Tombo Blogger

Team Sierra Leone made a strong showing at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, with Halle Harris, Josefien Betist, Jordan Aki-Sawyerr, Ibrahim Jalloh and Mustapha Koroma delivering notable performances, including season-best results and historic achievements, despite the team ending the Games without a medal.

The Government of Sierra Leone has launched its first Advanced Field Epidemiology Training Program to strengthen disease surveillance, outbreak response and public health capacity, equipping experts with skills to detect, investigate and control disease outbreaks nationwide.

The National Communications Authority (NaTCA) has intensified warnings across Sierra Leone regarding sophisticated online scams and fraudulent internet links distributed via SMS, WhatsApp, and Facebook. These cybercriminals hack messaging profiles, steal data, and impersonate victims to demand money. Officials stress that these scams do not originate from local mobile network operators.

Key Scam Tactics

Fake Links: Unfamiliar URLs designed to steal banking or mobile money credentials.

Account Hijacking: Tricking users into sharing WhatsApp or social media verification codes.

Impersonation: Posing as friends, family, or public officials to solicit emergency funds. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

Recommended Safety Measures

Do not click on unknown or suspicious links sent via text or chat apps.

Never share One-Time Passwords (OTPs) or verification codes with anyone.

Enable two-factor authentication and use strong, unique passwords on all accounts.

Verify the identity of senders through alternative channels before responding to money requests.

The Ministry of Lands has warned that no construction may begin without a valid building permit and approved structural plans, stressing that violators risk fines of at least NLe 120,000, imprisonment of at least two years, or both.

The Ministry of Lands, Housing and Country Planning in Sierra Leone has begun strict enforcement of the National Country Planning Act 2025, warning that starting any building work without a valid permit and approved structural plans risks a minimum fine of NLe 120,000, at least two years in prison, or both.Key Details of the EnforcementThe Law: Section 87 of the National Country Planning Act 2025 bans unpermitted building of houses, fences, shops, and extensions.The Penalties: Violators face fines of NLe 120,000 or more, prison terms of two years or more, or both upon conviction.Extra Actions: Officials warn that illegal structures—including those in alleys or rights-of-way—face direct demolition.Enforcement Partners: The Ministry works with the Sierra Leone Police and other state agencies to arrest and prosecute offenders.If you need help, let me know:What type of structure you plan to buildWhich local council or area your land is located inI can guide you on the steps to secure your building approvals.

Attorney General Alpha Sesay and Chief Justice Komba Kamanda have concluded nationwide consultations with investigators and prosecutors on FGM, as the government prepares for broader stakeholder engagement to guide future policy and legal reforms.

Sierra Leone’s Josefien Betist faces England’s Lucy Kings-Wheatley in the women’s 60kg Commonwealth Games quarter-final on 28 July in Glasgow, with victory guaranteeing the nation its first-ever boxing medal by securing at least a bronze.

JUST IN: Former President Ernest Bai Koroma has arrived in Sierra Leone to attend the ECOWAS Summit as a guest of President Julius Maada Bio, in a symbolic show of national unity as the country hosts West Africa’s regional leaders.

Yes, former President Ernest Bai Koroma arrived back in Sierra Leone on July 19, 2026. He returned from Nigeria to attend the high-level ECOWAS summit in Lungi, following parliament's unanimous decision to drop all treason-related charges against him as part of a national reconciliation

Ministry of Planning and Economic Development has suspended seven NGOs, including Paida Foundation and Activate Hope Sierra Leone, with immediate effect for violating national NGO regulations, including failure to maintain verifiable offices, as part of efforts to strengthen accountability and compliance. The Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED) in Sierra Leone suspended seven NGOs with immediate effect. The affected organizations, including Paida Foundation and Activate Hope Sierra Leone, were sanctioned for failing to meet statutory requirements like maintaining a verifiable operational office.This suspension follows a comprehensive review of the NGO operational landscape conducted by the government. The crackdown is intended to enhance compliance, transparency, and accountability across the sector. The Ministry stressed that the action is not meant to undermine the vital work civil society does, but rather to build public confidence in development resources.The full list of the seven suspended NGOs includes:Paida FoundationActivate Hope Sierra LeoneWomen's Association for National DevelopmentStichting Wango Sierra LeoneFama Women's ProgrammeHakeen and Hakeema Charity OrganisationAssembly of God Development AgencyWould you like information on the official process required for NGOs to reinstate their operations with MoPED, or do you want to learn more about the regulatory guidelines for NGOs in Sierra Leone?

Lawyer Emmanuel M. Kamara, of Gbanthk'die Chambers, clarified that his donation of three light bulbs to Magistrate Court No. 8 on Pademba Road was a personal gesture to improve courtroom conditions, rather than a publicity stunt. He apologized to the Chief Justice and the Judiciary for the unintended negative attention the act attracted.