By Kelfala Kargbo
Freetown, 2nd September, 2026– The Lifeline Nehemiah Project (LNP) has denied participating in any stakeholder engagement over the ongoing Approved School land dispute, contrary to claims made by the Ministry of Social Welfare in a recent statement.
The Ministry’s Facebook post dated August 30 reported that a stakeholder meeting had been held in December 2025, allegedly involving representatives from LNP, to “work collectively towards a lawful, peaceful and sustainable solution.”
But at a press conference on Monday, August 31, LNP’s Chief Executive Director, Reverend Prince Tommy Williams, dismissed the claim, insisting his organization was not part of any such engagement.
“Before the Minister began to attack us, we had already taken the matter to the High Court,” Williams said, adding that the organization holds legal ownership of the land occupied by its facilities at the Approved School in Kuntoloh.
Williams confirmed that a meeting was held on September 5, 2025, involving the Ministry, the Sierra Leone Police, and the UNDP, but said it ended in confusion. He alleged that subsequent visits by Social Welfare Minister Melrose Karmity and UNDP Country Representative Fredrick Ampiah did not lead to meaningful dialogue.
The LNP head further accused police of using violence against staff and community members, claiming that a person with disability reported the death of a two‑day‑old child during the incident.
According to Williams, the land had been reserved for recreational and community activities, following appeals from residents to allow schools and other social projects to operate there.
In its press release dated August 31, LNP also raised concerns over alleged human rights violations, citing arrests and mistreatment of staff and beneficiaries. The statement noted that some employees, including a nursing mother, were detained and later released without charge, while other cases were dismissed in court. Williams and another staff member, Mr. Turay, remain before Magistrate Court No. 4 at Ross Road.
Meanwhile, construction continues on the disputed land, with the Ministry building homes for persons living with disabilities. Minister Karmity has maintained that the land will not be used for private interests, emphasizing its potential for social protection facilities such as orphanages, rehabilitation centers, and housing for vulnerable groups.
LNP has called on President Julius Maada Bio and the government to establish an independent and impartial system to investigate the dispute, including police conduct and the ministry’s handling of the matter.
This remains a developing story.
