Executive Newspaper

CFR, IPEN Raise Red Flag Over Trade Surge, Demand Immediate Treaty Reform


By: Mohamed Osman Bangura (Political)

The Center for Female Researchers (CFR), with support from the International Pollutants Elimination Network (IPEN), have raised serious concerns over the two significant weaknesses in the Minamata Convention’s implementation, including ongoing legal trade in mercury to be used in artisanal and small-scale gold mining. The two partner organizations believes the treaty needs to be strengthened by amendments that:
• End the legal international trade in mercury
• Establish a phase-out date of 2032 for the allowable use of Mercury in artisanal small-scale gold mining
In a strongly worded briefing paper, CFR and IPEN argue that despite the global treaty aimed at protecting human health and the environment from mercury pollution, international mercury trade has increased rather than declined. According to available data, approximately 1,200 tonnes of mercury were legally traded worldwide in 2017. By 2022, that figure had surged to 1,700 tonnes, representing a 40 percent increase.
While mercury trade dropped significantly after the Convention was signed in 2013, much of that decline was attributed to the phase-out of mercury in industrial products and processes. Today, with most industrial uses already eliminated or nearing elimination, the organizations believe the rising demand is largely driven by artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM).
Mercury is commonly used in ASGM to extract gold from ore through amalgamation. Once used, large quantities of the toxic metal are released into rivers, soil, and the atmosphere, contaminating ecosystems and entering the food chain. This exposes communities, particularly children, pregnant women, and Indigenous populations, to serious health risks.
Data referenced in the briefing shows that mercury use in ASGM stood at about 2,059 tonnes in 2017. Five years later, estimates indicate 2,094 tonnes were still being used. CFR and IPEN stress that this shows no meaningful reduction, despite global commitments under the Convention.
CFR is calling on the government of Sierra Leone to support the call for the treaty’s two major weaknesses. Amendments: End the continued legal international trade in mercury and set a phase-out date for 2032 mercury use in ASGM.
They argue that most products and industries that previously relied on mercury, including chlor-alkali plants and several manufacturing processes, have already been phased out or are scheduled to end by 2025. With dental amalgam also being reduced globally, the residual demand for mercury in legitimate industries is minimal compared to the volume being diverted into small-scale gold mining.
Ending legal trade, they say, would significantly simplify enforcement. Customs authorities would no longer need to determine whether mercury shipments are intended for permitted or illegal uses.
Currently, ASGM is the only major mercury use under the Convention without a defined phase-out timeline. The elimination of mercury use remains voluntary and open-ended to countries.
By aligning the 2032 deadline with the scheduled phase-out of primary mercury mining under the treaty, governments would have a concrete target to accelerate the transition to safer, mercury-free gold extraction methods. The organisations emphasise that small-scale mining can continue using alternative technologies that do not depend on mercury.
For Sierra Leone, the issue carries immediate relevance. Artisanal and small-scale gold mining remains largely informal and unregulated in many parts of the country. Mercury amalgamation is widely practised, contributing to contamination of rivers and land degradation. According to the National Minerals Agency, land degradation linked to mining is advancing at a rate of at least 500 hectares per year.
Mining communities often face limited access to healthcare, sanitation, and clean water. Workers typically operate without adequate protective gear, increasing their exposure to toxic chemicals. Reported health problems in these areas include malaria, vomiting, intestinal worms among children, skin infections, sexually transmitted diseases, acute respiratory infections, and gastric complications.
CFR and IPEN maintain that without decisive reform, the objectives of the Minamata Convention will remain out of reach. They warn that as global gold prices rise, pressure on small-scale mining will continue, further fuelling mercury demand unless stronger controls are implemented.
The organisations are therefore urging treaty parties to act swiftly to end the global mercury trade, establish a binding 2032 phase-out date for mercury use in gold mining, strengthen enforcement mechanisms, and support countries in transitioning to safer alternatives.
Their message is clear: without immediate treaty reform, mercury pollution will continue to threaten ecosystems, public health, and future generations worldwide.

Africell Launches 2026 Ramadan Bonanza with Le1 Billion Giveaway

Africell Sierra Leone has launched its 2026 Ramadan Promotion Show, titled “Gentri PaLamp,” with a prize pool exceeding Le1 billion in cash and other rewards, as part of its annual Ramadan engagement campaign for subscribers nationwide. The launch took place on Tuesday, 17 February 2026, at Africell’s headquarters in Wilberforce, Freetown.


The 2026 edition is positioned as a multi-platform entertainment and reward program combining live television and radio broadcasts, digital engagement, community outreach activities, and AfriMoney-powered promotions. The show is designed to run throughout the holy month of Ramadan, featuring interactive gameplay mechanics, audience participation via short codes, and social media challenges, alongside nationwide promotional activations and community-based engagements.
In his welcome address, Africell Media Manager Abdul Karim said the 2026 Ramadan Show was developed with heightened creativity and a stronger subscriber-centric focus. He said the program aims to provide an enhanced viewing and participation experience for subscribers during Ramadan and to demonstrate Africell’s appreciation for its customer base across the country.
Africell’s Marketing and Communications Manager Kamanda Koroma said the 2026 Ramadan Show will be larger in scale compared to previous editions, with increased AfriMoney cash winnings and a broader prize portfolio including cash, smartphones, airtime, and other gifts.
He explained that participants will enter by calling or sending SMS to short code 777, purchasing Africell scratch cards, or through AfriMoney-linked participation. Selected participants will interact with a multiplier system, where visual outcomes determine prize multipliers such as ×1, ×2, or ×3, applied to cash prizes, alongside other reward categories.
AfriMoney Marketing Manager John Konteh outlined financial and consumer-focused promotions linked to the Ramadan campaign. He announced the deployment of three branded rice trucks nationwide, with one serving Freetown and the Western Area and two rotating across regional locations including Bo, Kenema, Makeni and others. He said the AfriMoney Ramadan Bundle, priced at Nle10, includes three cups of rice redeemable via a voucher at the rice trucks, 2 minutes of on-net talk time, 250 MB data, 250 SMS, valid until midnight.
Konteh also announced the Ramadan "Sunakati" initiative for AfriMoney subscribers, allowing users to request from them by dialing *161*13 # and selecting the appropriate option. He said AfriMoney will select 10 recipients daily throughout Ramadan, with winners announced on radio and AfriMoney’s page.
Africell Digital and Social Media Manager Fatmata Jaria Bah detailed the digital engagement component of the campaign, which will include daily keyword challenges announced during live broadcasts on Africell’s page. Participants must comment on the daily keyword and compile weekly sentences to qualify for weekly prizes of Nle2,000. She said the keyword announcements can occur at any point during the show to encourage continuous viewing.
She also announced that customers who purchase data bundles via the MyAfricell app during Ramadan will receive a 50 percent bonus, with additional seasonal packages available. She encouraged subscribers to follow Africell’s social media channels for real-time announcements and additional promotional activities.
The show will be air Monday to Friday across television, radio, and Africell’s digital platforms, starting around 7:45 p.m., with an approximate runtime of 1 hour 15 minutes. And articipation is open to all subscribers regardless of religious affiliation.
The “Gentri PaLamp” Ramadan Show is scheduled to commence on Wednesday, 18 February 2026, as Africell continues its annual Ramadan promotional campaign combining entertainment, financial incentives, and community outreach initiatives across Sierra Leone.

Why APC Needs Strong Leadership

By Emmanuel Kpaka United Kingdom (UK)

Given the current political climate in Sierra Leone, the All People’s Congress (APC) stands at a defining crossroads. To effectively navigate mounting internal and external challenges, the party requires strong, credible, and visionary leadership—leadership capable of restoring unity, rebuilding trust, and repositioning the APC as a formidable force ahead of 2028.

1. Standing Firm Against External Pressure
The APC has faced sustained political pressure from the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP), including what many supporters perceive as the politicization of state institutions such as the judiciary, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), and elements of the security sector.

In such circumstances, the party needs leadership that is legally astute, courageous, and strategically composed someone who understands governance, constitutionalism, and the rule of law, and who can robustly defend democratic principles while maintaining national stability.
2. Healing Internal Divisions and Restoring Unity
Internal fractures, factional distrust, and damaging accusations have weakened the APC’s cohesion. Allegations of “sell-outs,” leadership rivalries, and ideological differences have diverted energy away from constructive opposition politics.
A strong leader must rise above factionalism, inspire reconciliation, and foster collective purpose ensuring that loyalty to the party’s vision supersedes individual ambition. Unity is not optional; it is foundational for revival.
3. Rebuilding Public Confidence
Public perception is central to political success. Many supporters have grown concerned about the APC’s effectiveness as an opposition party. Re-engaging disillusioned voters particularly young people, requires a leader who is accessible, reform-minded, and forward-thinking.
Rebuilding trust demands integrity, consistency, and a clear roadmap for national development. The electorate seeks credibility and competence, not rhetoric.
4. Modernizing Strategy for a New Era
Politics today is increasingly shaped by digital communication, economic complexity, youth engagement, and global interconnectedness. The APC must modernize its strategy, messaging, and organizational structure to remain competitive.
Leadership must reflect adaptability, policy depth, and an understanding of emerging economic and technological realities that resonate with a new generation of voters.
5. Reorganizing and Strengthening Party Structures
For the APC to regain electoral competitiveness, it must reinforce its grassroots base, improve internal democracy, and promote inclusivity in decision-making processes. Strategic reorganization, disciplined coordination, and transparent leadership selection processes will be critical for long-term resilience.
Why Hon. Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara Represents the Moment
Hon. Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara brings a rare combination of legal expertise, governmental experience, political maturity, and national appeal. As a former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, he understands statecraft, institutional governance, and constitutional order.
His leadership style—measured, principled, and reform-oriented—positions him as a unifying figure capable of bridging divides within the party while articulating a compelling national vision.
At this critical juncture, the APC needs not only a leader, but a statesman, one who can defend democracy, restore confidence, inspire unity, and chart a credible path toward victory in 2028.
The future of the APC depends on decisive leadership. The moment demands strength, integrity, and vision.

IMATT College Makes History

By: Usman Fambuleh

In a groundbreaking achievement for legal education in Sierra Leone, IMATT College has become the first university in the country to participate in the prestigious Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot.

The global competition, widely known as the “Vis Moot,” brings together law students from across the world to foster the study and practice of international commercial sales law and arbitration. This year alone, students from over 80 countries are participating, placing IMATT College firmly on the international legal stage.
The Willem C. Vis Moot focuses on disputes arising from international commercial sales contracts governed by the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG). The dispute is resolved through arbitration in a fictional country that has adopted the UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration and is a party to the Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards.
The competition is designed to provide practical legal training. Students draft written memoranda for both claimant and respondent and later present oral arguments before panels of seasoned arbitration practitioners and academics from both civil law and common law backgrounds.
IMATT College’s participation signals a major leap forward for legal scholarship in Sierra Leone. It demonstrates the institution’s commitment to producing globally competitive lawyers equipped to handle cross-border commercial disputes.
Representing Sierra Leone on this international platform is a dynamic team of four outstanding law students:
Cecilia Alice Sesay Gustavus Cilmond Betts
Mariama Bah
Alhassana Sow
The team is guided and coached by an accomplished panel of mentors: *Mohamed Wurie Bah, Maurici Monguet Sanguino, Sofia Saltynska, and Albert Macharia*, whose expertise in international arbitration and advocacy has been instrumental in preparing the students for this rigorous competition.
The IMATT College Vis Moot team is driven by more than participation. Their guiding mission is to empower a new generation of African advocates to shape the future of international arbitration.
Through months of intensive research, drafting, and advocacy training, the team seeks to elevate African voices and perspectives within global dispute resolution. They view the competition as a transformative platform one that not only sharpens their legal skills but also opens doors for future Sierra Leonean students to engage in international legal discourse.
By stepping into this arena, IMATT College is forging a legacy. The team aims to inspire future cohorts, build a culture of mooting excellence, and position Sierra Leone as an emerging contributor to international commercial law.
This historic milestone underscores IMATT College’s growing reputation as a center for legal excellence. As the first Sierra Leonean institution to compete in the Vis Moot, the College has placed the nation’s legal education system in the global spotlight.
Their participation is not merely symbolic; it is a bold declaration that Sierra Leonean students are ready to compete, excel, and lead on the world stage.
As the IMATT College Vis Moot Team steps forward, they carry with them the hopes of a nation and the promise of a new era in international legal advocacy.