By: Aminata Sesay
Sierra Leone has taken a significant step towards strengthening copyright protection and promoting access to knowledge following Parliament’s ratification of seven international treaties covering intellectual property, creative works, broadcasting, and accessibility.
The agreements, approved on Thursday, 23 July 2026, are expected to enhance legal protection for authors, musicians, performers, producers, and other creative professionals while aligning Sierra Leone’s intellectual property framework with international standards.
The ratified treaties include the Beijing Treaty on Audiovisual Performances, Marrakech Treaty, Berne Convention, Brussels Convention, Madrid Agreement, Geneva Convention, and Rome Convention.
Presenting the instruments before Parliament, the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Alpha Sesay Esq., said the ratification would strengthen the rights of creators by ensuring that their works receive adequate legal protection, recognition, and fair compensation.
He explained that the move would not only support Sierra Leone’s creative industries but also promote innovation, investment, and greater participation in the global intellectual property system.
Beyond protecting creative works, ratification addresses an important issue of inclusion: improving access to books and other published materials for blind and visually impaired persons.
Speaking on the Marrakech Treaty, the Attorney General explained that the agreement establishes a legal framework for producing and distributing published works in accessible formats. It will also facilitate the exchange of accessible materials across borders, helping to address the global challenge commonly referred to as the “book famine” affecting people who cannot access traditional printed materials.
Under the treaty, authorized organizations will be able to produce accessible versions of books and other published works for non-commercial lending and electronic distribution, creating greater opportunities for visually impaired persons to access education, information, and cultural resources.
Contributing to the debate, Hon. Joseph Williams Lamin, Member of Parliament for Bo District, stressed that ratification alone would not be sufficient. He called for extensive public awareness campaigns to ensure that citizens understand the importance of the treaties and how they affect their rights and responsibilities.
The Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Abdul Kargbo, welcomed the development, describing the domestication of the treaties as an important step in strengthening Sierra Leone’s engagement with the international community and protecting intellectual property rights.
He noted that the Marrakech Treaty would help reduce barriers faced by visually impaired persons, while the Rome and Geneva Conventions would provide important protections for performers and stakeholders within the entertainment industry. He urged government and Parliament to undertake nationwide sensitization programmes to ensure that ordinary citizens benefit from the agreements.
On the government side, Acting Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business, Hon. Saa Emerson Lamina, said the ratification was consistent with Parliament’s constitutional responsibility to consider and approve international treaties.
He described the Beijing Treaty as a significant instrument for protecting audiovisual performers and promoting fair competition within the creative sector. He also highlighted the importance of the Marrakech Treaty in expanding access to knowledge and educational materials across borders.
Hon. Lamina further raised concerns about the continued challenges of piracy and plagiarism, calling for stronger enforcement of copyright laws and increased public education on intellectual property protection. He encouraged Members of Parliament to take the message to their constituencies.
The debate placed two key priorities at the centre of Sierra Leone’s intellectual property agenda: protecting individuals who create artistic and intellectual works while ensuring that people who have historically faced barriers can access knowledge and information.
Responding to concerns raised by lawmakers, Attorney General Alpha Sesay reaffirmed government’s commitment to promoting and protecting intellectual property rights in Sierra Leone.
The ratification of the seven treaties is expected to provide a stronger foundation for safeguarding creative works, combating unauthorised use and distribution of intellectual property, supporting the growth of Sierra Leone’s creative economy, and expanding access to cultural and educational resources.
With the treaties now ratified, the focus shifts from approval to effective implementation, enforcement, and public awareness to ensure that the benefits reach creators, consumers, and vulnerable groups across the country.