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 In a decisive move to uphold accountability, the Sierra Leone Parliament’s 2024 Sub-Appropriation Committee Group Six, chaired by Hon. Ambrose Maada Lebby, stood down the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources and the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs on Thursday, December 5, 2024. The action was taken after both ministries appeared before the committee with incomplete documents during a session held at the Parliament Administrative Building’s conference room. The two ministries, crucial to Sierra Leone’s economic and cultural development, were sent back to reorganize and instructed to reappear on Monday. Hon. Lebby criticized their failure to meet the November 11 deadline for document submission, stating that their late and incomplete documentation demonstrated a lack of respect for parliamentary processes. “They were sorting through their documents in front of us this morning. That is unacceptable and an affront to Parliament. We cannot entertain such behavior,” Hon. ...

The Campaign for Good Governance (CGG), in collaboration with Trocaire and backed by Irish Aid, has launched the Network of Female Councillors Sierra Leone at an event in Freetown’s New Brookfields Hotel, representing a pivotal moment for female leadership in Sierra Leone. This network is designed to empower female councillors, providing a vital platform for shared learning, advocacy, and growth in governance. Marcella Samba Sesay, CGG's Executive Director, opened the ceremony, emphasizing the importance of this initiative in promoting gender equality and reinforcing women’s role in governance. Acknowledging the support of various stakeholders, she noted that the network will strengthen female councillors’ capacities to influence change at the local level. Councillor Salamatu Koroma of Jui highlighted how the network offers a unique opportunity for councillors to exchange experiences and advocate collectively on issues affecting women in their communities. This collaborative space ...

The All People’s Congress (APC) has formally issued guidelines for organizations interested in becoming associate members, a step that aligns with the party's 2022 Constitution. Released by the APC National Secretariat and overseen by the National Advisory Committee (NAC), these guidelines establish the procedural requirements, fees, and membership dues for Sierra Leonean organizations aiming to align with the APC’s mission and objectives. Per Article 9(b) of the APC Constitution, associate membership is available to any Sierra Leonean organization that subscribes to the APC’s goals, policies, and programs. This framework applies equally to existing affiliates and to new groups interested in affiliating with the party. To ensure that member organizations remain engaged and actively support the APC's goals, the guidelines specify that applicants must meet certain application criteria and make financial contributions, including an application fee and recurring membership dues. AP...

The Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MoHS), in partnership with the National Public Health Agency (NPHA) and the Ministry of Social Welfare, has launched a targeted health awareness initiative featuring Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials aimed at helping individuals with disabilities stay informed about the health risks of Lassa fever, Ebola, and Mpox. This initiative, designed to enhance public health inclusivity, ensures that essential information on disease symptoms, transmission, prevention, and treatment is accessible and tailored to meet the needs of disabled individuals. The materials, developed with support from Breakthrough ACTION, incorporate diverse accessible formats—large print, braille, simplified language, audio recordings, and visual aids—ensuring that information reaches individuals with varying types of disabilities. This inclusive approach was developed in consultation with disability advocates, ensuring that the content addresses real-world ...

On November 1, 2024, at the Freetown City Council Hall, the Sierra Leone Immigration Department (SLID) marked a historic occasion with the launch of new security uniforms and a milestone announcement—the decentralization of passport processing services across the country. Chief Immigration Officer (CIO), Hon. Alusine Kanneh, unveiled the initiative, which will allow passport processing in key district headquarter towns, significantly improving accessibility for Sierra Leoneans. By the end of November, citizens in Kenema (Eastern region), Bo (Southern region), and Bombali (Northeastern region) will no longer need to travel to Freetown for passport services, addressing longstanding accessibility challenges for rural residents. "The decentralization of passport services is part of our broader strategy to modernize and improve the efficiency of the Immigration Department,” Hon. Kanneh stated, emphasizing the financial and logistical relief this change brings to many Sierra Leoneans. L...

Today, the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone (HRCSL) advanced its initiative to strengthen local human rights oversight, delivering a focused two-day training for District Human Rights Committees (DHRCs) and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in the northern region. Held at the Bombali District Council Hall in Makeni and backed by funding from UNDP and Irish Aid, the training emphasized the application of human rights indicators for effective monitoring and reporting on international standards. This program, led by the Directorate of Treaty Bodies Reporting and International Mechanisms, aimed to equip local advocates with skills in human rights monitoring and documentation. Key areas covered included data collection techniques and verification, both essential for ensuring the reliability of reports on human rights abuses. Adama B. Sesay, Vice Chairperson of the Bombali District Human Rights Committee, highlighted the workshop’s significance, stating, “It will be difficult to repo...