Author: gleanernewspaper
The Sierra Leone Supreme Court delivered a landmark ruling on February 6, 2025, in the case of Theophilus Pratt and Hawanatu Pratt versus Dr Turad Senessie, Minister of Lands, and others (SC MiscApp No. 7/2024). This ruling marks a definitive victory for the Save Black Johnson Beach Campaign, ensuring that the community will no longer face the threat of a proposed fish harbour or fishmeal factory at Black Johnson Beach. The campaign, which has garnered widespread support from residents and international advocates alike, celebrates this ruling as a culmination of years of tireless effort and dedication. The community expresses heartfelt…
The Paragons Foundation–Sierra Leone proudly hosted its 7th Annual Summit at the Malachy Motel in Moyamba, bringing together members of the United Methodist Church to celebrate achievements and plan for the future. The summit kicked off with an inspiring keynote address from Mr Joseph Gbogba, followed by speeches from Mr James Foh, representing the Former United Methodist Young Adults (FUMYA), and Rev. Michael Columba, the Regional District Superintendent. Founded by former members of the church’s Youth and Young Adults Organizations, the Paragons Foundation has established itself as a vital non-governmental organisation (NGO) dedicated to mentoring emerging leaders, supporting smaller congregational…
His Excellency Ambassador Mohamed Yongawo, Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to the Russian Federation and Her Excellency Ambassador Joanneke Balfoort, the Netherlands Ambassador to the Russian Federation Her Excellency Ambassador Joanneke Balfoort, the Netherlands Ambassador to the Russian Federation, made a significant courtesy visit to His Excellency Ambassador Mohamed Yongawo, Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to the Russian Federation, at the Sierra Leone Embassy in Moscow. This meeting underscored the importance of diplomatic relations and the potential for enhanced collaboration between the two nations. Ambassador Yongawo, along with his dedicated embassy staff, warmly received Ambassador Balfoort, initiating the visit with cordial exchanges that set…
On February 21, 2025, the Sierra Education Fund (SEF), a non-profit organization based in Chicago, USA, awarded scholarships to ten deserving students from the engineering faculty at Milton Margai Technical University (MMTU). The presentation ceremony took place at the university’s Goderich Campus, marking a significant milestone in the SEF’s ongoing commitment to support education in Sierra Leone. The scholarship initiative, which allocates a total of 84,700 New Leones (NLE), aims to assist students facing financial difficulties in pursuing their academic goals. This funding is particularly crucial for students who may struggle to cover tuition fees and other related expenses, ensuring…
His Excellency Dr Julius Maada Bio, the President of Sierra Leone, has been honoured with two prestigious continental awards that recognize his transformative leadership and steadfast commitment to advancing gender equality, girl-child education, and human capital development within the nation. The accolades, namely the African HeForShe Champion of the Year 2024 and the Presidential African Intelligence Award 2024, were graciously presented to President Bio by Her Excellency Dr. Joyce Banda, the former President of Malawi and founder of the Joyce Banda Foundation. The ceremony also featured Princess Dr. Ocansey, the founder of the Nakotech Centre for Excellence, who joined in…
Sierra Leone’s Chief Minister, Dr. David Moinina Sengeh, has launched two pivotal documents that aim to significantly improve the health, well-being, and future opportunities for the nation’s adolescents. This initiative marks a crucial step in reinforcing the support systems designed to uplift young people throughout Sierra Leone. The documents unveiled during the event are: 1. The Report on Adolescent Health, Nutrition, and Support Systems 2. The National Strategy for the Reduction of Adolescent Pregnancy and Ending Child Marriage (2025-2030) A Vision for the Future In his keynote address, Dr Sengeh articulated the significance of the occasion, underscoring that the launch…
National Minerals Agency, Director General, Ing. Hadji Dabo Audits conducted by the Audit Service Sierra Leone uncovered alarming disparities at the National Minerals Agency (NMA), revealing that a staggering one billion, seven hundred and fifty-three million, two hundred and eighteen thousand Old Leones—designated for the mining development fund intended for various beneficiary communities has reportedly been mismanaged. The audit findings show that these funds were never disbursed to the communities, causing significant delays and interruptions in the implementation of planned development projects. The auditors have urged the NMA’s Director of Finance and Administration to promptly transfer the misallocated NLe1.7 billion…
Sudanese refugees, mostly women and children, wait for a food distribution point to open at a temporary camp on April 22, 2024, in Adre, Chad [Dan Kitwood/Getty Images] Today, African heads of state are convening on the margins of the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa to discuss Sudan’s devastating conflict and come up with strategies to try and put the country on a path to peace and stability. It is no surprise that Sudan remains at the top of the continent’s agenda. Nearly two years into the war, with tens of thousands dead and millions displaced, the country is…
Sierra Leone has officially inaugurated its new embassy in Doha, Qatar. The ceremony was presided over by Alhaji Musa Timothy Kabba, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, who represented His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio at the event. Minister Kabba emphasised Sierra Leone and Qatar’s long-standing and friendly diplomatic relations, saying that the embassy’s opening marks a new chapter in their bilateral interactions. He was optimistic that this development would improve cooperation in key sectors such as agriculture, tourism, fisheries, and construction. “This new impetus will broaden the bilateral agenda between our two sisterly states,” he added. During his…
Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura, Executive Director for the Africa West Constituency of the International Monetary Fund Professor Ouattara Wautabouna The Executive Director (ED) for the Africa West Constituency of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Professor Ouattara Wautabouna, has successfully concluded a five-day working visit to Sierra Leone. This visit, which took place from February 13 to February 17, 2024, involved comprehensive discussions with key members of the Sierra Leonean government, focusing on crucial economic issues and the ongoing Extended Credit Facility (ECF) Program with the IMF. Professor Wautabouna, who previously served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs for Côte d’Ivoire,…