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Saturday Quiz: Winners will be announced on Monday night with NLe500 prize each for 3 of my lucky Page Followers who will be CHOSEN out of ALL those who correctly answer:

1. Who said the words in statement below?

2. In what year was it said?

3. In what day of which month that year?

4. What was IMMEDIATE step that followed as a proactive national leadership action?

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STATEMENT: "I am reliably informed that persons determined to impose their will on the people have already brought into Bo mercenaries from Liberia and thugs from Freetown to be used as Marshalls in Bo during the Convention. The objective is to provoke persons they think are loyal to me and in the event of any scuffle that may ensue, arrest these persons with the single objective of tainting my image as a violent person and possibly extend the violence to me. I am regularly updated on the situation that is unfolding in Bo. I would like to humbly appeal to those who are perpetrators of this plan to desist from this dastardly plan and call my supporters to restrain themselves in the face of such provocation. If allowed to go through, such an act has the potential to undermine the peace and stability of not only Bo but the entire nation as a whole. I therefore call on the Government and the international community to strictly monitor this threat. In particular, I call on the police to discharge their responsibilities in an impartial and just manner."
__________

😊NB:
CHANGES FROM MY USUAL QUIZ PATTERN is because I am aware that there are Winners still to be announced for my Quiz done on two occasions so far. This is because it has been time consuming to track and trace who was first to answer out of over 1,000 answers.

In this new pattern, the winners will not be the first to answer but randomly selected out of all those who answer correctly. In this way, it is faster to choose who are the Winners.

For those who are still waiting for the winners of those earlier contests, kindly be patient with me. I will announce when I correctly know the first ones as had been my stated Rule back then. For today's Quiz, rest assured that the three lucky Winners will be announced on the night of Monday August 17th. Good luck!😊

Sierra Leone’s TRC Report: Have We Truly Learned the Lessons of the War?

Sierra Leone’s brutal civil war remains one of the darkest chapters in the country’s history. The conflict, which lasted from 1991 to 2002, left thousands of people dead, communities destroyed, families displaced and victims carrying physical and emotional scars that remain visible today.

More than two decades after the war officially ended, Sierra Leone has an important document that was designed to help the nation understand what went wrong and prevent history from repeating itself: the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Report.

Yet, while many Sierra Leoneans have heard of the TRC Report, relatively few have actually read or discussed its recommendations in depth.

The TRC was not simply a historical investigation. It was intended to provide a roadmap for building a more just, peaceful and accountable Sierra Leone. Its findings identified several interconnected factors behind the conflict, including poor governance, corruption, injustice, exclusion, youth marginalisation, lack of opportunities and failures of leadership.

The warning from our history

The TRC made it clear that there was no single cause of the war. Rather, the conflict developed from a combination of political, social and economic failures.

Among the most serious concerns identified were corruption, bad governance, injustice and the exclusion of ordinary citizens from meaningful participation in national affairs. The Commission also described the war as a failure of leadership across government, public life and civil society.

That warning remains relevant today.

Sierra Leone is not at war, and there is no reason to suggest that the country is returning to the conditions of the 1990s. However, peace is more than the absence of guns and armed conflict. Peace also requires justice, economic opportunity, respect for human rights, political tolerance, accountable leadership and citizens who believe that their institutions work for them.

This is where the TRC Report becomes relevant to present-day Sierra Leone.

Are we implementing the TRC recommendations?

There have been important developments since the war. Sierra Leone has maintained constitutional government, held elections, established institutions for peacebuilding and undertaken reforms in governance and accountability.

The Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion, established by law in 2021, has among its responsibilities the promotion of peace and reconciliation, conflict prevention, national cohesion and monitoring the implementation of TRC recommendations.

However, the existence of institutions does not automatically mean that the underlying problems have disappeared.

A 2026 governance and corruption diagnostic by the International Monetary Fund identified continuing weaknesses involving institutional capacity, enforcement of the rule of law, public procurement and accountability mechanisms. It warned that such weaknesses can undermine public trust and reduce the effectiveness of public services.

This should cause every Sierra Leonean to pause and ask: Have we fully addressed the problems that the TRC warned us about, or have we simply learned to live with them?

The youth question

Perhaps one of the most important lessons from the war concerns young people.

Sierra Leone has a youthful population, and young people remain central to the country's political, economic and social future. When young people are educated, employed, respected and given opportunities to participate in national development, they can become powerful agents of peace.

But when young people experience unemployment, poverty, exclusion, political manipulation or hopelessness, frustration can grow.

The lesson from our history is therefore clear: youth empowerment must be treated as a national peacebuilding strategy, not merely as a political slogan.

Young people need quality education, vocational training, employment opportunities, entrepreneurship support, meaningful participation in decision-making and protection from political exploitation.

Political disagreement must not become national hatred

Another important lesson from the TRC is the need for political tolerance.

Democracy naturally produces disagreement. Sierra Leoneans will belong to different political parties, support different candidates and hold different opinions. That is not a problem.

The danger begins when political differences turn into hatred, intimidation, discrimination, violence or the belief that one political group has a monopoly on patriotism.

The TRC recommended a culture of debate and tolerance for dissent as essential to a healthy democracy.

Today, that principle is particularly important.

Political leaders, journalists, activists and ordinary citizens must learn to disagree without dehumanising one another. Social media must not become a platform for spreading hatred, misinformation and threats. Political parties must put national interest above partisan hostility.

Corruption and accountability

The TRC's recommendations also placed strong emphasis on fighting corruption and creating a culture of ethical public service.

This remains one of Sierra Leone's most important governance challenges.

The question should not simply be whether anti-corruption laws exist. The bigger question is whether public institutions have sufficient independence, capacity and political will to investigate wrongdoing, recover public resources and ensure that nobody is above the law.

The IMF's 2026 governance assessment specifically highlighted institutional weaknesses, limited enforcement of the rule of law and vulnerabilities in public procurement.

For Sierra Leone to honour the TRC's vision, accountability must apply consistently—regardless of political party, social status, wealth or personal connections.

What should Sierra Leoneans do to practise peace?

Peace cannot be left entirely to the Government. Every citizen has a responsibility.

First, we must learn our history. The TRC Report should not remain a document sitting on shelves. Its lessons should be taught in schools, universities, communities and public institutions. The Commission itself called for widespread dissemination of its findings.

Second, we must reject political violence. No politician, party or individual should convince young people that violence is an acceptable way to settle political disagreements.

Third, we must respect the rule of law. When citizens believe they can obtain justice through institutions, they are less likely to seek revenge or confrontation.

Fourth, we must fight tribalism, regionalism and discrimination. Sierra Leone belongs to all Sierra Leoneans—from Freetown to Kono, Koinadugu, Kenema, Bo, Bombali, Kailahun and every other district.

Fifth, we must hold leaders accountable peacefully. Citizens have the right to ask questions, demand transparency, protest peacefully and participate in democratic processes.

Sixth, we must protect young people from manipulation. Young people should be mobilised for education, employment, entrepreneurship, community development and national service—not violence.

Finally, we must practise reconciliation. Peace requires forgiveness, dialogue and the willingness to listen to people whose political, ethnic, regional or social experiences may be different from our own.

A message to our leaders

The TRC Report should not be viewed as an accusation against today's leaders. It should be viewed as a national warning from our past.

Leadership today has the opportunity to prove that Sierra Leone has learned from its history by strengthening democratic institutions, protecting human rights, fighting corruption, expanding opportunities for young people and ensuring that citizens can trust the justice system.

The Government has also recently reiterated commitments to transparent, inclusive and people-centred governance and national unity. The real test, however, is whether such commitments translate into lasting improvements that citizens can see and experience in their daily lives.

The question we must answer

More than 20 years after the guns fell silent, the most important question is not simply “Why did Sierra Leone go to war?”

We must also ask:

Have we removed the conditions that made conflict possible?

If corruption, injustice, exclusion, youth frustration and political intolerance are allowed to grow unchecked, peace can become fragile.

But if Sierra Leoneans choose accountability over corruption, dialogue over violence, justice over revenge, opportunity over exclusion and national unity over division, then the sacrifices of those who suffered during the war will not have been in vain.

The TRC Report gave Sierra Leone a warning and a roadmap. The responsibility now belongs to leaders and citizens alike to turn those recommendations into everyday practice.

We must not wait for another crisis before remembering the lessons of our past.

Sierra Leone has already paid a devastating price for war. The duty of our generation is to make sure the next generation never has to pay that price again.

Copy: The Ministry of Information and Civic Education Parliament of Sierra Leone His Excellency Julius Maada Bio SL News Blog Dr. Kandeh K. Yumkella Ministry Of Public Administration and Political Affairs Sylvia Olayinka Blyden Truth Media ECKO MEDIA

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MTHE, Chief Minister Hold Strategic Delivery Clinic on Priority Targets

MTHE and the Chief Minister’s Office reviewed priority programmes, set measurable targets and sharpened accountability during a strategic delivery clinic focused on the next 12 months.

The high-level meeting at State House brought together Chief Minister Dr David Moinina Sengeh, Deputy Minister of Technical and Higher Education Sarjoh Aziz-Kamara, Chief Technical and Higher Education Officer Dr Josephus Brimah, Director of Monitoring and Evaluation Christiana Samu and other senior officials.

Dr Sengeh urged ministries to define clear, measurable and time-bound deliverables to strengthen accountability and improve tracking under the Seven-Year National Development Plan and annual work plans. He said the clinic would help identify priority commitments for 2027 and early 2028, while addressing implementation bottlenecks in collaboration with the Ministries of Planning and Finance and the National Monitoring and Evaluation Agency.

Mr Aziz-Kamara outlined the ministry’s main priorities, including sustainable financing, expanded access to education, digital transformation, infrastructure development, policy reform and renewable energy. He also announced plans to upgrade five Government Technical Institutes through a regional model and convert them into Community Technical Colleges by 2027 in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation.

Presenting the ministry’s planned deliverables, Ms Samu identified seven priority areas: sustainable financing, access, digital transformation, infrastructure, policy reform, improved learning environments and renewable energy. She said key projects include the medical school in Bo, expected to accommodate about 1,200 students, the establishment of a School of Mining at Fourah Bay College in collaboration with FG Gold, and preparations for the college’s bicentenary, including a proposed 200 million US dollar fundraising campaign.

Other priorities include construction of a new Tertiary Education Commission Secretariat, establishment of a Centre of Excellence at the Government Technical Institute in Mattru, expansion of affordable student accommodation and continued development of the University of Science and Technology in Kono.

Ms Samu also highlighted ongoing policy reforms, including the Centralised Admissions Secretariat, the Student Loan Scheme Strategic Plan, the National Qualifications Framework and a National Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Policy for TVET and higher education.

Dr Brimah said plans were under way to establish a specialised mining training facility in Valunia Chiefdom, Bo District, with support from FG Gold under Fourah Bay College. He said work is expected to begin in early 2027 and stressed that the facility would give students practical, hands-on mining experience.

The Strategic Delivery Clinic forms part of wider government efforts to turn national development priorities into measurable targets, clear timelines and accountable implementation, while tackling financing and other challenges in the education sector.

Source: Sierra Leone News Agency - SLENA

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EXTENDED BANKING HOURS AT QUEEN ELIZABETH II QUAY TO BOOST PORT EFFICIENCY

The Bank of Sierra Leone has extended the operating hours of commercial bank branches serving the Queen Elizabeth II Quay and Cline Town vicinity, in a move expected to further improve the ease and efficiency of doing business around the country’s principal seaport.

Per a directive issued by the Bank of Sierra Leone, commercial bank branches in the designated areas will now operate from 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. The decision follows a stakeholder meeting held on July 30 2026, and is aimed at strengthening banking services in these strategic zones. The extended banking hours are expected to provide greater convenience for port users, importers, exporters, clearing agents, and other stakeholders, particularly those whose transactions require banking services beyond conventional operating hours.

This development represents another significant step in the collective effort the Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority (SLPHA) put to address operational bottlenecks and create a more responsive business environment at the Port. Commenting on the development, the Director General of the Authority, Yankuba Askia Bio, said that “an efficient port is not only about vessels berthing and cargo being handled, but also depends on the availability and coordination of the wider services that support the movement of goods.” He noted that at the Port of Freetown from banking and customs services to cargo handling, documentation, transportation and other essential processes, every link in the chain matters. “The extended banking hours complement our ongoing efforts to make the Queen Elizabeth II Quay more efficient, accessible and business-friendly, thereby supporting faster transactions and smoother port operations,” DG Bio commented.

This development also reflects the importance of strategic collaboration among government institutions, regulators, service providers and private-sector stakeholders in achieving a common objective of being a port that delivers effective, efficient and reliable services to the people and businesses of Sierra Leone. As the port continues to strengthen its operations and improve the overall customer experience, initiatives such as this demonstrate that when stakeholders work together, the barriers to efficient port service delivery can be progressively addressed.

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VP Juldeh Jalloh opens nationwide regional consultations on local governance and decentralisation

KENEMA, SIERRA LEONE – Sierra Leone’s Vice President, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, has opened the nationwide regional consultations on local governance and decentralisation.

The exercise aims to strengthen local institutions and improve service delivery. It will also help Government shape policies that respond to the needs and realities of communities.

Speaking at the consultation in Kenema, Vice President Juldeh Jalloh said the process is centred on listening to stakeholders. He said Government wants to hear directly from communities and local institutions about the challenges they face. “We are here to listen to your concerns and questions,” he said.

The Vice President stressed that the consultations are not political gatherings, but platforms for open and constructive dialogue. “We want to identify the major challenges and find practical solutions,” he added.

Vice President Juldeh Jalloh said the views gathered will guide Government’s next steps. He said recommendations from the consultations could inform policy decisions, Cabinet consideration and, where necessary, legislative action. A major part of the engagement was the inauguration of the Regional Coordination Committee, which will strengthen coordination among local governance institutions and provide a structured platform for addressing challenges within the decentralisation system.

Deputy Minister of Local Government and Community Affairs, Alfred Moi Jamiru, called for stronger local councils and improved institutional capacity. “We must strengthen the capacity of our councils,” he said, stressing that effective local governance is critical to delivering services to citizens.

The Chairman of the Local Government Service Commission, Dr. Falla D. Lamin, also highlighted the importance of strong institutions and better coordination.

Participants welcomed the consultation process and the Vice President’s direct engagement with local stakeholders.

Many stakeholders expressed appreciation for the consultation, particularly the approach of meeting people where they are. They welcomed the Vice President’s direct engagement with local governance actors and described the initiative as an important opportunity to raise concerns, share experiences and contribute to shaping the future of decentralisation.

The Kenema consultation marks the beginning of the regional phase of the nationwide process, with engagements expected to continue in the Northern and Northeastern regions, building on similar consultations held in Freetown. The process is expected to strengthen reforms that make local governance more effective, accountable and responsive to the needs of Sierra Leoneans.

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August 14: A Day Freetown Will Never Forget

August 14 remains one of the darkest dates in Sierra Leone’s modern history.

Nine years on, the memories of the devastating 2017 mudslide and floods remain deeply painful for families who lost loved ones, homes and livelihoods.

In the early hours of August 14, 2017, after days of intense rainfall, a massive landslide struck the Regent area on the outskirts of Freetown. Mud, rocks, trees and debris swept through communities with devastating force, burying homes and trapping residents in their sleep.

The disaster affected thousands of people. World Bank assessments estimated that about 6,000 people were affected, with 1,141 reported dead or missing and more than 3,000 people losing their homes.

For many Sierra Leoneans, August 14 is therefore more than a date on the calendar. It is a day of remembrance, mourning and reflection.

As reporters, we must continue to tell the stories of those who were lost, those who survived, and the families whose lives were permanently changed. But remembrance must also come with responsibility.

The tragedy reminds us of the urgent need for responsible urban planning, environmental protection, effective drainage systems, disaster preparedness and strict protection of vulnerable communities from unsafe development.

August 14 should never be forgotten.

We remember the lives lost.
We honour the survivors.
We stand with the affected families.
And we call for stronger action to ensure that such a tragedy is never repeated.

From Freetown, we remember. From Sierra Leone, we will never forget.

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11-year-old Davis Bethany has secured the highest score in Sierra Leone following the official release of the 2026 National Primary School Examination (NPSE) results by the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE).

Davis Bethany of Tower Hill Kindergarten and Primary School achieved a record-breaking aggregate T-score of 351, surpassing the highest score of 346 recorded in 2025.

The overall pass rate for the 2026 examinations stands at 78.2%, a slight improvement from last year's 78%.

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AUGUST 10 — A DAY SIERRA LEONE MUST NEVER FORGET 🇸🇱🕊️

August 10, 2022, will forever remain one of the darkest and most painful chapters in Sierra Leone’s recent history. What began amid deep frustration over the rising cost of living and economic hardship descended into violence, leaving families grieving and a nation wounded.

On that day, lives were lost, communities were shaken, and countless families were left to carry a pain that words cannot fully describe. More than 20 protesters and bystanders, together with six police officers, were reported killed.

Today, we remember the victims—not as statistics, but as sons, daughters, parents, brothers, sisters, friends and fellow Sierra Leoneans.

May their souls rest in perfect peace. 🕊️🇸🇱

August 10 should remind us that poverty, frustration, political tension and mistrust can have devastating consequences when dialogue fails. Sierra Leone deserves a future where citizens can express their concerns peacefully, security forces protect life with restraint, and justice and accountability are available to everyone.

We remember. We mourn. We learn. We must never forget.

May Sierra Leone continue to choose peace over violence, dialogue over confrontation, justice over revenge, and unity over division.

🇸🇱 SALONE FOR ALL, AND ALL FOR SALONE. 🇸🇱

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For their ultimate sacrifice on August 10th, 2022

Fallen Police Officers Honoured

The Sierra Leone Police (SLP ) on Monday, 10 August 2026, held an Interfaith Service at the Senior Officers Mess Kingtom for fallen law enforcement officers who were brutally murdered by mob in the August 10th, 2022 protest.

The fallen heroes were honoured for their courage, dedication and ultimate sacrifice in protecting the country, with a solemn tribute describing them as heroes whose legacy will continue to inspire serving officers and the wider nation.

In a commemorative ceremony for fallen law enforcement personnel, Inspector General of Sierra Leone Police (IGP) William Fayia Sellu said the occasion was one of both deep sorrow and profound gratitude to officers who gave their lives in the line of duty.

“We are here to remember people who were heroes not because of how they died, but because of how they lived,” the Police Chief said

He described police officers as men and women who willingly place themselves between danger and the communities they serve, emphasizing that their decision to wear the uniform was driven not by a desire for fame, but by a commitment to the safety, peace and future of the country.

According to the IGP Sellu, the fallen officers answered “a call to service that few are willing to answer,” running towards crises when others were seeking safety.

“Being a police officer requires a special kind of heart,” he noted, adding that officers leave their homes for every shift knowing the risks involved, yet continue to choose to protect and serve.

IGP Sellu also recognized the enormous pain borne by families of fallen officers, noting that their loss extends far beyond the death of a police officer.

“To the families left behind, you did not just lose a police officer. You lost a father, a spouse, a sibling, a child and a friend,” he said.

He assured the families that the sacrifices of their loved ones were not in vain, as their service contributed to making the country safer.

His tribute further called on serving police officers to honour their fallen colleagues by continuing their mission with the same integrity, dedication and pride demonstrated by those who died in service.

He urged officers still wearing the badge to preserve the legacy of their fallen colleagues by upholding the values for which they stood.

“As long as our country stands, their names will be spoken with reverence, their courage will be remembered with pride, and they will never be forgotten,” the police chief declared.

He concluded with a salute to the fallen heroes and a pledge to keep their memories alive while praying for their eternal rest and urging citizens to live lives worthy of the peace secured through their sacrifice.

“We salute our fallen heroes, we thank them, and promise to always keep their memories alive.”

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Sierra Leone Bids Farewell to Mariyam Lorba Konneh Ahead of Miss World

The Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs has held a Colourful farewell ceremony for Mariyam Lorba Konneh, Sierra Leone’s representative at Miss World pageant in Vietnam this September. Event organised by Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs brought together government officials, cultural leaders, creative-industry members to celebrate Konneh’s journey and offer encouragement.

Emmanuel A.B. Turay, Head of Public Affairs and Communications at MTCA and master of ceremonies, said Konneh embodies grace, resilience, creativity of Sierra Leone. He said participation extends beyond beauty, serving to showcase national culture, heritage, and pride internationally, and aligns with MTCA strategy to promote Sierra Leone and attract tourism investment.

Dr. Adonis Aboud, chairman of Miss Sierra Leone Limited, said farewell demonstrated that Sierra Leonean women can stand tall on global stages. “Mariyam carries hopes of young women who aspire to lead, inspire, transform society,” he said.

Josephine Kamara, director general of Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation, described Konneh as symbol of rising creative talent. She urged compatriots, especially youth using digital platforms, and Sierra Leoneans abroad to support Konneh, saying diaspora backing will amplify her mission and open doors for artists and models.

Konneh thanked government, sponsors, and people of Sierra Leone, pledging to represent nation with dignity, pride, and passion. “This is not just my journey; it is our collective story of resilience and beauty,” she said, and appealed for national support.

Ceremony highlighted government commitment to using international platforms to rebrand Sierra Leone as hub for eco-tourism, cultural heritage, and creative industries, and served as celebration of national identity and call for unity.

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