By: Mamajah Jalloh
The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Alpha Sesay Esq., has called on members of the Sierra Leone Bar Association (SLBA) to strengthen institutional governance, restore public confidence and uphold constitutional principles as the Association held its 2026 Annual General Meeting (AGM) and elections.
Delivering the keynote address on Monday, 26 October 2026, at the Freetown International Conference Centre in Bintumani, Aberdeen, Freetown, Sesay emphasised the critical role of the Bar Association in promoting the rule of law, maintaining professional standards and strengthening democratic governance in Sierra Leone.
The AGM was held under the theme, “Safeguarding the Institution, Restoring Confidence and Delivering Constitutional Transition.”
Speaking both as Attorney General and as a fellow legal practitioner, Sesay said the Association was more than a professional body, describing it as a vital institution in Sierra Leone’s democratic architecture and a key guardian of the rule of law.
“I want to speak to you not only in that capacity. I want to speak to you as a lawyer, as someone who shares with every person in this room a deep and personal investment in what this Association represents, and in what it can become,” he said.
He explained that the Bar Association plays an essential role in setting professional standards for lawyers in their conduct before the courts, their dealings with clients and their relationship with the public.
“The Bar is the custodian of the rule of law in professional life. It sets the standard for how lawyers conduct themselves in court, in their dealings with clients, and in their relationship with the public,” Sesay stated.
The Attorney General maintained that a strong, independent and well-governed Bar Association would benefit the entire justice system, including the courts, legal practitioners and members of the public who depend on legal services.
Reflecting on the challenges the Association had experienced, Sesay commended its members for demonstrating institutional resilience by coming together to pursue stability and continuity through a Caretaker Body with a clear, time-limited mandate.
He said the willingness of members to chart a path forward during the transitional period was worthy of recognition and demonstrated their commitment to preserving the institution.
On restoring public confidence, Sesay stressed that trust must be earned through consistent action, transparency and respect for established rules rather than declarations alone.
“Confidence in the Bar is not automatic. It is earned continuously, incrementally, and through conduct. And it is fragile in the way that all trust is fragile,” he said.
He identified free and fair elections, transparent and audited financial accounts, and responsible leadership that prioritizes the interests of the Association as essential measures for rebuilding confidence.
“What restores confidence? Not statements. Not resolutions. Conduct,” he declared.
Sesay also commended the Solicitor-General, Osman Kanu, and other members of the Caretaker Body for their stewardship of the Association during the transitional period.
He acknowledged that guiding an institution through a period of transition was not an easy task, adding that their efforts deserved appreciation from the legal profession.
The Attorney General further described the conduct of elections in accordance with the Association’s constitution and the Order of the High Court as an important demonstration of institutional democracy and respect for due process.
According to him, adherence to established rules would reinforce the principle that the Association must be governed by its constitution and that its members must work together to move the institution forward.
Addressing the incoming executive, Sesay urged the new leadership to embrace transparency, regular consultation, timely meetings and constitutional procedures for resolving internal disputes.
“My strong appeal to the incoming executive, whoever you may be, is this: govern transparently. Publish your accounts. Hold your AGMs on time. Consult your members. Manage disputes through your constitution, not around it,” he said.
He also called for an inclusive institutional culture in which every member felt a sense of ownership and had the opportunity to participate in the Association’s affairs.
“Build the kind of institutional culture where every member feels that the Association belongs to them, because it does,” he emphasised.
Sesay stressed that the strength of the Bar Association rested on its membership and that its leadership must remain accountable to those it represents.
“The strength of this Bar has always been its membership, and leadership exists to serve that membership, not the other way around,” he added.
Beyond internal governance, the Attorney General urged lawyers to recognize their broader responsibility in strengthening democratic institutions, advancing legal reforms and contributing to national development.
He noted that Sierra Leone was undergoing significant changes that required an engaged, credible and effective legal profession.
“Sierra Leone is in a period of consequential change. We are building institutions, reforming laws, and navigating a development agenda that will define the next generation. The legal profession has a role in all of that, not as spectators, but as architects,” he stated.
He identified the quality of legislation, judicial independence, access to legal services, human rights protection and the integrity of the commercial environment as key areas in which lawyers must make meaningful contributions.
Sesay argued that an Association characterized by sound governance, unity and renewed public confidence would be better positioned to fulfil these responsibilities in the national interest.
“A united Bar is a powerful Bar. And Sierra Leone needs a powerful Bar,” he declared.
He emphasised that the significance of the AGM extended beyond the lawyers participating in the elections, noting that the credibility and effectiveness of the Association were also important to the wider country.
“That is why today matters, not just for the lawyers in this room, but for the country we all serve,” he said.
Concluding his address, Sesay expressed confidence in the legal profession and the ability of the Sierra Leone Bar Association to uphold professional standards, defend the rule of law and promote justice.
He praised lawyers in Sierra Leone for their work, often under difficult circumstances and with limited resources, noting that their contributions did not always receive the recognition they deserved.
The Attorney General described the Association as an institution capable of serving as a credible voice for the rule of law, a guardian of professional standards and a servant of justice.
As members prepared to elect a new executive, he urged them to view the AGM as an opportunity to begin a new chapter of responsible leadership, accountability and institutional development.
“Today is a new chapter. Write it well,” he said.
The SLBA’s 2026 AGM and elections were held at the Freetown International Conference Centre in Bintumani, Aberdeen, Freetown.