By Foday Moriba Conteh
In a bid to provide vital legal identity credentials for migrants and persons at risk of statelessness in Sierra Leone, the National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) have signed a service agreement. The signing ceremony was held on Thursday, September 25, 2025 at the NCRA headquarters on Kingharman Road in Freetown.
Speaking at the event, Mohamed Mubashir Massaquoi, Director General of NCRA, described the agreement as a milestone in the Government’s commitment to inclusivity and protection of vulnerable groups.
“This initiative ensures that every resident of Sierra Leone is accounted for, whether citizen or migrant. With the support of IOM we will provide 1,000 beneficiaries with legal identity documents (700 with national ID cards and 300 with birth certificates),” Mohamed Mubashir Massaquoi said.
He emphasized that access to legal identity is fundamental to enjoying human rights and accessing essential services such as education, healthcare, business registration, banking, communication and social security.
According to the agreement, NCRA will deploy registration teams to designated points, including border areas and reception facilities, to document migrants and provide them with legal credentials. This, Mohamed Mubashir Massaquoi added, will prevent vulnerable groups from being classified as stateless and enable them to reintegrate into their communities.
“Our Government is committed to running an inclusive state where no one is left behind. By providing legal identity we are not only safeguarding rights but also ensuring that every vital event in our population is properly recorded,” Mohamed Mubashir Massaquoi noted.
According to him the agreement will commence with immediate effect and forms part of broader efforts to strengthen Sierra Leone’s civil registration and vital statistics system, while also meeting international obligations to protect the rights of migrants and stateless persons.
On her part, Dr. Pauline Macharia, Officer-in-Charge of IOM Sierra Leone, described the initiative as a “long-awaited but critical step” in safeguarding the rights of migrants.
“This process has been a long time coming and it is vital in ensuring that returning migrants receive their documentation so they can access services like any other citizen,” Dr. Pauline Macharia said. “Identification is key to reintegration, whether in education, business, healthcare or other opportunities.”
She noted that recent migration trends show an increasing number of women and children returning to Sierra Leone, many of whom lack birth certificates or other legal documents. “Without documentation, children face challenges enrolling in school while adults struggle to access basic services. Providing these credentials is therefore essential for sustainable reintegration,” she added.
Under the agreement, 1,000 beneficiaries will be supported (700 with national ID cards and 300 with birth certificates). Dr. Pauline Macharia stressed the importance of extending the services beyond Freetown to reach migrants in districts such as Bo and Kenema, so they do not have to travel long distances to access documentation.
She also highlighted IOM’s role in migration coordination, noting that NCRA is part of the Return and Reintegration Working Group, which focuses on making returns “dignified, protection-oriented and sustainable.”
“These are Sierra Leoneans who left in search of better opportunities and are now returning voluntarily to rebuild their lives and contribute to national development. They deserve to be recognized, documented and supported,” she emphasized.
Dr. Pauline Macharia reaffirmed IOM’s commitment to continue working with NCRA and other partners to strengthen migration management and ensure no returning migrant is denied access to services because of lack of identification.
The event was formally concluded with the signing of the agreement between Mohamed Mubashir Massaquoi, Director General of NCRA, and Dr. Pauline Macharia, Officer-in-Charge of IOM Sierra Leone.
