Author: gleanernewspaper

On Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at a ceremony at the National Social Security and Insurance Trust’s (NASSIT) headquarters in Freetown, outgoing Director General Mohamed Fuaad Daboh handed over to newly appointed Director General Chernor Mamoud Jalloh. Jalloh and the new Board Chairperson, Madam Jenneh Jabati, were recently unanimously approved in Parliament.In an emotional farewell, Mr Daboh expressed gratitude to Almighty God and President Dr Julius Maada Bio for his appointment and support. He cited major accomplishments during his tenure, including a complete ICT overhaul of the Pension Administration System (PAS) to eliminate manual delays, the expansion of NASSIT’s regional and…

President Dr Julius Maada Bio President Dr Julius Maada Bio formally opened the Fourth Session of the Sixth Parliament of the Second Republic at the Parliament Building, Tower Hill, restating his administration’s commitment to accelerated service delivery, economic transformation and inclusive national development. In a review of the state of the economy, the President admitted that global headwinds remained persistent but stated that prudent fiscal management and reforms have bolstered domestic revenue mobilisation, boosted investor confidence, and helped to stabilise macroeconomic indicators. Earlier this year, President Bio declared 2026 to be the “year of action”. But with the year drawing to…

In August 2026, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Sierra Leone’s National Revenue Authority (NRA) strengthened their partnership through sharing experience on domestic revenue mobilisation, public financial management, procurement, asset management and institutional efficiency.At the head of the UNDP delegation, Deputy Resident Representative Kevin Petrini emphasised the significance of robust public banking systems and enhanced domestic resource mobilisation in speeding up Sierra Leone’s sustainable development. He stressed the importance of institutional reforms and capacity building to build fiscal resilience over time. Senior Director of Modernisation on behalf of the Commissioner General. Welcoming visiting UNDP teams from Sierra Leone and…

Sierra Leonean journalist and media personality Bai Bai Sesay was presented with the Scholar Africa Media Award on Friday at the 2nd Annual Scholar Media Africa Conference in Nairobi, Kenya. The award was presented by Prof. Dr PLO Lumumba, the Special Guest Speaker at the conference and awards ceremony.Sesay took the award and said he was “deeply humbled and incredibly happy to get this recognition.” He said the award was a great honour coming from a continental figure like Prof. Lumumba and took the opportunity to pay tribute to colleagues back home. I dedicate this award to the whole media…

FREETOWN, Aug. 2026 – The World Bank on Tuesday held a consultation meeting with Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Mines and Mineral Resources and the National Mineral Agency officials to inform the development of the institution’s upcoming Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for Sierra Leone. The meeting was held at the Ministry’s conference room in Freetown and brought together World Bank representatives and senior ministry officials to discuss priorities for cooperation to strengthen the mining sector and support sustainable economic growth.“The CPF is being developed through extensive engagement with government institutions and other stakeholders to ensure the document reflects Sierra Leone’s national…

President Dr Julius Maada Bio has met with Gabriel Edgal, Chairman and Group CEO of Oakwood Green Africa Limited and a representative of the majority shareholders of Bloom Bank Africa, to discuss renewed commitments to deepen public-private collaboration and support small and medium-sized businesses across Sierra Leone.Finance Minister Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura led the delegation on a visit to appreciate the government for its efforts in creating a conducive business environment and reaffirm Bloom Bank Africa’s long-term commitment to the country. Bloom Bank, which operates in four African countries, said it would align its investment strategy with the government’s Big…

State House, Freetown, Wednesday, August 5, 2026 – President Dr Julius Maada Bio today engaged Roosevelt Ogbonna, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Access Bank PLC, at State House on deepening private-sector investment, expanding financial inclusion, and strengthening support for Sierra Leone’s economic transformation.Madam Michaela Mackay, Chairperson of the Board of Directors of Access Bank (Sierra Leone) PLC introduced the Access Bank delegation and remarked that the visit was more than a courtesy call. “This shows the commitment of Access Bank’s majority shareholders to Sierra Leone and the strategic importance of the country in the bank’s Pan-African network,”…

President Dr Julius Maada Bio has formally received the 2025 Annual Report and new 2026-2030 Strategic Plan of the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion (ICPNC) commending the Commission for its work in conflict prevention and the strengthening of national cohesion. The presentation was given on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, at the State House.The occasion was used by the Executive Secretary of the ICPNC, Madam Hawa Sally Samai, to highlight the activities of the Commission over the past year, and the strategic priorities that will guide the work of the Commission in the next five years. Madam Samai said:…

Artisanal fishermen in Sierra Leone are accusing foreign industrial trawlers linked to China’s distant-water fleet of repeatedly breaching coastal fishing limits, destroying gear, and reducing local catches, creating a crisis for livelihoods and marine environments across West Africa. “We put our nets in during the night and come back to shore,” said fisherman Musa Gassimo on Sherbro Island, about 110 kilometres (68 miles) south of Freetown.  “At night, the trawlers came and [intentionally] cut the lines.” A new net, he added, could cost about $250 to replace, a heavy burden for families who depend on daily catches. At Tombo Harbour outside Freetown, Thomas Turay,…

H.E. Ambassador Mohamed Barrie led a high-level delegation from the Republic of Sierra Leone to the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Riyadh. The talks, which formed part of a broader religious engagement, reaffirmed the commitment of both countries to deepen their relationship and to support development in Sierra Leone through intensified cooperation in Islamic education, Dawah, capacity building and measures that promote moderation and peaceful co-existence. The Ambassador during the meeting extended warm greetings and thanks of His Excellency Dr Julius Maada Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone to…