News

The People’s Alliance for Reproductive Health Advocacy (PARHA) has welcomed the appointment of Dr. Austin Hinga Demby as Minister of Health and Sanitation and says his vast experience and impressive track record in managing public health emergencies and health care systems would be useful in responding to the challenges that confront Sierra Leone’s health care system.

A statement from the alliance urges the new Minister to work collaboratively with both local and international organisations by strengthening existing frameworks for coordinated interventions.

By Saio Marrah

The Acting Speaker of Parliament, Solomon Sengepoh Thomas, has on Tuesday 16 February, 2021, ordered the National Coordinator of NACOVERC and two others to appear in the well of parliament to explain their preparedness for the Ebola virus that has surfaced in neighbouring Guinea. 

The Minister of Health, Minister of Internal Affairs are part of the team to appear on Tuesday.

By Prince J. Musa

Conflicting reports have emerged of the Chief Minister’s name being linked to controversial issues surrounding local council and district party elections in Kenema.

By Francis H. Murray

Justice Momoh Jah Stevens has sentenced 45 year-old Frederick Davies to 15 years imprisonment after he was found guilty of sexually penetrating the 15 year-old daughter of his girlfriend and getting her pregnant.

In his ruling on Wednesday 17th February 2021, Justice Stevens said having examined the evidence, it was established that all the accused told the police was nothing but a lie to cover-up his “bad deed”, adding that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.

By Francis H. Murray

Majority of Sierra Leoneans want their country to finance its own development even if it means they have to pay more in taxes, a latest Afrobarometer survey has shown.

“A majority (61%) of Sierra Leoneans want the country to finance its development from its own resources, even if it means they have to pay more taxes (including 40% who “agree very strongly” with this approach). Only about a quarter (24%) prefer the use of loans from foreign countries and institutions to develop the country,” the survey noted.

By Mabinty M. Kamara

In the latest diplomatic move to ensure peaceful co-existence with the neighboring republic of Guinea, President Julius Maada Bio and President Alpha Conde have signed a communiqué agreeing, among other things to re-open their common border and resume full cooperation in other areas.

By Saio Marrah

Parliament has summoned the Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources and the Director of National Mineral Agency to explain the pollution and contamination of the Taia River.

The House also agreed to set up a special select committee that will include members from the committees on Mines and Mineral Resources, Environment, Defence and Water Resources to conduct hearing on reasons behind the contamination  of the said river, which is said to have  caused so much damage in Bonthe District.