AGP Executive Report

Local Governance Push: VP Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh kicks off a two-week nationwide tour in Kenema, Bo, Makeni and Port Loko to strengthen decentralisation and service delivery, including listening sessions with stakeholders and Paramount Chiefs. Ebola Readiness: The Health Ministry, with NPHA and partners, runs a three-day Ebola simulation in Western Area Urban and Kenema to test alert detection, investigation, and emergency operations. Constitutional Tension: Opposition and legal voices keep pressing the constitutional amendment dispute, with Dr. Ibrahim Bangura urging President Bio to withhold assent pending Supreme Court review. Aid Pressure: UK aid cuts threaten Sierra Leone’s health gains, with bilateral support projected to drop sharply over coming years. Investment Drive: Sierra Leone steps up preparations for WAIIS 2026 by building a portfolio of bankable projects aimed at attracting investors and jobs. Tourism Rules: The Tourism Ministry orders Gullahdugu Tours to stop promoting an unauthorised One Nation Reggae Festival tour package. Sports & Youth: SLFA gives $15,000 total to three clubs for CAF campaigns; in Sweden, Sierra Leone’s Momoh Kamara helps Elfsborg to a 3-0 win with two goals and an assist. Climate Recognition: Commonwealth Trust 100 Young Leaders Award goes to Sierra Leonean climate advocate Komrabai Dumbuya.

Constitutional Crisis: APC rejects Parliament’s passage of Sierra Leone’s constitutional amendment bill, arguing the Speaker’s ruling on the two-thirds threshold is wrong and calling for Supreme Court intervention. Legal & Governance: Dr Ibrahim Bangura urges President Bio to withhold assent pending Supreme Court interpretation, while a religious leader calls for a formal national dialogue to cool tensions over electoral reform. Local Governance Push: VP Juldeh Jalloh launches a two-week regional tour (Kenema, Bo, Makeni, Port Loko) to strengthen decentralisation and service delivery, including talks with Paramount Chiefs. Health Accountability: Health Minister Dr Austin Demby tells healthcare workers to move from explanations to action on preventable maternal and child deaths. Road Safety: Sierra Leone Police ban unauthorised decorative vehicle lights nationwide, warning they distract and raise accident risks. Sports & Youth: SLFA completes a NLe100,000 payment to the family of late footballer Bureh Ganso Koroma; Sierra Leone’s U18 beach volleyball team wins gold in Senegal; and the U19 cricket team sits fourth in its ICC Africa qualifier standings. Telecom Fraud: Orange Sierra Leone launches a new scam alert and fraud reporting tool for customers in Freetown.

Constitutional Crisis: APC rejects Parliament’s constitutional amendment vote, arguing the Speaker’s ruling wrongly allowed a simple majority and calling for Supreme Court interpretation. Public Health Accountability: Health Minister Dr Austin Demby warns healthcare workers to act on preventable maternal and child deaths under the “300 Days of Activism” push. Road Safety Crackdown: Sierra Leone Police ban decorative vehicle lights nationwide, warning they distract or blind other road users. Labour & Workplace Safety: Labour Ministry investigates a deadly Lungi airport construction-site mudslide/incident that killed two and sent two others to hospital. Digital Fraud Fight: Orange Sierra Leone launches a new scam alert and fraud reporting tool to help customers verify and report impersonation and mobile money scams. Youth & Governance: VP Juldeh Jalloh begins a two-week regional tour to strengthen decentralisation and local service delivery. Media Skills for Change: SEND-SL trains Kailahun journalists and bloggers in mobile journalism to support social and behaviour change communication. Sports: Sierra Leone wins CAVB Men’s U18 Beach Volleyball gold in Senegal; NSA also congratulates the U19 beach volleyball pair.

Constitutional Reform Showdown: Sierra Leone Labour Congress has urged President Maada Bio to withhold assent to the Constitutional Amendment Bill, saying key position papers were ignored and the changes could weaken citizens’ direct electoral sovereignty. Parliament Under Pressure: Opposition leader Allieu Iscandri accused the Speaker of sidestepping constitutional procedure over the two-thirds threshold, warning of possible Supreme Court action. EU Keeps Talking: The EU Delegation held dialogue with APC leadership amid the constitutional dispute and recent parliamentary walkouts. Emergency Appointments: Bio has summoned an emergency parliamentary sitting to approve presidential nominees across key ministries and public service roles. Labour Law Enforcement: The Labour Ministry met private recruitment agencies to tighten compliance with Sierra Leone’s labour laws and ILO rules on employment agencies. Health & Rights: Attorney General Alpha Sesay met UNFPA on justice, GBV and reproductive rights, pledging closer collaboration. Protected Areas Crackdown: NPAA continued demolitions at Aberdeen Creek in a Ramsar wetland zone to stop encroachment. Police Misconduct Allegations: SLFA and Mogbwemo Queens FC condemned alleged gender-based harassment and assault by police at Bo checkpoints; complaints have been filed. Workplace Tragedy: Two workers reportedly died after a mudslide at a Lungi construction site. Sports: Leone Stars named 27 home-based players for 2027 AFCON qualifiers; Sierra Leone U19 and Nigeria’s Junior YellowGreens also posted big wins in World Cup qualifiers.

Constitutional Tensions: Sierra Leone’s constitutional amendment fight is heating up as the EU meets APC leadership, while the Sierra Leone Labour Congress urges President Bio not to assent, citing public concerns and alleged procedural gaps. Parliament Recall: Bio has summoned an emergency sitting for 20 August to approve presidential nominees. Sports—Player Safety: The SLFA condemned alleged gender harassment of a Mogbwemo Queens player at a Bo checkpoint, and Mogbwemo Queens also filed a police complaint over alleged sexual assault and pepper-spraying. Tragedy at Lungi Site: Two workers reportedly died after a mudslide at an FB Group construction site near Lungi. Health Appointments: Dr Mustapha Kabba was appointed Chief Medical Officer. Road Safety Cooperation: SLRSA seeks deeper technical ties with Nigeria’s road safety agency. Youth & Climate: Freetown launched the third Bloomberg Youth Climate Action Fund cohort. Port Update: SLPHA leads a multi-agency push to decongest Freetown’s Queen Elizabeth II Quay. Cricket: Sierra Leone U-19 beat Mozambique in an ICC qualifier.

Parliament & Constitution: Sierra Leone’s constitutional amendment fight is heating up again as citizens and legal voices challenge the Speaker’s claim that his ruling is final and beyond court review, with ILRAJ warning Parliament may have applied the wrong two-thirds threshold and SLAJ urging restraint while constitutional questions are referred to the Supreme Court. Port & Transport: SLPHA launched a multi-agency operation to decongest the Queen Elizabeth II Quay in Freetown, removing faulty trucks and tightening licence checks to speed up container movement and reduce delays. Youth & Climate: Freetown Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr has launched the third cohort of the Bloomberg Youth Climate Action Fund 2.0, backing youth-led local climate projects across Sierra Leone. Education: Sierra Leone is scaling digital learning, adding 278 tech-enabled schools in six months and targeting 751 total, while the NPSE spotlight went to 11-year-old Davies Bethany for top performance. Anti-Corruption: Sierra Leone’s NACS Steering Committee endorsed five actions to strengthen compliance, procurement verification, and internal audit independence across public institutions. Health Watch: WHO warns Ebola in DR Congo could surpass the worst outbreaks on record, with cases and deaths rising fast.

Constitutional Crisis: Sierra Leone’s constitutional amendment fight is heating up as ILRAJ raises constitutional and procedural red flags over Parliament’s reported passage of the 2025 amendment bill, arguing the two-thirds threshold was misapplied and that the Speaker’s interpretation came too late; Legal Pushback: Speaker Segepoh Thomas insists his ruling is final and can’t be reviewed by any court, while APC rejects the reported vote outcome and Sylvia Blyden challenges Parliament’s position, citing a 2002 Court of Appeal precedent; Media Watch: SLAJ says it welcomes the referral of key constitutional questions to the Supreme Court but urges restraint as the matter moves through legal channels; Anti-Corruption: Sierra Leone’s NACS Steering Committee backs five actions to tighten compliance across public institutions, including procurement verification and a non-compliance escalation protocol; Education & Youth: MTHE announces fully funded 2027 Commonwealth Scholarships for Sierra Leoneans, while digital education expands toward 751 tech-enabled schools and NPSE top performer Davies Bethany is celebrated; Security Support: Turkey donates 10 motorbikes to the Sierra Leone Police to boost mobility and community policing; Health Alert: WHO warns Ebola in DRC could become the worst on record as cases surge past 4,400 and deaths exceed 2,000.

Ebola Update (DRC): The Democratic Republic of Congo says confirmed Ebola cases have climbed to 4,449 with 2,061 deaths, with officials warning it’s the fastest-spreading outbreak on record amid conflict, delayed detection, and strained health services. Constitution Check (Sierra Leone): A fact-check says a viral Facebook claim that Parliament amended the 1991 Constitution on 28 July 2026 is misleading; lawmakers debated the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2025, but it was not amended then. Constitutional Amendment Fallout (APC): The APC rejects reports of the bill’s passage, arguing the required two-thirds parliamentary threshold was not met, and points to Speaker and Supreme Court interpretation concerns. Cyber Safety (Sierra Leone): The National Cybersecurity Coordinating Centre urges “stop, think and verify” as mobile scams and WhatsApp takeovers rise, warning never to share verification codes or PINs. Public Security (Freetown): Police say they destroyed two containers of seized narcotic and pharmaceutical drugs, warning traffickers will be pursued. Power & Works (Freetown): EDSA announces a planned power interruption (Aug 12–14) to support the NANT project grid integration, affecting the Portee–Waterloo corridor. Sports (Sierra Leone): East End Lions appoint Patrick Bangura as head coach on a two-year deal, while Sierra Leone goalkeeper “Tortoise” Francis Koroma debuts for Katsina United in a preseason draw. Football Development (SLFA): SLFA opens applications for its third CAF C Diploma coaching course (Aug 24–Nov 4). Tourism & Culture (Sierra Leone): Miss World Sierra Leone 2026, Mariyam Konneh, begins official activities in Vietnam, and Sierra Leone continues to push its tourism and heritage narrative.

Constitutional Reform Clash: Sierra Leone MPs approved the Constitutional (Amendment) Bill 2025 after an APC walkout, cutting the presidential win threshold from 55% to a simple nationwide majority and introducing proportional representation for legislative polls plus a 30% women’s leadership quota; APC MPs and lawyers say the two-thirds rule wasn’t met, while Speaker Solomon Thomas has sought Supreme Court interpretation. Appointments Shake-Up: President Julius Maada Bio announced major cabinet and public service appointments, including a new nominee for Finance and changes across foreign affairs, employment, energy, mines, and revenue leadership. Fuel and Transport Pressure: Freetown commuters complain fares are rising and routes are being shortened after Aug. 3 fuel price hikes, with no clear new official fares. Education Results: WAEC released 2026 NPSE results: 78.2% pass rate, top candidate Bethany Davis (351), and 1,927 results withheld over suspected malpractice and missing continuous assessment scores. Power Access Push: A solar-plus-battery project (RESPITE) is set to help raise grid access from 16% to 36%. Ebola Watch (Region): Congo’s Ebola deaths passed 2,000 with 4,381 cases reported, as the outbreak spreads fastest on record. Miss World Sierra Leone: Mariyam Lorba Konneh began official rehearsals in Vietnam ahead of the 75th anniversary pageant.

Constitutional Showdown in Parliament: Sierra Leone’s Parliament passed the Constitution of Sierra Leone (Amendment) Bill, 2025 after an APC walkout, with the Speaker ruling a simple majority applies while the opposition insists on a two-thirds threshold; the Speaker has referred the dispute to the Supreme Court for clarification, and the amendments include lowering the presidential win threshold from 55% to 50%+1, introducing proportional representation for MPs, and a 30% women’s nomination quota. Security Tightened at the House: Parliament increased checks after the Speaker reported an alleged intruder attempting to enter with a “missile,” limiting party representatives in the chamber. Regional Development Finance: ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) approved over $510m in commitments for West Africa, including transport, healthcare, renewable energy and private-sector projects. Road Safety Move: Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority (SLRSA) introduced mandatory vehicle inspections, blocking unroadworthy vehicles from temporary registration. Sports & Youth: Nigeria’s Junior YellowGreens beat Ghana in U19 World Cup qualifiers in Rwanda, while Sierra Leone’s Mariyam Konneh arrived in Vietnam for Miss World 2026. Health Alert Beyond Sierra Leone: DR Congo reported Ebola deaths rising to 2,011 as the outbreak spreads fastest on record.

Constitutional Showdown in Parliament: Sierra Leone’s Parliament passed the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2025 after a tense session marked by an opposition walkout over whether amendments need a two-thirds majority; Speaker Segepoh Solomon Thomas later referred the voting-threshold dispute to the Supreme Court for clarity, while APC leaders and Abdul Kargbo insist the 2/3 rule applies. Security Tightened at Parliament: After the Speaker reported an alleged intruder attempting to enter with a “missile,” Parliament tightened access rules and increased on-site security ahead of the vote. Electoral Reform Push: President Julius Maada Bio defended the timing of the reforms ahead of 2028, urging lawmakers to approve changes including lowering the presidential win threshold and reserving 30% for women in nominations, while opposition figures warn the bill could cement SLPP dominance. Road Safety Update: SLRSA introduced mandatory vehicle inspections, saying vehicles that fail safety checks won’t get temporary registration. Energy Leadership Loss: EGTC Director General Milton Gegbai died in Freetown after a brief illness. Community & Youth: GYNED joined UNFPA training on social norms change to help end FGM, and Miss Freetown 2026 unveiled 15 finalists for a November 28 finale.

Constitution Vote Tension: Sierra Leone’s Parliament is set to decide the Constitutional (Amendment) Bill, with President Bio urging MPs to vote “Yes” and critics warning it could reshape power for years—opposition APC backs some reforms (including a 30% women’s nominations quota and dual-citizen eligibility for parliament) but rejects proportional representation and changes to the presidential threshold. Threshold Warning: SLPP critic Dr. Sylvia Blyden says a “simple majority” clause could replace the 50%+1 idea and let a candidate win with as little as 37%, potentially locking SLPP control. APC MPs Under Pressure: An editorial and APC statements frame today’s vote as a national test, while APC MP Ibrahim Barrie argues First-Past-The-Post keeps clear accountability. Energy Sector Loss: EGTC Director General Milton Gegbai has died in Freetown after a brief illness, with interim leadership expected. Local Governance/Transport: Freetown bike riders allege harassment and extortion by BMO officials; the BMO chairman says enforcement is for safety and helmet compliance. Youth & Community: MARWOPNET and partners held community action in Pujehun against sexual and gender-based violence, including digital abuse. International Watch: A Liberian-linked vessel, IB Atlantic IV, has entered Ivorian waters amid reports of interception, as regional authorities coordinate.

Constitutional Reform Push: President Maada Bio urged Parliament to pass the 2025 constitutional amendment bill, arguing it should strengthen democracy and inclusion ahead of 2028—key changes include lowering the presidential win threshold from 55% to 50%+1, introducing proportional representation, and a 30% women’s quota. Public Debate on Electoral Threshold: Commentaries in the public space say Sierra Leone should keep the 55% threshold, warning against repeating past political patterns. Telecom Listening Tour: Orange-SL CEO Aïcha Touré is on a five-day nationwide listening tour, meeting customers, partners and local leaders to improve service delivery. Youth & Sports: Cricket Sierra Leone won the toss and chose to bowl first against Ghana in the U-19 World Cup Africa qualifier in Rwanda. Football Administration: SLFA president Babadi Kamara was honoured for leadership, including increased Premier League seed money to NLe 225,000 per club. Education & Jobs: In Kenema, 80 youth graduated from a digital literacy programme supported by ITC and KOICA, aimed at employability. Digital Economy Dialogue: Sierra Leone’s National DPI dialogue brought together government, finance, private sector and partners to build digital trust and transaction infrastructure. International Spotlight: Sierra Leone’s Miss World representative Mariyam Konneh departed for Vietnam.

Flood Aftermath in Freetown: NDMA reports three deaths, two missing and over 300 houses destroyed after heavy rains swept through the city, with widespread flooding and damage to homes. Year of Action Delivery: President Maada Bio told Parliament the coming year will be about “action and accelerated delivery,” with performance targets across ministries and focus on food, electricity, clean water, roads, healthcare and youth jobs. Youth Skills to Jobs: In Kenema, 80 young people graduated from a nine-month digital literacy programme supported by ITC and KOICA, combining training with workplace internships to boost employability. Digital Public Infrastructure Push: Sierra Leone’s Communication Ministry wrapped up a National DPI dialogue on building digital trust and transaction systems, including secure identity and financial foundations. Tax Compliance in Focus: NRA and SICPA concluded a Product Tracing System workshop for excise taxpayers in Freetown to strengthen compliance and revenue. Football Funding Boost: SLFA President Babadi Kamara raised Premier League seed money to NLe225,000 per club and increased referees’ fees, while also outlining plans for more artificial-turf facilities nationwide. Electricity Access Gap: New data says nearly 6 million people in Sierra Leone lacked electricity access in 2025, underlining the scale of the energy challenge. Drug Crackdown: Police arrested a suspect in Mamamah Village with 287 wraps of suspected Kush, citing community cooperation in tackling drug distribution.

Youth Jobs & Skills: President Maada Bio told Parliament that tackling youth unemployment hinges on technical and vocational training, citing WokDonCam, BEAR III, Recognition of Prior Learning and the Excellence Skills Academy, where 26 of 41 trainees reportedly secured jobs. Digital Governance: The Ministry of Communication wrapped up a National Digital Public Infrastructure dialogue, while government also moves to roll out electronic procurement and digital audits across local councils to cut leakages and boost transparency. Anti-Corruption Push: Bio warned that no office or political status will shield anyone from scrutiny as Sierra Leone enters its “Year of Action and Accelerated Delivery.” Tax Compliance: NRA and SICPA concluded a Product Tracing System workshop for excise taxpayers, focusing on tax stamps and compliance for key goods. Security & Drugs: Police arrested a suspect in Mamamah Village with 287 wraps of suspected kush, following a community-led operation. Energy Access: Data shows nearly 6 million Sierra Leoneans still lack electricity access. Football: SLFA scouts Keister and Da Rosa left for the UK on a player search, and Star Sports Academy will debut in the CAF Champions League prelims against Gambia’s Medina United. Food & Economy: Bio says Feed Salone is raising rice output and cutting import bills, while warning drug cartels not to use Sierra Leone as a transit route.

Telecom & Finance: QCell has launched a new 035 mobile number series in Freetown, with a six-month promo offering 10 minutes of calls, 300MB data and 100 SMS for customers who register using a valid national ID, linking the move to QMoney’s push for financial inclusion. Legal Affairs: Sierra Leone Bar Association governance remains in focus after police disrupted the SLBA AGM; lawyer Basita Michael questioned the police’s “security” explanation, while Team Martina welcomed the election of a caretaker body to steer the association through transition. Politics: The Political Parties Regulation Commission has officially registered the Liberation People’s Party (LPP), giving it legal recognition to operate and mobilise under Sierra Leone’s political parties law. Public Services & Health Data: The National Public Health Agency is engaging suppliers to build an Integrated National Digital Mortality Surveillance system to improve death data capture and decision-making. Economy & Food Security: President Bio says school feeding now reaches over one million pupils across 15 districts, tied to domestic rice production and Feed Salone. Local Governance & Justice: Pademba Road Court No.1 adjourned a container theft case to August 13 over procedural notice disputes. Youth & Innovation: Orange Sierra Leone’s Orange Social Venture Prize 2026 showcased eight finalists from 138 applications, highlighting youth-led solutions. Regional & Global Watch: The ICC expressed concern after Chad and Venezuela withdrew, while DR Congo’s Ebola outbreak has surpassed 4,000 cases, with WHO urging a full-scale vaccine trial.