In a landmark effort to enhance citizen engagement and transparency in governance, the Parliament of Sierra Leone, with support from the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD), hosted a Town Hall Meeting on Monday in Kabala, Koinadugu District.

This event, organized in collaboration with the Parliamentary Civil Society Organization Network (ParlCSONet) and the Open Government Partnership (OGP) of the National Council for Civic Education (NaCEED), is part of the “Taking Parliament to The People” initiative aimed at bridging the gap between citizens and legislative processes.

The Town Hall Meeting brought together key stakeholders, including government officials, traditional leaders, civil society organizations, and community members, marking a historic first for the Koinadugu District. Chief Yembe Marah, Chiefdom Speaker, hailed the event as an unprecedented opportunity for direct communication with Parliament. Chairman of the Koinadugu District Council, Lawrence Teeth Conteh, expressed gratitude for the initiative, emphasizing the need for inclusivity and urging Parliament to strengthen its oversight role to ensure effective implementation of laws.

The forum featured prominent parliamentarians such as Hon. Mohamed K. Thollie, a former Majority Leader from the All Peoples Congress (APC), Hon. Hawa Conteh (APC), and Hon. Farah Mansaray of the Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP). Drawing from his 15 years of parliamentary experience, Hon. Ibrahim Bundu explained the legislative process to attendees, while Hon. Thollie provided insights into the responsibilities of MPs. Hon. Hawa Conteh discussed the roles of parliamentary committees, and Hon. Farah Mansaray elaborated on the importance of Sub-Appropriation Committees in shaping the national budget.

The event concluded with an interactive session that saw lively discussions between citizens and MPs, reinforcing the commitment of all parties to promote transparency and public participation in governance. Following this successful engagement in Koinadugu, similar Town Hall Meetings are planned for Kono and Moyamba districts in the coming days as part of the ongoing “Taking Parliament to The People” initiative led by the Clerk of Parliament.

The initiative underscores Parliament’s commitment to fostering inclusive governance, ensuring that citizens have a direct voice in legislative processes and are kept informed of parliamentary proceedings.