By Mohamed Kamara

The Solicitor General of Sierra Leone Robert Boima Kowa Esq. has told press men that preparations are in place for the final drafting of an acceptable and comprehensive constitutional review process which has been a cause for concern over inadequacies for over a decade.

Speaking at the usual Press briefing organized by the Ministry of Information and Civic Education which took place at the conference hall of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation on Tuesday 5th, September 2023, underscored    the imperatives of continuing the Constitutional Review Process which shed light on the white paper drafted by the Former Chairman of the constitutional review process (CRC) chaired by late Justice Edmond Cowen under the Koroma era.

 ‘’ It is timely that we draft once and for all a comprehensive one to fortify the Nations Supreme Law which has also raised a lot of eye brows over many complains forwarded to the Judiciary of Sierra Leone,’’ he said.

Lawyer Robert Kowa  added that there  is absolute need to lay serious emphasizes on the final process because there are clear indicators that some of the recommendations made in the Justice Cowan Commission have already been adopted which he said has shown sign of progress in the country in a  bid to foster  legitimacy. 

 ‘’The end of the Civil War gave rise to the need for a Constitutional process which gave birth to Parliament’s approval of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission,’’

Lawyer Kowa went on to say that while the government firmly believes that not all actions in the process can be incorporated in the constitution in their entirety, he added the constitution should serve as a summary of these actions but not necessarily a comprehensive incorporation.

‘’Most of the actions which were not constituted in our Constitution are now inclusive as a result of the Constitutional Review. An example of this he said is the Abolition of the Death Penalty by the previous APC government. The reforms adopted by Parliament on the 1965 Criminal Libel Laws. The global requirement for the transformation of Education from privileged prone to a Fundamental Human Right which shall be exercise without discriminatory tendencies, the approval of 30% woman’s representation in governance by the Bio governance were among the significant recommendations made by the Cowan Commission,’’ Lawyer Kowa added.

The Solicitor general further said  notwithstanding though, there were other vital areas out of great human interest which equally need to be inclusive should we be proud of a Comprehensive Constitutional Review citing  environmental hazards which the SG said should have the adequate legal protection.

‘’Ecological protection is a recipe for human living.  The Constitutional Review when completed will be basic and fundamental guide to benefit the citizenry,’’ the solicitor general stressed.