I left Sierra Leone in December 1994; only 5 years of age during Sierra Leone’s civil war. I returned after 29 years on the 5th November 2024 and 25 years after creating extensive links whilst resident in the UK and up skilling to find opportunities in the homeland, whilst my passion for my nation remained steadfast and prospects of finding love and promise felt like a reality.
Unfortunately, a stream of events transpired that remain a subject of investigation with the Criminal Investigation Department of the Sierra Leone Police force. In my time in Sierra Leone, however, I did experience much of the country; the good, the bad and the questionable.
Much of my experiences revealed the wealth of potential and challenges, and extensive conversations with ordinary Sierra Leoneans earning their bread and butter, revealed potential legislative and policy responses, so I am able to live in this beautiful land that we know as Sierra Leone.
The traders from the perspective of the old Themne girl that went and came back.
My time in the Northern part of the country was a world of discovery; but I mostly found putting my faith as a Seventh-Day Adventist into action, all but impossible. I found that whether I was in the town of Sanda Port Loko, the Villages of Maforki, Maboni or Masaysay Bana, Lokomasama or evening in the capital city Freetown, the market traders had very little appreciation for observation of food and feed Safety Authority Act 2017 that sets standards on the labelling of food and conditions for preparation and service to the public.
The provision of National Revenue Authority (NRA) compliant receipts for restraint style products whether in electronic form or paper for transactions was simply unheard of in the northern quarter. Being a Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Caterers and self-titled Chef in Sierra Leonean cuisine , I’ve become passionate about being a stickler for rules.
However, I found it impossible to do the simple act of going to a market Stall or Shop purchasing palm oil, vegetable oil or sunflower oil, rice, peanut butter, Ogirri that had labelling stating the required information as detailed in the Act such as ingredients, expiry date and country of origin.
I feel for the ordinary trader who chooses to deviate; he/she probably won’t appreciate the importance of the labelling Act, in that, it protects the quality standards of the product, the reputation of the product and its country of origin and the general pride the country can present to the world on the adherence rate to legislation passed by government and how we as a nation have development.
Sugar salt, milk, were usually repacked and not labelled making it impossible for the lay buyer.
Based on my experience, the ordinary seller taking microfinance has little consideration of the implications of their actions in putting for sale a product that is non-compliant with the laws of Sierra Leone (land that we love) on food labelling.
From a professional capacity, and I suppose a person determined on becoming a devout Seventh-Day Adventist with the law and the gospel being a part of my faith, I found the experience painful to watch and oppressive to experience.
I consider that in terms of supply chain management, food security accomplishing sustainable development goal number 10 by Sierra Leone remaining in parity with other nations as a country we have much a task ahead.
I consider it a burden not to be one of further legislative interventions; but rather the sensitization of market participants and where possible development in the states enforcement strategy. I feel further developments could be made in the area of provision of receipts and a mechanism that would be consistent with dependence on paper by the expansion of electronic receipts and the inclusion or the granting of licensure to private market participants to provide electronic receipts to customers via platforms that market sellers can sign up for so that even the market trader in the most remote parts of Sierra Leone who can access tick tock via the internet or other social media sights can put climate justice and adherence to the laws of Sierra Leone.
This also mean that action , as well protection of the consumer and their right to information on the product proof of purchase and right to request return of products upon proof of purchase. However, this would take what others may perceive as the very arduous task of ICT inclusion and procurement of services from private actors into effect.
Albeit for the good name of mother Sierra Leone, I pray we make a concerted effort at presenting the best the country can offer were the conversation on consumer rights meets climate ambition and compliance is concerned.
Who’s right?
Another difficulty I found whilst in Sierra Leone particularly in the north was observation of intellectual Property rights in clothing technology and was the ability to purchase clothing compliant with Intellectual Property Rights Law.
As an artist that often performs and writes my own original music and performs on social media and a graduate in the masters of laws from the University of Hertfordshire International Financial Law with a part focus on Intellectual property rights Law.
Further study leads me to the knowledge of the vast application of the intellectual property rights of the author or inventor or other IP rights holder. I would describe my experience as somewhat of an oxymoron. Whilst surrounded by probably the most polite group of individuals, I experienced the inability to live in a manner that is consistent with sustaining the rights of a human being protecting specific rights under the UNDHR such as the right to employment.
I consider that the issues surrounding the protection of the holder of intellectual property rights are mostly a behavioural challenge on the part of market sellers. I feel the progress I would hope to see is the change in attitude should be enforcement measures from the intellectual property office responsible for these kinds of violations may prove itself necessary till twenty thirty goals are accomplished.
Notably, I also observed that sensitization to key observations on a person’s right to receive payment in the form of recognition royalties, their right to recognition for their works, their right to dignity for the creation of their work and the right to exclude another from the use of the ‘thing’ to which the owner has IP rights and the right to exclude others from economic gains from use where the party does not possess permission from the right holder.
I realised that, even through kindness, people making the effort to offer to purchase clothing shoes and more, the Adventist in me couldn’t accept the offer for two reasons. First, I couldn’t be sure whether I was purchasing a product that was sold through commerce by the copyright holder and I would want to avoid the imposition of economic injustice on the in the individual.
Similarly, In the case of a corporation, that is the holder of an intellectual property right. I consider the right to employ and raise revenue and make payment of the lay worker of the corporation that is the holder of IP ownership rights to be no different to the individual having the human right to income for the wares of their labour that they bring to the market.
I found that the concept on the seller’s obligation to balance equity was generally devoid of recognition in market participation.
Staying peaceful in a sometimes violent world!
On my return to Sierra Leone, I have had the opportunity to observe the reactions and social sensitisation to domestic violence, the characteristics of the abuser and social and behavioural contributor.
I also noticed that the differentiator was that people often beat children as a form of discipline or threaten to smack, as a form of discipline. Whilst I understand that the Bible states that when we spare the rod, we spoil the child, I consider the teachings in proverbs in intellect morality, fortitude and the presentation of character.
I also consider that the individual being disciplined in any manner involving domestic violence may struggle to develop in personality and intellect where fear effects their brain development. In a discussion with an unnamed third party, I chose to be honest that, domestic violence and my experiences with such from family was a contributor to my choosing not to have children.
I have always been of the opinion that, it contributes towards a person that is violent, social phenomenon that includes violence such as; knife crime continue to be a pandemic in even the most developed nations such as the UK. I consider any decision to reproduce oneself must consider the extent to which exposure to violent acts whether in the home or society, may shape the person of the next generation.
It is for the parent to determine and perhaps the mother, ‘ipso facto’ a woman such as myself to decide whether such exposure can be mitigated and where impossible, the choice to reproduce altogether to be assessed as to its viability and balanced against the benefit to society.
I suppose, in an attempt to ensure, I am constantly able to protect another’s right to life and the quality of people born at the next generation; my thought process has been to exude minimal or no harm through words and a zero tolerance attitude when it comes to violence; particularly domestic violence.
I turn to the law to protect me or decide the fate and or penalty for any acts of violence as is expected of a person determined to developed.
It is for this reason I welcome awareness raising by the office of the First Lady on ending violence against woman and the girl child, though I do believe this could be expanded to all persons given that I have a zero tolerance perception on this type of act.
I feel the things that supported my development and my refusal to becoming a person with a violent persona that I consider abhorant is my adherance to the word of God and because, I feel that, the responsibility on protecting another’s right to a good quality life is important and it starts with a woman such as myself to make the decision to have a zero tolerance attitude towards violence.
And to have absolute trust in the law as a means to resolve the issue I feel is oppressive and unjust to me and leave the decision to equity to decide. On the issue of changing attitudes nationally, it would be my wish to see further expenditure and an expansion in the campaign by the Office of the First Lady so that more people can trust my nation to visit and feel safe as a good number hopefully presently do and that this would increase the likelihood of investment in resources and time by those that trust Sierra Leone to be a second home.
Changing attitudes on mental health and progress on Sustainable Development Goal number 3
It’s no secret that I am a former sufferer of a mental health condition, specifically depression ; and anxiety. On my first visit to Sierra Leone Since 1994, I have had the opportunity to observe the attitude of general society; from those within law enforcement, through to the ordinary person , my experience in much of the country outside of Freetown and even in Guinea was that people had little knowledge of mental health law or the significance of dignified care and the individual’s right to decide their care.
Within the context of customary practices, the rights of a person accused of possessing a mental health disorder and the balancing act between the individual’s right to dignity and dignified care.
Their right decide the course of care and right to challenge a decision and have the state ascertain the extent of potential risk to society, as part of this balancing act enjoys minimal focus under legislation and international law applicable to the development of our health care systems under Sustainable Development Goal no 3.
I speak on the term ‘dignified care’ throughout this section, because there is a stigma that surrounds mental health in Sierra Leone. The reputation of the individual can be negatively or positively impacted and the responses of those providing the care and their formulation or impressions of the individual may dictate the extent to which the individual may further be ostricised or judged for their condition.
Conversely, the individual’s recovery may be dependent on their quality of care, as well as, ability to be restored to a position where they can manage their health.
In my personal experience, a person belonging to a class of persons enjoying protection under the UN General Assembly Resolution 47/135 on the protection of minorities; their care under customary practices of traditional herbalist or Moriman ; there appeared to be a void in the capacity to accept that the individual had the right to dignified care and choice.
I consider that in Sierra Leone, the protection of people accused of suffering from mental health issues, suffers stumbling blocks for two reasons: One, what I class as innate racism within society and two , a poorly addressed legislative protections for persons suffering poor mental health. A person may be escorted or accompanied to the nearest Moriman commonly known as a traditional herbalist and provided what is referred to in rural communities as medication, upon the accusation of another to facility that is unregulated and by a person unregulated in the practice of medical treatment.
In contrast, within the UK , it is the case that a person can be brought to a place of safety such as a hospital, with staff that are regulated and licensed to practice in psychiatric care where there are fears of their mental health having an impact on society.
From my personal experience, I can attest that, the state protects the right of the individual accused of poor mental health to dignified care by making provisions on the limited periods to which they are held; requirements to notify and justify in writing the reasons for further detention. The right to challenge a diagnosis through a tribunal or raise challenges on the nature or quality of care and appropriateness of the type of care the individual is in receipt of, challenge a diagnosis, the right to a tribunal and a solicitor under The Mental Health Act 1983.
As a person who has lived in villages in the UK such as; Cippenham village in Slough and Hessle village in Hull and visited the villages in the north of Sierra Leone ; Maboni Maforki, Masaysay-bana and Lokomasama, all in Portloko district.
This village girl, can attest to the fact that, the mental health laws between the UK and Sierra Leone are not a meeting of two equals. Further focus and development should be made on the mental health laws that protect the individual’s right to dignified care and societies right to the sustenance of peace.
I feel that within the unique legal infrastructure, that is, the Constitution of Sierra Leone, legislation can be developed to meet the needs of society. It is the case that customary practices are a means of preferred choice of care in mental health for some for the individual of for a member of the family. These practices can be considered to be the practices that enumerate to the creation and upkeep throughout time of the Paramount Chief that is not recognised under the constitution as the office of the Paramount Chief.
I consider that it therefore becomes the reponsibility of the office, that is the paramount instrument of governance to protect the individual’s right both under international law and under the laws of Sierra Leone to dignified care. I also consider that no act shall prevent the continuity of customs and practices that may fall under the remit of the office of the Paramount Chief.
I am of the opinion that development to Sierra Leone’s healthcare laws that would require the observation of a person before an individual licensed to practice psychiatric care and consideration and approval of their care being conducted by a Moriman by at minimum a Section Chief within the office of a Paramount Chief and the informed written consent off the patient.
Furthermore, I consider the present legislation that regulates the quality of medicine for sale to Patients as end consumers and the quality of training in mental health should apply to the extent necessary to practitioners of herbalist medication so as to protect the individual from poor quality care.
I also note that, the duty to ensure this standard is met should be the responsibility of the Office of the Paramount Chief.
This also means that to not develop legislation that impacts people in this manner may in itself compound what appears to be racism in society, where we do not expect reach the standards of care of developed nations because it is normal to expect sub quality service and to provide such.
I can only describe this as an inferiority complex leading to the perception of innate racism. Where the classification of a person that is black and a Sierra Leonean may be assumed to be within the reach or circle of cultural remit that would warrant suppression or denial of individual rights in the choice of care and right to dignified care where the individual is indeed a sufferer of a mental health condition or their right to challenge a diagnosis and decides on the extent to which their reputation may be concerned.
I will ensure to be fair to the capital City Freetown; my plight was taken seriously, perceptions on the role of state involvement in mental healthcare and police powers on the protection of the individual appeared to meet some standards of parity with that of the UK. I therefore presume there is promise because, I personally experienced what is a beacon of hope.
As an individual, personally effected by a history of mental health, I’ve become an advocate for mental health rights laws, I consider that to demonstrated further development under Sustainable Development Goal Number 3 ; involves strengthening healthcare systems with appropriate health care legislation to guide the provision of dignified care.
Such care should strike a balancing act between the individual’s right to dignified care, the protection and continuity of the customary practices that may fall under the remit of the Office of the Paramount Chief. Lastly, and most important, the protection of individuals that possess a cultural investment in certain types of care may freely participate within a system of good quality dignified care.
One of the reasons I’m passionate about mental health rights and class myself as advocate on the issue choosing to make this article the first space in which to campaign for parity in mental health law of Sierra Leone to that of developed nations is because of the economic potential.
Personally, all forms of care that fall outside of my faith as a Seventh Day Adventist, I place limitations on. However, I feel that it is important for individuals that possess a cultural investment in continuing customary practices in the provision of care where it forms a part of their identity, that they freely choose to continue without duress or force be well positioned to market and provide dignified care in mental health consistent with the applicable state regulation.
I feel this will increase the nation’s areas of international trade and further our claim that our country has made improvements under sustainable development goal number three on good health.
Investment in critical infrastructure – weighing up the blessings!
In general, a lot of the issues that are raised in this article will impact the nature of expenditure. As an investor in an amount others may consider minute or symbolic investments in oil gas, retail as well as private investments through pensions.
When making investment decisions, I consider a person with a specific skill sets that extent to which I will invest time both in upskilling or applying skill will be impacted by the same considerations of risks that any other investor whether born in Sierra Leone or not.
Within the context of investment in further construction studies as a CSCS green card holder recognised in the UK with relevant construction Skills qualifications, investment in critical infrastructure delivery sites will be dependent on the extent to which health issues that derive from the risk factors identified may be improved or eradicated by expenditure in infrastructure development.
As such, the person making the investment in time an assessment on whether greater improvement in the ethics of the general populous and adherence to basic legislation on food labelling, food preparation safety.
On the issue of critical infrastructure and the future of investment in STEM Law subjects- BOOM no Bust
In the time I have been in Sierra Leone, both in the north district and in Freetown, I have had the opportunity to walk the Streets, tested the communication infrastructure, water delivery, waste water removal and treatment from homes and electricity delivery.
As expected, I saw the places where the statistics on infrastructure development had come from and the areas that were within the remit of SDG 9 on developing critical infrastructure to a sustainable standard.
Whilst in my time here, I always had the feeling that people were waiting on something or someone to come do the work and content to glaze over the circumstance.
Those that had the constant spirit of patience to accommodate the wait on others to complete the infrastructure development also chose to place their pride, town, city or district in equal respect to that of a developed nation on hold.
Often, I observed that they chose to loose hope in acquisition of skills and focus on something else such as selling imported goods in the market. I felt the sense of lost hope from the North to the vibrance of the capital.
I had in my time the opportunity to speak to people aged; 18 to 25 who have had the opportunity to complete their WASSCE specifically in areas pertinent to STEM subjects.
The challenge I found was two-folds: one, very few people were interested in studying Science subjects other than Nursing who had completed their WASSCE in the Science stream. The impact of this decision is that Sierra Leone may not accomplish self-sufficiency in the manufacture of Sierra Leone state regulated medicaments, chemicals for clothing, potential commercialisation of oil and gas and its refining if oil is discovered in Sierra Leone.
In addition, water treatment technicians lab testers in clean water and wastewater treatment and its expansion throughout the capital and country and commitment and demonstration of accomplishment under Sustainable Development Goal number 9 remain at risk where there is a skills and knowledge void.
Further success in critical infrastructure is dependent on the number of dedicated and successful and brave STEM graduates willing to charter lands we haven’t before, given that I charge myself with the same responsibility.
In addition, the delivery of electronic cooking units that will address the challenges Identified under the Nationally Determined Contributions, are dependent on a skills boom amongst the youths, and adults choosing to transition careers.
Based on my personal experience as a former student in the UK, under the Labour and Conservative government that saw an expansion of the present ‘grant in aid’ in the provision of financial support to students, I feel the mechanism for accomplishing parity is to expand delivery of financial packages to all STEM applicants that have met a basic WASSCE qualification.
That means, offering government loans to all that meet a minimum pass of 3 credits. Require payment only after the individual has attained employment and pay meeting a specific threshold. The mechanism should attach a requirement on the region and project to which the individuals who graduate from the Course should serve upon successful completion of the National Youth Service Program and their degree course.
Inclusion or expansion municipal lead projects in critical infrastructure that employ for minimum of 3 years. This in my view, I consider for the wealth of under-employed graduates from STEM subjects this may be an equitable means of attaining progress towards our developmental goals and the means to attain a reasonable quality of existence. I make this argument on the basis of liberal ideals centred on rugged-individualism and the aim toward self-sufficiency would be consistent and advance the aims and objectives of Sierra Leone’s constitution.
Writing this piece whilst ill Maleria, I find that that given that the country now has 5 years to demonstrate its progress towards the implementation of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals from now till 2030. Theretofore, a 5 year plan on critical infrastructure development inclusive all Sierra Leoneans and even investors of all creeds may place us on a pathway towards success.
Author : Kadie Sesay , -LLB Law Hons,
LLM International Financial Law and Intellectual Property Law – Not presently a qualified practicing lawyer in Sierra Leone
Former writer at Public Review SL
Campaigner for parity in mental health rights Law
Racial Equity.
