The Ministry of Health, through the National Malaria Control Programme and its partners, will deploy 101,862 Spatial Emanators in selected communities in Bonthe and Tonkolili districts as part of efforts to strengthen household protection against malaria.

The deployment, scheduled for October 6 to 20, 2026, will cover Sittia and Dema chiefdoms and Bonthe Municipality in Bonthe District, as well as Yoni Mabanta and Poli chiefdoms in Tonkolili District.

Supported by the United States Government, the initiative represents another major step in Sierra Leone’s fight against malaria by taking preventive technology directly to households, including families living far from health facilities.

Spatial Emanators are malaria-prevention devices designed to slowly release insecticide into the surrounding environment. The insecticide kills or weakens mosquitoes and reduces their ability to settle and bite people, thereby lowering the risk of malaria transmission.

Trained Community Health Workers and other authorized personnel will move from house to house during the deployment period to install the devices in eligible households.

Beyond installation, the health workers will explain what the devices are, how they function, where they should be placed and how they complement other malaria-prevention measures. Community education and acceptance will be essential to the success of the intervention.

The Ministry of Health has emphasized that Spatial Emanators are not intended to replace insecticide-treated mosquito nets, Indoor Residual Spraying, preventive medicines, malaria vaccination or other recommended interventions.

Instead, the devices will provide an additional layer of protection for families, particularly children under five, pregnant women and residents of communities with limited access to health services.

Malaria remains one of Sierra Leone’s most serious public-health challenges. According to the World Health Organization’s 2025 Sierra Leone malaria country profile, more than eight million people were living in high-transmission areas in 2024.

During that year, Sierra Leone recorded approximately two million presumed and confirmed malaria cases, including about 1.9 million confirmed cases, and nearly 2,500 reported deaths.

WHO estimates placed the country’s malaria burden even higher, at approximately 2.4 million cases and 6,600 deaths. Despite the continuing threat, the country has recorded encouraging progress. Reported malaria cases declined by approximately 14 per cent in 2024 to about 2,023,764 cases, while the annual malaria parasite incidence stood at approximately 213 cases per 1,000 people.

The figures indicate that Sierra Leone is moving in the right direction, although sustained action will be required to significantly reduce infections and deaths.

For decades, the country’s malaria response has relied on a combination of interventions, including the distribution of insecticide-treated mosquito nets, Indoor Residual Spraying and preventive treatment using Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine for pregnant women. Preventive treatment for infants has also been introduced.

The country has simultaneously strengthened malaria testing, treatment, community-based healthcare services and public awareness programmes aimed at encouraging people to adopt effective preventive practices.

Sierra Leone introduced the malaria vaccine for young children in 2024, adding another important tool to its national malaria-prevention package. The introduction of Spatial Emanators will further broaden the range of measures available to protect vulnerable families.

Residents in the targeted communities will continue to be encouraged to sleep under insecticide-treated mosquito nets every night and follow all other recommended malaria-prevention measures.

For households in Bonthe and Tonkolili, the distribution of more than 101,000 Spatial Emanators represents an important public-health milestone and a renewed message of hope.

Although technology alone cannot eliminate malaria, the combination of strong Government leadership, committed healthcare workers, supportive development partners and well-informed communities can accelerate progress.

Every mosquito bite prevented matters, every child and pregnant woman protected matters, and every household reached takes Sierra Leone another step closer to a future where malaria is no longer a routine threat to families.

  https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/archives/64301

Sierra Leonean researcher, Braima Koroma, of the Sierra Leone Urban Research Centre (SLURC) is among a team of international researchers who received the 2026 Area Development and Policy Best Paper Award from the Regional Studies Association (RSA).

The team earned the prestigious award for its research paper titled: “Accessibility, (Dis)advantage and Everyday Mobility Practices and Experiences: The Cases of Maputo and Freetown.” The study examines how mobility challenges, access to transportation and related inequalities affect residents of Freetown in Sierra Leone and Maputo in Mozambique.

Braima Koroma co-authored the paper with Daniel Oviedo, Clémence Cavoli, Alexandria Z. W. Chong, Joaquín Romero de Tejada and Yasmina Yusuf.

According to the Regional Studies Association’s 2026 awards listing, Daniel Oviedo, Clémence Cavoli, Alexandria Z. W. Chong and Yasmina Yusuf are affiliated with University College London (UCL) in the United Kingdom, while Joaquín Romero de Tejada is affiliated with the Mozambique Transport and Mobility Observatory and Braima Koroma with the Sierra Leone Urban Research Centre.

The award places Sierra Leone and Freetown firmly within an important international conversation on urban development, transport accessibility and the everyday experiences of people living in rapidly growing African cities.

The research explores how accessibility is shaped not simply by the availability of transport, but also by wider social and economic circumstances that determine how easily individuals can move around their cities and reach essential opportunities and services.

Using Freetown and Maputo as case studies, the researchers examine the relationship between mobility practices, accessibility and disadvantage, providing evidence on the realities confronting residents as they navigate their cities.

The findings are particularly relevant to developing cities where population growth, urban expansion and pressure on transport infrastructure continue to create challenges for residents seeking access to employment, education, healthcare, markets and other essential destinations.

For Sierra Leone, the international recognition also highlights the growing contribution of locally grounded research to discussions on sustainable urban development and policymaking.

Braima Koroma’s involvement brings Sierra Leonean research experience and knowledge of Freetown into a collaborative international study, ensuring that the realities of the capital city form part of wider academic and policy discussions on mobility and urban inequality.

The award-winning study was published in Area Development and Policy, an academic journal associated with the Regional Studies Association. The RSA’s 2026 awards programme recognizes original and inspiring research that contributes to understanding significant regional development issues.

The recognition is significant for Freetown, where mobility remains closely connected to wider development challenges. Understanding how residents experience transport systems and accessibility can provide useful evidence for policymakers, urban planners, researchers and development partners working to create more inclusive cities.

Beyond recognizing academic excellence, the award underscores the importance of ensuring that urban planning takes into consideration the experiences of people whose daily movements may be affected by economic circumstances, location, infrastructure and access to reliable transportation.

The Regional Studies Association also recognized outstanding researchers and publications across several of its academic journals and award categories during its 2026 awards programme, highlighting research dealing with regional development, spatial economics, governance, finance, innovation and urban policy.

For Sierra Leone, the success of Braima Koroma and his co-authors provides further international visibility for research centred on Freetown and demonstrates the value of collaboration between Sierra Leonean institutions and researchers from other parts of the world.

The recognition could also strengthen calls for research findings on urban mobility to be translated into practical policies capable of improving transport planning, accessibility and the quality of urban life, particularly for disadvantaged communities. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/archives/64298

By Ibrahim Sesay

The Ministry of Finance, in collaboration with the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, has announced the commencement of Sierra Leone’s Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Preparation Process, outlining a series of policy hearings and bilateral discussions aimed at shaping Government revenue and expenditure priorities for the coming financial year.

According to a public notice issued by the Ministry of Finance on Friday, September 11, 2026, the process will begin with National Policy Hearings on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. at the Miatta Civic Centre, Youyi Building in Freetown.

The National Policy Hearing will serve as the curtain-raiser for the FY2027 budget preparation process, bringing together Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and Local Councils to discuss and review sectoral policies contained in the Medium-Term National Development Plan.

The Ministry stated that attendance at the policy hearing will be restricted to Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Professional Heads, Vote Controllers and two Budget Committee members from the respective institutions.

Following the policy hearing, Bilateral Budget Discussions for all MDAs will take place from September 21 to October 3, 2026, between 8:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. daily at the Miatta Civic Centre Rooms.

The bilateral discussions are expected to provide a platform for stakeholders to examine and agree on policies that will guide revenue generation and the allocation of public resources to various MDAs in the FY2027 budget.

Government institutions have consequently been advised to prepare detailed strategic plans containing realistic and achievable programmes designed to support key Government priorities and the Medium-Term National Development Plan.

The Ministry further directed all Vote Controllers to submit 50 copies of their strategic plans and budget proposals to the Budget Bureau of the Ministry of Finance at least two days before their respective scheduled bilateral discussions.

All presentations during the bilateral discussions are required to be prepared and delivered using Microsoft PowerPoint.

Beyond Government institutions, the Ministry has invited representatives of Development Partners, Non-Governmental Organisations, District Budget Oversight Committees, Government Accountability and Civil Society Organisations and other Non-State Actors to participate in the consultative meetings.

Their participation is expected to broaden engagement in the budget preparation process and provide stakeholders with opportunities to contribute to discussions on national priorities, revenue generation and public expenditure.

The FY2027 budget preparation exercise represents an important stage in determining how Government resources will be mobilised and allocated across sectors, while ensuring that the priorities of MDAs are aligned with the country’s broader development agenda.

The Ministry of Finance has called for the cooperation of all institutions and stakeholders to ensure the successful conduct of the process ahead of the preparation and presentation of the FY2027 national budget.

 

  https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/archives/64295

The Commissioner General of the National Revenue Authority (NRA), Abu Martin Kanneh, has urged clearing and forwarding agencies and shipping companies to strengthen cooperation with the Authority and support the Government’s domestic revenue mobilization drive.

He made the call during a stakeholder engagement held on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, to address challenges affecting customs operations and identify practical measures to improve efficiency, compliance and revenue collection.

The meeting brought together senior NRA officials and representatives of clearing, forwarding and shipping agencies to discuss delays in cargo clearance, tax compliance, payment verification, the identification of licensed clearing agents and other operational concerns affecting trade facilitation.

Commissioner General Abu Martin Kanneh said the engagement was convened to provide stakeholders with an opportunity to openly present their concerns and work with the NRA on practical and sustainable solutions.

He encouraged the agencies to report NRA-related challenges through the appropriate channels to ensure that complaints are promptly investigated and addressed. He also reminded them of their responsibility to fulfil their tax obligations and contribute meaningfully to the mobilization of revenue needed to finance national development.

Abu Martin Kanneh underscored the importance of collaboration between the NRA and private-sector operators, noting that efficient customs procedures are essential to improving trade, strengthening compliance and increasing Government revenue.

The Commissioner of the Customs Services Department, Tennyson Bio, called on the agencies to support efforts aimed at improving the efficiency of cargo-clearance processes. He also urged them to respond promptly to NRA requests concerning revenue performance and other customs-related matters.

President of the Clearing and Forwarding Agencies, Mohamed D. Salia, announced measures to ensure that all recognized clearing agencies obtain official identification cards. He said the move would help address concerns over the use of counterfeit identification cards and prevent unauthorized individuals from operating as legitimate clearing agents.

Representatives of the clearing, forwarding and shipping agencies welcomed the engagement and pledged greater cooperation with the NRA. However, they raised several operational concerns requiring urgent attention.

Among the issues highlighted were delays in payment verification, challenges associated with transit and scanning procedures, inadequate information and communications technology services, problems with the Free Trade Network and the need for specialized industry training.

The agencies also called for clearer information on applicable duties to enable importers to properly understand their financial obligations before beginning the clearance process.

They maintained that addressing those challenges would reduce unnecessary delays, improve transparency, lower operational costs and strengthen confidence in the customs-clearance system.

The engagement ended with a shared commitment by the NRA and industry stakeholders to deepen collaboration, improve customs operations and support the Government’s revenue mobilization agenda. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/archives/64292

President Dr. Julius Maada Bio has called on Government institutions and development partners to strengthen coordination, address critical financing gaps and accelerate the implementation of national development programmes to deliver tangible results for Sierra Leoneans.

Speaking at the Presidential Development Partners Committee (DEPAC) meeting held at State House on Thursday, September 10, 2026, President Bio said the Medium-Term National Development Plan 2024–2030 and its Big Five Game Changers provide a clear roadmap for national transformation. He, however, stressed that greater urgency, discipline and coordination are required to translate the country’s development plans into measurable outcomes.

The President outlined five priority areas: data and delivery, including the 2026 Population and Housing Census; political stability and constitutional and electoral reforms; youth, agriculture and human capital development; macroeconomic stability, energy and private-sector growth; and development financing, coordination and accountability.

President Bio highlighted the urgent need to close the estimated US$37 million financing gap for the 2026 Population and Housing Census. He disclosed that the Government had committed US$24 million, of which approximately US$15 million had been disbursed, while development partners had pledged about US$1.5 million.

He called for an urgent financing and disbursement plan to safeguard the census timetable, with Census Night scheduled for December 1, 2026. He emphasized that credible and reliable national data is essential for effective planning, resource allocation and improved public service delivery.

Addressing peace and democratic governance, President Bio described the return of former President Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma as an important opportunity to deepen national reconciliation and reduce political tensions.

He urged political leaders and citizens to reject inflammatory rhetoric, regional division, political intolerance and violence, while reaffirming the Government’s commitment to peace, constitutionalism, due process and national unity.

The President also called for inclusive and nationally owned constitutional and electoral reforms ahead of the 2028 elections. He said the process should strengthen electoral institutions, improve voter registration, ensure transparent results management and provide effective mechanisms for resolving electoral disputes.

On youth empowerment and agriculture, President Bio stressed the need to move beyond subsistence farming by connecting young people to skills, finance, production, processing, markets and sustainable employment opportunities.

He called for stronger alignment between the Feed Salone initiative and the Youth Employment Scheme to expand opportunities in commercial agriculture, agro-processing and agribusiness.

Addressing the growing challenge of harmful drug and substance abuse, President Bio called for a comprehensive national response combining prevention, law enforcement, mental-health care, treatment, rehabilitation, reintegration, skills development and employment support.

On the economy, the President reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to fiscal discipline, domestic revenue mobilization and improved debt management, while protecting priority investments in food security, health, education and social protection.

He encouraged greater use of development resources to attract responsible private capital, strengthen small and medium-sized enterprises and women-led businesses, improve access to finance and expand investments in reliable electricity, renewable energy and climate resilience.

President Bio noted that the increasingly constrained international financing environment requires a more coordinated approach involving domestic resources, concessional financing, climate finance and responsible private-sector investment.

He consequently directed the Ministers of Finance, Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and Planning and Economic Development to present, within 30 days, a joint framework for development-partner coordination, financing predictability and mutual accountability.

“Government must lead; partners must align; and both must be accountable for results,” President Bio stated.

He added that every agreed action must have a responsible institution, a clear deadline and a measurable result, with progress monitored through the National Development Plan Tracker.

Representing development partners, United Nations Resident Coordinator, Seraphine Wakana, reaffirmed their commitment to working with the Government to strengthen democracy, promote sustainable peace and accelerate national development.

She welcomed the Government’s focus on peace and national cohesion, youth employment, data and digitalization and expressed partners’ readiness to support evidence-based decision-making and programmes designed to improve governance and development outcomes.

The meeting concluded with the Government and development partners reaffirming their commitment to stronger coordination, predictable financing and greater accountability in delivering measurable development results for Sierra Leoneans.

  https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/archives/64288

Africell has secured a major vote of confidence from the United States Government following the announcement of a $99.6 million direct loan from the Export-Import Bank of the United States to support advanced telecommunications investment in Angola.

The landmark financing positions Africell, Africa’s only mainstream American-owned mobile-network operator, as an increasingly important force in the continent’s digital transformation. It will enable the company to acquire modern mobile-network equipment from American and European suppliers, improving the quality, reliability and security of its services.

Africell currently operates in Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone and The Gambia, serving between 15 million and 16 million subscribers. Its operating licences cover markets with a combined population of more than 150 million people.

Although the newly announced financing is specifically intended for Africell’s operations in Angola, it represents a significant endorsement of the company’s wider business model, technological direction and long-term commitment to Africa.

Africell entered the Angolan market in 2022 and has since established itself as a strong competitor by expanding consumer choice, introducing innovative services and investing in modern digital infrastructure. The company says the new financing will support wider coverage, stronger connectivity and improved protection against cybersecurity threats.

Africell’s Chief Executive Officer, President and Founder, Ziad Dalloul, welcomed the partnership, noting that the company’s expansion in Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo, together with its established presence in Sierra Leone and The Gambia, demonstrates what quality technology and sustained investment can deliver.

“We are pleased to be working with EXIM to introduce more trusted communications infrastructure to our operating markets,” Ziad Dalloul stated.

He said the collaboration would create secure pathways for the deployment of American and allied digital technologies across sub-Saharan Africa, including countries within the strategically important Lobito Corridor region.

The financing also strengthens Africell’s reputation as a trusted partner capable of attracting substantial international investment into Africa’s telecommunications industry. At a time when reliable internet connectivity is becoming increasingly important to education, commerce, governance, healthcare and financial inclusion, Africell’s continued expansion offers considerable benefits to consumers and national economies.

The loan forms part of a broader American commercial strategy to promote trusted telecommunications technology and provide African countries with more choices in acquiring critical digital infrastructure.

Huawei currently maintains a major position in Africa’s telecommunications market, reportedly supplying about 52 per cent of the continent’s 5G infrastructure. Africell’s partnership with the US Export-Import Bank therefore gives African markets access to alternative technologies from American and allied suppliers.

The company has previously worked with leading international technology firms, including Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Dell, Oracle and Finland’s Nokia. Those partnerships have helped Africell develop modern infrastructure, including a data centre supporting its Angolan operations.

The latest financing is Africell’s second publicly announced major loan from a United States Government-backed institution. In 2018, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, now known as the US International Development Finance Corporation, approved a $100 million facility to support the expansion and improvement of Africell’s telecommunications infrastructure.

Together, the two publicly announced financing facilities amount to nearly $200 million, demonstrating continued American confidence in Africell’s growth potential and ability to deliver modern communications services across Africa.

Chargé d’Affaires, Shannon Nagy Cazeau, of the US Embassy in Angola and São Tomé and Príncipe described the latest partnership as beneficial to both the United States and Angola, highlighting its potential to promote American technology while strengthening connectivity and economic prosperity.

Africell provides voice, data, 4G and 5G services alongside Afrimoney, its mobile-money platform. Its continued investment is helping millions of Africans communicate, conduct business and participate more effectively in the rapidly expanding digital economy.

The $99.6 million financing represents another important milestone in Africell’s development and reinforces its position as a credible, innovative and internationally supported telecommunications operator committed to Africa’s digital future. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/archives/64284

The Road Maintenance Fund Administration (RMFA) has received widespread commendation from local councils and community stakeholders for its interventions in maintaining feeder roads across Sierra Leone.

The recognition came during the Regional Headquarters Tour on Decentralization and Local Governance, led by Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh. The nationwide engagement brought together central Government officials, local authorities, Resident Ministers, Paramount Chiefs and other key stakeholders.

Organized under the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Decentralization and Local Governance, the tour provided a platform for local councils to discuss development priorities and assess the impact of Government interventions in their respective communities.

During engagements in the regions, representatives of local councils praised the RMFA for supporting feeder road maintenance, describing improved road connectivity as essential to local development.

They noted that functional feeder roads connect rural communities to markets, health facilities, schools and other essential services. Improved roads also make it easier for farmers and traders to transport agricultural produce and other goods, helping to reduce travel time and stimulate economic activity.

The RMFA delegation was led by Chief Executive Officer Mohamed Kallon and Board Chairman Andrew Fatorma, alongside other members of the Board and senior officials of the institution.

The team engaged directly with local authorities and community stakeholders on challenges affecting road maintenance, funding requirements and opportunities to strengthen cooperation between national institutions and local councils.

The discussions reinforced the importance of the RMFA’s mandate in supporting the maintenance of Sierra Leone’s road network, particularly feeder roads serving rural and hard-to-reach communities.

Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh commended the RMFA leadership and staff for their work, acknowledging the importance of sustained investment in road maintenance and stronger coordination with local authorities.

He also reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to supporting the institution to achieve improved results, signaling continued collaboration aimed at strengthening road maintenance across the country.

The Regional Headquarters Tour covered Kenema and Bo from August 13 to 15, 2026, before proceeding to Makeni and Port Loko from September 3 to 5, 2026.

The tour formed part of broader Government efforts to strengthen decentralization, improve cooperation between central and local authorities and ensure that community priorities are incorporated into national development planning.

RMFA’s participation is expected to deepen collaboration with local councils and other stakeholders, while ensuring that local concerns and road maintenance priorities receive greater attention within the national agenda.

For the institution, the endorsement from councils and community stakeholders represents recognition of interventions already undertaken and encouragement to expand its support for feeder road maintenance.

Through continued investment and closer collaboration with local authorities, the RMFA is expected to play a central role in improving connectivity, supporting rural economic activities and advancing the Government’s decentralization and local development priorities.

  https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/archives/64281