News

By Mohamed T Massaquoi

A UK based group, Tools for Self Reliance, has funded the Hands Empowering the Less Privileged in Sierra Leone(HELP/SL) to collaborate with Local Action for Development(PAD/SL) in helping youth of Kpanga Karbondeh Chiefdom, Pujehun district.

As part of activities to mark 53 years of Sierra Leone's independence, President Ernest Bai Koroma yesterday freed 188 prisoners from across the country using his power of presidential pardon. They included 113 from Freetown and 75 from the provinces.

Two women were freed from Freetown and two others from the provinces.

It brings to 345 the total number of prison releases so far this year after 157 were let go of on New Year's Day.

By Septimus Senessie in Kono

District census publicity officer has told journalists at their office in Koidu that they have started the 2014 pilot census activities starting with three enumeration areas in Lei, Soa and Tankoro chiefdoms.

Albert Sahr Yambasu said the pilot was a two-week activity that started on 22 April and would end on 5 May, 2014.

By Aminata Phidelia Allie

Independence Day celebrations at New England Ville in Freetown, Sierra Leone were cut short after two drowned in a well of over 50-ft deep.

According to eye witnesses, the first victim, a certain Lansana Koroma who dug the well over 3 years ago, had been called upon to clean it up and increase the depth as it had run dry during last year's dry season.

By Steven Bockarie Mansaray in Amman, Jordan

Four Sierra Leonean youths, Alpha Koroma and Steven Bockarie Mansaray from Koinadugu district, Jane Peters and Massah Mary Kanu from Western Area are in Amman, Jordan to attend a five-day-training on youth leadership, community empowerment, active tolerance and responsible citizenship.

The 30 participants drawn from across the world are expected to go back to their communities to be the change-makers and to create a better future for the youth.

The training is organised by Generations for Peace.

By Septimus Senessie in Kono.

Minister of Education has officially handed over to contractors the construction of a technical and vocational institute in Kono District, eastern Sierra Leone. The institute will be located close to the Ninth Infantry Battalion at Simbakoro in Gbense Chiefdom.

Dr. Minkailu Bah said that at the completion of the Institute “advanced skills training facilities will be made available for thousands of young people not only in the eastern province but also throughout the country and even beyond."

By Aminata Phidelia Allie

The Constitutional Review Committee is set to start its public consultation and civic education after completing a nation-wide pre-consultation visit, according to a press release issued last week.

It says the committee met with and thoroughly engaged district officers, paramount chiefs, mayors and chairmen of city and district councils and other traditional leaders “to inform them about the imminent consultation and to solicit co-operation for civic education and public”.