A renowned Sierra Leonean Catholic priest, Fr. Peter Konteh, has dedicated a prestigious national award to the team he leads at Caritas Freetown, crediting their collective commitment to humanitarian service and social development.
Fr. Konteh is among the recipients of the Women’s Forum Sierra Leone National Awards, which honour individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the development of the country. The award ceremony took place on Sunday, December 14, at the Freetown International Conference Centre.
Speaking after receiving the recognition, Fr. Konteh expressed gratitude and humility, dedicating the honour to his colleagues at Caritas Freetown. At the time of the ceremony, he was out of the country on development-related duties for the Catholic Archdiocese of Freetown, and the award was received on his behalf by members of his team from the First Lady, Fatima Bio.
“Thanks be to God,” Fr. Konteh said in a message shared from Spain. “While I am out of the country, my staff received on my behalf a very prestigious national award from the Women’s Forum, presented by the wife of our President. I am deeply grateful for this honour and dedicate it to my entire team, whose commitment and service made this recognition possible.”
The award recognises Fr. Konteh’s decades-long contribution to peacebuilding and humanitarian work in Sierra Leone, including his role during the country’s 11-year civil war that began in 1991. He was particularly commended for his focus on vulnerable populations such as orphaned children, women, and Ebola survivors.
At the ceremony, Fr. Konteh was described as a prominent Catholic priest with a distinguished career in pastoral ministry and humanitarian service spanning more than 30 years. Ordained on April 9, 1996, during the height of the civil war, he has remained deeply committed to faith, justice, and the protection of human dignity.
Women’s Forum Sierra Leone noted that Fr. Konteh’s early work caring for street children in Freetown laid the foundation for his lifelong advocacy for vulnerable communities. His academic background, including a Master’s degree in Development Studies, has further strengthened his humanitarian engagement.
During the civil war, Fr. Konteh co-founded the Inter-Religious Council, which played a critical role in peace negotiations between the government and the Revolutionary United Front. He also reported for the BBC, drawing international attention to the suffering of civilians, and managed refugee and internally displaced persons camps with what the Forum described as recognised integrity.
In 1997, he founded St. Mary’s Children’s Home in Bo to care for children orphaned by the war, many of whom have since gone on to pursue higher education. His leadership was also pivotal during the Ebola outbreak, when he coordinated Caritas Freetown’s response through public awareness campaigns, team training, and the facilitation of dignified burials.
Fr. Konteh’s humanitarian advocacy has extended beyond Sierra Leone, with engagements at platforms including the United States Senate and the United Kingdom House of Commons. He also played key roles during the devastating floods of 2017 and 2019.
According to Women’s Forum Sierra Leone, Fr. Konteh is a strong advocate for human rights and gender equality and works with the Desert Flower Foundation to combat female genital mutilation, impacting more than 2,000 girls across the country. He also serves as the child protection focal person for the Archdiocese of Freetown, contributing to the development of safeguarding policies for children and other vulnerable persons.
The Forum described his leadership as a powerful example of dedication to humanitarian service, child protection, and the empowerment of women in Sierra Leone.