Author: gleanernewspaper
Francess Virginia Anderson and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan In a significant diplomatic ceremony, Francess Virginia Anderson, PhD, the newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Sierra Leone to Türkiye, presented her letter of credence to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. During this formal occasion, Ambassador Anderson conveyed a goodwill message from Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio, emphasising the importance of the relationship between the two nations. The presentation of ambassadorial credentials is a moment steeped in diplomatic tradition, marking the official beginning of an ambassador’s role as the representative of their nation in a foreign land. This ceremony…
The Fourth Report of the Committee on Appointments and Public Service, Chaired by the Leader of Government Business, Hon. Mathew Sahr Nyuma, has been debated and unanimously approved by the Parliament of Sierra Leone, containing twenty-six Presidential Nominees. Parliament approved the following Presidential Nominees: 1. Mr. Philip Bob Jusu- Ambassador, Sierra Leone Embassy, Brussels, Belgium 2. Lieutenant General Rtd. Peter Kakowou Lavahun – High Commissioner to the Republic of Kenya 3. Dr. Mohamed Kanja Sesay – Ambassador, Sierra Leone Embassy, Paris, France 4. Retired Major General David Fred Alpha – Deputy High Commissioner Sierra Leone High Commission, Abuja, Nigeria 5.…
In a landmark initiative to bolster healthcare services in Sierra Leone, President Dr. Julius Maada Bio has inaugurated a state-of-the-art cold chain facility for the Bonthe District Health Management Team and launched the National Emergency Medical Services (NEMS) program. These developments are part of the government’s broader Quality Essential Health Service and System Support project, designed to improve healthcare delivery across the nation. During the commissioning ceremony, President Bio expressed his heartfelt appreciation to the health sector management team and various donor partners whose collaborative efforts have significantly advanced healthcare in the region. He emphasised that the new cold chain…
SLPHA’s Director General, Yankuba A. Bio The Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority (SLPHA) is facing significant turmoil following revelations about a staggering 1.3 tonnes of cocaine, valued at £140 million, that was shipped from Sierra Leone to the United Kingdom. The shipment, which has sparked widespread concern, was reportedly concealed in large blue sacks labelled as flour, destined for an industrial estate in Wigan, Lancashire. In response to the growing controversy, SLPHA’s Director General, Yankuba A. Bio, asserted that the issue is an outdated matter that has already been investigated, claiming no connection to Sierra Leone. However, the UK…
By Anders Hagstrom Fox News President Biden’s administration is pressuring the government of Sierra Leone to adopt more permissive abortion policies in exchange for foreign assistance, according to a Monday report. The African nation currently bans abortion in most circumstances, but legislation before the country’s Parliament would decriminalise the practice. The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), a U.S. government-run funding allocator, is reportedly threatening to withhold hundreds of millions in foreign assistance funding if the abortion law does not pass, a former senior U.S. government official who has worked in the region told the Daily Signal. The MCC CEO, Alice Albright,…
Sierra Leone has achieved a remarkable transformation in its visa openness policies, significantly enhancing access for travellers and strengthening its appeal as a tourism destination. Between 2023 and 2024, the country’s Visa Openness Index (AVOI) score rose by 0.309 points to reach 0.811, propelling its ranking from 22nd to 13th among African nations. This change demonstrates Sierra Leone’s commitment to fostering regional connectivity and global tourism. Sierra Leone recently granted visa-free travel to citizens of Ghana and Nigeria, both members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Previously, these travellers could only access visas on arrival. This policy…
Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, UAE, Rashid Sesay, has inaugurated the new Sierra Leone Nationals Association (SLeNA) executive at a ceremony held in Dubai. Delivering his keynote address, the Sierra Leone Envoy said that he was always honoured and excited to meet and engage with his nationals, describing it as a core pillar of his work as Sierra Leone’s principal representative in the UAE. He mentioned that the event was special because it would usher in a new executive to steer the activities of the Sierra Leone Community for the next two years. He also thanked the…
His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio has presided over the swearing-in ceremony of the newly appointed Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Mr. Alpha Sesay, Esq., at State House. During the event, the President reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering support for advancing the justice sector in Sierra Leone. The ceremony commenced with a declaration of purpose by the Secretary to the President, Dr. Emmanuel Gaima. He referenced Section 64(1) and (2) of the 1991 Constitution, which establishes the office of the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice. Dr. Gaima highlighted that, in line with constitutional provisions and conventional practice, the ceremony was…
The Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF), on Friday, 13th December 2024, observed the Farewell and Pulling-Out Ceremony at Julius Maada Bio Parade Square at Wilberforce Barracks, Freetown, in honour of the recently retired Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Lieutenant-General Peter Kakowou Lavahun. The military Ceremony, solemn as it was, marked the EXIT AND DISENGAGEMENT of the retired CDS from the Armed Forces. It also marked the LAST TIME that the former Defence Chief was clad in military regalia and accorded full ceremonial honour. Bidding farewell to the officers, men, and women of RSLAF, the former Defence Chief said…
In a significant crackdown on organised crime, seven individuals have been sentenced in the United Kingdom for their roles in smuggling an astonishing 1.3 tonnes of cocaine, valued at £140 million, into the country from Sierra Leone. The operation, orchestrated by a Merseyside-based crime group, involved complex schemes to disguise the illicit drugs as legitimate goods, ultimately leading to their downfall. Darryn Schofield, 45, emerged as the ringleader of this organised crime group (OCG) and was sentenced to an extensive 20 years in prison. He established a fake front company purportedly handling returned items for well-known retailers like Amazon and…