Author: gleanernewspaper
The Parliament of Sierra Leone on Thursday, 09/11/2023 at around 9:00 PM debated and passed into law, with some amendments to the Bill entitled: ‘The Finance Act 2024″, for the economic growth and development of Sierra Leone. The Bill seeks to provide for the imposition and alteration of taxes, to give effect to the financial proposals of the Government, and to provide for other related matters for the Financial Year 2024. Presenting the Bill to Parliament, the Minister of Finance, Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura said the Bill is a measure drawn from the Finance Act intended to increase and improve…
President Bio and Ambassador Hunt The U.S. Ambassador to Sierra Leone Ambassador, Bryan Hunt stated in an interview that Sierra Leone has a long way to go to complete the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact program. Ambassador Hunt says the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) doesn’t only look at the scorecard results for a country to receive the Compact. He said the MCC will make assessments on moving forward with the US$500 million Compact program for Sierra Leone, based on the progress made in the implementation of the provisions of the dialogue agreement. “The scorecard is a first step, certainly…
People flee following Israeli air strikes on a neighbourhood in the al-Maghazi refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip on November 6, 2023 [Yasser Qudih/AFP] ByEspen Barth Eide One day, the war between Israel and Hamas will come to an end. And when that happens, Israelis and Palestinians will need to re-engage in the essential question of what could constitute a peaceful settlement between them. But with each passing day of bombing, blockade, rocket attacks and hostages not released, it becomes more and more difficult to resume the process towards a two-state solution. The war has reminded us that there…
His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio has joined other Heads of State and Government on a Presidential Panel on the theme: ‘Unlocking Africa’s Value-Chains’ and spoke about the barriers to Africa’s economic transformation. In his royal address on the opening of the Africa Investment Forum, His Majesty Mohammed VI, King of Morocco, said that Morocco had made infrastructural development a key priority, making the country a model of infrastructure on the continent. The North African country has 1.4 gigawatts of renewable energy and is proactively pursuing large-scale industrial development. President of the Africa Development Bank, AfDB, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina,…
Speaking at the weekly government press briefing held on the 7th of November, 2023, at the conference room of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, First Lady, Her Excellency Dr. Fatima Maada Bio, disclosed that her Foundation will be providing scholarships and business start-ups for victims of rape. In 2022, Her Excellency the First Lady championed a course at the United Nations, seeking a dedicated day for survivors of rape and sexual violence. Her compelling case caused the United Nations to dedicate November 18 as ‘United Nations World Day for the Prevention of and Healing from Child Sexual…
Minister of Employment, Labour, and Social Security, Mohamed Rahman Swaray, has turned the sod for the reconstruction of the Hockey Pitch at Wilberforce Barracks. The event took place on Tuesday 6th November 2023, at the Wilberforce Barracks. The Hockey Pitch reconstruction is a self-help project undertaken by the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) to uplift the Military’s infrastructure. It is estimated by the Military Engineering Regiment to cost around NLe 30 million, covering the pitch, VIP pavilion, car park, and toilets. Minister Rahman Swaray who represented His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio, as keynote speaker eulogized the…
On 7th November 2023, in a significant diplomatic move that underscores the importance of fostering diplomatic ties and investment acceleration, Sierra Leone’s newly appointed Ambassador to China, Abu Bakarr Karim, paid a courtesy call on his Chinese counterpart, Ambassador Wang Qing, as he prepares to depart for Beijing. The meeting began with warm handshakes and expressions of mutual respect and friendship between Ambassador Abu Bakarr Karim and his counterpart, Ambassador Wang Qing, symbolizing a shared commitment to diplomacy and cooperation. In his opening statement, Ambassador Karim commended President Bio for the confidence reposed in him to represent Sierra Leone in…
As we mark the third and final day of a string of meaningful bilateral meetings, complemented by colourful exhibitions, and the creation and strengthening of impactful networks. Nabeela Tunis, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Tourism, is leading the way in a vigorous, conscious and concerted effort to position Sierra Leone at the pinnacle of desirable tour destinations in Africa. The three-day 2023 World Trade Market (WTM) is scheduled to end this afternoon on 8th November 2023, in what has been an explosion of cultural and corporate displays at London’s famed ExCel centre. The remarkable show, put up by a multitude of…
Occasions Enterprises, Lakka Beach Road, 7th November 2023, the National Commission for Social Action (NaCSA) and the United Nations International Children Emergency Funds (UNICEF) have commenced a two-day Consultative Workshop to develop a Cash Plus Program for the prevention of Child Marriage through Social Protection. The workshop brought together a diverse group of experts, and government and private sector officials to discuss and suggest a design of a Cash-plus Social Protection program that will seek to prevent child marriage, improve the lives of girls, and ensure a brighter future for our nation. It can be recalled that the Productive Social…
By Kadiatu Mansaray Certain places are special in our lives, where memories intertwine with the walls and corridors. One such place for me is the Freetown Cheshire Home. This was founded in 1962 to support and raise people with disabilities. It came to be after the Second World War after a man called Leonard Cheshire witnessed the destruction caused by war and drew pity to save and give a new future to those extremely affected by the war. Recently, I embarked on a nostalgic journey to revisit this cherished abode. This time, it was to celebrate the 78th Anniversary of…