News

By Mabinty M. Kamara

As part of its 50^th anniversary activities, the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) has in partnership with academics from Bournemouth University in the UK launched a survey to assess the impact of COVID and other public health emergencies on journalists in Sierra Leone.

By Politico staff writer

A statement from the Anti-Corruption Commission, ACC has announced a recognition of its Commissioner, Francis Ben Kaifala by the United States Department of State as the International Anti- Corruption Champion of 2020.

The  announcement of the award by the US Department of State on Tuesday 23^rd February 2021 at the US Embassy in Freetown was in recognition of his “outstanding commitment” to the prevention, exposure, and combating of corruption as the head of Sierra Leone’s Anti-Corruption Commission.

By Francis H. Murray

Save the Children Sierra Leone, a non-governmental organization that seeks solutions to the challenges faced by children in Sierra Leone has in partnership with other organizations concluded the training of 223 women in developing a culture of saving and its relevance to preventing teenage pregnancy among girls.

By Alpha Abu

With Sierra Leone continuing to face the challenges associated with the coronavirus, reports have emerged of workers assigned to contain the spread of the pandemic in the northern Tonkolili district embarking on a strike action over pay.

The workers believed to come from some of the seven technical pillars of DICOVERC, the district body charged with addressing matters related to the pandemic, say they are yet to be paid their risk allowances amounting to between three and four months.

By Mabinty M. Kamara

As the clock ticked towards her 100^th birthday anniversary on 22 February 2021, Madam Boyenneh Beatia Freeman wished for two things as she awaits the call to the great beyond.

“I have two wishes” she told Politico, which she listed as “a Sierra Leone where there is love and empathy for each other, and to be a delegate in heaven. That’s all I desire”.

By Francis H. Murray 

President Julius Maada Bio has told the people of Pujehun that they would build and furnish a Junior and Senior all-girls Secondary School of Excellence in the district within the next 18 months.

Speaking during a tour of the district over the weekend, the president said the school would “cater for 300 pupils and will be a full boarding school with state-of-the-art facilities”.

By Prince J Musa in Kenema

The running of the National Emergency Ambulance Services (NEMS) which was initially managed by an Italian health NGO, Doctors with Africa (CUAMM), is currently marred by several issues since it was handed over to the government of Sierra Leone in April 2020.

The Ambulances allocated to Kenema, officials say, are currently not in operation due to several factors including the lack of fuel and nonpayment of salaries to the drivers.