Author: gleanernewspaper
By Dr Henry Musa Kpaka A report published this month by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) outlines the growing humanitarian crisis that the climate emergency is driving across the African continent. Lost crops, failed harvests, food shortages, and fluctuations in food prices contribute to economic turmoil while chronic undernourishment affects 20% of the continent’s 1.4 billion population. Sierra Leone is no stranger to this. The climate crisis exacerbates the price hikes triggered by the war in Ukraine, which resulted in high food price inflation last year exceeding 50%, now stabilized at 27%. As outlined by the World Food Programme’s (WFP) Food Security Monitoring System, more…
Hadji Dabo, Director General, National Minerals Agency Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, Julius Mattai In Sierra Leone, the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Resources and the National Minerals Agency (NMA) are under increasing scrutiny, as citizens voice their concerns over the lack of transparency regarding the companies currently operating in the country’s mining sector. Recent revelations surrounding an agreement with an American company, Elektros (OTC PINK: ELEK), have intensified calls for clarity and accountability in a sector that has historically been marred by issues of corruption and mismanagement. On August 22, 2024, Elektros, a company that is rapidly establishing…
His Excellency Ambassador Mahamat Paba Salé and His Excellency Mohamed Yongawo His Excellency Ambassador Mahamat Paba Salé, the Ambassador of Cameroon to Russia and Dean of Africa Ambassadors in the Russian Federation, on Tuesday 1st October 2024, paid a courtesy call on his counterpart, His Excellency Mohamed Yongawo. Ambassador Yongawo expressed gratitude to the Dean for his visit to the Republic of Sierra Leone Embassy in Moscow. During their meeting, HE Yongawo outlined President Bio’s Five Big Game Changers, which include Food Security, Information Technology, Civil Service Reform, and Human Capital Development through Education. The two diplomats discussed issues related…
Johnny Koussa, a prominent figure in Sierra Leone’s business landscape and CEO of Elephant Betting Company, is facing serious allegations of exploiting his political connections to profit from the country’s gaming and betting industry. Since December 2021, when Parliament established a joint venture between Accord Logistics, a company owned by Koussa, and Sierra Leone State Lottery Company Limited, a state-owned entity, concerns have arisen regarding the integrity and governance of this partnership. Reports indicate that Koussa has manipulated the original five-year contract, extending it to a staggering twelve years, without the necessary authorization. This extension raises questions about oversight and…
With funding from the United States Department of State, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, the Tacuguma Chimpanzee Sanctuary (TCS), in collaboration with the Pan African Sanctuary Alliance (PASA), Legal Atlas and other stakeholders on Friday 27th September 2024 ended a three-day Legal Training in Support of Wildlife Law Enforcement in Sierra Leone at Hotel Barmoi, Aberdeen in Freetown. The 50 participants included officials from the Ministries of Agriculture and Forestry, the Environment and Climate Change respectively, the Sierra Leone Maritime Administration, the National Protected Area Authority and the Otamba Kilimi National Park. Some of the topics discussed…
With funding from the United States Department of State, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, the Tacuguma Chimpanzee Sanctuary (TCS), in collaboration with the Pan African Sanctuary Alliance (PASA), Legal Atlas and other stakeholders on Friday 27th September 2024 ended a three-day Legal Training in Support of Wildlife Law Enforcement in Sierra Leone at Hotel Barmoi, Aberdeen in Freetown. The 50 participants included officials from the Ministries of Agriculture and Forestry, the Environment and Climate Change respectively, the Sierra Leone Maritime Administration, the National Protected Area Authority and the Otamba Kilimi National Park. Some of the topics discussed…
As the world prepares to celebrate World Food Day (WFD), Sierra Leone’s Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr Henry Musa Kpaka, and senior officials of his Ministry departed Freetown for the provinces on Monday 30th September 2023, on a nationwide tour of farming communities and private sector agri-businesses. The purpose of the tour is to assess flood impacts, productivity and farmers’ preparedness for the forthcoming WFD celebrations on October 16 and the first anniversary of the ‘Feed Salone’ initiative launch. On Tuesday, 1st October 2024, Minister Kpaka visited the Med-Tulai Agri-Business processing centre in Makarie Village in Bombali District…
At the Chancery building of the Embassy of Sierra Leone in Washington, D.C, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hon. Alhaji Musa Timothy Kabbah, on 29th of September, 2024, joined the Embassy staff in Washington, D.C. to celebrate the MCC as Sierra Leone’s Foreign Policy victory. “We are here at the Embassy to celebrate the MCC victory because of the immense participation of the Embassy of Sierra Leone in Washington, D.C. We must spotlight Washington Mission”, Hon. Alhaji Timothy Kabbah said, reiterating the importance of the Washington Mission, because the United States is the power of the world.…
You never get a second chance to make a first impression,” the adage goes. However, since the announcement in May that Sierra Leone would partner with the Michigan National Guard, there have been many first impressions between leaders across these organizations, leading to the signing of a State Partnership Program letter of intent on Sept. 12, 2024. On Aug. 23, at a conference centre along the Detroit River, the MING hosted a meeting welcoming military representatives from Latvia, Liberia and Sierra Leone. While the MING, the Latvian National Armed Forces and the Armed Forces of Liberia have previously met in…
Johnny Koussa Johnny Koussa, the owner of Accord Logistics and CEO of Elephant Betting Company, is facing serious allegations regarding his management of a joint venture with the Sierra Leone government. This partnership, established in December 2021, was meant to create a gaming and betting industry in the country through collaboration between Accord Logistics and the Sierra Leone State Lottery Company. However, nearly four years into the agreement, numerous violations of the contract have come to light. Reports indicate that Koussa has manipulated the original five-year contract, extending it to twelve years, without proper authorization. According to the terms of…