House of Parliament, Tower Hill, Freetown. In a landmark move to modernise Sierra Leone’s intellectual property regime and deepen the country’s engagement with international standards, Parliament on Thursday unanimously ratified seven major international intellectual property (IP) treaties.
These instruments, tabled before Parliament on Tuesday, 14 July 2026 by the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Alpha Sesay Esq., are aimed at strengthening the protection of copyright, ensuring fair remuneration for creators, and promoting creativity and access to knowledge for persons with disabilities.
The seven ratified instruments are: the Beijing Treaty on Audiovisual Performances (2012), the Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for Persons Who Are Blind, Visually Impaired or Otherwise Print Disabled (2013), the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works (1886), the Brussels Convention (1974) Relating to the Distribution of Programme-Carrying Signals Transmitted by Satellite, the Madrid Agreement (1891) on the Repression of False or Deceptive Indications of Source on Goods, the Geneva Convention (1971) for the Protection of Producers of Phonograms Against Unauthorised Duplication of Their Phonograms and the Rome Convention (1961) for the Protection of Performers, Producers of Phonograms and Broadcasting Organisations.
“Ratification of the treaties will modernise Sierra Leone’s intellectual property framework and strengthen legal protections for creators in the creative, cultural and broadcasting sectors,” Attorney General Alpha Sesay told Parliament. He mentioned the Marrakesh Treaty, which would improve access to published works for persons who are blind or visually impaired or otherwise print disabled by allowing for the production and cross-border sharing of accessible-format copies. “This will promote inclusion and equal access to knowledge, which aligns with national development priorities, Mr Sesay said.
Full accession to the Berne Convention was also highlighted as a strategic move to enhance copyright protection and to raise international recognition of Sierra Leonean authors, artists and creators. The Attorney General said the seven instruments together acted as both a shield and a spur, reinforcing rights enforcement against piracy and unauthorised duplication, while fostering a supportive environment for creators to reap the rewards of fair compensation and international collaboration.
Members across the political aisle welcomed the move. The Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Abdul Kargbo, said the domestication of the treaties was vital to Sierra Leone’s integration into the global economy. He hailed the Marrakesh Treaty for enhancing access to educational materials for the visually impaired and said the Rome and Geneva Conventions will enhance legal protections for the entertainment and creative industries. He called on the Government to work hand-in-hand with Parliament on a public awareness campaign to ensure that citizens, stakeholders and rights-holders understand the implications and opportunities created by the treaties.
Hon. Sar Emerson Lamina, the acting leader of government business, said the instruments would contribute to national development. He said the Beijing Treaty is vital for the protection of performers, while reiterating the role of the Marrakesh Treaty in fostering inclusivity and international cooperation. The country is preparing to implement the new measures, and he called for more action against piracy and copyright infringement.
Sierra Leone’s Administrator and Registrar General, Martina Baindu Egbenda Esq., described the unanimous ratification by the Parliament as a milestone for Sierra Leone’s intellectual property system. She thanked President Julius Maada Bio, the Attorney General Alpha Sesay, the Deputy Minister of Justice Saptieu E. Saccoh, the Speaker of Parliament and the Honourable Members of Parliament for their leadership and support in achieving this milestone.
Parliament’s approval now paves the way for the treaties to be incorporated into Sierra Leone’s national legal system before they are fully implemented. The process will include the drafting and adoption of domestic legislation or amendments to existing laws to bring national laws and enforcement mechanisms into conformity with the obligations and protections contained in the seven international instruments. Authorities have said they plan to launch public awareness and enforcement measures to ensure the benefits of ratification are realised in the creative, cultural, educational and technological sectors.
