A recent study by SEND Sierra Leone reveals that 84% of healthcare facilities across the country face severe shortages of essential medicines, including antibiotics, pain relief drugs, and emergency treatments. The assessment, conducted in September 2024, covered 44 facilities in Kailahun, Kenema, Falaba, Kono, Port Loko, and Pujehun, highlighting critical gaps in the healthcare supply…
Honourable Ibrahim Tawa Conteh, Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), has accused the National Revenue Authority (NRA) of obstructing efforts to recover outstanding debts. The PAC had directed commercial banks to garnish the accounts of defaulting Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) for unpaid Goods and Services Tax (GST). However, the collected amount fell short…
The Sierra Leone Maritime Administration (SLMA) has launched a comprehensive five-year strategic plan to boost operational efficiency and position the maritime sector as a cornerstone of national development. The initiative was introduced during a two-day management retreat at Fabulous Resort, where SLMA stakeholders gathered to set strategic goals for advancing Sierra Leone’s maritime sector. Themed…
Conflict is a major cause of political instability and poor institutional quality, leading to low foreign direct investment (FDI) in Sierra Leone. The country has suffered various conflicts, including revolutionary warfare, insurgency, and conventional warfare, driven by political power struggles and resource competition. These conflicts have tarnished Sierra Leone’s international reputation, branding it as a…
The Institute of Governance Reforms (IGR), in partnership with the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED) and several Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), hosted a stakeholder engagement on Friday to validate draft development plans for four local councils in Sierra Leone. The goal was to engage MDAs and the private sector in shaping local…
By: Theresa Thomas CARL-SL, backed by the Open Society Foundation, recently concluded a series of nationwide stakeholder engagements in Bo, Kenema, Makeni, and Port Loko. These sessions aimed to review the progress of the Tripartite Committee—a collaborative effort involving Sierra Leone’s government, opposition parties like the APC, and international partners—to address electoral challenges following the…
President Kais Saied secured a decisive victory in Tunisia’s election on Monday, consolidating his hold on power after a term marked by the imprisonment of opponents and institutional reforms expanding his authority. Farouk Bouaskar, head of the Independent High Authority for Elections (ISIE), announced a turnout of 28.8%, with 2.8 million votes cast from 9.7…
On Wednesday, the UN Security Council addressed Sudan’s ongoing humanitarian crisis, now exacerbated by over 16 months of conflict. UN Assistant Secretary-General for Africa, Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee, highlighted the recent surge in violence in El Fasher amid a prolonged siege by the Rapid Support Forces. She condemned the severe suffering of civilians, including famine…
Dr. Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella, Chairman of Sierra Leone’s Presidential Initiative on Climate Change, Renewable Energy, and Food Security, recently emphasized the government’s dedication to lowering energy costs for citizens. During discussions with Francesco La Camera, Director-General of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), Dr. Yumkella highlighted efforts to leverage cost-effective energy sources and reduce tariffs….
The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation’s (DFC) Deputy CEO, Nisha Biswal, attended a groundbreaking ceremony today for the Nant Energy Project, which aims to nearly double Sierra Leone’s energy capacity and enhance its attractiveness for external investment. Formerly known as the Western Area Power Generation Project, this will be Sierra Leone’s first gas-to-power plant, addressing…