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Sierra Leone’s Chief Minister, Moinina David Sengeh, alongside senior government officials, is set to meet with key Congressional staff in Washington, D.C., in a vital lobbying effort aimed at securing the U.S. Congress’s approval for the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact Program. The program, which represents a significant US$480 million grant primarily focused on strengthening Sierra Leone’s energy sector, has encountered delays since July due to a Congressional hold on approval. The Sierra Leone government is committed to finalizing the Compact by September, demonstrating its dedication to implementing the recommendations outlined in the Tripartite Committee Report. This report, backed by the U.S. government and international partners, aims to address critical electoral reforms ahead of the 2028 elections. However, the approval process for the MCC program has been scrutinized, particularly following the contentious outcomes of the June 2023 multi-tier elections in Sierr...

Concerns are mounting over the transparency and fiscal responsibility of various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) in Sierra Leone, as it has emerged that numerous board members whose terms have expired continue to receive salaries, sitting allowances, and influence key government decisions. This issue has surfaced at a time when Sierra Leone is grappling with significant economic challenges, leading to widespread calls for President Julius Maada Bio to take swift action. Recent reports indicate that board members in several MDAs have overstayed their legal tenures, with some terms expiring as far back as 2023. Despite clear statutory mandates limiting board tenures to three years, with a maximum of six years across two terms, these individuals remain in office, resulting in governance breaches and an unnecessary financial strain on the state. The issue has drawn criticism from citizens and political observers alike, who are calling for an immediate review and dissolution of...

In a momentous occasion for Sierra Leonean football, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has appointed three top referees from Sierra Leone to officiate Match No. 62 in the 2024/25 CAF Confederation Cup. The match will be held on September 22, 2024, in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, where AS Vita of DRC will face Stellenbosch FC from South Africa. The Sierra Leonean officials entrusted with this prestigious task are: - Rashid Mohamed Conteh (Center Referee) - Ibrahim Bah (Assistant Referee) - Alhaji Musa Kabia (Reserve Referee) This appointment marks a major milestone for the individuals involved and Sierra Leonean football as a whole, underscoring the growing recognition of the country's refereeing talent on an international platform. As the highly anticipated match approaches, football fans across Sierra Leone and beyond are proud of Conteh, Bah, and Kabia, celebrating their representation in one of Africa's most prestigious football tournaments. Their partic...

  The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved a 38-month loan program for Sierra Leone under its Extended Credit Facility (ECF), valued at SDR 187 million (approximately US$253 million). This loan is designed to aid Sierra Leone in overcoming its economic challenges, stabilizing the macroeconomic environment, and promoting sustainable growth. This approval follows a staff-level agreement between the IMF and Sierra Leonean authorities on a set of key economic policies and reforms. These reforms focus on reducing inflation, addressing debt vulnerabilities, strengthening governance, and fostering inclusive growth. The loan will also provide essential funding for structural reforms and targeted social spending to reduce poverty, ensuring Sierra Leone’s development objectives, as outlined in its  Medium Term National Development Plan (MTNDP) 2024-30,  are met. During the loan discussions, Christian Saborowski, who led the IMF mission to Sierra Leone, commended the gover...

Recent reports indicate that Sierra Leone's state-owned enterprises (SOEs) are under significant financial pressure, with a total debt of US$36.54 million as of December 2023. The Sierra Leone Telecommunications Company (SIERRATEL) is the largest contributor, accounting for an overwhelming 80.71% of this debt, raising serious concerns about the financial management and long-term sustainability of SOEs in the country. The Public Debt Management Division revealed that the bulk of SIERRATEL’s debt is tied to loans intended for modernizing and expanding telecommunications infrastructure. Key projects, such as the CDMA initiative, were financed through loans from international creditors, including Exim Banks of India and China. While SIERRATEL leads the debt burden, other SOEs like the Guma Valley Water Company hold smaller portions of the debt, primarily to fund infrastructure projects like the Freetown Wash and Aquatic Environment Revamping Project. The debt has increased from US$34.0...

Madam Musayeroh Barrie, Director General of the Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority, has announced that the number of weekly flights to Sierra Leone will increase to 50 by October 2024. Speaking at the weekly government press briefing on September 17, 2024, she highlighted the remarkable progress made under her leadership as she approaches her first year in office. Upon assuming her role, flight frequency to Sierra Leone stood at 37 per week. However, through strategic efforts to attract more flights and ensure regulatory compliance, this number has already risen to 47 flights per week, with the introduction of Ethiopian Airlines being a key factor. Madam Barrie further revealed that Brussels Airlines will be increasing their flights to Sierra Leone from three to five times per week starting in October. This additional capacity will bring the total weekly flights to 50, a significant milestone for the country’s aviation sector. In addition to these achievements, Barrie announced that...

  A delegation from the Pujehun District Council, including the Works Engineer, Finance Officer, IEC, and Deputy Chairperson, officially handed over a major construction contract to Samgit Logistics Engineering and Services. The contract involves the construction of five lockable stores at the main market in Gendema, located in the Soro-Gbeima Chiefdom. The handover ceremony was attended by several key figures, including Paramount Chief Mustapha Jenge Massaquoi III, representatives from the Traders Union, and local traditional leaders. As part of the event, the location for the new stores was officially identified. The project, funded by local revenue collected from taxes, business licenses, and property taxes, highlights the importance of community contributions. According to the Finance Officer, this "own-source revenue" is critical in empowering local councils to make development decisions without solely relying on central government funding. The council encouraged the pub...

Former employees of Sierra Leone's Parliament, who were made redundant, are now seeking the payment of their overdue benefits and possible reinstatement. These staff members, some of whom have been left jobless or have passed away since the layoffs, are appealing to the current Clerk of Parliament, Hon. Paran Umar Tarawally, to resolve their long-standing grievances. The workers, who lost their jobs following a period of internal discord in Parliament, are expressing confidence in Tarawally’s leadership to either restore their positions or ensure they receive their rightful end-of-service benefits. The redundancies stem from a power struggle between Tarawally and the former Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Abass Bundu, which culminated in Bundu's resignation. Bundu claimed that his resignation was influenced by a series of unfounded allegations, including accusations of sexual misconduct, which he described as part of a larger smear campaign. These controversies arose amid allegatio...

His Excellency, President Rtd. Brigadier Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone, has arrived in Washington, D.C. for a critical one-day working visit ahead of his participation in the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York. The President and his high-level delegation, including Finance Minister Sheku Fantamadi Bangura and Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to the U.S., Sidique Abou-Bakarr Wai, were welcomed at Dulles International Airport. During his stay, President Bio will engage in key discussions, starting with a high-level meeting with Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). These talks will focus on Sierra Leone’s economic recovery efforts, financial cooperation, and continued support from the IMF to bolster the country's development agenda. In addition to the IMF meeting, President Bio will hold bilateral discussions with Ambassador Molly Phee, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs. Their conversation will likely cov...

Kukuna, a small but vibrant town in Kambia District, has received a major educational uplift through the efforts of Finance Minister Sheku Fantamadi Bangura, who has spearheaded the construction of a state-of-the-art senior secondary school. This landmark project marks a turning point for the community, aiming to provide unparalleled access to quality education and empower the youth. The newly established school, hailed as the finest in Kambia District, boasts a range of modern facilities that cater to the educational needs of students, particularly in science. With fully equipped classrooms featuring advanced teaching tools such as whiteboards, a top-tier science laboratory, and 24-hour electricity powered by a solar grid, the school is designed to meet contemporary standards and foster a conducive learning environment.  In addition to academic resources, the institution is equipped with a running water pump and modern, self-contained toilet facilities, ensuring students’ comfort ...

Nyakeh Vandy, a businessman, has been remanded in custody after being charged with multiple drug-related offenses, including possession, dealing, and transportation of prohibited substances. The case was presented before Magistrate Sahr Kekura at Pademba Road Court No. 1 in Freetown. Vandy faces three serious charges linked to the possession and distribution of *kush*, a locally notorious illegal drug. The first charge accuses him of possessing prohibited substances without lawful authority. The second alleges his involvement in dealing with these substances, and the third charge relates to the illegal transportation of the drugs, which were found in his vehicle (registration number AWQ 115). The incident occurred on August 25, 2024, at the Fallah security checkpoint in Bo City, Southern Province. Police reported finding two black polythene bags filled with loose quantities of *kush* in his possession. During the court proceedings, the charges were read to Vandy, but no plea was taken....