“I am deeply grateful for this honor and dedicate it to my entire team, whose commitment and service made this recognition possible,” the multi-award-winning Sierra Leonean Priest said.
At the award ceremony, Fr. Konteh was described as “a prominent Catholic priest” with “a distinguished career in pastoral ministry and humanitarian work spanning over 30 years.”
“Ordained on 9 April 1996, during the civil war in Sierra Leone, Fr. Peter has shown unwavering devotion to faith, justice, and the dignity of individuals,” read the note that paid tribute to the Executive Director of Caritas Freetown.
The note further acknowledged that Fr. Konteh’ early service focused on caring for street children in Freetown, which laid the foundation for his lifelong dedication to advocating for vulnerable communities.
According to Women’s Forum Sierra Leone, Fr. Konteh’s educational background, including a Masters in Development Studies, is closely tied to his extensive humanitarian efforts, which include signifi- cant involvement during the civil war, where he co- founded the Inter-Religious Council, facilitating peace negotiations between the government and the Revolutionary United Front (RUF).
Women’s Forum Sierra Leone notes that the member of Clergy of the Archdiocese of Freetown reported for the BBC, bringing attention to the plight of those affected by the conflict, and managed refugee and internally displaced persons (IDP) camps “with recognized integrity.”
The Forum further notes that in 1997, Fr. Peter founded St. Mary's Children's Home in Bo to care for war-orphaned children, many of whom have successfully pursued higher education since then.
Fr. Konteh’s humanitarian efforts are also acknowledged as having been “critical” during the Ebola outbreak as he led Caritas Freetown's response by raising awareness, training teams, and ensuring dignified burials.
The Forum further notes that Fr. Konteh’s advocacy extended internationally, reaching platforms such as the U.S. Senate and the UK House of Commons alongside his pivotal role during the floods in Sierra Leone in 2017 and 2019.
“Fr. Konteh is a champion for human rights and gender equality,” reads the note acknowledging the Sierra Leonean Priest’s contribution to development of the country, adding that the Priest collaborates with the Desert Flower Foundation to combat female genital mutilation (FGM), impacting over 2000 girls in Sierra Leone.
