By Crispina Cummings
A book titled “Essay on the 1991 Constitution” and written by Dr. Abdulai Conteh has been presented to parliamentarians by Democracy Sierra Leone with support from UN Democracy Fund to prepare MPs ahead of the review process.
Roland Rich, from the benefactor Fund, said he was coming to the country for the first time but had met parliamentarians from different countries and knew their constraints. He said MPs should know that their representation was paramount, adding that that was often forgotten.
He spoke about the constitutional review process, the purpose for which the book was given to help MPs ahead of the review process which he hoped would “provide rules for the government to rule its people”.
He said that “whilst the review process is ongoing we are making this presentation so that MPs will understand the present constitution better,” adding that loyalty to the constitution had to be both aspirational and inspirational.
Mr Rich explained that the UN Democracy Fund was a voluntary organization with no standing budget from the UN with funds being provided by governments on a voluntary basis. He praised the US and India as two of their main supporters with the latter providing $30 million over the last six years.
Clerk of Parliament, Ibrahim Sesay asked for help “to take parliament to the people” who wish to know and understand how the House works. He said people’s expectations of MPs were very high.
Minority whip, Sidi Tunis, MP, suggested that Democracy Sierra Leone should try to undertake constitutional outreach and should consider collaborating with CGG.
