By eric.george@awokonewspapersl.com
Freetown, SIERRA LEONE – A heated debate over the inclusion of the words culture and tradition has once again stalled progress on Sierra Leone’s long-anticipated Child Rights Act, leaving the bill stuck in committee at Parliament.
Meeting at Tower Hill in Freetown on Tuesday, Members of Parliament (MPs) failed to reach consensus on whether cultural and traditional practices—some considered harmful—should be explicitly addressed or excluded in the proposed legislation. This latest impasse adds to a growing list of stumbling blocks since the bill entered the committee stage on May 15, 2025.
For days, lawmakers have clashed over vague or undefined terms in the bill, such as collective damage, harmful culture, and tradition. But Tuesday’s plenary saw the debate intensify, with MPs split over how—or even if—culture and tradition should be referenced at all.
“MPs are confused with the words ‘tradition’ and ‘culture’,” said Speaker of Parliament Hon. Segepoh Solomon Thomas, expressing frustration over the gridlock. He stressed that these terms, in their current form, are not inherently harmful.
“There’s nothing wrong in using the word ‘tradition’ in this context,” he added, appealing for calm deliberation. His efforts, however, did little to sway MPs entrenched in their positions.
Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs, Isata Mahoi, sought to reassure the house, clarifying that Sierra Leone does not officially recognize practices such as female genital mutilation as part of its cultural identity.
“We do not practice mutilation as a culture in this country like others do,” she stated.
But Hon. Abdul Karim Kamara of Kambia District urged his colleagues to look beyond the contentious Bondo and Poro societies—secret cultural groups often cited in these debates—and focus on the broader implications of the bill for children’s rights.
“We’ve placed too much emphasis on Bondo and Poro,” Kamara argued. “We should focus on practices that exclude or disadvantage some children over others.”
Deputy Speaker Hon. Ibrahim Tawa Conteh echoed similar sentiments, insisting that tradition and child protection can coexist. “For me, I see nothing wrong with the word ‘tradition’,” he noted. But his appeal, too, was met with continued division.
Seeking to unite the chamber, Leader of Government Business Hon. Matthew Sahr Nyuma pleaded with colleagues to avoid deadlock on a bill that carries significant implications for the future of Sierra Leone’s children. He called for additional consultations with stakeholders to help bridge the impasse.
With tensions still high and no resolution in sight, Speaker Thomas adjourned the sitting until Thursday, May 22, 2025.
As Parliament struggles to strike a balance between protecting cultural identity and safeguarding children’s rights, the fate of the Child Rights Act remains uncertain—caught at the intersection of tradition and progress. SEG/22/5/2025
