In August 2018, the government launched its flagship Free Quality School Education (FQSE) programme, allowing every child to attend government and government-assisted schools tuition-free to families.  Since its introduction, the government’s combined spending on national examinations (NPSE, BECE, and WASSCE) and tuition has increased by over 400 percent (4X). The FQSE programme has resulted in a tremendous increase in student …

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Professor David Francis has during the 39th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Union Commission (AUC) robustly defended the present high level interest of His Excellency the President Dr Julius Maada Bio in particular and Sierra Leone in general. This high level interest involves a bid by Sierra Leone …

By Rachel Horner.                                                                                                The newly elected Chairperson of the Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) Washington DC Metro Chapter is poised to uplift the chapter to a higher height. During the inauguration of her executive, Fatmata Dausy Wurie spoke about the existence of the chapter since democracy was ushered back in Sierra Leone by President Julius Maada Bio in 1996. “Our …

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen. Let me start by thanking the leadership of the United Arab Emirates and the organisers of the EXPO Dubai 2020 for the warm reception and hospitality accorded me and my delegation since our arrival in this great and beautiful country that has been globally recognized as the beacon of tolerance. Pope Francis’ state visit to the …

His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio arrived in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, yesterday ahead of Sierra Leone’s National Day at the EXPO 2020 Dubai scheduled for today, Thursday, 14th October 2021. During his visit, His Excellency the President is expected to meet with the leadership of the UAE and other stakeholders in the private sector. He is also expected …

By Haja Adama Kamara. The National Public Procurement Authority (NPPA) yesterday launched the 4th Quarter of the procurement price norm at the main conference hall, Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, Tower Hill, Freetown. The price norm is a legal requirement that guides procurement officers to obtain value for money and is published on a quarterly basis as provided for …

By Jane B. Mansaray. At the Sexual Offences Model Court in Freetown, a 17-year-old girl child and a Senior Secondary School (SSS 3) pupil testified on how her biological father virginated and impregnated her. Explaining her ordeal before the trial Judge, Justice Alhaji Momoh Jah Steven, the victim said she was sixteen years of age when her father, now accused …

By Rev. SM Williams (JP).                                                                                              The Bible is replete with seemingly inexplicable accounts of people and events. Some are even bizarre. One such account is where Cain got his wife from at a time when Adam and Eve and their two sons Cain and Abel were the only ones known to have existed in the garden. There are Christians who …

By Jane B. Mansaray A suspended member of the Sierra Leone Police Force with the rank of a Sergeant and with Force Number 7542 Mohamed Kanu was yesterday convicted on an amended indictment of manslaughter and sentenced to fifteen (15) years in prison to be served at the Pademba Road Maximum Male Correctional Centre in Freetown. Giving the fact of …

By Haja Adama Kamara. Former Liberian President, Madam Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf recently paid a courtesy call on the Ahmad Tejan-Kabbah Foundation at Albert Street in Freetown. During her snap visit, she underscored the importance of peace, cohesion, justice and human rights issues as the principles of good governance. Since her retirement as President, Madam Johnson-Sirleaf has been engaged in advocating for …