Author: gleanernewspaper

President Joe Biden. President Julius Maada Bio U.S. Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ), who chairs the House Global Health and Global Human Rights Subcommittee, has voiced his strong concerns regarding reports of U.S. involvement in promoting abortion legislation in Sierra Leone. According to Smith, the Biden Administration is allegedly threatening to withhold foreign assistance from the West African nation unless its lawmakers pass the “Safe Motherhood Act,” a bill that would legalise abortion in a country that currently upholds protections for unborn life. In a statement released on December 16, 2024, Smith characterised this approach as deeply troubling, asserting that it…

By Ibrahim Sorie Koroma In a significant leap forward for healthcare in Sierra Leone, the Princess Christian Maternity Hospital (PCMH) has commenced laparoscopic surgeries for the first time, addressing various gynaecological conditions. This monumental achievement was announced by Dr Amadu Sesay, the Medical Superintendent at PCMH, who emphasised the importance of this advancement in the country’s medical landscape. The introduction of laparoscopic surgery at PCMH has been made possible by acquiring a cutting-edge laparoscope, a specialised medical device that facilitates minimally invasive surgical procedures. Dr. Sesay explained that this technique, often referred to as keyhole surgery or minimal access surgery,…

The Late Hon. Justice Ansumana Ivan Sesay (JA) The Judiciary of Sierra Leone gathered on January 3, 2025, to pay heartfelt tributes to the late Hon. Justice Ansumana Ivan Sesay (JA), who was laid to rest in his ancestral home at Moyamba Wusha Village, Rotifunk, in the Southern Region of the country. The ceremony drew a significant crowd of mourners, including colleagues, family members, and community members who came together to honour the memory of a revered figure in the legal community. The Honourable Chief Justice Komba Kamanda delivered a poignant message to the people of Rotifunk, urging them to…

The Sierra Leone Water Company (SALWACO) has officially ushered in a new era of leadership with the appointment of Mr. Joe Jonathan Ndanema as the new Board Chairman. This transition was marked by a formal handover ceremony on Monday, December 23rd, 2024, at the SALWACO Board room, where the outgoing Chairman, Alhaji Ing. Mohamed Alie Jalloh, officially passed the leadership baton to his successor. The event underscored the organisation’s ongoing commitment to providing safe and reliable water services throughout Sierra Leone. The ceremony commenced with introductions of both the outgoing and incoming chairpersons, alongside other distinguished members of the Board…

Most Rev. Edward Tamba Charles, Chernor Bah, Minister Of Information and Dr Jalikatu Mustapha, Deputy Minister of Health II In a recent statement, Most Rev. Edward Tamba Charles, the Catholic Archbishop of Freetown and President of the Inter-religious Council of Sierra Leone has publicly refuted claims made by the Ministry of Information regarding his stance on the proposed modifications to the Safe Motherhood and Reproductive Health Bill. The Archbishop’s remarks, issued on January 6, 2025, come in response to a statement posted on the Ministry’s website, which he alleges inaccurately attributed to him the assertion that the government had taken…

Francess Virginia Anderson and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan In a significant diplomatic ceremony, Francess Virginia Anderson, PhD, the newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Sierra Leone to Türkiye, presented her letter of credence to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. During this formal occasion, Ambassador Anderson conveyed a goodwill message from Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio, emphasising the importance of the relationship between the two nations. The presentation of ambassadorial credentials is a moment steeped in diplomatic tradition, marking the official beginning of an ambassador’s role as the representative of their nation in a foreign land. This ceremony…

The Fourth Report of the Committee on Appointments and Public Service, Chaired by the Leader of Government Business, Hon. Mathew Sahr Nyuma, has been debated and unanimously approved by the Parliament of Sierra Leone, containing twenty-six Presidential Nominees. Parliament approved the following Presidential Nominees: 1. Mr. Philip Bob Jusu- Ambassador, Sierra Leone Embassy, Brussels, Belgium 2. Lieutenant General Rtd. Peter Kakowou Lavahun – High Commissioner to the Republic of Kenya 3. Dr. Mohamed Kanja Sesay – Ambassador, Sierra Leone Embassy, Paris, France 4. Retired Major General David Fred Alpha – Deputy High Commissioner Sierra Leone High Commission, Abuja, Nigeria 5.…

In a landmark initiative to bolster healthcare services in Sierra Leone, President Dr. Julius Maada Bio has inaugurated a state-of-the-art cold chain facility for the Bonthe District Health Management Team and launched the National Emergency Medical Services (NEMS) program. These developments are part of the government’s broader Quality Essential Health Service and System Support project, designed to improve healthcare delivery across the nation. During the commissioning ceremony, President Bio expressed his heartfelt appreciation to the health sector management team and various donor partners whose collaborative efforts have significantly advanced healthcare in the region. He emphasised that the new cold chain…

SLPHA’s Director General, Yankuba A. Bio The Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority (SLPHA) is facing significant turmoil following revelations about a staggering 1.3 tonnes of cocaine, valued at £140 million, that was shipped from Sierra Leone to the United Kingdom. The shipment, which has sparked widespread concern, was reportedly concealed in large blue sacks labelled as flour, destined for an industrial estate in Wigan, Lancashire. In response to the growing controversy, SLPHA’s Director General, Yankuba A. Bio, asserted that the issue is an outdated matter that has already been investigated, claiming no connection to Sierra Leone. However, the UK…

By Anders Hagstrom Fox News President Biden’s administration is pressuring the government of Sierra Leone to adopt more permissive abortion policies in exchange for foreign assistance, according to a Monday report. The African nation currently bans abortion in most circumstances, but legislation before the country’s Parliament would decriminalise the practice. The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), a U.S. government-run funding allocator, is reportedly threatening to withhold hundreds of millions in foreign assistance funding if the abortion law does not pass, a former senior U.S. government official who has worked in the region told the Daily Signal. The MCC CEO, Alice Albright,…