Feature

By Brima Bah

After the South Africa FIFA World Cup 2010 - hosted in the continent for the first time in the history of the tournament - it was hoped that it would inspire Africa to higher heights in the game millions of Africans so passionately follow.

Africa, through Ghana, then came very close to overcoming the quarter final hurdle that the continent had found impossible to jump. Four years on, African football fans were highly anticipating an improved performance by the continent at Brazil 2014.

With the death toll in the current Ebola outbreak having gone beyond 130 people with over 400 cases, there are increasing concerns over the spread of the virus, whether or not it is out of control, an emergency or simply: how it is being pursued. Umaru Fofana spoke with the Minister of Health, Miatta Kargbo as she was literally on her way to holding meetings in the provinces on ways to curb the spread of the virus.

Umaru: Madam Minister how is the fight going against Ebola and are you pleased with the way things are?

By Kemo Cham
This month the world commemorates World Hepatitis Day (WHD). Sierra Leone will for the first time be joining in marking the day set aside to raise awareness about the illness. Medical experts say the lack of knowledge about hepatitis poses increased danger to its victims.

By Khadi Mansaray

On Thursday 10th July I was one of the panelists on a "Response to Ebola" event held by the Sierra Leone High Commission in the UK. Hosted by the High Commissioner, Edward Turay and chaired by London-based Sierra Leonean journalist Ade Daramy, the event was a really great initiative and brought Sierra Leoneans together for a serious cause. The focus was getting a reliable update on the crisis in Sierra Leone and brainstorming on how the UK Diaspora can help.

By Sallieu T. Kamara

By Peagie Foday

Mariama Katie Bangura is a JSS 2 pupil at the St Joseph´s Secondary School in Freetown who has just won the "Brain of Peagie Woobay Essays" competition. The award carries a cash prize of Le 1 million and a trophy.

Born on the 5 July 2001 at Brookfields in Freetown, Mariam comes from a semiliterate family background. That notwithstanding, she says she appreciates the hard work of her parents and their support despite the financial difficulties they face in Sierra Leone to educate their three children.