Author: gleanernewspaper

Freetown Terminal Limited (FTL) commemorated its 15th anniversary on March 13, 2026, with a gathering that highlighted the company’s consistent growth and the critical role employees played in transforming the terminal into a key hub for Sierra Leone maritime trade. The General Manager, Maroun Abi Aad, used the occasion to praise the workforce, describe the achievement as a testament to teamwork, and call for continued unity as the company enters its next phase of development.Abi Aad thanked staff at the anniversary event for their years of hard work and resilience in shaping the terminal’s progress. He framed the anniversary not…

Africell Sierra Leone and Freetown Polytechnic have signed a strategic partnership at the Polytechnic’s Jui Campus in Freetown, taking a significant step toward modernising the institution’s digital infrastructure and creating a technology-driven learning environment. The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two organisations demonstrates a shared commitment to replacing traditional lecture-centric practices with more dynamic, digitally enabled educational approaches, as well as to transitioning the campus to a cashless model.Representatives from both institutions attended the event, which marked the formalisation of a collaboration aimed at increasing access to digital learning tools, strengthening administrative systems, and providing students…

The Minister of Labour, Employment and Social Security, Mohamed Rahman Swarray, has urged the newly appointed chairperson of the National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NASSIT) Board and the Trust’s management to move quickly on implementing the Sierra Leone Informal Sector Pension Scheme so that social security coverage can be extended to workers in the informal economy. Minister Swarray delivered the appeal at the swearing-in ceremony for the new NASSIT Board Chairperson, Madam Isata Marrah, and two newly appointed trustees on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at NASSIT House in Freetown. He described the development of the informal sector pension product…

Conakry, March 2026 — Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone’s presidents met in Conakry on Monday and pledged to strengthen cooperation on peace, security, and development along their common borders. Guinea’s Mamadi Doumbouya, Liberia’s Joseph Nyuma Boakai, and Sierra Leone’s Julius Maada Bio attended the tripartite summit, with Côte d’Ivoire as an observer. The discussions centred on easing recent tensions in border communities and reviving cooperation within the Mano River Union (MRU).During the meeting, the three heads of state reviewed the security landscape along their common borders, emphasising the importance of ongoing dialogue and coordinated action in preventing future incidents. In…

Sierra Leoneans are increasingly critical of the main opposition, the All People’s Congress (APC), claiming the party prioritises its political ambitions over the immediate needs of ordinary citizens. Critics argue that the APC has largely failed to put pressure on the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) to address the country’s deepening economic crisis, instead appearing to be focused on narrow political goals. Since the SLPP took office in 2018, prices for basic foodstuffs have risen dramatically, and many households are struggling to make ends meet. Residents across the country frequently complain about unreliable electricity, inadequate healthcare facilities, a shaky public…

March  2026_As part of ongoing diaspora engagements within the All People’s Congress, Abubakarr Kamara-Taylor accompanied Mustapha Azick Conteh (popularly known as Port Loko Borbor), the APC Diaspora Young Congress Leader, on a courtesy visit to Dr Ibrahim Bangura, a prominent APC flagbearer candidate.The engagement took place in the United Kingdom as part of preparations for the third edition of the APC Diaspora Young Congress Fundraising and Celebration Night, scheduled for March 28, 2026. The fundraising event will be a key platform for increasing diaspora support, mobilising resources, and strengthening party unity among APC members abroad.Strategic Engagement with Flagbearer AspirantThe meeting…

BnB CashApp, a leading platform for cross-border payments and digital financial services, has formed a new partnership with Vickie Remoe, a multimedia producer and entrepreneur. Remoe has been appointed Sierra Leone’s official brand ambassador, leading efforts to increase financial inclusion and simplify how Sierra Leoneans at home and abroad send, receive, and manage money. Remoe, who gained a large audience with the “Vickie Remoe Show” and has a track record of promoting African business growth, was chosen for her credibility and deep ties to the Sierra Leonean community. Aaron Desire, BnB’s Director of Digital Marketing, praised her efforts to spread…

March 2026, Sierra Leone’s Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Alpha Sesay Esq., hosted Isha Johansen for a focused discussion on improving correctional services and expanding opportunities for women in custody. Johansen, who has previously served as President of the Sierra Leone Football Association, a FIFA Council member, a member of the CAF Executive Committee, and a member of the FIFA Foundation Board, has been actively involved in efforts to improve conditions at Freetown’s female correctional facility.The meeting focused on practical, innovative programs that support rehabilitation and social reintegration. Johansen described initiatives such as Football for Reform and Fashion for…

The Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs hosted a high-level meeting with a visiting Russian delegation to discuss potential opportunities for increased cultural exchange and cooperation between Sierra Leone and Russia. The Office of the Vice President facilitated the delegation’s visit, which included Hon. Sahr Emerson Lamina, who welcomed the guests and emphasised the importance of the engagement as a tool for identifying mutually beneficial areas of collaboration. During the session, participants worked on strengthening cultural ties through structured exchange programs. Presentations and discussions focused on promoting Russian culture and identifying opportunities for collaborative projects that would benefit both countries’…

President Dr Julius Maada Bio received a detailed progress report from members of the Presidential Council for Delivering Feed Salone at State House on Monday, emphasising the government’s determination to make the flagship initiative the foundation of the country’s response to long-standing food security challenges.The Presidential Council was established in October 2023 to ensure that Feed Salone provides measurable benefits to Sierra Leoneans by guiding agriculture’s transition from a largely subsistence activity to a productive sector that creates jobs and accelerates economic growth. At the meeting, President Bio described the council as a group of qualified Sierra Leoneans charged with…