Author: gleanernewspaper

In a notable ceremony in Abuja, the All People’s Congress (APC) Chairman, Alhaji Minkailu Mansaray, presented former President Ernest Bai Koroma with a digital identification and party registration certificate.  This event served as a heartfelt gesture of respect and recognition for Koroma’s invaluable contributions to both the APC and the nation of Sierra Leone. Former President Koroma, who led Sierra Leone from 2007 to 2018 and previously held the position of Chairman and Leader of the APC, expressed profound gratitude to the party’s leadership for their thoughtful acknowledgment. He emphasized the significance of the recognition, particularly during a challenging period…

By Sonny Gilbert In a move towards enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the country’s justice system, the Hon. Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Alpha Sesay Esq, convened a pivotal inaugural meeting with the Heads of Justice Sector Institutions today. The primary focus of the meeting was to deliberate on vital strategies to improve coordination and cooperation among various institutions involved in the implementation of the Justice Sector Reform Strategy for the period 2024 to 2030. The meeting was attended by key figures in the justice sector, including the Deputy Minister of Justice, the Solicitor General, and the Director…

President Julius Maada Bio has officially received the 2023 Annual Report on the Right to Access Information. The presentation took place at the State House, where Dr. Ibrahim Seaga Shaw, Chairman of the Right to Access Information Commission, expressed his deep appreciation to the President for his unwavering support for transparency and accountability initiatives. During the presentation, Dr. Shaw emphasized the transformative impact of the Right to Access Information Act on democratic governance in Sierra Leone. He highlighted that the Act has played a crucial role in promoting transparency and empowering citizens to access vital information, thereby facilitating their active…

President Bio and His Favourite Daughter, Agnes Bio  Agnes Bio, 30, is believed to be a special favourite of the President, who has several children by different mothers. Agnes is currently ‘co-lead’ of the Youth, Peace and Security team in the Sierra Leone Permanent Mission to the United Nations and accredited to the UN Security Council as a diplomat. She runs the Agnes Bio Foundation, which finances training and apprenticeships for young people. But her biggest extravagance may have been a huge party on 29 November last year, which was said to be an engagement party for her and her…

Nelson Mandela addresses the crowd from the balcony of City Hall in Cape Town, South Africa, on February 11, 1990. To his right is Walter Sisulu, his comrade-in-arms who had been released a few months earlier, and to his left is Cyril Ramaphosa, general secretary of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and now President of South Africa (since 2018). © Peter Turnley/Corbis/VCG via Getty  On February 11, 1990, Nelson Mandela, the most famous and oldest political prisoner in the world, took his first steps as a free man. Millions of people around the world who witnessed the event live…

Mohamed Orman Bangura Mohamed Orman Bangura, the Bio-led administration’s Minister of Youth Affairs, has been accused of being the primary instigator of violence in the ongoing lower-level elections for the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP). Reports from various regions, particularly his hometown of Magburka in the Tonkolili District, paint a troubling picture of his actions during the election. Witnesses have reported that Bangura has been seen moving through the area with a large group of party supporters, also known as “thugs.”These individuals were allegedly armed with a variety of offensive weapons, including cutlasses and piercing objects, resulting in an…

A delegation from Sierra Leone, including representatives from the police, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and other government officials, has been in Conakry since February 1, 2025, to further investigate a troubling incident involving a diplomatic vehicle linked to the Sierra Leonean Embassy. The car was seized in Guinea earlier this month and is suspected of transporting suitcases filled with cocaine, a situation that has caused significant embarrassment for the Sierra Leonean government and has strained diplomatic relations between the two neighboring countries. The incident, which first came to light in mid-January, has prompted urgent action from Sierra Leonean authorities,…

In a concerted effort to address the pressing environmental challenges facing the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary (TCS), a collaborative initiative involving the Ministry of Tourism, the National Protected Area Authority (NPAA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), local councilors, headmen from the Regent and Barthurst Communities, the media, and other stakeholders took place on February 5th and 6th, 2025. This joint patrol aimed to assess and reclaim areas designated by the Ministry of Lands and Country Planning for tourism development. The gathering, which took place at the Tacugama Car Park, included prominent figures such as the Executive Director of TCS, Mr. Bala…

Madam Saptieu Elizabeth Saccoh and His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio officiated the oath-taking ceremony for Madam Saptieu Elizabeth Saccoh, who has been appointed as the new Deputy Minister of Justice. During the ceremony, Madam Saccoh took the oath of office, expressing her heartfelt gratitude to President Bio for the confidence he has placed in her. She emphasized her commitment to fulfilling her duties diligently and effectively, vowing to contribute positively to the Ministry of Justice’s objectives. “I will work closely with my immediate boss, the Minister of Justice, to ensure we effectively deliver…

In a heartfelt farewell ceremony held at the Sierra Leone Chancery Hall on February 7, 2025, the staff of the Embassy of Sierra Leone, members of the Sierra Leone community in the United States, and various faith organizations gathered to honor Minister Counselor Rakie Macarthy as she concluded her diplomatic mission in Washington, D.C. The event was marked by expressions of gratitude and reflections on her exemplary service and significant contributions to the Sierra Leonean diaspora. Mr. Victor Sheriff, the Minister Counselor at the Embassy, was among the first to speak, emphasizing the remarkable achievements of Ms. Macarthy during her…