Author: gleanernewspaper

Sierra Leone’s Minister of Transport and Aviation, Ambassador Col. (Rtd.) Alhaji Fanday Turay Esq., led a high-level delegation to a bilateral meeting with Egypt’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Industry, H.E. General Kamel El-Wazir, at the ministry’s new Cairo headquarters. This meeting reflects Sierra Leone and Egypt’s increasing collaboration, particularly in the transport sector. Minister Turay expressed gratitude on behalf of Sierra Leone’s President, Brigadier (Rtd.) Julius Maada Bio, for Egypt’s warm hospitality and the two countries’ long-standing partnership. He emphasised the strong bilateral relationship and ongoing collaboration in critical areas such as aviation, shipping, public transportation,…

The Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL) has entered into a groundbreaking partnership with the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID), which was formalised by the signing of a three-year Country Partnership Framework (CPF) Agreement worth US$260 million. This agreement, which will be in effect from July 2025 to June 2028, is intended to support several critical development initiatives in the country. The historic agreement was signed by Sierra Leone’s Finance Minister, Hon. Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura, and OFID President, Dr. Abdulhamid Alkhalifa. The CPF Agreement funds are set aside for critical projects aimed at improving agriculture, agribusiness, renewable energy, road…

His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio officially launched the Water Security and WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) Access Project. This ambitious initiative, supported by a $180 million World Bank investment, aims to address the country’s pressing water access and sanitation issues. The project, themed “Securing Water, Enabling Dignity, and Advancing Development,” aims to reach 4 million people by 2035, with a goal of 90% national coverage in WASH services. During his keynote address at the launch event, President Bio emphasised that the initiative is a watershed moment in Sierra Leone’s ongoing journey towards equity, dignity, and sustainable development. He…

Africell Sierra Leone has made a significant investment in the future of the country’s sports by officially sponsoring the national Under-16 basketball team as they prepare for the FIBA AfroBasket Zone 2 Qualifiers in Conakry, Guinea. The sponsorship agreement was signed on Monday, July 7, 2025, at Africell’s headquarters on Pivot Street in Wilberforce, representing a watershed moment in Sierra Leone’s youth sports development. The signing event drew a large crowd of notable attendees, including high-ranking officials from the Sierra Leone Basketball Federation (SLBF), players, media representatives, and various stakeholders who all expressed their support for the young athletes. The…

His Excellency Paul Sobba Massaquoi  to the Republic of Korea and Seok Hwa Hong, KOICA’s Vice President His Excellency Paul Sobba Massaquoi, Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, paid a courtesy call at the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), a significant step towards reinforcing Sierra Leone and South Korea’s long-standing development partnership. This high-level meeting aimed to foster deeper collaboration, review ongoing projects, and conduct a comprehensive needs assessment to ensure that KOICA’s assistance is effectively aligned with Sierra Leone’s national development priorities. Seok Hwa Hong, KOICA’s Vice President, and other senior officials welcomed Ambassador Massaquoi warmly at the agency’s…

The leadership of the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) and the All People’s Congress (APC) met with His Excellency, President Julius Maada Bio, at State House to discuss pressing issues affecting Parliament’s operations. The meeting’s purpose was to provide updates on the implementation of the Agreement for National Unity, discuss recommendations from the Tripartite Committee, and congratulate the President on his recent accomplishments. Dr. David Moinina Sengeh, Chief Minister, opened the session by welcoming the parliamentary leaders and reiterating the Executive’s commitment to promoting collaboration and dialogue for national cohesion. Following his remarks, Hon. Mathew Sahr Nyuma, Leader of Government…

Paramount Chief Member of Parliament, P.C. Hon. Alhaji Musa Bamba Foray Kulio Jalloh III On Thursday, July 3, 2025, a pivotal moment unfolded in the Sierra Leonean Parliament as Paramount Chief Member of Parliament, P.C. Hon. Alhaji Musa Bamba Foray Kulio Jalloh III, spearheaded a petition addressing urgent land ownership issues that have ignited tensions between local communities and government regulatory bodies. The petition, representing the voices of communities and fellow Paramount Chiefs from Dansogoia, Sambaia, and Diang Chiefdoms in the Tonkolili District, seeks to confront pressing concerns regarding land rights in light of recent directives from the Sierra Leone…

His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio received members of the Board of the National Revenue Authority (NRA) at State House, where the delegation briefed him on the authority’s ongoing activities and performance.Board Chairman Mr. Kabineh Kallon, in his opening remarks, expressed gratitude to President Bio for granting them audience and congratulated him on his recent election as Chairman of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government. He noted that the visit was to update the President on the NRA’s work, acknowledging that despite the numerous challenges faced by the authority, it has remained committed to mobilising revenue for…

Former Liberian President and Nobel Peace Laureate, Her Excellency Dr. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, recently visited State House in Freetown to extend her congratulations to His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio on his recent appointment as Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). During her courtesy call, Dr. Sirleaf expressed her admiration for President Bio’s leadership qualities, emphasizing that his new role comes at a critical juncture for the region, filled with both challenges and opportunities. “With you as the new Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority, we are…

At the 51st Session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) held in Istanbul, Türkiye, Sierra Leone’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mrs. Francess P. Alghali, made a compelling case for the reform of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). Her remarks, delivered on June 22, 2025, underscored the pressing need for a more equitable, representative, and accountable global governance system, particularly as it pertains to the African continent. In her address, Deputy Minister Alghali pointed out the glaring underrepresentation of Africa within the UNSC, despite the continent’s crucial role in global…