Author: gleanernewspaper

The Executive Director (ED) for the Africa West Constituency of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Professor Ouattara Wautabouna, has successfully concluded a five-day working visit to Sierra Leone. This visit, which took place from February 13 to February 17, 2024, involved comprehensive discussions with key members of the Sierra Leonean government, focusing on crucial economic issues and the ongoing Extended Credit Facility (ECF) Program with the IMF. Professor Wautabouna, who previously served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs for Côte d’Ivoire, marked this visit as his inaugural official engagement since his appointment in November 2023. He arrived in Freetown on…

Dr Fatima Maada Bio has been elected President of the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD), marking a historic moment for Sierra Leone. This historic appointment marks the first time a Sierra Leonean First Lady has held this prestigious position, highlighting the country’s growing influence in continental affairs. The election took place during the 29th Ordinary General Assembly Open Session, which was held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and brought together First Ladies from across Africa to discuss development, advocacy, and social transformation. Dr. Bio’s leadership will be critical as she addresses critical issues such as women’s empowerment, healthcare,…

The Ministry of Sports (MoS) and the National Sports Authority (NSA) congratulate Mohamed Kallon on his new role as head coach of Sierra Leone’s national football team, the Leone Stars. This significant role comes at an important time, as Kallon is expected to lead the team through the ongoing 2026 World Cup qualifiers and the upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. In their statement, the Ministry and NSA wished Kallon success in this difficult position. They emphasised their commitment to providing unwavering support throughout his tenure, ensuring he has access to the resources required to help the team succeed. …

The Sierra Leone Women’s National Team, also known as the Sierra Queens, has officially begun their journey to Togo for a crucial first-leg match against Benin in the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. This match is a watershed moment in their quest for a spot in the prestigious tournament, which will be held in Morocco. The delegation is led by Haja Ramatulai Kamara, a Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) Executive Committee member. Her guidance, along with the dedicated technical and administrative staff, is critical to the campaign’s success. The match schedule is as follows: the first leg will…

Cocaine smugglers have long been sending the drug to Europe from South America via West Africa, including through Sierra Leone (AC Vol 48 No 13). In July 2008, then Transport Minister Ibrahim Kemoh Sesay was suspended and later sacked during an investigation into the arrival of 700 kilograms of cocaine in a twin-engined aircraft plane which landed at Lungi airport. He denied any wrongdoing and was not prosecuted for any criminal offence.  Fast forward to October 2023, when authorities in Antwerp intercepted a shipment of 7.7 tonnes of cocaine hidden between soya beans exported from Sierra Leone – the first…

A protestor raises Sudanese and Palestinian flags as US rapper Kendrick Lamar performs during the Super Bowl in New Orleans, Louisiana, on February 9, 2025 [Chandan Khanna/AFP] By Omar Suleiman On Sunday night, amid the spectacle of the Super Bowl halftime show, a performer raised the flags of Sudan and Palestine. In an event as meticulously controlled as the Super Bowl, his interruption was brief, quickly handled by security, and not shown on the live broadcast. But the moment itself, fleeting as it was, was deeply symbolic. It reflected the resolve of the Sudanese and Palestinian people to break through the…

Axa XL’s global head of sustainability, Suzanne Scatliffe Axa XL, based in Bermuda, has announced a $1.2 million grant to Save the Children to fund a ground-breaking five-year initiative addressing the effects of climate change on Sierra Leone’s coastal ecosystems. The Sierra Leone Coastal Resilience Project is recognised as one of the country’s largest efforts to improve climate resilience. The project is expected to directly benefit 260,000 people, with a total impact of more than one million. Axa XL stated that, despite having one of the lowest per capita CO2 emissions in the world, Sierra Leone is still one of…

Hawa Hunt Hawa Hunt’s detention a month ago was politically motivated, say daughter and rights groups, who also raised concerns about her treatment in jail Supported by Fears are mounting over the mental and physical health of a social media influencer who has been in prison in Sierra Leone for more than a month after she was arrested on live television. Hawa Hunt, a dual Canadian and Sierra Leonean citizen, was arrested on 22 December while starring in House of Stars, a reality TV show, for comments she made on social media about the president of Sierra Leone and the first lady…

His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio and Khaled Kaim, the Special Envoy of the President of Libya In a significant diplomatic engagement, His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio welcomed Khaled Kaim, the Special Envoy of the President of Libya and Senior Political Adviser, to the State House. The meeting underscored Libya’s commitment to enhancing bilateral relations with Sierra Leone, as Kaim delivered a message of solidarity from his government. During the meeting, Kaim expressed profound appreciation for President Bio’s proactive role in elevating Africa’s presence on the global stage, particularly within the United Nations Security Council. He highlighted…

The National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) has raised alarms over a notable increase in fire incidents across the nation, with 38 cases documented in the first two months of 2025. The Southern Region has been particularly affected, accounting for 15 of these incidents, while the Western Area follows closely with 10 reported cases. The Northern Region has experienced 8 incidents, and the Eastern and Northwestern regions have recorded 5 and 4 incidents, respectively. This worrying trend has placed immense pressure on the NDMA’s emergency response teams, prompting the agency to call for heightened vigilance and adherence to fire prevention strategies…