Author: gleanernewspaper

In his keynote address at the Yidan Prize Africa Conference in Dakar, Dr David Moinina Sengeh, former Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education and Chief Innovation Officer of the Government of Sierra Leone, called for greater investment in education and inclusive leadership to ensure the responsible use of artificial intelligence. Sengeh said the world is seeing unprecedented political, environmental and technological changes, from escalating conflicts and climate-related crises to shifting demographics and the rapid arrival of powerful AI systems. “Addressing these complex challenges will require an intentional approach to leadership that emphasises inclusion and equitable access to opportunity,” Dr Sengeh…

Sierra Leone’s YPLS Africa Cohort-13 delegates paid a courtesy visit to DIB Movement Leader Dr Ibrahim Bangura’s residence for a brief but meaningful Award Presentation Ceremony. The ceremony recognised Dr Ibrahim Bangura’s outstanding contributions to youth leadership and civic engagement. Dr Bangura received the award at the recent YPLS Africa Conference in Liberia, where he was represented by the undersigned, Karamoh Kabba, a member of the DIB Movement’s Central Coordinating Committee.The presentation at Dr Bangura’s home was both an expression of gratitude and a public reaffirmation of his commitment to empowering young people in Sierra Leone. Several members of the…

The Honourable Minister of Employment, Labour, and Social Security, Mohamed Rahman Swaray, today concluded a three-day compliance and enforcement mission in the Southern and Eastern Regions, signaling the government’s renewed commitment to enforcement of the Employment Act, 2023 and the Work Permit Act of 2023. The high-level visit, which began on Wednesday, has focused on workplace inspections, stakeholder engagement and improving inter-agency coordination ahead of an intensified nationwide enforcement campaign.The delegation was led by Minister Swaray and included the Commissioner of Labour and Employment, Sinneh Bockarie and senior directors at the Ministry and officials from Constrat Systems SL Limited, the…

His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio presided over the official swearing-in ceremony of Mr Osman I. Kanu, Esq. as Solicitor-General of the Republic of Sierra Leone. The ceremony which also formally permitted Mr Kanu to assume his duties was conducted in line with the constitutional provision that empowers the President to make the appointment. Mr Baba Fortune, Secretary to the President, explained the legal basis of the appointment by quoting Section 65(2) of the Sierra Leone Constitution, 1991 (Act No. 6 of 1991). He said it had pleased the President to appoint Mr Kanu to the position and that…

The Embassy of the Republic of Sierra Leone to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Thursday held a post-Hajj briefing at the chancery conference hall in Riyadh. The mission also released its fifth newsletter. The gathering reviewed the Mission’s role in supporting the 2026 Presidential Hajj Taskforce, celebrated achievements, recognised challenges, and presented a publication highlighting recent diplomatic and operational milestones, including an expanded partnership with the Islamic Military Counter-Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC).In his opening remarks, His Excellency Ambassador Mohammed Barrie thanked Allah for a safe and successful Hajj and commended the entire chancery team for their efforts throughout the Hajj…

The Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary (TCS), in collaboration with the Government of Sierra Leone, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF), on Saturday, 27th June, 2026, wrapped up a four-day sensitisation and community awareness campaign in eight communities within the Western Area Peninsula National Park. The outreach is part of the Sustainable and Integrated Landscape Management of the Western Area Peninsula (WAP) Project, which aims to address widespread forest loss that poses a threat to biodiversity, local water sources and the livelihoods of forest-dependent households.In recent years, deforestation on the Western Area Peninsula has been worryingly…

On June 20, 2026, His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio officially inaugurated the Manowa Bridge over the Moa River in Peje Bongre Chiefdom, Kailahun District, marking a significant milestone in Sierra Leone’s ongoing infrastructure development. The new two-lane bridge, built as part of the World Bank-supported Smallholder Commercialisation and Agribusiness Development Project (SCADeP), replaces a decades-old manual cable ferry and is intended to serve communities on both banks for generations to come.  The completed structure is expected to strengthen links between the Peje Bongre and Upper Bambara chiefdoms, as well as improve access to neighbouring chiefdoms such as Kpeje West,…

The funeral service of the late Honourable Justice Nyawo Finda Matturi-Jones took place on Sunday, June 28, 2026, at the United Methodist Church in Jaiama Nimikoro, Kono District, in the presence of the bereaved family, members of the judiciary, senior government officials, traditional leaders, a large crowd, and His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio. The solemn occasion also saw heartfelt tributes to a woman who broke barriers and set a high standard for others to follow as Justice Matturi-Jones’ decades of service to the law and the community were recognised. At the service, speakers paid tribute to the distinguished…

Geneva, 26 June 2026 – Today the Human Rights Council was updated by the Chair-Rapporteur, H.E. Samuel U.B. Saffa Esq., Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative of Sierra Leone. He reported on the outcome of the first session of the Open-Ended Intergovernmental Working Group on strengthening the right to education. Despite global commitments, Ambassador Saffa worried that millions of children lack access to early childhood care and to free primary and secondary education. The session was attended by 94 Member States, United Nations agencies, civil society organisations, and children. Participants observed that there continued to be barriers to education for all,…

The World Bank has approved $60 million in financing to Sierra Leone under the first phase of the Regional Programme for Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Solutions (Regional DARES). The Sierra Leone allocation is part of a $200 million tranche that also includes Benin, the Central African Republic, Liberia and Sierra Leone. It is part of the first phase of a broader regional program valued at US$853 million. This investment is part of Sierra Leone’s National Energy Compact under Mission 300 to improve access to electricity through distributed renewable technologies. Priority interventions in rural and underserved communities include solar home systems,…