SierraNews-sl

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...

In a significant move for Sierra Leone’s sports sector, the National Sports Authority (NSA), under the leadership of Dr. Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai, has officially certified ten recent law graduates in recognition of their contributions toward drafting new sports regulations. This certification ceremony, held at NSA headquarters on Signal Hill Road, underscores the nation’s commitment to strengthening the legal foundation for sports governance. Dr. Abdulai praised the graduates for their dedication and service, emphasizing that their work holds enduring national importance. “This is a national sacrifice that won’t be forgotten,” he noted. “Your reward is both tangible and everlasting, as your efforts will benefit Sierra Leone’s sports community for generations.”  These regulations, developed over a three-month internship, address five core areas in sports governance. Among these are the creation of a Sports Development Fund, the establishment of an Anti-Doping Authority, and a Court of...

In a press briefing on November 4, leaders from Sierra Leone’s healthcare associations voiced mounting frustration over the unequal distribution of fuel allowances, which they argue unfairly benefits medical doctors while excluding other healthcare professionals. Represented at the event were the Pharmaceutical Society of Sierra Leone (PSSL), the Sierra Leone Association of Community Health Officers (SLCHO), the Sierra Leone Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists (SLAMLS), the Sierra Leone Nurses Association (SLNA), and the Sierra Leone Midwives Association (SLMA), all of whom warned of possible strike action should the government fail to address these disparities. The core grievance centers on the allocation of fuel allowances—45 liters weekly—provided to medical doctors under a government agreement. Other Grade 9 healthcare professionals, such as pharmacists, nurses, midwives, and laboratory scientists, receive no such benefit, despite their critical roles in the healthcare sys...

At the inaugural National Dialogue on Climate Resilience and Energy Transition, President Julius Maada Bio emphasized Sierra Leone’s dedication to renewable energy and climate resilience, sharing updates on the country's progressive energy investment roadmap. This event, organized by the Presidential Initiative on Climate Change, Renewable Energy, and Food Security (PI-CREF), brought together key stakeholders to discuss critical issues related to Sierra Leone’s energy infrastructure and renewable energy challenges, while aiming to rally international support for sustainable initiatives. Jointly chaired by Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh and Dr. Kandeh Yumkella, Chairman of PI-CREF, the dialogue centered on the theme “From Commitment to Action.” The event addressed core areas such as long-term energy investments, climate finance, off-grid energy solutions, and enhancing resilience within food systems, aligning with Sierra Leone’s Feed Salone initiative. In his keynote addre...

Thousands of dedicated grassroots supporters of the All People’s Congress (APC) in Sierra Leone and its diaspora are showing strong allegiance to Dr. Samura Mathew Wilson Kamara, the APC’s presidential candidate in both the 2018 and 2023 elections. This movement of support comes as a response to what they view as the APC leadership’s efforts to marginalize Dr. Kamara. Supporters have issued a stern warning to the party's leadership, suggesting that if Dr. Kamara continues to face exclusion, he should consider establishing a new political party.  Supporters argue that sidelining Dr. Kamara could jeopardize the APC’s 2028 election chances, potentially giving leverage to the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP). Many party members are advocating for a shift in the APC's stance, concerned that isolating a respected figure like Dr. Kamara could push the APC into a longer period in opposition. Political analysts acknowledge Dr. Kamara’s potential to unify voters across party lin...

Following recent comments from Sierra Leone's entertainment ambassador, Kao Denero, during a concert, Alhaji Amadu Bah—popularly known as Boos La—has responded not with confrontation, but with a dignified message of peace and unity. Rather than engaging in divisive rhetoric, Boos La demonstrated leadership by addressing his fellow Sierra Leoneans in a call for collective harmony. In his statement, Boos La emphasized the importance of values such as peace, tolerance, and understanding in strengthening the social fabric of Sierra Leone. “Dear Fellow Citizens,” he began, “in our pursuit of a harmonious nation, I urge you to embrace the values of peace, tolerance, and understanding. The fabric of our society is woven with the threads of diversity; it is our collective responsibility to nurture respect for one another.” Highlighting that true peace encompasses justice, compassion, and open dialogue, Boos La urged citizens to be "bridge builders" and voices of reason, fostering...