Author: gleanernewspaper
A high-level delegation from Sierra Leone, led by Deputy Minister of Health Prof. Charles Senesie, participated in the inaugural Regional Public Service Leadership Conference on Human Health Workforce Development held in Monrovia, Liberia. The four-day summit brought together experts and senior government officials from various countries to discuss and strategize on enhancing healthcare systems through regional collaboration. During his address, Prof. Senesie praised the conference organizers for their efforts in bringing together leaders to focus on critical healthcare issues. He emphasized the importance of regional cooperation, asserting that it is essential for the improvement of healthcare systems across the region.…
In a groundbreaking initiative aimed at elevating global tourism and fostering business exchanges, the Qatari government has officially ratified a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Sierra Leone. This pivotal agreement, finalized during a recent Cabinet meeting, is set to enhance cooperation between the two nations in the realms of tourism and business events, marking a significant step towards strengthening bilateral ties and promoting economic growth. The MoU underscores Qatar’s strategic vision to broaden its international partnerships, positioning itself as a prominent hub for tourism and global business activities. As both Qatar and Sierra Leone seek to leverage their unique geopolitical…
President Julius Maada Bio and Commissioner General Jeneba Bangura The National Revenue Authority (NRA) is under intense scrutiny as the Ministry of Finance demands increased revenue collection to fund the government’s lavish spending. Recent meetings have highlighted President Julius Maada Bio’s dissatisfaction with the NRA’s ability to generate revenue, which is critical for meeting the government’s rising wage bill and other excessive spending. During a recent meeting at the Customs Department, Finance Minister Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura delivered a stern message on President Bio’s behalf, expressing frustration with the NRA’s failure to meet revenue targets. He emphasised that the country’s…
By Zainab Sunkary KoromaIn the aftermath of Sierra Leone’s brutal 11-year civil war, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) was established under the Lome Peace Accord to promote healing and reconciliation. Among its many recommendations was a call for press freedom, enshrined in Section 75 of Volume 2, Chapter 3 of the 2004 TRC report. The report emphasized that freedom of expression is the lifeblood of democracy and that restrictions on it represent an abysmal state of affairs. Two decades later, Sierra Leone’s press freedom landscape remains a mixed bag. While the country’s 1991 Constitution guarantees freedom of expression, and international…
Africell Sierra Leone has officially kicked off its much-anticipated annual Ramadan initiative, the ‘Na Yu Get’ show, which will reward subscribers with a total of 500,000 new Leones in cash prizes throughout the holy month. The official launch event took place at Africell’s headquarters located at 1 Pivot Street, Wilberforce Village, Freetown, where company representatives expressed their commitment to honouring customers and fostering the spirit of Ramadan. During the launch, Abdul Karim Sesay, the Media Manager of Africell Sierra Leone, emphasized that the ‘Na Yu Get’ show is part of the company’s ongoing tradition to infuse excitement and educational content…
In a remarkable achievement for Sierra Leone, Andrew Bob Johnny, the nation’s Statistician-General, has been unanimously elected as the Rapporteur of the United Nations Statistical Commission (UNSC) for a two-year term. This esteemed position places Mr. Johnny among the Bureau members of the UNSC, where he will bear the important responsibility of documenting, summarizing, and reporting on the discussions and decisions made during the commission’s sessions. As Rapporteur, Mr. Johnny will oversee the reporting on critical issues, proposed standards, and agreed-upon actions related to international statistical best practices for the years 2024 and 2025. This role is typically entrusted to…
Chief Minister Dr David Moinina Sengeh convened a crucial meeting at State House with key stakeholders, including Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr Henry Musa Kpaka, and Acting Director-General of the Sierra Leone Agricultural Research Institute (SLARI), Dr Conteh. The primary agenda was to discuss the implementation of the SLARI Act 2023 and address the urgent concerns of research personnel within the institute. During the meeting, Dr Conteh, representing SLARI staff, expressed heartfelt appreciation to Dr Sengeh for the opportunity to engage in dialogue and acknowledged the consistent support from Dr Kpaka and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food…
In a pivotal address at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) headquarters in Ibadan, Nigeria, His Excellency, President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone, underscored the multifaceted nature of food security, asserting that it transcends mere agricultural production. He articulated that food security is deeply intertwined with economic growth, public health, climate resilience, and national stability, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive approach to address these interconnected challenges. Speaking before a diverse audience of stakeholders from across Africa, President Bio highlighted the systemic complexity of food security. He called for coordinated actions that span multiple sectors and stressed the…
At a high-profile conference organized by Save the Children and Plan International Denmark, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah, passionately advocated for sustained international development aid, particularly urging Denmark to adhere to its commitment of allocating 0.7% of its Gross National Income (GNI) towards global development initiatives. Minister Bah’s appeal came at a critical time when uncertainties surrounding global aid have become increasingly pronounced, especially as major donors like USAID withdraw funding and the UK hints at potential cuts. In front of representatives from all major Danish political parties, Minister Bah emphasised the pressing need for…
Mr. Leslie Ohomele, Associate Director of the King’s Foundation and His Excellency Dr. Julius Maada Bio His Excellency Dr. Julius Maada Bio welcomed Mr. Leslie Ohomele, Associate Director of the King’s Foundation based in the United Kingdom, for a courtesy visit at the State House. This meeting marks a pivotal step in the ongoing collaboration between the Sierra Leonean government and the King’s Foundation, following President Bio’s earlier engagement with the organization during his trip to Scotland. During the visit, Press Secretary Yusuf Keketorma Sandi Esq. outlined the purpose of the meeting, emphasizing that it was a continuation of President…