Author: gleanernewspaper

His Excellency, President Dr Julius Maada Bio, received letters of recall and letters of credence from six newly accredited envoys representing their respective countries at a formal ceremony held at State House in Freetown.The diplomats included Her Excellency Ms. Norma Sanchez Aguila, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Cuba to the Republic of Sierra Leone; His Excellency Mr. Abdelhafid Hachem, Ambassador of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria; His Excellency Mr. Roey Gilad, Ambassador of the State of Israel; Her Excellency Ms. Myriam Montrac, High Commissioner of Canada; His Excellency Mr. Isaac Keen Parashina, Ambassador of the Republic…

A high-powered delegation from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) led by the Technical Assistance Advisor, Fiscal Affairs Department, Seydou Coulibaly, has held a strategic maiden engagement with cross cross-section of the management of the National Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NPRA) at the British Council Building in Freetown.The engagement, which hinges on excise, import duties, retail petroleum prices, revenue generation, the value chain network within the industry, and the overall operational framework of the Petroleum Regulatory Agency, has been in the last six years and the critical transition to the National Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NPRA).The Director General of the National Petroleum Regulatory…

Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to Iran, H.E. Salamu Koroma, has held a high-level meeting with Mr. Mohammad Reza Ayyazi, owner and managing director of TUBA Company (Turkey) and the Petrochemical Management Team (PMT Co., Iran), as part of ongoing efforts to attract major industrial investments into Sierra Leone.The meeting follows the recently concluded Third Iran-Africa International Economic Cooperation Summit held in Tehran and Isfahan.Mr. Ayyazi expressed strong interest in establishing various industrial projects in Sierra Leone, including petrochemical and gas refineries, solar energy facilities, AI-driven security factories, and water treatment systems. He emphasized that their companies utilize state-of-the-art global technologies and…

Mohamed Gento Kamara-founder and owner of the Gento Group of Companies Gento Group has reaffirmed the legitimacy of its operations in the Tonkolili North-Kasafoni Iron Ore Deposit, emphasising its adherence to Sierra Leone’s legal framework and the consent of legitimate landowning communities, in a strong rebuttal to recent assertions made by the Sierra Leone Mines and Minerals Development and Management Corporation (SIMMDMC). This clarification is in response to a public notice issued by SIMMDMC on June 5, 2025, claiming that the Corporation has exclusive control over the Kasafoni concession, as stated in the Sierra Leone Mines and Minerals Development and…

His Excellency, President Dr Julius Maada Bio, has officially received the report on the Independent Management and Functional Review of the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL) and other Election Management Bodies (EMBs). The comprehensive report, produced by the Public Sector Reform Unit (PSRU) in collaboration with the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), identified key challenges and made 85 actionable recommendations aimed at improving the effectiveness and credibility of the Commission’s operations in future elections.In his remarks, President Bio expressed deep appreciation to the wide range of stakeholders who participated in the review process, including civil society organisations, the…

In a landmark step toward sustainable development and inclusive energy access, His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio is set to officially launch the Salone Off-grid Renewable Energy Acceleration Initiative (SOGREA), a €34 million (approximately 830 million New Leones) solar minigrid project that will significantly advance Sierra Leone’s green energy future. Hosted by Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL), the initiative is a collaborative effort between the Government of Sierra Leone, the European Union (EU), and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS).SOGREA aims to increase energy access in rural communities across the country by 2027, deploying at least 5.2…

A historic land lease agreement has been signed between the Tonkolili District’s local community and the Gento Group, led by renowned businessman and philanthropist Mohamed Gento Kamara. The Gento Group will be granted the right to operate and invest in the mineral-rich Kasafoni Land, which is located in Tonkolili District’s northern belt. The agreement was finalized on June 4, 2025. This collaboration is being lauded as a significant step towards community-led development and local investment. The formal signing occurred at a grand homecoming ceremony for the newly sworn-in Paramount Chief Member of Parliament, Alhaji Musa Bamba Foray Kulio Jalloh III,…

The Government of Sierra Leone has officially launched the ‘Feed Salone’ Strategy, a comprehensive initiative aimed at transforming the Fisheries and Marine Resources sectors. This strategic move underscores the government’s commitment to achieving food sovereignty, promoting inclusive economic growth, and fostering sustainable development through the blue economy. During the launch event, Chief Minister Dr. David Moinina Sengeh delivered a keynote address on behalf of His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio. He highlighted the critical role that the fisheries sector plays in the nation’s development. “This initiative represents more than just the unveiling of a policy document; it is a national…

By Jeneba A Conteh In a landmark initiative aimed at bolstering professionalism and transparency within Sierra Leone’s judiciary, Chief Justice Komba Kamanda has introduced new office uniforms for various categories of staff members. This strategic move is designed to enhance the public’s ability to identify legitimate judiciary personnel and to foster greater trust in the judicial process. The newly designed uniforms cater to a diverse range of staff within the judiciary, including administrative personnel, bailiffs, office assistants, cleaners, registrars, messengers, and drivers. By providing distinct uniforms for each category, the judiciary aims to cultivate a sense of professionalism among its…

In a significant diplomatic event, His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone welcomed His Excellency Ousmane Sonko, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Senegal, to the State House for a working visit focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation between the two West African nations. This visit underscores the longstanding relationship between Sierra Leone and Senegal, marking a new chapter of a partnership aimed at fostering mutual development. During the warm reception, President Bio conveyed heartfelt greetings to the people of Senegal on behalf of the Sierra Leonean government and its citizens. He highlighted the deep-rooted ties that have…