University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC), Ltd., Accra

The new 617-bed medical center is designed to provide advanced medical services

Quaternary medical and scientific research center

The University of Ghana Medical Centre is a quaternary medical and scientific research center located at the University of Ghana in Accra Campus. It is the most advanced medical facility in West Africa. The new 617-bed medical center is designed to provide advanced medical services in medicine, teaching, and research to the sub-region and beyond.

The new 617-bed medical center is designed to provide advanced medical services

In June 2011 Ghana cabinet gave approval for a loan facility from Israel for the design, construction, and installation of equipment.   

The facility which is located on 400-acre land, is estimated to cost $217 million and modeled after The Sheba Medical Centre, the largest in Israel, assist to provide the most efficient health care that measures up to global standards.

The ultra-modern facility for service delivery is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities for trauma and emergency services with a heliport and internal medicine including surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, cardiology, heart surgery, and imaging. 

The establishment of UGMC was conceived by the faculty and administration of the University of Ghana and initiated under the Late President John Evans Atta Mills. In January 2017, John Dramani Mahama, the former president, commissioned Phase 1 of the project. The first phase of the UGMC houses specialized centers, such as emergency, imaging, operating theatres, and laboratories. 

The second phase provides specialist facilities, including heart and cancer treatment and rehabilitation centers and a hostel for families of patients. The facility is now fully open to the public. The completion of Phase II signifies the completion of all three UGMC focal areas, as the center positions itself to offer quaternary services.

Patient care video

Theo Edwards for YAME

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“President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has commissioned the 120-bed Adansi North District Hospital-Fomena and the Sekyere Kumawu District Hospital-Kumawu in the Ashanti Region. ”

— NEWS UPDATE - JULY 29, 2024

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has commissioned the 120-bed Adansi North District Hospital-Fomena and the Sekyere Kumawu District Hospital-Kumawu in the Ashanti Region. According to the President, the completion of these facilities is a testament to the Government’s dedication to providing fit-for-purpose ultra-modern health facilities in line with the current healthcare standards for the people of Ghana.

More newly constructed facilities in the districts all over Ghana are near completion.

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT:

The Ministry of Health in Ghana is recruiting. Recruitment of Nurses and Midwives. Share If you know of anyone in Africa who is qualified and might be interested. The deadline to submit your online application is Monday 5th August 2024 at Noon — Friday, 23rd August at 6:00 PM.

— Ministry of Health, Ghana website Click Here 

Senegal Joined The Club of Oil-producing Countries

It is expected to generate billions of dollars for Senegal and boost its economy.

Wednesday, June 12, 2024

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Senegal has become an oil-producing nation with the first off-shore platform as Australian company Woodside Energy Group Ltd. announced the beginning of production on Tuesday.

Senegal joined the club of oil-producing countries on Tuesday as Australian group Woodside Energy announced that production had started in the West African country's first offshore project.

The oil and gas sector is expected to generate more than $1 billion annually.

BBC reports that the Sangomar deep-water project, which also has gas, aims to produce 100,000 barrels of oil daily.

President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has committed to responsibly managing the proceeds from the sale of the nation's oil and gas. Australian energy giant Woodside has lauded the oil production in Senegal as a groundbreaking moment and a pivotal accomplishment for the company and the country.

The general manager of the national oil company Petrosen said the nation had entered a 'new era' when production began on Tuesday.

“We have never been so well positioned for opportunities for growth, innovation, and success in the economic and social development of our nation.”

— Thierno Ly, General Manager, Petrosen

Petrosen maintains an 18% stake in the project, demonstrating a substantial commitment, while the majority is owned by Woodside Energy Group Ltd., a trusted and established industry leader.

Mr Faye, who was elected president in April, has been keen on renegotiating the deal as part of reforms he promised during the election campaign.

The President, speaking to students on Tuesday, revealed that an intergenerational fund had been established for the benefit of 'your generation and those to come.'

The country’s move to renegotiate oil and gas contracts has been seen by some analysts as making investors jittery, but government supporters have reportedly said that it is vital for the West African state to increase its stake in projects so that the nation benefits from its natural resources.

A former opposition politician, Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, who was a key figure in the president’s election campaign, recently insisted that contracts signed by previous administrations were ‘unfavorable’ to the country, and would be reviewed.

Sonko was quoted as saying on Tuesday, ‘We're the ones who promised you we'd renegotiate the contracts, and we're going to do it. We've started already.’ 

Theo Edwards for YAME

The Life and Times of Malawi's VP Saulos Chilima

Saulos Klaus Chilima

Saulos Chilima, a father of two, served as Malawi's vice president from 2014 until his death on June 10, 2024. The father of two died in an aircraft crash on his way to represent the government at the burial of former Justice Minister Ralph Kasambara, who died three days earlier.

By Sylvia Chebet for TRT AFRIKA

Born on February 12, 1973, in Blantyre, Malawi, Saulos Klaus Chilima, was the first born child of Henderson Brown Chilima and Elizabeth Frances Chilima.

He spent most of his early life in Blantyre where his father worked as an aircraft engineer for Air Malawi, later renamed Malawi Airlines.

During school holidays, the young Chilima would shuttle between the villages of Lilongwe and Ntcheu where his grandparents lived.

Maziko Matemba, a health activist in Malawi, knew the fallen vice president from his primary school days at Dharap.

Their paths crossed again later in life when Chilima was already a vice president, and their childhood friendship was instantly reignited.

"I will remember him as a passionate Christian and a family man who was sociable," Matemba tells TRT Afrika.

Chilima, a devout Catholic married Mary Nkhamanyachi Chilima with whom he shares two children, Sean and Elizabeth.

Saulos Klaus Chilima married Mary Chilima and got two children. Photo: @Saulos Chilima/X

Chilima graduated from the University of Malawi with a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Sciences in 1994 and later returned to his alma mater to pursue a Master's Degree in Economics.

In 2015, he received his Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Knowledge Management from the University of Bolton in the United Kingdom.

He started his career at Lever Brothers (Mw) Limited (now Unilever) before moving on to the Leasing and Finance Company of Malawi, and later Southern Bottlers Limited.

His last professional assignment in the corporate space was at Airtel Malawi, where he led the sales team before being named the first-ever local managing director for the company in 2010.

Chilima's childhood friend, Matemba was not surprised by his steady rise in the corporate space considering his work ethic.

"He was a man full of energy with a passion for excellence," Matemba recalls.

Chilima reportedly grew Airtel Malawi's annual revenue by 75% over three years from $ 54m in 2010 to $ 95m in 2013.

Political career

Chilima made his debut in politics in 2014, when President Peter Mutharika unveiled him as a running mate.

Saulos Chilima, who came third in the 2019 poll, teamed up with Lazarus Chakwera to defeat Peter Mutharika in 2020. Photo: @Saulos Chilima/X

However, he broke away from Mutharika in 2018 and launched his United Transformation Movement (UTM) party, ahead of the May 2019 elections.

Aiming to form a united opposition, Chilima's UTM formed an alliance with Joyce Banda's Peoples Party and Cassim ChilumphaTikonze People's Movement alongside a host of other smaller political parties.

They agreed to field one presidential candidate, but both Joyce Banda and Cassim Chilumph later withdrew from the alliance, citing disagreement in the selection of a running mate.

Chilima would ganner 20% of the vote in the poll in which the then-incumbent Peter Mutharika had been declared winner.

Malawi's constitutional court later annulled Mutharika's victory, citing vote tampering and a re-run was scheduled for June 2020.

Saulos Chilima served as Malawi's vice president under Presidents Peter Mutharika and Lazarus Chakwera. Photo: @Saulos Chilima/X

Lazarus Chakwera, who had come second place, picked Chilima as his running mate. With their forces combined, they pushed out the Mutharika administration with a 58% vote victory.

However, in 2022, President Chakwera stripped Chilima of his delegated powers as a vice president following a $150m corruption scandal, but was later cleared of the charges.

Announcing Chilima's death, President Chakwera paid a glowing tribute to his deputy, saying he was a devoted father and husband, a patriotic citizen who served his country with distinction.

"I consider it one of the greatest honors of my life to have had him as my deputy and counsellor for the past four years," the president's statement read.

President Lazarus Chakwera confirmed that Dr. Saulos Chilima and nine others died in a plane crash on Monday, June 10, 2024. /Photo: @Saulos Chilima/X

‘His passing is a terrible loss to his wife Mary, his family, his friends, his colleagues in cabinet, and to all of us as a nation that found his leadership and courage a source of inspiration.’

The father of two died in an aircraft crash on his way to represent the government at the burial of former Justice Minister Ralph Kasambara, who died three days earlier.

Death of a Vice President Saulos Klaus Chilima of Malawi

Defendant Vincent Dabilgou, Party Leader and Former Minister of Transport

Misappropriation of public funds in Burkina Faso

August 2023 File Photo

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The defendant Vincent Dabilgou, it should be remembered, was being prosecuted by the courts in Burkina Faso for embezzlement of public funds, money laundering, and the hidden financing of political parties, including the party of which he is the president, the NTD. He was sentenced in August of 2023 by the court in Burkina Faso.

The court in Burkina Faso’s capital Ouagadougou sentenced Vincent Dabilgou, former transport minister, to eleven years in prison for embezzlement of public funds and money laundering, the local media said, citing judicial sources.

The court reportedly charged the former minister with ‘misappropriation of public funds’ to the tune of 1.12 billion CFA francs (about $1.9 million), and ‘hidden financing of a political party.’

Dabilgou is the founder and chairman of the New Era for Democracy (NTD) party, whose activities the court also ordered suspended.

The ex-minister must also pay a fine of 3.3 billion CFA francs ($5.5 million) following the order and is banned from all political activities for five years.

READ: Politicians don't give a dam!

In addition, the tribunal directed that the former minister's assets be forfeited to the extent of the amounts embezzled to the treasury.

The court verdict also affected two of Dabilgou's former colleagues in the ministry, Sere Jean-Gabriel and Kouanda Malick, who received prison sentences ranging from six to eleven years, along with hefty fines for ‘abuse of power.’

Burkina Faso has been ruled since September 2022 by an interim government led by Captain Ibrahim Traore, who took power from the previous coup leader Paul-Henri Damiba, who overthrew Kabore.

Vincent Dabilgou headed Burkina Faso's Transport Ministry under President Roch Marc Christian Kabore, who was overthrown in a coup in January 2022. Before the Transport Ministry, he served as Minister of Urban Development.

However, a video of Vincent Dabilgou surfaced on social media, which has since gone viral with the caption ‘From Grace to Grass,’ showing him being subjected to public beatings after being found guilty of embezzlement.

Vincent Dabilgou, Party Leader and Former Minister of Transport. Revealing the locations of embezzled funds.

The passport to achieving wealth in Africa is by entering into politics.

The question we ask is:

As a powerful deterrent, sending a clear message to future public servants about the consequences of engaging in corruption and state capture when found guilty, should we consider introducing public flogging as part of sentencing our corrupt African leaders and their accomplices?

By Theo Edwards for YAME

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Feel free to join the conversation by posting your comment! We encourage readers across the political spectrum to participate. We hold Space for everyone on YAME. yame [dot] space.

Freetown Cable Car Project Promoted At The Cable Car World Congress In Essen

June 5, 2024: The Cable Car World Congress In Essen, GERMANY

We are thrilled to have had the opportunity to promote the Freetown Cable Car project at the Cable Car World Congress in Essen, Germany. Under the patronage of the German Federal Minister for Digital and Transport Dr. Volker Wissing, the Cable Car World Congress brought together national and municipal government officials, cable car manufacturers, construction companies, professional advisors, and other industry participants committed to the delivery of the cable car as an integrated element of a green, urban mobility solution.

I was honored to be hosted by the Mayor of Essen on Monday evening and to respond to his kind words of welcome. The Congress was officially opened on Tuesday morning with a statement by the German State Secretary for Digital and Transport Hartmut Hoppner. I then delivered a welcome statement and throughout the two-day event, I participated in a panel on the financing of cable cars, presented an overview of the Freetown Cable Car Project, and together with other members of the project team, engaged in a series of bilateral meetings with cable car manufacturers, potential project financiers and advisors. 

The availability of the technical and financial feasibility studies funded by the C40 Cities Climate Finance Facility and undertaken by GIZ increased the level of interest in the project from potential participants. Furthermore, the support for the project by the Sierra Leone Ministry of Transport and the synergies between the Freetown Cable Car Project and the World Bank-funded Integrated and Resilient Urban Mobility Projects strengthens the investment case for the cable car.

The Freetown Cable Car Project currently comprises three proposed lines: the East Corridor; the Mountain Corridor; and the West Corridor. The feasibility studies have been undertaken for the 3.6 km long East Corridor route which will run from Kissy Ferry Terminal to Government Wharf via Up Gun, Mountain Cut, and Eastern Police. The journey time along this route will be reduced to just 14.5 minutes! 

Our discussions and engagements at the Cable Car World Congress have been extremely constructive. We are proceeding with the next steps on the journey to structure and secure the financing for the Freetown Cable Car Project. We hope to complete this important step within 6 to 9 months.

©️Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr OBE | June 5, 2024

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Feel free to join the conversation by posting your comment! We encourage readers across the political spectrum to participate. We hold Space for everyone on YAME. yame [dot] space.

Why 30 Years of ANC Majority Rule is Over, and What's Next for South Africa

Story by Debora Patta • 1h • 4 min read

Johannesburg — On April 27, 1994, Black and White South Africans voted side by side for a new government for the first time in the country's history.  Nelson Mandela's party, the African National Congress (ANC) had defeated apartheid and ushered in a new democratic era.

The ANC swept to power with ease and Mandela became South Africa's first Black president to the delight of a mostly adoring country. Now, 30 years later, the party that brought democracy to South Africa has been defeated by it.

National election results announced over the weekend saw the ANC lose the electoral majority it had won in every round of voting since Mandela came to power on that historic day three decades ago.

Why did the ANC lose its long-held majority?

As they headed to the polls to cast their verdict on the ANC for the seventh time since 1994, South Africans had a lot to complain about.

An African National Congress (ANC) supporter holds a poster of former President Nelson Mandela during the ANC Election Manifesto launch at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, South Africa, in a Feb. 24, 2024 file photo. / Credit: RAJESH JANTILAL/AFP/Getty© Provided by CBS News

A stubbornly high unemployment rate, which officially hit 32.9% last year but in reality is much higher; persistent economic inequalities; rampant corruption, and a lack of public service delivery, particularly in poorer areas, all contributed to the dethroning of the ANC.

Then there were the frequent power cuts. Intermittent outages have been a near-constant for well over a year.

There's also a soaring crime rate, with 130 murders and 80 rapes documented every single day in the last quarter of 2023. 

Together, all these factors dented confidence in the long-ruling party, and the result was a slap in the face for the ANC, which garnered just 40.2 percent of the votes — well below the more than 50% needed to remain in power.

What comes next for South Africa?

Instead, the ANC has two weeks to negotiate a new power-sharing government with members of other parties. This could take the form of either a coalition with a smaller party, or a government of national unity, which would see multiple parties get roles in a unified cabinet.

The options available could not be more different. 

The second largest share of the votes, 21.8%, went to the official opposition Democratic Alliance (DA), which has been on the political scene since the dawn of South Africa's democracy and historically was a merger between the former apartheid rulers, the National Party, and liberal Whites who participated in the old apartheid regime but criticized the country's racist policies. 

The DA wants to liberalize the national economy, including a move toward greater privatization, but it is dogged by a credibility issue — perceived by many Black South Africans to be a mostly white, middle-class party that doesn't care about the poor.

Then there's the uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) party, which exploded onto the political scene at the end of last year.  It's made up of former disgruntled ANC members and led by the disgraced former President of South Africa Jacob Zuma, who faces multiple corruption charges and was already sent to prison briefly in 2021 for defying a court order to testify at a corruption inquiry. 

As a convicted felon, Zuma cannot run for office, but he remains the face of the party and helped MK snatch 14.9% of the vote away from the ANC by appealing to Zulu nationalism. 

Like every election since democracy arrived in South Africa, this one has been declared objectively free and fair by observers. But that hasn't stopped Zuma casting doubt on the results, including with public claims of vote-rigging, without providing any evidence.  

On Sunday, the former leader issued an ominous warning.

"The results are not correct," he said. "Results should not be declared. If you're declaring, you're provoking us. Don't start trouble."

MK's manifesto is anti-constitutional. It speaks about nationalizing the SA Reserve Bank and holding a referendum on scrapping the constitution completely.

The attacks on the election results appear aimed at denting the credibility of the vote and creating uncertainty. But Zuma is also fighting for his survival — desperate to avoid his corruption trial which could very well send him back to jail.

Lagging behind MK was another ANC breakaway party, the Economic Freedom Front (EFF), which argues that the ANC has not redressed the racial economic imbalances of apartheid. It wants to redistribute land to the less well-off and nationalize mines, banks, and other key parts of the economy.  But it made no gains in this election, instead dropping to 9.5% for a fourth place finish.

An EFF poster is seen outside a polling station in Hopetown, Northern Cape province, South Africa, May 29, 2024. / Credit: Jeremy Suyker/Bloomberg/Getty© Provided by CBS News

The ANC could attempt to form a coalition with either the DA or the EFF and another smaller party, or even with MK, although it's unlikely that Zuma would agree to this unless the ANC boots out its leader, incumbent South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, which seems just as unlikely, at least for now.

The unity option — a possible reset for South Africa?

As an alternative, a government of national unity would see a grand multi-party coalition, and possibly provide a reset for South Africa. 

Despite this country's multitude of problems and a poor voter turnout compared to previous years, democracy still holds strong in South Africa. 

The election was mostly peaceful and South Africans actually sent a clear message by giving no single party a mandate to govern. 

Gracious in defeat, Ramaphosa said the people's will was clear, and he accepted the results.

"Our people have spoken, whether we like it or not," said Ramaphosa. "Through their votes they have demonstrated clearly and plainly that our democracy is strong, that our democracy is robust and enduring."

Mosotho Moepya (left), chairman of the Election Commission, announces the results of the election and declares them free and fair before handing over to President Cyril Ramaphosa (center) at the National Result Operation Centre (ROC) at Gallagher Estate, June 2, 2024 in Midrand, South Africa. / Credit: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images/Getty© Provided by CBS News

He said it seemed clear that South Africans want their leaders, from across the political spectrum, to find common ground and work together.

The cheerful goodwill could evaporate to some degree amid the cut and thrust of coalition-making, but the process has revealed a constitutional democracy that's more robust than the chaos Zuma's party seems to be hoping for. 

The next 15 days will be crucial in shaping a government that serves the people of South Africa, and hopefully returns some trust in its political leaders.

First Black Woman to Earn a U-M Robotics PhD

University of Michigan - May 4, 2024

On Saturday, Oluwami Dosunmu-Ogunbi spoke at the University of Michigan College of Engineering Graduate Ceremony.

She is the first Black woman to earn a U-M Robotics PhD. at the University of Michigan

Born to Nigerian immigrant parents, she came to U-M's mechanical engineering PhD. program decorated with academic honors-such as her MVP award from the University of Illinois' Pi Tau Sigma chapter, the mechanical engineering honor society.

Wami Ogunbi opens up about the importance of advocates and mentors in enabling her to achieve—and delivers a message about the importance of inclusion.

While speaking, she shared what inspires her to be an engineer, especially what it means to be a University of Michigan engineer.

Credit: The University of Michigan Robotics Department

Sierra Leone Unapproved Construction: Juba in Peril

The illegal residents reportedly cut into the pipes for water access

We must act now before another preventable disaster strikes

The environmental impact of this uncontrolled growth is also evident. Plastic waste and blocked drainages paint a picture of growing neglect. Coupled with the chaotic atmosphere creates a chaotic and unsettling environment and erodes the quality of life for all residents

Juba, once a high-end neighborhood in Freetown, finds itself battling a complex and pressing issue: a dense network of unauthorized settlements encroaching directly onto critical infrastructure, including its vital water pipelines. These makeshift structures built on the city's main water pipe - the lifeline connecting the Guma reservoir to the wider community in Freetown - pose a significant risk to both the community and individuals, raising concerns about safety, sanitation, and environmental protection.

Unapproved construction can compromise the integrity of these vital pipes, leading to potential leaks, disruptions, and even contamination. Additionally, the settlements often lack proper sanitation facilities, raising the specter of hygiene concerns and disease outbreaks.

The environmental impact of this uncontrolled growth is also evident. Plastic waste and blocked drainages paint a picture of growing neglect. Coupled with the chaotic atmosphere, it creates an unsettling environment and erodes the quality of life for all residents.

The situation is further complicated by allegations of colluding between the residents, Freetown City Council (FCC) officials, and Members of Parliament. Bi-monthly payments to FCC officials from illegal settlers and claims of unauthorized electricity access through EDSA payments raise serious questions about the erosion of the rule of law, despite official regulations prohibiting such connections in unauthorized settlements.

Juba's predicament is not an isolated incident; it reflects a larger challenge faced by law-abiding residents in Freetown. This development is not simply about illegal settlements but the complex interplay between politics, governance, and the erosion of trust in certain institutions.

While the reasons for these irregular settlements might be multifaceted, their impact on the Guma pipeline and the wider Juba community is undeniable. The illegal residents reportedly cut into the pipes for water access, potentially compromising the entire system's integrity and jeopardizing the water supply. This raises questions about the long-term viability of such a development, for the community and the broader infrastructure network.

Finding solutions demands a comprehensive and unbiased assessment of the situation, a firm commitment to upholding regulations, and collaborative efforts from community members and relevant authorities like the National Disaster Management Agency, Guma Valley, ONS, FCC, EDSA, and Members of Parliament. Only through such collective action can Juba and other neighborhoods reclaim their communities, where safety, sanitation, and environmental well-being are not negotiable luxuries but fundamental rights for all law-abiding residents.

This is not a time for finger-pointing. We must act now before another preventable disaster strikes with potentially catastrophic consequences. Juba is a stark reminder of the human cost of inaction and the urgent need for responsible governance, community engagement, and a renewed commitment to the rule of law.

Bob Jusu reporting

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Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr on Facebook: Guma Valley Water Company communication unit reported

Sierra Leone Colonial Report for 1914 - Annual: compared to the present population.

Sierra Leone: Small Country, Massive Suffering

How did it all fall apart?

By Theo Edwards

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Bad economy, no electricity, fraud and corruption, poor infrastructure, poor water supply, youth unemployment, the rampant abuse of Kush, and the rise in crime.

Every blessed day, you will find something to be outraged about.

It pains like-minded Sierra Leoneans to see the stark contrast between the envisioned utopia and the grim reality in Mama Salone, a land abundant with many God-given natural resources. 

Our so-called educated elite, leaders, traditional rulers, and religious figures have all become agents of our demise, poisoning the well of our collective aspirations. 

Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States once said, ‘…nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s true character, give him power.’ Power reveals dishonesty, greed, corruption, and unqualified functionaries in us.

Power consumes one’s ability to use common sense

Sierra Leone has manifested itself into tribal and regional affiliations that have become barriers to meaningful collaboration.

Regrettably, these divisions of tribalism extend to the leadership and various governmental institutions. The specter of politics and political affiliations looms large and appears more important than national interest.

Positions on national issues are based entirely on convenience and not deeply on how things appear good or bad or how we want to hold people in power accountable but on who we try to protect based on affiliation or connections.

Politicians don't give a dam! Not until we Sierra Leoneans treat each other with dignity and value the life of everyone nothing will ever change.

No transparency or accountability oversight. The very essence of democracy

The two sides of our political framework follow the same road. And they both wind up in the same place every single time.

Transparency is an absolute necessity for achieving accountability in any democratic system. It is only when those in power are held responsible for their actions that trust can exist between the government and its citizens. Without transparency and accountability, the government can easily become corrupt and abuse its power, leading to a breakdown of trust and a loss of faith in the entire system.

The pursuit of power has blinded many politicians to the basic needs of humanity, leading to a decline in the quality of life for the general public. The obsession with gaining and maintaining power has consumed the ability to use common sense and make decisions that benefit constituents. As a result, basic needs like access to clean water, healthcare, education, and infrastructure are being neglected, while those in power focus on their self-interests.

READ: ‘Absolute disgrace:’ State institutions are not working as they ought

This selfish behavior not only harms the nation but also weakens the fabric of society as a whole.

It's been sixty-three long years since our independence on April 27, 1961, and yet we still find ourselves trapped in the shackles of mental slavery. Corruption, ignorance, and mismanagement continue to plague our society, serving as the hallmarks of power and control.

It is the sad reality, that despite our freedom, we have failed to break free from the chains that bind us and prevent us from reaching our true potential as a nation.

The people of Sierra Leone have long been asking for very little, but unfortunately, so much is taken away from them. The realities on the ground are all too real and paint a very sad picture

In societies that meet the academic definition of 'good governance,' the government is supposed to meet the needs of the people. However, in Sierra Leone, this is often not the case. Despite the best efforts of some, the needs of the people are often ignored, and their basic rights are frequently violated.

The Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) and the All Peoples Congress (APC), the two pillars of our political framework, have long become synonymous with stagnation and corruption. The level of corruption runs in both directions creating an environment where crime and bribery flourish.

READ: When humanity succumbs to acts of greed and oppression, they are even less than animals

It's a tragic state of affairs and time for a change. We need leaders who are committed and committed to reforms such as taking a harder line against party leaders who've been implicated in corruption and state capture.

The time for our leaders to prioritize the needs of the people they serve, and work together to create a better future for all.

Poverty and Uncertainty occupying the mind! In poverty-stricken societies, people are forced to make desperate choices just to survive. They are willing to eat from any plate, regardless of the source, because hunger knows no boundaries. They are willing to dance for political t-shirts not because they desire them, but because they need clothes to wear. It is appalling that we have allowed these issues to persist, ignoring them until election season when politicians use them to gain leverage. Let us not forget that these are real people with real struggles, not just pawns in a political game. 

Through effective management of resources and eliminating corruption, Sierra Leone can chart a sustainable path toward a brighter and more prosperous future.

It is time to take action and address these issues with urgency and compassion.

KUSH: Is not only the new face of Sierra Leone but also the new mineral of Sierra Leone. Disheartening!

Because of the enduring impact and the self-interest of our politicians, Sierra Leone has slid into a more dangerous territory due to the rampant abuse of KUSH. A drug that is quickly becoming the new face of addiction in the country. Those who turn to KUSH in search of relief are often met with devastating consequences leading to even worse problems than those it was intended to solve.

The side effects of drugs mixed with human bones called #Kush pic.twitter.com/bM5RlVbwgR

— House Of Happiness Sierra Leone (@HOHSIERRALEONE) April 8, 2024

The side-effect of kush mixed with human bone

Leadership

‘For, it would be useless to chase out the colonial rulers if the Africans who replaced them are just as greedy and ruthless ~Kwame Nkrumah.

As citizens, we only need to look around us to know where we are as a nation. We cannot allow the future of our generation to be sacrificed for the sake of those driven by their pursuit of wealth and political ambition.

PCMH Extensive Hours of a Power Outage

There is no shame in this. There’s no hiding. We need help at PCMH

Dr. Jeredine George, a Specialist Obstetrician Gynecologist working at the National OBGYN hospital, PCMH normally called 'cottage' wrote about the extensive hours of a power outage

‘Ar ready for the on-call tiday: bring it on!’

April 23, 2024

Dr. Jeredine George, a Specialist Obstetrician Gynecologist working at the National OBGYN hospital, PCMH normally called 'cottage' wrote about the extensive hours of power outage.

She posted on her mobile status with the caption "Ar ready for the on-call tiday: bring it on!" She was ready, she said. What she wasn't ready for was the extensive hours of power outage that came with it.

If you don't know me, my name is Dr. Jeredine George, and I'm a Specialist Obstetrician Gynecologist working at the National OBGYN hospital, PCMH normally called 'cottage.' 

My team is on call every Monday, and yesterday was no exception. There was a lights-out in the hospital from 9:15 PM yesterday until 8 AM today.

Let me give you scenarios of what this implies: Nurses and doctors examining patients with phone torches, patients who required oxygen did not get it, babies who needed oxygen while in their mothers' wombs did not get it, and as a result, we lost a baby immediately after surgery because it was in distress before delivery and some oxygen to the mother would have helped it.

Before you ask, the solar installed in the compound serving both hospitals can only last for a maximum of 5 hours in full capacity, and this was what was in operation till 9:15 PM.

The generator owned by the hospital can serve only the operating theatre.

Nurses had to admit, care for, and give medications to patients in the dark! if they're lucky, by the use of their phone torches or that of the patient's relatives.

'This is not an attack on anyone or anything in particular, but a desperate cry for help from a clinician who experiences daily what the average Sierra Leonean pregnant woman is facing just because the system is failing them.

Dr. Jeredine George

There are many issues at PCMH! and we need help.

I'm typing this and crying because we had a terrible night: my junior doctors and I have not slept a wink since 8 AM yesterday. 

We are not complaining about the workload or salary but that the working conditions should be better and that the patients who are promised free health care receive it.

‘They come to the hospital with nothing expecting free treatment but lo and behold they have to purchase almost everything needed for their survival.’

Sometimes, we take from our meager salaries and purchase these consumables for them not because we have to spare but because we cannot sit down and watch patients die because they can't afford them.

There is no shame in this, there is no hiding. We need help at PCMH.

What pained us the most was that the children's hospital in the same compound had a generator that provided power throughout the night, at the time the "cottage" hospital was in darkness.

If you're reading this and are passionate about maternal health, please help us get the help we need. Not on paper but physically that patients can benefit from!

Do not ask whether the authorities know because they do and maybe there's nothing, they can do so we need much bigger help.

The issues are numerous at PCMH, but yesterday's duty brought to light the very sad conditions under which clinicians are forced to work.

I've never done this before; I had complained to different individuals but not on such a large platform.

Maybe it's about time we get help.

P.S.: We had two maternal near misses and many other incidents during the on-call; thankfully, we managed them and had no mortality.

Thanks to all the staff who worked during the night of Monday 22nd April 2024: you all are heroes. May God bless the works of your hands.

'Una bear me,' I'm crying as I'm typing this:

 #e-mona

office of the minister: Ministry of health | Dated 24th April 2024

While no one takes responsibility at the Ministry of Health for the death of a child at the PCMH, the Ministry has acknowledged that health facilities across the country are faced with electricity challenges due to the ongoing electricity crisis.

There was a leadership challenge at PCMH, also, according to MoH.

These challenges have only now been addressed after the unfortunate death of the child, with the posting appointment on Wednesday, the 24th of April the Acting Medical Superintendent, Dr. Amadu Sesay, with immediate effect.

Thanks to all concerned citizens who reached out to us to voice their level of frustration with the current state of affairs in the motherland.

#Don't-Be-Afraid-to-Speak-Out

Early Rainfall Causes Havoc at Portee: Freetown City Council Communication

Freetown City Council (FCC)

April 23, 2024 

Truly disgusting! This filth is a product of our attitude towards waste management.

The heavy rains in the early hours of this morning were accompanied by the return of an unfortunate habit – some Freetonians emptying their garbage into gutters and waterways during the rain.

The rains have come early and jumped ahead of our flood mitigation plans. FCC flood mitigation activities started at Juba Bridge on 3rd April.

After about five days we moved onto the canal at Lumley which had also become an illegal dumpsite last year. From there work began and is still ongoing at Kroo Bay.

The heavy rains in the early hours of this morning were accompanied by the return of an unfortunate habit – some Freetonians emptying their garbage into gutters and waterways during the rain.

As a consequence, we saw an overflow of several key drains and gutters across the city, including at Portee. This unfortunate practice is most often done by but is not limited to residents living in hillside communities that cannot be accessed by sanitation vehicles.

Speaking about the Council’s efforts, Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr said: ‘The Deputy Mayor, the Chief Administrator, the FCC team, and I were out on the streets until way after dark to ensure that we effectively addressed the situation at Portee and elsewhere. All roads were cleared, and residents were sensitized in the process.

FCC flood mitigation activities will continue for the next few weeks. We are confident that within a few days, the positive impact of the recently expanded public space cleaning and the continued flood mitigation activities will yield positive results.

Additionally FCC is in the process of strengthening our sanitation bylaws; we are hopeful that parliamentary approval for that will be granted soon.

In the meantime, a reminder to us all that garbage on the streets doesn’t fall from the skies. Freetonians please don’t throw your garbage in the streets, gutters, and waterways and please do not use ‘Clean Salone’ Please only use FCC-approved waste service providers who operate with tricycles or vehicles. Thank you!’

The cleanup effort

The people and central and local governments have to change their mindset.

Debris on the New Road at Portee was completely cleared. Flood mitigation work across the city continues. 

Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr on 'X' formally Twitter

Debris on the New Road at #Portee was completely cleared. #FloodMitigation work across the city continues. Sanitation bylaws are being strengthened along with introduction of a new system of household waste collection. Awaiting parliamentary approval for #sanitation #bylaws… pic.twitter.com/JT9nW8ammO

— Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr OBE (@yakisawyerr) April 23, 2024

Foreign Airlines Conspiring To Cut Us Off Lagos—London Route

Air Peace CEO Raises Alarm

Tuesday, April 9, 2024; 22:30:14 WAT | Abdulyassar Abdulhamid for Daily Trust

Allen Onyema, Chairman of Air Peace, has raised the alarm over the alleged conspiracy by foreign governments to frustrate his airline out of business.

Recounting his experience on the Lagos-London route during an interview on Channels TV’s ‘Politics Today’, on Tuesday, he said Air Peace commenced its London flight with special students’ fares to make traveling affordable for students going to study.

If there is an award for African of the year, I would recommend the NIGERIAN OWNER OF @flyairpeace for the introduction of direct flights to the UK and reducing costs by over 65%. ECOWAS should honour him. pic.twitter.com/hiPJgHXEi6

— Rodney Michael (@superrod001) April 8, 2024

Rodney Michael on X, formerly Twitter

He alleged the airline was being segregated, calling on the Nigerian government to do more to ensure the operation is sustained.

“We are aware that there are devilish conspiracies. All of a sudden airlines are under pricing below the cost. One airline is advertising $100 and the other $350. If you peel up your entire aircraft and carry people on the wings it is not even enough to buy your fuel.”

— Allen Onyema, Chairman of Air Peace

Why are they doing that? Their government is supporting them because Nigeria has been a cash cow for everybody. The idea is to take Air Peace out and the moment they succeed in taking Air Peace out, Nigerians would pay twenty times over. It would happen, God, forbids it if they can take Air Peace out.

What is happening is scary. On the inaugural flight out of London 24 hours they moved us to another checking area. The place they gave us things was not working. When you are checking people you need to manually carry the load to go 50 metres and drop it. This was just 'to delay.' No other airline faced that. We were denied a slot. Festus Keyamo had to travel to London with us to warn them. He told them if they continued the foolish act, the Nigerian government would retaliate.

The government of Nigeria is behind Air Peace but the government has to do more now that there is evidence that unofficial statements are taking this airline.

Systemic Change and Greater Sovereignty

Promises made by Bassirou Diomaye Faye during his inauguration on Tuesday, April 2, 2024

By Theo Edwards

Bassirou Diomaye Faye, 44, the opposition candidate in the recent Senegalese presidential election, was sworn into office on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, as the nation's fifth president. He's now also Africa's youngest elected president.

President Bassirou Diomaye Faye will be succeeding Macky Sall who ruled Senegal since 2012.

“Before God and before the Senegalese nation, I swear to faithfully fulfill the office of President of the Republic, of the Republic of Senegal, to observe as well as to conscientiously abide by the provisions of the constitution and the laws, to devote all my power to defending the constitutional institutions, the integrity of the territory, national independence and to spare no effort to achieve African unity.”

— Taking the oath of office, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye declared.

Senegal's Newly elected President Bassirou Diomaye Faye addresses the audience after he took the oath of office as president during the inauguration ceremony in Dakar, Senegal April 2, 2024. Photo credit: REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra

More solidarity is also needed between African nations to tackle security threats, the freshly minted leader said to an audience of officials and African heads of state in Diamniadio near Dakar, the capital city.

Over a dozen heads of state and regional representatives attended the inauguration, including Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu, Ghana's President Nana Akufo-Addo, and African Union Commission Chair Moussa Faki Mahamat. The military juntas of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger also sent representatives.

In Pictures | President Diomaye Faye of Senegal Inauguration

“The victory of President Diomaye Faye of Senegal is showing the world there is some hope in the African democracy.

May his presidency bring about the desired changes to the good people of Senegal & the entire West Africa.”

— Adnan Abdullahi Adam | Congratulatory Message

President Boakai Suspends FIA Director General Stanley Ford

EXECUTIVE MANSION

PRESS RELEASE - March 30, 2024

President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., has suspended, with immediate effect, Mr. Stanley Ford, Director General of the Financial Intelligence Agency (FIA) for allegations of financial and other malpractices at the institution.

The President has made it clear that there is no tolerance for any form of malpractice and, as such, he has directed the Ministry of Justice to undertake a comprehensive investigation into the matter. He expressed confidence that the investigation will ensure that justice is served.

The President has further urged Mr. Ford to submit himself to the investigation and cooperate fully to make sure that the matter is resolved expeditiously.

This move by the Liberian Leader is a clear demonstration of his commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that public officials are held accountable for their actions.

Nigerian Woman Faces Seven Years in Prison For Writing a Damning Online Review of Tomato Puree

Chioma Okoli faces up to seven years in prison for her views; she said a can of tomato puree was too sweet

Perkin Amalaraj for DailyMail

For writing an online review, Chioma Okoli faces up to seven years in prison for her views; she said a can of tomato puree was too sweet. The company asked Nigeria's police to arrest her and is suing for £3 million (three million pounds.)

A Nigerian woman is facing up to seven years in prison for writing a damning review of a can of tomato puree after its maker accused her of damaging its business. 

Chioma Okoli being criminally prosecuted and sued in a civil court after she made negative comments about a product made by Nigerian food maker Erisco Foods

Chioma Okoli, a 39-year-old businesswoman based in Lagos, the country's largest city, is being criminally prosecuted and sued in a civil court after she made negative comments about a product made by Nigerian food maker Erisco Foods. 

She called on her 18,000 Facebook followers to share their thoughts about Ericso's Nagiko Tomato Mix, after sharing a picture of an opened can of the product and saying it was too sweet. 

One commenter said: 'Stop spoiling my brother's product. If [you] don't like it, use another one than bring it to social media or call customer service.'

Okoli responded: 'Help me advise your brother to stop ki**ing people with his product, yesterday was my first time using it, and it's pure sugar.'

She called on her 18,000 Facebook followers to share their thoughts about Ericso's Nagiko Tomato Mix

The businesswoman, who's currently pregnant with her fourth child, was arrested by plainclothes officers from Nigeria's national police in September while she was in church and told CNN that she was made to stand around in a leaky cell for hours.

'There were no seats, so I stood all through till the next day. My legs were inside the water [that came in from the leaking roof]', she said.

'Sometimes, I squatted to reduce the pressure on my legs. I was thinking about my children who were at home. I was talking to myself. I would think, I would pray, I was messed up,' she added.

Okoli was criminally charged with two separate crimes, the most serious of which could land her behind bars for up to seven years.

She was charged with conspiring with two other individuals with 'the intention of instigating people against Erisco Foods Limited', and may have to go to prison for up to seven years. 

Okoli was also charged with 'instigating Erisco Foods Limited, knowing the said information to be false', a crime that could end with her going to prison for three years, having to pay a fine of seven million naira (£3,950).

The company's CEO Eric Umeofia has come under fire in Nigeria for his threatening behavior against Okoli

He revealed her address to the nation during an interview about the ongoing legal battle

Erisco itself is also bringing a civil lawsuit against her, after claiming earlier this year that 'several suppliers' cut ties with the company following her remarks, and is seeking 5 billion naira (£2.8 million) in damages.

She has launched two countersuits against the police and Erisco, which her legal team has described as a David vs. Goliath battle, for their treatment of the businesswoman.

Amnesty International said: 'Harassment and intimidation of Chioma Okoli must end now.'

The company's CEO Eric Umeofia has come under fire in Nigeria for his threatening behaviour against Okoli.

He revealed her address to the nation during an interview about the ongoing legal battle, which her lawyer, Inhibehe Effiong, said was done 'without regard for the security and safety of Chioma, her husband, and her entire family.'

He also told broadcasters that he would 'rather die than allow someone to tarnish my image I worked 40 years to grow.'

The behavior of the police and Erisco has come under fire from groups across the world.

Amnesty International said: 'Harassment and intimidation of Chioma Okoli must end now.'

Senegal's Opposition Leader Bassirou Diomaye Faye Set to Become President

Senegal’s little-known, 44-year-old opposition leader Bassirou Diomaye Faye was named the country's next president on Monday, less than two weeks after being released from prison to run in the election.

By NEWS WIRES: Monday, March 25, 2024

Senegalese opposition presidential candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye addresses his first press conference after being declared winner of Senegal's presidential election in Dakar on March 25, 2024. © John Wessels, AFP

Faye’s victory reflected frustration among youth with high unemployment and concerns about governance in the West African nation. In his first speech delivered as president-elect late Monday, the former tax inspector promised a fresh chapter following the months of violence and many political arrests that led up to the election. 

While official results of Sunday's vote were not yet available, the former prime minister who was the other frontrunner, and who was backed by incumbent President Macky Sall, conceded defeat based on preliminary results. Sall followed with congratulations, also naming Faye as the winner.

Faye’s victory reflected frustration among youth with high unemployment and concerns about governance in the West African nation. In his first speech delivered as president-elect late Monday, the former tax inspector promised a fresh chapter following the months of violence and many political arrests that led up to the election. 

Youth unemployment a major issue in Senegal's presidential elections

“I pledge to govern with humility and transparency and to fight corruption at all levels. I pledge to devote myself fully to rebuilding our institutions," he said, restating promises made during his campaign. 

Faye, who was backed by popular opposition leader Ousmane Sonko, has vowed to improve Senegal's control over its natural resources by promoting national companies to prevent the country from falling into what his campaign called “economic enslavement.” He ran in the place of his close ally Sonko, who was barred from running due to a prior conviction. 

Sonko was also released on March 14 after months in prison to jubilant celebrations in the capital, following the president's announcement of a political amnesty.

The outgoing president Sall, who triggered violent protests earlier this year when he unsuccessfully tried to postpone the election until the end of the year, described the outcome of the vote as a victory for Senegal. His former prime minister and the loser in the race, Amadou Ba, wished Faye success in a statement shared by his campaign team.

The election on Sunday followed months of unrest ignited by Faye and Sonko's arrest last year, and concerns that the president would seek a third term in office despite constitutional term limits. The violence shook Senegal’s reputation as a stable democracy in a region that has seen a wave of coups. Rights groups said dozens were killed in the protests, while some 1,000 people were jailed.

The expected winner of the election, Faye is a former tax collector and was little known until Sonko named him as his heir.

His roots lie in a small town in central Senegal. He is a practicing Muslim, and has two wives. Ahead of Sunday's election, Faye published a declaration of his assets, and called on other candidates to do the same. It lists a home in Dakar, and land outside the capital and in his hometown. His bank accounts hold roughly $6,600.

“I would even say that he is more honest than me. I place the project in his hands,” Sonko told supporters at a joint news conference in March of last year. Weeks later, Faye was arrested and jailed on various charges, including defamation. 

Alioune Tine, founder of Afrikajom Center, a Senegalese think tank, said the outcome of the vote proved Senegal would survive after a difficult year that had undermined the population’s faith in democracy. 

“From prison to the presidential palace,” said Tine. “The only country in Africa capable of withstanding a disease of its democracy that has shaken all its institutions, profoundly shaken its society, only to recover from it.”

International analysts said a change in leadership in Senegal would come as a relief after months of violence, but raised new questions about the foreign policy of the new government at a time when the coastal nation is becoming an oil and gas producer.

On Monday night, Faye outlined some early foreign policy priorities, which included reforming the troubled West African regional bloc known as ECOWAS. 

“A win by the opposition also means major changes ahead in domestic and foreign policies,” said Rida Lyammouri of the Policy Center for the New South, a Morocco-based think tank, adding that a promise to move away from former colonial power France could define the foreign policy of the country’s new government.

Across neighboring countries in the Sahel, including Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, that recently experienced military coups, sentiment has turned against France. The ruling juntas have ended military cooperation with France while turning instead to Russia for support.

The vote was largely peaceful with a high turnout, observers said. Early counts showed voters turned out overwhelmingly in favor of the opposition. Sonko promised a resounding victory on his YouTube channel. By the evening in Dakar, Faye had been declared the winner, and celebrations erupted in Dakar. 

In neighborhoods around the capital, supporters danced, played music, and set off fireworks until late at night.

“Our democracy will emerge stronger from these results,” said Ndeye Sow, 27. “We’re delighted, there was no violence here, serenity is the order of the day.”

More than 7 million people were registered to vote in a country of roughly 17 million. To win, candidates had to secure more than 50% of the vote. It was Senegal’s fourth democratic transfer of power since gaining independence from France more than six decades ago. 

Time for a New Era

Sierra Leone call to replace old politicians with fresh faces — 

Op—Ed

The power to shape our destiny lies in our hands. Let us not squander the opportunity for change. But seize it with both hands and forge a path towards a brighter future for generations to come.

In the heart of Sierra Leone's political landscape lies a deep-seated yearning for change. Far too long, our nation has been held hostage by the grip of aging politicians who have failed to deliver on their promises and have instead perpetuated a cycle of despair and disillusionment.

Time for a new chapter, a chapter, written by the hands of the young and genuine, who possess the vigor and integrity to lead our country forward.

The Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) and the All Peoples Congress (APC), two pillars of our political framework, have long been dominated by the same faces. Faces that have become synonymous with stagnation and corruption.

Politicians, who have been entrenched in power for decades, have grown out of touch with the aspirations and needs of the people they are meant to serve. Their presence has stifled innovation and progress, leaving our nation languishing in the shadows of its potential.

As Sierra Leoneans, we must come to terms with the reality that the status quo is no longer acceptable. We cannot continue to allow our future to be dictated by those who have failed us time and again. The time has come for the old guard to step aside and make room for fresh perspectives and untainted ideals.

It is undeniable that Sierra Leone is blessed with a wealth of young talent and genuine individuals who possess the passion and dedication to bring about real change. These are the voices that deserve to be heard. The voices that can breathe new life into our political landscape and usher in an era of prosperity and progress for all.

However, the path to change will not be easy. The entrenched interests of the old guard will undoubtedly resist any attempts to loosen their grip on power. But we, the people of Sierra Leone, must stand firm in our resolve and demand accountability from those who claim to represent us.

We must reject the notion that politics is a game reserved for the elite few, and instead embrace a more inclusive and representative democracy. Every Sierra Leonean deserves a seat at the table, and only by working together, that we can overcome the challenges that lie ahead.

The time for complacency is over. We must seize the moment, as an opportunity to redefine our nation’s destiny and reclaim our rightful place among the community of nations. Let us come together, young and old, to build a brighter future for all Sierra Leoneans.

Finally, the call for change is not just a desire, but a necessity if we are to break free from the shackles of the past and chart a new course for our nation. Let us heed this call and embrace the promise of a better tomorrow, with integrity and progress reigning supreme.

Sierra Leoneans, the power to shape our destiny lies in our hands. Let us not squander this opportunity for change but rather seize it with both hands and forge a path towards a brighter future for generations to come.

Source: Op-Ed: Abdul Rashid Thomas | Alpha Amadu Jalloh (The FOX: Sierra Leone Telegraph: 12 March 2024

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Related

“We asked for little, but so much is taken away from us. People had hopes ‘Here comes our Robin Hood,’ instead, it turned out to be Animal Farm.”

— Kono Pikin

Now, these statements are more relevant than when he says them.

People had hopes,
"Here comes our Robin Hood"
Instead it turned out to be Animal farm.

We asked for little but so much is taken away from us. pic.twitter.com/qIKk7fHnBT

— Kono pikin (@paikun_kono) February 16, 2024

Now, these statements are more relevant than when he says them.

The Paran Affair

A Microcosm of Sierra Leone's Political Entitlement

Click here

How those in power—Napoleon and his fellow pigs—pervert the democratic process. An embedded narrative, in which the characters become the story. George Orwell, Animal Farm. 

Animal Farm as Relates to Humans and Society

How those in power—Napoleon and his fellow pigs—pervert the democratic process. An embedded narrative, in which the characters become the story.

—power has swallowed politicians’ common sense

Click Here

Mayor on The Front Line

Democracy in Crisis

BBC Africa Eye documentary

Mayor on the Front Line follows Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr as she fights to win a second term in the midst of one of Sierra Leone’s most fiercely contested elections. She confronts the hard realities of politics in a country still scarred by the horrors of a bloody civil war.

After filming this documentary, the Agreement for National Unity was signed, under the terms of which she assumed office on October 30, 2023, with other elected officials of the All People’s Congress (APC) Party. As the re-elected Mayor of Freetown, She is working with the central government, development partners, and Freetonians to continue the journey to Transform Freetown.

With unique access to Aki-Sawyerr, her team, and her family, the film offers insight not only into the highs and lows of Sierra Leonean politics but also the personal cost of a life in the political limelight.

During her bid for re-election for a second term, she finds herself on the front line of a democratic crisis. As election season ramps up, her campaign faces intimidation, violence, and international concerns over the integrity of the election process.

Watch the full BBCAfricaEye documentary

Mayor on the Front Line follows Aki-Sawyerr as she confronts the hard realities of politics in a country still scarred by the horrors of a bloody civil war.

Since being elected in 2018, Freetown mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr has won international plaudits for her commitment to fighting the myriad challenges facing the capital of Sierra Leone, one of Africa’s poorest countries.

Credit: BBCAfricaEye: Africa Eye brings you original investigative journalism revealing secrets and rooting out injustice in the world’s most complex and exciting continent. Nothing stays hidden forever.

Twisted Situation

The challenges of raising children in our African context away from Africa

The Court granted an order for the boy to be taken away from his parents and put in a foster home — the challenges of raising children in our African context away from Africa.

A mother scolded/punished her 10-year-old son, and the son probably told an outsider.

It got to the Police and then to Court.

The Court granted an order for the boy to be taken away from his parents and put in a foster home.

The boy now realizes his mistake and wants to go back home.

The Court granted an order for the boy to be taken away from his parents and put in a foster home —the challenges of raising children in our African context away from Africa.

Video Courtesy

He then ran away from his foster home and went back home.

Unfortunately, the Court order still stands, and the Police came and picked up the boy.

Zoo Lifestyles

Ozo Enyi Okunaenyeife of Abagana

Lavish parties to welcome a one-year-old child

What is this about my people? I am curious to know! Is this the way genuine, hard-working Businessmen spend money?

Ozo Enyi Okunaenyeife of Abagana—as he Celebrates his son's 1st Birthday on January 28, 2024.

It was reported to the media as a total shutdown. 

See what people are doing with money in this present condition of the country (as the saying, 'Life has no balance at all.')

Tell me! What is this about my people? Is this the way genuine hard-working Businessmen spend money? I'm just curious.

Ozo Enyi Okunaenyeife of Abagana—as he Celebrates his son's 1st Birthday on January 28, 2024.

Video Courtesy

I am very curious to know what type of business can yield this type of money that is squandered with reckless abandon here. 

How come Nigerians have not been able to get to the secret of how these youths make such humongous money?

All these lavish parties to welcome a one-year-old child to life's tortuous and elaborate journey?

There is something they are not telling us.

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Related

Corruption! The saddest thing in Africa is that you see those who are living in extreme poverty, and yet defending those same criminal politicians that have destroyed their children's futures. That is why we are not yet ready to move forward as a continent.

NIGERIA: Murtala Muhammed International Airport -- 2nd February, 2024.

What a shame, Africa!! pic.twitter.com/F1guh0aoZZ

— Yame.space (@SpaceYame) February 4, 2024

NIGERIA: Murtala Muhammed International Airport — 2nd February, 2024.

What a shame, Africa!!