My webblog contains all report&stories from Sierra Leone.
393 subjects with 413 messages.
Murtala
S. Leone: Cabinet ministers fired
Sierra Leone's Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources and her permanent Secretary are being relieved off their duty following allegation by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) accusing the two government officials of engaging in corrupt acts. - Afsatu Kabba who was serving as Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources until Monday March 15th was charged to court by the ACC of 17 Count for various corruption charges. The former Energy Minister is accused among other things of accepting $3000 as inducement from Lilian Ada Lisk of Okeky Fishing Agency for the issuance of licenses for fishing boat operated by Okeky Fishing Agency.
A press release from State House announcing the sacking o…Operation starts at largest iron ore deposit
Operation has officially started at Africa's largest Iron ore deposit after it was shut down some 35 years ago due to difficulties in the price of ore. The Marampa mines which has the largest iron ore deposit in Africa and the third largest in the world is mined among others by the London Mining Company which has its parent body in the UK. - “We are heading for a turnaround in the economy. The significance of this project is immeasurable to the economy. It will create tremendous impact in the economy, employment and will directly raised $4.1 million dollars against 2010 in direct revenues” Mines minister Alpha Khan told the United Nations radio earlier.
Khan said further that …Sierra Leone: Ecobank acquires ProCredit
ProCredit bank (SL) Ltd Sierra Leone has announced that they are unable to meet the 'new' regulation of the Sierra Leone's Central Bank and therefore will soon pass off ownership to Ecobank. - The transfer will enable Ecobank to expand business operations in the microfinance sector and thus strengthening the group of 30 affiliated banks throughout Africa owned by Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI), a holding company in Togo.
“We are confident that our customers as well as our 215 employees will find in Ecobank a suitable successor of our business approach. Since the business model of ProCredit Bank (SL) Ltd does not fit into the new minimum capital requirements of the Bank of …UN extols Sierra Leone for relief effort
The United Nation Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has on behalf of his organization commended the government and people of Sierra Leone for their relief effort towards Haiti following the aftermath of an earthquake which left more than two hundred dead and millions homeless in that country. - “On behalf of the United Nations Secretary General and the United Nations family in Sierra Leone, I wish to express our sincere and profound gratitude to the President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, the Foreign Minister, members of the Government, leaders of political parties, civil society organizations, non-governmental organizations, the inter-religious council, the artists, the private sector …Ex Nigerian anti- corruption boss speaks
Nigeria's Ex-anti- corruption boss Nuhu Ribadu has expressed vexation over what he described as the continued corruption in his home country and also expressed hope for Africa's most populace nation and praised the former British Prime minister Tony Blair for supporting the continent. - ‘’Tony Bliar did extremely well for Africa. When he was Prime Minister I could remember some of the basic things that he did. He supported this commission for Africa and he did extremely well in terms of articulating the problems of Africa. He did many things than any other British PM for us. At the time when I was working as the chairman of the EFCC, we got the greatest support from his administr…ECOWAS boss takes up new posting in 2010
Dr. Mohammed Ibn Chambas has been unanimously appointed as the new Secretary General of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries. Dr. Chambas, a Ghanaian, has been serving as president of the ECOWAS Commission for close to a decade. He will take up his new posting in March 2010 in Brussels. - The ECOWAS Secretary General beats two other West African for the coveted position. Dr. Chambas will take over from Sir John Kaputin from Papua New Guinea according to ghanabusssinessnews.com
Born 1970 in Ghana and a father of two, Dr. Chambas attended the Mfantsipim School, Cape Coast and Government Secondary School, Tamale. He also holds a degree in Political Science from the University …Nigeria: President has heart disease
The main cause of Nigeria's President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua illness have for the first time officially made public after leaving for medical check up in the Islamic Republic of Saudi Arabia. His spokesperson announced on Thursday that Yar'Adua has heart problem. - Olusegun Adeniyi, Yar’Adua’s spokesperson announced on Monday that “President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua will leave Abuja today for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.While there, the President will call on his personal physicians in Jeddah for follow-up medical check-ups”.
Ya’Adua’s declining health situation has created a debate among Nigeria’s 150 million people. The cause of his sickness was …China issues a 21-day ultimatum to Nigeria
The Chinese authorities have given Nigeria a 21-day ultimatum to claim the remains of their nationals which are lying in different mortuaries in the Asian nation or they will be cremated according to the Chinese laws. The Chinese say they are given Nigeria December 15th as the last date to take over their deceased or they would in line with their domestic laws cremate the bodies. - Several Nigerians are reported to have died in China from various reasons including illnesses, accidents, drowning, drugs and unknown causes. Some of the dead have been lying there since 2006 and they are yet to be claimed.
Nigeria’s Mission in China said according to Leadership newspaper that all effort…Benin: Pirates kill Ukrainian
Pirates have attacked an oil tanker off the coast of West Africa killing a Ukrainian. The pirates who are believed to come from Nigeria attacked the vessel 18 nautical miles (33km) off the coast of Benin. - The Benin Naval forces Commander Fernand Maxime Ahoyo confirmed the killing of the chief engineer of the vessel and another member of the crew who sustained wounds, This Day newspaper reported.
Ahoyo according to the report said the rest of the crew on the Monrovia-flagged vessel has been rescued safely among them Filipinos, Lithuanians and Ukranians.
AfricaNews reporter said piracy has become a booming business in East Africa for mostly unemployed youths. The war torn nation of Som…Nigeria President goes for medical check up
Nigeria President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua has left the shores of his country for medical check up in the Islamic Republic of Saudi Arabia. - "President Umaru Yar'Adua will leave Abuja today for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. While there, the president will call on his personal physicians in Jeddah for follow-up medical checks," Olusegun Adeniyi spokesman for Yar’Adua announced in a statement on Monday.
President Yar’Adua’s health has become a debate among Nigeria’s 150 million people. His countrymen has question is physical ability to rule the oil reach nation. He is reported to have traveled for foreign medical trips more than 4 times since he assumed office in 2008.
…West Africa to start largest vaccination
Twelve million people in West Africa will be immunize against the yellow fever disease. The campaign which will be the largest mass yellow fever immunization in the region will take place in Sierra Leone, Liberia and Benin. Yellow fever is an infectious disease which is caused by the yellow fever virus. - The virus is mostly transmitted through the bite of a mosquito. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that yellow fever causes 200,000 illnesses and 30,000 died every year for the disease in unvaccinated population whiles 90% of infections occurs in Africa.
The WHO says according to the BBC that the campaign is not to eliminate the disease but to reduce the number of people getti…Ghana among the least corrupt nations
Transparency International (TI), a civil society body which seeks to fight corruption and raise awareness around the world has ranked the West African state of Ghana among the least corrupt nations in the continent. The "Corruption Perceptions Index 2009" which was published this week ranked Ghana in the 69th position out of 180 countries world wide. - The group says their annual report offers a snapshot of how corrupt a country’s government is perceived by international institutions including the World Bank, the World Economic Forum and the Asian and African Development Banks.
“Overall we do not see a lot of changes to the last year’s results,” Patrick Berg progra…Today is World Toilet Day
Over 35% of the entire world population does not have proper access to toilet facilities with most of them living in Africa, estimated the World Toilet Organization. It is celebrating World Toilet Day today under the theme: "Toilets for All". The day is to raise awareness about the importance of proper toilet facilities. - World Toilet Day also highlights the sufferings of people who do not have access to basic sanitation system.
According to Liberia WASH Consortium, a recent government led Water and Sanitation sector assessment report (October 2008) revealed that there are only 19,691 family latrines for a population of close to 3.5 million people. This translates to coverage of a littl…Nigeria qualify for 2010 World Cup
Nigeria finally secured a spot for the 2010 World Cup after surviving a scare from Kenya thereby becoming the only qualifier for Group B to reach South Africa 2010. Their winning coincides with the country's conclusion of the Under-17 World Cup which FIFA described as successful despite earlier remarks. - "Its God's work,"former Arsenal striker Nwankwo Kanu said, while Yakubu Aiyegbeni, who scored the second goal according to This Day newspaper, praised the collective effort of his team mates in delivering the goods for the country.
"I want to give praise to God and my fellow players for making this happen. It is a collective effort not just we, the goal scorers, but every player because…"Nigeria is a pride of Africa"
FIFA Vice President Issa Hayatou has stated that the West African state of "Nigeria is a pride of Africa on the basis of exploits in football." Hayatou who also doubles as President of the Confederation of African Football said Nigeria can also host and win the current Under-17 World Cup tournament just as Ghana did in Egypt. - Hayatou was speaking during the opening of the National Technical Center in Abuja which cost the world football governing body the sum of $1.9 million. According to the Nigerian This Day newspaper the financial assistance by FIFA includes $400,000 for the Goal Project One for Nigeria, $550,000 for the Win in Africa with Africa infrastructure otherwise known as footbal…Taylor implicates Nigerian ex-president
Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has been implicated in the Charles Taylor trial in The Hague. Liberia's former President Charles Taylor told the Special Court on Tuesday that Obasanjo had deceived him when he assured him earlier that he could leave the country freely. "He lied to the world when he said I was escaping, and he knew nothing about it," Taylor said. - Taylor was speaking at the final day of his testimony in the UN backed Special Court for Sierra Leone. He told the court that Obasanjo told him lies that led to his arrest "Why he lied? I don't know, but as a brother and a friend, I think he ought to speak and tell the truth about it." Taylor according to the BBC said he…S. Leone:30 yrs power project completed
Sierra Leone has finally commissioned a hydro project which started some 30 years ago. The project endorsed by President Ernest Bai Koroma is estimated to cost $372 million. The Bumbuna hydro project would provide stable electricity supply to Sierra Leone and beyond. - “We are all gathered here today to witness and celebrate the completion of a project that has been over 30 years in the making. For over 30 years, the people of this country have waited for this day. When we assumed power in 2007 we vowed to end this waiting period. Today, my government has delivered on this vow; the waiting period is over,” President Koroma said on Friday.
He added: “For many years, the …Nigeria: 15,000 rebels rehabilitated
About 15, 000 militants have been sent to camps in the Niger-Delta area and Rivers State for rehabilitation programs, Nigeria's Defense Minister Godwin Abbe revealed. He told press men in Lagos that "They have been divided into batches... They will undergo training in skills acquisition that will make them useful to themselves." - The Movement for the Emancipation of Niger-Delta (MEND), the main militant group operating in Niger-Delta has been disturbing oil supplies in Africa’s most populous nation. Their actions have been condemned worldwide but they maintain they are fighting for a fair share of the country’s oil wealth.
Nigeria’s President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua d…Mexico embraces West Africa again
Mexico has reopened its embassy in the Nigerian Federal capital of Abuja. The move is aiming at improving relationship with countries in the West African region were Mexico has no diplomatic representative. - Ambassador Luis Alberto Barrero Stahl was received by the Economic Community of West African State (ECOWAS) president Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas at the bloc venue in Abuja. Ambassador Stahl presented good wishes of the Secretary (Minister) of State, Ambassador Patricia Espinosa to all those countries in West Africa.
With the reopening of its embassy in Nigeria according to This Day newspaper Mexico is pushing forward relationship with countries in the West Africa region thereby explorin…Man walks from S. Leone to Ghana
A Ghanaian-British is on a 20-day walking journey from Sierra Leone to Ghana to create awareness on human trafficking. Charles Dawson-Amoah, whose trek covers 1000 miles set off over the weekend and is expected to cover 50 miles each day through Liberia, Ivory Coast before coming to the former Gold Coast. - Dawson-Amoah, also a former British army officer was moved by the story of a nine-year-old girl who was rescued from a brothel. He told the Awoko newspaper: “That incident has had a telling effect on me as well as when I was in the military and seeing children being innocent victims”.
He said: “These children after out living their usefulness in the brothel will be ki…Nigeria: AU approves Special Court for Sudan
African leaders have agreed to set up a Special Court for Sudan's Darfur conflict at a meeting in the Nigerian Federal Capital Abuja. The Hybrid court which differs from the International Criminal Court (ICC) will comprise Sudanese and non Sudanese judges and will prosecute crimes committed in Darfur. - South Africa’s Ex-President Thabo Mbeki told the African Union Peace and Security Council summit that all Sudanese people accepted that crimes were committed in their country during their conflict and the way forward is to try all those that committed crimes in Sudan.
The AU unanimously agreed earlier that they will not recognize the indictment of Sudanese President Oumar Al Bashir&#…Guinea: Youth on hunger strike for justice
Guinean youths have embarked on a hunger strike exactly one month after the massacre to demand justice and call for a political dialogue. The youths say the hunger strike will last for five days and they hope to draw their leaders' attention to engage in dialogue, and prevent any further violence. - "This is to draw our leaders' attention to the need to engage in dialogue, preserve national unity, prevent further violence and arrest the authors of [the 28 September] massacre," said Thierno Baldé, president of the Federation of Youth Associations of Guinea, the group which is organizing the protest told the Humanitarian IRIN news service. He continued: "The situation in Guinea today is extrem…“Guinea attacks were premeditated”
A recent study by Human Right Watch has revealed that onslaught which left more than 150 Guineans dead were "premeditated and pre-planned at the highest level." - Right group said 157 people were killed in an opposing rally against Guinean Junta leader Capt. Moussa Dadis Camara who seized power in a bloodless coup following the death of former President Lansana Conte.
Capt. Camara quickly became a hero after cracking down on drug traffickers and his pronouncement that neither he nor any member of his administration will contest future elections. Since then the Capt. has been making conflicting statements on whether he will contests presidential election in early 2010.
"The fact that t…S. Leone: UN Court passes final verdict
The UN backed Special Court for Sierra Leone has landed its final verdicts to three former leaders of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) for their roles in the country's 11 years civil war. Austrian born Justice Renate Winter who delivered the bulk of the judgment dismissed a total of 96 defense grounds of appeal. - Issa Sesay and Morris Kallon were each convicted in February 2009 on 16 counts of various war crimes and crimes against humanity in the country’s civil war while Augustine Gbao was also convicted on 14 counts. In April 2009 the three men were slapped with a total of 117 years in their ‘marathon’ trial which lasted more than three years.
The Prosecution app…Nigeria: Rebels declare permanent truce
The Movement for the Emancipation of Niger-Delta (MEND), the main militant group operating in Southern Nigeria has announced last weekend that they have declared an indefinite ceasefire following President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua's meeting with Ex-militant leader Henry Okah in the West African nation. - MEND spokesperson Jomo Gbomo said the Federal government had demonstrated their readiness to engage in meaningful discussion with every group towards achieving peace in that ‘trouble spot’ region.
"On Tuesday, October 20, 2009, the Federal Government of Nigeria expressed its readiness to engage in serious and meaningful dialogue with every group or individual towards achieving a la…
