Author: gleanernewspaper

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…

The Republic of Sierra Leone’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Turkey, Dr Francess Virginia Anderson, PhD, led a week-long working visit to Istanbul, stepping up the embassy’s economic diplomacy efforts by meeting with prominent business leaders and private-sector investors. Converting diplomatic relations into tangible trade and investment outcomes that complement Sierra Leone’s national development priorities was the main goal of the delegation’s meetings in Turkey’s commercial hub.Ambassador Anderson centred the visit on a contemporary interpretation of diplomacy that goes far beyond political discourse. Her mission to promote trade, attract foreign direct investment (FDI), and facilitate business-to-business (B2B) partnerships was emphasised…

Strong Energy Industry & Trade Ltd, a leading Turkish lubricant manufacturer and distributor, paid a courtesy call on Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to Turkey, Her Excellency Francess Virginia Anderson, during a week-long working visit to Istanbul to discuss expanding commercial ties with the West African nation. The meeting reaffirmed the company’s intention to expand its presence in Sierra Leone and explore broader collaboration with the government.Strong Energy, which manufactures a diverse range of mineral oils and petroleum derivatives, discussed its current presence in Sierra Leone as well as future expansion plans. The company produces motor and gear oils, hydraulic and industrial…

Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Trade and Industry, with technical assistance from the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and financial backing from the Government of Japan, launched a three-day validation workshop to advance a Step-by-Step Guide for Trading Goods under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and its companion Digital Trade Information Portal.The AfCFTA brings together over 50 African countries into a single market of roughly 1.4 billion people and an estimated combined GDP of around USD 3 trillion, providing a wide-ranging opportunity for economic transformation. However, many traders, particularly Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and businesses…

The National Commission for Democracy (NCD) Western Region Office has announced plans to launch a nationwide Citizens’ Platform for Political Tolerance, with the goal of reducing political tensions, strengthening democratic culture, and addressing the growing problem of illicit drug use among young people. The announcement was made on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at the NCD Western Region Headquarters in Jui, Freetown, during a stakeholder engagement that included 50 people from across the region.Representatives from civil society organisations, the Office of National Security, media practitioners, students, political parties, youth and women’s groups, security agencies, and traditional and religious leaders from Hastings,…

The Sulima Weekend Getaway, hosted by the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs from February 13 to 15, 2026, transformed the small coastal township of Sulima into a vibrant showcase of Sierra Leonean culture, creativity, and coastal heritage. The event, hosted in collaboration with chiefdom stakeholders and powered by Inkee Media, was designed to transform a presidential vision into tangible activation under the Year of Culture and Creativity 2026.Mrs Nabella Tunis, Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, used the occasion to emphasise the government’s commitment to promoting tourism development in all districts. She stated that Sulima’s recent designation as a…

The Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA), under the authority of its Executive Committee and President Babadi Kamara, has approved and immediately implemented a policy that waives all coaching course fees for all female coaches in Sierra Leone. The waiver applies to enrollment in the Association’s entire coaching pathway, from Licence D to Licence A, and will remain in effect for the duration of the current Executive Committee’s term. This is a deliberate institutional intervention aimed at removing a long-standing financial barrier that has prevented women from pursuing formal technical education in football. President Kamara stressed that meaningful, long-term development of…