By Sallieu S, Kanu

Freetown, June 1, 2026 — In the lead-up to World Environment Day on June 5, Sierra Leone’s Chief Medical Examiner, Dr. Simon Owizz Koroma, has called for stronger environmental protection initiatives in schools. Dr. Koroma, who also serves as the country’s only Government Chief Consultant Forensic Pathologist, planted ten non-fruit-bearing trees at his alma mater, the West African Methodist Collegiate Secondary School (WAMCOL), in Freetown.

The symbolic tree-planting exercise was organized by the Media Initiative for Climate Change and the Environment (MICCE), whose Director, Martha Kargbo, emphasized that trees are vital to safeguarding public health and combating climate change. She noted that the initiative aims to raise awareness among pupils about the importance of conservation and the role of trees in protecting the planet from environmental degradation.

Dr. Koroma expressed gratitude to MICCE for the opportunity to contribute to environmental preservation within his former school. He urged citizens to desist from indiscriminate tree cutting and encouraged communities to replace every felled tree with new ones. “Tree planting remains one of the most effective ways to combat climate change, improve air quality, and safeguard biodiversity,” he said, stressing that environmental protection is a collective responsibility.

The Chief Medical Examiner dedicated the newly planted trees to past teachers who shaped his journey, describing the gesture as a tribute to their lasting impact. “Trees grow and provide oxygen for man. Man breathes out carbon dioxide, which is good for trees,” he remarked, highlighting the natural balance between humans and the environment.

Senior Principal Dr. Koroma of the Senior Secondary School and Junior Principal Mrs. Miranda Cole of the Junior Secondary School praised the initiative, describing it as a valuable lesson in environmental stewardship. They encouraged pupils to take ownership of the trees and serve as ambassadors for sustainability within their communities.

The exercise marks a significant step in promoting environmental consciousness among Sierra Leone’s youth, aligning with global efforts to foster sustainable development and climate resilience.

By Fatima Kpaka

Freetown, June 4, 2026: The High Court of Sierra Leone has remanded six defendants, including Samuel Turay, who is deaf and dumb, over allegations of conspiracy and murder. The case is being presided over by Justice Alfred Ganda at High Court No. 2 in Freetown.

The accused — Samuel Turay, Hassan Kamara, Fatmata Turay, Braima Kamara, Brima Tarawalie, and Abubakar Kamara — face two counts: conspiracy to murder contrary to Section 4 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861, and murder contrary to Section 1 of the same Act.

According to the indictment, the defendants allegedly conspired on March 1, 2024, in Freetown to murder James Conteh, and subsequently carried out the act on the same day.

During Wednesday’s proceedings, State Counsel Koroma requested an adjournment to allow the second prosecution witness to testify. The first witness, Chernor Kamara, had already given evidence and been cross-examined by defense counsels J. Kofi and Chernor Kamara.

Justice Ganda ordered that the defendants remain in custody and adjourned the matter to June 10, 2026, for continuation of the trial.

The case has drawn public attention due to the involvement of a defendant with disabilities, raising broader discussions about access to justice and court accommodations for persons with disabilities.

By Sallieu S. Kanu

Freetown – June 2026: Caretaker Coach John Edward Keister has unveiled his squad for Sierra Leone’s upcoming international friendly matches against neighboring Liberia during the June FIFA International Window.

The Leone Stars will face the Lone Star of Liberia in a two‑legged series, beginning on Saturday, June 6, 2026, at the Southern Arena in Bo City, before traveling for the return fixture on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at the Samuel Kanyon Doe (SKD) Stadium in Monrovia.

The friendlies form part of Sierra Leone’s preparations for future international competitions and will provide the technical team with an opportunity to assess players, test strategies, and strengthen the squad ahead of competitive assignments.

The announcement has generated excitement among fans, with the matches expected to showcase emerging talent and reinforce regional football ties between Sierra Leone and Liberia.

By Alusine Sesay

Freetown, June 2, 2026: The Chairman of the Western Area Rural District Council, Kasho Joseph Holland-Cole, has expressed confidence in the All People’s Congress (APC) Party’s ability to drive Sierra Leone’s development agenda, describing it as the only political organization with the experience, structure, and track record to move the country forward.

In a statement posted on his official Facebook page on Tuesday, Holland-Cole said Sierra Leoneans recognize the APC’s capacity to deliver tangible progress based on its past achievements. “When the people of this country look at the development trajectory, they see evidence that convinces them that the APC has the capacity to deliver the much-needed development,” he wrote.

He added that many citizens view the upcoming 2028 general elections not merely as another political contest but as an opportunity for the APC to return to power and continue what supporters describe as a vision for national development.

During its previous administrations, the APC government implemented several major infrastructure projects that reshaped Sierra Leone’s urban and rural landscape. Key accomplishments included the expansion of national road networks such as the Wellington–Masiaka Highway, the construction of bridges and feeder roads linking provincial towns, and the rehabilitation of Freetown’s electricity grid.

The party also oversaw improvements in water supply systems and the modernization of port facilities, which contributed to increased trade and connectivity. There is also a marked improvement in enrollment in primary and secondary education, with a significant improvement in quality and standards. 

By Sallieu S, Kanu

Bombali, June 2, 2026: The Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Security (MELSS) has launched an investigation into a devastating fire that destroyed staff residences and office facilities at the 46 Man Camp of Sunbird Bioenergy Sierra Leone Limited.

A team of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) and Social Protection officers, led by Deputy Director of OSH Osman Conteh and Director of Social Protection Duraman Songo, was swiftly deployed to assess the cause of the incident and its impact on employees.

According to the company’s Engineering Services and Environmental Officer, Sulaiman Pascal Kamara, the affected building housed 56 employees and five offices, including the Agricultural Office, Audit Unit, Irrigation Department, Fire and Safety Unit, and the Zonal Managers’ Office. “The incident occurred on Saturday between 10 and 11 a.m. when most employees had travelled for the weekend. Fortunately, no one was inside the building when the fire broke out. While personal belongings were destroyed, there were no casualties,” Kamara explained. Preliminary findings suggest the blaze may have originated from an electrical fault before spreading rapidly.

Fire and Safety Manager Kaifala Kegan noted that company firefighters responded immediately but faced access challenges that delayed containment efforts. “By the time our equipment gained access to the rear of the building, the flames had already spread extensively,” he said.

In response, Sunbird Bioenergy’s management, led by Human Resources Manager Ibrahim Jah Sesay, relocated affected workers to alternative lodging and organized psychosocial counselling sessions. Management expressed sympathy to those impacted and commended emergency responders for their timely intervention.

During engagements, employees voiced concerns over financial losses, the need for stronger fire prevention systems, improved emergency preparedness, and enhanced firefighting capacity across company facilities.

The MELSS investigation is expected to provide recommendations on workplace safety, fire prevention, and employee welfare to prevent similar incidents in the future.

By Sallieu S. Kanu

Freetown, June 2, 2026 — Sierra Leone’s First Lady, Fatima Maada Bio, has officially handed over agricultural food-processing equipment to women farmers and agro-processors across the country, reinforcing her commitment to empowering women in agriculture and strengthening food security.

The handover ceremony, held at her office, follows months of engagement with the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), which responded positively to her appeal for support to hardworking women in agriculture. Nationwide consultations were conducted to identify beneficiaries most in need of the equipment.

Speaking at the event, the First Lady emphasized that supporting women in agriculture remains central to her vision, particularly as it complements the government’s flagship Feed Salone initiative championed by President Julius Maada Bio. “Empowering women with the right tools and opportunities is critical to strengthening food security, increasing productivity, and improving livelihoods across our nation,” she stated.

She extended her appreciation to TIKA for the generous partnership, noting that the provision of food-processing machines will make a meaningful difference in the lives of many women and their communities.

By Sallieu S, Kanu

Freetown, June 2, 2026:  Sierra Leone’s Minister of Finance, Hon. Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to pursuing innovative and sustainable financing solutions to accelerate infrastructure development, industrial transformation, and long-term economic growth.

The Minister made the statement during a high-level engagement at State House with a delegation from First Bank Group, led by Group Chief Executive Officer Olusegun Alebiosu, to explore strategic financing opportunities aligned with Sierra Leone’s national development priorities.

Discussions centered on mobilizing large-scale investments for transformative infrastructure projects, including roads, energy expansion, water systems, bridges, and industrial infrastructure — critical foundations for boosting productivity, attracting investment, and creating jobs.

Mr. Alebiosu highlighted First Bank Group’s strong track record in infrastructure financing across Africa and expressed the institution’s interest in supporting projects capable of unlocking Sierra Leone’s economic potential.

Hon. Bangura emphasized the need for African economies to move beyond traditional financing models and embrace innovative approaches that leverage partnerships between government, private investors, and development institutions. “The future of development financing requires creativity. We must move beyond dependency on conventional aid and build structures that combine public resources, private sector capital, and concessional financing to deliver bankable projects that improve people’s lives,” he said.

He further underscored that Sierra Leone’s vast mineral resources, expanding agricultural opportunities, youthful population, and strategic location provide a strong platform for attracting sustainable investment when matched with the right financing instruments.

The Minister stressed that the government’s immediate focus is ensuring that discussions translate into practical outcomes. “Our priority is to move technical engagements quickly into concrete financing structures and implementable agreements that can unlock the infrastructure investments required to support national development,” he stated.

The engagement reflects Sierra Leone’s broader strategy of strengthening partnerships with credible financial institutions to bridge infrastructure financing gaps, stimulate private-sector growth, and support the country’s transition toward a more resilient and productive economy.

Photo Credit: State House Media and Communications Unit

By Fatima Kpaka  

Freetown, June 2, 2026 — Hon. Justice Mark Ngegba of High Court No. 3 has sentenced Abdul Rahman Conteh to 80 years imprisonment after convicting him of unlawful possession, dealing in, and selling kush, a prohibited drug under Sierra Leone’s National Drugs Control Act of 2008.

Conteh faced three counts: unlawful possession of drugs contrary to Section 8(a), and dealing in and selling prohibited drugs contrary to Section 7(c) of the Act. The charges stemmed from his arrest on October 29, 2025, when police found him with 560 wraps of ‘kush’ weighing 600 grams.

During the trial, the prosecution called three witnesses, including forensic analyst ASP Joseph Stevena, who confirmed through chemical and microscopic tests that the seized substance contained synthetic cannabinoids. Detective Sergeant Sahr Koyoma Sundu and Detective Constable John Umaru also testified, tendering caution statements, charge sheets, and exhibits linking Conteh to the drugs.

Although Conteh denied ownership of the kush and claimed he was wrongly arrested during a police raid, Justice Ngegba highlighted contradictions in his defense. The court relied on his voluntary caution statement, in which he admitted to selling narcotic drugs, and on forensic evidence confirming the substance was kush.

Justice Ngegba emphasized that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, noting that the defendant failed to demonstrate lawful possession as required under Section 17 of the Act. He sentenced Conteh to 10 years on Count One and 35 years each on Counts Two and Three, to run consecutively, totaling 80 years imprisonment.

The prosecution was led by A. Jalloh and E. Deen, while M.K. Dauda represented the convict.

Desmond Lewis 

On Friday 29th May 2026 the.  Unified sports was. Lunched in freetown under the leadership of Hon Ibrahim sannoh minister of youth Affairs in a colourful 

ceremony  which was attended by senior government officials, Olympic athletes, RSLAF, Correctional center, police and  families

The memorandum of understanding  (MOU) was signed between the ministry of youth Affairs and the special Olympic sierra leone  in a colourful ceremony attended by athletes, government officials, community members.,  representatives,, from RSLAF,  correctional centers the medical wings and family members.

The initiative aim is to bring together people with and without intellectual disabilities to participate in sports as team mates, promoting inclusion friendship and equally opportunities for all.

In his keynote address,  the minister of youths Affairs Honourable Ibrahim sannoh said the mission for the global coalition could not be better aligned with the mandate of the ministry.

“In sierra leone 70% of people with disability including intellectual disabilities are youths. The government is shifting its perspective from viewing people with disability as a charitable issue to recognising inclusion as a fundamental matter of systemic justice.  Person with intellectual disability remain  one of the most unseen and unheard group of in sierra leone. The tradition is crucial for ensuring that the rights and needs of individuals with disabilities are adequately addressed within national policies. He stated. 

He called for statistical tracking and data for people with intellectual disabilities to address the needs that have long been overlooked in the past.

Hon. Sannoh said this  oversight has significant  implications in resource allocation ,  policy development .and the   overall visibility of this population with the national planning framework. 

The  lack of data he said prevent policy maker from designing specialised health care tailored educational programs and inclusive sports initiatives.

Mr charles Nyembe the president and managing director for special Olympic African express deep admiration for the commitment and solidarity demonstrated by the sierra leone team. He commended the athletes, volunteers, leadership and partners for their dedication in advancing inclusion and empowering person with intellectual disabilities through out the country.

He said the level of unity  and collaboration he witnessed clearly demonstrates the bright future of special olympics sierra leone. 

The event was supported by Mr charles Nyambe the president and managing director of special Olympic African and mr Shawn Ferguson chief global goverment relation officer from special Olympics international. 

Special Olympic sierra leone was joined by it’s partners, Amnesty International, The lions club international, National commission for persons with disabilities, UNICEF and red cross.

By Betty Milton, Information Attaché 

Brussels, Belgium, 1 June 2026 — Professor Dr. Charles Jalloh, Sierra Leone’s candidate for election as a Judge of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), has begun a series of diplomatic engagements in Brussels ahead of the November 2026 elections.

On Monday, Professor Jalloh, accompanied by Ambassador Philip Bob Jusu, held meetings with several embassies and missions. These included discussions with the Chinese Ambassador to Belgium, H.E. Fei Shengchao; the French Ambassador, H.E. Lapeyre de Cabanes; the Deputy Head of Mission of Somalia, Mr. Jaffar Jama; Minister-Counsellor Mr. Alexey Korzhuev of the Russian Embassy; and the Deputy Head of Mission of Pakistan, Mr. Muhammad Faisal Fayyaz.

Introducing Sierra Leone’s candidate, Ambassador Jusu underscored the ICJ’s central role in guiding states toward peaceful dispute resolution through law, dialogue, and respect for international obligations. “We are here to respectfully seek your support for Sierra Leone’s candidacy in the November ICJ elections,” he said. “We believe Professor Jalloh’s candidacy will strengthen Africa’s voice and contribution within one of the world’s most important judicial institutions.”

Ambassador Jusu emphasized that Sierra Leone’s bid comes at a time when the country is carrying significant regional responsibilities, including its current role as Chair of ECOWAS. He noted that the candidacy reflects both national commitment and a wider regional interest in effective multilateral institutions.

Professor Jalloh expressed gratitude for the opportunity to engage with the ambassadors and mission representatives. He said his candidacy is anchored on three principles — integrity, independence, and impartiality — values that have guided his academic, professional, and international service, including his work on the International Law Commission.

Diplomats commended Professor Jalloh for his contributions and indicated they would communicate the substance of the engagements to their respective capitals. The meetings are set to continue tomorrow.

For more information contact: 

Betty Milton 

Information Attaché

Email: information.attache@sierraleoneembassy.brussels