News

By Politico Staff Writer

President Julius Maada Bio has at a High-Level Africa-CDC Forum shared Sierra Leone’s experience of the Ebola and COVID-19 outbreaks.

Speaking on 18 February 2023 at the programme in Addis Ababa, Bio said that one thing they’ve learnt is that pandemic prevention, preparedness and response is everyone’s concern. He emphasized that keys for managing outbreaks include political leadership, health diplomacy, technical capabilities, active community engagement, flexible funding amongst others.

By Prince J Musa in Kenema

Police personnel attached to the Criminal Investigations Department in Kenema are currently investigating one Sheku Balley of 9 M-Line Tokpombu section in Kenema for the disappearance of one Vandi Kallon, a land vendor of 74 Dama road in Kenema and two of his sons.

Police Media officer attached to the community relations department Kenema, Sub-Inspector Brima James Musa briefed journalists on the 14^th February, 2023 about a report they received from relatives of the missing persons.

By Nasratu Kargbo

The 50-50 Group Sierra Leone has expressed disappointment over the recently enacted Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) Act which the group says does not make it mandatory for a minimum 30% women representation in elective positions.

In a press release dated 17^th February 2023, the group explained that the mandatory 30% commitment in the bill was focused on the private sector. “Neither the Parliament nor the Executive have been subjected to mandatory minimum 30% representation” a part of the release reads.

By Saio Marrah

Principal Magistrate, Mark Ngegba, has remanded in prison a 49-year-old businesswoman, Mariatu Koroma of 88 Conakry Dee Road in Lungi, for fraudulently obtaining goods worth one hundred and eighty-five thousand and nine hundred new Leones (Nle 185,900) from her business partner, Adiatu Bah.

The complainant, Bah disclosed this during her testimony at the Pademba Road Magistrate Court in Freetown, on Friday 17^th February 2023.

The accused faces four count charges including obtaining goods by false pretence.   

By Chernor Alimamy Kamara

The National Delegates Conference of the main opposition All People’s Congress (APC) scheduled for this weekend in Makeni has been put on hold following an interim injunction from Justice Hannah Bonnie of the High Court, restraining the party from holding the event.

The court order was addressed to the Interim Transition Governance Committee (ITGC) of the APC.

By Ruth Yeabu Sesay

For the first time in the history of Sierra Leone, Mayors and Councilors are set to be on the government payroll.

The Deputy Minister of Local Government and Community Relations, Melrose Gabisie said this at the weekly Government press briefing held at the Ministry of Information and Communications’ conference hall, Youyi Building on the 16^th February 2023.

By Alpha Abu

The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) is to inspect the new Freetown International Airport in four months’ time, according to Deputy Minister of Transport and Aviation, Rex Bonapha. The air transport regulator’s last visit left a poor impression and Sierra Leone’s air gateway was never certified as a worthy facility meeting international standards.