News

By Nasratu Kargbo

Mixed emotions filled the Chamber of Parliament last Thursday as MPs expressed different opinions during debate on whether a girl child should reach a consenting age to be able to decide on undergoing Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

The varied views focused on a bill entitled Child Rights Act 2022 that was brought before the parliamentarians. Constituency 052 MP Dr. Abdulai Daniel Sesay agreed with the clause in the bill that proposes that a girl should reach a consenting age before being subjected to FGM.

By Prince J Musa in Kenema

The Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone (ECSL) on the 20th of February 2023 held a public sensitization with stakeholders on the Proportional Representation better known as the District Block System of voting, at SLTU regional office in Kenema.

The engagement attracted Paramount Chiefs, youth organizations, women’s groups, political parties, civil society organizations, and other electioneering-related groups.

By Saio Marrah

The Chairman of Christian Aid, John Seatamn, has during a visit called on Sierra Leonean to ensure their voices are heard through the ballot box in the upcoming elections.

Seatamn this said at a press conference organised at the institution’s country office in Freetown. 

He said the reason is that the larger the number of people who vote, the more likely they get representative government.

By Chernor Alimamy Kamara

In order to strengthen political participation of women in Sierra Leone through media monitoring, a Gender Media Scorecard has been released which calls for increased gender sensitive reporting during the upcoming June 24th 2023 elections.

The Launch of a Policy Brief and 2023 Media Gender Scorecard on the coverage of women in politics took place last week at the Atlantic Hotel in Freetown. 

By Prince J Musa in Kenema

Outgoing Mayor of Kenema Thomas Karim Baio has expressed his commitment to help continue supporting the council in times of need as he bids the people farewell following a directive from the Local government Ministry for Mayors and council Chairpersons to quit their offices by the 1 of March this year.

By Saio Marrah 

Action Aid Sierra Leone has presented a total of NLe33, 793, 178 (thirty-three million seven hundred and ninety-three thousand one hundred and seventy eight new Leones) as the total amount of money for their budget for the year 2023.

80% of the budget amounting (NLe 27, 159 218.8) twenty-seven million one hundred and fifty-nine thousand, two hundred and eighteen new Leones presented to stakeholders at the Sierra Palm Resort in Freetown on Thursday 23^rd February 2023  was said to have been spent on  projects.

By Ruth Yeabu Sesay

The Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) is developing a curriculum that will see local languages being taught in senior secondary schools in the country.

This was disclosed by the Programme Manager of the Institute for Sierra Leonean Languages (TISLL), Lamin H. Kargbo during an interview with Politico on the 23^rd of February 2023 at his Freetown office.