Concord Times (Freetown)
Mohamed Massaquoi
23 October 2008
Minister of internal affairs, local government and rural development Monday commended the opposition Sierra Leone Peoples Party for reintroducing the decentralization process in the country.
Hon. Dauda Kamara made this statement during the opening ceremony of a two-day interactive session organized by campaign for good governance for female councilors and their ward members from various regions at the Atlantic hall in Freetown.
He said it was prudent that the former government reactivated the decentralization programme as it ensures active participation of people in the administration of their localities.
According to Dauda Kamara, the institution facilitates equal distribution of resources available and that they are working hard to make the process a reality.
"I commend SLPP for bringing the decentralization process in governance. Since we came into governance, we have tried to put strategies in place so that the institution would have its required support from government.
Women have suffered greatly in this country. It is time for us to strengthening them especially in governance" he said. Kamara assured that his ministry was committed to promoting women councilors in their respective councils. National coordinator for campaign for good governance Valnora Edwin said the conference targeted female councilors and their female ward members from various regions so that they can identify problems of gender insensitivity in the local government system in the county.
"We believe that it is not enough to just elect women in councils and forget about them, but our role is to build up their capacity so that they can meaningfully participate in the deliberations of the councils in the interest of their people" she said adding that the session laid the foundation for a long term project her organization may embark on.
Minister of social welfare, gender and children's affairs Hon Musu Kandeh commended CGG for building democratic institutions in the country. She said CGG made frantic effort during the local council elections in bringing women in the sphere of politics and confessed happiness with achievements made during the last local council elections. She called on councilors to take the conference with all seriousness.
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