News

By Politico staff writer

The Republican National Independent Party (ReNIP) has reelected Dr. Beresford Victor Williams as the party’s Chairman and flagbearer ahead of the 24 June 2023 elections.

His election came at the end of the party’s National Delegates Conference in Bo Southern, Sierra Leone. The three days conference which started on Friday 17th February brought together delegates and members of the party across the country.

The party also elected its Districts, Regional, and National executives.

By Nasratu Kargbo

Draft of a new Education Bill has proposed that parents and guardians who do not send their children or Wards to school for basic education are to be jailed or fined.

A report made public by Strategic Communications Analyst at the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education Augustine Sankoh, stated that a person who neglects a child’s education will have committed an offence and upon conviction shall be dealt with accordingly.

By Chernor Alimamy Kamara

Catholic Bishops of Sierra Leone have urged political parties to embrace peace and love ahead of the country’s multi-tier polls. 

By Nasratu Kargbo

Mixed emotions filled the Chamber of Parliament last Thursday as MPs expressed different opinions during debate on whether a girl child should reach a consenting age to be able to decide on undergoing Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

The varied views focused on a bill entitled Child Rights Act 2022 that was brought before the parliamentarians. Constituency 052 MP Dr. Abdulai Daniel Sesay agreed with the clause in the bill that proposes that a girl should reach a consenting age before being subjected to FGM.

By Prince J Musa in Kenema

The Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone (ECSL) on the 20th of February 2023 held a public sensitization with stakeholders on the Proportional Representation better known as the District Block System of voting, at SLTU regional office in Kenema.

The engagement attracted Paramount Chiefs, youth organizations, women’s groups, political parties, civil society organizations, and other electioneering-related groups.

By Saio Marrah

The Chairman of Christian Aid, John Seatamn, has during a visit called on Sierra Leonean to ensure their voices are heard through the ballot box in the upcoming elections.

Seatamn this said at a press conference organised at the institution’s country office in Freetown. 

He said the reason is that the larger the number of people who vote, the more likely they get representative government.

By Chernor Alimamy Kamara

In order to strengthen political participation of women in Sierra Leone through media monitoring, a Gender Media Scorecard has been released which calls for increased gender sensitive reporting during the upcoming June 24th 2023 elections.

The Launch of a Policy Brief and 2023 Media Gender Scorecard on the coverage of women in politics took place last week at the Atlantic Hotel in Freetown.