Understanding Sierra Leone's Laws & Policies

Clear, accessible explanations of important laws and policies that affect everyday life in Sierra Leone

2026

How Policies Are Made in Sierra Leone

An explainer of Sierra Leone’s policy-making process: problem identification, research and consultation, the Cabinet Secretariat and Cabinet Policy Review Unit, Cabinet decision, budgeting through the Ministry of Finance, implementation and regulation, and monitoring and review.

2026

What Cabinet Approval Means in Sierra Leone

An explainer of Cabinet approval in Sierra Leone: the role of the Cabinet Secretariat and the Secretary to the Cabinet, collective responsibility, the memorandum-to-decision process, what approval unlocks, and what it does not guarantee.

2026

Laws, Policies and Strategies: What Makes Each One Different

An explainer of how laws, policies and strategies differ in Sierra Leone: constitutional authority and enforceability, administrative direction, programmatic delivery, and why confusing the three produces predictable failure.

2026

The Anti-Corruption Act: What Citizens Should Know

A plain-language explainer of Sierra Leone’s Anti-Corruption Act 2008 and its 2019 amendment: the Commission’s powers, the offences and red flags, penalties and asset declaration, how to file a complaint that works, and the honest limits of enforcement.

2026

Land Rights in Sierra Leone: The Laws and What They Protect

An explainer of Sierra Leone’s land law: the dual freehold and customary tenure system, the Customary Land Rights Act 2022, the National Land Commission Act 2022, free prior and informed consent, chiefdom certification, gender guarantees, and registration.

2026

The National Gender Policy: What It Is Really Trying to Change

An explainer of Sierra Leone’s Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment policy and the GEWE Act 2022: gender mainstreaming as an obligation, the 30 per cent quota, maternity leave, access to finance, and five gaps that still limit enforcement.

2026

Maternal Health in Sierra Leone: Real Progress, Unfinished Danger

An evidence-informed explainer on maternal health in Sierra Leone: the 2023 maternal mortality ratio of 354 per 100,000, facility delivery and skilled birth attendance from DHS 2019, contraception, emergency obstetric capacity, inequality, and what to do next.

2026

Rights on Paper and Care at the Bedside: Reading Sierra Leone’s RMNCAH Policy

An explainer of Sierra Leone’s RMNCAH strategy 2017–2021, the Quality of Care Roadmap 2020–2024 and the Free Health Care Initiative: what the policy promises, where practice falls short, and how the targets and costings can be used for accountability.

2026

The MICS Survey: What the Children’s Numbers Tell Us About Sierra Leone

An evidence-informed reading of Sierra Leone’s Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS 2017): birth registration, under-five and newborn mortality, stunting and wasting, violent discipline, child labour, child marriage, and what the data means for law and budgeting.

2026

Who Is Responsible for Monitoring Policy Implementation in Sierra Leone

An explainer of Sierra Leone’s multi-actor monitoring architecture: Cabinet coordination, NaMED results frameworks, line ministry monitoring, finance and internal audit controls, Audit Service and Parliament oversight, ACC integrity monitoring, local government delivery checks, and civil society accountability.

2026

The Disability Act (2011): Rights, Access and Accountability

An explainer of Sierra Leone's Persons with Disability Act, 2011: statutory rights and duties, practical access barriers, accountability levers for commissioners and courts, and key gaps in implementation.

2026

Public Finance in Sierra Leone: How National Priorities Get Funded

An explainer of Sierra Leone’s public finance process: revenue mobilization, budgeting and appropriation, funding decisions, prioritisation, execution, and public accountability—plus recent fiscal reforms.

2026

National Youth Policy: Opportunities and Responsibilities

An explainer of Sierra Leone's National Youth Policy, the statutory National Youth Service framework, and the 'Youth in Entrepreneurship' programme—focusing on legal architecture, implementation, accountability, and key gaps.

2026

Free Quality School Education in Sierra Leone: Commitments, Legal Architecture, and Key Gaps

An evidence-informed explainer of Sierra Leone's Free Quality School Education (FQSE) under the Basic and Senior Secondary Education Act, 2023: legal commitments, implementation bottlenecks, key gaps, and policy recommendations.

2026

Education Stats: What Data Says About Learning Outcomes in Sierra Leone

An evidence-informed explainer on Sierra Leone's learning crisis: foundational reading and numeracy gaps, the access-vs-learning divide, and the systemic constraints affecting teaching quality, pedagogy, and equity.

2026

Digital Transformation Policy: Sierra Leone's Future in AI & Tech

A practical, legal-informed overview of Sierra Leone's National Digital Development Policy, the SLDTP programme, and what AI, blockchain, and cybersecurity mean for implementation.

2026

Child Rights Act (2007), Explained in Plain Language

A simple breakdown of Sierra Leone's Child Rights Act (2007): what it protects, who it applies to, and what rights children and caregivers should know.

2026

How the Family Court System Works in Sierra Leone: A Simple Guide for Families

Learn how the Family Court helps protect children and support families in Sierra Leone. Understand custody, parentage, care orders, mediation, rights, and how to file a case.

2026

Understanding the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act 2024 in Sierra Leone: Implications and Implementation

Learn what the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act 2024 means for Sierra Leone—rights, penalties, implementation, and how it protects girls from early marriage.

2026

2023 Education Act: What Every Parent and Teacher Should Know

A comprehensive guide to Sierra Leone's Basic and Senior Secondary Education Act 2023, explaining governance, rights, inclusion, safety, and teacher standards

2026

Gender-Based Violence in Sierra Leone: What the Law Protects, and Where It Falls Short

An explainer of Sierra Leone’s gender-based violence framework: the Domestic Violence Act 2007, the Sexual Offences Act 2012 and its 2019 amendment, the Child Rights Act 2007, police duties, protection orders, survivor services, and the gaps that limit enforcement.

2026

How NGOs Can Use National Evidence to Strengthen Proposals

A practical guide for NGOs in Sierra Leone on using national data and evidence to create compelling, fundable proposals that align with government priorities

2026

How to Read a Policy Document (Without Getting Lost)

A guide to reading and understanding policy documents in Sierra Leone - from government reports to ministry policies and sector strategies

2026

Understanding Gender Laws in Sierra Leone: A Practical Guide for Students, Advocates, and Policymakers

this blog will provide a practical guide to gender laws in Sierra Leone for students, advocates, policymakers and anyone in between

2025

Understanding the Sierra Leone DHS: Key Findings You Should Know

A comprehensive guide to the Sierra Leone Demographic and Health Survey - demography, child health, maternal care, and what the data means for policy.

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