By Mabinty M. Kamara
The Media Reform Coordinating Group (MRCG), in partnership with the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), has trained 80 journalists in Freetown on reporting on emergencies, with focus on the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic.
The one day training was conducted on the 4th of May at the YWCA Hall, targeting journalists from print and electronic media in Freetown. Other categories of media professionals, including DJs, were also invited to be part of the training.
By Francis H. Murray
Defense lawyers in the treason trial of Former Defense Minister Alfred Paolo Conteh and two others at the high court in Freetown have objected to the testimony of the head of the National Small Arms Commission Brigadier General, retired, Tamba Rodnic Allieu arguing that he was “interfered” with prior to his testimony.
By Mabinty M. Kamara
There seems to be no letup in the row between health workers and the Sierra Leone government after a fresh threat of a strike by medical doctors.
The Sierra Leone Medical and Dental Association (SLMDA) on Wednesday gave a 48-hour ultimatum to the government, demanding that they make all payments due healthcare workers as per the Memorandum of Understanding they signed or face a disruption in the sector.
By Umaru Fofana
Hundreds of Sierra Leoneans living in the Guinean capital, Conakry, were left in tears on Wednesday as they watched helplessly while their homes and lifesavings went up in flames.
It is not exactly clear what caused the fire in the makeshift community of mainly Sierra Leonean fishermen and their families, but the cost has been put at hundreds of millions of leones.
By Mabinty M. Kamara
The Sierra Leone Police (SLP) has announced Elizabeth Augusta Turay as the new Deputy Inspector General of the force. She becomes the first woman to occupy the position.
The announcement was made by the SLP on Thursday after approval by the Sierra Leone Police Council.
DIG Turay joined the SLP in 1988 as a cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police and has risen through the ranks in the last three decades. Until her new appointment, she was the first woman to become Head of Operations in the force.
By Francis H. Murray
Detective Inspector Joseph Abubarkarr Sanu of the Scientific Support unit of the Criminal Investigations Department has told a high court in Freetown that he was on duty at the CID headquarters on the 30 March 2020 when Detective Inspector Aminata Kamara of the Breaking and Larceny Syndicate submitted specimens to him for expert examination on behalf of Detective Superintendent M. K Allieu, the operations officer at the CID.
By Mohamed Jaward Nyallay
The Minister of Information, Mohamed Rahman Swaray, has told Politico that the government is still committed to repealing the Criminal Libel in the Public Order Act, despite a setback in parliament.
On Tuesday the House of Parliament withdrew the bill that’s expected to bring to the over half a century-old law journalists and other human rights campaigners say hinder their work.
In a telephone interview on Wednesday, Swaray said: “Government is still irrevocably committed to repealing the Criminal Libel Law.”
Supported by: Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA)
