By Joseph Momoh, Reporter
The Government of Sierra Leone, in collaboration with the African Land Institution Network (ALIN), the Rights and Resources Initiative (RRI), and the African Land Policy Centre (ALPC), is set to host the ALIN International Conference from October 14 to 16, 2025, at the Bintumani Conference Centre in Freetown.
This significant event will convene over 100 delegates from Africa and beyond, including land governance experts, policymakers, civil society representatives, and development partners. The conference aims to promote inclusive land reform and institutional transformation across the continent.
Under the theme, “Strengthening Land Institutions for Inclusive Growth and Resilience,” the 5th Regional Conference will underscore the critical need for robust, transparent, and community-oriented land governance structures in Africa. Attendees will have the chance to exchange innovative ideas, policy solutions, and community-driven strategies, with a special emphasis on empowering women, youth, and indigenous populations.
The three-day event will feature plenary sessions and technical panels focusing on vital issues such as customary land rights, climate resilience, and institutional reform. Dr. Turad Senesie, Minister of Lands, Housing and Country Planning, highlighted the importance of the conference, stating, “This is a defining moment for Africa’s land institutions. Sierra Leone is honored to facilitate a dialogue that prioritizes community involvement in land governance.”
The conference is jointly organized by the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Country Planning, ALIN, and other key partners.
NMDHR Engages Waterloo Pupils on HPV Vaccination Campaign
In a related initiative, the Network Movement for Democracy and Human Rights (NMDHR) recently conducted an interactive sensitization session with school pupils and health club members in Waterloo, focusing on the upcoming Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Multi-Age Cohort (MAC) vaccination campaign.
This awareness campaign, part of NMDHR’s ongoing partnership with the Ministry of Health’s Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), aims to educate adolescents, particularly girls aged 11 to 18, about the HPV vaccine’s crucial role in preventing cervical cancer and enhancing women’s health. The initiative is supported by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.
Nabieu Kamara, NMDHR’s Program Director, emphasized the campaign’s importance, stating, “This initiative aims to reach girls who may have missed previous routine immunization exercises.” He encouraged pupils to become advocates for the HPV vaccine, stressing that it is safe, free, and life-saving.
The interactive sessions included Q&A segments where pupils actively engaged, sharing their thoughts and pledging to disseminate information within their schools and communities.
School health club coordinators praised NMDHR for its proactive approach, recognizing that educating young people directly helps combat vaccine misinformation.
The HPV MAC vaccination campaign is scheduled for November 2025, targeting girls aged 11 to 18 across Sierra Leone. With continued collaboration between NMDHR, the Ministry of Health, and development partners, there is optimism for significant progress in combating cervical cancer in the years ahead.
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