China’s Presence In Ghana Is Positive— Ambassador declares

He cited the investment of the Bui Dam and the Asogli power plant among other Chinese investments

By Benson Afful

Many Ghanaians have tagged the Chinese with activities associated with illegal mining in the country but the Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, Mr. Shi Ting Wang, says, trade cooperation between China and Ghana must not be limited to illegal mining. Trade cooperation, he said, is more positive and beneficial to the two countries.

Addressing the media in Accra, Mr. Wang said: “ China’s presence here is more positive and shouldn’t be limited to the few Chinese nationals who are involved in illegal activities.” He cited the investment of the Bui Dam and the Asogli power plant among other Chinese investments in the energy sector, which, he said have contributed between 30 to 40 percent of Ghana’s power supply to support his argument.

The Chinese government gave scholarships to 310 Ghanaian to study in various universities in China — the highest any country given to Ghanaian students this year. The 310 government scholarships outnumbered other countries. This proves China's commitment to human resource development in Ghana. Every year, the Chinese government gives scholarships to a total of 1,050 Ghanaian students to build their capacity in various areas, he said.

He urged Ghanaians and the security agencies to carry out their duty to enforce the law to apprehend any Chinese national who get involved in illegal acts. The Chinese government does not support any Chinese national who perpetuate an illegal act in Ghana.

According to Mr. Wang, China will continue to deepen reform and broaden open-up and make a contribution to Ghana’s development and global growth.

China’s GDP has hit US$13.6 trillion (90 trillion Yuan) with imports and exports totaling more than 30 trillion Yuan.

China contributes nearly 30 percent to world economic growth with a continued emphasis on technology and innovation.

Ghana’s export to China hit USD 1.4 billion, a historical high. China has become the leading source of investments in Ghana - investments span airlines, extractive, and in the energy sector.

More African Diasporas Visit Ghana As Part Of ‘The Year of Return’

President Nana Akufo-Addo declared the Year of Return in September 2018 in Washington, D.C.

By Benson Afful

Photo Courtesy: Alamy /Richard Levine: Africans march on New York streets during the African Day Parade

More than 200 Africans in the diaspora visited Ghana this year as part of the ‘Year of Return’ an initiative of Ghana’s President Nana Dankwa Akufo-Addo, to mark the 400 years since slavery.

President Nana Akufo-Addo declared the 'Year of Return' in September 2018 in Washington, D.C., for Africans in the Diaspora to come to Africa and explore the cultural heritage of the continent.

The Year of Return, Ghana 2019, campaign target the African–American, and Diasporas, marking 400 years of the first enslaved African arrived in Jamestown, Virginia.

Many of these Africans have spent all their lives in Europe and America visited for the first time an Africa country to familiarize themselves with the African culture. Most visited places like Kwame Nkrumah Museum, Kakum National Park, Elmina Castle, and, Cape Coast Castle — most slaves were kept before finally shipped to Europe.

President Akufo-Addo addressed the African Diasporas at a durbar in Matse Abona, a suburb of Accra, popularly called 'British Accra' or ‘James Town Accra’ where the British colonial masters built one of their forts, known as, the Ussher Fort.

The event coincided with the ‘Homowo’ festival. A festival by the indigenes of Matse Abona or Jamestown, Accra. Many African in the diaspora participating and catching a glimpse of the cultural display of the indigenes. Some ‘home-comers’ couldn’t hold their excitement, involved with the cultural display put on their African costumes, and locally made products to show their root.

They also took part in one of West Africa’s biggest street festival known as the ‘Chale Wote’ festival.

‘Chale Wote’ literally means 'friend let’s go' is a street festival depicts art, music, color, and talent amongst Africans.

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As an annual event, the ‘Chale Wote’ street festival has gained popularity among art lovers and people who appreciate the telling of the story through art and music.

Africa’s First Blockchain National Digital Identity System Launched

Financial service providers are now able to verify the identity of a potential customer

By Sylvester Samba

Sierra Leone is said to be the first Africa county to have launched a Blockchain and Decentralized National Digital Identity System. It was launched in the capital of Freetown Radisson Blu Hotel on Wednesday 21st August 2019 by the country's President, Dr. Julius Maada Bio.

At the Seventy-third Session of the UN General Assembly last year in New York, President Bio announced a partnership with the UN and KIVA, a US-based financial services international nonprofit organization, to launch a bold new initiative designed to give the country’s seven million citizens access to financial services.

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals drafted by the United Nations proposes that for countries to ensure inclusive and sustainable development, they must provide their citizens with secure and verifiable identification instruments. In line with this, the government of Sierra Leone reaffirmed its full commitment to strengthening their National Civil Registration and Vital Statistics Systems using innovation and technology and with the assistance of their Development Partners.

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President Julius Maada Bio delivering his speech

In his keynote address, the President said this is the National Digital Identity Platform (NDIP) that has been developed by the NCRA with support from KIVA. He said it is digital infrastructure to help citizens gain access to approved institutions to assert and verify identity and also build credit histories.

A two steps implementation process:

• Digitize identities

• Use the digital identity unique nationally recognized identifier called the National Identification Number that is a non-replicating and non reusable source of reference for service delivery

Step 1 has been completed, and step 2, by year's end.

“Resilient, inclusive, and sustainable economic development lies in human capital development and in boosting private sector growth through entrepreneurship and investments. As a Government, we continue to be thoughtful and intentional about reducing poverty. To achieve that objective, we must first ensure that we develop all critical enablers such as human capital development and simultaneously dismantle structural barriers”

— President Julius Maada Bio

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Members of the audience seated with a cross-section of Government Ministers

Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies; private businesses (banks, telecommunications companies); and public service institutions National Digital Identity Platform (schools, hospitals, utility companies, courts, etc.) can now all know a citizen and refer to that citizen digitally, in the same way, using the unique identifier or number. With a unique digital identifier, citizens can now establish credit histories and improve their access to financial and other foundational services such as healthcare, education, and other eServices. Before now, lending institutions could only offer a poor farmer working on communal land or a petty trader in Freetown no loan or only high-interest loans partly because the bank had no way of establishing the identity or credit history of that person or small business entity.

With the new National Digital Identity System, financial service providers can verify the identity and the credit history of a customer wanting to open an account or access a loan. This reduces the risks for institutions associated with extending low-interest credit to “unknown” borrowers. And can now be done without the guarantee of unreasonable collateral.

Fish Stock Threat … canoes, trawlers to be reduced

In an attempt to improve the fishing stock of the country

By Benson Afful

Government is planning to reduce the number of canoes and trawlers fishing on the countries coast in an attempt to save the country’s fast depleting fish stock, a Deputy Minister of fisheries and Aquaculture, Mr. Francis Ato Cudjoe, has disclosed. He said, canoes will be reduced from the current 14,000 to 9,000 while the trawlers reduced from 75 to 50.

The move, he said, is to ensure that the country avoids what experts have described as overfishing which is threatening the country’s fishing stock.

Speaking at this year’s National Conference on Fisheries and Coastal Environment on the need for the country to take immediate action to curb the worrying situation of the country’s fast depleting fish stock, Mr. Cudjoe said there is a growing awareness of the destruction of the coastal environment.

In an attempt to improve the fishing stock of the country, the government has made several efforts including the implementation of the recently closed season.

The objective of the closed season is to reduce the excessive pressure, overexploitation of marine fish stocks and to help replenish the declining stock. According to the Minister, the trawl sector is currently observing their two months closed season.

Compliance with the directives by the artisanal, and inshore fleet was very high, and there has also not been any report on non-compliance with the trawlers as well, the Deputy Minister, said.

Apart from fishing the coastal environment has lots of economic value. With proper management of the coastal environment, coastal livelihoods can be diversified from being over-reliance on fishing as a major economic activity, thereby, reducing overfishing and overexploitation.

Speaking on the same issue, Prof Wisdom Akpalu of the Institute of Natural Resources in Africa, said, Ghana can get about USD 200 million every year from the fishing sector if the country can regulate the number of boats and trawlers that fish on the sea. He urged the government as a matter of urgency to reduce the number of fishing boats and trawlers to enable the country to realize the potential in the fishing sector. The fishing sector plays a key role in the country' development. It helps improve food, and nutrition security as well provides income for fishing communities.

The sector is a major contributor to the national GDP. It is estimated 10 percent of Ghana’s population engaged the fisheries and aquaculture value chain.

Fish, is highly consumed in Ghana has per capita, consumption ranging between 0-25 kg.

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Freetown Becomes the First City in West Africa to Launch Women4Climate Mentorship Program

Press Release

Courtesy: Freetown City Council (FCC) #Transform Freetown

Freetown – On Friday, 16th August 2019, Freetown City Council (FCC) in collaboration with Sierra Leone Women Engineers (SLWE) launched the Women4Climate Mentorship Program Freetown during a press conference at the Mayor’s Parlor.

The Women4Climate Mentorship Program is a leadership initiative of the C40 Cities that brings together exceptional women change-makers who are using innovative approaches to solve problems related to climate change in their communities. The C40 Cities, a global network of leading cities, include London, New York, Johannesburg, and Singapore, that are committed to fighting against climate change.

Freetown is the third city in Africa and the first in West Africa to launch the Women4Climate Mentorship Program, which will empower the next generation of women climate champions in Freetown. By connecting them with public and private sector leaders from around the world.

Emerging women champions will be mentored for a year; during which they will receive training that aims to enhance skills development, and address gender barriers to women’s leadership in climate change issues.

The application window is now open for women working to solve issues related to climate change in Freetown, including deforestation, emissions, sand mining, etc. Applications will close on September 16, 2019.

GH¢2.8bn To Fund Free SHS In September

Government has spent about GH¢800miliion on the Free SHS policy since its implementation

By Benson Afful

Ghana’s government will need about GH¢2.8 billion next month, which begins the next academic year, to cater for all the 1.2 million Senior High School (SHS) students under its flagship free SHS policy.

Currently, the government spends about GH¢2,312 on each SHS student per year, and this means that government will have to raise GH¢2.8 billion to meet the tuition demands of all the 1.2 million students who will be under the policy from September.

This large number of students who will begin the next academic year in September is the highest SHS population the country will witness since independence. The country currently has in place, the Free Compulsory Universal Basic Education (FCUBE) that covers primary and junior high education.

It is estimated 50 percent of JHS graduates do not have access to SHS due to lack of funds and accessibility. So, the first year of the program’s implementation saw the enrolment of over 400,000 students in the various secondary schools. Last year, about 500,000 students also benefited from the program.

This year, over 500,000 JHS candidates sat for the BECE, and they will receive their placement into the various SHSs by September. The increase in government spending on education in next year’s budgets the enrolment for SHS is expected up to 1.3 million students.

Already, the government spent about GH¢800 million on the Free SHS policy since its implementation.

In 2018 budget, GH¢455.9 million petroleum revenues were allocated to the Free SHS program. President Nana Akufo-Addo, during the launch of the free SHS policy in 2017, said his government would invest revenues from oil in one of the most ambitious social programs of the country’s history – that is, the Free Senior High School policy.

“The Free SHS is ensuring that the country’s oil revenues are being equitably distributed to the people and not ending up in the pockets of a few”

— President Nana Akufo-Addo

However, since its announcement that the government intends to use oil money to fund the free SHS policy, there have been criticisms by some civil society groups. That, it is risky for the government to rely solely on oil revenue funding the free SHS program. Insisting the government must diversify its sources in funding for the program, due to the instability of oil prices on the world market.

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Civil Society Backs Government Actions On Mining Sector

To make responsible natural resource governance

By Sylvester Samba

Minister of Mines and Minerals Resources, Hon. Foday Rado Yokie

Like many African countries, Sierra Leone is blessed with verse mineral resources. The resources, however, have not been utilized to benefit its people and the country as a whole. Mining communities remain in abject poverty, poor infrastructure, health and educational facilities, and a high level of insecurity and human right abuses.

Sierra Leone’s President, however, in a bid to correct the situation, has promised to, among other things:

Mrs. Lavina Banduah, Executive Director of Transparency International Sierra Leone

(i) review Mines and Minerals Act 2009 as well as Mining Lease Agreements to realign with Mining Policy and ensure it is consistent with international best practices (ii) enact the Extractive Industry Revenue Bill (iii) establish the Natural Resources Account for all revenues generated from extractives (iv) strengthen the National Minerals Agency (NMA) (v) allocate percentages of revenue from the mining sector to education, health and the general development of mining communities (vi) ensure full transparency in the sector through complying with the Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (EITI) standards and provide updated and validated information on tax and other contributions from the mining sector to the government (vii) support value additions to our mineral resources with a view to generating jobs and additional income to Sierra Leoneans (viii) ensure that all mining companies comply with the local content policy and (ix) enforce corporate social responsibility in all mining activities.

The minerals sector comprising mostly diamonds, iron ore, bauxite, rutile, gold and mineral sands is said to contribute about 24 percent to GDP and over 80 percent to export earnings but generates only 15 percent of its total revenues according to official figures from the ministry of finance.

The Natural Resource Governance and Economic Justice Network - Sierra Leone (NaRGEJ -SL) has in a press release recognizes the strides of the government of President Julius Maada Bio so far since it came to power, including;

Mr. Abu Brima, Executive Director for Network Movement for Justice and Development

• Starting Geological Airborne survey supported by the World Bank

• Launch the three (3) Mineral Sector Policies:

  Sierra Leone Minerals Policy

  Artisanal Mining Policy’

  Geodata Management Policy of Sierra Leone

• Suspension of licenses of two large-scale mining companies

• The cancellation of the Shandong Mining Lease Agreement

While the above actions are in line with contributing to improving the governance of mining sector, NaRGEJ holds the view that more comprehensive actions with rights-based and people-centered processes are needed to respond more effectively to the critical nature of the problems besetting the sector. NaRGEJ recommends in its 2nd July 2018 submission to the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Resources government to:

1. As NaRGEJ endorses the present suspensions and cancellations of Licenses, it also calls on the government to slam a moratorium on all large-scale mining companies until due diligence is done on all of them.

2. An expedited transparent and participatory review of the Mines and Minerals Act 2009 ensuring citizens (especially communities affected by mining, civil society, women, local authorities, people with disabilities, the youth, etc.) adequately consulted as it is public assets.

3. Carry out a comprehensive review of the National Minerals Agency (NMA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with the view to strengthening them to be effective.

4. Present a well-articulated strategy and operational plan with timelines and targets/milestones of how the government intends meeting the nine (9) commitments His Excellency the President Dr. Julius Maada Bio made to the people of Sierra Leone on the occasion of the State Opening of Parliament on Thursday, 10th May 2018.

5. Government to make a clear statement on how concretely it intends to make good its commitment to using international standards and best practices in the mining sector with particular reference to the African Mining Vision (AMV), UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), etc.

About NaRGEJ:

The NaRGEJ Network is a collaborative initiative of groups and individuals in Sierra Leone working to secure economic and social justice through human rights in the natural resource sector. NaRGEJ seeks to facilitate joint actions enhancing communication and building solidarity across regions. Build a national movement to make responsible natural resource governance, human rights, and social justice, a reality for all.

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The Global Coalition against Corruption -Transparency International gives voice to the victims and witnesses of corruption. Transparency International work together with governments, businesses and citizens to stop the abuse of power, bribery and secret deals.

Sierra Leoneans Commend European Union

For boosting key infrastructures

By Sylvester Samba

Sierra Leoneans in the Southern part of the country has commended the European Union for undertaking key infrastructure projects in that part of the country. The projects aim at improving road infrastructure as a driving force for economic growth and sustainable development. One of these projects is the 'Bandajuma-Liberia Road and Bridges Rehabilitation Project.

The project will improve the country's core road network

The Bandajuma-Liberia Road and Bridges Rehabilitation Project provides for the upgrading of 100 km of road between Sierra Leone and Liberia, and the construction of three new bridges. The new bridge constructions at Sewa River, Wanjie River, and Moa River has completed. The project will improve the country's core road network and open the main gateway to Liberia, restoring a vital link between the two countries.

The Moyamba-Moyamba Junction road project also in the Southern province will improve the road communication system between Moyamba Town and the Masiaka-Bo Highway and facilitate access to the South-Eastern districts. It provides for the rehabilitation of 33 km of road between Moyamba and Moyamba Junction, and four bridges. These include one over Gbangbama River, another over Yambatui River, and the construction of two-lane bridges over the Rokel River (Magbele Bridge) and the Rebi River (Mabang Bridge).

The National Authorizing Office under the supervision of the Ministry of Development and Economic Planning secured a grant of €40.7 million from the European Development Fund in support to the Government of Sierra Leone towards the construction of the roads. CSE started the work in March of last year because of a non-performance by MSF. Their contract terminated on July 21, 2017.

CSE, Roads and Earthworks giant from Dakar Senegal are very confident that the construction of the Moyamba-Moyamba Junction Road will finally be completed and handed over in March next year.

The assurance was given on Wednesday the 7th August 2019, in a two-hour-long press conference held at CSE's residential site in the outskirts of Moyamba town by its Country Director, Mr. Amadou Gaye.

Sierra Leone Roads Authority (SLRA) oversee all road projects maintenance in the country

Senior Journalists representing major media outlets from Freetown, Bo, and Moyamba were in attendance, and the Deputy Chairman for Moyamba District Council, Moyamba Youth President, and Civil Society activists residing in the District.

National Authorising Office, Thursday, 8 August 2019, held their second press conference at Zimi Town in Pujehun district. The Director National Authorising Office, Mr. Ambrose James said National Indicative Programming is the decision-making process through which the EU and its partner countries define development assistance strategies, priorities and funding allocation. The 11th EDF to Sierra Leone represents €376 million in programmable funds on Governance, Education, Agriculture, and Infrastructure.

Admission Blues Await University Applicants Next Year

Compounded by the backlog of students seeking admission

By Benson Afful

Over 175,000 students who sat for the West Africa Senior Secondary Certificate examination and failed the English Language will have to compete next year with more than 400,000 free Senior High School first batch students for the limited space at the country’s tertiary institutions.

A backlog of about 200,000 students, created by merging two batches of SHS 4 and SHS 3 students who sat for the West Africa Senior High School Certificate Examination in 2013, still exists.

The West African Examination Council results of 2019 WASSCE candidates revealed that 100,781 candidates obtained between D7 to E8 in the English Language while 74,038 had F9.

These candidates who failed a core subject—English Language will have to retake and apply for a university next year. A year that will also witness a boom in admission as the first batch of free SHS students expected to enter university.

“Demand for tertiary school admissions in 2020 is expected to be massive as the country awaits the maiden graduation of over 400,000 Free Senior High School (SHS) students who will be applying for entry into the various tertiary institutions”

The reality is that this single batch of free SHS beneficiaries is more in number than the entire student population of the 138 tertiary institutions in the country at the moment.

The 138 tertiary institutions, including colleges of education and nursing training, have an entire student population of 320,746 covering all batches, and they can admit about 100,000 students yearly as a result of limited infrastructure.

Expected to heighten the race for university admissions next year is the over 400,000 Free SHS beneficiaries together with the over 150,000 candidates who may not get admitted as a result of the failed English Language subject, this year.

This development puts pressure on Senior High School graduates outside the Free SHS program to do all they can to secure admission into the country’s public and private tertiary institutions this year, or risk competing with over 400,000 Free SHS beneficiaries for limited spaces in tertiary institutions.

Infrastructure neglected

About 99 percent of the oil cash used to support the country’s education budget for 2018 was used to pay for goods and services – mainly for the payment of school fees in respect of government’s Free SHS program, while about 1 percent spent on physical infrastructure.

An analysis of the Public Interest and Accountability Committee’s Annual Report on Management and Use of Petroleum Revenues for the Period 2018 reveals, the total Annual Budget Funding Amount (ABFA) allocation of GH¢ 419,871,012 was to the education sector, over GH¢ 414.6million was spent on fees for Free SHS beneficiaries and GH¢ 5.2million on expanding existing infrastructure and building new ones.

The amount spent on physical infrastructure is worrisome. Given there has been an increased enrolment in SHS students as a result of the government’s Free SHS policy.

Ghana Government Suspends Concession Agreement with PDS

Steps were taken to ensure distribution, billing, and payment services continue to customers

By Benson Afful

The government of Ghana has suspended a concession agreement with the Power Distribution Company (PDS), a private company that took over power distribution in the country some few months ago. According to the government, the decision follows the detection of fundamental and material breaches of PDS’ obligation in the provision of payment securities (demand guarantees). The transaction discovered upon further due diligence.

"The Demand Guarantees were key prerequisites for the lease of assets on March 1st, 2019 to secure the assets that were transferred to the concessionaire," the statement said.

The government is conducting a full inquiry into the matter, and the outcome will inform the next course of action.

Steps were taken to ensure distribution, billing, and payment services continue to customers, the statement read. It added that the general public is assured this development will not interfere with the distribution of electricity services to customers.

Five Years On: Ebola Victims Remembered In Sierra Leone

The Ebola epidemic, which plagued Sierra Leone between May 2014 and November 2015 was the deadliest epidemic to hit the country in decades

By Sylvester Samba

It is five years after Sierra Leone officially was declared Ebola-free.

Mr. Yusuf Kabba, President, Sierra Leone Association of Ebola survivors (SLAES)

As a way of commemorating the fallen victims of the crisis in Sierra Leone, Centre for Accountability and Rule of Law Sierra Leone ( CARL - SL) and Sierra Leone Association of Ebola survivors (SLAES) and partners, dedicated Monday 29th July 2019 to remember the victims of the deadly outbreak in Sierra Leone.

Over the past months, CARL-SL and SLAES conducted countrywide consultations targeting Ebola survivors, healthcare workers who handled Ebola patients, Councilor, Community Headmen, Town/Section Chiefs, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to name but few. These consultations highlighted the challenges and problems the Ebola survivors continue to face since the end of the crisis in the country.

The Ebola survivors faced chronic health-related problems. Problems as erectile dysfunction, male infertility, partial blindness, joint pains, loss of appetite, severe headache, abnormal menstruations, hearing problems, fatigue, and mental health due to depression.

The Ebola survivors reiterated their quest for medical, psychological, and mental health support.

There is a need for employment opportunities and job training, particularly for Ebola healthcare workers and volunteers; educational scholarships for Ebola survivors and Ebola orphans, they noted.

The Ebola epidemic, which plagued Sierra Leone between May 2014 and November 2015 was the deadliest epidemic to hit the country in decades.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) recorded 14,124 confirmed cases and 3,956 death, devastated communities, and homes.

Many of those deaths included healthcare workers who took on the task of containing the outbreak. Among the deceased was Dr. Sheik Umar Khan. Dr. Sheik Umar Khan was a leading doctor from Sierra Leone specializing in viral hemorrhagic fever.

Augustine Marrah Esq., Counsel for plaintiffs (Left) and Mr. Ibrahim Tommy Esq., Executive Director, CARL, Public Interest Plaintiff (Right)

In December 2017, two healthcare workers (plaintiff) infected with and survived Ebola and the Centre for Accountability and Rule of Law (CARL-SL) filed a lawsuit against the government of Sierra Leone at the ECOWAS Court of Justice.

The plaintiffs alleged that the government's mismanagement of US $14M in Ebola response funds caused violations of the right to life and health of Sierra Leoneans.

The plaintiffs rely on the findings of two special audit reports released by the Audit Service of Sierra Leone in 2015, which found that the health sector was liable during the Ebola crisis.

Liberia President Decorates His Sierra Leonean Counterpart

Order of the Pioneers

By Sylvester Samba

President of Liberia, His Excellency President George M. Weah, Sr. has conferred on His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone the honor of Knight Grand Cordon, Most Venerable Order of the Pioneers (KGC – MVOP). Amidst standing ovation from the people of Liberia at the Sports Complex, President George M. Weah decorated his colleague and brother, President Maada Bio with the insignia Knight Grand Cordon. Witnessing the occasion is the First Lady Madam Fatima Bio.

The event which took place on Friday 26th July 2019 at its Monrovia capital, Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex, Monterrado County, marks Liberia 172nd Independence Anniversary commemoration. The program was graced by several Heads of State, among them; His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone, His Excellency President Alpha Conde of Guinea and His Excellency President Alassane Ouattara of Ivory Coast.

President Bio was invited as a Special Guest by his colleague and brother, His Excellency President George M. Weah, Sr. to join the people of Liberia at the celebration marking the 172nd Independence Anniversary.

In his letter of invitation to His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio, His Excellency President George M. Weah, Sr. stated;

“Your positive disposition towards Liberia has won you a special place in the hearts of Liberians and your attendance at these ceremonies will serve to further cement relations between our two countries and peoples.”

The President departed from Sierra Leone on Thursday 25th July 2019 for Monrovia, Liberia. This year’s Independence Anniversary celebration was the second since the ascendancy of His Excellency President George M. Weah, Sr. to the Presidency of the Republic of Liberia. Activities for the Independence celebration started on 19th July and concluded on 26th July 2019.

Reading the citation for the conferment of the honor, the Chief of Protocol of the Republic of Liberia, Jervis A. Witherspoon paid tribute to His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio for his democratic credential as the former military Head of State who laid the foundation for peace and the return of multi-party democracy in Sierra Leone in the late nineties.

“His Excellency, President Julius Maada Bio presided over the conduct of the first democratic elections in Sierra Leone in nearly three decades. He voluntarily handed over power to the democratically elected Government of the late President Ahmed Tejan Kabbah and initiated the Sierra Leone Civil War Peace Settlement. He is also the first former military Head of State to be democratically elected as President of the Republic of Sierra Leone.”

— The citation stated

The Chief of Protocol also spoke about President Dr. Julius Maada Bio's efforts in peacekeeping in Liberia as part of the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG). His peacekeeping mission in the early nineties in Liberia through ECOMOG demonstrated the love and commitment he has for the country and people of Liberia.

Mr. Witherspoon cataloged Bio's humanitarian efforts in Sierra Leone through the Maada and Fatima Bio Foundation– The work of the Foundation during the outbreak of the Ebola virus in Sierra Leone in supporting victims, and, families affected by the floods and mudslide disasters in August 2017.

During the citation, His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio was also praised for his tremendous achievements over the year in championing human capital development, demonstrating political will in the fight against corruption, restoring fiscal credibility to Sierra Leone among others. He has also shown great leadership at the African Union as Chairman of the Committee of Ten Heads of State and Government for the reform of the United Nations.

President Bio, the First Lady and other members of his entourage returned home after the official commemoration of 172nd Independence Anniversary.

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Burundi’s Medical University Tours Ghana’s University

To enhance academic work in Burundi

By Benson Afful

An eight-man delegation from the University of Burundi Faculty of Medicine paid a courtesy call on the management of Ghana’s University for Development Authority to explore the university’s flagship program “Problem Based Learning (PBL) to enhance academic work in Burundi.

The delegation led by Prof J. Baptiste Ngomirakiza-Hepato, Dean of Faculty of Medicine, arrived at UDS Main campus in the Northern part of Ghana for a five-day visit. The aim, to learn about how UDS started and still maintained the Third Trimester Field Practical Program (TTFPP), known as PBL, a community-based program. It was also to interact with management and faculty lecturers to learn about its (UDS) method in sustaining its medical school.

He reiterated the commitment of the government and management of Burundi University to deepen their relations with Ghana for more collaboration to enhance quality educational standards between the two universities.

Welcoming the delegates at his office, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of UDS Professor Seidu Al-Hassan commended them for the effort. Saying the University has been embarking on the TTFP to ensure quality graduates.

“It was not an easy task when we first started the program; as we encountered numerous challenges. Faculty members and some students did not like it as it was completely different from the traditional practice. That is, producing doctors where you allow them to stay and do two terms, then, come out as doctors. It involves tasking the students to work closely with communities with an emphasis on practical.”

— Pro-Vice-Chancellor of UDS Professor Seidu Al-Hassan

The practically oriented methodologies to teaching and learning, research and outreach services adopt by UDS is a means to fulfilling its mandate of blending the academic world with that of the community to provide constructive interaction between the two for the total development of Northern Ghana in particular and the country as a whole. He said the program has helped its students to perform well at the various health institutions that they work due to the interdisciplinary skills acquired from the university.

He added that early exposure to the communities help the students to have confidence in working with institutions.

US$1.5bn To Support Ghana’s Educational Infrastructure Ready

Enormous pressure on existing infrastructure

By Benson Afful

Government of Ghana has set aside an amount of US$1.5 billion GETFUND financing for educational infrastructure in the various Senior High Schools across the country, Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has said. Speaking at a Town Hall Meeting in Accra, US$1.5 billion will use in building infrastructures — school blocks and dormitories.

The purpose, it will be used for critical education infrastructure, especially, to complete the numerous uncompleted buildings in secondary and tertiary institutions.

A proposal to secure up to US$1.5billion long-term financing for GETFUND, on the back of a portion of VAT receivables as prescribed in Act 581, will be issued in three tranches (bond dividend) of US$500 million has already been presented to Parliament.

The US$1.5billion GETFUND money is an attempt by the government to tackle some of the challenges that came with the introduction of the Free SHS in 2017, which brought in additional 90,000 students, who would have missed out SHS education.

In 2018, enrolment increased by 36 percent, meaning additional 181,000 students had a chance to access secondary education; this has put enormous pressure on the existing infrastructure, which various commentators have urged the government to resolve.

GETFUND money expected to ease the congestion and some challenges that came with the introduction of the free SHS.

The Ministry of Education received a budgetary allocation GHc12.87 billion for the 2019 financial year, of which, GH¢1.682 billion, earmarked for the implementation of the Free SHS program.

The Scholarship Secretariat which operates under the Office of Government Machinery has been tasked to cater for the direct funding of the Free SHS program. Since 2018 the GH¢1.682 billion budgetary allocation for the program excluded the total budgetary allocation to the ministry for the Scholarship Secretariat.

GETFUND money to address some of the challenges that came with the introduction of the Free SHS

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Ghana, China Tighten Diplomatic Ties

Both countries to create prosperity for their people

By Benson Afful: Courtesy: Timothy Karikari

The Chief Director of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Regional Integration (MFARI) Ambassador Albert Yankey led a high powered government delegation to The People’s Republic of China. The delegation would engage the Chinese Government for the first time in the 59 years diplomatic relationship on consular issues between the two countries.

Amongst others, the talks will seek ways to deepen the relationship between the two countries by addressing pertinent issues such as the comfort and safety of Ghanaians domiciled in China and the increasing number of Ghanaian students in China, scholarships, their concerns, areas of study and the impact of their studies on our development.

The meeting would also address current challenges in our consular relations such as illegal mining (Galamsey) and other inappropriate conducts by Ghanaian nationals in China and Chinese nationals in Ghana. The meeting will take place on the 24th of July in Beijing, China.

The Chief Director expressed his appreciation to Ghana’s Ambassador in China, Ambassador Edward Boateng and his team for the effort in putting this meeting together and is optimistic that the outcomes will go a long way to advance the common aim of both countries to create prosperity for their people to live in harmony. Ambassador Yankey also stated that it was going to be a regular feature in the coming years.

Accompanying Ambassador Yankey is senior officials from the MFARI, Land and Natural Resources, National Minerals Commission, Land Commission, Scholarship Secretariat, Immigration and Customs.

Illegal Fishing: A Big Threat To Africa Economy

Illegal, unreported, and unregulated

By Sylvester Samba

Sierra Leone Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Hon. Emma Kowa-Jalloh has confirmed that in Sierra Leone, approximately USD $30 million is lost to (IUU) fishing annually resulting in the depletion of fish stocks while jeopardizing the livelihoods of mainly small scale fishing communities.

Sierra Leone Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Hon. Emma Kowa-Jalloh

Hon. Kowa-Jalloh also said the country's Fisheries is facing challenges especially in the area of climate change and illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. The Minister further explained that there are destructive fishing activities practiced by both industrial and artisanal fishers adding that the fight against IUU requires the coordination and collaborative effort of government agencies within countries that have a stake in the maritime domain as well as sub-regional and regional effort from States.

Global estimate loss of revenue to illegal fishing is to the tune of USD $10 to $23 billion annually. And it is estimated that in West Africa alone, the annual loss is about USD $2.3 billion annually, and about 65% of the total catch in this region is a loss to IUU fishing. A concern as it affects food security and economic growth.

Artisanal fishers: Locally made fishing boat; Fishermen at work

And in keeping with international obligations and best practices, the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources has developed its first National Plan as a comprehensive tool kit which when fully implemented will hopefully bring IUU fishing activities in Sierra Leone to a thing of the past.

President Bio engaging the Sierra Leone Fishing Companies Association at State House

The Sierra Leone government, under Retired Brigadier Julius Maada Bio, has been able to recognize the threats that the Sierra Leone waters faced with overfishing, mainly due to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. President Bio, in his first speech to the House of Parliament, made a total commitment to fighting IUU fishing with every necessary means.

Illegal fishing operations also are often linked to other crimes, such as tax evasion, money laundering, smuggling, and violation of labor standards, each of which takes an additional toll.

The marine fisheries sector contributes significantly to Sierra Leone socio-economic development. The sector generates Le 70.9 billion (USD 9.6 million) 2017. And Le 94.59 billion (USD 11.78 million) in 2018. It contributes about 10% of GDP. And important activity along the coastline of Sierra Leone.

Fish is the largest single source of protein consumption in Sierra Leone, accounting for 80% intake. In terms of employment, the activities of fishing and processing create many employments in coastal areas. Approximately, 100,000 fishermen directly engaged in artisanal and an average of 300,000 people work in the fishing industry.

Patrol boat in Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone, like many countries worldwide within the sub-region, continues to experience growing illegal fishing activities within their waters, and areas beyond national jurisdictions. Such activities include reflagging of fishing vessels to evade controls, fishing in areas of national jurisdiction without authorization by the coastal State, failure to report (or misreporting) catches, etc. Illegal fishing activities of these kinds directly undermine efforts to sustain and manage fisheries resources.

The purpose of Sierra Leone National Plan of Action is to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (NPOA−IUU) is designed to set out measures to implement about combat IUU fishing and foster responsible fisheries governance.

The NPOA−IUU developed under the principles and provisions of the FAO International Plan of Action. The Regional Plan of Action developed by the Sub-Regional Fisheries Commission (SRFC) and internationally accepted best practices relating to combating IUU fishing.

Sierra Leone Vice President, Dr. Jalloh caution artisanal fishermen

Ghana Moves To Cover 13m Informal Sector Workers On Pension By 2020

Members can check statements online and transact business with the Trust through a portal

By Benson Afful

Ghana’s National Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) says it rolled out a product next year to cover the over 13 million workers in the informal sector.

“We have constituted a team that has been working on a product that is customized and suited to that market segment to be rolled out by end 2020”

— John Ofori Tenkorang

The Trust currently has over 1.5 million active contributor base—who are mostly in the formal sector and a pensioner population of over 200,000.

According to Mr. Tenkorang, it means that the majority of informal sector workers are not guaranteed lifetime regular income replacement by way of pensions. We shall extend social protection for the working-class Ghanaians who are not currently covered by our Scheme.

Mr. Tenkorang said SSNIT implemented decisive strategies to improve customer service, brand and reputation management which culminated in the Trust being ranked first in the Public Sector category for Customer Service in the 2018 Ghana Customer Service Index Report released by the Institute of Customer Service Professionals.

He said there is a periodic engagement with staff, which takes place during unannounced visits to various branches and departments by himself and his deputies. Also, management introduced the Pensioners Priority Desk in 2017 to ensure pensioners, who walk into the company’s offices, do not queue before being attended. Members of the scheme can now check their statements online and transact business with the Trust through our portal. Through this same portal, employers can now submit their Contributions Reports for validation and make payments at the nearest bank without having to visit any SSNIT Office. In the next two years, the Trust shall complete the restructuring of customer service delivery. Reduce unnecessary stakeholder exposure.

He said another driver of service delivery is technology, which saves time and money. 'Definitely by the close of the year, several key initiatives would take off. These include NIA Integration and Payments through MoMo, SSNIT App, GRA, RGD integration.'

Strengthening public education

The Trust will embark on an aggressive and sustained public education campaign. A holistic approach encompassing controlled messaging, media relations; face-to-face interactions and presentations will be rolled out to create social security informed society.

We are developing messages to be played in the Intercity STC buses with over 500,000 commuters annually. We may not be able to change current pensions received by pensioners. But certainly we can build a critical mass of informed workers who contribute diligently to the Scheme. The story about pensions will significantly change in the future.

The same Scheme that pays someone a minimum pension of GHc300 pays another GHc 55,000,” he said.

Kenya To Host International Conference On Population And Development

Renewed commitment to improving the lives of all Sierra Leoneans

By Sylvester Samba

Plans are underway to host the 25th anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development in Nairobi, Kenya on 12-14 November 2019. The Nairobi Summit On ICPD25 - Accelerating The Promise, when governments and stakeholders will gather in Kenya. The Summit will convened by the Government of Kenya, the Government of Denmark, and the UNFPA.

2019 marks the 25th anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development, the 1994 meeting in Cairo where 179 governments adopted a revolutionary Programme of Action and called for women's reproductive health and rights to take center stage in national and global development efforts. ICPD marked a revolution in thinking about sexual and reproductive health and rights.

Sierra Leone's new Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Dr. Francis Kai-Kai and HE. President Julius Maada Bio

As Sierra Leone joined the World in celebrating World Population Day, this year, His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio's government has renewed its commitment to improving the lives of all Sierra Leoneans by leaving no one behind through its numerous social security and human development programs. According to the government, is done in partnership with community stakeholders, development partners, and civil society organizations.

At a Government Press Conference at Youyi Building Freetown, speaking to journalists, the Deputy Minister, Planning and Economic Development Dr. Robert Tamba Michael Chakanda said government is increasing the population access to quality health services in the equitable distribution for mothers, children, and the elderly. Dr. Chakanda, said they remain committed in their focus on health governance, health financing, human resource, free health care, disease prevention and control, and service delivery. The Deputy Minister highlighted ICPD’s achievements in Sierra Leone - adding that the country made remarkable gains in the last decades.

The maternal mortality ratio down 2,630 in 1990 to 1,360 in 2015. The total fertility rate decreased from 5.1 in 2008 to 4.9 in 2013. Adolescent fertility rate decreased 146/1000 women aged 15-19 to 125/1000 in 2013. Adolescent childbearing decreased by 34% in women aged 15-19 in 2008 to 28% in 2013. The modern contraceptive prevalence rate went up from 7% in 2008 to 16% in 2013, and unmet need for family planning dropped 28% in 2003 to 25% in 2013. As real reproductive choices have become a reality for more women, they are making the individual choice to have smaller families.

Despite the remarkable progress, millions of women and girls in Sierra Leone still cannot exercise their sexual and reproductive health and rights. Every year, thousands of women die from pregnancy complications and childbirth. More women suffer injuries and disability including obstetric fistula incurred during birth.

Deputy Minister, Planning and Economic Development, Dr. Robert T.M. Chakanda (left), Deputy Minister, Information and Communication, Mamadi Gobeh Kamara (center) and Deputy Minister, Works and Public Assets, Hon. Philip Tetema Tondeneh (right)

The objectives of "The Nairobi Submit" are to:

• Obtain strong political commitment for the validity of the Cairo ICPD agenda

• Create political and financial momentum to advance the ICPD agenda - especially the three zeros:

Ending the unmet need for family planning

Ending preventable maternal death

Ending gender-based violence and harmful practices against women and girls - as an indispensable part of Agenda 2030.

Provide an inclusive platform for a broad range of the Member States and other stakeholders to come together around the universally applicable principle of rights and choices for all.

Future of Ghana’s Oil Hangs on Local Participation

Ghana gas CEO

By Benson Afful

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ghana Gas, Mr. Ben Asante, said, the oil and gas industry cannot develop if the country fails to train local people to work in the industry.

Speaking at the Ghana Energy Summit in Accra, he said the sustainability of the oil and gas industry depends on the human capital of the country. We cannot depend on consultants to develop the oil and gas industry. We need to build the capacity of the local people to participate in the industry.

Ghana gas, he said is a very young company, started operation in 2015. And, by March 2017 Ghanaians did the entire operation processing plant. “I think this is the kind of story that we should try to perpetuate in our industry. When you look at the entire chain, starting from exploration and production, which is very capital intensive, we don’t have a lot of local content participation in exploration and production.

Ghana National Petroleum Corporation

Down the chain, there is increasingly higher local participation, and the capital requirement also goes down.

Everyone has an opportunity to participate in the oil and gas sector. Engineering services, procurement services, among others, each present an opportunity for everyone. He said gas is going to take over the world as it gets many uses. Which is not limited to power and it’s very friendly to the environment. Mr. Asante encouraged Ghanaians to come on board the oil and gas sector and to explore opportunities the sector offers.

Following the 2007 oil find, pressure was mounted on the government drafted a local content policy for the oil and gas sector. The policy document is a comprehensive document that addresses all aspects of local content in the quest to realize the maximum benefit from the oil and gas sector. These actions will lead to the creation of a self-sustaining economy.

In this vain, the government has its vision for the Sector, a commitment to deploying an effective local content, capacity development and local participation by Ghanaian citizens in all roles.

Policy objectives provided for in the policy document, however, there has been very little done to ensure local participation in the sector, an area which demands technical skills.

Flood Victims Continue To Languish

$72,492 and $74,409 donated by Action Aid and Save the Children to address flood victims’ needs and other related issues

By Sylvester Samba

Sixteen amputees are living in the center

The flood victims, since their relocation 15th November 2015 by the former APC Bai Koroma led government continues to live in very deplorable and appalling condition. Life' struggle is on a daily basis not only to find food but also lack access to clean drinking water, toilet facilities, school, and marketplace. With family headcount 121, and a population 700 including women, children, and amputees, 52 makeshift 'Pan-body' was constructed for only 52 family heads, even though millions of US dollars in international aid poured into the country. And, millions of Leones and local supplies donated to the victims of the flood in 2015 with the Ernest Bai Koroma led APC administration at the time.

The relocation center of 2015 Flood Victims at Six Mile is about one hour drive from the capital city of Freetown, Sierra Leone.

Victims continue to languish in very poor condition

In a bid to get first-hand information about their plight, the Global Times paid a visit to the center where victims narrated several challenges they are facing. They also used the opportunity to call on government as well as Local and International Non-Governmental Organizations for needed assistance.

In response to the flooding disaster, the government, international aid organizations and other development partners offered humanitarian relief assistance to the victims of 16 September flooding incident.

According to Financial Tracking Service, the government of Canada through Plan Canada and the International Federation of the Red Cross donated US$209,888 and US$22,388 aid assistance for flooding and natural disasters in 2015.

The report disclosed US$72,492 and US$74,409 donated by Action Aid and Save the Children to address flood victims’ needs and related issues. The government requested US$1 million in a grant from the African Development Bank.

The victims of the flood in 2015 spent months living at the National Stadium and being tended to by international and local agencies.

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