Author: gleanernewspaper

Tommy Garnett founded the Environmental Foundation for Africa, whose work played a key role in Tiwai Island becoming a UNESCO Heritage Site. PHOTO: SAIDU BAH By Lucie PEYTERMANN, with Saidu BAH on Tiwai Island ADDS quotes from UNESCO director general Activist Tommy Garnett’s decades of work paid off when Sierra Leone’s Tiwai island — a lush forest home to one of the world’s highest concentrations of primates — landed a spot Sunday on the UN cultural agency’s World Heritage list. The 66-year-old and the conservation group he founded are the reason Tiwai, which was nearly destroyed during Sierra Leone’s 1991-2002 civil war,…

Her Excellency Madam Angie Lavela von Ballmoos and His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio The Ambassador of the Republic of Liberia to the Republic of Sierra Leone, Her Excellency Madam Angie Lavela von Ballmoos, has officially taken leave of His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio after three years of dedicated service in Sierra Leone.Reflecting on her time in the country, Ambassador von Ballmoos noted that it was with a heavy heart that she bade farewell, marking the end of a fulfilling tenure in what she described as a beautiful and welcoming nation. She expressed deep appreciation for the warm hospitality…

By Ibrahim Sorie Koroma. Sierra Leone successfully administered the first dose of the Mpox vaccine to 133,710 people through two rounds of proactive vaccination campaigns, according to the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) of the Ministry of Health. This effort demonstrates the country’s commitment to combating the Mpox outbreak, which was declared after the first confirmed case in February 2025. According to vaccination data, males account for 52% of those vaccinated, totalling 69,529. Females account for 48%, with 64,181 individuals receiving the vaccine. Notably, the majority of vaccinated people—77%, or 102,957—are between the ages of 20 and 49 years. This…

Dr. Charles Edward Lahai Senessie-(R) The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria has officially appointed Professor Dr. Charles Edward Lahai Senessie as a Member of its Strategy Committee for the 2025–2028 term, representing the West and Central Africa constituency. His appointment follows the Global Fund Board Decision Point GF/B52/EDP10, approved on 8th April 2025.Dr. Senessie’s three-year term, effective from 10th May 2025, places him at the heart of one of the Global Fund’s most influential decision-making bodies. The Strategy Committee is responsible for guiding and overseeing the Fund’s strategic direction, ensuring that its work remains aligned with global health priorities, scientific evidence,…

His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio has officially decorated the newly appointed Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant General Amara Idara Bangura, along with Major General S.D.T. Ngaujah, Major General K.T. Sesay, and other general-ranking officers during a solemn ceremony held at State House.During the decoration ceremony and oath-taking, the Secretary to the President, Mr. Baba Fortune, explained that based on the recommendation of the Defence Council, His Excellency President Bio had graciously approved the promotions of Lt. Gen. Bangura and his colleagues. The newly promoted officers were administered their oaths of office by established military tradition.In his remarks, Lieutenant General…

The President of the Republic of Sierra Leone and Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, His Excellency Dr. Julius Maada Bio, delivered a detailed progress report on regional integration within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) during the 7th Mid-Year Coordination Meeting of the African Union held in Malabo.The summit, hosted by President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea and chaired by President João Lourenço of Angola, brought together African Union (AU) leaders, heads of Regional Economic Communities (RECs), and other key stakeholders. The gathering focused on assessing the continent’s progress in…

Sierra Leone’s energy sector, the Directorate of Science, Technology, and Innovation (DSTI) has been officially tasked with developing three critical digital systems to improve governance, transparency, and service delivery. This initiative marks the start of a strategic collaboration between DSTI and the Ministry of Energy (MoE), following a project kickoff meeting in Freetown. Jasper Sembie, Director and Chief Operating Officer of DSTI, presided over the meeting, which also included members of the DSTI Product Team and Dr. Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella, Energy Sector Lead. The collaboration is consistent with President Julius Maada Bio’s commitment to sustainable energy, which is a key…

A pioneering community-based mentoring initiative in Sierra Leone has made significant progress in improving the survival rates of pregnant adolescent girls and their infants, according to recent research findings. The programme connects young mothers with local mentors, resulting in a reported doubling of survival rates over previous data. This initiative addresses critical health issues while also assisting many participants in returning to formal education. The mentoring programme is designed to provide comprehensive support during pregnancy and postpartum, addressing both medical and social issues that adolescent mothers frequently face. Mentors offer valuable advice on a variety of topics, including prenatal care, nutrition, and effective parenting…

Mr. Mohamed Foday Yumkellah and His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio Ambassador-designate to the Republic of Guinea, with concurrent accreditation to Mali, Mr. Mohamed Foday Yumkellah, today bid farewell to His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio after completing all formalities and receiving his letters of credence.In his farewell remarks, Mr. Yumkellah took the opportunity to congratulate President Bio on his election as Chairperson of the Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).He expressed gratitude to the President for his appointment and pledged his commitment to strengthening the bilateral ties between Sierra Leone and…

Minister of Health and Sanitation, Dr. Austin Demby and Statistician-General, Mr. Andrew Bob Johnny Statistics Sierra Leone (Stats SL) recently held a strategic meeting with the Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MoHS) to discuss the implementation plan for the upcoming Demographic and Health Survey (DHS), which is a significant step towards improving health data collection. The meeting, which was held in a collaborative spirit, aimed to provide a comprehensive status update on the DHS as well as outline a clear roadmap for its successful implementation. The meeting was attended by the Minister of Health and Sanitation, Dr. Austin Demby; Sierra Leone’s Statistician-General, Mr.…