A Need to Focus on Garrison Street , the Money hub

 In the day or even at night, Garrison Street situated in the centre of Freetown is always a beehive of activities as people from different parts of the city ply it from morning till dawn to either make sales or purchases. People, mostly Sierra Leoneans, engage in many forms of commercial activities on this street that it is almost inevitable for most of them not to pass through the street on a daily basis.

With the Bank of Sierra Leone (BSL) behind, foremost relaxation point, the Victoria Park around it and directly linking another major commercial point, Sani Abacha Street , it is quite appropriate to say that Garrison Street is definitely in the most suitable location.

Tax collectors are on all sides of the street generating income for the government by taking their toll mostly on petty traders who hawk their merchandise in a carefully arranged form. Though seen as irritant, petty traders, despite these inconveniences, still insist on selling on and around Garrison Street which is a demonstration of their addiction to the location and its lucrativeness.

Young girls too, in their quest to earn a living from a reliable source rather than indulging in immoral acts, took advantage of the mammoth of Sierra Leoneans who use the route almost on a daily basis, to set up their hairdressing activities. They capitalized on this large crowd to practice their God-given talent (though some of them learnt it somehow) rather than doing nothing or be reliant on the government.

From the beginning to the end of the street, it has buildings that have been occupied by different businesses. Taking a closer interest in the cost of acquiring such properties either for monthly or yearly rentals, it is discovered that the least rate runs into thousands of dollars.

At night, the street is filled with girls too but this time in a very new dimension. They are there to market their body to who cares to buy. In fact, Garrison Street was christened ‘Good Evening Street' because that is how you'll be welcomed by the girls gathered in different parts of the street.

To sum it up, if business activities were as lively and thriving on other parts of Freetown as on Garrison Street, then commercial activities are guaranteed to increase drastically. It is now left for decision-makers to examine critically and take a cue from this street for those qualities that made it unique to develop another area because sooner or later, by projection, and considering the Freetown Metropolis that is increasing day-by-day, there is a need to transfer the commercial activities in this area to a widely-spaced environment.

The effect is being felt now on Garrison Street as it is choked with both human and vehicular traffic. To say the street is busy is an understatement. The fullness of activities on Garrison and other streets around it like Rawdon, Free, Wilberforce Streets etc., make it imperative for the authority concerned to devise a plan to expand the market of these streets constitute.

GUINEA CRISIS AND SIERRA LEONE

Late last year, Liberia's Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf and Sierra Leone's Ahmed Tejan Kabbah were in Guinea for a 24-hour discussion aimed at boosting sub-regional economic and security ties with their Guinean counterpart, Lansana Conte.

These three West African countries have been engaged in a marriage of convenience (or inconvenience) for quite some time and the whole world watched as they develop home-grown bond which is quite uncommon among other African states even though at the height of the Liberian civil war, relationships between the three of them was not in the best of shape, it gradually picked up after the unrests that rocked the two nations.

But while still nurturing those tender babies of peace that were born by Liberia and Sierra Leone , Guinea emerged with an uprising that plunged the country into a situation of unrest for over a month. This disturbance was however enhanced by the declining health of the Guinean President Lansana Conteh which the other regional leaders claimed they wanted to scramble to avoid as they fear it's potentiality to put the region in tatters once again.

It is therefore quite unfortunate to note that the crisis in Guinea today has been perceived for some time even before the three leaders met in December and the bottom-line of their prior knowledge of the situation which observers believe required desperate measures in order to avert crisis in the event of Conteh's inability to rule, still yielded the same result.

So if the Guinea 's economy is dwindling fast, should that affect other neighbouring countries?Now the crisis has adversely affected businesses not only in Guinea but also in Sierra Leone . The large bulks of food commodities for the Sierra Leonean populace that are usually channeled through Guinea have been hindered for some weeks now thus causing those who are privileged to get such products available to inflate their prices.

Many Sierra Leoneans are complaining about the effect the Guinea crisis is having on their income especially when they wanted to purchase food items like eggs, groundnut oil, onions and even peppers etc.

On the government side, it was discovered that a huge amount of revenue that could have been remitted as custom dues had been lost due to the crisis as the pile of goods that pass through Sierra Leonean borders are not operating as usual.

President Johnson-Sirleaf said the visit was aimed at "strengthening multi-sectoral cooperation" among the three neighboring countries when she arrived in Conakry last year. It is hoped that that would be achievable this time around.

Tinapa to be commissioned March 31

Mariama Kandeh

Managing Director of Tinapa Business Resort, Sam Ani Tuesday disclosed that the resort would be commissioned March 31, 2007. He made this disclosure during a tour organized by Guarantee Trust Bank PLC to give first hand information to journalists in West Africa at the Resort in Calabar , Nigeria . “So far 40 billion Naira has been invested in Tinapa,” he revealed, adding that 25% of that sum is from the state government and 32 billion is from private sector.

He stated that 13 billion Naira has been spent on infrastructure. Ani also said they would first cater for West African populace.“The state will get investment advantage while communities and farmers will get tremendous be nefits. There will be no manufacturing at Tinapa and that the bigger emporium would be occupied by the bigger company,” he said adding that the name Tinapa was rooted from a popular fish in Calabar River , which was used as tin fish.

Marketing Manager, Francis Ekom stated that Tinapa is situated besides the Calabar River and it covers 265 hectares of land. “It contains a world class artificial lake with a fisherman's wharf, a casino, eight screen digital cinema, 300 rooms international two star hotel, a leisure park and different business centres,” Ekom said. He called on business people all over Africa to see Tinapa, as the next Dubai .

Celtel MD meets President Kabbah

Tanu Jalloh 28/8/2006

Newly assigned Celtel Managing Director to Sierra Leone , Ted Sauti-Phiri Friday paid a courtesy call on President Kabbah at his State Lodge, Hill Station. “For the past six years we have enjoyed a very good relationship with the government. In terms of commitment Celtel intend extending its coverage to every corner in the country. We sometimes benchmarked our operations which is why we now cover all district headquarter towns among one thousand towns and villages,”

He said the system Celtel uses is modern, which shows that telecommunication has changed and improved immensely. “It is quite a lot of activity when it comes to making sure that we cover the entire country. And we shall be calling on the government in terms of support when the need arises,” he explained.

Celtel MD said the company still has some major issues, which are supposed to be resolved, and that is exactly what they have been doing. Ted said the government through its Ministry of Transport and Communication should dialogue with all operators including Sierratel and look at some critical issues.

“We need to dialogue so that we agree on certain issues as part of the intension to make sure that there are no disturbances with the growth of the industry. One of such important issues has to do with the gateway,” he said. Welcoming the MD President Kabbah said prior to the advent of Celtel they used to go wait for hours on end to be able to make calls through a crude wireless facility.

“The telecom industry has contributed greatly to the growth of the economy. As for the gateway issue, parliament did the legislation and he assented to it. It is now a law, what I would suggest if for the Ministry of Transport and Communication to get all stakeholders in the telecom industry to work on the provision of the legislation so that it could be formalized. Parliament is on recess now but they come back in two weeks time the issue should be raised,” he said.

Celtel Sierra Leone now worth $70 Million

Tanu Jalloh 22/8/2006

Managing Director of Celtel Sierra Leone Limited, Ted Sauti-Phiri Saturday broke the news on his Mobile Phone Company's $ 70million investment in the country. He made the disclosure during the launch at the Miatte Conference Hall of a 50-unit denomination top-up card sold at Le 1, 500 and announced a general reduction in tariffs for all calls. This reduction does not include the 10% Government tax charged on each call by all mobile phone companies. “Celtel started in 2000 when the country was still not stable.

From a humble beginning the company has invested $70 million in six years; a venture that cannot be matched by other players in the communication industry. We have covered the entire country by spearheading the telecom revolution,” he explained, adding that Celtel is committed to providing affordable and reliable services.

The Celtel boss continued that the reductions were a clear indication that his company is Sierra Leone 's premier service telecommunication provider, saying “It is congestion-free, [has] reliable sales and distribution with over ten thousand outlets, [and] has an ultramodern call Centre that cannot be matched.” Sauti-Phiri said the slogan, ‘Making Life Better' was at the heart of their promise and called on the company's “esteemed as well as potential customers” to make very good use of the “abundant opportunities” they provide.

SNA goes bankrupt

Michael Bockarie 16/8/2006

Government has finally mandated the National Commission for Privatization (NCP) to liquidate the defunct Sierra National Airline (SNA) after it was discovered that the parastatal owed US$19 Million locally and internationally. This was disclosed at a meeting held Tuesday at their Lightfoot Boston Street office between the management and workers who are demanding prompt payment of theirs arrears and benefits.

SNA Acting General Manager, Ahmed Wurie informed the aggrieved workers that the Airline has since stopped flight activities and ground handling at the Freetown International Airport , Lungi. “We have not been making profits as such the Airline is unable to meet its management cost,” Wurie told the workers and continued that the National Privatization Commission (NPC) some time ago asked the Sierra Leone Airport Authority (SLAA) to give them 10% of their proceeds for the use of their equipments located at the airport.

He however, express dismay that the 10% was not enough to carry out management cost as such they further asked that it be increased to 30%. “SLAA on the other hand agreed to pay 20% and the still owe us 10% for the month of June,” he states adding that NCP has prepared the liquidation documents and is now in the office of the Anthony General for further advice.

“Stock Market is complementary and Supplementary to the banking system,” N S B Wellington

Mariama Kandeh 21/7/2006

Adviser to the Governor on the Capital Market, S B Wellington Tuesday 18 th July stated that stock Market is Complementary and Supplementary to the banking system. He made this statement during a capital market/ stock exchange sensitization at the Bank of Sierra Leone, Sam Bangura Building . Wellington noted that complementary and supplementary focuses would involve investors' awareness, improving the standard of accounting and good corporate governance.

He disclosed that the regulatory framework involves revision of the Companies Act, Security Act, Collective Investment Scheme and Bankruptcy Act. The Adviser to the Governor revealed that the trading floor is going to be empowered but not going to be ad hoc and that the ad hoc structure will constitute interim regulations being promulgated by government authorities.

“Investment in the company will bring capital gain, dividend income, accrues interest income, right shares and ownership of shares which implies that the person owns part of the company”, he said adding that capital market is visible and tend to be central in the stock exchange business as it talks about trading facilities, brokers and investors. He maintains that all these take place in a trading floor and those that do not have access to the trading floor are the brokers and that there is a need for the buying and selling of shares without destroying the financial market.

Wellington stated that the stock exchange could help the nation's finance mega projects, electricity bond, bridges and roads bond, help grow more entrepreneurs' incentive to savings and investment. He stated that market features will start with 4 to 6 companies, Le 90 billion market capitalization, 2 brokers and floor trading on continuous auction and maintained that the Sierra Leone Stock Exchange Company is formed by the private sector and that Bank of Sierra Leone will be working in concert with them and that once it starts operating everything will be handed over to the private sector.

World Bank President acknowledges Harry Yansanneh was “murdered”

Sahr Musa Yamba 21/7/2006

Paul Wolfowitz, President of the World Bank Thursday acknowledged, Harry Yanssaneh, former Acting Editor of For Di People Newspaper was ‘murdered.' The World bank President made the acknowledgement while addressing the press at Lungi International airport on his arrival Thursday. The World Bank President urged the government of Sierra Leone to get to the bottom of the “murder” of one of Sierra Leone 's journalists. He said it was very important for the country's democracy.

Wolfowitz said he was in the country to see for him self the progress made after the end of the war. He assured that the World Bank would continue to work actively in the country to continue identifying strategies to reduce poverty.Meeting with the amputee community at Hastings , the amputee chairman, Alhaji Jusu Jaka called on the World Bank President to use his office in addressing the “doubts” of amputee reintegration. He highlighted that there are about 450 amputees yet to receive shelter support and urged that the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) report of reparation be addressed. In his response, the World Bank President said his organization would do an assessment study so that the world will know better what the amputees' needs are.

Millicom to launch new brand

13/7/2006

Millicon Sierra Leone Ltd is to launch a new brand soon, Stanley Okoh General Manager disclosed Wednesday.Okoh says the new brand is for their numerous customers for reliable and efficient service. He says the whole New Cell Experience is a new product introduced by the management, which lays premium on quality service delivery with value which makes the company to take the lead in every aspect of mobile business in the country.

The General Manager said Millicom has marked its fifth year of operation in sierra Leone with additional investment of close to $20m in a coverage expansion project involving the erection of 60 new cell sites nationwide, which is one of the largest of it's kind in the resent history of telecommunication industry.

The new Millicom boss promises a whole bouquet of benefits in their network, much innovative and existing value-added service, first class customers' service and the best airtime rates in Sierra Leone . He said and maintained Millicom is now poised to re-launch itself in a big way as it moves into a new era which would give its customers a whole new cellular experience. “ We are introducing a service with every potential user in mind, from school going children to corporate executives,” Okoh said and added that with the improved network system, Millicom will be providing Sierra Leoneans with the best and most reliable coverage in and around Kailahun , Kenema, Kono, Bombali, Moyamba, Koinadugu and Port Loko. He disclosed that Millicom has chosen ZTE, one of the largest telecom manufacturers in the world and China 's largest telecom manufacturer as its strategic partner to execute this vital expansion project.

RITCORP holds 18 th AGM

Mohamed Massaquoi 13/7/2006

Reliance Insurance Trust Corporation (RITCORP) Sierra Leone Limited Wednesday held its 18 th Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the Santano House in Freetown . The aim of the meeting was to present the company's annual report to the shareholders, which comprises the general economic overview, operational results, the company's relationship with other companies and organizations and it's dividend over the yeas.

In his statement, chairman Board of Directors Mohamed B Cole said the year under review was significant as it marked the company's 20 years of survival and that the company has not in anyway been affected by the increase in the world's oil prices which has adverse effect on the country's economy. He stated that there has been a steady progress in the agricultural, mining, and other commercial service sectors.

“The immediate post war period recovery is being transformed from humanitarian development orientation to more medium to long term development and I have no doubt on the impact of it's performance on the nation's insurance sector,” he said and underscored that the company's profit tax was 851million as compared to 655 million in 2004, While the income from investment increased by 90.6% as compared over the previous years.

He added that the company would continue to improve on its performance in its developmental strides for its customers. “ It is now time for the company to commence the building of it's head quarters, therefore I wish to inform shareholders of the plans at hand to implement this project in the very shortest possible time,” he said and maintained that his company has a cordial relationship with other Insurance Associations in the country.

Outlining the responsibilities of the Directors, Cole maintained that they are responsible to give out the true affairs of the company to their costumers and that they also keep proper accounting records with reasonable accuracy at all times. The meeting was climaxed with the adoption of the report by shareholders while Cole was reelected Chairman of the Board.

COMMENTARY: THE ELITES AND TRADITIONAL MEDICINE

Kofi Akosah-Sarpong, in Accra , argues that Ghanaian elites should open up, go the Chinese way, and unwaveringly balance traditional and orthodox medicine in Ghana 's health systemIt is not a nasty delight on the streets of Ghana/Africa to hear ordinary citizens say that their elites are “not sensible enough,” “stupid” and “lack wisdom” in midwifing their progress. Ghanaians say in terms of their elites and progress that there is “home sense” and there is “school sense,” an indication that the elites, as directors of progress, lack wisdom and balance in driving progress. Sierra Leoneans will tell you in the same context that, “it is sense that make book and not book that make sense.”

Two months ago, one Africa's leading thinkers, Kenya 's Prof. Ali Mazrui, informed by failure of African elites in pushing for a realistic development process, in a demonstration of Africa 's new thinking in terms of her progress, said that African elites are “mediocre.” What Mazrui meant was that for not thinking within African values first and any other second in Africa 's development process as the Japanese and the Chinese have done, African elites have become not only mediocre but also confused in the continent's progress goals. Mediocrity has also occurred because Africa is the only region in the world which development paradigms are dominated by foreign development values to the detriment of the continent's tried and tested rich indigenous values.

The idiocy of Ghanaian/African elites inability to mix their rich cultural values with their colonial legacies in their development process, as the Malaysians, Brazilians, Japanese, South Koreans and Chinese have done, was revealed when Ghana's thoughtful Minister of Health, Courage Quashigah, part of the emerging new generation of Ghanaian thinkers, stated the distress that try as his ministry has tried to “incorporate psychic and traditional healers into the mainstream of health delivery” in Ghana's orthodox health system, the country's elites have deliberately sabotaged the ministry's attempts. From South America to China to Japan, elites, driven more by wisdom, a key element in progress, have skillfully been able to integrate some of their indigenous cultural practices “like the divine methods used in healing and the use of herbs to cure serious sicknesses” into majority of their health care system. There is urgent need for Ghanaian/African health officials to go the Chinese way and mix the traditional with the orthodox informed by the fact that in Africa , up to 80 percent of the population uses traditional medicine for primary health care.

The inability of Quashigah and his ministry to mix Ghanaian traditional medicine with the orthodox ones is that Ghanaian elites still think Ghanaian values, which has sustained Ghanaians and their ancestors since time immemorial, is inferior because their education system, which was imposed on them, tells them it is so. Almost 50 years after independence from British colonial rule, Ghana 's education system, like the rest of Africa , is still heavily Eurocentric against the need for heavy Ghanaian/African values centredness in the country's education system. It is in this state of mediocrity, as Mazrui would say, in terms of Ghanaian elites' inability to see the immense wisdom in integrating their indigenous medicine with the Western imposed ones that the Ghanaian health scene, like the rest of Africa , is in a confusing state, worsened by terrible sanitation practices that has made the Ghanaian life shorter.

From health policy-makers to Western trained health officials, Ghanaian indigenous medicine and ordinary Ghanaians, who have the street-sense to juggle the two systems in their health delivery practices in their everyday life, health policy development do not take into consideration the history, the interest, the cultural values, and the experiences of Ghanaians. Let Dr. Agyeman Badu Akosah, head of the Ghana Health Services, and his medical associates, with their exaggerated image and high-sounding rhetoric, tell Ghanaians whether in developing their health policies they consult “socio-economic conditions of the typical village practitioner, their belief systems and how that affects practise orientation; and perceptions as to whether traditional medicine could be taught and practised as part of the formal health care sector.”

This is not only unhelpful in Ghana's progress but smack of elites who lack wisdom and are not insightful enough, are unrealistic and cannot think well in the grand development game of their country. No doubt, Quashigah said the elites see their own indigenous medicine, which has been hailed globally as “good,” as “evil.” In this regard, the entire Ghanaian health system environment does not reflect the true Ghana medicine: it demeans Ghanaians rich indigenous medicine by failing to bring the traditional on board the orthodox in the grand health fixture as the Chinese, the Latinos and Japanese have done. The Chinese, who rank first in the world in the export of traditional medicine, have been able to develop their traditional medicine at the rate of around 17 to 18 percent, with a total output of around US$10 billion in 2005.  The Chinese exported US$700 million traditional medicine last year.

The challenge for Dr. Agyeman Badu Akosah and his cohorts is how to bring Quashigah and associates on board their health match, demonstrate high creativity informed by their global exposure, go the Chinese way, and hammer traditional medicine into mainstream Ghanaian healthcare. Ghanaians have the right to this new healthcare thinking.

Petrol, diesel increased by Le.900

Sahr Musa Yamba 8/5/2006

An increase of nine hundred Leones was made to the pump price of petrol and diesel, an announcement by oil industries Friday states. This is the second time in two months that the pump price of fuel has increased in the country. The increase, oil marketers maintain, is due to the increasing changes in the prices of petroleum products in the international market and increases in acquisition of foreign exchange.

“These changes which have been occurring since early February this year continue to impose impossible conditions for the retention of current pump prices in the country. There have been increases in the procurement price of petrol by $83.41 per metric ton, diesel by $ 71.05 per metric ton and kerosene by $ 85.00 per metric ton since the last price review,” states an Oil marketers' release.

Petrol, as a consequence, has now been increased from Le. 11,250 to Le. 12, 150 per gallon; Diesel from Le. 11,250 to Le. 12.150 per gallon; Kerosine from Le. 10, 000 to Le. 11,000 per gallon and fuel oil from Le. 5, 689.15 to Le. 5, 705.33 per gallon. The prices listed are for the city, Freetown . Oil companies say the prices for provincial towns will be made public later.

The oil industries assured the public that the situation is under constant review and if and when the international oil market adjusts prices, such will be reflected back in the country, whether upwards or downwards. As a consequence, Ministry of Trade and Industry also announced an increase in transport fares Friday. In the city, transportation is not increased more than Le. 50 (fifty Leones), in the Western Rural, the cost of transportation is not increased more than a hundred Leones while provincial routes are not increased more than a thousand Leones. This increase in fares was made after a meeting held with stakeholders including drivers and Passenger Welfare Association together with the Ministry of Trade and Labour Union.

“PRSP” becomes one-year old

Africell mobile phone company, popularly dubbed “Poverty Reduction Strategy Phone Company” (PRSP), celebrated its first year of existence in the country Saturday. March 14 th was the actual first anniversary of the company. In his speech at the Country Lodge, Managing Director of Africell-Lintel (SL) Ltd., Mohamad Ghaddar said the night was a “momentous occasion for Africell in particular and for the people of Sierra Leone in general.”

He continued that when President Kabbah first launched the company on 14th March 2005, its operations were only limited to Freetown and its environs only. The Managing Director said work on the modalities for expansion up country then began in earnest. He said the company was faced with enormous challenges, but thanks to the concerted efforts and expertise of their dedicated staff and the tremendous support of the government.

On the issue of expansion, Ghaddar said 14 months after the initial launching, they are gathered at the Country Lodge to celebrate the giant strides Africell has made. The company, he said, has transcended the narrow confines of Freetown to now cover Rotifunk, Mano, Moyamba, and Bo districts in the South;Kenema, Shegbwema, Koidu and Sefadu in the east; Port Loko, Lungi, Lunsar, Kambia, Makeni, Magburaka, ,Makali, Bagbema and Mile 91 in the north. He assured the peninsular villages of York, Borbor, Hamilton, Tokeh and No. 2 River and Banana Island have been connected to the Africell network, making it one of the most widespread networks in the country.

The Managing Director emphasized that this feat could never have been achieved without the support of the government through the ministry of Transport and Communications and the Ministry of Finance.

On the issue of products of Africell and their tariffs, The Managing Director said they have tailored everything in line with their corporate objective to provide quality communication services to the people of Sierra Leone at the most affordable prices. He said these qualities have earned Africell the nickname “PRSP” and “Wan Tem Scratch” for their connection speed and voice quality.

He maintained Africell currently has the cheapest tariff overall. “Our sim cards are sold for Le. 9000 loaded with 200 units of talk time,” the Managing Director bluffed adding that they currently operate a tri-band tariff system that spans from 30 per unit (i.e.1 unit per minute) to totally free on net calls overnight.

He said they operate a per second billing system wherein customers are charged for cumulative seconds.

“We provide value added services like conference calls, calls divert, caller line identification/restriction, call waiting and call hold, SMS info providing horoscope, sports, business and current affairs updates,” he said.

The managing director continued that they provide flexible solution for their customers that suit their requirements and meet their needs for efficient and effective communication across the whole country.

On the issue of corporate social responsibility, Ghaddar said Africell has a personal commitment to promote those activities that touch the heart of Sierra Leoneans. He said in the last 14 months, the company has invested in various areas including organizing inter secondary school quiz competitions; provide funding support for the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists in their 2005 conference; provide funding support for the Under 17 National team in their last world Cup qualifying match against The Gambia and partnering with the SLBS TV to sponsor for the first time, pre and post match analysis during the last African Nations Cup among others.

He continued that on the country's Independence Day celebration, on 27 th April 2006, Africell in collaboration with the Sierra Leone Football Association organized a friendly international match between Leone Stars and Guinea , which the former won.

He said Africell conducted a raffle draw after the match and Alpha Barrie, a student of Milton Margai College of Education and technology won the Star Prize, which is a trip to Germany to watch the 2006 World Cup finals. He said several other consolation prizes were given out.

The Managing Director said they have signed a memorandum of understanding with SLBS TV for screening of the June 2006 World Cup to be hosted in Germany so that Sierra Leoneans can watch the entire tournament from the comfort of their homes.

On the issue of future expansion, the Africell boss maintained in the next two weeks, Kabala, Tongo Fields, Daru, Pendembu, Masiaka and Tombo would start talking on Africell which will cover phase two of the company's expansion plans.

He said they intend starting the phase three expansion programme in June. Africell, he said, aims to cover all the remaining major towns and cities in all districts of the country.

Ghaddar said the company aims to be the most preferred mobile telecommunications company in Sierra Leone , their unique combination of quality and affordability coupled with their involvement in social life of Sierra Leoneans will continue to form the foundation for achieving this.

Ghaddar concluded in thanking all Sierra Leoneans for their support and confidence in the company.

Minister of Transport and Communications, Dr. Prince Alex Harding who deputized President Kabbah in his keynote address said Africell was celebrating a success story. He said the success story was based on the performance of the company, as they were quick to take advantage of enabling environment in the country.

Dr. Harding recalled there was a lull in the operations of Africell, but the company restrategized and hit the market with a bang, which is good for the country and the company. “Within one year Africell has been able to do what others have taken long years to do. They have brought into the country state-of-the-art technology,” the Transport Minister said.

On his part, Chairman of the occasion, Minister of Development and economic Planning, Mohamed Daramy said Africell has made giant strides during its short period of operations. “Africell will soon be present in many parts of the country,” he assured.

Africell to connect Kabala, Daru

Abdul Karim Koroma 20/4/2004

Africell's Marketing Manager, Berlindo Percival Deigh Wednesday assured that his company is planning to extend its coverage to Kabala and Daru very soon.

Deigh made this statement during a press briefing to unveil plans by the cellular corporation to organize a friendly march between Sly National of Guinea and Leone Stars to commemorate Sierra Leone 's 45 Independence Day.

“We have expanded in the north to Kambia, Port Loko, Makeni, Mabguraka, Lunsar, Makali and Bagbema; East –Kenema, Segbwema, Kiodu and Safadu; Souhth – Bo, Moyamba, Rotifunk and Mano. During the last 12 months Africell has not only focused on investing in the telecommunications business in the country. The company has gone beyond just the provision of telecom services to the needy people of Sierra Leone ,” he said.

“To mark this very auspicious occasion, Africell is partnering with the Sierra Leone Football Association to bring the Guinean and Sierra Leonean national teams to a friendly match at the National Stadium on Independence Day. The implication of this can't be over-emphasize,” he stated.

Africell Managing Director, Mohamed Ghaddar opined that his company's objective is to improve the country's telecommunications system and ensure that they provide the community with their corporate social responsibility.

Football, he said, is one of the major sports in the world that binds people and their aim is to meet the needs of the people.

“I have been in the telecommunications industry for eight years and I have worked in several countries including Nigeria ,” Ghaddar said.