By Nasratu Kargbo
In their ‘One Nation Manifesto’, the All People’s Congress (APC) party has pledged to ensure that every region and district is represented in their administration if elected on June 24th this year in the country’s General Elections.
The Manifesto which was launched on the 29th May 2023 stated that “The APC shall appoint a Government that will reflect the demographic diversity of the country, ensuring the representation of every region and district in the country”.
This commitment is made under the party’s first priority called ‘One Nation: Rebuilding National Unity and Cohesion’ in their manifesto. It noted that ensuring that all regions and districts are appointed in their administration is in a bid to promote peace, national unity, diversity, and inclusion in the country.
The APC through their manifesto pledged they will make sure that the distribution of public resources amongst the regions and districts is informed by research, data, and broad-based consultations. In addition, they promised to implement a merit-based system of recruitment, stating that they’ll emphasize the principal role of the Public Service Commission.
The party also expressed plans to review the country’s 1991 Constitution, explaining that they will do so with the aim of ensuring that no ethnic group dominates any department or institution of the state. “This would include proposals for the application of a 25 percent threshold to enhance inclusion and diversity and a provision that ensures a national appeal of the Presidency”, a part reads.
The Party stated that as a way of promoting inclusion and diversity, they will incorporate peace, diversity, and inclusivity in schools and institutions of higher learning curricula. It stated that this is to teach pupils and students critical thinking, respect for difference, and appreciation of culture, adding that they will support the establishment of peace, human rights, diversity, and inclusion clubs in schools and institutions of higher learning.
In addition, it expressed the party’s intention to design inclusive interventions that will seek to protect the inclusion of women, other marginalized groups in governance, youth, and persons with disability.
According to the manifesto, the country’s Global Peace Index has dropped from 38 to 50.
In the Citizens’ Manifesto which was launched on the 13th of April 2023 by the Institute for Governance Reform (IGR), one of the demands of the citizens is for the next administration to ensure there is distribution of public appointments. It stated that the next government should ensure that not less than 15%, and not more than 30% of public appointments per region.
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