Capitol Media (2025)

07/08/2025

NDMA, SLMet Issue Public Warning Ahead of Heavy Rainfall Across Sierra Leone

The National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), in collaboration with the Sierra Leone Meteorological Agency (SLMet), has issued a public advisory warning of heavy rainfall across Sierra Leone from August 5 to 9, 2025.

The advisory follows a regional flooding outlook jointly released by the African Centre of Meteorological Applications for Development (ACMAD) and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). According to the forecast, rainfall levels between 100mm and 150mm are expected, increasing the risk of flash floods and waterlogging in several parts of the country.

Sierra Leone is listed among other high-risk countries in the West and Central African region, including Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, Mali, and Cameroon.
The NDMA and SLMet urge the public to adhere to the following precautionary measures:
* Monitor official weather alerts via radio, television, and social media.
* Residents in flood-prone or low-lying areas should relocate to safer ground.
* Communities are advised to clear blocked gutters and drainage systems.
* Avoid walking or driving through floodwaters.

For emergencies, citizens can call the NDMA’s toll-free line 119, accessible on all networks.
Authorities assured the public of continued monitoring and timely updates as part of efforts to safeguard lives, property, and livelihoods during the peak of the rainy season.

07/08/2025

Popular Musician Alonzo Named in Alleged Drug Trafficking Case in Liberia

Popular musician Alonzo, also known on social media as Alonzo Abasi, has been named among four individuals arrested in connection with an alleged drug trafficking case in Liberia.

According to a statement issued by the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA), the arrest took place on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, at approximately 6:30 PM at the Bo Waterside Port of Entry in Grand Cape Mount County. The suspects were found in possession of 844 grams of Methcathinone, a powerful synthetic drug, valued at USD 8,440 (approximately 1,688,000 Liberian Dollars).
This marks the first known attempt to introduce Methcathinone into the Liberian market, the LDEA stated.

Those arrested include Eariel Xavises Aweti (36) and Samuel R. Grey (28) both Sierra Leoneans, Alonzo Yeah (35) a Liberian resident in Sierra Leone, and Matthew Sherman (25) of the VOA Community in Liberia.
Authorities have confirmed that all four suspects are currently in custody as investigations continue.

07/08/2025

Bio Pledges Youth Empowerment Through Digital Innovation and Civic Education

At the State Opening of the Third Session of the Sixth Parliament, President Dr. Julius Maada Bio reaffirmed his government’s commitment to civic participation and press freedom, unveiling a bold agenda to empower citizens, especially youth through innovation and education.

Commending civil society and the independent media, President Bio stated, “We remain committed to engaging actors who amplify citizens’ voices, promote transparency, and strengthen democratic governance.”
He outlined the National Civic Education and Engagement Initiative, featuring weekly Krio press briefings, nationwide events, annual civic festivals, and Presidential Town Hall Meetings designed to build trust and deepen democratic dialogue.

Sierra Leone has climbed nine places on the Global Press Freedom Index and now scores 91% on the MCC Freedom of Information indicator.
Future plans include digital TV reform, a new National Civic Education Agenda, a National Film Policy, and a *Youth in Entrepreneurship Initiative* focused on digital innovation, climate action, and job creation.

Sierra Leone News Agency - SLENA 𝑭𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒔. The Ministry of Information and Civic Education Umaru Fofana Sylvia Olayinka Blyden Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone - HRCSL UK in Sierra Leone U.S. Embassy Freetown, Sierra Leone UN Women The Telegraph President of the European Parliament Vice President of the Republic of Sierra Leone Premium Times Chinese Embassy in Sierra Leone

07/08/2025

Sad News!

We have received the sad news that the CEO of SKM, Zeghir Jaffar, passed away today.
We extend our deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathy to his family during this difficult time.

07/08/2025

First Lady Disrespects President, VP, & Parliament in Shocking Public Snub

Sierra Leone’s First Lady shocked the nation during the State Opening of Parliament with what many call a blatant act of disrespect. As President Bio and Vice President Juldeh Jalloh entered the Chamber, she remained seated, refusing to acknowledge them. More striking, she denied the VP a handshake and withheld the customary standing ovation.
Worse still, she stayed seated when the Speaker of Parliament was ushered in.
Observers say her conduct disrespected not only the Vice President but also her husband, the President, and the entire Parliament.
Many believe it was a calculated snub that undermines the dignity of the State and signals deeper tensions within the presidency.

04/08/2025

August 4th, 2025 Edition

04/08/2025

Win Up to NLe 100,000 in Africell’s New Fantasy Premier League

Africell Sierra Leone has officially launched its own league for subscribers on the Fantasy Premier League (FPL), offering football fans an exciting opportunity to showcase their managerial skills while competing for attractive prizes.
The launch took place on Thursday, 31st July 2025, at the company’s headquarters on Pivot Street, Wilberforce, in Freetown.

Speaking during the event, Africell Media Relations Team Lead, Abdul Aziz Kamara, explained that the Fantasy Premier League is a free online game based on the English Premier League that allows fans to act as virtual football managers. Participants build a 15-player squad consisting of real-life Premier League stars within a £100 million budget, set formations, choose captains, and earn points based on players’ real match performances.
Kamara detailed how the game rewards strategic thinking, with weekly free transfers, fluctuating player values, and special “chips” such as the Wildcard and Triple Captain available to managers.

Africell Marketing Communications Manager, Kamanda Koroma, shared his enthusiasm for the initiative, noting that the Africell FPL will appeal to both die-hard football fans and casual gamers.
“It’s free to join, and the prizes are rewarding and transparent,” he said.

The competition will run for the full 38-week Premier League season, offering weekly, monthly, and end-of-season prizes. Weekly winners will receive a Yamix bundle, monthly winners will get NLe 3,500 plus a customized jersey, and the overall champion will take home NLe 100,000, with prizes for the top five finishers.
Participation is free but requires an Africell SIM registered in the entrant’s name and an Afrimoney account for prize collection. Koroma also emphasized Africell’s commitment to transparency, credibility, and sports promotion in Sierra Leone.

Interested subscribers can join by using league code 7uvl7d or clicking this link](https://fantasy.premierleague.com/leagues/auto-join/7uvl7d) to auto-join and start building their dream team ahead of the 2025/26 season kickoff.
“With free entry, enticing rewards, and a competitive spirit, Africell’s Fantasy Premier League promises to make this football season more thrilling than ever,” Koroma concluded.

02/08/2025

August 1st, 2025 Edition

01/08/2025

GEWE Law Becomes Political Scam…
SLPP’s Executive List is a National Embarrassment to Gender Justice

By: Mohamed Osman Bangura(Political)
BA Gender and Development

Just a year after proudly enacting the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) Act in December 2023 a landmark law aimed at securing a minimum 30% quota for women in leadership the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) has exposed itself as hypocritical and politically insincere.

The party’s newly elected national executive, announced at the 14th National Delegates Conference on August 1, 2025, blatantly violates the very gender principles it claims to uphold. Out of 15 national positions, only two were awarded to women: Judith Kosseh (Treasurer) and Mahawa Alieu (Deputy Organizing Secretary).
This is an embarrassing 13% representation, falling drastically short of the GEWE law’s 30% mandate a law the SLPP itself introduced and celebrated with fanfare.
This executive lineup is not only a betrayal of women in the party but a slap in the face of every Sierra Leonean woman who believed the GEWE law was a turning point in our political history. It makes a complete mockery of President Julius Maada Bio’s much-touted image as a gender champion.

For years, Bio has used the global stage to brand himself as a progressive leader committed to women’s empowerment. But when it came time to reflect those values within his party’s top leadership, he stood by as women were sidelined and reduced to political tokens.
The numbers speak for themselves: 13 men, 2 women. That is not gender parity. That is not progress. That is a deliberate decision to marginalize women from the spaces where real political power is negotiated and distributed.
What’s worse, the SLPP is attempting to hide behind the thin veil of tokenism, expecting applause for placing a single woman in a financial role and another in a secondary organizing position, while the main power blocs of Chairman, Secretary-General, Public Relations Officer, and Legal Advisers are dominated entirely by men.

This pattern reveals a deeper truth: the GEWE law is at risk of becoming nothing more than a political scam a piece of legislation used to polish the party’s image internationally while ignoring its actual application domestically.
If the SLPP cannot uphold the law within its own internal structures, what moral authority does it have to demand gender compliance from ministries, parastatals, or the private sector? The message being sent to the nation is clear: gender equality is optional, not essential.

Sierra Leonean women are watching, and they will not forget this betrayal. The SLPP must be held accountable not only by women’s rights groups and civil society, but by every citizen who believes in justice, fairness, and the rule of law.
Until this male-dominated executive is revisited and corrected, the SLPP will remain complicit in undermining the very principles it claims to champion.

History will remember this moment not as a victory for women but as a national embarrassment to gender justice.

List of SLPP 14th National Delegates Conference 2025 Elected National Officials:

1. National Chairman: Jimmy B. Songa
2. Deputy Chairman: Robert K. Kargbo
3. Secretary General: Hon Paran Tarawallie
4. Deputy Secretary General: Sheku M. Turay
5. Organizing Secretary: Alhassan Balogun George
6. Deputy Organizing Secretary: Mahawa Alieu
7. Public Relations Officer: Moses Mambu
8. Treasurer: Judith Kosseh
9. Internal Auditor: Augustine J J Tommy
10. Financial Secretary: Sharka Sannoh
11. Legal Adviser 1: Anthony Brewa
12. Legal Adviser 2: Hon. Hindolo M Gevao
13. Legal Adviser 3: Alpha Sesay
14. Imam: Alhaji Fuad Sheriff
15. Chaplain: Smart Senesie

©Capitol Times Newspaper

Sylvia Olayinka Blyden The Ministry of Information and Civic Education Mohamed K Mansaray Sierra Leone News Agency - SLENA 𝑭𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒔. UNESCO U.S. Embassy Freetown, Sierra Leone Umaru Fofana Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone - HRCSL UK in Sierra Leone UN Women 50/50

30/07/2025

Supplementary Budget Targets Fiscal Discipline and Sustained Economic Stability

The Minister of Finance today tabled the “Supplementary Government Budget and Statement of Economic and Financial Policies” before Parliament, with a clear emphasis on Fiscal Consolidation and Budget Credibility to Sustain Macroeconomic Stability.

Despite challenging global economic conditions, the government's macroeconomic performance has shown remarkable progress. Inflation, once above 50 percent, has been brought down to single digits in just 18 months. Key indicators such as export volumes, manufacturing output, and foreign exchange stability have all shown significant improvements. Additionally, both Treasury Bill and commercial bank interest rates are on a steady decline, reflecting renewed investor confidence and prudent monetary policy.

Much of this economic turnaround is attributed to the strategic leadership of President Julius Maada Bio, Chairman of the Economic Management Team. His administration’s focus on infrastructure development, human capital investment, and social welfare has underpinned these gains. From reducing maternal mortality and increasing school enrolment among girls to expanding youth skills and employment, the President continues to drive a people-centred development agenda.

The supplementary budget is expected to reinforce these priorities as the government seeks to sustain stability and deliver inclusive growth.

30/07/2025

Customs Intercept Guinean Vehicle with Drugs and Undeclared Goods

Credit: Public Affairs and Tax Education Unit
NRA

In a coordinated security operation, officers of the National Revenue Authority (NRA) Customs Department have intercepted a major consignment of suspected narcotics and undeclared goods at the Gbalamuya Border Crossing Point in Kambia District.

The operation, which took place on Monday, July 28, 2025, was led by the Assistant Commissioner for Border Controls and Management, John B. Amara, alongside Edward Jusu, Manager of Gbalamuya Customs Post. The team worked in collaboration with the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF), Sierra Leone Police (SLP), and the Office of National Security (ONS).

Acting on intelligence reports, officers stopped a Guinean-registered vehicle (BC 1785) attempting to cross into Sierra Leone from neighbouring Guinea. Upon inspection, the vehicle was found to be transporting 79 gross, 9 small packets, and 9 cards of tapentadol tablets (225mg) a controlled narcotic similar to tramadol. Authorities also seized 135 Android mobile phones, including Samsung Galaxy A06 (120 pieces), A36 (5 pieces), A56 (5 pieces), and A26 (5 pieces).

The driver, identified as Mohamed Jalloh, admitted the consignment was bound for Freetown. Both the drugs and the dutiable mobile phones were handed over to the Local Unit Commander of the Kambia Division, Chief Superintendent of Police Bob M.N. Mansaray, for further investigation. It was agreed that the phones would be returned to Customs for proper declaration and payment of duties as required by law.

NRA officials say this interception demonstrates their heightened vigilance to ensure all consignments entering the country undergo thorough declaration and examination. The agency reaffirmed its commitment to combating goods smuggling and drug trafficking in collaboration with other security agencies and international partners.

With growing concerns over the rise in drug abuse and its impact on public health, authorities pledged to intensify border security operations to dismantle trafficking networks and protect Sierra Leone’s communities.

30/07/2025

PPASL and Rainbow Initiative Join Forces to Enhance SGBV and SRH Services

In a significant move to enhance access to inclusive and quality healthcare services, the Planned Parenthood Association of Sierra Leone (PPASL) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Rainbow Initiative (RI). The signing ceremony was held on July 28, 2025, at Rainbow Initiative’s office on 4 Williams Drive, SS Camp, Freetown.

This partnership marks a promising collaboration aimed at improving Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) and Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) service delivery for marginalized and vulnerable populations across Sierra Leone.

Both organizations acknowledge the widespread impact of SGBV and its serious consequences on the sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) of individuals and communities.

Under the agreement, beneficiaries of PPASL and Rainbow Initiative will have access to comprehensive SRH services including counseling, STI screening, HIV testing, family planning, and psychosocial support. The collaboration also emphasizes joint programming, information sharing, and the establishment of referral pathways to ensure non-discriminatory, confidential, and survivor-centered healthcare access.

This MOU reflects the shared commitment of PPASL and Rainbow Initiative to promote human rights-based health services, reinforcing their mutual goal to leave no one behind in the fight against SGBV and in advancing SRHR access.

Additionally, the partnership will support capacity building for service providers and bolster public awareness campaigns aimed at reducing stigma related to SGBV and SRHR, especially among vulnerable groups.

Together, PPASL and Rainbow Initiative envision a society free from SGBV, where survivors receive comprehensive, timely, and compassionate care and support.

Capitol Media

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