Author: gleanernewspaper

The Ministry of Technical and Higher Education (MTHE) and the Italian Association for Solidarity Among People (AISPO) have increased efforts to develop and accredit Sierra Leone’s first postgraduate haematology curriculum, marking a significant step toward strengthening the country’s capacity in blood-related clinical care, laboratory services, and research. A high-level engagement meeting, chaired by Emmanuel J. Momoh Esq., Director of Higher Education at MTHE, brought together stakeholders from the education and health sectors to plan the next steps in developing a sustainable specialisation pathway in haematology. Dr Haja Ramatulai Wurie, Minister of Technical and Higher Education, described the meeting as a…

President Julius Maada Bio today reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to accelerating agricultural transformation in Sierra Leone by officially releasing 30 new seed varieties developed by the Sierra Leone Agricultural Research Institute (SLARI) and inaugurating a modern National Seed Testing Laboratory at Mile 91. Both events, held on the same day, are key components of the government’s Feed Salone strategy, a flagship program aimed at transitioning the country from reliance on imported food to self-sufficiency and food production. At a ceremony held at the Rokupr Agricultural Research Centre in Kambia District, which President Bio described as the “home of agricultural research”…

Sierra Leone’s President Dr. Julius Maada Bio welcomed His Excellency Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), to launch the country’s AfCFTA Readiness Assessment Report and Updated National Trade Strategy (2024-2030). Sierra Leone’s efforts to position itself as a proactive participant in Africa’s single market were highlighted by a high-level meeting and associated launches. Minister of Trade and Industry Ibrahim Alpha Sesay introduced the AfCFTA delegation and thanked President Bio for the opportunity. In remarks that framed the government’s approach to AfCFTA implementation, Minister Sesay reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to the “From Policy to Practice” agenda,…

By Zainab Sunkary Koroma For decades, Koidu Holdings Limited was a pillar of Sierra Leone’s diamond industry, creating jobs in Kono District after the war. But, beneath the gleam of diamonds and the promise of steady employment, many employees claim the company’s operations were plagued by chronic neglect, unsafe conditions, and repeated contractual breaches. These long-standing grievances erupted into a crisis in June 2024, when nearly 1,000 Sierra Leonean employees — many with ten, fifteen, or twenty-one years of service — were fired without prior notice, severance pay, or access to mandated benefits. The consequences have reverberated throughout communities that…

The international network connected to Brabant cocaine baron Jos “Bolle Jos” Leijdekkers has suffered yet another major setback. Abdullah Alp Üstün, a Rotterdam-based Turk known as “Don Vito,” was arrested in Dubai two weeks ago and has been extradited to Turkey. The Turkish Minister of the Interior shared images of the transfer on X, showing Üstün blindfolded and seated in a private jet flanked by masked officers; another man believed to be a key figure in the same organisation, Hassan Lala, also appears on the plane.  Turkish prosecutors allege that Üstün and Lala played key roles in laundering significant proceeds…

Africell has launched its “Wel Body” Initiative as part of Africell Health Awareness Day 2025, a workplace wellness program designed to encourage employees to live healthier lifestyles. The event featured free on-site HIV, hepatitis, blood pressure, and blood sugar screenings, as well as health education and wellness talks. Dr Samba Jalloh, Vice President of the Sierra Leone Medical and Dental Association, described the program as “a lifelong investment in the health and well-being of its workforce,” emphasising the importance of regular check-ups and awareness in preventing chronic disease and increasing productivity. Dr Fatmata Taqi, Africell’s Talent Development Director, believes the…

His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio joined young master farmer Sherilyn Cowan in Taiama Town for a symbolic harvest on her privately owned 60-hectare maize farm, which is run by Sherilyn’s Enterprise for National Change (SENC) and supported by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS). The Feed Salone vision aims to transform agriculture into a commercially viable sector that creates jobs, strengthens food security, and promotes national self-sufficiency, and the event was held to highlight this goal. Provides a sustainable path for community empowerment and economic growth. “Feed Salone is more than just a government programme; it…

Sierra Leone’s Judiciary, through its Judicial and Legal Training Institute (JLTI), has ended a two-day capacity-building programme for thirty-eight magistrates from across the country to familiarise them with the new Criminal Procedure Act of 2024. The training is part of Chief Justice His Lordship Justice Komba Kamanda’s larger reform agenda to improve judicial efficiency and administration of justice. According to the Chief Justice, the professional development sessions are designed to keep magistrates up to date on the Act’s provisions and to improve their ability to apply the law effectively in court. He also praised JLTI’s careful selection of training facilitators…

Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, Sierra Leone’s Vice President, has officially launched a series of nationwide stakeholder consultations to transform the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) from a traditional “force” to a modern, service-oriented institution. The initiative began in Port Loko, North-West Region, with Dr Jalloh addressing a packed town hall meeting, the first of many planned public events. Dr Jalloh stated that the consultations are intended to ensure inclusivity and foster a broad national dialogue on police reform. The transition’s stated objectives include increasing professionalism, improving welfare and infrastructure, and expanding training for police officers. Three strategic pillars underpin the reform:…

Karpowership has formally handed over a fully renovated Variety Children and Family Services Home in Kingtom, Freetown, as part of a new round of corporate social responsibility initiatives in Sierra Leone. The handover ceremony on Friday, October 10, 2025, marked the end of a comprehensive refurbishment funded by the company and reinforced Karpowership’s commitment to continuing to support vulnerable children in the country. Emre Durmusoglu, Karpowership’s Commercial Operations Director, stated that the company invested around $70,000 in the project. The funds were used to replace and upgrade the building’s structure, furniture, equipment, and utilities, resulting in a more conducive and…