232News

Salone @ 65



By Cheukai Makari
(232news)—

It's been a while since the last bittersweet birthday installation and, after struggling to find my voice regarding the land that I love, this year I have something to say. I'm not sure whether it's because turning 65 in 2026, a year that already feels so bridled with tension, conflict and uncertainty, that independence always brings around a time for honest reflection. April 27th then becomes, to me, an annual reflection of who we are, what we have done and where we are going.

It's hopeful to talk about our goals, hopes, and dreams, and what we hope to see in our country. It's easier to criticize our shortcomings, our leaders and the conditions we face on a daily basis. It's even nostalgic to remember who we were, where we came from and celebrate the steps that our ancestors took to get us to this point 65 years ago.

For some reason, this year, the first reflection is the one that stumped me. Who we are.

Now more than ever, at what feels like the peak of interdependence and interwovenness, it is imperative to bolster our national identity, not dilute it. And unfortunately, the evidence of dilution is becoming impossible to ignore beyond my self-imposed silence. The internet and social media have facilitated globalization beyond traditional means, and, just like everything in the world, this presents itself as a cycle. The pendulum only shifts so far to one side of the spectrum before it swings back to the other extreme, and it's becoming more and more evident in how we speak to each other, represent ourselves and even engage with one another. Taking a step back from the geopolitical and economic troubles that plague our realities and news feeds on a daily basis, let's consider the social. What, in this day and age, on our 65th birthday, does it mean to be Sierra Leonean?

Since when did Sierra Leonean culture become a vague reflection of overarching West African popular culture? Values, identity, presence, all gradually blurring into a hodgepodge of influences that were never quite ours to begin with. 'Chale' this, 'sha' that. And look, we are all connected by social media, globalization, the internet and so on and on and on. That much is undeniable. But that interconnectedness hasn't diluted what it means to be Nigerian in the global landscape. Say what you want about them, but the national identity is clear. The same goes for Ghana regardless of the complaints citizens raise domestically, their culture extends well beyond the country's borders.

And that's precisely the point.

A national identity strong enough pushes beyond the nuance of the individual. It doesn't limit multidimensionality, it enhances it. What concerns me is the quiet bastardization of a distinctly unique culture in favour of imitating one that was never ours.

I want to be clear - this is an observation, not an indictment. Because the question of when the shift happened matters less than the question of whether we even noticed.

I ask this while being completely aware that the country's identity has been shaped by a myriad of cultures over time. In fact, a significant part of being Sierra Leonean is, in essence, to be a combination of things. For example, the Krio language is just that - a combination. So to pose this question is not to obscure the idea that every person, environment, and thing is a product of its surroundings. Nothing and no one is truly independent. This is common knowledge.

The core of the question still remains, though. What is it that we can say has defined us in the past 65 years?

The closer I looked, the answer seemed to me that to be Sierra Leonean feels like always waiting for someone else to decide what our story is going to be — and then following that path. This isn't a broad-based critique; it's a genuine curiosity I've been beginning to ponder as I engage with more Africans and am able to feel their national presence despite the present challenges their nations may face. A perfect example of this would be the Speed Africa stream which, for all intents and purposes, was a beautiful showcase of the versatility and depth of African culture and identity. Putting aside that we weren't even included in the stream, a topic for another day, if we had to showcase our country to the world, what exactly would we bring to the forefront?

Is it blood diamonds? Still? Surely at 65 this isn't all we can been known for.

Let's put a more modern and optimistic lens on things: are we known for our beautiful beaches, minerals and resilient people? Not necessarily. Our minerals are owned by foreigners, the beaches we love are at risk due to climate change, and the beautiful people who, despite all the odds, carry the reach of Sierra Leone far beyond its borders are consistently underserved. Because in the 65 years since European rule, we haven't been able to adequately take care of ourselves in a way that accurately reflects who we are in the global arena. In fact, as an individual, it sometimes feels like my identity as a Sierra Leonean isn't reflected in the identity that our nation portrays.

It's time to move away from being 'resilient', which is just a Western-adorned term that rewards those who can withstand long-term suffering, and truly consider what we define our national identity to be and how we choose to reflect that to the world. This isn't meant to be a critique, but a genuine conversation starter for every Sierra Leonean, because as soon as we can decide on who we are as a people, we can decide where it is that we want to go. With so many conflicting ideals, morals and values, no wonder we find ourselves in a precarious situation at 65 with not much to show for our tenure.

So on this 65th birthday, I don't have an answer. I just have the question. The one I think we've been too distracted, too divided, or maybe too afraid to sit with. Who are we, really? Not who the world decided we were. Not who we borrowed from our neighbors. Not who we survived into being. Who are we, on our own terms? And what are we going to do about it? Anyways, until next year happiest bittersweet birthday, Mama Salone.

MINISTRY OF FINANCE APPROVES GAVI CO-FINANCING PAYMENT FOR VACCINES AND IMMUNIZATION



In a high-level follow up SMART Advocacy meeting conveyed by Health Alert Sierra Leone in partnership with the Extended Programme on Immunization (EPI) Ministry of Health held at the Ministry of Finance in Freetown on Wednesday 8th April, 2026, the Ministry of Finance informed the gathering that the Minister and the Principal Financial Secretary had approved the payment of the GAVI Co-financing and Cold Chain Equipment payment requested by the Ministry of Health before the deadline dates.

Laying the premise on the essence of the meeting, the Executive Director of Health Alert, Victor Lansana Koroma Esq said the meeting is to follow up on the GAVI Co-financing obligations status on the part of Government as it's part of the organization’s key advocacy activities to engage the Ministry of Finance and Health on same.

In his presentation on the status of immunizations and procurement of vaccines and other cold chain equipment, Doctor Desmond Maada Kangbai, Programme Manager for Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) starts by commending the Ministry of Finance for their timely payment of the Co-financing for over four years now including 2025.
Dr. Kangbai said this meeting is to remind the Ministry of Finance the deadline date for the 2026 payment which is due in July ending.
He underscores the advantages of timely payment of the co-financing which ensures timely vaccines availability, and that late payment always affects timely procurement and availability to the remote communities.
Therefore, as July draws closer it is but important that the Ministry of Finance expedite the process to be able to meet up with the deadline of July for the co-financing and the Cold Chain Equipment payment deadline in June he maintained.

Speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Finance, the Deputy Principal Financial Secretary Mr. Samuel E.B Momoh said the Minister of Finance had approved the payment of both the GAVI Co-financing and the Cold Chain Equipment in full before the deadline month of June and July, 2026.

Mr. Momoh expressed the Ministry and Government's willingness and commitment to always priortize the Ministry of Health amids the economic challenges to ensure that its carries out its functions effectively, and therefore they are always committed to fulfill their own part of the obligation. He also noted that before this meeting they were already ontop of situation by approving part of the payment in March 5th this year, and that they are now committed to paying the 100% of the above mentioned commitments.

Member of Parliament and also a member of the Parliamentary committee on Health, Hon. Simeon Tamba Johnny commended the Ministry of Finance for this proactive steps of approving the timely payments of the GAVI Co-financing as he said this is a step in the right direction because owing from the gains Sierra Leone has made in terms of immunization coverage of 95% and above, the country should ensure that we sustain those gains so as to maintain standard and prevent any pitfalls or backdrop in the sector.
In his conclusion and vote of thanks the Executive Director of Health Alert Sierra Leone, Victor Lansana Koroma Esq expressed thanks and appreciation to the Ministry of Finance for the feed back and timely intervention of approving the 100% GAVI Co-financing payment before the deadline date.
Koroma Esq, said the meeting is part of the usual partnership effort between Health Alert and the Ministry of Health and Parliamentarians through the parliamentary committee on Health to promote Immunization drive in the country.
He maintained that Health Alert will continue to follow up on this progress and commitments for a better health outcomes.

©️ HEALTH ALERT ADVOCACY AND COMMUNICATIONS DESK

Bo School Celebrates 120 Years of Excellence with Grand Speech Day



Bo School marked a historic milestone today, celebrating 120 years of academic excellence with a grand Speech Day and Prize Giving Ceremony.

The event highlighted the institution’s enduring commitment to nurturing young men in both intellect and character, guided by its renowned motto, “Manners Maketh Man.”

Attendees included President Julius Maada Bio and his wife, who proudly participated in the day’s festivities. The ceremony honored students who excelled academically while embodying the school’s core values, inspiring their peers to pursue excellence.

In recognition of his contributions to the school’s development, President Bio was acknowledged for initiatives including the construction of a 100-bed dormitory, four staff annexes, the provision of an SUV for the Principal, and a mini staff bus.

Meanwhile, as a devoted OBBA Wife, the First Lady was recognized for her efforts in mobilizing resources to support the school’s ongoing growth.

The celebration underscored Bo School’s lasting legacy as a premier institution in Sierra Leone, dedicated to shaping future leaders with both knowledge and integrity.

Sky Bank Denies Social Media Claims, Affirms Commitment to Integrity

(232news) -

PUBLIC NOTICE

The Management of Sky Bank (SL) Limited wishes to address a video currently circulating on social media alleging that officers of the Bank underpaid a Chinese customer.

The Bank categorically states that the incident portrayed in the video did not occur at any of its branches nationwide. Management considers the video a deliberate and malicious attempt to tarnish the Bank’s longstanding reputation for integrity, professionalism, and transparency values it has upheld throughout its 18 years of operation in Sierra Leone.

Upon becoming aware of the video, Management immediately initiated a comprehensive internal review. The findings confirm that:

No customer, including the individual depicted in the video, has lodged any complaint of underpayment.

A thorough review of CCTV footage across all branches revealed no evidence of the alleged incident.

Sky Bank (SL) Limited remains fully committed to maintaining the highest standards of banking service and operational integrity. We reassure our valued customers and the general public that robust measures are continuously in place to prevent and address any form of misconduct.

Customers are encouraged, as a matter of good practice, to carefully count and confirm all cash received at the point of withdrawal before leaving the banking hall.

While the Bank regrets any concern or inconvenience caused by the circulation of this misleading content, we urge the public to disregard the video and rely only on verified information from official sources.

We thank our customers and stakeholders for their continued trust, loyalty, and understanding.

Signed

Management

Sky Bank (SL) Limited