The first lady of the republic of Sierra Leone Her Excellency Fatima Maada Bio has launched the agribusiness service matching in the Southern province of sierra Leone in Bo city council hall.
Addressing beneficiaries, the First Lady of Republic of Sierra Leone, Madam Fatima Maada Bio encouraged them to invest the monies given to them in farming and help other women understand the importance of farming.
In as much as Sierra Leone is investing in women local farmers, She advised them to stop exporting their produce to neighbouring countries instead they should give back to Sierra Leone by selling their produce in the country. In addition to providing food and raw materials, it also provides employment opportunities.
The Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Dr. Abubakar Karim said the New Direction Government under the leadership of President Bio has come a long way towards promoting Agricultural productivity in the country. He said the president in his manifesto did not only emphasize the importance of food security and food sustainability but also demonstrated exemplary leadership by taking the lead in establishing farms and cultivating produce especially rice which is our staple food.
He added that Agriculture is the most important sector of all time more so for women. He further said Agriculture will continue to be the pillar in government development. βWhen women are empowered in Agriculture you beat hunger, promote women’s livelihood and also promote the education of their children and the well-being of their husbands.β He stated.
The minister of local government and Rural Development, Tamba Lamina in his statement said as local government they believe that when women are empowered, the government will operate smoothly.
He said with the help of SCADEP empowering women, all sectors of the country will develop.
He congratulated and encouraged the women that benefited from the grant to put them to good use so that other women will get to know the importance of Agriculture.
Human Rights Activist in prison for sexual penetration
The Resident High Court Judge in Kailahun District, Eastern Sierra Leone, Hon. Justice Francis Banks-Kamara has sentenced Saidu Amara Kekula alias Puwei, a 56-year-old Human Rights Activist to 25 years’ imprisonment for sexual penetration.
The accused Saidu Amara Kekula appeared before Justice Banks-Kamara to answer to 2 counts of sexual offences.
On count one, Sexual Penetration contrary to Section 19 of the Sexual Offences Act of 2012, Act No.12 of 2012 as repealed and replaced by section 4 (a)(iii) of the Sexual offences (Amendment) Act, No. 8 of 2019.
The Particulars of Offence revealed that accused Saidu Amara Kekula on the 3rd day of January 2022 at Mapoma Section in Kailahun Town, Luawa Chiefdom in the Eastern province of the Republic of Sierra Leone did engage in an act of sexual penetration with a 13-year-old Victim.
On Count 2, Aggravated sexual assault contrary to section 19 (a)(iii) of the Sexual offences (Amendment) Act of 2019 Act. It states that accused person coerced the victim into sexual intercourse.
He was found guilty on both counts.
Before delivering his judgement, Hon. Justice Banks-Kamara said the accused Saidu Amara Kekula had a fiduciary duty as a Human Rights Activist to the child, community, the country and also to God.
“The accused person has betrayed the trust bestowed on him and as a result I will have little or no mercy on him after asking for mercy,” the Hon. Judge said.
Accused Saidu Amara Kekula was convicted and sentenced to 15 years on Count one and 10 years on Count two, sentencing to run concurrently.
