In a move towards addressing the many problems surrounding the issue of diversity in Sierra Leone’s electoral processes and how to manage this diversity to enhance good governance in the country, Alternative Consultancies is presently spearheading a research titled “Elections and the Management of Diversity in Sierra Leone”.
The research is sponsored by the UNDP and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa.
Speaking on Thursday 20th January during the Official launch of the commencement of this landmark research at Mamba Point, Wilberforce, Mr. Charlie Hughes who served as Chairman of the ceremony said the research is aimed at finding out some of the major causes that are responsible for diversity among Sierra Leoneans in elections.
He said a Steering Committee has already been formed to supervise the research process and ensure that a credible report is produced at the end of the research process.
Giving an overview of the research Andrew Lavalie who happens to be one of the researchers said similar research is going on in 34 other African Countries as a way of looking into present trends of governance in the continent.
He said 160 questionnaires will be administered to elicit the opinion of people from different areas of specialization and in addition to that focus group discussions are presently going on across the country.
In what appeared to be an intriguing discussion among participants at the launching ceremony it was argued that issues like ethnicity, race, and poverty are among plethora of factors responsible for diversity in the governance and electoral system in the country.
Andrew Lavalie said the purpose of this study is to reduce diversity in election adding that within the next one month they will organize a meeting to validate the information obtained.
By William Freeman
ADVERTISEMENT