By: Mohamed M. Sesay
As part of his New Direction Manifesto in promoting fiscal policy and economic viability, President Julius Maada Bio has on Wednesday the 3rd of May 2023, officially launched the National Payment Switch which is geared towards promoting internet financial transactions and e-commence.
In his keynote address, President Bio confessed that he was very delighted to be part of the launch of the National Payment Switch. He added that the event marked another new dawn in his SLPP New Direction Administration. He assured that to promote economic growth is the primary focus of his administration. President Bio also intimated that the National Payment Switch would provide inclusive economic growth. He added that the implementation of the project is a priority of his government. He thanked the World Bank for sharing his vision and for their generous support towards the project.
President Bio continued that the new technology would facilitate interconnectivity within financial institutions. He described the new technology as the powerful financial tool for citizens. He said the project would improvement data collection and increase revenue collection within government institutions. He encouraged all Ministries, Departments and Agencies to continue promoting fiscal presence across every sector. He added that the Nation`s Payment switch would also facilitate e-finance and e-commerce.
“I am optimistic that this technology will match with other countries in the sub-region. Today, we have send another clear signal to the world that Sierra Leone is committed to financial inclusion”, he said.
President Bio further encouraged all the banks to implement the National Payment Switch as soon as possible. He said with the National Payment Switch, citizens would now use the POS to transact financial activities. He concluded by expressing optimism that with the launch of the National Payment Switch System, financial viability and fiscal policies would be improved and that Sierra Leone would now compete with other countries in the sub-region.
The Minister of Finance Sheku Fantamadi Bangura expressed sincere appreciation to the President for his effort toward the advancement of science and global transformation. He said financial growth and the new payment system are major catalyst to achieve inclusive financial infrastructure. He said the National Payment Switch would enhance easy Payment with the government system in all sectors. He concluded by extending profound thanks and appreciation to all partners of the project particularly the World Bank for funding the project. He encouraged all and sundry to open an account and be part of the new technology.
The Acting Bank Governor Dr. Ibrahim Steven said no time was better than the very day when the National Payment Switch was launched by the President. He particularly thanked President Bio for providing the political platform in realizing such phenomenon achievement. He added that just over decade ago, financial transaction used to be very rigid and risky.
He said with the modern payment systems, such risk has been eradicated. He added that with the National Payment Switch, their role in financial transaction has changed to advanced technological banking system. He added that the National payment Switch would also enhance financial inclusion for end users. He disclosed that the World Bank provided 12 million dollars towards the development of the National Payment Switch.
Dr. Ibrahim Steven continued that the National Payment Switch is a typical example of modern internet banking. He said the private sector has a huge role to play and therefore, called on the private sector to be very supportive towards the implementation of the project. He also acknowledged the contribution of the Financial Intelligent Unit for their support towards the project. He assured that they would continue to work with DSTI and the Ministry of information in order to put in place tougher security measures.
SIERRA LEONE’S CURRENT POLITICAL PERSPECTIVES
BY MOHAMED MACARTHY
Politics in Sierra Leone seems to be taking a different dynamic in recent times. The June 24th Presidential and Parliamentary Elections; the most controversial and discussed elections are being faced with unprecedented exodus amidst politicians. The dominant political parties, APC and SLPP keep casting aspersions on each other with regards jump-starting and strengthening the country’s economic in order to meet the demands of average Sierra Leoneans.
Few years back, the main opposition party in Sierra Leone now, the All People’s Congress (APC) left the country in huge recessions at a time when the globe was not experiencing economic threats as compared to the prevailing economic downturn the world currently faces . The Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) took over in 2018 with the primary aim of swiftly fixing the economic.
However, it continues to make livelihood very clumsy for average citizens. Enormous gains had been made in their first term in office though the bread and butter is yet to be addressed by the Bio’s Led Administration of which citizens are still concerned about what would be the key campaign highlights by every political party when the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone (ECSL) declares official campaign timeframe.
The defection of strategic party stewards to the ruling party is a clarion call to Political and Social Analysts. What does this mean for our fragile democracy when most of them had spent decades in their parties? Notwithstanding the fact that election is apparently about numbers.
President Julius Maada Bio is the first president ever since the war ended in 2002 to have witnessed the huge defections of parties stewards, their supporters, sympathizers and wish-wishers to have openly and willingly declared for the SLPP to the extent that the National Grand Coalition ( NGC) and the Sierra Leone People’s Party ( SLPP) formed an alliance to have a single presidential candidate with the sole aim of winning the forthcoming elections.
Should citizens expect swift fixing of the bread and butter issue with the marriage between NGC-SLPP if the election may have been won by them with their compounded mantra “ Way we put Salone fos, Paopa Salone go betteh ”?
The June 24th Elections will be contested with very few political parties pursuant to the Political Party Registration Commission (PPRC) Act. Those that would be contesting are the ones that fully met the requisites to partake in the June 24th Multitier Elections.
The most embattled standard-bearer who is being accused of corruption in the Sierra Leone’s US Chancery in New York, Dr. Samura M. W Kamara successfully together with his running-mate, Honorable Chernor Manju went through the nomination process at ECSL’s Headquarters on the 1st May,2023.
Some factions of citizens in Sierra Leone and abroad were with the firm conviction that come what may, the standard-bearer for APC will be kicked out of the presidential race on the basis of the alleged corruption scandal. They were oblivious of the fact that the 1991 Constitution clearly states that “Section 23 subsection (4) that every person who is charged with a criminal offense shall be presumed innocent until he is proven guilty, or has pleaded guilty”.
As it’s, the standard-bearer for APC had been certified by ECSL to contest next month’s election whilst the trial surrounding Dr. Samura Kamara had been adjourned to July. The most anticipated elections seem to be a re-run election between the incumbent president with the same running-mate and his main challenger, Dr. Kamara and also the same running-mate.
For a very peaceful elections to be held in June, leadership from all contesting parties need to have a common ground and sign strategic communiques in a bid to have peace and calm ambiance before and after electioneering period . The heightened political tensions in our body politic now is an early warning sign that needs to be halted forthwith; because it’s the propensity to create far-reaching political instability in Sierra Leone.
Security personnel are expected to be very fair and professional in their dealings with political matters. The safety and security of the state is a very profound concern to citizens. Sierra Leone had been rated as one of the most peaceful countries in West Africa having conducted four successive elections. Peace is very fundamental in every bit of what we do on daily basis. Any form of political incendiary and intimidation most be dealt with immediately irrespective of your political allegiance.
