BY JOSEPH MOMOH | DAILY SCOPE REPORTER
The Ministry of Justice has partnered with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to launch a new reform programme aimed at making justice services more accessible to vulnerable Sierra Leoneans.
The initiative, titled “Enhancing Access to Justice for Vulnerable Groups and Advancing People-Centred Justice Reforms,” was unveiled on August 3, 2026, following a meeting between Attorney General and Minister of Justice Alpha Sesay and UNDP officials.
According to the Ministry, the programme will focus on removing barriers faced by women, young people, persons with disabilities, and rural communities that have historically struggled to access legal services. It is part of a broader push to build a justice system that is more efficient, inclusive, and responsive to public needs.
Speaking at the launch, Mr. Sesay said the collaboration reflects government’s commitment to human rights, the rule of law, and people-centred justice delivery.
“This initiative reinforces our shared goal with UNDP to ensure that no Sierra Leonean is left behind when it comes to accessing justice,” the Attorney General stated.
UNDP has been supporting similar interventions in recent years. Through Judicial Week and Prison-Court Sessions, the agency helped clear 802 backlogged cases in 2023, benefiting nearly 3,000 people. In 2024, a nationwide review of 1,538 inmate cases also contributed to easing congestion in correctional facilities.
The new phase of reforms will also include a review of the Matrimonial Causes Act of 1950. The exercise will be led by the Law Reform Commission in partnership with UNDP and the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs. Officials say the review seeks to modernise family law to reflect current social realities and uphold principles of gender equality.
In addition, UNDP continues to support the transformation of the Sierra Leone Police from a “Force” to a “Service” — a reform intended to improve public trust and community-oriented policing.
Ministry officials said the partnership underscores government’s determination to strengthen institutions and ensure that justice delivery meets the needs of all citizens, particularly those most at risk of exclusion.
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