By: Problyn J. Alpha
In a momentous event on Saturday, January 13, 2024, Mamady Mansaray, a cocoa and coffee seller from Gbane chiefdom in Kono District, emerged as the winner of an annual promotional raffle draw organized by the J & J Produce Store. Mansaray’s exceptional achievement of selling the highest quantity of cocoa and coffee to the J & J Produce Store for the years 2022-2023 earned him an impressive prize—a self-contained three-bedroom house valued at two hundred and forty million Leones. The award ceremony took place at the J & J Produce Store located on Old Yengema Road in Koidu City.
Elyas Jamiel Bayeh, the Chief Executive Officer of J & J Produce Store, addressed the gathering and explained that the yearly promotional raffle draw aims to motivate and support local farmers, fostering a robust foundation for the agricultural sector. He emphasized that the farmer with the highest sales of cocoa and coffee to the store is awarded a coveted star prize. Additionally, other attractive prizes are distributed among farmers, commercial motorbike riders, and taxi drivers involved in transporting cocoa and coffee to the J & J Produce Store.
Mr. Bayeh expressed his commitment to contributing to the Feed Sa Leone project, aligning with President Julius Maada Bio’s agenda for national development. He assured the credibility of the raffle draw, highlighting the meticulous record-keeping of cocoa and coffee sales in a database. Daily raffles are conducted at the store, except on Sundays when the staff attend church services.
The CEO credited the success of his business to the favorable prices at which they purchase cocoa and coffee. He noted that his interventions over the years have shifted the mindset of some individuals who previously believed that mining was the sole means of earning money in Kono District.
Mr. Bayeh recounted the history of the promotional raffle draw, revealing that it began in 2019 with a brand-new motorbike as the star prize. In subsequent years, winners received a vehicle in 2020-2021 and a dwelling house worth two hundred and fifty million Leones in 2022-2023.
The CEO expressed gratitude to everyone, particularly the farmers, for their patronage. He disclosed that a significant portion of his profits, around 80%, is utilized to improve the lives of people in the community. He appealed to the government of Sierra Leone for support, emphasizing the pivotal role of agriculture in the prosperity of any nation.
Mamady Mansaray, the star prize winner, extended his thanks to the CEO and applauded the initiative for its potential to positively impact the lives of farmers in Kono District and the entire country. He shared his personal success story, transitioning from a tenant to a landlord in a city known for mining, all through his hard work as a cocoa and coffee farmer.
Key officials, including the acting paramount chief of Gbense chiefdom, Councillor Tamba Saphia of the Kono District Council, and others, commended the efforts of the J & J Produce Store management. They highlighted the importance of supporting initiatives that promote agriculture, recognizing it as the bedrock of development and a crucial step in addressing societal challenges such as drug abuse among the youth.
