|
SLPP’s Presidential Candidate Elections: A
Defining Moment in the 2012 Race for
State House
18 August 2010
How politically strong and attractive does the SLPP
opposition has to be, in order to regain control of
State House in 2012?
There is little doubt that this is the crucial
question that will be preoccupying the minds of the
ordinary members and delegates of the Party in the
coming months, as the leadership convention
approaches.
The Party will need to reinvent itself following its
defeat at the 2007 polls - a defeat that many in the
Party blames on the shenanigans and machinations,
which took place at the Party convention in Makeni,
marking the beginning of a painful process of
implosion.
The rank and file members and delegates at the 2011
convention, will be looking to choose a leader who
has a clear vision as to where they want the country
to be in another 50 years, amongst progressive
nations of the world.
> More
|
|
A Defining Moment for Sierra Leone’s 2012
Presidential Election: A Rejoinder
Dr. V. Labor
UK
23 August 2010
I do not claim to hold all the solutions to our
country's problems, but I often wonder whether our
present system of democracy is right for us.
Sierra Leone is at war - war against poverty,
ignorance and disease. And in times of war,
political parties put aside their differences and
work together in the interest of the nation.
Maybe it's time we had a rethink about whether our
present brand of democracy is the right one for us.
> More
|
“British High Commissioner Promises
to promote SLIEPA”: But what are the Sierra Leonean
Embassies Abroad Doing?
12 August 2010
This question is being raised especially at this
crucial time, when the need for an ‘all hands on
deck’ government policy approach to promoting and
securing foreign direct investments into Sierra
Leone has become all the more paramount.
Sierra Leone’s
economy is expected to grow by less than 2% this
year, with the resurgence in the country’s mining
industry driving that ‘flicker’ of growth in Gross
Domestic Product. But other sectors of the economy
are seriously lagging behind, as investments in new
start-ups and business expansion in the country
remain sluggish.
Although very few may suggest that our foreign
embassy staff sits on their hands all day doing
nothing, most however, would like to know how many
foreign direct investors each of our embassies
succeed in getting to invest in Sierra Leone
annually.
Opponents of the government have criticised
President Koroma’s Agenda for Change, for
lacking in vision and coherence, yet it cannot be
faulted for providing the government itself with a
sense of trajectory as to how it wants to improve
the economic and social well-being of the country.
But the commitment and effort of key ministries and
departments, leaves a lot to be desired.
> More
|
|
Tackling Rising Youth Unemployment in Sierra Leone:
The World Bank and World Food Programme Step up
their investments
4 August 2010
Last week the World Bank announced its commitment to
provide US$20 Million to Sierra Leone, 'in support
of the government's short to medium term efforts
aimed at building on the successes of existing youth
employment programs in the country, through the Youth
and Employment Support (YES) project.'
Taken at face
value, this significant offer of support ought to be welcomed.
But a closer look at the objective of this $20
Million funding, gives cause for serious
concern.
According to the World Bank, "The objective of the
project is to increase access to short-term
employment opportunities and improved employability
of targeted youth."
> More
|
|
RANDOM MUSING - A POINT OF VIEW:
“CANDY FLOSS ECONOMY” (2)
Raymond Dele Awoonor-Gordon
20 August 2010
Just a generation ago, we were still playing host to
African students at a citadel of education called
Fourah Bay College while Connaught Hospital and its
nurses could compete with any, wherever and a
drop-out or jobless youth was ashamed of himself.
Our West African Examinations Council (WAEC) results
were also decent and we had records of students
topping the whole west coast result.
> More
|
|
The British Conservative Party Blazing the Trail in
Africa with the Help of its Umubano Volunteering
Project?
14 August 2010
The story of Alexander Deane - Director of Big
Brother Watch (UK)
"It is easy and perhaps sometimes tempting for
travellers to exaggerate the dangers of the country
they visited.
Certainly, traffic can be chaotic, health facilities
outside of the capital - Freetown - scant and the
electricity supply sporadic and unreliable
everywhere.
But in both Freetown and in the country more generally
one can travel and spend time as a visitor without
tremendous problems (bearing in mind the relevant
Foreign and Commonwealth Office advice of course)
Sierra Leone's problems aren't really threats to those
there temporarily - they're crippling for those who
live there."
> More
|
|
RANDOM MUSING - A POINT OF VIEW:
“CANDY FLOSS ECONOMY (1)”
Raymond Dele Awoonor-Gordon
9 August 2010
As a country, we face a crucial decision. We can
continue to drift into the future or we can plan for
a future whereby no one is holding us by the
jugular. A country with a strong, diversified,
sustainable and competitive economy that effectively
harnesses the talents and energies of its people and
responsibly exploits its natural resources to ensure
a high standard of living for its citizens.
This dream is more important than anything else but
it needs building systems that would enable us to
spend our own resources to get better results in
critical areas such as education, health care,
governance and human development.
The government needs to drink from the pint of
hindsight and realise that Salone’s future depends
on the small businesses, the wealth-creating
entrepreneurs, an efficient tax and regulatory
environment that will encourage enterprise and check
those ‘cowboy’ investors and nations eyeing our
riches.
> More
|
|
The Need for a Comprehensive Public
Procurement Strategy aimed at Developing Sierra
Leone's Private Sector
19 July 2010
In 2009 the President said that ‘Procurement plans
and competitive bidding have been established in 43
Ministries, Departments and Agencies, in conformity
with the National Procurement Act of 2004.’
But those words have not been matched with action.
The private sector continues to be marginalised, as
foreign businesses strengthen their upper hand in
the award of public procurement contracts worth
almost $500 Million.
With the country’s GDP not expected to exceed growth
of 4.8% in 2010, critics are questioning the
government’s rationale in out-sourcing so much of
the country’s productive capacity to foreign owned
companies, when the people of Sierra Leone are being
asked to put up with financial austerity measures
that are seriously affecting their standards of
living.
Sierra Leone can do a lot more for itself by growing
its economy through the private sector. But this
will require a change in mind-set of those in power.
> More
|
|
Much remains to be done - Mr. President!
4 July 2010
If the World Bank has got $4 Million to spare the
poor people of Sierra Leone, should that money not be
better spent funding the creation of a Fruit
Canning Co-operative Enterprise, involving young
farmers? This could directly create hundreds, if not
thousands of jobs.
It could also stimulate the formation of a viable
fruit farming, processing and packaging supply chain
that would meet the needs of export markets.
Indeed it could be argued that the need for a Youth
Commission in Sierra Leone today is superfluous to
requirement, given the current status, democratic
role and constitutional functions of the Civil
Society Movement and opposition political parties,
who collectively are invariably doing well in
challenging government policy and performance in
meeting the diverse aspirations of all groups in
society.
There are those that would advocate for the
formation of a Manpower Services Commission (MSC) in
partnership with the private sector, instead of a
Youth Commission.
> More
|
|
In accordance with the spirit and letter of the
Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report: SLPP
Chairman Says Sorry to the People of Sierra Leone
8 August 2010
In a speech marking the reopening of the newly
refurbished head office of the opposition SLPP, in
Freetown, Mr. John Oponjo Benjamin - the Chairman of
the party said:
“Today on behalf of all our membership now and
leadership at that time, I publicly apologise for
any suffering encountered by the people of Sierra
Leone in terms of violations and abuses of their
right during the period of the war when the SLPP was
in Governance.”
“More specifically as Leader of the SLPP, I want to
acknowledge the harm suffered by Women and Girls
during the conflict and on behalf of the SLPP, I
want to unequivocally apologise to Women and Girls
who suffered any act of violence during the 11 years
of conflict.”
The party will now be hoping that this gesture of
goodwill will go a long to assuage the highly
inflamed and frenzied political atmosphere that has
been created, following the suggestion by the
government to establish a Commission of Enquiry that
will examine the deaths of 29 government officials
and citizens, who were held in the custody of the
former NPRC regime, and others killed during
President Kabbah's led SLPP term of office .
> More
|
|
President Koroma takes one Giant Leap Forward to
Assert the Credibility and Integrity of the
Anti-Corruption Commission
23 July 2010
The success of the Anti-Corruption Commission in
winning the war on corruption in Sierra Leone,
which is estimated to be costing the nation Hundreds
of Millions of Dollars, now rests on those broad
shoulders of the newly appointed Czar - Lawyer
Joseph Kamara.
Should his track record and reputation at the
International Criminal Court (ICC) squares up to his
new role at the Anti-Corruption Commission, then Sierra Leone
should have much to celebrate.
But of course, should Lawyer Kamara allow himself and
his role to be politicised and marginalised, not
only will posterity judge him rather harshly,
his failure to deliver will be a massive blow to the
hopes and dreams of millions of poor people in the
country who go to bed hungry, because corrupt
officials continue to take bread away from their
plates.
> More
|
|
RANDOM MUSING: A POINT OF VIEW
“Poverty – Field of Broken Dreams”
Raymond Dele Awoonor-Gordon
15 July 2010
Reports talk of considerable progress being made in
key areas of the Poverty Reduction Strategy, which
began in 2005 but all the economic theories of this
world are mere jargons to the illiterates, the
market women, traders and those whose lives do not
reflect this claim.
As far as I am concerned, the correction of past
shortcomings, though a welcome development is not an
achievement but a positive progression. That
progression now needs to translate into reality in
the lives of the generality of the people through
sustainable strategies and not more spin.
This age-long manipulation of the common psyche by
the political class is what has led many into
believing that any highlight of government’s
inadequacies or demand for the fulfilment of the
social contract with the people is an
anti-government vuvuzela.
> More
|
|
Empowering the Youths in Sierra Leone: The
President of the Young Leader’s - Sierra
Leone, Speaks out
1 August 2010
"Our colleagues in Sierra Leone
continue to face major challenges. They suffer the
most from unemployment; they sleep in the roughest
of places; they face deliberate marginalisation;
they suffer the worse form of poverty imaginable;
they die young because of poor health facilities. We
must cry out loud that this social injustice and
social exclusion must stop! And it must stop now!
It is profoundly disappointing to see
a young person who had spent 12 years in school, 10
years of extreme suffering during the civil war, 3
years acquiring higher education, and unemployed at
the age of 30. This is the depressing reality for
most of our brothers and sisters in Sierra Leone –
it is no surprise some people in their forties are
happy to call themselves youth. This is a total
destruction of a human being.
There are many ways we can all work
together with youth groups, policy-makers and other
stakeholders to reverse the numerous problems faced
by the youth in Sierra Leone."
> More
|
|
Much remains to be done – Mr. President!
A rejoinder (Courtesy of Bintumani On-line forum)
7 July 2010
Financial markets, especially stock markets, have
grown considerably in developed and developing
countries over the last two decades, and several
factors have aided in their growth.
Amongst them, are improved macro-economic
fundamentals, such as monetary stability and higher
economic growth.
General economic and specific capital market reforms,
including privatization of state-owned enterprises,
financial liberalization, and an improved
institutional framework for investors, have
encouraged capital markets development.
It is market forces that channel investments to
those who have the wherewithal and entrepreneurial
spirit and know-how to invest, not the invisible
hand of the government, like president Koroma is
doing.
It is the market that selects winners and losers -
not politicians, for parochial and selfish
interests.
> More
|
|
"Response to Innuendos Directed at
the Kadi Sesay Campaign in Respect of Certain
Publications"
The Elect Kadi Sesay Team
22 July 2010
Over the past three months, Kadi
Sesay has demonstrated a unique ability to attract
new voters to SLPP because of people’s growing
awareness of her sensitivity to the issues of our
time and her proven capability to provide a better
direction for the country. We are therefore not distracted by
the publication but continue to keep our focus on
our core platform as the gateway to the hearts and
minds of Sierra Leoneans.
It is our position that the
current leadership contest in SLPP has produced many
extraordinary candidates many of whom would make a
great President if given the chance. Our focus is to work with all
aspirants and Party members to give this country the
leadership it deserves. We strongly believe that at
such a time when our country continues to suffer in
silence, now is the time for the SLPP to come
together and rise above bigotry in readiness for
victory in 2012.
> More
|
|
Rebuilding
Lives and Regenerating War torn Communities: Does
Aid Work – Part 2
29 May 2010
The World Food
Programme (WFP) is one of the humanitarian agencies
that came to Sierra Leone, in response to the
humanitarian disaster that unfolded in the aftermath
of its ten year civil war in 2000/2001.
Its effort in
co-coordinating and providing emergency food Aid
across the country was quite remarkable. Ten years on,
there are communities in Sierra Leone that continue
to depend on food Aid, as part of a programme of
support in addressing joblessness and poverty.
Notwithstanding
the immense good that the 'food for work' programme
offers, the question that many would ask is; does it
reinforce and perpetuate the very culture of
dependency that must be eradicated in order to
tackle poverty?
The Sierra
Leone Telegraph investigates.
> More
|
|
Rebuilding Lives and Regenerating War torn
Communities: Does Aid Work? – Part 1
20
May 2010
No
one will doubt the immense benefit that
international Aid has provided for the people of
Sierra Leone, and continues to do so.
More than 60% of the country’s revenue is accounted
for by international donor Aid, which pays for
education, health, the administration of justice,
law and order, the provision of clean water,
governance, and economic reforms.
But despite the successes of donor Aid in Serra
Leone, few will dispute the fact that poverty is
increasing. The gap between the rich – who are very
rich indeed, and those languishing at the bottom of
the human development index, is widening. Something
has to change.
As
the World Food Programme (WFP) yesterday launched
its ‘Cash for Work Programme to assist Iraqis back
on their feet, questions are being asked by Africans
as to whether poor African countries recovering from
war, like Iraq, could have benefitted from a similar
programme, instead of food Aid.
> More
|
|
Rebuilding Lives and Regenerating War Torn
Communities: Sierra Leone’s Finance Minister
Welcomes the Return of Direct British Intervention
in Governance
14 June 2010
“Generations after generations of kids are coming
out of school or college with no prospect of a job,
and so you can sense that the anger, the
frustrations and the despair that fuelled so much of
the conflict during the war, are all still in
place,” says the BBC reporter.
Sulaiman Kamara – the son of a Paramount Chief in
the northern province of Sierra Leone told Alan
Little, “well I believe the British are our colonial
masters, we have been together, are almost infused
into each other now, so we don’t want that to break
up.”
Although many in Sierra Leone may not disagree with
Sulaiman Kamara, however, most would want to tread
cautiously towards any strategy that would see the
wholesale transfer of power back to London’s
Whitehall, with the President of Sierra Leone
playing a ceremonial role. Such a policy would be
disastrous for both the UK and Sierra Leone.
> More |
|
RANDOM MUSING: A
POINT OF VIEW
“A Cobweb: Our
Youths, Our Dilemma, Our Future”
Raymond Dele
Awoonor-Gordon
4 July 2010
The government might refuse to appreciate the
devastating all-round consequences of the dilemma of
our youths and it might continue to use statistics
and platitudes in an attempt to get us to disbelieve
the evidence of our own eyes; but stark analysis
shatters any notion being bandied about.
The facade of diligent planning that is being
presented also suggests that the government is
planning to fail diligently in coming up with
genuine reforms for the transformation of current
social deficiencies and the exploitation of our
youths.
But if people are going to be beaming with smiles
and ready to take the accolades when it finally goes
right, they should appreciate that the buck also
stops at their desks when things are not moving in
the right direction or are not what they should be.
> More |
|
Rebuilding Lives and Regenerating War
Torn Communities: Is Sierra Leone’s Peace Dividend
now at Risk?
8 June 2010
Ten years of peace and political
stability in Sierra Leone have brought enormous
social and economic dividend and rewards, for a
people that deserve much more than just food
handouts from the international community to
survive.
For the people of Sierra Leone,
coming to terms with the effects of the war has been
painfully slow. But political tension appears to be
returning. Politicians are once again ratcheting the
temperature. Is this the beginning of the end of
the peace?
> More |
|
RANDOM MUSING - A
POINT OF VIEW:
“Let’s Get the Cobwebs Out of the Systems Please”
Raymond Dele Awoonor-Gordon
24 June 2010
There is no point rejoicing that Sierra Leone is out
of the woods, because as we are now discovering, it
is such equivocation that has set the mood of drift
and inertia enveloping the nation.
Also, there is something definitely and deeply
disturbing about the contemptuous relish with which
the government appears to be ignoring three core
issues – the dilemma of our youths, the plight of
the many and the state of the economy.
Yes, infrastructures have greatly improved from the
ruins of yesteryears; but while the rest of the
globe is on the cusp of tomorrow’s world, we are
still trawling yesterday’s realm. The barometer of
national vitality is frantically warming in the red
zone. The new, much-vaunted Sierra Leone is still
scarred by extreme poverty and high unemployment; by
lack of basic facilities, political and social
intolerance.
> More |
|
RANDOM MUSING - A POINT OF VIEW:
" The Early Morning Dew Has Passed Away At Noon"
Raymond Dele Awoonor-Gordon
17 June 2010
And then just imagine this. Another twenty years or so
and power has changed hands. What happens then if
the new hungry hyenas then decide that the cocaine
saga was a dent and the trial a sham with the wrong
persons made scapegoats?
What happens if they decide that errors like the
Income Electrix mismanagement; to which the present
government has admitted its error in black and
white, was not a mistake but a web of fraud by this
same set of people today who are not afraid to tread
where even angels fear to go?
This adamant step will come back one day to haunt
those turning deaf ears to the voice of reason to
let sleeping dogs lie and bygone be bygone. One of
the easiest things to do in this world is to find
excuses for whatever action or inaction that we
take.
> More |
|
SLPP’s State of the Nation Report to the UN Chief –
Mr. Ban Ki Moon
17 June 2010
"Your Excellency, the Sierra Leone People’s Party
considers the growing youth unemployment not only a
human development issue but a high security risk.
Both Parties agreed in the Joint Communiqué to develop
a bi-partisan approach to overcome youth
unemployment and to work together in implementing
various programmes that benefit Sierra Leone’s young
men and women from an idle into a productive force
of society.
We are looking forward to working with the Government
and our development partners to fight mass youth
unemployment.
We therefore call on the family of the United Nations
to support the Government and people of Sierra Leone
in tackling this issue with a view to providing
sustainable livelihood support to the hundreds of
thousands of our youths."
> More |
|
Rebuilding
Lives and Regenerating War torn Communities: Does
Aid Work?
- A Point of View
Culled from Sierra Leone’s Bintumani Forum
31 May 2010
A new vision is needed.
One that rejects the old dependency and extraction
model for one that is mutually beneficial and
stimulating.
The new approach
must seek to coordinate those various international
Food Aid and Cash Investment Programs
that currently operate independently, have limited
effects and fail to blossom into something dynamic.
New partnerships
should be created between public and private
ventures, global and local forces, expanding
micro-credit and education endeavours, and forging
cooperative strategies among the various relief
agencies.
> More
|
|
A New British Foreign and International Aid Policy:
All about to Change at DFID
13 May 2010
The Liberal Democrats - Conservative Coalition marks
the beginning of a new style of politics in Britain,
based on co-operation, partnership, fairness and
justice.
The new International Development Minister – Andrew
Mitchell is putting together a new team at DFID that
will be responsible for implementing the
government’s international Aid Policy.
The special relationship
brokered between Tony Blair and President Koroma,
which has shaped the country’s image both at home
and abroad, will no longer have a part to play in
the delivery and management of this new British
government Foreign Aid Policy in Sierra Leone. The fight against corruption
and efforts aimed at supporting the development of
Sierra Leone, are about to take a new direction for
the best.
> More
|
|
Dr. Sama Banya – Erudite and Veteran Politician:
The President that Many Say Sierra Leone Never Had -
Celebrates His 80th Birthday
11 June 2010
After the 1982 general elections I was given the
portfolio of Internal Affairs. In June 1985 along
with Dr. Abdulai Conteh I was thrown out of the
cabinet for opposing a Private Member’s Bill to
amend the constitution and allow the head of the
Army to succeed President Siaka Stevens.
I was also thrown out of the Governing Council of the
only recognized APC political party under the 1978
One Party constitution which I had supported
honestly and with great enthusiasm. I immediately
set up a thriving Private Practice in Freetown. In
the general election of 1986 “I was prevented” from
winning what everyone agreed was for me a safe seat.
> More |
|
Beyond Parody: “Only Dead Fishes Go With the Flow”
Raymond Dele Awoonor-Gordon
9
June 2010
It
has become obvious that some of those leading us are
not only wetter than an august rain, but they have
learnt nothing from our chequered history,
especially the one that nearly ruined us and from
which we are yet to recover.
I
have always been a believer of the premise that
victimisation of a social minority or the silent
majority, is often engineered by those in power to
distract from fundamental problems of political,
economic and social inequities.
> More |
|
Tackling Corruption is not a Game of Poker: The
Anti-Corruption Czar Resigns
10 May 2010
Why would an ambitious, patriotic, professional and
most legally capable young man chose to resign a
challenging job as the Chief of Sierra Leone’s
Anti-Corruption Commission?
Why should a young man be driven to such low ebb,
where he is forced to put his personal welfare ahead
of the need to bring culture change to his beloved
nation?
The answers to these questions will never be known
until Abdul Tejan Cole himself – the Chief of the
country’s Anti-Corruption Commission, firstly
confirms that he has indeed resigned his job; and
secondly issue a statement as to the reasons why he
has chosen to pack his bags and call it a day at the
Commission.
No matter the reasons; no matter the explanations,
this is a sad moment for Sierra Leone that marks a
defining hiatus in the country’s struggle between
good and evil.
> More
|
|
British Labour Government Takes the Exit: The End
of an Era and the beginning of a Political Marriage
of Convenience
11 May 2010
Britain now has a new government – a Conservative
Lib Dems Coalition; a new Prime Minister – David
Cameron, with Nick Clegg serving as Deputy Prime
Minister.
In normal times, this political chemistry may seem
odd. But these are not normal times in British
politics. Desperate times call for desperate
measures.
The voice and verdict of the British electorate was
clear. They did not endorse David Cameron’s
Conservative economic policy of retrenchment,
promising huge and immediate cuts in public
spending.
Although Nick Clegg’s Liberal Democrats performed
quite badly at the elections, ironically it was they
that the Conservatives had to turn to in search of a
bedfellow, to form their coalition government.
> More
|
|
Sierra Leone’s Health Care System Overwhelmed as
Demand for Free Health Care Exceeds Supply
3 May 2010
The international community and President Koroma have
committed themselves to the delivery of a free
access to health care programme that could benefit
over 50% of the country’s population.
But It is now clear that for political expediency,
they had thrown all caution to the wind, by setting
aside the rigorous planning process that usually
precede the development and delivery of such a huge
national programme. The nation’s health service is
now overwhelmed.
A new health crisis is beginning to emerge.
Expectations have been raised far in excess of what
the health infrastructure can deliver. There is no
turning back now. It remains to be seen whether the
programme can be sustained without the international
community increasing their funding contributions.
> More
|
|
Accountability
Alert – A New NGO in Pursuit of Greater
Accountability in Sierra Leone
May 23, 2010
Our
position at Accountability Alert (AA-SL) is that
holding someone to account, means one must be
accountable as well, a view shared by
Burkhard Gnaerig,
former director of Save the Children International:
“Challenging business and government to be more
accountable is a crucial part of our role. If we are
to point the finger at others we need to be
completely clean in our own back yard.”
AA-SL
will consult with other actors, speak on the issues,
and engage with the donor community. We
would continue to ask our donors be a part of this
initiative; for if the push to have greater
accountability is to be won, the donors themselves
must do much more to showcase their own
accountability to the government and its citizenry.
We would
continue to seek partnership with institutions
designed to champion governance, anti-corruption and
accountability in Sierra Leone.
> More
|
|
Sierra Leone’s Commercial Banking Sector in
Trouble: Is the Recession Deepening?
14 April 2010
The IMF cautioned that “the main challenge facing
the authorities continues to be the creation of
fiscal space to finance investment in basic
infrastructure and implement structural reforms to
promote higher sustainable private sector-led
economic growth.”
Structural reforms aimed at promoting higher
sustainable private sector led economic growth are
yet to be implemented. Key ministries such as Lands
and Planning are creating immense bottlenecks in the
registration of land and property transactions.
> More |
|
The 2012 Battle for Sierra Leone’s State House: The
Real Politic
9 April 2010
In 2012, President Koroma will go to the people to
request a renewal of his mandate to govern the
country for a second term. And, should the
opposition SLPP decide to elect Dr. Kadi Sesay as
their Presidential candidate, she will challenge
fellow Northerner - President Koroma, in the battle
to win the hearts and minds of the people of Sierra
Leone.
Dr. Sesay, a highly qualified and experienced former
Trade Minister in the previous SLPP government, has
officially declared her intention to stand, and has
set out her vision for improving Sierra Leone’s
economic prosperity and social justice for all.
But the question now is; can she convince the SLPP
members that she is a Presidential asset with
immense leadership qualities?
> More |
|
Economic Empowerment: Key to
Consolidating the Peace in Sierra Leone
31 March 2010
Ten years since the end of the war, no
one can deny the positive results of the
UN Peace Building Programme. Hundreds of
thousands of refugees have been
resettled; thousands of young
ex-combatant men and women have been
rehabilitated – although their mental
trauma continues.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission
issued its Report – Some of the key
recommendations are yet to be
implemented. A series of successive,
relatively free and fair elections have
been held. The Anti-Corruption
Commission has started to leash some of
the ‘sacred cows’. This is peace
building success.
> More |
|
The Road to Freedom of Information is
long and Rocky
10 March 2010
The idea that citizens have a right to know what
their elected government and their departments
are up to is one that many overzealous and
unscrupulous officials in government sometimes
find unsettling. They would do whatever it takes
to prevent people from exercising what the rest
of society would say, is a fundamental human
right.
> More
|
|
49 Years of Independence and Freedom – “What is
there to Celebrate?”
A Rejoinder by Abdul Kabba, Baltimore, Maryland,
USA
6 May 2010
Dear Ms. Yvonne Atiba-Davies (PhD)
I read your comments in The Sierra Leone Telegraph
and totally agree with most of what you say, and my
question now is what we do about it? Sierra Leone
has deteriorated since independence; our country is
bankrupt and only survives on subsidies provided by
the first world.
How do we emancipate ourselves from this abyss of
poverty, degradation, squalor and despair? Who is
responsible to do this, is it just the government or
is it all of us supposed patriots of Sierra Leone?
> More |
Sierra Leone
Celebrates 49 Years of Independence
27 APRIL 1961 – 27 APRIL 2010
27 April 2010
Congratulations to the
people of Sierra Leone on your 49th
Independence Anniversary.
Happy Birthday to You Mama Salone and
God Bless as Always!!
Wishing you a much brighter future!
> More |
|
49 Years of Independence and Freedom – What is
there to Celebrate?
30 April 2010
The people of Sierra Leone have just celebrated the
country’s 49th independence anniversary – with
street parties, lantern parade and civic functions
highlighting the celebrations.
But the question of whether Sierra Leoneans should
celebrate the country’s independence from colonial
rule given the high levels of poverty and aid
dependency; is one that has become a hot topic of
debate at each anniversary, with emotions running
high. Both sides of the debate feel quite passionate
about their views and beliefs.
> More |
|
Sierra
Leone Needs a Comprehensive and Sustainable
Energy Policy and Strategy
21 April 2010
Sierra
Leone is in desperate need of a comprehensive
energy policy and strategy that will meet the
demands of the country’s industrial development
and economic growth, as the global recession
wanes. And there is plenty of evidence that the
recession is slowly ebbing.
The Vice
President – Alhaji Sam Sumana met with
stakeholders including industry,
parliamentarians, the international community
and civil society groups on Wednesday 14th April
2010, to officially launch the ‘Sierra Leone
National Energy Policy and Strategic Plan’.
Expectations were high, but there were
disappointments.
> More |
|
Renewal of Sierra Leone’s Social Housing
Stock: The Case for Local Government Intervention
25 March 2010
The
need for a national social housing
renewal and rebuilding programme cannot
be over-emphasized. It is now thirty
years since the government of Sierra
Leone embarked on a national low cost
housing development scheme.
The 1970s social housing scheme was
largely successful in meeting the needs
of a fraction of the low income
population in just a few of the major
towns and cities. But it was highly
politicised, and driven by corrupt
officials, with the blessings of
ministers. Lessons must be learnt.
> More |
|
Sierra Leone Telegraph's Exclusive
Report
British MP – Denis
MacShane – Speaks to the Sierra Leone
Telegraph about the alleged corruption
of Sierra Leone's Ministers
13 March 2010
It was during question time in the
British Parliament, which took place on
11 March 2010, that Denis MacShane MP,
accused ministers in Sierra Leone of
lining their pockets with British tax
payers’ money sent to Sierra Leone for
tackling poverty. Was his allegation
true or false? The Sierra Leone
Telegraph investigates.
> More |
|
Sierra
Leone’s Doctors and Nurses End Strike as President
Yield to Pay Demands:
Victory for Common Sense
29 March 2010
Health workers in Sierra Leone have
decided to end their ten day strike,
which was called in protest at low pay
and poor working conditions. The
president has acceded to their demands,
in a late night deal to increase their
pay by 500%.
The strike
organiser - Dr Freddie Coker told BBC’s Umaru
Fofannah, that doctors would now get a take home
salary of $600 (£402) a month, up from $100 (£67).
Health workers will also get a review of their
housing and transportation allowance by the Health
Commission.
> More
|
|
Is
President Koroma’s Credibility on the Line as
Striking Doctors Remain Defiant ?
27 March 2010
In just four weeks, the
President will be launching a nationwide
free access to health care for all
pregnant and lactating mothers, the
elderly and children under five – as a
prelude to the country’s celebration of
50 years of independence.
The British government is paying £34
Million towards the cost of this
programme, with an additional £7 Million
to pay for much needed drugs and
medicines.
Did someone forget to factor into the programme
costs – a fairer and equitable pay for those hard
working doctors and nurses?
> More |
|
Allegations of Corrupt Ministers in Sierra Leone
Continues to Reverberate at Westminster
17 March 2010
“That
hugely damaging statement was totally
inaccurate and, moreover, the DFID
office has just been subjected to a
rigorous National Audit Office audit,
which went very well. Will you advise
me, Mr. Speaker, what means exist to
enable Members to correct wholly
inaccurate statements in the House,
particularly that statement, which has
unnecessarily damaged reputations and
undermined the good work and offices of
the presidential and DFID offices in
Sierra Leone?” - asked the Honourable
lady for Crosby.
|
|
Crisis of Leadership in Sierra Leone:
What Crisis?
21 March 2010
Citizens of Sanda will also have the
chance to express their vote of
confidence on President Koroma’s
leadership, or show dissatisfaction with
the President’s effort in eradicating
poverty, illiteracy, poor health and
unemployment, in what is regarded as the
ruling party’s heartlands. But will
they? Would the people of Sanda use this
bye-election as a referendum on issues
such as the President’s support for the
Anti-Corruption Commission, which is now
holding its APC ministers accountable?
> More |
|
Breaking News:
British Parliament
South Yorkshire MP
questions the Parliamentary Chairman of
The Public Accounts Commission about the
spending of British Tax Payers' money in
Sierra Leone
11 March 2010
During Prime Minister’s question time in
the British Parliament today – 11 March
2010; the South Yorkshire Labour MP
expressed grave concern that British tax
payers’ money sent to Sierra Leone is
lining the pockets of corrupt ministers
in Sierra Leone.
> More |
|
Sierra Leone’s Crippling Underdevelopment:
Spotlight on the British Government's Antidote
4 March 2010The British Minister for International
Development is quite resolute about
preparations for Sierra Leone's 2012
general elections. He explained to the
Editor of the Sierra Leone Telegraph,
that; “DFID is in the process of
finalising a programme of support to
‘Deepening Democracy in Sierra Leone’,
one of the aims of which is to support
an inclusive, free and fair election
process in the run-up to the 2012
elections.” This programme will run from
2010-2013.
> More |
Tackling Corruption is not a Game of
Poker
26 February 2010
Fighting corruption in Sierra Leone is
everybody’s business, because for every
$1 that is stolen from the public purse,
approximately $10 is lost to the
economy, as the country’s circular flow
of income is asphyxiated by greedy,
selfish and rogue individuals in
society.
> More
|
|
President Koroma Blows the Whistle on Corruption
Once Again: But Whats Different this Time?
23 February 2010
Yesterday, President Ernest Koroma ordered the
immediate arrest of National Revenue Authority and
Customs Officers that are suspected of facilitating
the defrauding of the State by unscrupulous
businessmen.
“I have included in this meeting the Inspector General
of Police, the Director of Public Prosecutions, and
the Office of National Security to ensure that these
instructions are carried out immediately and to the
fullest. There should be no compromise and we will
accept no apologies” - Said the tough talking
President.
> More |
|
Sierra Leone’s Public Sector: ‘Don’t Reform it,
Re-create it.’
20 February 2010
Attempts by previous governments to reform and
restructure the sector had failed, mainly because of
politicization and the deep rooted culture of
corruption embedded within its management
structures. Hence, our view is that any strategy
aimed at reforming the public sector now, that stops
short of a radical ‘root and branch’ change, will
not succeed.
> More |
|
President Koroma Kick-starts His 2012 Elections
Campaign: Is a Second term in the offing?
14 February 2010
As President Koroma kick-starts his 2012 elections
campaign in the south-eastern region of the country
– the political heartland and nerve centre of the
opposition SLPP - both sides of the political
spectrum are now beginning to raise the ante.
> More |
|
Youth Unemployment in
Sierra Leone: Battleground for the 2012 Elections?
8 February 2010
There has been a
disconcerting rise since 2007, in the
number of young people out of work in
Sierra Leone. The global economic
downturn and a lack of vision and
commitment, to address the labour market
needs of those completing or dropping
out of the university, college and
school system; have ensured that young
people in Sierra Leone remain trapped in
the vicious cycle of poverty.
> More |
Sierra Leone – A
Nation in Bewilderment: Will President
Koroma Slaughter his Sacred Cows or Will
He Look for Scapegoats?
3 February 2010
It was Tuesday, 26 January 2010. The
President of the World Bank had arrived
in Freetown for a brisk two-day fact
finding and confidence building visit to
Sierra Leone. The country’s President,
who had no say in the Bank’s Chief
itinerary, was not due to meet the Chief
until the second and final day of the
visit – Wednesday, 27 January.
> More |
Special Economic
Zone (SEZ) for Sierra Leone: Laying down
the Foundation for Economic Growth?
28 January 2010
The Government of Sierra Leone in a
press statement has announced the
signing of an agreement, between the
Ministry of Trade and Industry and the
American - owned
FIRST STEP Economic Opportunity Zone,
Inc., to develop a fifty acre Special
Economic Zone (SEZ) near Waterloo,
Freetown.
> More |
World Bank's Chief Zoellick In Town
23 January 2010
African leaders will be watching the P’s
and Q’s of not only their economic
policies, but their commitment to good
governance, overcoming poverty,
promoting peace, transparency, and above
all - tackling corruption. The World
Bank Group President - Robert B.
Zoellick – will be in Town.
> More |
President Koroma Donates $100,000 to Haiti as
Poverty Rises in Sierra Leone
21 January 2010
Sierra Leone is ranked as one of the three
poorest nations in the world. But in the wake of
a catastrophic earthquake, of epic proportion in
Haiti and Sierra Leone’s massive budget deficit,
President Koroma of Sierra Leone has somehow
managed to find $100,000, which he has donated
to the people of Haiti through the UN Office in
Freetown.
> More |
|
Sierra Leone’s Economic Prospects: Behind
Every Dark Cloud there should be a Silver Lining
18 January 2010
The Global economic downturn and financial crisis
has had a devastating impact on African countries
generally and Sierra Leone is no exception. But some
countries in Africa have been able to weather the
storm far better than most.
>
More |
International Funding
Donors Embroil in Local Politics: Who Pays the Piper
calls the Tune
12 January 2010
Sierra Leone's International Funding Donors’ press
statement published today in the Awareness Times,
urging Sierra Leoneans to support the government's
newly introduced Goods and Services Tax (GST), will
no doubt add to the political furore that has been
ignited in the country by the introduction of this
unpopular Tax. Many in Sierra Leone are now left
feeling perturbed, wondering about the role and
function of the international Donor Agencies in the
21st Century.
>
More |
The New Goods and Services Tax
Causing Chaos in Sierra Leone
9 January 2010
The introduction of the new 15% Goods and Services
Tax (GST) has brought chaos to the shops and markets
of Freetown, as rogue traders and shop keepers take
advantage of a poorly implemented ‘stealth tax’ to
raise prices far beyond the reach of the average
Sierra Leonean who earns less than 50 US Cents a
day.
>
More |
Sierra Leone’s Economic Performance
– 2009 In Review: ‘Is there something to write home
about?
5 January 2010
As Sierra Leoneans across the country look back on
2009, not only will they remember the devastating
impact of the global economic downturn, but the
government’s ‘seemingly’ lack of imagination in
taking the necessary bold steps that could have
cushioned the poorest in society against the effects
of rising prices, food shortages, depleting foreign
reserves, declining export and domestic tax
revenues, and the depreciation of the Leone against
the Dollar.
>
More |
President Koroma’s resolution for 2010:
Tackling the scourge of social
discrimination in Sierra Leone
21 December 2009
“Well Momoh that concludes the interview
for the position of Senior Clerical
Officer. If you are successful we will
contact you; otherwise you will not hear
from us.” That was the last Momoh heard
from the interviewing panel. Momoh
waited for over six months, hoping to
receive the good news.
>
More |
|
Northernisation – Southernisation
10 October 2009
The President’s speech at the state
opening of Parliament last Friday, 8
October 2009, must have struck a chord
for every Sierra Leonean and potential
investor that has good intentions for
the country.
> More |
Two Years and Counting: What Does the Future Hold
for President Koroma's Government?
18 September 2009
Much has
been written and said about President Koroma’s
first two years in office, but very little as to
what is in store for his government and the
people of Sierra Leone, as he starts counting
down to the end of his first term in power.
>
More |
More Power to Sierra Leone's Economy: 'Mind the
Gaps'
23 June 2009
In its latest report, the World
Bank is warning that “developing countries will be
hit hard by falls in private investment.” The
Washington-based agency predicted nearly $1 trillion
less in foreign investment this year than they did
in 2007, leaving developing countries, such as
Sierra Leone, hundreds of millions of dollars short
of the money they need to finance their obligations.
> More
|
|
President Obama’s visit
to Ghana leaves Sierra Leone out in the
cold?
22 May 2009
The reactions of
Sierra Leoneans to the White House
announcement that President Obama will
be visiting Ghana in July have been
mixed. Those erring on the side of
pragmatism and reasoning are quite
satisfied that the President’s decision
to stay away from Sierra Leone is
obvious and to be expected.
> More
|
President Koroma signs
new contracts with Ministers, as Tony
Blair warns of tougher times ahead
15 May 2009
As Tony Blair basked in
the hot sunny beaches of Freetown amidst
cheering fishermen and hawkers,
reporters were keen to clarify his role
in developing the country’s economy, in
particular his intentions for Sierra
Leone’s ailing tourism industry.
>
More
|
