September 26, 2020

Corruption Undermines Social Development and Stymied Inclusive Economic Growth

September 26, 2020/ Theo Edwards

Sierra Leone President: We Cannot Be This Corrupt. "We have to draw the line... we cannot be this corrupt as a nation and expect to develop," he told the BBC's Umaru Fofana in Freetown.

Source: BBC

July 19, 2020

Guidelines: Arriving and Departing by Air

July 19, 2020/ Theo Edwards

Sierra Leone: Post-COVID19: Travel

The Government of Sierra Leone and Ministry of Transport and Aviation, the Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority, Sierra Leone Airports Authority, and the National COVID-19 Emergency Response Centre (NaCOVERC). Publish the following safety and public health guidelines shall be strictly adhered to by all arriving and departing passengers to /from the Freetown International Airport - Lungi.

April 27, 2020

A Prayer for Sierra Leone

April 27, 2020/ Theo Edwards

A prayer for Sierra Leone on the 59th anniversary of independence; this is the only place we call home, let’s treat home right.

By Dr. Theodosia M. Edwards

March 12, 2020

AfDB President Arrived In Freetown

March 12, 2020/ Theo Edwards

The visit presents an opportunity to deepen discussions on several fronts, and in particular, how the African Development Bank (AfDB) assists Sierra Leone to implement the 2019-2023 National Development Plan focuses on human capital development.

By Sylvester Samba

March 11, 2020

Sierra Leone Heads ECOWAS Parliament

March 11, 2020/ Theo Edwards

Hon. Sidie Mohammed Tunis, Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament

The election of Hon Tunis marks the first time that Sierra Leone is occupying the position of Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament since its establishment in 2002. The Speaker promised to assist the ECOWAS Commission in its integrated economic activities by providing the much-needed oversight in the areas of industry, transport, telecommunications, energy, agriculture, natural resources, commerce, youth empowerment, and monetary and financial issues.

By Sylvester Samba

February 26, 2020

Air Senegal to launch Geneva and London; Milan, Madrid, Rome next?

February 26, 2020/ Theo Edwards

Abidjan, Bamako, Banjul, Bissau, Conakry, Freetown, Nouakchott, and Praia are available over Dakar on a two-way basis, with connections within about two hours in both directions. London – Freetown, for example, is a market of ~36,000 passengers, with timings as follows:

Freetown – Dakar: 1945 – 2230; Dakar – London: 0015 – 0625
London – Dakar: 0750 – 1405; Dakar – Freetown: 1600 – 1845

By Theo Edwards: Source: anna aero (airline network news and analysis)

February 24, 2020

European Union Invests Over €18 Million

February 24, 2020/ Theo Edwards

To boost strategic agricultural investments for job creation through the inclusion of the private sector in agriculture, the European Union (EU), with the Government of Sierra Leone, has launched 15 Grants contracts worth over 18 (€18) million Euros.

By Sylvester Samba

February 19, 2020

ECOWAS Drug Action Plan 2016-2020

February 19, 2020/ Theo Edwards

Schools are not free from the menace of drug abuse that has engulfed society.

The regional Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), in collaboration with the country’s National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has embarked on five-day prevention and sensitization on the use of drugs in schools.

The initiative started Monday 17th February 2020 at the Ahmadiyya Muslim Secondary School, Kissy Dockyard, brought together major schools in the East End of Freetown. The program said to be in line with the implementation of the ECOWAS Drug Action Plan 2016-2020 and wholly funded by the ECOWAS Commission.

By Sylvester Samba

January 31, 2020

International Monetary Fund (IMF)

January 31, 2020/ Theo Edwards

A delegation from the IMF led by First Deputy Managing Director, Dr. David Lipton, had meetings with the President of Sierra Leone Julius Maada Bio, where the IMF Chief confirmed the Fund is pleased in support of the country. The two met at State House, in the capital Freetown, on Tuesday 28th January 2020.

By Sylvester Samba

January 24, 2020

Sierra Leone Makes Remarkable Progress In Global Corruption Ranking

January 24, 2020/ Theo Edwards

The Corruption Perception Index (CPI), released on Thursday 23rd January 2020, is a clear indication that the thirty-three (33) points scored is the highest the country ever achieved since its inclusion in the TI index. Sierra Leone now leads sixty-one (61) countries in the global campaign against corruption. More than 28 African countries; Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria, Togo, Kenya, among others.

By Sylvester Samba

January 15, 2020

Lassa Fever Under Control In Sierra Leone

January 15, 2020/ Theo Edwards

The Government of Sierra Leone, through its Ministry of Health and Sanitation, declared that the Lassa Fever epidemic in Tonkolili District in the Northern part of Sierra Leone no longer considered to be a health emergency. The pronouncement came Tuesday 7th January 2020 after it was confirmed by the World Health Organization (WHO). Tonkolili district and its previously affected areas are now declared safe and free from Lassa Fever.

Lassa Fever, named after the town in Nigeria where the illness first discovered in 1969 caused by a hemorrhagic virus that belongs to the same family as Marburg, and Ebola, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). It is mainly spread by rodents and endemic to parts of West Africa: including Sierra Leone, Guinea, Liberia, and Nigeria.

By Sylvester Samba

December 20, 2019

Idris Elba Arrived In His Father´s Native Sierra Leone For The First Time

December 20, 2019/ Theo Edwards

Idris Elba arrived in Sierra Leone on Wednesday, December 18, 2019, for the first time where he is due to receive Sierra Leone citizenship and celebrate Christmas with the President, Julius Maada Bio, according to government sources. Elba planned to visit Sherbro Island renowned for its pristine tropical beaches. The country hopes to revitalize its tourism industry. And, with Mr. Idris Elba as the country's Brand Ambassador, he brings with it new life and vitality.

By Theo Edwards

December 13, 2019

At ECOWAS Court of Justice

December 13, 2019/ Theo Edwards

In a landmark decision for the West African Region and Africa in general, the court again ordered the government of Sierra Leone to put in place measures including social programs to address increased numbers of teenage pregnancies and sensitize the communities against discrimination.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Court of Justice based in Abuja, Nigeria, on Thursday 12th December 2019, ordered the government of Sierra Leone to lift the ban on pregnant school girls with immediate effect. The Court, in its ruling, found that the government breached the right of pregnant girls to education by prohibiting them from accessing school.

By Sylvester Samba

December 10, 2019

Weak Mining Sector Slows Salone Economy

December 10, 2019/ Theo Edwards

Economic growth in Sierra Leone remained subdued. The economy grew by 3.5 percent in 2018 compared to 3.8 percent in 2017.

The Minister of Finance, Jacob Jusu Saffa, formally launched the 2018 Economic Bulletin, at his Ministry's Conference Room in Freetown Friday 6th December 2019.

By Sylvester Samba

November 25, 2019

GIABA, FIU Engages Sierra Leonean Youths On AML/CFT

November 25, 2019/ Theo Edwards

The Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) on Thursday 21st November 2019, organized its 12th Open House Forum on Anti-Money Laundering, and Counter-Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) for Youths in Sierra Leone. The 12th edition held at Fourah Bah College (FBC) in Freetown, Sierra Leone. The forum brought together student representatives from tertiary institutions, civil society organizations, the media, and officials of regulatory agencies involved in the fight against money laundering and terrorist financing.

By Sylvester Samba

November 20, 2019

UN Convention On The Rights Of The Child (UNCRC)

November 20, 2019/ Theo Edwards

The 20th November 2019, the United Nations General Assembly and State parties celebrated the 30th Anniversary of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), which was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in November 1989. Symbolically, 2019 marks the 40th Anniversary of the Defense for Children International Global Movement and the 20th Anniversary of Defense for Children International Sierra Leone.

By Sylvester Samba

November 13, 2019

Sierra Leone Military To Grow Own Rice

November 13, 2019/ Theo Edwards

It is projected rice consumption by the security forces will be produced locally in three years.

The Minister of Finance, Mr. Jacob Jusu Saffa, confirmed the government spends huge amount on the purchase of imported rice for the security forces. In a bid to reduce this pressure on the New Direction Government, the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) will start growing its rice as this will partly substitute imported rice provided to the Military.

By Sylvester Samba

November 09, 2019

UN Peacebuilding Commission Chief Visit Sierra Leone

November 09, 2019/ Theo Edwards

The Permanent Representative of Colombia to the United Nations and Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC), Ambassador Guillermo Fernandez de Soto led a high level delegation of members of the Commission to a joint visit in Sierra Leone from 3 to 5 November 2019 with the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for West Africa, Mr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, and the Assistant Secretary-General for Peacebuilding Support, Mr. Oscar Fernandez-Taranco.

By Sylvester Samba

November 09, 2019

Sierra Leone Eliminates GST on Aviation Charges

November 09, 2019/ Theo Edwards

Jacob Jusu Saffa, Minister of Finance

To make air transport affordable and accessible to all Sierra Leoneans and also to promote tourism, the Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL), through the Ministry of Finance, has eliminated the Goods and Service Tax (GST) levied on all aviation charges at the Freetown International Airport.

The Minister of Finance, Hon. Jacob Jusu Saffa made this disclosure during the reading of the Government Budget for the 2020 Financial Year in the Well of Parliament. The GST exemption on all aviation charges is expected to take effect in 2020 after the enactment of the 2020 Finance Bill.

By Sylvester Samba

November 09, 2019

School Authorities Refund Scratch Card Monies

November 09, 2019/ Theo Edwards

As part of its mandate to curb corrupt practices and the enforcement of government policies, the North-West Regional office of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is currently monitoring the refund of monies collected by Principals of Secondary Schools to register candidates for the West Africa Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

The government of Sierra Leone, through the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary School Education, instructed principals to refund monies collected from students for WAEC scratch cards for registration for the WASSCE exam.

By Sylvester Samba

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