Believers Broadcasting Network (BBN) Media has launched a new Podcast and Multimedia Studio in Freetown, marking a major expansion of the organization’s broadcasting operations and its transition towards a broader digital media platform.

The studio was officially launched on Thursday, September 3, 2026, at BBN Media’s headquarters on 95 Main Regent Road, SS Camp, under the theme, “More Than a Show: Expanding the BBN Media Story.”

The launch brought together representatives from the Ministry of Information and Civic Education, Independent Media Commission, Western Area Rural District Council, Council of Churches in Sierra Leone, Evangelical Fellowship of Sierra Leone, media professionals, partners and other stakeholders.

Speaking at the ceremony, BBN Media Chief Executive Officer, Ransford S. C. Wright, said the establishment of the podcast and multimedia studio is part of the organization’s broader effort to respond to changes in technology and the way audiences consume information.

Ransford S. C. Wright said the media landscape has changed significantly with the expansion of social media, smartphones and digital platforms, making it necessary for media institutions to adopt new technologies while maintaining their core responsibility of informing and engaging the public.

He said BBN Media’s transition from radio to multimedia demonstrated the organization’s willingness to adapt to developments within the industry.

According to him, the emergence of digital media has created new opportunities for broadcasters to reach audiences beyond traditional radio and television, while also providing platforms for more interactive and in depth discussions.

Ransford S. C. Wright, however, stressed that the expansion into digital media would not mean abandoning traditional broadcasting. He noted that many people, particularly in rural communities, continue to face challenges accessing electricity, reliable internet connectivity and mobile data.

He explained that the new studio would therefore complement BBN Media’s existing platforms, enabling the organisation to disseminate information through multiple channels and reach audiences with different levels of access to technology.

The CEO said the multimedia studio would also allow BBN Media to move beyond conventional broadcasting by creating space for deeper conversations on issues affecting individuals, families and communities.

He said the organisation intends to use its platforms to engage citizens on national issues and contribute to public discourse by providing opportunities for different perspectives to be heard.

Ransford S. C. Wright described the media as a “conscience of the nation”, stressing the need for media institutions to focus on issues that have a direct impact on citizens rather than concentrating solely on superficial aspects of national challenges.

He said BBN Media wanted its new platform to provide ordinary citizens with opportunities to participate in conversations about issues affecting their daily lives, while creating programmes capable of informing, educating and empowering the public.

The CEO further encouraged individuals, institutions and organisations interested in media production to partner with BBN Media, saying the new studio would provide opportunities for collaboration and the development of programmes that align with the organization’s vision.

He said the launch represented a new phase in BBN Media’s development and acknowledged that sustaining the initiative would require continued investment, innovation and public support.

Ransford S. C. Wright reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to using available media platforms to disseminate information, empower citizens and contribute positively to national development.

He added that BBN Media’s vision would continue to evolve alongside advances in technology, with the organisation seeking to deepen audience engagement and create more opportunities for meaningful conversations on national issues.

The launch of the Podcast and Multimedia Studio consequently positions BBN Media to expand its content beyond traditional radio broadcasting, while creating a dedicated space for podcasts, interviews, discussions and other forms of digital content aimed at reaching an increasingly connected audience. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/archives/64044

 

Vice President, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, is set to lead the second leg of the Government’s Regional Decentralization Tour this weekend, taking nationwide consultations on local governance to Makeni and Port Loko as part of a broader drive to strengthen grassroots institutions and improve public service delivery.

The engagements will bring the Government face-to-face with traditional authorities, district representatives, local council leaders and other stakeholders to examine how national policies can be translated into tangible development outcomes at community level.

“A Government closer to the people is a Government that works,” Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh said ahead of the engagements.

He added: “I’ll be engaging directly with traditional, district and local council leaders to ensure national policy delivers local impact.”

The Makeni and Port Loko engagements follow the first leg of the regional consultations held in Kenema and Bo on August 14 and 15, 2026, respectively. Those meetings brought together Paramount Chiefs, local councils, Ministers, Ministries, Departments and Agencies, development partners and representatives from critical sectors.

The nationwide initiative is examining some of the longstanding challenges affecting Sierra Leone’s decentralization programme, including inadequate financing, institutional capacity, coordination between central and local authorities, revenue mobilization and the incomplete transfer of responsibilities to councils.

During the Kenema engagement, Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh made clear that the consultations were designed primarily to hear directly from local authorities rather than prescribe solutions from Freetown.

“This is not a meeting where we come to tell you what to do. It is a learning process. We are here to listen to the challenges of local governance,” he stated.

The Vice President stressed that recommendations emerging from the consultations could contribute to Government policy, Cabinet decisions and, where necessary, legislative reforms aimed at improving the decentralization framework.

Central to the discussions is the capacity of local councils to deliver essential services. Councils increasingly face demands relating to healthcare, education, sanitation, waste management, agriculture, roads, markets, drainage, land administration and social welfare, particularly as communities experience population growth and urban expansion.

Government officials have acknowledged that transferring responsibilities without corresponding financial, technical and logistical resources could undermine the effectiveness of decentralization.

Deputy Minister of Local Government and Community Affairs, Alfred Moi Jamiru, has consequently called for greater investment in councils, maintaining that stronger institutional capacity is necessary for local authorities to effectively discharge their responsibilities.

Chairman of the Local Government Service Commission, Dr. Falla D. Lamin, has similarly emphasized competent personnel, improved coordination and stronger institutions as important pillars of an effective local government system.

Regional Coordination Committees were inaugurated during the Kenema and Bo consultations to improve collaboration among institutions and create mechanisms for addressing decentralization challenges at regional level.

The engagements have also placed relations between traditional authorities, councils and Central Government under scrutiny. Greater clarity over responsibilities, resources and institutional authority is considered essential to preventing duplication and strengthening accountability.

Vice President, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, who chairs the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Decentralization, has indicated that the exercise will eventually be expanded to district level, allowing Government officials to spend more time engaging stakeholders on challenges specific to individual communities.

More than two decades after Sierra Leone restored elected local Government, decentralization remains central to efforts to bring decision-making closer to citizens. While progress has been recorded, challenges surrounding financing, accountability, administrative capacity and effective devolution continue to affect the system.

The Makeni and Port Loko engagements therefore represent another stage in the Government’s attempt to close the gap between national policymaking and realities confronting communities.

For the Vice President, the underlying objective remains clear: governance must extend beyond institutions in Freetown and deliver visible results in the schools, health facilities, markets, councils, chiefdoms and communities where Sierra Leoneans experience Government every day. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/archives/64041

 

A new report on Thursday, 3 September 2026 has raised concerns about the effects of a large-scale reforestation and carbon credit project on customary land rights, local livelihoods and community participation in Tonkolili and Port Loko districts.

The report, titled: Uprooted Promises: A Case Study of Carbon Credits, Land Rights and Community Impacts in Sierra Leone, was produced by Swedwatch, HEKS and the Sierra Leone Network on the Right to Food (Silnorf).

It examines the “Reforestation of Degraded Lands in Sierra Leone” project, which covers approximately 10,000 hectares of commercial forestry plantations. About 5,000 hectares are reportedly eligible to generate carbon credits.

The plantations are owned by UK-based Miro Forestry Developments Limited, which has operated in Sierra Leone since 2012. Swiss climate consultancy South Pole was engaged to help register the plantations as a carbon project under Verra’s Verified Carbon Standard and facilitate the sale of credits.

Registered in 2021 with a crediting period beginning in 2016, the project has reportedly generated more than 480,000 carbon credits.

The report alleges that some communities lost access to land previously used for subsistence farming and the collection of natural resources after parts of the area were converted into commercial plantations.

Researchers said they found a gap between official project documentation, third-party assessments and the experiences shared by residents of six communities visited during fieldwork in October 2025.

Although project documents described the area as “degraded,” residents reportedly said portions of the land had been actively used for farming and harvesting fruit, firewood and other resources.

Some interviewees associated their restricted access to the land with growing food insecurity, poverty and declining household income. Others said they did not fully understand the duration and conditions of the land leases.

Abass John Kamara, Deputy National Coordinator of Silnorf, said meaningful participation must go beyond formal consultation, particularly where women and other vulnerable groups are concerned.

“Communities need to understand and genuinely consent to decisions affecting their land,” Abass John Kamara said.

The report also claimed that many residents, key informants and some local authorities were unaware that the plantations were generating carbon credits. They reportedly believed the land was being used only for commercial timber production.

Women interviewed during the research said they were particularly affected because they had lost access to firewood and fruit trees while being largely excluded from land negotiations and lease payments. According to the report, payments were commonly distributed through male community elders.

Some landowners also described the reported annual rent of US$12 per hectare as inadequate compensation for the loss of farming income and access to natural resources.

The report further questioned how revenues generated through the sale of carbon credits are benefiting affected communities.

Miro reportedly earned US$6.7 million from carbon credit sales across its two African projects in 2024. Project documents cited in the report indicated that five percent of net profits would be placed in a community fund.

However, interviewed landowners said they had not received a share of the carbon credit proceeds, while the researchers found no functioning mechanism for distributing operational revenue.

Responding to Swedwatch, Miro explained that it had not yet recorded a net profit; a position the report said was supported by the company’s financial disclosures. The company reportedly committed to reviewing a revenue-based benefit-sharing arrangement from January 2027 as a possible alternative to the net-profit model.

Davide Maneschi, Programme Officer at Swedwatch and co-author of the report, said carbon market expansion must be supported by firm human rights protections, meaningful consultation and sustained dialogue with affected communities.

He warned that projects intended to support climate action should not undermine the rights and livelihoods of people who depend on the land.

Miro and South Pole disputed the report’s description of the project’s effects, maintaining that their operations comply with Sierra Leonean laws, international sustainability standards and approved carbon methodologies.

They also cited independent third-party certification, including certification by the Forest Stewardship Council and questioned aspects of the study’s methodology. The companies argued that its conclusions depended mainly on verbal accounts collected from a limited number of communities.

Miro nevertheless expressed its willingness to investigate the concerns, engage relevant stakeholders and improve its practices where necessary.

South Pole said it had established independently assured internal procedures to conduct more rigorous project screening beyond the requirements of existing carbon standards. Verra had not issued a statement at the time the report was published.

The report acknowledged that the project had produced reported benefits, including employment opportunities, tree-cover restoration and improvements to the local microclimate. However, it said those benefits were not experienced equally and remained disputed by some residents.

It recommended that Miro renegotiate relevant land leases in accordance with Sierra Leone’s Customary Land Rights Act of 2022, introduce a revenue-based benefit-sharing system and ensure women participate fully in land governance.

The report also urged South Pole and Verra to strengthen human rights due diligence, supervision and engagement with affected communities.

The Government of Sierra Leone was encouraged to introduce and enforce carbon market policies that protect customary land rights, establish effective grievance mechanisms and require greater transparency from investors.

The organisations concluded that third-party certification alone could not adequately address the social effects of carbon projects. They called for transparent benefit sharing, genuine community ownership, independent oversight and stronger protection of local livelihoods. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/archives/64037

 

The Sierra Leone Correctional Service has outlined major reforms aimed at strengthening inmate welfare, education, rehabilitation and reintegration while improving access to justice and modernizing records management.

Director General, Joseph J. Senessie, announced the initiatives during the Weekly Government Press Conference held on September 1, 2026, at the Miatta Civic Centre, Youyi Building, in Freetown.

Joseph J. Senessie recalled the institution’s transformation from a prison service to a correctional service in 2014, describing the change as an important shift from punishment towards reforming offenders and preparing them for a productive return to society.

“Our transformation was guided by three key principles: reformation, rehabilitation and reintegration,” he stated.

The Director General disclosed that the Service currently holds 2,060 inmates across the country. He said it continues to collaborate with the Judiciary on case reviews designed to improve access to justice and address overcrowding in correctional facilities.

Education, according to Joseph J. Senessie, is becoming an increasingly important component of the rehabilitation process. The Service is exploring partnerships with universities and other educational institutions to create formal learning opportunities for eligible persons in custody.

He specifically mentioned the University of Sierra Leone and the University of Makeni, noting that discussions are focused on enabling qualified inmates to pursue recognized academic programmes while serving their sentences.

Joseph J. Senessie maintained that people who spend several years in custody should not be denied opportunities to learn, develop their abilities and acquire qualifications that could improve their prospects after release.

The Service is therefore working to establish structured educational programmes that could lead to recognized certificates and academic qualifications.

Vocational and practical skills training also forms a major part of the reform agenda. The Director General said inmates should leave correctional facilities equipped with skills that could help them secure employment, establish businesses and become self-reliant.

Such programmes, he added, would enable former inmates to support their families and contribute positively to their communities, reducing the likelihood of reoffending.

“Our overall objective is to ensure that inmates are treated with dignity, rehabilitated and eventually reintegrated into society as peaceful, useful and productive citizens,” Joseph J. Senessie said.

Human rights and inmate welfare remain central to the reforms. The Director General reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to protecting the fundamental rights of persons in custody while maintaining safe and secure conditions for inmates and correctional officers.

He highlighted ongoing engagement with the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone, Prison Watch Sierra Leone, parliamentary oversight bodies and other advocacy organisations. Those partnerships, he said, are helping to strengthen transparency, accountability and independent monitoring of correctional facilities.

Joseph J. Senessie also underscored the importance of gender equality within the institution. He disclosed that the Service has 130 senior male officers and 49 senior female officers, stressing the need to increase women’s participation in senior management and decision-making positions.

Digitalization is another priority under the reform programme. The Service is preparing to introduce modern electronic information-management systems to improve the organisation, security and accessibility of correctional records.

Joseph J. Senessie said artificial intelligence and other digital tools could potentially improve records management and assist authorities in accessing important information more efficiently. A local consultant is expected to support the development and improvement of the proposed systems.

Through partnerships with the Judiciary, educational institutions, development organisations and human rights groups, the Sierra Leone Correctional Service hopes to establish a more humane, accountable and rehabilitation-focused correctional system capable of preparing offenders for successful reintegration into society. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/archives/64034

 

Sierra Leone has renewed its call for African countries to move beyond exporting raw minerals and natural resources by prioritizing local processing, industrial development and job creation.

The call was made at Africa Oil Week 2026 on September 1, 2026 in Accra, Ghana, where Deputy Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources and Minister of Employment, Labour and Social Security Designate, Umaru Napoleon Koroma, led Sierra Leone’s delegation.

He was accompanied by the Director of Policy and Research at the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Resources, Dr. John D. Cooper.

The delegation engaged policymakers, investors and industry leaders on Africa’s preparations for the global energy transition under the theme, “Investing in Africa’s Natural Resources.”

During panel discussions and roundtable sessions, Umaru Napoleon Koroma said Sierra Leone remains committed to ensuring that Africa derives greater economic benefits from its abundant natural resources.

He explained that Sierra Leone has consistently advocated for beneficiation, value addition and value multiplication over the past three years, particularly as global demand for critical minerals continues to grow.

According to him, Africa cannot continue to be described as the world’s richest continent in natural resources while millions of its people remain poor and mining communities lack basic infrastructure, employment and economic opportunities.

Umaru Napoleon Koroma said the current generation of Africans is demanding a resource-governance system that promotes local processing, industrialization, skills development and sustainable employment.

He stressed that processing minerals within Africa would enable countries to retain more economic value, create jobs for young people, strengthen domestic industries and improve the livelihoods of communities where natural resources are extracted.

The Deputy Minister also called for stronger cooperation among African countries, including the harmonization of policies and regulations to support regional value chains for resource extraction, beneficiation and manufacturing.

He maintained that coordinated continental action would strengthen Africa’s negotiating position and ensure that the continent participates meaningfully in every stage of the global mineral and energy value chain.

Addressing prospective investors, Umaru Napoleon Koroma described Sierra Leone as a stable democracy that has recorded five peaceful democratic transitions of power. He reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to honouring agreements, protecting legitimate investments and maintaining an enabling environment in which businesses can operate successfully.

Sierra Leone’s participation at Africa Oil Week 2026 reinforces the country’s growing contribution to discussions on an inclusive African energy transition; one that moves the continent from being merely a supplier of raw materials to becoming an active participant in processing, manufacturing, skills development, employment and wealth creation. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/archives/64031

 

Sierra Leone’s newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mohamed Rahman Swaray, has held high-level diplomatic engagements with Saudi Arabia and Nigeria aimed at attracting investment and strengthening cooperation in key development sectors.

The engagements took place on the sidelines of the Extraordinary Conference of Foreign Ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Representing President Dr. Julius Maada Bio, Mohamed Rahman Swaray used the conference to reaffirm Sierra Leone’s commitment to multilateralism, peace, sustainable development and stronger international partnerships.

He presented Sierra Leone as a peaceful and democratic country prepared to deepen cooperation with bilateral and multilateral partners while creating opportunities for investment and economic growth.

The Foreign Minister stressed that peace and stability remain essential foundations for sustainable prosperity. He noted that Sierra Leone’s transition from conflict to democratic resilience has positioned the country as a credible partner in regional and global peacebuilding efforts.

Beyond the conference proceedings, Mohamed Rahman Swaray held bilateral discussions with representatives of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

His engagement with Saudi officials focused on possible investment and cooperation in energy, agriculture and infrastructure. The discussions explored how Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification agenda could create opportunities for partnerships with Sierra Leone.

Energy cooperation featured prominently in the talks as Sierra Leone continues to pursue sustainable solutions to its electricity challenges. Reliable power supply is considered crucial to industrial growth, job creation and private-sector development.

The discussions also explored Sierra Leone’s agricultural and infrastructure potential and the possibility of attracting Saudi investment into sectors capable of accelerating national development.

Mohamed Rahman Swaray’s meeting with Nigerian officials centred on strengthening bilateral and regional cooperation, particularly in food security, agriculture, energy and cross-border infrastructure.

Sierra Leone and Nigeria share longstanding diplomatic and historical ties, while Nigeria remains an important economic and political partner within the Economic Community of West African States.

The two countries discussed opportunities to draw on Nigeria’s experience in large-scale agriculture and energy distribution as Sierra Leone works to improve domestic production, achieve greater food self-sufficiency and develop its export capacity.

Mohamed Rahman Swaray described the engagements as an important beginning in Sierra Leone’s pursuit of a more proactive, development-focused and results-oriented foreign policy.

He said the Government intends to use international conferences not only for diplomatic exchanges but also as platforms for building partnerships that produce measurable benefits for citizens.

The Jeddah mission reflects the Bio administration’s growing emphasis on “development diplomacy”, an approach that links foreign relations directly to investment, infrastructure, employment and improvements in people’s livelihoods.

Attention will now turn to following up on the discussions through technical consultations, feasibility assessments and the development of specific cooperation programmes.

The Foreign Minister said Sierra Leone would continue working with international partners to transform diplomatic commitments into practical initiatives that support economic growth and national development. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/archives/64024

 

Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Zhao Yong, on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, paid a courtesy call on the newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mohamed Rahman Swaray.

During the meeting, Ambassador Zhao Yong formally delivered a congratulatory message from Wang Yi, Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China.

The two officials exchanged views on the longstanding relationship between Sierra Leone and China, as well as other matters of mutual interest.

Ambassador Zhao Yong congratulated Mohamed Rahman Swaray on his appointment and expressed confidence in his ability to contribute to the continued strengthening of relations between the two countries.

He noted that China and Sierra Leone have maintained a strong and friendly partnership founded on mutual respect, cooperation and shared development interests.

Ambassador Zhao Yong further stated that 2026 marks the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Sierra Leone and China. He described the milestone as an important opportunity for both countries to deepen cooperation and elevate their bilateral relationship to a new level.

China, he said, remains willing to work closely with Sierra Leone to expand collaboration in areas that support the development aspirations of both nations.

Responding, Mohamed Rahman Swaray expressed appreciation for the congratulatory message and asked Ambassador Zhao Yong to convey his sincere gratitude to Foreign Minister, Wang Yi.

The Minister praised the enduring friendship between Sierra Leone and China, noting that the relationship has produced significant benefits over the years.

He reaffirmed Sierra Leone’s readiness to work with China to promote stronger diplomatic relations and advance mutually beneficial cooperation.

The meeting underscored the commitment of both countries to building on 55 years of diplomatic ties while exploring new opportunities for partnership and shared development. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/archives/64028