Author: gleanernewspaper

Sierra Leone has launched a pioneering national Artificial Intelligence (AI) Readiness Assessment, developed by the Ministry of Communication, Technology, and Innovation in collaboration with the World Bank under the Sierra Leone Digital Transformation Project. The exercise, which was presented to a diverse group of stakeholders in Freetown, including government officials, academics, civil society, and private sector representatives, is one of the world’s first national-level assessments of its kind. The assessment assesses the country’s preparedness in three areas: compute (infrastructure), capacity (skills and talent), and context (policy and regulations). Its goal is to identify current strengths, gaps, and concrete opportunities that…

Air Sierra Leone has selected Moment, a specialist provider of digital onboard solutions for the aviation sector, to deploy a Wireless In-Flight Entertainment (W-IFE) platform across its fleet, the two companies announced today. The agreement marks Moment’s second contract on the African continent this semester, following a recent agreement with another regional carrier. It is a significant step in Air Sierra Leone’s strategy to modernise its passenger experience as it expands routes and capacity. Air Sierra Leone was founded in late 2024, with its headquarters at Freetown International Airport. The airline began commercial operations in January 2025, flying a regional…

Honourable Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, Chief Justice of Nigeria, met with His Lordship Justice Komba Kamanda, Chief Justice of Sierra Leone, and his delegation at the Supreme Court Building in Abuja’s Three Arms Zone, to discuss institutional exchange and mutual learning. Chief Justice Kekere-Ekun welcomed the Sierra Leonean delegation and described the visit as an honour and an important opportunity for knowledge sharing, recalling that she first met Justice Kamanda in Banjul, The Gambia, during the recently concluded 20th Triennial Commonwealth Magistrates’ and Judges’ Association conference. “You are very welcome. I am confident that your visit will be fruitful…

Sierra Leone’s Vice President, Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, has lauded teachers as the backbone of nation-building and reiterated the government’s long-term commitment to strengthening the country’s education sector. Delivering the keynote address at the 2025 Presidential National Best Teacher Awards at the University of Makeni on Saturday, October 4, Dr Jalloh described educators as central to shaping Sierra Leone’s future through their daily dedication to learners. “Every Sierra Leonean, no matter their humble beginnings, can trace their journey back to a teacher,” he said. “Doctors, engineers, farmers, security personnel, business people, and leaders — we were all shaped by teachers.…

Sierra Leone’s Chief Minister, Dr David Moinina Sengeh Sierra Leone’s Chief Minister, Dr David Moinina Sengeh, used the inaugural Civic Day Series in the United States to encourage Sierra Leoneans living abroad to deepen their involvement and transition from passive supporters to active problem solvers and partners in the country’s development. Dr Sengeh spoke at the opening session, highlighting the country’s progress in key sectors and emphasising the importance of the diaspora’s expertise, networks, and resources in addressing Sierra Leone’s development challenges.  The Chief Minister expressed gratitude for Sierra Leoneans’ long-standing contributions overseas, particularly in health, education, and agriculture, and…

Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio used his address to the United Nations as part of the UN80 commemorations to call for a fundamental reimagining of multilateralism so that “peace, dignity, and equality are not promises on paper, but realities in people’s lives.” He emphasised that no country can confront today’s global crises alone, citing his country’s participation in both the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and on the international stage as examples of how collective action can produce results. Recalling Sierra Leone’s own post-conflict journey, President Bio cited the United Nations’ role in his country’s recovery, as…

Dr Henry Musa Kpaka, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, visited large-scale rice operations in Mamuntha and Magbass, Tonkolili District, as part of a nationwide tour leading up to World Food Day 2025, to assess progress and reiterate the government’s commitment to the Feed Salone program. During his visit, Dr Kpaka inspected Mr Bisman Kamara’s large farm, which is funded by the Ministry’s Food Systems Resilience Project. Mr. Amara grows more than 500 hectares (over 1,200 acres) of rice and anticipates average yields of around 4 metric tons per hectare, which is roughly equivalent to 80 bags per hectare. If…

Rashid Sesay, Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, attended the World Governments Summit Ambassadors’ Retreat, organised by the World Governments Summit Foundation in collaboration with the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The retreat brought together ambassadors and heads of diplomatic missions accredited to the UAE to discuss ways to improve international collaboration and shape a more cooperative global future. The World Governments Summit, an annual gathering of government leaders, policymakers, and private-sector stakeholders, provides a forum for exchanging innovative solutions to pressing global challenges. Opening the retreat, H.E. Mohammad Abdullah Al Gergawi, UAE Minister of Cabinet Affairs and…

During UN Climate Week in New York on September 24, 2025, Sierra Leone’s government signed two long-term partnership agreements with leading private sector carbon developers from the Association of Carbon Conservation and Reforestation (ACCR). The agreements are an important step in Sierra Leone’s efforts to scale nature-based climate solutions, expand green economic opportunities, and strengthen collaboration among the government, communities, and private investors. ACCR is a national trade association established by Invest Salone, a UK government programme, at the request of Sierra Leone’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change. The association represents six of the country’s largest private sector carbon…

President Julius Maada Bio used a High-Level Event on Pregnancy, Children Born, and Sexual Violence in Conflict to make a strong call for immediate international action to assist survivors and children born from conflict-related sexual violence. He thanked the First Lady of Sierra Leone and UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict Pramila Patten for convening the dialogue, describing it as a necessary confrontation with a “painful reality” — the suffering of women and girls who become pregnant as a result of sexual violence in war, as well as the stigma faced by children born from those assaults. Speaking…