By: Hafsatu Z. Bangura
The Executive Director of the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion Ms Hawa Samai has disclosed to pressmen at the Ministry of Information and communication’s weekly press briefing that the Commission will assure the public of their preparedness for the upcoming general election to be free of violence.
She said the global peace index of 2022 Sierra Leone placed at 4th position in Africa and 46th in the world, thus noting that there is always a growing concern about national fragility which degenerates into chaos and national cohesion threatened during election periods.
She added that election preparedness is essential for peace promotion, tolerance and national cohesion during electioneering processes, and said the independent commission for peace and national cohesion sees the uttermost need for proactive preventative measures.
Madam Samai further that they have also developed and launched an operationalized, effective communication strategy; she also said they have prioritization of the Truth and reconciliation commission (TRC) residual process recommendation for implementation.
She maintained that they have developed three years strategic plan for 2022-2024 to define the strategic direction of the commission, and said they will also promote peaceful Co-existence and national cohesion through media education consultations, training and establishment of 16 mediation Centres in all 16 district in Serra Leone.
In other news, the Director of Cooperate Affairs at Sierra Leone National Telecommunications Commission (NATCOM), Ben Foday has also informed pressmen that Star TV and Radio own NATCOM over one hundred and eight Million Leones.
In a press release which was issued on 22 August 2022 NATCOM stated that they wish to inform the public that the National Telecommunications Commission (NATCOM) has suspended the licenses of STAR RADIO and TELEVISION to operate and broadcast.
Director Ben Foday said that the commission states that the suspension follows a breach in the license conditions under sections 30 and 65 of the NATCOM Act 2006 (As Amended).
They further went on to state that this action was taken after several correspondences and meetings relating to the conditions of the license between the Commission and STAR RADIO and TELEVISION, which the management of STAR RADIO and TELEVISION failed to follow.
He further stated that they are working with the management of Start TV and Radio to see how they can solve the issue of the payment structure as quickly as possible.
He said Star TV and Radio has already put in payment plans which the management of NATCOM is working on presently and they will ensure between tomorrow and next week Star TV and Radio will be in full operation.
