The US State Department has named Sierra Leone among six countries in West Africa to have met the minimum requirements of fiscal transparency for 2019.
The annual global Fiscal Transparency Report takes into account countries that have “key budget documents that are publicly available, substantially complete, and generally reliable”.
The review also considers “an assessment of the transparency of processes for awarding government contracts and licenses for natural resource extraction.”
By Kemo Cham
The Bank of Sierra Leone (BSL) has announced a series of directives aimed at protecting the Leone as the legal tender.
The Central Bank outlawed quotation of prices and making of payment in any foreign currency in the country and prohibited the possession or export of foreign currency in excess of US$10, 000 or its equivalent outside the banking system. The third directive prohibits the practice of offshore trading in foreign currency by Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and their donors.
By Kemo Cham
The outgoing Resident Representative of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Sierra Leone has expressed hope about the future of the country, despite current economic turbulence.
Dr Iyabo Masha, who is about to leave the country after about five years tour of duty, bade President Julius Maada Bio farewell on Monday where she spoke about her experience working with two different administrations in the last five years. She said the experienced taught her how a little shift in policy decisions can make huge difference.
Sierra Leone on Wednesday launched a National Digital Identity Platform, making it the first country in Africa to have a Blockchain national identification system.
President Julius Maada Bio presided over the symbolic launching which took place at Radisson Blu Mamy Yoko Hotel in Freetown.
By Mabinty M. Kamara
Famous music superstar Jimmy Bangura has expressed optimism about the future of the local entertainment industry.
Bangura, better known by his stage name - Jimmy B, was speaking at a meeting of representatives of the industry and President Julius Maada Bio. He said they are hopeful that the entertainment industry would not only help in job creation and alleviating poverty, but that it will also help to bring stability in the country.
By Mohamed T. Massaquoi
A Constituency chairman for Sierra Leone's main opposition All People's Congress (APC) in Pujehun has ditched the party.
Sheku Soko Tarawally of Constituency 103 in Pujehun cited family reasons for parting ways with the party. In a resignation letter addressed to the APC’s District Chairperson and dated August 10, Mr Tarawally cited personal reasons for his decision.
By Hajaratu Kalokoh
The Residual Special Court for Sierra Leone has sought permission from the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone (HRCSL) to preserve the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) archive.
The Residual Special Court was established by an agreement between the United Nations and the Government of Sierra Leone to oversee the continuing legal obligations of the Special Court for Sierra Leone after its closure in 2013. The Special Court tried those held responsible for crimes committed during Sierra Leone’s elevn years civil war.
Supported by: Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA)
