The President of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), Ahmed Sahid Nasralla, has presented a position paper to the Constitutional Review Committee on behalf of the Association’s national executive. The proposed changes aim to strengthen the organization’s governance and accountability.
The proposed amendments include provisions for elected officials to receive monthly stipends, the establishment of an Electoral Court to handle election petitions, and guidance on campaign financing disclosure for candidates. Additionally, elected officials will be required to declare their assets upon assuming office.
Other recommendations include the establishment of Integrity Management Committees, Internal Auditors, and a Logistics and Procurement Committee to ensure financial and administrative controls. The proposal also includes the establishment of a Gender Advisory Panel to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment in the media.
The draft Constitution will be discussed at SLAJ’s upcoming Annual General Meeting in Bo City on September 26-28, 2024. Position papers were also presented by affiliate bodies, including Women in the Media Sierra Leone, Sierra Leone Reporters Union, Sports Writers Association of Sierra Leone, and Veteran Journalists Union.
