Author: gleanernewspaper

Her Excellency Frances Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to Turkey, Virginia Anderson, PhD, paid a visit to Koru Ankara Hospital for a tour and a follow-up meeting with Prof. Dr Aydan Biri, one of the institution’s founders. The engagement follows a courtesy visit in November and focuses on concrete steps to strengthen medical cooperation between the hospital and Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Health.Prof. Dr Biri, an obstetrician-gynaecologist with subspecialties in perinatology and maternal-fetal medicine, reaffirmed Koru Ankara Hospital’s commitment to welcoming Sierra Leonean medical professionals. She stated that the hospital will prioritise the development of a dedicated Fellowship Program tailored to Sierra…

Sierra Leone’s Minister of Technical and Higher Education met with His Excellency Dr Mohamed Bin Mubarak Juma, Bahrain’s Minister of Education, last week to discuss how the two countries can collaborate in education.Dr Juma welcomed the Sierra Leonean delegation and outlined Bahrain’s strategic priorities for transforming the country’s education ecosystem. He emphasised that the Ministry of Education is focusing on early childhood development, improving school-level education, and expanding polytechnic options. The Bahraini minister highlighted a portfolio of projects aimed at improving general education, technical and vocational education and training (TVET), and higher education, referring to them as part of a…

During strategic Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) meetings held in Kenema over the weekend, Hon. Sahr Mathew Nyuma singled out Chief Minister Dr David Moinina Sengeh as the only party figure who consistently defends and promotes President Julius Maada Bio’s achievements. Speaking to a group of senior and junior party members, Hon. Nyuma stated that he has long observed the public statements of many government officials and that Dr Sengeh stands out for “marketing the remarkable work President Bio is doing”.  “Say what you want about the Chief Minister, but he is the only person who proudly defends President Bio…

Warning: This report contains descriptions that some readers may find disturbing.Sierra Leone, already grappling with international scrutiny over drug trafficking and political controversy, is now confronting another grim set of allegations: that people are being abducted and killed so their body parts can be sold for so-called “juju” or magic rituals. A BBC Africa Eye investigation has exposed claims that networks of illicit practitioners and intermediaries operate to supply human remains to clients who believe such parts confer power, wealth or political advantage. Families across the country say they have been left traumatised and that little has been done to…

Cyril A. Grant, the newly appointed Minister of Energy and President Bio President Julius Maada Bio administered the Oath of Office to Mr Cyril A. Grant, the newly appointed Minister of Energy, during a brief ceremony at State House last week. Mr Grant’s formal swearing-in follows his nomination by the President and subsequent approval by Parliament, with the Secretary to the Cabinet, Mr Prince E.O. Cole, confirming that all constitutional and procedural requirements have been met. Mr Cole cited Section 57 of Sierra Leone’s Constitution (Act No. 6 of 1991) while presenting the minister for the oath, noting that the…

Sierra Leone’s Parliament approved an Offshore Bulk Handling Concession Agreement on November 25, 2025. The agreement aims to modernise the country’s offshore transhipment capacity, increase revenue, create jobs, and improve maritime security and environmental practices. The agreement, titled Offshore Bulk Handling Concession Agreement and dated November 10, 2025, is between the Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority (SLPHA), the Government of the Republic of Sierra Leone (GoSL), and Sierra Bulk Handling Limited (SBH). SBH, a newly formed company owned by indigenous Sierra Leoneans, will handle offshore consignments for transhipment in Sierra Leonean waters, with SLPHA providing support and supervision.Deputy Minister…

Sierra Leone’s Chief Justice, His Lordship Honourable Justice Komba Kamanda, reaffirmed the Judiciary’s commitment to the highest standards of accountability and transparency during a meeting with Madam Meisie Nkau, Chief Executive Officer of the African Organisation of English-Speaking Supreme Audit Institutions (AFROSAI-E). The Chief Justice described the visit as both appropriate and timely, with the goal of strengthening institutional collaboration between the judiciary and audit institutions in order to boost public trust in the administration of justice.In welcoming Madam Nkau and her delegation, Justice Kamanda emphasised the importance of collaboration among independent institutions while emphasising the need for those institutions…

As part of the Resilient Food and Nutrition Security (RFaNS) program, Solidaridad West Africa provided over 200 smallholder female farmers in Sierra Leone with necessary agricultural equipment and agro-processing machines. Beneficiaries in Bo, Kenema, and Moyamba districts received grinders, dryers, rice mills, gari-processing machines, blenders, and other tools to improve crop value, reduce post-harvest losses, and increase marketability. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints funded the RFaNS intervention, which targeted women who had previously been supported in cultivating key crops such as cassava, orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP), rice, and vegetables. Solidaridad not only provided hardware but also assisted…

Sierra Leone’s government, security, and civil society partners launched the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and National Cybersecurity and Awareness Campaign on Tuesday, reaffirming their commitment to addressing online harassment of women and girls. The Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs hosted the ceremony at Aberdeen’s Freetown International Conference Centre, which was organised in collaboration with the National Cybersecurity Coordination Centre (NCCC) and other stakeholders. The overarching theme for the activism period is “Unite!” The overarching theme for the activism period, “Unite! End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls,” was supplemented by the public awareness slogan,…

On Sunday, the Magburaka Town Field erupted in a carnival of colour and sound as Dr Ibrahim Bangura arrived in a sweeping motorcade to a thunderous welcome from thousands of supporters. Drum Beats, red-and-white banners, and chants greeted the candidate as he took the stage, framing his return to Tonkolili as both personal and political.  “Being in Tonkolili feels like coming full circle,” Dr Bangura told the audience, referring to family ties and long-standing relationships in the area. He reminded listeners that his stepmother is from Tonkolili and that he has previously worked with many of the district’s sons and daughters.…