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Gambian judge chairs Sierra Leone’s commission of inquiry

Thu, 16 Oct 2008 09:02:26 GMT

Thursday, October 16, 2008

The Gambian-born judge, Justice Gibril Semega Janneh, has been designated to chair Sierra Leone’s commission of inquiry set up by President Ernest Bai Koroma to verify the level of probity of cabinet and public servants. Justice Gibril-Semega Janneh and his commissioners, who have been appointed to look into any irregularities or malpractices in the expenditure of government and donor funds, were on Tuesday sworn-in at a ceremony held at the presidential palace.

Presenting the team to President Koroma, the attorney general and minister of Justice, Abdul F Serry Kamal, said "they are all experienced people" who are expected to do their work expeditiously.

Taking the oath of office, the four (Gibril Semega-Janneh, chairman; Augustus Wachuku-King, member; Johannes Ebenezer Elliot, member; and Sadiq Mahmoud Kapuwa, secretary) vowed to work in the interest of the State in carrying out their duties.

Addressing the commissioners, President Koroma first congratulated them on their appointment, stressing that the selection was "carefully done because of what we believe are the great expectations of the people and government of this country". He then added the commission is not a witch-hunt but that government has the responsibility to make public what happened to public funds, and to send a signal that people in public positions should do their work with diligence.

The head of state said there are so many issues that need answers, and that he believed that, at the end of the day, the commissioners would provide these answers. He urged them to do their work with transparency and without fear or favour. "You are doing this for posterity… Those who should give account must give account," he maintained. President Koroma assured them of the government’s support and the people’s backing at all times.

Thanking the President, the new chairman, Gambian-born Gibril Semega-Janneh, expressed gratitude for the confidence bestowed on them, "especially for myself, being a foreigner." He promised that they would be guided by the oath they took, take their work seriously, and perform their duties to the best of their abilities. He said with a viably financed budget, the work would be done in earnest.

The mandate of the commission is to look into any irregularities or malpractices in the expenditure of government and donor Funds, whether or not any malpractices or irregularities were committed by any person with respect to those funds, the nature and extent of the malpractices and irregularities, the sums of money and identities of persons involved in such malpractices and irregularities, and to make recommendations.

The ceremony was attended by Vice President Sam Sumana and secretary to the president, EB Osho-Coker and a good number of officials.

Source: Sierra Leone State House Press Secretariat.

Author: By Frederick Tendeng

President Koroma felicitates Jammeh

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 05:07:28 GMT

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Dr Ernest Bai Koroma, president of the Republic of Sierra Leone, has sent in Ramadan greetings for the Gambia leader, Alhajie Dr Yahya AJJ Jammeh. The statement reads:

As the Holy month of Ramadan commences, I wish to extend to you, on behalf of the government and people of the Republic of Sierra Leone, warmest greetings to Your Excellency, the government and people of The Gambia.

It is my fervent belief that this Holy Month of Ramadan will inspire the entire Muslim Ummah to achieve greater solidarity, progress and prosperity in the years ahead.

Please accept, your Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Author: DO

Appreciation

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 05:38:12 GMT

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Just two days after the end of the landmark visit of the Sierra Leonean president to The Gambia, his compatriots living in the country are recounting the visit of their head of state.

In an interview with Society, the interim chairman of the Sierra Leone National Union (SLENU), Mr John Alfred Ceesay, has expressed delight and appreciation with the manner of welcome “accorded to our president. We have been talking about the brotherliness of the two countries, but it has been demonstrated to the highest possible level during the three days visit of President Koroma”, said Mr Ceesay. He described President Yahya Jammeh as a true African brother, whose kind the continent of Africa deserves.

He said that the idea of exposing their new president to the numerous ongoing development projects in The Gambia would serve as motivation for the Sierra Leonean leader. He echoed the two leaders’ call for the people of the two countries to follow the footsteps of the two leaders, noting that “whatever good work the two presidents might be doing, it was up to us, the ordinary citizens, to exploit the benefit that lies therein” And he stressed, “we ought to ensure that the cordial relation that is being nurtured by our leaders is guarded jealously, for posterity.”

Author: by Kemo Cham