Author: gleanernewspaper

President Julius Maada Bio’s challenge to young Sierra Leoneans to take the lead and initiative sparked the nation’s imagination, and few examples did this better than Dr David Moinina Sengeh. Dr Sengeh’s transition from a globally recognised scientist and innovator to a national political leader is a living example of what a new generation of Sierra Leoneans can achieve, inspired by President Bio’s call to public service. His career, blending world-class academic achievement, cutting-edge research, and modern youth-oriented governance, has become a foundation and inspiration for many aspiring leaders in the country. Dr Sengeh’s academic career has paved the way…

Sheknatu Isata Bangura, a contestant in the upcoming Miss Freetown Beauty Pageant for the Central Area, joined health officials, community leaders, and members of the public on Saturday, October 10, 2026, to walk through Freetown and mark World Mental Health Day. The event, which started at Youyi Building in Brookfields and ended at Family Kingdom, brought together stakeholders from the Ministry of Health and Sanitation, other government ministries, departments and agencies, development partners, and grassroots representatives to raise awareness about mental health and foster community action. “Walking is a natural extension of my belief that beauty should transcend physical appearance,”…

Her Excellency Dr Fatima Maada Bio, First Lady of Sierra Leone and President of the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD), today formally opened a Sierra Leonean-owned Afro-food processing facility in South East London, describing the enterprise as an example of women’s entrepreneurship, diaspora-led investment and Sierra Leone’s agricultural potential. The First Lady arrived in the United Kingdom that day from Rome. She went straight from the airport to open Khadie Afro Foods, a company founded and run by Sierra Leonean entrepreneur Khadie Dumbuya Alabi, also known as Khadie Fresh, and her husband, Femi Alabi. The opening took…

Geneva, Switzerland, Tuesday, 13 October 2026— His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio has welcomed Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance’s allocation of US$60.967 million to Sierra Leone under the Gavi 6.0 programme for 2026–2030.The President made the remarks during a high-level meeting with Dr Sania Nishtar, Chief Executive Officer of Gavi, at the organisation’s headquarters in Geneva.“Sierra Leone greatly values its longstanding partnership with Gavi and its contribution to protecting the health and lives of our people, particularly our children,” President Bio said.He highlighted results delivered through the partnership, including expanded immunisation coverage, the introduction of life-saving vaccines and improved access to…

His Excellency Dr Eustáquio Januário Quibato, Angola’s Ambassador to Sierra Leone and resident in Conakry, Guinea, paid a courtesy call on Sierra Leone’s Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Hon. Nabeela Farida Tunis, as part of Angola’s preparations for the 3rd UN Africa Gastronomy Summit. The continental event will be held in Sierra Leone from December 2 to 4, 2026.Ambassador Quibato’s visit was an advance mission on behalf of the Angolan Minister and the delegation set to attend the summit. The ambassador, representing his minister, met with Minister Tunis and her team to discuss logistical arrangements and gather first-hand information…

A high-level delegation from the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) met with the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Segepoh Solomon Thomas and the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Finance, Hon. Kekura C. Vandy, to push for urgent improvements in healthcare financing and service delivery in Sierra Leone. The delegation, led by Aboubakri Diaw, Chief of Staff of UNECA, reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to support national efforts to strengthen health financing mechanisms, improve data coordination and use, and help Sierra Leone’s Finance and Health Ministries develop tools for more efficient health resource management. Mr Diaw thanked the Speaker…

President Bio speaking at the Geneva Peace Forum. Sierra Leone’s President Dr Julius Maada Bio delivered a powerful keynote address at the first Geneva Peace Forum on Monday, 12 October 2026, urging world leaders to shift international priorities from funding the aftermath of armed conflict to preventing wars before they start. President Bio spoke to an audience at the International Conference Centre Geneva (ICCG) on the Forum’s theme, “Choose Peace”, and proposed a concrete “Geneva Commitment to Prevention” to make early action measurable and accountable in international cooperation. President Bio questioned why the international system mobilised enormous resources when violence…

Sierra Leone has officially established a National Committee for UNESCO’s Information for All Program (IFAP), the country’s Foreign Ministry announced during the celebrations of the 2026 International Day for Universal Access to Information. The new national body will align Sierra Leone’s policies and activities with IFAP’s global priorities, while allowing the country to share experience and best practices in the international IFAP network.Established in 2001, the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) promotes inclusive and equitable knowledge societies. It works in six priority areas: information for development, information literacy, information preservation, information ethics, information accessibility and multilingualism. The…

The Director General of the National Social Security and Insurance Trust, Chernor Mamoud Jalloh, reiterated the Trust’s commitment to excellent service and prudent investment of contributors’ funds at the official opening of Customer Service Week on Monday, 5th October 2026, at the Youyi Building in Freetown.Speaking to management, staff, stakeholders, and pensioners, Mr Jalloh said NASSIT is not just an institution; it is a national promise that must be fulfilled. He appealed to employees at all levels to regard that mandate as sacred, emphasising that it was both management’s and staff’s shared responsibility to not only maintain the Trust, but…

By Salamatu Conteh. The Minister of Information and Civic Education, Honourable Chernor Bah, paid a courtesy call on His Excellency Saud Al-Musa’ed, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Sierra Leone, at the Embassy in Freetown. The visit provided an opportunity to reaffirm the longstanding cordial relations between Sierra Leone and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and explore avenues to expand bilateral cooperation in several areas.During the meeting, the Minister thanked the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for its long-standing friendship and development assistance to Sierra Leone. He congratulated the Embassy on its participation in a number of partnership projects…