By Foday Moriba Conteh
The College for Human Rights Education and Professional Studies (CHREPS) has been officially unveiled in Freetown, marking the establishment of Sierra Leone’s first private academic institution dedicated primarily to human rights education and professional training.
Speaking at a press conference held on Wednesday, 7 January 2025, at the college’s campus on Blackhall Road by PWD Junction in the east end part of Freetown, the Executive Director and Proprietor of College for Human Rights Education and Professional Studies (CHREPS), Victor Lansana Koroma, said the institution was founded to build the capacity of future leaders, professionals, activists and advocates in critical areas of national and global development.
Victor Lansana Koroma explained that CHREPS was established in 2025 and is fully registered in the Republic of Sierra Leone. He described the college as a response to existing gaps in higher and professional education, particularly in specialized fields such as human rights advocacy, governance, occupational health and safety, cyber security and law, climate change, peacebuilding and conflict mediation.
According to him, CHREPS is the first institution in Sierra Leone solely dedicated to training human rights professionals, activists and advocates, while also offering market-oriented professional programmes designed to make graduates “ready for work.” He said the college aims to create, manage and disseminate knowledge that enhances students’ skills and self-reliance.
Victor Lansana Koroma noted that the institution operates through partnerships and collaborations with like-minded public and private institutions within and outside Sierra Leone. He added that CHREPS’ faculty comprises experienced scholars and practitioners drawn from reputable universities and professional institutions in Sierra Leone, the West African sub-region and beyond.
He disclosed that the college has received provisional accreditation from the National Council for Technical, Vocational and Other Academic Awards (NCTVA), granting it approval to commence academic activities for an initial one-year period while it continues to strengthen its infrastructure, systems and learning facilities. He further confirmed that the institution is registered with the Office of the Administrator and Registrar General, the National Revenue Authority and other relevant state bodies.
CHREPS will offer programmes at Certificate and National Diploma levels. Areas of study include human rights advocacy, rule of law and ethics, policy and legal research, occupational health and safety management, cyber security and law, climate change management and sustainability, disaster management, global health security, monitoring and evaluation, information technology and human resource management, journalism among others.
Victor Lansana Koroma said the institution has deliberately structured its programmes to accommodate working professionals, with classes scheduled mainly in the evenings and on selected days, Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. He added that the college will also provide opportunities for students to complete outstanding WASSCE subjects alongside their professional studies at no additional cost.
Addressing concerns about affordability, the CHREPS Proprietor announced that the college has introduced highly subsidized tuition fees, including a 50 percent discount for its pioneer intake, in order to make education accessible amid prevailing economic challenges.
He further revealed ongoing efforts to affiliate CHREPS with institutions outside Sierra Leone, including Wisconsin University in Ghana, to provide both in-person and online learning opportunities. Discussions are also underway with local universities for academic collaboration and curriculum review.
Victor Lansana Koroma called on the media, civil society organisations, professionals, and development partners to support the institution, noting that CHREPS is committed to promoting human rights, good governance, democracy and sustainable human capital development.
The college operates under the motto, “Building an Empowered Society,” with a mission to promote justice, rule of law and advocacy skills through student-centred academic excellence by 2035.
He concluded by stating that application forms are currently available for sale at Le 250 for certificate programmes and Le 300 for diploma programmes. Interested individuals are encouraged to visit the college at No. 1 Blackhall Road, by Ferry Junction, PWD Roundabout, Freetown, or contact the institution via +232 76 758 511 or +232 77 758 511 for further information.
