Orange Foundation Sierra Leone, in partnership with Sierra Leone Commercial Bank (SLCB), has launched its 2026 Breast Cancer Awareness, Free Screening and Surgery Campaign, targeting more than 5,000 women across Sierra Leone with screening, treatment support and health education services.

The campaign was officially launched on Saturday, October 3, 2026, with an eight-kilometre breast cancer awareness walk from the Cotton Tree in central Freetown to Kallon Car Park at Aberdeen Beach.

The event brought together healthcare professionals, breast cancer survivors, government officials, Orange Sierra Leone employees, Sierra Leone Commercial Bank staff and members of the public to raise awareness about the importance of early detection and timely treatment.

Speaking at the launch, Orange Sierra Leone Chief Executive Officer, Madam Aïcha Touré, said the campaign is focused on saving lives by ensuring that women have greater access to early diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

She disclosed that Orange Foundation Sierra Leone has supported breast cancer awareness and treatment initiatives since 2015, with more than 2,500 women benefiting from screening services in 2025. The Foundation is now seeking to expand its reach, particularly to underserved communities where access to healthcare remains challenging.

“This year, we want to reach more than 5,000 women, especially in communities where access to healthcare is more difficult,” Madam Aïcha Touré said.

She stressed that the campaign goes beyond achieving numerical targets, noting that its broader objective is to protect the lives of mothers, sisters, daughters, wives, colleagues and friends.

According to her, many women continue to seek medical attention only after breast cancer has reached an advanced stage, making early detection and effective treatment more difficult.

“Our message to the entire Sierra Leone is simple: get screened early, and if you need care, follow through with your treatment,” she urged.

Madam Aïcha Touré described the campaign as an effort to move women “from fear to knowledge, from silence to conversation, and from late diagnosis to early detection.” She also encouraged men to support women in undergoing screening and to stand by them throughout treatment.

Representing the Government of Sierra Leone, Deputy Minister of Health I, Professor Dr. Charles Senneh, commended Orange Foundation Sierra Leone and its partners for complementing the Government’s efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery.

Professor Dr. Charles Senneh emphasised that breast cancer screening remains an important component of preventive healthcare, particularly because early presentation significantly increases the chances of receiving appropriate treatment.

He disclosed that the Government remains committed to establishing a state-of-the-art cancer treatment centre in Sierra Leone and is also working to expand mammography services beyond Freetown and Kenema to other parts of the country. Pasted markdown

“Women’s health is everybody’s business,” Professor Dr. Charles Senneh said, calling for stronger collaboration among the Government, private-sector institutions, healthcare providers and development partners.

He further stressed that breast cancer awareness should not be limited to October, noting that public education and sensitisation must continue throughout the year.

Providing a medical perspective, Dr. Isaac Olufemi Small, Surgical Oncology Specialist and Head of the Oncology Unit at Connaught Hospital, said breast cancer is treatable, particularly when detected at an early stage.

He explained that Breast Cancer Awareness Month provides an important opportunity to take screening and awareness messages directly into communities, including remote parts of Sierra Leone.

Dr. Isaac Olufemi Small said Connaught Hospital provides services ranging from diagnosis and treatment to palliative care, with patients accessing breast cancer treatment from across Sierra Leone as well as neighbouring Guinea and Liberia. Pasted markdown

He encouraged women to know their bodies and regularly examine their breasts to identify unusual changes at an early stage. Women who notice abnormalities, he said, should immediately report to a health worker for proper assessment.

Dr. Isaac Olufemi Small also reminded the public that breast cancer can affect men, although it is less common, and encouraged men to seek medical attention if they notice unusual changes in their breasts.

Speaking on behalf of the management and staff of Sierra Leone Commercial Bank, Manager Ibrahim Tito Sankoh reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to supporting initiatives aimed at improving the health and wellbeing of Sierra Leoneans.

He said the participation of the bank’s staff and senior management in the campaign demonstrated Sierra Leone Commercial Bank’s commitment to ensuring that breast cancer awareness reaches communities across the country.

Ibrahim Tito Sankoh encouraged women to undergo regular medical check-ups, stressing that early detection can save lives. He also reaffirmed the bank’s readiness to provide financial support to the initiative and commended Orange Foundation Sierra Leone and its partners for their continued efforts in combating breast cancer. Pasted markdown

For breast cancer survivors who participated in the awareness walk, the campaign also served as a message of hope and resilience, reinforcing the importance of early detection, treatment and continued public education.

The 2026 campaign brings together the Government, private sector, healthcare professionals, survivors and communities in a collective effort to increase awareness, expand access to screening and treatment, and ultimately reduce the impact of breast cancer across Sierra Leone. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/archives/65167

Leaders from eight coastal communities along Sierra Leone’s Western Area Peninsula have signed a declaration committing themselves to the collective protection and sustainable management of beaches and coastal environments, with emphasis on tourism development, environmental resilience and community livelihoods.

The declaration was signed during a coastal dialogue organized by the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs (MTCA) at Bureh Beach on September 28, 2026, as part of activities commemorating World Tourism Day. The engagement was witnessed by representatives of the National Tourist Board (NTB) and the Monuments and Relics Commission.

Community representatives acknowledged the important role coastal settlements play in protecting the environment and preserving the natural and cultural assets that support Sierra Leone’s tourism industry. They recognized the ocean as a shared resource that connects communities and provides opportunities for livelihoods, health, wellbeing and economic development.

Participants also noted that tourism, cultural heritage preservation and the promotion of Sierra Leone’s coastal attractions could contribute significantly to economic diversification. They, however, expressed concern over mounting pressure on beaches and marine ecosystems across the Western Area Peninsula.

One of the major issues raised during the dialogue was sand mining, particularly the extraction of sand to meet growing demand from Freetown’s construction sector. Participants said the practice has contributed to coastal erosion and shoreline retreat, reportedly reaching about 40 metres in some locations, with an estimated 20 million cubic metres of sand lost along sections of the peninsula coastline.

Community leaders acknowledged that some activities within their settlements have also contributed to the deterioration of marine and coastal environments. They consequently pledged greater cooperation and collective responsibility in addressing practices that threaten the coastline.

Among the threats identified were climate change, illegal sand mining, natural disasters, pollution, poor waste management, environmental degradation, the loss of cultural heritage sites and criminal activities that could undermine community safety and sustainable livelihoods.

Under the declaration, the eight communities committed themselves to coordinating their efforts with the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs and the National Tourist Board. Their commitments include strengthening environmental education and public awareness, improving safety and security at tourism destinations, addressing beach erosion and environmental degradation, promoting hygiene and sanitation and working closely with private-sector stakeholders.

The communities also pledged to comply with national tourism policies, environmental regulations and other laws governing the sustainable use of coastal resources.

As part of efforts to translate the declaration into action, community leaders agreed to establish local conservation committees responsible for monitoring coastal conditions and reporting illegal or destructive activities affecting beaches, heritage sites and marine ecosystems.

Participants stressed that protecting the coastline goes beyond environmental conservation, arguing that healthy beaches and marine ecosystems are essential to tourism, employment and other economic opportunities available to coastal communities.

They further underscored the need to preserve the peninsula’s beaches, cultural heritage and natural attractions so that future generations can continue to benefit from tourism and sustainable coastal livelihoods.

The signing of the declaration represents a move towards greater community ownership of coastal conservation and stronger cooperation among local communities, Government institutions and other stakeholders.

Stakeholders expressed hope that the commitments would help safeguard Sierra Leone’s coastline while positioning the Western Area Peninsula as an example of community-led coastal conservation and sustainable tourism development. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/archives/65163

 

The Sierra Leone Employers Federation (SLEF) has paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of Employment, Labour and Social Security, Umaru Napoleon Koroma Esq., as part of efforts to strengthen cooperation and address key issues affecting employers, workers and the wider labour sector.

The meeting, held at the Minister’s office in Freetown on Thursday, 2 October 2026, brought together members of the SLEF executive and senior officials of the Ministry, including the Commissioner of Labour.

The Commissioner of Labour called the meeting to order and provided an opportunity for members of the Federation to introduce its executive and explain its activities and role within Sierra Leone’s tripartite labour system.

Speaking on behalf of the Federation, SLEF Vice Chairman, Tamba Allieu Kokobay, congratulated the Minister on his appointment and thanked him for meeting with the organisation.

Tamba Allieu Kokobay said SLEF has over the years worked to strengthen its visibility and capacity to effectively represent the interests of employers across Sierra Leone.

He explained that the Federation works closely with the Sierra Leone Labour Congress and the Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Security under the country’s tripartite framework. He stressed that cooperation among employers, workers and the Government remains important in addressing challenges within the labour and employment sector.

“We are here to introduce ourselves to you, for you to know that we are there and ready to work with you. You can call on us at any time,” Tamba Allieu Kokobay said.

He assured the Minister that the Federation stands ready to support the Ministry in addressing labour and employment matters and promoting constructive engagement between employers and workers.

The SLEF Vice Chairman also highlighted progress made by the Federation, including the establishment of a fully functional secretariat and its increased participation in national and international labour engagements.

Responding, Minister of Employment, Labour and Social Security Umaru Napoleon Koroma Esq. welcomed the SLEF delegation and expressed appreciation for the Federation’s visit and contribution to Sierra Leone’s labour sector.

The Minister said his priority is to strengthen cooperation with employers, workers and other stakeholders to ensure that the country’s labour laws are effectively implemented, with particular attention to the Employment Act.

“My intention, and I have made it very clear from day one, is to work together with you to see how we can implement the provisions of this Act,” Minister Umaru Napoleon Koroma stated.

The engagement reaffirmed the importance of the tripartite relationship involving the Government, employers and workers in dealing with labour issues, strengthening workplace relations and supporting the effective implementation of Sierra Leone’s employment laws. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/archives/65160

 

The Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL) has engaged stakeholders in the Northern Region in the validation of its proposed 2025–2029 Strategic Plan and four institutional policies, as part of nationwide consultations aimed at strengthening transparency, participation and public confidence in electoral administration.

The engagement, held on Thursday, 1 October 2026, at the Bombali District Council Hall in Makeni, brought together representatives of political parties, traditional authorities, local councils, civil society organisations, security agencies, women and youth groups, transport unions, religious leaders and development partners.

The consultation followed similar engagements in Kenema on 28 September and Bo on 29 September, with Port Loko hosting the North-West regional engagement on Friday, 2 October.

Addressing stakeholders in Makeni, Chief Electoral Commissioner and Chairman of ECSL, Edmond Sylvester Alpha, said the Commission wanted participants to critically examine its plans rather than simply endorse them.

“We are not here to ask for your applause. We are here to ask for your scrutiny. Test us. Challenge us,” he said.

Edmond Sylvester Alpha stressed that the Strategic Plan should reflect realities across Sierra Leone and incorporate the experiences and concerns of communities in Bombali, Tonkolili, Koinadugu and Falaba. He said meaningful stakeholder participation is necessary to ensure that the final document is responsive to the country’s electoral needs.

The proposed Strategic Plan is anchored on four pillars: Institutional and Staff Development; Electoral Education, Communication and Participation; Electoral Operations; and ICT and Data Management Systems.

Under those areas, the Commission intends to strengthen professional and merit-based staffing, expand year-round civic and voter education, improve preparedness throughout the electoral cycle, address electoral misinformation and modernize its digital infrastructure and data-management systems.

ECSL says the proposed plan was developed from institutional assessments, lessons from previous elections and recommendations from local and international election observation missions. The Commission’s 2024 Annual Report confirms that it reviewed the implementation of its previous 2020–2024 Strategic Plan and began preparations for developing the 2025–2029 plan.

Stakeholders in Makeni also reviewed four institutional policies covering Stakeholder Engagement, Regulation Making, Information Management and Ad-Hoc Staff Recruitment and Management.

The Stakeholder Engagement Policy seeks to establish structured and continuous dialogue with actors across the electoral process, while the Regulation Making Policy is intended to promote clarity, fairness and predictability in developing electoral rules. The Information Management Policy focuses on access to electoral information within the limits of the law, while the Ad-Hoc Staff Recruitment and Management Policy addresses transparent and merit-based recruitment and management of temporary election personnel.

ECSL committed itself to documenting feedback from the Makeni consultation and considering the contributions in finalizing the Strategic Plan ahead of its national launch.

“We are not asking for blind trust. We are asking for a working relationship; one built on evidence, follow-through and respect,” Edmond Sylvester Alpha told stakeholders.

The consultation reflects ECSL’s broader engagement with political parties, civil society organisations and other stakeholders as part of its electoral mandate. The Commission identifies accountability, credibility, independence, integrity, impartiality, professionalism and transparency among its guiding principles.

In Port Loko, stakeholders continued the validation process at the Port Loko District Council Hall on Friday, 2 October 2026. Feedback from the regional consultations is expected to contribute to the final Strategic Plan that will guide the Commission’s work through 2029. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/archives/65157

 

The Ministry of Finance has presented its FY2027 budget and strategic priorities at the ongoing Bilateral Budget Hearings, outlining measures to increase domestic revenue, improve debt sustainability, strengthen public financial management and enhance fiscal oversight.

The presentation, held on Thursday, 1 October 2026, brought the Ministry’s own spending plans under stakeholder scrutiny after it had participated in reviewing budget submissions from other Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

Representatives of District Budget Oversight Committees (DBOCs), Non-State Actors (NSAs) and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) facilitated the session, examining the proposed allocations and their alignment with Sierra Leone’s development priorities.

Opening the session, Director of Budget, Tasima Jah, said stakeholders would lead the engagement as part of efforts to promote participation and accountability in the national budget process.

Deputy Minister of Finance I, Kadiatu Allie, noted that Ministry officials had spent previous sessions scrutinizing submissions from other institutions and were now prepared to have their own proposals subjected to similar examination. She encouraged participants to engage fully and raise questions requiring clarification.

Financial Secretary, Matthew Dingie, described the budget hearing process as an important mechanism through which citizens and stakeholders can understand how public resources are allocated, utilized and monitored.

He said Sierra Leone’s economy has been growing at about 3 to 4 percent annually, while Government continues to pursue measures aimed at supporting industrial activity, managing inflation and maintaining exchange-rate stability to strengthen investor confidence.

Matthew Dingie also pointed to external pressures, including developments in the Middle East, petroleum price movements and changes in international interest rates. He said Government continues to respond through interventions covering fuel, social protection and the energy sector while pursuing stronger domestic revenue mobilisation.

Presenting the Ministry’s budget and strategic framework, Acting Director of Research and Delivery, Alhaji Abu Komeh, outlined its mandate, achievements, expenditure performance, FY2027 deliverables, 2027–2029 Strategic Plan, contract payment analysis and procurement programme.

The Ministry’s priorities include increasing domestic revenue, strengthening public debt management, improving budget planning and execution, enhancing accounting and reporting of public funds and strengthening internal controls. Other areas include fiscal risk management, corporate governance, macroeconomic and fiscal policy coordination, fiscal decentralization, donor-funded project management and access to climate finance.

According to the presentation, the Ministry received an approved budget of NLe164.1 million in 2025, against actual expenditure of NLe164.2 million, representing a variance of NLe0.1 million.

For 2026, its approved budget stands at NLe269.3 million. By the end of September, expenditure had reached NLe188.5 million, leaving a balance of NLe80.8 million.

Major expenditure areas include administrative costs, support to the National Revenue Authority for the procurement of Electronic Cash Register Machines, optimization of Ministry data connectivity and licences and international subscriptions.

The Ministry also reported continued implementation of domestic capital and donor-funded projects, including the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework, Project Fiduciary Management Unit, Sierra Leone Urban Resilient Project and Accountable Governance for Basic Service Delivery.

For FY2027, the Ministry is targeting an increase in domestic revenue from 10.7 percent of Gross Domestic Product, equivalent to NLe18 billion in 2025, to at least 12.3 percent, or NLe25.99 billion, by 2027.

It also intends to reduce the debt-to-GDP ratio from 49.3 percent in 2025 to 43.5 percent by 2027 and bring the overall budget deficit, including grants, down from 4.4 percent of GDP to below 3 percent over the same period.

Other targets include operationalizing the National Electronic Single Window, including replacing the ASYCUDA system, and increasing project portfolio disbursement from 26 percent to at least 30 percent.

The Ministry further plans to strengthen fiscal risk management and fiduciary oversight of State-Owned Enterprises, MDAs and public sector projects, advance fiscal decentralization, enact the revised Public Financial Management Act and produce regular macroeconomic projections and evidence-based research.

Periodic reports on the implementation of audit recommendations are also expected to form part of the Ministry’s accountability measures.

The proposed FY2027 budget totals NLe232.6886 million, virtually matching the approved ceiling of NLe232.6887 million. Allocations cover the Corporate Services Directorate, Office of the Financial Secretary, Economic Policy Management Directorate, Fiscal Operations Directorate, and Project Fiduciary Management and Coordination Directorate.

During the interactive session, panelists and other participants raised questions and concerns relating to the Ministry’s priorities, expenditure and proposed programmes. Matthew Dingie and Directors of the Ministry responded to the issues raised, providing further clarification on the FY2027 budget and planned activities. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/archives/65154

Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Henry Musa Kpaka, accompanied by Deputy Minister II, Ing. Bryan Smart-Kanu, senior Ministry officials and representatives of the National Federation of Farmers Associations of Sierra Leone (NaFFSL), on Friday, 2 October 2026, inspected key venues and agricultural facilities as preparations intensify for this year’s World Food Day celebration and the third anniversary of the Feed Salone initiative.

The inspection formed part of efforts by the Ministry to assess Magburaka’s readiness to host the celebrations and engage stakeholders involved in the country’s drive towards increased food production and food security.

During the visit, the delegation held discussions with district stakeholders and officials of the Ernest Bai Koroma University of Science and Technology (EBKUST), one of the institutions involved in preparations for the event.

Beyond preparations for the celebrations, Dr. Henry Musa Kpaka and his delegation also toured poultry farms in Magburaka and Makeni to assess production, identify challenges facing farmers and explore opportunities to strengthen the poultry industry.

The Minister visited Big Things Poultry Farm, Edimat Poultry Farm, Leecon Hatchery and Grace Organic Poultry Farm, where he interacted directly with farmers and operators on issues affecting their businesses.

Discussions centred on access to finance, the rising cost of inputs, production capacity, market opportunities and financing schemes available to poultry farmers. Particular attention was given to loan and grant programmes being promoted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security in partnership with the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF).

Dr. Henry Kpaka told the farmers that President Julius Maada Bio remains committed to supporting the growth of Sierra Leone’s poultry industry because of its importance to nutrition, employment and the country’s efforts to reduce dependence on imported poultry products.

“This sector is close to President Bio’s heart because of its critical role in nutrition security, creating jobs and reducing dependence on imports,” the Minister told the farmers.

He encouraged poultry farmers and other agricultural entrepreneurs to take advantage of available financing opportunities and support mechanisms to increase production, expand their businesses and contribute to the country’s broader food security objectives.

The engagement with poultry farmers also provided the Ministry with an opportunity to hear directly from producers about constraints affecting the sector and areas where further Government and development partner support could help improve productivity.

The inspection comes as preparations gather pace for the World Food Day celebration and the third anniversary of Feed Salone, the Government’s flagship agricultural initiative aimed at increasing domestic food production, creating employment and strengthening Sierra Leone’s food systems.

The Ministry’s inspection exercise continued on Saturday, 3 October 2026, with visits to additional poultry farms in Kambia District as part of its wider engagement with farmers and agricultural businesses. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/archives/65147

European Union Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, Magnus Brunner, has attributed the current hold on European Union budget support to Sierra Leone to “technical reasons,” while separately acknowledging concerns within the European Union over drug trafficking, transnational organized crime and countries accused of harbouring wanted drug traffickers.

Magnus Brunner made the remarks following a meeting of European Union Justice and Home Affairs Ministers in Luxembourg on Thursday, 1 October 2026, amid conflicting accounts over why €18 million in European Union budget support expected by Sierra Leone this year has not been disbursed.

Speaking about the broader fight against organized crime, Magnus Brunner told reporters: “I think what we need is action against third countries that harbour drug traffickers.” He also expressed concern about drug trafficking, transnational crime and organized crime trends in Sierra Leone.

However, when addressing the specific question of the European Union budget-support payment, Magnus Brunner offered a different explanation, stating: “When it comes to the suspension of the support, that’s due to technical reasons.”

Magnus Brunner did not publicly establish a direct connection between the €18 million budget-support decision and the controversy surrounding convicted Dutch drug trafficker Jos Leijdekkers. His comments therefore presented two distinct issues: the technical circumstances surrounding the budget-support payment and the European Union’s wider concerns about organized crime and drug trafficking.

His explanation differs from the account initially given by Dutch Minister of Justice and Security David Van Weel. David Van Weel told Dutch media that the €18 million payment had been withheld as part of efforts to pressure Sierra Leone over Jos Leijdekkers, who is wanted by authorities in the Netherlands.

David Van Weel, on 1 October 2026, said the European Commission had suspended the payment because of Sierra Leone’s alleged failure to arrest and hand over Jos Leijdekkers. David Van Weel also suggested that a further €22.5 million expected in 2027 could be affected if the dispute remained unresolved.

However, subsequent reporting on 2 October added another dimension to the disagreement. David Van Weel acknowledged that the European Commission’s explanation that the funding decision was based on administrative or technical grounds was formally correct, but maintained that discussions over Jos Leijdekkers and efforts to combat drug-related organized crime had taken place alongside the funding issue.

European Commission sources, however, reportedly disputed the way David Van Weel had characterized the decision, maintaining that the formal basis for the funding hold was administrative rather than a sanction imposed over Jos Leijdekkers.

The Government of Sierra Leone has similarly maintained that the postponement resulted from procedural issues surrounding the financing arrangement rather than the Jos Leijdekkers controversy.

In a statement issued through the Ministry of Information and Civic Education on 1 October 2026, the Government said the European Commission had formally communicated its decision concerning the 2026 disbursement in July.

According to the Government, the reasons communicated by the European Commission concerned the timing of Sierra Leone’s request for an amendment to the Financing Agreement and the difficulty of completing the required procedures within the 2026 reporting cycle.

The Government said the European Commission consequently proposed rescheduling the 2026 and 2027 disbursements to 2027 and 2028 respectively, with targets for the 2027 disbursement already agreed.

While acknowledging that postponement of the 2026 payment represents a setback, the Government stressed that the development does not amount to a suspension of the broader relationship between Sierra Leone and the European Union.

The Government further maintained that European Union representatives had indicated during subsequent engagements that the decision concerning the 2026 disbursement was not taken because of discussions involving any particular individual. It therefore rejected reports portraying the July decision as a new punitive measure connected directly to the Jos Leijdekkers case.

Jos Leijdekkers is a convicted Dutch cocaine trafficker wanted by European authorities. The Netherlands has been seeking his arrest and extradition, while allegations concerning his presence in Sierra Leone have generated considerable international attention.

The latest statements therefore reveal differing explanations surrounding the €18 million payment. Magnus Brunner and the Government of Sierra Leone point to technical or procedural reasons as the formal basis for the delayed disbursement, while David Van Weel maintains that pressure over Jos Leijdekkers formed part of the broader political discussions surrounding Sierra Leone.

Importantly, Magnus Brunner’s remarks do not necessarily contradict each other. His call for action against third countries that harbour drug traffickers relates to the European Union’s wider response to organized crime, while his statement that the budget-support hold resulted from technical reasons addresses the specific €18 million disbursement.

Magnus Brunner’s position is therefore consistent with the Government of Sierra Leone’s account that the formal basis for postponing the 2026 budget-support disbursement was technical or procedural. At the same time, his wider remarks demonstrate that concerns about drug trafficking, transnational organized crime and cooperation with third countries remain separate matters under discussion within the European Union.

The distinction is significant because it avoids treating the technical explanation for the budget-support decision as proof that the wider Jos Leijdekkers controversy has no bearing on relations between Sierra Leone, the Netherlands and the European Union. What remains disputed is whether those broader political concerns influenced the funding decision beyond the formal technical grounds publicly stated by Magnus Brunner and communicated to the Government of Sierra Leone. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/archives/65146