Author: gleanernewspaper

His Excellency, President Dr Julius Maada Bio, has officially received the report on the Independent Management and Functional Review of the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL) and other Election Management Bodies (EMBs). The comprehensive report, produced by the Public Sector Reform Unit (PSRU) in collaboration with the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), identified key challenges and made 85 actionable recommendations aimed at improving the effectiveness and credibility of the Commission’s operations in future elections.In his remarks, President Bio expressed deep appreciation to the wide range of stakeholders who participated in the review process, including civil society organisations, the…

In a landmark step toward sustainable development and inclusive energy access, His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio is set to officially launch the Salone Off-grid Renewable Energy Acceleration Initiative (SOGREA), a €34 million (approximately 830 million New Leones) solar minigrid project that will significantly advance Sierra Leone’s green energy future. Hosted by Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL), the initiative is a collaborative effort between the Government of Sierra Leone, the European Union (EU), and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS).SOGREA aims to increase energy access in rural communities across the country by 2027, deploying at least 5.2…

A historic land lease agreement has been signed between the Tonkolili District’s local community and the Gento Group, led by renowned businessman and philanthropist Mohamed Gento Kamara. The Gento Group will be granted the right to operate and invest in the mineral-rich Kasafoni Land, which is located in Tonkolili District’s northern belt. The agreement was finalized on June 4, 2025. This collaboration is being lauded as a significant step towards community-led development and local investment. The formal signing occurred at a grand homecoming ceremony for the newly sworn-in Paramount Chief Member of Parliament, Alhaji Musa Bamba Foray Kulio Jalloh III,…

The Government of Sierra Leone has officially launched the ‘Feed Salone’ Strategy, a comprehensive initiative aimed at transforming the Fisheries and Marine Resources sectors. This strategic move underscores the government’s commitment to achieving food sovereignty, promoting inclusive economic growth, and fostering sustainable development through the blue economy. During the launch event, Chief Minister Dr. David Moinina Sengeh delivered a keynote address on behalf of His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio. He highlighted the critical role that the fisheries sector plays in the nation’s development. “This initiative represents more than just the unveiling of a policy document; it is a national…

By Jeneba A Conteh In a landmark initiative aimed at bolstering professionalism and transparency within Sierra Leone’s judiciary, Chief Justice Komba Kamanda has introduced new office uniforms for various categories of staff members. This strategic move is designed to enhance the public’s ability to identify legitimate judiciary personnel and to foster greater trust in the judicial process. The newly designed uniforms cater to a diverse range of staff within the judiciary, including administrative personnel, bailiffs, office assistants, cleaners, registrars, messengers, and drivers. By providing distinct uniforms for each category, the judiciary aims to cultivate a sense of professionalism among its…

In a significant diplomatic event, His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone welcomed His Excellency Ousmane Sonko, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Senegal, to the State House for a working visit focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation between the two West African nations. This visit underscores the longstanding relationship between Sierra Leone and Senegal, marking a new chapter of a partnership aimed at fostering mutual development. During the warm reception, President Bio conveyed heartfelt greetings to the people of Senegal on behalf of the Sierra Leonean government and its citizens. He highlighted the deep-rooted ties that have…

Africell Sierra Leone has reaffirmed its pivotal role in the nation’s digital transformation by actively participating in the 2025 Sierra Leone Innovates Digital Government Summit, which took place in Freetown. Organized by the Ministry of Communication, Technology, and Innovation (MoCTI), this prestigious event gathered government officials, private sector representatives, youth innovators, and international partners to discuss strategies for fostering a smarter and more inclusive digital landscape in Sierra Leone.As one of the primary sponsors of the summit, Africell went beyond merely providing financial backing; the company took an active role in shaping the event’s vision and overall success. Malek El…

In a significant advancement for Sierra Leone’s healthcare system, the World Health Organization (WHO) has made a generous donation of medical supplies and equipment valued at over $640,000. This contribution aims to bolster the Ministry of Health and the National Public Health Agency (NPHA) in their efforts to combat the mpox outbreak and enhance overall health services in the country. This marks the third donation of mpox control laboratory and medical supplies since the outbreak began in January 2025, and it stands as the largest contribution to Sierra Leone this year. The supplies are strategically designed to strengthen the national…

In an important move to ensure the effective execution of the upcoming 2026 Decennial Population and Housing Census (PHC ’26), Statistics Sierra Leone (Stats SL) convened a high-level roundtable meeting with members of the Census Advisory Committee. This significant gathering aimed to provide a thorough update on the current status of the census implementation, fostering collaboration among key stakeholders. The meeting witnessed robust participation from a diverse range of committee members, including representatives from the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED), the Parliamentary Sub-Committee on Population and Development, and the Inter-Religious Council of Sierra Leone. Additionally, the gathering included…

Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority’s Director General, Yakuba Askia Bio Sierra Leone’s Port of Freetown is on the verge of a digital revolution, thanks to a needs assessment mission that ran from May 26 to May 30. This mission has laid the groundwork for the implementation of a Maritime Single Window (MSW) system, which is a centralized digital platform that allows for seamless information exchange among the various stakeholders involved in ship arrivals, port operations, and departure. The MSW aims to streamline formalities and procedures, thereby reducing operational time and costs for maritime activities. Since 1 January 2024, all IMO Member…