Action Aid International-Sierra Leone (AAI-SL) in partnership with Africa Youth Coalition against Hunger (AYCAH) on Saturday, 21st January 2012 convened a research validation workshop for two survey reports done by AAI-SL.
The study done in pursuance of the spirit of Articles 107 and 108 of the Local Government Act which places an obligation on both the central and local government to ensure transparency and public participation in local government aimed at determining the degree of citizens’ knowledge of, and involvement in the operations of local councils.
The Saturday gathering which had in attendance representatives of local councils, selected civil society organizations, academics and the media, was convened to capture the independent views and comments of stakeholders on six outlined indicators used as yardstick by the researcher to measure performance tracking of local government structures and operations. It is also according to the Governance Coordinator, Action Aid International, Christian Lawrence, and “validate the key findings in AAI-SL’s November report.”
The research work done by Tassif Koroma, Lecturer at the Fourah Bay College on behalf of AAISL, critically looked at local councils’ operations to establish whether citizens’ participation are visible in such operations to ensure budget accountability, development planning, accountability, procurement and service delivery accountability.
The consultant in his presentation said the outcome of his key findings which needed the input of stakeholders before the launching of the report, came about as a result of an investigation done into the activities of councils in the Western Area and Rural District, Bombali, Kono, Bo City and Town Councils.
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