News

By Politico Staff Writer

Budgetary constraints and lack of data are among many factors hindering provision of services for Persons With Disabilities (PWDs), the Director of Social Welfare has disclosed.

Francis Kabia said lack of comprehensive data on PWDs is limiting the government’s ability to respond to the needs of PWDs as it makes it difficult to plan.

By Mohamed Jaward Nyallay

The United States has defended its decision to extend visa sanction against Sierra Leoneans, saying that despite efforts by the Freetown government to comply with its deportation orders, delays in processing documents for those identified for deportation has stifled the process.

The US Embassy in Freetown made the point in a factsheet sent to Politico following revelations over the weekend about the extension of the visa ban to immigrant and non-immigrant visa applicants.

By Mabinty M. Kamara

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has announced plans to investigate the Central Bank of Sierra Leone (BSL), among many other Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) over suspected official misconduct, abuse of office and misappropriation of public funds.

The ACC’s move was informed by preliminary findings in audits reports from 2015 to 2018.

By Francis H. Murray

Magistrate Hannah Bonnie of the High Court has issued a Bench warrant against the Chief Executive Officer of ACTB Printing and Publishing Limited, Joe Abass Bangura and its Financial Secretary, for failing to honour the court’s invitation in respect of the alleged nonpayment of National Security and Insurance Trust (NASSIT) contributions of employees.

By Kemo Cham

Kailahun, one of the most deprived districts in Sierra Leone, has got a state-of-the-art hospital unit for the care of newborn babies.

The Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) was established by the government with financial support from China and technical support from the UN children’s agency, UNICEF.

By Kemo Cham

Although Africa has done more than expected in terms of Covid-19 testing within a short period of time, the region needs to do more to increase its numbers, an Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) laboratory expert has said.

By Mabinty M. Kamara

In an apparent sign of progress in the national effort to promote girls education, female candidates in this year’s National Primary School Examination in Sierra Leone have topped the scores, occupying the first three positions.

The results of the 2020 edition of the examination, which were released on Friday, September 18, was described by Minister of Education, Dr Moinina David Sengeh, as representing upward progression in the fight to attain quality education.