Author: gleanernewspaper

Following parliamentary approval of his nomination, President Dr Julius Maada Bio formally swore in Edmond Sylvester Alpha as the new Chief Electoral Commissioner and Chairman of the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone (ECSL).  The appointment procedure complied with Section 32(3) of the Constitution, which mandates that the President confer with the leadership of all registered political parties before making such an appointment, according to Baba Brima Fortune, Secretary to the President. Mr Fortune claims that 14 registered political parties received formal notification of the nomination on February 10, 2026. Twelve of those parties sent back letters endorsing Mr Alpha’s appointment.…

On Thursday, 26 February 2026, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded a review mission to assess progress under Sierra Leone’s Extended Credit Facility (ECF) programme. The closing event was held at the Ministry of Finance Conference Hall on George Street in Freetown, and it was attended by IMF staff as well as senior government officials from the Ministry of Finance, the Bank of Sierra Leone, the National Revenue Authority, and other key public-sector stakeholders.Christian Saborowski, IMF Mission Chief for Sierra Leone, described the mission’s mandate, which includes assessing the implementation of the Memorandum of Economic and Financial Policies (MEFP) and…

Chief Minister Dr David Moinina Sengeh was the Guest Speaker at Central University’s 5th Congregation Ceremony, which took place in Tonkolili, Mile 91, and saw hundreds of graduates receive Bachelor’s degrees, diplomas, and certificates. Faculty, development partners, community leaders, and families attended the event to commemorate a significant milestone in Sierra Leone’s higher education and human capital development.Chief Minister Sengeh challenged the graduating class to be both dreamers and servants, encouraging them to pursue radical, inclusive visions while also committing to public service. He emphasised the importance of collective action, saying, “Together, government, private sector, development partners, and citizens, we…

On Wednesday, February 26, 2026, the Public Sector Reform Unit (PSRU) handed over a comprehensive Management and Functional Review (MFR) report aimed at repairing and modernising the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC). PSRU Head Sulaiman Phoray Musa formally presented the findings and recommendations to the Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah, providing a strategic roadmap intended to strengthen governance, operational effectiveness and public service delivery at the national broadcaster. The review was commissioned under Recommendation 77 of the Tripartite Agreement between the Government, the All People’s Congress (APC) and donor partners, and is designed to reposition SLBC as…

The Office of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, in collaboration with the Arbitration Steering Committee and international law firm Hogan Lovells London, organised a major capacity-building workshop on international arbitration for the mining and power sectors. The program, held at the Foreign Service Academy Hall under the banner “Justice for Growth: Strengthening Dispute Resolution Framework for Sustainable Investment,” brought together State Counsel, government officials, and private-sector representatives to learn how to handle complex arbitration cases and better protect the State’s interests.Deputy Minister of Justice and Chairperson Elizabeth Saptieu Saccoh stated that the country has entered a new era…

Njala University’s Bonthe Campus and the Sierra Leone Maritime Administration (SLMA) have formed a formal partnership to strengthen maritime education, applied research, and professional training throughout the country. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed on February 24, 2026, at the Njala Campus Secretariat, establishes a framework for long-term collaboration between the coastal university and the national maritime regulator to produce certified seafarers, improve research on maritime safety and governance, and align training with international standards.The signing ceremony was presided over by Emmanuel J. Momoh Esq., Director of Higher Education at the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education (MTHE), and attendees…

On February 27, 2026, the Ministry of Information and Civic Education hosted a gathering of national and international stakeholders at Freetown’s Miatta Civic Centre to commemorate Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) Day. The event brought together a large number of NGOs and government representatives to commemorate civil society organisations’ contributions to Sierra Leone’s democratic life and socioeconomic recovery.NGO Day, observed worldwide on February 27th, recognises the work of over 10 million non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Sierra Leone officially began commemorating the day in 2025, with organisers presenting the 2026 observance as a broader and more ambitious national event that reflected civil society’s growing…

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, received a phone call from His Excellency Julius Maada Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, on Monday. The two leaders discussed recent regional developments as well as the serious implications of the ongoing military escalation for both regional and international peace and security. During the conversation, President Bio condemned what he described as blatant Iranian attacks against the UAE and other countries, emphasising that such actions violate international law and United Nations principles. He also affirmed Sierra Leone’s solidarity with the UAE and expressed…

His Excellency President José Maria Pereira Neves of the Republic of Cabo Verde and Mr Ibrahim Turay Mr Ibrahim Turay, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Sierra Leone, delivered letters of credence to His Excellency President José Maria Pereira Neves of the Republic of Cabo Verde on Thursday, February 26, 2026. Ambassador Turay is accredited in both Cabo Verde and the Islamic Republic of Mauritius.On Tuesday, February 24, he handed over copies of his credentials to Foreign Minister José Filomeno de Carvalho Dias Monteiro, conveying warm greetings and best wishes from Sierra Leone President His Excellency Dr Julius Maada Bio. Ambassador…

Following the successful conclusion of Mrs Menah Bando Fillie-Faboe’s tour of duty as Head of Chancery (HOC), the Sierra Leone Embassy in Abu Dhabi hosted a heartfelt ceremony to welcome Mohamed Sorie Conteh, Esq., as her successor. Ambassador Rashid Sesay and the entire embassy staff were present at the event, which was held at the Chancery in Abu Dhabi, for a program of honours, recognitions, and a formal transfer of duties.The tributes to Mrs Fillie-Faboe were led by Ambassador Sesay, who expressed gratitude for her diligence, commitment, and hard work on behalf of the mission. He pointed out that the…