As 2018 draws near...Itz Deej Real Set To Resign From Mainstream DJing

After serving diligently and playing his own significant part towards promoting and protecting the image of DJs and the entertainment industry in general, Sierra Leone's most reliable, cool and calculated heavy weight DJ's champion, Deej Real will finally resign from mainstream DJing in the country in January 2018.

He revealed this news last week at his office on Bathurst Street in Freetown. He maintained that throughout his career as a professional DJ and one who has been rooted from the bottom to the top of the Sierra Leone's DJs chart has so far satisfied and that his key reason to arrived at such decision was to take up another venture and a new career in his life, adding that there is time for every purpose. He added to also allow the young breed DJs in the field to develop.

He explained that though he is resigning from mainstream DJing, he would still maintain the title as Deej Real and would respect the image and dignity of all DJs at all times, adding he will continue to render whatever assistance the DJs and specifically the DJs Union might need from his professional experience gained over the years.

Deej Real started his DJ career in 2000 and has worked for various radio stations, recording studios and sound systems across the country, and has served the DJs’ fraternity for over 15years now, adding that he has won several accolades and awards for his relentless effort, commitment and devotion towards national development in both the entertainment industry and the country at large.

Because of his proven competence and professional work while in the field of mainstream DJing, Deej Real had attained several managerial positions and he is now the current Deputy Station Manager of Mercury International radio station and publisher of the Real News Newspaper.

MANJORO COMMUNITY EMBRACES THE PAY NO BRIBE CAMPAIGN

As a manifestation of the Anti-Corruption Commission's (ACC) resolve to reach out to the nook and cranny of the country to spread PNB messages, the Northern Region Office on 10th November 2017 sensitized traditional leaders and community people at the Bombali District Education Committee (BDEC) Primary School compound, Manjoro town, Karina Section Biriwa Chiefdom-Bombali District. 

Speaking on bribery related issues that continue to debar the progress of remote communities ACC's Public Education Officer Abdulai Saccoh told the people of Manjoro that this bad act will not end until citizens stop to pay lip service to the campaign.

He stated that PNB is a national campaign intended to improve the welfare of Sierra Leoneans by accessing public services without any hindrances. The Public Education Officer catalogued a number of issues in the education, Sierra Leone Police and health sectors that are of  major concern to the people. 
  
Saccoh dilated on MDAs responses highlighting interventions they have made to address reported cases of bribery and petty corruption. The Public Education Officer disclosed that though the signs are positive on the anti-bribery crusade, there is room for improvement. Saccoh entreated the people of Manjoro and its environs to muster their efforts against bribery, as sustainable development is assured in a corrupt free society.

In his presentation, Public Education Officer Abdul K. Bangura underscored the significance of the meeting, noting it is imperative on all citizens to embrace the anti-bribery campaign. Bangura urged the people to expose corrupt individuals, as their appalling circumstances would not be transformed when bribery and petty corruption is endemic.

The Public Education Officer informed his audience that the Pay No Bribe campaign empowers citizens to anonymously report incidents of bribery and petty corruption through the PNB free line 515, on all networks, the website: www.pnb.gov.sl, or on mobile application in Krio, Temne and Mende.

He further stated that the PNB is not prosecution focused; rather, it seeks to invoke administrative actions or systems review and policy reforms, to address bribery in the specific MDAs.

Earlier in the meeting Headman Manjoro community Pa Saccoh Fofanah heaped praises on the Commission for reaching out to deprived communities like theirs. Pa Fofanah on behalf of his people guaranteed the Commission that they would always call the 515 number to make reports.

In a related exercise, staff and pupils of Ansarul Islamic Junior Secondary School, Manjoro, were sensitized on the Pay No Bribe campaign. Pupils were urged not to pay bribes for good grades as PNB message of the month-November. The team encouraged them to take their academic work seriously so that they would become valuable citizens.

Update on recent happenings

By Umaru Fofana

In March 2016 Moijueh Kaikai and Mustapha Bai Attila were sacked as Sierra Leone's Minister and Deputy Minister of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs respectively. It followed their involvement in a disgraceful, distasteful and disgusting public brawl of humiliating proportions. There was an outcry. But in a country of sensation and coverup, we let that pass. Without demanding that the allegations made in that public brouhaha be looked into, if only to ward off any such in the future.

In 2014 the State House Chief of Staff, Dr Richard Konteh was sacked for his alleged involvement in the export of timber when there was a ban on the trade. A State House press release stated that the president had in fact instructed Dr Konteh to allow the export but of a certain quantity only, which he allegedly exceeded.

No one was concerned about the fact that the president had given what at the very least amounted to an inappropriate instruction for the shipment, no matter the amount, when the ban on the trade had still not been lifted.

A deputy minister of education, Mahmud Tarawallie was sacked following allegations that he raped a university student who’d asked for a favour to benefit from an overseas scholarship. We all know how overseas scholarships are awarded in this country. Apart from the US embassy who award theirs themselves - and competitively so - virtually every other is based on partisan interests.

Mr Tarawallie would later be controversially acquitted by a magistrate court on the grounds the sex was consensual. No one - not even women’s groups - would be bothered by the fact that even if the sex was consensual this was a state official in the education ministry sleeping with a female student in apparent exchange for a scholarship. That is nothing short of an abuse of office; hence a corruption offence. Next we heard he’d been reappointed as deputy minister albeit in another ministry.

Now the ladies who replaced the gentlemen as gender and children’s minister and deputy have also been sacked for the same reason their predecessors were shown the door.

Being the usual public that we are, we’ve been blown away by the frenzy. The good job done by the sacked officials has been lost in us. With three months to election, inter and intra party squabbles plus the gullibility frenzy have taken away.

There’s no love lost between Dr Sylvia Blyden and me; but truth be told she did some remarkable things in trying to fight theft and other wastage in that ministry even if her approach could be faulted. Her advice in the Muslim pilgrimage, if heeded, would have saved those Muslims - some of them pretty old men and women - the humiliation the last Hajj brought about. For all you know those investigations may soon collapse. When last did you hear about them? Has one of them not been given a party executive position? By the latter question, I’m not blaming it on the anti corruption commission. The earlier our political parties set standards for appointing their officials the better for our system of governance.

Rugiatu Neneh Koroma neé Turay may have her limitations - we all do - but she’s a very hardworking and remarkable woman. I’ve known her since her days at the Milton Margai College of Education. She’s a life long campaigner against FGM. And she’s made no secret about that. Her boss has had some romance with those who initiate women into that very FGM. That is her right, doubtless. But to have appointed two women so diametrically opposed to each other on a key agenda in that ministry was the most fundamental blunder President Koroma made. A recipe for conflict and dysfunction. But let’s leave that and concern ourselves with some of the issues raised in what would be their last radio interview as minister and deputy.

When Kaikai and Atilla were sacked the reasons for their brawl were never looked into. Atilla raised issues of marginalisation, brinkmanship, the lack of tools needed to function such as vehicle tyres not being replaced, fuel gallonage not given, overseas trips abused, etc.

The office in charge of public officials - I don’t care to know what it’s called because it seems ineffective - didn’t bother to look into these anomalies let alone correct them. And I know for certain that they exist in other ministries too. Mrs Koroma is now saying that she had cause to twice spend the night on the road due to defective tyres to her vehicle, blaming it on Dr Blyden. I do not think that is for the minister to deal with where things function as they should.

Now, no Minister should scratch their heads to have their vehicle fixed or fuelled. That is provided the use of the vehicles is for official state functions only.

The use of state vehicles here is such that you don’t know when it ceases to be for the state, a political party or just some personal stuff. So much so that registration plates are covered with black cloth in broad day light.

Also, if there’s a dispute between a minister and their deputy is the resolution of such the business of their political party as stated by Mrs Koroma, or should there be a state institution to handle that?

And parliament is not helping either. For weeks and possibly months they have been named in some of the allegations around the same ministry and they’ve been reticent at best. The House should set partisan interests aside and put the kibosh on issues affecting the functioning of the state.

Until we get our governance right, until public offices function as they should and officials behave as mandated, these frictions are bound to continue. And the lack of a proper internal means of seeking redress only means they’ll spill over to the public domain in unpleasant ways. Consequently, the mind and time of officials will continue to shift from fighting for the well-being of the state, to fighting each other in their own parochial interests. And the state suffers! We all suffer!

Sierra Leone, World Bank celebrate 55 years of sustained partnership

President Ernest Bai Koroma has acknowledged the World Bank Group’s contribution to Sierra Leone’s development efforts as the country and the Bank Group reflect on more than half a century of sustained partnership.
Sierra Leone joined the World Bank and the International Development Association (IDA) on November 13, 1962.

The country’s membership with the Bank clocked 55 years last week. World Bank Sierra Leone Country Manager, Parminder Brar and team last Friday visited the President at State House in Freetown to formally inform him and the people of Sierra Leone about this landmark achievement.

“This is indeed a great moment for Sierra Leone, having had a relationship with the World Bank spanning 55 years; a relationship that has been very supportive,” said President Koroma.

In the course of the 55 years, the Bank Group as a whole has provided close to US$2.5 billion of funding to Sierra Leone that went towards supporting projects on infrastructural and human development, health, education, energy, social safety, the budget, and social services, among others. Most of the funding came from the World Bank but with substantial amount from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) – both members of the World Bank Group.

“It is a moment that the people of Sierra Leone would want me to thank the World Bank for the support that has been provided over the years,” noted President Koroma. “In all of these years of engagement, I can say that the relationship is now at its best more than ever, because we believe the interventions of recent have not only been doubled but it is the highest package that the country has received. This shows that the relationship has been growing in a sustainable level.”

Mr. Koroma said he was proud that he was leaving office at a point when the country’s relationship with the Bank was at a very high note. “We are happy about this achievement as a government, and personally I’m happy that I’m providing leadership at this point in time,” he intoned. “We hope we’ll continue with this relationship for many more decades to come.”

Country Manager Parminder Brar earlier informed the President that senior World Bank Group staff are planning on visiting Sierra Leone in January 2018 as part of the 55th Anniversary celebrations. However, he said it was important that the week marking the anniversary itself was observed because it was a “historic occasion both for the World Bank and Sierra Leone”.

To mark the occasion, Mr. Brar presented to President Koroma the first Economic Report done by the Bank on Sierra Leone in 1964. He said those were comfortable times when the country had more current revenues higher than current expenditures, and there were only 420 students at the university level at the time.

“I was speaking [recently] to the Acting Vice Chancellor of Fourah Bah College and he told me there are now 6,500 students just in the University of Sierra Leone,” he observed. “Sierra Leone has come a long way and we are privileged to have been with you throughout the journey.”

Echoes From Across The River

By Joe Pemagbi

The wave of institutionalization of democracy through regular elections in Sub-Saharan Africa has intensified over the last two decades.[1] Despite its accompanying challenges, they still give citizens an opportunity to participate in their governance. Whether this is an indication of democratic growth in fledgling democracies like Liberia and Sierra Leone is still up for debate as both countries head to the polls. Liberians will vote in the second round of the Presidential elections in the coming weeks[2] while, Sierra Leoneans go to the multi-tier elections (Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Government elections) on March 7th, 2018. Despite their differences, both countries have quite a bit in common, such as similarities in food, sources of income and the unenviable notoriety for bad governance. Each country also has the potential to inspire the other to higher heights in transforming the lives of their citizens. These epoch-making elections in Liberia and Sierra Leone will see the end of constitutional term limits of both Presidents Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf and Ernest Koroma. The elections could be a vital test and evidence of their democratic growth through smooth democratic transitions that citizens hope will put decades of corruption and politics of patronage behind them.

The legacies of leadership and its implications

The despotic style of leadership perpetrated through slavery by the slave masters in the Liberian context and colonial masters in Sierra Leone are unpalatable legacies that permeate our governance systems through politics of intimidation, patronage and clientelism. This seem to have informed the style of governance for decades despite the emergence of modern day democracy through military coup d’états or citizens’ movements.

Ethno-regional Quagmire and Its Impact on Elections

Even though Liberia was not colonized, the Americo-Liberians or Congos maintain elite status that is seemingly associated with the United States and the rest of the west. The same might not be said about their counterparts, the Krios in Sierra Leone, whose academic prowess and political authority in Sierra Leone has not necessarily led to their ascendance to and retention of political power. Interestingly, the first round results of Liberia’s October 10th, 2017 elections may have rekindled the unspoken tension between the Congos and the ‘natives’ coupled with the newly formed ‘divisions’ among the native population. None of the Americo-Liberian candidates[3] will make it to the run-off, instead, Vice President Boakai of the ruling Unity Party and George Weah of the CDC party, whose party won in thirteen of Liberia’s fifteen electoral districts are the two most likely candidates to vie for the Presidency. [4]

In addition, the high number of presidential candidates made it impossible for any one candidate to cross the required threshold of 50%+1 to be declared winner. Even though the CDC won 13 of the 15 counties, not being able to attain the 50%+1 threshold denied them an outright victory. While the on-going horse trading continues in Liberia, the unspoken ethnic versus patronage and ethno-regional politics are variables that could inform the decisions of the ‘smaller’ political parties[5]. Across the river in Sierra Leone, the emergence of the National Grand Coalition (NGC) and the possibility of more coalition parties, though not a novelty, could impact Sierra Leone’s political landscape[6]. The major political parties – the All Peoples Congress (APC) and the Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) might need to seriously reflect on and consider their campaign strategies on a national scale and how they intend to deliver on the bread and butter issues that affect the daily lives of citizens across the country since hardship and bad governance affect all citizens in Sierra Leone.

Like most African democracies, Sierra Leone and Liberia have seen a proliferation of registered political parties[7]. In Sierra Leone, political parties were formed in the pre-independence era while roughly 95% of Liberian political parties were formed in the post-conflict era[8]. The justifications for this are numerous and perplexing, for example the older parties in Sierra Leone are often accustomed to questionable systems of governance that do not necessarily promote the participation of their members, especially in decision-making processes, thereby creating the undue ‘fatigue’ and frustration of their existence. In Liberia, the call for generational change in the political landscape is fast becoming a reality. The youthful Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) headed by soccer star George Weah seems to be winning the hearts and minds of the youth and middle aged who are frustrated by years of poor performance by the older established ruling Unity Party (UP).
In other circumstances, leaders of the new and “smaller” parties claim to be “called upon by the people to redeem them”, while others establish proxy and transient parties to enhance their political standing and capital despite the glaring signs that their efforts are sometimes futile and deemed a waste of personal and state resources.

The Youth Factor

Young Liberians have been demonstrating commendable exuberance and engagement in this electoral cycle by helping to mobilize votes and taking part in civic education initiatives. This is driven by their desire to canvas votes and see their political parties win. Even though Political Party campaigns are competitive, they are non-violent. They are largely seen as outcomes of national consciousness emanating from lessons learned from the decade long Liberian civil war and the relative progress and achievements with democratic stability. Civil Society actors and the international community have been quite instrumental in promoting peaceful elections and citizen engagement through coordinated peace caravans, town hall meetings, and peaceful messages like “Vote Not Fight” and “Election is Everyone’s Business’ Among Others”. They have taken advantage of the youth bulge and their willpower to engage and interrogate the “democratic dividend”[9].
Across the border in Sierra Leone, the echoes must be heard about the potential of youth engagement and the need for the constructive involvement in the democratization processes. We would need to find new ways of mobilizing youth to discuss issues instead of sentiments.

Additionally, harnessing their potential would be key instead of hosting and participating in paid up raucous political party carnivals in the form of party rallies.
Media Pluralism or Ambivalence?
The media landscape, especially in the post-conflict era, can best be described as pluralistic. Both countries have experienced a massive proliferation of media institutions seeking to use the accessibility of information to encourage the participation of citizens in democratic processes. The enactment of the Access to Information (ATI) Law is an attempt, by both the Liberian and Sierra Leonean Governments, to empower citizens to participate in governance, which is a fundamental factor in the development of every democracy. There is however a gaping lacunae between what is enacted and the reality on the ground. Despite the establishment of National Information Commissions and CSO information coalitions, they are plagued with serious implementation gaps pointing to the lack of political will, irregular and inadequate funding and the lack of institutional capacity to operate independently. However, in the months leading up to Election Day and the day after, Liberian media institutions ensured a peaceful and informed election process. An example worth emulating by media institutions in the lead up to the 2018 elections in Sierra Leone.

The role of state broadcasters in both countries has garnered both attention and criticism because of the propensity for the incumbent government to take advantage of what is supposed to be public property. There have been complaints of bias coverage by both opposition parties, the SLPP and CDC in Sierra Leone and Liberia respectively. The media is also replete with arguments that ruling parties in both countries have the resources and can strategically engage their supporters to generate required funds for their party machinery to propagate their policies. However, one need not second guess that the “winner takes all” mentality and subtle authoritarian governance style compels leaders and personnel of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to turn a blind eye to policies that are passively implemented. As Liberians prepare for the run-off between Vice President Joseph Boakai and the opposition candidate George Weah, Liberians and the international community would continue to closely monitor the role of several media institutions in promoting peaceful and credible elections in the coming weeks. In the midst of all the aspersions and allegiance debates, the ownership and regulatory mechanisms of the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) and the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) remain under the spotlight because they impact the quality of reports disseminated to the public.

The Governance Deficit of the Political Parties

Governance systems within political parties in Sub-Saharan Africa can exacerbate different challenges faced at the national level because the trend of thought is that the culture of abusing power, patronage and clientelism, even at the political level, is passed on at the national governance level. Ideally, parties are expected to have governance structures with clear processes and systems that determine confidentiality at all levels, means of attending to power as well at checks and balances with laid down grievances addressing structures. In both countries, there are clear indications that parties lack clear political ideology and effective governance systems in political parties that have led to constant membership defection to other parties they consider more open, democratic and/or sympathetic to their aspirations.

The Judiciary: A friend or foe?

The Judiciary plays a key role in ensuring that the democratic rights of citizens are respected by guaranteeing the respect for the rule of law. It is their responsibility to ensure that actors, including political parties follow the rules outlined in electoral laws and the countries’ constitution. More often than not, the courts in Liberia and Sierra Leone have been called upon to interpret and adjudicate matters before them to ensure that the integrity of the electoral process is assured. The decision made by the Liberian Supreme Court with regards to the election petition case filed by Charles Brumskine is the most recent example that brings the role of the courts to the fore, particularly on the need for their independence as well as the integrity of the Elections Management Body[10]. Similarly, on several occasions, the courts have been called to action in Sierra Leone to adjudicate electoral matters[11]. The conduct of the judiciary in electoral processes remains integral and must therefore be seen as independent from the influence of the Executive office.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the echoes from across the river sound out the ominous warning of change at all costs and for what is considered the ‘rejected or lost generation’. What is left to be seen is if the echoes take a turn for the best as we await the elections results in Liberia and Sierra Leone in 2018. These elections remain crucial for the deepening of democratic values and the promotion of sustainable development as evidence of the badly needed democratic dividend.

Joe Pemagbi is the Sierra Leone Country Officer at OSIWA (@pemagbi1)

As DJs meet... Prezo CPO affirms committment ahead of SLEDU National Music Awards

President of the Sierra Leone DJs Union, Abdul Karim Koroma aka Pilot CPO has on Tuesday 21st November 2017 affirmed to his members that his executives are in stable and firm position to ensuring the SLEDU National Music Awards 2017 go on as planned.

He made this valuable statement at their usual general meeting held on Tuesday 21st November 2017 in Freetown, so as to update members about steps taken so far by the awards committee that was charged with responsibilty of planning the event which is shceduled to take place at the Bo Stadium, South of Sierra Leone on Friday 29th December 2017.

According to him, everything is going on fine and that sponsors have fully committed themselves of supporting the event that has being tagged by entertainment pundits as a history in the making since inception of the SLeDU-NMA in 2013.

He further disclosed to his membership that this year's awards' show trophies will be unique as already someone has taken that bold move of shipping them into the country all the way from the US. He added that as president he will endeavour to leave a legacy behind while assuring members that before he leaves office he would at least leave 20m in the account of the union.

He revealed also that the Sierra Leone Road Transport Cooperation has committed to providing buses which will transport people to the event in Bo. He continued also that it is now time for all DJs to be recognize under his leadership whilst emphatically stated that all DJs should play pivotal role ahead of the event if not they will face stringent disciplinary actions.

He explained that Nomination forms will be out by the 1st December 2017 as the awards committee is now preparing the various categories professionally without any sentiment, he added also that soon nomination forms are out the short code to be used for voting will be published in due course.

He mentioned that few parastatals have promised to graciuously support this year's event and that no member should be worrying about finances to stage the show as his executive is hardworking towards a successful show in Bo.

Climaxing the meeting, members were astouned  by the statement made from their president and have promised to give their all and all ahead of December 29 2017.