By Kemo Cham
As Covid-19 ravages countries along with their education systems, the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) has announced a US$250 million funding for developing countries, including 39 in Africa.
Covid-19: Civil Society Consortium want patient privacy set aside
By Mohamed T. Massaquoi
A group of civil society organizations in Sierra Leone have called on the government to set aside the rights of privacy of Coronavirus infected persons in the interest of public safety.
The Civil Society Working Group on Epidemics and Natural Disasters, which says its membership comprises more than 30 organizations, said the identities of all those infected should be made public so that people can know who they are and be able to better protect themselves against transmission.
Paolo Conteh’s treason trial: Magistrate overrules defense’s objection
By Francis H. Murray
Magistrate Hannah Bonnie of the Pademba Road Magistrate Court has ruled that lead defense counsel in the treason trial of former Defense Minister, Alfred Paolo Conteh, shouldn’t ask questions that have the potential to expose the security arrangement at State House.
The ruling is part of ongoing preliminary hearing in the matter which also involved two other accused.
NaCSA debunks allegations of misuse of relief supplies
By Prince j Musa in Kenema
The National Commission for Social Action (NaCSA) has denied any wrongdoing in the distribution of rice and other relief supplies to the disabled community.
COVID-19: World Bank predicts recession in Africa
By Francis H. Murray
The World Bank has warned that the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic will lead to the first economic and social recession in Sub-Saharan Africa in 25 years.
According to the latest Africa’s Pulse 2020 report, the World Bank’s bi-annual analysis of the state of the region’s economies, the outbreak will cost the region between $37billion and $79billion in output losses for 2020.
WHO owns up to erroneous Covid-19 death report on Sierra Leone
By Kemo Cham
The World Health Organization has admitted mistake in a social media report over the weekend suggesting that Sierra Leone had recorded a death.
The report which was released via the official twitter handle of the agency’s Africa regional office, sparked reactions from the Sierra Leone government with officials describing it as false.
Information Minister, Mohamed Rahman Swaray, took to Twitter to debunk the report, while Presidential spokesman, Yusuf Keketoma Sandi, dismissed the report on his facebook.
Health journalist network calls for proper coordination Covid-19 response
By Kemo Cham
An umbrella body of health reporters in Sierra Leone have called on the government to ensure proper coordination of its response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Health Reporters Network - Sierra Leone (HRN-SL) made the call as part of a report from its monitoring of the nationwide lockdown from April 5 to 7.
