By Saidu Kargbo
Freetown, 14th May, 2026 – The Minister of Social Welfare, Melrose Karminty, has clarified that cabinet has not concluded on any new religious policy. Her message follows earlier speculation about changing the dynamics of religious institutions in the country.
Officials maintained that the process is still in the consultation stage and that any new developments will be announced.
Melrose Karminty said the policy is not meant to regulate the religious practices, but the conduct. “Government is not responsible to regulate religious beliefs. We are only there to regulate conduct,” she stated, noting that they will have to make sure that everybody is involved in the consultative process.
“We don’t have a policy yet. We just have frameworks,” she continued, while criticizing those who politicize religion and emphasized the need for a non-political approach to religious policies. She made this statement during the Ministry of Information and Civic Education’s weekly press conference on Tuesday, 12th May, 2026, at the Ministry’s Civic Centre, Freetown, Youyi Building.
Karminty reminded the audience about government’s commitment to regulating religious institutions and the importance of a system of recognition and education. She stressed the importance of religious freedom and the government’s responsibility to ensure it.
She concluded by reassuring that there is a need for strategic handling of religious issues over a period of time, adding that any plans to institute religious institutions would first be endorsed by recognized religious bodies and then further reviewed by the Inter-Religious Council and her Ministry.
