Ballanta Academy of Music announces mini-auditorium project

 It used to be a garage, scattered with auto parts, building materials and extraneous academy detritus. But, in the minds of Principal Kitty Fadlu-Deen, Julius Spencer and Tani Pratt, among countless others, the garage space will soon become a mini-auditorium for performing arts, music and theatre.

On Thursday 8 November 2018, Ballanta Music Academy, on Liverpool Street in central Freetown, launched their mini-auditorium project to turn a dirty, open garage into a state-of-the-art, 150-seat, concert hall. Against a whitewashed wall, the Ballanta signature band, “Groovy Colours” welcomed guests and provided the backdrop for the launch reception.

Tani Pratt, Chair of the Ballanta Academy Board of Directors, said, “This Academy and our future auditorium will nourish the youth and create a home for music and arts.”

“We will turn this space into a performance space that will attract music lovers and concert-goers of all ages,” said Kitty Fadlu-Deen, the Principal of the Academy. “This space will fill a hole in the arts and music environment in Freetown. We’ll be able to host concerts – big and small – and it will be affordable for all groups.”

The auditorium space was designed by Jarret-Yaskey, Garber and Associates (jyga Architects) and will feature a raised wooden stage, 150 seats on two tiers, changing rooms, washrooms, and box office space. The entire project is expected to cost $60,000 USD.

The imaginative design was unveiled by Julius Spencer, a Ballanta Academy Development Committee Member. He said, “The Chinese Embassy, whom we are grateful to, has kick-started our fund-raising and we have started the renovations.” The Chinese Embassy donated $10,000 USD to the mini-auditorium and has pledged to support Ballanta with musical equipment in the future. A representative of the Chinese Embassy said this project was out of passion and a commitment to the youth of the country.

Julius Spencer added, “We know the importance of arts in a society and an individual. Our creativity exists despite our education system, which does not nurture imagination or creativity or arts.” He continued, “Ballanta has been educating and entertaining people in the performing arts for years and a mini-auditorium is our next contribution to the growth of the arts in Sierra Leone.”

“The government will realize that the creative arts can open a vast employment opportunity for young people… in music, film, dance, theatre and other arts,” Spencer noted. “We have lost our creative instinct and become imitators. But, Sierra Leoneans, young and old, are thirsty for good quality entertainment. At this venue, they will be entertained and educated… to the ultimate benefit of the country,” Spencer said.

To turn a garage space into a concert hall will not take a miracle… just hard work, commitment and a bit of money. Kitty Fadlu-Deen said the Academy has started fund raising and hopes to raise enough money to finish the project by March 2019. “We will be soliciting donations for the mini-auditorium from corporations and individuals. It’s a very important and significant effort and we hope more people get involved.”

Ballanta Academy of Music is at 27 Liverpool Street in Freetown. They can be reached at 232 30632671 or ballanta.info@gmail.com.

8/11/18

US citizen missing for 100 days in Sierra Leone – Massah Kaikai

Massah Kaikai has not been seen or heard from for 100 days. She went missing sometime between 4 – 8 August 2018. Massah’s mother, Ayodeji Babalola (nee Ademu-John), her sisters in the U.S., her father, Ansumana Jaia Kaikai, her business colleagues and friends have been trying frantically to find Massah. The investigative trail has uncovered twists and turns but Massah is yet to be found. 

Ayo, Massah’s mother, said, “This is a very serious security and safety issue for Sierra Leone. A young woman, diligently giving back to her country and promoting development, suddenly cannot be located. And, no efficient efforts are being made after three months… The safety and security of all individuals coming into to Sierra Leone for work, tourism, development, investment and other matters should be a top priority.”

Massah Kaikai (left) with international partners

Massah is a 40-year old American citizen born of Sierra Leonean parents. She lived on Lower Pipeline Road, off Wilkinson Road and had a training workshop on a family property on Manfred Lane, off Kissy Road in the east of Freetown.

Kaikai returned to Sierra Leone in 2014 to work on development projects with women, the disabled community and children. She set up a small business and made connections with giant American retailers, local NGOs, government ministries such as Tourism, Foreign Affairs, Trade and funders.

The Chief Immigration Officer, Andrew Jaia Kaikai, said there was no record of Massah leaving Sierra Leone on any flight or across any overland border. Interpol has been notified and airports and borders around the world are keeping an eye out for her passport, which is also missing along with all her identification.

Massah’s mother, Ayo Babalola, arrived in Freetown from New York on 9 September 2018 to personally initiate a missing person’s file with the Sierra Leone Police and launch her own search. She said, “Nothing was being done to find Massah. Her father hadn’t contacted the Police. Her friends or sisters hadn’t heard anything. I had no word so I had to come myself. I just want her back, safe and sound.”

The Regional Security Officers of the U.S. Embassy in Sierra Leone are aware of the situation and are working with local police. Two U.S. Embassy officers have visited ASP Lebbie, the officer in charge of the investigation at the CID, on several occasions. The Security Officers could not comment on the ongoing investigation but U.S. Ambassador, Maria E. Brewer is aware of Massah’s disappearance. After three weeks, she indicated, “We have been encouraging Sierra Leone’s police to follow up on all available information and keenly await an outcome from their investigation.” The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in the U.S. and West Africa have been notified and are monitoring the ongoing search and investigation.

The Police investigation is very slowly progressing but is stalled by a lack of capacity, inefficiency and a seeming lack of will, according to Massah’s mother. Ayo attends the CID almost everyday to encourage the Police. She said, “There is a major gender issue as I try to navigate and encourage the investigation, as a mother and a woman, I am not respected or my concerns are not addressed equitably because I am not a man.” Ayo complained to R.P.G. Roberts, Deputy Head of CID and Legal Adviser to the Sierra Leone Police, who promptly called a meeting of all involved. He instructed investigators to show more respect and to put more efforts into actions to find Massah. The second officer in charge of the investigation has since requested a transfer off the case. The Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Priscilla Schwartz, is in receipt of documents and letters but is yet to respond.

One suspect, Ibrahim Mansaray, Massah’s driver, is currently in custody and has been questioned by the Inspector General of Police, ASP Memunu Jalloh, who knows Massah personally, and the Head of CID. The suspect has provided very little information as to Massah’s disappearance but was in possession of Massah’s IPhone when he was arrested. After 45 days, the Cyber Crime Unit of CID has finally retrieved scant information from Massah’s phone but it has not proved useful in tracking Massah’s movements or whereabouts. The legal team at Orange, the telecom provider, will not comment and have not been helpful in providing information to the investigation.

Mansaray also looted Massah’s apartment of furniture, clothing and kitchen items before returning the keys to the landlords, Neneh and Samuel Carlton-Carew. According to the landlords, Massah was a quiet, good tenant. The apartment was paid for until the end of December 2018.

Massah’s father, Ansumana Jaia KaiKai, is the former SLPP Member of Parliament from Pujehun District, and former Deputy Minority Leader of Parliament. He and Massah were not on good terms and are estranged. Ansumana Jaia Kaikai has refused comment but has not been overly helpful in the search for his daughter, according to Massah’s mother. Ansumana Kaikai left the country for two weeks just after Massah’s mother arrived in Freetown and had not notified the Police nor filed a missing person’s report even though Massah had been missing for almost a month. According to the Police, Ansumana Jaia Kaikai made a brief statement to officers at CID.

At one point, according to a friend of Massah’s, Ansumana Kaikai said he sent a private search party to Bo and Pujehun to investigate his daughter’s disappearance. He said he held prayers in his home area and Massah would be returned on a specific date, which has long since past. Interestingly, Massah’s driver, Mansaray, used to work for the former MP, who also provided a vehicle to Massah for a short period of time.

Prior to Massah’s disappearance, Massah was recommended to President Bio by the Minister of Trade and Industry, Peter Bayuku Konteh, for an appointment as Executive Chair of the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency (SMEDA) based on her professional qualifications and previous successful projects with American Apparel retailer and the United States Embassy. Massah met Minister Konteh when he was Minister of Tourism and Massah was working on a project with Brussels Air. The Minister said he last spoke to Massah sometime in June. He added, Massah was also having meetings with the former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samura Kamara and the current minister, Alie Kabba. The SMEDA position is yet to be filled and no one has been called to the Parliamentary Committee of Appointments or Parliament for approval.

Interestingly, Edward Sesay, who also works at the Ministry of Trade, said he used to see Massah around the Ministry offices and became a friend. He helped Massah find her apartment almost three years ago. He also recommended Ann Marie Turay, whom he knew as a neighbour and friend, as a housekeeper to Massah. Turay worked for Massah up until the time of Massah’s disappearance. She has been questioned by the Police but provided very little information that could lead to Massah’s return. She remains a person of interest in the investigation. Apparently, with Massah’s permission, Ann Marie moved into Massah’s late grandfather’s family home on Manfred Lane on 3 August 2018, around the time Massah disappeared.

“With respect and never-ending love and admiration for my daughter, Massah Kaikai, I will leave no stone unturned, knock on every door… do all I can to see Massah Kaikai in front of me, safe and sound.” Ayodeji Babalola (nee Ademu-John).

The family property on Manfred Lane is a large farm with several buildings. It belonged to Ayo’s father’s family and after his death was divided between nine siblings including Ayo. The property has been greatly reduced in size by encroachers but remains a valuable piece of real estate in the heart of Freetown. Massah was given Letters of Accreditation over the property through her mother, Ayo, and was trying to develop sections of the land. Ansumana Jaia Kaikai was also named in the Accreditation document.

Gladys Quee, a lawyer and former girlfriend of Ansumana Jaia Kaikai, was advising Massah about removing her father’s name from the Accreditation document, including other land matters.

Ayo, Massah’s mother, met with the First Lady, Fatima Bio, on Friday 19 October 2018, who took immediate action and called her husband, the President, during the meeting. Fatima Bio explained the situation briefly to the President who was to “make some calls and take action”. Vice-President Juldeh Jalloh is also aware of the situation.

SD/3/11/18

Missing woman - American in Sierra Leone

Massah is missing… last seen in early August

Massah Kaikai went missing sometime between 4 – 8 August 2018, and has not been seen or heard from since. Prior to her disappearance, Massah was in touch with her mother and two sisters in the US every other day. Massah also had friends with whom she kept in constant contact. But, neither family nor friends have heard from her in more than six weeks. 

Kaikai returned to Sierra Leone in 2014 to work on development projects with women, the disabled community and children. She set up a small business and made connections with local NGOs and funders. “She is a confident, world traveller who’s independent, smart and caring,” said her mother Ayodeji Babalola (nee Ademu-John).

Massah is a 40-year old American citizen born of Sierra Leonean parents. She lived on Lower Pipeline Road, off Wilkinson Road and had a workshop on Manfred Lane, off Kissy Road in the east of Freetown. The Sierra Leone Immigration Department said there was no record of Massah leaving Sierra Leone on any flight or across any overland border.

Massah’s mother said, “I missed a call from her on 7 August 2018 and when I returned the call, her phone was off. I used to text her and send her messages on WhatsApp but I haven’t heard anything from her. This is not like her.” Ayo arrived in Sierra Leone from New York on 9 September 2018 to personally take up the search and investigation into her daughter’s disappearance.

Massah’s father is Ansu Kaikai, former SLPP Member of Parliament from Pujehun and former Deputy Minority Leader of Parliament. Massah and her father are not on good terms and are estranged. In fact, Ansu complained that Massah had blocked his phone number on her iPhone. He left the country very shortly after Ayo arrived and did not file a missing person’s report prior to leaving the country.

Ayo reported her missing daughter to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) upon her arrival. She contacted ASP O.C. Lebbie, who interviewed her and has begun an investigation. The Head of CID is involved and overseeing the police efforts.

The CID have arrested Massah’s boyfriend, Ibrahim Mansaray, a driver, and are holding him in custody for further questioning. Mansaray was found in possession of Massah’s iPhone and had cleaned out her apartment. He sold many of the household belongings and Police have tracked several items. Massah’s landlord said Mansaray returned the keys to her apartment, three months before the lease was to expire, and told the landlord that Massah had traveled and was not returning.

Gladys Quee, a family acquaintance, said she met Massah on 8 August 2018 at Bliss Restaurant and gave her some money for a job Massah had done. Quee may have been the last person to be with Massah before her disappearance.

Annmarie worked for Massah a couple of days a week as a house-helper and cook. She said she hasn’t seen Massah since early August. Interestingly, Annmarie moved into Massah’s family home on Manfred Lane on 3 August 2018, just around the time Massah disappeared.

The Regional Security Officers of the U.S. Embassy in Sierra Leone are aware of the situation and are currently investigating the missing woman. Two U.S. Embassy officers have visited ASP Lebbie and officers at the CID on several occasions. The Security Officers could not comment on the ongoing investigation.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in the U.S. and West Africa have been notified and are monitoring the ongoing search and investigation. Massah’s sister in New York notified the FBI and Ayo, who used to work at the United Nations, has notified the Secretary General of the UN.

The Sierra Leone Representative to the UN, Francis Mustapha Kaikai, is also aware of Massah’s disappearance. Before Ayo came to Sierra Leone, the mission told her “we are working on it.” And, the mission in New York suggested to her “… not to travel to Sierra Leone just yet.”

But Ayo traveled to Sierra Leone and has been diligently investigating and assembling information on Massah’s disappearance. “We are calling on everyone and anyone to try to find my daughter,” said Massah’s mother, Ayo. “I’m contacting everyone I know who might be able to help,” she said.

Ayo sent three e-mail letters to State House in Freetown and met once with Keketoma Sandy, the Presidential Secretary, who said he “would work on it and tell the President”, about the missing woman. Sandy has since not returned Ayo’s e-mails and will not answer her calls. “I’m sure nothing was done,” said Ayo. “But, I want the government to be aware and I want the President to be aware,” she added.

24/9/18

Too close to call... 50/50 a possibility

Presidential election runoff... the polls were quiet, relaxed and relatively efficient. Sierra Leone is never without "challenges" however... and there were lots. But, on the whole, things were good.

It's not exactly technologically sound... but who needs technology when it can be hacked??? Or so some people thought. Everything must be done "manually" according to a court order issued on the National Electoral Commission... a bit of nonsense... but we're so paranoid here that counting one by one by one by one... and then carrying the boxes straight to a headquarters - bristling with guns and military-types - is the only way we can do this without trickery and deceit.

The Presidential runoff in Sierra Leone

A "mostly", "generally", "sort of" peaceful, efficient and transparent election runoff.

The Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ)

Supported by the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI)

Promoting democratic and political processes

Political Reporting – training and monitoring

In 2012, the Government of Sierra Leone invited an observer mission from the European Union to monitor and observe the 17 November 2012 general elections. Over 100 observers were deployed to the 14 Districts of Sierra Leone from EU member states and Norway. Part of what that EU mission did was to monitor media coverage of the campaign, candidates and elections. Some media outlets did well, according to the EU independent observers. But, there were some fundamental flaws in the way media covered the elections as well.

For example, on the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) television, the ruling party and incumbent All Peoples Congress (APC) received 61% of airtime coverage. On SLBC radio, 40.5% of coverage was devoted to the incumbent party and 23% to the main opposition party, the Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP). None of the remaining seven parties received more than 8.5% of coverage either on SLBC Radio or on SLBC TV. These independent statistics were and are being refuted by the SLBC management.

Out of the nine private media monitored by the EU EOM, four media outlets showed significant unbalances in allocation of time/space and tone in favour of APC, and one in favour of SLPP.

Clearly, the independent EU observers identified issues of concern regarding how the Sierra Leone media cover elections, campaigns and candidates. One strategy that SLAJ and the media are using to help address these and other concerns is to further train and monitor the media.

The Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) began a series of training workshops, funded by the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI), for 25 SLAJ members and journalists from around the country on 26 November and continued the training with another group of 25 journalists on 4 December 2017. Each of the training workshops lasted for three-days and featured seasoned media educators Francis Sowa and Stephen Douglas along with special guests from the National Electoral Commission (NEC) and the Political Parties Registration Commission (PPRC). The final guest was Umaru Fofana of the BBC who spoke about staying safe in potentially hostile settings.

The training sessions opened with a review of the media landscape and included the EU observer mission notes. Participants then rated the current media situation based on the following criteria: balance, fairness, accuracy, technology and integrity, among others. Unfortunately, according to participant feedback, the media did not score very well receiving an average mark of less than 30%. Participants consensually agreed the media need to do a better job of reporting on political issues and elections.

The role of the media in elections coverage and democracy was explored and again it was agreed, “The media plays a very important role in a democracy. It is up to journalists, as well as voters, to find out what different parties stand for and to inform citizens about their policies and all the big issues,” summarized one participant.

Another participant added, “The aim of any election coverage is to ensure that the electorate is able to make an informed choice. Voters are entitled to accurate, fair, impartial and balanced information about the election procedures and the positions of political parties/independents and/or candidates on issues.” It was clear that many journalists understand the importance of their work.

Stephen Douglas led a session on conflict-sensitive reporting and how to avoid reporting techniques that may enflame vs calm a potentially volatile situation. Defamatory and malicious reporting was discussed at length. The issue of hate speech was reviewed and specific examples were cited. Hate speech is a horrible abuse of someone’s tribe, nationality or sex and could lead to all kinds of problems. A reporter’s choice of words was carefully examined and a series of headlines were discussed. “Political battleground” was used as an example of a headline that could potentially cause problems. Politics is not a “battle” but a process of selecting an ideology and commitment to development between political parties. By referring to politics as a battle, it can conjure images (and memories) of conflict or war.

As evidenced in a presentation by Francis Sowa, there are many ways to cover politics and politicians. Sowa led a discussion on “designing an election plan and programs”. Preparations and planning were highlighted as key to a media outlet’s coverage.

An interesting debate emerged during a presentation on “the role of women in politics and how to cover women candidates”. Generally, the media fall short of their own accountability role, which is to work and report in the interest of the public, when women are not given equal access to voice their opinions and views as sources and when women politicians and candidates are rendered invisible or only covered in stereotypical ways. The notion of “gender-aware reporting” was presented and a commitment was made to fully cover women’s issues and women’s voices.

SLAJ hosted three special guest speakers during the three days of training. Lucien Momoh of the Political Parties Registration Commission (PPRC) presented information on the political parties and their constitutions. He noted, “As a regulatory body, the PPRC tries to ensure political parties follow the rules as laid out in the national Constitution.” Participants were enthralled as Momoh described the requirements for party registration and the financial reporting demands of the PPRC.

The legal framework for elections and voting were explained by Albert Massaquoi of the National Electoral Commission (NEC). The process of conducting elections falls on the shoulders of the NEC and Massaquoi was very thorough in his explanation of how elections should be conducted to ensure a fair and credible process.

Elections and campaigns can be volatile and sometimes violent. Umaru Fofana, of the BBC, presented techniques to avoid harm and stay safe while reporting in potentially hostile situations. Fofana spoke about threats to journalists and listed; political party militants or extremists, security forces and criminals, who may want to take advantage of crowds or rallies. He also reviewed things a journalist could or should do to avoid harm and stay safe such as never wearing party colours, remaining behind security forces and always being aware of your surroundings. Fofana’s experiences and detailed story-telling techniques added a great deal to his presentation and generated an abundance of discussion.

The media has three roles to play during an election campaign, on voting day and throughout the political cycle. First, the media informs people about the election. The media reports fairly on the campaigns of all the political parties so the people can make their own choices. It also presents educational information to tell citizens who the candidates are and where to vote, and how to cast a vote in secret, etc. And, the media may carry advertisements from the political parties seeking the people’s support.

Secondly the media is the watchdog over the fairness of the election campaign and the voting. It is the media’s job to report if there is no free speech because some candidates are afraid to speak, or if there is corruption in election and voting procedures, or if the election management bodies are doing their jobs fairly.

And thirdly the media should be the voice of the voters. The election is not just for the politicians. An election is also an opportunity for ordinary people to speak up, to say what issues they think are important and why. The media should go out into the community and be the voice of the ordinary voters, and also be the voice for those who cannot speak up or have been ignored in the past.

The participants at the SLAJ training agreed, a professional work of journalism must be accurate, verified, balanced, neutral, gender-aware and respectful of human dignity. Implicit in these requirements is a sense of morality and of responsibility. Above all, a journalist’s primary responsibility is to his fellow citizens.