Author: gleanernewspaper

Dr Henry Musa Kpaka, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, visited large-scale rice operations in Mamuntha and Magbass, Tonkolili District, as part of a nationwide tour leading up to World Food Day 2025, to assess progress and reiterate the government’s commitment to the Feed Salone program. During his visit, Dr Kpaka inspected Mr Bisman Kamara’s large farm, which is funded by the Ministry’s Food Systems Resilience Project. Mr. Amara grows more than 500 hectares (over 1,200 acres) of rice and anticipates average yields of around 4 metric tons per hectare, which is roughly equivalent to 80 bags per hectare. If…

Rashid Sesay, Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, attended the World Governments Summit Ambassadors’ Retreat, organised by the World Governments Summit Foundation in collaboration with the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The retreat brought together ambassadors and heads of diplomatic missions accredited to the UAE to discuss ways to improve international collaboration and shape a more cooperative global future. The World Governments Summit, an annual gathering of government leaders, policymakers, and private-sector stakeholders, provides a forum for exchanging innovative solutions to pressing global challenges. Opening the retreat, H.E. Mohammad Abdullah Al Gergawi, UAE Minister of Cabinet Affairs and…

During UN Climate Week in New York on September 24, 2025, Sierra Leone’s government signed two long-term partnership agreements with leading private sector carbon developers from the Association of Carbon Conservation and Reforestation (ACCR). The agreements are an important step in Sierra Leone’s efforts to scale nature-based climate solutions, expand green economic opportunities, and strengthen collaboration among the government, communities, and private investors. ACCR is a national trade association established by Invest Salone, a UK government programme, at the request of Sierra Leone’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change. The association represents six of the country’s largest private sector carbon…

President Julius Maada Bio used a High-Level Event on Pregnancy, Children Born, and Sexual Violence in Conflict to make a strong call for immediate international action to assist survivors and children born from conflict-related sexual violence. He thanked the First Lady of Sierra Leone and UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict Pramila Patten for convening the dialogue, describing it as a necessary confrontation with a “painful reality” — the suffering of women and girls who become pregnant as a result of sexual violence in war, as well as the stigma faced by children born from those assaults. Speaking…

By Kemo Cham A team of young innovators from Kenema have been adjudged winner of the top prize in the maiden edition of the Social Equity Programme National Afinnovate Youth Challenge in Sierra Leone. ‘Team Kenema Water Supply’, as their project is called, designed a revolutionary, durable, affordable and sustainable solar-powered water pump that enables farmers to pump water directly from the earth to the field with the potential to increase their productivity. The team of six youngsters is one of 10 groups that emerged from among over 3,000 budding innovators who participated in a year-long initiative implemented by the Center…

Alhaji Timothy Musa Kabba, Chief Minister, Dr David Moinina Sengeh, Chernor Bah, and Dr Austin Demby On September 30, 2025, the Ministry of Information and Civic Education, led by Minister Chernor Bah, hosted the first-ever U.S. edition of Sierra Leone’s Civic Day Series, a watershed moment in the administration’s efforts to deepen engagement with citizens both at home and abroad. The event, which was part of a larger program of weekly government press conferences and monthly provincial civic engagements, brought ministers and senior officials to the Sierra Leonean diaspora in the United States to present progress in health, education, infrastructure, justice, technology, and…

By Claudia Redwood-Sawyer The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Alpha Sesay Esq, has proposed new electoral and justice sector reforms that, if passed, will benefit Sierra Leoneans in the diaspora. The AG was speaking at the Civic Day Series in the United States on Tuesday, September 30th, 2025. AG Sesay explained that the new changes will allow citizens to register and potentially vote at Sierra Leone embassies around the world. “Many of you have to travel back home to register, then return for verification and voting. Under the new reforms we are implementing, you can now register in our…

By Gunther Daramy The 55th Choir Anniversary celebration of the National Pentecostal Church, Congo Cross, ended in grand style with excitement and unity. Team Blue won the coveted Fatmata Bayinka Trophy with a 1-0 victory over Team White, making the football match the event’s highlight. The friendly “comic match” was not just a game. The event allowed church members, particularly the choir, to showcase their talents beyond regular worship, bringing joy and camaraderie to all who attended. “With hearts full of gratitude and joy, we express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed to the resounding success of the recently…

Africell Sierra Leone has marked a historic first for the country by becoming the first Sierra Leonean company to advertise in New York City’s iconic Times Square. The highly visible campaign served as a vivid symbol of the company’s ambition to connect Sierra Leone with global audiences and to spotlight the capabilities of local enterprise on an international stage. The billboard campaign coincided with a defining moment for Sierra Leone at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). On Friday, September 26, 2025, the Ministry of Communication, Technology and Innovation organised the Sierra Leone Innovation Showcase in…

Austin Demby, Minister of Health, has encouraged Sierra Leoneans in the diaspora to return home and invest in the healthcare sector. Minister Demby was speaking at the Civic Day Series in the United States. “There are doctors and nurses here, and you must work together as a unit to build the sophisticated facilities that you see here, so that the same facilities can be found in our country. “It may not be your own money, but you can bring partners on board to assist,” Minister Demby stated. Dr Demby, who was based in the United States, acknowledged the contributions of…