Author: gleanernewspaper

Lieutenant General Abdel-Fattah Al-Burhan Abdelrahman Al-Burhan of Sudan and His Excellency, President Dr. Julius Maada Bio. His Excellency, President Dr. Julius Maada Bio has received His Excellency Lieutenant General Abdel-Fattah Al-Burhan Abdelrahman Al-Burhan, President of the Transitional Sovereign Council of the Republic of Sudan, during a working visit to Sierra Leone. The engagement underscored the shared vision and commitment of the two nations toward fostering unity and addressing pressing African challenges.In his welcome address, President Bio emphasised the enduring bonds between Sierra Leone and Sudan, stating that despite geographical distance, both nations share a mutual commitment to advancing the interests…

Minenet Company (SL) Limited has successfully disbursed surface rent payments to landowners in the Ribbi, Bumpeh, and Kongbora Chiefdoms, located in the Moyamba District. The total payment amounted to One Million Four Hundred Thousand New Leones (NLe 1,400,000), which translates to a staggering One Billion Four Hundred Million old Leones. This significant financial transaction took place over the weekend of January 10-11, 2025, marking a pivotal moment for both the company and the local communities. Minenet Company is a limited liability entity that has been incorporated and registered in Sierra Leone, primarily focusing on mining and exporting valuable minerals such…

On January 9, 2025, a delegation from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) met with Sierra Leone’s Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs to announce an ambitious pilot project aimed at constructing factories dedicated to the production of reusable sanitary towels and diapers. This initiative, titled “Human Capital Development Plus,” seeks to address the pressing needs of school-going girls, women affected by obstetric fistula, and elderly women facing similar challenges. The overarching goal of the project is to establish facilities that will manufacture and market high-quality sanitary products, thereby reducing school dropout rates among adolescent girls and providing…

Local councillor Agnes Marah, whose district covers more than 45,000 residents in Freetown’s Western Urban district, discusses local issues with constituents. Marah, known locally as the “Iron Lady” is part of an International IDEA-backed initiative, along with the 50-50 gender rights group that has trained hundreds of elected women on issues from campaigning on social media to writing grant applications. After two years of dedicated support for Sierra Leone’s democratic processes, International IDEA is poised to usher in a new era of political stability and civic engagement in the West African nation. From mediating political-party conflicts to empowering women lawmakers…

In a significant step towards ensuring the success of the upcoming 2025 Sierra Leone Population and Housing Census (SLPHC-2025), a high-level delegation from the United States Census Bureau (USCB), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) has commenced a critical assessment and support mission. The initiative began on January 13, 2025, at the New Brookfields Hotel in Freetown and will conclude on January 17, 2025. The mission aims to evaluate Statistics Sierra Leone’s (Stats SL’s) readiness and capacity to conduct a comprehensive and accurate census.  The delegation consists of a team of technical…

Mohamed Fuaad Daboh, Director General- National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NASSIT). The National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NASSIT) has come under intense scrutiny following a recent audit that revealed significant discrepancies in its financial records. Auditors discovered that the principal and accrued interest from debenture loans, which were expected to be deposited into the Trust’s account, are currently untraceable. A thorough review of NASSIT’s investment portfolio indicated that the corporate debenture loans issued to various affiliated companies, including joint ventures and subsidiaries, totalled an alarming One hundred and forty million, nine hundred and twenty-nine thousand, three hundred and…

Egypt is actively working to enhance its relationships with African nations, according to Rasha Soliman, Egypt’s Ambassador to Sierra Leone. During a significant meeting with Komba Kamanda, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Sierra Leone, Soliman expressed Cairo’s dedication to fostering collaborative efforts that yield mutual benefits for both countries. This meeting marks a historic occasion, as it is the first visit by a member of the Egyptian diplomatic mission to Sierra Leone. The discussions focused on advancing judicial cooperation, with Soliman highlighting Egypt’s readiness to assist Sierra Leone in building its judicial capacity.  She emphasized the importance…

The government of Sierra Leone is set to introduce a pioneering results-based financing (RBF) mechanism aimed at accelerating the development of solar mini-grids across the nation. In collaboration with the European Union, this initiative will provide financial grants to private developers, enabling them to build, own, and operate solar mini-grids, thereby enhancing rural electrification. Under this RBF model, private mini-grid developers will receive grants contingent upon successfully establishing electricity connections for households. The disbursement of funds will occur only after the developers meet specific milestones, ensuring accountability and effective use of resources. This approach is designed to stimulate private sector…

The Special Envoy of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, Mr Sofiane CHAIB, who also serves as Secretary of State to the Minister of Foreign Affairs in charge of the National Community Abroad, paid a courtesy visit to His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio. During the visit, Mr. CHAIB reaffirmed Algeria’s commitment to bolstering diplomatic ties with Sierra Leone.Welcoming the envoy and his delegation, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Timothy Musa Kabba, emphasized that the visit was a testament to President Bio’s sustained efforts to strengthen relations between the two nations. He recalled President Bio’s…

 In a groundbreaking move to bolster its economy and attract international investment, Sierra Leone has officially launched a fast-track citizenship initiative just a month after unveiling its GO-FOR-GOLD (GFG) Permanent Residency Program.  This new initiative allows eligible investors to obtain citizenship in as little as 60 days, significantly streamlining the process compared to the traditional naturalization route, which typically requires eight years of residency and proof of local integration. Alusine Kanneh, Sierra Leone’s Chief Immigration Officer, emphasized the government’s commitment to modernizing its immigration framework. In an official statement, he noted the intention to emulate smaller nations that have successfully…