Orange Sierra Leone, Orange Money Join National Fight Against Mobile and Digital Fraud

August 24, 2026

Group of professionals posing for a formal portrait on a stage at the Ministry of Communication, Technology and Innovation event.

Orange Sierra Leone and Orange Money have joined Government institutions, regulators and industry stakeholders in developing and validating Sierra Leone’s National Roadmap to Combat Mobile and Digital Fraud.

The two entities participated in a consultative workshop held from 18 to 19 August 2026 to strengthen national coordination, protect consumers and address the growing threat of fraud within the country’s telecommunications and digital financial sectors.

The two-day workshop was led by the Minister of Communication, Technology and Innovation, Salima Monorma Bah, in collaboration with the National Communications Authority, the Financial Intelligence Agency, the Parliamentary Committee on Information and Communication Technology and the Bank of Sierra Leone.

Other participating institutions included the National Cybersecurity Coordination Centre, the National Civil Registration Authority, mobile money operators, telecommunications companies, Civil Society Organisations, Government agencies and private-sector representatives.

The engagement provided stakeholders an opportunity to review existing challenges, share experiences and develop coordinated measures to prevent mobile and digital fraud. It also reaffirmed their commitment to creating a secure, trusted and resilient digital financial ecosystem in Sierra Leone.

Representatives of Orange Sierra Leone actively contributed to discussions on fraud prevention, consumer protection, SIM registration and Know Your Customer compliance. Participants also considered stronger reporting mechanisms and nationwide public-awareness initiatives to help customers identify and report fraudulent activities.

Tamba Musa, Head of Fraud and Revenue Assurance at Orange Sierra Leone, highlighted the company’s real-time fraud detection systems and its continuing efforts to protect customers through nationwide scam-prevention and awareness campaigns.

He explained that Orange Sierra Leone remains committed to strengthening its fraud-monitoring systems and educating customers about emerging scams affecting telecommunications and mobile money services.

Orange Sierra Leone also highlighted its recently launched Scam Alert Tool, which complements the company’s existing anti-fraud mechanisms and supports the Government’s wider efforts to combat mobile and digital fraud.

The workshop concluded with the validation of the National Roadmap to Combat Mobile and Digital Fraud, marking an important milestone in the country’s efforts to strengthen digital trust and improve the security of mobile money services.

Orange Sierra Leone and Orange Money Sierra Leone reaffirmed that safeguarding customers remains a top priority. The entities pledged to continue collaborating with regulators, Government institutions and industry partners to build a safer, more secure and trusted digital financial future for all Sierra Leoneans.

OFP, SLUDI Launch National Panel of Youth with Disabilities, Hold 2026 Inception Workshop

August 24, 2026

Group of diverse people posing for a banner at a disability rights event, many with fists raised in celebration.

One Family People (OFP), in partnership with the Sierra Leone Union on Disability Issues (SLUDI) and with support from Liliane Fonds, has officially launched the National Panel of Youth with Disabilities (NPYD) alongside its 2026 inception workshop. The ceremony was held on Tuesday, 18 August 2026, at the Sierra Leone Peace Museum Hall in New England Ville, Freetown. It brought together Government representatives, Disability-Rights Organisations, advocates and young persons with disabilities to promote their inclusion and participation in national development.

The initiative will provide young persons with disabilities with a platform to discuss their concerns, advocate for their rights and contribute to policies and programmes affecting their lives.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Operations Director of One Family People, Samuel P.O.V. Macauley, described the initiative as innovative and long overdue. He said the panel would allow young persons with disabilities to share their experiences, identify common priorities and lead advocacy on issues affecting them.

Samuel P.O.V. Macauley explained that the partnership was established to strengthen the capacity of disability-focused organisations and encourage coordinated action among institutions working to promote inclusion.

“We need to strengthen capacity and work collectively to ensure that disability inclusion becomes a priority for every institution in this country,” Samuel P.O.V. Macauley said.

He stressed that persons with disabilities should not be treated as a homogeneous group because their experiences and challenges differ according to age, gender, type of disability, location and other social circumstances.

According to him, recognizing those differences is essential to developing effective policies, programmes and advocacy strategies. He said the panel would enable stakeholders to better understand the specific needs of young persons with disabilities and support them in demanding their rights.

Samuel P.O.V. Macauley assured participants that the initiative would continue beyond the launch. He said One Family People had maintained partnerships with disability organisations for more than a decade and remained committed to institutional capacity-building, leadership development, advocacy and resource mobilization.

He expressed hope that members would acquire the confidence and skills required to take ownership of the initiative and become leaders and agents of change in their communities.

President of the Sierra Leone Union on Disability Issues, Joseph Allieu, described the panel’s establishment as a major step towards ensuring that young persons with disabilities lead advocacy on matters affecting them.

He disclosed that the panel comprises representatives from all 16 districts of Sierra Leone, with members expected to serve as the voices of young persons with disabilities in their respective communities.

“The idea is to have the voices of young people represented in their districts so that they can lead advocacy with their peers for the change they want,” Joseph Allieu said.

He explained that panel members would not only represent young persons with disabilities nationally but would also engage their peers at the district level, identify their concerns and ensure that those issues receive the attention of relevant authorities.

Chairman and Chief Commissioner of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD), Brima Abdulai Sheriff, called for stronger national action to address discrimination, unemployment and the limited participation of young persons with disabilities in governance and leadership.

Brima Abdulai Sheriff said young people possess considerable energy, creativity and potential, but many remain excluded from important national processes. He maintained that young persons with disabilities were particularly disadvantaged, with their voices suppressed, participation limited and inclusion almost absent.

He said the panel offered an opportunity to amplify their voices, build a strong advocacy movement and encourage coordinated action towards greater inclusion.

The NCPD Chairman pledged the Commission’s support to the panel but urged members to practice responsible, evidence-based advocacy.

“We want advocates and strong voices that will place disability issues in the national spotlight. However, advocacy must be conducted responsibly. It is not only about condemnation; it is also about gathering and using data to drive meaningful change,” Brima Abdulai Sheriff stated.

He identified negative public attitudes and limited understanding of disability issues as major barriers to inclusion. According to him, persons with disabilities continue to experience discrimination through the actions and inaction of individuals and institutions.

Brima Abdulai Sheriff expressed concern that many persons with disabilities remained unemployed, on the streets or excluded from education, governance and leadership opportunities.

He said they should not be treated merely as beneficiaries of programmes but should be placed at the forefront of advocacy, policymaking and decisions affecting their lives.

Brima Abdulai Sheriff expressed confidence that the panel would help change negative perceptions and reshape the national conversation around the rights, abilities and contributions of persons with disabilities.

Officially launching the panel, Social Services Officer at the Ministry of Social Welfare, Albert B. Nallo, described the initiative as an important empowerment platform.

He said it would allow young persons with disabilities to express their views, exchange knowledge, develop life skills and prepare for future opportunities.

Albert B. Nallo noted that the Ministry of Social Welfare is the lead Government institution mandated to coordinate disability-related matters and protect the welfare of vulnerable groups. He said the Ministry works with disability organisations and other stakeholders to coordinate programmes and promote the holistic welfare of persons with disabilities.

He encouraged panel members to present their concerns constructively to the Ministry and other stakeholders so that practical solutions could be developed collectively.

Albert B. Nallo also underscored the importance of vocational and life-skills training in promoting economic independence among young persons with disabilities.

“We want them to depend on the skills they have acquired for self-sustainability instead of going onto the streets to beg,” he said.

He called for greater cooperation among Government institutions, disability organisations and development partners to expand training, employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.

Albert B. Nallo reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to working with the panel and other stakeholders to promote inclusion, dignity, empowerment and self-reliance among persons with disabilities throughout Sierra Leone.

PERSPECTIVE – Why President Bio Should Wait Before Signing the Constitutional Amendment Bill

August 24, 2026

A man in a dark suit signs a document at a glass desk, with an official presidential emblem in the background. — President Dr. Julius Maada Bio

There is a version of this moment that presents a favourable outcome for everyone. Parliament has passed a Bill containing reforms Sierra Leone has pursued for more than two decades. These include a stronger electoral commission, guaranteed space for women’s political nomination and wider opportunities for dual citizens to participate in public life. President Julius Maada Bio would only need to sign the Bill to bring a long constitutional review process to an end.

I do not think it is that simple and I do not believe President Bio thinks so either.

The problem is not necessarily what Parliament did, but how it did it. Section 108(2)(b) of the 1991 Constitution requires any Bill seeking to amend the Constitution to receive the support of not less than two-thirds of Members of Parliament. In a House of 149 members, that amounts to 100 votes. It is a constitutional requirement that should not be adjusted whenever political circumstances make compliance difficult.

The opposition walked out of Parliament before the vote on 10 August 2026. The Speaker subsequently declared the Bill passed based on the votes of the members who remained in the chamber. In the same ruling, he referred the question of how the two-thirds threshold should be calculated to the Supreme Court.

That sequence is difficult to justify. Parliament effectively declared the outcome before asking the Supreme Court to determine the rule governing the vote. If the umpire is consulted only after the final score has been announced, the consultation appears to have come too late.

I understand why some people may regard this as another political dispute between the Government and the opposition. Sierra Leone’s politics is often reduced to a contest between red and green, with each side convinced that the other is acting in bad faith. However, the objections in this case have not come only from the All People’s Congress.

Nicol-Wilson and Co Firm has petitioned the Speaker, arguing that Parliament applied the wrong constitutional provision when determining the voting threshold. The Institute for Legal Research and Advocacy for Justice has described the process as a constitutional “fait accompli” because Parliament acted as though the question had already been settled before referring it to the Supreme Court.

The Sierra Leone Labour Congress, representing workers rather than politicians, has directly appealed to President Bio not to sign the Bill. Even a former Secretary-General of the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party has described the episode as a “comedy of errors.”

When concerns are raised by legal practitioners, Civil Society Organisations, the labour movement and a former senior official of the governing party, I do not believe they can reasonably be dismissed as opposition complaints. Taken together, they represent a serious warning about the constitutional process.

I also understand the impatience of those supporting immediate presidential assent. The reform process can be traced to the 1999 Lomé Peace Agreement and has passed through the Peter Tucker Constitutional Review Commission, the Justice Edmond Cowan Constitutional Review Committee and the Tripartite Committee established after the disputed 2023 elections.

Sierra Leoneans have waited a long time for constitutional reform and I do not blame anyone for wanting the process completed. But there is a difference between a process that has taken decades and one that is rushed at the final stage simply because those involved have grown tired of waiting.

The 1991 Constitution gives the Supreme Court the authority to interpret constitutional questions. The disputed voting threshold has now been referred to the Court, which is expected to provide an authoritative interpretation. The only real question is whether the President should sign the Bill before or after that decision.

Signing it now would not end the uncertainty. It would merely transfer the dispute from Parliament to the courtroom. If the Supreme Court eventually finds that Parliament failed to secure the constitutionally required number of votes, President Bio would have assented to a Bill that was not validly passed.

I believe such an outcome would be far more damaging to the country and the President’s legacy than waiting a few months for the Supreme Court to determine the matter.

Withholding assent would not destroy the proposed reforms. The Bill would not expire, Parliament would remain in existence and its major provisions would still be achievable after the constitutional dispute had been resolved. The proposed electoral reforms, women’s nomination quota and safeguards relating to entrenched provisions would remain available for lawful enactment.

Waiting may slow political momentum and delay the satisfaction of declaring a major legislative achievement. I recognize that as a real political cost, but it is a small one compared with the possibility of adopting a landmark constitutional reform whose legitimacy could be challenged in court for years.

The Inter-Religious Council of Sierra Leone was right to remind the country that the Constitution belongs to present and future generations and should not be treated as the property of any political party.

The Citizens Advocacy Network also sought to convey a similar message through a planned peaceful march to State House, although the Sierra Leone Police reportedly denied the group clearance. I do not regard those voices as opponents of reform. I see them as citizens seeking to ensure that constitutional changes are made in a manner that protects them from future legal and political challenges.

President Bio has spent years presenting his administration as the one that would finally deliver constitutional modernization to Sierra Leone. He should not allow the final signature to cast doubt over that legacy.

In my view, this is not a choice between reform and no reform. It is a choice between reform enacted under unresolved constitutional uncertainty and reform founded on a process that commands legal and public confidence.

The Supreme Court has been asked a direct and important question. I believe the most responsible and patriotic decision President Bio can make is to wait for its answer before reaching for his pen.

COMMENTARY – Five Key Lessons from Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh’s Nationwide Local Government Tour

August 24, 2026

Dignitaries greet each other with a handshake outside a building, wearing bright traditional outfits and head wraps. — Vice President, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh

Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh’s recent engagement with local councils has renewed national attention on Sierra Leone’s decentralization programme and the need to strengthen institutions responsible for delivering essential services to citizens across the country.

Twenty-two years after Sierra Leone returned to elected local government, questions remain over whether decentralization has achieved the governance transformation envisioned when the system was revived.

The debate does not necessarily represent an indictment of decentralization. Rather, it reflects the reality that building effective local institutions is a long-term undertaking, particularly in a post-war country where restoring public confidence in state institutions remains crucial.

Decentralization was introduced to bring governance closer to citizens, increase public participation, strengthen accountability and enable local institutions to respond more effectively to community needs.

Scholars Pranab Bardhan and Dilip Mookherjee, in their work Decentralization and Local Governance in Developing Countries, argue that decentralization can expand political participation, improve accountability and strengthen the legitimacy of the state.

However, the effectiveness of the system largely depends on whether local institutions are given sufficient authority, resources and administrative capacity to perform their responsibilities.

Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh’s engagements with Mayors, District Council Chairpersons, Paramount Chiefs, Administrators and other local authorities provided an opportunity to assess the progress of decentralization, identify implementation challenges and explore possible solutions.

Five major lessons emerged from the engagements:

One of the clearest lessons from the tour was the importance of listening as a tool of governance.

Vice President, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh’s consultations allowed local authorities to explain the realities they face while implementing national policies and providing services to their communities.

Policies developed in Freetown may appear effective on paper but encounter significant challenges when implemented in districts such as Falaba, Pujehun and other parts of the country.

Local authorities are often better positioned to identify communities experiencing rapid population growth, inadequate infrastructure and difficulties accessing essential services. They also understand where gaps exist between national policy and implementation.

The Vice President’s approach demonstrated that policymaking should be informed by evidence gathered from the communities where Government programmes are implemented.

When local authorities speak and the central Government listens, national policies can be adjusted to reflect practical realities. Effective consultation, therefore, is not merely a political gesture but an essential component of responsible public administration.

The engagements also highlighted the need for reciprocal respect and cooperation between central and local Government institutions.

Local councils are responsible for services that directly affect citizens, but they operate within a national system where the central Government continues to control policy, funding and several functions that are yet to be fully devolved.

Decentralization should therefore be viewed as a shared distribution of authority rather than simply the transfer of power from Freetown to the districts.

Some responsibilities have been devolved to councils, while others remain with Ministries, Departments and Agencies. In certain instances, responsibilities have reportedly been transferred without adequate financial and logistical resources.

Holding local institutions accountable for services they lack the authority or resources to deliver remains a major governance challenge.

By engaging directly with local leaders, Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh recognized councils as democratic institutions with their own responsibilities to citizens.

The central Government must provide the support required for councils to perform effectively. Local authorities, in turn, must demonstrate transparency, accountability and responsible management of the powers and resources entrusted to them.

Another major issue emerging from the engagements was the financial sustainability of local councils.

Population growth and urban expansion are increasing demand for waste management, drainage systems, roads, markets, healthcare facilities, sanitation and public spaces.

Communities that previously had relatively modest needs are developing into major population and commercial centres. However, the revenue available to councils has not always increased at the same pace.

Central Government transfers will continue to play an important role but sustainable local governance will also require stronger revenue mobilization, sound financial management, improved planning and expanded economic activity within localities.

The long-term success of decentralization will not depend only on the number of functions transferred to councils. It will also depend on whether local institutions have the financial and administrative capacity to manage those responsibilities.

Building the capacity of councils to raise and properly manage revenue could therefore become one of the most important tests facing Sierra Leone’s decentralization programme.

The Vice President’s tour also reinforced the view that the central Government does not have all the answers to the challenges facing communities.

One of the core principles of decentralization is that people closest to a problem are often best placed to understand it and develop appropriate solutions.

Some councils may have effective approaches to waste management, while others may have developed stronger systems for mobilizing revenue or involving residents in local decision-making.

Such initiatives should not be treated as isolated experiments. Successful practices developed by one council could be studied, adapted and introduced in other localities.

The role of central Government should therefore include identifying effective local solutions and creating the conditions necessary for them to be expanded.

Local councils can serve as centres of governance innovation, testing practical responses to community challenges and sharing successful approaches with the wider national system.

Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh’s consultations created an important platform for local experiences and ideas to influence the national conversation on governance reform.

Despite the difficulties facing local councils, there is still reason to believe in the potential of decentralization.

Sierra Leone rebuilt its local Government system following the civil war and councils have since become an important part of the country’s democratic and administrative structure.

They provide a channel through which citizens interact with the state and remain central to the delivery of essential services at the community level.

Challenges persist in relation to capacity, financing, accountability and the completion of the devolution process. However, institutional development is rarely straightforward and the system still has considerable room to grow.

Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh’s tour did not resolve every problem affecting local Government. Its significance rested in the Government’s willingness to listen, acknowledge existing challenges and explore solutions with those responsible for managing councils.

Democracy is often a slow process because it requires consultation, negotiation, compromise and the balancing of competing interests. Decentralization operates in much the same way.

The process can be difficult and sometimes produce disagreements over institutional responsibilities, resources and expectations. However, those challenges also reflect the involvement of more citizens and institutions in governance.

The tour demonstrated that decentralization remains unfinished business in Sierra Leone. Moving forward will require more meaningful devolution, sustainable financing, stronger accountability and adequate space for councils to innovate.

Government does not operate only in Freetown. Citizens experience the state in council offices, markets, healthcare facilities, schools and communities throughout the country.

By travelling to those communities and listening directly to local leaders, Vice President, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, reaffirmed that decentralization is more than an administrative arrangement. It is a democratic commitment to bringing responsive and effective governance closer to every citizen.

Rokel Commercial Bank MD Walton Gilpin Named African Banker of the Year 2026

August 24, 2026

Man in teal traditional attire holding a certificate at an awards event, backdrop shows Africa map and 'The Voice Achievers Award' banner — Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Rokel Commercial Bank (RCB), Dr. Walton Ekundayo Gilpin

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Rokel Commercial Bank (RCB), Dr. Walton Ekundayo Gilpin, has been named African Banker of the Year 2026 by The Voice Achievers Awards, marking another major international recognition for Sierra Leone’s banking sector.

Dr. Walton Ekundayo Gilpin received the prestigious honour on Friday, 21 August 2026, at an awards ceremony held at the London Hilton Kensington in the United Kingdom.

The Voice Achievers Awards recognizes outstanding African leaders, professionals and institutions whose work has contributed significantly to development, leadership and positive transformation across Africa and beyond.

Dr. Dr. Walton Ekundayo Gilpin’s recognition places him among a distinguished group of African personalities who have previously been honoured by the awards for their contributions in leadership, governance and professional service.

Among past recipients is the late former President of Zambia, Kenneth Kaunda, who received recognition in 2012. Former Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court and current Gambian Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Fatou Bensouda, has also been recognized by the awards.

Former President of Sierra Leone, Ernest Bai Koroma, was similarly honoured in 2013, further highlighting the calibre of African personalities associated with The Voice Achievers Awards over the years.

Dr. Walton Ekundayo Gilpin, who holds several professional qualifications and distinctions, including FPMA, HCIB, MIA, PEPM and COOR, has led Rokel Commercial Bank through a period characterized by institutional transformation, expansion and increased emphasis on digital banking and financial inclusion.

His emergence as African Banker of the Year 2026 represents significant international recognition of his leadership in the financial services sector and places Sierra Leone among countries whose banking professionals are gaining greater recognition on the continental and international stage.

Under Dr. Walton Ekundayo Gilpin’s leadership, Rokel Commercial Bank has continued to strengthen its operations while pursuing initiatives aimed at modernizing banking services and expanding access to financial products for individuals, businesses and institutions.

The award also adds to Dr. Walton Ekundayo Gilpin’s growing profile within Africa’s banking and corporate leadership landscape, recognizing his contribution to the development of the financial sector and his stewardship of one of Sierra Leone’s leading commercial banks.

The London ceremony brought together African leaders, professionals and other distinguished personalities to celebrate achievements and contributions that have made a positive impact on the continent.

For Rokel Commercial Bank, the recognition of its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer represents another milestone for the institution and underscores the growing visibility of Sierra Leonean professionals on major international platforms.

Dr. Walton Ekundayo Gilpin’s inclusion among The Voice Achievers Awards recipients also places him alongside prominent African figures whose leadership and professional accomplishments have earned recognition beyond their respective countries.

As MPs’ Calls Mount to Prioritise Kent Seaport Project… Karefa A.F. Kargbo Secures Parliamentary Approval, Outlines Revenue Reform Agenda

August 21, 2026

Sierra Leone’s drive to strengthen domestic revenue mobilization and improve fiscal management received renewed attention on Thursday, August 20, 2026, when Parliament approved Karefa Ansumana Francis Kargbo as the country’s new Minister of Finance. His approval was accompanied by bipartisan appeals for the Government to support the proposed Kent seaport as part of efforts to ease pressure on the existing port facility and stimulate national economic growth.

Karefa Ansumana Francis Kargbo replaces Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura and assumes responsibility for the Ministry of Finance at a critical period when the Government is seeking to increase domestic revenue, reduce financial leakages, control expenditure and protect public resources.

The approval followed the presentation of President Julius Maada Bio’s nominees by the Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business, Hon. Mathew Sahr Nyuma, who also serves as Chairman of the Committee on Appointments and the Public Service.

Hon. Mathew Sahr Nyuma informed the House that the Committee had thoroughly vetted the nominees and was satisfied with their qualifications, professional experience and suitability for their respective appointments. He subsequently moved a motion requesting Parliament to approve the Committee’s recommendations.

The sitting was presided over by Acting Speaker Hon. Ibrahim Tawa Conteh and attended by senior Government officials, high-ranking officers of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces, relatives, friends, supporters and other dignitaries.

A loud and prolonged round of applause filled the Chamber when Hon. Mathew Sahr Nyuma announced the name of Karefa Ansumana Francis Kargbo before outlining his professional profile. Members of Parliament who contributed to the debate described his appointment as timely and expressed confidence in his ability to manage the country’s financial affairs.

Karefa Ansumana Francis Kargbo is a Certified Public Accountant, financial expert and retired Lieutenant Colonel of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces. His professional career spans finance, auditing, management, corporate governance, public administration and international diplomacy.

He previously served as Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. Before his appointment as Finance Minister, he was Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Sierra Leone Mines and Minerals Development and Management Corporation.

He also served as Financial Controller in the Accounting Department of the Petroleum Directorate from August 2011 to January 2016.

Academically, Karefa Ansumana Francis Kargbo holds a Master of Business Administration in International Finance and Management, with Management and Entrepreneurship, from American University in Washington, D.C. He has also undertaken further studies at the Wharton School of Business.

During his vetting by the Committee on Appointments and the Public Service, Karefa Ansumana Francis Kargbo reportedly demonstrated an understanding of the importance of his new responsibility and the expectations attached to the timing of his appointment.

“I am aware of the timing of my appointment and the legacy President Julius Maada Bio wants to leave,” he was quoted as telling the Committee.

The new Finance Minister acknowledged the contribution of his predecessor, Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura, whom he credited with leaving the Ministry on a solid foundation. He pledged to build on the progress already made instead of starting afresh.

Strengthening domestic revenue mobilization will be among his main priorities. Karefa Ansumana Francis Kargbo said he would work closely with the National Revenue Authority to accelerate revenue collection and introduce stronger measures to reduce financial leakages through digitalization.

He also intends to fast-track the rollout of 10,000 electronic machines to improve the collection of Goods and Services Tax. He emphasized that revenue targets must be based on reliable data to enable the Ministry to determine how those targets were established and whether they were being achieved.

Karefa Ansumana Francis Kargbo further proposed entering into a performance contract with the National Revenue Authority. The agreement would be supported by measurable performance indicators through which the Ministry could objectively assess the Authority’s revenue-collection results.

Contributing to the parliamentary debate, Leader of the Opposition Hon. Abdul Kargbo expressed confidence in the new Minister’s ability to succeed and assured him of Parliament’s cooperation.

He acknowledged the difficulties involved in generating sufficient revenue to finance the operations of the State, but said his interaction with Karefa Ansumana Francis Kargbo had strengthened his confidence in the Minister’s competence.

Hon. Abdul Kargbo also called on the new Finance Minister and the Government to support the seaport being constructed at Kent by the Gento Group of Companies. He said the country’s existing quay was congested and overcrowded, making additional port infrastructure increasingly necessary.

“It is important that we boost the Kent project because the need is there,” he stated.

Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Daniel Koroma, made a similar appeal, urging the Finance Minister to give serious consideration to the project because of the operational challenges affecting the country’s existing ports.

Another lawmaker recounted an experience at the Cline Town Port, where severe congestion reportedly forced him to leave his vehicle at the facility until the following day. He said the incident demonstrated the need to expand Sierra Leone’s port capacity and improve the movement of goods.

In his concluding remarks, Hon. Mathew Sahr Nyuma said the success of the Minister’s revenue mobilization agenda would depend considerably on effective collaboration with the Commissioner-General of the National Revenue Authority, Abu Martin Kanneh. He also encouraged the Minister to exercise discipline and prudence in public expenditure.

Parliament subsequently approved the Committee’s recommendations, formally clearing Karefa Ansumana Francis Kargbo to assume leadership of the Ministry of Finance.

Outside Parliament, more than 1,000 supporters, many dressed in traditional Limba attire, reportedly gathered around Model Junction, Tower Hill and adjoining streets to celebrate his approval. The crowd displayed appreciation banners, performed traditional dances and expressed support for President Julius Maada Bio and his Government.

Alhaji Mohamed Gento Kamara, Chief Executive Officer of the Gento Group, was among those who joined the celebrations.

The parliamentary approval now places Karefa Ansumana Francis Kargbo at the centre of the Government’s efforts to strengthen fiscal discipline, increase domestic revenue, support productive investment and improve the overall management of Sierra Leone’s economy.

Caritas Freetown Trains Disaster Committees to Strengthen Emergency Preparedness in Vulnerable Communities

August 21, 2026

Community workshop: diverse group seated around a table filling forms with volunteers in reflective vests guiding them, in a classroom with a chalkboard.

Caritas Freetown, with financial support from Trócaire, has conducted a two-day training and simulation exercise aimed at strengthening disaster preparedness, risk mapping and emergency-response capacity in vulnerable communities across Western Area Urban.

The exercise, held on August 17 and 18, 2026, formed part of a project titled: “Strengthening Community Disaster Preparedness, Flood Mitigation, Climate Resilience and Emergency Response Systems in Vulnerable Communities of Western Area Urban, Sierra Leone.”

A total of 45 people participated in the programme, including 30 members of Community Disaster Management Committees from Bottom Oku, Moa Wharf and Moyiba, as well as 15 Caritas Freetown project staff and volunteers.

The initiative was designed to improve participants’ understanding of disaster risks, hazards and vulnerabilities while strengthening community preparedness, early-warning mechanisms and basic emergency-response skills. It also promoted coordinated and inclusive action before, during and after disasters.

The first day of the training, held at St.Edwards Compound in Kingtom on August 17, focused on disaster preparedness, community risk mapping and first aid. Facilitators adopted a participatory approach that allowed participants to share their experiences and apply their knowledge of conditions within their respective communities.

Chairman of the Community Disaster Management Committee National Secretariat, Daniel Bob Jones, facilitated the opening session, which examined communities’ social memory of disasters, available emergency responders and preferred communication channels.

Participants reflected on major disasters and hazards that affected their communities between 2016 and 2026. Flooding, mudslides and fire outbreaks were identified among the most common emergencies experienced during the period.

The discussion demonstrated that residents possess valuable knowledge about the threats facing their communities. Facilitators stressed that such knowledge should serve as a foundation for effective disaster-preparedness planning, early-warning systems and community-led mitigation measures.

A second session, facilitated by Madam Philomena of the National Disaster Management Agency, introduced participants to important concepts associated with disaster-risk reduction. Those included hazards, risks, vulnerability, capacity, mitigation, preparedness and resilience.

Participants examined how hazards interact with existing community vulnerabilities and available capacities to determine the severity and potential consequences of a disaster.

They were also guided through the process of identifying hazard-prone areas, vulnerable people, available community resources, early-warning signs, safe locations and important public facilities. Particular attention was given to locations requiring urgent mitigation or preparedness interventions.

Paul Kargbo of the Sierra Leone Red Cross Society facilitated the final session of the first day, which focused on the principles and practice of first aid in disaster management.

Participants learned how to provide immediate assistance to injured or critically affected people while awaiting professional medical support. The session covered emergencies including fires, drowning, road accidents and other incidents that frequently occur within communities.

Practical demonstrations and interactive discussions provided participants with an opportunity to ask questions, share personal experiences and improve their understanding of first aid as an important component of community-level emergency response.

The second day of the training, held at Kolleh Town on August 18, built on the knowledge acquired during the opening sessions. It placed greater emphasis on practical disaster response, emergency safety, first aid, rescue preparedness and community risk identification.

Addressing participants, Daniel Bob Jones emphasized that disaster preparedness must begin before an emergency occurs. He encouraged Community Disaster Management Committee members to continuously identify threats, educate residents and support measures aimed at reducing vulnerabilities.

He urged communities to keep roads and pathways accessible, identify alternative routes for emergency responders and work collectively to address conditions that increase the risk of flooding and other disasters.

Participants also discussed rescue preparedness and the importance of providing trained community volunteers with basic equipment such as ropes, gloves, headlamps, cutters and hammers.

Facilitators, however, warned that volunteers must prioritize their own safety and understand how to use rescue equipment properly. Community responders were also encouraged to recognize situations that require the intervention of professionally trained emergency personnel.

First aid remained a major component of the second day’s activities. A representative of the Sierra Leone Red Cross Society conducted another practical session that enabled participants to explore how immediate assistance could be provided safely during emergencies before professional medical services arrive.

The risk-mapping exercise continued, with participants identifying flooding, fire outbreaks, blocked drainage systems, unsafe buildings and poor roads as some of the major hazards affecting their communities.

They also mapped essential community resources and facilities, including hospitals, health centres, schools, markets, roads, open spaces, water sources and communication facilities. Those resources are expected to support preparedness planning, evacuation and emergency coordination.

Simulation exercises allowed Community Disaster Management Committee members to apply the knowledge and skills acquired during the training. Participants are expected to continue using those skills during planned community risk-mapping exercises in Bottom Oku, Moa Wharf and Moyiba.

The upcoming activities will involve residents in identifying hazards, vulnerable areas, available resources and essential facilities within their respective communities.

The programme concluded with a call for participants to transform the knowledge acquired into practical and sustainable community action.

Caritas Freetown stressed that disaster preparedness is a shared responsibility requiring the participation of Government institutions, humanitarian organisations, local authorities, community leaders, disaster management committees, volunteers and residents.

Caritas Freetown and Trócaire believe that strengthening Community Disaster Management Committees and equipping local volunteers with practical skills will improve their ability to prevent and mitigate disaster risks. The intervention is also expected to enhance their capacity to serve as effective first responders when emergencies occur.

Health Ministry Begins First-Ever Local Production of Infection Prevention Supplies

August 21, 2026

The Ministry of Health has recorded a significant breakthrough in Sierra Leone’s healthcare system by commencing the first-ever local production of essential infection prevention and control supplies for Government hospitals and health facilities nationwide.

The initiative was announced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at Youyi Building in Freetown as part of the Ministry’s 300 Days of Activism for Triple Zero campaign.

Implemented under the leadership of the Minister of Health and spearheaded by the Ministry’s National Infection Prevention and Control Programme, the initiative seeks to strengthen hygiene standards and reduce infections that contribute to maternal and child deaths.

The Triple Zero campaign focuses on achieving zero maternal deaths, zero child deaths and zero zero-dose children; children who have not received any routine vaccinations.

Through the new local production initiative, the Ministry is manufacturing liquid soap, hand sanitizer and liquid detergent for distribution to public healthcare facilities across the country.

The liquid soap will promote regular handwashing among healthcare workers, patients and visitors, while the hand sanitizer will support hand hygiene where soap and water may not be immediately available. The liquid detergent will be used to clean healthcare environments, surfaces and medical equipment.

Programme Manager of the National Infection Prevention and Control Programme, Nanah Fofanah, said infections remain a major contributor to maternal and child deaths, especially when they develop into sepsis.

She explained that strengthening infection prevention and control practices in hospitals and other health facilities is essential to reducing avoidable infections, protecting healthcare workers and improving patient safety.

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body responds severely to an infection. Pregnant women, newborn babies, young children and people with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable to the condition.

The Ministry believes that ensuring a reliable supply of locally produced hygiene materials will help healthcare facilities maintain cleaner environments and promote consistent infection prevention practices.

Local production is also expected to reduce dependence on imported supplies, minimize shortages and improve timely access to essential hygiene materials throughout the public healthcare system.

The initiative represents another important step in the Government’s efforts to improve healthcare delivery and prevent avoidable maternal and child deaths in Sierra Leone.

The Ministry of Health has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding infection prevention measures and ensuring that hospitals and health facilities nationwide receive the supplies needed to maintain safe and hygienic environments.

JM Mining’s Licence Offer Lapsed Over Unpaid US$1.1 Million Fees, Government Says

August 21, 2026

Man in a teal suit speaks into a handheld microphone at a panel, seated behind a table with a water bottle and backdrop banner behind him. — Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, Julius Daniel Mattai

The Ministry of Mines and Mineral Resources and the National Minerals Agency (NMA) have clarified that JM Mining Kenema (SL) Limited never obtained a Large-Scale Mining Licence in Sierra Leone, rejecting claims that such a licence was revoked or withdrawn by the Government.

According to a joint statement issued by the two institutions on August 5, 2026, JM Mining received only a conditional offer of mineral rights, which required the company to formally accept the offer and pay the prescribed statutory fees before a licence could be issued.

The Government said the conditional offer eventually lapsed after the company failed to meet the legal and financial requirements within the prescribed period, despite being granted several opportunities to comply.

The statement explained that JM Mining received the conditional offer on January 23, 2025, following a recommendation by the Minerals Advisory Board and approval by the Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources.

Under Section 108(5) of the Mines and Minerals Development Act, an applicant must accept a conditional offer in writing and settle all prescribed statutory fees before a mining licence can be granted.

“A conditional offer is not a licence,” the Government stressed, maintaining that no licence could have been revoked because none had been issued to the company.

The Ministry and NMA said the Government provided substantial institutional support to JM Mining throughout the application process. That assistance reportedly included intervention by the Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources to help resolve an earlier dispute between the company and the Environment Protection Agency.

The NMA also provided guidance to assist the company in meeting the requirements for an environmental licence and the proposed mineral right.

According to the statement, the NMA delayed issuing the statutory payment demand for approximately six months at the company’s request, allowing it additional time to secure financing.

Official Orders to Pay were eventually issued on July 24, 2025, requiring JM Mining to pay US$1 million in licence fees and US$100,000 in monitoring fees within 30 days.

The initial payment deadline expired on August 23, 2025, without the required fees being paid.

Following a formal payment demand from the National Revenue Authority on October 28, 2025, the company reportedly requested an extension until December 31, 2025. The Government said that deadline also passed without payment.

JM Mining subsequently requested a new Order to Pay on January 29, 2026, acknowledging that the earlier payment obligations had not been fulfilled.

On January 30, 2026, the Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources formally confirmed that the conditional offer had lapsed and rescinded it. The Government noted that this decision came 372 days after the offer was approved and 190 days after the payment orders were issued—well beyond the statutory payment period.

The Ministry and NMA further disclosed that JM Mining admitted its payment default in three separate written communications.

The company reportedly acknowledged the outstanding licence and monitoring fees in a letter to the Commissioner-General of the National Revenue Authority on October 31, 2025. Similar admissions were made to the Director of Mines on January 15 and January 29, 2026.

The Government rejected suggestions that its handling of the matter was arbitrary or hostile to foreign investment. It said the process was reviewed by the Minerals Advisory Board and conducted in accordance with the Mines and Minerals Development Act, with all relevant decisions supported by official records.

According to the statement, waiving US$1.1 million in statutory fees for a single applicant would undermine regulatory integrity, weaken equal treatment and disadvantage mining operators that have complied with the country’s licensing requirements.

The Government reaffirmed its commitment to welcoming responsible local and foreign investment in Sierra Leone’s mineral sector while insisting that every investor must fulfil the same legal and financial obligations.

“Sierra Leone’s mineral resources belong to the people of Sierra Leone and will be entrusted only to those who meet their obligations under the law,” the joint statement concluded.

Melron Nicol-Wilson Esq. Urges Supreme Court to Nullify Constitutional Amendment Bill

August 21, 2026

African man in a black barrister's gown with white neck bands, standing with hands clasped in front. — Melron C. Nicol-Wilson Esq.

Legal practitioner Melron C. Nicol-Wilson Esq. has challenged the procedure used by Parliament to pass the Constitution of Sierra Leone (Amendment) Bill, 2025, arguing that the required two-thirds majority was not obtained during the parliamentary vote.

In a letter dated August 18, 2026, and addressed to the Right Honourable Speaker of Parliament, Segepoh Solomon Thomas, Melron C. Nicol-Wilson maintained that Parliament’s reported reliance on Section 91(1) of the 1991 Constitution was inappropriate for determining the voting threshold required to alter the country’s supreme law.

The letter, written under the name of Nicol-Wilson & Co., also known as Malaika Chambers, expressed what the law firm described as grave public-interest concerns over the proceedings conducted in Parliament on August 10, 2026.

The Bill seeks, among other changes, to amend Section 42(2)(e) of the Constitution by reducing the presidential electoral threshold from 55 per cent of valid votes cast to 50 per cent plus one.

Melron C. Nicol-Wilson said his concerns were consistent with arguments advanced by other legal practitioners and jurists who have publicly questioned the procedure Parliament followed.

He also noted that members of the main opposition All People’s Congress withdrew from the parliamentary proceedings before the vote, except for two lawmakers who remained in the Chamber.

According to Melron C. Nicol-Wilson, the 1991 Constitution is Sierra Leone’s supreme law and remains binding on every state institution, including Parliament and the Office of the Speaker.

He argued that Parliament cannot use what he described as unlawful, abusive or extra-constitutional methods to alter the Constitution, warning that doing so would amount to an unconstitutional constitutional amendment.

The legal practitioner stressed that constitutional safeguards governing amendments are not matters of parliamentary convenience or internal procedure. Rather, he said, they are mandatory legal conditions that determine whether Parliament has validly exercised its authority to amend the Constitution.

Melron C. Nicol-Wilson claimed that the Speaker wrongly directed Members of Parliament to apply Section 91(1) when voting on the Bill.

Section 91(1) provides that, except where the Constitution states otherwise, any question placed before Parliament should be determined by a majority of members present and voting.

Melron C. Nicol-Wilson, however, contended that the provision applies to ordinary parliamentary decisions and not to constitutional amendments for which the Constitution establishes a separate and higher voting threshold.

He identified Section 108(2)(b) as the applicable provision for amending the non-entrenched clauses of the Constitution.

Section 108(2)(b) states that a Bill seeking to alter the Constitution cannot be passed unless it is supported during its second and third readings by the votes of not less than two-thirds of Members of Parliament.

Melron C. Nicol-Wilson therefore argued that the constitutional threshold was not satisfied during the August 10 sitting and that the Bill could not have been validly passed under Section 91(1).

He explained that Section 91(1) refers specifically to members “present and voting,” while Section 108(2)(b) requires the support of “not less than two-thirds of the Members of Parliament.”

According to him, the framers’ decision to use different language in the two provisions means they were intended to establish different voting requirements.

He said there was no legal basis for inserting the words “present and voting” into Section 108(2)(b), as those words do not appear in the provision.

To support his argument, Melron C. Nicol-Wilson cited several judicial authorities, including R v Judge of the City of London Court, Alhaji Sam Sumana v Attorney-General and Minister of Justice and Victor Foh, and the South African Constitutional Court decision in S v Zuma.

He argued that the decisions reinforce the legal principle that clear constitutional language must be respected and given its ordinary meaning.

Melron C. Nicol-Wilson also invoked the Latin maxim generalia specialibus non derogant, which means that a specific legal provision takes precedence over a general one.

He described Section 91(1) as the general rule governing ordinary parliamentary voting and Section 108(2)(b) as the special rule governing constitutional amendments.

According to him, the special provision must prevail, particularly because Section 91(1) begins with the words, “Except as otherwise provided in this Constitution.”

He further argued that interpreting Section 108(2)(b) as requiring only two-thirds of members present would undermine the purpose of the constitutional safeguard.

Such an interpretation, he said, would cause the threshold for amending the Constitution to fluctuate depending on the number of lawmakers attending Parliament on a particular day.

Melron C. Nicol-Wilson maintained that both the literal and purposive approaches to constitutional interpretation produce the same conclusion: the special two-thirds threshold under Section 108(2)(b) cannot be displaced by the general majority rule under Section 91(1).

The legal practitioner also questioned the Speaker’s reported reliance on Section 94(2) of the Constitution.

Section 94(2) states that decisions, orders or directions of Parliament, its committees or the Speaker concerning Parliament’s rules of procedure or the application and interpretation of those rules cannot be investigated by any court.

Melron C. Nicol-Wilson argued that the provision does not grant constitutional immunity or infallibility to Parliament and the Speaker.

He said Section 94(2) protects decisions relating to Parliament’s internal rules but does not prevent the courts from examining whether Parliament complied with the Constitution when exercising its powers.

According to him, there is a fundamental difference between interpreting Parliament’s internal procedures and determining the proper meaning of a constitutional provision.

He maintained that a constitutional question does not become an internal parliamentary matter merely because it arose during proceedings in the House.

Melron C. Nicol-Wilson cited APC and Others v Speaker and Others to support his position that parliamentary autonomy does not amount to parliamentary sovereignty.

He said Parliament and the Speaker remain subject to the Constitution because their respective powers and authority are derived from it.

“A decision of the Speaker cannot rewrite the Constitution from the Chair,” Melron C. Nicol-Wilson stated, adding that Section 94(2) cannot place such a decision above the Constitution.

Melron C. Nicol-Wilson also addressed the Speaker’s stated intention to refer the controversy to the Supreme Court for interpretation.

He argued that if sufficient uncertainty existed over the correct interpretation of Sections 91(1) and 108(2)(b), the appropriate step would have been to obtain judicial clarification before Parliament proceeded with the vote.

According to him, a referral made after the vote cannot retrospectively correct an alleged failure to meet the constitutionally prescribed threshold.

He said the referral cannot provide votes that were not cast, alter the number of lawmakers against whom the voting threshold should have been calculated or cure an alleged failure to obtain the required majority.

“The constitutional requirement was either satisfied when the vote was taken or it was not,” Melron C. Nicol-Wilson stated.

He maintained that the issue should not be regarded as a minor procedural irregularity because it affects Parliament’s constitutional authority to pass the Bill.

Melron C. Nicol-Wilson consequently described the decision to permit the Bill to proceed under the lesser threshold as unconstitutional. He further argued that the purported passage of the Bill was null, void and without legal effect.

The legal practitioner expressed confidence that whether the Supreme Court considers a referral for interpretation or an application seeking a declaration of invalidity, it should determine that Section 108(2)(b) cannot be displaced by Section 91(1).

He therefore urged the Supreme Court to declare the purported constitutional amendment invalid when the matter comes before it.

Melron C. Nicol-Wilson concluded the letter with the Latin expression Fiat justitia ruat caelum—“Let justice be done though the heavens fall.”