By Claudia Redwood-Sawyerr
Amidst the growing public speculation surrounding a proposed framework for regulating religious institutions in the country, the Government of Sierra Leone has clarified that no religious policy has been adopted.
The clarification was made during the MoICE press conference held tuedsday 12th May 2026 at the Miatta Civic Center in Freetown, where officials established that the process remains at the consultation stage and no final decisions have been taken.
Providing context, Minister of Social Welfare, Melrose Karminty, said the discussions are intended to protect Sierra Leone’s long-standing tradition of religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence. She stressed that government has no intention of regulating religious beliefs or worship practices, but, is instead, concerned with conduct that could threaten public peace and national cohesion.
“The role of government is not to regulate religious beliefs or preaching. Our responsibility is to regulate conduct,” she stated, noting that the proposed framework seeks to address issues such as hate speech and religious extremism.
Minister Karminty also explained that under the proposed structure, individuals seeking to establish religious institutions would first require endorsement from recognized religious bodies before further review by the Inter-Religious Council and the Ministry of Social Welfare.
She further confirmed that no policy has been approved by Cabinet, reiterating that the process remains consultative and that the eventual draft would still require formal government approval before implementation.
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