SIERRA LEONE – Africa Science Week 2018

Salwa Supckie Campbell

NEF ambassador Sierra leone

Salwa Campbell, NEF Ambassador for Sierra Leone is the Co-founder & Business Development Director of
Fix Solution (SL) Ltd – an innovative technology company. She is also a Fellow of TechWomen, an
initiative of the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Salwa is a Mentor
for junior secondary school girls, where she guides them in making informed career decisions. She holds a
BSc. degree with Honours in Biological Sciences.

COUNTRY PROFILE

For several years, Sierra Leone has been lagging behind in science, research, technology and innovation,
compared to other Sub-Saharan countries and the rest of the world. Sierra Leone is still faced with the
challenge of data availability such that there is inadequate record on research information. Scientific
advances and technological change have been recognised to be the important drivers of sustainable
economic development of nations across the world. There is a need for data driven analysis, which can
provide critical evidence to help inform and influence policy decision-making. It is in this light that NEF is
coordinating and implementing an African Science Week (ASW) across Africa to promote Science and
Innovation.
In an effort to address this challenge, the government of Sierra Leone, has committed “to develop a
framework for scientific research and to support vibrant national innovation and entrepreneurial
ecosystem”, by setting up a Directorate for Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), in May 2018. Dr.
Moinina David Sengeh was appointed as the Chief Innovation Officer of DSTI. The Directorate will work
closely with the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education, to promote this strategy in schools and
universities.

This activity will invite applications from young innovators across the country, but precedence will be
given to innovators from the provincial areas.
Three judges will evaluate the applications and top 10 participants will be shortlisted to move on to the
demo stage. Top 10 participants will showcase their technologies to win 1 in 5 spots of the semi-final
stage. Semi-finalists will display their products during the Science conference event and three winners
will be announced at the dinner.

WHERE:

Africell American Corner

The first radio program will be a pre-event talk show on 26 th Sep (TBC), to launch the Africa
Science Week (ASW), giving an overview of NEF and share in brief, the activities of the ASW.

WHERE:

Second radio program will kick-start the ASW’s activities on 1 st October. To be hosted on a
popular local radio program Good Morning Salone.

WHERE:

This event will host 100 girls from 10 different schools within Freetown. Five producer organisations and
companies will be invited to exhibit their technologies and the impact on the country’s economy.

WHERE:

Radisson Blu Garden

The event will bring together important decision makers from the private and public sectors, and
students and university leadership on the role of science and innovation on the economy of Sierra Leone.
This event will be held in partnership with the Directorate of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI)
and the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education.

WHERE:

Radisson Blu Mammy Yoko Hotel

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The goal of the event is to recognise Women in Science who have done exceptional work to promote
Science and inspire the young generation. Furthermore, there will be a spotlight session for Science
Researchers to showcase the achievements in recent years. They deserve to be celebrated
Guest Speaker: Chernoh Bah – Executive Director/Co-Founder, Purposeful Productions.

WHERE:

Radisson Blu Mammy Yoko Hotel

PARTNERS