NCD NORTH ENGAGES TEN WARD DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEES IN THE BOMBALI DISTRICT ON GOOD GOVERNANCE AND DECENTRALIZATION

NCD Chairman, Dr. Abubakar H. Kargbo

The National Commission for Democracy (NCD) has on Thursday, July 31, 2014 engaged ten Ward Development Committees in the Bombali District in a day’s workshop hosted at the Eric Dura Hall of the Bombali District Council situated at Magbema outside Makeni Town on the principles of democratic good governance in relation to decentralization and local governance.

The well attended workshop was characterized by statements from key officials including the NCD Chairman, Dr. Abubakar H. Kargbo, the Bombali District Council Chairman, Mr. John S. Koroma and NCD Commissioner Northern Region, Mr. Bai J. Conteh. These stage setting statements were followed by the workshop proper introduced by the NCD Chairman, Dr. Abubakar H. Kargbo with a focus on the “Definition and Conceptual Clarification of the Principles of Democratic Good Governance and its Practical Implications at the Local Level” and facilitation provided by the resource person, Mr. Albert Khanu Jr. with a focus on “the Definition, Interpretation and Conceptual Clarification of Decentralization and Local Governance”.

As part of his opening statement, the NCD Chairman, Dr. Abubakar H. Kargbo, emphasized the importance of Ward Development Committees in the overall governance structure of the state noting that their members are in dire need of appropriate knowledge to operate very well in the promotion of democratic good governance, thus the need for the workshop that was meant to fill the knowledge gap that has plagued the operations of governance at the local level. 

Furthermore, Dr. Kargbo encouraged his audience to be honest and bold enough to speak up on the issues for the successful governance of the nation especially at the local government level indicating also that in accordance with the Local Government Act of 2004, the councils should decide on what they want to ensure local ownership of the governance process. In view of this consideration, he posited that the Ward Development Committees should work hand in glove with the councillors and Chairman of the Council to ensure effective development at the local level thus promoting good governance from that perspective. He also likened the governance process to that of a machine with its systems and mechanisms for its effective functioning with the Ward Development Committees playing their definitive role for the system to work.

In his presentation on the principles of democratic good governance, Dr. Kargbo laid bare the general principles to include periodic free and fair elections providing the people with the opportunity to vote in their leaders in a very democratic manner. He also noted the importance of the state on the basis of the provision of basic needs to the general citizenry with respect for the rule of law ensuring that the courts are working effectively and the fundamental human rights are upheld with room for separation of powers, checks and balances.

As part of the complete package, he mentioned the importance of transparency and accountability including the mitigation of corruption, gender parity, and the role of civil society organizations, with security forces under civilian supervision, freedom of the press and access to information with the need for mutual tolerance. In encouraging the need for the people to work with government, he also noted the vital importance of a thriving economy with the right kind of atmosphere for businesses to thrive.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the Bombali District Council, Mr. John S. Koroma, thanked NCD for the opportunity to provide capacity for some councilors and Ward Development Committee members from ten (10) wards in the Bombali District. He then assured all of their security especially in the fight against Ebola with the provision of chlorine for the washing of hands at strategic places on the premises of the Bombali District Council. Furthermore, he highlighted the pivotal role of H. E. the President, Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma in the fight against the dreaded Ebola menace noting the passing away of Dr. Sheikh Umar Khan as a victim of the dreaded disease that all should fight against. 

He also encouraged the beneficiaries of the workshop to pay maximum attention and ask relevant questions during the delivery in order to benefit from the capacity building exercise. However, he appealed to NCD to extend the same opportunity to the remaining seventeen (17) Ward Development Committees in the Bombali District in order to avoid the complaints that might arise from the other Ward Development Committees that were not part of the workshop. He also appealed for the training of trainers to ensure that such trainers can help perpetuate the knowledge and skills gained for the benefit of others in the region. He appealed for all to work in the spirit of peace and unity with a focus on the free flow of information.

In his welcome address, the host Commissioner of the Northern Region, Mr. Bai John Conteh, thanked God for the opportunity to talk to members of the Ward Development Committees represented at the workshop. He then accorded the attendees the opportunity of learning about the mandate of NCD, an institution that he said has been in existence for twenty (20) years with the key mandate of providing education on the Constitution of Sierra Leone, a document that is currently under review.

He did not forget to underscore the importance of Ward development Committees noting that like the smallest cell in the human body, the Ward Development Committees are vital for the effective functioning of the local governance apparatus. With the expectation of an interactive session, Mr. Bai John Conteh encouraged the attendees to avoid being spectators in order to benefit fully from what the workshop had to offer through the lead facilitator. He also discouraged the attitude of attendees attending workshops for just the transportation allowance, but rather should focus on the issues being presented.

The Special Assistance to the NCD Chairman, Mr. Kallie Sillah, who also doubles as the Chairperson for the occasion noted the need for the undivided attention and participation of the attendees in order to make the workshop the success that it should be as democratic good governance is promoted at the local level.

During the workshop proper, the lead facilitator, Mr. Albert Khanu Jr. emphasized the need for Ward Development Committee members to treat the knowledge gained with every iota of seriousness noting the organic relationship between the Ward Development Committees and the councilors in the operations of local councils. He went on to outline the various segments of his presentation also requesting from the attendees their expectations and rules and regimes for the workshop. With a learner-centered approach to the facilitation of the workshop, the lead facilitator succeeded in gaining the attention of the attendees from start to finish as every bit of it was interactive.