Author: gleanernewspaper

Mohamed Fuaad Daboh, Director General- National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NASSIT). The National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NASSIT) has come under intense scrutiny following a recent audit that revealed significant discrepancies in its financial records. Auditors discovered that the principal and accrued interest from debenture loans, which were expected to be deposited into the Trust’s account, are currently untraceable. A thorough review of NASSIT’s investment portfolio indicated that the corporate debenture loans issued to various affiliated companies, including joint ventures and subsidiaries, totalled an alarming One hundred and forty million, nine hundred and twenty-nine thousand, three hundred and…

Egypt is actively working to enhance its relationships with African nations, according to Rasha Soliman, Egypt’s Ambassador to Sierra Leone. During a significant meeting with Komba Kamanda, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Sierra Leone, Soliman expressed Cairo’s dedication to fostering collaborative efforts that yield mutual benefits for both countries. This meeting marks a historic occasion, as it is the first visit by a member of the Egyptian diplomatic mission to Sierra Leone. The discussions focused on advancing judicial cooperation, with Soliman highlighting Egypt’s readiness to assist Sierra Leone in building its judicial capacity.  She emphasized the importance…

The government of Sierra Leone is set to introduce a pioneering results-based financing (RBF) mechanism aimed at accelerating the development of solar mini-grids across the nation. In collaboration with the European Union, this initiative will provide financial grants to private developers, enabling them to build, own, and operate solar mini-grids, thereby enhancing rural electrification. Under this RBF model, private mini-grid developers will receive grants contingent upon successfully establishing electricity connections for households. The disbursement of funds will occur only after the developers meet specific milestones, ensuring accountability and effective use of resources. This approach is designed to stimulate private sector…

The Special Envoy of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, Mr Sofiane CHAIB, who also serves as Secretary of State to the Minister of Foreign Affairs in charge of the National Community Abroad, paid a courtesy visit to His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio. During the visit, Mr. CHAIB reaffirmed Algeria’s commitment to bolstering diplomatic ties with Sierra Leone.Welcoming the envoy and his delegation, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Timothy Musa Kabba, emphasized that the visit was a testament to President Bio’s sustained efforts to strengthen relations between the two nations. He recalled President Bio’s…

 In a groundbreaking move to bolster its economy and attract international investment, Sierra Leone has officially launched a fast-track citizenship initiative just a month after unveiling its GO-FOR-GOLD (GFG) Permanent Residency Program.  This new initiative allows eligible investors to obtain citizenship in as little as 60 days, significantly streamlining the process compared to the traditional naturalization route, which typically requires eight years of residency and proof of local integration. Alusine Kanneh, Sierra Leone’s Chief Immigration Officer, emphasized the government’s commitment to modernizing its immigration framework. In an official statement, he noted the intention to emulate smaller nations that have successfully…

The Model United Nations (Model U.N.) team from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth recently returned from the National Model United Nations (NMUN) conference in Washington, D.C., with a sense of accomplishment and pride. This year marked a historic milestone for the club as it became the first group in its history to meet with a foreign ambassador at an embassy. Their visit to the Embassy of the Republic of Sierra Leone not only enriched their understanding of international diplomacy but also propelled them to achieve an honourable mention award, placing them in the top 20% of participating schools at the…

Africell, a leading telecommunications provider in Sierra Leone, hosted its annual management retreat at the picturesque Tokeh Resort from January 11-12, 2025. The event provided an essential platform for the company’s top executives and stakeholders to reflect on the previous year’s accomplishments and set strategic goals for the upcoming year, with a strong focus on development and community engagement.The retreat featured a compelling address from Ziad Dalloul, the Chairman of Africell Group, who traced the company’s remarkable journey in Sierra Leone’s competitive telecommunications landscape. Dalloul emphasized Africell’s resilience in overcoming significant challenges, ultimately establishing the company as the nation’s leading…

Inspector General, William Fayia Sellu The Sierra Leone Police (SLP), under the leadership of Inspector General William Fayia Sellu, is embroiled in a significant financial scandal as auditors have uncovered a staggering discrepancy of NLe6,611,633.43 (Six million, six hundred and eleven thousand, six hundred and thirty-three New Leone),  (6.6 billion old Leones) that remains unaccounted for. This alarming finding was prominently featured in the annual Auditor General’s 2023 Report, which pointed to substantial inconsistencies between the SLP’s payroll and its official staff list. Upon reviewing the payroll vouchers and the staff list for the fiscal year 2023, auditors discovered that…

By Major Yayah Brima, Media Operations Officer,Army Headquarters.I. The first Chief of Army Staff (COAS) appointed following the disestablishment of the Joint Force Command (JFC) structure, took over command on Monday, 6th January 2025, at a ceremony held at the Army Headquarters, Cockerill Barracks in Freetown. II. In his taking-over statement, the new COAS, Brigadier-General Kemoh Sesay, said that the country had been recently faced with various internal security threats that would require everyone’s vigilance, dedication and unwavering commitment to duty. He, therefore, appealed to the rank and file of the Army to unite as a strong and cohesive Service to…

In 2024, the IJF Academy made a significant stop in Sierra Leone, conducting a vital practical session aimed at empowering women through the sport of judo. Slavisa Bradic, one of the Academy’s experts, led the initiative, engaging with local female judoka to gain insight into their experiences and the positive impact judo can have on their lives. The session unfolded in an open-air dojo, where a small women’s team showcased their skills in a judo demonstration. This modest setting highlighted the resilience and determination of female judoka in Sierra Leone, who face various challenges in a society where discrimination remains…