The Judiciary of Sierra Leone is set to host the 2024 ECOWAS Community Court of Justice’s International Conference. The conference is scheduled to take place from Monday, 13th to Wednesday 16th May, 2024, at the Bintumani Conference Centre, Aberdeen, Freetown Sierra Leone
This years’ conference is on the theme Enhancing the role, relevance and effectiveness of the ECOWAS Court of Justice through the strengthening of synergies between the Court and national stakeholders.
The President Julius Maada Bio has assured that the country will provide the necessary support for the success of the conference consistent with the national character of Sierra Leoneans as a ‘welcoming people.”
Justice Asante had said that by honoring the invitation, the President has affirmed the stature of the conference as a high profile event of the Court which brings together lawyers, academics, jurists and Chief Justices of Member States to discuss a subject of contemporary relevance to the Community. He expressed the gratitude of the Court to the government of Sierra Leone for the quality of preparations and the inclusiveness of the membership of the local organizing committee.
The conference will attract over two hundred and fifty (250) participants including the President of the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice, Justice Edward Amoaka Asante, the Chief Justice of Liberia, Sie-A- Nyene Gyapay Yuoh; Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, Chief Justice of Ghana; Justice Hassan Bubacar Jallow, Chief Justice of Gambia; Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, Chief Justice of the Federation of Nigeria.
It will also be graced by the Presidents of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) Court of Justice; Organization for the Harmonisation of Business Law in Africa (“OHADA) Court of Justice and Arbitration; the African Court for Human and People’s Rights; the Chairperson of the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights; the Ministers of Justice for Senegal and for the Republic of Guinea-Bissau; the President of the Supreme Court of Cote d’ Ivoire; the President of the Supreme Court of Ghana; the President of the Supreme Court of Togo.The Heads of ECOWAS National Offices of member States among others will actively participate in the conference.
Presentations will be made by both academic and professional lawyers including professors in specialized legal areas.Meanwhile, the Acting Chief Justice of Sierra Leone, Justice Nicholas Colin Browne-Marke says the conference will not disrupt normal court sittings in the country.
The annual event brings together the legal community in West Africa and other critical stakeholders to deliberate on important legal themes and contribute to the jurisprudence of the ECOWAS Court of Justice.
