The Parliament of Sierra Leone on Friday, April 29, 2022 engaged development partners in Committee Room One, Parliament Building in Freetown.
In her welcome address, the Deputy Director of the Department for Programmes, Research, and Partnership, Nancy Jalloh on behalf of management and her department, explained the role and functions of Parliament, in light of collaboration with partners. She emphasized on a strong partnership with the development partners.
She said that, they would use the forum to launch their strategic plan, communications strategy, and way forward for strong coordination.
On behalf of the Opposition Leader, Hon. Aruna Aaron Koroma informed development partners that, they as the opposition are part of governance and it would be prudent for partners to support Parliament, to be able to conduct effective and productive oversight to enhance accountability and transparency for the development of Sierra Leone. “There is always the need for partners to come in and support Parliament,” he informed.
Speaking on behalf of the European Union (EU), Serena Bertaina expressed delight over the engagement and commended the effort of Parliament towards strong partnership and collaboration with the EU, whilst recognizing Parliament’s democratic effort in consonance with its support. She emphatically described the forum as an opportunity that predicates on vision, transparency, communications, and outreach to the populace. She reassured that, they would give support to the stances of both documents. she extended thanks for the development of the documents and expressed hope for the fruitful implementation of the same.
She further reassured more support to Parliament in the future and earmarked certain departments for EU support. “We look forward to a successful engagement and wish Parliament the best,” she stated.
Country Representative for Westminster Foundation for Development (WFD), Rev. Diamond Suma said as a traditional partner to Parliament, they would assure continued support to Parliament. He spoke about the importance of the various documents that are being launched and assured their lending hands to the implementation of the documents.
He used the opportunity to thank the Speaker, entire leadership, and administration. “I am very much confident that WFD support through the UK Government would continue,” he concluded.
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Technical Advisor to Parliament, Hon. Jariatu K. Smith said the launching of the documents would not only enhance transparency, but also promote good governance. She spoke about the purpose of UNDP intervention to Parliament and their support to the institution. She highlighted their various support projects including human capacity building and institutional development. She spoke about their development shift and expressed hope for the leadership’s continuous engagement with partners.
The Country Director for Child Fund, Victor Kamara congratulated Parliament for creating such a platform and went on to explain their mandate which he said benefits constituents of all Members of Parliament. According to him, the documents are very laudable and assured that they would continue to give support. He thanked the department for organizing such a forum and crave the indulgence of the leadership to support the department, to deliver more.
On her part, the President of the Parliamentary Female Caucus, Hon. Veronica Kadie Sesay expressed satisfaction over the activities and service delivering of the current Parliament. She recognized and commended the leadership skills of the Speaker and the hard work of the administration and staff of Parliament. “This is the best Parliament” she affirmed and referred to her 17 years of experience as an MP.
She emphasized the current visibility, openness, and accessibility of Parliament and went on to thank partners for their tremendous capacity-building training and support. “To launch this particular program today, we the women are very much happy,” she maintained. She appealed to donor partners to continue to lend their support to help the women to move, citing the Gender Empowerment Bill that needs support.
Leader of Government Business, Hon. Mathew Sahr Nyuma, recalled the conflicts in party-political operatives in Parliament and successive interventions of donor partners; citing the Bo Declaration.
The Leader spoke about the contention and challenges between CSOs and Parliament, which had engendered peace between the former and the latter. He emphasized the complicity of the current Parliament and assured an open space for all. The Leader also emphasized gains made by the Parliament, including gender balance and called on all and sundry to emulate the same in other MDAs. He appealed to donor partners to support the passage and implementation of the Gender Empowerment Bill.
Director of NGO Desk at the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, Eric Mansallay said they are happy to attend the launching of such a forum. He spoke about Strengthening a collaborative relationship between MDAs and partners. He informed that it was prudent for Parliament to look at NGO project implementations in various Constituencies. “It would be necessary for NGOs to involve MPs in their development projects,” he maintained.
Officially opening the engagement forum, Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Dr. Abass Chernor Bundu described the Parliament of Sierra Leone as a hung Parliament, but maintained that it was the centerpiece of the democratic governance, adding that it was essentially timely to develop a working strategy. He spoke about the functions and service delivery of Parliament and its existential support to democracy. The Speaker also emphasized that Parliament plays crucial role that predicates transparency, accountability, oversight, and representation as well as transforming policies into legislation. The Speaker stated that Parliament cannot work in isolation and therefore, working with partners is very paramount as development governance must be participatory and inclusive. He recalled that Parliament had over the years formed partnerships with some organizations and their support had been tremendous.
The Speaker measured five key considerations that would necessitate the enhancement of a strong partnership between partners and Parliament. He emphasized that the mutual relationship would improve service delivering and assured that Parliament would remain committed. The Speaker used the opportunity to inform the audience about the remarkable gains made by the current Parliament, in light of positive changes and remarkable achievements that would leave a footprint.
Officially launching the Parliamentary Strategic Plan and Communication Strategy slated for 2021 and 2025, the Director-General of Parliament Mrs. Finda Frazer highlighted the importance of the documents. She commended the EU for their vehement support. She disclosed that the Parliamentary and Public Relations Department would take a lead in the implementation of the Communication Strategy and the Center for Strategic and Parliamentary Study (CSPS) would take a leading role to implement the Strategic Plan, whilst she as the Director-General would oversee both departments in the implementation of both.
The engagement forum was climaxed with a presentation done by the Director of the Department for Programs, Research, and Partnership, Mr. Gilbert Nhabay on the rationale for partnership and the development of a broader strategy to formalize the relationship between Parliament and Development Partners.
Source: Parliamentary and Public Relations Department, Parliament of Sierra Leone
By Sallieu S. Kanu