Sewa News Stream

  On International Women's Day 2022, I pray every girl in Sierra Leone gets access to the quality of education I had in Freetown in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. Before economic instability and one of the longest wars, Sierra Leone had made many gains and built on infrastructures post-independence. Today, women in Sierra Leone have a lot of freedoms on paper, yet they face some of the most daunting challenges against pervasive sexism. Take, for example, Freetown's embattled mayor; the ousted auditor general; and beleaguered election watch activist. These three women are abused and harassed for just doing their job. Only a few weeks ago, one political operative (and his mother!) walked into the office of a public servant and assaulted her. No doubt about it, Sierra Leone is as unfriendly to women holding public office as ordinary women striving to make a living. It’s still one of the worst countries to be a girl child—a place where living is a constant battle against sexual haras...

No doubt about it, Sierra Leone's Andrew Keili writes potent stuff. But read these summary points and then go on to his analysis of the latest fiasco in the country.  1. Accusations against the Auditor General have been vitriolic. 2. Many [Maada Bio] supporters have cited Salone's “You do me ar do you” law. 3. Audits are the same. They indicate the absence of process, procedure, and misuse of government resources. 4. Professional [bodies] can rescind the certification of their members found wanting in egregious circumstances. 5. The Audit SLL Board is missing in action (MIA). 6. Oversight bodies are bypassed in Salone. 7. SLn lawyers are all over the map.  8. Absurdities in the 1991 Constitution. 9. Civil society orga nizations have been co-opted. 11. An exercise in futility. PONDER MY THOUGHTS by Andrew Keili "LARA TAYLOR PEARCE SAGA: NINE LESSONS BUT NO CAROLS" The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols is a service of Christian worship celebrating the birth of Je...

In a somber video posted to social media by Sierra Network Salone, Victor Mengot addressed the latest man-made disaster in Freetown late on Friday. "We know that accidents do occur," Mengot said, "but as Sierra Leoneans pray for the victims the nation must also be aware that it is not an isolated incident." Mengot said he has seen similar disasters in Kenya, Nigeria, and several other countries. "Transporting hazardous cargo is not an easy business," he said.  "We must make sure they are transported safely and by qualified people." Originally an industrial zone, the Wellington area has now become a mixed settlement with shops and a lot of people, making it difficult to respond to a disaster, Mengot noted.  "While we mourn the loss of our citizens, we call upon the oil companies, the government of Sierra Leone, and our citizens, so that when accidents occur they don't rush to the scene to be onlookers," Mengot said. "We need pro...

The Consortium of Progressive Political Parties in Sierra Leone has released a statement on the recently concluded Koinadugu District by-election. In the press release dated October 14, Dr. Dennis Bright of the National Grand Coalition Party and Ms. Femi Claudius Cole of the Unity Party say the National Electoral Commission, which is responsible for the administration and conduct of elections, and the Sierra Leone Police, in charge of security at elections, stand accused of performing so woefully that the conduct of these elections and results have been challenged by all parties and judged as not being fair or credible. Read the full press release below:  The Consortium of Progressive Political Parties (COPPP) wishes to express grave concern over the conduct of the recent Bye Elections in Koinadugu District for Chairman of the District Council and for Councillor of Ward 155 in the same District. According to complaints by both political parties that contested the election (APC...

Polling agents and elections observers should be free from harassment. Still, numerous reports say that was not the case in a recent by-election in Koinadugu, the largest district in Sierra Leone and one of the least densely populated.  "It has become too much the case that thugs overrun our polling stations during bye-elections with the police throwing their hands in the air as if it is not their job to keep the peace," wrote Vickie Remoe, a media producer. She writes about society, culture, and good governance in Sierra Leone.  A leading voice in the widespread condemnation of elections violence and intimidation, Remoe praised the Sierra Leonean observers of National Election Watch (NEW) for their commitment to transparency at our polling stations. "Had it not been for their diligence, we would not have the facts," she said.  The following Sunday, on Africa Young Voices (AYV) television, Lahai Lawrence Leema, the deputy minister of internal affairs, launched attac...

" While it is possible to find a place to rent in Sierra Leone, what makes sense price-wise doesn't come with the amenities ," writes Vickie Remoe in a recent checklist she published for Millennials and Gen Z planning to live and work in Sierra Leone. Rental properties that include amenities are priced for expatriates, Vickie cautioned. Additionally, renting in Sierra Leone comes with the financial burden of paying rent a year or two in advance. "You may be able to afford it the first time around, but depending on the kind of salary or income, continuing to do so after a year might stretch you," she said.  Reading Vickie's tips left me with more questions than answers: 1. What does she consider as amenities? Do they include, say, running water, a rain garden, a well pump in the backyard, and a solar-powered electric generator? 2. What does Vickie mean by rentals are priced for ex-pats? 3. What are the comparative rent prices across Sierra Leone? Is she talk...

This weekend on Twitter, Ambrose James, director of Sierra Leone's National Authorising Office, tweeted  that the first phase of a 163-meter long steel beam was launched across the Mabang river for a new bridge. According to the tweet , 71% of the total 231meter bridge has been put in place. The new bridge is being funded by the government of Sierra Leone and the European Union (EU).  The National Authorising Office-Sierra Leone (NAO), is the principal management and executing agency of the EU-Government of Sierra Leone development cooperation. (See more on the NAO's Facebook page).  T he old Mabang bridge collapsed on February 22nd, 2013. Shortly after,  a group of concerned Sierra Leoneans in America hired civil and structural engineers to inspect the collapsed bridge. Based on the 2013 findings, the collapse of the Mabang Bridge was due to extensive scour on the piers of the bridge. "The foundation of the pillars was also destroyed by impact from eroded soil...