Chief Justice Komba Kamanda has reaffirmed the Judiciary’s commitment to supporting efforts to strengthen asset recovery and combat financial crimes in Sierra Leone.
The Chief Justice made the statement during a meeting with a delegation from the Asset Recovery Inter-Agency Network for West Africa (ARINWA) at his chambers in Freetown.
The delegation included ARINWA President Mor Ndiaye, Permanent Secretary Kadiatou Ly Sangaré, Assistant Permanent Secretary Charles Ballet, and officials from Sierra Leone’s Financial Intelligence Agency (FIA).
During the meeting, Justice Kamanda stressed the need for a strong legal and institutional framework to tackle financial crimes, money laundering, terrorism financing, and other forms of organised crime.
He said criminals should not be allowed to benefit from the proceeds of crime and emphasized the importance of asset recovery as a key part of the justice process.
The Chief Justice also highlighted the need for continuous training for judges and judicial officers to effectively handle complex financial crime cases. He further proposed the establishment of specialised registries across West Africa to deal with asset recovery and related matters.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, ARINWA President Mor Ndiaye said the network is working to strengthen asset recovery systems across West Africa and promote cooperation among member states in the fight against corruption, money laundering, and other financial crimes.
The meeting ended with both sides reaffirming their commitment to closer collaboration in strengthening asset recovery mechanisms and combating financial crimes in Sierra Leone and the wider West African region.
Chief Minister Dr. David Moinina Sengeh has reaffirmed the Government of Sierra Leone’s commitment to transforming the country’s public service into a modern, professional, and citizen-centred institution.
Speaking on behalf of President Dr. Julius Maada Bio during the commemoration of the United Nations World Public Service Day at the Miatta Civic Centre in Freetown, Dr. Sengeh said public service reform remains a key pillar of the government’s development agenda.
He noted that the event marked Sierra Leone’s first official celebration of World Public Service Day and the first formal recognition of outstanding serving and retired public servants.
The Chief Minister highlighted several achievements under the government’s public sector reform programme, including the development of Sierra Leone’s first Public Service Act, the review and approval of Civil Service Codes and Regulations, and the allocation of 100 acres of land for the construction of a permanent Public Service Academy.
Dr. Sengeh also announced that the Civil Service Training College will now be known as the Public Service Academy, reflecting the government’s commitment to building a skilled and efficient public workforce.
The event brought together senior government officials, development partners, and public servants to celebrate excellence in public administration and discuss ways of improving accountability, innovation, and service delivery.
Speakers at the ceremony, including Head of Civil Service Prince E. O. Cole, Public Service Commission Chairman Kalilu O. Bah, and Minister of Public Administration and Political Affairs Amara Kallon, stressed the importance of professionalism, integrity, and modernization in strengthening public institutions.
The commemoration reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving public service delivery and building institutions capable of supporting sustainable national development.
