Author: gleanernewspaper

On January 8, 2026, the Minister of Employment, Labour, and Social Security, Mohamed Rahman Swaray, intervened directly at CTC Port in Maforki Chiefdom to end a strike by the port’s general workforce, which had been sparked by persistent concerns about workers’ welfare. Minister Swaray spent the day, accompanied by the Commissioner of Labour and senior Ministry officials, engaging with both staff and management in an effort to produce concrete, time-bound solutions. When the Minister arrived at the port facility, he had separate discussions with port management, the local Member of Parliament, and the Paramount Chief of Maforki Chiefdom to ensure…

Thursday, January 8, 2026. His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio formally accepted the Letter of Credence from the newly appointed Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Sierra Leone, His Excellency Zhao Yong, during a ceremony that reaffirmed both capitals’ commitment to strengthening an already strong bilateral relationship.The credentialing event, led by Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Alhaji Timothy Musa Kabba, marked the official handover of diplomatic responsibilities from Ambassador Wang Qing, who recently completed a three-year posting in Sierra Leone. Minister Kabba expects Ambassador Zhao’s arrival to strengthen the long-standing and cordial relationship between the…

Friday, January 9, 2026. Today, Chief Minister Dr David Moinina Sengeh led a high-level government delegation on a working visit to the TAF Salone Micro City, reinforcing Sierra Leone’s commitment to strategic Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) as a key tool for delivering infrastructure and housing on a large scale.The site visit follows His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio’s formal commissioning of the project in December 2025, during which the President emphasised the administration’s willingness to collaborate with credible private investors to close critical infrastructure gaps, the most prominent of which is housing. The Chief Minister was joined by the Ministers…

President Dr Julius Maada Bio has paid a moving tribute to the late Hon. Dr Bu-Buakei Jabbie Esq., remembering him as a disciplined legal scholar, steadfast party stalwart, and pivotal figure in Sierra Leone’s democratic evolution. The solemn laying-out ceremony at the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) Headquarters drew party leaders, elders, family members, friends, and supporters to honour a man who has dedicated his adult life to public service, the rule of law, and the advancement of the SLPP.Dr Jabbie, born on May 7, 1945, in Bunumbu Moama Village, Kailahun District, has had a distinguished academic and legal career.…

Following His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio’s directives, Sierra Leone’s government has announced a strategic overhaul of the country’s mineral resource management practices. The President has instructed the orderly wind-down of the Mineral Wealth Fund Sierra Leone Limited (MWFSL), termination of its management arrangements, and cessation of the Fund’s participation in the Tonkolili North Iron Ore project. Officials claim that these measures are taken in strict accordance with the law and established government procedures. Importantly, the actions have no effect on the State’s ownership or custodial responsibilities for the mineral assets. These assets continue to be held by the Sierra…

President Dr Julius Maada Bio has declared 2026 a decisive “Year of Action,” promising Sierra Leoneans that his administration will focus on delivering tangible, everyday improvements in livelihoods, public services, food security, and economic stability. In his New Year’s Day national address, the President acknowledged the economic challenges that families face while expressing confidence that the country has entered the new year in a more stable and realistic position to put past reforms into action. Addressing persistent global challenges such as high living costs, climate-related pressures, and fiscal constraints, President Bio stated that Sierra Leone has made difficult but necessary…

His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio, accompanied by the First Lady, Her Excellency Dr Fatima Maada Bio, paid final respects to the late Talal Saleh Fawaz, also known as Junior Bio, on Monday, January 5, 2026. The Lebanese Islamic Cultural Association headquarters on Kingharman Road hosted the 61-year-old’s funeral prayers. President Bio took advantage of the opportunity to thank Fawaz for his long-standing and unwavering support, especially during the President’s 2023 campaign. He described the late Fawaz as a devoted friend and supporter who remained committed throughout the campaign. “I am here to acknowledge and appreciate his many efforts…

China and UNICEF have formed a strategic partnership to improve newborn and child survival in Sierra Leone, committing new resources and technical assistance to reduce preventable child deaths and strengthen the country’s health-care systems. The programme, funded by the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund (GDF) and facilitated by the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA), will be carried out in collaboration with Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Health. Sierra Leone’s child mortality rate remains unacceptable: nearly one out of every eleven children dies before the age of five, with the majority of these deaths caused by preventable causes such as…

Tuesday January 6, 2026 — In response to President Dr Julius Maada Bio’s proclamation of 2026 as the Year of Action, the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) has launched a targeted series of safety and traffic enforcement measures throughout the Western Area to restore the Right of Way (ROW), reduce congestion, and strengthen public safety.The operation, led by Inspector General of Police William Fayia Sellu, is explicitly based on the Sierra Leone Police Strategic Development Plan (SDP), specifically Goal One, which prioritises increased public safety and crime reduction. According to authorities, the actions put SDP Interventions 14 and 17, which emphasise…

On Monday, January 5, 2026, Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, His Excellency Mohammed Barrie, paid a courtesy call on Saudi Deputy Minister of Energy, H.E. Dr Nasser Aldossary, to discuss a bilateral partnership aimed at strengthening Sierra Leone’s energy sector. The meeting focused on opportunities for cooperation in petroleum and renewable energy, technical assistance, and potential Saudi investment to increase Sierra Leone’s energy capacity and ensure long-term supplies.Ambassador Barrie conveyed warm greetings from His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio, as well as the government and people of Sierra Leone, emphasising the importance of strengthening long-standing…