🇸🇱🤝🌍 THREE YEARS OF SERVICE, A LASTING LEGACY

Minister Barlay commends nine ECOWAS Volunteers for their dedicated service to Sierra Leone.

FREETOWN, August 21, 2026 — After three years of service in communities across Sierra Leone, nine ECOWAS Volunteers have been commended for their contributions to education, health and community development.

Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Hon. Kenyeh Barlay, made the commendation during an end-of-service ceremony held at the Ministry’s Conference Hall at Tower Hill, marking the completion of the volunteers’ 2023–2026 ECOWAS Volunteer Programme assignments.

The nine volunteers, including seven from other ECOWAS member states and two Sierra Leonean nationals, served in various communities and institutions across the country, particularly in schools, hospitals and health centres.

Minister Barlay described the occasion as a bittersweet moment, noting that the volunteers arrived with professional expertise, passion and a commitment to make a difference.

She said their work had positively impacted schoolchildren, patients, young people and communities, while also strengthening relationships among citizens of different ECOWAS member states.

“You have made a difference to the lives of the many beneficiaries,” Minister Barlay said, praising the volunteers for their selfless service and contribution to regional solidarity.

The Minister encouraged the outgoing volunteers to maintain the positive memories they had built in Sierra Leone, assuring them that the country would always remain a home for them.

She also commended the ECOWAS Commission for its continued investment in the Volunteer Programme, describing it as an important component of Sierra Leone’s partnership with ECOWAS and a practical contribution to regional cooperation, peace and development.

ECOWAS Resident Representative in Sierra Leone, Ambassador John Azumah, also praised the volunteers for serving as ambassadors of ECOWAS and promoting the values of unity, solidarity and regional integration.

He encouraged them to maintain the relationships established during their assignments and continue contributing to the ideals of the regional bloc.

Speaking on behalf of the ECOWAS Commissioner, Mr. Francis Njoaguani, ECOWAS Volunteer Programme Country Coordinator Preaches G. GBessaangee thanked the volunteers for their service, particularly their contributions to the education and health sectors.

He urged them to remain connected to the ECOWAS family and take advantage of future opportunities within the regional institution.

The Deputy Development Secretary II and Head of the ECOWAS National Office, Mr. Komba Momoh, who chaired the ceremony, said the schools and institutions where the volunteers served would greatly miss their contributions.

He further highlighted the role of the programme in advancing ECOWAS integration and strengthening relationships among citizens across West Africa.

Giving the vote of thanks on behalf of the volunteers, Obinna Joseph Ziba, a Chemistry and Physics teacher in Pujehun, expressed appreciation to the ECOWAS Commission, host institutions, supervisors, coordinators and other stakeholders for supporting the volunteers throughout their assignments.

The ceremony concluded with the presentation of certificates and gifts to the nine outgoing volunteers. They received locally made traditional Sierra Leonean outfits featuring the country’s green, white and blue colours, while their supervisors presented certificates in recognition of their service.

The event brought together government officials, ECOWAS representatives, school administrators, health-sector representatives, supervisors, development partners and other stakeholders to celebrate the volunteers’ contribution to Sierra Leone.

A Legacy Beyond Three Years

Beyond their professional assignments, the volunteers’ three-year service has strengthened people-to-people connections between Sierra Leone and other ECOWAS member states, demonstrating how regional volunteerism can contribute to skills development, public service delivery, cultural exchange and regional integration.

 NAYCOM Commissioner Engages Liberia on Youth Development Cooperation

MONROVIA, August 21, 2026 — Sierra Leone and Liberia are moving to deepen bilateral cooperation on youth development, skills training and employment opportunities for young people.

Commissioner of the National Youth Commission (NAYCOM), Joseph Maada Lahai, undertook a working visit to Liberia’s Ministry of Youth and Sports, where he held discussions on strengthening collaboration between the two countries.

Commissioner Lahai was received by Hon. Laraamand Shenkin Nyonton, Deputy Minister responsible for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), alongside other senior officials of the Ministry.

The discussions focused on key areas including youth skills development, TVET, cross-border learning and youth exchange programmes, with both sides exploring practical ways to expand opportunities for young people in Sierra Leone and Liberia.

Officials from both countries emphasized the importance of regional cooperation in equipping young people with relevant skills and creating opportunities for them to contribute meaningfully to national development.

The engagement is expected to strengthen youth-to-youth partnerships and encourage practical collaboration between Sierra Leone and Liberia, particularly in skills acquisition and technical and vocational education.

The visit comes as both countries continue to explore stronger regional approaches to youth empowerment, skills development and human capital investment.

#SierraLeone #Liberia #NAYCOM #YouthDevelopment #TVET #YouthEmpowerment #SkillsDevelopment #ECOWAS #YouthExchange

 🚨 GOVERNMENT ASSURES MAGBIRIE MINING-AFFECTED COMMUNITIES OF FAIR RESETTLEMENT PROCESS

Government has assured Project Affected Persons (PAPs) in Magbirie Village, Marampa Chiefdom, that their concerns over mining-related resettlement and compensation will receive appropriate attention.

Development Secretary Ambrose James, leading the National Steering Committee of the National Development Induced Resettlement Directorate (NDIRD), engaged residents during a monitoring mission on August 13.

Residents raised concerns over:

🔹 Crop compensation

🔹 Physical resettlement

🔹 Outdated crop valuation rates

🔹 Youth employment opportunities

🔹 Impacts of mining activities on livelihoods

Ambrose James said the concerns had been noted and urged residents to remain calm as Government engages the mining company and other stakeholders.

Government has reaffirmed its commitment to a transparent, fair and lawful resettlement process that protects the rights, livelihoods and welfare of affected communities.

The mission is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen oversight of development-induced resettlement across Sierra Leone.

#SierraLeone #Magbirie #PortLoko #Mining #Resettlement #Compensation #MoPED #NDIRD

 Sierra Leone Government Clarifies Travel Through Guinea: Citizens Are Not Banned

FREETOWN, August 21, 2026 — Sierra Leoneans travelling through Guinea have not been banned from entering or transiting the country, the Government of Sierra Leone has clarified, following concerns surrounding travel routes through Guinea.

In a public notice issued by the Ministry of Information and Civic Education on August 20, the Government said Sierra Leonean citizens with valid travel documents who meet Guinea’s immigration and security requirements may continue to travel through the country for legitimate purposes.

However, the Government stressed that restrictions apply to the use of Guinea as a transit route for irregular migration or overseas employment outside established legal procedures.

According to the notice, Guinean authorities have raised concerns over cases involving irregular migration, suspected human trafficking and unverified overseas employment arrangements.

Sierra Leoneans intending to travel abroad for employment have therefore been urged to follow all lawful recruitment, labour and immigration procedures before departure.

The Government specifically advised citizens to verify overseas employment arrangements through the Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Security and warned against using Guinea or other transit routes to bypass established procedures.

Authorities said following the proper process is intended to protect travellers from human trafficking, exploitation, fraudulent job offers and unnecessary travel difficulties.

Sierra Leoneans who encounter difficulties while travelling through Guinea have been advised to contact the Sierra Leone Embassy in Conakry on +224 621 048 214 for consular assistance.

The Government also said it will continue working with Guinean authorities and international partners to facilitate legitimate travel while protecting Sierra Leonean citizens.

Bottom line: Sierra Leoneans are not banned from travelling through Guinea. The warning is specifically targeted at irregular migration and overseas employment arrangements that do not follow the required legal procedures.

Source: MoICE 

YOUTH DAY 2026: THREE MAJOR INITIATIVES LAUNCHED TO BOOST OPPORTUNITIES FOR SIERRA LEONE’S YOUNG PEOPLE

 Sierra Leone has unveiled three major youth development initiatives aimed at improving employment opportunities, strengthening youth participation in peacebuilding and coordinating investments in young people.

The initiatives were launched on 12 August 2026 during the national commemoration of International Youth Day at the Julius Maada Bio Conference Centre in Lungi.

Minister of Planning and Economic Development Kenyeh Barlay, representing Vice President Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, delivered the keynote address at the event, which brought together government officials, development partners, private-sector representatives, civil society organisations, youth leaders and young innovators.

The initiatives launched are the Youth Development Cooperation Framework, the National Action Plan on Youth, Peace and Security, and the Youth Employment Portal under the PSSNYE Project.

 A NEW PUSH FOR YOUTH EMPLOYMENT

The Youth Employment Portal, developed under the Ministry of Youth Affairs with support from the World Bank, is designed to connect young people with employment and economic opportunities.

Through the platform, young people will be able to create profiles, upload skills and certifications, search for vacancies and access information about relevant programmes and events.

Employers will also be able to advertise vacancies and identify potential candidates.

Minister Barlay urged businesses and institutions to actively use the platform while encouraging young people to register and maintain credible profiles.

She stressed the importance of creating a system where access to opportunities is increasingly based on skills, competence and preparedness rather than personal connections.

 YOUTH AND PEACEBUILDING

The National Action Plan on Youth, Peace and Security was also launched to strengthen the role of young people in peacebuilding, governance and national development.

Minister Barlay emphasised that young people should not be viewed merely as beneficiaries of peace, but as active partners in building social cohesion, democratic participation and national stability.

🤝 BETTER COORDINATION OF YOUTH INVESTMENTS

The Youth Development Cooperation Framework aims to improve coordination among government institutions, development partners, civil society and the private sector.

The framework is expected to help align youth-focused investments with national priorities, map existing interventions and strengthen the tracking of results.

 SHOWCASING YOUTH TALENT

The celebration also showcased the creativity and resilience of Sierra Leone’s young people.

One hundred youth-led enterprises were featured through the Creative Economy Talent Exposition, showcasing talent across fashion, arts, music and other creative industries.

Meanwhile, 1,200 youth bike riders were symbolically certified after completing training in alternative livelihood skills.

The event also highlighted livelihood interventions targeting young people in Moyamba, Tonkolili and Western Rural Districts.

Source: MoPED 

 NRA Launches Joint Tax Stamp Compliance Drive Across Freetown

❗ TAX COMPLIANCE UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT: NRA, FINANCE MINISTRY, NPRA AND SICPA INSPECT BUSINESSES

The National Revenue Authority (NRA), working with the Ministry of Finance, National Petroleum Regulatory Agency (NPRA) and SICPA, has stepped up efforts to strengthen tax compliance through a joint assessment of selected businesses and factories in Freetown.

The exercise, conducted on 13 August 2026, focused on compliance with Sierra Leone’s Tax Stamp Law, with officials assessing whether businesses are properly applying tax stamps, identifying potential compliance gaps and helping to prevent revenue leakages.

The team visited Mackie Cement Factory in Hastings, SICPA Warehouse in Wellington, LEONE Oil Company in Kissy, Rockcem and King Production at Shell, Kissy.

The NRA delegation was led by Deputy Commissioner of the Domestic Tax Department Edwin Conteh, alongside Assistant Commissioner of the Excise Office Moo-Usa Salia Konneh. The Ministry of Finance was represented by Idrissa Kanu, Director of the Revenue and Tax Policy Division, while NPRA was represented by Ansumana Samura, Director of Operations and Pricing. SICPA was represented by General Manager Maxwell Massaquoi.

According to the participating institutions, the joint assessment forms part of efforts to strengthen domestic revenue mobilisation, fair competition and revenue assurance through improved compliance and enforcement.

The agencies reaffirmed their commitment to continued collaboration and urged businesses covered by the Tax Stamp Law to ensure full compliance with tax stamp and other applicable tax obligations.

 NEW ERA AT NASSIT: CHERNOR MAMOUD JALLOH TAKES OVER

A new leadership era has begun at the National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NASSIT), with Chernor Mamoud Jalloh officially taking over as Director General from Mohamed Fuaad Daboh.

The leadership transition took place on Tuesday, 11 August 2026, at NASSIT headquarters in Freetown, during a formal handover ceremony attended by senior government officials, including the Secretary to the President and the Minister of Employment, Labour and Social Security.

The ceremony also marked the arrival of Madam Jenneh Jabati as the new Chairperson of the NASSIT Board of Trustees.

Daboh Hands Over After Key Reforms

In his farewell remarks, outgoing Director General Mohamed Fuaad Daboh reflected on what he described as a transformative tenure.

Among the achievements highlighted were major upgrades to NASSIT’s Pension Administration System, expansion of the Trust’s presence across the regions and districts, stronger employer compliance measures and efforts to speed up pension payments.

Daboh also highlighted initiatives designed to bring social security coverage to workers in the informal sector, including traders, artisans and transport operators.

He pointed to NASSIT’s diversified investment portfolio, with major interests in hospitality, banking, real estate and infrastructure, as part of the Trust’s long-term financial strategy.

He further noted NASSIT’s international leadership roles, including its positions within the International Social Security Association and the Association of Social Security Administrators in Africa.

In an emotional conclusion to his farewell, Daboh expressed confidence that the institution he was leaving behind was strong enough to continue serving its beneficiaries.

Jalloh Pledges Integrity, Commitment and Transparency

Accepting the responsibility, incoming Director General Chernor Mamoud Jalloh thanked President Julius Maada Bio for the confidence placed in him.

Jalloh congratulated Daboh for his stewardship and pledged to build on the foundation established by the outgoing administration.

He identified integrity, commitment and transparency as the three principles that will guide his leadership, with a focus on strengthening public trust and improving NASSIT’s performance.

New Board Leadership Takes Charge

The transition also brought a new chapter for NASSIT’s Board of Trustees.

New Board Chairperson Jenneh Jabati congratulated the outgoing leadership and called on the Trustees to remain vigilant and proactive in carrying out their oversight responsibilities.

Government officials also urged the new leadership to maintain strong accountability and fiduciary responsibility, particularly in protecting the retirement benefits of Sierra Leonean workers.

With the Jalloh-Jabati administration now in charge, attention turns to how the new leadership will consolidate NASSIT’s gains, strengthen its financial position and expand social protection coverage across Sierra Leone.