Abdul Rahaman Sowa Director of Operation OCOS

director SPU Victor Strasser-King

Organized by the Strategy and Policy Unit (SPU), Office of Chief of Staff, the performance contracts development seminar brought together, Vice and Pro-chancellors, finance administrators and registrars, from constituent colleges of the University of Sierra Leone, Njala University, Milton Margai College of Education & Technology, Northern and Eastern Polytechnics, Port Loko and Freetown Teachers’ Colleges, among others.

In his opening remarks, the Director of SPU Professor Victor Strasser-King said students pay their fees and are therefore entitled to regular lectures and that lecturers are not doing favours to students as they are clients of their various tertiary institutions.

He therefore reminded them of their obligations which are to deliver their required services to students as expected.

Professor Strasser-King recalled that government introduced performance contracts in 2008, when ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) signed their contracts, and was successfully cascaded to tertiary institutions all across the country.

He described the process as a tool for development and for tracking the performance of workers, reiterating that State House does not impose the signing of performance contracts on any tertiary institution.

SPU Director disclosed that the signing of performance contracts were pre-negotiated even before the workshop was proposed, saying that the seminar will be also looking at service delivery and managerial indicators.

Professor Strasser-King recalled that when the performance contracts were signed last year between vice chancellors of tertiary institutions in the country, and the President, it was clearly indicated that if it fails, heads of the institutions will be held accountable.

He therefore noted that the deputy vice chancellors will also sign this year’s performance contracts and will be accountable for their stewardship as well.

In an interview with the State House Communications Unit, the Director of (SPU), Professor Victor Strasser-King said the workshop is the only meeting that brings together heads of tertiary institutions so as to know what they are doing at institutional levels.

He said the discussions will enable government to appraise the works of tertiary institutions, in terms of management and the development of programmes for the fostering of greater accountability.

Professor Strasser-King further disclosed that the workshop will also enable government to have a better understanding of challenges faced by tertiary institutions, so that such problems can be addressed through concerted efforts of both government and the institutions themselves, for better service delivery.

The SPU Director said the outcome of the workshop should foster greater confidence among students and their parents in the services of tertiary institutions. He said the discussion about performance management, which is the prime objective of the workshop, is geared towards a more robust service delivery.

The Executive Secretary Tertiary Education Commission, Professor David Koroma said his commission is an independent body under the Presidency, thus encouraged heads of tertiary institutions to give account of their various leadership roles in order to enable the public to know what they have been doing.

Professor Koroma said when a staff is being employed by a university, that person has entered into a contract with the given tertiary institution.

The Presidential Advisor on Education, Dr. Sheku Kamara underscored the relevance of performance management system, saying it has to do with transparency, productivity, accountability and the harmonization of courses and lecture conditions in all tertiary institutions.

Dr. Kamara said much as students have the responsibilities to learn, at the same time schools, departments and faculties have the task of providing the necessary materials to enhance learning.

He described educational standards at Fourah Bay College USL, as not impressive, while acknowledging strides made by Njala University, pointing out that it is unacceptable for students to take exams and could not see their grades until after six months.

The Education Advisor to President Koroma therefore urged that lecturers should present or publish examination grades on time so that if there is any problem, then the lecturer of the given course should report to the department/school/faculty for redress.

Presentations made by the Milton Margai College of Education and Technology and Eastern Polytechnic, highlighted challenges in the areas of rehabilitation, curriculum development, training of staff, including other aspects of educational administration, while showcasing progress made so far by the two tertiary institutions.

The Principal MMCET, Dr. Dennis Kargbo frowned at the unscrupulous manner in which the college’s land had been encroached on, which he said has culminated into the rapid construction of houses close to lecture halls.

Dr. Kargbo said what his institution collect as fees are used to run the college due to the late allocation of subventions; “for the running of the institution, we rely mostly on fees we collect”.

In a presentation by the Freetown Teachers’ College, challenges such as limited infrastructural facilities, lack of residential hostels for students, not to talk of quarters for lecturers, the absence of a perimeter fence, lack of a laboratory and limited educational materials were highlighted.

Like MMCET, it was also revealed that squatters have encroached largely on the FTC land, and a presentation was also made by the Port Loko Teachers’ College highlighting the institution’s highs and lows.   From State House Communications Unit

The groundbreaking executive education short course, the One Planet Leaders in Africa Programme, is aimed at supporting the development of sustainability-leadership competence and will offer delegates the technical, relational and transformational skills to enable processes of social change through sustainability innovations. The work on the programme will also feed into new research at the GSB, thus amplifying its potential positive outcomes.

“By combining the WWF’s network of expertise and the GSB’s own vision of business for better, we hope to provide a catalyst to promote sustainable change not just within Africa, but on a global scale,” says Dr Glenda Raven, Senior Manager of the WWF-SA.

Comprising two modules and a workplace-based assignment, the course will gather leaders from across all sectors, who have diverse perspectives on sustainability, into a collaborative learning space, and support an exploration of contextualised sustainability issues and responses in a systems framework. It will explore their leadership capacity within change processes and allow them to develop collective responses for application in a variety of institutional and social contexts.

According to Ralph Hamann, Research Director at the GSB, the vision is that, over time, the course will unlock the opportunity for ongoing cross-sector engagement around key sustainability issues and responses. He said that the complexity of the issues at stake demand an extraordinary response from institutions like the GSB and WWF-SA and that this programme is one such reaction.

“It’s impossible to separate the issue of environmental sustainability from those of social and economic development. Without proper environmental management, our world’s fragile climate patterns and eco-systems will continue to collapse. The many critical environmental issues, often inter-related to economic concerns, are central to developing appropriate and effective sustainability objectives. This programme will offer delegates the skills to achieve such outcomes,” says Hamann.

The WWF-SA – GSB programme is adapted from the international One Planet Leaders programme offered by WWF International in collaboration with the Institute for Management Development (IMD) in Switzerland, and has been contextualised  to the African context with its associated development and sustainability challenges.

Dr Raven says that the programme is underpinned by an understanding that sustainability should concern everyone, regardless of context, and that responses developed through the programme should be innovatively crafted through collaboration and engagement across multiple and diverse contexts.

Offered at the Waterfront Campus of UCT GSB in Cape Town, the programme is supported by various fieldtrips and engagements to enable an application of learning in context.  Module one runs from 21 to 26 July 2013 and Module two from 18 to 22 November 2013 at a cost of R30,000.00 per delegate that includes tuition, all course materials, on course meals and snacks and associated fieldtrips.      

For more information on the programme, contact Ann Wium at ann.wium@gsb.uct.ac.za, or 021 406 1314.

The Awards were held in the luxurious Intercontinental London Westminster Hotel. Here the nominees, winners and audience were honoured in beautiful surroundings with fine art, champagne, a three course meal with beverages to suit, and plentiful conversation.

The Awards hostess was Ms Glorianne Francis who kept the audience amused and entertained throughout the evening with her lively wit and humorous banter.

During dinner guests had the opportunity to silently bid for amazing items with all proceeds going to Tutudesk Campaign. Ms Rebecca Sweetman, CEO of Tutudesk UK, spoke of the work being done to provide portable school desks to children in Sub Saharan Africa, where over 95 million school children don’t have the benefit of a classroom desk. For more information or to donate please contact uk@tutudesk.org.

The event was graced with the presence of and presentations by a number of internationally renowned personalities.

Speakers included:

Algy Cluff, Chairman of Cluff Natural Resources made a rare presentation and spoke on building strategic partnerships with Africa and the Diaspora community in today’s globalised world, making the African Diaspora Awards his first stop of the evening.

Dr Knox Chitiyo, Chairman of the African Diaspora Awards (ADA) In his speech acknowledged that “Now is the time for the African Diaspora” he also paid tribute to African Diasporas past, present and future. Acknowledging our legacy and struggle for achievement “Walking in the footsteps of giants” both in Africa and in the UK. He commended the Award nominees and winners for what he called “The pursuit of everyday excellence”

HE Ms Thandi Modise, Premier of North – West Province, Republic of South Africa, spoke of her commitment to ending apartheid to promoting social justice, gender equality and women’s voice not just in South Africa but also internationally. She also spoke of the vital role women can and are playing, in community and global peace- building. Following her presentation, Ms Modise also honoured the role played by the African Diaspora in the struggles for equality in Africa and also for their contribution to the rise of contemporary Africa. She celebrated Africa’s partnership with the Diaspora’s Modise was presented with a special African Diaspora Award in recognition of her outstanding role in the advancement of peace- building and women’s empowerment in Africa.

HE Mohamed Omaar, Former Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister, Transitional Federal Government of Somali took the stage and spoke on representing Somalia and the wider African Diaspora community here in the UK.

Ms Lillian Ogbogoh, who is well known for her community work in the UK African Diaspora, also spoke on the key role women have played in empowering the African Diaspora over generations.

In closing, Conrad Mwanza, CEO African Diaspora Awards, thanked the guests and pointed out that “This is a momentous time for us as a community; we acknowledge and honour the sacrifices that have been made to follow dreams while overcoming hardship to achieve success.”

Stay in touch!

@diasporawards

Our Speakers were

• Algy Cluff, Chairman Cluff Natural Resources
• Rebecca Sweetman, CEO, Tutudesk UK
• Dr Knox Chitiyo, Chairman African Diaspora Awards
• HE Mohamed Omaar, Former Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister, Transitional Federal Government of Somali
• Lillian Ogbogoh, The Goddess Creator, Women empowerment expert
• Thandie Modise, Premier of the North West Province in South Africa

Our Judges were

• Dr. Ellis L.C. Osabutey, International Management & Innovation Department
• Middlesex University Business School
• Joseph Harker, Comments Editor Guardian
• Frances Williams, Managing Director Reconnect Africa
• Patrica Lamour, Managing Director Aspire Education Group
• Rolake Akinkugbe, Head Energy, Research Ecobank

The winners of the African Diaspora Awards 2013 are

Business

• Business Leader of the year – Tsega Gebreyes, Staya Capital
• Entrepreneur of the Year – Eric-Vincent Guichard, Homestrings

• Business of the Year – Dr Ismail Ahmed, World Remit

Community

• Community Hero – Sylvie Aboa-Bradwell, African Peoples Advocacy
• Community Organisation  – Debbie Ariyo (OBE), Afruca UK

Media

• Outstanding Achievement in Media – Minna Salami, Blogger, writer and commentator
• Outstanding Achievement in Television – Komla Dumar, BBC

Education/Academia

• Outstanding Achievement in Education and Academia – Professor Ken Kamoche, Nottingham University

Future Leader Award

• Outstanding Future Prospects [under 35] – Kenny Imafidon (Kenny Report)
• Diaspora Engagement Award – Moneygram

Lifetime Outstanding Achievement Award

• For Outstanding service to the community – Margaret Feeny

Philanthropist of the Year

• For outstanding moral, financial and/or resource support and investment in the community – Sodje Brothers, Sodje Sports Foundation

Advancement of Peace and Women in Africa

• Advancement of peace in Africa – Thandie Modise, Premier of the North West Province in South Africa

By David Stephen

Geoengineering, a phenomenon used to describe sets of technologies to reduce solar radiation reaching or absorbed by the earth and technologies to remove carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, is seen a lesser option – known – to manage global warming.

Geoengineering has possibilities and risks, and gets introduced to the rest of the world by scientists, policy makers and interest groups. Geoengineering aims at instrumental factors for global warming, which is intense solar radiation and carbon dioxide – an abundant greenhouse gas. Geoengineering doesn’t go after the ultimate effects of global warming, as mentioned above, making the subject and its hard technologies strange – to many who have heard about it.

The weirdness of geoengineering also extends to the interdependence of its outcome on territories aside the territory of deployment. It could cause droughts, deluge, avalanche, etc. in other places and may lead to conflict if no agreement was made before proceeding with such. Geoengineering has been measured with possibility for solutions, but there are no real-world tests to prove, and chances for reversal are slim, should things go wrong.

If geoengineering is deployed for global benefit, it would favor some continents and may cause issues in others. Affected continents may include the developing world, putting them in more trouble. Take Africa, a continent dubbed as most affected for climate change that, clamors in international meetings for action, may suffer enormous consequences – for geoengineering, if deployed.

Africa wants geoengineering – the kind that’ll attack the effects of extreme weather – not the causes. Africa has its changing climate, and its developmental challenges. Africa seeks assistance, but received funds do not match demands. Innovation and research that would be useful as solutions to Africa’s environmental issues are scarce. And in Africa, especially for governments, resources aren’t abundant.

These makes Africa special amongst continents. Geoengineering meetings have been held twice in Africa, but there have been several climate change meetings. Discussions – regarding these – have not changed but time and opportunities ahead should not follow similar paths. Africa should evolve itself into technology design, development and deployment, with the academe at the fore, courting foundations or financial houses to bankroll the social business initiatives.

Initiatives that would control floods, erosion, and find realistic ways out during drought, harmattan, etc. Africa should also be assisted by international organizations for networking, knowledge sharing, research, etc. Geoengineering already has some might, its technologies are insightful and can be useful to inspire technologies that would aim at the immediate effects of climate change – especially in Africa.

Technology to Africa – is a great sell, seen in mobile and growing internet penetration around the continent. Africa is open to great technologies, solutions and innovation, and developing a culture of pioneering stuff locally. Geoengineering Africa’s Climate Change, a draft note that looks at Africa, geoengineering and climate change, details how Africa can seek technologies for environment solutions.

Jesmed F. Suma, founding member and the Current Executive Director of SLPW

GDF events will meet in Washington, Dc; Dublin, Ireland; Silicon Valley and Los Angeles, California.  Modern technological advancement has made it possible for participants in all four venues to connect in real time with the “ideas and innovations” discussed from the primary venue in Washington.

A wide range of stakeholders including Leaders of Diaspora communities, United States Government officials, Academic experts, Representatives of international institutions, Members of nonprofit organizations, Foundation executives and Private sector stakeholders will to promote Diaspora engagement during the two days forum.

GDF officials say they “will feature inspiring stories from prominent figures in American popular culture, demonstrate exemplary initiatives in international development and diplomacy undertaken by diasporans of all generations, and showcase methods of cultural bridge-building that encourage young diasporans to connect with their countries of heritage.”

To that end, the US Department of State, a major GDF partner has invited Sierra Leone Policy Watch (SLPW) an emerging Sierra Leonean Diaspora independent, nonprofit public policy think tank based in Burtonsville, Maryland to participate in this year’s forum.  SLPW promotes good governance within the context of Sierra Leone’s socio-economic realities as they relate to the rule of law, economic freedom, political freedom, transparency and accountability.

I caught up with Jesmed F. Suma, founding member and the Current Executive Director of SLPW for an interview on the importance of his organization’s participation and his agenda at the forum.  This is some of what he said.

. How significant is the Global Diaspora Forum (GDF) to SLPW and the Sierra Leone Diaspora?

The Global Diaspora Forum is the largest gathering of Diaspora leaders in the US organized by the US Department of State. On behalf of the Sierra Leone Diaspora community, it creates an opportunity for Sierra Leone Policy Watch Inc a policy think tank to collaborate with the US govt. through the state department and other Diaspora organizations, to discuss, brainstorm, and collaborate on innovative ideas and new projects. Please take note that it is SLPW not SLPWD.

What tangible benefits SLPW and Sierra Leoneans stand to gain from the Global Diaspora Forum?

In addition to the response I gave to your first question, it would help us to explore best practices from other communities in terms of how to advance the Sierra Leonean immigrant’s interest in the US. And from policy perspective, we hope to certainly mention the recent development partnership between the US and Sierra Leone as regards to the MCC and create partnership with relevant govt. institutions to explore best practices on socio-economic development to support the transformational development going on now in Sierra Leone. I must add that we do not represent the government of Sierra Leone so we do not speak on behalf of the govt. Our discussion would be limited, where necessary to the role the Diaspora community can play in the collective efforts.

You presented an excellent paper on How to Drastically Cut Sierra Leone’s Rice Imports in Five Years on your face book forum.  One of GDF Partners is the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).   Relating to your aforementioned paper in rice sufficiency, do you intend or plan to partner with the IADF to implement your ideas to help return Sierra Leone to its former self-sufficiency in rice?

Yes indeed, and I am very impressed with the positive responses I have received for the paper. But before I answer your question, I would like your readers to know that it is just a discussion paper not a technical proposal. My hope is that it would spur discussions on the subject that could evolve into an actual policy document after all the necessary due diligence have been taken and all empirical data considered. Furthermore, it does not represent the views of the Sierra Leone Policy Watch, Inc. I just want to encourage discussion in our community that begins with proposed solutions rather than criticisms. Readers may download a copy from the following link: https://skydrive.live.com/?cid=05c68262fc7b3c17&id=5C68262FC7B3C17%211804 or they may contact me with any comments or questions via JesmedSuma@slpw.org

Now to (IFAD) I want to believe that IFAD deals with state governments and not individuals. But now that you’ve asked, I shall certainly bring up the discussion on agriculture but I am afraid the paper I wrote may not meet the minimum standards to be considered a project proposal but it would absolutely spur discussion on the subject. The paper is more about how to get Sierra Leone to be self sufficient in rice production in five years and stop us from being over dependent on imported rice.

A news report by VOA says Africans are concerned that they may be losers under new immigration reform laws debate in Washington.  That if the new bill is passed it would replace the visa lottery by a merit-based system that gives more points to highly educated applicants and ultimately reduce the number of African immigrants.  The question is since the State department is a major partner of GDF and the federal agency that handles visas, would you be advocating for the retention of visa lottery and other immigration issues on behalf of Africans during the forum?

Absolutely, it is an issue that is going to be discussed at the forum not only by us the African Diaspora community but also the Hispanic and other Diaspora communities who are equally going to be impacted by the new bill. The good thing is the forum would give those of us representing Diaspora organizations from continental Africa an opportunity to meet dialogue and coordinate our effort around this issue and many other African immigrant related issues.

Mr. Dennis Kabbatto I thank you for the interview and the opportunity to discuss some of these pertinent issues relating to Sierra Leone.

Internationally, the quest for talent is top of the agenda for most organisations. Thamsanqa Maqubela of the SA Graduates Development Association pointed out earlier this year that in addition to university qualifications, employers are looking for: “People with an ability to communicate the theory and apply it in the work place…In addition, they want people with confidence, humility and individual brilliance.”

Such individuals are rare. Knowing this, many companies spend billions of rand annually on training and developing their people through in-house training and external training development programmes incorporating proven techniques like action learning, mentoring and other coaching techniques. The aim is to motivate, empower and inspire staff to ultimately increase productivity while retaining top talent. Finding the right balance is a full-time occupation for many talent managers in big organisations.

Janine Everson, academic director at the Centre for Coaching, says that coaching already plays an important role in most organisations’ talent management programmes, and that their research shows that novel applications like Coaching Circles are proving effective in accelerating these initiatives.

“Although there is plenty of anecdotal evidence that Coaching Circles are effective, this is one of the first formal studies to test the validity of this relatively new development tool,” says Everson.

The study showed that managers who participated in Coaching Circles had more empathy, tolerance of others and self-confidence, resulting in a more harmonious workplace with better business outcomes.

The research, which was carried out by MBA student Nadia Barsch, used a mixed-methods approach of a sample of participants from an Absa in-house integral coaching programme run by the Centre for Coaching.

The Absa banking group initiated their ambitious coaching programme in 2010 for their African operations, using Coaching Circles to develop and motivate managers and high potential employees.

Absa’s talent development expert, Maria Cussell Humphries has said that Coaching Circles have had a profound impact on the organisation. “We realise coaching is a powerful tool for unlocking talent and is a core skill to have internally. So far we have found it extremely beneficial in terms of talent retention and leadership development,” she said.

“By using their professionally trained, certified pool of internal coaches, all of whom have studied for at least seven months through the GSB’s Centre for Coaching, the bank has been able to afford to offer coaching to many more staff than previously ever thought possible and at approximately 9%, a fraction of the cost of doing the same amount of coaching using external coaches.”

In addition, developing in-house coaching expertise has saved ABSA quite a bit of money. If the group had gone with external coaching at about R60,000 per coaching contract, the total cost to Absa would have been around R25m. The cost of providing the training to internal coaches was around R35,000 per delegate or a total of R350,000 – a saving of R24,6m.

Coaching Circles involve small groups of people, who share a project or an activity, and meet regularly to work on problems in a supportive environment. But unlike action learning, which has problem solving as its prime goal, Coaching Circles have a triple focus on solving problems, empowering individual members of the team, and teaching and embedding coaching skills in the organisation during the process.

“Most adults struggle to learn and change under conditions that make them feel vulnerable, defensive, or open to judgment. Coaching Circles, like action learning, create a haven for real-time problem solving and learning, whether personal or professional, by allowing participants to reflect on their behaviour and receive immediate feedback,” said Centre for Coaching Director Craig O’Flaherty.

Evidence from the GSB study revealed that 90% of participants felt that the Coaching Circles offered the ideal space to make mistakes and be corrected in a safe environment; while 100% thought that it enabled them to develop a sense of camaraderie and teamwork; and 100% felt they developed more self-awareness along with better listening skills and skills to ask the right questions of others.

As the demands on top talent increase, so too does the need for effective talent management interventions. Coaching Circles, which merge two already proven techniques – action learning and integral coaching – allowing organisations to tap into the best of both worlds and develop individuals while building more resilient organisations.

“As high dietary salt intake is estimated to cause about a third of all hypertension cases and is also responsible for illnesses such as stroke and kidney disease, to mention but a few, Liberty Medical Scheme firmly subscribes to Government’s measures to reduce the salt intake of all South Africans,” says Andrew Edwards, Executive Principal Officer for Liberty Medical scheme.

“Fact is: the healthier people are – physically and mentally – the better they are equipped to deal with the strains and stresses of everyday life, remain economically active and productive, and contribute to a stable society and country. More importantly, staying healthy is an excellent form of insurance against the high costs of medical treatment,” says Edwards.

An active proponent of healthy living, Liberty Medical Scheme recently joined forces with well-known, high-profile fitness and wellness expert, Lisa Raleigh, as the scheme’s wellness ambassador.

Raleigh also cautions against the negative effects of excessive salt. “We increase our blood pressure with every mouthful, subjecting ourselves to the scary side-effects of heart disease, hypertension, strokes, vascular dementia and kidney failure.”

Edwards adds that stark salt statistics speak for themselves: while the World Health Organisation (WHO) target is 5 grams of salt per day, South Africans, on average, consume 8-9 grams of salt per day. Invariably this increases the risk of elevated blood pressure which is a major risk for heart disease and stroke – the number one cause of death and disability globally, and third leading cause of death in South Africa, with 2,3 of stroke victims permanently disabled.

Edwards refers to the recent International Public Health Conference of School of Public Health, where Prof Karen Hofman, a proponent of a population based salt reduction strategy for South Africa, pointed out that “population wide salt reduction is critical to live a longer and a more healthy life.”

Prof Hofman stressed that the proposed regulation will not only save lives, but also R300m annually in hospital costs. In fact, reducing salt by 0.85 grams per day in processed food, mainly bread, will have the same impact as first line drugs.

Edwards concurs with Prof Hofman that salt reduction in processed food is a high impact and cost effective measure to reduce hypertension and subsequent stroke, which ultimately stands to benefit the entire nation and region.

The WHO has released new guidelines on dietary salt and potassium to reduce the risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). According to the new guidelines, adults should consume less than 2.000 mg (2 grams) of sodium, or 5 grams of salt and at least 3.510 mg (3.51 grams) of potassium per day.

Director of the World Health Organisation’s Department of Nutrition for Health and Development, Dr  Francesco Branca, also warned that a person with either elevated sodium levels or low potassium levels could be at risk of raised blood pressure, which increases the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Dr Branca added that the guidelines also make recommendations for children over the age of two, noting that this was critical because children with elevated blood pressure often become adults with elevated blood pressure.

According to research, 6 500 lives can be saved if salt intake is reduced. The South African diet is generally high in salt content, with the population’s salt intake averaging 8 grams a day.

Sodium is found naturally in a variety of foods, including milk, cream and eggs. It is also found in much higher amounts in processed foods such as bread, processed meats like bacon, snack foods, cheese puffs and popcorn, as well as in condiments such as soy sauce and stock cubes.

Concludes Edwards: “Liberty Medical Scheme is firmly behind health minister Aaron Motsoaledi in his drive for preventiveinstead of curative care, therefore the scheme fully supports government’s measures to ensure a reduction of salt intake by all South Africans.”

Team Salone

Gliyoh Moses – Sierra Leone’s acting team president and coordinator said Sierra Leone could have crushed South Africa’s Vuvuzela Boys into smithereens if it wasn’t for the suspension of four of his players including 3 defenders: Daniel Priddy, Mohamed Sesay, Alhassan Gbla and goalkeeper James Kargbo.  Eventually, officials allowed Kargbo to play in the game against South Africa after Moses said he pleaded with tournament officials that his team did not have a substitute goalkeeper.

However, tournament officials said the suspensions were justified due to the unruly and unprofessional behaviors of Sierra Leone’s team and its coach. The officials also say, since the inception of the tournament, there has been no suspension until this year when Sierra Leone joined the tournament.

Sierra Leone’s coach Mr. Sentu Johnson divulged via phone from his home in New York Monday that a meeting is schedule Tuesday at the Bronx Courthouse (tournament’s meeting place) where the fate of the suspended players would be determined.  He also added that his team was only challenging the heavy-handed suspension.

Meantime, an advisory issued Monday by Cameroonian-born Mr.  Ngande Ambroise – Chair, Social Committee and Commissioner of AACB declares Sierra Leone, Burkina Faso, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Niger Senegal and Togo as qualifiers for the play-offs leg of the tournament.

Based on Mr. Ambroise’s advisory, the play-offs will kick-off Saturday, May 11, 2013 at Macombs Dam Park – across from World famous Yankee Stadium in the Bronx with Senegal going against Togo, Burkina Faso Vs Ghana, Guinea Vs Gambia and Sierra Leone Vs Niger.

Sixteen African countries in 4 groups are participating in the 2013 tournament including Senegal, Burkina Faso, Mali and Nigeria in Group A; Niger, Gambia, Liberia, Cape Verde in Group B; Guinea, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Ethiopia in Group C and Ghana, Togo, Ivory Coast, Cameroun in Group D.

Each teams played 3 matches lasting 60 minutes duration per game over two weekends in the qualifying phase of the tournament, which ended Sunday.  The first two teams in each group will proceed to the next leg of the tournament.

AACB officials also say during the play-offs the duration of the matches will be 90 minutes the length of a profession football match.

The African Nations tournament commenced 3 yrs ago with just four teams. It grew to 12 teams in the second year; it currently boosts 16 with anticipation of more teams joining the tournament next year.

“With the largest concentration of continental Africans in America are in Bronx County, there could never have been any better place to have this tournament than the Bronx,” said Mr. Ambroise.   Adding that the tournament and advisory council’s five committees: economic, social, interfaith, civil participation, arts and cultures has helped the African community to be more visible in the Bronx and all of New York.

The semi-final is Sunday, May 12, 2013.  The tournament concludes with a final match between winners of the semi-final at 12noon Saturday, May 18 at Macombs Dam Park located at East 161^st Street at River Avenue in Bronx, New York.

As far as who will win the championship, Coach Johnson is optimistic assuring Sierra Leoneans that Sierra Leone will definitely clinch the championship trophy.  He said other Africans are packing the stadium to support their countries therefore, he urged Sierra Leoneans and friends of Sierra Leone  in New York and surrounding areas including New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Connecticut to pack the stadium during the playoffs to render their full support for Sierra Leone’s team.

 The annual African Nations Tournament is the only major African event celebrated during Bronx Week.  A Parade, Food & Arts Festival and Concert will ensue a day after the tournament Sunday, May 19 – on Mosholu Parkway in Bronx.

L-R, Mr. Alex Scere, Mrs. Christina Miller, Mr. Stephen Browne and Mr. J. Philip Augustus Theoway

A release from Tubman University, signed by its Director of Public & Media Relations, Ambrose T. Wreh, named the recipients of the scholarships as: Mr. J. Philip Augustus Theoway (Guidance & Counseling), Mr. Alexander B. Scere (Electrical Engineering), Mrs. Christina Miller (Early Childhood Development), Mr. Stephen Browne (Library Science) and Mrs. Jennifer Dioh (Library Science).

Dr. Elizabeth Davis-Russell, President of  Tubman University, who handed the recipients their scholarship packages, said that Tubman University’s “Grow-Our-Own Scholarship Program (GOOSP)”, was established to allow deserving employees to attain their educational goals, meet their professional development objectives, and succeed in their careers. Additionally, she pointed out that GOOSP seeks to enable employees to take advantage of opportunities for continuing professional development, and to serve as a tool to improve recruitment and subsequent retention of qualified faculty and professional staff.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mr. Stephen Browne applauded the administration of Tubman University for the gesture. He noted that the greatest threat posed to any institution is

the lack of quality manpower, and  concluded that he sees this effort by the university as an opportunity to strengthen career paths and to contribute meaningfully to the development and growth of the institution.

This group of recipients is the first batch of employees benefitting from the GOOSP. Another group of four employees are currently benefiting from paid-study- Leave at universities in Uganda and Liberia, and it is expected that upon their return another batch of employees will be dispatched.

Beekeeping trainees install Keyan Topbar Beehive in Nimba County

Group photo at the start of the Conference in Monrovia

Bee suits and solar extractor presented to beekeeping Trainees in Tappita, Nimba County

The Government of Liberia (GoL) through the Forestry Development Authority (FDA) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) organized the end-of-project conference to engage forest based organizations, public and private sectors, local NGOs, civil society, academic and research organizations, and international partners in discussing the achievements of the NLBI Project in terms of moving towards Sustainable Forest Management (SFM).

In Nov. 2010, the FDA and FAO launched the Non-Legally Binding Instruments on All Types of Forests. The project aimed to strengthen political commitment and action at all levels, to enhance sustainable forest management (SFM), and to contribute towards the Government of Liberia’s poverty reduction strategies (PRS).

The project further contributed immensely to raising increased awareness of relevant government institutions and non-governmental stakeholders of the Forest Instrument, its purpose as well as the global objectives on forests and the national policies and measures to be undertaken by Member States.

During the conference, participants discussed the sustainability of the main project’s outcomes.

The project has developed four training manuals, implemented pilot initiatives and delivered Training of Trainers sessions. At community levels, the project enhanced capacities of several Liberian families in alternative agro-forestry activities (improved beekeeping and snail farming) in River Gee, Grand Gedeh, and Nimba Counties.

Additionally, 50 members of the County Forest Forums (CFF) and the Community Forestry Development Committee (CFDC) were trained and supported in River Gee and Margibi Counties in book keeping and financial management to upgrade their skills in handling funds they receive in the future.

Furthermore more than 60 Liberian stakeholders were trained in participatory forest inventory, timber scaling and grading.