Author: gleanernewspaper
His Excellency Mohammed S. Barrie and His Royal Highness Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz His Excellency Mohammed S. Barrie, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Sierra Leone to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, conducted a significant courtesy visit to His Royal Highness Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, the Governor of Riyadh Region, on Monday, January 6, 2025. This meeting marks an important step in enhancing bilateral relations between Sierra Leone and Saudi Arabia. During the visit, Ambassador Barrie expressed his gratitude for the warm reception extended to him and his delegation. He conveyed heartfelt greetings…
Last Friday, the city of Makeni was filled with joy as the Sierra Leone Chinese Friendship Association (SiLCHA) organized its annual “Small Small Chinese” party, an event dedicated to celebrating cultural exchange and goodwill between Sierra Leone and China. Supported by the Chinese Embassy, this year’s festivities followed a successful celebration held in Bo City last year. The event was a heartwarming affair, featuring a rich array of food, drinks, and gifts that were generously distributed among the children and teachers present. The atmosphere was vibrant, with children taking centre stage to showcase their talents through singing, dancing, and various…
The government of Sierra Leone has taken decisive steps toward decriminalising abortion and reforming colonial-era laws that have long restricted reproductive health rights. President Julius Maada Bio announced in July 2022 that his cabinet has unanimously supported a groundbreaking bill aimed at ensuring risk-free motherhood. This move could greatly expand access to abortion services in a nation where such procedures are currently only permitted when a mother’s life is at stake. This progressive initiative comes after years of advocacy from government officials and a diverse coalition of women’s rights organizations, who have tirelessly campaigned for reform. The proposed Safe Motherhood…
Ghana’s newly elected President, John Dramani Mahama and His Excellency, President Julius Maada Bio His Excellency, President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone, was among the esteemed guests attending the inauguration of Ghana’s newly elected President, John Dramani Mahama, held at the iconic Black Star Square in Accra. This momentous occasion drew thousands of Ghanaians, including influential stakeholders and traditional leaders, who gathered to celebrate a pivotal event in the nation’s democratic journey. In his inaugural speech, President Mahama expressed gratitude to the Ghanaian populace for their dedication to a peaceful electoral process, reinforcing Ghana’s status as a leading example…
In a significant stride towards achieving the Women Power 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Women Environmental Programme (WEP), with support from the European Union and Women Engage for a Common Future (WECF), recently organized a transformative two-day workshop focused on Environmental Justice and Human Rights. Held on December 19th and 20th, 2024, at the Two Brothers Auditorium on Syke Street in Freetown, Sierra Leone, the event attracted a diverse group of young feminist environmental activists and organizations from the western region and beyond. WEP, a non-governmental, non-profit, and non-political organization headquartered in Abuja, Nigeria, operates with the mission to…
President Joe Biden. President Julius Maada Bio U.S. Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ), who chairs the House Global Health and Global Human Rights Subcommittee, has voiced his strong concerns regarding reports of U.S. involvement in promoting abortion legislation in Sierra Leone. According to Smith, the Biden Administration is allegedly threatening to withhold foreign assistance from the West African nation unless its lawmakers pass the “Safe Motherhood Act,” a bill that would legalise abortion in a country that currently upholds protections for unborn life. In a statement released on December 16, 2024, Smith characterised this approach as deeply troubling, asserting that it…
By Ibrahim Sorie Koroma In a significant leap forward for healthcare in Sierra Leone, the Princess Christian Maternity Hospital (PCMH) has commenced laparoscopic surgeries for the first time, addressing various gynaecological conditions. This monumental achievement was announced by Dr Amadu Sesay, the Medical Superintendent at PCMH, who emphasised the importance of this advancement in the country’s medical landscape. The introduction of laparoscopic surgery at PCMH has been made possible by acquiring a cutting-edge laparoscope, a specialised medical device that facilitates minimally invasive surgical procedures. Dr. Sesay explained that this technique, often referred to as keyhole surgery or minimal access surgery,…
The Late Hon. Justice Ansumana Ivan Sesay (JA) The Judiciary of Sierra Leone gathered on January 3, 2025, to pay heartfelt tributes to the late Hon. Justice Ansumana Ivan Sesay (JA), who was laid to rest in his ancestral home at Moyamba Wusha Village, Rotifunk, in the Southern Region of the country. The ceremony drew a significant crowd of mourners, including colleagues, family members, and community members who came together to honour the memory of a revered figure in the legal community. The Honourable Chief Justice Komba Kamanda delivered a poignant message to the people of Rotifunk, urging them to…
The Sierra Leone Water Company (SALWACO) has officially ushered in a new era of leadership with the appointment of Mr. Joe Jonathan Ndanema as the new Board Chairman. This transition was marked by a formal handover ceremony on Monday, December 23rd, 2024, at the SALWACO Board room, where the outgoing Chairman, Alhaji Ing. Mohamed Alie Jalloh, officially passed the leadership baton to his successor. The event underscored the organisation’s ongoing commitment to providing safe and reliable water services throughout Sierra Leone. The ceremony commenced with introductions of both the outgoing and incoming chairpersons, alongside other distinguished members of the Board…
Most Rev. Edward Tamba Charles, Chernor Bah, Minister Of Information and Dr Jalikatu Mustapha, Deputy Minister of Health II In a recent statement, Most Rev. Edward Tamba Charles, the Catholic Archbishop of Freetown and President of the Inter-religious Council of Sierra Leone has publicly refuted claims made by the Ministry of Information regarding his stance on the proposed modifications to the Safe Motherhood and Reproductive Health Bill. The Archbishop’s remarks, issued on January 6, 2025, come in response to a statement posted on the Ministry’s website, which he alleges inaccurately attributed to him the assertion that the government had taken…