By Thaimu T Kamara
The Ministry of Information and Civic Education (MoICE) on Tuesday held its weekly Government Press Conference, updating the nation on major Cabinet decisions, Armed Forces Day preparations, WASSCE registration progress, anti-corruption achievements, and reforms to copyright laws.
Deputy Minister of Information and Civic Education, Bockarie Abdel-Aziz Bawoh, reaffirmed Government’s commitment to improving transparency by sharing Cabinet conclusions with the public. He said the move, under the leadership of President Dr. Julius Maada Bio, is intended to bridge the communication gap between citizens and the state. “Citizens need to know about decisions taken on their behalf by the Government,” he stated.
Representing the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces, Chief of Air Staff and Defence Spokesman Hassan Sei Coomber announced that this year’s Armed Forces Day will honour both fallen and living heroes who defended Sierra Leone’s territorial integrity. Ex-servicemen from Nigeria, Ghana, the United Kingdom, and the United States will be awarded the Grand Commander of the Order of the Rokel.
He also assured that the historic Myohaung Legacy a World War II victory by a Sierra Leonean unit will continue to be preserved.
On education, Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education Conrad Sackey disclosed that 163,997 candidates have been successfully cleared and submitted to the West African Examinations Council for upload onto the Batch Registration System (BRS). However, 55,174 candidates were flagged as unmatched due to duplication and incomplete data.
The Minister emphasized that the BRS portal will close on 28 February 2026, with no extension granted. School authorities have been urged to rectify discrepancies before the deadline and will be required to sign a parliamentary-approved undertaking to ensure data accuracy. He assured that Government will cover examination fees for verified unmatched candidates, stressing accountability in the use of public funds.
Meanwhile, the Anti-Corruption Commission reported notable progress in the fight against corruption. Coordinator of Operations Patrick Sandi cited improvements in the Transparency International Corruption Perception Index, where Sierra Leone moved from 114th position in 2024 to 109th in 2025. He also noted sustained performance above 70 percent on the Millennium Challenge Corporation’s Control of Corruption Index over the past seven years.
Mr. Sandi further announced the introduction of new Whistleblower and Witness Protection Regulations to strengthen safeguards for individuals reporting corruption, assuring that witness protection measures will remain uncompromised.
In her presentation, Administrator and Registrar-General Martina Ebgbenda Esq. addressed copyright concerns, noting that while copyright protection is automatic, the Copyright Act of 2011 allows voluntary registration to enhance enforcement. She revealed that the Act is under review to address emerging digital challenges and align with international best practices.
The press conference underscored Government’s ongoing efforts to promote transparency, national recognition, educational accountability, anti-corruption reforms, and modernization of legal frameworks.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Monday, 23rd February 2026 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
