On April 11th, 2023, Yulisa Ahmadu, a Sierra Leonean youth activist, entrepreneur, and project manager based in the United States, launched a new initiative. The project aims to support a Sierra Leonean-based law firm (non-disclosure agreement) in offering free legal services to 20 individuals at different correctional centers across the country.
To aid low-income earners who face minor criminal charges, this project aims to provide legal representation by hiring lawyers. These individuals cannot afford to hire lawyers for their defense or pay bail conditions, particularly first-time offenders under the age of 35. Despite the Sierra Leone Constitution's provision for legal assistance to those charged with crimes that may lead to imprisonment and who cannot afford lawyers, overcrowding in correctional facilities remains a prevalent issue due to the lack of access to legal representation. Lawyers are highly skilled professionals who charge high fees for their time and expertise, which low-income earners cannot afford. However, the Yulisa Ahmadu Foundation is committed to providing pro-bono legal services to assist the less fortunate through this initiative. By addressing the gaps in the availability of legal representation in the Sierra Leone justice system, this project aims to alleviate the overcrowding in correctional facilities caused by the inability to hire lawyers. In addition to this project, the Yulisa Entrepreneurship Seed Foundation, launched last year, supports local businesses by providing $2000 each to two entrepreneurs, demonstrating the foundation's ongoing commitment to empowering Sierra Leonean youths.