The News Review:

- UNDP undergoes training for 34 CSOs in Sierra Leone
- APC/SLPP Radio Stations in Sierra Leone – Necessary Political …
- “In Sierra Leone Women Are National Builders Too”
- Revealed! University Of Sierra Leone Owes NASSIT Le500 Million
- Awareness Times News Briefs from Sierra Leone

UNDP undergoes training for 34 CSOs in Sierra Leone
Cocorioko, Sierra Leone 
Christian Tomas : UNDP Saturday, 20 September 2008 The United Nations Development Programme in Sierra Leone is organizing week long training for 34 CSOs in the country. It will be held at the Sahara Hotel in Bo city, starting from 21st September through to 27th, and will include about 10 local and external facilitators. The broad theme of the workshop is: Capacity Building Support for Monitoring and Advocating on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in Sierra Leone The workshop aims at equipping CSOs with skills of informed, professional and credible advocacy on the Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights and why dialogue is called for as one of the methodologies of getting the rights implemented. The UNDP has drawn reputable national and some external experts to help with facilitation, including from (Locally) JSDP, Human rights Commission, and Legal practitioner, a respected national activist on these rights, Abu Brima, NMJD, and UNCT: UNICEF, UNIOSIL, and UNDP. The external facilitators are drawn from Amnesty International HQ, London, African Commission on Human Rights, Banjul, The Gambia, HQ, Action Aid, Nairobi, KY, HQ, and the regional advocacy body on ECOSOC rights and development ISODEC, Accra , Ghana HQ.

APC/SLPP Radio Stations in Sierra Leone – Necessary Political …
Standard Times Press, Sierra Leone 
Freedom of expression, freedom of association, however painful in practice, are tenets of democracy that should not, must not, and ought not be interfered with, if this nation is declaring itself as a democratic state. The establishment and licensing of political party broadcasting stations is an innovation in the practice of the wider aspect of democracy and is laudable. The usefulness of these stations in Sierra Leone is being watched and followed carefully by political parties else where in the African diasporas, and no doubt by political parties in developed, as well as in other developing countries. They must never be closed but kept in check through a regulatory body that is more representative of the demographic and political diversity of the Sierra Leone society. The proliferation of radio stations throughout the country, in almost every administrative district in Sierra Leone, is a clear manifestation of the nations position vis-à-vis, the practice of democracy in all its facets. In recent weeks, there appears to have been an upsurge in demand to close the two party political radio stations, representing the voice of the All Peoples Congress (APC) Party (The Government) and the Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) the Opposition for various reasons culminating in fear for breach of the peace and security of the State. These demands have come mainly through local tabloids without any analysis of the purpose and importance of the two radio stations in the current democratic dispensation in Sierra Leone.

“In Sierra Leone Women Are National Builders Too”
Standard Times Press, Sierra Leone 
These go with the suggestion that women cannot contribute much to the progress and development of the country where they were discussed as frail sensitive creatures who have no contribution to make. Not everyone agrees on what is meant by appropriate gender behaviour for boys and girls, men and women and this disagreement has increased in the past years. The recent development in the activities of women at Mattru Jong Bonthe district in the southern region of Sierra Leone clearly shows that sex roles are not fixed, and that if there is a natural order, it allows for many different arrangements. With the developmental activities of women at Mattru Jong, it would then, be misleading to suggest that women cannot contribute much to the progress and development of our country Sierra Leone. One such positive contribution made was the establishment of a F. Radio Station by the women of Mattru Jong through the relentless effort of Sarah Rogers who is the current manager of the radio station assisted by Alice Kimabeh.

Revealed! University Of Sierra Leone Owes NASSIT Le500 Million
Standard Times Press, Sierra Leone 
Two days back, the acting Finance Director, Mr. Alimamy Wurie and his assistant, Mr. Strasser King spent time at the Anti Corruption Commission as they try to convince the investigators about the disbursement and payment of salaries to both staff and lecturers of the University. Their explanation left the investigators with no alternative but to release them on bail.

Awareness Times News Briefs from Sierra Leone
Awareness Times, Sierra Leone 
Food Security Under ThreatParamount Chief of Tunkia Chiefdom in the Kenema District, Amara Sama is said to have expressed concern over the rampant destruction of crops by wild animals in the Gola Forest, stating that this development poses serious threat to President Koromas food security drive. The paramount chief is also said to have deplored the Gola Forest Programme describing it as a breeding place for animals that constantly destroys farm lands. Government Endorses OSIWAThe Government of Sierra Leone past Saturday signed the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA) at the Makeni City Hall, local tabloids say. The signing which was done in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) came after a consensus meeting with nine government ministries aimed at bringing about a healthy exchange of ideas and information on what government and the communities are doing at all levels. Importers Agreed To Reduce Rice PriceThe Minister of Trade and Industry, Alimamy P. Koroma is said to have intimated that importers of rice have agreed to reduce the price of a bag of rice from Le 140, 000 to Le 110, 000 in a bid to help ease the high cost of living in Sierra Leone. He is reported as saying that the agreement came about after a series of negotiations with members of the rice importers association held at the Ministrys conference room.