News

By Mohamed Jaward Nyallay

Thousands of children across Sierra Leone will return to school today for the first time in three months, after the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic forced the early closure of schools and delayed their reopening for the second term of the academic year.

Those who have been instructed to return to school are pupils in Class 6, JSS III, and SSS III, all of whom will be preparing to write different public examinations in the coming weeks.

By Mabinty M. Kamara

Chairman of the Presidential Initiative on Infrastructure, Dr. John Edward Tambi, has told Politico that construction work on the Lungi Bridge will start by the third quarter of this year.

He said despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, which has affected work in many aspects, engagement was at an advanced stage for the construction of the much anticipated bridge that will link the country’s capital, Freetown to the airport town of Lungi situated in the north-western part of the country.

By Kemo Cham

The new Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) has assumed office after taking the oath in front of President Julius Maada Bio on Monday.

Sullay Ibrahim Sesay, who was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-General by the president prior to taking his oath of office, was tasked with leading renewed efforts to regain past glory of the army.

A new Joint Force Commander, in the person of Patrick K Lavahun, was also sworn into office. He was promoted to Major-General.

By Mohamed Jaward Nyallay

The World Bank has approved US$50 million grant for Sierra Leone’s Free Quality Education program. The money, which was approved on Monday, according to a news released from the Bank, will go into improving learning outcomes and addressing the urgent infrastructure challenges facing the sector, among many other components.

By Francis H. Murray

Roland Wright, the lead defense lawyer for Saa Anthony Sinnah, the second accused in the ongoing treason trial at the High Court in Freetown, has told the twelve-member jury that the prosecution failed to adduce any evidence in support of the charges in the indictment filed against his client.

Addressing the jury on Tuesday, Wright noted that to assassinate the President constitutes murder and does not amount to treason and that it would only become treason when it involves overthrowing an entire government.

By Kemo Cham

The pan-African anti-Malaria campaign in Sierra Leone is celebrating the two years anniversary of the continental initiative amidst pledges of renewed commitments to tackle the parasitic disease.

The ‘Zero Malaria Starts with Me’ campaign, an African Union initiative, seeks to end transmission of the disease which is considered as one of the top killers on the continent.

Malaria is particularly devastating for children and pregnant women. Africa accounts for over 90 percent of global cases and deaths.

By Prince J Musa in Kenema

The Inspector General of the Sierra Leone Police, Ambrose Sovula, has urged police officers in Kenema to endeavor to serve as example in enforcing COVID-19 regulations. During a visit in the district last weekend, the police chief said officers would not be able to enforce the law on facemasks if they don’t wear one, themselves.