Author: gleanernewspaper

Freetown, June 18, 2026 — The first Mano River YouthConnekt began in Freetown and ended with a strong, coordinated call for greater regional unity and youth-driven economic integration across the Mano River Union (MRU). The historic meeting brought together government officials, development partners, regional institutions, and youth leaders from across the subregion to discuss practical ways to capitalise on the demographic dividend and strengthen cross-border collaboration.The event, hosted by the Government of Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Youth Affairs, began with a keynote welcome from the Honourable Minister of Youth Affairs, Mr Ibrahim Sannoh, who laid out a bold vision for…

The Egyptian Drug Authority (EDA) and Sierra Leone’s Pharmacy Board have signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen pharmaceutical regulatory cooperation, capacity building, and technical expertise exchange. On the sidelines of the fifth Africa Health ExCon 2026, EDA Chairperson Ali El Ghamrawy and Pharmacy Board of Sierra Leone Chairperson James Peter Komie signed the agreement, which was witnessed by Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to Egypt, Sadiq Sillah. The MoU establishes a framework for closer bilateral collaboration with the goal of strengthening regulatory oversight and improving the quality and safety of medical products available to the populations of both countries. It is…

Dr Kandeh K. Yumkella, Chairman of the Presidential Initiative on Climate Change, Renewable Energy and Food Security (PI-CREF), and Freetown Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr met to discuss the city’s innovative climate initiatives, including the #FreetownTheTreeTown program, which is set to become Sierra Leone’s first municipal carbon credit project.Following recent talks between President Julius Maada Bio and Mayor Aki-Sawyerr regarding accelerating climate action and sustainable urban development nationwide, the delegation-level meeting took place. The Mayor gave Dr Yumkella an update on the Tree Town campaign’s accomplishments thus far, including the planting of about 1.2 million trees, the creation of over 3,000 green…

Dr Francess Virginia Anderson, PhD, Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to Turkey, hosted a delegation from several Turkish companies, including Almas Services Foreign Trade Limited, Vekon Group, Sila Holding, and Doganlar Agriculture Company, at the Sierra Leone Embassy in Ankara to discuss potential investment and partnership opportunities. The visiting delegation expressed strong interest in a variety of sectors, including agriculture, construction, healthcare, trade, logistics, infrastructure development, and manufacturing, indicating a broad appetite for engagement throughout the country’s developing economy. During the meeting, Ambassador Anderson emphasised Sierra Leone’s ongoing commitment to fostering a more business-friendly environment. She cited recent reforms, private sector development…

Liberia is under intense scrutiny after authorities intercepted 198 compressed plates of cocaine (237.6 kg) hidden in cargo boxes at Roberts International Airport, bound for Europe via a Brussels Airlines flight. A Margibi County court has ordered airport management to turn over CCTV footage, waybills, and shipping documents as investigators work to map the trafficking network. The seizure has fueled public debate over security transparency and raised suspicions of systemic collusion in customs, port, and airport operations.Diplomatic and media attention has focused on Jos Leijdekkers (also known in Sierra Leone as Omar Sherriff), a convicted Dutch drug trafficker who investigators…

Chief Electoral Commissioner and Chairman Edmond Sylvester Alpha and NCRA Director General Mohamed Mubashir Massaquoi The Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone (ECSL) and the National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA) have strengthened their long-standing collaboration as both agencies prepare for credible, transparent, and inclusive elections in 2028. The renewed commitment was highlighted during a high-level courtesy visit by ECSL leadership to the NCRA headquarters on King Harman Road in Freetown on Wednesday, June 17, 2026. The ECSL delegation was led by Chief Electoral Commissioner and Chairman Edmond Sylvester Alpha, who was greeted warmly by NCRA Director General Mohamed Mubashir Massaquoi and other senior…

Kweku Melvin Lisk Esq., Deputy Mayor of Freetown City Council (FCC), has urged residents of the capital to adopt responsible sanitation habits as the Council begins full enforcement of the Freetown City Council Solid and Liquid Waste Collection By-Laws 2024. Speaking at the Government Weekly Press Briefing on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at the Miatta Civic Centre, Mr Lisk emphasised that long-term improvements in the city’s cleanliness and public health necessitate a shift in public attitudes as well as ongoing government investment. Mr Lisk stated that poor sanitation remains one of Freetown’s most significant challenges, arguing that the problem is…

The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) completed the third review of Sierra Leone’s Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement and approved a new, larger financing package under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF) to strengthen the country’s ability to withstand climate shocks.Sierra Leone will receive SDR 23.333 million (approximately US$31.7 million) immediately after the ECF review is completed, bringing the total disbursements under the existing ECF arrangement to SDR 116.664 million (roughly US$158.6 million). In addition, the Board approved an RSF agreement worth SDR 155.550 million (approximately US$211.5 million). After the initial review of the arrangement is completed,…

Earnings are divided equally at the end of the working week. Photo: WFP/Michael Duff The World Food Programme (WFP) is expanding its School Feeding Programme in Sierra Leone using a Home-Grown School Feeding (HGSF) model, which connects daily school meals to local smallholder farmers. The initiative, which operates in the Eastern, North Western, and Southern regions, aims to improve learning outcomes, increase school attendance and retention, strengthen child nutrition, and support rural livelihoods by generating stable market demand for locally produced food. The programme is carried out in collaboration with national government agencies, local stakeholders, farmer cooperatives, schools, and communities. Key…

During the 114th International Labour Conference (ILC), Sierra Leone’s Minister of Employment, Labour, and Social Security, Honourable Mohamed Rahman Swaray, led a delegation to a bilateral meeting with the Director-General of the International Labour Organisation. The Minister began by thanking Sierra Leone for inviting her to the Conference and congratulating the ILO leadership and delegates on two significant outcomes: the adoption of the Convention on Decent Work in the Platform Economy and the Transformative Agenda for Gender Equality at Work Instrument.Hon. Swaray updated the Director-General on recent domestic progress, including the successful Second National Labour Conference and Social Dialogue Forum…