Author: gleanernewspaper

His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio and First Lady Fatima Maada Bio joined world leaders in Libreville, Gabon, to attend the inauguration ceremony of the President-elect of the Gabonese Republic, at the invitation of His Excellency Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, following his election as the 4th President of Gabon on 8 April 2025.The inauguration was attended by several other African and global dignitaries, including the Presidents of Ghana, Senegal, The Gambia, Rwanda, Kenya, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Burundi, Djibouti, and Guinea; the Vice President of Nigeria; the Chairperson of the African Union, H.E. Azali Assoumani; the U.S. President’s Special Adviser on…

In a significant step towards modernising tax collection, the Bo District and Bo City Councils unveiled a new electronic tax payment platform, Govpaysl, in collaboration with Afrimoney last week. This initiative aims to streamline the tax payment process for residents and businesses, allowing them to pay their taxes easily and efficiently via Afrimoney and Qmoney. During the launch ceremony, Deputy Mayor of the Bo City Council, Madam Hawa Campbell, emphasised the importance of this digital platform in transforming the way taxes are paid. She highlighted that Govpaysl not only makes tax payments faster and more transparent but also accessible to…

In a striking example of alleged deception, Nigerian national Ebude Chukwu Augustine Essay appeared in court and was charged with conspiracy to defraud and engage in fraudulent transactions. The charges stem from allegations that he duped a complainant into paying a whopping $48,000 for counterfeit gold bars. On April 15, 2025, Magistrate Santigie Bangura presided over the proceedings in Pademba Road Court No. 2. Essay faces two serious charges: conspiracy to defraud and causing money to be paid through fraudulent means. According to the police charge sheet, the alleged fraudulent activities took place between March 1 and March 19, 2025,…

By Jeneba Conteh. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in collaboration with UN Women, the United Nations, and World Vision, held a three-day national conference on financing for women’s peace and security at the Lumely Atlantic Hall in Freetown on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. The conference’s goal was to advance inclusive and sustainable financing strategies for gender equality and peacebuilding in Sierra Leone. Dr. Isha Fofana Ibrahim Deen, Chairperson of the Faculty of Arts at Fourah Bay College (FBC), emphasised the critical importance of funding initiatives that empower women. She stated that, while significant progress has been made in addressing…

The Chief Executive Officer of GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance, Dr. Sania Nishtar, has led a high-level delegation to pay a courtesy call on His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio at his residence ahead of the commemoration of the 2025 World Immunisation Week in Sierra Leone. The visit underscored GAVI’s commitment to supporting the government’s efforts in strengthening immunisation systems and improving child health across the nation.Welcoming the delegation, Minister of Health Dr. Austin Demby expressed gratitude to President Bio for granting an audience to the visiting team. He emphasised that the decision to host the commemoration of this year’s…

The Government of Sierra Leone has concluded the country’s first-ever National Labour Conference (NLC), hosted by the Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Security in collaboration with the Sierra Leone Labour Congress and the Sierra Leone Employers’ Federation. Held at the Miatta Conference Centre in Freetown from April 29 to May 1, 2025, the three-day event brought together government officials, labour unions, employers, development partners, and international experts to discuss critical issues affecting Sierra Leone’s labour market and workforce development.In his keynote address on May 1, the President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Rtd. Brig. Julius Maada Bio reaffirmed the…

Amadu Juldeh Sowe, Managing Director of BSB International Limited In the heart of Sierra Leone, a revolution is quietly brewing in the flour industry, led by an inspiring figure whose journey from local baker to factory owner exemplifies the spirit of enterprise and community empowerment. Amadu Juldeh Sowe, Managing Director of BSB International Limited, has set a transformative goal: to turn Sierra Leone from a net flour importer to a net exporter. His ambitious vision aims not only to reshape the local economy but also to improve the entire West African sub-region. The challenges confronting Sierra Leone’s consumable commodity production…

Mohamed Gento Kamara, Chairman and CEO Of Gento Group of Companies (SL) Limited Gento Group, a pioneering local company led by visionary Chairman and CEO Mohamed Gento Kamara, is at the heart of Sierra Leone’s infrastructure renaissance. Gento Group is leading transformative projects, including the ambitious Banana Island Port, that are poised to reshape the country’s economic landscape. Mohamed Gento-Kamara’s journey exemplifies tenacity and drive. Kamara, a British Sierra Leonean, began his business career in South London, where he ran three mobile phone retail stores. His venture into real estate investments in Manchester, in collaboration with a UK company, laid…

By-SHOBHA SHUKLA – CNS The Lancet Commission on Gender and Global Health launched a new report in April 2025 on “achieving gender justice for global health equity” in Delhi, India. The report reflects how a lack of understanding of the link between gender and health is negatively affecting health outcomes. The report makes a very valid point that achieving gender justice in global health encompasses the realisation of universal rights about health equity and gender equality, while also addressing the drivers of gender-based discrimination and exclusion. This would improve health outcomes, reduce health inequities, and ensure more inclusive and equitable…

Alpha Ibrahim Sesay, Minister of Trade and Industry Sierra Leone has reaffirmed its commitment to multilateralism and inclusive trade during its Third Trade Policy Review at the World Trade Organisation (WTO), held from April 15 to 17, 2025. The delegation, led by Honourable Alpha Ibrahim Sesay, Minister of Trade and Industry, engaged with representatives from numerous WTO member states, emphasising Sierra Leone’s dedication to enhancing its trade policies and practices.This review is particularly significant as it coincides with Sierra Leone’s 30th anniversary of membership in the WTO. The Trade Policy Review Mechanism, under which these evaluations are conducted, systematically examines…