Capitol Media (2025)

01/11/2025

NRA and Africell Unveil Majestic Gateway Arch at Jendema Border

The National Revenue Authority (NRA), in proud partnership with Africell, has unveiled a magnificent new gateway arch at the Jendema Border Crossing Point a powerful symbol of collaboration, modernization, and national pride.

The new structure enhances Sierra Leone’s border visibility and reflects the shared commitment of both institutions to promoting efficient trade, community upliftment, and a vibrant image of progress for the nation.

Commissioner-General of the NRA, Mrs. Jeneba J. Bangura, commended Africell for its steadfast partnership and contribution to national development. She noted that such collaborations continue to elevate the image of both the NRA and Sierra Leone, strengthening public confidence in national institutions and reinforcing the country’s vision for economic transformation.

The partnership between the NRA and Africell underscores the growing synergy between public and private sectors in driving infrastructural improvement and fostering national unity. The newly unveiled gateway arch now stands as a symbol of progress welcoming visitors and reminding citizens of Sierra Leone’s resilience and ambition for growth.

𝑭𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒔. Mohamed K Mansaray Africell Sierra Leone Sierra Network Salone UN Women National Revenue Authority - NRA Sierra Leone

31/10/2025

Big shout out to my new rising fans! Mamajah Jalloh

29/10/2025

130 Nabbed as Police Declare All-Out War on Drugs

Credit: SLP Media Unit

In a sweeping nationwide operation, the Sierra Leone Police have arrested 130 suspected drug dealers as part of an intensified campaign to dismantle the growing Kush and narcotics trade across the country.

According to CSP Michael J. K. Laggah, head of the Transnational Organised Crime Unit (TOCU), the arrests were made during 174 coordinated raids carried out between 20th and 26th October, targeting known hotspots and transit routes used by drug traffickers.

The suspects were apprehended with significant quantities of Kush and Tramadol, as law enforcement agents tightened their grip on suppliers and distributors operating in both urban and rural communities. Among those arrested was a Guinean national, Laurencia Kollie, who was reportedly caught with 91 pellets of suspected co***ne at the Jendema checkpoint, near the Liberian border.

Police sources confirmed that 51 of the suspects have already been charged to court, while 79 remain in custody undergoing further investigation. Authorities say the arrests mark one of the largest single-week operations against drug trafficking in recent years.

CSP Laggah emphasized that the anti-drug campaign is part of a broader strategy that combines robust law enforcement with nationwide sensitisation and community education. He encouraged citizens to cooperate with the police by reporting drug-related activities in their localities.
“Our collective fight against drugs is not just about arrests, it’s about saving lives and protecting the next generation,” Laggah stated.

The Sierra Leone Police reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining the pressure on drug networks and ensuring that those involved face the full force of the law.
𝑭𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒔. The Ministry of Information and Civic Education UN Women Mohamed K Mansaray Sky News Punch Newspapers Mohamed Omodu Kamara Sierra LEONE Police Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India UK in Sierra Leone

29/10/2025

Attorney General Champions Human Rights–Based Climate Action

Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Alpha Sesay, has called for the full integration of human rights principles into the country’s climate change response, emphasizing that climate justice must be at the heart of national policies and programmes.

Speaking at the 1st National Conference on Human Rights and Climate Change, organized by the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone (HRCSL) under the theme “Integrating the Human Rights-Based Approach into Climate Mitigation and Adaptation Measures and Programmes,” the Attorney General highlighted the deep connection between climate change and the enjoyment of fundamental human rights.
“In Sierra Leone, climate change is a lived reality of our people not just statistics or distant targets,” he said.

“We acknowledge the strong interconnection between climate change and the enjoyment of human rights, and that’s why government will ensure that our laws, policies, and programmes reflect our deep commitment to climate justice and the protection of human rights.”

During the event, the Attorney General launched a groundbreaking report by the Commission titled “An Assessment of Climate Change-Related Laws and Policies and of Climate Change Impacts and Measures from a Human Rights Perspective.” The report offers critical analysis and recommendations to guide government institutions in adopting a Human Rights–Based Approach (HRBA) to climate mitigation and adaptation.

He commended the Commission for its proactive role in linking human rights with environmental governance and reaffirmed government’s resolve to ensure that climate policies remain inclusive, equitable, and aligned with international human rights standards and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The national conference brought together key stakeholders including policymakers, civil society representatives, environmental advocates, and development partners to discuss strategies for integrating human rights into climate action and ensuring that the most vulnerable communities are not left behind.

29/10/2025

Shout out to my newest followers! Excited to have you onboard! Hannah Francess Fornah, Haja Yusuf Jalloh

28/10/2025

Mystery Surrounds Death of Military Officer at CTC Mining Site

The Northwest Regional Police Division in Port Loko City has launched an investigation into the mysterious and brutal killing of a military officer, Sergeant Bayoh, who was attached to the Lungi 3 Infantry Military Battalion and deployed at the Commodity Trading Company (CTC) Mining Site at Gbere Junction, Port Loko District.

According to a police report, on Sunday, 27th October 2025, the police received a complaint from Umaru Bilkish Kamara, a Community Liaison Officer of CTC Mining Company, and one Corporal Conteh (M18181706), also attached to the same company. The two discovered the lifeless body of Sergeant Bayoh dumped in a pit hole near the mining site.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the deceased was allegedly attacked by unknown assailants, killed, and thrown into the pit. The shocking discovery has sent waves of fear across Gbere Junction and neighboring communities, heightening security concerns in the area.

In response, the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) and the Sierra Leone Police have launched a joint security operation to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the soldier’s death. Reports from the ground indicate that several arrests have already been made as investigations intensify.

Reacting to the incident, the Resident Minister of the Northwest Region, Ambassador Bon Wurie, condemned the killing and called on security personnel to strengthen patrols in the area. He also urged local authorities to collaborate with the joint operation team to ensure that justice prevails swiftly.

Meanwhile, eyewitnesses report that Gbere Junction and surrounding communities remain under tight security as military and police officers continue their coordinated efforts to uncover the truth behind the mysterious death.

Credit: Journalist Soka, CEO One Salone
Sierra LEONE Police 𝑭𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒔. UN Women Mohamed K Mansaray Punch Newspapers Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation - Sierra Leone United Nations Human Rights Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India Sky News National Revenue Authority - NRA Sierra Leone Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces Headquarters

28/10/2025

AfriMoney Partners with FCC to Digitize Tax and Licence Payments

By: Mohamed Osman Bangura (Political)

The Freetown City Council (FCC), in collaboration with AfriMoney, has officially launched a new digital payment platform that enables residents and business owners to pay property rates and business licences conveniently through their mobile phones. The initiative marks a major step toward improving revenue collection efficiency and promoting financial transparency in the capital.

The launch brought together key stakeholders, including the Mayor of Freetown, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, AfriMoney executives, and Council representatives, emphasizing the importance of embracing digital solutions in public financial management.

Speaking at the ceremony, Martison Obeng Agyei, Chief Executive Officer of AfriMoney, commended both the Mayor and the President for their leadership and commitment to modernizing city governance through innovation.
“Nothing comes free. When we wake up in the morning and drive on our roads, use electricity, or benefit from streetlights, someone pays for these services. As citizens, it is our obligation to contribute by paying our taxes and rates,” he said.

Agyei explained that the partnership with FCC was born out of a shared vision to digitize the city’s revenue collection process, ensuring that residents can make payments anytime and from anywhere using AfriMoney.
“Today, we are officially commencing the use of the AfriMoney platform to pay taxes and property rates,” he said. “All you need is your national ID and a simple dial of 161211125 # to complete your payment.”

He further noted that AfriMoney’s goal is to simplify everyday transactions and eliminate the burden of cash-based payments.
“Our biggest competition has never been othersit has been ourselves. We want to give people back the time they would otherwise spend travelling to make payments. With AfriMoney, you can pay your taxes while relaxing at home,” he added.

Agyei emphasized that sustainable development requires accountability from both government and citizens.
“In developed countries, taxes fund the systems that work. Africa must adopt that same mindset if we are to build cities we can all be proud of,” he concluded.

In his statement, Shadi Geijawi, Africell CEO, highlighted the company’s total commitment to a cashless ecosystem.
“We are using AfriMoney 100%. Personally, I have not received cash transactions for the past three years. Our aim is to make AfriMoney a way of life whether you are buying bread, refilling fuel, paying school fees, or settling property taxes,” he said.

Geijawi stressed that the digitized system benefits everyone by making payments faster, safer, and more transparent. “When I pay someone through AfriMoney, the receiver gets the full amount instantly no hidden charges. As long as money moves within the system, nobody pays extra. We are building an inclusive digital culture where citizens can easily contribute to the services they enjoy daily. Street cleaners, for example, are paid workers, and the council depends on taxes to sustain them. That’s why every payment counts,” he added.

He encouraged citizens, entrepreneurs, and innovators to embrace AfriMoney for all forms of transactions. “AfriMoney is open to everyone—whether your idea is small or big, your payment is small or big. Everyone is welcome,” Geijawi concluded.

In her remarks, Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr expressed appreciation to AfriMoney and reaffirmed FCC’s commitment to efficient service delivery through digitization. She underscored that the new platform will not only make payments more convenient but also enhance accountability in municipal revenue management.
She hailed the partnership as a milestone in simplifying civic responsibilities, particularly for residents in hard-to-reach areas.
She linked the launch to FCC’s ongoing sanitation drive, “Dorti Mus Go,” noting that 700 enforcement officers are actively sensitizing communities about compliance with the new by-law.

The Mayor also highlighted FCC’s previous digitization efforts, which began in 2019–2020 using satellite imagery to catalogue properties and issue demand notices. While earlier cashless payments were limited to FCC’s banking hall, the AfriMoney partnership removes these barriers, effectively bringing the bank to residents’ phones. She stressed that digital payment access ensures residents can meet obligations promptly, supporting citywide initiatives such as sanitation and public infrastructure development.

The Mayor called on all Freetown residents and business owners to make full use of the platform, describing it as a “transformative step toward a smarter, cleaner, and better-managed city.”

27/10/2025

12 Principals Face One-Year Suspension Without Pay Over CAS Negligence

The Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) has suspended twelve secondary school principals for a year without pay for failing to submit Continuous Assessment System (CAS) scores for their students in the 2025 WASSCE.

According to the Ministry, the failure of these principals to comply with the submission requirements contributed significantly to the country’s poor performance in English Language, with only 11% of candidates passing the subject.

MBSSE Communication Specialist, Augustine Bamie Anthony, made the disclosure during a government press briefing. He revealed that out of the 148,000 registered candidates, only 97,817 Continuous Assessment entries were successfully processed. Over 13,000 results were withheld due to malpractice cases and unpaid examination fees.

Despite 47% of candidates securing credits in Mathematics and nearly 47,500 students meeting the minimum university entry requirement, the Ministry says it will convene a national stakeholders’ dialogue and review the WAEC Act to enhance oversight and improve performance in English nationwide.
𝑭𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒔. The Ministry of Information and Civic Education Punch Newspapers Sky News UK in Sierra Leone Mohamed Omodu Kamara David Moinina Sengeh - PhD Mohamed K Mansaray Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education SL Sierra Network Salone

26/10/2025

President Bio Coronates Four Paramount Chiefs, Rallies Them Behind Feed Salone Drive

Credit: State House Media & Communications Unit

His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio has officially recognized and handed over the staff of office to Paramount Chiefs from the Southern and Eastern regions of Sierra Leone, calling on them to join his government’s national drive toward achieving food sovereignty under the Feed Salone initiative.

The event, held in Koidu City, Kono District, was attended by senior government officials, traditional leaders, and local stakeholders.

The four Paramount Chiefs are Paramount Chief Amy Mitta Myers Benya VI of the Benya Ruling House, Small Bo Chiefdom, Kenema District; Paramount Chief Larry Bojohn Fangawa IV of the Fangawa Ruling House, Wandor Chiefdom, Kenema District; Paramount Chief Mohamed Kpakra Massally of the Kpakra Massally Ruling House, Perri Chiefdom, Pujehun District; and Paramount Chief Usman Ansumana Wai II of the Wai Ruling House, Barri Chiefdom, Pujehun District.

In his opening remarks, the Provincial Secretary of the Eastern Region, Mr. Ishaka Murana Turay, described the occasion as both symbolic and constitutional, noting that it fulfills provisions of the 1991 Constitution and the Chieftaincy Act, which empower the President to formally recognize and coronate Paramount Chiefs following a successful election process. He emphasized that the ceremony underscored the chiefs’ sacred responsibility to uphold law and order, safeguard their people, and promote peace and development within their chiefdoms.

The Minister of Local Government and Community Affairs, Hon. Tamba John Sylvanus Lamina, thanked President Bio for his consistent respect and commitment to strengthening traditional governance. “Your Excellency, thank you for always finding time, despite your busy schedule, to add value to the institution of chieftaincy. Today’s event reaffirms your dedication to preserving our traditions and empowering local leadership,” he stated as he presented the chiefs for official recognition.

In his address, President Bio congratulated the newly coronated Paramount Chiefs and expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Local Government and the Eastern Regional Secretariat for ensuring a credible and transparent election process.
“Today is a proud moment for you and for your people. The trust and confidence they have placed in you is both an honour and a duty. As a son of a Chief myself, I understand the significance of your roles in maintaining peace, unity, and progress within your communities,” the President said.

Reiterating his government’s vision under the Five Big Game Changers, President Bio urged the new chiefs to be at the forefront of national transformation, particularly through the Feed Salone program.
“I am calling on all Paramount Chiefs to rally your people and make available vast hectares of land for farming. Sierra Leone has no reason to import rice with the fertile land we have. Together, we can achieve food sovereignty. Let us also invest in our children’s future through education and innovation,” he emphasized.

President Bio assured the chiefs of his continued respect and support for the institution of chieftaincy, describing it as an integral part of Sierra Leone’s governance and development structure.

The ceremony climaxed with the symbolic handover of the traditional staff of office to each of the four Paramount Chiefs, marking their official recognition and assumption of traditional authority.
The Ministry of Information and Civic Education 𝑭𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒔. David Moinina Sengeh - PhD UN Women First Lady Fatima Maada Bio UNFPA Sierra Leone Sky News U.S. Embassy Freetown, Sierra Leone UK in Sierra Leone Mohamed Omodu Kamara

26/10/2025

President Bio Demands Africa’s Permanent Seat at the UN Security Council

Credit: State House Media and Communications

His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio has called for stronger collaboration between the United Nations (UN), the African Union (AU), and ECOWAS to ensure predictable support for Africa’s peace and security agenda. He also renewed his call for Africa’s inclusion on the permanent seats of the UN Security Council.

President Bio made the remarks during the flag-raising and wreath-laying ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the United Nations. The event was jointly organized by the Government of Sierra Leone and the United Nations Country Team.
“When the United Nations and ECOWAS work hand in hand, the cause of peace in West Africa advances. And Sierra Leone stands ready to lead, to listen, and to build bridges of understanding across our region,” President Bio said.

Reflecting on Sierra Leone’s post-war experience, he recalled the vital role of the UN during the country’s civil conflict, noting that “the blue helmets of the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) walked our streets and villages, disarmed 75,000 combatants, and helped us return to peace.”
“Today, Sierra Leone is no longer a recipient of peace, we are a giver of peace,” he added. “Our men and women in uniform now serve proudly in UN peacekeeping missions, carrying the lessons of our own journey to nations in need.”

Highlighting his government’s Big Five Game-Changer Priorities, President Bio said the policies were designed to improve the lives of ordinary citizens. Through the Feed Salone Programme, he explained, farmers across the country are being empowered to make Sierra Leone self-sufficient in food production.
“Through Free Quality School Education, we are shaping a future where no child is left behind because of poverty or geography. Our investments in health ensure that no mother dies while giving life, and no child is left to suffer from preventable diseases. Working with UN agencies, we continue to strengthen healthcare, immunisation, and maternal services,” he stated.

The President also underscored his government’s ongoing efforts to expand renewable energy access, saying, “Across the nation, we are lighting up homes, schools, and clinics because energy is life, and light is dignity.”

As Chair of the ECOWAS Authority and Coordinator of the African Union Committee of Ten on UN Security Council Reform (C-10), President Bio reaffirmed Sierra Leone’s leadership role in promoting peace, constitutional governance, and Africa’s reform agenda.
“When we raise the UN flag beside our national flag today, we affirm both sovereignty and solidarity. Our flags flying together remind us that Sierra Leone’s destiny is bound with the world’s destiny,” he said.

He concluded by paying tribute to UN peacekeepers and humanitarian workers who lost their lives in the service of peace, including Sierra Leoneans who have served under the UN flag.

In her remarks, the UN Resident Coordinator in Sierra Leone, Ms. Seraphine Wakana, said the 80th anniversary of the UN also marked 64 years of partnership between Sierra Leone and the UN a collaboration that has strengthened peace, education, healthcare, gender equality, youth empowerment, and livelihoods across the country.
“This partnership has transformed lives and continues to reaffirm our shared commitment to sustainable development and human dignity,” Ms. Wakana noted.
UN Women David Moinina Sengeh - PhD First Lady Fatima Maada Bio Punch Newspapers 𝑭𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒔. The Ministry of Information and Civic Education Sylvia Olayinka Blyden UNFPA Sierra Leone Sky News Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation - Sierra Leone Capitol FM GUILD of Editors-SL United Nations Human Rights UNESCO ActionAid Sierra Leone UK in Sierra Leone U.S. Embassy Freetown, Sierra Leone UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency

24/10/2025

Friday 24th October 2025, Edition
𝑭𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒔. The Ministry of Information and Civic Education Mohamed K Mansaray UN Women Punch Newspapers UNFPA Sierra Leone Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone - HRCSL National Revenue Authority - NRA Sierra Leone

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