Sierra Leone News Agency - SLENA

14/08/2025

Today Mpox Update

14/08/2025

14/08/2025

𝐁𝐞𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐌𝐲 𝐋𝐨𝐲𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐲, 𝐌𝐲 𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐌𝐲 𝐓𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐡

𝐁𝐲 𝐇.𝐄. 𝐅𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐚 𝐌𝐚𝐚𝐝𝐚 𝐁𝐢𝐨, 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐋𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐢𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐚 𝐋𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐞

My journey in Sierra Leone’s politics has never been about titles or applause it has always been about mission. From the day I stood by my husband in the struggle for State House, I made two solemn commitments:

1. To enhance his presidential ambition and protect his presidency.

2. To ensure that our beloved Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) produces the next Head of State after the 2028 elections.

To remain faithful to these missions, I have crossed rivers, climbed mountains, and braved jungles both the political kind and the human kind. I have done so knowing that loyalty often comes with scars.

I Am Human, and I Am Woman

I am not an angel. I am human. I am a woman. And I am a First Lady with a thick skin but also feels like any human. No outcome of any convention will ever change the fact that I remain the de facto and meritorious First Lady of this country.

The company one keeps with the President in the daylight is one thing, the company I keep with him in the quiet of the night is another. That bond is not political; it is personal, unshakable, and sealed long before any ballot was cast.

The Convention, An Isolated Moment, Not a Rift

At the just-concluded SLPP National Delegates Conference, it was assumed (even sensationalized) that the First Lady and the President disagreed on who should be the party’s Chairman. For some, this became an excuse to unleash long-buried grudges or to “teach the First Lady a lesson.

But let me be clear: whatever difference of opinion existed at that convention was an isolated matter. It shows that we live a pure and applied democracy in our home. The Presidency is not shaken by the passing winds of conference politics.

My Focus Remains

Those who are using this moment to hit at me misunderstand both my resilience and my mission. My loyalty to my husband is unshaken. My loyalty to my party’s success is unwavering. My focus remains the same.

I will continue to stand where I have always stood at the frontlines when needed, in the background when necessary, but always in service to my husband, my party, and my country.

Because when the dust of the convention settles, we will still have a nation to build, an election to win, and a legacy to protect.

I remain your humble servant
Fatima Maada Bio

One Country! One People!

14/08/2025

Policy Advocacy

14/08/2025

14/08/2025

Egyptian Ambassador Calls on Minister of Technical and Higher Education

New England Ville, Freetown – 14 August 2025 – The newly appointed Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to Sierra Leone, H.E. Rasha Poliman Mohin Eldin, on 13th August 2025 called on Sierra Leone’s Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Dr. Ramatulai Wurie, at the Ministry’s Conference Room, Sababu Building, New England Ville. She was accompanied by Diplomat Mr. Mohamed Saloussy.

In her welcome remarks, Dr. Wurie outlined the Ministry’s strategic pillars for transforming Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), focusing on:
Changing Perceptions – Promoting the value of TVET among communities, parents, and youth; Relevance of Training – Designing demand-driven curricula aligned with labour market needs, supported by strong industry partnerships; and
Improving Quality – Providing modern training equipment, developing both technical and soft skills, and upgrading trainer capacity.

The Minister went on to highlight the Ministry’s dual apprenticeship policy, which enables students to gain practical, on-the-job training with industry partners.

She further disclosed plans to transform Government Technical Institutes into Community Technical Colleges to ensure equitable access, particularly in underserved districts.

In his statement, Ambassador Rasha expressed strong interest in deepening bilateral collaboration in vocational training, lecturer exchange programmes, and capacity building.

She encouraged Sierra Leone to identify priority skill areas and partner institutions for targeted cooperation, while noting Egypt’s willingness to explore private-sector involvement and soft skills development.

The Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr. Mohamed S. Kargbo, emphasised the importance of demand-driven scholarships and in-country training, suggesting that Egyptian trainers could deliver specialised programmes locally to benefit more Sierra Leoneans.

He recalled past Egypt–Sierra Leone cooperation in marine engineering training and proposed re-establishing links between Njala University and Egypt’s Marine School in Alexandria.

Both sides reaffirmed the historic ties between Sierra Leone and Egypt, which date back to 1961, and committed to strengthening educational cooperation to meet Sierra Leone’s workforce and development needs.

Contact:
Richard Williams
Ministry of Technical and Higher Education – Communications Unit
+232 030 86143 | [email protected]

14/08/2025

Government Conducts Inter-Ministerial Assessment on Re-demarcation of the Western Area Peninsula

Freetown, 12th August 2025 – An Inter-Ministerial team, led by the Chief Minister, Dr. David Moinina Sengeh, has conducted an assessment on the re-demarcation of the Western Area Peninsula.

The exercise brought together key representatives from various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to review land use, environmental protection, and sustainable development strategies in the area.

The Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs was represented by its Permanent Secretary, Ms. Judith Jones; Director of Tourism, Travel and Exchange, Mr. Mohamed Jalloh; and General Manager of the National Tourist Board, Madam Fatmata Mida Carew, alongside their technical team.

Other MDAs present included the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, Ministry of Lands, Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs, Ministry of Information and Civic Education, and representatives from the Guma Valley Water Company, among others.

The delegation visited key sites such as Guma at Mile 13, Bio Baray, and Comfort Bridge. It was agreed that existing settlements within the demarcated zones would not be demolished; however, residents will be required to pay designated charges to the government.

During the visit, the rtourism team identified Comfort Bridge as a potential tourism attraction, underscoring its scenic and economic value.

The assessment also reaffirmed government’s strict policy of prohibiting new settlements within designated park areas, in line with its broader commitment to environmental protection and the safeguarding of lives.

This initiative marks a significant step in advancing sustainable land use, preserving the Western Area Peninsula’s natural heritage, and promoting responsible tourism development.

MTCA Communications