ACC Indicts NMSA Volunteer Over Alleged Misappropriation of $38,000 Ultrasound Machine

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has announced the indictment of Francis Lavai, a volunteer attached to the National Medical Supplies Agency (NMSA), on one count of Misappropriation of Public Property.

According to a press release dated 4 August 2026, the charge is brought under Section 36(1) of the Anti-Corruption Act No. 12 of 2008, as amended by the Anti-Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2019.

The ACC alleges that between 1 December 2025 and 31 January 2026, while at the Bo District Medical Stores, Lavai unlawfully misappropriated a portable black-and-white convex ultrasound machine valued at US$38,000, which belonged to the Ministry of Health.

The Commission stated that the ultrasound machine was part of a donated consignment under the Sexual Reproductive Health Programme (SRHP) and was intended for distribution to public health units across Bo District.

Reaffirming its commitment to protecting public resources, the ACC stressed that individuals entrusted with public property will be held accountable in accordance with the law.

The case adds to the Commission's ongoing efforts to safeguard government assets and strengthen accountability in the public sector.

Source: ACC

ICPNC Revamps Community Peace Network as Mediators Receive Fresh Training to Prevent Grassroots Conflicts

 WATERLOO, Sierra Leone – As Sierra Leone continues efforts to strengthen peace and national cohesion, the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion (ICPNC) has launched a renewed drive to revitalise its Community Peace Mediators Network, equipping local peace actors with the skills needed to prevent conflicts before they escalate.

The Commission's latest reactivation and capacity-building programme was held on 5 August 2026 at the Women's Advocacy and Agricultural Development Organization (WAADO) office on Carmont Street in Waterloo. The initiative brought together Peace Mediators drawn from community leadership, civil society organisations, youth groups, market women, the Inter-Religious Council, and other key stakeholders committed to promoting peace at the grassroots level.

According to the ICPNC, the programme is designed to strengthen local peace infrastructures by replacing inactive mediators, recruiting new representatives, reconnecting with existing members, identifying emerging conflict trends, and improving coordination in responding to community disputes.

Speaking during the engagement, Acting Director of Conflict Prevention Titus Mohamed Kallon said the initiative forms part of the Commission's wider strategy to reinforce peace structures across the Western Urban and Western Rural Districts. He noted that strengthening the knowledge and practical skills of Peace Mediators would improve their ability to facilitate dialogue, resolve disputes, and support peaceful coexistence within their communities.

The training session, led by Deputy Director of Conflict Resolution Francis Mustapha Sengeh, focused on the roles, responsibilities, and ethical standards expected of Peace Mediators. Participants were encouraged to act as trusted community leaders capable of resolving tensions through dialogue while promoting peace and national cohesion.

The programme also provided an opportunity for participants to discuss challenges affecting their communities and propose measures to strengthen the Peace Mediators Network.

Speaking on behalf of the participants, District Youth Chairperson Madam Marie Bangura called for sustained collaboration between the Commission and Peace Mediators to keep the network active and effective. She appealed for the issuance of official identification cards to enhance the credibility of mediators and highlighted transportation and logistical constraints as key obstacles to their work.

As part of the revitalisation process, the ICPNC also restructured the composition of the Peace Mediators Network by replacing inactive members and expanding community representation to improve its effectiveness.

The Commission said the initiative reflects its ongoing commitment to empowering community peace actors and strengthening grassroots mechanisms for conflict prevention, dialogue, and national cohesion in line with its statutory mandate.

NDMA Relocates Headquarters to New Office in Hill Station

 FREETOWN, Sierra Leone – The National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) has officially relocated its headquarters from Aberdeen to a new office in Hill Station, marking a significant administrative move aimed at improving the Agency's operations and engagement with stakeholders.

In a public notice dated 4 August 2026, the NDMA announced that its headquarters has moved from 64 Sir Samuel Lewis Road, Aberdeen, Freetown, to No. 4 Foh Crescent, South Ridge, Hill Station, Freetown. The relocation takes immediate effect.

The Agency stated that all official correspondence, meetings, stakeholder engagements, public enquiries, and disaster-related matters should now be directed to the new headquarters.

The notice was addressed to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), development partners, civil society organisations, the private sector, and the general public, urging them to update their records and use the new address for all future interactions with the NDMA.

The relocation is expected to ensure continuity in the Agency's operations as it continues coordinating disaster preparedness, emergency response, and risk management efforts across Sierra Leone.

The public notice was signed by Mohamed L. Bah, Director of Communications, on behalf of the National Disaster Management Agency.

Source: NDMA 

APC Accuses Statistics Sierra Leone of Excluding Opposition from Key 2026 Census Activities 

The All People's Congress (APC) has formally written to the Statistician General and Chief Census Officer, expressing concern over what it describes as its repeated exclusion from key activities related to the 2026 Population and Housing Census.

In a letter dated 1 August 2026, the opposition party claims it has been denied participation in the monitoring of nationwide cartographic mapping and the ongoing mock testing of census tools. The APC also alleges that several of its previous correspondences on census-related issues have gone unanswered by Statistics Sierra Leone.

The party further raised concerns over public remarks reportedly made by SLPP National Publicity Secretary Moses Mambu, alleging that the ruling party has access to real-time mapping data and final mapping results. According to the APC, it has only received information shared during Census Advisory Committee meetings.

The APC argues that the alleged unequal access to census information raises serious questions about the inclusivity, transparency and neutrality of the national census process.

The party maintains that political party monitoring, similar to arrangements made during the December 2025 Pilot Census, is essential to strengthening public confidence and ensuring the credibility of the exercise. It also contends that participation by all major stakeholders would enhance oversight and improve the quality of the census process.

Additionally, the APC says disaggregated nationwide cartographic mapping results, including enumeration areas by chiefdom and district, have not been made available to the party.

 Sierra Leone Launches 2026 National Health Survey to Shape Future Healthcare Policies

A nationwide health survey aimed at transforming healthcare planning and improving the lives of millions of Sierra Leoneans has officially begun.

The Government of Sierra Leone has launched the 2026 Demographic and Health Survey (DHS), a landmark nationwide exercise that will provide critical data to guide health policies, improve service delivery, and ensure resources reach the people who need them most.

Speaking at the official launch, the Minister of Health, Dr. Austin Demby, underscored the importance of reliable data in strengthening the country's healthcare system.

"Quality data is the backbone to building a stronger, resilient and more inclusive healthcare system that ensures that no one is left behind."

The survey will collect nationally representative data on maternal and child health, nutrition, fertility, mortality, and other key development indicators. The findings will help government and development partners evaluate ongoing health programmes, identify gaps in healthcare services, and make informed decisions on future investments.

As part of the exercise, 188 participants—including interviewers, health officials, statisticians, counsellors, and laboratory technicians—have commenced a month-long intensive training programme. Upon successful completion, they will be deployed nationwide to gather accurate information from households across Sierra Leone.

The 2026 DHS is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping national health priorities and supporting evidence-based decision-making for years to come.

Source: MoH's 

 SIERRA LEONE'S MINISTER OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO COMBATING TOBACCO INDUSTRY INTERFERENCE. 

Lagos, 1st. August, 2026—The Centre for Advocacy and Sustainable Empowerment (CASE Salone) and Youth in Action for Development, Democracy and Human Rights (YADDHR-SL) held a productive courtesy meeting with the Honourable Minister of Employment, Labour and Social Security, Mr. Mohamed Rado Swaray of the Republic of Sierra Leone during the Africa Tobacco Interference Monitoring (ATIM) Training in Lagos, Nigeria.

The meeting provided an opportunity for the Honourable Minister to engage with the Africa Center for Tobacco Industry Monitoring and Policy Research (ATIM) team and discuss the urgent need to strengthen efforts to protect public health policies from tobacco industry interference across Africa.

During the discussion, Professor O. Ayo Yusuf, a leading tobacco control expert and facilitator of the ATIM Training, emphasized that the tobacco industry continues to interfere with the development and implementation of public health policies, particularly Article 5.3 of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC). He noted that the industry employs tactics such as promoting illicit trade narratives and diverting attention from data proven tobacco control measures, including higher tobacco taxation, plain packaging, comprehensive advertising bans, and stronger regulatory frameworks and its devastating health burden.

Responding to these concerns, the Honourable Minister reaffirmed the Government of Sierra Leone's commitment to advancing tobacco control. He noted that the country had enacted the Tobacco and Nicotine Control Act, 2022, and acknowledged that while enforcement challenges remain, Sierra Leone continues to make steady progress toward the implementation and enforcement of the law.

The Honourable Minister also commended Mr. Ibrahim Mansaray of CASE Salone and Mr. Alhaji Yaya Swaray of YADDHR-SL for representing Sierra Leone at the continental training and for their continued commitment to promoting tobacco control and protecting public health.

As part of his remarks, the Honourable Minister pledged to work with Cabinet and other relevant government institutions to accelerate the enforcement of the Tobacco and Nicotine Control Act, 2022. He further reaffirmed Sierra Leone's readiness to collaborate with the Africa Center for Tobacco Industry Monitoring and Policy Research (ATIM) initiative and other partners to prevent tobacco industry interference and strengthen the implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.

The meeting concluded with a shared commitment between government, civil society organizations, and regional partners to intensify collaboration in safeguarding public health policies from tobacco industry influence and ensuring a healthier future for the people of Sierra Leone.

Source: MELSS 

Air Sierra Leone to Resume London Flights After UK CAA Approval

 FREETOWN, Sierra Leone – August 4, 2026: Air Sierra Leone has announced the resumption of its London-Freetown and London-Banjul flight operations after successfully meeting key regulatory requirements and receiving approval from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

According to a press release issued on 4 August 2026, the airline said scheduled operations will officially resume at the end of October 2026, in line with the IATA Winter Season timetable. The first flight is expected to depart before the close of October, marking the airline's official return to the London route.

The airline also confirmed that ticket bookings are now open, with passengers able to make reservations through its website, ticket offices, and authorized travel agents.

Air Sierra Leone explained that the temporary suspension of its London services earlier this year resulted from unforeseen circumstances involving its previous aircraft provider. During the suspension, the airline said it focused on ensuring that all operational and regulatory requirements were fully satisfied before restarting services.

Describing the development as a major milestone, the airline said it is returning "stronger, better, and more committed than ever" to providing safe, reliable, and high-quality air travel. It added that the return of London operations supports its long-term strategy of becoming a preferred carrier connecting West Africa with Europe and other international destinations.

The airline concluded by thanking its passengers, partners, and stakeholders for their patience and support throughout the suspension period, expressing optimism about reconnecting families, businesses, and communities through its renewed services.

Source: Air Sierra Leone 🇸🇱