Author: gleanernewspaper

National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA) has carried out mandatory maintenance on its National Biometrics Identification and Matching Engine/System (ABIS Engine), a component of the National Identification Management System (IDMS) responsible for the biometrics deduplication and assignment of National Identification Number (NIN) to new Registrants has been successfully concluded and services restored. Consequently, the Authority has commenced the process of registration for and assigning NIN to Registrants aged 12 and above who were affected by the maintenance. Registration of Kids/Minors or children below 12 years, issuance of identity documents and credentials to persons who have already registered with the NCRA, ID…

An attempt by three men from Sierra Leone to sell counterfeit US dollars (USD) believed to have been obtained through a social media platform to local buyers failed, after being busted by police during a raid in the capital. The three men, aged between 20 and 30, who entered Malaysia as students at a private university college in Selangor in 2022 and 2024 respectively, were arrested at a condominium on Oct 2. Bukit Aman Director of the Commercial Crime Investigation Department (JSJK), Datuk Seri Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf, said they are believed to have started the activity at the beginning of…

By Martina Schwikowski Freetown Mayor, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, had a vision to transform Sierra Leone’s capital into a sustainable place for future generations. Now, the German Africa Foundation has honoured her commitment with the 2024 Africa Prize. “I grew up in a green city. I loved climbing the trees, even when I was little,” Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr tells DW. These memories of Freetown, Sierra Leone’s capital, and a vision to restore the city to its former glory, helped convince Aki-Saywerr, a charismatic environmentalist, to run for Mayor. “When you see that it’s all being destroyed, plus the sewage problems at the…

The National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) and its partners commemorated the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR) under the theme: “Empowering the Next Generation for a Resilient Future.” The event, held at New Brookfields Hotel, highlighted the importance of prioritising disaster preparedness and risk reduction, particularly among the youths, who are seen as crucial in shaping a resilient future. IDDRR, observed globally on October 13, was established by the United Nations to promote a culture of disaster risk awareness and reduction. This year’s focus on youth empowerment underscores the growing recognition of young people’s pivotal role in building resilient…

Vickie Remoe Vickie Remoe, host of the “Make Sierra Leone Famous” podcast and executive producer and host of the “Vickie Remoe Show,” which airs on AYV TV, is the driving force behind the Sierra Leone Diaspora Investment Conference. This is the second annual Sierra Leone Diaspora Investment Conference. The one-day event will bring together 250 policymakers, entrepreneurs, Sierra Leoneans, and Americans who are dedicated to Sierra Leone’s economic development. “Our discussions and activities will be guided by this year’s theme.”Navigating the Local and Global Marketplace: Opportunities for Diaspora Entrepreneurs and Investors.” The conference takes place on Saturday, October 19, 2024,…

Andrew Kojo Morrison, Country Representative, Solidaridad, and Cappuro Fredrico, EU Policy Officer with cashew farmers in Kambia. To ensure the successful implementation of the Developing Inclusive and Sustainable Cashew Value Chain (DISCA-VC) Programme, funded by the European Union to improve farmers’ livelihoods, strengthen the cashew value chain, and create more jobs for Sierra Leoneans, a team of representatives from the EU Delegation and Solidaridad, Andrew Kojo Morrison, Country Representative, Solidaridad, and Cappuro Fredrico, EU Policy Officer with cashew farmers in Kambia met and interacted with cashew farmers during a four-day monitoring visit. The visit, which began in early October, is…

In a groundbreaking partnership to address the critical shortage of anaesthesia providers in the country, Mercy Ships (www.MercyShips.org), Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Health, and the University of Sierra Leone have launched a Nurse Anesthesia Diploma Programme. This initiative aims to improve surgical care capacity by training specialised nurse anaesthetists, ensuring lasting healthcare improvements, even after Mercy Ships depart Freetown. Suzanne Thomas, Mercy Ships Director of Education, Training, and Advocacy, emphasised the importance of this collaboration: “Our partnership with the Ministry of Health and the University of Sierra Leone is crucial for developing long-term solutions to the healthcare challenges here. The…

Minister of Finance, Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura The Parliament of Sierra Leone, on Tuesday, 15/10/2024, extensively debated and ratified with unanimity the Millennium Challenge Compact Between the Republic of Sierra Leone and the United States of America and the Programme Implementation Agreement Between the Republic of Sierra Leone and the United States of America. The two agreements, championed by the Minister of Finance, Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura, were unanimously approved by the Members of Parliament following an emergency sitting convened by the President of Sierra Leone, Dr. Julius Maada Bio. He assured them that these agreements hold immense potential for…

In a bold call for greater transparency, the Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah, has urged public institutions to adopt a proactive approach to releasing information to the public. He emphasised that such a move is critical to fostering transparency and combating the spread of misinformation. Minister Bah made these remarks during the 10th-anniversary celebration of the Right to Access Information Commission (RAIC) held at the Foreign Service Academy on September 15, 2024. Minister Bah stressed the fundamental nature of the public’s right to information, noting that access to information is not a privilege but a civic right.…

His Excellency, President Julius Maada Bio, has engaged in symbolic rice harvesting on 11 acres of his 1,467-acre rice farm located in his hometown of Tihun, Sogbini Chiefdom, ahead of the World Food Day Commemoration and the first anniversary of Feed Salone. During this harvesting exercise, President Bio passionately conveyed his enthusiasm for agriculture, stating that his goal is to inspire Sierra Leoneans to take up farming and illustrate his commitment. “I don’t want to stop asking people to do it; I want to be seen doing it myself and setting the example,” he asserted. He also announced plans to…