The ongoing debate surrounding the proposed Safe Motherhood and Reproductive Health Bill took another turn as religious leaders refuted claims made by the Ministry of Information. In a strongly-worded statement, Most Reverend Edward Tamba Charles, Bishop of the Catholic Church in Freetown and President of the Interreligious Council of Sierra Leone (IRCSL), dismissed as false a statement attributed to him on the ministry’s website.
The ministry’s post alleged that Bishop Tamba Charles had praised the government for accommodating religious sensibilities through proposed modifications to the Bill. It further claimed that the cleric’s endorsement was echoed by Pastor Mambu, who purportedly described President Bio’s administration as “a listening government.”
Bishop Tamba Charles, however, categorically denied making any public statement regarding the modifications. In his disclaimer, he revealed that the Ministry of Information sent the proposed modifications to him only on the 3rd of January 2025. He then promptly circulated the document among members of the Interreligious Council and other religious leaders for review, but he clarified that no collective or individual feedback had been provided yet.
The Catholic Bishop expressed deep concern over the misrepresentation of his position, advising all stakeholders engaged in dialogue between religious leaders and the government to disregard the ministry’s claims. “The statement on the ministry’s website is entirely false,” he said.
The ministry’s claims have sparked controversy, as the Safe Motherhood and Reproductive Health Bill remains a contentious issue in Sierra Leone. Religious leaders, advocacy groups, and government officials have been engaged in heated discussions about the Bill’s provisions, particularly those addressing reproductive health rights, family planning, and maternal care.
Bishop Tamba Charles emphasized the importance of transparency and truth in these dialogues, urging participants to remain focused on the core issues rather than being distracted by misinformation. His statement has been widely circulated among religious communities and civil society groups, amplifying calls for accurate representation in public discourse.
The Ministry of Information is yet to respond to the Bishop’s statement, leaving questions about the accuracy of its earlier claims.
The Safe Motherhood and Reproductive Health Bill seeks to improve maternal health outcomes in Sierra Leone but has faced resistance from some religious groups concerned about its alignment with their values.
