Sierra Leone and the Republic of Guinea have moved to deepen bilateral cooperation on labour migration, worker protection and employment mobility, with particular emphasis on creating safe, orderly and lawful pathways for Sierra Leoneans seeking employment opportunities in the Arab States.
Sierra Leone’s Minister of Labour, Employment and Social Security, Umaru Napoleon Koroma, formed part of the delegation led by Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh during an official visit on Wednesday, September 9, 2026 to Conakry. Minister Koroma used the engagement to discuss emerging labour and migration concerns affecting Sierra Leonean citizens who travel through Guinea as a transit route to destinations in the Arab world.
The engagement reflects the Government of Sierra Leone’s determination to ensure that citizens can benefit from international employment opportunities without being exposed to illegal recruitment, human trafficking, exploitation and other abuses commonly associated with unregulated migration.
During discussions with Guinean authorities, Minister Koroma raised concerns over the alleged activities of illegal recruitment networks operating along the migration corridor. He stressed that stronger cooperation between Sierra Leone and Guinea would be essential to identifying unlawful practices, improving oversight and protecting citizens seeking legitimate employment abroad.
According to the Minister, labour migration should not be viewed only as a challenge. When properly regulated, he said, it can provide opportunities for economic empowerment, skills development, decent employment and improved livelihoods for workers and their families.
He therefore called for stronger coordination between the relevant institutions of both countries to establish a transparent and accountable framework for managing labour migration.
The discussions also highlighted Guinea’s strategic position as a major transit country for Sierra Leoneans travelling to the Arab States. The issue was also raised during the Vice President’s engagement with Sierra Leoneans in Guinea. Both governments are expected to explore measures to ensure that migrants receive accurate information, possess the required documentation and are recruited through recognised and lawful channels before beginning their journeys.
The proposed cooperation could also strengthen the exchange of information between labour and immigration authorities, improve monitoring of recruitment agencies and support efforts to identify and dismantle trafficking and illegal recruitment networks.
For Sierra Leone, the engagement forms part of a broader national commitment to promoting decent work, protecting migrant workers and managing international labour mobility responsibly. It also demonstrates the Government’s intention to build regional partnerships capable of creating safer employment opportunities for citizens while safeguarding national interests.
The Sierra Leone–Guinea initiative is being viewed as an important step towards developing a coordinated regional response to labour migration. Such cooperation could help both countries promote lawful workforce mobility, prevent exploitation and improve protection for citizens pursuing employment opportunities outside West Africa.
Continued discussions between the two neighbouring countries could provide a stronger institutional foundation for ensuring that labour migration contributes meaningfully to workers, families and national development. The cooperation also connects with broader regional discussions on West African integration and investment.
The engagement also reinforces the longstanding diplomatic, economic and people-to-people relations between Sierra Leone and Guinea, while signalling a shared commitment to protecting the rights, safety and dignity of migrant workers.
The National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA) has commenced a two day validation meeting to review and validate Sierra Leone’s 2025 Vital Statistics Report, with stakeholders focusing on the quality, accuracy and reliability of data on vital events, including fertility and mortality.
The meeting, which started from Thursday September 10 2026 and will end today, Friday 11 September, 2026, brought together representatives from Government institutions, development partners and other stakeholders to examine the processes, data quality and analysis underpinning the country’s vital statistics.
The opening day focused on the background and objectives of the validation exercise, processes and procedures for vital events registration, metadata and data quality, as well as the analysis of vital statistics data.
Speaking at the meeting, NCRA Director General, Mohamed Mubashir Massaquoi, said the validation exercise is important to strengthening the country’s civil registration and vital statistics system and ensuring that the information generated could support national development.
The DG said the production of reliable vital statistics required effective collaboration among Government institutions, development partners and other stakeholders involved in collecting, managing and using data. NCRA has previously undertaken similar work to validate Sierra Leone’s vital statistics.
He explained that NCRA had been working with relevant institutions and partners to strengthen the civil registration and vital statistics system, noting that credible data is essential for evidence based decision making, policy formulation and the implementation of effective interventions.
According to him, the need for the validation exercise is also linked to the different sources from which Government institutions obtain information. He noted that relying on data from multiple external sources could create inconsistencies if the information was not properly coordinated, assessed and validated.
He stressed the importance of Sierra Leone taking greater ownership and leadership of data generated through its national civil registration operations.
He said a stronger national system would enable government and its development partners to have access to credible, consistent and nationally owned information for planning and decision making.
The NCRA Director General further explained that the validation process would enable stakeholders to examine the available data, identify gaps and address weaknesses in the systems used to collect and manage vital statistics.
He said the two day exercise would also provide an opportunity for technical discussions, group reviews and validation of the draft statistics, particularly data relating to fertility and mortality.
The DG called on participants to actively contribute to the process, stressing that the quality of the final report would depend on the collective assessment and validation of the data by the institutions involved.
He also acknowledged the support of development partners in strengthening the initiative.
Speaking also, Kadija Kamara, Data Specialist at the Ministry of Health, underscored the importance of accurately recording births and deaths as part of efforts to improve health planning and service delivery.
She stated that every birth and every death needed to be properly recorded because vital events provide critical information for understanding the population and planning public services.
She explained that accurate vital statistics were particularly important to the health sector because they provide information needed to formulate policies, design interventions and assess the needs of different population groups.
According to her, reliable data enables health authorities to better understand population trends and make informed decisions on health programmes and interventions.
She said the Ministry of Health was interested in strengthening systems capable of producing clean, reliable and usable data, adding that improving the ability to visualise and utilise information generated through the civil registration and vital statistics system remained important.
She noted that efforts to improve the availability and quality of vital statistics were also connected to strengthening the national health information system.
She said accurate and timely information on vital events would enable the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders to better plan health interventions, allocate resources and measure progress.
The validation meeting is expected to conclude with stakeholders reaching consensus on findings from the review of the 2025 vital statistics, particularly in the areas of fertility and mortality, as NCRA continues efforts to strengthen Sierra Leone’s civil registration and vital statistics system. The latest exercise follows the Authority’s publication of its 2025 provisional vital events report.
The Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion (ICPNC), in collaboration with its partners, will hold a National Peace Walk across Sierra Leone on Saturday, September 19, 2026.
The nationwide event forms part of activities marking the International Day of Peace and the Commission’s five-year commitment to promoting peacebuilding, reconciliation and national cohesion. The initiative follows the Commission’s recent engagement with Former President Ernest Bai Koroma on peace and national cohesion.
The walk will be held under the theme: “Invest in Peace and Unity: For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day.”
Organisers are inviting Sierra Leoneans from all communities, institutions and political backgrounds to participate as one people with a shared responsibility to protect the country’s peace and strengthen national unity.
In Freetown, participants from the eastern part of the city will assemble at Up-Gun Roundabout on Kissy Road at 8:00 a.m., while those in the western area will gather at Cotton Tree at 9:00 a.m.
The Peace Walk and float parade will proceed through the streets of Freetown before ending at Kallon Car Park, Lumley Beach. The closing ceremony will feature goodwill messages, music and other performances promoting peace and national cohesion.
The exercise will also take place simultaneously across all 16 districts, allowing communities throughout the country to participate in a collective demonstration of peace and unity. Participants outside Freetown have been encouraged to contact their respective local Peace Coalitions for information about starting points and other arrangements.
The Commission said the event is open to everyone, including young people, women, religious and traditional leaders, political actors, civil society organisations, schools, institutions, community groups, the media and persons with disabilities.
Families, friends, organisations and communities are encouraged to attend wearing white T-shirts as a symbol of peace.
According to the organizers, the walk is intended to remind citizens that peace should not only be celebrated but must also be deliberately chosen, protected and supported every day.
“On September 19, from Freetown to communities across all 16 districts, let Sierra Leone walk together,” the Commission stated.
The ICPNC called on citizens to join the event in support of peace, unity, reconciliation and national cohesion under the rallying message: “Together in Peace, United as One.” The Commission has also continued to strengthen institutional approaches to ethics, integrity and accountability.
For further information, members of the public can contact +232 76 785115 or +232 70 484971. The toll-free Peace Line is 898.
The Government of Sierra Leone is advancing comprehensive reforms aimed at modernizing the country’s land administration system, strengthening physical planning, reducing land disputes and promoting transparent property transactions.
Speaking during a public engagement on the topic, “Land Reform: Where Are We?” at the Miatta Civic Centre, Youyi Building, in Freetown on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, Dr. Turad Senesi outlined key measures being undertaken to transform the sector.
He said discussions on land administration had historically focused largely on land allocation, while other important responsibilities, particularly housing and country planning, received insufficient attention.
According to him, that imbalance contributed to widespread land disputes, unplanned settlements and poorly coordinated physical development in communities across Sierra Leone. The Government’s reform agenda, he explained, seeks to move beyond merely allocating land by ensuring that towns, cities and villages are properly planned and sustainably developed.
One of the central pillars of the reforms is development control, which is intended to ensure that construction projects comply with approved planning standards.
Dr. Turad Senesi observed that buildings in many communities had been constructed without adequate consideration for access roads, sanitation, drainage, electricity, water supply and other essential services.
He warned that such uncontrolled development could expose communities to serious risks, especially during emergencies when firefighters, ambulances and other emergency responders might be unable to reach densely populated areas because of narrow or blocked access roads.
Dr. Turad Senesi also highlighted the importance of the National Country Planning Act, describing it as a major step towards addressing Sierra Leone’s longstanding physical-planning challenges.
He noted that the previous legislation had become outdated and is no longer adequate to address the country’s current development needs. The new legal framework, he said, provides a modern foundation for planning communities and strengthening development control.
The reforms also place greater responsibility on property owners and developers. The Ministry’s agenda comes alongside its recent licensing of 18 surveyors to strengthen professionalism within the land administration system. Dr. Turad Senesi stressed that acquiring land do not automatically give an individual the right to construct buildings without following established procedures.
He said developers must engage qualified professionals, conduct the necessary assessments, secure relevant approvals and ensure that their projects do not adversely affect neighbouring properties or the wider community.
Another major aspect of the reform programme is the decentralization of country-planning responsibilities. While the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Country Planning will continue to provide policy direction, legislation, regulations, monitoring and evaluation, local councils will increasingly oversee implementation within their respective communities.
Dr. Turad Senesi said councils are better positioned to perform that role because they are closer to residents and understand the particular development challenges facing their localities.
Capacity-building programmes are consequently being conducted for mayors, district council chairpersons, chief administrators, development-planning officers, finance officers and other personnel who will be directly involved in implementing the new planning framework.
Technology is also expected to play a major role in improving transparency and reducing fraudulent land transactions.
Dr. Turad Senesi explained that digital land-administration systems would help identify legitimate owners, track transactions and allow prospective buyers to verify property information before completing purchases. He said the technology could help prevent the common practice of selling the same parcel of land to multiple buyers.
The Government is also moving towards a title-registration system to provide stronger and more reliable proof of land ownership. The broader reform agenda is intended to improve the accuracy and reliability of surveying and land records.
While a conveyance may serve as evidence that a land transaction occurred, Dr. Turad Senesi explained that a properly registered title would provide a more systematic and secure record of ownership and associated land rights. Legitimate owners would eventually receive title certificates through the registration process.
He said secured land titles could also provide broader economic benefits by enabling property owners to access financing from banks and other financial institutions. That would be particularly important for large-scale agriculture and business investments where verified ownership is required as security.
The reforms have reportedly contributed to improved revenue generation within the land sector. Dr. Turad Senesi said the Ministry’s revenue performance has increased considerably compared with previous years, partly because of stronger administrative systems and improved delivery of land-related services.
He emphasized that an efficient land sector could become an important source of national revenue and support the Government’s broader development priorities and social programmes.
Concluding, Dr. Turad Senesi described land reform as a long-term national undertaking requiring cooperation among Government institutions, local councils, developers, property owners and communities.
He urged citizens to understand the importance of proper planning, responsible land ownership and compliance with development regulations. He maintained that Sierra Leone must establish a modern, transparent and technology-driven land-administration system capable of reducing conflicts, encouraging investment and creating properly planned communities for present and future generations.
The engagement was hosted by Mohamed Jaward Nyallay, Strategic Communication Officer at the Ministry of Information and Civic Education. It formed part of the Government’s ongoing public-engagement programme to educate citizens about major reforms and national development initiatives.
Credible reports indicate that Dr Adrian Hanciles, a Freetown-based medical doctor who had been missing since Thursday, September 3, 2026, has been found dead.
Sources said police contacted his family after a public appeal seeking information about his whereabouts went viral on Wednesday evening. The family was reportedly informed that an unidentified body was being held at the Police Mortuary in Kingtom.
Police reportedly explained that the body had been recovered earlier and remained unidentified in their custody for some time. It was subsequently identified as that of Dr Adrian Hanciles.
The circumstances surrounding his disappearance and death remain unclear. No detailed official statement had been issued by the relevant authorities at the time of publication, while further information is expected as investigations continue.
Before the tragic discovery, the Sierra Leone Medical and Dental Association had joined his family and members of the public in searching for him. The development comes amid ongoing efforts to strengthen Sierra Leone’s medical workforce and healthcare system.
A missing-person notice bearing the Association’s logo stated that Dr Adrian Hanciles was last seen at about 8:30 a.m. on September 3 near St Mary’s Supermarket at Hillcot Junction in Freetown. He was reportedly wearing a brown shirt and trousers when he disappeared.
The notice included his photograph and appealed to members of the public to provide credible information that could help establish his whereabouts. His disappearance generated widespread concern among relatives, medical practitioners and other members of the public.
The appeal was subsequently circulated widely across social media and other public platforms. According to sources, the increased public attention prompted communication between the police and the family, eventually leading to the identification of the body.
News of his death has brought the search to a tragic end and left his family, colleagues and the wider medical community in mourning. The country’s medical community has previously highlighted the importance of strengthening collaboration among medical professionals.
The authorities are expected to investigate how Dr Adrian Hanciles died and the circumstances under which his body was recovered. Members of the public are encouraged to avoid speculation until the police or his family provides verified details concerning the incident.
Chief Executive Officer of Gento Group of Companies, Mohamed Gento Kamara, has called on the Government to fulfil its commitment under a concession loan agreement intended to support the completion of the Kent Harbour and Logistics Port.
Mohamed Gento Kamara made the appeal on Monday, September 7, 2026, during a visit by executives of the Sierra Leone Labour Congress (SLLC) to the project site at Kent. The delegation assessed construction progress and examined the port’s potential contribution to trade, employment and national economic development.
The SLLC described worsening congestion at the Queen Elizabeth II Quay in Freetown as a national emergency requiring urgent intervention. The Labour Congress had also recently called for the speedy completion of the Kent Harbour and Logistics Port. It warned that the situation was affecting workers, businesses, road users, transport operators and the wider economy.
Welcoming the delegation, Mohamed Gento Kamara said maintaining a strong relationship with the Labour Congress is important because Gento Group operates in the construction sector and employs many Sierra Leoneans.
“We are involved in construction and employ people, so we need to maintain a good relationship with the Labour Congress,” he stated.
He said the Congress had expressed concern about congestion at the existing Freetown port and its impact on the daily movement of workers and goods.
According to Mohamed Gento Kamara, the Kent Harbour and Logistics Port has come at a critical time, considering the growing pressure on Sierra Leone’s existing port infrastructure and increasing demand across the sub-region. A previous high-level Government inspection also reviewed the US$75 million Kent Port project.
He disclosed that the project is estimated to cost US$75 million, with approximately US$30 million already invested. An additional US$45 million would be required to complete the outstanding work.
Mohamed Gento Kamara explained that the project’s overall cost had been significantly reduced because Gento Group already possesses much of the machinery, technical capacity and workforce needed for construction.
“This project is capital-intensive and expensive. It is costing us less because we are a construction company with the machinery and workforce already in place,” he said. “If it had been undertaken by another company without those resources, it could have cost more than US$200 million. For us, the estimated cost is US$75 million.”
He identified financial constraints as the main challenge preventing the project from reaching completion. He stressed that the request is not for a Government bailout but for the fulfilment of an obligation contained in an agreement between the Government and Gento Group.
According to him, the concession loan arrangement was approved by Cabinet and ratified by Parliament because of the project’s expected economic value.
“The Government has an undertaking in the agreement involving a concession loan and that obligation should be met,” Mohamed Gento Kamara maintained.
He said the agreement was signed about two years ago but the company is still awaiting the financing commitment. He added that he had sold some of his assets to sustain construction activities.
“All these efforts are geared towards developing the country, creating jobs and making it easier to conduct business,” he said.
Mohamed Gento Kamara claimed that Parliament had repeatedly called on the Ministry of Finance to meet the Government’s obligation, while the Ministry of Transport and Aviation had also written to the Finance Ministry on the matter.
He warned that continued financial pressure could threaten indigenous ownership of the development.
Mohamed Gento Kamara explained that the Kent facility would operate both as a port and a logistics hub supporting the proposed development of a larger port on Banana Island.
“Our main target is Banana Island. Kent will serve as a logistics hub for Banana Island and will also function as a port, as clearly stated in the agreement,” he explained.
He clarified that although Gento Group owns and is constructing the facility, it would not directly operate the port. Operations would be handled in accordance with Sierra Leonean law and under the oversight of the Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority.
“We will engage the Ports Authority and appoint an operator. Gento Group will not operate the port; we will serve as the landlord because we own the facility,” he said.
Reflecting on his investment journey, Mohamed Gento Kamara said he returned to Sierra Leone following an encounter with the late President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah in England, during which the former President encouraged him to return home and invest in national development.
He said that experience strengthened his determination to inspire young Sierra Leoneans, create employment and demonstrate that indigenous companies could successfully undertake major infrastructure projects.
Mohamed Gento Kamara cited the Hill Cut Road project as an example, recalling that some people doubted whether a Sierra Leonean contractor could complete the work successfully.
“Many people doubted that a Sierra Leonean would get the job done but I proved them wrong,” he said.
He further urged Sierra Leone to take advantage of its strategic geographical position and extensive Atlantic coastline to expand maritime trade and attract investment.
The Labour Congress’ visit has added momentum to demands for urgent measures to address congestion at the Queen Elizabeth II Quay and strengthen the country’s trade infrastructure.
With workers, businesses and communities increasingly affected by congestion and the movement of heavy container vehicles through Freetown, the SLLC believes completing the Kent Port could provide additional capacity, improve trade flows, create jobs and stimulate broader economic growth.
The Congress maintained that expanding Sierra Leone’s port capacity is no longer merely an infrastructure ambition but an urgent economic necessity requiring decisive action from the Government and other stakeholders.
Sierra Leone’s Vice President, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, attended the official launch of Guinea’s new Foreign Policy Document as a special guest of the Guinean Government on Wednesday, September 9, 2026.
The high-level ceremony, held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Conakry, formed part of Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh’s two-day working visit to the neighbouring country.
The event was organized under the auspices of Guinea’s Head of Government and Prime Minister, His Excellency Amadou Oury Bah. It brought together senior Government officials, diplomats and other stakeholders to discuss the policy framework designed to guide Guinea’s international engagement, regional partnerships and economic diplomacy.
Launching the document, Prime Minister Amadou Oury Bah said Guinea’s foreign policy would be anchored on sovereignty, strategic neutrality, economic transformation, peace and African integration.
He explained that the new framework seeks to reposition Guinea’s diplomatic missions as active instruments for advancing the country’s economic and strategic interests internationally.
According to the Prime Minister, Guinea’s embassies must become platforms for influence, negotiation and economic mobilization. He said the country’s international partnerships would be assessed based on their contribution to productive investment, employment creation, infrastructure development, skills transfer and technological advancement.
The policy signals Guinea’s intention to strengthen the link between diplomacy and national development by ensuring that its international relations produce tangible benefits for citizens and support the country’s long-term economic transformation.
Prime Minister Amadou Oury Bah also reaffirmed Guinea’s commitment to regional peace and stability, declaring: “Africa is our family, the world is our horizon.”
He outlined good neighbourliness, shared security, economic corridors, energy cooperation and coordinated border management among the Government’s major regional priorities.
Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh’s participation as a special guest highlighted the longstanding diplomatic, cultural and economic relations between Sierra Leone and Guinea. His visit also included discussions on migration, border security and trade. The two countries share a border and continue to cooperate in areas such as trade, security, transportation, energy and regional integration.
Before the launch ceremony, Prime Minister Amadou Oury Bah paid a courtesy call on Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Conakry. The Vice President later engaged more than 250 Sierra Leoneans in Guinea during the working visit.
Their engagement further underscored the close relationship between the two neighbouring countries and their shared commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation for the benefit of their citizens.
The launch of Guinea’s new Foreign Policy Document is expected to provide a clearer direction for the country’s diplomatic engagements while promoting investment, economic development, regional integration and peaceful international cooperation.
Sierra Leone and Guinea have agreed to establish technical and follow-up mechanisms to address migration and regional integration concerns while strengthening cooperation on border security, trade and investment.
Vice President, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, disclosed the agreement on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, during an engagement with members of the Sierra Leonean community at the Sierra Leone Embassy in Conakry.
The meeting formed part of the Vice President’s two-day working visit to Guinea, during which he held high-level discussions with Guinea’s Prime Minister and Head of Government, Amadou Oury Bah, and other senior officials.
Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh said the mechanisms would provide a structured platform for addressing challenges affecting Sierra Leoneans living in Guinea and ensure that agreements reached between the two countries are effectively implemented.
He explained that his visit was also intended to advance the implementation of the Tripartite Border Security Communiqué signed by the Presidents of Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia on March 26, 2026.
According to the Vice President, President Dr. Julius Maada Bio had earlier met the Guinean President and the Vice President of Liberia to discuss security along the borders shared by the three Mano River Union countries.
He said implementing the communiqué would strengthen peace and stability, improve coordination among security institutions and promote the safe movement of people and goods across national boundaries.
The Vice President noted that effective border management remained essential to tackling illegal migration, human trafficking, smuggling and other forms of transnational crime. The discussions also covered safe labour migration and worker protection. He assured the community that the Government would continue working with Guinea to protect Sierra Leoneans and address their welfare concerns.
Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh encouraged Sierra Leoneans residing in Guinea to register with the Embassy and obtain consular identification cards. He said proper registration would allow the Embassy to maintain accurate information about citizens and provide timely support during emergencies.
He also urged Sierra Leoneans to respect Guinean laws and regulations, conduct themselves responsibly and maintain peaceful relations with their host communities.
Trade, investment and industrialization also featured prominently in the discussions. The engagement followed the Vice President’s wider community engagement with Sierra Leoneans in Guinea. The Vice President said both countries were exploring stronger institutional cooperation to facilitate commerce, remove obstacles affecting businesses and create new economic opportunities for their citizens.
Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh said deepening trade relations between Sierra Leone and Guinea would benefit border communities, encourage private-sector investment and further strengthen the longstanding ties between the two neighbouring countries.
Speaking on behalf of President Bio and the Government and people of Sierra Leone, the Vice President also conveyed condolences to the Government and people of Guinea following the Dar-es-Salam landfill tragedy.
He thanked the Guinean Government for supporting Sierra Leoneans affected by the incident, noting that assistance had been provided to victims without discrimination. The Vice President donated 200 bags of rice and provided cash assistance to affected and displaced Sierra Leoneans.
During an interactive session chaired by Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah, community members discussed issues relating to their welfare, migration status, safety and economic activities. They expressed appreciation to the Vice President for meeting them and supporting victims of the Dar-es-Salam tragedy.
The Vice President was accompanied by Minister of Internal Affairs, Morie Lengor; Minister of Labour, Employment and Social Security Umaru Napoleon Koroma; Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Jeneba Bangura; and Minister of Information and Civic Education Chernor Bah.
The engagement was organized by Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to Guinea, Foday Yumkella and Deputy Ambassador, Fatmata Sawaneh, with participation from different Sierra Leonean organisations and community stakeholders.
Director of Operations and Programmes at One Family People Sierra Leone, Samuel P. O. V. Macauley
Director of Operations and Programmes at One Family People Sierra Leone, Samuel P. O. V. Macauley, has called for greater political representation of persons with disabilities (PwDs), urging political parties and policymakers to move beyond treating them primarily as voters. Samuel P. O. V. Macauley made the call during the popularization of Sierra Leone’s National Inclusion Policy, organized by the African Youth with Disabilities Network Sierra Leone, where he challenged stakeholders to rethink the meaning of political inclusion.
He argued that persons with disabilities who are considered capable of voting for political parties and candidates should equally be given opportunities to contest elections, influence policy and hold public office.
“If persons with disabilities are good enough to vote for politicians they are good enough to become politicians,” Samuel P. O. V. Macauley said.
He criticized the practice of mobilizing persons with disabilities as an electoral constituency during election periods without creating meaningful opportunities for them to participate in political leadership.
According to him, political inclusion should not end with voter registration and participation at the polls but must extend to equal opportunities to contest elections and exercise political power.
Samuel P. O. V. Macauley identified several barriers that continue to limit the political participation of PwDs, including candidature fees, inaccessible voter registration and polling centres, and ballot systems that do not adequately accommodate voters with different disabilities.
“We cannot celebrate inclusion while candidature fees remain a barrier to persons with disabilities seeking elective office,” he said.
He also questioned the effectiveness of inclusion policies when there are inadequate mechanisms to ensure their implementation and accountability.
“We cannot call democracy inclusive when ballot systems do not adequately accommodate voters with different disabilities. And we certainly cannot keep producing beautiful inclusion policies while nobody is held accountable for implementing them,” Samuel P. O. V. Macauley stated.
He called on political parties to stop viewing persons with disabilities solely as an electoral constituency and instead recognize them as potential candidates, policymakers and political leaders.
Samuel P. O. V. Macauley said the national conversation should therefore shift from asking whether persons with disabilities can vote to determining when they will have equal opportunities to contest elections, win and govern.
He urged Sierra Leone to move “from tokenism to representation, from promises to accountability and from consultation to power-sharing.”
“Persons with disabilities don’t need political pity. They need political opportunity,” he stressed.
Samuel P. O. V. Macauley concluded that genuine democratic inclusion must be measured by the extent to which persons with disabilities have access to political power and decision-making, rather than by policy commitments alone.
“Let them vote. Let them contest. Let them lead. Let inclusion be measured by power, not promises,” he said.
He maintained that inclusion without political representation remains only a partial expression of democracy.
Girls Safety Matters, in partnership with the I.B. Taylor-Kamara Foundation, has launched the “Girls Ready to Lead” Campaign with a renewed call for greater investment in the safety, protection, education and leadership of girls across Sierra Leone. The campaign, launched on Thursday, September 10, 2026, at the Bintumani Conference Centre in Aberdeen, Freetown, is being implemented under the theme: “The Girl I Am, the Change I Lead.”
Programme Coordinator of Girls Safety Matters, Sorie Ibrahim Koroma, said the organisation is committed to protecting girls and creating an enabling environment in which they could participate meaningfully in society.
He maintained that the safety, dignity and well-being of girls are essential to social justice, community stability and sustainable national development. He said challenges affecting girls must receive sustained attention from families, communities, institutions and policymakers.
Sorie Ibrahim Koroma explained that Girls Safety Matters works with girls, young people, families and community stakeholders to address gender-based violence, sexual harassment, discrimination and harmful traditional practices. Its activities include education, advocacy, research, psychosocial support and community engagement.
The organisation also provides information on personal safety, girls’ rights, life skills, the identification and prevention of abuse. It helps survivors of violence, trauma and neglect access counselling, psychosocial assistance and referral services.
Sorie Ibrahim Koroma disclosed that approximately 90 percent of the organization’s members are university students, describing the platform as an important avenue for amplifying the voices of young people.
He said the campaign started in January 2026 and had since undertaken activities in schools and communities. Education on sexual and reproductive health, access to support services and the development of confidence among girls remain central to the initiative.
Founder of Girls Safety Matters, Berny Global, called for increased investment in the safety, well-being and empowerment of girls. She argued that girls should be recognized as present leaders and agents of change rather than merely described as leaders of the future.
She emphasized that the mental and emotional well-being of women, girls and children living with disabilities must form part of every empowerment initiative.
“Empowerment without well-being is incomplete,” she stated.
Reflecting on her childhood, Berny Global said she grew up with aspirations but often had limited opportunities to express herself. She later entered spaces where she was the youngest person, the only girl and the only African.
According to her, providing girls with safety creates the space they need to discover their voices and contribute meaningfully to society. She warned that many girls abandon their education and ambitions because their environments are unsafe rather than because they lack intelligence or determination.
Berny Global described the campaign as a matter of justice intended to remove barriers that had historically prevented girls and women from realizing their full potential.
“The Girls Ready to Lead Campaign is not charity. It is justice,” she said, adding: “African girls are not future leaders; we are leaders now.”
Strategic Adviser for Innovation, Arts and Creative Expression and Chief Executive Officer of Popplies, Tiah Knox, encouraged participants to take personal responsibility for promoting positive change in their homes, schools and communities.
Tiah Knox said leadership does not require a formal title or position. She urged the girls to honour the leadership pledge they took during the ceremony by remaining committed to education, discipline, responsible conduct and community service.
She encouraged them to research the achievements of young women around the world, identify challenges within their communities and use their abilities to develop solutions.
Sharing her personal experience, Tiah Knox disclosed that she established a restaurant at Connaught in Freetown when she was 12 years old. She said the experience demonstrated that difficult circumstances should not determine the direction of a person’s life.
The event included a leadership pledge through which participating girls committed themselves to learning, speaking up, taking action and demonstrating courage, compassion, purpose and integrity.
Monitoring and Evaluation Officer of the I.B. Taylor-Kamara Foundation, Tejan Jalloh, called for stronger community participation in efforts to protect and empower girls.
He said the Foundation is dedicated to supporting less-privileged women and girls through economic empowerment and educational opportunities. Its interventions include financial assistance for women to establish businesses and scholarships for young people pursuing higher education.
Tejan Jalloh said the partnership with Girls Safety Matters is built on a shared commitment to investing in girls and creating opportunities for them to realize their potential.
He stressed that organisations could not protect girls without the participation of parents, community leaders and other stakeholders. He described the launch as the beginning of sustained community-level engagement rather than the conclusion of the initiative.
Deputy Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Kadijatu Grace Kamara, urged girls to embrace their identities, remain focused on education and develop the confidence required to become leaders and agents of change.
Drawing from her personal experiences, Dr. Kadijatu Grace Kamara disclosed that she survived sexual assault at the age of 10 and later endured difficult circumstances that affected her childhood. She said she nevertheless refused to allow her past to determine her future.
“Everybody has a story. Your story is a button-pusher that propels you to be a better version of yourself,” she said.
Dr. Kadijatu Grace Kamara urged girls not to compare their journeys with those of others or allow social media trends and material expectations to determine their choices. She emphasized education, personal development, authenticity, dignity and good character.
She welcomed the campaign as a timely platform through which girls and women could tell their own stories instead of having their experiences interpreted by others. She encouraged African girls to remain strong, bold and courageous when confronting life’s challenges.
Presidential Adviser on Gender, Isatu Jabbie Kabbah, similarly urged girls to seize available opportunities and prepare themselves for leadership.
She said leadership could be demonstrated through positive influence within families, schools and communities and should not be restricted to Government appointments or other prominent positions.
Isatu Jabbie Kabbah explained that she did not come from a privileged background but pursued education with determination and eventually obtained a Master’s Degree in Gender Studies.
She advised girls to use technology and social media for education and personal development and cautioned them against sharing inappropriate content that could have long-term consequences.
The Presidential Adviser also encouraged participants to choose friends, role models and partners carefully, noting that personal associations could significantly influence their character and future.
She urged the girls to understand their worth, remain committed to their goals and become positive examples to others.
The campaign will continue through engagements in schools and communities, with organizers seeking stronger partnerships to promote girls’ safety, rights, confidence and participation in national development.
