The Sierra Leone Telegraph: 18 June 2013

Former Head of UNIDO operations in Sierra Leone – Dr. Stephen Bainous Kargbo, has started work at the UNIDO Regional Office in Ethiopia, following a competitive and rigorous selection process.

The office in Ethiopia headed by a UNIDO Representative and Regional Director covers the four countries of Ethiopia, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi and also works collaboratively with the African Union (AU) and the United Nations Economic Community of Africa (UNECA).

As the most senior Industrial Development Officer and expert and second-in-command in the regional office, Dr. Kargbo is expected to provide expert support in the development of policies and programmes designed to accelerate sustainable industrial development in his four-countries of coverage.

He is also expected to respond to other demands elsewhere in fulfillment of UNIDO’s global mandate.

Given his track record in Sierra Leone, the Sierra Leonean born Dr. Kargbo is hoping to add significant value to UNIDO’s work in the Eastern part of Africa.

Through his leadership, UNIDO was able to undertake a range of flagship projects cutting across all three global priorities of UNIDO – poverty reduction through productive activities, trade capacity building, and energy and the environment.

His most recent achievements were his innovative collaboration with the Government of Sierra Leone, UN agencies and Women’s Civil Society groups, where he organised a national celebration of International Women’s Day (IWD).

The celebration brought together over twenty (20) international leaders and entrepreneurs, including Dr. Kandeh Yumkella – the Director-General of UNIDO, Mr. Michele Sidibé – the Executive Director of UNAIDS, Mrs. Cherie Blair – Founder of the Cherie Blair Foundation. President Ernest Bai Koroma of Sierra Leone declared IWD an annual national holiday.

The success of the IWD celebrations bore additional fruits in the organization of the first ever Mano River Union Forum in Freetown on ‘Women’s Empowerment through Access to Energy” which attracted over 150 ministerial and technical level participants from at least six ECOWAS countries.

Through Dr. Kargbo’s commitment, teamwork and facilitation skills, UNIDO was able to honour a request from the Sierra Leone government to develop a country programme framework to support the implementation of the Agenda for Prosperity.

The request led to a forty million dollar (USD 40m) Country Programme Framework and the signing ceremony taking place at the Vienna based headquarters, between Minister of Trade and Industry – Alhaji Usman Boie Kamara, representing the Government of Sierra Leone and Dr. Kandeh Yumkella –  UNIDO Director-General.

Throughout Sierra Leone, UNIDO is now known for its support to the Government of Sierra Leone in establishing Industrial Growth Centres (IGC), that are responsible for promoting and delivering training and employment opportunities for women and youth in both urban and rural areas across the country.

These IGCs could be found in several districts including Newton, Kailahun, Kamakwie, and Pujehun.

UNIDO also supports many other projects in Sierra Leone, including the thirty-six million dollar funding it has leveraged for the development of a 10MW Mini-hydropower plant in Moyamba, Bankasoka, Port Loko district and Charlotte.

Dr. Kargbo is a graduate from Njala University. He holds an M.Sc. and PhD in Agricultural Economics from the Georg-August University of Goettingen, Germany, where in 2001, he won the prestigious award of “Best Foreign Student” conferred by the German Academic Exchange Programme (DAAD).

During that same period, he was President of the Union of Sierra Leoneans in Goettingen, Germany, as well as the President of students and scholars in Europe sponsored by the German Church Development Service (EED).

With over twenty years of experience in community service and economic development, Dr. Kargbo’s career started in the late 1980s as a secondary school teacher and continued in the 90s as Director of Planning and Development of the Wesleyan Church of Sierra Leone.

He then went on to pursue his university teaching and research assistantship in Germany. Dr. Kargbo has worked in several organizational development consultancies across many countries. He has undertaken specialist work in the United Nations System – first with UNDP as Programme Specialist from 2006-2008, and now at UNIDO since 2008.

The Sierra Leone Telegraph: 18 June 2013

I am sure that you are aware that a toad does not run in the daytime for nothing. Similarly, you also know that even if a driver is sober, having a horde of screaming drunks in his poda-poda turns that vehicle into a lethal, unpredictable weapon.

So let’s watch out. The chips are coming down and the hidden fangs of the hunter are beginning to show. Oppressively dark and fetid corners are becoming visible in our governance.

It would have sounded simply farcical if not that experience has triggered off alarm bells. Predictably, the narrative of bad politics just never seems to end.

Already, one can almost hear the cackle of satisfaction from beyond the watery grave, as a succession of meddling, bureaucratic grave voices assures the President, that not clamping down on the activities of a segment of the press, with wholesale failure to reflect the views of government, would guarantee a sequence of calamities.

In a bid to ensure an unbalanced promotion of partisan political views, a wide-eyed cartel of disciples has embarked on floating down from Tower Hill, to cast healing sunlight on all the ‘dirty nooks and crevices’ of an already comatose media.

The sardonic smirks on their faces not only speak volumes about the sinister intentions under wraps, but also stem from a grotesque and perverted political ideology of a Doctor Death.

It is another example of the apparent absence of joined-up thinking within the government.

The recent persistent bleating over what is being described as unacceptable behaviour of the press and the unedifying spectacle of publicly rubbishing non-conforming arms of the media, as well as the damning verdict on the activities of the Independent (?) Media Commission, are an assault on that portion of freedom, where privacy from the state is entrenched.

The wheels of our democracy have always been well lubricated by the media, even at the height of Siaka Stevens’ repressive regime; and even the emergence of Ernest Koroma as president is largely due to the role played by the press

So it is a big puzzle that a government, which claims to be media friendly, is surreptitiously pushing ludicrous plans for press reform; while the Freedom of Information Act remains prostrate on the legislative table and the long clamour for the repeal of the obnoxious, ancient and repressive Public Order Act, goes unanswered.

Undemocratic utterances, official or unofficial, that gives the impression that the press needs a fresh coat of paint, brings the government into disrepute and sours relations.

It is an abhorrence that also undermines the reputation of our democracy and governance.

The media in Sierra Leone is ill. There is no doubt about that. But then, this is because it is stooping under the jackboot of successive regimes’ unwieldy and un-necessary prescription of interference as a panacea.

It is also as a result of the low political intelligence which virtually all the previous administrations have painfully exposedm, as they see the media as a tool that must be manipulated at all costs.

The result has been the fragmentation of the industry, as its members sought survival ahead of the sacred principles of their profession.

So, going down the lane of trying to cow the media comes across, like when a really boring guest takes their leave of a party, and then, just when everybody is breathing a sigh of relief, walks back in again.

One cannot therefore understand what the underlying vision of this proposed compliance effort is all about.

Since the last election, there has been a relentless criticism of the seemingly uncompromising, neutral or opposition media.

This is not only bad manners – but also bad politics. Especially when the government has for example, failed to acknowledge the fact that it continues to heavily influence the television news agenda and that ninety five percent of the industry has lost its conscience and sold its most sacred duty for coco ebbeh, at its footstool.

With incomplete verities and blatant, doctored explanations, our new generation of power wielders, are heading to repeat the mistakes and vanities of the past; by trying to force the positive independent principle of the local media, to a comically high degree of fascist compliance.

Those with dollar-coloured eyes and giddiness from the aroma of power, need to remove their blinkers.

It is imperative that Sierra Leone assumes a tidal wave of democratic autonomy that would sweep away the creeping dominion of government, on what is consumed in national and private media.

The masses are entitled to unfettered access to information and the freely expressed thoughts of one another, including those who are not necessarily against the personalities in power, but against the trend of governance, such as this intended and dastardly abuse of power.

An important part of journalism is providing arguments that will lead to consensus and contributing to a constructive dialogue and sustainable solutions. So, the increasingly heavy-handed reaction to media ‘protests’, especially since pre-election last year, is in danger of undoing President Koroma’s undoubted good work in the country.

If those around him do not see this, he, as the pivot on whose table the buck stops, must see reason and take a leaf from his predecessor’s disposition to media reporting. He needs to keep banging the drum of a free press, not hand over his reins to ferocious officials.

Everyone is wearily familiar with the stalking horse. This development is a clear cut case.

Therefore, lovers of political novelty will do well to speak up against any attempt to muzzle, not only the media, but also the supposedly independent watchdog (which I described as a toothless bulldog in a previous article) for simply not doing the bidding of the government.

I just hope President Koroma has not given in to the murky demands of power, as orchestrated by his snooping advisers who appear to have a bee in their bonnets about the press not falling in line.

This appears to be more of a proxy war than a magic formula for a better society and media.

Without doubt, one certain fact of political life, especially in developing nations and Africa in particular, is that those in power, no matter how benevolent or liberal they portend to be, often fall for the age-long scare-mongering, and doom-laden warnings of their officials, that an antagonistic media is a threat to their very existence.

Forgetting what they espoused while seeking power, the precautionary expedience of protection, forces them not to appreciate that what really exists in their domain, is a cowed media, which will generally shy away from confrontation with authorities, for fear of the draconian laws of sedition, libel, treason and the seemingly uncontestable hammer of national security.

Knowing this, those responsible for the continued entrenchment of the divisive and inherent socio-political and economic factors of our society, as well as the perpetration of corruption as a national legacy, make it difficult for the media to help chart the path of national aspiration and self-portrait.

Consequently, the same old corrupt practices and political shenanigans go round and round in a never-ending cycle. The nation takes a step forward and two backwards.

These are the issues that need attention and which the government should be flexing its muscles, if it wants to be taken seriously.

Journalists and reporters serve as whistleblowers to the public. Their primary duty is to hold governments accountable and put the exercise of power under public scrutiny.

Therefore, if they were to be put under straight-jacket, disguised as sanitation, how then is the role of government as regulator and supervisor being segregated, to ensure all necessary checks and balances and the implementation of world-wide accepted best practices and standards are in place?

Similarly, once it starts, there will be no limit to the absurdity of always making the media a scapegoat that needs cleansing every time a new administration emerges.

Anyway, the inability to distance itself from the allure of the carrots of a Greek gift, especially at election time, by officials seeking office or hoping to entrench themselves, is one of the reasons why the Sierra Leone media is in such a sorry state as it is today.

Ordinarily, the media should be a critical and objective body. Its practitioners, as members of the fourth estate of the realm, ought to be the custodian of the power of the ordinary man on the street – by investigating claims of human rights abuses and other vices in society, like corruption, mismanagement and regulatory failures.

But alas the Sierra Leone media is like a man fighting an opponent, having had his hands amputated.

While it is self-inflicted, a government with societal values as its cardinal principle should be helping to tackle the impediments preventing the media from performing its role, as a result of the high cost of printing, the archaic laws, inaccessibility to information, by promulgating laws that will ensure freedom – not further tie the press in knots.

If this is not forthcoming, then the media itself, instead of thinking about dwindling print circulation, right now, should unite to find a champion to win its war of independence first.

Its very future is at stake more than ever before. In the horizon is a vuvuzela that threatens to make it even more difficult for the din of the media to be heard and ensure that it is cocooned in a bubble of irrelevance.

Remember this: “If the press is to hang on to a modicum of decency and be recognised as an agent of social revolution, then it needs to align itself with the desire of the people for a move in different direction; for a change in our political set-up and for accountability in governance irrespective of what personal cost it takes to achieve this.

It needs to wake up to its traditional role by sensitizing the people on their rights (which includes freedom of the press) and giving them a voice that will help them to shed the primordial ethno-religious and political sentiments that have torn the fabric of our society apart.

If not, in the aftermath of the current political bullfight, it is the media that will suffer the most. And with all our institutions, values and ethics gone to the dogs, it is not in our own interests to allow the fourth estate of the realm to be slaughtered by professional assassins masquerading as politicians.

Journalism remains the last bastion of defence for the common man and if it is debased, we might as well kiss our future goodbye as we launch a new banana republic.”

(RANDOM MUSING: THE PECULIAR MESS OF THE WATCHDOG—05/01/2012)

And years ago at the height of the devil’s horn government versus free press brouhaha, I wrote inter alia:

“Defacing statues, posters, pictures or such; is one of the cherished freedoms that in itself is also the beauty of democracy. For one, it gives a clear picture of the segment of society that is diametrically opposed to the government of the day. It also stresses the point that we all can’t be sleeping facing the same position. It should have been noted and utilised for the opposing view.

Going further with legal action (medicine after death) is a subtle allusion to the nagging fears that press freedom is at risk under the guise of good rapport. It also says that giving the association of journalists a befitting headquarters and co-opting their members into positions at home and abroad is nothing but a bribe for a good press”.

(RANDOM MUSING: The Blyden saga: First sign of the veil dropping or a bad call? 10/3/2008)

The historical truth that the only things that remain the same in this country since the colonialists went away, are the pitiful calibre of our politicians and their cohorts. The whole truth and nothing but the truth that matters, is that like all the others, the press will outlive those who seek to shackle it. Three cheers for a free press and long may it stay free.

Meanwhile, those who are still fasting and praying for the repeal of anti-press laws and the promulgation of the Freedom of Information bill; reach out for your glass of beer, water or brandy and forget it.

The Sierra Leone Telegraph: 17 June 2013

The International Press Institute (IPI) expressed serious concern today over the future of press freedom in Sierra Leone, following inflammatory statements made by Sylvia Olayinka Blyden (Photo: Left of former Nigerian President Obasanjo), special executive assistant to President Ernest Koroma.

IPI urges political leaders in Sierra Leone to distance themselves from the threatening remarks made by Blyden, and to commit to protecting press freedom as required by the country’s constitution.

Upon returning to Sierra Leone Tuesday after an eight-day trip outside of the country, Blyden called on local journalists in Sierra Leone to “prepare for a massive and long overdue sanitisation” of the country’s media landscape.

She added: “It is now apparent that the Independent Media Commission has no intention of using the powers granted them to maintain sanity in the media and so we, as a government, are going to be left with no option but to save the country from sliding backwards at the hands of reckless media practitioners. The only solution is to apply Part 5 of the Public Order Act of 1965 and start charging errant persons to court for criminal and seditious libel”.

According to sections 26 and 27 the Public Order Act of 1965, “any person who maliciously publishes any defamatory matter knowing the same to be false shall be guilty of an offence called libel and liable on conviction to imprisonment for any term not exceeding three years or to a fine not exceeding one thousand Leones or both.

“Any person who maliciously publishes any defamatory matter shall be guilty of an offence called libel and liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding seven hundred Leones or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding two years or to both such fine and imprisonment,” the Act states.

Blyden’s comments were made in response to articles in what she called “opposition media” that accused the Koroma administration of tribal favouritism in selecting military commanders. Blyden said the articles were “aimed at inciting the country into turmoil.”

She also wrote on her Facebook page Tuesday that, “No politician or so-called journalist is going to be allowed to derail our national unity to serve their parochial objectives. WE WILL ASK FOR THE GREATEST POSSIBLE PENALTY TO BE APPLIED (i.e: we will ask for them to be convicted and jailed). Enough is enough.”

Discussing the recent Truth and Reconciliation Report on Sierra Leone’s 11-year civil war, Blyden also threatened legal action against any journalist who portrayed the current (All People’s Congress) government as “working against South-Easterners.”

Last year, IPI Executive Director Alison Bethel McKenzie visited Sierra Leone on a fact-finding mission prior to the country’s general election.

In addition to asking high-ranking political leaders to respect the rights of the press, Bethel McKenzie encouraged editors and journalists to report on the elections and other sensitive topics in an independent and fair manner.

“Given Ms. Blyden’s position, we assume that these reckless comments represent the views of President Koroma, and we are disappointed that the president would engage in this serious and unacceptable intimidation of Sierra Leone’s media,” Bethel McKenzie said today.

“While it is important for the media in any country to practice basic journalism ethics, that does not mean that the press is required to endorse any particular point of view.”

She added: “Instead of threatening to employ outdated criminal defamation laws against journalists, the Sierra Leone government should endorse the Declaration of Table Mountain, which calls for the abolition of such laws on the African continent.”

In 2010, Faith Pansy Tlakula, the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression and Access to Information, lent her support to ending criminal defamation by signing a joint-statement, which recognized 10 challenges to freedom of expression in the next decade.

The statement specifically pointed to criminal defamation laws as one of the biggest impediments to freedom of expression around the world.

The government of Sierra Leone has set itself an ambitious, though necessary goal of attracting significantly more foreign direct investments and to increase economic growth and employment opportunities.

But this cannot be achieved by putting out misleading and exaggerated statistics and economic indicators.

While the temptation for government officials and ministers – including heads of state, in such circumstances to make exaggerated statistical claims and present superfluous economic indicators may appear irresistible, it does more harm to the cause than good.

Acquiescing  to such temptation comes with big risks, creating confusion and misleading those who have to rely on and make use of these statistics and data. At worse, such behaviour can destroy confidence in the government’s ability to manage the economy, and bring its fiduciary governance into disrepute.

Will the DFID funded ‘Enhanced Data Dissemination Initiative’ help change attitude?

Attracting foreign direct investments into Sierra Leone and Africa for that matter is not an easy business for governments. But ministers and their officials must be truthful and honest in their reporting of their governments’ economic performance.

In the last three years, the government of Sierra Leone has found itself caught up in the net of its own propaganda, as it tried to unweave itself from the over-exuberant reporting of the country’s economic growth (GDP) indicators.

When president Koroma told parliament and the world in October 2010, that economic growth in 2011 will be 50%, few economists believed his forecast.

In reality, economic growth in 2011 actually struggled to make it to double digits.

As a result, the minister of finance was then forced to backtrack and quickly revised his forecasts for 2012 to 35%, which itself was a one-off statistical blip, caused by the sudden surge in iron ore export, following the resumption of larger-scale mining activities in the country since the end of the war in 2001.

Such miscalculations and erroneous reporting can have serious consequences for government policy-making, third party organisations’ development planning and decision-making, and the investment decisions of key economic actors.

But the country’s international development partners are fully aware of this problem, which it seems is not unique to the government of Sierra Leone.

Several governments in Africa are also guilty of massaging and misrepresenting the economic performance indicators of their countries, or would rather be judged as lacking in human and technical resource capacity. Most observers suspect the former, rather than the later.

And with billions of dollars in international aid at risk, due to poor governance, both DFID and the IMF have stepped in with an initiative aimed at tackling the problem of statistical misrepresentation and false economic performance reporting by several African governments, including Sierra Leone.

Financed by DFID and delivered by the technical staff of the IMF and their consultants, the ‘Enhanced Data Dissemination Initiative’ (EDDI) is a five-year project which started in 2010 and finishing in 2015.

Economic development and finance officials of 25 African countries, including Sierra Leone, Liberia and the Gambia are participating in this initiative, which it is hoped will help improve their macro-economic statistics reporting.

The Sierra Leone Telegraph has been a strong champion of such change.

The project is specifically looking at how the various countries are collating, analysing, reporting and disseminating national accounts, monetary statistics, government financial statistics, balance of payments statistics, and the harmonisation of statistics in several regional organisations.

Three years since the start of the project, the IMF has carried out a mid-term review of how well the initiative is being delivered and progress being made in embedding lessons learnt across participating countries.

The IMF says that; “The mid-point of a five-year project is an appropriate time for all stakeholders of the project to take stock of what has been accomplished in the first half of the project.”

So what has been achieved so far?  

Well, judging by the findings of the Review Report it seems that the majority of participants are satisfied with the relevance of the project objectives and content to the needs and objectives of their respective nations.

A great deal of commitment and ownership of process and results is being shown by those involved, suggesting that the “EDDI modules were consistent with the respective countries’ own national objectives and priorities”.

Ghanaian officials remarked that their newly published Quarterly National Accounts “is now a major input in analyzing short-term performance of the economy by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning and the Central Bank of Ghana”.

Official in Sierra Leone reported that the country’s GDP has been rebased. Liberia says that its first post-war National Accounts Survey has been analyzed and new GDP estimates are now linked to updated benchmark figures for 2008.

Rwanda said that better use of survey data has significantly reduced the use of proxy indicators such as population growth.

Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda remarked that the Work in Progress method has significantly improved agriculture statistics.

The Gambia noted that it had migrated successfully from the 1968 System of National Accounts to the 1993 System of National Accounts, and that its new estimates were now widely accepted by users.

Sierra Leone pointed to the importance of the IMF technical assistance on price statistics, as it has led to a Producer Price Index ready to be published for the first time and an improved Consumer Price Index.

Countries were also asked; what are the most important changes in their agency as a result of the project.

According to the Review Report; “By far the most common response to this question was the increase in skills and numbers of both compilation and management staff” reported by Ghana, Liberia, Namibia, Uganda, Sierra Leone,  Mozambique, Rwanda, The Gambia and Uganda.

Better communication and collaboration with other agencies and institutions was also mentioned by several countries. Kenya for example, noted improved communication and interaction with data providers.

Botswana said that its central bank Research Department is now working more closely with the Bank Supervision Department to increase the coverage and quality of data reported by financial institutions.

Greater awareness and changes of institutional attitude was pointed to in several countries. Nigeria said that it was now more aware of what needs to be done to improve their statistics.

Rwanda said its central bank is now more aware than it was before of the policy value of Government Finance Statistics (GFS), and as a result its demand for GFS data has increased.

This mid-term review also identified and highlighted several weaknesses and fault lines in the strategic and operational management of the governance process involved in the gathering, analysis and reporting of vital economic and financial data, by many of the African countries that are in receipt of IMF’s technical assistance.

To what extent does the project fits in with the various countries’ institutional and national objectives and policies?

According to the Review Report, most of the participants of the initiative emphasized the importance of the EDDI’s objectives to improving policy making and their consistency with national strategies and plans.

Officials from Sierra Leone pointed that three objectives in their National Strategy for the Development of Statistics (NSDS) have already been achieved as a result of participating in the EDDI.

Rwandan officials said that EDDI provides “indicators that are very important not only for monitoring the economy, but also for economic policy and decision making.”

Officials in Sierra Leone echoed the views of a number of other countries in the module. They said that the EDDI “fits perfectly well with the institution’s objective of achieving and maintaining price stability,” which “is a prerequisite for proper monetary policy reporting.”

Nigerian finance ministry officials “emphasized how EDDI was helping in the achievement of the objectives of the country’s Vision 2020” where strategic planning and informed policy decisions are highly significant.

Officials in Mozambique said that the EDDI was consistent with their objective of expanding coverage and improving the accuracy and timeliness of their statistics.

Liberian officials said that ‘real progress has been achieved during this period and Liberia is now expected to produce more complete and reliable GDP estimates.’

But going forwards into the delivery of the remainder of the project – through to 2015, officials were asked whether they have any suggestions on ways to improve the project’s effectiveness.

According to the Project Review Report, two of the three West African countries with relatively large need for technical assistance – The Gambia and Liberia, asked for a training course. The IMF says that it is aware of this need and is planning such a training course in the spring of 2013, which will also include Sierra Leone.

Three of the participating countries suggested providing relatively more time to countries in need, rather than the usual two-week IMF country missions or at set intervals.

Two countries made suggestions about the content of the IMF technical assistance, with one suggesting that more demonstrations with actual country data would be helpful, and another country suggesting that they would like more practical tools.

Two countries suggested adjustments that should be made by the countries themselves.

One country said that its statistical office should designate particular people who are responsible for following up on the recommendations of such IMF technical assistance missions.

Another said that mandatory requirements should be put on countries to do regular progress reports themselves, on their implementation of the EDDI technical assistance.

Two countries suggested that the IMF Technical assistance and training be extended beyond the main government agencies – primarily data reporting institutions.

Botswana recommended extending training beyond the central bank to other financial institutions that are intended to report data to the central bank.

The IMF said that this training beyond the central bank is planned for the next mission.

Nigeria recommended “a team approach” where reporting institutions could be included in training. The IMF says that “These are both good recommendations that will be taken on board during the rest of the project.”

So, on the whole this is a well delivered initiative, which hopefully when completed, could have a massive impact on the skills, expertise and behaviours of staff working in the economic development and finance ministries of countries such as Sierra Leone.

But a great concern for DFID and the IMF remains, which is that; “the objective of harmonization of monetary statistics may not be achieved by the end of the project, because a number of countries are lagging behind in implementation.”

Notwithstanding this however, perhaps, just perhaps, we may soon see accurate and honest forecasting and reporting of key economic indicators – such as: Gross Domestic Product, levels of unemployment, rates of inflation, and the value and volume of foreign direct investments flowing into the country.

It is not very often that Arabian Princes visit Sub-saharan Africa, and when they do, expectations are very high. Saudi Arabia is the richest Arab country in the world. It has huge potential to help Africa out of economic decay and poverty.

So when Saudi Prince – Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud of the ‘highly reputed’ Kingdom Holding Company (KHC) visited Sierra Leone last Monday, talk of multi-million dollars investment in the country’s ailing industries was rife.

Sierra Leone needs over $200 million investment in its fishing, tourism and agricultural industries in order to create jobs for the seventy percent of adults that are out of work, as well as increase the country’s export earnings.

To achieve this, the government of Sierra Leone needs every help it can get from the likes of the Saudi Prince, who was given a red carpet welcome in Freetown by president Koroma.

State House had decided to decorate the Saudi Prince with the highest honour the president can bestow on any of the country’s citizens – ‘Grand Commander of the Order of the Republic of Sierra Leone (GCRSL)’.

But President Koroma is not averse to doling out such honours to rich foreign dignitaries, despite accusations of selling state honours for foreign cash.

Colonel Gaddafi was awarded an Honorary Member of Sierra Leone’s Parliament by president Koroma in the wells of the very parliament in Freetown in 2009, in return for Libyan petrol-dollars.

Colonel Gaddafi is said to have invested over $10 million in Sierra Leone since the country ended its decade long civil war, which Gaddafi himself was accused of instigating and fuelling.

And it seems on this occasion too,  Saudi Prince – Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud was also flattered by the offer of such honorific gesture.

As Alhaji M.B. Jalloh – Press Attaché at the Sierra Leone embassy in Saudi Arabia reports; “During the visit, His Excellency President Ernest Bai Koroma decorated His Royal Highness with the highest National Award in the country, the Grand Commander of the Order of the Republic of Sierra Leone (GCRSL).”

Is this yet another unconstitutional honours for sale gaff made by the president?

And what will Sierra Leone receive in return for president Koroma awarding such honour to a Saudi Prince?

Reactions to the Saudi Prince’s visit have been mixed, but supporters of the government’s Agenda for Prosperity are optimistic. This is Alhaji M.B. Jalloh’s report:

His Royal Highness (HRH) Prince Alwaleed visited Sierra Leone to explore investment opportunities. His business holding company covers Tourism, Banking, Estate Development, Hospitality, Telecom, Agriculture, Information Technology, Broadcasting, Media, Entertainment, Travel, Automotive Manufacturing and other sector.

After the visit, I rang up Alhaji Alpha Sahid Bakar Kanu (Photo), the Minister of Information and Communications, who also doubles as the Official Government Spokesman and asked him if the visit was successful. This is what he had to say:

“Yes, the visit was very successful. Our President, His Excellency Dr Ernest Bai Koroma was accompanied by top-ranking Government Ministers and a good number of senior Government officials to welcome the Prince at the Lungi International Airport.

“As a nation, we are very happy for the visit of the Prince. We think it is an opportunity to strengthen the bilateral relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Sierra Leone.

“We have also been impressed with the Prince’s philanthropy because when the President told him about his vision for improving the Free Healthcare Initiative in the country for Children under-five, lactating mothers and pregnant women, including youth empowerment, the Prince donated one million dollars each for the two programmes through Alwaleed Bin Talal Humanitarian Foundation.

“And he promised to do more when he has more details. On the investment side, the Prince has been given a presentation of all the opportunities that exist in Sierra Leone in the areas of tourism, mining, oil exploration, fisheries, real estate, energy, to name but a few.

“The next step is that, he promised to come back, but before that, he would send an advance team to work with the Sierra Leonean people to identify areas of mutual interest for investment. He also promised to get involved in the charitable organizations and the financing of women and the youth.

“So, the visit has been a very good and successful one.

“On his departure, the Prince and the President concluded a lot of things- which all big men and heads of state talk about. We were not privy to that meeting. But we believe whatever decisions were made during that closed–door meeting, would be in the best interest of the Kingdom Holding Company and the people of Sierra Leone” – concluded Minister Kanu.

So, what do Sierra Leoneans residing here in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf make of the Visit?

Uthman Kargbo (Photo) is president of the Sierra Leonean Nationals’ Union in Saudi Arabia.  He said; “It is the duty of every patriotic citizen to embrace and welcome such remarkable visit. Sierra Leoneans in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Gulf have been longing to see people like Prince Al-waleed Bin Talal investing in Sierra Leone.

“The Saudi Prince is a prominent worldwide investor and his visit to Sierra Leone will be sighted as the beginning of a new epoch of massive investment opportunities in the country. As a business tycoon, it is believed that Prince Alwaleed would find in Sierra Leone the right place to establish his business shrewdness.

“I am sure, President Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma must have objectively persuaded his honourable guest that he (the Prince) will have in Sierra Leone all that he needs in terms of expanding his business empire across the African Continent and he would give Prince Alwaleed all the assurances that, in Sierra Leone, he will have all the support required to make his businesses boom to his satisfaction.

“From what we have heard, President Koroma and his competent Officials have presented to the Prince well-tailored and worthwhile projects.  The Prince is a very shrewd investor.

“And I am pretty sure that he would not hesitate to avail himself of any investment opportunities which he thinks would be profitable and of interest to both parties. Sierra Leoneans all over the Arab Gulf states can’t wait to see the Prince taking his investment opportunities to Sierra Leone in the not too distant future.”

Dr. Sorie Gassama (Photo), a lecturer at the King Saud University said:

“As a Sierra Leonean, I see it as my duty to suggest hypercritical areas that His Excellency should consider doing business with the Prince. Having lived in Riyadh for the past one year, and seeing what the Prince has invested in, I can tell with no doubts that the Prince is more interested in the area of tourism than anything else.

“This can be seen in the investments that he has made in putting up skyscrapers. One such is the Kingdom Tower, a modern mall, like no other in the middle of the city that goes unnoticed. He has tons of investments of the like that are frequented by tourists. Having him rehabilitate our once admirable, but presently dilapidated beaches will pay dividends.

“Additionally, have him take a look and see if he can invest in developing those areas closer to the ocean in Freetown that are currently occupied by squatters and pigs.

“With the right investment, these very places can create a lot of jobs, and bring in tons of millions of dollars every year by way of tourism. Take a lesson from Parisians, Clean those areas, and rid them of squatters and pigs, construct three star hotels, invest in wet boats that can take tourists along the peninsula on sightseeing missions for a fee.

“These done, Freetown will soon be full of tourists bringing in hard currencies with a reduction in unemployment or possibly bringing a total end to unemployment taking into account the country’s population.”

Ibrahim Sillah also lectures at the same University and he is an Ex-President of the Sierra Leone Nationals’ Union here in Saudi Arabia. He has no doubt that HRH, Prince Alwaleed’s visit to Sierra Leone at this point in time signifies a lot.

He said: “I believe the two men must have had a golden opportunity to constructively and objectively discuss a host of business and investment issues in a calm and friendly atmosphere.

“This is not the Prince’s first to Sierra Leone. His maiden visit was in 2003. But this time around, I learnt that the Saudi Prince found that the ground work for the success of his visit had been well-prepared by technocrats and foresighted members of President Koroma’s Government.

“I am sure that Prince Alwaleed was overwhelmed by the degree and level of maturity and statesmanship he uncovered in the President of Sierra Leone. That telling impression on the Prince would propel him beyond any iota of hesitation or doubt to heavily invest in Sierra Leone; for he would find out that, at the end of the day, he stands to lose nothing.

“Rather, he stands all the chances to enrich his Kingdom Holding Company (KHC) and maximize its revenues in abundance. In fact, I have the gut-feeling that this historic visit of Prince Alwaleed will not only be a catalyst for long-term business relations between his company and Sierra Leone, but would also be a great booster to the already existing diplomatic and bilateral between Sierra Leone and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

“Who knows, it may hopefully culminate in Saudi Arabia opening a Saudi embassy in Freetown; a dream that has long been harboured and nurtured by Sierra Leoneans.”

The  Chairman for the All People’s Congress Party, Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States Branch, Unisa Kanu described the visit as “an implicit endorsement” of President Koroma’s commendable Agenda for Prosperity.

“It will unequivocally send the right signals not only to the numerous investment organs in Saudi, but to the entire Gulf region that Sierra Leone is ready for business.”

Nabie Musa Turay (Photo) is the marketing manager with oversight for Africa & the BADEA Scheme in the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC). He is based in Saudi Arabia’s second and commercial capital, Jeddah.

He said: “I am sure the Prince is interested in investing substantially in many of the industrial sector of the country, but I think tourism could be his priority.

“Many countries, attracted by the potential economic benefits, have embarked upon the development of tourism. This has to be considered and appreciated with the adequate and associated costs and benefits.

“The focus on the economic, physical, and social impacts of tourism should be kept in mind while embarking on the development of the Tourism industry in the country.”

The Sierra Leone Telegraph: 9 June 2013

There is an old proverb, which says that: “The death that kills a man, it is said, begins as an appetite.” For beleaguered governments, especially in our part of the world, volatile, divisive political issues and exotic foreign junketing that promises heaven and earth, offer a welcome distraction from the mundane – but necessary grind of domestic economic and social problems.

Little wonder that in the face of our current realities, the recent purge of the military has been deliberately timed to become the flavour of the month.

This can be seen in the puerile frenzy that accompanied the announcement, rather than the much needed attention to social and economic policies.

I’m not interested in the merit or otherwise of the military sections under which the sackings were made. It would have a hard time anyway, convincing those to whom it needs to appeal; talk less of neutrals.

The truth cannot be airbrushed.

As a matter of fact, the lame explanation by the Defence Ministry, all but puts the gloss on the theory making the rounds; that the retirements and dismissal were covers for the more sinister motives behind the action.

But sincerely speaking, should the outrageous act of political spite and selective clear-out, be a paramount policy at this economically precarious time in the country?

(Photo: Defence Minister – Palo Conteh)

While the rest of the world races towards the future, should the poisonous myth of displaying ‘hell’s teeth’ as a mark of power over the vulnerable, be a state policy?

While the people are dying of hunger and foreigners are trampling over their ‘carcasses’, should the attention of our leaders be to get rid of a handful of individuals who have no impact on our national life, with so much fanfare, if there is nothing more to it than meets the eye?

Are we to applaud the magnanimity of the ever-benevolent administration that has graciously decided to pay gratuity to some of the officers?

How can the government win hearts and minds if it undermines public confidence in its fairness?

How does it expect the people to be inclined to believe its words, if its very actions – no matter how meaningful, smell like a busted sewage pipe?

How do we expect to clean up our politics and society, when we compromise the values of our governance and the leaders, and their personal prejudices become conduits and connectors for our fractured society?

Honestly, if our leaders cannot be persuaded of the moral argument for tackling urgently, the numerous problems of our nation today, such as the high cost of living, the increasing rate of corruption, the acute poverty, youth unemployment, the lack of opportunity for young people with little hope of employment and those unable to afford further education, as well as the increasing crime rate, they should at least be persuaded by the economic argument.

If our permanent beggar-status does not make them feel ashamed as leaders, they should at least have pity on those of us who have to call ourselves Sierra Leoneans and who have to try to explain to the rest of the sane world why we are so poor in the midst of plenty.

We endured a long, long war, and I am aware that it takes time for the hurt and the scars to heal. But we cannot endure a more complete peace, if some of those in position of authority now, turn themselves into a virus in our socio-political machine.

Why can’t those who want to drag us decades back, understand that the people see no fundamental difference between their actions and the redemption they are trying to rig up – like a flagpole on a disused town lot?

What is the difference between six and half a dozen?

What happens in the long term when power changes hand, when leadership is paramount and integrity has been relegated to second place?

Because politicians never pay the price for their political arrogance, is it any wonder we see so many problems still manifested in our society today?

Can we take it from signals emanating from our leaders that recent happenings in the country are the shape of things to come?

Is it time for the unfurling of the latent, but chilling atmosphere and rhetoric of extermination?

From indications, the state of play in our domestic politics underpins a fundamental problem which has the potential to lead us to a catastrophe. It might not be today, or tomorrow – but sometime in the future, it will surely come, unless we can rein the beast in our political class again.

Right now it appears some of our leaders, presumably in thrall of the strange bedfellows that they have cuddled, have gone native and fallen victims to the temptations of their offices and the succulent lips of their new found lovers.

Their heady self-importance, which ordinarily will make as little impression as a sandcastle, once the wave has crashed over the beach, is nothing but lighting a conductor for a whole host of other issues.

I would hate to subscribe to the notion that the political hierarchy has lost its sense of priority (if ever they had one), and cannot realise that the sudden heightening of the political barometer have continued to highlight the flashing points from underneath the rocks.

Their continued and infuriating persistent political Medusa, will – like the Greek mythology, bring destruction, while the futile but lethal below-the-belt punches will keep the bout ever alive.

If those who lead the people continue to express to them, harboured grudges in coded words, deeds and actions, then no wonder our nation continues to be teeming with divisions of class, creed and ethnicity.

Right now, in the face of our realities, easing poverty and hardship should be winning the day over personal and political vendetta.

I believe the same bravery and moral vision they are exhibiting now, in cleaning their Aegean stable, would be a better asset for tackling our numerous problems.

Some might say that the government’s action is an essential step to putting the past behind, but why has it also taken this long and why now – when the tapestry of deceit is being unravelled by economic, social and political realities?.

Politics, I keep maintaining, is the nastiest combat sport on earth. But the arguments in favour of the purge and the dangerous pursuit of such a divisive issue are deeply flawed, almost as much as the motives of the instigators.

Remember, they do not have the monopoly of the power of remembrance.

Similarly, some of those who have a limited grasp of the suspected undertone of the issues at stake, may raise their hands in glee to shout: “Justice”.

But would this and other planned assault on perceived opponents and enemies of old, be in the overall interest of our nation, or is it laying the tar that will forever be stripped for years to come?

The underhand pressure of those who have hidden agendas on display by this action is a cynical gamble with our corporate existence. It is definitely not a decision made out of any moral compunction, as the statement itself unwittingly paints.

The determined, but cynical and hollow crusade of fifth columnists being undertaken on behalf of the ‘victims’ of past injustice, will not make their shameless, brazen and hypocritical image free from the poison of innuendo and suspicion.

The status quo is benefiting a handful – not the majority of people.

Without any fear of contradiction, I have no qualms in supporting any work of a government which truthfully and transparently want to shine the light into the pit of evil of anyone (no matter how highly placed), if this is to shame and force open their rattling cupboards of skeletons.

The key words here are equity, transparency and honesty of purpose.

When there has been no serious desire for this reflected in either policy, or political rhetoric by the ideological descendants of those who sent opponents up the chimneys, who then had to pay the ultimate price for their own involvement in the winner-takes-all roulette of the past, it becomes chillingly a DÉ JAVU.

But let me remind you of what I said on the 29th May 2012:

“So, let those behind the clamour for a review of the so-called judicial killings of almost two decades ago, do us all a favour and confess that the pursuit is for the basest of political reasons.

“Let all the rabble rousers and glory seekers who will turn up at the ‘opening of an envelope’ or latch on to anything that will resonate their names prepare our minds for the increase in the rumble.

“Let them tell us that the political point scoring…… that should have been left to rot and fester in the darkest recesses of our sad and twisted past…is being legitimised and promoted as a cause.

“And in the midst of the associated drama, hysteria and political claptrap that has left the nation’s media being used by politicians and vested interests, to conduct by proxy, the arguments and battles that they do not know how to handle, patriots who truly want a new socio-economic and political Sierra Leone should please stop tittering at the back of the class.

“The illusory hallowing of do-gooders and ideologically bankrupt individuals is about to unleash a brand of political germ-warfare which should be, as it once was – the preserve of savages. More pertinently, our serene world that has stood as a beacon of light for the past decade, suddenly seems to matter less.

“The molten fury being spewed out by the combined spin machinery of a desperate clique is fuelled by a burning desire for revenge and desperation, rather than the national interest or the promotion of a new political behaviour and the cleansing of the system.

“In other words, our politicians are all too indebted to the special interests that fund their re-election, while their cohorts in and outside the media continue to fuel the culture of vulgarity.

“I must confess that I am actually surprised that the present administration – after its initial declaration of commitment to change is managing to destroy the credibility of its worthy and avowed claim, in a spasm of puerile extremism and nervousness.

“Some might say that it is an essential step to putting the past behind, but why has it also taken this long?”

It seems, not much has changed in twelve months.

Sierra Leone’s potential to become a major economic hub in the West African sub-region has never been in doubt. But what is often contested is the government’s hyperbole about the pace of development in the country and its international competitiveness.

Much more needs to be done.

In the last ten years, several countries have taken the bold step of not only increasing their humanitarian support for post-war Sierra Leone, but have also stepped up their economic investments in the country.

And most of that external investment drive have come through massive loan agreements and the use of credit guarantee schemes, underwritten by the respective foreign governments.

Is Saudi Arabia about to step up its petrol-dollar investment in Sierra Leone?

The Chinese, the African Development Bank, the Arab Bank for Development, the Kuwaiti Fund, have all stepped up their investments in Sierra Leone, especially helping the government of president Koroma achieve his infrastructure development objective.

The Saudis have been very coy and discreet about their multi-billion dollar investment portfolio held across the world. In Sierra Leone, although the Saudis have supported the country’s effort to rehabilitate its health care systems, there are very few visible Saudi supported projects to be seen.

There were talks five years ago of the Saudis wanting to invest heavily in developing Sierra Leone’s fishing, tourism and agro-based industries. But those talks did not translate into investments.

With the necessary levels of investment, those three sectors alone could have been netting the government of Sierra Leone annual average revenue of more than $500 million.

But the reality is that not more than $50 million is currently being generated from those sectors.

The latest report from the government of Sierra Leone says that a new relationship is about to be built between president Koroma and the Saudi government, which could lever that investment.

But is this just another international relations propaganda, or is Sierra Leone about to receive the Saudi petrol-dollar investment it needs to transform its vast natural resource potential, create jobs and help achieve president Koroma’s Agenda for Prosperity?

This is Alhaji M.B Jalloh’s (Sierra Leone’s Information Attaché in Saudi Arabia) report:

His Royal Highness (HRH) Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud of Saudi Arabia is scheduled to visit the small West African State of Sierra Leone on 10th June, 2013, following his recent invitation by Sierra Leone’s President, His Excellency Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma.

Prince Alwaleed – ‘The Richest Arab’

HRH Prince Alwaleed is the Chairman of Kingdom Holding Company (KHC). He was ranked number one in the Arabic and English issue of Arabian Business Magazine’s 50 Richest Arabs List, 2012 with a net worth of 25.9 Billion dollars.

The Prince’s wealth reached $ 26.9 billion dollars, according to the latest poll conducted by Bloomberg as of 3rd, June 2013.

Sierra Leone – Saudi Relationship Very Cordial

The warm friendship that Sierra Leone and Saudi Arabia have enjoyed spanned from the late 1970’s, when both countries signed a bilateral relationship. Since then, the bilateral and economic relationship between the two countries has been growing from strength to strength.

The Saudi billionaire’s visit to Sierra Leone would further strengthen the friendly and mutual cooperation that exist between the two countries and peoples.

The President and His Royal Highness are expected to discuss social and economic issues of mutual interest, and the bilateral relationship between their respective countries as well as the potential opportunities for HRH to develop and grow his investments in Sierra Leone as a whole and in the hotel industry in particular.

The Prince’s visit to Sierra Leone, according to a Senior Official attached to the Office of the President, can also afford President Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma’s administration the golden opportunity to discuss with his special guest the sea of potential Sierra Leone has for inclusion in the Prince’s business empire of vast investment portfolio for Africa.

Prince Alwaleed – a heavy weight Investor

The billionaire Prince, who is bias towards investment, is a Western trained businessman. He’s a man who has huge investments in almost every nook of the world; he’s is a man who is ready to invest in whatever legal form of project that he believes can yield dividends; and he’s is a man who is so compassionate about the abject poverty of nations of the developing countries.

He has investments in Africa in sectors such as Tourism, Infrastructure, Real Estate and Telecommunications. That indicates his interest in that continent for economic and social prosperity.

Prince Alwaleed, for example, has 5-Star hotels in Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania and Zambia, to name but a few.

With the vast potential Sierra Leone has, the KHC Chairman may grab the opportunity to invest in that country, given the favourable conditions for business, which have attracted direct foreign investment in several sectors, including the Mining Industry, Tourism, Agriculture, Marine, Energy, amongst others.

Sierra Leone – a business friendly country

Geographically, Sierra Leone covers an area of 71,710 square kilometres with Liberia to the South – East, Guinea to the North – East; and the Atlantic Ocean to the West.

The last national census conducted in 2005, pegged the population of Sierra Leone to 4.9 million but according to indicators, the population is rapidly growing towards six million.

Sierra Leone has become a choice place to do business and getting better by the second; and you can talk that to the Governor of the Central Bank, Sheku Sambadeen Sesay, who was the country’s Financial Secretary in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development until 2008, when he took up his current position.

According to him: “ Investors have the assurance of the World Bank, which recently promoted the country to the 148th position from the 163rd slot it occupied in a ranking that was considered 183rd countries the world over.”

At present, the real kick is in the upbeat prediction that Sierra Leone will move even higher in the table in the coming years to be among the top performer in this category in sub-Saharan Africa.

The signs are there for all to see. The Administrator and Registrar General’s Office has reduced the time for business registration procedures while average number of days for obtaining licenses and business permits has been cut from twenty-six days in 2008 to twelve in 2010.

“All these improvement complemented the activities of the Sierra Leone Investment and Export Promotion Agency (SLIEPA) set up in 2007 to provide personalized and high value added services and information to investors and exporters working to develop proven investment opportunities in the country,” says the Governor of Bank of Sierra Leone.

Also in June, 2010, the Government of Sierra Leone went a step further by inaugurating the National Export Strategy (NES) which advocates a strong private sector-led export drive to grow the economy along the line charted by South – East Asian economies.

President Koroma’s administration is also serious about transforming Sierra Leone’s soft infrastructure, by streamlining tax administration, establishing fast track commercial courts and cutting red tape.

Such reforms have seen Sierra Leone climb 20 places in the World Bank’s annual doing business rankings in the last five years, and made the country one of the top 5 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa for investor protection and conducive atmosphere to establish business.

And now that the Government’s reform efforts have gathered momentum, a growing number of foreign investors have taken cognizance of the opportunities that Sierra Leone has to offer.

Sierra Leone’s potential for trade and industrial activities was highlighted by leaders from all over the world at the Sierra Leone Trade and Investment Forum held in London in 2009.

As former British Prime Minister Tony Blair explained at the forum, “Sierra Leone has massive natural resources and wonderful possibilities commercially in agriculture, tourism, mining and other sectors. In addition, for the first time, it now has a stable government with a president who genuinely wants to make change and root out corruption.”

Foreign investment success stories 

According to the widely read European Independent Media Agency, The European Times, foreign investors already operating in Sierra Leone demonstrate the country’s potential.

French petroleum giant Total is one global investor which has put its faith in Sierra Leone and is thriving there, serving as an example to other multinationals considering an investment in the country, the Magazine reported recently.

“Local cement producer Leocem, part of Heidelberg Cement, was recently the target of around €7.7 million in investment from the parent group, a sign of confidence in Sierra Leone’s future.”

Another successful foreign investor, the Magazine added, is Maersk Sierra Leone, part of the global AP Moller – Maersk group, which has been operating in the country for many years and established a registered local company in Sierra Leone since 2003.

It also reported that Addax Bio-energy, a division of the Switzerland based Addax & Oryx Group, has established a Greenfield integrated agricultural and renewable energy project in the northern headquarters of Makeni, to produce fuel ethanol and electricity from sugarcane.

African Minerals Limited is a minerals exploration and development company with significant interests in Sierra Leone. It is listed on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) of the London Stock Exchange, and is now headquartered in London, United Kingdom.

Mining

The Company is currently focused on the development of the world class iron ore deposit at Tonkolili in northern Sierra Leone and its related rail and port infrastructure. The project is the largest employer in Sierra Leone and is set to become the largest contributor to the country’s GDP.

London Mining Company is an expanding producer of high specification iron ore for the global steel industry and is focused on identifying, developing and operating sustainable mines.

London Mining commenced sales from the Marampa mine in Sierra Leone in 2012 and expects to reach production capacity of 5Mtpa this year.

Banking System

The banking system has been greatly improved since the establishment of new banks with off-shore headquarters, especially from the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

These foreign banks are helping to build capacity in the country as they introduce innovations in management and modern payment systems, compatible with today’s global business imperatives.

Stakeholders in the financial system are currently gearing up for the take-off of the stock exchange, which is for now functions in a low-key mode under the auspices of the Apex Bank.

Tourism Industry

The tourism industry is becoming an attractive area for investment given the superb panorama of the beautiful beaches and mountains from the hotels in Aberdeen and other notable areas along the Atlantic Ocean in the Western Area, where the capital is located.

There are numerous places of attraction around the country which tourists would not regret visiting.

Our flora and fauna, and our beautiful monuments like the famous Bounce Island where slaves were shipped to America during the Atlantic slave trade, the Tambo Kilimi Reserve in the Tambakha Chiefdom, Bombali District and other areas in Kabala, Shenge, Sulima, Pepel and Bonthe are beautiful and still remain as major tourist attraction areas in the country.

Sierra Leone is remarkably beautiful, with pristine beaches, green mountains, and jungles that remain largely untouched. It has friendly people with political and religious tolerance. Sierra Leone is blessed with the largest natural harbour in Africa.

The last five years saw rapid development in the tourist industry, thanks to the shrewd business mentality of President Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma, who told Sierra Leoneans in his 2007 presidential campaign that, if elected, he would run Sierra Leone like a business entity.

Today, the rapid development that is taking place in the country is unprecedented, to say the least.

Little wonder that foreign investors are coming to Sierra Leone in droves to invest in various sectors because all the necessary economic strategies have been put in place to make the country very business friendly.

The Sierra Leone Telegraph: 3 June 2013

I know that years of political expediency have left us chasing the allure of a grand berth in the port of flagship nations.

And no doubt, the present government would like to be a fairytale and a quaint historical vignette in the search of that dream and the epiphany of Sierra Leone.

However, announcements of further incursion into our resource-laden country, (which is now like one of those all-you-can-eat restaurants) by so-called helpmates, who come with more baggage than the carousel at Lungi airport, often sound like the weary humour of a condemned man catching a first glimpse of the gallows.

As we fall for the illusion, these do-gooders with pungent odour that will ordinarily make you hold your nose and reach for a scented hankie, are turning up, claiming to be on a noble mission of delivering us from the yoke of economic dictatorship which is standing in the way of our glorious dream of an El-Dorado.

But in reality, all they are doing is screwing us up as much as they can, making the right noises about trade; holding us hostage in our own bedroom and taking advantage of our nation’s and the continent’s healthy economic forecasts and future.

Sadly, we can’t even feel comfortable in our own skin any more.

Looking at it, these foreigners coming to our shores are not even the ‘prettiest girl’ at the carnival dance. And the fact is that they are not even close to her. So if we want to eat a toad, why not as well go for one that’s got eggs.

I am aware that we are in a race against time to ensure that we are a country fit for purpose.

But, we are unrecognisable from the country of pre-1980 OAU at least. In fact, were some of our founding fathers able to come on a visit now, I wonder if they’ll know what country they are in.

However, despite all our woes, it has been over a decade since we came back to our senses and at least six years, since we thought we were finally on a journey to a new beginning.

To me, a well-run state should after half-a-decade, be flowing with inspiration and good pace of change.

It should be evolving its own development plan and strategies for every reasonable contingency that will ensure its own growth on its own terms. Not a mere fag-end of foreign policies and dictates, especially after ten years of post-conflict.

So, the theatrical of the continued labour to overhaul our economy is sadly deficient and reveals huge and worrying gaps in our course of action.

It exposes the fact that we have been virtually taken over by foreign concerns, who not only dictate what happens, but who actively prevent the nation from making wise plans for our future.

When set alongside the promises that got us enthralled in the first place. And the worrying thing about this is not that as a result Sierra Leone has become reliant on handouts – that has been our story for a while now.

No, the worrying thing is that now, our beloved country is being forced into becoming more and more dependent on desperate investors and nations whose antecedents are well documented and especially one, whose foray into Africa is becoming a source of global worry.

However, I do not sincerely believe because the Sierra Leone we used to know is currently lying like a road-kill waiting for the vultures, is enough good reason for us to start singing the ultimate redemption song that leaves us in slow agony.

I see what is happening to us right now as something akin to a man watching his ex-partner lap dancing for her new fella, in the front room they shared.

Our situation feels like a voyage back into the past (colonialism). The only difference this time around is that we have gone out of our way to invite the missionary-traders who are just too willing to help, with a whiff of condescension in their gait, as they answer us in their own time and making us sweat a bit in the process.

The end result is that our masters of drivel (government), still roll out the carpet in exchange for a crumb of immediate comfort and they are just too happy to do so. Unfortunately, some of us have the hump – simply because it is our future that is on display at the on-going car boot-sale.

Remember Gaddafi? It seems we never learnt the lesson that there are no free lunches.

Sincerely speaking, hearing the glee in the voices and assertions of people whose guesses coincide suspiciously with their predisposition, I cannot share the mistaken belief that allowing ourselves to become an outpost province of China; or that country’s equivalent of Britain’s Falklands, is the best way forward for our much-desired search for fast track development.

Neither do I believe that it is appropriate for our resources to be under the total domination of foreign concerns that have no other interests than lining their own pockets or easing their own pain.

What is wrong with us as Africans, nay Sierra Leoneans – that we go potty anytime we come in contact with a white skin?

Even when they talk bulls..t, we still believe they know best. We believe that our salvation is in their hands. We believe that they are the messiah sent from above.

Yet, the economic situation in the so-called developed world right now shows that the physicians cannot heal themselves. As a matter of fact, it is what is responsible for their newfound love for our beloved continent.

Anyway, as far as I am concerned, our best course of action for long-term survival is learning to dance in the rain, rather than waiting for the storm to pass while sheltering in the barns of aggressive predators.

We have to bite the bullet – no matter how unpalatable it is at the initial feeding.

Listening to a SLBC programme while in town recently, one panellist pointed out what exactly has attracted the Chinese and other invading armies of occupation, like flies to a rotten mango.

The answer: Rare and other precious mineral resources found in abundance within our shores and indeed the African continent.

Although the Chinese claim to be benevolent donors, investors and partner in progress; and although their clarion cry is that the aim of their foray into our undeveloped town-lots, is to help build our productive capacity by improving our infrastructure and boosting our manufacturing sector, there is absolutely no doubt that this is a waste of oxygen in the air of truth.

If our leaders can forget the banquets and stop being tantalised by the prospect of preferential loan deals; if they can refuse to be tempted by the shinning bags with choice currency signs and look beyond the handshake that is closer to the elbow, they will realise that a possible answer to the puzzle of Chinese affection is as clear as daylight.

The cheapest resources China could find are in Africa. They help to propel the new-found wealth of that nation. Africa also serves as a crucial market with great potentials for several sub-standard Chinese products that in turn oil the wheel of its economy.

Ditto the numerous labours that it exports to tackle its own socio-political problems at home, along with its ‘freebies’.

All that China wants is to ensure continued access to global markets which have been so fundamental to the success of its economic development so far. It does not really give a hoot to our own plight. So if a bit of ‘noodles’ can get us lapping, all the better.

While offering very little in return and with the terms of any assistance weighted heavily in its favour, China ensures that it has our leaders panting like hungry hounds at the ‘juicy’ options of cheap loans, infrastructural developments carried out by its half-baked experts and promises of more from where the drip is coming from.

It ensures that as a result, it is able to suck away our resources, while our leaders turn a blind eye or revel in the ‘friendship’ saloon.

Let’s look at it. Since 2007 how many factories, industries and businesses have been established in Sierra Leone by the Chinese or even the other so-called investors?

With all the roads being built, what dent has the Chinese and foreign involvement made on unemployment? How many of our ugly realities, including the huge numbers of those effectively reduced to begging, the debased and the debilitated, have been rehabilitated?

In this time of economic deprivation, apart from carting away resources for some of their vital industries on the cheap, or laughing all the way to the bank, what visible benefits, (apart from those of the officials negotiating the deals) have enhanced our export, or indeed our problems?

The actions of our leaders belie an attitude of mind to pump up the economy without the real structural reforms that could spark a true and lasting revival.

They instead, prefer to lob a hand grenade into a box of dynamite. But the current economic strategy, which is totally dependent on debt accumulation as a stimulus package, cannot continue endlessly to defy the forces of gravity indefinitely.

The dependence on foreigners till today – without a meaningful indigenous strategy has ensured that across the nation, a faint shadow is growing and gathering.

In time, it will thicken, darken and resolve itself into a chilly, relentless figure of servitude. It will choke our independence as weed chokes a garden.

Apart from what is already happening, one day our so-called investors will demand their pound of flesh in full and if something cannot go on forever, it will stop. Where then will that leave us?

Back in debt and/or mortgaged to the hilt. While going cap in hand to perceived helpers is a fantastic (but temporary) measure, and while these countries and ‘investors’ display incredible generous spirits in answering our cry for help, the fact is that it is demeaning, given our vast natural resources and potentials.

Generally, governments are overrated and usually do more bad than good. So before we are sold into slavery again, and for the sake of transparency, let’s know who benefits from this dogma-driven telescopic gaze across the world, for the beauties in the lilies.

Right now, especially at this time of economic deprivation in the rest of the world, Africa and indeed Sierra Leone, is a major pivot in the shifting balance of global economic transformation. Why are we then in servitude to those who need us more than we need them?

With our abundant resources, we should be developing policies that will harness our vast human capital, not blending socio-political and economic humour and cynicism with the macabre.

We should be holding the rest of the world by the balls to get what we want for what they want. Not the other way round.

Our paramount national objective should be to complete the economic modernisation task without ceding our national, political and foreign policy integrity.

And with corruption a key component of all these foreign invasion of Sierra Leone, it is not whether it is true or whether it happens or from whom it is coming, it is the fact most people think this is solely the reason for the insistence on the love affair with strangers that has long-term potential damage. Already, people think it has the ring of truth.

It was understandable in the first five years of this administration that it needed all the help it could get from any source. But we seem to have gone so far down the slope that some people are giving up hope of ever having a truly indigenous antidote against foreign and Chinese takeaways, parochialism, as well as modern-day captivity.

After generating a lot of post-election buzz, both in 2007 and last year, it is a pity that the government has failed till date to deliver a juggernaut.

We need to cherish our freedom at all costs. Unless of course making us the Chinese province of Sierra Leone, is the ultimate. Like the late afro-beat maestro, Fela would say, “Colo mentality”.

The Sierra Leone Telegraph: 3 June 2013

Yesterday morning my very good and trusted friend and counsellor Alpha Zakmal, who is the Oba of the Aku Mohammadan Jammat in the Washington Metropolitan – USA, called to inform me of the death of Dr. Abdul Afyz Hardy (Photo).

To those of us who grew up in the Aku Mohammadan communities of Fourah Bay, Foulah Town, Aberdeen and Funkia, he was simply known as uncle Afyz and never insisted on being styled “Doctor”.

I have decided as a matter of historical purposes to retrace the long journey of the late distinguished uncle Afyz, in the nation’s socio political and cultural advancements, as I witnessed for myself – from both cultural and political levels.

In particular, it is my knowledge of him as a Medical practitioner and his interaction with members of the political establishment, which I saw for myself especially his friendship with the late Sir Banja Tejan-Sie, the second Sierra Leonean Governor General of independent Sierra Leone – from April 1968 to September 1970, that I wish to comment on.

Dr. Abdul Afyz Hardy happened to be a beneficiary of the magnificence of mind by the late Edward Wilmot Blyden, who was able to make it possible for people of Islamic faith in the Aku Mohammadan culture to benefit from their western education, because in his days people with Islamic sounding names were denied western education.

But through perseverance, dogged determination and personal self-sacrifice, uncle Afyz ensured that he obtained medical education of the highest pedigree in the United Kingdom.

And when one talks of Sierra Leonean qualified Doctors of his generation, Uncle Afyz was among the medical giants, such as Dr. H. M. S. Boardman, Dr. Ekundayo Boye-Johnson, Dr. Wellesley-Cole of ‘Kossoh Town Boy’ fame, Dr. Olu Williams, Dr. Melvin Stuart, Dr. Roxy Harris, Dr. Oju Mends.

Dr. Hardy was very much a community physician who dispensed with his expertise-  gratis, especially in the Aku Mohammadan community of Fourah Bay.

I recalled most times when the late Grandma Lambrie will send me to Dr. Afyz for medication, if uncle Tanu, who was then Chief Dispenser had not yet come with her medication.

Uncle Afyz was also a regular fixture in the government Connaught hospital, volunteering his services.

He was not a ‘Politician’ by ideological orientation. But no one should underestimate his unprecedented access to the movers and shakers of Sierra Leone – from the late prime minister – Sir Milton Margai to president Siaka Probyn Stevens (Photo).

He really knew how to play his ‘political’ cards as a reliable, credible and trusted public servant, in ways he offended no politician. He was never affiliated to any political party.

I had the very good fortune on few occasions to be at the same place with him, when he visited the Syke Street residence of Sir Banja Tejan-Sie, when he was Chief Justice as well as Governor General.

He was also frequently invited to social functions hosted by both Sir Banja and lady Admire Tejan- Sie, while they were in residence at Government House.

Dr. Afyz was a devout Muslim, committed to the propagation of Islam in his Aku Mohammadan communities.

He lived a worthy life that took into account the clarion call made by president John F. Kennedy in the Winter of January 1961, when he charged his fellow Americans to help move this great society forward, for the betterment of all and sundry without expecting gratification in return.

A man of very quiet disposition and humble being, Dr. Afyz will be greatly missed for the many lives he touched, without expecting reward.

And as he lies in a state of animated suspension preparing to return to his maker Allah, all of us who knew him will today render the disposition of his mortal remains into the compass of the indomitable reality for constant protection.

Dr. Afyz will be richly rewarded with a seat on the right hand of Allah in paradise, for his indefatigable services to fellow mankind while on earth.

Dr. Abdul Afyz Moronke Hardy (Photo) – the personal medical doctor of almost all of the pre-1980s former heads of State of Sierra Leone, passed away peacefully in Freetown, last Friday 31 May 2013, aged 89 years.

Dr. Afyz – as he is popularly known to many Sierra Leoneans who visited the Connaught Hospital in the country’s capital in the 1960s and 1970s, provided medical care for the country’s first Prime Minister – Sir Milton Margai until his death in 1964; the first Sierra Leonean born Governor General – Sir Banja Tejan – Sie; and also latterly, the first President of Sierra Leone – Siaka Probyn Stevens.

As Dr. Robert Wellesley Cole, one of Sierra Leone’s brightest and most illustrious doctors, known for his work – ‘Kossoh Town Boy’ recalled in the last book he wrote before he too passed on – ‘An Innocent in Britain’, that Dr. Abdul Afyz Moronke Hardy was one of the first senior medical staff lecturers who served in the country’s first ever Department of Clinical Studies, which he – Dr. Robert Wellesley Cole headed as Director.

“Dr. Margai – now Sir Milton Margai, prime minister of Sierra Leone happened to be in London, and I called on him. We recalled ideals we two had discussed in previous years… I should think about going to Sierra Leone to help establish a teaching hospital and a medical school to train our own doctors.

“Unfortunately Sir Milton (Photo) died in April 1964, six months before I was due in Freetown”, Dr. Robert Wellesley Cole recalled.

“In the absence of the late prime minister – Dr. Sir Milton Margai, the interest in establishing a medical school and teaching hospital was low. There was no central motivating force. The new prime minister (Albert Margai) was a barrister.

“In the circumstances the Ministry of Health decided to tackle the most pressing problem among the doctors. In the absence of a medical school Sierra Leone doctors were trained abroad. There was an urgent need for in-service training of doctors on their return to Sierra Leone.

“”There was in the Department of Health an adequate pool of specialist, all of whom received their undergraduate and postgraduate training in Britain in the pre-1961 colonial days.

“I was asked if I could handle the situation (that is to establish the Department of Clinical Studies of Sierra Leone) and I readily agreed. I knew most of our young specialists, or at least their backgrounds, and there was no difficulty in organising what speedily developed into the first institution of medical training in the history of Sierra Leone. It was named the Department of Clinical Studies”, Dr. Robert Wellesley Cole said in his book.

“I mobilised a pool of thirty-one specialists (including Dr. Abdul Afyz Moronke Hardy – Photo). The specialists were consulted and assigned new doctors. The main departments covered were medicine, surgery – including orthopaedics and ophthalmology, midwifery and gynaecology, paediatrics, and pathology.

“Systematic lectures devised by myself and the senior specialists were given to the doctors at a class every morning, before they started their day’s ward duty.

“In addition, the heads of each department gave clinical tutorial talks and demonstrations; while each specialist gave the doctors who were assigned to him all the attention and training possible in his ward.

“I was able to have a single storey building erected in the grounds of the Connaught hospital for the new department” – Dr. Wellesley Cole recalled in his book – ‘An innocent in Britain’.

Dr. Abdul Afyz Moronke Hardy was among the first cohort of senior lecturers that helped Dr. Robert Wellesley Cole achieved his dream of establishing a Department of Clinical Studies at the Connaught hospital.

But Dr. Afyz was no stranger to Wellesley Cole. He was the first medical doctor to hail from the Aku Mohamedan community of Fourah Bay in Freetown.

He qualified as a Member of the Royal College of Physicians (MRCP) and Member of the Royal College of Surgeons (MRCS). He is a Fellow of the West African College of Physicians (FWACP).

Dr. Afyz also served the community as a Justice of the Peace (JP) and a Commissioner for Oaths.

The son of Papa Hardy Savage and Mama Isatu Savage (nee Robinson of Wellington), Dr. Afyz was born at Number One Bungie Street (formerly Number One Wilson Street) in Fourah Bay.

He attended the Sulaimania School in Magazine Cut and then the Government Model School where he passed his Common Entrance Examinations with flying colours.

He then went on to the Prince Of Wales School in Freetown, where he excelled and achieved two ‘double promotions’: Form 1 to Form 3 and then Form 3 to 5, due to his far higher than expected intelligence for children of similar age group.

After finishing school, he taught briefly at the Prince Of Wales School in 1949 and then at the Bo Secondary School, before proceeding to the U.K to study Medicine.

He graduated in Medicine in 1956 at the University of Liverpool, where he attained his membership soon after.

He was one of the few newly qualified Sierra Leonean doctors who ushered in the country’s Independence in 1961.

He worked as Medical Officer in charge at the Hill Station, Kono and Bo Hospitals.

After returning home from the UK, Dr. Abdul Afyz Hardy (Photo) won the trust and confidence of the leaders of Sierra Leone. He became the personal doctor of the country’s first Prime Minister – Sir Milton Margai; the Governor General – Sir Banja Tejan – Sie; and later President Siaka Stevens, with whom he travelled extensively.

Dr. Hardy worked at the Connaught Hospital for many years as Consultant Physician, where several newly qualified doctors worked under his care as house officers, senior house officers, registrars and specialists, until his retirement in 1984.

He was one of the early members of the West African College of Physicians and became Vice President of the college in 1978, and was also an examiner at the School of Nursing and Midwifery in Sierra Leone.

He was an elder in the Fourah Bay Community and was Chairman of the Governing Council of the Fourah Bay Mass Jammat.

He is survived by his wife Haja Kosna Hardy (nee Betts); children: medical doctor – Dr. Gamal Babatunde Hardy, who lives and works in the UK; medical doctor – Dr. Fawzia Iyamide Thomas, who also lives and work in the UK as a General Practitioner (GP); Mr. Iqbal Olufemi Hardy, an entrepreneur who lives in Freetown; Mr. Abdul Afyz Moronke Hardy, who lives and works in the UK; and another medical doctor – Dr. Yasmine Isatu Hardy, who lives and practices in Ghana.

Dr. Afyz is also survived by two grandchildren Jamilla and Abdul Jnr.

His son-in- law is no other than the editor of the Sierra Leone Telegraph – Mr. Abdul Rashid Thomas. He also leaves behind a loving daughter-in- law, Mrs Kamisa Hardy.

Dr. Afyz is predeceased by his brothers, the erudite and well known Professor Olumbe Bassir – former head of biochemistry at the University of Ibadan Nigeria and Mr. Eke Othman Hardy.

The funeral of Dr. Abdul Afyz Moronke Hardy will take place today in Fourah Bay, Freetown. He will be sorely missed by his family and the thousands of people that are still alive in Sierra Leone today, who owe their lives to the great doctor.

May his soul rest in perfect peace – and as the Quran says: “Ina li-Lahi wa ina il-Lahi raji-oun” – meaning: “From God we come, to Him we return”.

“When all is said and done, when once we returned to our maker, all that will be remembered are the good deeds that we have done in this life.”