By Amin Kef Sesay
In a significant stride towards regional legal collaboration, the Judiciary of Sierra Leone has announced its hosting of the first-ever ECOWAS Community Court of Justice International Conference. Scheduled from Monday, May 13th to Wednesday, May 16th, 2024, the conference will convene at the prestigious Bintumani Conference Centre in Aberdeen.
Themed “Enhancing the Role, Relevance, and Effectiveness of the ECOWAS Court of Justice through the Strengthening of Synergies between the Court and National Stakeholders,” the event promises to foster critical discussions on bolstering the impact of the regional court system.
Expected to draw a distinguished gathering of over 250 participants, the conference will feature notable figures such as the President of the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice, Honorable Justice Edward Amoaka Asante. Additionally, esteemed dignitaries including the Honorable Chief Justices of Liberia, Ghana, Gambia, and the Federation of Nigeria are set to grace the occasion.
The event will also witness the presence of Presidents from key judicial bodies including the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) Court of Justice, the Organization for the Harmonisation of Business Law in Africa (OHADA) Court of Justice and Arbitration, and the African Court for Human and People’s Rights. Further, ministerial representation from Senegal and the Republic of Guinea-Bissau will add governmental perspective to the discussions.
Highlighting the depth of engagement, Heads of ECOWAS National Offices from member states are slated for active involvement in the proceedings. The conference agenda will encompass presentations by both academic luminaries and seasoned legal professionals, including esteemed professors specializing in various legal domains.
Assuring the public of uninterrupted legal proceedings within the country, the Honorable Acting Chief Justice, Mr. Justice N C Browne-Marke, affirms that the conference will seamlessly coexist with routine court sittings.
The forthcoming conference underscores Sierra Leone’s commitment to regional legal cooperation and signifies a pivotal moment in enhancing the efficacy of the ECOWAS Court of Justice.
