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OPEC Fund President Abdulhamid Alkhalifa Pledges Support for Cancer Centre in Sierra Leone, Reaffirms Commitment to Agriculture, Energy and the Economy



Vienna, Austria, Friday 10 April 2026 – OPEC Fund President Dr. Abdulhamid Alkhalifa has pledged support for the construction of a Cancer Centre in Sierra Leone and reiterated the Fund’s commitment to strengthening the country’s agriculture, energy and economic sectors. He made the remarks during a meeting with His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio at the OPEC Fund Headquarters.

Welcoming President Bio and his delegation, Dr. Alkhalifa expressed appreciation for the deepening partnership between Sierra Leone and the OPEC Fund. He said he was particularly pleased to meet the President following the successful 2024 Vienna Roundtable and to review the progress achieved since then.

Dr. Alkhalifa briefed President Bio on the Fund’s partnership with the International Atomic Energy Agency aimed at expanding radiotherapy access in countries with limited or no treatment facilities, noting that the Democratic Republic of Congo has already benefited from this collaboration.

Senior OPEC Fund officials also updated President Bio on OFID's co-financing of several pipeline projects since the Roundtable. These include the Livestock & Livelihoods Development Project (LLDP), for which USD 30 million has been approved; the Kambia Special Agro-Processing Zone (SAPZ) with USD 50 million approved; and the USD 50 million Bumbuna Hydro Project, which is pending Board approval. OFID is currently reviewing the pre-feasibility study of the Kambia-Kychom road.

Dr. Alkhalifa further assured President Bio that the Fund is prepared to support the West African Integration and Investment Summit to be convened in October this year. He also expressed commitment to assist Sierra Leone in mitigating the economic repercussions of the conflict in the Gulf region.

President Bio, in response, reaffirmed his appreciation for the partnership and commended the Fund’s leadership in advancing sustainable development. He thanked the OPEC Fund for co-hosting the 2024 Roundtable, which generated USD 850 million in pledges, including a USD 260 million new Country Partnership Strategy.

Highlighting the global economic impacts from the conflict, President Bio stated, “The disruption of critical energy supply routes has driven oil prices to historic highs, triggering inflationary pressures across transport, electricity and industrial production. At the same time, the conflict has severely constrained global fertilizer supply chains, pushing up input costs for agriculture, reducing yields, and heightening food insecurity risks, especially for developing countries.”

He added, “For countries like ours, which has made commendable progress in recent years toward macroeconomic stability and growth, these external pressures threaten to erode hard-won gains, widen fiscal deficits, and intensify the cost-of-living burden on citizens.”

Since the 2024 Vienna Roundtable, approximately 43 percent of the total USD 850 million in pledges, equivalent to USD 370 million, has already been translated into concrete investments, with projects either under implementation or in advanced stages of preparation.

The pledge by the OPEC Fund President also aligns with President Bio’s earlier commitment to establishing a Cancer Centre, a project that has faced delays due to difficulties in securing the necessary financing. Dr. Alkhalifa’s support is therefore a welcomed boost to President Bio’s longstanding goal of advancing healthcare in this critical area.

State House Communitcations

DR. IBRAHIM BANGURA PAYS A SOLIDARITY VISIT TO THE SLBC IN FREETOWN

By THE POLITICAL PENNER



Following a fire disaster that engulfed the top floor building of the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Cooperation in Freetown on the 8th April, 2026, which resulted to the lose of equipments worth millions of leones.

As a way of showing his humanitarian gesture, APC's leading flagbearer aspirant Dr. Ibrahim Bangura *(THE SAVOIR),* a prominent figure in Sierra Leone's politics, has paid a solidarity courtesy visit to the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC).

The fire, which broke out on the top floor of the broadcasting house, right inside the office of the deputy director general Mr. Mohamed Asmieu Bah, caused serious damages that led to the lose of properties worth millions of leones. Amongst the properties damaged into ashes, were; both laptop and desktop computers, chairs, television monitoring screens, mobile phones, cash, and official documents.

Dr. Ibrahim Bangura expressed sadness over the damaged and called on the management to put everything into prayers and said God almighty has answers to every challenges.

He said, despite him being a politician, but it is necessary to show sympathy and empathy to a state broadcaster whenever it necessary.
*"This is sad and I must say I felt the pain as a Sierra Leonean. I know the critical role the media plays in shaping society"* Dr. Bangura stated.

The visit by Dr. Bangura is seen as a show of solidarity and support for the SLBC as they deal with the aftermath of the fire. It is of no secret that Dr. Bangura is known for his philanthropic efforts and dedication to national development.

Dr. Bangura, even before politics has been involved in various initiatives, including healthcare and education, and has been praised for his visionary leadership.

He finally presented a sum of Five thousand United States dollars and two laptop computers as his support to the institution.

The director general of the SLBC, Josephine Kamara thanked Dr. Bangura and team for the visit. She said this has shown that SLBC is highly appreciated and it'll remain the true voice of the people in disseminating information and pivotal issues of national interest.

Deputy Director General Mohamed Asmieu Bah said, he's pleased with the support given by Dr. Bangura and praying that such incident won't repeat itself. He thanked Dr. Bangura for considering SLBC and called for more support for the betterment of the institution.

The SLBC plays a crucial role in Sierra Leone's media landscape, and the fire incident has likely caused disruptions. Dr. Bangura's visit is a step towards ensuring the corporation gets the necessary support to overcome this challenge.

©️ D.I.B MEDIA TEAM

President Bio Arrives in Vienna to Champion Africa’s Energy Future at Global Climate Forum



Vienna, Austria – Wednesday, 8 April 2026 has arrived in Vienna to participate in the International Vienna Energy and Climate Forum (IVECF), where he is set to deliver a keynote address on Mission 300—an initiative aimed at expanding energy access across Africa. The forum will take place from 9–10 April 2026.
President Bio’s remarks are expected to shape critical discussions on green industrialisation and climate-resilient energy solutions. These themes are central to achieving a just energy transition, strengthening stability, enhancing resilience, and promoting shared prosperity, particularly among Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs).
During his visit, the President will also hold a series of high-level bilateral meetings on the margins of the summit, engaging with global leaders and stakeholders on energy and climate priorities.
The IVECF is widely regarded as a premier global platform, bringing together policymakers, innovators, experts, and youth leaders committed to advancing sustainable development and climate action.
As he joins this important gathering, President Bio continues to position himself as a prominent international voice, advocating for increased investment and genuine partnerships for Africa. His engagement reflects a firm belief in the continent’s vast potential and the transformative power of collaboration in driving sustainable progress for its people.

Stocks increase, oil drops below $100 a barrel amid Iran ceasefire

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Stocks increase, oil drops below $100 a barrel amid Iran ceasefire Brent oil futures were last down 13.7% at $94.29, and U.S crude futures were down 16% at $94.93 a barrel

Breaking: Golden Age for the Middle East Donald J. Trump

Journalists, Bloggers Trained on Sustainable Tourism Reporting

By Marilyn King

(232news) -

The Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs on Monday, 30th and Tuesday, 31st March 2026, trained journalists and bloggers on sustainable tourism reporting, with a focus on empowering Sierra Leonean media practitioners.

The two-day event was held at Dove’s Nest Hall in Aberdeen, Freetown.

Speaking at the training, Institutional Growth Editor, Producer, and Anchor from Nigeria, Kingsley Uranta, described Sierra Leone as an emerging tourism destination known for its stunning and relatively untouched beaches, rich biodiversity—including chimpanzees and pygmy hippos—vibrant culture, and historical sites.

He noted that the country offers a unique mix of sun, sand, eco-tourism adventures, and cultural immersion.

Uranta highlighted key tourist attractions such as the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary, a 100-acre facility dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of orphaned chimpanzees. He also referenced Bunce Island, a 1,600-foot uninhabited island located about 20 miles up the Sierra Leone River from Freetown, which was established as a slave trading station in 1670.

Additionally, he described River No. 2 Beach as a picturesque white-sand beach south of Freetown, known for its turquoise waters and surrounding mangroves.

He emphasized the impact of negative tourism reporting, citing Kenya as an example. Between 2011 and 2015, reports of terrorism, insecurity, and kidnapping led to a decline in tourist arrivals from 1.8 million to 1.5 million. In 2015, stricter immigration laws particularly those affecting child travel further reduced arrivals, resulting in an estimated revenue loss of $1.5 billion.

Uranta also highlighted leading tourism economies in Africa, noting that tourism contributes 3.3% of GDP in South Africa, 7% in Kenya, 8% in Morocco, and between 4.7% and 8.6% in Egypt, generating billions of dollars annually.

Media specialist and journalist Antonia stressed the importance of ethical reporting using the “RESPECT Checklist” before publishing stories. She explained that journalists should ask whether their reports are respectful, evidence-based, free from stereotypes, fair in representation, ethically sourced, and mindful of tourism impact.

She further urged journalists to ensure balance in their stories and remain committed to professionalism. According to her, journalists should prioritize integrity over financial gain and remain passionate about their work.

The training concluded with a tour and the presentation of certificates to participants.