By Crispina Cummings
Civil society group, Democracy Sierra Leone in partnership with Parliament and Campaign for Good Governance, (CGG), yesterday started a three-day orientation and capacity building workshop for especially new and female members of parliament below 40 years. At the opening on 4 Monday, March 2013, DSL national coordinator, Abdulai Waritay, gave an overview of the training, saying it was meant to help build the capacity of the target beneficiary MPs. He said the interaction would increase confidence in the way MPs dealt with their constituents with a view to carrying out their responsibilities well. It would also include the setting-up of websites for MPs and reviewing of the Standing Orders. While the Clerk of the House, Ibrahim Sesay said that he was happy for the training, the CGG coordinator, Valnora Edwin observed that the turnout was poor as only four out of fifteen female MPs were present for the training. She said their mission was to increase citizen participation and good governance and that they intended to do more to help new members. She expressed happiness over the partnership that had been built. Minority leader, Dr. Bernadette Lahai, MP, lauded the idea noting that it was timely as parliament would continue to get a new crop of members after every five years. She stressed on punctuality for work, dress code, observance of the Standing Order and relationship with their constituents. Keynote speaker and Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Chernor Maju Bah, MP, said he too was disappointed at the attendance of female MPs. Women, he observed, were still fighting for their 30% quota. “It will be easier for them to have it [the 30% quota] if they are ready to come onboard whenever they are needed,” he said, adding that they were humbled to have been part of the training and orientation.
