Author: gleanernewspaper

By Luc Briard How can we unite, act and resist together in order to defend gender equality and the rights of women and girls? This will be the guiding question of the 4th Ministerial Conference on Feminist Foreign Policy, which France will host on 22 and 23 October 2025. This conference will bring together ministers of foreign affairs from all regions of the world, representatives of international organizations, public development banks, as well as civil society, research bodies and philanthropic foundations. Since 2019, France has pursued a feminist foreign policy, making gender equality and women’s rights a cross-cutting priority of its…

When David Moinina Sengeh became Sierra Leone’s first Chief Innovation Officer in 2018, few could have predicted the far-reaching consequences of his appointment. His tenure marked a watershed moment in how the government could use technology, data, and human-centred design to improve service delivery in a country hungry for competent, accountable leadership. Dr Sengeh has consistently combined pragmatic problem-solving with an ambitious national vision for inclusive development in his various roles, most notably as Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) and, following the 2023 elections, as Chief Minister appointed by President Julius Maada Bio. The Directorate of Science, Technology,…

Global cocoa prices have reached historic highs, but this windfall has largely failed to benefit the smallholder farmers who produce the majority of the world’s cocoa. The Cocoa Barometer 2025, which was released today, depicts a sector that is both fragile and changing: worse in some ways than it should be, better in others, and with plenty of room for improvement. According to the report, producers in West Africa bear the real costs of current market dynamics. Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana combined account for more than 60% of global cocoa output, influencing global prices and policy. Nigeria is also re-emerging…

His Excellency B.C. Pradhan, the Indian High Commissioner to Sierra Leone, paid a courtesy visit last week to Nabeela Farida Tunis, Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, to strengthen bilateral ties and explore new avenues for collaboration in the creative and tourism sectors. The discussions, which took place at the Ministry’s offices on King Harman Road in Freetown, focused on strengthening tourism, culture, and people-to-people ties between the Republic of Sierra Leone and the Government of India. Both delegations described the discussions as constructive, with a focus on practical ways to increase capacity in Sierra Leone’s tourism sector and promote cultural…

Sierra Leone’s culinary stars were greeted with heroism after delivering an inspiring performance at the 2025 West African Food Festival (WAFFEST) in Accra, Ghana, demonstrating not only the country’s culinary talent but also the resilience and spirit that underpin its hospitality sector. Under the visible support of the Sierra Leone Association of Hotels (SLAH) and its National President, Mr John Shallop, the team overcame long journeys and limited resources to win three top prizes — 1st Place in Country Cuisine, 2nd Place in Cake Decoration, and 3rd Place in Dessert Plating — achievements that now highlight Sierra Leone’s growing regional…

Sierra Leone’s Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs, Dr Isata Mahoi, told delegates attending the West and Central Africa Regional Adolescent Girls Summit in Dakar that President Julius Maada Bio has made clean cooking a national priority. During a panel titled “Exploring How Innovation, Policy, and Partnership Can Scale Access to Clean Cooking Solutions,” Dr Mahoi identified clean cooking as a multifaceted issue that includes gender equality, public health, and child protection, in addition to energy. Hoi identified clean cooking as a multi-faceted issue affecting gender equality, public health, and child protection, in addition to energy. The summit, co-organised by…

Social Linkages for Youth Development and Child Link (SLYDCL) on Friday, 10th October commemorated World Mental Health Day (WMHD) with a community focal point training organised to sensitise young people on the effects of drug and substance abuse. The training also touched on the correlation between mental health and drug abuse and the importance of seeking care. Some 50 current and former drug users attended the training which took place at the head office of the civil society organisation on Kande Drive, Off Wilkinson Road in Freetown. SLYDCL works with people who inject drugs, mainly youth, who are considered as one of the key populations in…

Harry Leijdekkers (brother of ‘Bolle Jos’) was arrested in Turkey: ‘Will be extradited soon’, while ‘Bolle Jos’ is still at large.  Turkish police have re-arrested his brother, Harry Leijdekkers (49). It is unknown exactly when the older brother of the Netherlands’ most notorious criminal was arrested. However, according to the Algemeen Dagblad newspaper, it happened “very recently.” Furthermore, according to the newspaper’s sources, the Breda native will soon be put on a plane from Turkey to the Netherlands, which has reportedly requested his extradition.  At the time of writing, Harry’s lawyer, Guy Weski, does not yet know why his client was arrested by…

On October 11, Dr Isata Mahoi, Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs, joined child protection partners to commemorate International Day of the Girl, congratulating Sierra Leone’s girls and calling for renewed action to protect their rights. According to Dr Mahoi, the day emphasises the importance of equal opportunities and services for girls so that they can become leaders of the future. She cited the 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action as a long-term blueprint for advancing women’s and girls’ rights, emphasising that every girl should be able to live free of violence, have access to and complete an education,…

On Friday, October 10, 2025, His Excellency Alhaji Mohammed Foday Yumkella, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Sierra Leone to the Republic of Guinea, formally presented his letters of credence, as well as the recall of his predecessor, to His Excellency General Mamadi Doumbouya at the Presidential Lodge in Conakry. The handover marked the official start of Ambassador Yumkella’s diplomatic mission to Guinea. The handover marked the official start of Ambassador Yumkella’s diplomatic mission to Guinea. From His Excellency President Brigadier (Rtd.) Dr. Julius Maada Bio, as well as the Government and People of Sierra Leone, to President…