On Thursday 19th January 2023, the parliamentary Service headed by the Clark of Parliament, Hon. Paran Umar Tarawally commenced a four-day annual review and planning for 2023 at the Albertson Hotel, Kenema City.

The review, which aims to tackle the performance and agree on key priorities for 2023 is scheduled for the 18th to the 21st of January 2023. It is co-funded by Parliament of Sierra Leone and the European Union.

Highlighting the significance of the review and planning, WFP country representative, Rev. Alusine Diamond-Suma explained that among other things, since parliament decides to go corporate, it has captivated a number of learnings and reforms that have put Sierra Leone’s Parliament at pre comparatively with other legislatures in the world.

He said that parliament has increased its openness and inclusive gender through the establishment of the CSO Desk in Parliament, recognized strides in the OGP space, development of a mobile app, live streaming of proceedings, and dedicated staffers that have greatly enhanced the visibility of Parliament.

He concluded by assuring WFP’s continued support to parliament through partnership and coordination with the European Union.

The Key Expert to Parliament of the EU Governance Sector Support Programme, Adams Fusheini in his remarks assured the Director General and directors participating in the annual review and planning event, that the Technical Team of the Programme will remain engaged with the parliamentary service in its preparations towards the 6th parliament.

He informed participants about ongoing support to the Centre for Strategy and Parliamentary Studies in the development of various training tools including manuals on legislative scrutiny and practice; gender and parliament; and parliament and public financial management which are aimed at consolidating capacity in the parliamentary service in its preparations and induction of the 6th parliament after the elections.

The strengthening of parliament’s oversight capacity is at the core of these transitional activities that are being implemented with the various departments and the technical team will continue to support your efforts, the expert assured.

Declaring the annual review and planning open, Director General of Parliament, Mrs. Finda Findosia Fraser said, Parliament has taken a bold and deliberate step to go corporate with the view to enhancing the work of Parliament by providing technical and administrative assistance to Members of Parliament in light of legislation, representation and oversight by effectively holding the executive to account for the development of the country.

She further stated that this year’s review was centered on tracking performance and agreeing on key priorities for the Parliamentary Service for 2023, tracking progress on the implementation of the operational and departmental plans for 2023, new administrative reforms that required adjustments to departmental plans, and validation of the induction program plan for the next Parliament.