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By Benedict AbuBakarr Conteh In Sierra Leone, mental health remains a deeply misunderstood issue. Many people suffering from depression, anxiety, or schizophrenia are labeled as “possessed” or “cursed” rather than receiving the medical help they need. As a result, individuals hide their struggles, and families resort to harmful traditional treatments instead of seeking professional care. According to the Ministry of Health, nearly  a national survey in 2002, indicates that  1 in 6 Sierra Leoneans  suffers some form of mild depression and the prevalence of substance abuse and depression cases stood at 4%.  However, due to cultural stigma, only a small fraction of these individuals seek medical assistance. Fatmata Sesay, a 28-year-old living in Bo, struggled with depression for years.  “I tried to talk to my family, but they told me to pray harder. When I couldn’t get better, they took me to a traditional healer who beat me to ‘remove the bad spirits.’”  Fatm...

By Richmond B. Tholley On February 26, 2025, Hon. Daniel Fornah, Member of Parliament for the APC, officially launched the construction of two bridges and two culverts at Mabombo Junction in Masakong Chiefdom, Tonkolili District. The project aims to connect several villages in the area to the rest of Sierra Leone, improving transportation and access. During the ceremony, Hon. Fornah presented construction materials worth millions, including 150 bags of cement, pick axes, iron rods, and nails, to the project’s engineers. He emphasized the importance of the project, calling it a way to repay the community for their support in the 2023 elections. Acknowledging the hardships the people of Masakong have faced due to poor road conditions, Fornah assured the community that the project would be completed as soon as possible. He urged locals to take ownership of the initiative and ensure materials are used appropriately. The event was met with celebration, as residents expressed their gratitude...

By Richmond B. Tholley A 35-year-old man from Makoni Line, Kunike Barina Chiefdom, in the Northern District of Tonkolili, has been arrested at Magburaka and is currently under investigation for allegedly killing his grandmother. The suspect, Abdul Gbla, reportedly attacked his grandmother, Ya Kadiatu Sankoh, with a stick, striking her on the back, which led to her death. Gbla allegedly accused his grandmother of bewitching him, claiming she was holding back his destiny and impeding his progress. Local authorities and law enforcement officials have urged the family to remain calm as the investigation continues. Gbla is currently in police custody at Magburaka, while the deceased's body is being held at the Magburaka Government Hospital for a postmortem. This is a developing story. Further updates will follow as investigation unfolds. Stay Updated! Join Our WhatsApp Channel Now

By Richmond B. Tholley Paramount Chief Bai Kurr Kuhrahray II of Kholifa Mabang Chiefdom in the Northern District of Tonkolili has suspended a Section Chief in his Chiefdom, citing what he described as "public misbehaviour." However, the Section Chief has accused the Paramount Chief of taking politically motivated action against him, claiming that his suspension is a direct result of his loyalty to the ruling Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP). Abdul 'Becareful' Sesay, the Section Chief of Rokankerr Section and the longest-serving member of the SLPP in the area, was suspended on February 19, 2025. The suspension letter, written by the Paramount Chief, alleges that Sesay's actions were deemed public misbehaviour. "In my capacity as Paramount Chief of the above Chiefdom [Kholifa Mabang], I suspend you from the post of Section Chief of Rokankerr Section effective today, 19th February 2025," the letter states. The suspension, according to the Paramount Ch...

By Richmond B. Tholley The former parliamentary aspirant for the All People's Congress in Constituency 049, Tonkolili District, Northern Sierra Leone, has on Sunday 22 February 2025, donated over twenty two (22) bags of rice to the party's Executive. Ing. Alpha Monarchy Conteh donated the rice at the residence of the Constituency Chairman Back of Ansarul Road in Mile 91, where the party leadership in the area was present. This thoughtful donation is meant to support the executives in observing Ramadan, a time for reflection, charity, and unity. Handing over the donation, Ing Conteh said he thought it wise to help the APC executive, realizing the fact that the country and the people are currently going through difficult times. With what he called a small token, Conteh said he believed the donation would ease some financial burden. He called on the executive to be patient and continue to work for the progress of communities in Constituency 049 and the APC party. In response, the...

By Richmond B. Tholley In a colourful atmosphere at the District Office of the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone in Magburaka town, Paramount Chiefs in the Northern District of Tonkolili have on Thursday 20th February 2025 nominated Hon. PC Alhaji Musa Bamba Foray Kulio Jalloh as the next Paramount Chief Member of Parliament that will represent them in the well of Parliament. Hon. PC Musa Bamba Foray Jalloh is the current Paramount Chief of the mineral-rich Chiefdom of Sambaia Bendugu. Following the death of the Hon. P.C Alhaji Masakama Kanamanka III on 8th November 2024, Tonkolili District has been without a Paramount Chief Member of Parliament. Any time there's an election for the position of Paramount Chief Member of Parliament in Tonkolili District, according to a "Memorandum of Understanding" signed by all Paramount and Regent Chiefs in 2018, it was agreed that the Chiefs will sit together to endorse one person in an internal election-like to be overseen by the D...

    By: Ibrahim S Bah Freetown, Sierra Leone Leadership, as the adage goes, is not about titles but action—a principle embodied by Honorable Mabinty Fatmata Funna Esq., a trailblazer transforming lives through education, infrastructure, and women’s empowerment. Her relentless dedication to uplifting vulnerable groups, students, and women has cemented her legacy as a visionary leader in Sierra Leone.   For countless students, university tuition remains an insurmountable hurdle. Recognizing this, Hon. Funna stepped in to sponsor 75 scholarships for students across diverse universities. “Financial constraints should never extinguish the flames of ambition,” she asserts. While her efforts couldn’t reach every aspirant, her intervention has been a lifeline for young scholars striving to excel.      Education, Hon. Funna believes, is the ultimate weapon against poverty. This conviction drove her to construct schools in remote villages, including Kunike Sanda and Fulawusu. These institutions ...

By Richmond B Tholley Hon. Aaron Aruna Koroma has, on the 12th of February 2025, joined a parliamentary delegation to Liberia as part of a sub-regional mission. Hon. Koroma, a lawmaker from the Northern District of Tonkolili and Deputy Leader II of the All People's Congress, Sierra Leone’s main opposition party, in the current House of Parliament is very instrumental to the delegation. The delegation was led by Hon. Mathew Sahr Nyuma, the Majority Leader and West Africa Representative to the Bureau of the Organisation of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS). The delegation had previously visited The Gambia, Ghana, and Nigeria before arriving in Liberia. The primary objective of the visit was to engage stakeholders on the Samoa Agreement and provide updates on the activities of the OACPS Bureau. Key discussions focused on critical areas, including climate change, agriculture, education and training, migration and mobility, trade, and financial matters affecting Africa-EU r...

Benedict AbuBakarr Conteh - Freetown, Sierra Leone – February 12, 2025 The Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) has officially appointed former national team captain and football icon Mohamed Kallon as the new Head Coach of the Sierra Leone National Senior Men’s Team, Leone Stars. The announcement, made via an SLFA press release, marks a major milestone in Sierra Leonean football. Kallon, widely regarded as one of Sierra Leone’s greatest footballers, assumes the role with immediate effect as the national team prepares for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. Leone Stars are set to face Guinea Bissau and Egypt next month, with Kallon now leading the team from the sidelines. The SLFA expressed confidence in Kallon’s leadership, emphasizing his wealth of experience, passion, and deep understanding of the game. A press conference will be scheduled later for his official unveiling. Kallon’s appointment as head coach is a moment of pride for Sierra Leonean football. The former st...

By Richmond B. Tholley Katanya Women's Development Association, a local non-governmental organization aimed at empowering and advocating for the rights of women, has ended the International Day of Zero Tolerance on Female Genital Mutilation on the 6th of February 2025, in Sambaia and Dasogoia Chiefdoms, Tonkolili District, Northern Sierra Leone. In commemoration of the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, the campaign, which brought together school pupils, community stakeholders, traditional leaders, and ceremonial Chiefs to discuss the dangers the mutilation poses on girls and women, in general,, was sponsored by Purposeful Sierra Leone through the Wati - Kura Grant. The International Day of Zero Tolerance for female genital mutilation (FGM), observed annually on 6 February, provides an opportunity to highlight progress and raise awareness to end this harmful practice. From community leaders to health workers and family members, everyone has a role ...

By: Benedict AbuBakarr Conteh - 05/02/2025 Claim: Social media posts allege that Sierra Leone’s High Commissioner to Ghana, Mohamed Hassan Kaisamba, was arrested in Accra for possessing cocaine. Verdict: False Full Report: Recent social media claims suggest that Mohamed Hassan Kaisamba, Sierra Leone’s High Commissioner to Ghana, was arrested in Accra for cocaine possession. This allegation has been widely shared, often accompanied by an alleged front-page report from the Ghanaian Times newspaper dated January 31, 2025. However, our investigation finds no credible evidence to support this claim. Investigating the Claim 1. No Official Records of Arrest    - We contacted the Ghana Police Service , which confirmed that there are no records of any arrest involving Mohamed Hassan Kaisamba related to drug possession or any other offense. 2. Manipulated Newspaper Image    - The viral front page of the Ghanaian Times  has been analyzed and found to be doctored. The act...

By Richmond B. Tholley Humility, easygoing, corrupt-free, down-to-earth, focus, honesty, and trustworthiness are Daniel Sara Turay's true attributes. Known for his passion and love for humanity and community development, Turay's ascendancy to the chieftaincy and throne of Kalanthuba Chiefdom has been a long-time prophecy. He wasn't only destined to rule Kalanthuba but also chosen by God and his ancestors to redeem the Chiefdom and its people from perpetual suffering and bondage. Kalabthuba, a Limba-dominated Chiefdom in Tonkolili District, has gone through pains; the pains of bad leadership, poverty, corruption, and the like. In the face of the aforementioned ordeals, Kalanthuba and its people have been waiting for a leader who will not only steer the affairs of the Chiefdom but also take them to the promised land. A leader who understands their ongoing plights, a focused-minded leader with a vision to move forward. The Chiefdom and the people have waited for too long to se...

By Richmond B. Tholley Hon. Aruna Papay Solomon Larkoh, a member of Sierra Leone’s sixth Parliament from Tonkolili District, Northern Sierra Leone, has, on the 1st of February 2025, officially launched a football tournament at Makump Section, Kholifa Rowalla Chiefdom. Named after the lawmaker, who also doubles as the tournament's chief organiser and sponsor, the Honourable Papay Larkoh Trophy is a celebration of football competition honouring the MP's dedication to community development and youth empowerment. The kick-off event was vibrant, with cultural displays and inspiring speeches from community stakeholders and members. The tournament also brings together teams from various communities to compete in exciting matches, showcasing local talent and promoting oneness. The event is more than just a football tournament — it’s also a platform for young athletes in neighbouring communities to shine and a testament to one of Honourable Larkoh’s legacies of promoting sports Furtherm...