Murtala
Sierra Leone gives land to ECOWAS
Sierra Leone President Ernest Bai Koroma has handed over a 17 acre plot of land to the Economic Commission of West African States (ECOWAS) for the establishment of a regional logistic depot. - The land is situated in the Northern Sierra Leone town of Lungui and also shares part of the International airport.
In his statement before handing over the land to leaders of the regional body, Koroma echoed the significance of peace. “Without peace there will be no sustainable growth and development,” he said.
Victor Gbeho, President of the ECOWAS Commission said the creation of the ECOWAS depot will “support democracy and peace throughout the West Africa region” and the…S.Leone: Ban Ki-Moon wraps up Africa visit
The United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon has made his last stop in Sierra Leone during his recent trip to Africa. The UN Secretary General who made his second trip to the continent for this month alone earlier went to South Africa, Burundi and Cameroun. - Ban arrived in Sierra Leone from Benin on Monday and he was received at the Lungai International Airport by Sierra Leone’s foreign minister Zainab Hawa Bangura. Ban had earlier visited Sierra Leone but this is his first trip as the UN Secretary General to Sierra Leone.
Speaking at a Press conference at State House, the UN chief said: “The Government and people of Sierra Leone have made tremendous progress to consolida…S Leone: Opposition reject electoral boss
The opposition Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) has stated that they will not accept Dr. Christian Thorpe as the country's National Electoral Commissioner if the President Ernest Bai Koroma decides to re-appoint her for the top job. - ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~“Pursuant to Section 32 sub-section 7 (a) of the constitution, the President in a letter dated April 22, 2010, expressed an intention to re-appoint Dr. Cristiana Thorpe as chairperson , NEC after consultation with leaders of all Political Parties,’’ the SLPP said in their monthly press statement.
The release went on further: “In that same letter, we were invited to a meeting on April 26, 2010 with H.E Pr…Sierra Leonean minister charges BBC
Sierra Leone's minister of Mineral resources and Political Affairs, Alhaji Alpha Kanu, has accused the BBC of airing an interview which he described as "untrue" and "mischievous" and is tantamount to tarnish his country's image abroad. - The interview which was done in Bush House for the BBC network Africa program asked Sierra Leone’s Foreign minister Zainab Hawa Bangura among other questions whether his ruling governing All People’s Congress Party (APC) hired thugs to disrupt the electoral process in Southern Sierra Leone.
Although she did not deny the allegation in her response, she said elections in Sierra Leone are taking seriously which tend…S. Leone mourn with Nigeria
Sierra Leone joined the rest of the World to mourn with Nigeria following the death of their president Umaru Musa Yar'Adua on Wednesday. - The Information Minister Alhaji Ibrahim Ben Kargbo and the Vice President Chief Samuel Samsumana on Thursday signed a book of condolence at the Nigerian High Commission on behalf of Sierra Leoneans. President Ernest Bai Koroma has already been informed though he is on official assignment. “On behalf of the Government and people of Sierra Leone, we would like to express our heartfelt condolence to the Government and people of Nigeria on their sad loss, our hearths are with yours and our friendly ties are firm and enduring,” Kargbo sai…
ECOWAS health ministers meet in S/Leone
The 11th Ordinary Meeting of the Assembly of Health Ministers of ECOWAS begun in Freetown, Sierra Leone. Fifteen health ministers from member states and over 100 health experts are gathered for the two days meeting with the theme: "Promoting Traditional Medicine for Quality Health Care within ECOWAS." - Delivering his keynote address, Sierra Leone’s President Ernest Bai Koroma said: “I heartily welcome you all on my personal behalf to Sierra Leone. I am honoured to be part of a meeting that promotes better health for the people of West Africa.’’ Koroma said further that they are gathered as a testimony of their commitment to provide better health for the pop…S/Leone to host W/Africa health confab
Over 150 health experts from across West Africa will congregate in Freetown, Sierra Leone to discuss vital health issues including deadly diseases affecting their people and find solutions. - The meeting which is expected to last for almost a week will bring together health ministers from West African states, non governmental organisations all in a bid to provide better health for the people of West Africa.
“This is a meeting that will bring together all ministers of health in the region in a single forum to find solutions to the many health hazard affecting the West Africa populace” Tommy Tengbeh liaison Officer for the West Africa Health Organisation (WAHO) told AfricaNews a…Sierra Leone: UN Radio closed down
Sierra Leoneans have woken up today for the first time after ten years without the United Nations radio. The UN radio which was set up in 2000 played a significant role in consolidating peace in the West Africa nation. Until last night it was the 'most trusted' independent broadcaster with a country wide transmission. - According to the Transition Management Team (TMT), effective April 1st the assets of the UN Radio will merge with West Africa’s oldest broadcaster the former Sierra Leone Broadcasting Service (SLBS) to what is now known as the new Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC).
The local United Nations radio seized operation last night and is now part of a ne…Exclusive: I. Washington on dual citizenship
Hollywood actor Isaiah Washington is a veteran of Spike Lee movies. He has starred in 'Land Where My Father Died' directed by Daresha Kyi. He has won several awards including the NAACP Image Award for portraying Dr. Preston Burke in his most popular TV Drama series 'Grey Anatomy'. - After much accomplishment, the father of three traced his ancestral roots through a DNA test to the Mende and Temne people of Sierra Leone in West Africa. He travelled to Sierra Leone in May 2006 marking the beginning of his charity work and was granted Sierra Leonean citizenship, making him the first African American to be granted full citizenship based on DNA. A year later the Gondobay Manga…S. Leone: President welcomes star Akon
Sierra Leone's President Ernest Bai Koroma and his Vice President Chief Samuel Sam Sumana have received members of the All Works Of Life (a developmental organization) and former Miami Dolphins USA based Sierra Leonean footballer, Gibril Wilson at Statehouse. - They briefed the Presidency on their plans for this year among other things to bring sensational hip hop/R&B superstar Akon and plans for the country’s 50th independence anniversary celebration which is slated for April 27th 2011.
The Chairman Chernoh Bah said the purpose of their visit is to call on the President and the Vice President to support their project of bringing Akon to Sierra Leone. Bah said his organisat…S. Leone: Cabinet ministers fired
Sierra Leone's Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources and her permanent Secretary are being relieved off their duty following allegation by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) accusing the two government officials of engaging in corrupt acts. - Afsatu Kabba who was serving as Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources until Monday March 15th was charged to court by the ACC of 17 Count for various corruption charges. The former Energy Minister is accused among other things of accepting $3000 as inducement from Lilian Ada Lisk of Okeky Fishing Agency for the issuance of licenses for fishing boat operated by Okeky Fishing Agency.
A press release from State House announcing the sack…Sierra Leone: Ecobank acquires ProCredit
ProCredit bank (SL) Ltd Sierra Leone has announced that they are unable to meet the 'new' regulation of the Sierra Leone's Central Bank and therefore will soon pass off ownership to Ecobank. - The transfer will enable Ecobank to expand business operations in the microfinance sector and thus strengthening the group of 30 affiliated banks throughout Africa owned by Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI), a holding company in Togo.
“We are confident that our customers as well as our 215 employees will find in Ecobank a suitable successor of our business approach. Since the business model of ProCredit Bank (SL) Ltd does not fit into the new minimum capital requirements …Ex Nigerian anti- corruption boss speaks
Nigeria's Ex-anti- corruption boss Nuhu Ribadu has expressed vexation over what he described as the continued corruption in his home country and also expressed hope for Africa's most populace nation and praised the former British Prime minister Tony Blair for supporting the continent. - ‘’Tony Bliar did extremely well for Africa. When he was Prime Minister I could remember some of the basic things that he did. He supported this commission for Africa and he did extremely well in terms of articulating the problems of Africa. He did many things than any other British PM for us. At the time when I was working as the chairman of the EFCC, we got the greatest support from his…Nigeria: President has heart disease
The main cause of Nigeria's President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua illness have for the first time officially made public after leaving for medical check up in the Islamic Republic of Saudi Arabia. His spokesperson announced on Thursday that Yar'Adua has heart problem. - Olusegun Adeniyi, Yar’Adua’s spokesperson announced on Monday that “President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua will leave Abuja today for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.While there, the President will call on his personal physicians in Jeddah for follow-up medical check-ups”.
Ya’Adua’s declining health situation has created a debate among Nigeria’s 150 million people. The cause of hi…China issues a 21-day ultimatum to Nigeria
The Chinese authorities have given Nigeria a 21-day ultimatum to claim the remains of their nationals which are lying in different mortuaries in the Asian nation or they will be cremated according to the Chinese laws. The Chinese say they are given Nigeria December 15th as the last date to take over their deceased or they would in line with their domestic laws cremate the bodies. - Several Nigerians are reported to have died in China from various reasons including illnesses, accidents, drowning, drugs and unknown causes. Some of the dead have been lying there since 2006 and they are yet to be claimed.
Nigeria’s Mission in China said according to Leadership newspaper that all effort…Benin: Pirates kill Ukrainian
Pirates have attacked an oil tanker off the coast of West Africa killing a Ukrainian. The pirates who are believed to come from Nigeria attacked the vessel 18 nautical miles (33km) off the coast of Benin. - The Benin Naval forces Commander Fernand Maxime Ahoyo confirmed the killing of the chief engineer of the vessel and another member of the crew who sustained wounds, This Day newspaper reported.
Ahoyo according to the report said the rest of the crew on the Monrovia-flagged vessel has been rescued safely among them Filipinos, Lithuanians and Ukranians.
AfricaNews reporter said piracy has become a booming business in East Africa for mostly unemployed youths. The war torn nation of Som…Nigeria President goes for medical check up
Nigeria President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua has left the shores of his country for medical check up in the Islamic Republic of Saudi Arabia. - "President Umaru Yar'Adua will leave Abuja today for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. While there, the president will call on his personal physicians in Jeddah for follow-up medical checks," Olusegun Adeniyi spokesman for Yar’Adua announced in a statement on Monday.
President Yar’Adua’s health has become a debate among Nigeria’s 150 million people. His countrymen has question is physical ability to rule the oil reach nation. He is reported to have traveled for foreign medical trips more than 4 times since he assume…West Africa to start largest vaccination
Twelve million people in West Africa will be immunize against the yellow fever disease. The campaign which will be the largest mass yellow fever immunization in the region will take place in Sierra Leone, Liberia and Benin. Yellow fever is an infectious disease which is caused by the yellow fever virus. - The virus is mostly transmitted through the bite of a mosquito. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that yellow fever causes 200,000 illnesses and 30,000 died every year for the disease in unvaccinated population whiles 90% of infections occurs in Africa.
The WHO says according to the BBC that the campaign is not to eliminate the disease but to reduce the number of people getti…Ghana among the least corrupt nations
Transparency International (TI), a civil society body which seeks to fight corruption and raise awareness around the world has ranked the West African state of Ghana among the least corrupt nations in the continent. The "Corruption Perceptions Index 2009" which was published this week ranked Ghana in the 69th position out of 180 countries world wide. - The group says their annual report offers a snapshot of how corrupt a country’s government is perceived by international institutions including the World Bank, the World Economic Forum and the Asian and African Development Banks.
“Overall we do not see a lot of changes to the last year’s results,” Patrick B…
