AWE Media Sierra Leone

By: Alhaji A. Barrie The Sierra Leone High Commission in the United Kingdom has denied recent rumors on social media that the UK and European Union have stopped giving visas to Sierra Leonean citizens. In a press release on Thursday, 31 July 2025, the Commission said these reports are false and have no truth at all. They explained that visa services for Sierra Leoneans are still working normally. People can still apply for visas to travel, work, or study in the UK and EU. The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) also confirmed that visa offices are open and welcoming visitors from Sierra Leone. The High Commission said Sierra Leone continues to work well with other countries and respects international rules. There are no problems or disagreements that would affect visa policies.

By: Alhaji A. Barrie  Madam Aminata Bangura has won her legal battle and is now officially allowed to take part in the upcoming Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) presidential election.  This follows the Court of Arbitration (CAS)  decision made just days before the SLFA Elective Congress, which will happen on Saturday, August 2, 2025, in Lungi. Earlier, she and the incumbent SLFA President Thomas Daddy Brima were disqualified from the presidential race by the SLFA Ethics Committee, but she appealed the decision by the local football federation's Ethics Committee at CAS and she did emerged victorious. Madam Bangura's return in the SLFA 2025 election largely brings hope for a fair and open race among candidates racing for the SLFA top seat  Many football fans know Madam Bangura for her strong support of the sport and her honest leadership.  As the only woman running for president this year, her comeback has added excitement and new energy to the competition. On August 2, M...

By: Abu Bakarr Kargbo  Ram Kamara Football Club, the 2024/25 champions of the Sierra Leone Female Premier League has officially unveiled their new jerseys ahead of their participation in the the CAF Women's Champions League preliminary round underway in Senegal. The unveiling took place on Mahei Boima Road Bo the residence of the CEO Haja Ramatulai Kamara who also Doubles as the candidate for the fourth coming SLFA Congres in Lungi. The event drew excitement from fans and players as the team prepares to represent Sierra Leone on the continental stage. Club officials say the new kits symbolize a fresh chapter, with high hopes for success in the CAF campaign. Captain of the team Aissatou Diallo has expressed great excitement and pride following the unveiling of the club’s new jerseys ahead of the competition. “Wearing this new kit gives us confidence and unity as we represent Sierra Leone,” she said. “We’re ready to give our best and make the nation proud.” The captain called on fan...

By: Alusine Rehme Wilson Screenshot of the claim as seen on the TikTok app. Claim: A TikTok user, technoskills, claimed that viral TikTok sound clip can entirely clean phone speakers.  Verdict: Misleading! Playing the viral TikTok sound clip cannot entirely clean phone speakers. Experts have debunked the claim, saying some sound clips can only remove non-magnetic debris on speakers but removing small ferrite components that are stuck requires the use of specialized tools. Full Text Generally, smartphones that are not waterproof  can easily malfunction when they fall into water or get soaked mistakenly.  The myth is that the water will dry out if the phone is hastily put in a bag or bowl of rice to heat up. Similarly, some people have claimed that dusty speakers can be cleaned by playing loud music. Screenshot of a video frame from the viral claim. Recently, Technoskills, a self acclaimed tech hacks platform for smartphones, claimed that playing this sound clip can clean mobile phone ...

By: Alusine Rehme Wilson  (Asisat Oshoala. Photo Credit: NFF Media) Claim:  An X user, @ iNaijaNow, has circulated a claim on X that “Asisat Oshoala has announced her retirement from Super Falcons.” Verdict: False! The Director of Media and Communications at Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), Ademola Olajire (PhD), told Alusine Rehme Wilson that news about Asisat Oshoala’s retirement is not true.  Full Text News that the gifted Nigerian international footballer, Asisat Oshoala , a six-time winner of the CAF Women Player of Year Award who plays for Bay Football Club in the United States is retiring from the Super Falcons have circulated online. Related reports alleging she’s retiring from international football have since July 21, 2025 gone  viral on the internet particularly on news blogs owned and managed by Nigerians as well as on social media platforms including Instagram , YouTube   and Facebook , as seen here , here and here . (Screenshot of related claim by AY Sports Upd...

By: Alhaji A. Barrie The Sierra Leone Under-16 boys basketball team has made history by qualifying for the AfroBasket U-16 Tournament in Kigali, Rwanda this coming September. They won two games against Mauritania in Conakry, Guinea, with scores of 54–36 and 65–46. This is the first time any team from Sierra Leone, boys or girls will take part in a big basketball event across Africa. It’s a proud moment for the Sierra Leone Basketball Federation and the whole country. The journey wasn’t easy. Nine players were ruled out because of age and paperwork problems, so only six players could compete. But the boys didn’t give up, they played with heart and gave their all. Even with limited support from sports officials, the team showed courage and strong teamwork, carrying the hopes of Sierra Leone on their shoulders. Africell Sierra Leone gave $2,000 to support the team’s travel and preparation. The company continues to believe in the new Federation's goals and wants to see basketball grow ...

By: Alhaji A. Barrie  In the heart of Freetown, a dusty pitch tells a bigger story than any scoreboard. Here, dreams are born daily not just of becoming football stars, but of transforming lives and communities through sports. As Sierra Leone emerges from decades of economic hardship, a new movement is quietly gaining momentum: sports as a legitimate driver of sustainable development. Across the country, youth-led ventures in sports are reshaping what economic empowerment looks like.  Football academies double as mentorship hubs.  Informal leagues spark new jobs in coaching, officiating, and merchandise sales.  Talented athletes are leveraging digital platforms to showcase skills, gaining exposure and attracting international attention, bringing both cultural capital and economic potential. This isn’t just hustle it’s innovation grounded in local realities. From fashion designers crafting custom team jerseys to mobile vendors capitalizing on match day traffic, sports are becoming embed...

By: Alusine Rehme Wilson Super Falcons of Nigeria celebrating their win over South Africa, photo by CAF Media The Nigerian Super Falcons have advanced to the finals of the 2024 CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after a hard-fought 2-1 victory over rivals South Africa lm Tuesday evening.  The win sets up a highly anticipated showdown against the winners of the match between host nation Morocco and Ghana.  Nigeria’s triumph was made possible courtesy of goals from Rasheedat Ajibade and Michelle Alozie.  It was Ajibade who opened the scoring by converting a penalty kick in the first half after South Africa’s Bambanani was penalized for a handball in the penalty area, giving Nigeria a 1-0 lead.  In the second half, South Africa equalized through a penalty after Hildah Magaia was fouled by Osinachi Ohale, reigniting their challenge to turn the game around.  Despite numerous attempts from both sides to find a winning goal, it was Michelle Alozie who delivered the decisive moment dur...

By: Alhaji A. Barrie Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary School Education The release of the 2025 National Primary School Examination (NPSE) results has ignited conversations far beyond the score sheets and statistics.  Arriving earlier than expected, the data from the West African Examinations Council paints an evolving picture of Sierra Leone’s educational landscape one of remarkable triumphs and sobering realities. This year, 171,112 pupils registered for the NPSE, with girls once again surpassing boys in enrollment numbers, a trend that signals a shifting tide in gender representation. Of these, 165,341 sat at least one paper.  The overall pass rate now stands at 78.2%, demonstrating sustained progress in educational outcomes.  Notably, female pupils have not only outnumbered their male counterparts but have also dominated the top achievers list, a clear sign of rising female ambition and academic excellence. Among the standout stars is Mansaray Kadijah Yawa Joe from Dele Nurser...

By: Alusine Rehme Wilson Aminata Bangura With just less than two weeks to go before the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) heads to the polls, a major shakeup has hit in the local football federation's presidential race, as the SLFA Ethics Committee announces the disqualification of two of the four presidential candidates from contesting in the upcoming August 2 Elective Congress. Among those disqualified is the current SLFA president, Thomas Daddy Brima, as well as Aminata Bangura, the only female candidate in the race. ©: SLFA Ethics Committee The news about thier disqualification was made public in a list circulated to members of the football community on Friday, July 18 that was signed by Abu-Bakarr Sheriff, Chairperson of the SLFA Ethics Committee. No reasons were officially given for the disqualifications in the correspondence, and the Ethics Committee has yet to make a public statement explaining the decision. However, the other two presidential hopefuls, Babadi Kamar...