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This weekend, a New York-based writer known as Hamza4SL shared a puzzling video titled " Meteor Shower?? " with his 84,000 followers, claiming that something had just fallen from the sky in Sierra Leone, landing in Lungi. "Was it a bird? Was it a plane?" "No, it was Angel Gabriel!" That’s what some witnesses said about a bizarre phenomenon that occurred in the sky above Freetown. Other eyewitnesses speculated that the streak in the sky might have originated from a spacecraft that had launched from thousands of miles away, outside Sierra Leone's flight zone. According to Hamza4SL's post, the long trail indicates that the object was well beyond the limits of typical aircraft flight (7-8 miles or 39,000-41,000 feet) and was possibly near or above what is known as the Von Kármán line, which is 62 miles above the Earth's surface. Another social media user noted that they observed the distinctive pathway in the sky while sitting by the bay. "It ...

Once soaring to 2,411 feet, Sugar Loaf stood as the third highest mountain in Freetown and the 28th highest in Sierra Leone, a small country rich in natural wonders across 27,000 square miles. For many Freetown residents, climbing Sugar Loaf was not just a hike, but a cherished rite of passage, with an ascent from Regent Village that was relatively accessible and surrounded by lush forests. Freetown, the vibrant capital, thrives at the lower slopes of this  peak, with parts of Sugar Loaf recognized as the Western Area Forest Reserve. However, we must also remember the tragic landslide on August 14, 2017, spurred by heavy rains, which deeply affected the community of Regent and resulted in heartbreaking losses. Let's honor the spirit of this mountain and reflect on its enduring significance in our lives! British missionary George Thompson documented his ascent of Sugar Loaf in his 1859 book, "The Palm Land; Or, West Africa, Illustrated." "Mountain solutions for a sust...

This year, the UN theme for International Women's Day is “Gender Equality Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow” which recognizes the contribution of women and girls to build a more sustainable future for all. There is no doubt gender equality sits at the heart of a sustainable future, and that solar energy has a vital role in establishing both. With gender equality being at the core of its operations throughout Africa, Ignite Power is impacting millions of women, customers, and employees alike. This week, the company announced the conclusion of an extensive electrification project in Sierra Leone, providing 60 remote clinics and health facilities with lightning and electricity, with installations and end-user training done by an all-women team. The project was executed for We Care Solar, a global organization working to electrify last-mile health clinics and reduce maternal mortality in developing regions. The project is part of the Light Every Birth initiative by We Care Solar, aiming...

Just a few hours after a community fulfilled its obligation to bury those who died on the Wellington highway, politicians had already coopted the tragedy with promises they had no intention to keep.  Once all the flag-draped caskets were laid out, the victims (some still unknown) were interred at Waterloo, the same cemetery where Ebola victims and the 2017 mudslide victims were also laid rest, according to Freetown Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr. Anxious not to be painted as uncaring, politicians launched donation drives for survivors instead of stressing efforts to reduce road casualties, draw attention to the devastation caused by road crashes, and give recognition to the suffering of road crash victims and the work of support and rescue services. Before moving on to their suburbs, where neighbors don't plunder fuel tankers involved in road crashes or scavenge palm oil streaming from overturned trucks, politicians did remember to pose one last time for the mobile phones.  For peop...

  When Oprah Winfrey founded the Leadership Academy for Girls in 2007, she became a symbol in Johannesburg, South Africa, and for many schools across Africa. Sadly, the Oprah Winfrey Kindergarten and Primary School in Calaba Town, Sierra Leone (also founded in 2007) has never had quite enough to keep it running like the one that the famous American billionaire is personally invested in. Still, the community keeps striving to break the cycle of poverty. Calaba Town lies on the outskirts of Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone. Built after the Civil War (1991–2002), the reconstruction town is home to internally-displaced people who relocated.   In 2009, the Madieu Williams Foundation funded a primary school named after American footballer's mother, Abigail D. Butscher, in Calaba Town.  Sierra Leonean-born Williams played in America's National Football League (NFL). He was drafted in 2004 and went on to play for NFL teams in Minnesota, San Francisco, and the footbal...

  Sierra Leone's Ministry of Health and Sanitation has issued a public notice about its COVID-19 vaccination drive. According to the notice, the first phase began on Monday, March  22, and will continue through Wednesday, March 31. Target beneficiaries are below: Health care workers (Public & Private) Every Health care worker irrespective of age. Military Officers Age 40 years and above Police Officers Age 40 years and above Fire Force Officers Age 40 years and above Prison Officers Age 40 years and above Teachers (Public & Private) Age 40 years and above Lecturers and Instructors (Public & Private) Age 40 years and above Social Workers Age 40 years and above Custom & Immigration Officers Age 40 years and above General Public Age 70 years and above The following health facilities have been designated as vaccination sites:  BOMBALI  Makeni Gov’t Hospital  Kamabai CHC KONO  Koidu Gov’t Hospital  UMC Jiama Sewafe MOYAMBA  Moyamba Gov’t Hospital  Njala U...