By Chernor Alimamy Kamara
In the recently signed performance contract between Ministers and President Julius Maada Bio, the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mohamed Lamin Tarawalley has vowed to improve access to justice in the country's judicial system.
The minister whilst outlining the ministry's specific outcomes, to which they contribute for the long-term development of Sierra Leone, promised to facilitate crucial reforms to the advancement of the rule of law, promoting justice, and guaranteeing and protecting citizens' human rights. He also promised to streamline access to intellectual property and establish a legal environment more conducive to business and investment in Sierra Leone.
He further aims to increase public confidence and trust in the justice sector and expeditious drafting of all legislations requested by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
Describing the key outputs that the ministry seeks to achieve by December of this year, minister Tarawalley noted that 25% of community leaders related to the justice system have expert knowledge in conflict prevention and peace building. However, he said the ministry wants to adopt Citizens Led Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanisms involving 38 Chiefdoms across the country to resolve conflicts.
The Justice ministry also wants to review, re-enact, and popularize the Criminal Procedure Act of 2023, and increase court infrastructure and digitized case management to enhance access to justice. It also wants to reduce backlog cases in the courts of Sierra Leone by 25% and create or facilitate 1,500 (one thousand, five hundred) jobs for youths through project activities, lobbying, apprenticeships to name but a few.
Upon the availability of resources, the ministry seeks to either implement or oversee the conduct of administrative business operations for the cost of NLE 10,829,600 (ten million, eight hundred and twenty nine thousand, six hundred Leone).
For managerial and operational efficiency, the ministry will develop, sign and commence implementation of two ministerial agreements and make a conscious effort to increase development expenditure by 30% as against recurrent expenditure.
It also wants to improve domestic revenue generation for the ministry and its agencies to the tune of $200 million (two hundred millions dollars) to ensure compliance with budgetary level and its regulations by 70%; and increase development expenditure as against recurrent expenditure.
The Attorney General and Minister of Justice (AGMJ) is the principal Legal Adviser to the government with the mandate to provide effective, efficient and impartial service delivery to achieve justice for all in Sierra Leone.
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