By Fatima Kpaka
Freetown, Sierra Leone – On January 22, 2024, the leadership of the Sierra Leone Parliament, represented by the Deputy Clerk and the Director General of Parliament, gathered at Committee Room One to evaluate the impact of the 2024 Parliamentary Learning and Sharing (PLS) Series and to award the planners and facilitators of the initiative.
About the PLS Series
The PLS Series, initiated by the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Segepoh Solomon Thomas, is a bi-weekly learning initiative designed to promote a culture of continuous learning within Parliament. Guided by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Ibrahim Tawa Conteh, on behalf of the Speaker, the series was launched on May 16, 2024. It is implemented by the Centre for Strategy & Parliamentary Studies (CSPS), the Human Resource and Administration Department, the Department of Programmes, Research and Partnership (DePREP), and the Legislative Services Department.
The efficacy of the PLS was evaluated, and a comprehensive report was presented by the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Research Units of Parliament. The report described the PLS as a groundbreaking program that has enhanced staff knowledge, professional growth, and collaboration. It praised the quality of facilitators and presenters who demonstrated expert knowledge and skills throughout the series.
The report offered several recommendations to improve the initiative, including:
- Encouraging junior staff to take the lead in presentations during the 2025 sessions.
- Enhancing time management and seating arrangements with better ventilation.
- Providing increased financial support to sustain the implementation of the series.
In her statement, the Director-General described the PLS as a platform for both learning and networking and commended the exceptional efforts of the PLS team in planning and delivering the sessions. Representing the Clerk of Parliament, Hon. Paran Umar Tarawally, the Deputy Clerk, Mr. Gilbert N’habay, emphasized the strategic importance of the PLS and called for a standing ovation for the PLS organizers.
Strategic Updates and Awards
Strategic updates shared during the event included the introduction of new projects focused on staff wellness, beautification, and sanitation, alongside plans for staff development, motivational platforms, and exchange and capacity-building programs in 2025.
The event concluded with awards recognizing the PLS team’s outstanding dedication, consistency, and resourcefulness. Twelve facilitators who contributed their expertise and skills to Parliament staff in 2024 were also celebrated for their invaluable contributions. Special recognition was given to the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Segepoh Solomon Thomas, and the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Ibrahim Tawa Conteh, for their commitment to promoting staff professional development and their unwavering support for the PLS initiative.