Local News
Bio: “A Nation That Cannot Feed Itself Cannot Truly Call Itself Free”
By Kadijatu Bangura, Staff Reporter President Julius Maada Bio says food security, education, health and energy remain the pillars of his government’s transformation agenda, declaring that “a nation that cannot feed itself cannot truly call itself free.” The goal, Bio said, is simple: “Sierra Leonean farmers will be able to use our fertile land to…
National Unity Must Be Actively Built, Not Selectively Applied” Yansaneh on 65th Independence Day
By Kadijatu Bangura, Staff Reporter Marking Sierra Leone’s 65th Independence Anniversary on Monday, Acting National Chairman of the All People’s Congress Alhaji Osman Foday Yansaneh said “national unity must be actively built, not selectively applied,” warning that rising political intolerance and eroding trust in public institutions are straining the promise of independence. In a statement…
Kamanda Makes History as First Sierra Leonean to Chair ECOWAS Judicial Council
By Saidu Jalloh, Staff Reporter Chief Justice Komba Kamanda has become the first Sierra Leonean to chair the ECOWAS Judicial Council, hosting its inaugural Statutory Meeting in Freetown and marking a new level of regional influence for the country’s judiciary. The meeting, held Saturday, April 26, at the Atlantic Hotel on Lumley Beach Road, brought…
Bio Commissions Pujehun Roads, Bridge; Launches Gbondapi Link to Spur Food Security
By Saidu Jalloh, Staff Reporter Pujehun District President Julius Maada Bio on Saturday commissioned a cluster of major infrastructure projects in Pujehun, including the 25km Bandajuma–Pujehun Road and the newly named Julius Maada Bio Bridge, while breaking ground for the Pujehun–Gbondapi Road that officials say will anchor the government’s Feed Salone food security programme. The…
Mahoi Launches Fashion Skills Drive to Rehabilitate Women in Prisons
By Joseph Momoh, Staff Reporter The Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs has launched a skills training initiative targeting women and girls in correctional facilities, with fashion design as a central pillar to promote rehabilitation, economic independence, and social reintegration. Minister Dr. Isata Mahoi announced the programme during a high-level engagement at a women’s correctional…
SLID Trains 120 New Officers to Boost Border Security, Service Delivery
By Saidu Jalloh, Staff Reporter The Sierra Leone Immigration Department has completed induction training for 120 new officers, a move officials say will bolster border management and raise service standards across the country. The programme, which ended April 25 at the Civil Service Training College in Freetown, ran in two three-day batches and covered border…
Shell Secures Reconnaissance Deal for Offshore Sierra Leone Oil Hunt
By Saidu Jalloh, D.S Shell has entered Sierra Leone’s upstream sector after signing a reconnaissance permit with the government to assess the country’s offshore oil and gas prospects, the Petroleum Directorate of Sierra Leone (PDSL) confirmed Wednesday. The agreement grants the British energy major rights to carry out advanced geological and geophysical surveys across roughly…
President Bio Breaks Ground on Sierra Leone’s First Industrial Fishing Port at Black Johnson
By Kadijatu Bangura, D.S Black Johnson, Western Area Rural District Thursday, April 23, 2026 President Julius Maada Bio on Thursday launched construction of the Julius Maada Bio Industrial Fishing Port at Black Johnson, in a move the government says will anchor Sierra Leone’s push into the Blue Economy and overhaul its fisheries sector. Addressing stakeholders…
$35M Debt, $6.3M Wage Backlog: Govt Leans on Africell Deal to Resurrect Sierratel
By Kadijatu Bangura, D.S The Government of Sierra Leone has unveiled plans to restore state-owned Sierratel through a 10-year partnership with Africell, despite the telecom’s $35 million debt to EXIM Bank and $6.3 million in outstanding wage liabilities. Speaking at the Ministry of Information and Civic Education’s weekly press briefing, Minister of Communication, Technology and…
AG Urges Deeper ECOWAS Judicial Ties to Bolster Regional Justice
By Joseph Momoh, D.S Freetown, April 23, 2026 Attorney General and Minister of Justice Alpha Sesay on Wednesday called for enhanced judicial cooperation across West Africa, saying stronger ties are vital to protecting human rights, advancing the rule of law, and driving economic integration within ECOWAS. Speaking at the opening of the Statutory Meeting of…