The University of Sierra Leone’s highest administrative decision-making body, the Court of the University of Sierra Leone (USL), has recently reaffirmed its decision made on January 16th, 2024. The decision involved the approval and ratification of a Pro Vice-Chancellor for the University of Sierra Leone in compliance with Sections 8 and 9 of the Universities Act, 2021.
During an “Extra-Ordinary meeting” on January 16th, 2024, the University Court officially approved and ratified Prof. Mohamed Samai, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences (COMAHS), as the Pro Vice-Chancellor. The Court also endorsed the existing procedure of rotating the position of Pro Vice-Chancellor among the constituent colleges: Fourah Bay College, the College of Medicine and Allied Sciences, and the Institute of Public Administration and Management.
In addition, an “Emergency Extra-Ordinary meeting” held on Wednesday, January 24th, 2024, saw the Court reiterating and upholding its earlier decision.
It’s important to note that the Court clarified that it does not recognize Prof. Joseph Aruna Lawrence Kamara as the “Acting Vice-Chancellor and Principal” of USL.
The approval and ratification of Prof. Mohamed Samai as Pro Vice-Chancellor align with Section 9(1) of the Universities Act, 2021. Prof. Samai, who has been performing the duties of the Pro Vice-Chancellor since November 2022, is considered the Acting Vice-Chancellor and Principal of USL in accordance with Section 8(5) of the Universities Act, 2021.
Both meetings of the University of Sierra Leone Court were conducted in the Committee Room of the “University House” at Fourah Bay College Campus, Mount Aureol, Freetown. The decision underscores the commitment of the University to follow due process and governance principles in its administrative appointments
