The News Review:
- Sierra Leone leader seeks foreign investment
- Sierra Leone: Power Struggle and Illegal Logging Threaten Remaining…
- Sunday Herald: International: International
- Sierra Leone Delegation to hold London Forum today
Sierra Leone leader seeks foreign investment
Reuters AlertNet – Jan 29, 2008
0 article title –> Sierra Leone leader seeks foreign investment 29 Jan 2008 18:24:18 GMT Source: Reuters. 0 article title end –>. Sierra Leone is in a "very terrible situation" after the civil war that ravaged the West African nation from 1991 to 2002, Ernest Bai Koroma said during a visit to London. Despite abundant natural resources such as diamonds and other minerals, 60 percent of its 5 million population live below the poverty line, 70 percent are illiterate and 60 percent of young people are unemployed, he said. Koroma, who won a close election last September, said he was seeking more aid from donor countries and also wanted to increase foreign investment. "Sierra Leone is now poised for investment.
Sierra Leone: Power Struggle and Illegal Logging Threaten Remaining…
AllAfrica.com – Jan 29, 2008
Global Witness is calling on new President Ernest Bai Koroma to bring much needed direction and law enforcement to Sierra Leone’s forest sector in order to prevent further destruction. The previous President, Ahmad Tejan Kabbah, shifted responsibility for environment and forestry from the Ministries of Lands and Agriculture, respectively, to the newly created National Commission of Environment and Forestry (NaCEF). Many believed this decision was taken because these two Ministries – and related governmental agencies – were ineffective in stopping widespread logging operations. Over the past few years there have been rumours of corruption within these Ministries (1).
Sunday Herald: International: International
Sunday Herald – Jan 29, 2008
Instead it was the task of the reformed national police force to maintain security in presidential and parliamentary elections organised by the equally untested electoral commission. National Electoral Commission (NEC) chairwoman Christiana Thorpe declared the elections to be “make or break”, adding: “People need to understand that elections should not be a battle, it is a process. ”
At times the campaigns looked more like the former, with fighting breaking out in some regional cities, particularly in the south and east of the country. But, as the final week approached, Sierra Leone was showing signs that it was coming of age…
National Electoral Commission (NEC) chairwoman Christiana Thorpe declared the elections to be “make or break”, adding: “People need to understand that elections should not be a battle, it is a process. ”
At times the campaigns looked more like the former, with fighting breaking out in some regional cities, particularly in the south and east of the country. But, as the final week approached, Sierra Leone was showing signs that it was coming of age. Political leaders heeded the call from civil society groups and the United Nations to tone down their combative rhetoric and call for peaceful elections. Supporters on the streets were almost as adamant that they would not resort to violence as they were that their chosen party would win. advertisement
In the week running up to yesterday’s polls, the ability of the police force to contain the often-excitable crowds was tested as campaigning reached its climax with a series of rallies in the capital Freetown, a sweaty and ramshackle coastal city that seems to crawl out of the Atlantic and into the jungle-covered hills above. On Tuesday, thousands of supporters clad in the party’s orange colour marched through the city and swarmed into
Victoria Park during a rally for the opposition People’s Movement for Democratic Change.
Sierra Leone Delegation to hold London Forum today
Awareness Times – Jan 29, 2008
Finance Minister David Carew, the former Managing Partner of the country’s leading Accounting Firm KPMG, told Reuters that a business focus in the running of Sierra Leone was crucial. He informed their delegation would try to drum up investment in tourism, mining, agriculture and fisheries at today’s forum. “We are keen to tell them that aid is not the way to go forever,” Carew reportedly said adding that he hoped the forum would boost interest in an investor conference due to take place in late 2008 in Freetown. Reuters also reports Government is seeking investors to privatise companies like the 51% state-owned Rokel Commercial Bank and the fully state-owned Sierra Leone Commercial Bank alongside Sierratel and the Airports Authority’s ground and air services.