By John Kelly Marah<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Sierra Leone Court Reporters Association (SLCRA) on Saturday, 30th May 2026, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Makeni, Northern Sierra Leone, under the theme: \u201cProfessional Court Reporting: A Pillar for Accountability in the Justice System.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The meeting brought together members of the judiciary, legal practitioners, journalists, court reporters, and other stakeholders from across the country to deliberate on the critical role of professional court reporting in promoting accountability, transparency, and public confidence in the justice system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A major outcome of the AGM was the adoption of the Association’s new Constitution, the dissolution of the outgoing executive, and the appointment of an interim executive committee headed by Mr. Alieu Vandy Kaisamba. The interim leadership has been mandated to oversee the affairs of the Association and prepare for elections to be conducted by the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists Electoral Commission (SLAJEC).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Delivering his welcome address, the outgoing President of the Sierra Leone Court Reporters Association, Mr. Salifu Isaac Success Benrian Conteh, described court reporting as one of the most indispensable pillars of judicial administration. He emphasized that the integrity, transparency, and credibility of the justice system depend largely on the accuracy and reliability of court records.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mr. Conteh stated that professional court reporters are not merely record keepers but custodians of truth, fairness, and accountability. According to him, their dedication, precision, and ethical commitment ensure that judicial proceedings are faithfully preserved, making justice accessible for review, appeal, and public scrutiny.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He noted that accurate court reporting protects the rights of litigants, supports judicial officers in decision-making, strengthens public trust, and upholds the credibility of legal institutions. He further disclosed that one of the key objectives of the AGM was to review and adopt the Association’s draft Constitution, which would serve as the guiding framework for its administration and future elections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The outgoing President also urged members to continuously improve their professional competence, embrace technological advancements, uphold ethical standards, and adapt to the changing demands of modern justice systems, including digital documentation and virtual court proceedings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Speaking at the event, the President of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), Alhaji Manika Kamara, described court reporting as one of the most specialized fields of journalism. Recounting his own experience as a former court reporter, he noted that the field offers significant opportunities for professional growth and excellence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mr. Kamara stressed that while the relationship between journalists and the judiciary remains cordial, it must be anchored on professional independence. He emphasized that the primary duty of journalists is to report the truth accurately and objectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He called on the judiciary to provide continuous training opportunities for court reporters, particularly on complex legal issues, and encouraged the Association to expand its membership to journalists across the provinces. According to him, wider participation would strengthen the profession and create more opportunities for court reporters to compete for national and international journalism awards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Representing the Chief Justice of Sierra Leone, the Director of Communications in the Judiciary, Mr. Elkass Sannoh, commended the outgoing executive for successfully organizing the AGM. Describing himself as a former court reporter, he acknowledged the challenges associated with covering judicial proceedings and praised court reporters for their commitment to informing the public about the work of the courts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mr. Sannoh noted that many journalists shy away from court reporting because of its legal complexities, yet court reporters continue to play a crucial role in enhancing public understanding of the justice sector. He emphasized that the justice system does not operate in isolation and that journalists contribute significantly to restoring and maintaining public confidence in the judiciary through accurate and responsible reporting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He further disclosed that the judiciary is undergoing significant transformation and acknowledged the contributions of court reporters in promoting transparency and accountability. He noted that the Judiciary’s Communications Directorate has worked closely with court reporters to improve their recognition and access within the justice sector, emphasizing that court reporting is a profession in its own right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Also addressing the gathering, State Counsel Rachael Adama Samba Esq., Acting Customary Law Officer for the North-East Region, represented the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). She apologized for the DPP’s absence and congratulated members of the Association for organizing the AGM.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
State Counsel Samba reaffirmed the commitment of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to supporting initiatives aimed at strengthening professional court reporting. She recognized the important contribution court reporters make toward promoting accountability, transparency, and public understanding of the justice system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In her statement, the Regional Chairperson of Women in the Media Sierra Leone (WIMSAL), Madam Edna Amie Ngegba, speaking on behalf of the National President and the entire membership of the organization, commended the Sierra Leone Court Reporters Association for convening the AGM under a theme that underscores the importance of court reporting in advancing democracy, transparency, and accountability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She emphasized that court reporting is a specialized and essential area of journalism that ensures justice is not only done but is also seen to be done. Madam Ngegba used the occasion to advocate for greater participation of women in court reporting, noting that female journalists have consistently demonstrated professionalism, resilience, and competence across the media landscape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Drawing from her personal experience as a court reporter for the past five years, she highlighted the challenges and opportunities associated with the profession and encouraged the creation of more opportunities for young female journalists to develop expertise in court reporting through mentorship and capacity-building initiatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She assured participants of WIMSAL’s readiness to collaborate with the Association in strengthening journalists’ capacities, promoting gender inclusion, and advancing professionalism within the sector. She also commended the outgoing executive for its service and encouraged the incoming leadership to uphold the highest standards of integrity, accuracy, and excellence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Also speaking, Florence Umu Kanu Bah, Regional Representative of the Sierra Leone Reporters Union (SLRU), conveyed greetings from the Union’s National President, Madam Esther Yenokabea, who was unable to attend due to prior commitments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Speaking on the conference theme, she described court reporting as a critical component of transparency, accountability, and the administration of justice. According to her, court reporters serve as an important bridge between the judiciary and the public by ensuring that judicial proceedings are accurately documented and communicated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Florence Bah emphasized that court reporting requires patience, courage, discipline, and a strong commitment to accuracy. She warned that inaccurate reporting can mislead audiences and undermine public confidence in the justice system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She highlighted three key elements necessary for sustaining professional court reporting: People, Systems, and Value. She stressed the need to recruit, mentor, and train reporters, strengthen institutional systems and professional standards, and ensure greater recognition of court reporting as an essential service to justice and accountability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She further encouraged journalists to remain impartial, steadfast, and committed to ethical reporting, regardless of personal relationships or external pressures. She reminded participants that journalists often serve as the voices of those who cannot tell their own stories and therefore bear a responsibility to report with courage, integrity, and fairness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The AGM concluded with extensive discussions on the newly adopted Constitution and strategies for strengthening professionalism, ethical conduct, institutional development, capacity building, and collaboration among court reporters and key stakeholders in the justice sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The meeting received support from several judicial and private-sector partners, including Chief Justice Komba Kamanda, Solicitor General Osman Ibrahim Kanu, Justice Momoh Jah Stevens, Justice Mark Ngegba, Principal Magistrate Mustapha Briamah Jah, Magistrate Adama Kanneh, the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice, M.R. Distilleries, and Africell, which provided logistical support for the event.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
By John Kelly Marah The Sierra Leone Court Reporters Association (SLCRA) on Saturday, 30th May 2026, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Makeni, Northern Sierra Leone, under the theme: \u201cProfessional Court Reporting: A Pillar for Accountability in the Justice System.\u201d The meeting brought together members of the judiciary, legal practitioners, journalists, court reporters, and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":339,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-338","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"aioseo_notices":[],"yoast_head":"\n