#StateHouseToday

President Adama Barrow received the new Nigerian High Commissioner to The Gambia, H.E Mohammed MANU, who was at the Presidency to present his Letters of Credence to the Head of State.

The President congratulated the incoming High Commissioner and sent warm wishes to his Nigerian counterpart, President Muhammadu Buhari. He praised Nigeria for its long-standing assistance to The Gambia in areas such as the judiciary, security, education, health, and a socio-economic cooperation.

After his meeting with the President, His Excellency Mohammed Manu told reporters that his first aim is to develop the bilateral ties between the two countries, notably in the fields of commerce and investment, as well as security.
©State House of The Gambia

Sourcing for alternative avenue for Basalt for The Gambian market.

Beginning next month, July 2021, Pavi Fort-Al Associates (SL) Ltd, a Sierra Leone locally registered Company, is scheduled to ship the first consignment of Basalt to The Gambia.

Good news for builders, contractors, etc.
©H.E Alieu K. Jammeh

Emma Dyfan a season actress in Sierra Leone 🇸🇱 who has been starred in Sierra Leoneans movies is our Star Of The Week

Breaking News!!!!The president of the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) Madam Isha Johansen issue out a candidature withdrawal ahead of the Sierra Leone Football Association ( SLFA) presidential election.

Gov’t removes import duty, GST on rice importation

…so as to reduce the price for 25kg and 50kg bags of rice

By Joseph S. Margai, Strategic Communications Coordinator

President Julius Maada Bio’s administration has removed both import duty and Goods and Services Tax (GST) on everything relating to the importation of rice so that the prices of both 50kg and 25kg bags of rice would have been reduced.

Prior to 2021, business people, who were importing rice to Sierra Leone, used to pay 15% GST on all foreign currencies that were transferred out of Sierra Leone to their suppliers for the purchase of rice.

But, with the advent of the Finance Act of 2021, that 15% GST has been removed and that has subsequently led to a loss of thirty-three billion Leones (Le33bn) to government on every transfer of foreign currencies.

Already, government was losing over four hundred billion Leones (Le400bn) as import duty waiver on rice importation.

Speaking exclusively to the National Revenue Authority’s (NRA) Commissioner General, Dr. Samuel Jibao, in his Bathurst Street office in Freetown on Thursday, 6th May, 2021, he said the removal of both the import duty and GST on the importation of rice was a deliberate attempt by President Julius Maada Bio to reduce the prices of both 25kg and 50kg bags of rice for all Sierra Leoneans.

“We were already losing over 400 billion Leones as a result of duty waiver on the importation of rice. But the prices of both 25Kg and 50kg bags of rice continued to rise astronomically. We then called on the importers to ask them what were the reasons for the skyrocketing price of a bag of rice. They claimed that the 15% GST on the transfer of foreign currencies to their suppliers for the purchase of rice was militating against them. As a listening government, President Julius Maada Bio automatically removed that 15% GST,” he explained.

The NRA Commissioner General said the government has played its own part but some dishonest business people continued to increase prices on both 25kg and 50kg bags of rice, which is unacceptable.

According to Dr. Jibao, President Bio’s administration inherited a GST of 20% on all goods and services from his predecessor but quickly reduced it to 15% so as to soften situation for business people and subsequently reduce prices of commodities for all Sierra Leoneans.

He noted that the 15% GST on the transfer of foreign currencies has also been removed but the business people are yet to do the needful with regards the reduction of prices for both a 25kg and 50kg bags of rice.

“We are now calling on business people to reflect these tax exemptions on the much-desired commodities-rice and flour,” he said.

Dr. Jibao disclosed that import duty on flour was 20% but President Bio’s administration reduced it to 10%, adding that effective January 2021, GST of 15% has been removed on flour, which is considered an essential commodity particularly for people in the urban areas.

He stated that there is a tax exemption on both imported and domestically produced wheat flour as enshrined in the 2021 Finance Act.

“This exemption is to ensure the availability of loaves of bread, which is part of a daily dietary of many people across Sierra Leone. There is also a tax exemption on bulk wheat (grain) used as raw material for the manufacturing of flour. This is to allow local manufacturers of flour to reduce their cost of production, making them competitive with imported flour as well as eventually making flour readily available in the market at all times,” he stated.

He said business people, who are importing and selling commodities such as bags of rice and flour, must now reduce their prices.

Afrinity Production Star Of The Week

Neliza Isha is a young and energetic kid” she’s a model and also an Artiste.

#Neliza_Isha is our Star of the week 9th to 16 May 2021

#Neliza
#Afrinity

By Amie T. Camara

Afrinity Production draw cognizance to a phenomenal woman Anna Awoliyi, the Chief allied health professional information officer at the Kettering General hospital who recently claimed top spot in the “digital champion” section of the BAME Health and Care Awards 2021. She is recognise due to her phenomenal contribution in supporting virtual visiting for the families of patients during the pandemic. The awards recognizes achievements of staff from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds.

With the banned on visiting patients of Covid-19 for more than a year during this pandemic crisis, Anna’s work was invaluable in keeping those in hospital in touch with their loved ones. So she implemented virtual visiting, an electronic system for patients to speak to loved ones over video by using a computer tablet.

According to Anna, she feels so happy to see the impact that this is having on the patients in their care. In a time of Covid this has made a huge difference with their families that are in their care.

“As an organisation, we take a family-centred approach to care. This ensures patients’ wellbeing is looked after”, she said.

Anna continued with his team to improve and develop on the initial software that had been developed.

According to Telegraph, they introduced new features such as a re-book feature, which saves ward staff time from inputting family details for each visit, alongside a button that tells staff when a call has been completed. This enables ward staff to differentiate between patients who have had a virtual visit and those who have not.

Anna said: “We provide the tablet for the patient, which is held on a stand. This means that the patient doesn’t need to hold the device for long periods.

“We looked at the figures around use of the tablets and we found that patients would spend on average 53 minutes on the tablets. This is a long time to hold device. The stands reduce the strain for the patient and have increased take up of this scheme.

Ian Roddis, digital director, said: “We are very proud and inspired by all of the work that Anna has done on the virtual visiting project.

“Anna has been fundamental in virtual visiting being delivered and developed – and it was her passion and enthusiasm that helped get this embedded on the wards at the height of the Covid pandemic.

“This is a great example of how a digital solution can help to aid and support our patients and their families during these difficult times.”

Source: Telegraph

By Amie T. Camara

US Trade Representative Katherine Tai said that “extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures”. And she further discloses that it would take time to reach an agreement on the matter of the waiver on vaccine patents.

India and South Africa are the first to proposed the plan, which they said would increase vaccine production around the world.

But drugs manufacturers argue it may not be effective as they think.

According to BBC, one hundred members of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) are said to be in favour, and a panel on intellectual property is expected to discuss the issue next month.

The head of the World Health Organization even called the move a “monumental moment” in the fight against Covid-19.

The India Press also made known of President Biden’s administration in support of the waiving patents on Covid-19 vaccines. The statement has important implications because doing away with intellectual property rights will pave the way for cheaper versions of the vaccine to enter the market and also scale up production.

Source: BBC News

Afrinity Production draw attention to Ebrima Sabally, a skilled driven and an enterprising young star that was born and raised in Kiang Kwinella where he did first quarter of his education before proceeding to Senior Secondary, College and University.

Sabally reads Development Studies from the University of The Gambia; and a primary Teacher Certificate at The Gambia College. He currently serves as Business Development Service Supervisor for West Coast Region on West Africa Competitiveness Programmed, a project funded by EU to boost value chain in onion, pepper and tomato production in West Africa.

He further serves as the Head of State of Youth in Africa, The Gambia Chapter. Additionally, from 2018 to date, he serves as Policy Adviser to United Nations Girls’ Initiative (UNGEI) which is a body that works and collaborates with over 300 organizations across the world; to lead and organize campaign on Gender based violence and its related issues in schools, communities and countries across the world.

Sabally was an intern at the American Corner The Gambia, Program Officer atSalimatou Foundation for Education (SaFE) from 2020 to present, Enumerator/Assistant Supervisor
Gambia Social Registry Survey and he also served as a Classroom Teacherfrom 2016 to 2019 at Old Jeshwang.

Mr. Sabally, over the years, designed and implemented ample of programs under dynamic institutions and internationally recognized bodies such US Embassy, the Gambia. In 2019, Sabally and Salimatou Fatty coordinated a Youth Empowerment and Career Development project in North Bank Region, The Gambia. A project funded by US Embassy through its Alumni Association. Further, Sabally trained youth in their number in different platforms on communicative competence and an application of critical reasoning in an argument. Similarly, he trained and mentored young people on diverse thematic areas related to personal leadership, growth and self-transcendence.

In 2017, Sabally won National Competition on Policy and Proposal debate on Climate Change; and was decorated with National Certificate of merits for his contribution to the National Development by the government of The Gambia, National Youth Council and the Balance Crew. In the same year, he served Social Sciences and Humanities Students’ Association (SoSHSA), and School of Arts and Sciences Nationwide Teaching and Sensitization Tour as Secretary General. On a separate paradigm, Sabally, participated and served as team leader in numerous socioeconomic and academic surveys, including Nfamara K. Dampha’s PhD Research on Coastal Ecosystem Service Valuation and Climate Change Adaptation; and a Survey on Willingness to Pay for Maintenance Fees for a newly built community-funded water (borehole) infrastructure project in Geniere Village. In addition, Mr. Sabally published numerous articles and over a hundred quotations on leadership, self-esteem, unity, law, development and among others.

Sabally is among the first, if not the first Gambian youth to start designing his inspiring write-ups in a form quotation. This, today, has gained immense takeoff, as we have seem good number of young writers spreading their thoughts through quotations.

As an innovative, resourceful and forward-driving youth that embraced true love for The Gambia and trust that he can always make it here in The Gambia; Sabally recently opened a business named “Gam-Taste”. Which is a Restaurant and Catering Service that produces and sells Gambian food and beverages. The business within three weeks has registered tremendous takeoff, directly employing six Gambians. With the business, he intends to grow into a complex company that will manufacture raw materials (food) into finish products for The Gambian population and beyond.

By Amie T. Camara

Afrinity Production Top 5 Movies Of The Week

(1) The Contractor done by Rising Star Film Production

(2) The Same Crime done by Ocean Magic Pictures

(3) Nyalee done by Guruz Empire

(4) Forest Of Gbankasoka done by Valentine’s Production

(5) Dark Secret done by Star Movie Limited

Afrinity Production Top 5 Movies of the week promotes Sierra Leone 🇸🇱 movies through our online Radio and TV, website, Facebook Page among others. Afrinity Production fans across the world will review trending movies to determine the winners of the Afrinity Production Top 5 Movies of the week. Keep us up to date with your latest release movie for a chance to win
Top 5 for the week 8th May 2021 to 14 May 2021.