Author: gleanernewspaper

In a world where corporate social responsibility has become a vital aspect of business operations, China Railway Seventh Group (CRSG) reaffirms its dedication to supporting the economic and social development of Sierra Leone, and in this regard initiated the following projects in communities along the Wellington-Masiaka Highway corridor: Parking lot, Solar light, Traffic light, Market, and also support for community development. Since its inception in Sierra Leone in 2007, CRSG has consistently displayed exemplary corporate governance and a steadfast commitment to fulfilling its social responsibilities, setting a benchmark for international enterprises operating in the country. Responsible to Partners CRSG’s…

On Monday 29 April 2024, His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio attended a two-day International Development Association of Heads of State summit (IDA21), to discuss key priorities for financing in Africa and championing ambitious financing replenishment that will support transformational development objectives in the region. Host President, His Excellency William Kipchirchir Samoei Arap Ruto, welcomed his colleagues and established that the summit was aimed at asserting to IDA donors and other partners the critical priority areas for development financing in Africa, in particular, and requesting them to consider a significantly higher level of funding for the IDA21 cycle to…

Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura,  Alhaji Kanja Sesay,   Joe-Lahai Sormana   The recent blackout crisis in Freetown has brought to light the underlying tensions and power struggles within the government, particularly between the Finance Minister, Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura, and the outgoing Energy Minister, Alhaji Kanja Sesay. There was a deliberate attempt to undermine Alhaji Kanja Sesay and push him out of his position, amidst the chaos of the week-long blackout. The Finance Ministry’s delayed release of funds to the management of Karpowership, only after Alhaji Kanja Sesay resigned, raises suspicions of sabotage. The swift payment of US$ 17m to Karpowership and US$1.5m to TRANSCO-CLSG following his resignation is seen as a tactic to remove one of President Bio’s most loyal ministers from his position. Alhaji Kanja Sesay, who has been a dedicated and effective minister for almost six years, was made a scapegoat for the government’s failure to address the energy crisis. The recent blackout crisis in Freetown has brought to light the underlying tensions and power struggles within the government, particularly between the Finance Minister, Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura, and the outgoing Energy Minister, Alhaji Kanja Sesay. There was a deliberate attempt to undermine Alhaji Kanja Sesay and push him out of his position, amidst the chaos of the week-long blackout. The Finance Ministry’s delayed release of funds to the management of Karpowership, only after Alhaji Kanja Sesayresigned, raises suspicions of sabotage. The swift payment of US$ ofUS$17m to Karpowership and US$1.5m to TRANSCO-CLSG following his resignation is seen as a tactic to remove one of President Bio’s most loyal ministers from his position. Alhaji Kanja Sesay, who has been a dedicated and effective minister for almost six years, was made a scapegoat for the government’s failure to address the energy crisis. There are underlying power struggles and undermining games at play within the Bio administration. Alhaji Kanja’s resignation has left a void in the government, as he was known for his leadership and commitment to improving the energy sector. His departure has raised questions about the government’s handling of the crisis and the motives behind the delayed release of funds. Moving forward, the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Energy, and EDSA must work together to address the root causes of the energy crisis and ensure a sustainable and reliable energy supply for the people of Sierra Leone. Reforms are needed to improve the financial viability of the energy sector and prevent future crises from occurring. The government must learn from the events that transpired during the blackout crisis, and take steps to prevent similar situations in the future. Alhaji Kanja Sesay’s legacy as a dedicated and effective minister should not be overshadowed by the political games and power struggles within the government. His contributions to the energy sector have been significant, and his departure is a loss for the people of Sierra Leone. The government’s undermining of Alhaji Kanja Sesay during the blackout crisis highlights the need for transparency, accountability, and unity within the government. The focus should be on addressing the root causes of the crisis and working towards a sustainable energy supply for the people of Sierra Leone. The legacy of Alhaji Kanja Sesay should be honoured, and his dedication to public service should serve as an example for future leaders in the government.

In a significant milestone for infrastructure development in Sierra Leone, the Wellington-Masiaka Highway has emerged as the key that opens the gate of the PPP (Public-Private Partnership) model in the country. This toll road project has not only bolstered economic and social connectivity between urban and rural areas but has also paved the way for enterprises to actively participate in Sierra Leone’s infrastructure construction sector through the PPP model. The successful implementation and operation of the 62-kilometre Wellington-Masiaka Highway marks a turning point in the economic and trade cooperation between China and Sierra Leone. The highway has vastly improved the condition of Sierra…

On 16 April, the Ambassadors of the European Union, Germany and Ireland, Manuel Müller, Jens Kraus-Massé and Aidan Fitzpatrick, held a press lunch with journalists from several Sierra Leonean media outlets, including print and online newspapers, radio and TV, to share updates on the partnership and development cooperation activities of the EU, Germany and Ireland with Sierra Leone. Team Europe Ambassadors explained the priority issues and sectors of EU, German and Irish partnerships and development cooperation with the country, the activities recently implemented, and the new initiatives to be implemented soon. They underlined that the European Union and European Union Member States…

By Walter Sánchez Silva Bishop Natale Paganelli, 66, arrived as a Xaverian missionary in 2005 in Sierra Leone. In an interview with the Catholic magazine Omnes posted on April 25, he noted that the majority of Catholic priests in that African country are sons of Muslims. “Most priests are sons of Muslims. Why? Because of the schools,” explained the prelate of Italian origin, who also spent 22 years in Mexico and was apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Makeni in Sierra Leone from 2012–2023. “When the Xaverians arrived, they used a very interesting strategy. Since there were almost no schools in the country’s north, they…

The “Support to Sustainable Forestry in Sierra Leone” initiative, launched in 2023 and Funded by the European Union Delegation in Freetown, with technical help from the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, intends to contribute to sustainable forest management in Sierra Leone. The data collected by this study will be critical for making informed policy decisions to prevent deforestation, conserve biodiversity, and promote sustainable agricultural systems. The initiative seeks to increase Sierra Leone’s ecosystem production and resistance to climate change. Outcome 1 of the project focuses on data availability, procedures for obtaining reliable data, and capacity for measuring, reporting,…

The Parliament of Sierra Leone on Tuesday, 23/04/2024, extensively debated and adopted, with unanimity, the following constitutional instruments that were laid on the table of the House on Thursday, 18th, April 2024. The following documents were debated and adopted by Parliament: 1. The Public Emergency Regulations 2024 and 2. The Drug and Substances Abuse Public Emergency Response Regulations, 2024. Presenting the regulations to the House for debate, Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business, Hon. Mathew Sahr Nyuma, vehemently assured the House of curtailing the harmful drug.” We should go after the drug lords, “he said, underscoring the Government’s efforts relative to the establishment of treatment…

On World Malaria Day, Sierra Leone officially launched the introduction and rollout of 550 000 RTS’S WHO-approved vaccine procured by UNICEF with funding from GAVI, becoming the third country in 2024 to introduce this campaign after Cameroon and Burkina Faso. The Government of Sierra Leone, supported by the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and other partners, started vaccination efforts at the Waterloo Health Center. Roll-out to health facilities nationwide will follow, targeting all six-month-old babies at risk of malaria-related death. Sierra Leone is among the countries with the highest malaria burden globally, with over two million hospital visits annually attributed…

MCC’s CEO Alice Albright with President Julius Maada Bio The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) has announced its intention to negotiate a Millennium Challenge Compact with the Government of Sierra Leone. The proposed $480,669,000 compact aims to address the insufficient availability of affordable and reliable electricity in the country, which is a major constraint to economic growth. The compact includes three key projects: the Transmission Backbone Project, the Distribution and Access Project, and the Power Sector Reform Project. Sierra Leone’s economy currently suffers from a power sector that cannot meet the existing demand or keep up with future growth. Limited and…