In a bid to mechanize plans for the coordination of donor aid and investment
and justice service delivery in the country, the Justice Sector Development programme through the ministry of Justice yesterday officially launched the Sierra Leone Justice Sector Reform Strategy and Investment Plan for 2008 to 2010.
Before launching the programme at the Miatta conference hall in Freetown, President Ernest Koroma recalled that since 2005 the justice sector ministries, departments and agencies, and civil society consulted about the reform needed in the justice sector.
As a result, the sector’s priorities for reform had been identified and many activities had fulfilled its vision for Sierra Leone where there was safety for people, security of property and access to justice, the president noted.
He said the justice sector reform strategy and investment plan 2008-2010, which was approved by cabinet on 10th January 2008, would be used to guide activities to achieve the need for a more coherent and rational approach to policy making, planning and resource allocation within the sector.
President Koroma said the strategy focused on primary justice at community level, adding that there was need to ensure former justice delivery to 70% of the populace who lacked access to justice.
With the strengthening of the rule of law and coordination through communication
with line ministries and stakeholders, he said, the implementation of the programme would be enhanced.
“Poor justice delivery accounted for conflict and poverty in Sierra Leone,” President Koroma opined.
Serry Kamal, the attorney general and minister of Justice, noted that his first assignment as justice minister was to present the justice sector reform strategy document to parliament with the aim of ensuring justice service delivery to everyone including women and children.
In the political past, he said, donor funds received were uncoordinated and disorganized with little or no impacts on targeted beneficiaries.
The acting Chief Justice, Umu Tejan Jalloh, expressed satisfaction over the whole strategy which she said was participatory.
She lauded DFID for their support towards the Justice Sector.
The deputy minister of Local Government and Internal Affairs, Raymond Kabbia stressed on the use of specific telephone numbers and the empowerment of the Sierra Leone police force to prevent crimes through the use of effective communication.
Haja Musu Kandeh, the minister of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs said women and children should be given priority in the overall strategy because they are mostly affected by injustice.
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