Author: gleanernewspaper

The heads of state and government of the African Union have elected Mauritania’s president, Mohamed Ghazouani, to lead the body as its new chairperson in 2024. He was selected on Saturday at the 37th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union Heads of State and Government in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Ghazouani takes over as leader of the AU from President Azali Assoumani of the Union of Comoros, who served as the chairperson of the organisation for 2023. The bloc prevented a crisis on another front by defusing tensions surrounding the one-year rotating AU chairmanship, which was transferred on…

President Julius Maada Bio has announced the sad news that his adored elder sister, Madam Agnes Deen-Jalloh, passed away on February 18, 2024, at the age of 74. In a heartfelt homage, President Bio referred to her lovingly as Sissy and Ngor, highlighting her vital role in his life as a source of love and strength in addition to being his sister. President Bio, recalling their close relationship, conveyed his sincere appreciation for Madam Agnes’s constant support and direction, emphasising her nurturing influence in moulding him into the man he is today. He referred to her as his mother figure and greatest…

The Director General of Sierra Leone’s Petroleum Directorate, Foday B. L. Mansaray, will speak at the Paris Invest in African Energy (IAE) forum on May 14–15. He will emphasise the nation’s emerging reputation as a hotspot for exploration. Despite being a frontier exploration market, Sierra Leone has a promising petroleum system, as evidenced by major discoveries like those made by Lukoil (Savannah-1X) and Anadarko (Venus-B1, Mercury-1, and Jupiter-1). These discoveries highlight the enormous potential of Sierra Leone’s offshore acreage, as there have only been eight wells drilled in the nation to date. Energy investors find the nation appealing because it…

H.E Hon. Jiwoh Abdulai, Minister of Environment and Climate Change of Sierra Leone, and Hua Liu, IAEA Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Technical Cooperation, signing the Country Programme Framework (CPF) for the period of 2024–2029. (Photo: J. Jabati/Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Authority, Ministry of Environment, Sierra Leone and S. Khalil/IAEA) Sierra Leone recently signed its fourth Country Programme Framework (CPF) for the years 2024–2029, marking a significant step towards strengthening its technical cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).  H.E. Hon. Jiwoh Abdulai, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, and Mr Hua Liu, IAEA Deputy…

Sarjoh Aziz-Kamara and Kadijatu Ahene Kamara, two deputy ministers from Sierra Leone, recently participated in the World Conference on Culture & Arts Education in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Sarjoh Aziz-Kamara, the Deputy Minister of Technical and Higher Education, spearheaded the delegation from Sierra Leone and stressed the significance of providing students with the skills they need to prosper in a world that is changing quickly. He emphasised how more inclusive, tailored, and interesting learning experiences can be created by integrating digital and artificial intelligence into educational systems. Aziz-Kamara encouraged attendees to use technology to promote global citizenship and close…

The Council of Churches in Sierra Leone (CCSL) leadership was recently welcomed by President Dr Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone to talk about their upcoming centenary celebrations, which are scheduled for April of this year. President Bio was briefed on the CCSL leadership’s plans for the historic occasion by Mrs. Melrose Karminty, the Minister of Social Welfare. Minister Karminty presented the President with the theme of this year’s centenary celebration, “Celebrating our past,” during the meeting. “Dedicated to the Present and fostering a positive future,” the statement highlights the Council’s noteworthy position as the second-oldest Christian council in Africa,…

The swearing-in ceremony of Abdulai Masiyambay Bangura, Esq. as a Supreme Court Judge was recently presided over by His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio, a noteworthy event that highlights the dedication to maintaining the rule of law and guaranteeing a robust judiciary in Sierra Leone. M. Bangura was appointed after a rigorous process that was directed by the Judicial and Legal Service Commission’s recommendations as well as Sierra Leone’s Constitution. On February 8, 2024, Parliament approved Justice Bangura’s appointment, confirming his eligibility to hold the office of Supreme Court judge. On February 14, 2024, President Bio formally issued the…

Hon. Recheal Mariatu Pessima, a parliamentarian for the Sierra Leone People’s Party in the Port Loko District, has organised the first-ever Female Division One Football Tournament in the country’s northwest in an audacious effort to empower female athletes and advance peace through sports. Hon. Pessima has supported this competition with two goals in mind: to raise the calibre of female football competition in the area and to develop the skills of female players while promoting long-lasting peace among participants. She recognises the transformative power of football in fostering dialogue and conflict resolution. Hon. Recheal Pessima underlined that this programme is…

On Thursday, February 15, 2024, in a historic diplomatic move, the capital of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, welcomed Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, vice president of the Republic of Sierra Leone. His visit takes place in advance of the 37th African Union (AU) General Assembly, which is set for Saturday, February 17, 2024, and Sunday, February 18, 2024. Dr Jalloh is anticipated to be a key player in the talks and debates at the AU General Assembly, representing the President of Sierra Leone, Brig (Rtd) Dr. Julius Maada Bio. He carries the responsibility and authority to represent Sierra Leone’s…

The private sector is critical to Sierra Leone’s prospects for economic expansion and improved food security. This potential was recently recognised when Pangea Global Ventures and USAID collaborated to launch the Catalysing Investment for Small Businesses Initiative. The programme brought together a range of ecosystem stakeholders to talk about the challenges and opportunities facing the sector. With an emphasis on agriculture specifically, the event sought to address important issues like the need for increased productivity and mechanisation and the accessibility of better inputs and funding. Entrepreneurs and industry insiders had insightful discussions about how to best utilise Sierra Leone’s enormous…