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Chief Minister Commends Newly Refurbished Government Printing Press


Chief Minister Dr. David Sengeh on Monday lauded the newly refurbished Government Printing Department, hailing it as a prime example of a successful Public Private Partnership (PPP).

The surprise visit was made alongside the Ministers of Information and Civic Education.

Taking to his X page (formerly Twitter), Dr. Sengeh highlighted the positive outcomes of the refurbishment, stating, “This is an excellent example of what a good Public Private Partnership can look like.” He further explained that the project followed a build, operate, and transfer model, which initially involved private sector participation but is now fully managed by the Government of Sierra Leone.



The renovation of the Government Printing Department is expected to enhance the quality and efficiency of official publications and document production in the country. The printing press, which had been in dire need of modernization, now boasts state-of-the-art equipment and is geared toward improving service delivery for public sector needs.

The visit underlines the government’s commitment to revitalizing critical infrastructure through innovative partnerships and investment in key sectors. The Chief Minister’s praise for the project reflects broader government efforts to strengthen the country’s administrative capacities while fostering economic collaboration with the private sector.

The refurbishment is expected to streamline operations at the printing press, which plays a vital role in producing government documents, official notices, and educational materials. By adopting the build, operate, and transfer model, the government successfully leveraged private sector expertise in the initial phases, ensuring the sustainability of the project.

This development is seen as a significant step toward achieving efficiency in public service delivery, with the facility now fully under government control.



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Chief Minister Commends Newly Refurbished Government Printing Press


Chief Minister Dr. David Sengeh on Monday lauded the newly refurbished Government Printing Department, hailing it as a prime example of a successful Public Private Partnership (PPP).

The surprise visit was made alongside the Ministers of Information and Civic Education.

Taking to his X page (formerly Twitter), Dr. Sengeh highlighted the positive outcomes of the refurbishment, stating, “This is an excellent example of what a good Public Private Partnership can look like.” He further explained that the project followed a build, operate, and transfer model, which initially involved private sector participation but is now fully managed by the Government of Sierra Leone.



The renovation of the Government Printing Department is expected to enhance the quality and efficiency of official publications and document production in the country. The printing press, which had been in dire need of modernization, now boasts state-of-the-art equipment and is geared toward improving service delivery for public sector needs.

The visit underlines the government’s commitment to revitalizing critical infrastructure through innovative partnerships and investment in key sectors. The Chief Minister’s praise for the project reflects broader government efforts to strengthen the country’s administrative capacities while fostering economic collaboration with the private sector.

The refurbishment is expected to streamline operations at the printing press, which plays a vital role in producing government documents, official notices, and educational materials. By adopting the build, operate, and transfer model, the government successfully leveraged private sector expertise in the initial phases, ensuring the sustainability of the project.

This development is seen as a significant step toward achieving efficiency in public service delivery, with the facility now fully under government control.



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Here’s What the Chief Minister and His Wife Did to ‘Waka Fine Bus’


In a delightful display of community spirit and commitment to radical inclusion, Chief Minister David Moinina Sengeh, accompanied by his wife, took an afternoon ride onboard the WAKA Fine bus. The couple joined ordinary citizens, experiencing firsthand the modern, comfortable public transport that has become a symbol of Sierra Leone’s drive towards improved urban mobility.

This simple yet profound act was not just a show of leadership, but a living embodiment of the Chief Minister’s philosophy of radical inclusion — the belief that every Sierra Leonean, regardless of status, should have equal access to the nation’s growing opportunities and shared infrastructure.

As the bus moved through the vibrant city streets, Dr. Sengeh stood alongside ordinary citizens, engaging in conversations and listening to their stories. His decision to remain standing, without taking a seat, sent a powerful message about leadership grounded in empathy and humility. “Radical inclusion is about breaking down barriers — not just in policies but in everyday life.



The WAKA Fine Bus initiative is a transformative project aimed at revolutionizing public transportation and stands as a testament to President Bio’s efforts to create more accessible, reliable, and affordable mobility options for all Sierra Leoneans. Dr. Sengeh’s presence on the bus was a clear affirmation of the government’s resolve to prioritize inclusive growth, ensuring that national development reaches even the most marginalized. By participating in this public experience, the Chief Minister demonstrated his belief that leadership is most effective when it is both visible and engaged with the everyday realities of citizens.

This symbolic journey was a powerful reminder that true leadership is not about privilege but about being present and standing with the people in both word and action. Through his example, Chief Minister Sengeh continues to champion radical inclusion, leading Sierra Leone toward a future where every citizen has a place — and a voice — in the nation’s progress.



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Trader’s Council of Sierra Leone Welcomes Deputy Minister of Trade And Industry as Member


The Trader’s Council of Sierra Leone has extended its membership to the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Fatmata Kargbo as an active member.

In a statement released by the Trade Council, it highlighted the proactive initiatives undertaken by the Ministry under the leadership of Minister Alpha Sesay, who has been instrumental in supporting traders and various sectors for national development and sustainable growth. It is on this premise that the Council extended membership to the Deputy Minister, aiming to collaborate closely in monitoring and providing advice where necessary.

Expressing her gratitude for the gesture, Deputy Minister Kargbo lauded the Council’s recognition of the Ministry’s efforts in line with President Bio’s agenda of effective governance and citizen-centered policies. She emphasized the President’s commitment to action, evident in efforts to uplift the nation.



Highlighting the importance of unity and collective support for the President’s vision, Kargbo underscored the Ministry’s dedication to realizing sustainable development goals and fostering inclusive growth.

She reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to engaging stakeholders in decision-making processes, emphasizing regular consultations with traders and an inclusive approach to policy implementation.

Assuring the traders of the Ministry’s alignment with the President’s transformative agenda, Kargbo emphasized ongoing efforts in human capital development and women’s empowerment, particularly in collaboration with First Lady Fatima Bio.

Regarding policy initiatives, Kargbo disclosed ongoing discussions on the review of wholesale and retail policies aimed at optimizing support for traders and enhancing the sales of goods and services nationwide.

She also mentioned ongoing discussions with the Trader’s Council executive regarding the Sewa Ground Market and the Ministry’s plans to construct high-quality markets in additional locations to better serve traders.

The Deputy Minister concluded by reaffirming the Ministry’s commitment to collaborative efforts with the Trader’s Council in realizing President Bio’s vision for a prosperous Sierra Leone.



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New ECOBANK Managing Director Engages Finance Minister


Sebastian Ashong-Katai, the new incoming Managing Director of the ECOBANK in Sierra Leone, and others have on Friday 8th September 2023 paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of Finance, Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura at his George Street office in Freetown.

The delegation involved, the Chairperson of the Board, the Regional Executive for Anglophone West Africa, the Country Head of Corporate Banking and Aina Moore, the out-going Managing Director.

The reason for this visit is for the outgoing MD, Aina Moore, to bid farewell to the Minister and introduce the new MD taking over the operations of ECOBANK in Sierra Leone and other issues like compliance, digitalisation, interest rates, and foreign currency lending data sharing form part of the discussions.



The minister thanked the outgoing MD for her service in Sierra Leone as well as welcoming the new MD. He updated them on the reforms the government is implementing and called for deepened engagement with the banking sector to leverage opportunities of collaboration that will provide the needed resources for the Government and also strengthen the operations of Commercial banks like ECOBANK.

Aina Moore spoke on the issues of Forex’s availability and Leone’s depreciation and assured the government of the bank’s support, experience and expertise in implementing the Big Five Agenda, especially in agriculture Feed Salone.

 

 



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To Drastically Reduce Onion Importation in 2 Years… Agriculture Minister Examines Pee Cee & Sons Onion Cultivation Site in Port Loko District


In a recent announcement, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Henry Musa Kpaka, expressed his optimism about reducing onion imports to Sierra Leone in the coming years. Kpaka, who concluded his first full week in his role, visited the onion-rich region of Port Loko District and outlined plans to curtail the country’s dependency on imported onions within two and a half years.

The onion belt in Port Loko, boasting over 1,200 hectares of suitable lowland for onion cultivation, holds the key to this ambitious endeavour. The majority of onion cultivation in this area is carried out by smallholder farmers, who possess the necessary skills but face several challenges. Despite these obstacles, the potential benefits associated with the onion value chain are apparent to these farmers.

Minister Kpaka’s pivotal moment of conviction came during a visit to the Pee Cee and Sons Ltd (PCS) mechanized onion production site in Mathen village, Lokomasama Chiefdom. This site has demonstrated that Sierra Leone has the capability to significantly increase domestic onion production and thereby reduce the reliance on imports.



Pee Cee and Sons Ltd (PCS) conducted a pilot project covering 5.6 hectares of mechanized onion production last year, yielding 10 metric tons per hectare, which is below the estimated potential. However, with adjustments to soil pH, they anticipate achieving up to 30 metric tons per hectare.

Pee Cee and Sons Ltd (PCS) has strategically planned to cultivate 75 hectares during the October-December cycle and again in the February-May 2024 cycle. If these plans are executed successfully, an additional 4,500 metric tons of onions could be introduced to the market within the two cycles. To provide context, official trade data indicates that Sierra Leone imported slightly under 1,000 metric tons of onions in the entirety of 2022.

In a noteworthy initiative, Pee Cee and Sons Ltd (PCS) supported 900 smallholder farmers last year by providing inputs, mechanized plowing services, and training in sound agronomic practices for onion cultivation. The future prospects are even brighter, as Pee Cee and Sons Ltd (PCS) aims to dedicate nearly 640 hectares to onion cultivation within the next three years. These promising statistics are indicative of a potential path for Sierra Leone to transition from an onion importer to a net-exporter.

President Bio’s Feed Salone Programme, known for its strategic integration of the private sector to drive agricultural transformation, plays a significant role in this endeavour. The Government is dedicated to supporting private sector actors such as Pee Cee and Sons Ltd (PCS), recognizing that their success contributes to the overall prosperity of the nation.

As Sierra Leone sets its sights on self-sufficiency in onion production, Minister Kpaka’s enthusiasm and the progressive efforts of entities like Pee Cee and Sons Ltd (PCS) provide hope that the nation’s reliance on imported onions could be dramatically reduced within the next two years.



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