“More time”…to eat? Money and politics in Sierra Leone

06 Jun 2016

Yovanka ARI

 

Following his look at the street level view of corruption in the country, Jamie Hitchen examines how corruption and politics are increasingly intertwined.

Transparency International’s 2015 Corruption Perceptions Index ranked Sierra Leone 119 out of 168 countries. The country’s position has progressively worsened over the last four years. Also in 2015, 70% of citizens surveyed by Afrobarometer felt that corruption had increased from 2014, with only a third believing that they can make a difference in the fight against it.

Tackling corruption

Ernest Bai Koroma pledged to tackle corruption after his election as president in 2007. He replaced a Sierra Leone People’s Party government that was accused of being a “fortress of corruption” and which faced severe criticism of its record from international partners shortly before being voted from power. Koroma began promisingly with the creation of an Anti-Corruption Act in 2008 and public attacks on graft within government.  But after the unexplained resignation in 2010 of Abdul Tejan-Cole, the widely respected, impartial head of Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), progress stalled. Under the leadership of Joseph Kamara, increasingly a close ally of the president, the commission successfully prosecuted no high-profile individuals for corrupt activities, leading to accusations that it has been politicised. The decision to appoint Kamara to the position of Attorney General in a recent cabinet re-shuffle does not convey the message that the justice sector will take a tough or proactive stance on the issue.

The fading commitment to tackling corruption was highlighted during the Ebola outbreak. A real-time audit of government expenditure by the Auditor General’s office found that 30% of the money was disbursed without proper supporting documentation. Despite the report being a public document that was presented to parliament – meaning that the ACC could in theory have been expected to investigate its detailed findings – so far no individual has been reprimanded or asked to pay back ill-gotten gains. Procurement mismanagement and inflated contracts have featured prominently in every report by the Auditor General’s office since 2011, but continue to be features of day-to-day government business.

International donors like the UK’s Department for International Development (DfID) have also sought to engage government on the subject. Following previous initiatives, in 2014 a “Pay No Bribe Campaign” was launched with the support of the president, who urged citizens to “Request no bribe! Pay no bribe!” DfID decided not to channel funds for the Ebola response through government ministries, indicating concern about accountability and transparency. However, DfID’s own showing on that score has been far from perfect. Sierra Leoneans – the beneficiaries – have a right to know why, for example, a treatment centre at Kerry Town was constructed (and subsequently dismantled) at a cost of £85 million; or why only 2% of all funds donated by external agencies including DfID went to local doctors, nurses and burial teams.

In a recent interview with The Economist, the president’s spokesperson, Abdulai Bayraytay, claimed that the installation of two sets of traffic lights in Freetown would help reduce corruption as “traffic police are perceived as being very corrupt”. The comment appears symptomatic of the government’s unwillingness to address the root causes of the corruption “problem”. Police reforms and the punishment of transgressors, rather than a public admission that the government knows what goes on but does nothing, would have been more encouraging to Sierra Leoneans. Of course, promoting this type of reform for government departments is not in the interest of ministers whose lifestyles are far more opulent than their monthly salaries of about US$3,000 could possibly support.

Looking for capital

The government is facing an acute cash shortage. The price of iron ore, the main driver of double digit GDP growth in the years preceding Ebola, remains low; most aid is not channelled through government departments; and internally generated revenues are slight. The Ministry of Defence received only a quarter of its budgetary allocation for the first six months of 2016, a constraint replicated to varying degrees across all ministries.

To the government, Chinese investment looks like an appealing solution. But partially state-owned companies, such as the China Railway Group, are mainly interested in the construction of toll roads and a new airport. These are necessary in the long-term, but far from vital for a country that has serious problems with the provision of water and electricity, prevailing food insecurity and a health sector described by the Auditor General as a “panoply of dysfunction”. Ulterior motives are widely suspected.

If it goes ahead – and opposition has already been expressed by key international donors and partners like the IMF – moving the airport from its current location at Lungi to a new site 38 miles east of Freetown, at Mamamah, is expected to cost at least US$300 million. The Chinese government, it is alleged, have their eye on the Lungi site for a military base; for President Koroma, it would be a way of getting much-needed cash into the system and facilitating a legacy project.  With an election just 18 months away, the All People’s Congress (APC) patronage machine is already grinding through the gears.

Electoral politics

Sierra Leone’s 1991 Constitution limits the president to two terms. It appears unlikely that Koroma will attempt – or find himself able – to change the constitution despite increasingly vocal backing from APC supporters and even those within the party to secure “more time”. The president is aware of the potential consequences for relations with leading international donors and the reputational impact. Legally, he would only be able to extend his term in office if the country were to remain in a state of emergency; but this measure, announced in late July 2014 to contain the Ebola outbreak, is due to be lifted in August 2016.

Perhaps Koroma’s cabinet reshuffle in March 2016, widely interpreted as a political manoeuvre, provides the clearest indicator of what will happen to the presidency. Those who were suspected of contemplating a leadership challenge ahead of the 2018 election were sacked and replaced by individuals with limited experience and in some cases few qualifications other than demonstrable loyalty to the APC. Several of the new ministers may not be well-equipped to provide the strategic, long-term thinking that is required as the country rebuilds post-Ebola, but they will ensure that Koroma’s rumoured successor, Joseph Kamara, has the full backing of the party. The APCs structure and constitution promotes a strong, top-down chain of command. Once a decision has been made by the party’s inner circle the casting of votes to endorse this choice is purely academic.

A popular refrain holds that Koroma is “doing OK” but is let down by his ministers. However, Sierra Leonean journalist Umaru Fofana points out that ultimately “[the president] appoints the cabinet and the buck stops with him”. For Fofana, “the tragedy is that Sierra Leonean politicians, on all sides, are thinking in the 1960s and 1970s. They are trying to undermine democratic principles and values – rather than focusing their energy toward building them. To them, electoral politics, instead of development, is to the fore in whatever they do; everything else has to fall in line behind.”

 

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The Sierra Leone     –Ireland   Partnership Celebrates              Sierra Leone @ 52

                     SLIP invites you to mark Sierra Leone’s independence

Friday April 26^th  2013 in Dublin city centre

Venue:

Irish Aid Volunteering Centre, 27-31 Upper O’Connell Street, D.1

            6.30– 7.00      AGM

            7.00– 8.00      Panel Discussion: ‘Building a better Sierra Leone’

Special Guests:

         Sr. Louis Marie O’Connor, Sisters of Joseph of Cluny

         Ms. Alice Rekab, Artist – working on collaborative creative projects in

         Sierra Leone with the group Stars Combine, and who recently held  

         an exhibition in Dublin.

 

Followed by a Social Gathering and   Celebration: Venue: The Grand Central   Bar, 10-11 O’Connell Street, 5 mins walk from Irish   Aid Centre Time: 8 pm till late- food and   music provided Contribution at the   door:  Eu 15  For more details contact ger@slip.ie  087 2390238    or kai@slip.ie

Speaking Points for the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade,Mr. Eamon Gilmore T.D at Reception to mark Sierra Leone’s Fiftieth Anniversary of Independence

Wynn’s Hotel, Abbey Street, Dublin 1: Friday, 20 May 2011.

 Ambassador Turay, Ladies and Gentlemen.

 It is an honour for me to be here this evening to share in this celebration to mark Sierra Leone’s 50 years of independence. Ireland is also a relatively young state and we understand the significance of this milestone for Sierra Leone. While occasions like this are a time to celebrate they also provide the opportunity to reflect on progress made and to look ahead to what can be achieved in the future.

It is a relatively short time since the end of the civil war in Sierra Leone in 2002, yet tangible progress has been made in consolidating peace and security, revitalising the economy and rehabilitating infrastructure and basic services.  The Government of Sierra Leone, through its Poverty Reduction Strategy the ‘Agenda for Change’, is working towards developing growth in areas such as energy, infrastructure, agriculture and social services. 

Consolidating the peace in Sierra Leone has long been a priority of the Sierra Leone administration and it is one which has Ireland’s strong support.  Building on the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and working in close collaboration with the Peace Building Commission, Sierra Leone has made progress in overcoming the legacy of conflict.  As we have seen in our own country, this process takes time and careful nurturing and we urge Sierra Leone to persist with this goal.  The fruits will be well worth the labours. 

 Building good governance is central to the work of Ireland’s aid programme. Without good governance, long-term sustainable development is not possible. I welcome the progress that has been made by the Sierra Leonean Government around governance issues particularly their efforts to tackle the root causes of corruption through putting in place tough anti-corruption legislation as well as the establishment of the Anti-Corruption Commission.

 We have witnessed important indicators of progress in recent years. A significant achievement in the health sector has been the introduction last year of the Free Health Care Initiative for pregnant women, new mothers and young children under the age of five.

 Sierra Leone’s free health-care plan has substantially increased services for mothers, and particularly for children. Initial indications suggest that this increased access to treatment has led to a significant reduction in child deaths from malaria.  But the story is far from over and there is still much more to do to transform the country’s health system and reduce overall mortality rates particularly in children.

 We are very aware of the significant challenges still facing Sierra Leone.   I can assure you that Ireland is a committed partner. Ties between our two countries date back to the arrival of Irish missionaries in Sierra Leone over one hundred years ago. I value greatly the strong links developed over those years through the work of our missionaries and civil society organisations with the people of Sierra Leone.

 As you know, Ireland established its development cooperation programme in Sierra Leone in 2005. Since then, we have increased the size and level of our representation in Freetown. This has allowed us to deepen our engagement with Sierra Leone and is a reflection of the Government’s interest in and commitment to supporting the people of Sierra Leone.  In this period, Ireland has provided €54.7 million in funding support to Sierra Leone. 

 This year Ireland has put in place a new two year country strategy for Sierra Leone which is focused on addressing the challenges around nutrition and food security. The strategy is in line with and supportive of the Agenda for Change.    Ireland is working through partners in both the health and agriculture sectors.

 In the area of food security, Ireland has been a leading advocate in recent years for a renewed global effort in the fight against hunger. The eradication of hunger is a cornerstone of Ireland’s aid programme. Solving hunger is inextricably linked to progress in many other areas such as improving school enrolment rates and reducing maternal and child mortality. Unless we tackle and succeed in the fight against hunger, we will not achieve progress on the seven other Millennium Development Goals.

 In Sierra Leone, programmes which Ireland is supporting in this area include a small holder commercialisation programme to promote crop intensification and diversification; school feeding programmes, community management of acute malnutrition and the refurbishment of health infrastructure.

Ireland is also working jointly with the United States Government in Freetown to ensure a greater focus on nutrition, particularly during the crucial first 1000 days of life and to maximise the impact of the work of organisations working in the sector.

The support provided through Ireland’s country programme is complemented by the programmes of a number of non-governmental organisations, including Irish NGOs, which are active in Sierra Leone. These include Concern, Christian Aid, GOAL, Trócaire, World Vision and Sightsavers International.

I would also like to acknowledge here this evening the considerable work done by the Sierra Leone –Ireland Partnership over the years in fostering relations between both our countries. I would especially like to thank Joe Manning, our Honorary Consul of Sierra Leone, who has done tremendous work in promoting Sierra Leone’s interests in Ireland. It is also in Ireland’s interest as a trading nation that we work with our developing country partners so that they can grow, prosper and evolve as trading partners, continuing to pursue a path of self-reliance.

I would like to thank the Sierra Leone Ireland Partnership Committee for inviting me to this evening’s celebration and for their work in organising the programme of events.  It is a great privilege for me to be here this evening and I wish the people of Sierra Leone peace and prosperity over the next 50 years!

SPEECH BY HIS EXCELLENCY MR. EDWARD TURAY AT THE 50^TH INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION IN DUBLIN, 20th MAY 2011

Fifty years ago, on the 27^th of April 1961, Sierra Leone became an  independent nation, thus severing off over two hundred years of rule by Britain. As the instruments of independence were handed over in the new Parliament on Tower Hill,  to the first Prime Minister Sir Milton Margai by the Duke of Kent,  who represented the Queen,  Sir Milton said “I am proud to be Prime Minister of the newly independent Sierra Leone. My ministers and I are fully aware of the difficulties and pitfalls which confront us and which will continue to confront the Independent Government of Sierra Leone. I say  we shall surmount them, for that is our determination.  I would like the world to know that we have approached this goal of independence in complete harmony and partnership with Her Majesty’s Government in Britain and with the men who have served Britain and Sierra Leone over the past decades.”

The then British Prime Minister, Harold Macmillan, in his message also mentioned the relationship between Britain and Sierra Leone.  “He said Our two countries have had a long and close relationship,  and  now that Sierra Leone steps on to the world stage, we in Britain have every confidence that she will play her part worthily in the councils of nations.”

 Sierrra Leoneans,  both at home and in the diaspora, rejoiced that unlike some other African countries, independence was achieved through constitutional reforms and diplomacy, rather than bloodshed. And Sierra Leone was able to take its place in the world stage and in the international community, become a member of the Commonwealth and  the one hundredth member of the United Nations Organisation. 

1961 was also a landmark year for Sierra Leone.  For in November that year,  the country played host to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth 11,  and the Duke of Edinburgh , who not only visited Freetown but also Bo, where they were entertained to a Durbar of Chiefs. This year was also significant for me.  I was a schoolboy, and I was one of the schoolboys who sang and clapped for the couple – God Save the Queen – God Save the Queen.

 During the past fifty years,  Sierra Leone has gone through some rough times…political upheavals,  tribal infractions and one of  the most brutal rebel wars in African history.  But thanks to Britain,  which has remained a steadfast and loyal friend to Sierra Leone during these fifty years, I thank also the Governments of our brother states of ECOWAS the United Nations, The European Union, The African Union and the United States, the rebels were crushed and since then the country has returned to the peaceful country it is today.

The path of our nation, since that time has included significant gains, but also damaging reversals that occurred in the infancy of a nationhood.  Thus, we have throughout the last fifty years been engaged in the herculean task of building a nation out of the ruins of political volatility and concomitant underdevelopment.

However we are extremely proud that despite the significant challenges and difficulties we have encountered in our economic and political life of our nation, the Sierra Leonean identity and national ethos remained vibrant throughout this entire period.

We have demonstrated an uncanny resilience in the face of national disaster and upheavals throughout the past fifty year period indicating the potential to meet any challenge to our nationhood.  It is this sense that allowed us to create a united front out of an ethnocentric tribalistic society to gain independence from Britain in 1961 and to unite again for the purpose of restoring peace to our country when its very existence became threatened by insurgents waging a senseless war.

  People often asked me about what is there to celebrate.  Of course, there is something to celebrate about – During the course of the 50 year period – we indeed endured internal strife, corruption, injustice and poor governance at various stages.  But we have also garnered  global accolades for achieving and sustaining peace and  reconciliation.  The Government under the leadership of His Excellency Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma, has undertaken steps to address these and other initiatives as reflected in what we refer to as our Agenda for Change.  The Agenda for Change is a policy framework articulated by the Government which aims to put our country solidly on a path from aid dependency to a dynamic, self sustaining economy essentially coming full circle to where we were fifty years ago at the dawn of our independence.  However, this is not only about celebrating, it is also about mobilizing our resources for the difficult tasks ahead as we contemplate the next fifty years of our nationhood.  It is also about unleashing the energies and talents of our people, and rededicating ourselves to rebuilding the country itself and consequently its image and standing within the International Community.

Additionally, as a lifelong public servant, I am compelled to avail myself of this singular opportunity  to reflect on the trajectory of our nation since Independence – the triumphs, shortfalls and challenges, and perhaps most importantly, to consider and determine where we must work even harder to build on our successes as we look ahead to the next fifty years of nationhood.

I thank you all for listening and May God Bless Sierra Leone.

I went to Sierra Leone in May 2010 for about 3 weeks.  I also visited Liberia.  Over all I was very encouraged by my visit.  During my stay I spent time in Freetown, Bo and Kenema where MSHR are engaged in Ministry.  I went to Liberia via Kailahun and Koindu. Freetown is very overcrowded making travel within the city very difficult.  Bo and Kenema are also very overcrowded with traffic and people selling on the streets.  I got the feeling that petty trading was booming.  One cannot but marvel at the resilience of the people get back and reclaim their lives.  There is still evidence of war-burnt houses and buildings but much has been done in reconstruction except Koindu which still bears the scars of war.  The town is still full of burnt-out buildings and other signs of destruction with few people in evidence.

Roads: The country is still trying to recover from the effects of the war.  Government is concentrating on infra structure i.e. roads.  The road from Freetown to Kenema via Bo is now complete; Freetown to Makeni and Magburaka is complete; work on a paved road between Kenema and Kailahun is about to begin.  Plans are in place for a paved road between Moyamba and Freetown via Bradford.

Agriculture is being aggressively promoted by funds from Britain.  Free Health Care for Children less than 5 years old and lactating mothers has been introduced and so far is going well.  Health Workers wonder how long the drugs will last.  Serabu Hospital has reopened with a number of the staff from previous times back and trying to get it up and running to full capacity

Education Many schools have reopened and new ones built.  Education of girls is high on the agenda and it is rumoured that Government will pay fees for girls in Junior School in the future.  However, the classrooms are overcrowded.  A classroom I visited had up to 100 girls with desks and chairs for about 60.  The years of war when education came to a standstill, is reflected in the inadequate number of teachers available and the quality of their teaching.  I was fortunate to be able to visit on a day when there was a big celebration, so it afforded me a chance to reconnect with many friends from the past.

Because of time constraints I was only able to visit Holy Rosary Works but other Religious Sisters are there Cluny, Immaculate Heart, Notre Dame; Christian Brothers, Salesian Priests and Spiritans.

Over all I was impressed by the progress which has been made.

* * * * *

Cluny Diomplor Programme (Teresa McKeon, Sister of St. Joseph of Cluny)(trsmckeon@yahoo.com)

Before her return to Kono in October there Teresa McKeon sent this outline of her work:

The areas covered by the above Programme are: Yomandu, Tankora Chiefdom, Koidu, Kono.

It includes the following:

(i).Projects for:

~ Older women:            Business Training & Loan Management Village Savings.

~ Younger women:       Skills Training in Catering, Weaving, Tailoring.

~Mothers and infants:  Nutrition & Village Health Care

(ii). Development Education workshops for all women in our programmes.

(iii). Education work in Primary and Secondary Schools:

On-the-job in-service training for all teachers since very few are qualified teachers.

News Briefs

Change in SL Education Policy

The Government has extended the Senior Secondary School to 4 years, so that a student now has to spend 3 years in the Junior Secondary School and 4 in the Senior Secondary.  A total of 7 years to finish secondary education.   This latest information on the government educational policy called ‘The White Paper’ means that more pupils will be in the Senior Sector with no provision to support this new policy.  Implementation begins this academic year.

Medical

An Extract from an Article by Marese McDonagh published in ‘The Irish Times” earlier this year. “A new eye clinic to tackle blindness in Sierra Leone”

The clinic in Kenema, the first major building project undertaken by Sightsavers after 50 years in Sierra Leone, is seen as a key tool in preventing blindness and improving the quality of life for those with other visual impairments which otherwise would remain undetected.  Sightsavers Ireland is ensuring that local staff will be trained to run the clinic in the future.  Sightsavers also helps to run a programme to distribute the drug Mectizan which helps to prevent river blindness.

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Mary Robinson writes to Sr. Hilary Lyons

REALISING RIGHTS

The Ethical Globalization Initiative

Sr. Hilary Lyons, C/o Holy Rosary Sisters, 23 Cross Avenue, Blackrock, Co. Dublin

3 August 2010

Dear Sr. Hilary,

I have just returned from a visit to Sierra Leone and felt compelled to write to you to congratulate you on your outstanding achievements over four decades in Sierra Leone.  Your dear friend, Dr. Komba Kono, Minister of State in the office of Vice President, speaks very highly of the contribution you have made to improving healthcare standards in Sierra Leone and particularly in Serabu hospital.  As a fellow Mayo woman, I was very proud to learn of your tireless work to improve maternal healthcare in Sierra Leone and I understand that you are still actively supporting Sierra Leone through the Sierra Leone Ireland Partnership.  I wish to salute your great work and on your commitment to Sierra Leone.

I am currently President of ‘Realising Rights’ and one of the organisations programmes, the Ministerial Leadership Initiative (MLA), is working with the Ministry of Health to support financial management and improved donor coordination in health.  I would be very interested to speak to you about these issues at some stage.  In the meantime, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you most sincerely for the great work that you have done.  Together with Sr. Geraldine Jackson, Sr, Theresa McKeon and Sr. Mary Sweeney from the order of St. Joseph of Cluny, you have greatly enhanced the reputation of Ireland.   I had the good fortune to meet Sr. Geraldine Jackson and Sr. Mary Sweeney whilst I was in Freetown but unfortunately, Sr. Theresa McKeon was away.

With kind regards,

Mary Robinson.

Newsflash!

Sr Hilary has been nominated for Mayo Person of the Year. The winner will be announced in January 2011 and there will be a dinner in the Burlington Hotel on the 11th February 2011. Further information available from Francis O’Malley secretary@mayoassociationdublin.com

Views from the Pendembu Poda Poda By Back Bencher

Michael Ring TD of Mayo is a man of many words and some wisdom.  He, with that much maligned staccato accent, in a recent Dáil debate suggested that Irish rule be handed back to Queen Elizabeth II during her expected visit next year.

But like many good suggestions this one needs a little tweaking.  In fairness to the ageing monarch and her over stretched, axe wielding government, dealing with Mr Ring would be asking too much. But a modest proposal deserving of serious consideration is to exclude Mr Ring’s constituency of Mayo from such a much needed handover.   It would give Mr Ring and his party a longed for majority in the smaller principality.  But the weakness, you may quickly add, is how the almost immeasurable energy of the man be fully and gainfully employed.

A fact finding mission is the answer, and where to you might ask as we struggle with storms on many fronts.  Sierra Leone yet again comes with the gleaming resolution.

Suggested areas of useful study in SL for Mr Ring and his Oireachtas colleagues are:

How the head of State and leader of the government of Sierra Leone can easily and successfully be managed by one person with obvious significant saving.

The tolling network of Sierra Leone.  The system may appear a little ad hoc and lacking sophistication, but among the many advantages are the local retention of the vast majority of funding raised and the avoidance of geometric progressive increases of fines if one fails to pay within the allotted time.  The many positive impacts of money spent by Irish Aid.  Michael Ring could talk a little sense to that Dumpy Dimplex Dude, Martin Naughton and his headline catching sound bite of getting rid of Irish Aid. With Brian Lenihan moving alarmingly in that direction with his ‘curtailment of the allocation for Official Development Assistance (ODA)’ by another €35 million in the recent  budget, where is enlightened self interest of supporting other parts of the global village?   But you need not fear the esteemed Mr Ring will speak with enthusiasm and conviction of the great needs of both Belmullet and Bonthe.

We are nearing Manowa Junction and the road is a little bumpy so we bid farewell from where Ring and Naughton fear to tread.

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Review of book Chasing the Devil, by Sr. Celia Doyle (srcelia@hotmail.com)

A travel book connected with Sierra Leone was launched in September this year.   Tim Bucher’s “Chasing the Devil”, is a dramatic travel book.  He sets out on a journey across Sierra Leone and Liberia.   He follows in the footsteps of Graham Greene going on the journey that he and his cousin did in 1935.  This trip was immortalised in the travel classic, “Journey without Maps”. While Graham Greene took 26 bearers and hammocks Tim walked every inch to find out as much as he could about life in the bush.  He had another Englishman with him and a couple of Sierra Leonean or Liberian guides to help them, depending on which country he was travelling through, to help them.

As we all know, much has changed in Sierra Leone and Liberia between 1935 and the present!   Tim Butcher writes in a very exciting way.  He was African war correspondent for the Daily Telegraph and was first sent out to Sierra Leone in May 2000.  He came into Freetown on a helicopter bringing in the British soldiers (those sent out by Tony Blair who were responsible for bringing an end of the war in Sierra Leone) and met Sr. Redempta and myself trying to get out!

He writes about many things that would seem ordinary to those of us around at that time but does it all in a very exciting way. Much of the Sierra Leone section of the book will be very familiar to those of us in SLIP.  However he tries to go deep into how things work and where the real power is in different groups, especially the secret societies.  In his comment Archbishop Tutu says that “Chasing the Devil” shows the power of good to prevail over evil.

All of us who worked in Sierra Leone will  have heard much of Graham Greene – his connection with City Hotel in Freetown and those of us connected with Pujehun  remember being told that he wrote “ The Heart of the Matter “  on the verandah upstairs in the house that became the Holy Rosary Convent.  In fact “Chasing the Devil “has made me want to find and read again Graham Greene’s books.

The whole journey through Sierra Leone and Liberia and all the research they tried to do had such an effect on Tim Butcher that he left his job as a news reporter. He said he would find it difficult to “go back to the flash immediacy demanded by modern online journalism.  The trip had taught me the value of taking time to savour the true smell and taste of a place” He began a new phase of his life as an author.

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THE END