The Same Crime is an all Sierra Leonean movie which has strong storyline and featured some big Faces in the country. The Same Crime will be Premiered this April 2021, written and Directed by Alusine Success Koroma

The Same Crime

Statement on Susan’s Bay Fire Incident
24/03/2021

Just left the scene of a terrible fire at Susan’s Bay. The entire community has been burnt to the ground. Thousands are affected. We won’t know the full scale of the disaster until tomorrow when we conduct an assessment with NDMA and other partners. Many children are missing, separated from their parents in the chaos. Twelve children were at the FSU at Eastern Police station. We understand that other children might have boarded boats moored on the wharf.

Devastating to witness yet another fire disaster in the wake of six others in recent weeks. Once again, there was no access for the fire service. A six storey building under construction at the Guinea Store entrance to Susan’s Bay blocked what access there would previously have been from that end.

Disaster risk reduction cannot happen without effective urban planning and a building permit regime which is focused on reducing environmental and man made risks. Local councils are best placed to deliver these mandates and even as we once again face disasters like this terrible fire, we trust that devolution of land use planning and building permit issuance will happen soon. We believe that this will through policy design help to mitigate against these disasters.

Please join us in praying for the victims.

Ghana wins “Airport wars” many people are asking how the Africans threaten Britain into surrendering?

British online news platforms and some news papers have been so busy with the shocking news, the British authorities would now allow flights from Accra, Ghana to land in Heathrow instead of Gatwick as had earlier been proposed by British authorities. Some of the reportage did very little to hide the disappointment with the result of the “airport war” that was started by a proposal by the British late last year. British airways had planned to redirect flights from Accra to London Gatwick instead of Heathrow the most prestigious airport in the United Kingdom Ghana’s aviation ministry rejected this proposal, calling it “unacceptable”. But it did not stop there. The ministry also threatened that if flight from Accra were to land in Gatwick, Accra also will redirect flights from Britain to land in Ghana second largest city Kumasi. The statement from Ghanaians in January had read: (Ghana) will advise itself and take a reciprocal action on behalf of our passengers in the country in coming days if our call for British airways to rescind it’s decision on the movement to Gatwick airport is not needed” initially it seemed to many Observers that the Ghanaians were bluffing. But the ministry doubled down another statement as if to dare their British counterparts, compared to Gatwick, the Kumasi airport dose not receive International flights, Gatwick, which is some 45 miles from Heathrow, is considered less prestigious than Heathrow, even though it receives massive international airlines. Kumasi is a municipal airport and plans to convert it into International station have been proposed by past governments for many years without concrete work the city is also more than 100 miles from Accra. The British authorities rescinded the decision on the 28 March 2021 to allow flights from Accra’s Kotoka International airport to resume landing at Heathrow. The changes to Gatwick would have affected passengers from Accra in many ways. Gatwick is much more far from the center of London than Heathrow. That certainly would have been a course for concern for passengers. Secondly Gatwick receives far fewer flights these days. Ghana and Britain’s relationship have been the longest ongoing aviation relationship which has served for 80 years.

Afrinity Production draw attention to Mariama Colley, the winner of Hollywood Golden Film Award, Radio Presenter and an Activist.

Mariama’s background focuses on media and performing arts. She started acting when she was just 12 years old from school and also started radio around the same time through organizations that she was a part of. She uses performing arts to create awareness and sensitise people on issues affecting them especially on women and girls related issues and Youth at large. Until today, this is exactly what she is doing.

What inspire Mariama into acting is the fact that you are able to tell stories that people can relate with. Her first lead role in a play was “The girl that cannot cook” and she found herself in that situation at that time when she was in primary school. It was interesting how that play was able to teach her lessons on how it is important to learn how to cook. Not only because of societal pressure, because to Mariama it is an independent benefit for you to be able to cater for yourself and that is what started the whole journey for her. Working it up to a more serious storylines that she became part of, including child marriage, FGM related issues and so many other storylines that she find really inspiring in both cultural and historical at the Ebunjan Theatre’ level.

Miss Colley revealed her excitement of the award she won from the precious Hollywood GFA 2020. It is indeed a big achievement for her and the country as a whole, a great recognition to be recognized in such a big platform outside your country. To Mariama , this means there is potential, skills and knowledge to what she is doing. “To me this is just the beginning, there is more to be done but the recognition alone is just beautiful and really encouraging”, she said.

When ask what she dislike about the movie world, she said she actually don’t dislike much about the movie world apart from the fact that people misjudge you and some don’t understand you are not living your character but you are just portraying what the script directs you to do. Also the notion of people approaching actors to be featured in their movies for free, she said art is not a cheap and is not supposed to be for free.

Mariama look up to Babu Ceesay, a Gambian Hollywood actor, she likes the fact that he is such a humble person and also a very natural character. Another person she look upto is Aunty Janet Badjan Young the founder, CEO and Director of Ebunjan Theatre’.

Mariama’s professional goal is to aim higher, become more successful and become a better actress to help push the Gambian movie industry.

“So that the world will know that we have a great potential in this country and and there is a lot that could be achieve if we all work together and build what we have, because we have the talent here, we have the knowledge and we have the skills”, she concluded.

By Amie T. Camara

Afrinity Production draws attention to Saidina Alieu Jarjou a renowned activist, leading blogger and a revolutionary who serves as the voice for the voiceless. He attended Nusrat Senior Secondary School and hold a bachelor’s degree in management at the age of 22, Postgraduate in Gender & Development Studies and currently pursuing a master’s in public administration. He also has a series of national and international certificates and diplomas including that of the University of Johannesburg.

He started his career as a National Volunteer Teacher posted at Fatoto Senior Secondary School where he taught Business Management and Commerce. Months down the line he picks up an administrative job at the Food Safety and Quality Authority of The Gambia (FSQA). While at FSQA he had a contract at the African Union Commission to worked in the Bureau of the Chairperson based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. His job description includes producing the Spokesperson’s daily news updates, drafting press releases, statements, messages and facilitating interface with journalists, media organs and organizations and helping in managing the Spokespersons office.

Growing up in The Gambia, his inspirational drive was captivated by the works of Thomas Sankara the former President of Burkina Faso and drew his inspiration from the experiences of Gambians and Africans both those home and abroad. He is humble and hungry for knowledge and open to learning more innovative things. “This life is about impacting lives positively – I stand for the truth and speak up for subject or areas which may be taboo for better humankind”, he said.

Saidina has proven track record of working with the senior-level management support, human resources management, performance management, communication, project design and implementation, as well as coaching, counselling, and training. He has a strong ability to streamline processes and foster professional relationships within organizations for better service delivery in achieving its mission and vision statement.

Saidina describes himself as an outgoing personality, open minded, creative, love adventures, and always take a calculated risk for the greater good and see no limits in working hard to excel in life. His purpose in life is to make a positive change for better humankind. He is known to be a team player, willing to lead or follow, eager to learn and he is self-motivated, self-starter and passionate to contribute and make a difference for an improved society, especially the marginalized group.

“Growing up as a child in the rural Gambia I was confronted with poverty and all forms of injustice with inadequate access to healthcare, social amenities, communication, as well as development. When I came to the urban Gambia, I realized that the system has failed to provide basic human rights needs to the rural dwellers including myself. This and many other untold issues forced me to take part in the struggle in liberating and fighting for the rights of women and youth of rural Gambia. I am of the view that by amplifying our voices someday the authorities will come to their senses and respond to our plight. The war against liberation, fairness, justice is a relay race – we all need to partake in it in our ways, we are all duty-bound to contribute positively towards it” he lamented.

Saidina has been volunteering for organizations for over 10 years now and still counting, at both national and international level including formal and informal organizational setups.

When asked how activism is in the Gambia, he said, Activism has gotten its meaning twisted. Many are into it for personal gains, to defend a group, defend their ideology, defend their party or clan. As a result, it is not an easy journey in being an activist in The Gambia. This is because, according to him, the Gambia as a nation is not ready for change. That has been said, activists are painted with a black brush not knowing that they are fighting for a cause to promote, social, political, economic, and ecological reform with the desire to adjust in the populace toward a perceived greater good and an improved society for all despite religion/race/culture/age and status. He said activist needs to stand up to be counted, sadly – many fails at the first time of asking.

Saidina works via the media, writing open letters, articles to those in power, duty bearers and meeting those who matter and giving speeches as may be required. “It is a job which is not timebound – always available to share the knowledge gained. It can cost some money to be effective and efficient in a country like the Gambia where internet access is so expensive”, he said.

When asked what he dislikes about the course he is trying to change, he said and I quoted “as the famous proverb goes “when some are digging some are busy burying the hole” this is indeed something he dislikes most. At some point your efforts become meaningless. However, despite the bottleneck, he is always motivated to keep moving toward achieving the goal.

Saidina finds inspiration in a variety of people and things across the globe. But the people that inspired him the most and those that he looks up includes his late mentor, Dr Saja Taal, Edward Francis Small and his able Commander-in-Chief, Julius Malema of the Economic Freedom Fighters.

Saidina does not have one goal but the one that stands out for him is the passion he has in taking part in the struggle and liberating the marginalized until there is a just and fair society that will treat all equally.

The Young Gambian Activist cannot do without his consent, “I would not do anything if my consent does not dictate me to do so. I always follow my consent”, he concluded.

By Amie T. Camara