TestMinistry of Social Welfare together with the Ministry of Information and Civic Education host Inter Religious National Conversation and Communique Signing.
Miatta Civic Center
26/11/ 2026.
The engagement brought together, representative from Major religious and national Institutions to discuss the role of faith in sustaining peace and stability in Sierra Leone.
Speaking at the ceremony the Minister of Social Welfare, Melrose Karminty, emphasized the importance of religious harmony, responsible leadership, and peaceful coexistence in Sierra Leone, describing peace as “priceless” and beyond monetary value. In a statement, she noted that the country has long been admired for its tradition of religious tolerance, where Muslims, Christians, and adherents of other faiths have coexisted for generations—often within the same families—fostering unity, mutual respect, and resilience. She stressed that this enduring harmony is sustained through strong leadership, moral guidance, and the shared responsibility of all citizens.
Mrs. Karminty highlighted the critical role of religious institutions in shaping national values and promoting peace, stating that the contribution of religious leaders “cannot be overemphasized.” She revealed that the ministry has begun developing a comprehensive policy on religious tolerance and practice aimed at strengthening interfaith cooperation, preventing the misuse of religion, and providing clear guidance for institutions, government agencies, and communities. She also pointed to the legacy of the Interreligious Council of Sierra Leone, which played a vital role during the country’s civil conflict by promoting dialogue, reconciliation, and national healing.
The minister called for renewed commitment from both religious leaders and government authorities to safeguard national unity in the face of emerging challenges such as misinformation, global tensions, and divisive rhetoric. She reaffirmed a zero-tolerance stance on hate speech, incitement, and the politicization of religion, insisting that faith must never be used to provoke violence. Emphasizing accountability, she urged religious leaders to guide their followers responsibly, avoid political endorsements, and work closely with authorities to prevent conflict. According to her, the ongoing policy framework will support interfaith collaboration, conflict prevention, and the continued promotion of peace and stability across the nation.
Dr. Mohamed Sannor, a representative from the Office of National Security, has commended the Ministries of Social Welfare and Information and Civic Education for initiating efforts to strengthen religious tolerance and national cohesion. Speaking on behalf of the National Security Coordinator, Mr. Abdulai coker, Dr. Sannor expressed appreciation for the collaboration between the two ministries, noting that the initiative is both timely and necessary. He emphasized the importance of engaging religious leaders and encouraging collective participation to preserve Sierra Leone’s long-standing tradition of peaceful coexistence among diverse faiths. He further assured that the Office of National Security would provide its full and continued support to sustain such efforts.
Dr. Sannor highlighted that religious tolerance remains a critical component of national security, stressing that stability, unity, and peaceful coexistence are essential for the country’s progress. He pointed to Sierra Leone’s strong performance in global peace rankings, noting its position among the top peaceful countries in Africa and West Africa as a source of national pride. According to him, this achievement reflects the country’s culture of interfaith harmony, where Christians and Muslims coexist, intermarry, and participate jointly in national and religious activities. He urged citizens to maintain and strengthen this tradition, describing it as a vital cultural asset that underpins peace and security, while congratulating the ministries for their leadership in promoting unity through the initiative.
The Secretary General of the Inter-Religious Council, Rev. Jesse Founah, has praised the current Minister for her proactive approach and strong commitment to promoting religious tolerance in the country. He noted that while previous ministers had made valuable contributions and performed commendably, the current Minister stands out for her dedication to inclusivity, mutual respect, and engagement with religious leaders. According to Rev. Founah, the Minister has consistently ensured that all decisions affecting religious matters involve consultation with key stakeholders, reinforcing a culture of respect and collaboration across faith communities.
Rev. Founah further emphasized that the Ministry has demonstrated deep respect for religious leadership by actively involving them in national discussions and initiatives. He highlighted the development of a national code of conduct on religious tolerance, crafted with the support of a respected religious leader and legal expert in biblical studies. The document is expected to be shared nationwide with religious leaders across districts before a final national consensus is reached in Freetown. He assured that both the Ministry and religious leaders are committed to promoting peace and responsible advocacy, stressing that intolerance will not be accepted and that all messages delivered by religious leaders must support unity and peaceful coexistence.
𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚 𝐢𝐧𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬, 𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐭:
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭
+𝟐𝟑𝟐 𝟕𝟐 𝟓𝟑𝟕 𝟎𝟑𝟓 | 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦.𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐫.𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐰@𝐦𝐨𝐢𝐜.𝐠𝐨𝐯.𝐬𝐥