The Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE), in collaboration with the European Union (EU) and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), has unveiled a €2 million initiative designed to improve monitoring, transparency, accountability and evidence-based management of Sierra Leone’s National School Feeding Programme.

The two-year intervention, financed by the European Union and implemented with technical support from WFP, seeks to strengthen the Government’s institutional capacity to collect, analyse and utilize reliable information in managing school feeding activities nationwide.

The initiative is expected to contribute to improved school feeding services for more than one million children across Sierra Leone, while ensuring that resources are effectively allocated and programme implementation is guided by accurate and timely information.

The official launch took place on Monday, 9 November 2026, during an inception meeting at the New Brookfields Hotel in Freetown. The gathering attracted senior representatives from MBSSE, the National School Feeding Secretariat, the European Union, WFP, relevant Government institutions, district education authorities and development partners.

The intervention comes amid growing efforts by the Government to expand the National School Feeding Programme, which remains an important component of the country's education and social protection agenda.

With increasing numbers of schoolchildren benefiting from the programme, stakeholders have recognised the need for stronger monitoring mechanisms capable of tracking implementation, assessing performance and identifying operational challenges.

Existing monitoring arrangements depend considerably on manual reporting procedures and fragmented data-collection systems, creating difficulties in accessing comprehensive and timely information for effective planning and decision-making.

The newly launched initiative is therefore expected to address those shortcomings through improved monitoring and evaluation systems, stronger data-quality assurance mechanisms, enhanced reporting procedures and the introduction of digital technologies.

Among the technological solutions to be deployed are Open Data Kit and School Connect, which will facilitate real-time information gathering, strengthen data management and support faster, evidence-based decisions.

The intervention will also prioritize Government ownership, institutional sustainability and capacity development to ensure that national authorities can independently manage and utilize the improved monitoring systems beyond the project's implementation period.

Delivering his statement at the launch, the Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Conrad Sackey, described the initiative as an important step towards transforming the management and oversight of the National School Feeding Programme.

He explained that over the next 24 months, with financial assistance from the European Union and technical expertise from WFP, the National School Feeding Secretariat would transition from merely recording activities to systematically managing evidence that informs policy and operational decisions.

“Strengthening our monitoring and evaluation system will enable us to better understand what is working, identify gaps and ensure that resources reach the children and schools that need them. This initiative will help us make decisions based on reliable evidence and strengthen accountability across the programme,” the Minister stated.

Conrad Sackey emphasized the importance of building a monitoring framework that goes beyond documenting the number of meals served or schools covered, focusing instead on measuring programme effectiveness and identifying areas requiring improvement.

Representing the European Union, Abdul Deen Sesay reaffirmed the EU's commitment to supporting Sierra Leone's education sector through investments that promote institutional efficiency, accountability and sustainable programme delivery.

“The European Union is pleased to support this initiative through the provision of Euros 2 million to the WFP to strengthen the M &E system of the School Feeding Secretariat in terms of improving the tools, processes, capacity and information system that enables more effective management and oversight of the school feeding programme,” he stated.

The EU's financial contribution will support improvements in monitoring tools, reporting processes, institutional capacity and information systems, enabling the National School Feeding Secretariat to exercise stronger oversight of school feeding operations.

For its part, WFP will provide technical assistance and work closely with Government institutions and development partners to establish a more coordinated and comprehensive monitoring and evaluation framework.

Speaking during the engagement, WFP Representative and Country Director, Andrew Odero, underscored the importance of developing an integrated system that combines digital technology, common reporting standards, field-level capacity building and community participation.

“This initiative will support the Government in developing a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation system for the National school feeding programme, bringing together common standards, digital monitoring tools, stronger field-level capacity and mechanisms for community feedback,” he said.

Andrew Odero further explained that the intervention would strengthen the National School Feeding Secretariat's ability to consolidate information from different implementation levels and translate the findings into practical decisions.

The inception meeting also provided a platform for participating institutions to examine the proposed monitoring and evaluation framework, define their respective responsibilities and identify immediate priorities for implementation.

Stakeholders are expected to agree on coordinated approaches that would improve information sharing, strengthen institutional collaboration and ensure effective implementation throughout the two-year period.

Beyond the introduction of digital monitoring platforms, the initiative will focus on developing the technical competencies of personnel responsible for collecting, verifying, analyzing and reporting programme information.

This institutional strengthening component is considered essential to ensuring that the improved systems become part of routine programme management rather than remaining dependent on external technical assistance.

The incorporation of community feedback mechanisms is also expected to create additional opportunities for parents, school authorities and local stakeholders to contribute to programme oversight and identify challenges affecting school feeding delivery.

By improving the availability and reliability of information, the partnership aims to enable decision-makers to respond more effectively to operational difficulties, address implementation gaps and promote greater transparency in the utilization of resources.

The initiative represents another significant collaboration between the Government of Sierra Leone, the European Union and WFP in strengthening education-related social protection interventions.

As the National School Feeding Programme continues to expand, the success of the intervention will depend not only on the introduction of new technologies but also on the ability of national institutions to consistently generate reliable data and use it to improve service delivery.

Ultimately, the €2 million investment is intended to establish a stronger foundation for accountable, transparent and evidence-driven school feeding management, helping ensure that the programme delivers meaningful and sustainable benefits to schoolchildren across Sierra Leone. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/archives/66111

The Sierra Leone Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (SLEITI), in collaboration with Audit Service Sierra Leone (ASSL), has held a stakeholder round-table discussion aimed at strengthening transparency, accountability and national ownership in preparing the country’s 2024–2025 Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) Report.

The engagement, held on Tuesday, 10 November 2026, at the Marianella Pastoral Centre, Syke Street, Freetown, brought together Civil Society Organisations, journalists and other stakeholders to discuss credible reporting and institutional cooperation in managing Sierra Leone’s mineral resources.

Speaking on behalf of the SLEITI Multi-Stakeholder Group, Mabinty Sesay described the partnership as an important development in promoting responsible natural resource management.

Mabinty Sesay explained that combining SLEITI’s transparency mandate with the Audit Service’s independent oversight responsibilities would improve information verification, institutional accountability and public confidence.

She noted that Sierra Leone’s mineral wealth could support economic growth, employment and improved livelihoods, but stressed that achieving those benefits require credible information and strong institutions.

According to Mabinty Sesay, the initial scoping report identified information gaps, assessed data quality and clarified institutional responsibilities. She said the collaboration would strengthen transparency in mineral payments, licensing, contracts, beneficial ownership, revenue collection and public expenditure.

Representing Civil Society Organisations and the media, Cecilia Christina Mattia emphasized the importance of public participation ahead of Sierra Leone’s forthcoming EITI validation, scheduled for January 2027.

Cecilia Christina Mattia explained that although civil society and journalists supported the process, primary responsibility rested with Government institutions represented on the SLEITI Multi-Stakeholder Group.

She disclosed that Sierra Leone previously engaged international auditing firms for EITI reporting at an annual cost of at least US$70,000, prompting calls for greater involvement of the Audit Service.

Cecilia Christina Mattia described the new arrangement as a significant opportunity to demonstrate national institutional capacity, while expressing concern about limited public awareness of the upcoming validation.

She urged journalists and Civil Society Organisations to identify reporting gaps, monitor implementation and extend public education to mining communities, particularly Kono District, through radio discussions and community engagements.

Delivering the keynote address on behalf of Audit Service Sierra Leone, Sineh Kargbo reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to producing a credible 2024–2025 EITI Report consistent with international requirements.

Sineh Kargbo explained that the Audit Service had participated in the SLEITI Multi-Stakeholder Group since 2008, initially observing proceedings and certifying Government reporting templates.

Following consultations earlier in 2026, the Auditor General accepted SLEITI’s request for the institution to serve as Independent Administrator.

He clarified that the assignment differed from the Audit Service’s constitutional auditing responsibilities under Section 119 and would follow the International Standard for Related Services governing agreed-upon procedures.

Sineh Kargbo further disclosed that Sierra Leone had become the first country within the English-speaking African Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions regional bloc, AFROSAI-E, to assign national EITI reporting to its Supreme Audit Institution.

He confirmed that a Memorandum of Understanding and agreed terms of reference had been signed, with separate teams established to protect institutional independence.

The partnership is expected to strengthen national ownership, improve extractive sector reporting and reinforce public confidence in Sierra Leone’s natural resource governance. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/archives/66107

The Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion (ICPNC) has renewed its commitment to promoting sustainable peace and strengthening community-based conflict resolution mechanisms following its participation in a training workshop designed to equip local stakeholders with practical skills in conflict prevention, mediation and peaceful coexistence.

The training, held on Wednesday, 4 November 2026, at Peace and Love Sisters Dinner, Shellmingo, Bo, was organized by the Inter-Religious Council of Sierra Leone (IRCSL), in partnership with Christian Aid, under a four-year initiative aimed at strengthening community peace committees and promoting lasting peace at the grassroots level.

The engagement brought together religious representatives, community leaders and other local stakeholders to improve their understanding of conflict management, constructive dialogue and the importance of community participation in maintaining peaceful relationships.

Representing the ICPNC, Regional Coordinator South, Belinda Ndanema, facilitated an interactive session on conflict-sensitive dialogue, effective leadership and rights-based civic engagement, highlighting practical approaches to preventing and resolving disputes within communities.

Belinda Ndanema emphasized that sustainable peace requires continuous dialogue, mutual respect, active listening and the meaningful involvement of all community members, particularly when addressing disagreements that could threaten social harmony.

She began her presentation with a pre-training assessment to determine participants' existing knowledge of peacebuilding and conflict resolution before introducing practical methods for identifying tensions, managing disagreements and encouraging peaceful engagement.

According to Belinda Ndanema, community peace committees have an important responsibility to identify early warning signs of conflict and create opportunities for dialogue before misunderstandings develop into serious confrontations.

She further stressed that effective leadership, respect for individual rights and inclusive decision-making remain essential to building trust and strengthening relationships among people from different social, religious and cultural backgrounds.

The session also provided participants with practical guidance on how community leaders and peace committee members can intervene constructively in disputes, encourage reconciliation and promote cooperation among conflicting parties.

Speaking on the objectives of the initiative, Project Safeguarding Officer of the Inter-Religious Council of Sierra Leone, Phebean Gbondo, explained that the four-year programme seeks to establish stronger, more effective and sustainable community peace structures capable of responding to emerging conflicts.

Phebean Gbondo underscored the importance of local ownership, noting that peacebuilding initiatives are more likely to succeed when community members actively participate in identifying problems and developing solutions.

She encouraged participants to work collectively, strengthen existing relationships and ensure that community peace committees remain functional beyond the training period.

The workshop featured interactive discussions during which participants shared experiences from their respective communities, identified common causes of disagreements and explored practical ways of promoting tolerance, understanding and reconciliation.

Representing the Inter-Religious Council in Bo District, District Coordinator for Muslims, Alhaji Kowa, welcomed the initiative and commended the organizers for creating a platform that brought together important community stakeholders.

Alhaji Kowa described the training as a valuable opportunity to strengthen grassroots peacebuilding and encouraged participants to apply the knowledge gained in their communities.

He urged community representatives to become active promoters of peace, stressing that preventing conflict requires commitment, cooperation and a willingness to resolve differences through dialogue rather than confrontation.

One of the major outcomes of the workshop was the nomination of ICPNC Regional Coordinator South, Belinda Ndanema, as Chairperson of the Community Peace Committee structure.

The nomination demonstrated participants' confidence in Belinda Ndanema's experience in peacebuilding and recognised the Commission's important role in promoting national cohesion and peaceful conflict resolution.

Her nomination is expected to strengthen cooperation between the ICPNC and community peace committee members, particularly in identifying potential conflicts, coordinating mediation efforts and supporting reconciliation at the local level.

To maintain communication and improve coordination, participants also established a WhatsApp group through which members will exchange information, discuss emerging concerns and remain connected on community peacebuilding activities.

Although the organisers could not conduct a post-training assessment because of time constraints, the workshop provided an opportunity for participants to identify priorities and establish an initial framework for continued engagement.

The training further highlighted the importance of empowering local communities with the knowledge and skills required to address tensions arising from misunderstandings, competing interests and other social challenges.

The ICPNC's participation reflects its continuing efforts to strengthen partnerships with religious institutions, civil society organisations and community leaders in promoting dialogue, tolerance and peaceful coexistence.

With support from the Inter-Religious Council of Sierra Leone and Christian Aid, the four-year initiative is expected to improve the effectiveness of community peace committees and strengthen their ability to prevent disputes from escalating.

As implementation progresses, the initiative is anticipated to provide stronger mechanisms for early conflict detection, mediation and reconciliation, while encouraging communities to take greater responsibility for maintaining peace.

The engagement in Bo represents another step towards building resilient communities where disagreements are addressed peacefully, relationships are strengthened through dialogue and local stakeholders play an active role in advancing sustainable peace and national cohesion across Sierra Leone. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/archives/66104

United Bank for Africa (UBA) Group has strengthened its standing in West Africa’s financial services industry after receiving the Best Commercial Bank in West Africa for 2025 award at the second annual West African Bankers’ Awards, held on Saturday, 7 November 2026, at the Bintumani Freetown International Conference Centre in Sierra Leone.

The recognition, presented by the West African Bankers’ Association (WABA), highlighted UBA Group’s contributions to the banking industry, its regional presence and its continued efforts to promote financial services across African markets.

The prestigious award was received on behalf of UBA Group by the Acting Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of UBA Sierra Leone, Francis Esiemokhai, during a ceremony attended by prominent banking executives, financial sector stakeholders, policymakers and distinguished personalities from across the sub-region.

The occasion brought additional recognition for UBA Sierra Leone when its Head of Operations, Mohamed Fofanah, emerged as the recipient of the Best Staff of the Year 2025 award in the Local Banks category.

Mohamed Fofanah’s individual achievement recognised his professional contribution to the institution and underscored the importance of dedicated personnel in maintaining operational efficiency, service delivery and institutional performance.

The two awards represented a significant moment for UBA, combining recognition of the Group’s regional banking performance with an individual honour for one of its Sierra Leonean executives.

The awards ceremony also marked the 45th anniversary of the West African Bankers’ Association, providing an opportunity for financial sector leaders to reflect on the organization’s contributions to banking cooperation, professional development and financial integration within West Africa.

Over the years, regional banking collaboration has remained an important component of efforts to strengthen financial institutions, facilitate cross-border transactions and support economic development among member countries.

The celebration therefore served not only as an occasion to honour outstanding banking institutions and professionals but also as a platform for promoting stronger partnerships and cooperation within the financial services industry.

Among the distinguished personalities that attended the event was the First Lady of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Her Excellency Dr Fatima Maada Bio, who emphasized the importance of women’s empowerment in building stronger institutions and creating sustainable economic opportunities.

In her remarks, the First Lady drew attention to the growing influence of women in the banking sector and other areas of national development, highlighting their leadership abilities, professional competence and contributions to economic transformation.

She underscored the need to create opportunities that enable women to participate meaningfully in entrepreneurship, employment and institutional decision-making.

Her intervention reinforced the broader message that inclusive economic participation remains essential to strengthening financial institutions and promoting sustainable development across the region.

Other speakers, including Madam Shola Taylor Pearce and Madam Isatu Jawara, also addressed the gathering, stressing the importance of unity, professional collaboration and women’s empowerment in advancing institutional growth.

Their contributions reflected the increasing recognition of diversity, inclusion and cooperation as important elements in building resilient banking institutions capable of responding to changing economic conditions.

UBA Sierra Leone maintained a strong presence at the ceremony, with its Board Chairman, Desmond William, Non-Executive Director, Hugh Kweku Fraser and members of the Executive Management Committee participating in the event.

Their attendance demonstrated the institution’s commitment to maintaining engagement with regional banking stakeholders and supporting initiatives that promote professional excellence within the financial sector.

For UBA Group, the regional award represents another significant recognition of its efforts to strengthen banking operations, promote innovation and provide financial solutions to individuals, businesses and institutions.

The recognition also draws attention to the role of commercial banks in facilitating trade, encouraging investment, supporting entrepreneurship and expanding access to financial services.

As African economies continue to pursue greater financial integration, banking institutions such as UBA remain important participants in efforts to connect markets, mobilize capital and support commercial activities across national boundaries.

At the national level, Mohamed Fofanah’s individual award brings additional distinction to UBA Sierra Leone and highlights the contribution of its workforce to the institution’s operations.

His recognition serves as an example of how professional dedication, operational leadership and consistent performance can earn acknowledgement beyond individual banking institutions.

The 2026 West African Bankers’ Awards ultimately provided an important platform for celebrating achievements within the financial services industry while encouraging institutions to maintain high standards of professionalism, innovation and customer service.

For UBA Group and its Sierra Leonean subsidiary, the double recognition marks a notable achievement and reinforces their stated commitment to delivering quality banking services, supporting economic development and creating lasting value for customers and communities across Africa. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/archives/66100

The Campaign for Human Rights and Development International (CHRDI) has come under scrutiny following its decision to disqualify the All People’s Congress (APC) flagbearer opinion poll amid allegations of voting irregularities, with questions emerging over why Hon. Chernor Ramadan Maju Bah, popularly known as Chericoco, was specifically identified in its latest public statement while other contestants remained unnamed.

The controversy intensified on Monday, 9 November 2026, when CHRDI issued an official statement announcing that the entire polling exercise had been disqualified following investigations that reportedly uncovered suspicious voting patterns and attempts by unidentified individuals to interfere with the voting platform.

In its statement, CHRDI acknowledged that it had initially trusted the platform after receiving assurances from its Information Technology and Cybersecurity expert regarding its security and credibility.

The organisation explained that its confidence was partly influenced by the platform's reported use by prominent international media organisations and institutions, including CNN, Sky Sports and TED.

However, subsequent investigations reportedly revealed significant weaknesses in the voting process, prompting CHRDI to conclude that the results could no longer be considered sufficiently reliable.

According to the statement, investigators detected sudden increases in votes associated with Chericoco's voting slot, alongside similar suspicious patterns involving other contestants.

CHRDI stated: "After further investigation, we discovered burst votes from the Chernor Bah voting slot and we saw something similar with other candidates."

The organisation further alleged that unidentified individuals had attempted to interfere with the voting system, with suspicious activity reportedly originating from outside Sierra Leone.

Importantly, CHRDI acknowledged that it could not establish any connection between the detected interference and the campaign teams of contestants participating in the exercise.

This admission has become central to the controversy, particularly among those questioning the decision to identify Chericoco specifically while referring only generally to other candidates allegedly affected by similar irregularities.

Critics of the statement argue that naming one contestant in connection with suspicious voting activity, without publicly presenting equivalent findings concerning other candidates, risks creating an impression of selective scrutiny.

They maintain that if suspicious voting patterns were detected across multiple contestants, transparency and procedural fairness require consistent disclosure of the findings rather than singling out one individual.

The controversy has also revived questions surrounding earlier reports of unusual voting activity allegedly involving another APC flagbearer aspirant, Ibrahim Bangura, commonly identified as DIB.

In a separate formal notice issued on 9 November 2026, the Chericoco Media Team referred to earlier figures attributed to CHRDI indicating that votes recorded for DIB increased from approximately 6,100 at 9:36 p.m. to 8,400 at 9:40 p.m., representing an increase of 2,300 votes within four minutes.

The notice also cited voting records allegedly showing numerous entries with identical or closely clustered timestamps and accounts displaying blank profile images.

Those figures, as presented by the Chericoco Media Team, have not been independently verified. Nevertheless, they form part of the campaign's argument that CHRDI should disclose the technical evidence underlying its findings against every affected contestant.

The central question being raised is why Chericoco was expressly identified in CHRDI's latest statement when the organisation itself acknowledged detecting similar irregularities involving other candidates.

For the Chericoco camp, the issue extends beyond the cancellation of an online opinion poll to the principles of fairness, consistency and accountability expected of an organisation conducting politically sensitive public exercises.

In its formal notice addressed to CHRDI's representative, Abdul Fatoma, the Chericoco Media Team expressed serious concern over what it described as conflicting public statements regarding the credibility and integrity of the exercise.

The team argued that CHRDI had initially reassured participants about the security of its voting platform before subsequently acknowledging irregularities serious enough to warrant disqualification.

It questioned whether the organisation had applied consistent investigative standards in assessing voting patterns associated with different contestants.

The campaign team also categorically rejected any suggestion that Chericoco or his supporters had engaged in, authorized or facilitated fraudulent voting.

According to the team, supporters participated in good faith, investing their time, energy and resources in an exercise they believed had been adequately secured by its organizers.

It maintained that allegations capable of damaging a political contestant's reputation should never be advanced without credible and verifiable supporting evidence.

Consequently, the Chericoco Media Team formally demanded the disclosure of technical findings, including voting records, timestamps, investigative methodology and evidence supporting any allegation of irregularities involving votes attributed to Chericoco.

The team also requested an explanation of CHRDI's conflicting public statements, the technical justification for disqualifying the exercise and clarification regarding any external involvement in the platform's design, administration or financing.

Furthermore, it called for appropriate public clarification wherever allegations or implications of misconduct against contestants could not be substantiated.

Meanwhile, CHRDI has accepted responsibility for relying on a platform that ultimately proved unsuitable for the intended exercise.

The organisation acknowledged that WhatsApp polls could not adequately verify voters' identities or prevent bulk voting, making the process vulnerable to manipulation.

It maintained that its decision to disqualify the exercise was intended to preserve fairness rather than favour any particular candidate.

CHRDI also announced plans to audit a similar opinion poll involving the Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP), indicating that concerns over the platform's reliability were not limited to the APC exercise.

The organisation further disclosed that discussions were underway to introduce a new, more inclusive voting platform with stronger safeguards against external interference.

While those commitments may represent an attempt to restore confidence, the controversy surrounding the identification of Chericoco has raised additional questions about how organisations should communicate technical findings involving politically exposed individuals.

The distinction between detecting suspicious votes and establishing responsibility for those votes remains particularly important.

A sudden increase in votes associated with a candidate does not, by itself, establish that the candidate or campaign organized, authorized or benefited knowingly from manipulation.

Indeed, CHRDI's own acknowledgement that it could not link the suspicious activity to any campaign team reinforces the need for caution in attributing responsibility.

The Chericoco Media Team has insisted that the controversy will not distract it from its political objectives, reaffirming its commitment to strengthening unity within the APC and advancing Chericoco's leadership aspirations ahead of the 2028 general elections.

The team also reiterated its commitment to the Wan Salone Agenda, which it identifies as a central pillar of its political vision.

As the dispute continues, attention is shifting towards whether CHRDI will release comprehensive technical findings covering all contestants affected by the alleged irregularities.

For observers concerned about fairness and institutional credibility, the fundamental issue is not simply whether the poll was correctly disqualified, but whether the evidence has been communicated consistently and without creating unjustified suspicion against particular contestants.

Ultimately, CHRDI's admission that it cannot link the suspected interference to any campaign team makes one principle especially important: no contestant should be publicly associated with wrongdoing without credible evidence establishing responsibility.

Until the organisation provides a fuller account of the irregularities involving all affected contestants, questions surrounding its selective identification of Chericoco are likely to remain at the centre of the controversy. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/archives/66097

Former Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and two-time presidential candidate of the All People’s Congress (APC), Dr. Samura Matthew Wilson Kamara, has released a new memoir offering a personal account of his four decades in public service, political experiences and the challenges surrounding Sierra Leone’s democratic development.

The book, titled “My Circumstances of Life: Service, Betrayal and the Struggle for Sierra Leone’s Democracy”, provides an account of Dr. Samura Matthew Wilson Kamara’s journey from his humble beginnings in Kamalo village to occupying some of the highest positions in Sierra Leone’s public administration and political leadership.

Now available on Amazon in Kindle, paperback and hardcover editions, the publication explores important events that shaped his professional career, political relationships and involvement in two highly contested presidential elections.

Born in 1951 in Kamalo, Dr. Samura Matthew Wilson Kamara built a career spanning approximately four decades, serving in several senior Government positions, including Financial Secretary, Governor of the Bank of Sierra Leone, Minister of Finance and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

Throughout his career, he witnessed and participated in major developments in Sierra Leone’s history, including the civil war, post-war reconstruction, economic recovery efforts and the Ebola outbreak.

The memoir provides insights into those experiences, examining the responsibilities of public leadership and the challenges of managing national affairs during periods of political, economic and social uncertainty.

A significant portion of the publication focuses on the 2018 and 2023 presidential elections, during which Dr. Samura Matthew Wilson Kamara represented the APC as its presidential candidate.

Both elections generated political controversy, with Dr. Samura Matthew Wilson Kamara and the APC challenging the officially announced results.

In the book, the former presidential candidate presents his interpretation of the electoral processes, the disputes that followed and what he considers persistent challenges affecting electoral transparency, political accountability and democratic governance.

Particular attention is given to the aftermath of the June 2023 elections, which triggered disagreements between the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) and the opposition APC.

Dr. Samura Matthew Wilson Kamara recounts a post-election meeting with President Dr. Julius Maada Bio, which he describes as part of efforts to address the political tensions arising from the disputed electoral outcome.

According to his account, the discussions also involved concerns relating to detained individuals and people who lost their lives during the period of political unrest.

The publication further examines the Agreement for National Unity, which emerged from political dialogue between the Government and the APC following the 2023 elections.

The agreement, closely associated with the subsequent Tripartite Committee process, was intended to promote national reconciliation, strengthen electoral institutions and address concerns surrounding the credibility of future elections.

Dr. Samura Matthew Wilson Kamara reflects on the commitments made under the agreement, assessing what he considers the achievements, challenges and outstanding responsibilities associated with electoral reform.

Responding to allegations and public concerns surrounding his handling of the disputed 2023 presidential election results, he strongly rejects suggestions that he abandoned or compromised the electoral interests of his supporters.

“I did not trade away the votes of Sierra Leoneans... those votes were never mine to trade,” he writes.

The statement represents one of the central arguments in the memoir, as Dr. Samura Matthew Wilson Kamara seeks to explain his political decisions and defend his position during negotiations following the election.

Another major aspect of the book concerns his relationship with former President Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma, under whose administration he occupied several senior Government positions.

Dr. Samura Matthew Wilson Kamara acknowledges the role Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma played in supporting his emergence as the APC presidential flagbearer but also recounts what he describes as the gradual deterioration of their longstanding political relationship and personal friendship.

He offers his interpretation of the disagreements, competing political interests and developments that contributed to the breakdown of their relationship.

The account provides readers with his perspective on political loyalty, internal party relationships and the difficulties that can emerge between prominent political figures.

Beyond electoral disputes and political disagreements, the memoir examines broader questions surrounding leadership, integrity, public service, personal sacrifice and democratic accountability.

Through his reflections, Dr. Samura Matthew Wilson Kamara presents the experiences that shaped his understanding of governance and the responsibilities associated with holding public office.

The book's subtitle, “Service, Betrayal and the Struggle for Sierra Leone’s Democracy”, reflects the major themes running through the publication, particularly the author's account of political relationships, personal disappointments and his involvement in national affairs.

The memoir also offers an opportunity for readers, political observers, historians and researchers to examine Sierra Leone's recent political developments through the experiences of a former senior Government official and opposition presidential candidate.

However, the accounts of disputed elections, political disagreements and personal relationships presented in the publication reflect Dr. Samura Matthew Wilson Kamara's own recollections and interpretations, rather than independently established findings.

With its release, “My Circumstances of Life” adds another personal account to Sierra Leone's political literature, documenting the experiences of a public servant whose career has intersected with several defining moments in the country's contemporary history. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/archives/66094

President Dr Julius Maada Bio has called for greater international cooperation in regulating advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems, stressing that African countries and other developing nations must be actively involved in establishing global standards governing the rapidly expanding technology.

The President maintained that the development and deployment of increasingly sophisticated AI models must be guided by internationally recognised safety standards, transparency, accountability and effective human oversight to protect national sovereignty and public interests.

He made the appeal on Monday, 9 November 2026, while participating virtually from State House in Freetown in a high-level international meeting on Strengthening International Cooperation on Frontier Model Security, convened by French President Emmanuel Macron.

The engagement brought together world leaders, senior Government officials and executives from leading technology companies to discuss coordinated approaches to managing the opportunities and security risks associated with frontier AI models.

Addressing participants, President Bio reaffirmed Sierra Leone's commitment to ensuring that artificial intelligence remains subject to meaningful human direction, supervision and control, regardless of the sophistication or capabilities of emerging systems.

He recalled that Sierra Leone had endorsed the Call for Control of Frontier AI Models during the AI Middle Powers Roundtable held on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in September 2026.

The initiative, co-hosted by Kenya and Finland and spearheaded by Finland and Norway, sought to strengthen international understanding and cooperation on the responsible development and governance of advanced artificial intelligence.

According to President Bio, the latest high-level engagement represented an important opportunity for participating countries to move beyond declarations of intent and establish practical arrangements capable of addressing emerging technological threats.

Highlighting Sierra Leone's national preparations, the President disclosed that the Government had completed its National AI Readiness Assessment, an important milestone expected to guide the formulation of the country's first National Artificial Intelligence Strategy.

He explained that the proposed strategy would provide a framework for responsibly integrating artificial intelligence into priority sectors of national development, including agriculture, healthcare, education and public service delivery.

The Government, he added, is also exploring opportunities to strengthen digital infrastructure and expand regional technological cooperation through the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Among the initiatives under consideration is the proposed Regional Data Embassy Framework, intended to facilitate access to shared digital infrastructure while protecting national jurisdiction, data sovereignty and institutional control.

President Bio emphasized that countries seeking to harness the economic and social benefits of artificial intelligence must simultaneously establish safeguards to address potential security threats, misuse and accountability challenges.

“As we advance these efforts, we recognize the importance of building safety, security and accountability into our approach from the outset,” he stated.

Turning to international regulatory priorities, the President identified several areas requiring urgent collective attention, including the development of credible standards for evaluating advanced AI models and the establishment of clearly defined responsibilities for technology developers and organisations deploying such systems.

He also advocated effective international mechanisms for reporting serious AI-related incidents, exchanging intelligence on emerging threats and coordinating responses to security challenges that could affect multiple countries.

The President argued that independent assessments, transparent governance structures and effective regulatory oversight would become increasingly important as artificial intelligence systems acquire greater capabilities and influence across critical sectors.

He observed that the consequences of poorly governed advanced AI systems could extend beyond national boundaries, making international collaboration essential to ensuring their responsible development and use.

“No country can adequately address these challenges on its own. Sovereignty does not mean doing everything alone. It means choosing the terms on which we work together,” President Bio declared.

A central theme of his intervention was the need to address the unequal representation of developing countries in international technology governance.

President Bio insisted that African nations should not be relegated to the position of merely implementing regulations and standards developed by technologically advanced countries without meaningful participation in their formulation.

Instead, he called for governance arrangements that recognize the interests, development priorities and sovereign rights of countries across different regions.

He stressed that meaningful participation would require sustained investment in scientific research, specialized technical expertise, institutional development and independent evaluation capabilities.

Such investments, he explained, would enable developing nations to assess the safety and reliability of advanced AI systems operating within their jurisdictions rather than depending entirely on evaluations conducted elsewhere.

The President further underscored the importance of strengthening national and regional institutions so that African countries could participate effectively in international negotiations and regulatory processes concerning artificial intelligence.

He welcomed the proposed Paris Declaration, particularly its provisions promoting common evaluation standards, clearly defined accountability arrangements and improved international cooperation in reporting serious AI-related incidents.

However, he emphasized that the declaration's effectiveness would depend on whether its commitments are translated into measurable actions supported by credible evaluation systems, timely information-sharing and stronger institutional capabilities.

President Bio maintained that international cooperation must produce practical benefits for participating countries, particularly those still developing the technological infrastructure and regulatory expertise required to manage advanced artificial intelligence.

His intervention also highlighted Sierra Leone's ambition to position itself as an active participant in international discussions on emerging technologies while pursuing digital transformation as part of its broader national development agenda.

The meeting featured participation by several prominent international leaders and senior officials, including Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, Netherlands Prime Minister Rob Jetten, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, United States Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent and Bahrain's Crown Prince and Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

Senior representatives of major technology companies also participated, including Microsoft President Brad Smith, OpenAI Chief Executive Officer Sam Altman and Mistral AI Chief Executive Officer Arthur Mensch.

Their participation reflected the growing recognition that effective AI governance requires cooperation between Governments, technology developers, regulatory institutions and international organisations.

Concluding his address, President Bio reaffirmed Sierra Leone's willingness to collaborate with international partners in developing governance systems that promote innovation while safeguarding human security, national sovereignty and public confidence.

He stressed that the extraordinary potential of artificial intelligence should be harnessed to advance human development without weakening the fundamental principle that people and accountable institutions must remain in control of the technology.

His message reinforced Sierra Leone's position that the future of global AI governance must be built on shared responsibility, inclusive decision-making and international cooperation that gives African nations a meaningful role in shaping the rules of an increasingly technology-driven world. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/archives/66091