Author: gleanernewspaper

In the advancement of rural electrification, the Government of Sierra Leone, in collaboration with its development partners, has successfully launched the Kassirie Mini-Grid project. This initiative, spearheaded by Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL), aims to provide reliable electricity to communities that have historically lacked access to such essential services. The commissioning of this solar-powered mini-grid marks a new era for the Kassirie community, which has been entirely reliant on fossil fuel generators for its energy needs. The Kassirie Mini-Grid project, which is the third undertaking by the Universal Energy Facility, is equipped with 67kW of solar power and 204kWh of…

NASSIT HOUSE The National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NASSIT) awarded Systech Limited and IT Warehouse Joint Venture a significant contract worth NLe96,668,222.1 (approximately US$5.7 million) on January 4, 2023, to overhaul its Pension Administration System (PAS). This ambitious project was initially slated for completion by June 3, 2024. However, as of July 12, 2024, it remains incomplete, with critical components still in progress.   An audit report has revealed that the PAS project is still in the training phase, with numerous essential tasks yet to be finalized. These outstanding tasks include user acceptance testing, performance evaluations, data cleaning, data…

A logo is pictured in the Congress Center ahead of the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, January 13, 2024 [Denis Balibouse/Reuters] The annual World Economic Forum in Davos brings together the world’s most influential leaders with the stated aim of improving global economic conditions. This year, the promotion of inclusive and sustainable growth in Africa is once again a major conversation topic at the gathering. Yet when it comes to Africa’s development, we too often mistake discussion for progress. The continent hosts some of the world’s fastest-growing economies, but average growth remains below global…

A staggering amount of Le7.4 billion, generated from e-visa issuances by Securiport, has been flagged as unaccounted for by auditors from the Audit Service Sierra Leone. The investigation revealed significant lapses in the financial oversight of e-visa transactions, as the revenue collected from these digital visas was not properly recorded. In their review, auditors examined printouts from Securiport, which indicated that 4,827 e-visas were issued in 2023. However, the absence of escrow bank statements and a cashbook made it nearly impossible to ascertain the total revenue generated from these transactions. Attempts to verify the number of e-visas issued through the…

In a bid to alleviate the stress of cash shortages during emergencies, Afrimoney, Sierra Leone’s rapidly growing mobile money service, has launched the “Sen fo Mi” service. This innovative solution aims to assist users in urgent situations where immediate funds are needed. Picture this: you’re in a hospital needing basic first-aid treatment but lack cash, or you’re in a Kehkeh (local taxi) with a driver threatening to drop you off midway due to your cashless state. Or perhaps you’re caught up in a thrilling Premier League match but can’t top up your EDSA meter because your mobile wallet is empty. …

Young entrepreneurs in Sierra Leone are set to sharpen their digital skills with the launch of the ‘Sierra Leone: Empowering Youth through Digital Technologies’ (READY Salone) project by the International Trade Centre (ITC). Funded by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and implemented over four years, the READY Salone project aims to support youth, young entrepreneurs, business support organizations, tech hubs and policymakers to harness opportunities in the digital economy. The initiative places a strong emphasis on young women and persons with disabilities. ‘Trade is digital. It’s how business happens now, and young people are leading the way. Through READY…

Sierra Leone’s Parliament has enacted the country’s first Social Protection Bill, establishing a comprehensive legal framework for social protection under the Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Security. Passed unanimously today, after its third reading and an exhaustive debate on its provisions by the lawmakers, the legislation seeks to address gaps in social protection programmes and improve coordination across public and private sectors. The journey to the Bill’s enactment began in 2022 when the Ministry and its social partners first held regional consultations, and the Attorney-General’s Office produced a legal draft. However, the Cabinet, led by His Excellency President Julius…

Marampa Mines Expansion Marampa Mines, Lunsar Town, Port Loko District, Friday, 24 January 2025 – In a significant move aimed at fostering local development and enhancing economic growth, His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio officially presented a symbolic cheque worth $3.7 million (approximately NLe 83,700,000) to the Marampa and Maforki Chiefdoms. This fund represents the 1% Community Development Fund (CDA) from Marampa Mines Limited (MML) for the fiscal years 2023 and 2024. The event was not only a financial milestone but also marked the successful commissioning of Marampa Mines’ newly expanded production capacity, which now stands at an impressive…

Makeni, Bombali District, January 24, 2025 – President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone graced the Annual Education Week celebration at the University of Makeni, an event that underscored the nation’s progress in education, particularly through his flagship Free Quality Education initiative. This gathering brought together a diverse group of leaders, educators, and international partners, all united in their commitment to enhancing educational opportunities in Sierra Leone. The celebration commenced with a warm welcome from Regent Chief Foday Conteh, who represented the 12 Paramount Chiefs in Bombali District. In his address, Chief Conteh expressed heartfelt gratitude for the government’s inclusive…

On January 25, 2025, Statistics Sierra Leone (Stats SL) Council and Executive Management gathered at the Njala University Campus in Mokonde for a strategic retreat aimed at reviewing key achievements and challenges from the year 2024, while also laying out the Annual Work Plans for 2025. This significant event provided a collaborative platform for enhancing the institutional capacity of Stats SL, improving staff welfare, and refining service delivery, as well as promoting effective management and decision-making processes. The retreat commenced with opening remarks from the Statistician-General and CEO of Stats SL, Andrew Bob Johnny, who also serves as the secretary…