Author: gleanernewspaper

On June 20, 2026, His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio officially inaugurated the Manowa Bridge over the Moa River in Peje Bongre Chiefdom, Kailahun District, marking a significant milestone in Sierra Leone’s ongoing infrastructure development. The new two-lane bridge, built as part of the World Bank-supported Smallholder Commercialisation and Agribusiness Development Project (SCADeP), replaces a decades-old manual cable ferry and is intended to serve communities on both banks for generations to come.  The completed structure is expected to strengthen links between the Peje Bongre and Upper Bambara chiefdoms, as well as improve access to neighbouring chiefdoms such as Kpeje West,…

The funeral service of the late Honourable Justice Nyawo Finda Matturi-Jones took place on Sunday, June 28, 2026, at the United Methodist Church in Jaiama Nimikoro, Kono District, in the presence of the bereaved family, members of the judiciary, senior government officials, traditional leaders, a large crowd, and His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio. The solemn occasion also saw heartfelt tributes to a woman who broke barriers and set a high standard for others to follow as Justice Matturi-Jones’ decades of service to the law and the community were recognised. At the service, speakers paid tribute to the distinguished…

Geneva, 26 June 2026 – Today the Human Rights Council was updated by the Chair-Rapporteur, H.E. Samuel U.B. Saffa Esq., Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative of Sierra Leone. He reported on the outcome of the first session of the Open-Ended Intergovernmental Working Group on strengthening the right to education. Despite global commitments, Ambassador Saffa worried that millions of children lack access to early childhood care and to free primary and secondary education. The session was attended by 94 Member States, United Nations agencies, civil society organisations, and children. Participants observed that there continued to be barriers to education for all,…

The World Bank has approved $60 million in financing to Sierra Leone under the first phase of the Regional Programme for Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Solutions (Regional DARES). The Sierra Leone allocation is part of a $200 million tranche that also includes Benin, the Central African Republic, Liberia and Sierra Leone. It is part of the first phase of a broader regional program valued at US$853 million. This investment is part of Sierra Leone’s National Energy Compact under Mission 300 to improve access to electricity through distributed renewable technologies. Priority interventions in rural and underserved communities include solar home systems,…

Graça Machel, a renowned African stateswoman and humanitarian, met with Dr David Moinina Sengeh, Chief Minister and Chief Innovation Officer, at the first Artificial Intelligence and Human Development Convening. They discussed the role of a human-centred approach to AI in accelerating sustainable development across the continent and in support of Sierra Leone’s national priorities.The high-level bilateral meeting on Saturday, led by UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed, was intended to foster African leadership in AI, utilise emerging technologies responsibly and align innovation with the public interest and human dignity. The two leaders discussed governance, ethics, equity and practical ways in…

Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Madam Kenyeh Barlay The National Public Investment Management Guidelines of Sierra Leone were officially validated and launched on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, by the Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Madam Kenyeh Barlay, who described the framework as “the single most important document in the country to guide investments.” Speaking at the Council of Churches Hall, King Harman Road, Freetown, Madam Barlay called on the Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to adopt and strictly enforce the new operational rules that translate national policy into day-to-day practice.The Guidelines, developed with the assistance of the World…

Hundreds of Sierra Leoneans led by the DIB Movement’s leader and APC flagbearer aspirant Dr Ibrahim Bangura participated in the high-profile Environmental Awareness Walk 2026 from the Regent Car Park to the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary. The walk, organised by former DIB students, was a relaxed, healthy and environmentally friendly forum for citizens to interact with Dr Bangura and show visible support for stronger environmental stewardship. The event concluded with the planting of carefully chosen tree species and the unveiling of a commemorative plaque to honour all participants, underscoring the symbolic and practical commitments made on that day.Speaking to the audience,…

Chief Minister David Moinina Sengeh, ……….. brand-new Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats Weeks after Chief Minister David Moinina Sengeh publicly called for greater collaboration with the European Union to combat drug trafficking and other transnational organised crime, tangible assistance has arrived for Sierra Leone’s maritime security forces. Sengeh claimed that Sierra Leone is actively pursuing national development despite acute vulnerabilities that complicate efforts to secure its coastal waters. “Sierra Leone is a beautiful country. Sierra Leone is a safe country. “And yes, Sierra Leone is a vulnerable and low-income country,” he said, emphasising the geographical and resource constraints that make maritime policing difficult. He…

An innovative, locally driven approach to blood donation has dramatically changed supply dynamics in parts of rural Sierra Leone, generating reliable voluntary donations where none existed before. This demonstrates a potentially scalable blueprint for other low-resource settings.The Gi4SaveLife initiative, developed and implemented by the grassroots organisation Lifeline Nehemiah Projects with academic support from King’s College London, was tested for 8 months in the Kono and Kenema districts. The program empowers community-nominated champions to organise blood drives through local “hubs,” rather than relying on external health organisations or hospital campaigns.Before the trial, voluntary blood donations were nonexistent in the pilot areas.…

The Diplomatic Drivers Association of Sierra Leone (DDA-SL) has formalised the informal network of drivers who serve embassies, United Nations agencies, and international organisations in Sierra Leone. On Saturday, June 20, the official inauguration took place at the New Brookfields Hotel, attended by representatives from the diplomatic corps, the UN system, government institutions, and professional driving organisations.The new organisation, which arose from 25 years of informal collaboration among drivers in the diplomatic and development community, aims to raise professional standards, improve coordination, and play a positive role in national road safety efforts. The launch was attended by a large number…