The 70-page document, generated by an FAO-supported working group of government ministries, civil society organizations and public institutions, with substantial input from Namati, is meant to instill responsible behavior in large-scale agribusiness deals for Sierra Leone. “Without access to legal assistance communities are at a serious disadvantage in negotiations with investors or in addressing grievances with them,” explains Namati’s Sonkita Conteh. “By establishing mechanism and funding for community legal representation, the Guidelines address one of the core issues necessary to improve the sustainability of agribusiness investment in Sierra Leone – giving voice to communities.”
Yero Baldeh, the African Development Bank Representative for Sierra Leone praised the effort, saying, “The Guidelines fill an urgent need in Sierra Leone to establish new transparent governance structures that address existing policy and regulatory gaps, facilitate opportunities for investment, and create an enabling environment for food and energy security.”