Swit Salone

25/12/2024

Of the 150,000 unwanted pregnancies in Sierra Leone each year, 90,000 end in illegal abortions. And eight out of every 10 abortions end in complications or death. The people performing these abortions are often untrained, ill-equipped, and unregulated.

Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Health is on a mission to reduce unwanted pregnancies and unsafe abortions. Their solution is a new “Safe Motherhood” bill that promises comprehensive healthcare for adolescent girls and women.

At the reading of the “Safe Motherhood” bill in parliament on December 17, 2024, Deputy Minister of Health, Dr. Jalikatu Mustapha, said the reported cases hide the full scale of the problem.

“Countless other abortions go unreported.”

While the bill's focus has been on early terminations, the reforms promised in the bill would drastically improve reproductive health care service delivery.

Of the 150,000 unwanted pregnancies in Sierra Leone each year, 90,000 end in illegal abortions. And eight out of every 10 abortions end in complications or ...

21/12/2024

Sierra Leone’s biggest music festival Ecofest (The Illumination), promises two fun-filled days of comedy, music, and fashion. The year’s festival, which is scheduled for December 20th and 21st, will take place at the Africell Building Beach Front, Bendu’s Drive, Lumley.

Ecofest will bring together a stellar lineup of top African artists, comedians, and entertainers. The festival showcases Sierra Leone entertainment’s best through cultural exchange

Tickets are SLE 200 for regular, SLE 500 for stage area, and SLE 2,500 for VIP.


Day 1: Comedy, Fashion, and Salone Culinary Delights

The festival kicks off with a night dedicated to comedy, fashion, and Sierra Leone’s rich culinary culture. International comedy heavyweights Sabinus and Brain Jotter from Nigeria will headline the show, promising non-stop laughter. They will be joined by Sierra Leone’s own comedic talents, including Robinho, Yemata, Oga Worwor, Faculty, Kindo Armani, and Comedian Selfie.

Sierra Leone’s biggest music festival Ecofest (The Illumination), promises two fun-filled days of comedy, music, and fashion. The year’s festival, which is ...

18/12/2024

From the attieke to the suya, the newly opened Hajara’s Kitchen is serving authentic, mouthwatering African food her restaurant in Woodbridge, Virginia. The chef and owner, Hajara Sesay, 40, is already making a name for herself in the DMV area.

12/12/2024

Sierra Leone's educational system faces major challenges. While enrollment rates are up, learning outcomes still lag and without training, teachers in rural communities struggle to teach. In a panel discussion held by Schools for Salone on Giving Tuesday, “Beyond Access: Building a Brighter Future with Quality Education in Sierra Leone,” experts and advocates shared insights into how foundational learning and targeted support can meet the needs of teachers and students.

Improving Teaching skills in Sierra Leone
Schools for Salone has been working tirelessly to support teachers, particularly in rural areas, where many volunteer teachers lack formal training. They do this by partnering with the Learning Foundation.

The Learning Foundation focuses on learning, as its name suggests, with a strong emphasis on literacy.

10/12/2024

On Giving Tuesday, December 3, 2024, Schools for Salone (SfS) hosted a webinar titled, Beyond Access: Building a Brighter Future with Quality Education in Sierra Leone, to address the urgent need for tackling learning poverty and improving teacher training.

SfS, in partnership with The Learning Foundation and the Sierra Leone government, is addressing these challenges by training teachers in rural areas and equipping them with vital resources.

Bidemi Caroll, Dounding Member of The Learning Foundation, emphasized the need for consistent teacher training, highlighting the high turnover among volunteer educators as a major barrier in providing quality education to children.

SfS is urging donations to expand these efforts and help provide quality education for Sierra Leone’s children.

10/12/2024

🔗: https://shorturl.at/aW2MT

On Giving Tuesday, December 3rd, 2024, Schools for Salone (SfS) hosted a webinar titled, Beyond Access: Building a Brighter Future with Quality Education in Sierra Leone, to address the urgent need for tackling learning poverty and improving teacher training.

SfS, in partnership with The Learning Foundation and the Sierra Leone government, is addressing these challenges by training teachers in rural areas and equipping them with vital resources.

Bidemi Caroll, Founding Member of The Learning Foundation, emphasized the need for consistent teacher training, highlighting the high turnover among volunteer educators as a major barrier in providing quality education to children.

SfS is urging donations to expand these efforts and help provide quality education for Sierra Leone’s children.

Follow the link in to read more.

📷: VR&C Marketing.

10/12/2024

Sierra Leone's educational system faces major challenges. While enrollment rates are up, learning outcomes still lag and without training, teachers in rural communities struggle to teach. In a panel discussion held by Schools for Salone on Giving Tuesday, “Beyond Access: Building a Brighter Future with Quality Education in Sierra Leone,” experts and advocates shared insights into how foundational learning and targeted support can meet the needs of teachers and students.

08/12/2024

Last Saturday was a big party night in Freetown, as over six thousand fans watched Drizilik and the Albert Academy Band perform a live brass set including hits from the kriofusion musician's Shukubly and Ashobi albums.

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Last Saturday was a big party night in Freetown, as over six thousand fans watched Drizilik and the Albert Academy Band perform a live brass set including h ...

08/12/2024

Sierra Leone’s unemployment rate saw a slight improvement, decreasing from 3.58% in 2022 to 3.57% in 2023, according to data by Macrotrends. Despite this progress, youth unemployment remains a critical issue, highlighting persistent gaps in sustainable job creation.

Government initiatives aimed at tackling unemployment have yet to yield significant results for the country’s youth. Some citizens have called on the government to address the root cause of youth joblessness in the country. According to them, this is vital for long-term economic growth and stability.
Major Causes Of Youth Unemployment in Sierra Leone
A recent World Bank report indicates that only 46% of young boys and 67% of girls in Sierra Leone complete secondary school. The limited access to quality education leaves the youth underprepared for competitive job markets.

The disconnect between academic curricula and the labor market needs worsens the issue.

Sierra Leone’s unemployment rate saw a slight improvement, decreasing from 3.58% in 2022 to 3.57% in 2023, according to data by Macrotrends. Despite this pr ...

07/12/2024

Namibia’s freedom fighter, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, (NNN) has made history by becoming the country’s first female president. The 72-year-old secured 57% of the votes, defeating her closest rival Panduleni Itula who got 26%, according to results announced on Tuesday by the Electoral Commission of Namibia, (ECN).

Itula described the electoral process as “deeply-flawed” - an allegation the ECN denies. His party, Independent Patriots for Change (IPN) has said it will challenge the election results in court.

Nandi-Ndaitwah has been serving as the country’s vice president since February under the governing South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO). This followed the stepping up of then vice president Nangolo Mbumba after the death of President Hage Geingob.

Once sworn in to office, Nandi-Ndaitwah will join Tanzania's Samia Suluhu Hassan who is presently Africa’s only female president.

With about 25 years in politics, Nandi-Ndaitwah has finally reached the top.

Namibia’s freedom fighter, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah (NNN), has made history by becoming the country’s first female president. The 72-year-old secured 57% of t ...

07/12/2024

Owning a home in Ghana is a dream for many in the diaspora. It offers not just a personal connection to the continent but also a solid investment for the future.

Following the Year of Return campaign in 2019, Ghana has become a prime destination for investors and settlers. Just last week, 524 people gained Ghanaian citizenship. Many of them Black Americans citizens, resident in Ghana for a while, others are linked to the country through DNA.

While the Year of the Return Movement has been going on for five years, Trump’s re-election will encourage even more to go abroad. Some like Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Jenice Armstrong say the “peace and contentment that eluded them in the United States” is possible elsewhere.

06/12/2024

Ghana’s 2024 general elections are two days away, set for December 7th, 2024 but special voting is already underway for those who won't be able to vote on the day.

This election is highly competitive. Nana Akufo-Addo’s eight-year tenure is ending, and his party, the NPP, backs Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as their candidate.

Though Bawumia is a strong contender, his campaign faces challenges. Protests under his party’s leadership, corruption scandals involving ministers, and unmet promises like building dams and industries impact his chances.

Adding to the pressure, his main opponent, John Dramani Mahama, previously served as Ghana’s president between 2012 to 2016.

06/12/2024

Westwind Energy SL Limited has achieved a significant milestone, receiving the Clean Cooking and Building of the Year Award at the 9th ECOWAS Sustainable Energy Forum (ESEF). The event took place on November 29th,2024, at the Abidjan Exhibition Centre, Côte d’Ivoire.

The company’s flagship product, the Wonder Stove, was named the Energy Efficiency Project, Clean Cooking Building, and Industry of the Year by Ecowas Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE), a regional organization championing renewable energy in West Africa.

The award-winning Institutional Stove boasts an impressive 41.7% thermal efficiency, reduces wood usage by 60%, and cuts smoke emissions by a remarkable 90%. These features have already improved the cooking conditions of over 35,000 beneficiaries in Sierra Leone and Guinea.

The recognition highlights the company's impactful work in advancing energy-efficient cooking solutions across West Africa.

Westwind Energy SL Limited has achieved a significant milestone, receiving the Clean Cooking and Building of the Year Award at the 9th ECOWAS Sustainable En ...

06/12/2024

Last Saturday was a big party night in Freetown, as over six thousand fans watched Drizilik and the Albert Academy Band perform a live brass set including hits from the kriofusion musician's Shukubly and Ashobi albums.

He

Drizilik performs at third annual Drizilik and Special Guests at Freetown's Amusement Park (previously Victoria Park). Last Saturday was a big party ni ...

06/12/2024

According to Macrotrends data, Sierra Leone's unemployment rate saw a minor decline, moving from 3.58% in 2022 to 3.57% in 2023. However, youth unemployment continues to be a major concern, underscoring challenges in creating sustainable jobs.

While the government has made efforts to combat unemployment, these initiatives have had limited impact on young people. Many citizens stress the need to address the underlying causes of youth unemployment to promote long-term economic growth and stability.

Sierra Leone’s unemployment rate saw a slight improvement, decreasing from 3.58% in 2022 to 3.57% in 2023, according to data by Macrotrends. Despite this pr ...