News

By Kemo Cham

The fight against Malaria remains a major priority for Sierra Leone despite the challenge posed by Covid-19, officials running the country’s anti-malaria effort have assured.

The officials from the National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP) said there would be no change in the activities of the programme, whose goal is to eradicate the parasitic disease in the country in line with global targets.

By Kemo Cham

Despite being one of the most exposed to Covid-19, a very small number of market women in Sierra Leone are using facemask, one of the most effective preventive measures recommended for the disease, a survey has revealed.

The survey conducted by a group of youth-led organizations found that 92% of women surveyed in some of the biggest markets in the country do not use the protective equipment.

By Kemo Cham

Solomon Jamiru, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, is the new spokesman for the Sierra Leone government’s Covid-19 response.

Mr Jamiru was named on Tuesday, April 21, less than a month after the appointment of Mamadi Gobeh Kamara, Deputy Minister of Information and Communication, to the same position.

The development was first announced by Information Minister Mohamed Rahman Swaray at a press conference. Later a statement from the Ministry said the decision was sanctioned by President Julius Maada Bio.

By Kemo Cham

The Sierra Leone government has declared wearing a facemask mandatory for everyone in public spaces.

The move announced on Tuesday, April 14, is meant as a preventive measure against Covid-19, amidst rising levels of community transmission of the virus in the country, officials said.

By Mohamed Jaward Nyallay

The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) has defended the legitimacy of its contact tracing, amidst emerging concern that it could be faulty.

A spokesman for the center told Politico that they employed a scientific process in reaching every conclusion in contact tracing. 

By Francis H. Murray

Amidst increasing evidence of community transmission of Covid-19, the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) has emphasized on the use of facemasks as protection against the virus.

Opinions are split on the efficacy of the mask, but many believe that its use is an important precautionary measure.

By Kemo Cham

In a move to prevent misappropriation of funds meant for the response to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) of Sierra Leone has called for transparency in the handling of all public funds acquired in the name of the country.

The ACC in a statement warned that it would prosecute anyone found wanting for the misuse of public funds in relation to the pandemic, and it called on all individuals and institutions involved with the response to make public all monies they received in this regard.