The Calabash Newspaper

Sierra Leone’s Vice President, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, has described the Proportional Representation (PR) system as one of the world’s most widely used electoral models, saying it promotes inclusive representation and ensures that all segments of society have a voice in governance, saying it promotes inclusive representation and ensures that all segments of society have [...] The post PR System Promotes Inclusive Representation, Says VP Juldeh Jalloh first appeared on The Calabash Newspaper.

Sierra Leonean risk communication professional Patrick Lansana has been elected Vice President of the ECOWAS Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) Network. He was elected at the just-concluded three-day regional capacity-building workshop on Risk Communication and Community Engagement, organised by the ECOWAS Regional Centre for Surveillance and Disease Control (RCSDC) in Abuja, Nigeria. The [...] The post Sierra Leonean Elected VP of ECOWAS Risk Communication Network first appeared on The Calabash Newspaper.

Miss Freetown has recorded the highest audition turnout in its 20-year history, with 48 young women applying to participate in the 2026 edition of the popular beauty and leadership pageant. Organisers described the figure as the largest documented number of applications received for a pageant audition in Sierra Leone, marking a significant milestone for [...] The post Miss Freetown Unveils Finalists August 7 After Record-Breaking Auditions first appeared on The Calabash Newspaper.

The Regional Studies Association (RSA) has honoured Braima Koroma, Director of Research and Training at the Sierra Leone Urban Research Centre (SLURC), and five other researchers with the 2026 Best Paper Award for the journal Area Development and Policy. The award-winning paper, titled “Accessibility, (Dis)advantage and Everyday Mobility Practices and Experiences: The Cases of [...] The post Celebrating Excellence: Braima Koroma and Co-Authors Win 2026 Best Paper Award first appeared on The Calabash Newspaper.

The Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority (SLRSA) has announced a series of new measures aimed at reducing traffic congestion and improving road safety at the Queen Elizabeth II Quay in Freetown. In a public notice issued on 31 July 2026, the Authority said the measures form part of the Government of Sierra Leone’s broader [...] The post SLRSA Tightens Traffic Regulations at Queen Elizabeth II Quay first appeared on The Calabash Newspaper.

Parliament is preparing to intensify scrutiny of the National Revenue Authority (NRA) following concerns that weaknesses in tax enforcement and administration are preventing Sierra Leone from realising its full domestic revenue potential. The Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business, Hon. Matthew Sahr Nyuma, raised the concerns while contributing to the parliamentary debate on [...] The post Weak GST Enforcement Costing Sierra Leone Billions—Majority Leader first appeared on The Calabash Newspaper.

The National Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NPRA), in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the ECOWAS Commission and the Government of Sierra Leone, has concluded a two-day national workshop aimed at advancing the implementation of cleaner fuel and vehicle standards in the country. The workshop, held from 3rd to 4th August 2026 at [...] The post NPRA, UNEP and ECOWAS Advance Cleaner Fuel and Vehicle Standards in Sierra Leone first appeared on The Calabash Newspaper.

Sierra Leone’s constitutional reform process has entered another critical stage after Parliament agreed to remove a provision that would have allowed independent candidates to contest presidential elections, while major disagreements persist over proportional representation and the threshold required to win the presidency. Members of Parliament from the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party and the [...] The post APC Rejects PR System, 50%-Plus-One Threshold as Constitutional Amendment Debate Intensifies first appeared on The Calabash Newspaper.

The Minister of Transport and Aviation, Ambassador Colonel (Rtd.) Alhaji Fanday Turay, has called on the Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority (SLCAA) and aviation operators to intensify preparations for the 2027 International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme. Speaking during a high-level stakeholder engagement held on August 3, 2026, at the [...] The post Transport Minister Urges SLCAA, Aviation Operators to Intensify Preparations for 2027 ICAO Safety Audit first appeared on The Calabash Newspaper.

The Romanian business magnet and Chief Executive Officer of MACCEM Industries SL Limited, Ahmed Mackie, has strongly denied allegations of tax evasion and the production of substandard cement, describing the claims as misleading and without merit. Speaking in an exclusive interview with this medium, the Romanian businessman said MACCEM remains fully compliant with Sierra [...] The post As $40 Million Cement Plant Nears Completion... MACCEM Boss Rejects Allegations, Reaffirms Commitment to Sierra Leone’s Cement Industry first appeared on The Calabash Newspaper.

Sierra Leone and Gabon have committed to strengthening bilateral relations and establishing a more structured partnership following high-level talks between President Dr. Julius Maada Bio and Gabonese President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema. The discussions, held at State House in Freetown on Monday, 3 August 2026, formed part of President Oligui Nguema’s three-day state visit [...] The post Sierra Leone, Gabon Sign Joint Communiqué to Strengthen Bilateral Cooperation first appeared on The Calabash Newspaper.

The true measure of policy commitments lies not only in the frameworks and declarations they create but also in the lives they protect and the results they deliver. Across the world, countries have made commitments to advance the rights and dignity of women and girls through national laws, regional frameworks, and global agreements. But [...] The post Advancing the AU Commitment: Accountability as the Pathway to Ending Harmful Practices in Sierra Leone first appeared on The Calabash Newspaper.

The National Communications Authority (NaTCA) has marked its 20th anniversary with renewed commitments to expand connectivity, protect consumers and prepare Sierra Leone for emerging technologies, while Government challenged the sector to close the wide gap between mobile-network coverage and actual internet use. The celebration, held on Monday, August 3, 2026, at the NatCA Tower [...] The post NatCA Marks 20 Years, Pledges Consumer-Focused Digital Future first appeared on The Calabash Newspaper.

The Ministry of Mines and Mineral Resources and the National Minerals Agency have clarified that JM Mining Kenema (SL) Limited never held a Large-Scale Mining Licence in Sierra Leone, contrary to claims that the Government withdrew the company’s licence. In a detailed statement issued on Wednesday, 5 August 2026, the two institutions said JM Mining [...] The post Mines Ministry, NMA Set Record Straight on JM Mining’s Large-Scale Licence Application first appeared on The Calabash Newspaper.

The Government of Sierra Leone, in collaboration with Statistics Sierra Leone and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), has reaffirmed its commitment to conducting a credible, inclusive and internationally recognized 2026 Population and Housing Census following a high-level joint monitoring visit to the ongoing Mock Population and Housing Census household enumeration exercise at Hill [...] The post Government, UNFPA Assess Progress of Mock Population and Housing Census first appeared on The Calabash Newspaper.

The Campaign for Human Rights and Development International (CHRDI) has called on the Government of Sierra Leone to adopt a comprehensive implementation strategy that integrates transitional justice, constitutional reform and electoral governance into a single national agenda aimed at strengthening democratic accountability and long-term peace. The recommendations are contained in a newly published policy [...] The post CHRDI Calls for Unified Reform Agenda to Advance Transitional Justice and Constitutional Governance first appeared on The Calabash Newspaper.

The Office of National Security (ONS) has concluded a series of regional consultative workshops aimed at identifying baseline political risks and security threats that could affect the peaceful conduct of Sierra Leone’s 2028 General Elections. The nationwide exercise, which ended on 29 July 2026, brought together a broad range of stakeholders from all five [...] The post ONS Engages Stakeholders Across Five Regions to Identify Threats Ahead of 2028 Elections first appeared on The Calabash Newspaper.

The Sierra Leone Roads Authority (SLRA) has announced the immediate closure of the Old Railway Line Bridge at Brookfields, Freetown, effective 1 August 2026, following the discovery of significant structural defects that pose a risk to public safety. According to a Press Release issued by the Authority on 30 July 2026, the decision follows [...] The post Brookfields Old Railway Line Bridge Shut Down as SLRA Cites Serious Structural Damage first appeared on The Calabash Newspaper.

The National Communications Authority (NatCA) has announced sweeping regulatory measures aimed at strengthening cybersecurity, curbing mobile phone fraud and improving accountability within Sierra Leone’s telecommunications sector through the mandatory registration of all Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards with the National Identification Number (NIN). The reforms, contained in the Subscribers Regulations 2025, introduce stringent compliance [...] The post NatCA Strengthens Cybersecurity, Orders SIM Registration Overhaul to Protect Digital Services first appeared on The Calabash Newspaper.

Parliament has approved Sierra Leone’s Supplementary Budget for the 2026 Financial Year, introducing significant revisions to the country’s fiscal framework in response to rising global oil prices, declining domestic revenue and growing economic pressures associated with the conflict in the Middle East. Minister of Finance Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura presented the Supplementary Budget and [...] The post Parliament Approves 2026 Supplementary Budget to Protect Economy Amid Global Oil Shock first appeared on The Calabash Newspaper.

Minister of Finance, Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura, has declared that Sierra Leone urgently needs a new seaport, stating that the country’s existing port infrastructure is no longer capable of supporting the demands of the growing economy. Responding to concerns raised by Members of Parliament following the presentation of the 2026 Supplementary Budget and Statement [...] The post Finance Minister Says Sierra Leone Needs New Port to Unlock Economic Growth first appeared on The Calabash Newspaper.

A third group of third-country nationals transferred from the United States under the Third Country National Agreement arrived at Freetown International Airport on Friday, 31 July 2026, bringing the total number of people received by Sierra Leone under the arrangement to 32. The latest contingent comprised 10 nationals from countries within the Economic Community [...] The post US–Sierra Leone Repatriation Agreement: Total Arrivals Rise to 32 first appeared on The Calabash Newspaper.

Pavi Fort Al-Associates (SL) Ltd is constructing major irrigation and energy infrastructure to support a 5,000-hectare rice cultivation project in Torma Bum Chiefdom, Bonthe District, under the Government’s Feed Salone Initiative. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Pavi Fort Al-Associates, Alimu Sanu Barrie, provided an update on the project during President Dr. Julius Maada [...] The post Pavi Fort Advances Feed Salone with Irrigation and Solar Projects at Torma Bum first appeared on The Calabash Newspaper.

Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh on Sunday, August 2, 2026, officially welcomed the President of the Gabonese Republic, His Excellency Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, and First Lady Zita Oligui Nguema upon their arrival at Freetown International Airport in Lungi for a three-day State Visit to Sierra Leone. The Vice President received the visiting [...] The post Vice President Juldeh Jalloh Welcomes Gabonese President Oligui Nguema on Three-Day State Visit first appeared on The Calabash Newspaper.

The Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority (SLCAA) has strongly refuted social media reports alleging that a large cache of illicit drugs was intercepted aboard a Brussels Airlines aircraft at the Freetown International Airport (FNA) in Lungi. In a press release issued by the Authority, SLCAA described the reports as false, misleading and baseless, stating [...] The post SLCAA Dismisses Social Media Claims of Drug Interception at Freetown International Airport first appeared on The Calabash Newspaper.

The Ministry of Lands, Housing and Country Planning is advancing plans to introduce a homegrown National Building Code aimed at strengthening construction standards, improving urban planning and addressing the growing challenge of unsafe and unauthorized developments across Sierra Leone. Speaking during a progress review meeting in Freetown, the Minister of Lands, Housing and Country [...] The post Lands Minister Calls for Stronger Controls on Illegal Building and Urban Development first appeared on The Calabash Newspaper.

Sierra Leone and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation in Islamic affairs following high-level discussions between Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, His Excellency Mohamed Barrie and the Kingdom’s Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, Sheikh Dr. Abdullatif bin Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh, in Riyadh. The meeting, held [...] The post Sierra Leone, Saudi Arabia Deepen Cooperation in Islamic Affairs first appeared on The Calabash Newspaper.

The Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary School Education, Conrad Sackey, has issued a strong warning to schools, teachers and education officials across Sierra Leone, declaring that no school has the legal authority to charge parents or guardians any fee before releasing pupils’ report cards. Addressing parents and guardians directly, the Minister emphasized that [...] The post Education Minister Conrad Sackey Warns Schools Against Illegal Report Card Charges first appeared on The Calabash Newspaper.

The campaign for the presidency of the Sierra Leone Bar Association (SLBA) gathered further momentum on Wednesday, 29 July 2026, as the Association’s incumbent President, Madam Tuma Adama Jabbi, met with legal practitioners of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) at Defence Headquarters in Freetown. According to Lieutenant Colonel Yayah Brima Esq., [...] The post SLBA Presidential Hopeful Tuma Adama Jabbi Meets RSLAF Lawyers Ahead of August 1 Elections first appeared on The Calabash Newspaper.

The Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority (SLCAA) successfully delivered one of the country’s most complex aviation operations during the recent ECOWAS Summit, ensuring the safe and efficient movement of visiting Heads of State and Government while maintaining uninterrupted commercial flight operations at Freetown International Airport. The operation, which was the culmination of several months [...] The post SLCAA Delivers World-Class Aviation Operations During ECOWAS Summit first appeared on The Calabash Newspaper.

The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Sierra Leone has celebrated the 99th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA), with senior officials from China and Sierra Leone reaffirming their commitment to strengthening defence cooperation, expanding military training and deepening the longstanding friendship between the two nations. [...] The post China Celebrates PLA’s 99th Anniversary, Reaffirms Strong Military Partnership with Sierra Leone first appeared on The Calabash Newspaper.

Parliament is expected to resume debate on the Constitution of Sierra Leone (Amendment) Bill, 2025, as lawmakers continue deliberations on one of the country’s most far-reaching constitutional reform packages since the adoption of the 1991 Constitution. The proposed legislation, which has already passed its Second Reading after an intensive parliamentary session stretching from Tuesday, [...] The post Government and Opposition Locked in Debate as Constitution Amendment Bill Advances first appeared on The Calabash Newspaper.

The National Communications Authority (NatCA) has reassured the public that it is closely monitoring the ongoing cybersecurity incidents affecting digital services across Sierra Leone, while working with key stakeholders to coordinate an effective national response. In a public notice issued on 30 July 2026 from its headquarters at NatCA Tower, South Ridge, Freetown, the [...] The post NatCA Reassures Public and Strengthens Response to Rising Cyber Threats first appeared on The Calabash Newspaper.

Sierra Leone’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Timothy Musa Kabba, has urged the African Union (AU) to place the issue of recurring xenophobic attacks against Africans in South Africa on the agenda of the AU Mid-Year Summit of Heads of State and Government scheduled for October 2026 in Cairo, Egypt, reaffirming the [...] The post Foreign Minister Seeks AU Support on Xenophobia and ICJ Bid for Professor Charles Jalloh first appeared on The Calabash Newspaper.

Vice President, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, has reaffirmed the Government of Sierra Leone’s commitment to strengthening its longstanding partnership with international humanitarian organisation, Trócaire, following high-level discussions with the organization’s Chief Executive Officer, Seán Farrell, on 28 July 2026. The meeting focused on reinforcing collaboration in key development sectors, including gender equality, climate resilience, [...] The post Vice President, Trócaire CEO Discuss Longstanding Partnership With Sierra Leone first appeared on The Calabash Newspaper.

Sierra Leone is set to welcome the President of the Republic of Gabon, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, who will undertake a State Visit to the country on August 2, 2026 at the invitation of President Dr. Julius Maada Bio. The visit is expected to further deepen bilateral relations and open new opportunities for cooperation [...] The post President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema to Pay State Visit to Sierra Leone first appeared on The Calabash Newspaper.

Africell Sierra Leone’s 1199 toll-free emergency line has become the National Disaster Management Agency’s primary public reporting platform, with the Agency disclosing that more than 65 percent of disaster-related calls are now received through the service, significantly improving disaster prevention and emergency response nationwide. The revelation was made by the Director of Communication at [...] The post Africell Toll-Free Line Drives 65% of NDMA Disaster Reporting first appeared on The Calabash Newspaper.

The National Communications Authority (NaTCA) has intensified its nationwide consumer education campaign on internet safety, urging Sierra Leoneans to remain vigilant against fraudulent internet links and other forms of cybercrime that continue to target mobile phone and internet users. According to the Authority, cybercriminals are increasingly using fake internet links distributed through SMS, WhatsApp, [...] The post NaTCA Launches Nationwide Campaign to Combat Online Fraud and Cyber Scams first appeared on The Calabash Newspaper.

The Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority (SLRSA), in partnership with the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), has concluded a two-day sensitization and capacity-building workshop on ethics, integrity and the Anti-Corruption Act for Road Safety Corps personnel. The training forms part of the Authority’s ongoing efforts to strengthen professionalism, accountability and ethical conduct among officers responsible for [...] The post SLRSA Strengthens Integrity with Ethics and Anti-Corruption Training for Road Safety Corps first appeared on The Calabash Newspaper.

Issue No. 83 (July–August 2026) of the official newsletter of the National Federation of Foreign Diplomats and Consuls in Italy (FENCO) has featured an extensive profile of Dr. Luigi Manganiello, Honorary Consul General of the Republic of Sierra Leone in Italy, in recognition of his appointment to the Federation’s National Executive Board for the [...] The post FENCO Newsletter Spotlights Sierra Leone Honorary Consul General Dr. Luigi Manganiello first appeared on The Calabash Newspaper.

As Fourah Bay College (FBC), University of Sierra Leone, marks its 200th anniversary, the institution has paid glowing tribute to one of its most distinguished alumni, Alhaji Dr. Ing. Mohamed Babatunde Cole, recognizing his exceptional contributions to engineering, industry, philanthropy and national development. In its Bicentennial Profile series, the College described Alhaji Dr. Ing. [...] The post Fourah Bay College Honours Dr. Mohamed Babatunde Cole’s Legacy as Bicentennial Celebrations Gather Momentum first appeared on The Calabash Newspaper.

The call for members of the Sierra Leone Bar Association (SLBA) to embrace the E-Registration and ID Badge system has intensified ahead of the Association’s 2026 Annual General Meeting (AGM), with supporters describing the initiative as a critical safeguard for ensuring credible, transparent and dispute-free elections. Developed through a collaboration between the Sierra Leone [...] The post SLBA Members Urged to Embrace E-Registration and ID Badge System Ahead of AGM 2026 first appeared on The Calabash Newspaper.

The Director General of the Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority (SLCAA), Madam Musayeroh Barrie, has been recognized among Africa’s most distinguished women leaders shaping the future of the continent’s aviation industry during the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Global Aviation Gender Summit 2026, held in Luanda, Angola, from 21 to 23 July 2026. The [...] The post SLCAA DG Earns Continental Recognition at ICAO Aviation Gender Summit in Luanda first appeared on The Calabash Newspaper.

Africell, through the Africell Impact Foundation, has officially opened a Telemarketing Centre at the Milton Margai School for the Blind on Wilkinson Road in Freetown, creating new employment opportunities for persons with visual impairments. The centre, which was unveiled on Tuesday, 28 July 2026, is designed to provide vocational and technical training while equipping [...] The post Africell Opens Telemarketing Centre to Empower Visually Impaired Students first appeared on The Calabash Newspaper.

Freetown, Sierra Leone – July 27, 2026. UNFPA, in partnership with the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs, has convened a two-day consultative workshop with government stakeholders to strengthen national efforts to eliminate harmful practices, particularly Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and child marriage. Organized under the Iceland-funded project, Accelerating Progress Towards the Elimination of FGM [...] The post UNFPA Sierra Leone and Government Partners Mobilize to Operationalize AU Accountability Framework on Harmful Practices first appeared on The Calabash Newspaper.

Celebrations marking the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Sierra Leone reached another memorable milestone as the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Sierra Leone organized a vibrant China-Sierra Leone Friendship Run under the theme: “Youth Relay, Walking Together.” The symbolic event brought together Chinese and [...] The post 55 Runners Celebrate 55 Years of China–Sierra Leone Diplomatic Relations first appeared on The Calabash Newspaper.

The Sierra Leone Urban Research Centre (SLURC), through its Urban Futures Project, convened a stakeholder co-design workshop on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, to examine land-use challenges and develop sustainable pathways for informal settlements in Freetown. The project focuses on two communities—Thompson Bay in the west of the city and Pamoronko in the east. Held [...] The post SLURC Engages Thompson Bay and Pamoronko Communities to Strengthen Climate-Resilient Land Use first appeared on The Calabash Newspaper.

July 29th marks the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Sierra Leone. Though thousands of miles apart, the two countries have built a partnership that has produced tangible achievements and brought their peoples closer together as they work toward their respective development goals. For me, Sierra Leone first came into [...] The post Fifty-Five Years Side by Side: The Resilience and Warmth of China–Sierra Leone Friendship first appeared on The Calabash Newspaper.

The US$75 million Kent Seaport which is part of the Kent–Banana Island Seaport Project and spearheaded by Sierra Leonean entrepreneur Mohamed Gento Kamara through the Gento Group of Companies, is steadily emerging as one of the country’s most ambitious indigenous private sector infrastructure investments. Once completed, the modern seaport is expected to transform the [...] The post As Government Urged to Honour Financial Commitment... High-Level Government Delegation Hails Gento Group’s US$75 Million Kent Port Project first appeared on The Calabash Newspaper.

By Foday Moriba Conteh The Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone (HRCSL) has formally submitted its Position Paper on the Constitution of Sierra Leone (Amendment) Bill, 2025 to Parliament, outlining a series of recommendations aimed at strengthening electoral justice, fairness, inclusivity, the rule of law and the protection of human rights. In a statement [...] The post HRC-SL Submits Position Paper on Constitutional Amendment Bill to Parliament first appeared on The Calabash Newspaper.