The Citizen News

  (L) Madam Isata Mahoi, Gender & Children’s Affairs By: Mohamed Dauda Kamara The Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs, Madam Isata Mahoi, emphasized NEWMAP's mission to promote unity among female politicians during her address at the British High Commission on Tuesday. She highlighted NEWMAP's role as a platform uniting female Ministers, Parliamentarians, and Councilors, emphasizing its broader mission to benefit women across Sierra Leone. Acknowledging the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, she underscored the importance of collaboration and networking among female politicians globally, reflecting progress towards gender parity in the country. Minister Mahoi reaffirmed the government’s commitment to female representation, citing the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act, which achieved a 30% representation of women in Cabinet Ministers, Parliamentarians, and Councilors. Expressing gratitude to the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association for its ...

 Prof.  Philip John Kanu, MMTU Principal & Chancellor By Musa Yayou The Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Milton Margai Technical University (MMTU), Professor Phillip John Kanu, testified before Magistrate Santigie Bangura of Court No. 2 on Pademba Road in the ongoing matter involving one of his lecturers, Tejan Sheik Rogers (the accused). The accused, Tejan Sheik Rogers, appeared before the court on a count of cyber stalking and bullying, which is contrary to Section 44 (2) (b) of the Cyber Security and Crime Act of 2001. The Inspector General of Police (IGP) alleged that between November 1 and 31, 2022, in Freetown, the accused used his WhatsApp number with the title "Tejan Rogers of MMTU" to create and post audio recordings and text messages in a WhatsApp group called "Maada Must Stay Campaign." These messages were intended to damage the character of Professor Phillip John Kanu. Led in evidence by Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Juan M. S. Bull, pro...

On Tuesday the first ever Teacher Licensing Examination (TLE) kicks off in all Teaching Service Commission (TSC) district offices across the country. Amidst numerous concerns and fears about the mode of teacher registration examination for licensing, which is conducted online only, the Commission received over five thousand (5,000) applications. Out of this number, 2,527 applications were approved to go ahead with the exams. According to the Director Registration and Licensing, this is a success as it accounts for 84.2 percent of the targeted number (3,000). 1,957 teachers who have already booked to write the teacher licensure exams have commenced across the country. The examinations are on-going and will end on 4th February 2024. Meanwhile, bookings are ongoing in all TSC District Offices and teachers who have received approval should proceed to book for the exams. KEEP AN EYE ON THIS SPACE FOR MORE UPDATES ON THIS ACTIVITY AS WE CARRY ON. BETTER TEACHERS, STRONGER NATION ...

United Bank for Africa (UBA) Sierra Leone Limited is pleased to announce the approval of Mohamed Alhajie Samoura by the Central Bank of Sierra Leone as the substantive Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer of UBA Sierra Leone.   The “No Objection” approval was received from the Bank of Sierra Leone on 30th January 2024 following the approval of his nomination by UBA Group Office and the UBA Sierra Leone Board of Directors in December 2023. Having served as the Acting MD/CEO since February last year, Mohamed is the first Sierra Leonean to attain such position in the bank since the bank started it operations in Sierra Leone in 2008.   Mr. Samoura is the 6th MD/CEO of UBA Sierra Leone after his predecessor, Usman Isiaka who is now serving the bank as Deputy MD/CEO of UBA New York. Since he assumed the seat, Mr. Samoura has continued to build on the legacies of his predecessors, he continues to double the figures in revenue, profitability, deposits, account opening and ...

Timothy Musa Kabba, Foreign Affairs Minister By Mohamed Dauda Kamara In a press briefing on Tuesday at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Timothy Kabba, disclosed the country’s commitment to mediating between ECOWAS, Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso. “The sanctions imposed by ECOWAS are affecting lives. We aim to mediate with these countries to return to constitutional democracy,” he expressed. He also revealed to the press that, unlike Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, the latter two are not willing to return to constitutional power. While he asserted that the mediation is a delicate issue, the minister also stated that the three countries occupy half of West Africa, limiting the countries’ movements in trade. Minister Kabba expressed his country’s empathy towards these countries, pledging their readiness to mediate peacefully with ECOWAS. In a statement authored by ECOWAS on January 28, 2024, the regional bloc conveyed that they have not receive...

 By Abu Bakarr Bangura Two esteemed members of a gender equality and pro-LGBTQ rights group, Nitrogen Family have died following assaults by Islamic gangs during separate raids in June 16 and August 17, 2023, respectively. The first, Kelvin Clifford Thompson died on the June 21, 2023, after been assaulted by gangs in Makeni, Northern Sierra Leone. On June 16, 2023, he was among gays, lesbians and bisexual people, who had converged in a secret location to enjoy themselves and have fun (LB party). Leader of Nitrogen Family and buddy of late Thompson, Mohamed Faray Kargbo, who attended the event with the deceased narrowly escaped the attacks. The police said they were investigating but made no arrests. The second, Mohamed Gbla, aka Skinny, had attended a wedding ceremony of a same sex couple who tied the knot on August 20, 2023, after falling in love few years ago. He was mercilessly beaten by the gangs who disrupted the ceremony as they claim is it illegal and against the Sie...

 By Mohamed Faray Kargbo That the House of Parliament is one of, if not the most corrupt institution(s) in Sierra Leone is no longer a myth. Sierra Leone’s House of Representative is deeply entrenched in shady deals. Unfortunately, such deals have been impacting negatively on the ailing economy of this wretchedly poor West African nation. The revelations in this article will leave you wondering whether our parliamentarians are really serving or starving the people. Let me hasten to let you know that I have been working for the government of Sierra Leone for the past nine years, so I am exposing these corrupt acts not only as an insider but also as a trained and qualified investigative journalist. BACKGROUND As a management staff member of the Monuments and Relics Commission and by extension the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs in the Government of Sierra Leone, we are obligated to prepare a budget for our expenditure annually. Every ministry, department and agency of ...

  By Aruna Kamara The Sierra Leone Police has on Monday July 31, 2023, issued a warrant of arrest for popular media analyst and political commentator, Mohamed Faray Kargbo. The House of Parliament has also summoned him to appear before them next week. It follows series of revelations about corruption in Sierra Leone’s House of Parliament and by extension the Government of Sierra Leone. The renowned journalist cum communication specialist who now works for the Monuments and Relics Commission, Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs made series of remarks on radio stations during the run up to and after the June 2023 elections. In a rather unprecedented but heroic move, he recently published a story which would inevitably land him in hot waters with the government and might equally cost him his job. Among other things, he explained how the Committee on Finance has been soliciting funds from all ministries, departments and agencies prior to endorsing their budgets. As an in...