parties and other key officials
In a way to enhance inclusive manifesto by political parties towards the March 2018 elections. The Westminster Foundation for Democracy in partnership with Political Party Registration Commission (PPRC) and Standing together Consortium on Friday 17 November 2017 started a two day engagement with political parties and other key stakeholders at the Family Kingdom Resort in Aberdeen.
The workshop attracted all of the registered political parties in Sierra Leone and also representatives from marginalized groups in the country in order to discuss ways on how to have a very inclusive manifesto catering for every facet of people in society.
Political parties are supported to develop election manifestos that articulate their programmes and policies with an effort to ensure these programmes and policies are inclusive, evidenced-based and therefore resonate with views, opinions and demands of the citizens, especially marginalized groups such as women, persons with disabilities and youth.
In his address, the Chairman of PPRC, Patrick Hamilton urged political parties to consider women and the disabled in their manifestos.”
The objectives of the training, the Country Representative of Westminster, Mohamed Jalloh, said, is to share information and best practices regarding the processes of developing and communicating elections manifestos. He maintained that such training will share insights on the challenges skills and best practices in building public trust and integrity regarding the development and implementation of elections manifestos. The Country representative underscored that it will build the basis and strengthens the foundation for transparency and accountability of political party manifestos internally and to the citizens.
The team leader for Standing Together Consortium, Mamound Tarawallie, said that the citizen manifesto and the national person with disability agenda are a national priority.
The Assistant Secretary General of the APC, Frank Kargbo, said such training is very essential especially to the junior parties. He noted that it teaches them how to source ideas to draft manifestos. “The Preparation of the APC manifesto is at an advanced stage and at all times the APC has produced an inclusive document.” He said come 2018 they are going to include more women in governance and persons with disabilities.
The Chair and Leader of the Revolutionary United Front Party (RUFP), Raymond Katho, said they are preparing a very inclusive party manifesto catering for women and persons with disability. He said they will consult their members all over the country in order to come out with a well prepared document.
National Chairman People Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Coker, said the workshop is a very good step taken by Westminster in order to share knowledge with regards to better manifestos. He highlighted that presently they are seeking ideas as a political party in order to come up with something decent and inclusive for the public.
The expected outcome of the training is to improved knowledge and skills political parties in the development of people realistic election manifestos and skills in propagating such manifestos in wards and constituencies. Also for all political parties taking part in the 7 March 2018 elections are able to develop and present their manifestos.
MJB/18/11/17
By Mohamed J. Bah
Wednesday November 22, 2017.