MOPED FACILITATES THE SIGNING OF SERVICE LEVEL AGREEMENT BETWEEN MAF & NGOS

Version:1.0 StartHTML:0000000188 EndHTML:0000032325 StartFragment:0000021034 EndFragment:0000032285 SourceURL:file:///C:\Users\User%202020\Desktop\PR%20FRIDAY%2018%20DEC%202020.docx

The Ministry of Planning and Economic Development has, today, joined the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) in launching and signing of Service Level Agreements (SLA) between the MAF and NGOs (Local and International).

The symbolic signing ceremony, which comprises 35 Agricultural and related projects, implemented by 20 NGOs was geared towards ensuring that the NGOs provide a defined set of services within the Agriculture and Forestry sector.

In his address, Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Dr. Francis Kai-Kai while thanking the MAF and his Team, recognized the invaluable role NGOs play in meeting the aspiration of Government; noting that NGOs were considered as critical actors in the actualization of the Medium Term National Development (MTNDP 2019-2023).

“When NGOs align their plans with the MTNDP, it will be very easy to promote effective service delivery and discourage duplication of function. The President Bio-Led administration will ensure that NGOs work within the specifications set by the line Ministries to ensure at least 70 percent of the funds for a particular project is used for direct implementation, as this will also promote President Bio’s call for an accelerated service delivery next year”, he said.

Dr. Kai-Kai implored NGOs to continue the good work, encouraging them to always attend the District Development Coordination Committee (DDCC) meetings that the Ministry of Planning was currently setting up, in the districts with the pilot phases commencing in Pujehun, Karene, Bonthe and Falaba this week.

The Acting Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Dr. Abubakarr Karim, in his keynote, thanked the MoPED for championing the process of delivering the SLA’s; stressing the need for a singular vision in addressing the several challenges within the Agriculture and Forestry sector. He emphasized on accountability and transparency to the citizens in the delivery of targets and plans.

Dr. Karim noted the importance of collaborating with NGOs in strengthening systems and providing efficient data analytics for effective service delivery; stressing on the Ministry’s commitment to providing an enabling environment for NGOs to operate and contribute to the development of the Agriculture sector in a free, responsive, transparent and accountable manner.

Delivering the vote of thanks, an  NGO Representative, while thanking everyone for their commitment to making the event happen, described the signing as an important moment in promoting service delivery in the Agriculture sector; noting that NGOs would continue to work in the interest of developing the various sectors within the governance structure of the country.

 

ACC Presents le100 m to three (3) winners of National Anti-Corruption Creative Competition

 

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) of Sierra Leone, has on Wednesday, 16th December 2020, at it’s Head Office in Freetown, presented prize money to the tune of 100 Million Leones to the winners of the just-concluded National Anti-Corruption Creative Art Competition 2020.

The object of the  competition,  which is a public education drive, is to create a platform for  young people with creative art talents, to “Have their Say” in the anti-corruption campaign. This should also enlist the support of other young Sierra Leoneans in the national campaign against corruption.

This nationwide competition attracted entries from over 300 young Sierra Leoneans between the ages of 13-30; and captured the attention of thousands more across the county.

It presented these youngsters the platform to uniquely portray the rippling effects of corruption on our society and effective ways to ameliorate the menace- using spoken words, video documentary, sculpture and painting.

The winner of the competition, *Alhaji Amadu Kondeh* , was presented a cheque of *50 Million Leones; first runner-up Rakiatu Jalloh* received a cheque of *30 Million Leones; and *Edna N. F. Baimba* the 2nd runner-up received a Cheque of *20 Million Leones* (collected by her mother.

Presenting the cheques to the winners of the competition, ACC  Commissioner Francis Ben Kaifala Esq. congratulated all three winners  and further admonished them to be actively involved in the fight against corruption, using the competition as a springboard.

He reminded them that young people will bear the greatest effects of a corruptly infested society; but will  also stand to benefit the most from a corrupt-free society.

This will inevitably require the active involvement of young people with the work of the ACC, he said.

The ACC Commissioner assured them all that with him as head of the country’s anti-graft body, sufficient space will always be provided for young people in the fight against corruption.

He ended by declaring the three winners as Anti-Corruption Ambassadors.

The presentation of the cheques to the two runners up was done by the Deputy Commissioner of ACC Augustine Foday Ngobie and the Director of Human Resource Yatta Katta.

The Anti-Corruption Commission Creative Competition was organised by the ACC in partnership with the Children and Youth Awareness Forum, African Young Voices Television (AYV), with support from Africell.

Version:1.0 StartHTML:0000000188 EndHTML:0000359828 StartFragment:0000023026 EndFragment:0000359788 SourceURL:file:///C:\Users\User%202020\Desktop\PR%20FRIDAY%2018%20DEC%202020.docx

Central Veterinary Laboratory confirms rabies in dogs

Positive rabies samples validated by the OIE reference centre for rabies at the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health Safety (ANSES).

  The Central Veterinary Laboratory (CVL) workers in Teko, Sierra Leone, confirmed dog rabies for the first time using Fluorescent antibody test (FAT), since many years, after operationalization of the laboratory by the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO) under Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) project funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The laboratory has since received 6 dog brain samples and positively detected the rabies virus in four. Positive samples were shipped to OIE reference centre in France which validated the results which confirms the competency of Central Veterinary Laboratory, Teko in rabies virus detection using FAT. Dog-bites and suspected rabies cases in humans have been on the rise in the recent past, as documented by the Ministries of Health and Agriculture. This great milestone was made possible by a long-term and comprehensive workforce training and laboratory development implemented by FAO Emergency Center for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD).

Rabies is endemic in Sierra Leone and has been ranked as one of the top priority zoonotic diseases in the country. District Livestock Officers collected suspected rabies samples from suspect dogs showing furious rabies signs and submitted to the Central Veterinary Laboratory for rabies confirmation. The samples were tested for the presence of rabies virus by using rapid antigen test for rabies. The CVL further ran advanced confirmatory diagnostic test using Fluorescent Antibody Test (FAT) of which four returned positive test results. The laboratory used OIE gold standard test and staff had been trained ensuring testing was carried out accurately. ‘Since this is the first time in many years the CVL has confirmed dog rabies, we shipped  the samples to OIE reference laboratory for Rabies in France (ANSES)  to confirm our results which came back positive and for quality assurance.” said  FAO ECTAD Country Team Leader, Dr. Germain Bobo.

A breakthrough for Animal Health in the country

The CVL stopped operations in December 1997 as a result of destructions caused by war. More than twenty years later, the laboratory resumed operations in October 2019 after a massive renovation, installation of state-of-the-art equipment and capacity building by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) under the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funded Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) project. Thanks to this support, the country now has capacity to test for rabies and other priority zoonotic diseases and transboundary animal diseases such as brucellosis, Rift Valley fever (RVF) or highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).

The Ag. Director of Livestock and Veterinary Services Division in the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Mr Mohamed Alpha Bah   described the achievement as a breakthrough for animal health in the country, especially because of the ability to test for rabies in-country. “For so long we have been shipping most samples abroad for laboratory confirmation and it would take longer for us to get results. Early detection is key in animal disease control, because the earlier we detect and confirm the disease, the quicker we can implement prevention and control measures to reduce the burden of the disease,” he explained. He further added that, “Ministries of Agriculture and Health experience high costs to prevent and control rabies e.g. post exposure prophylaxis for humans and dog vaccines.”

In response to the detection of rabies and being one of the priority zoonotic diseases in the country and recognizing its high burden, FAO and other partners have supported development and implementation of the National Strategy for the Elimination of Rabies and Enhancement of Dog Population Management. FAO also supported the development of the National Rabies Action Plan (NAP) and guidelines for implementing the strategy using the  One Health approach. The rabies strategy provides for a systematic reduction of the disease risk through sustained mass dog vaccinations, pre and post-exposure prophylaxis in humans and public education. This is in line withthe world’s biggest anti-rabies initiative the “Zero by 30: The Global Strategic Plan to Prevent Human Deaths from Dog-Transmitted Rabies by 2030” to achieve a world completely free of human dog-mediated rabies. Through FAO’s work with national laboratories, steady improvement in  

 

 

  Two Former West African Presidents Meet  

Arriving in Ghana,the Former President Ernest Bai Koroma, made a brief  courtesy call on his friend and brother, Former President John Kufuor at his home on the quiet Peduasi Hills, Eastern Region, about 32 kilometers from Accra, Ghana. The very cheerful Former President Kufuor who, last week celebrated his 82nd birthday, says he feels well and doing ok.

H.E. Ernest Bai Koroma will then head to the Kotoka International Airport from where he will depart with the Mortal Remains of his dear sister Mrs. Marian Admire Sesay (Nee Koroma).

H.E Alie Badara Kamara Opens Sierra Leone Consulate In Lebanon

 

Days after presenting his credentials to the Lebanese authourities, H.E. Ali Badara Kamra has opened Sierra Leone Consulate in Lebanon.

Sierra Leone has enjoyed a relatively stable bilateral relation with Lebanon, though not devoid of challenges. Sierra Leoneans living in Lebanon have in the past faced challenges in accessing work permit, and the recent story of stranded Sierra Leoneans in Lebanon is a testament that Sierra Leoneans have had a fair share of their struggles in the Middle East.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, H. E Alie Badara Kamara who is accredited to Iran and most countries in the Middle East said the newly established Consular Office will serve as the official administrative building of the government of Sierra Leone in Beirut.

 “The office will assist and protect the citizens of Sierra Leone and help coordinate trade and friendship between the two countries”, Ambassador Badara Kamara noted

He reiterated that the country is ready for business and opening a Consulate in Beirut sends a strong message to current and would be investors that the Mid Term development plan of the government of Sierra Leone prioritizes private sector as key in the economic growth of the country.

In his statement, the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Sierra Leone in Lebanon Hashim Hashim mentioned that it has been the dream of President Bio to open a Consulate Office in Lebanon. He said the Consulate will provide services for residents or traveling nationals from Sierra Leone.

 

An Urgent Appeal- Help save the Life of Baby Blessings Abu

 

Baby Blessing Finda Abu is a 4-years old girl who accidentally swallowed her earring after her class teacher saw her playing with it in her mouth and slapped her and that caused her to accidentally swallow it.

We now have Blessing admitted in the hospital for management while we try to raise the needed funds for a rigid bronchoscopy or a Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery which will cost about $ 15,000 for the surgery, travel, accommodation, feeding and visa.

Blessing’s condition needs urgent action otherwise will cause her lungs to elapse and further her complications.

We are therefore kindly asking Kind hearted individuals, institutions and groups to please donate and help save baby Baby Blessing Finda Abu. 

Donate and help give her a reason to live.

APC MOURNS WITH THEIR CHAIRMAN AND LEADER  

This is to inform all members of the APC and the general public that the former President Dr Ernest Koroma recently lost his sister Mrs Marian Admire Sesay (née Koroma). Former President   Koroma  would be arriving with her remains  from Accra, Ghana where she died a few days ago. The expected time of arrival at Lungi international airport will be about 4:30 p.m. today Wednesday 16th December , 2020. The former President is expected to accompany  the remains of his dear sister to the Virtues Funeral Home and will stay in Freetown overnight and then visit her late Sister’s home -68 Metchem Road , Baoma, Goderich on Thursday 17th December, 2020, where he will stay till late noon before proceeding  to Makeni. Further arrangements relating to interment of the mortal remains of late Aunty Admire will be announced later. Members are hereby admonished to show solidarity to our leader and family and commiserate with them.

HOW TO TREAT YOUR WHITE HAIRS

Are you ageing with grey/white hair springing up and looking for how to do away with it? Please read and follow the the instructions below carefully and watch things work out like magic.

1) Get original honey.

 

2) Get an empty clean  container not too big not too small (a sizeable one).

3) If your hair is long put 3-4 teaspoons of the original honey into the empty container. If you have low cut 1-2 teaspoons is okay.

4) Get a sachet of coffee ( black coffee) and pour all into the same container.

5) Get hot water add to the container, stir properly till almost properly.

6) Add 1 full tin of peak milk to it.

7) Now sit down, drink it and enjoy your old age.

Some are praying to get to that age and some are praying to have what you have and here you are, looking for a way to change God’s gift.

 Please I don’t like what I hate

P. S: Remember to add some bread to the equation, so that your eyes will not turn you.