Local News
Witness Testifies Against WAKA FINE Bus Validator for Forging Tickets
By: Edrie. Caleb John In a hearing before Magistrate Sahr Kekura at Court No. 1, Pademba Road, Freetown, Charlie Ahmed Winchester, a 19-year-old Waka Fine Bus validator, was remanded in custody for allegedly forging Waka Fine Bus tickets. The prosecution presented its first witness, Abel Junisa, who identified the accused as a validator for Waka…
Robbery in Uniform: Four Police Officers Dismissed
By: Lucinda J. Smith The Sierra Leone Police Force has faced numerous challenges with internal corruption and misconduct in recent years, marked by several high-profile cases of officers engaging in criminal activities. To combat this issue and restore public trust, the force has taken robust measures to hold errant officers accountable. On Thursday, September 5,…
First Ladies Unite for Women’s Education
By: Elizabeth A. Kaine A historic conference on women’s education brought together First Ladies from African nations in Beijing China September 4, 2024. The event, held at the State Guest House, Fanghua Yuan, aimed to promote women’s education and empowerment. Sierra Leone’s First Lady, Dr. Fatima Maada Bio, joined her counterparts from various African countries…
PAC Directs Union Trust Bank to Pay SLRSA Le 460 Million
By: Saidu Jalloh On Wednesday, September 4, 2024, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), chaired by Deputy Speaker of Parliament Hon. Ibrahim Tawa Conteh, ordered Union Trust Bank’s Kenema Branch to pay Le 460 million into the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority’s (SLRSA) account. This directive follows a query raised in the Auditor General’s Report for…
Domestic Violence Gets Officer the Boot
By: Elizabeth A. Kaine On Wednesday, September 4, 2024, a public hearing, ordered by Inspector General of Police (IGP) William Fayia Sellu, was held in Kamakwie Town to address a case of domestic violence involving Police Constable Alhassan Tejan Kamara. The hearing demonstrated the police force’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and zero-tolerance for domestic violence….
LE 17.15 Billion Requested: More Money for More Accountability
By: Tommy Koroma The Audit Service Sierra Leone has presented a bold request for Le 17.15 billion for the 2025 fiscal year, aiming to strengthen its independence and ensure efficient use of public funds. This significant increase from the 2023 budget of Le 12.5 billion, of which only Le 8.57 billion was disbursed, is crucial…
From Pain to Peace: Sahr’s Journey to Recovery with Mercy Ship
By: Elizabeth A. Kaine Mercy Ships has returned to Sierra Leone for a 10-month mission to deliver over 1,400 surgeries. The first patient to receive surgery was Sahr, a 32-year-old police officer who had been suffering from a large hernia since age 20, on 4th September 2024. Sahr’s hernia had grown to the size of…
Expired Goods Nabbed: Deputy Minister Cracks Down
By: Elizabeth A Kaine Deputy Trade Minister Fatmata Kargbo led a surprise inspection of shops and supermarkets in the Western Area yesterday, Thursday, September 4th, 2024, targeting expired and substandard products. Accompanied by officials from the National Consumer Protection Commission and Standards Bureaus, the operation aimed to protect consumer interests and ensure public safety. The…
Government Condemns Rising Domestic Violence
By: Elizabeth A. Kaine The Government of Sierra Leone has condemned the recent surge in domestic violence cases across the country, particularly against women and girls. On September 3, 2024, the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs issued a press release expressing “profound concern and outrage” over the disturbing trend. “We unequivocally condemn all forms…