Author: gleanernewspaper

During the holy month of Ramadan and Lent, Sheikh Alhaji Mohamed “Omodu” Kamara, also known as Jagaban, donated 444 bags of rice to the All People’s Congress (APC) in Sierra Leone’s Eastern Region. This charitable act will benefit the communities of Kenema, Kailahun, and Kono districts, demonstrating the party’s dedication to supporting its members and constituents.  Jagaban was greeted warmly and enthusiastically, with APC Kenema Secretary-General Prince Bindi taking the opportunity to introduce him. He emphasised that this donation represents unity and shared progress within the party. Mr. Enssah Jajua, Kailahun District Chairman, praised Jagaban’s unwavering commitment to development, calling…

The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), with generous funding from the European Union (EU), officially transferred four Toyota Land Cruiser Hardtop vehicles to the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MoECC), marking a significant step towards sustainable forestry practices in Sierra Leone. This initiative is an important part of the EU’s ongoing support for sustainable forest management in the country. The handover ceremony was held at the MoECC headquarters on Wilkinson Road in Freetown, with representatives from the European Union, FAO, various stakeholders, and media members present to commemorate this historic event. The provision of these…

A remarkable woman named Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr is leading a significant battle in Sierra Leone against the looming threat of climate change. A decade ago, as the country was recovering from the devastating Ebola epidemic, Aki-Sawyerr witnessed the onset of another crisis—this time one caused by environmental degradation. The lush tropical rainforests surrounding Freetown, the capital, were being ruthlessly cleared for housing and fuel, causing a deep sense of loss and despair. “I just suddenly noticed the level of deforestation,” she explains. “I parked my car and wept.” Her emotional reaction was not unreasonable. The widespread deforestation had disastrous consequences, removing much of…

From his decade-long experience in a children’s care centre and now as Director of the same center where he grew up, Nabs believes there is a better and more sustainable model of supporting vulnerable children. Nabs By Ken Kagicha For a man who spent his better part of his childhood in an orphanage in Sierra Leone, it would be safe to assume that Emmanuel Mohamed Nabieu, fondly known as Nabs, would be a passionate advocate of orphanages. But from his decade-long experience in a children’s care centre and now as Director of the same center where he grew up in, Nabs believes…

Agnes Bio, Jos “Bolle Jos” Leijdekkers, Europe’s most wanted fugitive. The extradition of Jos “Bolle Jos” Leijdekkers, the Netherlands’ most wanted fugitive, is complicated by his relationship with Agnes Bio, Sierra Leone’s president’s daughter. Leijdekkers is wanted in the Netherlands and Belgium for his involvement in major drug trafficking operations. According to reports, he impregnated Bio, which may give him more legal protection in Sierra Leone, complicating the Dutch authorities’ efforts to apprehend and extradite him. Several sources, including opposition politician Mohamed Kamarainba Mansaray, confirm that Leijdekkers is still in Sierra Leone. Mansaray, who recently met with Dutch journalists in a private…

By Hafsatu Z. Bangura “Beware the Ides of March!” A chilling warning from history, forever tied to the betrayal and assassination of Julius Caesar on March 15, 44 BCE. His downfall was not at the hands of foreign invaders, but by his own Senate, men he once trusted. His death marked the collapse of the Roman Republic and the rise of an empire built on power struggles and deception. Fast forward to today, and the echoes of that betrayal can still be heard, not in ancient Rome, but in Sierra Leone. The daggers may not be literal, but the political betrayals,…

Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama has concluded a one-day official visit to Sierra Leone, where he met with his counterpart, President Dr. Julius Maada Bio, at Lungi International Airport. This visit demonstrates the two West African countries’ enduring historical and political ties, as both leaders engaged in meaningful discussions aimed at strengthening their bilateral relationship. In his welcome address, President Bio expressed his excitement about hosting President Mahama, whom he regards as both a colleague and a close friend. He stated that this was President Mahama’s first visit to Sierra Leone since taking office on January 7, 2025, and he…

On March 12, 2025, Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh of the Republic of Sierra Leone conducted a courtesy visit to the Port of Freetown, where he was warmly welcomed by Mr. Yankuba Askia Bio, the Director General of the Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority (SLPHA). The visit aimed to provide the Vice President with an insight into the ongoing developments and operational activities at the port. During the tour, Dr. Jalloh was escorted through various sections of the port facilities, allowing him to observe firsthand the significant efforts being made to enhance port operations. The Director General took…

Honourable Justice Komba Kamanda, Chief Justice of Sierra Leone, recently received His Excellency Ali Ibrahim Alheji, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Sierra Leone, at his chambers located in the Law Court Building in Freetown. This meeting underscored the enduring and unique bilateral relations between the two nations, with both parties expressing a desire to enhance cooperation for mutual benefit. During his welcome address, Chief Justice Kamanda emphasized the importance of the longstanding relationship between Sierra Leone and Saudi Arabia. He articulated his hope that these ties would not only persist but also strengthen over time, serving…

In a formal farewell ceremony held at the State House, Mr. Kalilu Totangi, the newly appointed Deputy Permanent Representative for Political Affairs to the United Nations, and Madam Michaela B. E. Swallow, the Deputy Permanent Representative for Legal Affairs, took their leave from His Excellency Dr. Julius Maada Bio. The occasion marked the beginning of a new chapter for both representatives as they prepared to advocate for Sierra Leone’s national interests on the global stage. The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mr Timothy Musa Kabba, was present to inform President Bio that both appointees had successfully secured parliamentary…