Author: gleanernewspaper

Joseph Sesay appeared in court on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, in connection with grave accusations of cyberbullying against Edward Sesay. Under Section 44(1)(a) of the Cyber Security and Crime Act, 2021, Joseph was charged with two counts of cyberstalking in the case that was brought before Magistrate Sao Mamakoh Kallon at Pademba Road Court No. 3. The charge sheet states that the aforementioned incidents took place in Freetown on December 3, 2023. Joseph is accused of spreading threatening audio messages against Edward via the WhatsApp account linked to the phone number +232 31214660. According to reports, the purpose of these…

Africell Sierra Leone has introduced its own Fantasy Premier League (FPL) exclusively for its subscribers, which is an exciting development for football fans. This program gives supporters a thrilling opportunity to show off their managerial skills while competing for alluring rewards. On Thursday, July 31, 2025, the launch event was held at Africell’s headquarters, which is situated on Pivot Street, Wilberforce in Freetown. Africell’s Media Relations Team Lead, Abdul Aziz Kamara, provided more details on the Fantasy Premier League’s foundation during the launch. According to him, it’s a free online game that lets fans take on the role of virtual…

The Tzu Chi Foundation’s Sierra Leone branch hosted an informative volunteer training session at the Pre-School Centre in the St. Edward’s Compound on July 29. Forty committed volunteers from all over the region, both new and returning, came together for this event. The training’s main goal was to increase the participants’ comprehension of and dedication to Tzu Chi’s mission, which places a strong emphasis on compassion, service, and moral behaviour. Brother Ishmeal Alfred Charles oversaw the training, and Sister Margaret Bessie assisted in organising the day’s events. The session’s theme, “Understanding the Organisation’s Mission and Spirit,” offered a wealth of…

Tony O. Elumelu, Group Chairman of United Bank for Africa (UBA) and Founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, delivered a powerful keynote address at the World Bank and IMF’s African Caucus of Governors on July 31, 2025, in Bangui, Central African Republic. The event was graciously hosted by His Excellency Professor Faustin-Archange Touadéra, President of the Central African Republic. Mr. Elumelu’s address, titled “Resilient Infrastructure, Human Capital, and Green Assets: Essential Levers for Strong, Inclusive, and Sustainable Growth,” was a compelling call to action for African governments, development partners, and the private sector. He urged stakeholders to reimagine the continent’s…

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 that 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 in a series of similar…

Prince Andrew, Duke of York speaks to Aliko Dangote during the London Global African Investment Summit at St James’ Palace on December 1, 2015 in London, England [Anthony Devlin-WPA Pool/Getty Images] By-Tafi Mhaka On July 9, 2025, I was overwhelmed by a profound sense of despair and disappointment upon reading a report from Oxfam International, a globally recognised NGO, revealing that just four of Africa’s richest billionaires hold a combined wealth of $57.4bn. According to Oxfam, this figure exceeds the total wealth of approximately 750 million Africans, roughly half of the continent’s population. Moreover, the top 5 percent of Africans now control nearly…

Hon. Justice Ricardo Claúdio Monteiro Gonçalves, President of the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice, and his delegation visited His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio at State House in Freetown. The Attorney General and Minister of Justice of Sierra Leone, Mr. Alpha Sesay, stated that the delegation, led by the President of the Court, was in the country to congratulate President Bio on his recent election as Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government. He also stated that the visit’s goal was to assist the Attorney General’s Office by providing state counsels with training and capacity-building opportunities.…

His Excellency Moussa Saleh Batraki, Secretary-General of the Organisation of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS), paid a courtesy visit to His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio at State House, where the two leaders discussed the importance of strengthened collaboration among member states to reinforce the organization’s mission and relevance. Sierra Leone’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hon. Musa Timothy Kabba, led the discussion and expressed gratitude to President Bio for granting the audience. He stated that the Secretary-General was in Sierra Leone to provide an update on the organization’s activities and to formally introduce himself to…

In a spirited display of corporate sportsmanship and national pride, Africell Sierra Leone has reaffirmed its commitment to youth sports by sponsoring the national under-18 volleyball team for the upcoming CAVB U18 Beach Volleyball Continental Cup. The official signing ceremony took place on Friday, July 25, at Africell’s headquarters on Pivot Street in Wilberforce, Freetown. The Confederation of African Volleyball (CAVB) organises the Continental Cup, a qualification tournament for the FIVB U19 Beach Volleyball World Championships that showcases the continent’s top emerging talent. Sierra Leone’s participation reflects both the country’s growing volleyball profile and the results of years of strategic…

His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio presided over Mr. Alex Pat Labib Saffa’s official swearing-in ceremony as the newly appointed Electoral Commissioner for the Eastern Region, which was unanimously approved by Parliament. The ceremony, held at State House, formalised Mr. Saffa’s appointment by Section 32(6) of Sierra Leone’s 1991 Constitution, which requires Electoral Commissioners to take and subscribe an oath of office before beginning their duties. Leading the proceedings, Secretary to the President Mr. Barba Brima Fortune stated that Mr. Saffa had completed a thorough due diligence process and received full support from Members of Parliament. Commissioner Saffa took…