AYV News, June 13, 2024

His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio has received Directors of the Sierra Leone Bar Association, under the leadership of Tuma Adama Gento-Kamara, who paid a courtesy call to present their plans and express their desire to collaborate with government on national issues.
As President of the Bar Association, Tuma Adama Gento-Kamara introduced the new directors and thanked the President for his progressive legal reforms, including the abolition of the death penalty and the enactment of the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act.
She also shared their aspirations, which were underpinned by her campaign pledge to raise standards, promote welfare and empower lawyers. She requested government’s support for postgraduate scholarship opportunities for lawyers and the provision of suitable land to construct a Bar Association Secretariat. She also highlighted her commitment to establishing a private pension scheme for Bar Association members.
President Julius Maada Bio, while congratulating the new directors, underscored the importance of professional bodies to maintain their independence from national politics and advised that leadership was about providing direction.
He assured the new directors of government’s support to fulfil their aspirations for members of the Bar Association. He, however, admonished them to work in the best interest of their members and expressed the hope of a constructive engagement with the new directors on national issues.