News

By Kemo Cham

The Sierra Leone Parliament has rekindled the process of actualizing a long held dream of an Affirmative Action Law geared towards empowerment of women.

Discussions as part of an effort to prepare an Affirmative Action Bill for eventual enactment went underway this week in a workshop organized by the Female Caucus in the House.

The workshop which ended on Wednesday heard appeals for renewed efforts from lawmakers and other stakeholders.

By Allieu Sahid Tunkara

In spite of an increment in public transport fares, some commercial motor drivers in Freetown have expressed unhappiness, saying the increment is too little.

Although drivers who spoke to Politico said they would accept the decision albeit reluctantly, on the streets there is a visible act of defiance among many. Some are charging beyond the stipulated prices agreed between the government and the Drivers’ Union.

By Kemo Cham

The Sierra Leone government must act fast and tough in its fight against tobacco consumption in the country, an anti-tobacco expert has warned.

Andrew Black, a World Health Organization (WHO) anti-tobacco control official, said tobacco use among particularly children is growing at a “worrying trend” that requires not just a tougher anti-tobacco law but also one that strongly counters the growing influence of tobacco advertising and promotion.

By Mohamed Jaward Nyallay

The National Commission for Privatization (NCP) has said they will need huge capital from government to improve the services of some parastatals. The Chairman of the commission, Retired Colonel Alhaji Fanday Turay said this can only be avoided if parastatals change the way they operate.

By Mohamed Jaward Nyallay

The Sierra Leone Football Association have urged clubs to put proper structures in place regarding player transfers. The Secretary General of the FA, Chris Kamara said clubs have until October to do the necessary works ahead of the new season.

Kamara was addressing the clubs in the FA’s first media press conference since the lifting of the international ban and the dismissal of corruption charges against him and President Isha Johansen.

A military court martial in Sierra Leone has convicted the former head of the Presidential Guard, Capt Patrick Kamara and sentenced him to 10 years in prison. The captain reportedly escaped from military custody in May almost on the eve of lawyers making their final arguments.

Mohamed Jaward Nyallay

The company implementing the West Africa Power Project (WAPP) says it is set to complete the construction of five substations in Sierra Leone in the next six months.

TRANSCO CLSG says the completion of these stations will be followed by the supply of (additional) electricity in the five host districts. They are in Bikongoh (Kono), Kenema, Bumbuna (Tonkoli), Yiben (Koinadugu) and Kamakwie (Karene).