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The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Alpha Sesay, has met with councillors of the Western Area Rural District Council (WARDC) to discuss efforts to bring justice services closer to communities across Sierra Leone.
The engagement brought together councillors from both the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) and the opposition All People’s Congress (APC), who interacted with the Minister on ways to strengthen access to justice at the local level.
Minister Sesay commended the bipartisan participation, describing the meeting as an “incredible show of unity” and a model for national cooperation.
Discussions focused on the role of local councils in bridging the gap between formal legal institutions and everyday community life. The Attorney General stressed that justice should be accessible and community-centered, noting that “justice must have a human face” and should not be limited to those who can navigate complex court processes in Freetown.
He further highlighted the connection between justice and economic development, explaining that unresolved legal disputes—such as land disputes and small business conflicts—can hinder local economic activity.
“When people have unresolved justice issues, it impacts local economies,” Sesay said, adding that strengthening peace and social cohesion through accessible justice can support revenue generation within communities.
According to the Ministry of Justice, the engagement with WARDC aims to empower local leaders to serve as facilitators for mediation and community-based justice initiatives.
The session concluded with a joint commitment from both the Minister and the councillors to deepen collaboration, describing the initiative as an essential part of delivering effective public service to citizens.
