May 9, 2017
HRCSL new chairperson,Rev. Dr. Usman Jesse Fornah
The Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone (HRCSL) has got a new chairperson and vice chairperson respectively.
The new chairperson of HRCSL is Rev. Dr. Usman Jesse Fornah and the Vice chairperson is Grace Coleridge Taylor. They were elected in accordance with the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone Act 2004 and its protocols, and on the expiration of the tenure of the current Chairperson & Vice Chairperson respectively.
According to the Public Information Officer, Ishmael Bayoh,the election of the chairperson and vice chairperson was rotational and it’s done among the five Commissioners for a period of two years, which could be extended to another two years, making it to two terms. But one cannot serve for more than two terms.
Asked whether those Commissioners that had served as chairpersons or vice would cease being Commissioners, Bayoh said “no, the Commissioners are still serving. What happens is that apart from the statutory provisions of how they are elected by the President subject to the approval of Parliament for a period of five years and shall be eligible for re-appointment for another five years, among themselves the Act provides that they elect a chairman and vice chairman”.
The new Chairman possesses a wealth of experience in many fields such as Human Rights, Psycho Social Care Delivery, and Conflict Resolution. He has participated and presented papers in various International Conferences. Rev. Dr. Usman Jesse Fornah has served the Wesleyan Church of Sierra Leone for 31 years as local pastor in a number of Local Churches across the country and many other additional responsibilities such as; National Director for Youth and Young Adults, District Superintendent, National Secretary and Director of Administration of the Wesleyan Church – a position he held until he was elected as National Superintendent (Bishop) in May 2009.
His passion for pastoral ministry is equaled only by his passion for effective Church Leadership which led him to pursue a Master’s degree in Ministerial Leadership through Wesley Seminary, in the Indiana Wesleyan University, at Marion, Indiana, USA. And now holds a Doctor of Divinity Degree (Honoris Causa) from Kingswood University in Sussex, Canada.
In the field of Ecumenism and interfaith dialogue, he served as President of the Evangelical Fellowship of Sierra Leone, First Vice President of the Council of Churches in Sierra Leone, Chairman of the Board of Directors for The Evangelical College of Theology (TECT) and General Secretary of the Inter-Religious Council of Sierra Leone (IRCSL).