that the finance officer has the documents. Hon DaudaKallon asked the chief administrator what they actually received for 2016, he (Chief Administrator Musa) responded that they received Le 495.3 Billion. Hon Sesay asked if they received any money from donors but the council went before the committee without presenting any document to the committee. Therefore,  the Chairman of the Committee on Local Government  and Rural Development, Hon Abu Koroma has to stand the council down so that they will go and prepare their documents before they will face the commi...

Compiled By S. I. Joenal Today we have another Hero of Our Time in our archive and it is no less a person than Mariatu Kargbo. Mariatu Kargbo is a young Sierra Leonean lady born at New England Ville in the west end of Freetown. Maria did her primary education at the Wellington Primary School and Municipal Primary School Kissy Dockyard. Her secondary education was done at the Ahmadiyya Secondary School. Upon completion of her secondary school education, Maria started attending cultural classes at the Milton Margai Collage of Education, Science and Technology while she was pursued computer training in one of the computers institute at Ferry Junction. She also pursued another course at the Institute of Public Administration and Management (IPAM) where she came out with flying colours. Maria was very young when she lost her parents but that didn’t stop her to pursue her dreams as she was able to move with friends. At Ahmadiyya Secondary School Maria was unable to pay her sc...