By: Minkailu Kebbie
With support from local sponsors, the Sierra Leone Bar Association (SLBA) on Wednesday 7th June 2023 handed over renovated dormitory and other capacity-building resource materials for detainees at the KingTom Remand Home, Freetown.
The President of the Sierra Leone Bar Association. Mrs. Micheala Swallow in her statement at the handing over ceremony explained that they earlier took a tour of the dormitories with a different purpose but got informed of a pressing need which was to renovate the dormitories. She said there were over four dormitories but they have started with one. The president further explained that they have replaced the gate that had fallen off with a new sliding gate. Mrs. Micheala also stated that they brought the materials for capacity-building training that the dormitory requested of them which they later handed over.
“We want to change the narratives of this place. We don’t want people to come here and think thatit’s the end for them…. We want them to learn a trade so by the time they leave here they would be substantial citizens in society that would better themselves and their people”, SLBA President expressed. She furthered that they would use this same platform to launch the DEMS project with a priority to focus more on the boys.
She described the project as a ‘Pro Bono’ and urged colleague lawyers to take inmates’ cases seriously and corporate with this ongoing project. She expressed appreciation to their sponsors, UBA, ECOBANK, Marampa Mines, and colleagues in the Association. She further expressed a strong willingness for continuous support and ended up calling stakeholders for more support.
On behalf of the Social Welfare Ministry, the officer in charge of the Remand Home, Mr. Alieu A. Gormoh expressed appreciation to the Bar Association and their sponsors for the laudable venture. He explained the security safety of the Remand Home and said a police officer and correctional officerare needed to secure them. He further explained the other challenges they are currently facing including proper electricity and skills training equipment for the detainees and he called for more sponsors to come to their aid.
One of the sponsors representing Marampa Mines Limited, Mr. Joseph Munda Sandi commended the effort of SLBA for considering the welfare of the inmates. He expressed willingness that they would continue to support SLBA in such a venture. He said as a company they take their corporate social responsibility seriously. He continued that they have been supporting different organizations and SLBA is one of their recent beneficiaries. ” We have been following up on the activities of SLBA closely and on behalf of the Marampa Mines Limited, we will continue to support SLBA, especially on activities that deal with supporting the less privileged”, he reaffirmed.
Another Sponsor, Mr. Yusif Ahmed Sesay, the Acting Head of Corporate Banking, United Bank of Africa (UBA) said that they are proud to sponsor SLBA in their efforts to renovate the Remand Home for detainees. As a bank, they believe that regardless ofinmates’mates legal status in society they need the necessary support until they serve their terms or face justice. ” Regardless of the status of these detainees, they need the necessary support to live the life they deserve. That is why as a bank, we are very proud to support SLBA in this venture and we will continue to do more”, he reaffirmed. He ended up commending SLBA for their relentless efforts to support and renovate the Remand Home.
