Author: gleanernewspaper

Graça Machel, a renowned African stateswoman and humanitarian, met with Dr David Moinina Sengeh, Chief Minister and Chief Innovation Officer, at the first Artificial Intelligence and Human Development Convening. They discussed the role of a human-centred approach to AI in accelerating sustainable development across the continent and in support of Sierra Leone’s national priorities.The high-level bilateral meeting on Saturday, led by UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed, was intended to foster African leadership in AI, utilise emerging technologies responsibly and align innovation with the public interest and human dignity. The two leaders discussed governance, ethics, equity and practical ways in…

Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Madam Kenyeh Barlay The National Public Investment Management Guidelines of Sierra Leone were officially validated and launched on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, by the Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Madam Kenyeh Barlay, who described the framework as “the single most important document in the country to guide investments.” Speaking at the Council of Churches Hall, King Harman Road, Freetown, Madam Barlay called on the Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to adopt and strictly enforce the new operational rules that translate national policy into day-to-day practice.The Guidelines, developed with the assistance of the World…

Hundreds of Sierra Leoneans led by the DIB Movement’s leader and APC flagbearer aspirant Dr Ibrahim Bangura participated in the high-profile Environmental Awareness Walk 2026 from the Regent Car Park to the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary. The walk, organised by former DIB students, was a relaxed, healthy and environmentally friendly forum for citizens to interact with Dr Bangura and show visible support for stronger environmental stewardship. The event concluded with the planting of carefully chosen tree species and the unveiling of a commemorative plaque to honour all participants, underscoring the symbolic and practical commitments made on that day.Speaking to the audience,…

Chief Minister David Moinina Sengeh, ……….. brand-new Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats Weeks after Chief Minister David Moinina Sengeh publicly called for greater collaboration with the European Union to combat drug trafficking and other transnational organised crime, tangible assistance has arrived for Sierra Leone’s maritime security forces. Sengeh claimed that Sierra Leone is actively pursuing national development despite acute vulnerabilities that complicate efforts to secure its coastal waters. “Sierra Leone is a beautiful country. Sierra Leone is a safe country. “And yes, Sierra Leone is a vulnerable and low-income country,” he said, emphasising the geographical and resource constraints that make maritime policing difficult. He…

An innovative, locally driven approach to blood donation has dramatically changed supply dynamics in parts of rural Sierra Leone, generating reliable voluntary donations where none existed before. This demonstrates a potentially scalable blueprint for other low-resource settings.The Gi4SaveLife initiative, developed and implemented by the grassroots organisation Lifeline Nehemiah Projects with academic support from King’s College London, was tested for 8 months in the Kono and Kenema districts. The program empowers community-nominated champions to organise blood drives through local “hubs,” rather than relying on external health organisations or hospital campaigns.Before the trial, voluntary blood donations were nonexistent in the pilot areas.…

The Diplomatic Drivers Association of Sierra Leone (DDA-SL) has formalised the informal network of drivers who serve embassies, United Nations agencies, and international organisations in Sierra Leone. On Saturday, June 20, the official inauguration took place at the New Brookfields Hotel, attended by representatives from the diplomatic corps, the UN system, government institutions, and professional driving organisations.The new organisation, which arose from 25 years of informal collaboration among drivers in the diplomatic and development community, aims to raise professional standards, improve coordination, and play a positive role in national road safety efforts. The launch was attended by a large number…

The Audit Service Sierra Leone (ASSL) and the Sierra Leone Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (SLEITI) have signed a strategic partnership to improve the transparency, accountability, and credibility of reporting in the country’s extractive industries. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, in the ASSL’s Conference Room in Freetown.The agreement allows ASSL and SLEITI to collaborate more closely on producing EITI-compliant reports, aligning Sierra Leone’s disclosure practices with international Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) standards. SLEITI is the national chapter of the global EITI framework, which promotes transparent and accountable management of oil, gas, and mineral…

The Better Education for Africa’s Rise (BEAR III) Project has advanced a key component of Sierra Leone’s workforce development strategy by holding a one-day workshop on April 16, 2026, to develop an operational work plan for the newly formed Agriculture Sector Skills Council (SSC). The meeting in Freetown brought together government officials, technical specialists, training providers, private sector representatives, development partners, and youth advocates to discuss practical steps for aligning agricultural training with labour market needs.Agriculture is a key component of Sierra Leone’s economy, providing significant opportunities for job creation, food security, and inclusive growth. Recognising this, BEAR III has…

On June 22, 2026, the European Union and the Federal Republic of Germany launched a four-year cassava value chain project in Sierra Leone. The project aims to transform cassava production from subsistence farming to a sustainable, climate-smart, and commercially viable sector that creates jobs, particularly for women and young people. Senior government officials, donor partners, private sector actors, and farmer representatives gathered at the Country Lodge in Freetown to discuss the intervention’s objectives and implementation strategy. The cassava activities are part of the EU-funded “Sustainable Food and Agriculture Value Chains Development” programme, a EUR 35 million initiative focused on three…

Abdulai Caulker, Security Coordinator at the Office of National Security (ONS), has categorically denied any involvement in allegations related to a recent publication by the Gleaner Newspaper, claiming he is unaware of the details reported. Responding to the article, Mr Caulker stated that he is not a party to the claims and was unaware of the incident described in the paper. Mr Caulker reiterated the ONS’s mandate in a statement, saying the office’s primary role is to coordinate the country’s security sector and protect Sierra Leone from all forms of organised crime. He emphasised that the ONS serves primarily as a…