UNFPA and China support Sierra Leone to end Cervical Cancer

By Abu Bakarr Kargbo

Chinese Medical Team…committed to saving women’s lives in Sierra Leone

The Chinese Government through the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund, the United Nations Population Fund (UNPA), and the Sierra Leone Ministry of Health and Sanitation are partnering in the prevention and treatment of cervical cancer, a major cause of mortality, and the second most frequent cancer among women in Sierra Leone.

Officials at the Groundbreaking event

As part of the project, a delegation of three medical doctors from the Hunan Provincial Maternal and Child Health Hospital is currently in Sierra Leone to will provide technical support and training of healthcare givers in strengthening the management of cervical cancer. 

Following the visit by the medical team from Hunan Provincial Hospital, twelve Sierra Leonean healthcare providers will travel to Hunan Province in September for additional advanced training that will enable them to continue to strengthen national capacities to manage cervical cancer in Sierra Leone.

The delegation was welcomed during an official event held at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Freetown, where the Ambassador, His Excellency Wang Qing, revealed that health and medical cooperation is always one of the most important and fruitful areas in the China-Sierra Leone relations. “We are very proud of the results of this partnership between Sierra Leone, China, and UNFPA, and we look forward to continuing to accelerate efforts to eliminate cervical cancer and to help women and girls lead healthy and fulfilling lives,” the Chinese Ambassador said.

UNFPA’s Representative in Sierra Leone, Nadia Rasheed, said the partnership with China and the Ministry of Health is aimed at improving women’s health with a focus on one of the most preventable, yet devastating diseases.

“Cervical cancer is the 2nd most frequent cancer among women in Sierra Leone, causing immense suffering and loss for far too many women and families,” she said and continued that through the initiative, for the first time, cervical cancer screening and treatment services have been established in nine public health facilities, enabling women, particularly those from vulnerable and marginalized communities, to access critical services.

“We are therefore delighted that the medical team led by Professor Shu is undertaking this visit to Sierra Leone to share knowledge and experience, and to conduct dedicated pieces of training,” she revealed.

Head of the visiting Medical Team, Professor Shu Chuqiang, said they lay a premium on the training of local people to enable them to provide services to vulnerable Sierra Leoneans, especially women infected with cervical cancer. He added that they are committed to building a community with a shared future as they will be sharing skills like screening, management, and diagnosis of cervical cancer.

Sierra Leone’s Health Minister, Dr. Austin Demby, said addressing cervical cancer is a holistic approach to addressing women’s health challenges in Sierra Leone. He commended the Chinese Medical Team for taking the bold step to support Sierra Leone ending of cervical cancer and extended thanks to the Chinese Government and the United Nations Population Fund, for supporting Sierra Leone’s health sector.

With support from the Government of China through the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund, UNFPA and the Ministry of Health and Sanitation are partnering in the prevention and treatment of cervical cancer, a major cause of mortality, and the second most frequent cancer among women in Sierra Leone. The project was initiated in 2020.

As a result of this support, more than 4,100 women have been screened for cervical cancer, and thousands of women reached out with information to raise awareness of cervical cancer and sexual and reproductive health. The Ministry of Health and Sanitation has also developed a national strategy for the elimination of cervical cancer with support from UNFPA and the South-South cooperation project.

New Mines Minister excels in Parliament …Promises greater transformation

By Abu Bakarr kargbo

Julius Mattai, the new Mines Minister

The new Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, Julius Daniel Mattai was amongst 29 Presidential Nominees that were approved in the Well of Parliament on Thursday 27^th July 2023. it could be recalled on Monday 24^th July 2023, Mr. Mattai faced the Committee on Appointment and Public Service where Members of Parliament well vetted him on his track record, finances, and his overall qualification for the enviable position he is currently occupying after catching the eyes of the President. He stood out to be one of the great nominees that faced the Lawmakers, during which he was able to convince them about how he intends to transform the sector.

Mattai revealed his plans to create a synergy between the Ministry of Mines and the National Minerals Agency (NMA) to ensure efficiency and effectiveness in service delivery.

He promised to champion a bill that ensures that the people get value for money in the mining sector and will create a positive blueprint for an improved community development fund from mining companies.

The Committee adjudged him to be suitably qualified for his position, which resulted in his approval in the Well of Parliament.

Hon. Bashiru Silikie, Deputy Leader of Government Business, who seconded the motion for the debate and approval of all presidential nominees, thanked the President for giving them well-qualified Sierra Leoneans like Mr. Mattai, whom he believes will contribute to the development of the nation and ensure the fulfillment of the manifesto promise of the president. Other Members of Parliament that contributed to the debate expressed lovely sentiments about Mr. Mattai and assured him that they will continue having with him a good working relationship. “Please count on us as Lawmakers to help you succeed. We will be knocking on your door occasionally to monitor your activities in the Mines Ministry,” they said.

The newly appointed Minister of Mines, Julius Mattai, is a highly educated and multi-skilled professional with 26 years of working experience in both the private and public sectors in various leadership, management and technical roles in Ukraine, United Kingdom (UK), Sierra Leone and Liberia.
He holds two MSc degrees (both with Distinctions) in Geology & Exploration for Mineral Deposits (1992, Ukraine) and Environmental & Earth Resources Management (2001, United Kingdom). He has profound working knowledge, experience, and expertise in Geology and Mineral Exploration; Mining; Environmental and Natural Resources Management; Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing; Management Information Systems (MIS); Research, Monitoring, and Evaluation (M&E); Climate Change (Mitigation and Adaptation); Disaster Risk Reduction and Management; and Health Information Systems (HIS).
Mr.  Mattai has a wealth of experience in the minerals sector, having previously served the NMA as Geodata and Information Manager & Director General and provided consultancy services to mining companies and other organizations. Prior he was the Founder/Managing Director of Integrated Geo-information and Environmental Management Services (INTEGEMS) (2011-2019), a multi-disciplinary consultancy firm that provides integrated geo-information; remote sensing; research, monitoring & evaluation; and environmental management services and solutions to various mining companies, private businesses, and governmental and non-governmental organizations, including the World Bank, UNDP, UNOPS, UNICEF, etc.
He is well versed in mining and related disciplines, including Geology and Mineral Exploration; Mining; Environmental and Natural Resources Management; Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing; Management Information Systems (MIS); Research, Monitoring, and Evaluation (M&E); Climate Change (Mitigation and Adaptation); Disaster Risk Reduction and Management; and Health Information Systems (HIS).
In 2014/2015, Mr. Mattai served as Head of Information Management and MIS/GIS Specialist with the United Nations Mission for Ebola Emergency Response (UNMEER) and United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) in Liberia, respectively, where he took responsibility for the implementation of a strategic plan for emergency and recovery operations and information management.
From 2008 to 2011, he worked as a Principal Consultant at AEA Technology plc (UK), where he led and managed various multi-disciplinary GIS and environmental management programmes and projects, including the European Union (EU) Infrastructure for Spatial Information in Europe (INSPIRE), Shared Environmental Information Systems (SEIS), Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) and the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS), for the EU Commission (Belgium), European Environment Agency (Denmark), EU Joint Research Centre (Italy) and various Central, Regional, and Local Governments in the UK.
From 2002 to 2008, he worked as the Environmental Data Manager for the London Mayor at the Greater London Authority (London, UK), where he managed and provided leadership over departmental and enterprise GIS and environmental data and information management systems for the development, implementation, and monitoring of the London Mayor’s Air Quality, Noise, Energy, Waste, Transport, and Spatial Development Strategies, including the London Congestion Charge and the London Low Emission Zone Schemes. Mr. Mattai also worked (1992-2002) as a GIS Data & Information Coordinator and Strategy Officer with the London Boroughs of Camden
(UK) and Ealing (UK), respectively. Prior to his career in the UK, Julius worked as a Geologist at the Ingulets Iron Ore Mining & Enrichment Works, Krivoy Rog, Ukraine. Mr. Mattai is very proficient in spoken and written Russian. 

Orange-SL donates laptop computers to Rogbaneh Secondary School for Girls

Orange SL in its drive to support Digital Inclusion has on 21st July donated Five New Desktop computers to the Rogbaneh Secondary School for Girls. The occasion was witnessed by key stakeholders including the Mayor, Chief Adminstrator. Former Mayor of the Makeni City Council, Sierra Leone Teachers Union (SLTU), teachers and students.
Orange Sierra Leone provides opportunities to women and girls to benefit from its digital initiative. The company continues to provide digital facilities with free access for all, reinforcing its strong ambition to democratize digital access for young people, especially women, to encourage them to pursue their venture into digital entrepreneurship and prepare them for the jobs of tomorrow.
The aim is to empower every woman, every girl, every man, and every boy no matter what background, to take advantage of the opportunities of digitalization, to get better jobs and eventually a better life for them and their families. Orange Officials say the company is committed to improve its digital initiative to boost the literacy rate in Sierra Leone.
School and Local Authorities in Makeni expressed thanks and appreciate to the number one mobile telecommunications company in the country for laying premium on women and girls empowerment. They assured that the donated items will be used for their intended purpose.

Former President condemns rogue elections … an obstacle to democracy

“No doubt, democracy is not without obstacles, but together, we must confront the challenges that threaten its very foundations – Poor leadership, ineffective citizenship, poverty, corruption, political polarization, rogue elections, and all their attendant ramifications of social unrest and political instability. It is our collective responsibility, as leaders and advocates, to tackle these issues head-on and work tirelessly to build resilient democracies that leave no one behind,” says Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma, former President of Sierra Leone, at the Africa Drive for Democracy Elders’ Retreat Inauguration held in Arusha, Tanzania. In his statement as chairman of the event the former president said “Your work, your vision, your commitment to the cause of democracy, good governance, and the rule of law, provide so much comfort and optimism for a more peaceful, united, well-governed and prosperous Africa.”

The rest of his speech stated thus: “As we embark on this historic Africa Drive for Democracy Elders’ Retreat therefore, I would like to extend my deepest appreciation to our dear sister, Her Excellency President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, the Government and people of Tanzania, for the warm and typical African hospitality with which we have been welcomed in this strikingly beautiful sister republic. Madam President, we are very pleased that you made time out of your very busy schedule to come all the way here, to be with us, in this famous Arusha of natural attractions, and home to the famous Mount Kilimanjaro. Thank you very much! We cannot thank enough our esteemed statesmen, my dear brothers, for dropping everything else, not just to join us, but more importantly, to enrich and guide our conversation and approaches. Please, a round of applause for the Elders. I strongly believe that there is a lot we are going to gain from their rich and inspiring experiences.

Madam President, distinguished ladies, and gentlemen, I would like to extend profound thanks to the organizers – The Centre for Strategic Litigation, the Institute for Security Studies, and MS Training Centre for Development Cooperation – for providing this platform for us to constructively engage and inspire each other, as we, in our diverse ways, work assiduously to improve democratic good governance in Africa, which lies at the heart of our shared aspirations.

But I am not surprised at all, we all share the reality that there is so much going on in Africa that leaves our people with more questions than answers. Developments such as the recent war in Sudan; the persisting conflicts in Somalia, Nigeria, Mali, Burkina Faso, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Central African Republic, and other countries; the spread of violent extremism, the increasing poverty and economic hardship, have left societies and families devastated and buried in the ashes of pain and abandonment.

At the heart of these developments, is the rapid decline of democracy, manifested through state capture of democratic institutions. Legislatures and judiciaries which are supposed to check the excesses of the executive are, in many cases, leading the charge in breaching constitutions to favour undemocratic practices, such as entrenching leaders against the wishes of their people, or using pandemics to their advantage to suppress the opposition and dissenting voices. We are witnessing electoral commissions doing the bidding of the incumbent; state security suppressing opposition leaders and supporters.

As a direct impact of this, we are experiencing a growing contention between the state and its youth, civil society, and the media, all of whom are increasingly being muzzled. This has, in some instances, paved the way for the re-emergence of the military in several countries on the continent.

But as an anonymous writer noted: “Democracy is a slow process of stumbling into the right decision instead of going straight forward to the wrong one.”  The good news is, the AU and its RECs are far advanced in reviewing their ‘Democracy, Good Governance, and Security Protocols, which are aimed at effectively responding to the ongoing ills afflicting Africa’s democracy. It could be helpful, however, for those reviews to be expeditiously concluded and rolled out so that Africans could see that something is being done to halt the democratic decline and restore our beloved continent on the desired path of good governance, peace, and development. This will require making the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) more effective and cascading such structure to the regional bodies.

Achieving this requires like minds, strong commitment, and collaboration. This is why I would like to acknowledge the West African Elders Forum, under the auspices of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, for its noble efforts in mediating political transitions, conflicts and in promoting democracy. The Brenthurst Foundation, based in South Africa, has also been paying particular attention to the nexus between bad governance, insecurity, and poverty. We are all in this together because we believe in the transformative power of democracy; we believe that democracy is not just a system of governance; it is a vehicle of hope, progress, and social cohesion. It empowers individuals and communities alike and gives them a voice and agency in shaping their own destinies.

There are many ways this could be done. This retreat provides a credible and potent platform to explore these solutions, harness our influences and pave the way for a future where democracy thrives across the African continent. As we embark on this journey, let us remember the millions of Africans whose faith in democracy is weakening. Let us remember the millions of fellow Africans, who, owing to bad governance, are being pushed away into the hazards of the Mediterranean Sea and the hostilities of irregular migration. Let us keep in our thoughts citizens who are routinely forced from their homes, whose livelihoods are destroyed, and who are unlawfully incarcerated, wounded, and killed by those who are supposed to be the ones to protect them.

I am confident that the Africa Drive for Democracy Elders’ Retreat will serve and will lay the groundwork for a legacy of democratic values that will resonate with the aspirations of this and future generations.  As it is said, “Let the people think they govern and they will be governed.”

Thank you once again for your warm welcome, and I look forward to the engaging discussions that lie ahead. Together, we can forge a path towards a more democratic, inclusive, and prosperous Africa.”

CEO /FOUNDER OF SHOUT CLIMATE CHANGE AFRICA RECOGNIZES ORANGE SL AS ONE OF THE CORPORATE INSTITUTIONS IN SIERRA LEONE THAT DESERVES AN ENVIRONMENTAL CARE AWARD

The Chief Executive Officer /Founder of Shout Climate Change Africa (SCCA) Finnex John Asibor, recognizes Orange Sierra Leone as one of the corporate institutions that have made conscious efforts to protect the environment and take sustainable efforts to reduce its carbon footprints to combat the negative effect of climate change.

He commented on EHS Week recently held by Orange Sierra Leone in which the company highlighted various actions it has embarked on towards taking sustainable strides towards preserving the environment including solarization of 70% of its sites and the planting of 3000 trees at Mud Slide community at Mortomeh.

Orange (SL) Limited is committed to protecting and preserving the environment. The Company acknowledges the potential environmental impact that its operations may have on the environment and is therefore taking sustainable steps towards ensuring the reduction of its carbon footprints in a bid to achieve the Orange group ambition of Net Zero Carbon by 2040.

Orange Foundation Delivers Digital School Kits to Primary Schools Across to Boost Digital Inclusion

Orange Foundation in a bid to boost digitalization, distributed Digital School Kits to five primary schools in Freetown. 

The Digital School Kits is part of the Orange Foundation Group initiative which provides support to primary schools across the country. 

The donated digital school kits costing thousands of dollars were presented to a cross-section of primary schools across the countries, including, the Kelmond Pre Primary School, Bethel Temple Preparatory School, Providence International Elementary School, Dele Preparatory School, and Chesterton Academy. 

The digital school kit package comprises Tablets, Raspberry Pi’s, Laptops, Bluetooth speakers, Projectors and screens, and headset extension cables amongst others. The essence of these digital kits is to boost digital and technological learning for primary school pupils.