By Hassan Osman Kargbo
In a landmark move aimed at transforming the welfare of legal professionals in Sierra Leone, Madam Tuma Adama Jento Kamara, President of the Sierra Leone Bar Association, has officially brought a Private Pension Scheme for lawyers in private practice. The announcement was made during a well-attended one-day scheme engagement held at the Bintumani Conference Centre in Freetown.
This initiative, a flagship promise of Madam Tuma Jento Kamara’s campaign for Bar leadership, marks a significant step toward long-term social and financial security for legal practitioners who do not benefit from the National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NASSIT) system due to the nature of their employment.
Speaking during the unveiling ceremony, Madam Jento Kamara emphasized that the pension scheme is not just a fulfilment of her campaign commitment but a necessary and overdue reform that addresses the long-standing concerns of the legal community.
“This is a day of progress and hope for every legal practitioner in private practice,” she declared. “We have heard for years the silent cries of lawyers who work tirelessly throughout their lives but enter retirement with little or no financial support. Today, we begin to change that narrative.”
She further stated that the scheme will offer a structured and voluntary pension platform designed specifically for members of the legal profession working outside the public sector. “This is about dignity in retirement. It is about giving our colleagues the assurance that their service to the legal system will not be forgotten or unrewarded,” she added.
The scheme was developed through months of consultation with financial experts, pension administrators, and senior members of the Bar. According to the Bar Association leadership, the initial rollout will focus on creating awareness, providing legal practitioners with options for contributions, and securing partnerships with reputable pension management firms.
In his keynote address, a senior member of the Bar Association commended the leadership of Madam Kamara and the Executive Council for taking a bold step toward the long-term well-being of legal practitioners. “Today we are witnessing a new chapter in the professional history of the Bar,” he said. “A profession that stands for justice and equity must also stand for the fair treatment of its own.”
Participants at the event lauded the initiative, describing it as visionary, practical, and timely. Many noted that the introduction of a pension scheme would elevate the professionalism and morale within the legal sector, especially among private practitioners who often feel excluded from institutional benefits.
Madam Kamara concluded by assuring members of the Bar that detailed guidelines and next steps for enrolment and implementation would be communicated in the coming weeks. She reaffirmed her commitment to advancing the welfare of legal professionals and called for unity and continued dialogue to ensure the scheme’s long-term success.
