By Yemisi Adegoke
Just under four months after Africa recorded its first coronavirus case, the number of confirmed cases has reached more than 250,000.
Improving legal education and training in Sierra Leone could improve quality of justice
By Dr. Ishmail Pamsm-Conteh
Justice in Sierra Leone is an issue which has been under scrutiny and debate for a quite a long time. There have been allegations galore of bribery, correction and the delay in passing court judgements, amongst others. This had even preceded the country’s eleven-year long civil war between 1991 and 2002. Sadly the situation has not changed much, since.
Khadija’s rape and death, a scar on the conscience of Sierra Leone
By Mohamed Jaward Nyallay
Shocking! Disgusting! Inhumane! These are just some of the many adjectives that have littered our social media conversations, highlighting a deep-seated frustration over the death of five-year old, Khadija Madinatu Saccoh after allegedly being raped and strangled to death.
This was never supposed to happen, Khadija deserves better. Sadly, what happened to her is not an isolated incident; hundreds of other girls are going through the same situation in Sierra Leone. Like Khadija, some are even dead.
Who’s taking care of the children? Not fathers, who refuse to pay child maintenance
By Emma Black
Aminata spent almost three years trying to collect child maintenance from her husband, Foday. After engaging with the Family Support Unit (FSU) of the Sierra Leone Police, the Legal Aid Board and the Courts, Aminata has given up. Her husband has repeatedly ignored agreements made with the FSU, LAB and a court order to pay Aminata Le200,000 per month per child (approximately $40 USD per month in total).
MSF: Responding to COVID-19 must not come at the expense of other diseases, otherwise children may pay the price
By Carola Buscemi
Across the world, the COVID-19 pandemic has led people to fear accessing healthcare facilities. As a paediatrician working for Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in Kenema District,
and as we enter malaria season, I am particularly fearful of what reduced health seeking behavior may mean for children in a country with a high rate of child mortality.
Time to amend the retirement age for members of the Sierra Leone Armed Forces
By Major (Retired) Ishmail Pamsm-Conteh
The Commander-in-Chief of the Republic of the Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF), His Excellency the President, Brigadier (Retired) Julius Maada Bio, on Thursday 18 June, retired senior military officers. The reasons were due to the officers attaining the retirement age of 55 years, or on health grounds. This is justified under sections 26 and 27 of the Army Orders of 1965.
