OMBUDSMAN PAYS COURTESY CALL ON THE SIERRA LEONE COMMISSION ON ARMS AND AMMUNITIONS

The Ombudsman paid a courtesy visit to the Commissioner and Team at the Sierra Leone Commission on Arms and Ammunition at their Offices at State Avenue in Freetown.

Welcoming the Ombudsman and Team, the Commissioner Rtd. Col. Binneh Kondeh Conteh, stated that the Commission is charged with the responsibility of regulating and supervising the manufacturing, trading and use of arms, ammunitions and other related matters.

He noted that the Sierra Leone National Commission on Small Arms Act of 2010, has been repealed and replaced by the Sierra Leone Commission on Arms and Ammunition Act of 2023.

He further noted that the Commission won the Reporting Champion Award in 2023 and has been seen as a model to train other countries.

Making his presentation to the Commissioner and Staff, the Ombudsman Tejan Ahmed Israel Jah Esq. stated that his visit is in two folds. Firstly, to raise awareness about the mandate and functions of his Office and Secondly, to build collaborative working relationships with the Commission. He noted that staff of his Office have been facing reprisals and other forms of attacks from Heads of Institutions as they see the Ombudsman's Office as an intruder into their administrative actions.

He mentioned that his office is a Grievance Redress Institution as it looks into the administrative actions of MDAs which cause hardships detriments or any grievance to either members of the public or workers in the public sector.

He stated that his Office is a transparency and accountability Institution ensuring that not only are Heads of Institutions accountable for their administrative actions but also staff members work in a dignified environment free from injustice and maladministration. He further defined injustice and maladministration.

Commissioners and members of staff made valuable contributions during the visit.

Communications Dept.
Office of the Ombudsman
076-945-926