By: Mohamed M. Sesay
Yesterday the 31st of August 2022, the European Union in partnership with the Fifth Parliament of the Second Republic of Sierra Leone, commenced a two days capacity building training for members of the Sierra Leone Parliamentary Press Gallery at the Committee Room one in Parliament.
Addressing participants, the EU Team Leader, Governance and Civil Society, Serena Bertaina, expressed that she felt truly honored to be able to a partner with parliament. She lauded and recognized the indelible strides made in the recent by the House of Parliament which geared towards making the Parliament even more effective and transparent harbor of democracy for Sierra Leone.
She added that the engagement with the members of the media provides a further opportunity to anchor the Parliament of Sierra Leone strategic vision, transparency, communication, and outreach to the citizens of Sierra Leone.
She equally recognized the laudable efforts of all those whom contributed to these developments and continuously strive to enhance Parliament’s role and performance, including improved delivery on gender equality.
She maintained that the collaborative effort by the Public Relations Office of Parliament and the media is a commendable step which the European Union would continue to support under the framework of the Parliament-CSO memorandum – through the EU Technical Assistance Team.
Making his brief statement, Interim President of the Parliamentary Press Gallery Rev. Vincent Jabbie Momoh, intimated that the broader objective of the training is to strengthen the collaboration between Parliament and the Press Gallery in order to enhance information sharing on Parliamentary sittings of which the media is rightly positioned to achieve.
He therefore entreated the European Union and the Department of Research and Programmes and Partnership in Parliament,that the Sierra Leone Parliamentary Gallery has developed its strategic plan that was funded by the Parliament of Sierra Leone and submitted to the Office of the clerk of Parliament.
President Momoh added that Key components of the Strategy document include; SLPPG to sign an MOU with Parliament; a collaboration between Parliament and the SLPPG Capacity building for members of SLPPG; Provision of Standing Orders, accreditation and the 1991 constitution for members of the SLPPG; Parliament to provide opportunities for International coverage of parliamentary proceedings in the sub-region; provision of an equipped office space for the smooth running of the SLPPG among others.
He also called the European Union to partner with SLPPG to achieve its key components in its strategic document.
“We are also requesting for certifications of all participant at the end of the two day capacity building and media engagement”, he said.
Vincent Jabbie Momoh concluded by drawing the attention of the Director General of Parliament that last year, the SLPPG submitted its activities to be included in the national budgetary allocation of Parliament for the 2022 financial year. Pinning that date, he said the SLPPG anticipated allocation has not yet been actualized and therefore implored Madam Director, and the Clerk office to help the gallery by actualizing the budget allocation.