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Agence de Presse Ouest-Africaine

West Africa News Agency

Agence de Presse Ouest-Africaine

West Africa News Agency

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Sierra Leone

Tag: Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone news — Freetown politics, governance, the economy and society, with the latest coverage from West Africa News Agency.

Social Impact & Development

Protecting West Africa’s Street Children: ECOWAS Parliamentarians Issue Urgent, Strategic Recommendations in Freetown

By Kabir Isa

**Executive Summary** West African parliamentarians have declared the protection of street children a regional emergency, recognizing that poverty, conflict, climate change, and family breakdown create a multidimensional crisis requiring coordinated legal and policy responses. While regional frameworks like the 2019-2030 Child Policy exist, their impact is crippled by insufficient resources, weak institutional coordination, and a critical lack of reliable data. The emergence of online exploitation and cyber-harassment adds a dangerous new layer to this vulnerability, demanding that

Business & Economy

Beyond the Headline: A Deep Dive into Sierra Leone’s Minimum Wage Debate and the Net Pay Reality

By Kabir Isa

A proposed minimum wage increase in Sierra Leone is at risk of being undermined by existing taxation, potentially negating its intended benefit for workers. In response, key government ministries are collaborating to review the tax framework alongside the wage adjustment, recognizing that net take-home pay is the critical metric for economic relief. This situation highlights a universal policy insight: effective wage increases require concurrent fiscal reforms to ensure the gains reach workers. The outcome will depend on parliamentary approval, making this a test case for integrated economic policy design.

West African Politics

Jagaban’s $2 Million Solar & Water Initiative: A Deep Dive into Sierra Leone’s Infrastructure Solution

By Kabir Isa

APC flagbearer aspirant Sheikh Mohamed "Omodu" Kamara (Jagaban) has launched a major dual-infrastructure initiative, deploying $2 million worth of solar streetlights and borehole drilling equipment to address Sierra Leone's critical energy and water shortages. This project strategically targets fundamental community needs—enhancing nighttime safety and providing reliable clean water—while leveraging a decentralized, community-led model for determining installation priorities. The initiative serves as a potent demonstration of tangible, development-focused leadership ahead

Social Impact & Development

Beyond the Pitch: How Sierra Leone’s ‘Goal for Safe Migration’ Tournament Uses Football to Combat Trafficking and Violence

By Kabir Isa

This innovative campaign leverages football's immense popularity in Sierra Leone as a powerful vehicle to combat human trafficking and irregular migration among at-risk youth. By integrating knockout tournaments with direct advocacy, it uses community-driven entertainment to dismantle traffickers' false promises and deliver critical education on safe migration and human rights. The initiative uniquely combines sports, survivor testimonies, and dramatized real cases to foster behavioral change, positioning community recreation as a frontline defense against exploitation. This model demonstrates how culturally resonant platforms can effectively engage vulnerable

Social Impact & Development

Beyond the Beach: How the Sierra Leone Police Wives Association Fosters Unity, Empowerment, and Inter-Service Solidarity

By Kabir Isa

The Sierra Leone Police Wives Association's annual outing serves as a strategic welfare and unity initiative, directly strengthening the social fabric of the police force by fostering camaraderie among families. Crucially, the event functions as a sustainable micro-finance engine, where proceeds are reinvested as loans to empower members' livelihoods and fund internal development projects. A significant insight is the demonstration of institutional solidarity, highlighted by the Army Chief's presence, which signals improved inter-service relations. Ultimately, this model transforms a social gathering into

Business & Economy

Beyond the Headlines: How Sierra Leone’s Economic Diplomacy in Paris and Rabat Seeks to Unlock Private Capital

By Kabir Isa

Sierra Leone's Vice President is conducting a strategic diplomatic tour to bolster international investment and economic partnerships. His engagements in Paris with France's leading private-sector federation aim to unlock bilateral trade and direct capital flows into Sierra Leone's economy. This follows his participation in a major Africa investment forum in Morocco, where he worked to enhance the bankability of national projects and attract long-term private capital. The overarching mission is to drive the country's economic transformation by systematically strengthening ties with global financial institutions and governments.