POINT OF CORRECTION SLPP New People Editor Umaru Sitta Turay Pens on Journalist Issue in Bo 10th March 2010 The pity side of every community is when the enlightened few in that community refuse to meet the standards they are supposed to be known for. It is always a painful reality to know that members of a particular grouping that are rated to be subtle and accommodating behaves irrationally. This kind of excruciating pain always demands trauma healing and sometimes so depressing that one will need some kind of psychological rehabilitation. I was shocked and very reluctant to receive the news that members of the SLPP will go as far as attacking journalists and beat them in a manner that is never acceptable. That is a kind of action that is not expected of the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP).  I am of the conviction that the SLPP is a desperate party right now like a wounded lion and will want to exploit all possibilities to assume power. Does that really warrant violence on journalists?  Generally, it  is not violence that is being used to assume power. The SLPP should know that the same journalists that are perceived to be enemies are the ones that will serve as their mouthpiece when it comes to campaigning for the running of the country. These journalists that are being attacked are the ones that build and destroy Presidents in that country. It is supposed to be realized by these SLPP politicians that the journalists of Sierra Leone are living on meager resources and are making sacrifices for the good of the country. Journalists are the ones that create celebrities and millionaires. Upon all the good things journalists are doing in Sierra Leone bad politicians are yet to appreciate. It is a selfish attitude of the SLPP to allow bandits to beat journalists because of their view and sometimes journalistic stance. Journalists are not supposed to be enemies but real partners to development and promoters of transparency. It should not hurt the SLPP because some journalist are writing things that are not seem to be in their favor and for that reason resort to beating. The era of violence has been buried with the bones of Siaka Stevens, Joseph Saidu Momoh, Foday Sankoh and most recently Almamy Kamara. (Read More) ARIOGBO - Is Back 3.9.2010 IGBA-ILE: ARIOGBO- Ariogbo at State House Ahyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy munongh tonoghn….Ariogbo just came back from Sherra Leone. Ariogbo was contracted by Prezo Koroms to go after the witches at the presidential lodge and state house. However, Ariogbo did not see any withces…Ariogbo just found out that Prezo Koroms does not have what it takes to lead Sherra Leone. Make ee lef for lie pan witch man dem. Prezo Koroms for luk under ihn foot. Na ihm broda en sista dem na dee anyampi dem na dar country dae. However, since Ariogbo has to make money, ar lie pan dem soba wan say na witch man don sidom pan Prezo Koroms ihn brain Hahahahahahahahahahaha…den boy ya go kill person with laugh. Prezo Koroms, Sam Sumana, Philip Neville wan tiff radio name? Ariogbo is seeing some troubling signs in the mirror. I see Prezo Koroms, Sam-Sumana and Philip Neville planning to steal the name of a radio station that has been in existence since 2006. Ariogbo is in possession of documents and even taped meetings between Sam Sumana and Philip Neville planning how to steal the name of a radio station. Sam Sumana does not seem to be very quick because he should have known that Neville is blackmailer par excellence so the tape is out there Sam Sumana. (Read More) REMEMBERING WOMEN BEHIND BARS INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY, PRESS RELEASE 8th March, 2010    8 March is International’s Women Day! This day celebrates women’s achievements across the globe. But it is also a day to remember the strides that still need to be made, particularly for those who are easily forgotten. One group often forgotten is the women behind bars. Today the women in prison in Sierra Leone will be unable to join in the celebrations. Many may think this is quite right and that those who come into conflict with the law are not deserving of celebrations. But these women’s stories are not quite so simple. And few would disagree that they deserve to benefit from the rights hard won by their sisters in Sierra Leone and elsewhere in the world. In our country, women still face marginalisation in the legal system. Antiquated laws mean that too often women are imprisoned for allegations over small debts, including those incurred by their husbands, and other petty crimes. Once arrested, women often wait months, if not years, for their cases to come to trial. With minimal access to free legal representation, the overwhelming majority of women go without lawyers. No one hears their voice. (Read More) SLPP FLAG BEARER CONTEST... TOWARDS FAIRNESS, TRANSPARENCY AND "SOBERNESS" Sunday, March 7th, 2010 By Abdulai Samura Party stalwarts and detractors were all eyeing the just concluded SLPP convention in Bo where constitutional disagreements were ironed out. Other than the unfortunate fisticuffs between journalists and SLPP security, the convention was a success. It seems all parties were satisfied with the outcome. Be that as it may, the purpose of this article is to point out a possible agreement if not rectified could possibly lead to turmoil. What baffles me about this agreement is whether it was an honest mistake or a deliberate omission. Let me draw your attention to the draft resolution passed by the SLPP convention that has raised a red flag of fairness and transparency. The resolution passed at the SLPP convention among other things stipulated that the SLPP NEC should craft rules and regulations governing the conduct of the flag bearer competition. In my humble opinion this screams of conflict of interest, lack of fairness and lack of transparency. (Read More) AGENDA 2012: REINVENTING AND MODERNISING THE SIERRA LEONE PEOPLES PARTY Friday March 5th, 2010 By Sulaiman Banja Tejan-sie As part of its agenda 2012 aimed at regaining political power to raise Sierra Leone from the doldrums of its socio-economic affliction; the Sierra Leone People’s Party at its just concluded Bo Party Conference has commenced the process of establishing the structures and laying down the guidelines for a modern-day political party that is sensitive to gender mainstreaming, disciplined and accountable to the people. The starting point in this ingenious endeavour was to revisit both the extant 1995 SLPP constitution and the revised 2009 constitution to reach a common ground on the diverse views held by different sections of the party, all protecting their interests and expressing their concerns. After a heated but healthy debate, typical of discussions on constitutional issues; the delegates to the 2010 Party Conference by consensus resolved to continue applying the existing 1995 Constitution with amendments that expands the Electoral College to make the institution more democratic and inclusive, bestows political leadership on the Chairman of the party rather than the Presidential hopeful and allows all qualified members of the Party with the exception of the Chairman who desire to run for the Presidential ticket to do so. (Read More) 2010 NATIONAL PARTY CONFERENCE DRAFT RESOLUTIONS PRESS STATEMENT The Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) held the 2010 National Party Conference in Bo from February 26 to 28, 2010. The Conference was attended by delegates and observers from constituencies, districts, regional and national executives as well as Parliament and Diaspora branches. The Conference discussed the following: · The 2009 revised SLPP constitution vis-à-vis the 1995 SLPP Constitution. · Rules and Regulations relating to the election of Presidential Candidate for the 2012 Presidential elections. · The draft Gender Policy for the SLPP. · The draft Discipline Code of Conduct.   Additionally, the Conference also agreed on the time for election of Presidential Candidate for the 2012 Presidential Election and filled vacancies in the national executive. (Read More) 3RD MARCH 2010 PRESS RELEASE FORMER NATIONAL COORDINATOR FOOD FEED PROJECT CONVICTED David Lewis Walker, former National Coordinator of the School Feeding Project in the Ministry of Education Science and Technology, was on Tuesday 2nd March 2010, convicted by the High Court of Sierra Leone presided over by Justice Mary Sey on thirty three counts (33) of misappropriation of public funds contrary to section 12(1) of the Anti-Corruption Act, 2000 (as amended.) Mr. David Lewis Walker was sentenced to two years imprisonment to run concurrently on each count or to pay a fine of one million on each count, which is to be paid within a period of two months. In passing judgment, Hon. Mary Sey said the Accused, Mr. David Lewis Walker, knew that to misappropriate public funds was wrong and that the prosecution proved its case beyond all reasonable doubt.(Read More)

COMING SOON THE STORY ABOUT ABOUT POWERED BY ACTION'S VISIT TO ASABIEM, GHANA. LEARN MORE BY VISITING OUR WEBSITE ON  www.poweredbyaction.org New People Daily News Briefs 10th March 2010 Fuel Shortage Hits Freetown, Sierra Leone Long queue of vehicles at various filling stations around the capital was reported amidst mounting speculations on an increase in the pump price of petroleum products. A Freetown source says the fuel shortage is characteristic of the old APC regime.   The Sierra Leone People’s Party Chairperson In Memoriam The Chairperson of the Bo District branch of one main opposition SLPP, Madam Adama Idriss died on Saturday 6 March 2010 after a prostrated illness. She will be buried on March 15th reports say.   168 National Revenue Authories Workers To Be Sacked The jobs of about 168 workers of the National Revenue Authority NRA are on the firing line following Presidential order to sack anyone connected with the botched plan to illegally clear 21 40ft containers at Water Quay. The Lebanese Businessman Moshen is alleged to have made false declaration and subsequently connived with the 168 workers to have the container cleared as such.(Read More) CHRI: Grave Concerns Over Rwanda's Elections Commonwealth Human Rights Initiatives Press Release, 6, March 2010 CHRI is deeply concerned at the continued restrictions and threats to opposition parties in the run up to Rwanda’s Presidential elections on 9 August 2010 and urges the Rwandan Government to take immediate steps to ensure respect for the basic, universal rights to freedom of expression, freedom of association and peaceful assembly of opposition parties. The absence of these rights is tantamount to breaches of the Commonwealth's fundamental political principles that insist on free and fair elections (Harare Declaration 1991). On Commonwealth day, 8 March 2010, CHRI once again brings to the notice of the Commonwealth Secretary General the growing number of concerns surrounding political freedoms in Rwanda. Despite grave representations by CHRI and others about the appropriateness of Rwanda’s readiness for membership, given its record on human rights and its questionable role in the conflict in the Congo, Rwanda was unconditionally admitted to the Commonwealth as its newest member at the Heads of Government Meeting in Trinidad and Tobago last November. (Read More) President Koroma Has Violated The Constitution in His Speech and Must Resign or Be Impeached By Mohamed Kunowah-Tinu, The Netherlands In his inauguration speech Ernest Bai Koroma, the president of the republic of Sierra Leone promised the populace that “"I have no doubt, that like the phoenix, we shall rise from the ashes of war and rise like the proud nation that we are, the Athens of West Africa." That is the reason why he further promised that “we will exercise zero tolerance towards corruption.” The Information Minister of president Koroma’s government told reporters on that day that “Senior members of the past government tampered with state funds, donor funds, and the international community is appropriately most unhappy about it." Regardless the fact that Sierra Leone's President His Excellency Dr Ernest Bai Koroma's calling on all Sierra Leoneans from every sector and every corner to directly or indirectly join him achieve his remarkable agenda for change, yet some government officials are highly engaged in to black-market activities for their own egocentric gains which will pessimistically picture Sierra Leone's good reputation. On the eve of the swearing-in ceremony of EBK, Peter Takirambudde, the African Director of Human Rights Watch stated that “"five years since the end of the armed conflict, the government has failed to stem rampant corruption, which has for decades robbed Sierra Leoneans of their basic human rights." He warned the president that “The time of turning a blind eye has passed: President Koroma's administration must face the problems ... head on." (Read More) SIERRA LEONE'S HEAD OF CHANCERY TO LIBYA ENGAGED IN HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND FALSIFICATION OF DOCUMENTS Sunday March 7th, 2010 By David Kamara, Libya Regardless the fact that Sierra Leone's President His Excellency Dr Ernest Bai Koroma's calling on all Sierra Leoneans from every sector and every corner to directly or indirectly join him achieve his remarkable agenda for change, yet some government officials are highly engaged in to black-market activities for their own egocentric gains which will pessimistically picture Sierra Leone's good reputation. Sierra Leone's head of chancery to Libya Saidu Unissa Kamara is one the latest government official who considered human-trafficking and falsification of document as a major alternative of money making from immigrants coming from sub-Sahara African countries like Sierra Leone etc. through the dangerous Sahara desert to Libya (The Great Jamahiriya). It is extremely complex to give a clear image about the ordeals immigrants from Sub-Sahara African countries are facing across the Sahara desert, but one could say it is more or like a hell. Peoples have no option when they run out of water but to drink their urine, you will see your fellow African dying as a result of fatigue your only option is to think about yours, others wishing their fellow travelers to die so they could acquired all they have especially food and water, human skeleton are visible with ordinary human eyes as you move on, evidences and attacks of dangerous wild life is common and arm robbery is the order of the day across the Sahara desert. (Read More) THIS PARTY HAS LOST IT'S MIND Republican fundraising document portrays Democrats as evil By Perry Bacon Jr. Thursday, March 4, 2010; A03 Democrats on Wednesday sharply criticized a Republican National Committee fundraising document that caricatured President Obama as the Joker, while Chairman Michael S. Steele sought to distance himself from it. Also depicted were House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (Calif.) and Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (Nev.), presented as Cruella de Vil and Scooby-Doo, respectively. The three Democratic leaders were gathered under the heading "The Evil Empire." The cartoonish images were part of a 72-page PowerPoint presentation assembled for potential campaign donors and fundraisers. The document was obtained by Politico after being left at a Florida hotel where the Republicans had gathered Feb. 18. (Read More)