Author: gleanernewspaper

Freetown — Sierra Leone’s Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Alpha Sesay Esq., has called for increased judicial collaboration across West Africa, claiming that coordinated regional justice mechanisms are critical to advancing human rights, the rule of law, and economic integration within ECOWAS.Speaking at the ECOWAS Judicial Council’s Statutory Meeting in Freetown, Mr Sesay stated that the gathering occurred at a critical juncture in Sierra Leone’s legal evolution. “You have arrived at a time when Sierra Leone is experiencing a transformative legal renaissance,” he told judges, legal officers, and regional delegates, framing the meeting as both timely and significant for…

Tzu Chi Foundation and Caritas Freetown worked together to provide emergency relief to 209 households affected by the Moa Wharf community fire on March 30, 2026. The distribution, held at Henry Ferguson School to ensure accessibility for affected families, provided essential food, hygiene, and household items to meet immediate needs while stakeholders outlined long-term recovery plans. Each of the 209 households received a package containing 10kg bags of rice, palm oil, vegetable oil, onions, salt, assorted Maggi seasoning, rubber buckets, sanitary pads, solar touch lights, empty 5-gallon containers, drinking cups, cotton materials (lappa), blankets, toothpaste, pants, and mats. Rice and…

Newton, 2026. At a graduation ceremony attended by government officials, development partners, and youth leaders, over 450 returned migrants celebrated the successful completion of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) courses at the Obasanjo Skills Acquisition Centre for Youth Development.The training was provided as part of the Migrant Protection, Return, and Reintegration Programme for Sub-Saharan Africa, which aims to provide returnees with practical skills that support sustainable livelihoods and facilitate reintegration into their communities. The courses at the youth-focused Centre covered a variety of trades aimed at improving employability and entrepreneurial capacity among young people returning from migration journeys.…

President Dr Julius Maada Bio has formally launched the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission’s Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Programme in Sierra Leone, unveiling a pilot program that will distribute 10,000 clean cooking gas canisters to households across the country. The launch occurred during a high-level policy dialogue on clean cooking, gender equality, and child protection, which brought together regional leaders, policymakers, development partners, and private sector representatives to accelerate the transition to safer, more sustainable household energy in West Africa.In his keynote speech, President Bio described access to clean cooking as both a public health imperative and…

Ekaterinburg, 2026 – During the plenary session of the Youth Economic Forum in Ekaterinburg, His Excellency Ambassador Mohamed Yongawo, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Sierra Leone to the Russian Federation, was recognised for his distinguished leadership and persistent efforts to strengthen bilateral relations between Sierra Leone and Russia. The award, presented at a high-profile gathering of young leaders and policymakers, recognises Ambassador Yongawo’s long-term diplomatic engagement and proactive outreach to academic, business, and investment communities.According to the University Administration, the award recognises Ambassador Yongawo’s exceptional collaboration with Russian educational institutions, commercial partners, and potential investors—initiatives that have…

The Bible Society of Sierra Leone (BSSL) has donated a collection of scholarly edition Scriptures and reference works to various theological colleges across the country as part of its ongoing commitment to theological education and faithful Bible engagement. The non-denominational organisation, a member of the global United Bible Societies (UBS) fellowship, seeks to increase access to high-quality biblical resources while also assisting pastors, theologians, and students preparing for ministry in Sierra Leone.Mr Edwin Fraser, BSSL’s General Secretary, led the distribution of academic volumes to several institutions in Freetown, as well as colleges in Makeni, Bo, and Kono. Rev. Dr Warren…

A woman from Sub-Saharan Africa was arrested at Mohammed V International Airport on suspicion of international cocaine trafficking, prompting a judicial investigation by Casablanca authorities. On Sunday, April 19, 2026, the passenger was detained shortly after arriving on a flight from Freetown, Sierra Leone. Officers discovered two concealed packages containing 7 kilograms and 330 grams of cocaine during a customs inspection of her personal belongings, according to officials. The woman has been detained pending further investigations, which will be overseen by the competent public prosecutor. According to investigators, the investigation will seek to clarify the specific circumstances surrounding the seizure,…

Freetown, April, 2026 — A delegation of international moral guarantors overseeing the Agreement for National Unity between the Government of Sierra Leone and the opposition All People’s Congress (APC) paid a courtesy call on His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio today, praising his leadership in advancing peace, dialogue, and democratic stability domestically and across the ECOWAS region. Rev. Shodankeh Johnson, Board Chairman of the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion, explained that the guarantors were in the country to assess progress toward implementing the Unity Agreement and to follow up on recommendations from the Tripartite Committee. The visit is…

Kissy, Freetown —  April, 2026 — Ing. Edmond Nonie, Deputy Minister of Energy I, today led the movement of the first turbine for the Nant Power Project from Queen Elizabeth II Quay to the project site in Kissy, Eastern Freetown. Hundreds of residents gathered along Jenner Wright and Bai Bureh roads to watch the convoy carrying heavy equipment and government officials make their way to the construction site, applauding and expressing hope for improved city electricity supply.  The turbine was carefully unloaded on the Kissy site, where installation work will begin as part of the Nant Project’s phased development. Ing.…

In preparation for the 2026 Decennial Housing and Population Census, the Sierra Leonean government has committed more than US$20 million, indicating an unprecedented level of support for national planning and data collection. Speaking to attendees at the Civic Day Series in the Karene district on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, Samuel Ansumana, Director of Communication at Statistics Sierra Leone, verified the funding.Ansumana praised the government’s determination, calling the funding “the most firm commitment I have ever seen from any government to support Census in this country.” According to him, the funds have been used for vital infrastructure and logistics that will…