Salone Gossip (2025)

08/08/2025

By Foday Moriba Conteh

The Orphan Empowerment Society Sierra Leone (TOES) has officially launched the call for nominations for the 7th edition of its prestigious Humanitarian Goodwill Awards (HGA 2025), aimed at recognizing individuals and organizations that have made exceptional contributions to humanity and social development across Sierra Leone.

Announced on Wednesday, 6th August 2025, the award seeks to honor champions of humanity, celebrate impactful service and inspire meaningful change in society.

With the theme: "Honoring Champions of Humanity, Celebrating Impact, Inspiring Change," TOES is encouraging the public to nominate deserving individuals or institutions working across a wide range of sectors including health, education, gender equality, youth and women empowerment, disability inclusion, Peacebuilding, volunteerism, philanthropy, media and advocacy, climate action and more.

Nominations are now open and will close on 15th September 2025.
(HGA2025) (TOES)
https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/toes-launches-call-for-nominations-for-7th-annual-humanitarian-goodwill-awards/

08/08/2025

By Foday Moriba Conteh

As part of the global observance of World Breastfeeding Week, celebrated annually from August 1st to 7th, the Ministry of Health, through its Directorate of Food and Nutrition, has held a Press Briefing to highlight the importance of breastfeeding and galvanize national support around the 2025 theme: “Prioritizing Breastfeeding, Creating Sustainable Support Systems.”

The event, which took place on Wednesday, August 6th at the Ministry’s Conference Room in the Youyi Building, Freetown, brought together members of the press, development partners and health experts to raise awareness about the crucial role breastfeeding plays in promoting infant and maternal health.

In her remarks, Millicent Mamie Allie, Chief Nutritionist at the Ministry of Health, highlighted the life-long benefits of breastfeeding to both mother and child, emphasizing that breastfeeding is not just a health issue but a national development priority.

https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/moh-reaffirms-commitment-to-breastfeeding-calls-for-stronger-national-support-systems/

08/08/2025

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

Amid mounting frustration and growing public concern, the unresolved land rights dispute in Kasafoni continues to spotlight the sluggish pace of justice in Sierra Leone. What began as a lease agreement between local landowners and the Gento Group of Companies has evolved into a broader confrontation over customary land rights, Government accountability and equitable resource distribution. Despite the gravity of the matter, progress has been disappointingly slow, raising serious questions about the Government’s resolve to uphold the rights of its citizens.

At the center of the controversy are the people and traditional authorities from the Dansogoia, Sambaia and Diang Chiefdoms, who have consistently expressed dissatisfaction with what they view as a dismissive Government response to their legitimate concerns. Their grievances stem not only from the lease itself but from the lack of transparency and inclusion in negotiations that affect their ancestral lands.

https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/as-dansogoia-sambaia-diang-wait-for-justice-why-has-parliament-paused-its-investigation-into-the-kasafoni-land-dispute/

08/08/2025

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio delivered a powerful and optimistic address during the State Opening of the Third Session of the Sixth Parliament of the Second Republic of Sierra Leone. Speaking in the Chamber of Parliament on Thursday, August 7, 2025, at Tower Hill, President Bio outlined sweeping achievements under his administration and reaffirmed his vision to transform Sierra Leone into a resilient, inclusive and prosperous nation.

In his opening remarks, President Bio praised Members of Parliament for placing national interest above partisan politics. He emphasized the vital role of the legislature in shaping a future of progress and unity. “This House is the beating heart of our democracy,” President Bio declared.

https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/president-bio-outlines-progress-promises-more-reforms-at-state-opening-of-parliament/

08/08/2025

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

Speaking on a recent joint public notice issued by the National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA), the Office of National Security (ONS) and the Sierra Leone Police, which urged all citizens and foreign nationals residing in Sierra Leone to obtain Biometric National ID Cards before the official deadline of August 31, 2025, the NCRA’s Director of Communications, Information and Education, Abu Bakarr Javombo, provided further clarity on the ongoing production and issuance process.

Appearing on Liberty Online TV’s Breakfast Show on Thursday, August 7, 2025, Abu Bakarr Javombo emphasized that Biometric ID Card production and distribution are currently ongoing across the country. He noted that while a significant number of people have already obtain ID Cards there is still a sizable number to do so.

To facilitate access, Abu Bakarr Javombo explained that the NCRA has decentralized the process.
(NCRA)
https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/ncra-clarifies-rationale-behind-august-31-deadline-for-obtaining-biometric-id-cards/

08/08/2025

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

President Dr. Julius Maada Bio, in his capacity as Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), has on Tuesday, 5 August 2025 called for deeper engagement and stronger ties between ECOWAS and the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) comprising Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger.

The President made that appeal during a courtesy visit by His Excellency Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, to State House in Freetown.

Welcoming the delegation, President Bio underscored the urgent need for closer collaboration between the ECOWAS Authority and the Commission, stressing that enhanced relations with the AES nations are essential for boosting trade, ensuring the free movement of people and reinforcing peace and security across the region.
(AES) (ECOWAS)
https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/ecowas-chair-urges-deeper-ties-with-burkina-faso-mali-niger/

08/08/2025

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

Demonstrating a strong commitment to youth inclusion in peacebuilding and national development, the Ministry of Youth Affairs, supported by UNDP Sierra Leone and development partners, concluded the country’s first National Workshop on the Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) Agenda on August 4, 2025, in Freetown.

The two-day workshop marks the initial phase in the formulation of Sierra Leone’s first National Action Plan (NAP) on Youth, Peace and Security. The plan will serve as a guiding framework to ensure the meaningful participation of young people in conflict prevention, peacebuilding and sustainable national development.

Bringing together youth leaders, Government officials, civil society organizations, UN agencies and international development partners, the workshop underscored the urgency of positioning young people as central stakeholders in the country’s peace and security architecture.
(YPS)Agenda
https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/undp-eu-support-sierra-leones-youth-peace-and-security-agenda/

08/08/2025

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

Ghana has been plunged into mourning following a military helicopter crash in the Ashanti Region that claimed the lives of eight people, including Defence Minister, Edward Omane Boamah and Environment, Science and Technology Minister, Ibrahim Muhammed, on Wednesday August 6, 2025.

The Ghana Armed Forces confirmed that the Z-9 military helicopter departed Accra at about 9:00 a.m. GMT bound for Obuasi but lost radar contact en route. The wreckage was discovered near Adansi, with no survivors among the three crew members and five passengers.

Also killed in the crash were Alhaji Muniru Limuna, acting Deputy National Security Coordinator and former Agriculture Minister; Samuel Sarpong, Vice-Chairman of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) and Samuel Aboagye, a former NDC parliamentary candidate.

https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/ghana-mourns-national-tragedy-as-helicopter-crash-claims-eight-lives-including-two-ministers/

08/08/2025

One of the leading telecommunications providers, Africell Sierra Leone, has launched its own official Fantasy Premier League (FPL) competition, offering subscribers across the country an exciting opportunity to compete for attractive prizes while showcasing their football management skills.

The official launch took place on Thursday, July 31, 2025, at Africell’s headquarters on Pivot Street, Wilberforce in Freetown. The event marked the beginning of a season-long football-based competition open exclusively to Africell subscribers.

Addressing attendees at the launch, Africell’s Media Relations Team Lead, Abdul Aziz Kamara, introduced the fundamentals of Fantasy Premier League. He described it as a free-to-play, online game tied to the English Premier League, where participants build and manage a 15-player squad using a virtual budget of £100 million.
(FPL)competition
https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/africell-kicks-off-2025-26-fantasy-premier-league-with-exciting-rewards/

08/08/2025

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

Marking a major step towards regional digital integration, the National Telecommunications Authority (NatCA) has officially activated the ECOWAS Free Roaming service in Sierra Leone. Effective Wednesday, August 6, 2025, mobile phone users traveling to Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia and Liberia can enjoy seamless communication without switching SIM cards or paying additional roaming charges.

The new service enables:

- Free incoming calls for 30 days
- Local rates for outgoing calls and data usage
- Elimination of international roaming fees for short-term travelers
- Immediate access through Africell and Orange, with QCell expected to join soon

To activate the service, users can dial:

- *235 # for Africell
- *266 # for Orange

Speaking on the significance of the rollout, NatCA Director General Amara Brewah emphasized the Authority’s ongoing commitment to improving service quality and affordability.
(NaTcA)
https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/natca-activates-ecowas-free-roaming-across-cote-divoire-gambia-and-liberia/

08/08/2025

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

Statistics Sierra Leone (Stats SL), in collaboration with the Ministry of Information and Civic Education (MoICE), has stepped up preparations for the 2026 Population and Housing Census by engaging senior editors and producers from leading newspapers, radio and television stations.

The high-level roundtable, held on Tuesday, 5th August 2025, at the Ministry’s Conference Room on the 8th Floor of the Youyi Building in Freetown, sought to strengthen collaboration with the media to ensure effective public communication and nationwide participation in the Census.

Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah, underscored the media’s crucial role in the process, noting that the primary challenge for the 2026 Census will be preventing inflated household figures rather than undercounting, a concern raised during previous exercises.

“This roundtable marks the first step in deepening our partnership with the media.
(MoICE) (StatsSL)
https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/stats-sl-moice-engage-media-to-boost-public-participation-in-2026-census/

08/08/2025

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

NP (SL) Limited has reiterated its unwavering mission to deliver a consistent supply of petroleum products in an environmentally sustainable manner while offering exceptional value to customers, employees and stakeholders. This mission, the company says, is anchored in a strong corporate culture built on safety, profit optimization and expansion; all aimed at contributing meaningfully to Sierra Leone’s socio-economic development.

The company’s vision is to establish itself as a “well-run, dominant petroleum company” capable of competing effectively across the West African sub-region. Internally, NP (SL) operates like a disciplined family committed to building a “great company,” guided by five core values: Safe Working Environments, Excellent Customer Service, High-Quality Products, Environmental Sustainability and Positive Teamwork.

Under the leadership of its Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Mohamed S.

https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/np-sl-champions-sustainable-fuel-supply-for-national-development/

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