Author: gleanernewspaper

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.…

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…