News

By Politico Staff Writer

A project by the Sierra Leone government designed to utilize technology, software and devices to collect, label and model data to inform real-time government and development partner decision making has won a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

The $773, 476 grant will be used by the Directorate of Science, Technology, and Innovation (DSTI) to develop the Integrated GIS Portal which it recently piloted.

Authorities of the National Telecommunications Commission (NATCOM) on Friday concluded a three-day retreat for the Board of Commissioners and management.

The retreat, which took place in Kenema was to improve the regulatory sector as they prepare to continue to make the Commission a key player in the socioeconomic development of Sierra Leone.

NATCOM's Director General, Maxwell Hinga Massaquoi, said since he was appointed, the Commission had never been taken to court because he initiated and implemented the alternative dispute resolution (ADR).

By Hajaratu Kalokoh

The mobile operator QCell has been named as major sponsor of this year’s National Entertainment Awards (NEA).

The NEA, which is organized by Lake Production, an event management company, celebrates talented Sierra Leoneans with artistic skills in music, film, comedy, fashion, sports, cultural heritage, and tourism. The organizers say the event is intended to rebrand Sierra Leone to the outside world through entertainment.

The first edition of the NEA was held in 2017.

By Mohamed Jaward Nyallay

The Sierra Leone government intends to create 9,000 new jobs in the public sector, according to the 2020 budget, as presented to parliament last week.

Minister of Finance, Jacob Jusu Saffa said in the budget speech on Friday that the government would hire 5,000 teachers, 3,000 health sector workers and 1,000 Police officers.

By Kemo Cham

A regional salary survey done by Sierra Leonean UN employees in the country shows the workers’ concerns over disparity are genuine.

A copy of the result of the comparison of what UN workers are paid in the four Mano River Union countries reveal that the Sierra Leonean national staff earn the least pay, compared to their counterparts in Guinea, Liberia and Ivory Coast.

By Mabinty M. Kamara

The gender parity group 50/50 has expressed disappointment with President Julius Maada Bio for not appointing “enough” women in his latest cabinet reshuffle.

Only one woman was among the 17 appointments announced by the president last Thursday in the person of Manti Tarawally who becomes Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs which has been separated from the ministry of social welfare.

By Mabinty M. Kamara

The Representative of the UN Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) to Sierra Leone, Nyabemji Tito Tipo, has expressed optimism about the prospect of attaining food sufficiency in Sierra Leone before 2030.

Ms Tipo made the statement during this year’s celebration of World Food Day, where she said Sierra Leone had a “huge” potential for food sufficiency, noting that it could make it beyond the target if it worked with everybody.