By Elizabeth Campbell
Sierra Leone’s ambassador to the Islamic republic of Iran, accredited to Armenia, His Excellency Ambassador Alie Badara Kamara, presented copies of his Credentials to the Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Vahe Gorgyan.
Talking about the bilateral relations between the two countries, Ambassador Kamara said Sierra Leone and Armenia have a 2 decades relationship, but he observed that the two nations have not fully explored the strong ties that should exist between them, especially in the area of business opportunities for the benefit of all. Ambassador Alie Badara Kamara said that Sierra Leone is open for business and is seeking serious investors who are ready for business opportunities and to partner in ways that will promote Sierra Leone and Armenia.
The Sierra Leonean ambassador invited the business community to come to Sierra Leone to invest and he encouraged them to meet with other sectors to see how they can be supported while doing business in Sierra Leone and assured them of a good working environment.
Receiving copies of the Credentials, the deputy Foreign Minister Vahe Gorgyah said it is a historic moment receiving His Excellency Alie Badara Kamara for the first time visiting their country. He said they are ready to strengthen the bilateral ties between the two countries. He said the president of the Republic of Armenia Armen Sarkissian will be pleased to welcome the ambassador in the presidential palace for the first time.
HRCSL Commemorates African Human Rights Day
Africa Human Rights Day is commemorated every year on 21st October. This commemoration marks the adoption in October 1981 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights, which is the founding treaty of the African Human Rights System.
Its coming into existence was a solemn undertaking by member states of the African Union to promote and safeguard freedom, justice, equality and fundamental human rights in the continent.
The Africa Charter sets standards and establishes the groundwork for the promotion and protection of human rights in Africa. Since the adoption of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights 40 years ago, it has formed the basis for people to claim rights in an a regional forum via the African Court of Human and Peoples Rights. It further emphasizes that human rights violations could no longer be swept under the carpet.
This year’s event is celebrated under the theme: ‘AFRICA HUMAN RIGHTS 40 YEARS AFTER THE ADOPTION OF THE AFRICAN CHARTER ON HUMAN AND PEOPLES RIGHTS. Sierra Leone as a State Party to the Charter should use this theme for self-evaluation and subsequently use this occasion to raise human rights awareness, reflect and recommit to the solemn undertaking by the African leaders and African peoples to respect, promote and protect human rights in the country and the continent at large.
The Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone (HRCSL) as the national Institution mandated by HRCSL Act No. 9 of 2004 to promote and protect the human rights of all in Sierra Leone wishes to use this day to re-echo the obligation of all State Actors to apply rights-based approach in executing state functions and subsequently ensuring that the rights of citizens are protected.
Sierra Leone has made many gains in improving the enjoyments of human rights since the end of the brutal civil war. Many laws that geared towards the protection of the rights of vulnerable and special groups such as women, children and persons with disabilities have been enacted; democratic independent institutions have been established; a lot of resources have been invested in the Police and Judicial systems; bad laws have be reviewed and quite recently H.E. the President Julius Maada Bio amongst others endorsed the Abolition of the Death Penalty by signing the Abolition of the Death Penalty Act, 2021 in fulfillment of several recommendations proffered at national, regional and international levels.
HRCSL reminds government to fulfil its obligation under Article 62 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights which stipulates that Each State Party shall undertake to submit every two years, from the date the present Charter comes into force, a report on the legislative or other measures taken with a view to give effect to the rights and freedoms recognized and guaranteed by the present Charter.
While the Commission acknowledges some of the existing economic, social, civil and political human rights challenges, let us unity in continuing with this trend of human rights development and build upon the gains made so far, as we yearn to see as per the Commissions vision A Sierra Leone where a culture of human rights prevails and the people respect the rule of law and live in peace and dignity’. The Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone therefore calls on Sierra Leoneans to take their human rights alongside with their responsibilities as good citizens clearly stated in Section 13 a -f of the Sierra Leone Constitution, 1991 and also in Chapter 2, Articles 27-29 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights.
Specially, I will touch on Article 7, which encourages all Africans To preserve and strengthen positive African cultural values in his relations with other members of the society, in the spirit of tolerance, dialogue and consultation and, in general, to contribute to the promotion of the moral wellbeing of society.
The Commission will continue performing its statutory mandate by making investigations into incidents of human rights violations, monitoring detention areas, awareness raising and to use all available avenues to ensure the protection and promotion of rights and freedoms in the country.
On behalf of the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone, I wish everyone a happy Africa Human Rights Day
As 495 TAs VOTE…
NEW PARAMOUNT CHIEF FOR KPANGA CHIEFDOM
As the Kaikai brothers battle for the highest political seat in Kpanga chiefdom, the Tribal Authorities (TAs’) of Kpanga chiefdom have on Tuesday afternoon (19th October 2021) in a run-off election, elected Andrew Ibrahim Jaiah Kaikai as the new Paramount chief of Kpanga Chiefdom, Pujehun District.
A total of 495 TAs’ voted in the run-off election between Andrew Ibrahim Jaiah Kaikai and his younger brother Alhaji Moijue Kaikai, former Minister of the then Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs.
Announcing the Kpanga chiefdom Paramount chieftaincy result at the Native Administration (N.A.) Court Barry in Pujehun town, Moses Gbettu, the Provincial Secretary South declared Andrew Ibrahim Jaiah Kaikai as the Paramount Chief of Kpanga chiefdom following the Kpanga chiefdom run-off election between the two Kaikai brothers.
“Andrew Ibrahim Jaiah Kaikai haven scored 309 out of 419 votes cast have been declared winner of the run-off election for the position of Paramount chief for Kpanga chiefdom.” He revealed.
Conversely, Alhaji Moijue Kaikai who led in the first round polled over twenty five percent (126 votes of 509 votes among 19 candidates) has been defeated by his elder brother the father of Sierra Leone’s Immigration Boss, Andrew Jaiah Kaikai who having scored 179 votes with 7 invalid votes was declared winner.
KINGHO INVESTMENT RENAMED LEONE ROCK METAL GROUP
By Anthony Vandy
The management of the Kingho investment group has formally announced the change of name of Kingho Investment Company to Leone Rock Metal Group. The company was first established in Sierra Leone in July 2010.
The change is to localize the company with a name that gives it a Sierra Leonean identity.
Leone Rock Metal group as at now according to Gilbert Zhao CEO Leone Rock Metal Group says is one of the largest resources investment companies in West Africa
He said LRMG remains the parent company of Kingho Mining Company and Kingho Railway and Port Company which he says are part of an integrated iron ore Mining- Railway Port handing and Export Group of Companies.
The asset encompasses an open pit Iron Ore mine located in Ferengbeya, Tonkolili District and a 192 KM Railway and an integrated train discharge, Ore processing and ship loading port located in Pepel Northwest Sierra Leone
Gilbert Zhao said Leone Rock Metal Group currently has an investment of over 148.62 million US dollars in Sierra Leone. He added that they have exported over one million tons of iron ore between March 2021 till date and have also made payments over 76.4 billion Leones to the Government of Sierra Leone in to the community through their CSR projects covering health, agriculture, education, water and sanitations.
He concluded by saying that the name of the Kingho Investment Company is now Leone Rock Metal Group. The documentations bearing Kingho Investment Company which is the previous name remains valid
Sahid Nasralla is the President of Sierra Leone Association of Journalists. In his opening courtesy, he stated that SLAJ was founded on 5th June 1971 to protect and promote freedom of expression and of the press in Sierra Leone. So this year 2021 we are celebrating 50 years of doing just that.
He said he is particularly impressed with the way this company has handled the media since the start of their operations in the country.
Firstly, Kingho and now LEONE ROCK, is one of few companies operating in Sierra Leone which has never reported any journalist to the IMC or taken any journalist to court despite numerous publications against the company. That’s a good record that the company respects dissenting opinions, and respects the role of the media to hold them to account.
SLAJ is also particularly impressed with the way the Leone Rock Metal Group is building its relationship with the media. He commented the vibrant young journalists heading its media unit.
