Author: gleanernewspaper

In a pivotal meeting aimed at enhancing disaster preparedness in Sierra Leone, the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) engaged with the Indian High Commissioner, H.E. B. C. Pradhan, to discuss the development of an advanced Early Warning System (EWS). This strategic dialogue took place at the Indian High Commission located at 32B Wilkinson Road, Freetown, and underscores the commitment of both nations to bolster disaster risk management capabilities. The meeting was prompted by a formal proposal submitted by the Indian Commission two weeks prior, which outlined the Indian Government’s intention to provide technical expertise and institutional support to the NDMA.…

His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio today received the 2025 Status of Youth Report in Sierra Leone, presented by the Minister of Youth Affairs, Mr. Ibrahim Sannoh.Presenting the context and rationale of the report, Mr. James Bondeva Sandi, Director of Programmes, described the publication as a critical, data-driven account of the realities facing Sierra Leone’s youth. “Your Excellency, this report presents empirical evidence on the conditions of young people, who make up a significant portion of our population. Understanding their needs is essential for effective policy and programming,” he noted.Mr. Sandi added that the research outlines both challenges and…

Fassally Tarawally and His Excellency, President Julius Maada Bio His Excellency, President Julius Maada Bio, has praised renowned entrepreneur Fassally Tarawally for his ambitious investment in Sierra Leone’s tourism and entertainment sectors, which includes the grand opening of Chapter One Night Club, an exquisite 5-star destination located on the picturesque Lumley Beach. During the inauguration ceremony, President Bio reiterated his consistent call since taking office in 2018 for successful Sierra Leoneans, both at home and abroad, to contribute to the country’s development and help transform Sierra Leone into a premier destination. The President praised Chapter One’s high standards, noting that…

Paramount Chief Alimamy Bockarie Yalan Koroma III of Dansogoia Chiefdom, and Hon. PC Alhaji Musa Bamba Foray Kulio Jalloh III, of Sambaia Chiefdom. The tribal authorities and residents of the Dansogoia, Sambaia, and Diang Chiefdoms have formally expressed their strong opposition to the recent position taken by the Sierra Leone Mines and Minerals Development and Management Corporation (SLMMDC) and the Ministry of Information and Civic Education (MoICE) regarding the contentious Kasafoni land dispute. This rejection was articulated in a petition letter dated June 23, 2025, addressed to the Speaker of Parliament, highlighting what they describe as an unlawful and unconstitutional…

Statistics Sierra Leone (Stats SL) has held a high-level strategic engagement with the All Political Parties Association (APPA) and the Political Parties Regulation Commission (PPRC) to provide updates on the implementation of the 2026 Population and Housing Census (PHC’26).The session, convened at Kona Lodge in Freetown, brought together senior representatives from across the political spectrum, including the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Revolutionary United Front Party (RUFP), United National People’s Party (UNPP), National Grand Coalition (NGC), National Democratic Alliance (NDA), Alliance Democratic Party (ADP), National Unity and Reconciliation Party (NURP), Citizens Democratic Party (CDP), People’s Movement for Democratic Change (PMDC), Peace…

UN Resident Coordinator Seraphine Wakana praised the Government of Sierra Leone for its steadfast commitment to the objectives outlined in the UN Food System Summit, noting that it has been on a journey towards transformational food system change since 2021.She was speaking at the validation workshop on the review of progress against food systems pathways, held at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Freetown by the Sun and Food Systems Coordination Unit in the Office of the Vice President of Sierra Leone. “Over the past five years, Sierra Leone has made noteworthy progress, underscoring the significance of this occasion to review our…

President of Sierra Leone, His Excellency Dr. Julius Maada Bio, delivered a powerful statement at the GAVI Global Summit in Brussels, calling for renewed global commitment to health equity and immunisation access for all children, regardless of where they are born.Addressing world leaders and health advocates, President Bio emphasized that “health through immunisation is not a privilege, it is a right,” urging nations to treat access to vaccines as a matter of justice, not charity. He highlighted Sierra Leone’s achievements in expanding immunisation, including the introduction of the malaria and HPV vaccines and maintaining over 90% coverage of key childhood…

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has concluded a technical assistance mission to support Sierra Leone in its pursuit of a sovereign credit rating; a move aimed at strengthening the country’s ability to access international capital markets and attract foreign investment. This initiative follows a formal request by the Ministry of Finance for support in building capacity and mobilizing sustainable financing for national development. The mission, led by UNDP Africa’s Chief Economist Dr. Raymond Gilpin and international credit ratings expert Mr. Kelvin Dalrymple, is part of UNDP Africa’s technical assistance initiative to support countries to better prepare and understand the…

British actor and entrepreneur Idris Elba, accompanied by his team from Sherbro Alliance Partners (SAP) Ltd, paid a courtesy call on His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio to express gratitude for the Government’s support and the recent parliamentary ratification of the Sherbro Island investment project.The visit marks a significant milestone in the realisation of the Sherbro Island transformation initiative, an ambitious public-private partnership aimed at turning the island into a thriving hub for tourism, business, and economic growth.In his opening remarks, Mr. Elba thanked the President and Parliament for their steadfast commitment to the project. “I want to formally express…

A coalition of civil society organisations dedicated to environmental stewardship and land rights in Sierra Leone has issued a strong condemnation of the National Protected Area Authority (NPAA) and the Ministry of Lands, Housing, and Country Planning’s proposal to re-demarcate the Western Area Peninsula National Park (WAPNP). This alarming plan aims to excise 5,000 hectares from the existing protected forest area, which represents a significant 28.9% reduction in size, shrinking the park from 17,185 hectares to just 12,218 hectares. The WAPNP is not merely a forest; it is a crucial ecological asset that plays a vital role in maintaining the environmental health…