Author: gleanernewspaper
His Excellency, President Dr Julius Maada Bio, launched the nation’s first-ever iron rod manufacturing factory, owned by Odhav Multi Industries (SL) Limited, reaching a historic industrial milestone. The facility is projected to save the country between US$250 million and US$500 million annually in iron rod importation costs while reducing dependency on foreign exchange. In his keynote address, President Bio emphasized that the factory represents a significant leap forward in the country’s industrial development and economic self-sufficiency. He noted that the facility, which will produce 120,000 metric tons of iron rods annually, aligns with his administration’s vision of fostering a thriving…
Sierra Leone’s President, His Excellency, President Julius Maada Bio, officially opened the 29th Ministerial Committee Meeting of the Inter-Governmental Action Group Against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) at the New Brookfields Hotel, Freetown. GIABA, a specialized ECOWAS institution, coordinates efforts to combat money laundering, terrorist financing, and proliferation financing (ML/TF/PF) across West Africa. In his opening remarks, the Director General of GIABA, Mr. Edwin W. Harris Jr., expressed gratitude to President Bio for gracing the conference. He highlighted the publication of a regional report, which underscores the need for intensified efforts to address financial crimes in West Africa. “While…
By Augustine Sorie-Sengbe Marrah The energy infrastructure project is nearly as old as our nation’s republic. The Bumbuna hydroelectric dam was commissioned in 1975 and held immense optimism for power generation. Since then, successive governments have promised to complete the Bumbuna hydro project, which now seems like redirecting the course of the Atlantic Ocean. And Bumbuna has become the politician’s favourite playbook in which their solutions wrapped in gimmicks are laid out in quintessential theories and conjectures. At least in the last twenty years, politicians from all spectrums have promised, licking a finger and pointing it to the sky, that…
Sierra Leone’s Deputy Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, Umaru Napoleon Koroma, has highlighted the government’s significant reforms in managing critical minerals during the Commonwealth high-level roundtable meeting. This session, held as part of the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals, and Sustainable Development (IGF) 20th Annual General Meeting, aims to develop a comprehensive handbook to guide member states in managing critical minerals for the global energy transition. The Commonwealth Secretariat has been instrumental in providing technical assistance to member states in the energy and extractive sectors, particularly Sierra Leone, fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing. Speaking at the event, Deputy Minister…
By Michaela Bonnie Sierra Leone’s Embassy in Seoul took part in the 7th Model African Union (AU) Assembly, held on November 15 and 16, 2024, at the National Assembly Members Building in South Korea. This year’s assembly, organised by the AU-Korean African Foundation in collaboration with the National Assembly Forum for Africa and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, aimed to foster an understanding of African issues among Korea’s youth. The event brought together African and Korean representatives to engage in insightful discussions on the theme, “Educate an African Fit for the 21st Century.” The gathering…
By Ishmael Bayoh Hon. Vice President Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, on Saturday, 16th November 2024, told Sierra Leonean artists at the Embassy who are participating in the 15th edition of the Dak’Art that he was proud of their participation in showcasing their talents and marketing Sierra Leone. The Hon. Vice President, who came to engage in several bilateral meetings with government officials of Senegal, joined the renowned group exhibition of Sierra Leonean artists exploring the ancestry of freed enslaved people, feminism in Africa, tribal unity, postconflict transitional justice and African landscapes, which is happening for the first in the history…
Minister of Finance, Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura Minister of Finance Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura, on Friday, 15th November 2024, delivered what many have described as a welfare, people-centred budget for 2025, titled Improving the Well-Being and Quality of Life of Sierra Leoneans. The Minister of Finance, Sheku Fantamadi Bangura, highlighted the progress made despite the uncertainties in recent years, which adversely affected the domestic economic performance and the policies the government formulated and implemented in 2023 and 2024 to mitigate the impact of the shocks and correct policy slippages. He further stated that the government will continue to improve access…
Africell Sierra Leone, the country’s leading telecommunications provider, has officially launched the 3rd edition of the Freetown Marathon. The announcement was made during a vibrant ceremony held on Friday, November 15, 2024, at the company’s headquarters on Pivot Street, Wilberforce, Freetown. Set to take place on Sunday, December 8, 2024, the marathon aims to promote health, fitness, and community engagement while showcasing the beauty of Sierra Leone. Participants from across the nation are expected to join this year’s event, which will feature four race categories. The Freetown Marathon will include the following categories to cater to a wide range of…
The Parliament of Sierra Leone on Tuesday, 15/10/2024, extensively debated and ratified, with unanimity, the Millennium Challenge Compact Between the Republic of Sierra Leone and the United States of America and the Programme Implementation Agreement Between the Republic of Sierra Leone and the United States of America. The two agreements, championed by the Minister of Finance, Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura, were unanimously approved by the Members of Parliament following an emergency sitting convened by the President of Sierra Leone, Dr. Julius Maada Bio. He assured them that these agreements hold immense potential for the nation, particularly in the energy sector,…
FG Gold mining site Workers at the FG Gold mining facility in Sierra Leone have expressed their dissatisfaction, urging the government to intervene and help them negotiate better working conditions with the company’s management. In an interview with the Gleaner Newspaper, miners described their working conditions as similar to modern-day slavery, with long hours without adequate compensation or basic amenities. One miner, who requested anonymity, stated that the company initially made numerous promises about their working conditions. However, the workers’ reality changed dramatically over time. “We see what foreign workers enjoy while we receive a pittance in salary, no medical…