Author: gleanernewspaper

By: Zacharia Jalloh In a landmark initiative aimed at strengthening the relationship between government and citizens, over 50 Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) showcased their achievements at the Salone Civic Festival. The three-day festival, held from December 11 to 13 at the Youyi Building precinct, was organised by the Ministry of Information and Civic Education.The MDAs’ Performance Showcase served as a public report card, providing citizens with a rare opportunity to directly engage government officials and gain firsthand insight into how public resources are being utilised to drive national development under the Medium-Term National Development Plan (MTNDP) and the Big…

The Tzu Chi Foundation, in collaboration with Caritas Freetown and local community leaders, provided lifesaving food and non-food assistance to thirty households in Ascension Town Community, Kolleh Town, Freetown on Sunday, December 14, 2025.The distribution addressed immediate needs following a devastating fire that swept through the neighbourhood on December 2, 2025, which was reportedly caused by poor electrical wiring. The distribution addressed immediate needs following a devastating fire that swept through the neighbourhood on December 2, 2025, which was reportedly caused by poor electrical wiring. Destroyed the homes of fifteen household heads and left many families, including a large number…

Since multi-party democracy returned to Sierra Leone, the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) has repeatedly splintered over succession issues, a problem that senior party officials fear will recur before the 2028 elections. The bitter run-up to President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah’s departure, as well as the resulting split that cost the SLPP the 2007 election, serves as a cautionary tale. Even the 2018 election saw a significant rupture with the rise of the National Grand Coalition (NGC) from within the SLPP ranks, though the party eventually regained power.  With President Julius Maada Bio currently serving his final term as the party’s…

By: Yusuf Keketoma Sandi Esq. Press Secretary to the President In an era where democratic governance is continually under threat in some parts of West Africa, the recent events in Benin served as a stark reminder of the fragility of peace and constitutional order. However, thanks to the decisive leadership of President Julius Maada Bio, Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority, and the collective resolve of fellow West African leaders, the fragile democratic fabric of Benin was safeguarded against an attempted military takeover. President Bio’s stewardship during this crisis demonstrated a profound commitment to upholding the principles that ECOWAS stands for—democracy,…

The National Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NPRA) held a focused meeting with the Sierra Leone Petroleum Transportation Association and petroleum dealers at its Freetown headquarters as part of a renewed effort to improve dialogue and cooperation in the downstream petroleum sector. The meeting was intended to align stakeholders and set dealers on a consistent path as the industry prepares for 2026, which the Authority and industry actors hope to be a year of measurable delivery.Deputy Director General Evangelist Alfred M. Kobba presided over the session on behalf of the Director General, noting that the discussion had been long overdue. He explained…

December 9. December 2025— The Chairman of the Guild of Newspaper Editors in Sierra Leone (GoNE), Thomas Dixon, has praised sweeping reforms initiated within the Judiciary under the leadership of Honourable Chief Justice Komba Kamanda, stating that the Guild is “impressed” with the progress made in less than a year of the Chief Justice’s administration.Dixon, speaking during a courtesy visit to the Chief Justice on December 9, cited a series of unprecedented reforms, including the recent establishment of the Court of Appeal, as a significant step toward making justice more accessible and responsive to citizens across the country. He also…

His Excellency Dr Julius Maada Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone and current Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), attended His Excellency Alassane Ouattara’s inauguration in Abidjan on December 7, 2025. President Ouattara, who was re-elected in the presidential election on October 25, 2025, took the oath of office in front of a gathering of regional leaders, symbolising both continuity and a renewed commitment to democratic governance in Côte d’Ivoire. President Bio commented on his arrival on Facebook, saying, “ECOWAS remains steadfastly committed to strengthening…

President Dr Julius Maada Bio has officially launched an Alternative Livelihoods Training programme for youth bike riders and unveiled the Status of the Youth Report 2025 at Milton Margai Technical University (MMTU) in Goderich. The programme, titled “Empowering Youth Bike Riders as Sustainable Agents of Peace in Sierra Leone,” aims to provide new skills and opportunities to improve the livelihoods of bike riders while strengthening their role in national development.Targeting 1,300 young riders and supported by the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund, the initiative seeks to formalise and professionalise a sector President Bio described as “essential pillars of national mobility and…

Freetown, December 8, 2025. Sierra Leone’s Minister of Energy, Cyril Arnold Grant, presided over the groundbreaking ceremony for a major extension of the power distribution network along the Freetown Peninsula today, applauding the Government and People of Japan for their continued support in expanding.Increasing energy access across the country. The project, funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), was described by the minister as a “generous gift” that will help light homes, power businesses, and support broader national development objectives.Minister Grant stated that the initiative renews a long-standing partnership with Japan and is a timely intervention in line with…

The Sierra Leone Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC), chaired by Deputy Speaker Hon. Ibrahim Tawa Conteh, convened a one-day National Dialogue on Monday, December 8, 2025, to enhance efforts to generate revenue for Local Councils and Chiefdom Authorities. On Monday, December 8, 2025, Brahim Tawa Conteh convened a one-day National Dialogue to enhance efforts to generate revenue for Local Councils and Chiefdom Authorities. Government agencies, civil society, and development partners came together to adopt seven key measures now known as “The Freetown Resolutions 2025.”The Dialogue, according to organisers, is a critical step toward improving the mobilisation, management, and utilisation of…