TRANSPARENCY INTERNATIONAL SIERRA LEONE ORGANINES A ONE PUBLIC DIALOGUE FORUM

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The Global Coalition against Corruption - Fighting Corruption in Sierra Leone

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TRANSPARENCY INTERNATIONAL SIERRA LEONE ORGANIZES A ONE PUBLIC DIALOGUE FORUM ON TRANSPARENCY, ACCOUNTABILITY AND PARTICIPATION

Transparency International Sierra Leone has organized a one day Citizens’ Public Dialogue Forum at the Tombo Community Centre in the Western Area Rural District. The main objective of the forum is to create a platform for local authorities and community people to dialogue on issues that are affecting transparency, accountability and development in their various communities, and to also examine and evaluate the steps taken so far by the Village Heads to promote accountability, transparency and citizens’ participation in the use of development resources and decision making processes in their various villages.

This activity catered for thirty six participants (36) drawn from Village Heads, women and youth groups and traditional and tribal leaders. The main objective of this event is to bring together a cross section of the Village Heads and representatives from their various communities.

During the forum, each Village Head made a presentation on efforts made so far in addressing accountability, transparency and citizens’ participation on issues in their various villages. Before the presentation by the Village Heads, a presentation on Transparency, Accountability and Participation was made by Mr. Edward B. koroma the Project Coordinator. This was done to set the stage for the presentation and subsequent plenary discussions. At the end of the presentations by the Village Heads, community representatives at the event had the opportunity to react on the presentations made by the Village Heads and proffer suggestions on the way forward. From the presentations made by the Village Heads and the reaction of the village representatives, it was clear that the Village Heads have indeed made some remarkable efforts in promoting accountability, transparency and citizens’ participation in discharging their various roles and responsibilities. However, they still need to do more to ensure utmost accountability, transparency and citizens’ participation that will in turn contribute to sustainable village development.

At the end of the presentations and discussions, the following were recommended to foster transparency, accountability and citizens’ participation in village communities.

 The village community people should be engaged in a sustainable manner through community and Town Hall meetings.

 There should be adequate information flow between the Village Heads and the village community people.

 Village community people should always endeavor to attend meetings summoned by the Village Heads so that they would be able to make meaningful input to issues affecting governance and development in their various villages in developmental activities.

 Village Heads should effectively use community radio stations to engage village communities as this is one of the most reliable source of information in many local communities.

 Village Heads should organize themselves well and set up a Council of Village Heads that will be charged with the responsibility of protecting and promoting the welfare and interest of Village Heads.

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