By: Mohamed Jalloh
The political parties registration commission (PPRC) in collaboration with the international institute for democracy and electoral assistance (IDEA) has started a three day engagement with 31 youths at the Bintumani Hotel Aberdeen.
The engagement is a youth trainees programme to support the inclusion and participation of youths in democratic governance in Sierra Leone. The youths are expected to help the PPRC in their respective areas ahead of the June 24th 2023 elections.
The Commissioner National Youth Commission (NYC)Ngolo Katta said the programme is very timely and critical because it deals with issues affecting youths not only in Sierra Leone but around the world.
Mr Kata said the programme falls under cluster six of the government’s medium term development plan.
He said Sierra Leone has a very youthful population that must be tapped to harnessing national development.
Dr Idriss Tarawally of IDEA reveals that the programme is a 2 years programme funded by the European Union by way of not only supporting inclusive governance and transparent elections but also to strengthen the country`s democracy.
He disclosed that they must develop the next generation of democracy defenders and the 31 youths will be assigned to PPRC for six months.
The team lead governance and relations with civil society-EU Serena Bertaina said just like anywhere in the world young people are politically active, engaged and are at the forefront of global movement and campaign.
She said a strong democracy needs strong youths and urged them further to take the training seriously.
Abdulai Bangura, the chairman of the PPRC said such type of engagement will strengthen the country`s institutions and noted that as commission they are growing bigger and bigger as these youths will be deployed in places where the commission do not have presence, adding that it will also help the ECSL in the upcoming elections.
Commissioner Bangura called on the youths to work within the rules and regulations of the commission; key among them is not to divulge sensitive information to the general public which is not authorized.
He concluded by appealing to the youths to take advantage of the opportunity and demonstrate loyalty to the institution instead of politics.