By Hassan Gbassay Koroma (Intern, SLRSA)
Following Sierra Leone’s official deposit of its instrument of ratification of the African Road Safety Charter, the Executive Director of the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority (SLRSA), James Baggie Bio, has affirmed the Authority’s readiness to implement the Charter and improve road safety nationwide.
He made this assurance at his Kissy Road office in Freetown after the formal deposition ceremony in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where Deputy Minister of Transport and Aviation Rex Bhonapha and SLRSA Secretary to the Authority and Board Abu-bakarr Sheriff Esq. represented Sierra Leone. Bio expressed pride in the country’s role in spearheading the ratification process.
“Being the lead road safety agency in Sierra Leone, we are poised for the Charter to enter into force upon the 15th ratification and the depositing of the instrument. The SLRSA stands ready—under my leadership and with the support of my team—to implement the provisions of the Charter,” he stated.
The African Road Safety Charter serves as a continental framework to improve road safety, reduce traffic crashes, and promote coordinated efforts among African nations. It facilitates national road safety policies, accelerates program implementation, and fosters collaboration with the private sector, civil society, and NGOs.
Speaking at the Addis Ababa ceremony, Deputy Minister Rex Bhonapha described Sierra Leone’s ratification as a promise fulfilled through diligence by the ministry and SLRSA, supported by President Dr. Julius Maada Bio and Parliament. He reaffirmed Sierra Leone’s commitment to the African Union Commission and encouraged other member states to follow suit.
Representing the AU Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, Dr. Kamugisha Kazaura congratulated Sierra Leone for becoming the 14th AU Member State to ratify the Charter. He emphasized that Africa is now only one step away from the Charter entering into force.
“By taking this decisive step, Sierra Leone has demonstrated leadership and commitment to safeguarding lives and advancing the continental road safety agenda. Today is a celebration of Sierra Leone’s dedication and a call to action for other states to join this transformative path,” he said.
Dr. Kazaura stressed that Africa bears a disproportionate burden of road crashes despite its low motorization rate. He described road safety as a public health, social, and economic development priority, central to connecting people to markets, education, and healthcare. He also reaffirmed AU support through the African Road Safety Observatory (AfRSO) to mobilize resources, provide technical assistance, and build strong institutions.
Also speaking, David Niyonsenga, Head of Secretariat at AfRSO, congratulated Sierra Leone on the milestone and pledged technical support for developing a national road safety policy, strategy, and data management system.
“This is not the end but the beginning of our collaboration,” he assured.
