Author: gleanernewspaper

Joao Cravinho, the European Union Special Representative for the Sahel, paid a courtesy visit to His Excellency Julius Maada Bio, Chairman of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government and President of Sierra Leone. During the meeting, Mr. Cravinho congratulated President Bio on his election as Chairman, describing it as a testament to his exemplary leadership in the region. “We commend you for taking this great responsibility. The European Union eagerly anticipates collaborating with you to tackle the region’s pressing challenges,” he remarked. Mr. Cravinho also provided an update on his ongoing work in the Sahel, emphasising his…

Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah, has reaffirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to press freedom, privacy rights, and responsible journalism at a national digital policy engagement focused on Sierra Leone’s cybercrime, data protection, and anti-terrorism laws. Delivering the keynote address at the high-level dialogue in Freetown, Minister Bah emphasized that ongoing legal and policy reforms under President Julius Maada Bio’s administration are designed to strengthen democratic governance, expand civic space, and build a more resilient digital ecosystem. _“Our legal frameworks must protect press freedom, promote an open society, and respect the privacy and dignity of every Sierra Leonean,”_…

Dr. Kandeh K. Yumkella(centre), the Energy Sector Lead, together with Deputy Ministers 1 and 2. Sierra Leone’s capital, Freetown, is currently experiencing a severe power outage, which many believe is the result of poorly managed government-Karpowership negotiations, which are being supervised by Dr. Kandeh Yumkella, the Energy Sector Lead. Dr. Yumkella led the Ministry of Energy’s months-long efforts to negotiate an extension of the Karpowership’s contract, which was about to expire. Sources with knowledge of the talks, however, have attacked Dr. Yumkella for how he handled the negotiations, claiming that his strategy was ineffectual and ultimately caused them to fail.…

President Siaka Stevens Sierra Leone has once again assumed the chairmanship of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, marking a significant step forward for the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria, whose term had come to an end, was officially replaced on June 22, 2025, by President Julius Maada Bio. For the second time in the 50-year history of the regional bloc, Sierra Leone is occupying this esteemed position. The change of leadership was formally announced at the 67th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority, which was held in Abuja,…

In a move towards fostering international investment relations, Zeytini Gida Insaat Turizm Ithalat Ihracat Ltd, a prominent Turkish investment firm, made a courtesy visit to Her Excellency Ambassador Francess Virginia Anderson, PhD. This meeting was a follow-up to the recently held Investment and Trade Seminar in Istanbul, where the potential for collaboration between Turkey and Sierra Leone was first explored. Zeytini Gida, based in Ankara, specializes in a diverse range of sectors, including import and export, particularly focusing on olive and food products. Their portfolio extends to construction projects, real estate development, contracting services, hotel management, and tourism. The company’s…

In a significant move aimed at bolstering youth empowerment and self-reliance, the Ministry of Youth Affairs (MoYA) and the Milton Margai Technical University (MMTU) formalized their collaboration by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on June 10, 2025. The signing ceremony took place at the MMTU Great Hall located on the Goderich campus in Freetown and marked a pivotal step towards equipping young people with essential skills for income generation and job creation. The MoU outlines a comprehensive strategy to provide training in 24 diverse courses that focus on entrepreneurship, mindset transformation, and skill development. The courses are designed to…

The Indian High Commissioner to Sierra Leone, Baisnab Charan Pradhan, convened with Sierra Leone’s Minister of Agriculture and Food Security to explore collaborative opportunities in the agricultural sector, with a particular emphasis on food processing initiatives. The meeting took place at the Youyi Building and served as a platform to discuss the vast potential inherent in Sierra Leone’s agricultural landscape. During the discussions, High Commissioner Pradhan underscored the importance of establishing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Sierra Leone. He emphasized that such an agreement would lay a solid foundation for deeper cooperation in food production and processing.…

In a powerful demonstration of environmental responsibility and national pride, the Africell Impact Foundation has collaborated with the Commonwealth Games Sierra Leone and the Ministry of Tourism to host the King’s Baton Relay in Freetown, Sierra Leone. This event, which precedes the 2026 Commonwealth Games scheduled to take place in Glasgow, Scotland, served as both a celebration of sports and a rallying cry to combat the pervasive issue of plastic pollution, encapsulated in the slogan “Kip Am Klin.” The relay took place at the Africell Sports Zone along Lumley Beach Road, a location that underscores the significance of protecting Sierra…

In a step toward shaping the future of Sierra Leone’s democracy, Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Alpha Sesay Esq., delivered an inspiring keynote address at the National Civil Society Dialogue focused on the country’s electoral reform. The event, held at the Bank Complex in Kingtom, convened a diverse array of stakeholders, including civil society organizations, electoral experts, political leaders, and international partners, all united in their commitment to discuss and determine the preferred electoral system for Sierra Leone. During his address, Attorney General Sesay articulated the profound implications of selecting an electoral system, emphasizing that it transcends mere technical…

Chief Justice His Lordship Honourable Justice Komba Kamanda presided over a swearing-in ceremony that welcomed two newly appointed judges to the Court of Appeal, seven judges to the High Court, and nineteen Notaries Public. This ceremony, held at the Main Law Courts Building in Freetown, marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing efforts to enhance the judicial system in the country. The ceremony followed a unanimous approval from Parliament, which took place in May 2025, endorsing all eleven appointees. This parliamentary endorsement underscores the importance of judicial appointments in fostering a robust legal framework within Sierra Leone. The Executive Secretary…