Author: gleanernewspaper
Umu Thoronka Umu Thoronka, a former employee of the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC), has publicly challenged the management’s claims regarding her dismissal, labelling it as “unlawful termination.” In a press statement, Thoronka addressed what she described as a series of erroneous assertions made by the SLBC management about her employment history and status, particularly in light of her recent dismissal. The SLBC management has claimed that Thoronka was never a reporter for the organization and that her employment was limited to a brief period from 2015 to 2018. However, Thoronka vehemently refuted these assertions, stating that they are not…
By Janisa Momodu Esq. Gender-based violence (GBV) is a global epidemic, and Sierra Leone is no exception. According to a recent report by The Guardian on September 4, 2024, progress toward gender equality has stalled or even reversed for more than a billion women and girls worldwide. These alarming setbacks have left women and girls vulnerable to a litany of abuses, including in Sierra Leone. Despite numerous reports, protests, and official press statements, the reality is that meaningful, impactful action remains elusive. In Freetown, the tragic rise in GBV cases is undeniable. Just two weeks ago, I was heartbroken to…
The Methodist Boys High School (MBHS) in Kissy Mess Mess, Freetown, reached a remarkable milestone on September 6, 2024, with the official inauguration of an 18-classroom block, aptly named the “Matthew Dingie Building.” This significant development was made possible through the dedicated efforts of the MBHS Alumni Association, which also marked the occasion by announcing the school’s return to a single-shift academic system, set to commence in the upcoming academic year. The inauguration ceremony was graced by the presence of various dignitaries, including the Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Conrad Sackey, who delivered an inspiring keynote address. In…
The people of Maforki Chiefdom in Port Loko District have entered a historic Land Lease Agreement with CTC Mining Company to construct a 32-kilometre haul road and a port. The construction, which will span Maforki and Marampa Chiefdoms, aims to improve the transportation of CTC’s mining products from the site to the port, easing the company’s logistical challenges. The agreement was signed during a symbolic ceremony held at Old Port Loko. Paramount Chief Bai Forki Fainka II of Maforki Chiefdom and Dr David Koroma, Project Coordinator for CTC, signed on behalf of their respective parties. The ceremony drew notable dignitaries,…
Liu Wei, who teaches at the Confucius Institute at the University of Sierra Leone, has been sharing his expertise in kung fu, also known as wushu, since arriving in the country. Influenced by the traditional martial arts culture of his hometown, Puyang City, in central China’s Henan Province, Liu has been interested in kung fu since childhood and trained at a specialized martial arts school. After graduating from university, Liu taught at Songshan Shaolin Wushu College in Dengfeng City, Henan Province, fulfilling his dream of teaching martial arts to students. In December 2021, at 30, he embarked on a journey…
Frances Tiafoe of the United States with his father Frances Sr. after his match with Peter Gojowczyk of Germany at the Delray Beach Open held at the Delray Beach Stadium & Tennis Center on February 25, 2018. PETER STAPLES/ATP WORLD TOUR VIA GETTY Frances Tiafoe has thanked his mom, Alphina, and dad, Frances Sr., for helping shape his tennis career. Frances Tiafoe, one of the top 10 tennis players in the world, owes much of his success to his parents, Alphina and Frances Sr. Tiafoe. Born to immigrant parents from Sierra Leone, Frances and his twin brother, Franklin, grew up…
Minister of Employment, Labour and Social Security, Mohamed Rahman Swarray and NASSIT Director General, Mohamed Fuaad Daboh The National Social Security and Insurance Trust, together with the Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Security and Stakeholders in the Informal Sector, on Thursday 5th September 2024, received the Inception Valuation Report of the proposed Informal Sector Scheme from the Consultant Actuaries at the Freetown International Conference Centre in Freetown. This groundbreaking event, which is the precursor to the expansion of social security coverage to the greater majority of Sierra Leoneans, attracted Government Ministers, Development Partners, Civil Society Organizations, Stakeholders in the…
By Abu Bakarr Kargbo in Beijing President Xi Jinping of the People’s Republic of China unveiled an ambitious plan to deepen China-Africa cooperation and spearhead Global South modernization over the next three years during the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation summit in Beijing on Thursday. The Chinese government will provide significant financial support through ten partnership actions aimed at fostering mutual learning, trade prosperity, industrial chain cooperation, connectivity, development cooperation, health initiatives, agriculture and livelihood projects, people-to-people exchanges, green development, and common security measures. President Xi Jinping revealed at the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation summit in Beijing on Thursday that in…
In a significant diplomatic gesture, His Excellency Xi Jinping, the President of the People’s Republic of China, has lauded the leadership of Sierra Leone’s President Dr Julius Maada Bio during a bilateral meeting in Beijing. This meeting took place on the eve of the 9th Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), where both leaders discussed the future of their nations’ partnership. President Xi expressed his admiration for President Bio’s contributions to global peace and security, particularly commending his recent successful tenure as the President of the United Nations Security Council. He highlighted the importance of Sierra Leone’s role in international diplomacy…
DERI and DSTI signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore the application of data science and machine learning to predict and mitigate the impacts of climate change on rainfall patterns in Sierra Leone, one of the countries in West Africa. The collaboration aims to develop a more accurate understanding of rainfall patterns and inform effective climate change adaptation strategies. The partnership will involve helping DSTI in its analyses of satellite data to identify trends and patterns in rainfall distribution and intensity. By leveraging advanced data analytics techniques, researchers hope to develop predictive models that can help anticipate extreme weather…