Tuesday, 17th February 2026
Key Highlights
By: Zacharia Jalloh, Ministry of Information and Civic Education
Introduction:
On Tuesday, 17th February 2026, the Ministry of Information and Civic Education held its Government Weekly Press Conference, updating the public on key national issues including education, Armed Forces Day, the fight against corruption, and copyright and registration laws. The following were the key highlights:
Government Strengthens Public Access to Cabinet Decisions
The Deputy Minister of Information and Civic Education, Bockarie Abdel-Aziz Bawoh, updated the public on the outcomes of the previous Cabinet meeting and its conclusions. He emphasized that the Government continues to narrow the communication gap between citizens and the state by bringing critical decisions directly to the people. Under the leadership of His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio, this unprecedented move aims to demystify Cabinet decisions. In his words, “Citizens need to know about decisions taken on their behalf by the Government.” You can listen to the Cabinet Conclusions here: https://bit.ly/4rm0YqG
RSLAF to Honour Fallen and Living Heroes on Armed Forces Day
Hassan Sei Coomber, Chief of Air Staff and Defence Spokesman of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces, announced that this year’s Armed Forces Day celebrations will honour ex-servicemen who made sacrifices for the nation. He disclosed that the awards will recognise both local and international heroes who fought on the frontline to protect Sierra Leone’s territorial integrity. The RSLAF will honour both the living and the deceased. Ex-servicemen from Nigeria, Ghana, the United Kingdom, and the United States will be conferred with the Grand Commander of the Order of the Rokel, a high-ranking national honour. Serving and retired personnel of the Sierra Leone Army will also be recognised. Air Commodore Coomber assured the public that the Myohaung Legacy, a historic World War II victory by a Sierra Leonean military unit, will continue to be preserved and protected.
Government Updates on WASSCE Candidate Registration
The Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Conrad Sackey, informed the public that a total of 163,997 candidates have been cleared, confirmed, and submitted to the West African Examinations Council for upload onto the Batch Registration System (BRS). However, 55,174 candidates were identified as unmatched due to duplication and incomplete data.
No Extension for WAEC BRS Deadline
Minister Sackey clarified that the WAEC BRS portal will remain open until 28th February 2026, urging affected school authorities to review and correct discrepancies before the deadline. He stressed that there will be no extension. School authorities will also be required to sign a Parliamentary-approved undertaking, holding them accountable for the accuracy and integrity of submitted candidate data. He assured the public that Government will pay the examination fees for all 55,174 unmatched candidates, provided they are properly verified and cleared, emphasizing the need for prudent use of public funds.
Sierra Leone Records Gains in Fight Against Corruption
Patrick Sandi, Coordinator of Operations at the Anti-Corruption Commission, highlighted progress made in the fight against corruption. He referenced the Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index(CPI), noting that Sierra Leone climbed five places, from 114 in 2024 to 109 in 2025. He also pointed to continued strong performance in the Millennium Challenge Corporation(MCC) Control of Corruption Index, where Sierra Leone has consistently scored above 70 percent for seven years.
New Whistleblower and Witness Protection Regulations Introduced
Mr. Sandi further announced the development of Whistleblower and Witness Protection Regulations to strengthen anti-corruption efforts. He assured the public that witness protection under the regulations cannot be compromised and encouraged citizens to report incidents of corruption to the Commission.
Copyright Act Under Review to Address Digital Challenges
The Administrator and Registrar-General, Martina Ebgbenda Esq., addressed issues relating to copyright. She explained that although copyright protection is automatic, the Copyright Act of 2011 allows for voluntary registration to strengthen legal enforcement. She noted that once a copyright application is gazetted for 60 days without objection, registration is granted. Madam Ebgbenda also disclosed that the Act is currently under review to align with international best practices and to expand its scope to address emerging issues, particularly in the digital space.
