Minister of Social Welfare Mrs. Melrose Karminty has convened a multi-stakeholder committee to address the longstanding land dispute at the Approved School Community and pursue a lawful, peaceful and sustainable resolution.

The committee brings together representatives from the Ministry of Social Welfare, the Sierra Leone Police, the Law Officers’ Department and representatives of the alleged encroachers. The initiative is aimed at resolving the dispute through dialogue, due process and respect for the law.

The development follows mediation efforts initiated in December 2025 by the Ministry in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Sierra Leone. Those discussions brought together senior government officials, community leaders, youth representatives and security authorities to address the dispute involving Lifeline Nehemiah Projects.

Speaking at the latest stakeholder meeting, Minister Karminty reaffirmed her determination to protect the land, which she described as a valuable public asset belonging to the Ministry of Social Welfare. She stressed that the property should not be diverted to private interests but preserved for the delivery of social welfare services to vulnerable populations.

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According to the Minister, the land could provide space for critical social protection facilities, including homes for older persons, orphanages, rehabilitation centres, facilities for persons with disabilities and other programmes designed to support vulnerable citizens.

“The protection of state property requires unity, professionalism, transparency, and respect for due process,” Minister Karminty said, emphasising that no single institution could effectively address the matter in isolation.

She further maintained that anyone claiming ownership or rights over government land must provide legitimate documentation and pursue the appropriate legal and administrative procedures. At the same time, she said the interests of the affected community and the wider public must be taken into consideration.

Minister Karminty pledged that her Ministry would continue working with relevant institutions and stakeholders to ensure that the land is protected and ultimately utilised for its intended social welfare purposes.

“I am determined to ensure that this land is protected and ultimately utilised for the purpose for which it was entrusted to the Ministry,” she stated, adding that vulnerable children, older persons, persons with disabilities and other citizens in need of social protection deserve access to facilities that provide care, dignity and opportunity.

The renewed engagement signals the Ministry’s continued effort to resolve the Approved School land dispute through institutional cooperation, legal processes and constructive dialogue while safeguarding public property for the benefit of vulnerable Sierra Leoneans.