By: Joseph Momoh, Reporter
The Parliament of Sierra Leone hosted a delegation from the Expertise France Group on Monday, December 9, 2024, to discuss strategic cooperation under the Parliamentary Cooperation Project (PACOP).
Supported by the French Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Expertise France Groupe AFD, the project aims to enhance the constitutional functions of parliaments, promote gender equality, improve administrative organization, ensure financial independence, foster international partnerships, and increase transparency.
In his welcoming address, Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Segepoh Solomon Thomas expressed enthusiasm for the initiative, noting its alignment with the Parliament’s Strategic Plan. He acknowledged the project’s ambitious two-year timeline and assured the delegation of the Parliament’s commitment to implementing its components.
Chief Project Lead Jean Philippe Derosier emphasized the goal of fostering parliamentary cooperation between France and four African countries: Benin, Gabon, Botswana, and Sierra Leone. He detailed that activities will focus on legislation, oversight, and promoting open parliamentary practices. The initiative, which began in September 2024, is set to run through August 2026, with Sierra Leone and Botswana currently in the exploratory phase.
Deputy Clerk Gilbert N’habay reaffirmed Sierra Leone’s readiness for the project, highlighting plans for a structured implementation approach to maximize impact. He noted that the Sixth Parliament is dedicated to ensuring the project’s sustainability and success.
Mohamed A. Jalloh, Director of Training and Strategy, presented the Parliament’s Strategic Plan, showcasing significant achievements, such as the launch of a Legislative Compendium that catalogs laws and progress. He also underscored Parliament’s ongoing commitment to transparency, evidenced by initiatives like a participatory budget process and collaboration with civil society organizations.
Clerk of Parliament Hon. Paran Umar Tarawalie shared insights into past challenges, including funding limitations that hindered the execution of previous strategic plans. Despite these obstacles, he commended Parliament’s efforts to enhance transparency through public access to sessions and the publication of parliamentary proceedings.
Opposition Leader Hon. Abdul Kargbo welcomed the PACOP initiative, stressing its importance in building parliamentary capacity. He pledged bipartisan support for the project’s implementation and assured robust monitoring mechanisms to ensure its success.
This engagement marks a significant step in strengthening Sierra Leone’s parliamentary functions and fostering international collaboration, setting the stage for impactful governance reforms.
