BIRCH ASSOCIATION FOR JOURNALISTS BAJ

By Edward Marrah Introduction Sierra Leone’s capital city, Freetown, has historically been the political, economic, and cultural heart of the nation. However, the challenges it faces today—overpopulation, traffic congestion, environmental degradation, and limited space for expansion—call for a reevaluation of its status as the capital. Masiaka, a centrally located town, offers an ideal alternative. This proposal outlines the advantages of relocating the capital to Masiaka, highlighting the potential for balanced national development, improved infrastructure, and enhanced economic growth. 1. Addressing Overpopulation and Congestion Freetown, with its burgeoning population, suffers from severe overcrowding and traffic congestion. The city’s infrastructure struggles to accommodate the rising number of residents and vehicles, leading to significant inefficiencies and reduced quality of life. Relocating the capital to Masiaka, a less densely populated area, would alleviate these pressures. ...

  Before we decide whether to legalize prostitution, let’s get to the facts, not the myths, about legal prostitution. The Real Harms: In prostitution, men remove women’s humanity. Buying a woman in prostitution gives men the power to turn women into a living, breathing masturbation fantasy. Research shows that a majority of johns refuse to use condoms, or pay high prices to desperately poor women to not use condoms, or rape women without condoms. Another man said, “I use them like I might use any other amenity, a restaurant, or a public convenience.” As shocking as these men’s observations may sound to those who think prostitution is like the movie Pretty Woman, their descriptions closely match women’s descriptions of prostitution. The women explain how it feels to be treated like a rented organ. “It is internally damaging. You become in your own mind what these people do and say with you. You wonder how could you let yourself do this and why do these people want to do this to you....

  Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio has announced that his government intends to demolish all structures built on disaster-prone areas. He made this announcement during yesterday’s Presidential Townhall at the Freetown (Bintumani) International Conference Center in Aberdeen. In a significant policy shift aimed at addressing environmental concerns, President Bio said that his government intends to demolish all houses built above the Green Belt on the mountains of the Freetown Peninsula. “Even if a house belongs to me or my family, it would be broken down,” President Bio stated firmly. “This radical stance is because of the accelerated deforestation which is causing loss of forest in the water catchment area, and could deny the people of Freetown water to drink; and is responsible for the ongoing flooding in Freetown.” President Bio expressed his condolences to those affected by recent heavy rains, which have led to loss of life and property. “Those who have been affected by ...

  Sierra Leone’s Peace Ambassador Alhaji Amadu Bah also known as Boss LAJ embarked on an inspiring journey to the Great Wall of China , a symbol of unity and resilience that echoes his own mission of peace. This visit was not only about exploring one of the world’s most remarkable architectural feats but also about promoting dialogue, cultural exchange, and international collaboration. The Great Wall, stretching over 13,000 miles, has stood the test of time as a testament to human endeavor. For Alhaji Amadu Bah, this monumental structure represents more than just history; it embodies the spirit of cooperation and perseverance among nations. During his visit, Ambassador Bah emphasized the importance of learning from history to build a peaceful future. The visit to the Great Wall is part of the ongoing United Nations Forest Management Seminar that is being facilitated by NAFGA in Beijing . Ambassador Bah is in China with a sense of purpose and dedication to promoting Sierra Leone on ...

  Freetown, Sierra Leone – On Tuesday, July 23, 2024, President Julius Maada Bio led a historic National Town Hall at the Freetown International Conference Center, marking the first anniversary of his re-election. Organized by the Ministry of Information and Civic Education, this significant event provided citizens a platform to express their concerns and aspirations directly to the President. The town hall focused on key topics, including the government’s “Big Five Game Changers”: the Feed Salone project, human capital development, youth empowerment and employment, public service architecture, and infrastructure development. Economic empowerment, enhancement of the mining sector, peace, security, and the President’s commitment to international relations were also discussed in detail. President Bio shared his thoughts on social media, stating, “At the town hall today, I am very excited that I spoke from the heart in Krio, to Sierra Leoneans from all walks of life. During our fambul...

                 Sierra Leone’s Minister of Information, Chernor Bah, has dispelled rumors circulating on social media about a supposed power outage disrupting the Presidential Town Hall Meeting at the Bintumani International Conference Centre. Minister Bah clarified, “The issue was a minor electrical malfunction that led to the burning of some fuses in the hall, particularly those powering the PA systems and monitoring televisions. It was not a power cut as rumored.” The incident occurred while President Bio was answering questions from Minister Bah, leading to a brief interruption as the microphones and monitoring televisions went off. However, the entire building remained lit, contradicting claims of a complete power failure. The Gleaner Newspaper had earlier reported on social media that a power outage had plunged the venue into darkness, causing significant disruption. “President Bio was answering questions from the Minister of Informati...

  Date: July 23, 2024 In a significant legal development, Honourable Justice Komba Kamanda of the Court of Appeal has sentenced the Chief Security Officer of former President Ernest Bai Koroma to 44 years in prison. This sentence comes after a 12-man jury unanimously found the accused, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Ibrahim Sesay, guilty of two serious charges: Misprision of Treason and Harbouring. ASP Ibrahim Sesay, who served as the Chief Security Officer for former President Koroma both in Freetown and Makeni, was initially a military officer. His distinguished service led to his transition into the police force, a move facilitated by the trust and confidence placed in him by President Koroma upon assuming office in 2007. Despite his service to the former President, ASP Sesay's tenure came under scrutiny following serious allegations related to national security. The charges against ASP Sesay were related to his alleged involvement in the November 26 attempted coup, du...