Express News Brief 11-26-09
US $300 Million Annual Aid for Sierra Leone
The Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Samura Kamara, has disclosed that donor communities at the just concluded consultative group meeting held in London, have promised to at least maintain aid level of US $300 million per year. He went on to say that the donor communities, namely the United Kingdom, European Union, The World Bank group, the African Development Bank group, and the Organization of Islamic conference, all expressed satisfaction at the government’s agenda for change.
Reduction in HIV Prevalence among Pregnant Women
Director of the National AIDS Secretariat, Dr. Brima Kargbo, has said that the HIV prevalence rate among pregnant women in the country now records at 3.5% as against 4.4% 2007. Speaking to audience at the official launch of the world AIDS day campaign 2009, he said this year’s celebration is mainly focusing on pregnant women with the theme “Help protect your baby. Get tested for HIV”.
Youth to Help In Policing
Assistant Inspector General of police in charge of crimes, Chris Charley, has disclosed that they have launched an initiative to enlist youths as crime fighting volunteers in Freetown. He said that the capital which is faced with rampant cases of armed robbery would be divided into 860 zones with 10 youth volunteers in each.
7 Chiefdom Elections Postponed
The Chairperson of National Electoral Commission, (NEC) Dr. Christiana Thorpe, said on Tuesday that seven out of the forty chiefdoms that were expected to hold paramount chieftaincy elections have been postponed. From November 25th-28th to December 13th-18th she said the postponement occurred in order to give enough time for the review of the chiefdom list. This was not released earlier as expected.
Baptist Convention assists vulnerable women
Baptist Convention Sierra Leone has on Thursday 19th November 2009 launched a $443,000 project titled ‘Empowering Women for Peace and Sustainable Development’ that targets women in Marampa, Masimera, and Buya Romende chiefdoms in the Port Loko District. The project which was developed and funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is aimed at contributing to the sustainable improvement of the living conditions of deprived women and youths in the four chiefdoms.
by Ishmael S. Dugba
Stay with Sierra Express Media, for your trusted place in news!
© 2009, https:. All rights reserved.
