Events so far in Sierra Leone brings to the fore the need for peace and democracy in the country as the two are inextricably linked and should form the basis for development in a country that is still struggling not only to come to terms with the past, but to use the lessons of that recent past to build a future based on good governance, equal justice, respect for the rule of law and adherence to the basic tenets of the constitution which calls for those in the three arms of governance - the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary to ensure the wellbeing of all Sierra Leoneans within and without the borders of a country called Sierra Leone. This should be a day of reflection and a change of direction for a President who appears to have forgotten the recent history of a country where rape was used as a weapon of war and intimidation, where murder and cruelty were used with reckless abandon against perceived opponents and where the rule of law was thrown to the dogs as armed beasts of no nation roamed freely exercising and perpetuating their brand of jungle justice in the most barbaric and callous manner imaginable with none spared - the youth, the aged, men, women, children and babies. The Sierra Herald hopes that on this day the smoke and mirrors President will take out of his box of tricks one marked "reality check" so that he can see how his association with those who were implicated in the horrors of the past including the slaughter of more than five thousand unarmed and defenceless civilians during the January 6, 1999 invasion of the capital is being interpreted as his own thank-you gift to such rapists, murderers, looters and arsonists. It is the hope too, that the "reality check" box will open the President's eyes to the history books and that he would realise that it was the atmosphere of political intolerance, fear and intimidation created by past APC administrations using state security forces - the police and army - that forced opposing voices for the first time in the post-independence history of Sierra Leone to take up arms against the state. Sierra Leone is now a multi-party state - no longer the one-party horror that was foisted upon a population tricked and coerced into believing the sugar-coated tongue of a viper in human form known as Siaka Stevens - the nation's curse. We say on this day, let us remind ourselves of the theme - Peace and Democracy: Make your voice heard! - and we are not referring to the hired praise singers, including the internet flying toilets,  who see nothing wrong in an erring President as long as they continue to have their fill from the filthy sewers of greed, deceit and outright chicanery and criminality.

Sunday September 18, 2011 - Churches throughout Wales will today hold special services to remember the four miners killed in an accident at Gleision Colliery in Swansea Valley. The four miners were killed when the shaft in which they were working got flooded and though initial rescue efforts raised hopes, the discovery of one dead body close to the entrance of the mine raised fears...and hopes that three more men would still be alive.

As it turned out what was hoped to be a rescue effort became a body-retrieval exercise as it was discovered that the three other trapped men had died sending relations and friends into grief and mourning. The miners who went to work on Thursday morning of last week and who would never return to their loved ones alive were named as Phillip Hill, Charles Breslin, David Powell and Garry Jenkins. One news outlet, the Metro stated that these brave men died carrying out a job ingrained in the culture and history of South Wales. The Guardian reports that it was the worst mining disaster in 30 years and that an investigation into what happened has already been launched. "Police and safety officials promised to establish how and why they were killed. Forensics teams at the mine in the village of Cilybebyll have begun to piece together what happened. The four – Charles Breslin, 62, David Powell, 50, Phillip Hill, 45, and Garry Jenkins, 39 – were trapped after water poured into the shaft they were working in on Thursday morning. Three others, including Powell's son, Daniel, managed to get out and raise the alarm." The archbishop of Wales, Dr Barry Morgan, said: "My heart goes out to the families of those killed in Gleision colliery. The whole community is heartbroken for them." The Daily Mail online in a headline that says it all - "Pit of despair: Bodies of the four trapped miners found one by one in flooded tunnels." The newspaper gave this rather graphic account of how it all unfolded

 

One by one, each family was told the news in private by family liaison officers who had been with them for the previous 18 hours or so. But in the cruellest twist imaginable, rescuers were unable immediately to recover the body or identify it. The same happened when a second victim was located. Then a third. Then the final fourth. Thus, for most of yesterday, these ordinary, decent people were left with the agony of uncertainty over whether their loved ones were alive or dead. Gradually, through a Russian roulette style process of elimination and an escalation of the odds, the chances of finding anyone alive diminished with each body that was discovered.

Our hearts go out to all relations and friends of those who died with prayers that the Good Lord in His Mercy will forgive them their sins and give them eternal rest in his Bosom granting them the peace only He can give.

A M E N

And so, once again do we remind the high priest at the altar of lies, profanities, falsehood and all things immoral dedicated to his god ernest bai koroma that we still await his "sermon" on a theme we suggested to him long ago - Gluttony is a sin - again reminding him - Gluttony is a serious sin because it enslaves the soul to the body, even though the soul, which is superior, is supposed to be in charge. Gluttons eat not for the sake of fueling their bodies or to participate in social gatherings; but rather they eat just for the sheer pleasure of consuming....We again remind him of another sermon on a suggested theme about who to serve and worship - Matthew 6:24 (King James Version (KJV) clearly advises and warns -

A reminder - It was Shekito, the President's former Press Secretary and now his Deputy Information minister who, after the publication of the report of Justice Bankole Thompson into the violence at the SLPP office in Freetown and during which allegations of rape were made came out with a headline stating that the learned judge had stated that the allegations of rape was a hoax. It was he who also published, after the PPRC published its report on violence in Kono stated that the body had sided with the opposition SLPP. He it was who reported that it was the SLPP members who transported human excreta to Kono, plastered the stuff on the offices of the SLPP in order to give the APC, his party, a bad name.

It was a parent's nightmare with scenes that could well pass for a taster of a movie thriller. A young man rising through the ranks of the world's financial world gets noticed, gets mentioned in money programmes and it would seem, a man with a very bright future. And then from out of the blue, comes the revelations that are the crucial points only found in nightmares. The rising star is a rogue trader or so it is alleged by the police who charged him to court. The London-based Sun newspaper in its online edition has today reported that the city trader wept in the dock as he was charged over an alleged rogue trade that cost Swiss banking giant UBS over a billion pounds (£1.3 billion). News machines (including the BBC) were working overtime - for it appeared that Kweku Adoboli was not only London's biggest alleged rogue trader, but has the rather dubious reputation of being the first such "rogue" of African origin. His father's house in Tema is now in the lens of the world's cameras with the father, a former UN diplomat insisting, according to reports that he found it unbelievable that his son could be caught up in such action. "He was not brought up that way...and I would want to hear his version of events". An investigation is reported to have been launched by UBS to determine how the 31-year old could have used so much of the bank's funds in rogue trading undetected, given that such institutions should have in place the necessary structures to prevent such dubious acts within its operations. The Financial Times reports that UBS did not discover the alleged fraud until midday on Wednesday this week before inviting the police in to effect the arrest of Kweku Adoboli. Reports suggest that it was the man himself who alerted UBS to his deeds and he was duly arrested at about 3.30 in the morning. Joy online - an authoritative news portal of Joy FM radio reports

Wednesday September 14, 2011 - Guinea announces new mining code with a promise that previous unwholesome and corrupt deals made between government officials and mining companies are to be overhauled. Guinea's resources says the government must be for the benefit of all Guineans.

The people of neighbouring Guinea wake up this morning wondering whether what they heard from their leaders on national radio last night was not a dream. Guinean leaders claim that the new mining proposals will ensure Guineans get the most from their mineral resources in a transparent manner with accountability across the board. According to the Christian Science Monitor, experts say that although the new mining code may be the country's best chance to ensure the world's largest supplier of iron ore gets a fair share of the profits, the main question will be - will the new regulations be enforced? The online news outlet quotes an official of Revenue Watch, Legal Adviser Patrick Heller that the new rules which force companies to publish mining contracts and undergo audits "is a very significant step forward" adding that from the perspective of good governance "this is one of the strongest codes in Africa, and it holds up elsewhere in the world". The Australian-based Sydney Morning Herald reports that Rio Tinto which has what it calls a grip on the Simandou iron ore project in that country in the new deal that would allow Guinea to take as much as 35 percent of projects - a far cry from the previous 15 percent. Fears that investors might look elsewhere has been brushed aside. United Co arguably the world's largest aluminium producer is quoted as saying that the new mining code/law "is senseless" claiming it will cost them some 10 billion dollars with one of its officials hinting that "any good investor of good sense will look for investment opportunities outside Guinea". Bonnie Campbell, author of "Mining in Africa" rebuffs this threat - "there's always been that kind of argument - that companies will go elsewhere" adding that "...we're at a turning point...where there's a growing awareness in the political and economic roles minerals should play"

Neighbouring Sierra Leone is well advised to learn from the mistakes and lessons of Guinea if Sierra Leoneans are to benefit from the exploitation of the country's rich mineral resources, which over the years have only benefited the corrupt in both government and so-called "investors" who play on the ignorance and quick-rich mania of all involved in the chain of implementation of mining rules and regulations. Despite promises to publish what it doles out to the government and other persons and institutions, one of the largest "investors" Frank Vasile Timis still has to make good on this promise by publishing all such figures for the consumption of the public. Protests from civil rights groups have been largely muzzled by a government which has a cosy relationship with Timis and the press, both online and publications within and outside Sierra Leone seem to see no wrong in the operations of Timis, nor indeed any other mining company in which government ministers and State House have interests.

The Executive Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General in Sierra Leone Michael von der Schulenburg has addressed the United Nations Security Council in an open statement that gave an overview of all aspects of Sierra Leone life ranging from the gains made since peace was declared in 2002 to the present. He even touched on the recent violence in Bo carefully avoiding apportioning any blame.

...recent clashes and skirmishes that occurred not only between followers of the two main political parties but also among followers of different groups within the two political parties remind us that there is still a considerable potential for conflict and violence. Particularly serious was an attack three days ago on the presidential candidate of the main opposition, the SLPP, and a subsequent rampage that left him with head injuries, one person dead and a number of properties belonging to followers of governing party, the APC, devastated. It is yet no clear of who was responsible for this attack and we must not jump to quick conclusions; the President has acted immediately by setting up a public investigation and the police has stepped up security for the opposition leader. However, this brings into the open that there remains a persistent social undercurrent potential that can turn into violence if provoked – despite all the progress that has been made. 

There was praise where due for the government as well as the main opposition Sierra Leone Peoples Party, the SLPP highlighting President Koroma's contribution to the successful holding of the recently-concluded SLPP convention that produced the winner Rtd Brigadier Julius Maada Bio. He however had, what looked like a wagging finger pointed at political actors in the mother country as he reminded them that ours was still a fragile situation that must be handled with due care and diligence.

...We all must not forget that military coups and the horrors of the civil war are part of a very recent history. It is therefore inevitable and even necessary and welcomed that some of those who have been involved in previously undemocratic governments are now taking active part in today’s democratic political life. Against this background, it is important that all political leaders with links to past regimes, irrespective of their present political party affiliations, make it clear that the right lessons have been learned from the country’s violent past.

It is the hope of the Sierra Herald that the ruling All People's Congress party, the APC as well as the main opposition Sierra Leone People's Party, the SLPP will carefully read and put into practice the practical pieces of advice given by the UN Secretary-General's own man in town. The government is particularly requested to do more in making provisions that would enhance youth employment as well as ensuring greater transparency in the exploitation of Sierra Leone's natural resources.

Sunday September 11, 2011 - Remembering the day ten years ago when evil visited the United States of America leaving thousands dead, more numbers injured and even more numbers traumatised. It is a day worth remembering by humanity and praying for the sweet repose of those who died in those September 11 attacks as well as those caught up in the hunt to bring an end to such a danger to the rest of the world.

Today September 11, 2011 marks the 10th anniversary of a great outrage against civilians, ordinary people going about their business as terrorists, using aircraft and clearly on a co-ordinated suicide mission launched attacks on key buildings in the United States. It was a dreadful moment for those who watched events unfold in front of television cameras. Those at home could not believe their eyes when after the first plane struck one of the twin towers and reporters and commentators were trying to find an explanation for what they thought at first was a rather bizarre accident noticed that second plane lining up for a deliberate hit on the other tower. The Pentagon, the seat of the United States military might was also hit and more damage could have been done but for the courage of passengers on board one of the doomed and hijacked planes who fought off their tormentors forcing the planes not to get their intended targets after the hits on the twin towers. The US President is expected to visit all five sites where the suicide bombers struck. President Barack Obama in a speech in a weekly White House address marking this day noted

This weekend, we’re coming together, as one nation, to mark the 10th anniversary of the September 11th attacks. We’re remembering the lives we lost—nearly 3,000 innocent men, women and children. We’re reaffirming our commitment to always keep faith with their families.

We’re honoring the heroism of first responders who risked their lives—and gave their lives—to save others. And we’re giving thanks to all who serve on our behalf, especially our troops and military families—our extraordinary 9/11 Generation.

A decade after 9/11, it’s clear for all the world to see—the terrorists who attacked us that September morning are no match for the character of our people, the resilience of our nation, or the endurance of our values.

They wanted to terrorize us, but, as Americans, we refuse to live in fear. Yes we face a determined foe, and make no mistake—they will keep trying to hit us again. But as we are showing again this weekend, we remain vigilant. We’re doing everything in our power to protect our people. And no matter what comes our way, as a resilient nation, we will carry on.

Ten years ago, ordinary Americans showed us the true meaning of courage when they rushed up those stairwells, into those flames, into that cockpit. In the decade since, a new generation has stepped forward to serve and keep us safe. In their memory, in their name, we will never waver. We will protect the country we love and pass it safer, stronger and more prosperous to the next generation.

Here in the United Kingdom ceremonies and church services remembering those who perished in those evil attacks.

In commemorating this day The BBC has been airing programmes well before today reflecting on that day 10 years ago as well as the simultaneous attacks on the US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania in 1998 which could have been a rehearsal by the forces of evil for their deadly and cowardly mission in the United States. The Sierra Herald joins the United States and its allies in praying that the Good Lord will, in His mercy prevent such deliberately planned and executed wanton destruction of lives and property happening again. Amen.

Even as we remember the horror ten years ago of evil visited upon the United States, we cannot help but advise the high priest at the altar of lies and profanities dedicated to his god ernest bai koroma of our suggestion that he comes out with another of his "sermons" on the theme -  "Gluttony is a sin" - not forgetting our reminder of what gluttony is all about. That is - Gluttony is a serious sin because it enslaves the soul to the body, even though the soul, which is superior, is supposed to be in charge. Gluttons eat not for the sake of fueling their bodies or to participate in social gatherings; but rather they eat just for the sheer pleasure of consuming....

....and while awaiting a sermon on that theme let us reveal why we took a special interest in the high priest many many months ago. We took a special interest because we found it hard, extremely difficult to understand how an individual who carries "Rev" before his name can indulge in the use of profanities, vulgar and uncouth and sometimes sexually explicit language unbecoming of a man of the cloth. His paws were all over the internet "discussion forums" where decent Sierra Leoneans participated and like an obese sow in heat seeking sexual gratification of one sort or the other would roam these forums changing names and "handles" as he knew he was on to no good and all the time making a mockery of womanhood. He would attack people he hates inventing all manner of lies and profanities just to create an opportunity to indulge in his past-time - engaging in explicit and salacious expositions on the......sorry we just cannot write such materials here. This is what he wrote in one of those forums and it buttresses his forum "engagements."

"...I have been a forumite for a very, very long time. I have been a forumite at LEONENET, SLIS, AFRICAONLINE , NUP , TAMU etc..."

A one-time ally of his got so fed-up with his predatory movements on these forums from which he manufactured "news" items that she was forced to out him as being a man who had been engaged in such discussions while posing as a woman one "mariamma massaquoi" to deceive others. Indeed that one-time ally was forced at one time to write thus

This *&^^** man is a miscreant; a so-called Reverend who thrives on mischievously making up stories against other people he dislikes and labels it as journalism. The level of dirty tricks and low down games he has played against me personally and against other innocent citizens over the last few years via his paper and forum is stomach churning. If this miscreant is an example of a Christian Community Leader, then Christianity would have gone to the dogs... TO THE DOGS. Thank God, I know otherwise.  *&^^**is a satanic bundle of hatred.

That was why we contacted the American Fellowship Church where he claimed to be an Associate Pastor and was told it was a lie. Another "church" in which he claimed to be a pastor was non-existent. As for his claims to a number of academic and professional qualifications including why he was adding ESQ after his name that we had proved to be false in past briefs. Ever wondered why we do not carry his name on the Sunday theme? Now you know...it is just too filthy.