Author: gleanernewspaper

The Acting Vice-Chancellor and Principal, of the University of Sierra Leone, Professor Aiah Lebbie has assumed office today, 26th February 2024. He was appointed under Section 8(5) of The Universities Act No 5 2021 by the Hon Minister of Technical and Higher Education with immediate effect. His roles and responsibilities are spelt out in subsection 4 paragraphs (a-e) of the said Act. In addition, he is required to initiate the process of recruiting a substantive Vice-Chancellor and Principal, after the requisite consultations. Professor Lebbie has assumed office at the time our newly admitted students to USL are waiting to matriculate…

Speaker of Parliament Dr Abass Bundu has called a Stakeholders Consultative Meeting intending to address the upcoming toll gate price increases that are scheduled to go into effect on March 1, 2024. The purpose of the meeting, which is scheduled for Tuesday, February 27, 2024, at noon in Committee Room One of Parliament, is to encourage collaboration and communication among important stakeholders to identify workable solutions for the toll gate charges problem. Representatives from various organisations, such as the Attorney General’s Office, the Motor Drivers Union, the Ministry of Works and Public Assets, SLRA, SLRSA, CRSG, and Civil Society Organisations,…

An incredible collaboration between Mercy Ships and the Ministry of Health will prolong Global Mercy’s stay in Sierra Leone. In addition to meeting the country’s surgical needs, this signifies a major advancement in surgical education. The largest and newest hospital ship operated by Mercy Ships, Global MercyTM, has been providing crucial surgical services in line with Sierra Leone’s strategic healthcare plan since it arrived in Freetown in August 2023. In response to President Julius Maada Bio’s invitation, this endeavour demonstrates a strong commitment to enhancing the nation’s healthcare infrastructure and accessibility. June is when the Global Mercy is expected to…

Foreign Minister, Timothy Musa Kabba Algeria deliberately engaged in diplomatic efforts to influence Sierra Leone’s stance on the divisive topic of Western Sahara’s sovereignty during the 37th African Union summit in Addis Ababa. According to Algerian diplomatic sources, the Foreign Ministers of Algeria, Mozambique, and Sierra Leone—all non-permanent members of the Security Council—met on February 19 to discuss tactics for maintaining the collective African action for just causes, with a particular emphasis on the decolonisation of Western Sahara. An important development occurred that day when the Vice President of Sierra Leone, Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, held discussions with the Foreign Minister…

The renowned Freetown, Sierra Leone-based child welfare organisation, Don Bosco Fambul, has greatly increased the number of vulnerable youths it serves, especially girls who have experienced sexual abuse and exploitation. This incredible development has been made possible by a grant that Salesian Missions obtained from the prestigious Flora Family Foundation, a charitable organisation committed to promoting social justice, environmental sustainability, and cultural vibrancy. Don Bosco Fambul has strengthened its efforts by augmenting its current programmes with vital staffing support, thanks to the kind of funding it received. The organisation has been able to improve its services and outreach due to…

In a significant milestone for environmental protection in Sierra Leone, the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) has obtained an additional $100,000 in funding under the leadership of Dr. Abubaker S. Massaquoi. This funding injection, approved during the 93rd Executive Committee Meeting of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) in Montreal, marks a pivotal moment in the country’s ongoing commitment to combatting ozone depletion and mitigating climate change effects. The EPA’s success in securing this funding can be attributed to the tireless efforts of its Ozone and Climate Change teams, along with collaborative support from UNIDO and other stakeholders. Mariatu Abionor…

In a bid to bolster efforts towards job creation, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Employment, Labour, and Social Security, Honourable Mohamed Rahman Swaray, concluded a productive series of discussions with key institutions in Abuja on Monday, February 19, 2024. The purpose of Minister Swaray’s visit is to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange with counterparts in Nigeria, particularly focusing on innovative job creation models. The discussions aimed to enhance the capacity of Swaray’s strategic ministry in working to address the pressing challenges of job creation, aligning with Sierra Leone’s ambitious Presidential initiative to generate 500,000 jobs. During his meeting with Mr Temitols…

On Tuesday, February 20, 2024, Milton Margai Technical University (MMTU) celebrated the official founding of its Academic Staff Association (ASA), marking a momentous occasion. The occasion, which took place in the Great Hall on the Goderich campus in Freetown, was historic for the university since it marked the beginning of a new phase of cooperation and advancement among its faculty. During the inauguration ceremony, the ASA was praised for its accomplishments since its resuscitation in 2020 by Dr. Williette James of Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone, among other notable speakers and attendees. Dr. James called for members to…

UN Resident Coordinator Ms Seraphine Wakana Under the direction of UN Resident Coordinator Ms Seraphine Wakana, the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) in Sierra Leone is starting the vital task of creating the next UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSCDF) for the years 2025–2030. This framework, which will serve as a strategic guide for the UN’s engagement with Sierra Leone, will be in line with both the country’s Medium-Term National Development Plan (2024–2030) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The UN system as a whole is dedicated to supporting Sierra Leone in its transition to sustainable development, acknowledging the significance…

Africell Sierra Leone, the leading telecommunications company in the country, has honoured nine exceptional Njala University students in a heartfelt tribute to their commitment to youth development and education. These students have distinguished themselves through their exceptional academic performance and unwavering dedication to their studies. They come from nine different schools.  The esteemed awards ceremony, which took place on February 22nd and 23rd, 2024 highlighted these brilliant minds from a variety of fields. The awards covered a wide range of academic subjects, including law, science, technology, agriculture and fisheries management, development communications, banking, finance, and the social sciences. This programme demonstrates Africell Sierra Leone’s unwavering dedication to developing…