Author: gleanernewspaper

Harry Leijdekkers (brother of ‘Bolle Jos’) was arrested in Turkey: ‘Will be extradited soon’, while ‘Bolle Jos’ is still at large.  Turkish police have re-arrested his brother, Harry Leijdekkers (49). It is unknown exactly when the older brother of the Netherlands’ most notorious criminal was arrested. However, according to the Algemeen Dagblad newspaper, it happened “very recently.” Furthermore, according to the newspaper’s sources, the Breda native will soon be put on a plane from Turkey to the Netherlands, which has reportedly requested his extradition.  At the time of writing, Harry’s lawyer, Guy Weski, does not yet know why his client was arrested by…

On October 11, Dr Isata Mahoi, Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs, joined child protection partners to commemorate International Day of the Girl, congratulating Sierra Leone’s girls and calling for renewed action to protect their rights. According to Dr Mahoi, the day emphasises the importance of equal opportunities and services for girls so that they can become leaders of the future. She cited the 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action as a long-term blueprint for advancing women’s and girls’ rights, emphasising that every girl should be able to live free of violence, have access to and complete an education,…

On Friday, October 10, 2025, His Excellency Alhaji Mohammed Foday Yumkella, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Sierra Leone to the Republic of Guinea, formally presented his letters of credence, as well as the recall of his predecessor, to His Excellency General Mamadi Doumbouya at the Presidential Lodge in Conakry. The handover marked the official start of Ambassador Yumkella’s diplomatic mission to Guinea. The handover marked the official start of Ambassador Yumkella’s diplomatic mission to Guinea. From His Excellency President Brigadier (Rtd.) Dr. Julius Maada Bio, as well as the Government and People of Sierra Leone, to President…

The Ministry of Technical and Higher Education (MTHE) and the Italian Association for Solidarity Among People (AISPO) have increased efforts to develop and accredit Sierra Leone’s first postgraduate haematology curriculum, marking a significant step toward strengthening the country’s capacity in blood-related clinical care, laboratory services, and research. A high-level engagement meeting, chaired by Emmanuel J. Momoh Esq., Director of Higher Education at MTHE, brought together stakeholders from the education and health sectors to plan the next steps in developing a sustainable specialisation pathway in haematology. Dr Haja Ramatulai Wurie, Minister of Technical and Higher Education, described the meeting as a…

President Julius Maada Bio today reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to accelerating agricultural transformation in Sierra Leone by officially releasing 30 new seed varieties developed by the Sierra Leone Agricultural Research Institute (SLARI) and inaugurating a modern National Seed Testing Laboratory at Mile 91. Both events, held on the same day, are key components of the government’s Feed Salone strategy, a flagship program aimed at transitioning the country from reliance on imported food to self-sufficiency and food production. At a ceremony held at the Rokupr Agricultural Research Centre in Kambia District, which President Bio described as the “home of agricultural research”…

Sierra Leone’s President Dr. Julius Maada Bio welcomed His Excellency Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), to launch the country’s AfCFTA Readiness Assessment Report and Updated National Trade Strategy (2024-2030). Sierra Leone’s efforts to position itself as a proactive participant in Africa’s single market were highlighted by a high-level meeting and associated launches. Minister of Trade and Industry Ibrahim Alpha Sesay introduced the AfCFTA delegation and thanked President Bio for the opportunity. In remarks that framed the government’s approach to AfCFTA implementation, Minister Sesay reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to the “From Policy to Practice” agenda,…

By Zainab Sunkary Koroma For decades, Koidu Holdings Limited was a pillar of Sierra Leone’s diamond industry, creating jobs in Kono District after the war. But, beneath the gleam of diamonds and the promise of steady employment, many employees claim the company’s operations were plagued by chronic neglect, unsafe conditions, and repeated contractual breaches. These long-standing grievances erupted into a crisis in June 2024, when nearly 1,000 Sierra Leonean employees — many with ten, fifteen, or twenty-one years of service — were fired without prior notice, severance pay, or access to mandated benefits. The consequences have reverberated throughout communities that…

The international network connected to Brabant cocaine baron Jos “Bolle Jos” Leijdekkers has suffered yet another major setback. Abdullah Alp Üstün, a Rotterdam-based Turk known as “Don Vito,” was arrested in Dubai two weeks ago and has been extradited to Turkey. The Turkish Minister of the Interior shared images of the transfer on X, showing Üstün blindfolded and seated in a private jet flanked by masked officers; another man believed to be a key figure in the same organisation, Hassan Lala, also appears on the plane.  Turkish prosecutors allege that Üstün and Lala played key roles in laundering significant proceeds…

Africell has launched its “Wel Body” Initiative as part of Africell Health Awareness Day 2025, a workplace wellness program designed to encourage employees to live healthier lifestyles. The event featured free on-site HIV, hepatitis, blood pressure, and blood sugar screenings, as well as health education and wellness talks. Dr Samba Jalloh, Vice President of the Sierra Leone Medical and Dental Association, described the program as “a lifelong investment in the health and well-being of its workforce,” emphasising the importance of regular check-ups and awareness in preventing chronic disease and increasing productivity. Dr Fatmata Taqi, Africell’s Talent Development Director, believes the…

His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio joined young master farmer Sherilyn Cowan in Taiama Town for a symbolic harvest on her privately owned 60-hectare maize farm, which is run by Sherilyn’s Enterprise for National Change (SENC) and supported by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS). The Feed Salone vision aims to transform agriculture into a commercially viable sector that creates jobs, strengthens food security, and promotes national self-sufficiency, and the event was held to highlight this goal. Provides a sustainable path for community empowerment and economic growth. “Feed Salone is more than just a government programme; it…