Local News
Awareness Times News Briefs from Sierra Leone - April 20th 2012
By Awareness Times News
Apr 20, 2012, 17:02

NEWS BRIEFS ARE REPORTS CULLED FROM OTHER LOCAL NEWSPAPERS AND BROUGHT ONLINE FOR THE BENEFIT OF OUR READERS. THIS MEDIUM DOES NOT NECESSARILY AGREE WITH THE CONTENTS BELOW

Kingtom Barracks Gets New Mosque

Local tabloid reports say Kingtom Police Barracks in Freetown has received keys to a new Mosque constructed in that community by the African Muslim Agency in Sierra Leone. According to reports, the Mosque can accommodate at least five hundred worshippers at a time. The Mosque, reports went on, has been handed over to the Muslim Jamaat at Kingtom.

Police Suspends Peace Keeping Mission

Newspaper reports say the Inspector General of the Sierra Leone Police, Mr. Francis Alieu Munu, has revealed in Freetown that, there will be no further deployment of Sierra Leone Police to Sudan and Somalia until after Sierra Leone’s general elections in November this year. According to reports, three hundred police personnel are currently serving the mission in Darfur, Sudan and that the force cannot afford to send more troops for now. Reports say, one hundred and fifty police officers have undergone peace keeping training exercises and are on standby.

120 Children Benefits from Scholarships

It has been reported that at least, one hundred and twenty pupils living along the Krootown Road community in Constituency 107, have received a scholarship package each, from a philanthropist Sierra Leonean, Afred Koroma in that community. According to reports, the scholarship covered one academic year school fees, transportation to and from school and lunch for each pupil. Reports say Afred Koroma has promised to increase on the number of beneficiaries to five hundred come the next academic year.

Seven Dead in Gruesome Road Accident

Local tabloid reports have it that, seven people have reportedly lost their lives in a road accident along the Makeni/Freetown highway. According to reports, a trailer lost its way and collided with two vehicles with registration numbers AFI 640 and AGJ 271 respectively. Reports say seven people in one of the vehicles died on the spot, whilst others in the other vehicle, sustained serious injuries. The victims, reports say, were coming from a funeral ceremony held in Makeni, when they met their untimely death.

Sierra Leoneans in the Diaspora To Boost Education

Reports have it that, Sierra Leoneans living and working in the United Kingdom, recently launched the Sierra Leone Diaspora Education Forum in the United Kingdom. According to reports, the aim of the forum is to raise funds in the UK and support quality education in Sierra Leone. Reports say the forum has also disclosed plans to boost ITC education in Sierra Leone.

Miss Sierra Leone on Fistula & Maternal Morbidity Campaign

The Minister of Culture and Tourism, Hon. Victoria Saidu Kamara, has reportedly launched a fistula and maternal morbidity campaign in Freetown. Reports say the launching was done on behalf of the current Miss Sierra Leone 2012, Miss Vanessa Williams. According to reports, the aim of the campaign is to eradicate maternal mortality and fistula infections among women in Sierra Leone.

Parliament to Close By September 25

Newspaper reports say the Clerk of Parliament, Hon. Ibrahim Sesay, has said in Freetown that, the House of Parliament is expected to close down on Tuesday 25th September 2012. According to reports, the closure is in preparation for the November 17th presidential, parliamentary and local councils elections. Reports say the Clerk further informed that, the House was in a hurry to conclude and prepare for the new members of parliament that will be coming in after the elections.

Fire Victims Needs Help

Reports from Kono District say, victims of the Mafindor Chiefdom fire disaster, are in dire need of help. According to reports, 29 houses were burnt down, leaving hundreds of people homeless and properties worth millions of Leones destroyed. The victims, reports say, are calling on sympathizers including the Government and NGOs to provide aid for them.

Man 47 Alleged of Raping Girl 14

Newspaper reports say a 47years old man, Ibrahim Kamara, who was alleged of raping a 14years old girl, has appeared before Magistrate Komba Kamanda of Court No.2 in Freetown. Reports say the accused was charged with Indecent Assault, Cruelty to a Child and Abuse of Young Girl. According to reports, the accused in February this year, at 100 Pademba Road in Freetown, unlawfully and criminally harassed a girl below the age of 15. Reports say the victim has testified in court that the accused forcefully raped her. The matter was reportedly adjourned to 23rd April 2012.