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The Clerk of the Parliament of Sierra Leone, Karmoh K. Conteh, has been elected First Vice President of the Association of Clerks and Secretaries General of African Parliaments (ASGAP).
The election took place during the Association’s Sixth Annual Conference, held at the Pan African Parliament (PAP) in Midrand, South Africa.
The conference, which opened on 27th September 2025, brought together Clerks and Secretaries General from across the continent to strengthen collaboration and enhance the role of parliamentary institutions in Africa’s democratic governance.
The opening session was presided over by ASGAP Vice President Mr. El Khadi of Morocco and Ms. Lindiwe Khumalo, Clerk of the Pan African Parliament.
Both leaders underscored the need for deeper cooperation in advancing Africa’s governance agenda, with Clerks and Secretaries General playing a central role in parliamentary administration.
In her keynote, Ms. Khumalo described Clerks and Secretaries General as “custodians of parliamentary integrity and institutional memory, and the unseen architects of legislative effectiveness.” She also stressed the importance of ensuring that treaties and decisions adopted in Addis Ababa are effectively domesticated and implemented within national and regional parliaments.
Mr. El Khadi encouraged delegates to engage in substantive discussions on the objectives of ASGAP and the broader role of parliaments in sustainable development.
During the conference, Mr. Conteh addressed the issue of financial sustainability, proposing that ASGAP should not introduce separate membership subscriptions, which he argued could be a burden on governments. Instead, he suggested that contributions should be integrated into the African Union’s system, similar to arrangements within ECOWAS.
He also recommended that ASGAP formally request financial support under provisions made for Members of Parliament, in order to ensure accountability and prudent financial management.
Key outcomes of the conference included:
1. Election of Officers
President: Morocco
First Vice President: Sierra Leone
Second Vice President: Burundi
(Each region was represented by two states: Northern Africa – Morocco & Libya; Central Africa – Chad & Burundi; Western Africa – Sierra Leone & Benin; Southern Africa – Botswana & Angola; Eastern Africa – Kenya & Somalia.)
2. Adoption of a revised Constitution and Rules of ASGAP.
3. Review of AU Treaties and Decisions, with debates on strategies to accelerate domestication and implementation.
4. Africa’s role in global parliamentary networks, including discussions on coordinated action and engagement.
Mr. Conteh was also tasked with chairing one of the afternoon sessions following endorsement by the Executive Members.
Karmoh Kondemeh Conteh was recently appointed as Clerk of Parliament in line with a constitutional provision by President Julius Maada Bio, following the resignation of the former Clerk of Parliament. He now oversees the administration of Sierra Leone’s Parliament.
