By: Hafsatu Z Bangura
Young people are change makers as the saying goes, for me not only are we change makers but leaders, defenders of the oppressed and go getters.
Our zeal and thirst for leadership cannot be overemphasized because it’s a passion that is deep rooted within us that we tend to bear forth good fruits from it, and one such leader is a pupil Barrister who works for a private firm but at the same time displays leadership and Humanitarian qualities to society hereby contributing to national development in his own way.
In an exclusive interview, Daniel Sawaneh spoke of his plans in establishing a legal and governance research institute in Sierra Leone that will help in comprehensive research on legal and governance issues, identifying gaps, analyzing existing laws and proposing reforms to enhance the legal and governance frame work of Sierra Leone.
As a volunteer at the Campaign for Human Rights and Development International as it’s legal Rep, providing legal assistance to Bike riders, Disadvantaged women, young persons, and other vulnerable groups in Bo district.
The Campaign for Human Rights and Development International (CHRDI) is a development and Human rights organization based in Sierra Leone and the United Kingdom that utilizes rights based and voice and accountability approaches to bridge the justice and social equity gaps. They envision a world in which all people enjoy their Human rights and live with dignity, equality and Justice.
CHRDI is in special consultative status to the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOS) and accredited to many UN Agencies.
Mr Sawaneh said his passion for justice sprouted from his childhood journey, he is the only male child to his single parent mom, and he came from a disadvantaged family hence his passion for helping others grew.
With the support and help of his church, Mr Sawaneh acquired tertiary education and has become a prominent barrister in the society.
According to him, he finds stratification in rendering his services to bike riders, disadvantaged women, and young people owing to the fact that some of these people cannot afford the fees of a lawyer.
Mr Daniel Sawaneh has over the time said he has represented over 50 bike riders and young people upon signing of his pupil register in February 2023 and has successfully secured wins in fighting for Disadvantaged people, to which most of these cases he said relates to custody matter, maintenance issues, child related issues, criminal offences that has to do with bike riders of which they are prosecuted for, domestic violence, drugs related offences, public order offences and more.
He further went on to share how he helps in providing proper legal Education to bike riders in learning the road traffic acts to avoid committing these offences, and educating youths on drug related issues creating awareness to them on its use and how it destroys the youths.
He continued that CHRDI focuses on reducing the crime rate of bike riders by not only providing legal assistance but in educating them.
Mr Sawaneh hope for fighting for Disadvantaged people in society is a commendable move by a young practitioner of such caliber, hence the need for funding in reducing the congested prison holding, that houses up to 400 inmates, and also in helping these people get access to legal services and Justice.
He concluded that in the next five or ten years he hopes to establish a legal and governance research institute that will conduct research, contribute to the development of evidence based policies, both within the government and for external stakeholders, provide recommendations on legal governance matters to promote good governance, transparency and the rule of law, providing training programs, workshops and seminars for legal professionals, policy makers, and civil society organizations, to help enhance their understanding of legal governance issues and equipped them with the necessary skills and knowledge in addressing these challenges effectively.
Mr Daniel Sawaneh said a legal and governance research institute in Sierra Leone can play a pivotal role in advancing the country’s legal framework, promoting good governance practices, and contributing to sustainable development.
