13 Sierra Leonean Students Arrived In Russia

To study General Medicine at RUDN University

By Sylvester Samba

Students from Sierra Leone arrived in Moscow, on Wednesday 30th October 2019, to study General Medicine at RUDN University in Russia.

The students, thirteen (13) in number departed the shores of Sierra Leone on Tuesday 29th October 2019 after been nominated by the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education (MTHE). All thirteen awardees were subjected to rigorous scrutiny to ascertain their academic fitness for the course ahead of them. Their tickets and other traveling documents were handed over to them by the Ministry's Permanent Secretary, Mr. Gilbert Cooper, at a brief ceremony held in the ministry.

Ambassador Mohamed Yongawo, Sierra Leone Ambassador to the Russian Federation

The Sierra Leone Embassy in Moscow has been accordingly informed, in a letter signed by Emmanuel M. Sandi, on behalf of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry. Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to the Russian Federation, Ambassador Mohamed Yongawo, has been very instrumental in pursuing the award of scholarships to deserving Sierra Leonean students to pursue undergraduate and postgraduate courses in the Russian Federation.

The offer of thirteen scholarships from the Government of the Russian Federation in favor of students from Sierra Leone was granted in 2017 by the People’s Friendship University (RUDN) in Moscow. In February this year, at a meeting with the Vice-Rector for International Studies at RUDN, the Sierra Leone Embassy in Moscow canvassed for the scholarship slot to be utilized by Sierra Leone.

It was agreed at the meeting, a team from RUDN travel to Freetown for assessment and consultation with officials of the Ministry of Higher Education, in addition to examining enrolment of best-qualified candidates.

The candidates who were successful in the examination were eventually selected by RUDN to pursue General Medicine. On Wednesday, 30th October 2019, thirteen students arrived safely and were received by the staff of the Sierra Leone Embassy in Moscow.

Ebola Survivors Benefited From Free Health Care Drugs

Will be on a quarterly routine across the country

By Sylvester Samba

Sierra Leone Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MoHS) has conducted its third rounds of distribution of Free Health Care commodities starting with the Western Urban District Health Management Team, PCMH, and Ola During Children Hospitals in the capital of Freetown. A total of nine (9) trucks loaded with drugs were distributed under the supervision of the new National Medical Supply Agency, which mandate is to procure, store and distribute transparently and cost-effectively.

The scheme initially meant for pregnant and lactating women and children under five years. But under the current political leadership of the Minister of Health and Sanitation, Professor Alpha Wurie, the Free Health Care opportunity has now extended to Ebola Survivors and the physically challenged persons. The ministry is said to be working on the resuscitation of cost recovery drugs program in line with Universal Health Coverage, and hence Sustainable Development Goals and Global Health Security.

The Managing Director of the National Medical Supply Agency, Dr. Laurence Sandy, has assured all concerned that the distribution will be on a quarterly routine across the country. He advised service providers to reach out to the expected beneficiaries, particularly the most vulnerable communities. His Deputy Managing Director, Dr. Moses Batema, also stressed the need for quality health service delivery in Sierra Leone. He noted that the Ministry of Health is moving in the right direction in saving the lives of Sierra Leoneans.

Lagos Business School Graduates New Set of Healthcare Leaders

To lead teams in various capacities

By Benson Afful

After a week of intensive training, Lagos Business School recently handed out certificates to this year’s graduating set of the Management Development Institute (MDI) Healthcare Leadership Program at an event, which took place at Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The goal of the in-residence training program facilitated by Johnson & Johnson is to equip health sector leaders and managers with requisite knowledge and resources to lead teams in various capacities, implement national health priorities, and improve the effectiveness of the healthcare system.

Speaking at the event, the Special Guest of honor and Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe, highlighted the challenges facing the healthcare sector in Nigeria while calling on relevant stakeholders to do more in tackling those challenges.

Studies have shown that the major drivers of underperforming health systems include limited access to medicines, equipment, human resources, infrastructure, financing, and governance.

The task of revamping Nigeria’s healthcare system is, and must continue to be, a collective one - the government, private sector, international and indigenous development partners, and all Nigerians - must work together to create a health system that we all desire to see and benefit from,” said Dr. Balarabe.

Fola Laoye, the Guest Speaker and Chief Executive Officer of Health Markets Africa, delivered a keynote address on the gaps present in Nigeria’s healthcare financing system while identifying shortfalls in government healthcare expenditure towards achieving universal healthcare coverage as required by the United Nations.

The Dean, Lagos Business School, Professor Enase Okonedo, emphasized key values in teamwork, ethics, and professionalism in achieving quality healthcare delivery in Africa. She urged the graduate students to mirror the change they want to see in society.

We believe that as students of the MDI Healthcare Leadership Program, you are indeed ambassadors of Lagos Business School, and this comes with great responsibility. We, therefore, expect you assimilate the institution’s values and return to your respective organizations as change agents and exemplary leaders.

Over 1,400 participants from 39 African countries have so far benefited from the program administered by the Global Business School Network (GBSN).

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Eliminating Hunger And Malnutrition, A Race Against Time

Undernourishment has reached levels of 22.8 percent in sub-Sahara Africa

By Benson Afful

The task of eliminating hunger and malnutrition as set out in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the SDGs, as well as in the African Union 2025 Malabo Commitments is a race against times towards delivering the targets, Abebe Haile-Gabriel, Regional Representative for Africa, FAO has said. There should be a sense of urgency for concerted actions by all,” he added.

The latest statistics show that in Africa, over a quarter of a million people go to bed hungry. He quoted the 2019 report on the state of Food Security and Nutrition published by the FAO, which confirms that hunger has been on the rise in almost all sub-Sahara Africa where the prevalence of undernourishment has reached levels of 22.8 percent.

It should be worrisome to note that the number undernourished people has been increasing steadily in Africa over the last few years, where it reached 256.1 million people in 2018 with a staggering 93 percent of those living in sub-Sahara Africa.

This year, the FAO Regional Office for Africa and the FAO Ghana jointly organized three events in Accra under the theme “Our actions are our future. A healthy diet for a Zero Hunger World” to mark World Food Day celebrated on October 16.

Abebe Haile-Gabriel noted that the hardest hits are family and subsistence farmers in rural areas. The worsening food security situation was due to climate change, conflict, and economic slowdowns. These factors continue to be the main drivers of food and nutrition insecurity in the Africa region. He said malnutrition is three-pronged; it encompasses under-nutrition, over-nutrition, and micronutrient deficiencies. Africa faced with both over-nourishment and under-nourishment. A quarter of the world’s children under five that are overweight live in Africa.

Eliminating all forms of hunger and nutrition is at the heart of the FAO’s mandate.

New Maternal & Child Hospital Commissioned

At Brookfields in the West part of the capital

By Sylvester Samba

Easing pressure on 'Cottage Hospital' in the east of Freetown, a new Maternal, and Child health hospital formally commissioned on Thursday 17th October 2019 and opened to Sierra Leonean populace in a bid to protect and save the lives of pregnant women, lactating mothers, and their infants. The new King Harman Maternal and Child Hospital located at Brookfields in the West part of Freetown.

The old Cottage hospital long since exceeded capacity; this prompted the new hospital to be constructed by the Government of Sierra Leone in partnership with the United Nations Food Program (UNFPA) with funds from the United Kingdom Department for International Development (DfID) under the Saving Lives Program.

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The new King Harman Maternal and Child Hospital was commissioned and formally declared opened by President Julius Maada Bio.

Addressing the gathering and the general public, the President commended DfID for providing the support to construct and equip the new hospital.

The Ministry of Health and Sanitation to provide the staff required training in maternal, new-born, and child health to ensure the hospital fulfilled its mandate. The human resource in health increase to the present number of health staff by 4,000. And, the national budget allocation to health from 8.9 to 11.6%.

Addressing access to quality healthcare and in health facilities, the government had commissioned and operationalized the National Emergency Medical Services in all districts in the country with over 4,000 referrals to date. Committed to improving diagnostic capacity, the government had allocated a budget to establish the National Medical Diagnostic and Treatment Center.

Improving the status of hospitals across the country, the government will invest in new construction and equip hospitals across the country. One of such is the King Harman Hospital, which provides secondary level care to the people of this community and its environs, President Bio stated.

Minister of Health and Sanitation, Professor Alpha Tejan Wurie, said that the event was the start of getting a reliable and efficient health sector that would be capable of providing quality healthcare delivery to the people of Sierra Leone. He commended the President for the gains achieved so far in the health sector, saying that 2020 would see a turnaround for the health sector.

The British High Commissioner to Sierra Leone, Simon Mustard, said that the partnership between the Government of Sierra Leone and the United Kingdom built on shared history and deep connections. And that the hospital would protect and save the lives of mothers and their infants.

Lagos Business School Commences Annual MDI Health Leadership Program

Capacity Improvement for Maternal, Newborn, and Community Healthcare Workers

By Benson Afful: Courtesy: nigeriapresslog.com

Lagos Business School on Sunday commenced its annual MDI Program for Health Leaders and Managers in Africa at Protea Kuramo Waters, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The week-long in-residence training program is organized in partnership with the Management Development Institute (MDI) and facilitated by Johnson & Johnson. It is designed to improve the effectiveness of health systems by enhancing leadership and management skills of professionals devoted to delivering healthcare services to underserved populations.

"Much focus has been on the technical areas of skills development in the healthcare sector. With MDI Health Leadership Program, our objective is to build a new crop of professionals who possess the technical knowledge as well as business and managerial skills to deliver high-quality healthcare service," said Professor Olayinka David-West, the Academic Director of Lagos Business School.

With the focus of this year’s program being ‘Capacity Improvement for Maternal, Newborn, and Community Healthcare Workers’, the program allows participants to learn and understand the critical challenges facing the sector while also working together to provide workable solutions towards solving these problems.

In her remarks, Clare Omatseye, the President of Healthcare Federation of Nigeria and CEO, JNC International, highlighted the issues facing the healthcare industry in Africa and the importance of innovation and disruption in tackling the identified challenges.

Participants in the MDI Health Leadership Program will gain access to management tools, frameworks, and knowledge that will enable them to increase the quantity and quality of health services they provide while expanding access to healthcare.

The MDI program, which is administered by the Global Business School Network (GBSN) has since inception in 2006, graduated over 1400 participants from 39 African countries.

Run-up To Mozambique Elections: Commonwealth Observers Deployed

They will consider the various factors impinging on the credibility of the electoral process as a whole

By Sylvester Samba

Five-member Commonwealth Group (COG) arrived in Mozambique's capital, Maputo, on 10th October 2019 to observe a General Elections scheduled for 15th October 2019 at the invitation of the Government of Mozambique. The Commonwealth observers will be in Maputo until 20th October 2019. Members of the group drawn from various Commonwealth regions with backgrounds from the political, electoral, and legal fields.

Musa Mwenye, former Attorney General of Zambia and acting chair of the group, said they are aware of the significance of the elections in promoting democracy in Mozambique. Mwenye said their presence in the country affirms Commonwealth's enduring solidarity with the people of Mozambique. He condemned all incidents of violence, including the killing of Mr. Anastácio Matavele, the head of a local observer group in Xai-Xai.

We convey sincere condolences to his family and friends and urge a thorough investigation into this and any other incidents of violence. We encourage all stakeholders to demonstrate an unwavering commitment to peaceful and credible elections, the acting leader of the Commonwealth team appealed.

Mwenye maintained that his team mandate is to observe and evaluate the pre-election environment, polling day as well as the post-election period. He noted, they will consider various factors impinging on the credibility of the electoral process as a whole, and, report whether the election has been conducted to national, regional, Commonwealth, and international standards to which Mozambique has committed itself. As independent observers, we will remain objective and impartial in discharging these duties. The Group's assessment will be its own and not that of any Commonwealth member country.

"Over the next few days, we will receive briefings from relevant stakeholders including election management officials, representatives of political parties, civil society groups, the police, members of the international community, citizens, and international observers," Mwenye stressed.

On 13th October 2019, the Commonwealth observers deployed to selected provinces, where they will observe the pre-election environment. Subsequently, the opening of polls, voting, counting, and management of the results from election day until their departure from Mozambique. They are expanded to issue an Interim Statement of their preliminary findings shortly after 15 October. "Our final report will be submitted to the Secretary-General and will be made available to the general public afterward.

The Commonwealth Observer Group composed of H.E. Mr. Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka (Chair), Former Vice-President, Republic of Kenya. Mr. Musa Mwenye, Former Solicitor General and former Attorney General, Zambia. Dr. Alex Vines, Head, Africa Program, Chatham House. Dr. Nomsa Masuku, Commissioner, Electoral Commission of South Africa, and Ms. Emma Lee Wilson, Lecturer in conflict mediation, Department of Politics and International Studies, Cambridge University.

International Day Of The Girl Child

400 Adolescent girls take over parliament

By Sylvester Samba

In December 2011, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution 66/170, declaring 11th October as the International Day of the Girl Child. The recognition of this day aims at highlighting and recognizing girls' rights and the challenges faced by girls worldwide. Thus, the main objective is to empower women and girls and at the same time, spread awareness about eliminating gender inequalities against women and girls.

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In Sierra Leone, about 400 adolescent girls ages 13-19 years, sat in parliament and presented views of girls in their districts, communities, clubs, and schools, commemorating the International Day of the Girl, October 11, 2019.

The event was a simulation of an actual parliamentary session where girls shed light on issues affecting them and raise their voices to proffer solutions. The girl parliamentarians deliberated on the implementation of the Amended Sexual Offences Act of 2019 and called on the President to sign the amended act into law.

Laws such as the Child Right Act 2007, the Domestic Violence Act, the Sexual Offences Act 2012, etc. play significant roles in the protection of the rights of women and girls.

The issue of enforceability has crippled the effectiveness of these laws. In September this year, the Sexual Offences Act 2012 was amended, providing life imprisonment as a maximum penalty for perpetrators of rape and other sexually related offenses such as penetration of minors, which is a step by the government to reduce the spate of rape and sexual penetration in the country.

The Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone (HRCSL) commemorated this year's International Day of the Girl Child by undertaking a nationwide public education in schools with the message on the child rights act, the amended sexual offenses act, child marriage and the work of the HRCSL.

In 2017, HRCSL hosted school children from St. Joseph Convent, Gateway Preparatory School, Government Model Secondary School, Akibo Betts School, Girls High School, and Vine Memorial School. Issues discussed were sexual and gender-based violence on children and its implications on their personal, social, and psychological development.

In the Sierra Leone context, we saw improvement in enrollment of girls in schools and tertiary educational institutions; however, they still face challenges in the country. Teenage pregnancies, sexual, and gender-based violence are some of the challenges in promoting girls' rights.

The theme for this year is 'GirlForce: Unscripted and Unstoppable' aims to highlight and address the needs and challenges faced by girls while promoting girls' empowerment and the fulfillment of their human rights.

The Chairperson of HRCSL, Mrs. Patricia Narsu Ndanema, said, It was important to note that educating girls on the laws that protect women and girls and their corresponding rights and responsibilities is a vital part of building a peaceful community.

Human rights education, a critical means of instilling the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values will enhance a greater culture; the HRCSL is embarking on public education, particularly in girls’ schools, which will serve as a platform to identify, discuss, and, document some human rights challenges faced by girls in their schools, and community.

The Coordinator, Women's Forum for Human Rights and Democracy Sierra Leone (WOFHRAD - SL) Madam Emilia Kamara Jengo called on all young girls to be focused. To the men, she said, be MENTORS to our girls and not TORMENTORS. They need your PROTECTION.

Fish Farmers Attempt To Beat EU Standard

With FAO’s improved method

By Benson Afful

The Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) has introduced an innovative oven for the smoking of fish that reduces the Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons PAH in smoked fish to 0.3ppm/ kg, a standard that makes it beats the European Union (EU) market standard of 2ppm/ kg.

The improved method (smoker) known, as the Thiaroye Processing Technique (FTT), is made locally and does not use the usual firewood that produces a lot of smoke during fish processing is also environmentally friendly.

Samuel Armah Mensah, a graduate of the University of Ghana Political Science Department, and, a beneficiary of the FAO’s FTT, told B&FT switching from the traditional smoker ‘Chorkor’ have saved money.

He said the ‘Chorkor’ Smoker and the metal drum kiln, although offered economic gains, contained high levels of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) due to the use of firewood as smoking fuel. The FTT has made it possible for him to now export to the EU market without any hindrance; a move he said has made him financially stable since he completed his university education.

“I apply for the FTT by the FAO and given the opportunity; so I decided to go into fish processing.”

— Samuel Armah Mensah

Born and live in Elmina in the Central Region, Samuel said he finished university and was jobless, and as a person born in a typical fishing community, his only option was to venture into the fishery sector.

The FTT came as an innovation opportunity and many trusts in his process. And, earned him buyers in Ghana and the European Union. Using the FTT to smoke his fish makes the outcome very acceptable by the EU market. FTT beats EU standard by, given 0.3 ppm /kg amount of PAH in smoked fish, which is less than the EU standard.

Omar Penarubia, an official from the FAO, in an interview with the B&FT, said the FTT was developed as a result of the constant rejection of smoked fish from the African countries by the EU market. Several countries from Africa suffered rejection from the EU market. So this raised awareness that proper method should be used to reduce the PAH in smoked fish.

ECOWAS Board Of Governors To Meet In Sierra Leone

The meeting will bring together fifteen (15) ECOWAS Member States

By Sylvester Samba

Sierra Leone, one of the member states of the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS), will be hosting the 17th meeting of Board of Governors of the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) on Monday 7th October 2019, at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Aberdeen, Freetown.

The meeting will bring together fifteen (15) ECOWAS Member States, which include: Sierra Leone Togo, Nigeria, Liberia, The Gambia, Mali, Guinea, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Niger, Ghana, Cote D'Ivoire Guinea Bissau, Cameroon, Benin, and Cape Verde. The ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development Board of Governors is made up of Ministers responsible for Finance and Economic Development in the fifteen ECOWAS countries, and the current Chair of the Board of Governors is Senegal, whose tenure of office will come to an end after the Board meeting in Freetown.

Sierra Leone will automatically assume the new Chairmanship of the Bank until the next Board of Governors meeting in 2020. Sierra Leone’s current Minister of Finance, Hon. Jacob Jusu Saffa is expected to Chair the Board. As Chair of the Board of Governors will create more opportunities for both public and private sectors to access funds from the bank for its development projects.

The Annual meeting of the Board of Governors is rotational alphabetically among the 15 member states.

The Bank's President, Bashir Mamman Ifo, was appointed after serving as Vice President, Finance and Corporate Services in 2007. Mr. Ifo's tenure renewed for another four-years. His mandate will come to an end on 9th October 2019. The Governors of the Bank will either vote or elect the President through a consensus-building process.

Twenty candidates applied for the position of President of the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID). Seven shortlisted by the Directors of EBID. Three candidates emerged from amongst whom, the new President of the Bank will be selected.

EBID has financed three projects in Sierra Leone; the Sierra Leone Maritime Administration, Modernization and expansion of network and telecommunication infrastructure of SIERRATEL, and Solar Street Light in Freetown and 13 Communities in Sierra Leone.

The Government of Sierra Leone has requested the Bank to finance the Kono University of Science and Technology for USD 50 million. USD15 million to finance the proposed Diagnostic Centre of Excellence.

EBID started operations 1st January 2004 as a holding company with two specialized subsidiaries:

1. The ECOWAS Regional Development Fund (ERDF) for financing the public sector

2. The ECOWAS Regional Investment Bank (ERIB) for financing the private sector

On the 16th June 2006, the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government agreed to the reorganization of the EBID Group into a single entity, with two windows: one for promoting the private sector, and the other for developing the public sector.

EBID has been operating under its current structure since January 2007. The headquarters of the Bank is in Lome, Togo Republic.

Ghana Lost US$77 million To Cyber Crime

Cyber-attacks promise to escalate

By Benson Afful

The National Cyber Security Adviser, Dr. Albert Antwi-Boasiako has warned cyber-attacks promise to escalate in the years to come, with the increase in Internet penetration and the massive reliance on ICT devices for transactions.

With three months to end the year, Ghana has already lost US$77 million to cybersecurity crime.

Though the figure is less than that of last year, which recorded an amount of US$105 million, Dr. Antwi-Boasiako said the government’s commitment to curb cyber-attacks has set the country apart on the continent.

Cyber-attacks promise to escalate in the years to come, especially with the increase in Internet penetration, and the massive reliance on IoT (Internet of Things) devices such as the use of mobile phones for transactions and interaction by citizens. Mobile phones have facilitated easy access to social networks and business transactions.

Ghana’s payment system shows that the registered number of mobile money accounts increased to 22.99 million in June 2018 from 21.36 million recorded in June 2017.

This means a significant percentage of the population is sending, and receiving money through their mobile phones.

According to Dr. Antwi-Boasiako, infiltration of these systems and platform not only undermine confidence in the digitalization efforts of the country but also have a detrimental impact on the economic activities of individuals.

He said over the last two-half-years that have been a lot of efforts to develop the country’s cyber-security due to President Nana Akufo-Addo's vision of building a digital economy.

Launch of Point of Contact (POC)

There is a need to have reliable channels were to immediately and effectively report cyber-attacks. These attacks have a huge impact on the country’s economy.

The launch of the POC demonstrates the importance of the country’s cyber-security readiness, according to the National Security Advisor. The National Cyber-Security Centre (NCSC) cannot effectively initiate its readiness without the private sector and the general public. We expect the private sector to contribute to the process by facilitating the reporting of cyber-security incidents either through the sectorial certs or directly to the NCSC. The NCSC believes that the launch of the POC will further bridge the gap between the government and the citizens on cybersecurity issues.

First Egyptian President To Visit Sierra Leone

Following a special invitation

By Sylvester Samba

Following a special invitation, His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi is expected to become the first Egyptian President to visit the West Africa country, Sierra Leone.

President El-Sisi on Monday 21th September 2019 accepted an invitation from President Dr. Julius Maada Bio with gratitude and agreed to visit the West Africa country. It will be a memorable and historic one because President El-Sisi will be the first Egyptian President to visit the country.

Before the commencement of the 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, and the General debate on Tuesday 24th September 2019, the two African Presidents met in New York where they discussed bilateral cooperation and progress made in Africa and the African Union.

Addressing the Egyptian President, President Bio said that the two countries had enjoyed a long relationship, which started before Sierra Leone’s Independence on 27 April 1961. He thanked the people of Egypt as a true friend of the people of Sierra Leone. Sisi exemplary leadership as Chair of the African Union and for the strides that he had taken to reposition Africa on the world stage. In particular, Africa’s recent expansion of a global reach.

President El-Sisi in response affirmed his country’s continued support to Sierra Leone, adding that he was particularly very confident in President Bio’s strong commitment to coordinating Africa’s position on reforms at the United Nations Security Council, UNSC as President Bio has been the Chairman of the Committee of Ten Heads of State and Government, C-10, on the reform of the UNSC since June 2018.

According to the Office of the Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman, His Excellency, President Dr. Julius Maada Bio depart Sierra Leone on Friday 20th September 2019, to attend the seventy-fourth session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York City scheduled for the 17 – 30 September 2019.

Dr. Julius Maada Bio is expected to participate in several high-level events such as the Universal Health Coverage Meeting, Secretary General’s Climate Action Summit, Sustainable Development Summit, and Financing for Development Dialogue.

On the 24th September, President Dr. Julius Maada Bio was hosted at Yale University and delivered a lecture on Human Capital Development, and Innovation: Pillars for Sierra Leone’s Transformation. He will address the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday, 26th September 2019. He will also engage Sierra Leoneans on the progress made so far by his New Direction Administration in consolidating peace and national cohesion, the fight against corruption, investment in human capital development, efforts in diversifying the economy and transforming the investment climate.

390 Million Africans Living In Extreme Poverty

The clock is ticking

By Sylvester Samba

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has lamented that, with an estimated 390 million people living in extreme poverty, hunger and food insecurity, Africa is in a race against time to deliver on its regional and global development goals. According to a press release issued on behalf of the Bank stated also that, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly on Sunday 22nd September, 2019, African heads of states and governments met to emphasize urgent collective action and the need for greater collaboration between the United Nations and the African Development Bank to fast-track Africa’s development.

The release noted that the meeting convened by the African Development and the United Nations is "the first of its kind" between the two institutions taking place at the UN Headquarters, UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed said.

The 2030 Agenda for the continent Sustainable Development - United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals and the African Development Bank’s High 5s, the time for action is now. Mohammed said it was time to join forces to deliver. Africa’s premier institution needs much more support. The clock is ticking. I am convinced that with a change of pace, driven by a greater sense of urgency, and global collective responsibility, Africa can still achieve the SDGs.

The two-hour meeting, moderated by the African Development Bank, was attended by seven African presidents – from Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Guinea, Ethiopia, and Lesotho, in addition to representatives of some 30 governments.

The leaders, the release noted spoke of what had worked in their countries - including mainstreaming development goals into national plans, scaling up initiatives, and the implications of harmonizing policies and strategic entry points for the implementation of development goals at national, regional and global levels.

Ambitious development initiatives undertaken by the Bank with regional collaboration are already showing success, such as Desert to Power, which aims to provide access to electricity for 250 million people across the 11 countries of the Sahel, 90 million of them through off-grid systems.

Vera Songwe, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa called the SDGs Africa’s “highest challenge.” Stemming the tide of illicit financial flows, public debt, and tax evasion would be urgent measures to be taken by leaders if they meant to stay on track.

Areas for potential collaboration include climate change in Africa, gender mainstreaming, promoting private sector investment, measures to utilize risk insurance to mitigate the impact of natural disasters in Africa, and, appropriate security arrangements to support the Bank’s operations in fragile states in the continent; The African Continental Free Trade Area, which came into force this year, and creates the world’s largest free-trade zone, another major area for collaboration under the partnership. The United Nations Development Program assessment shows achieving the Bank’s High 5s' allow Africa to achieve about 90% of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

ECOWAS Sustainable Energy Forum To Be Hosted In Ghana

22-24 October 2019 * Kempinski Hotel

By Sylvester Samba

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE) will be hosting its third annual ECOWAS Sustainable Energy Forum (ESEF) on 22-24 October 2019 in Accra, Ghana. The event is expected to bring together West Africa’s top elected officials, policymakers, industry leaders and other individuals committed to moving forward the sustainable energy agenda.

ECREEE and its sister agencies, the West Africa Power Pool (WAPP) and the ECOWAS Regional Electricity Authority (ERERA) made tremendous gains in policy and regulatory framework for the viable sustainable energy market.

Energy access and growth as one of, a key objective of ESEF2019.

ECREEE further explained that this year’s forum also marks a special relationship with two partners with a demonstrated commitment to sustainable communities around the world: Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE), the off-grid industry association consisting of more than 130 members active in Africa to deliver innovative clean energy solutions; and GET.invest, a European program that mobilises renewable energy investments.

The Executive Director of ECREEE, Mr. Mahama Kappiah, said ECOWAS region is on the brink of a major energy industry transformation. He noted progress in the development of utility-scale renewable energy projects and off-grid electrification major initiatives such as the Regional Off-Grid Electrification Project (ROGEP) and the West Africa Clean Energy Corridor, ECREEE is proposing key investment opportunities to facilitate a more sustainable West Africa.

Executive Director of Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE), Mr. Marcus Wiemann stressed that building on the recent memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed with ECREEE at the fifth ARE Energy Access Investment Forum in Abidjan this year and the recommendations that emerged from the subsequent policy dialogues, ARE is keen to develop win-win partnerships between the local and international private sectors, as well as deepen cooperation to boost off-grid renewable energy technologies in West Africa.

Special guests at this year’s ESEF include high-level delegates, among them: H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President, The Republic of Ghana, H.E. Jean-Claude Brou, President, ECOWAS Commission, John Peter Amewu, Minister of Energy, Ghana, Alhaji Kanja Sesay, Minister of Petroleum and Energy, Sierra Leone, Dr. Bachir Ismael Ouedraogo, Minister of Energy, Burkina Faso, Sediko Douka, Commissioner for Energy and Mines, ECOWAS, Executives from the climate and energy finance sectors, technology manufacturers and distributors, and others.

The forum will provide a platform for improving the policy and regulatory landscape for private sector investment, where attendees will be able to liaise with financiers and secure other resources to fund their business endeavors.

Over the 3-day event, utility-scale renewable energy projects, off-grid electrification, energy access, financing, and investment will be the theme. Additionally, a large exhibition will be held at ESEF2019 to allow manufacturers, developers, financial institutions, and other companies to showcase their products and services. Interested parties should contact sponsor@ESEF2019.org.

ESEF2019 aim to be a platform for establishing valuable partnerships between ECOWAS policymakers, regional, international private sector, and financial institutions.

ESEF is supported this year by The Austrian Development Cooperation (ADA); The Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID); UNIDO; German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ); The World Bank Group; The European Union; The Global Environment Facility (GEF); Sustainable Energy for All; GET.invest; and ARE.

Donors Funding Africa’s Agric Digitalization

With annual flows of €175 million

By Benson Afful

The digitalization of Africa’s agricultural sector has been left in the hands of donors alone, while private investment is lagging, the 2019 Digitalization of African Agriculture report has said.

Donors are increasingly making agricultural digitalization an important part of their portfolios with annual donor funding flows of €175 million according to the report published by the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation.

It said private sector investment is even more limited; for instance, in 2018 there was an investment of approximately €47 million into Africa-focused digitalization enterprises, including both start-ups and larger stage enterprises. This investment represented 3 to 6 percent of all Africa tech start-up investment.

Africa economies are improving, and a handful of players are beginning to develop viable businesses with attractive financial models. We estimate that 70 percent of enterprises generate some revenue and 80 percent of those revenue-generating enterprises maintain several revenue streams, the report said.

Efforts of digital agricultural services to become sustainable and scalable continue to face challenges, urging for collaborations between enterprises, donors, investors and governments must create an environment in which digital agricultural solutions can thrive and produce impact.

The report, however, recommended to governments to build partnerships between investors, private actors, and technology providers to reduce technology and operational cost. It also urged various African governments to increase funding for a more diverse set of business models rather than just for those models that have already attracted funding. Meanwhile, the African Green Revolution Forum (AGRF) has committed US$500 million to develop agriculture opportunities for young Africans and also to support digital infrastructure crucial for powering innovative farmer services.

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Accra’s '2019 AGRF’ Attracts Major Financial Commitments To Boost Agriculture

Potential advances in everything from big data to block-chain systems, drones, robotics, and machine learning platforms

By Benson Afful

The recent African Green Revolution Forum (AGRF 2019) held in Ghana represents the first time the Forum has returned to a country that hosted it before.

Ghana hosted the first AGRF in 2010 and is home to the founder of the AGRF and Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), the late Kofi Annan - former Secretary-General of the United Nations.

Ghana has also been a consistent and influential champion of the agricultural transformation agenda across the continent, reliably reinforcing the role of agriculture as Africa’s most potent force for powering equitable economic progress. Deliberations at the forum made it clear that the coordinated efforts of public and private sector actors can unlock the potential of advances in everything from big data to blockchain systems, drones, robotics, and machine learning platforms to overcome many different challenges and generate a host of new opportunities, particularly for Africa’s young, digitally-savvy entrepreneurs.

Digital technologies are seen as capable of addressing barriers in agriculture potentials to provide a host of new economic opportunities across the continent. The theme of this year AGRF, ‘Grow Digital: Leveraging Digital Transformation to Drive Sustainable Food Systems in Africa.’

The Forum included a historic Presidential Summit comprised of Heads of State & Government, eminent persons, and hundreds of leaders and stakeholders present from across Africa’s agriculture and agribusiness sector. The Forum examined how governments, businesses, donors and other partners are delivering on a wide range of political, policy financial commitments. These include US$30 billion in investments pledged at the AGRF in Nairobi, 2016; initiatives that emerged from AGRF 2017 in Abidjan that has added billions of additional dollars; and commitments from AGRF 2018 in Kigali which provided significant new investments.

The highlight of AGRF 2019 was the Agribusiness Deal Room. Over US$200 million in new commitments and generate relationships with the potential to produce partnerships that could draw in billions more.

Series of new initiatives emerged. The potential to deliver new investments in digital technologies and other areas that will animate the ambitious agenda established by Heads of State and Ministers of Agriculture.

The president of the Mastercard Foundation, Reeta Roy, announced a new US$500 million commitment within its Young Africa Works initiative, which will support efforts of young entrepreneurs across the continent to develop economic opportunities in agriculture. Through Young Africa Works, the Foundation will endeavor to help millions of young Africans find meaningful employment in agriculture. The new investment will raise the Foundation’s total commitments to African agriculture to US$1 billion.

The World Bank reiterated a recent pledge to invest US$50 billion in Transforming Africa’s Digital Economy, as well as noted its plans to increase funding for food security initiatives by 25 percent relative to 2017 investments - for a total of US$33 billion in funding over the next four years.

A coalition of donors and philanthropists, including the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the United Kingdom’s Department of International Development (DFID), the International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, announced a new initiative with the CGIAR aimed at modernization.

Rebecca Akufo-Addo, the first-lady, presided over a special event focused on scaling-up nutrition-focused initiatives in the region, in advance of the 2020 Nutrition for Growth (N4G) Summit in Japan.

The Forum showcased the hard work and admirable achievements of African leaders who are blazing a path for Africa and the world, demonstrating how food production in the 21st century can be productive, sustainable, resilient and profitable.

The 2019 Africa Food Prize awarded to two exceptional professionals and successful food producers - Dr. Emma Naluyima, a smallholder farmer and private veterinarian from Uganda, and Baba Diouma, a policy-champion and agricultural entrepreneur from Senegal. Dr. Naluyima has transformed her one-acre plot into a showcase of profitable and environmentally friendly agriculture. Also a prosperous farmer, Baba Dioum has excelled in the policy sphere. Including key reforms that advance the trade dimension of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Program (CAADP).

The AGRF 2019 closed under the leadership of Ghana’s Minister of Food and Agriculture, Hon. Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto. In closing remarks, he urged delegates to seize the opportunities that emerged at the Forum to deliver on investments and commitments which will consolidate the coming decades as Africa’s Century.

AGRF Partners Group agreed, the Republic of Rwanda will host 2020 AGRF Forum. And serve as the long-term home country of the Forum, going forward.

The AGRF has taken place in eight different countries over the last decade, ensuring that awareness, models, lessons, and the political- will be required to drive an inclusive agricultural transformation in Africa grew steadily across the continent.

At the end of its first decade, the AGRF will now adjust its approach and adopt a “home and away” model, whereby the Forum will alternate between hosting the event in Rwanda in even years and different host countries across the continent in alternate years.

The Road Map for Universal Health Coverage (UHC)

National action plan for health security launched

By Sylvester Samba

Sierra Leone has had health emergencies with catastrophic impacts on the lives of its citizens, and, on the economy due to the country unpreparedness. With lessons learned from those mistakes, the New Direction Government has assured that they cannot allow such emergencies to recur.

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(L-R) Vice President, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, President Julius Maada Bio, and Health Minister, Dr. Alpha Tejan wurie

The Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MoHS) is promoting multisectoral collaboration to strengthen the country’s health emergency preparedness and response capacities in the health sector. With progress made in the health sector, Sierra Leone is probably one of the countries on course to attaining the best protection for its people against disease outbreaks and other public health events despite their current challenges.

On 12th September 2019, Sierra Leone became the seventh country in the African region to launched a National Action Plan for Health Security.

The comprehensive five-year National Action Plan for Health Security complies with International Health Regulations, said the Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MoHS). Implementation of this plan will enable Sierra Leone to prevent the likelihood and reduce the consequences of disease outbreaks and other public health hazards; build national capacities for early detection and effective response systems to public health emergencies and other events of public health threats.

Speaking at the launch, President Bio said, quality healthcare is fundamental to the overall well-being and productivity of a nation. The President noted the government is to provide quality and equitable access to healthcare for all Sierra Leoneans regardless of gender, ethnicity, social or economic class.

Cross-section of donors and stakeholders in the health sector in attendance

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The government maintains a rights-based approach to healthcare, as stated in the national constitution. Our policies; driven by the provision, the State shall direct its policy towards ensuring adequate medical, and health facilities available for all persons. Having due regard to the resources of the State; my government believes that every Sierra Leonean has a right to access quality healthcare that is affordable and adequate for his or her needs, President Bio stressed.

He explained further with the help of development partners they invested heavily in healthcare over the last year and a half. He added that they have also increased healthcare spending to 10% of the national budget.

“The government increased investments in healthcare infrastructure and the provision of ambulatory services. Recruit over 4,000 health workers includes doctors, nurses, midwives, and community healthcare workers, among others. Restructure and expand existing Free Health Care Initiative with additional resources to cover school-going children. Increase budget allocations to support the provision of essential drugs through the National Medical Supplies Agency”

— The President

Country Representative for the World Health Organisation, Evans Majani Liyosi, congratulated the government and the people of Sierra Leone for the launch of its health security plans. Adding pandemic outbreak health emergencies is a threat in global health.

American Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Maria Elena Brewer, said that the progress made by Sierra Leone was a testament to the commitment of the country’s leadership. The launch of the national action plans was a milestone that represents a robust commitment by all sectors of the government. The plans, she said, build and strengthen capacity to protect the country, its neighbors and the world from public health threats.

Minister of Health and Sanitation, Professor Alpha Tejan Wurie, said that Sierra Leone was in readiness to combat any disease outbreak because of the massive improvements made in the health sector by the New Direction Government. He stated that the government was very much committed to improving public health service delivery. He commended donor partners for supporting the work of the government.

Gambian National Security On Study Tour

Security sector reforms

By Sylvester Samba

After the country's elections in December 2016, transition in The Gambia had issues with development and reforms, particularly in the security sector. The reason for reform in the sector according to the National Security Adviser, Momodou Badjie, is for The Gambia security sector that is free from politics. In a bid to achieve such, the country is now drafting and developing a National Security Strategy Document and Security Sector Reform Strategy.

Cross-section delegation

On Monday 9th September 2019, a high profile security delegation from The Gambia arrived in Sierra Leone on a capacity enhancement tour to learn from Sierra Leone post-conflict peacebuilding strategy and state reconstruction efforts. Their one-week-long stay focuses on security sector reform, policing and law enforcement, immigration, drug law enforcement, strategic planning, and policy implementation, democratization, and justice sector reform.

Speaking in the capital city of Freetown, The Gambia National Security Adviser said his country made Sierra Leone their obvious choice and that the objective is to strengthen and build their security capacity to operate and collaborate on security reform. He said, his government admires Sierra Leone success story in post-conflict security sector reforms and that the two countries have sheared security, historical and cultural values.

The Gambian delegation also had a meeting with the president, Dr. Julius Maada Bio, at his State House office in Freetown. Adding that security would provide the ecosystem for development. Sierra Leone security sector had gone through reforms and had become the envy of other nations. Head of delegation, Momodou Badjie noted that the country had provided support to other nations and was ready to learn from and share the experience with other countries.

300 New Female Recruits Enlisted In Republic Of Sierra Leone Armed Forces

For the first time in almost 40 years

By Sylvester Samba

Retired Brigadier General, Dr. Julius Maada Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone witnessed and reviewed the largest passing-out parade and commissioning ceremony of over 300 combined women officer cadets and recruits at the Armed Forces Training Center. The event which took place Saturday 7th September 2019 in Freetown, was witnessed by the acting British High Commissioner to Sierra Leone, Alistair White.

For the first time in almost 40 years, the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) with support from the Government of Sierra Leone and the International Security and Advisory Team (ISAT) undertook this special recruitment of women from all the regions, districts and chiefdoms across the country.

Since 1978 and 1979, when 10 female cadet officers and 64 recruits enlisted in the military, more women had volunteered to serve and had, over 40 years of dedicated service to country, showing an uncommon valor, courage, adaptability, selflessness, leadership, and they had carried through their pledge to defend and protect the land that they loved.

Acting British High Commissioner to Sierra Leone, Alistair White, was happy to witness the passing-out ceremony of the female recruits. He said the military is one of the links between the United Kingdom and Sierra Leone. The achievement should be noted widely among nations and international institutions, and by the United Nations, where an increasing number of women serving is recognized as critical to success.

President Bio, also the Commander-In-Chief of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) said his government in conjunction with the government of the United Kingdom, and the International Security Advisory Team (ISAT) launched the Special Female Recruitment. He believed expanding the role of women in national security development for peace, and cohesion. While the initiative aligned firmly with United Nations expectations to further leverage the invaluable role of women soldiers in peace engagement and support operations, it is good expanding the country’s role in international peacekeeping and peace support operations the world over.

The President warned the cadets and recruits not to involved in partisan politics or political discussions adding that as professional soldiers, you serve the Republic of Sierra Leone and no one individual’s interests or ambitions.

The President reminded them of their responsibilities after taken to the oath of allegiance, which he said means they had agreed to subject themselves to public scrutiny as a soldier both on and off duty. He informed them that they had sworn to respect, uphold, and protect the National Constitution of the Republic of Sierra Leone, and to obey all lawful orders from any superior placed over them without question.

He emphasized the soldiers had accomplished themselves with distinction in training and proven again that what men could do, women could do even better.

Officer cadets and recruits at the Armed Forces Training Center

As Head of the Army, the President formally welcome all of them into the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces, assuring them that they are coming into such a noble institution at a time when there is growing opportunity for female service personnel in terms of career, educational development, and participation in Global Peace Support Operations.

We are fully committed to recruiting, training, and retaining more women soldiers and promote women leadership within the RSLAF. We will put in place accountability mechanisms to ensure our RSLAF pursues a progressive agenda for women, and our institution continues to evolve as we learn best practices across the globe.

To our new soldiers, you have just sworn into one of the finest military traditions and institutions – one that has shaped patriots; men and women who have fought and made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation in war and peace. They served selflessly from Burma to the Congo, from Timor Leste to Lebanon, Sudan, Somalia, Liberia, and in the jungles of Sierra Leone. They have stood up when it matters. They are the proud men and women of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces. Let us all continue to stand for our country’s peace, unity, freedom, and justice because we have only this one Sierra Leone, he concluded.

Sierra Leone Becomes "Visa On Arrival" Country

Except for ECOWAS nationals who are already on Visa-free movement

By Sylvester Samba

Dr. Memunatu Pratt, Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affair

Effective Thursday 5th September 2019, the West African country, Sierra Leone, has through its Immigration Department and Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs introduced a new "Visa On Arrivals Policy" which now allows visitors from different countries to travel to Sierra Leone where they can get their respective Visas on arrival at a minimum cost of US $28 for African countries and US $80 for other countries in the world. Sierra Leone Becomes "Visa On Arrival" Country.

Except for ECOWAS nationals who are already on Visa-free movement, the new Visa on Arrival policy was rolled-out for travelers from the following countries or block: United Kingdom, European Union, United States, Commonwealth countries, Gulf Cooperation Council member countries (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and Oman), BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa), Iran, Cambodia, Vietnam, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Turkey, Japan, South Korea, Norway, Israel, Bolivia, East Timor, Macau, Samoa, Tuvalu.

Sierra Leone's Chief Immigration Officer, Mr. Andrew Jaiah KaiKai said countries not listed are required to visit the nearest Sierra Leone Embassy or Mission abroad to secure visas before visiting Sierra Leone.

“All persons coming to Sierra Leone for the purpose other than tourism, visit or business needs to apply for a visa before undertaken such travel...We wish to reassure all potential visitors of a continuing hassle-free visa processing experience”

— Sierra Leone's Chief Immigration Officer, Mr. Andrew Jaiah KaiKai

Speaking to journalists in the capital of Freetown, the Chief Immigration Officer maintained that the decision for the introduction of this new policy is part of government's commitment to promote tourism and attract foreign direct investment in Sierra Leone. A notice has already been put out to the public and correspondence sent to airline operators, Sierra Leone Embassies and Missions overseas, International Air Transport Association (IATA), International partners and other government bodies.

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Sierra Leone's Chief Immigration Officer, Andrew Jaiah Kaikai

Mr. Kaikai assured Sierra Leoneans that the Visa on Arrival policy will not compromise the country's security, adding that his government together with the relevant stakeholders such as the Office of the National Security (ONS), International Police Organization (INTERPOL), and the Immigration Department will profile visitors to make sure that they do not have a questionable character before entering the country.

As potential visitors were struggling with our embassies abroad to receive a Visa to Sierra Leone, such bold step by the government to introduce this new policy will help the country to be very close to the rest of the world, said the Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Memunatu Pratt.

Dr. Pratt noted this is a step in the right direction, given that the country's tourism sector has been in crisis over the years. She added that the non-availability of Sierra Leonean foreign missions in most of the world has proved very challenging for people who want to visit the country, but the introduction of the Visa on Arrival policy will allow visitors to jet in and have Visa right at the Freetown International Airport.

The Minister said they are again planning to take another giant step to meet with Board of Airlines operating in the country and Hotel Owners' Association to drop down the prices for airline tickets and hotels which, she noted, are quite expensive and posed a challenge for tourists to visit Sierra Leone.

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