Sierra Leone

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Sierra Leone

Browse Sections Inclusive and Accountable PoliticsKey resultsLatest news
Introduction
WFD has been working to strengthen democracy in Sierra Leone since 2001. WFD programmes support the Parliament of Sierra Leone in its efforts to become a more open and accessible institution for all citizens. This has ushered the Parliament of Sierra Leone as a key player in the global open government space for openness and transparency. WFD has also supported many institutional strengthening and capacity building programmes of the parliament. Overtime, WFD has supported the establishment of a vibrant research department, build the capacity of its Hansards, broadened the space for south-south learnings, and parliamentary regional integrations among Members of Parliament. WFD programmes also promote the inclusion of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in electoral and political processes in Sierra Leone. During the COVID-19 era, WFD supported evidenced based programming on gender inclusion and coordination.

Our programmes

Inclusive and Accountable Politics

Background

In 2019, the Sierra Leone Parliament adopted and launched the Bo Declaration – a commitment by members of parliament (MPs) to promote a smooth, effective, and efficient running legislature. This is by the MPs working in harmony irrespective of political affiliation, promoting genuine and sincere consultations, respecting parliamentary procedures, depoliticising the administration of the parliament, and engaging broadly with political parties and other stakeholders on parliamentary decision-making processes.

The Sierra Leone Parliament is also committed to become a more open and transparent institution to all citizens. The open parliament commitment is part of the eight commitments of Sierra Leone’s third National Action Plan (NAP III) under the Open Government Partnership (OGP) initiative. Sierra Leone became an OGP member in 2013.

Programme objectives

Parliaments are fundamental institutions of democratic governance. To support the Parliament of Sierra Leone in smoothly and efficiently performing its functions, WFD is leading the facilitation process of the re-commitment to the principles of the Bo Declaration. The FCDO– funded Inclusive and Accountable Politics (IAP) programme aims to rebuild commitment for positive and non-combative parliamentary processes and party dialogue. The IAP programme is also focused on building on the success of the Open Government Partnership (OGP). To do this, WFD provides technical support to the Parliament of Sierra Leone Staff, OGP Steering Committee Partners, MPs, and Citizens through civil society organisations (CSOs) partners.

Completed programmes

Improving accountability and gender sensitivity of COVID-19 response in Sierra Leone (July – November 2020)

As democratic representatives of the people, parliaments have the key responsibility of examining policies and their impact on citizens. In July 2020, WFD launched a project focused on supporting the Parliament of Sierra Leone by improving its access to crucial gender–sensitive data during the COVID-19 pandemic. This data helped inform MPs’ inputs in parliamentary debates, oversight, and law-making processes that focus on the effect of COVID-19 on vulnerable groups such as women and girls. This is in addition to holding the Government to account on its COVID-19 response. The project was funded by the British High Commission in Sierra Leone.

Status
Completed
10
Planned end date
Commonwealth Partnership for Democracy programme (2018 – 2020)

Parliaments and local governments are essential for effective, inclusive democratic governance. Through funding from the Commonwealth Partnership for Democracy (CP4D), WFD focused on advancing disability rights in Sierra Leone. The programme supported PWDs in the country in advancing disability issues in Parliament and local councils after the 2018 elections. It targeted the Sierra Leone Parliament to demonstrate leadership in taking concrete steps to raise awareness and integrate disability friendly policy within its operations. WFD also collaborated and supported disability coordination within the Ministry of Social Welfare Gender and Children’s Affairs, the Freetown City Council, and the Sierra Leone Union on Disability Issues (SLUDI).

Status
Completed
10

Key results

First National Agenda for the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the electoral and political process launched involving community groups, political parties, and institutions.

Parliament of Sierra Leone makes first breakthrough in creating a platform for citizens to interact with the Parliament using technology (Parliament of Sierra Leone App)

Stronger disability coordination mechanisms in three institutions (Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender & Children Affairs, Freetown City Council, and SLUDI.)

WFD has been recognised to serve as a National Steering Committee Member in open government partnership (OGP) in Sierra Leone

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Supported the Parliament of Sierra Leone in establishing its first service charter that increases citizens involvement in its work

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First consensus building framework for political parties’ involvement (Bo Declaration) launched and tabled in parliament for the inclusion of MPs in decision making irrespective of their political affiliations

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WFD supported Parliament Open Day where both the Speaker and Clerk of Parliament presented their annual report (performance and financial) to citizens

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WFD hosted the first OGP hybrid summit that brought together legislations to share best practices and corporation on openness and transparency

Latest news

Open Parliament Index score sheet of the public accountability indicator where Sierra Leone and Cape Verde are joint first followed by Ghana, Nigeria and Togo in the top five
Story
Sierra Leone’s Parliament jointly tops the 2022 open parliament index on public accountability in West Africa
WFD has been partnering with the Parliament of Sierra Leone to strengthen its capacity in different areas around the Open Government Parliament. The institution’s efforts to promote openness, accountability, and participation were recognised in the maiden Africa Open Parliament Index (OPI) report, as the institution ranked among the top in West Africa.
Three women holding up a sign that says I am committed to promoting inclusive and accountable politics in Sierra Leone
Story
Parliament meets the people in Sierra Leone
In Sierra Leone, we have helped make sure citizens can access parliament and understand its work, through initiatives from open days to apps. During the Parliament’s recent Open Day, WFD gave access to several people to learn about the work of WFD and Parliament. It was a chance for advocates to meet the Speaker
A service charter board
Story
Supporting the Sierra Leone Parliament in its commitment to openness and accessibility
To support the Parliament of Sierra Leone in its commitment towards providing the best parliamentary services to its citizens, WFD partnered with the legislature of the West African state in developing and unveiling the institution’s service charter.
Group of people standing
Story
Improving the Sierra Leone Parliament’s access to crucial gender-sensitive data
As democratic representatives of the people, parliaments have the key responsibility of examining policies and their impact on citizens. This is essential in times of a crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. In July 2020, WFD launched a project focused on supporting the Parliament of Sierra Leone by improving its access to crucial gender–sensitive data during the pandemic.
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Contact us

A man posing
Alusine Diamond-Suma (Rev), Country Representative

Address: Parliament Building OAU Drive, Tower Hill
Freetown
Sierra Leone

info@wfd.org