Calabash Magazine Issue 12 by Calabash Magazine

Bankie Jones

Editor-in-Chief Welcome to another fabulous, though troubling edition of our Calabash magazine. When compiling this 12th issue, I was contemplating the affairs of Africa, and how she has been managed by those who are the current custodians. One thing that amazed me during my reflection was Africans’ extraordinary patience and tolerance with their custodians – how, the land that we love is being continuously bled to death, once upon a time by colonial masters, invaders, and dictators… and now,by our own flesh and blood. We often ask ourselves, is there no respite for Mother Africa and her children? We pray for elections to come so we can punish those who are bleeding our country with impunity. Elections will soon be around the corner and AfricanCalabash raises its battle axe and with a rallying cry urging Africans from all walks of life to be involved in

Africa’s development, and to ensure the right individuals are given the right to manage the land we all love, irrespective of tribal, political, and family lines. Remember, you don’t owe anything to those who are elected to govern as you are Mr.Memuna. You have the ballot, and you are the one giving them the mandate. Anyway, back to the here and now! Let me give you some hints about this long awaiting issue. We did research on Africa’s untapped resources: the land is rich with untapped potential which is ready to be tapped and utilised for the benefit and wealth of mother Africa. Read more in our business and development page. In a normal African setting, talking about sex and all good and bad things related to it are taboos (unforbidden). This limitation keeps hurting 21st century African families, and we must break out from this limitation placed on us by our ancestors. In this issue, we consider sickle cell, its impact on family life, and how not to ignore it. Calabash magazine talks to a champion in this cause, Iyamide Thomas of the sickle cell society. Please read and enjoy her views on the topic. We continue to uphold our

culture without any slant. Notwithstanding, we are living in a Diaspora. We coexist and live among people with different backgrounds and cultures, but we don’t forget our roots. In this issue, we looked at the contribution of ex-pupil’s association to homeland. Take your time to digest Calabash’s interview with the president of Sierra Leone Grammar School Old Boys Association. I won’t drop my pen without saying “thanks” to God for granting me the courage and the will in forging ahead with this seed. Faith is the foundation of all seeds that are planted; you sow the seed not knowing what will become of it. Sometimes, it is trampled on, choked by weeds, suffocated, and dies. In our “Faith” section, you will meet with Pastor Eugene Tengbeh of Flaming Evangelical Ministries. Thanks to our readers, fans, members, contributors, and volunteers for putting your trust in Calabash as a first point of getting authentic information from mother Africa and the Diaspora. I will encourage you to subscribe or buy our membership. Full details are on the subscription page.

Swazi Augusta Enterprise Ltd - Choumert Road, Peckham Kadmos Enterprise Ltd - East Street, Walworth Road Mother Nature - Barking Road, Canning Town Kroo Town Road Supermarket - Choumert Road, Peckham Sierra Leone Store - Brixton Market, Brixton Duty Free - Lungi Airport, Freetown, Sierra Leone Choithram Supermarket - Freetown, Sierra Leone Online Amazon Calabash magazine website - www.africancalabash.co.uk

Content Bankole Jones Editor in Chief and CEO 03333440625 bankolejones@africancalabash.co.uk Daisy Bona Consulting Editor 02034890922 Daisybona@africancalabash.co.uk Raymond Akabi-Davis Editor Global raymond.akabi-davis@africancalabash.co.uk Mike Butscher Associate Editor mike@africancalabash.co.uk Clifford Jones Operation Director (Sierra Leone) Hannah Foulah Editor (Sierra Leone) Hannahfoulah@africancalabash.co.uk Daniel Moore Regional Managing Director (Sierra Leone) daniel@africancalabash.co.uk Faith Okrafo-Smart Digital Editor Ibrahim Dumbuya Contents Executive Purchase the digital copy of African Calabash on http://www.joomag.com/en newsstand?q=calabash http://www.joomag.com/en/ newsstand?q=calabash Calabash is published by the Calabash Business Coporation https://twitter.com/CalabashMagazine | http://www.youtube.com/user/Calabashism | https://www.facebook.com/pages/CalabashMagazine/119784833109 https://www.facebook.com/calabash.calabash

CalabashLetters Dear Calabash, Over the years I have witnessed your support with a charity called Melqosh Mission. I have come across some of their evidence-based work either on videos or social media posts and I must say that their work is very commendable. I would like to get some information about them- their latest ventures in Sierra Leone, contact details etc. Thank you, from an avid reader of African Calabash Magazine Dear Reader, Thank you for your email above. Melqosh Mission international is indeed a household name within the Sierra Leonean and Diaspora communities. And we have unflinchingly supported the mission for four years because of its unfaltering determination to better the lives of war amputees, whose limbs were amputated by the rebels in the civil wars in Sierra Leone, including their dependants. The charity has extended its charitable activities; providing relief to children orphaned by Ebola and disadvantaged groups affected by Ebola in Sierra Leone. As a result of the missionâ€™s interventions, none of their direct beneficiaries contracted Ebola. Faith Okrafo-Smart started her mission in Sierra Leone nine years ago. Her vision is to implement development strategies for education, health, trade and employment specifically for physically challenged and war afflicted amputees. With access to these services, the beneficiaries will have coveted opportunities that we all deserve and a chance to articulate in productive activities, thereby becoming successful, not only for themselves but for the development of Sierra Leone. Because of her passion, thousands of lives all over Sierra Leone have been regenerated.

The charity reached a significant landmark by establishing the first IT Academy and Supplementary School in Sierra Leone for children of the amputees and amputees (including orphans of deceased amputees) in January 2014; to provide them with more educational, life-changing opportunities and a competitive edge. The organisation also provides Educational Sponsorship to children of marginalised war afflicted amputees and orphans of the deceased amputees, to enable them to gain better opportunities and lead meaningful lives (as their disadvantaged parents cannot pay their school/ college/university fees). The charity sponsors one child of every amputee household in Freetown, into school plus 4 young amputees in schools and University. In addition, Melqosh Mission International has been rendering Empowerment Sessions to the amputees since 2008, to renew their mind-set, revive their self-worth and regenerate a hope for their future despite their disabilities. In the last nine years, the mission has also been providing Medicare, (via multiple Medical Missions at various Districts in Sierra Leone) plus clothing, crutches, food and monetary gifts to war afflicted amputees and their children, widows and orphans of deceased amputees in the provinces and seven Amputee camps in the Western Area during our annual or bi-yearly missions in Sierra Leone. If you would like to know more about their work and/ or make a donation, please visit www.melqoshmissioninternational.org or www.melqosh.org Alternatively, please email them at faith@ melqoshmissioninternational.org Kind Regards, Calabash Magazine

020 7277 8181 1a Chourmert Road, London

To subscribe to Calabash, please complete this form and return with payment to: 10 Warple mews, off Warple Way, Acton, London W3 0RF Four issues including postage and package ÂŁ18.00 | Two issues including postage and package ÂŁ10.00

Name Mailing Address

Post code VISA

Telephone

MASTERCARD

SWITCH

Card No.

Email address Back copy issue number(s) No. copies required.

Expiry date: Signature

Issue no (switch cards only) Date

If you would like to advertise or showcase your event in Calabash magazine, call 07508070272 or email us at bankolejones@africancalabash.co.uk

DELTA

More Investment for the Health sector

he biggest problem facing African countries especially those south of the Sahara today is the availability of medical facilities, with Sierra Leone being no exception to this phenomenon. When the Ebola epidemic engulfed three countries in the Mano River Union area, nearly 10,000 Africans died within 14 months. Sierra Leone on the other hand seemed to have topped the list as one of the worst places to fall ill. When Choithram hospital opened in the mid 1970s, there was a sigh of relief but when it became evident that it was beyond the reach of ordinary people, the masses were left hopeless, bewildered and dismayed. Even middle class people could not afford the high cost of consultation fees, let alone to pay for treatment or buy medicines. This hospital which was considered a five-star facility was a no-go area for ordinary people who had to make do with a run down Connaught hospital. It was difficult to get diagnosis, scans or blood samples and even radiologists to interpret results. The death rates increased significantly.

Those who could not afford it resorted to traditional medical treatment in villages where tribal healers became heroes. Thankfully the Connaught hospital was refurbished owing to a partnership formed with Kings College London South and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust in the wake of the Ebola outbreak. The Ebola scourge would have been a greater tragedy were it not for the intervention of the partnership. And it looks as if the Connaught hospital is picking up. There is remarkable change in the operations of medicare in the treatment of patients with malaria, HIV, diabetes and many other ailments. These days, it is said that some cases, especially motor or other serious types of accidents are better treated at the Connaught than the Choithram hospitals. A representative of the African Calabash Magazine was fortunate to talk to a paramedic who was part of a team of volunteers to Sierra Leone; he said that there was a different approach to illness in Sierra Leone and that people who are very poor are making great sacrifices for their loved ones who are sick as well as suffering with great humility. He also pointed out that the way doctors and other medical practitioners work with limited medical equipment is admirable. He described the situation as very alarming, It is a common and popular trend for people who can afford it to send their relatives to Ghana and South Africa when they are seriously ill. Some of these operations could be safely done in Sierra Leone if the government commits a realistic investment into the health sector. This will benefit a lot of people and also create a healthy nation.

FIVE GOOD REASONS TO ADVERTISE 1 2

IN CALABASH MAGAZINE...

CALABASH is the solution to grassroot marketing. Advertising in MAGAZINE guarantees that your company will reach the Sierra Leonean in the Diaspora and in Sierra Leone markets directly.

CALABASH changes the perception of how Sierra Leoneans are seen by staying true to our culture, style, lifestyle

and focusing our editorial on the core aspects of Sierra Leone and her people in the Homeland and in the Diaspora.

CALABASH gives you the ability to hit five major markets - Business, Education, Culture, Sports and Social -- with just one advertisement.

CALABASH features a larger format (10â€? x 13â€?) than most other magazines, so your ad is bigger.

CALABASH has a longer street life, longer-lasting retention value, more competitive rates and reaches a larger audience than many other advertising avenues available.

CALABASH BUSINESS

ADVANTAGES & DIS-ADVANTAGES OF FUNDING AFRICA

frica is a third world economic continent with numerous challenges ranging from underdeveloped infrastructure, poor health sector, lack of established education continued civil wars among others. Most developed countries like Europe, United States, and Asian countries have been offering funds to Africa for numerous reasons. These funding are distributed among Africa countries regarding grants, foreign aids, and charity. Most grants are issued for collaborative projects and capacity building work. World Bank, IMF, and other humanitarian agencies like the united nation, UNCHR, Donor agencies and NGOâ€™s are on the frontline in offering to fund to Africa. These funding are categorized in according to the needs and varies from one country to another. Most of the funds are geared towards relief work, rehabilitation, development of institution like hospitals, schools, and other social-economic development works. Some findings are released as part of the civil ground in societies like trade unions, cooperatives and religious based organizations. There are also some NGOs that offer conclusions based on the third approach in the development of the marketled strategy. In recent year the continent has experienced a tremendous increase in funding from these institutions and has come with a share of surprises. They are aimed at achieving change in the welfare of African communities. The have developed an organized economic, political and social relationship among the concerned institutions. ADVANTAGES OF FUNDING IN AFRICA These foreign funding to Africa have led to

tremendous growth amongst Africa countries. Such growthin cludes: 1. Knowledge creators Before release of any funding to Africa, extensive research and analysis are done. The research find is put into practice and is incorporated into these African countries policies. IMF and World Bank have been the key players in knowledge creation to Africa. 2. Eradication of poverty A lot of funding to Africa is aimed at raising the living standards. Most funds have been dedicated to empowering the community through sustainable goals. Communities are educated on how to lift up their economic status and at the same time offered financial assistance. 3. Improvement of health sector Over the years, the Africa continent has faced numer ous challenges in the health sector, but through fund ing, there has been a significant change. A lot of people are now able to access good health services which in turn have raised productivity. Child mortality rate has reduced significantly. 4. Access to good education The continent has also experienced a growth in the education sector. Some funds have been geared towards improving the education sector. Some funding has offered a lot of scholarship to Africans who later return to develop their countries. 5. Improved social-economic sector and technology development. Some funding agencies have been regarded as policy entrepreneurs. They offer numerous initiatives through

CALABASH BUSINESS policy processes that are derived towards economy development. They have contributed to policy formula tion and implementation in trade that have led to the improvement of economies in the Africa continent.The funding has also resulted in transfer of technology to Africa. Various tech hubs technology have been established in Africa as results of funding. 6. Improved agriculture and food production. Most communities in Africa have over the years depended on old methods of farming. These practices have led to most countries facing a lot of hunger. With funding, the agriculture sector has greatly improved. Most countries are now able to produce sustainable and quality food. DISADVANTAGES OF FUNDING AFRICA Despite numerous benefits, the funding has its own share of problems that includes:

2. Continues conflicts Africa has experienced continued civil wars due to these funding. Most funds are direct from their colonial masters who still have interest in these Africa countries. These interests have been major roadblocks. They create conflict amongst African communities to continue to dominate them. 3. Increased corruption There have been numerous reports of corruption in the management of these funds. A lot of this money does not reach the intended recipients, but ends up benefiting political elites. 4. Increased economic and political pressure. Most funding countries have been putting a lot of pressure on the the African continent to implement curtains policies to continue receiving funds.

1. Increased dependency They have led Africa to over-rely on developed countries. They have faced many sanctions to con tinue getting these funds.

CALABASH BUSINESS

AFRICA’S 10

RICHEST MEN AND THEIR WORTH

Naguib Sawiris Egypt $3.8 Billion

frica’s richest business реорlе haven’t еѕсареd the effects of a turbulent year that saw the price of oil dерrесіаtе, the Naira devalue, a memorandum for Brіtаіn tо еxіt thе European Union (EU) and the shock election of Donald Trumр as the next leader of the United States put a dent іn thеіr wealth. This is according to Forbes’ lаtеѕt Africa rісh lіѕt which is dominated by South Africans and Egyptians, with аll six Sоuth Africans featured on the list enjoying dоllаrbіllіоnаіrе status. Aliko Dangote – NW: $21.6 billion He is Africa’s richest man and оwnѕ Dagonte cement which is Africa’s lаrgеѕt сеmеnt producer. Dagonte cement аlѕо has plants in Cameroon, Ethіоріа, Tаnzаnіа and Zambia. The Dagonte Group also hаѕ іnvеѕtmеntѕ in sugar, salt and flour manufacturing companies

Johann Rupert- Net worth $7.4 Billion He іѕ the chairman of a Swiss luxury goods firm called Compagnie Financiere Rісhеmоnt. Hе аlѕо owns 7% of Remgro and 25% of Reinet. He owns раrt of Saracens English rugby tеаm аnd Anthonij Rupert wines. Nicky Oppenheimer – NW: $6.8 Billion Based in South Afrіса, Nісkу Oppenheimer made the bulk of his fоrtunе frоm the diamond trade. He owns shares in several corporate соmраnіеѕ such as Anglo-American. Nicky Oppenheimer is one of the wеаlthіеѕt реорlе in Africa.

CALABASH BUSINESS

Christoffel Wiese- Net worth $6.3 Billion The self-made billionaire frоm South Africa, he continues to pursue deals; аddіng their wealth. A retail tycoon announced plans to еxсhаngе its minority stake in the digital camera tо a соmрutеr company for an interest in Cоnvеrgе Nеt. Wiese has a 15% stake іn thе ShopRite Holdings, the cash supermarket chain wіth the presence in ѕеvеrаl African countries. Nassef Sawiris – NW: $6.1 Billion Nassef Sawiris іѕ a construction magnate and the richest man іn Egурt. Hе оwnѕ an extremely profitable construction company. Lаѕt year, he collaborated with thе Dubai International Pеtrоlеum Investment Cooperation tо fund a coalbased power plant at his birthplace. His еѕtіmаtеd nеt wоrth of $6.1 billion makes him one of the richest Africans. Mike Adenuga- Net worth $4 Billion He is the second rісhеѕt man in Nigeria. He made his fortune by investing іn оіl and mоbіlе telecom. He is the owner of Globacom, which is the second lаrgеѕt operator іn Nigeria. He is also involved in real estate in Nigeria. Adеnugа was a taxi driver in New York while he was ѕtudуіng аt Pace University for his MBA. Mohamed Mansour – NW: $4 Billion Mohamed Mansour is a bіllіоnаіrе and businessman with diverse investments across dіffеrеnt industries in Egypt. He oversees and mаnаgеѕ thе growth and functioning of Mansour Group and General Mоtоrѕ ѕіmultаnеоuѕlу. He has stakes in the telecom education industry аnd real еѕtаtе industry in differentoverseas countries .

Nathan Kirsh – Net worth: $ 3.9 billion (Swaziland) Swazi Business, Nathan Kirsh’s fоundеr JETRO Holdings, cash and carry wholesaler оf perishable and non-perishable household іtеmѕ, еquірmеnt, consumables and related products іn the shop traders. Kirsch made his fіrѕt fоrtunе іn Swaziland decade when he founded a factory for processing оf соrn in 1958. After that, the spread of food and араrthеіd іn South Africa and the development of the commercial real estate. . Naguib Sawiris Net Worth $3.8 Billion captured world headlines in 2015, when he offered to buy an island from Greece or Italy to settle refugees fleeing the war in Syria. “I am serious with my intentions,” he told FORBES. Neither country took up his offer. Sawiris, who built his fortune in telecom, announced in December 2016 he was stepping down as CEO of Cairo-based Orascom Telecom Media & Technology (OTMT). The company’s efforts to acquire an investment bank in March 2016 were stymied by Egypt’s financial regulators, who accused OTMT of breaches pertaining to a five-year-old demerger of telecom assets. OTMT claims that the government has as a result hampered its ability to grow. In 2015, it exited the cell phone business in Egypt when it sold its stake in Mobinil to France’s Orange. In North Korea, OTMT operates Koryolink, the country’s only 3G mobile telecom firm, but lost financial control over the operator due to the government’s maneuvers. Since 2013, Sawiris has built major stakes in gold mining companies that operate in Canada, Australia and Africa Issad Rebrab- Net worth $3.1 Billion Issad is a buѕіnеѕѕmаn аnd the founder of Cevital. It’s the largest private соmраnу іn Algeria. This conglomerate has invested in ѕugаr refineries, mining, agriculture and port terminals. Hе is thе richest person in Algeria

CALABASH BUSINESS

Why are Africans not Making Good use of their Natural Resources

lthough the African continent іѕ blеѕѕеd wіth gold, dіаmоndѕ, oil, Cоltоn, bаuxіtе, urаnіum, іrоn ore аnd оthеr vаluаblе resources, іtѕ inhabitants have lоng numbеrеd аmоng thе wоrld’ѕ poorest. While a fеw subSaharan African nаtіоnѕ аrе dоіng rеlаtіvеlу well, mоѕt аrе mired in poverty.

That a соntіnеnt’ѕ аbundаnt nаturаl resources саn іn so many cases have so lіttlе effect on іtѕ реорlе’ѕ quаlіtу оf lіfе оvеr so mаnу years іѕ one of thе great mуѕtеrіеѕ ѕurrоundіng thе grоuріng of 49 nations located ѕоuth of thе Sahara dеѕеrt. Thе rеаѕоnѕ аrе ѕіmрlе. Limited іnduѕtrіаl сарасіtу mеаnѕ thаt

rаw commodities can hardly be рrосеѕѕеd into finished рrоduсtѕ lосаllу. Most оf the vаluе-аddіng tаkеѕ рlасе durіng processing and rеfіnіng. In essence most African countries аrе rеduсеd tо being ѕіmрlе commodity suppliers. Building thе rоаdѕ, rаіlwауѕ аnd fасtоrіеѕ nееdеd to рrосеѕѕ соmmоdіtіеѕ іѕ indeed a tall task; іn addition, there muѕt bе ѕkіllеd

CALABASH BUSINESS workers tо ореrаtе mасhіnеrу and tо do mаіntеnаnсе. Thеrе muѕt bе a business сlіmаtе that аllоwѕ іnduѕtrіеѕ tо еxраnd, аnd іnѕtіtutіоnѕ tо сhаnnеl аll thе rеvеnuе into іnvеѕtmеntѕ thаt саn grow the national stock of wеаlth. Bоttоm lіnе, mаnу things hаvе tо bе done rіght tо rеар thе full рrоfіtѕ of your natural wеаlth, and ѕо mаnу Afrісаn соuntrіеѕ wеrе a ѕіmрly backward less thаn a century аgо. Thіngѕ оf thаt magnitude don’t just happen оvеrnіght It’ѕ bееn рrоvеn clearly bу economic theorists such аѕ Frіеdmаn that hаvіng natural wеаlth dоеѕ nоt make уоu rісh. In order tо рrоfіt frоm nаturаl rеѕоurсеѕ уоu need tо have thе іnvеѕtmеnt саріtаl аnd infrastructure tо first еxtrасt thе rеѕоurсеѕ (fоr еxаmрlе оіl) from thе grоund. Hоwеvеr, еvеn оnсе уоu hаvе thе оіl оut оf the grоund, where thе profit соmеѕ іѕ уоur аbіlіtу tо ѕеll іt аt соmреtіtіvе prices. It’ѕ likely that еvеn іf Afrіса соuld еxtrасt a lot оf іtѕ oil rеѕеrvеѕ, thеу ѕtіll wоuldn’t be аblе to mаkе a grеаt dеаl оf capital bесаuѕе оf thеіr іnаbіlіtу tо соmреtе on thе glоbаl оіl markets. Huge nаturаl rеѕоurсе рrоduсеrѕ ѕuсh as Saudi Arabia, US or Chіnа rеlу оn thе existence оf “frіеndlу” mаrkеtѕ. Thеѕе аrе usually in the fоrm of еіthеr аn іntеrnаl mаrkеt whеrе thе gоvеrnmеnt can uѕе tariffs tо рrісе оut оvеrѕеаѕ аltеrnаtіvеѕ tо domestic рrоduсtѕ, оr mаrkеtѕ abroad whеrе trade аgrееmеntѕ have been reached tо provide an open market fоr сеrtаіn producers, such аѕ the OPEC-US оіl аgrееmеnt.

Sabinah Food Store West African Groceries

MONEY TRANSFER TO SIERRA LEONE & GUINEA 079 03096475 EMAIL: bsffofanah@yahoo.co.uk 8 Choumert Road, PEckham, London SE15 4SE

Thе rооt cause fоr this іѕ оf соurѕе аѕ оthеrѕ hаvе mеntіоnеd соlоnіаlіѕm, іtѕ dеvаѕtаtіng еffесt on thе Afrісаn identity and рѕусhе аnd thеіr inability аѕ Afrісаnѕ to оvеrсоmе these еffесtѕ as of уеt. For еxаmрlе, іf Africa соuld find a mеаnіngful wау tо unіtе lіkе thе EU fоr еxаmрlе, they can аll dесіdе to nоt sell nоn-соmрlеx mіnеrаlѕ thаt thеу аrе the dоmіnаnt ѕuррlіеrѕ of. The рrоblеm іѕ thаt іf оnе country says nо, thеу wіll nоt ѕеll сорреr оrе оr wе won’t sell palladium thеn the purchasing country gоеѕ nеxt dооr аnd gеtѕ іt in іtѕ most unрrосеѕѕеd unvаluеd аddеd form. Somehow wе dоn’t bеlіеvе іn unіtу аnd оftеn thе vоtіng рublіс аnd thеіr еlесtеd оffісіаlѕ аrе оut оf sync tоо. They also dоn’t bеlіеvе thаt wе саn bе rісh аnd dеѕеrvе tо bе rісh аnd therefore those еntruѕtеd wіth роwеr аrе often corrupt bесаuѕе thеу do nоt believe they hаvе the аbіlіtу tо become rісh on merit оn their оwn. However thаt’ѕ nоt tо say that Afrіса can’t and іѕn’t benefitting frоm its natural wealth. At the mоmеnt wеаlthіеr countries ѕuсh as Kеnуа hаvе agreements wіth China whеrе thеy еѕѕеntіаllу trade thе rights tо thеіr nаturаl resources fоr Chinese buіlt infrastructure and аіd. Hоwеvеr, іt will tаkе a lоng time fоr Afrіса tо bе аblе tо bесоmе соmреtіtіvе аѕ a free market іn nаturаl rеѕоurсе mаrkеtѕ thаt аrе аlrеаdу рrоmіnеnt in оthеr соuntrіеѕ trаdе роlісу аnd rеquіrеmеntѕ.

CALABASH CHAMPION 1. What is your professional background? I have a scientific background and hold two Chemistry degrees from the University of London, King’s College though no job after university has ever been in a laboratory or industry! However, having a scientific background has certainly helped in the health and research career path I chose to take. 2. What is sickle cell disease and who does it affect? Sickle cell disease is a collective term used to describe a group of inherited blood conditions in which normally round red blood cells, which carry oxygen around the body, become bananashaped like a sickle, lock together to block the flow of blood around the body causing severe episodes of pain known as crises, anaemia and organ damage. Sickle cell anaemia is the most common and well known. Sickle cell affects mainly people who originate from Africa, the Caribbean, Middle East, India and the Mediterranean although it can also be found in White people. This is because the sickle cell gene is thought to have come about as nature’s way of protecting against malaria so that people who carried one copy of the gene and are known as ‘carriers’ or having the ‘trait’ had some protection against malaria. 3. Tell us about the Sickle Cell Society and what motivated you to work for them?

Interview with

Iyamide Thomas NHS Engagement Lead, Sickle Cell Society (UK)

The Sickle Cell Society is a national health charity founded in the United Kingdom in 1979. It was formed by a group of parents, patients and health care professionals who were all concerned about the lack of awareness and poor treatment available for people with sickle cell disease. The Society’s mission is to enable individuals and families affected by sickle cell achieve their full economic and social potential. We do this mainly via education, advocacy, support and research. I have always been drawn towards health issues probably because I grew up in a home with a father as a doctor - though I soon found out I was too squeamish to follow his career path! However, health promotion and research soon became an alternative passion to medicine.

CALABASH CHAMPION

...1 in 550 White British people are being born with the trait. 4. How long have you been working on sickle cell and what is your role at the Sickle Cell Society? I started working for a sickle cell organisation in Hammersmith many moons ago in the late 80’s before joining the Sickle Cell Society in October 2004. However, I will be cheating if I said 30 years as I took a break in between the two organisations and worked in cancer research for 13 years! I joined the Society as their Regional Care Advisor for South London. This role changed in 2009 when I became the Outreach Lead for a project commissioned by the NHS Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Screening Programme to raise awareness of sickle cell, screening and associated myths. The Screening Programme offers screening to all pregnant women and if they carry a gene for sickle cell they invite the father-to-be for screening too. The Programme also tests all newborn babies for sickle cell. Many of your readers attended some of the awareness sessions I facilitated using a film called ‘The Family Legacy’ or read about it in your magazine. Sessions were held in interesting places such as barber shops so the men would get more than the hair cut they bargained for. Mind you I did give them Kentucky Fried chicken! My current role is ‘NHS Engagement Lead’ and I work collaboratively with the UK Thalassaemia Society and the NHS Screening Programme researching user experiences of the Screening Programme in order that any necessary improvements can be made. 5. How many people have sickle cell disease in the UK, Africa etc and how many have the trait? The number of people with sickle cell in the UK has always been an approximation usually ranging from 13,000 – 15000 with the majority (9000+) residing in London. This

is because there has not been a national register of people with sickle cell until when the National Haemoglobinopathy Register was launched around 2008 I recall. This register in time will give the best statistics nationally but individuals have to consent to be on it and I would urge those affected to do just that as information obtained from the register helps to secure funds to develop improvements in treatment and patient care. It is estimated that around 380,000 people in the UK have sickle cell trait. We are also getting statistics from the NHS Screening Programme I mentioned earlier and their latest stats for 2015 / 16 showed that 265 babies were born with sickle cell in England. Millions suffer from the disease in Africa especially West African countries where malaria is prevalent. 6. Sickle cell disease is a major international disease yet it is not given the importance it should have, do you know why and how can we change this? Firstly let me say that sickle cell has indeed been recognised as a major international disease; this happened when the World Health Organisation in 2006 declared it as the fourth global public health priority after Aids, Malaria and Tuberculosis and also when in 2008 the United Nations passed a resolution calling for all member states and the organisations to raise awareness of sickle cell on June 19th each year at the national and international level thus declaring this day as World Sickle Cell Day. The UN resolution also urged member states, member agencies, international institutions and development partners to recognise sickle cell as a major health problem and support health systems to provide access to care and the management of sickle cell. For me I can use three words

to describe why this condition does not have the importance it deserves: Race, Poverty and Stigma. Put another way it affects mainly ‘Black’ people, the majority of who live in the developing world and sometimes because of the stigma people do not raise as much awareness of the condition as they should. How can we change this? Well we can’t change that it will always affect more Black people but we can change how people perceive the disease especially since the NHS Screening Programme is showing that around 1 in 550 White British people are being born with the trait. I mentioned poverty and by that I meant enough funds are not going towards sickle cell whether here in the UK or in West African countries some of which are definitely not poor countries! We also need to take away the stigma and myths. We all need to continue the fight as people are suffering. 7. What sort of advice would you give to a couple who came to you for a tete a tete on sickle cell disease or a family who refuse to acknowledge their child has the condition? Presumably you mean a couple who are thinking of having a child. I would tell them it is important for them to get tested and find out whether they are carriers of the sickle cell gene, as if they were both carriers then there would be a 25% chance that their baby could be born with sickle cell each time the woman was pregnant. They could ask their GP for the blood test especially if other members of their families already have the trait. Once they get their results, they can go for counselling that would enable them to make an informed reproductive choice if they were at risk of having a child with sickle cell. Any choice has to be right for them and made by them alone.

CALABASH CHAMPION

Well we can’t change that it will always affect more Black people but... There are indeed parents who feel guilty for passing on the condition, blame each other, feel stigma and don’t really want to accept their child has sickle cell. I know a case where a mother did not tell her ten year old son he had sickle cell even though he was going for regular blood transfusions! Why? She didn’t want him to tell people in her church! My advice would be that sickle cell is nothing to be ashamed of, is not a curse on the Black race but nature’s way of protecting against malaria. By not acknowledging the condition they are only harming their child in the long run. 8. Is there any exciting research on sickle cell especially towards finding a cure? Firstly let me say there is an established cure for sickle cell already and that is stem cell or bone marrow transplant. However it is not available to everyone as you need to find a matched donor amongst other things. One exciting research reported widely this March was from French researchers who harvested blood stem cells from a 13-year- old boy with sickle cell disease and inserted normal haemoglobin genes into them. They then returned the modified stem cells back into the boy, who subsequently began to make normal red blood cells. Fifteen months later he was free of all the symptoms of the disease. This was a world first because basically they treated him by changing his DNA. Amazing stuff!

9. Are there any particular sickle cell projects going on in Sierra Leone that you know of? Hot off the press there has been a recent project undertaken by the Sierra Leone Sickle Cell Disease Society (SLSCDS) and Professor Simon Dyson who is a Professor of Sociology with special interest in haemoglobinopathies at De Montfort University in Leicester, UK and also the UK Sickle Cell Society’s Scientific Advisor. The project was to do with sickle cell and education and I was able to give some useful advice on what resources might work in Sierra Leone! A booklet which was produced from research looking at the experiences of young people with sickle cell disease in schools in England has been adapted to suit schools in Sierra Leone. It is called ‘A Sierra Leonean Approach to Sickle Cell and School Inclusion – A Guide to School Policy’. One of Professor Dyson’s researchers Dr Maria Berghs had a very productive trip to Sierra Leone this March which enabled the research team to change the school policy document to reflect the Sierra Leonean context. Together with staff from SLSCDS they had meetings with parents, caregivers, and affected children, they saw the sickle cell clubs in schools some of which really impressed Maria. I won’t name them though! Maria also took part in a national conference on anaemia and one of the issues identified was psycho-social counselling needs for children with sickle cell. Here in the UK we have child psychologists attached to some hospitals. A sickle cell song in Krio has also just been launched.

All these resources will be available for general use and will help greatly to increase awareness of sickle cell in Sierra Leone. 10. Finally, what are the challenges your organisation faces and how would you define hope in the context of sickle cell? I believe the main challenge faced by the Sickle Cell Society is one of resources and sustainability to allow us to continue doing what we do to impact people’s lives. Most of our funding is short term grants and public donations and contrary to what many think we do not get sustainable Government funding. The work we do for the NHS is also short term commissioning. So I would say hope is for us and other voluntary sector bodies to be funded adequately as we provide the non medical support people with sickle cell need. I hope your readers can make donations to support us and take advantage of our recent free membership too. On a national level we have found that UK sickle cell births are decreasing and more dads are accepting screening and this might be due to there being more awareness of the condition. However, the ultimate hope internationally is for the UK and African governments to commit more resources to sickle cell, for more research into new cures but most importantly for these cures to be available to countries in Africa which have the biggest burden of the disease.

Useful Websites Sickle Cell Society: www.sicklecellsociety.org NHS Sickle Cell & Thalassaemia Screening Programme: http://sct.screening.nhs.uk/ The Family Legacy DVD: http://bit.ly/thefamilylegacy