Sheku Putka Kamara

Truth be told, sometimes, I just feel like doing things ALONE. Sometimes, I just feel like some PEOPLE HARDLY MATCH MY ENERGY. I almost get ANXIETY to get things done and on time if not in time. When someone fails to match that energy, I get truly drained. Sometimes, I wish I could JUST DO IT ALL. Sometimes, I wish I'D NOT HAVE TO WAIT FOR/ON ANYONE. This perfectionist and rightist approach surely has its virtues and troubling concerns!!!

©️ Sheku Putka Kamara

*Music and Regulations in Sierra Leone*

These days, hardly would you listen to rap songs in SL that do not use F words plus other 'not fit for purpose' languages. Suffice to say that a paradigm shift is needed. I am particularly concerned because these days, a number of teenagers and kids have access to smartphones and related devices etc. This is crucially important. Today, it is clear that information saturation is the order of the day, but maybe we all need to come together and help in making things right. For example, can we suggest that our music producers and music makers begin to professionally skip some 'unnecessarily rude lines?' We cannot deny the fact that music plays a significant role in society, but we must also be reminded that the agendas that we constantly see online have the proclivity of taking centre stage in the day-to-day lives and activities of people. Let us even argue for a second and agree that some of these rap composers may equally not want their kids and or subordinates to act in a manner that defeats ethical and acceptable society stands. Individualistic responsibility is therefore very crucial. If we are to practice what we preach, we owe it to ourselves to put an end to some of these societal irregularities that we tend to have indirectly condoned and accepted.

Sincerely,
©️ Sheku Putka Kamara
Journalist/Lecturer/Parent
Sierra Leone

It is true that so much is happening in Sierra Leone these days, but let me kindly revisit this idea of having endless megaphones all in the name of advertising businesses etc. Gosh! This is beginning to be so damn uncontrollably disturbing. Who said that people must make noise all over the place just to make sales? What happened to strategic advertising? Seriously, we have so much to do in this country. You'd leave Freetown for a moment with the assumption that you'd get some cool rest, but the provinces are beginning to act same if not worse!!!

©️ Sheku Putka Kamara

Eid Mubarak

This afternoon and on this last day of Ramadan, take time to do good for other people if you would. Start with your family. It matters, just before reaching out to others. There's a feel-good factor in doing same. Eid Mubarak!

©️ Sheku Putka Kamara

Hi all,
The Orange Line of Sheku Putka Kamara has been hacked. Please note. Work is in progress to retrieve same. However, kindly note that until further notice, any message from the number +23278273019 is not coming from Sheku Putka Kamara.

I thank you all.

Where the verification of facts and the publication and broadcasting of truthful information are not secondary, journalism will thrive in its quest to enhance an enlightened citizenry and a society where accuracy is considered primary. Any omission and or deviation from such standards will be questionable in so far as professional communication and agenda setting may be concerned.

©️ Sheku Putka Kamara
Journalist and Lecturer, Freetown, Sierra Leone.

*Here's a Brief Piece on A Few Encounters with Minors in the Streets... Destiny Traders if you ask me...*

The problem is almost now very much national. This is not the first time I am writing about kid traders. It is actually worrying. As someone that does things in almost all parts of Sierra Leone, I am always inclined to buy from people in the streets. Let's start in Freetown, where I do most of my jobs. So, I saw this kid the other day; probably an obvious teenager even with the perceived stunted looks. I had a few bad Nle 10 and Nle 5 notes. He was doing 'the Cherr Money, Pwel Money Stuff.' I took out one bad Nle 10 note and he told me that he would change it for Nle 4. I said okay..., but I looked at his condition and decided to hand him all the rough notes (about Nle 45). He wanted to give me the calculations, but I asked him to keep everything. He actually needed it more than I do. You'd need to see his torn clothes etc. Maybe banks should be helping some of us that do not check notes TO NOT STUFF our sums with torn notes? I left the scene and moved somewhere else, and like the number of people I encounter each day, those prayers keep me moving, among other things?😊. That's just one Freetown scenario...you know...

Let me move to my hometown of Lungi, Kaffu Bullom Chiefdom where I saw these two kids selling bananas and groundnuts. As expected, I called them. Apparently, they had not sold anything and the whole (both markets) do not even cost Nle 100. It's that bad and this is not just in Lungi. It's a national problem. I gave them Nle 120 and took a few bananas and groundnuts and asked them to go home. Like their compatriots will do, they marvelled at the gesture and they were almost dumbfounded. I left and as expected, asked them to leave too. They did, but I just hoped they would have gone home to rest. No kid deserves to be in the scotching sun all in the name of selling anything that is way below Nle 100 if you ask me, but these things do happen in this part of the world. Poverty is a bad thing, but the mindsets too???

And then to Bo and Kenema... I had encountered a few kids selling either pure water or maybe some potatoes or cassava and in most cases, the products will not cost more than Nle 50. I will also always try to get that stuff and ask the kids to leave. I will also always prefer kids to study and or relax...or just play. Let them be kids. I cannot imagine my 12 year old, soon to be 13 (teenager) DOING those things. Situations may be rough and tougher, but the other day, I had suggested to parents and guardians to be in charge of these businesses and not give and leave the burden to the poor kids.

I hope I have not written a longer narrative, but let us all continue to do those right and fine things in the best interest of this country.

Sincerely,
©️Sheku Putka Kamara-Sierra Leone

I recently came across a narrative that suggested that Students should challenge Lecturers... While there's some validity on the said narrative, we have to be clearer that it is one-sided and that there's room for more elucidation. I am penning this from a rightist standpoint. Foremost, students should be reminded that as Lecturers, all of us used to be students too. By challenging Lecturers, learners should be reminded that the thrust is to research more and better. That is what puts the Lecturer on his or her toes. Challenging should not be seen and or viewed as an approach to make Lecturers (in this case) feel less of themselves. That's not the way to go. In like manner, as a Lecturer, you have a responsibility to master your area and be able to deliver accordingly. You're paid to do the job, I suppose. Do it with ethics and unhindered factuality plus enviable rigidity. If you are a student, prioritize your studies and seek clarifications as and when necessary. Let us all remind ourselves about doing the right things because in the end, that is all that truly and really matters!

©️ Sheku Putka Kamara

If not for anything, do not joke with your sincerity. It pays. So last noon, I mistakenly dropped Nle 10. This boy was seated with me during Jumaah in one of our masjids around town. He drew my attention to the 10k I had dropped. He wanted to hand it over to me. I told him to keep it. In disbelief, he asked if I indeed meant same. I answered, affirmatively. After Jumaah, the young man cannot stop thanking and blessing me just for Nle 10. I was moved by the gesture and decided to add Nle 40 for him. He clearly needed it. I was glad to help in a way. Why am I sharing this? That young man could have kept that 10k and not inform me, but he did not. He knew it was the right thing to do. So and I say to us all, INTEGRITY MATTERS. It pays to be upright. Blessed Saturday 🙏 y'all.

©️ Sheku Putka Kamara