By Jenneh Braima
The UN development agency, UNDP, has given $300,000 to the Constitutional Review Committee (CRC), out of a total of US$ 4.1 million needed for the process which opens next week.
A consultative meeting was held at the ministry of finance and economic development for donor pledges towards the process to prepare the budget for the launch and the eventually inauguration of the commission.
Minister of Justice, Franklyn Kargbo, said the planning committee, in collaboration with the UN team, had prepared the project document for the CRC estimated at US$ 4.1 million.
He said the amount did not include the budget for a referendum that would be conducted by the national electoral commission and salaries for staff of the Secretariat.
The government has pledged to take care of 26% of the budget.
“It is all about inclusiveness, participation and ownership. By so doing the nation will understand what the constitution is all about. Civil society has key roles to play as the July 1991 Lome Peace Accord also provides for a review of the constitution” he said, adding that the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) report also “urges government to give serious consideration to the re-creation of a new constitution in order to contribute to human rights”.
The government attorney said the 60-member team, with representatives drawn from all organizations would be launched on Tuesday 30 July and there would be an induction class for committee members. He said that it would comprise professional associations, businesses, civil society groups, political parties, traditional leaders, the executive, parliament, the judiciary, youth groups and women’s groups.
