On November 15, 2024, Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Madam Kenyeh Barlay, launched the Local Council Development Plans for six districts in Sierra Leone. Developed through the Institute for Governance Reform (IGR) under the USAID-funded BASE project, these plans aim to boost governance and community empowerment in Karene, Moyamba, Falaba, Koidu New Sembehun, Tonkolili,…
Manahel al-Otaibi, a 29-year-old fitness instructor and outspoken advocate for women’s rights in Saudi Arabia, has been handed a harsh 11-year prison sentence for her activism. According to Amnesty International and the Saudi rights organization ALQST, she was convicted during a secretive hearing before the kingdom’s Specialized Criminal Court earlier this year. The charges against…
Moses L. Kamara clinched victory at the prestigious 2024 Tour de Côte d’Ivoire on September 18, 2024, in Abidjan. Competing for the Sierra Leone National Cycling Association, Kamara delivered an exceptional performance that propelled him to the top of the podium amidst fierce international competition. This triumph is a significant milestone for Kamara, underscoring his…
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC), has commenced a five-day Peace Mediation Training for staff of the Political Parties Registration Commission (PPRC). The training runs from December 9–13, 2024, at the New Brookfield’s Hotel in Freetown. Olushogo A. David, PPRC’s Executive Secretary, expressed gratitude…
Recent scrutiny by the Public Accounts Committee has highlighted concerns over Sierra Leone Commercial Bank’s (SLCB) loan practices, particularly regarding politically exposed persons (PEPs). An audit revealed loans totaling SLE 41,448,000 disbursed to PEPs by December 31, 2022, without clear policies in place. In response, Victor Thomas Biandoma, Esq., SLCB’s Director of Corporate Affairs, defended…
The aughts were a bold time for eyewear. Stars were running around Hollywood in huge bug-eyed shades (very Paris Hilton) and clear, tinted square frames (very Eve), and I simply had to try them all. As a teen, I was completely obsessed with big, wraparound shield frames. (You could hide half of your face behind…
Sierra Leone’s Transparency and Accountability Committee, led by Chief Whip Hon. Dickson Momoh Rogers, has demanded that the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) office in Pujehun District account for millions of leones spent without proper documentation. The committee’s findings revealed that approximately 30 million old leones were withdrawn from the bank without…
By Reginald Brian Ojukutu Sawyerr Sierra Leone Aquatics is thrilled to announce the continued success of one of the members of our junior swim team, the Baby Dolphins! Fifteen-year-old athlete Peter J. Bewie, who made his debut for Sierra Leone at the Africa Aquatics Zone 2 Swimming Championships in Accra, Ghana last year, is showing…
The Bank of Sierra Leone has issued a public notice warning citizens about scammers. According to the notice, the Bank has become aware of WhatsApp group postings in Sierra Leone encouraging members to join a group for online foreign currency trading. The Bank cited sections of the Financial Services Act, urging the public to exercise…
Sierra Leonean Afrobeat sensation Emmerson Bockarie is set to unveil a new single featuring Nigerian music star Davido. Bockarie recently took to Facebook to announce the exciting collaboration, sharing a studio teaser video showing him and Davido in action during the recording of their upcoming track titled “Head OF HIP HOP.” Produced by WYNN Records…