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The Alpha Sesay, Attorney General and Minister of Justice, has called on Sierra Leoneans to embrace national unity and constructive dialogue as the country moves forward with its long-standing constitutional review process.
Speaking at a civic engagement held at the Kono District Council Hall, organised by the Ministry of Information and Civic Education (MoICE), Sesay clarified that the constitutional review is not a new political agenda but a national commitment that predates the current administration.
He urged citizens to disregard misinformation circulating particularly on social media, emphasising that the reform process has deep historical roots and reflects a collective aspiration to strengthen Sierra Leone’s democratic governance framework.
Minister Sesay recalled that calls for constitutional reform were strongly articulated during Sierra Leone’s peace process. He noted that the Lomé Peace Agreement and the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) underscored the importance of reviewing the 1991 Constitution.
According to him, the reform aims to reinforce democratic institutions, address governance weaknesses, and prevent any relapse into conflict by aligning the Constitution with contemporary realities and citizens’ aspirations.
The Attorney General highlighted the work of the Constitutional Review Committee established in 2013 under former President Ernest Bai Koroma. The committee, chaired by the late Edmond Cowan, conducted extensive nationwide consultations between 2013 and 2017.
He noted that the committee received more than 150 position papers and held broad public engagements across the country, laying a solid foundation for reform.
Since assuming office in 2018, President Julius Maada Bio has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to completing the constitutional review process, Sesay added.
Responding to concerns about certain aspects of the review, including discussions surrounding the proportional representation (PR) electoral system — the Attorney General assured participants that government is carefully considering mechanisms that will preserve a meaningful link between voters and their elected representatives.
He stressed that the success of the constitutional reform depends on open, respectful, and inclusive national dialogue, encouraging citizens to actively participate in shaping the country’s supreme law.
Earlier, the Chernor A. Bah, Minister of Information and Civic Education, reiterated government’s commitment to strengthening civic participation and ensuring citizens are well-informed about national reforms and development programmes.
The engagement brought together government officials, council members, traditional authorities, youths, representatives of political parties, civil society organisations, and students.
The event concluded with an interactive question-and-answer session, reflecting government’s push for transparency and citizen involvement in national decision-making.
As Sierra Leone advances its constitutional reform journey, officials maintain that unity, dialogue, and collective ownership will remain central to shaping a governance framework that meets the aspirations of its people.
