BY: MORISON M KOROMA (KENEMA)
As a follow-up on the multi-party forum held in 2021 for all registered political parties in Sierra Leone, in which individual political party positions on emerging national issues were unearthed and backed-up by different political suggestions, the government of Sierra Leone through the Political Parties Registration Commission (PPRC) in conjunction with the National Democratic Institute (NDI) has over the weekend ended political parties stakeholders’ engagement in Kenema on the theme; all party issues forum.
The engagement is to ensuring proper accountability of political parties to their membership and to the electorates and it is also aimed at the attainment of good conduct of political parties especially in addressing national concerns.
According to the PPRC boss, amongst the numerous issues discussed last year, this session tabled three key topics for redress.
– The role of political parties in the enactment and implementation of Gender Bill
– The National Electoral Commission’s preparedness to conduct credible, transparent and accessible elections to all & the system being put in place and the legal reforms being implemented thus far to strengthen NEC’s credibility.
– The role of political parties in conflict prevention and conflict mitigation during elections”, Abdulai Masiyambay Bangura Esq. outlined.
Noting the importance of the session Abdulai Bangura said political parties are pivotal in nation building and that the meeting’s composition exhibits inclusivity.
Jinnag Nyallay, program officer-National Democratic Institute had earlier admonished political party representatives of maximum cooperation and quality representation for Sierra Leone’s good.
“This is about policy making; we expect all of you to cooperate. Figure out pertinent issues for the good of our country. If one has to be in-cooperated in final decision making, then one must be rational”, Nyallay strongly stated.
Many representatives from different political parties including ruling SLPP and main opposition APC participated.
The publicity sectary for the Sierra Leone Peoples Party-Kenema district applauds the steering committee for the initiative but however credited the dispensation of the Bio led new-direction for its gender sensitivity, citing the attorney general and justice ministry which was once led by a woman.
Amidu bah on behalf of the SLPP threw support to the gender bill act and pledged to push its enactment in parliament.
John Sylvalie is the district publicity secretary for the All People’s Congress in Kenema. Whilst welcoming the bill, he implored the ruling SLPP government to set aside a budgetary planning that supports women.
As per agenda, the session was climaxed by talk shows on local radio stations.
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