Ambassador Baryoh Holds Consultative Meeting With NGOs

By Idrissa Hilton Gogra , Information Attach'e , Embassy of the Republic of Sierra Leone to the Federal Republic of Germany

The Sierra Leone Ambassador Extra Ordinaire and Plenipotentiary to the Federal Republic of  Germany, Dr.  M’Baimba L. Baryoh on Friday 30th April 2021  engaged in a virtual forum registered NGOs in Germany to map out collaborative strategies towards the Human Capital Development Goals of His Excellency the President Dr. Julius Maada Bio.

Ambassador Dr. Lamin M’Baimba Baryoh  said he was very impressed with the contributions made by all  to solve common challenges. “You are building schools and training centers, digging bore holes for pure drinking water, providing jobs for youth in Sierra Leone,” adding that  “the Bintumani Group for instance sends pediatric surgeons every year to perform free pediatric cases in the country and  the SHR Hochschule in Berlin signed an MOU with Fourah Bay College to improve standard of teaching.”

Girls aged 14 -24 years are at high risk of being infected with HIV than boys: says UNAIDS

“Girls aged 14 -24 years are more likely to be infected with HIV than boys,” said the UNAIDS Country Representative in Sierra Leone. This was revealed during a day-one comprehensive validation on Breaking Down Barriers to Access (BDB) Initiative facilitated  by the National AIDS Secretariat. The workshop aimed at  scaling up comprehensive efforts in the national response to remove human rights-related barriers to services on HIV, Tuberculosis and malaria.

Country Representative of UNAIDS Mr Isaac Ahemesah said that  girls between the ages of 14 -24 years were three times more likely to be infected with HIV than boys. This, he said was because girls are mostly subjected to sexual base violence.

He said girls have limited access to education, employment and adequate chances for economy development which make them vulnerable to HIV/AIDS.

Sierra Leone is one of the five countries that the Global Fund has chosen to consistently work with on Human Rights issues that are related to HIV, Tuberculosis  and Malaria. Sierra Leone was also among the sixteen countries that have been selected by the Global Partnership to stand against stigma and discrimination. A five years Human Rights Plan has been developed to help the country address the issues of stigmatization and discrimination relating to people with HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria.

When President Bio Talks 4IR…  

By Tanu Jalloh

President Bio at the Blockchain Conference, Kampala, Uganda – 3 July 2019

Sounding as if he was talking about life in the far-distant future the leader of a small West African nation, who had just assumed office in April 2018, was already talking to his people about the Fourth Industrial Revolution – the 4IR. Since then, he’s never looked back. 

In early 2018 Sierra Leoneans had voted and inaugurated Brig. Rtd. Julius Maada Wonie Bio as President of the Republic of Sierra Leone. What we saw, after the celebrations that usually come with such winnings, was probably the highest of expectations that ever accompanied any election of a president in the country’s post-colonial political history. The ruling Sierra Leone Peoples’ Party government and the Bio administration have still not forgotten that genuine show of hope.   

Understandably, before the elections people hoped for a change amidst the despair that characterised the eve of the departure of a flagging All People’s Congress government. So, they envisaged the New Direction. But maybe their immediate wish for a new dawn was not as ambitious as the new government’s. The new President was soon talking about 4IR to his people, most of whom might have heard about it for the first time.

Most Sierra Leoneans would come to learn later that the first, second and maybe even the third industrial revolutions were either just probably transient or they took us by surprise. We participated in them without proper planning. Its 60 years, today, on 27 April 2021 and Sierra Leone must get past playing catch up.      

Today, it is just interesting how we constantly race against time and how time has become the currency to deliver on the jobs we do, the institutions we manage and the standard of living we aspire to. Again, and how technology has become that medium which we need to harness time and be in or win the race. Either way, it’s a tall order. Therefore, it takes a visionary leader that is determined to achieve big by getting ready for tomorrow.

So, in the last three years the President has created and supported the Directorate of Science, Technology and Innovation, DSTI; developed a 10-year National Innovation and Digital Strategy (NIDS 2019 – 2029) in collaboration with relevant policy, technology, and research institutions in the public and private sector; encouraged girls into STEM disciplines and careers by offering them full scholarships; and deployed a national fiber backbone infrastructure to improve internet penetration and access.

 President Bio Dedicates New Roman Catholic Church in Tihun

By State House Media and Communications Unit 

His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio has dedicated a new Roman Catholic Church in Tihun, Sogbini Chiefdom, Bonthe District, southern Sierra Leone.

In a brief homily the Bishop of the Diocese of Bo, Most Rev. Charles A.M Campbell, said Christians should worship God as the Lord Jesus did during his prophecy, and urged all Christians to work hard to strengthen God’s kingdom, which he said was the final home of every mankind.

Bishop Campbell also noted that the Church should not only be a museum but a place of prayer where people should call on God in their supplications.

“As we dedicate this church, may sinners transform into saints. May He in His infinite mercies bless us all to always have a joyous proclamation of His word,” he said in his dedicatory prayer.

In a short statement, President Bio said he was glad to be a part of the congregation that opened the Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Tihun, which he called a permanent place of supplication to God almighty.

He, therefore, urged Christian parents in Tihun to encourage their children to come to the church and be familiar with the Catholic faith and doctrine.

59 African Americans conferred Sierra Leonean Citizenship

His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio has conferred Sierra Leonean citizenship on 59 African Americans who traced their origin to Sierra Leone through DNA, telling them that home was indeed home.

“You have experienced the exhilarating beaches, the serene mountains, the exciting wildlife, and there is ever so more to discover. You are also surrounded by a rich history – a history that unites us; a history of our common ancestry.

“Even as you sit now, you sit on the original Fort Thornton. Walk out of those doors into the garden and look left (100 metres down), and you will see the Cotton Tree. It is older than the United States of America. It was where in 1792 the freed slaves prayed, rejoiced, and sang the hymn,” he said.

He assured them that Sierra Leone was the 5th most peaceful country in Africa with one of the lowest risks of COVID-19, adding that there was a free press that also functioned in an open society.

“We are putting in place more pro-business and pro-investment policies and incentives in place. We welcome you to acquire land, live in communities, build capacity, and start a new life without the worries of that other place. I am also aware of and very proud of the work of Free Yannoh Bangura, Dynast Amir, Dr. Adrienne Hunter, Dr. Sonya Bug-Alsoton, Karmen Thomas and many other brothers and sisters who are making an impact already in this country,” he said.

President Bio said his government was open to easing constraints around land rights, housing, investments, skills transfers, taxes as you make your decision to relocate here – whether permanently or semi-permanently,” he assured.

Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Dr Memunatu Pratt welcomed the African Americans and thanked them for returning to the home of their forefathers, adding that it was a distinguished honour to be in country to be given citizenship.

She said the people of Sierra Leone were hospitable and friendly and encouraged them to be loyal to the country and obey the laws and the oath of allegiance which they had subscribed to.