Port Loko, Sierra Leone— The Honorable Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Alpha Sesay, has called on the people of Port Loko and all Sierra Leoneans to actively participate in and take ownership of the ongoing constitutional review process. Speaking at the Port Loko Civic Day Series organized by the Ministry of Information and Civic Education, the learned Attorney General engaged citizens in a spirited dialogue on the importance and significance of reviewing the 1991 Constitution.
In his remarks, Mr. Sesay emphasized that the constitutional review is not merely a legal or political exercise but a historic national undertaking that must be driven and owned by the people it is meant to serve. He encouraged the audience to add their voices, perspectives, and aspirations to the process to ensure that the revised Constitution reflects the values, needs, and vision of every Sierra Leonean.
The Attorney General highlighted that His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio has given firm instructions that this long-standing process must be concluded within his current term of office. He noted that the constitutional review journey has spanned multiple administrations—beginning under the leadership of former President Ahmed Tejan Kabbah, continuing under President Ernest Bai Koroma, and now being carried forward by President Bio. “This constitutional relay,” he stated, “must end with this government.”
Mr. Sesay also highlighted the origins and rationale behind the review process. He pointed out that recommendations from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), the Justice Cowan-led Constitutional Review Commission, and more recently, the Tripartite Committee have all informed the current efforts to revise the Constitution. These contributions, he said, represent a wide body of national reflection, legal insight, and civic engagement.
He further assured the audience that the government is committed to delivering a revised Constitution that is inclusive, rights-based, and responsive to the needs of the people. A constitution, he said, that guarantees the dignity, freedom, and well-being of every citizen in Sierra Leone.
In his concluding remarks, Attorney General Alpha Sesay concluded with a powerful message to those gathered: “If you want to refer to the Constitution as a new Constitution, it has to come from you—the people.”
His call to action was met with applause, underscoring the public’s readiness to be part of shaping a constitution that truly belongs to them.
