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 Sierra Leone’s Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah, paid an official visit to Foster + Partners in London, alongside Sherbro Alliance Partners (SAP) co-founder, Siaka Stevens. The visit aimed to discuss the ambitious Sherbro Island City Project , which seeks to transform Sherbro Island into a sustainable, world-class urban hub. Hosted at the offices of Foster + Partners, one of the world’s leading architectural and design firms, the meeting provided an opportunity to present the early stages of planning and visioning for this transformative initiative. During the session, Minister Bah and Mr. Stevens engaged in strategic discussions on the project’s potential to revitalize Bonthe Town , positioning it as the gateway to the larger development of Sherbro Island. The architectural team at  Foster + Partners  showcased their innovative and environmentally conscious design philosophy, which is integral to the Sherbro Island City Project. The presentatio...

On Friday, September 13, U.S. Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Bryan Hunt, hosted a pivotal business luncheon at his South Ridge residence, bringing together American businesses operating in Sierra Leone. The event, which featured the country's Minister of Trade and Industry, Alpah Ibrahim Sesay, as the guest of honor, focused on addressing key challenges affecting the local business environment. During the luncheon, executives from American firms raised significant concerns over delays in port operations, high bank interest rates, and the need for clearer communication on investment opportunities. They also highlighted the unpredictability of the tax regime, which they described as a major obstacle to sustainable business growth. Minister Sesay, in response, expressed gratitude for the candid feedback from the business community and assured attendees that the government is actively working to address these issues. He underscored the development of the Single Window Port Operations syst...

The Government of Sierra Leone, through the Ministry of Finance, has reaffirmed its commitment to combat human trafficking and support its victims by transferring Fifty Thousand New Leones (SLE50,000) into the Victims of Human Trafficking (VOT) Trust Fund. This financial contribution is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to provide care and rehabilitation services to victims, particularly vulnerable women and children affected by this heinous crime. An additional SLE50,000 is currently held at the Bank of Sierra Leone, with imminent plans to transfer these funds into the VOT Trust Fund Account. This initiative forms part of the Ministry of Finance’s regular quarterly allocations to the Anti-Trafficking in Persons (ATIP) Task Force Secretariat, underscoring the government's commitment to ensuring that victims receive comprehensive support. Dehunge Shiaka, Executive Director of the ATIP Task Force Secretariat, emphasized the importance of this financial backing in creating a ro...

President Julius Maada Bio, in his capacity as the Coordinator of the African Union Committee of Ten Heads of State and Government on the Reform of the United Nations Security Council (C-10), has warmly welcomed the United States’ endorsement of two permanent African seats on the UN Security Council. The announcement was made by the U.S. Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, a key member of President Joe Biden’s administration. President Bio hailed this development as a “major shift” in U.S. policy, noting that it now fully aligns with the Common African Position, which advocates for more substantial African representation on the Security Council. Prior to this, the U.S. had supported only permanent representation for Africa without fully committing to the demand for two permanent seats. This new stance follows a historic UN Security Council reform debate in August 2024, chaired by President Bio, during Sierra Leone’s presidency of the Council. The deb...

  On September 12, 2024, Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh officially launched the “Strengthening Resilience in Food Systems Transformation” workshop at the Bintumani Hotel in Freetown. The event was a significant step towards addressing Sierra Leone's food security challenges and transforming its agricultural sector. In his keynote address, Dr. Jalloh emphasized the critical need for coordinated efforts among various stakeholders, including Ministries, Departments, Agencies (MDAs), development partners, and civil society. He underlined that collaboration is vital to reducing the country's dependence on food imports, particularly rice, which not only drives up the cost of living but also stifles local agricultural growth. The Vice President noted that the most vulnerable to food insecurity are rural households, especially in remote areas like Falaba, which suffer from poor road infrastructure. He reiterated the government’s focus on transforming food systems as a nationa...

In a deeply emotional and solemn funeral service held at St. Joseph’s Catholic Community Church in Tihun, President Julius Maada Bio expressed profound sorrow as he bid farewell to his beloved sister, Elizabeth Baby Bio. Her passing, President Bio reflected, has left a void in their family that can never be filled. In his heartfelt tribute, the President spoke of the qualities that defined his late sister, describing her as humble, hardworking, and devoted to her family. He noted that Elizabeth was known for her selflessness and her unwavering dedication to ensuring the well-being of her loved ones.  “She was humble and hardworking. No family member could ever say she was not dedicated. She would virtually do everything for a family member with a very humble heart,” President Bio recalled, reflecting on her remarkable character. The President also emphasized Elizabeth’s role in maintaining peace and unity within the family. He fondly remembered how she fostered joy, camaraderie, an...