Chief Justice Kamanda Joins Commonwealth Judicial Conference in Jamaica
Chief Justice of Sierra Leone, His Lordship Justice Komba Kamanda, has joined Chief Justices and senior judicial officers from across the Commonwealth at the Commonwealth Magistrates’ and Judges’ Conference in Kingston, Jamaica.
The conference, being held under the theme “Sustainable Justice: For Today, For Tomorrow, For All,” has brought together more than 540 delegates from about 44 Commonwealth jurisdictions, including some 30 Chief Justices and other senior judicial leaders.
The gathering provides a forum for judges and other judicial officers to exchange experiences and discuss emerging challenges in the administration of justice, as well as approaches to strengthening judicial systems across the Commonwealth.
Sierra Leone is playing a notable role at this year’s conference, with three Judges of the Superior Court of Judicature selected to make presentations on contemporary issues affecting the administration of justice.
Justice Mark Ngegba made a presentation on “Military Justice: What Next?” on Monday.
Justice Adrian J. Fisher is scheduled to address the conference on “Vulnerable Witnesses or Awkward Litigants,” while Justice Fatmatta Bintu Alhadi is expected to present on “Protecting Ourselves from Online and Physical Threats” on Wednesday, 23 September.
The participation of the three Sierra Leonean Judges as presenters gives the Judiciary of Sierra Leone an opportunity to share its experiences and perspectives with judicial officers and legal professionals from across the Commonwealth.
Chief Justice Kamanda also participated in a meeting of Chief Justices held on 19 September, which brought together judicial leaders from several Commonwealth jurisdictions, including England and Wales, Nigeria, Ghana, Jamaica, Uganda and Lesotho, as well as jurisdictions across the Caribbean and the wider Commonwealth. Jamaica’s Governor-General and Prime Minister also attended the meeting.
The Chief Justice is attending the conference with eight Judges of the Superior Court of Judicature, marking the first time since Sierra Leone regained membership and full participation in the Association that such a large judicial delegation has attended the conference.
The delegation includes Supreme Court Justices Sengu Koroma and Fatmatta Bintu Alhadi; Court of Appeal Judges Michael P. Mami, Tonia Barnett and Aiah Simeon Allieu; and High Court Judges Lornard Taylor, Adrian J. Fisher and Mark Ngegba.
The participation of the Sierra Leonean delegation has drawn positive comments from some senior lawyers and justice-sector stakeholders, particularly regarding the increased involvement of Sierra Leonean Judges in international judicial conferences.
The presence of three Sierra Leonean Judges as presenters also provides an opportunity for the country to contribute directly to discussions on contemporary challenges confronting judiciaries in different parts of the world.
Chief Justice Kamanda has reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening the Judiciary of Sierra Leone and enhancing its engagement with regional and international judicial institutions.
He said the Judiciary under his leadership would continue to pursue initiatives aimed at promoting justice, human rights and the rule of law, while creating opportunities for Sierra Leonean judicial officers to contribute meaningfully to international judicial discourse.
Sierra Leone’s participation in the conference forms part of the Judiciary’s continued engagement with regional and international judicial forums and institutions, while providing judicial officers with opportunities to exchange professional experiences and contribute to discussions on the future of justice.