Shebora Chiefdom benefits from A.A-SL accountability workshop
In a bid to capacitate community leaders and civil society activists in the Shebora Chiefdom, Bombali District, the Accountability Alert – Sierra Leone (A.A-SL) last Thursday August 6, organized a day’s workshop to sensitize and train community stakeholders on how to take Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) operating in their various communities to task.
The workshop took place at the Fatima Institute Hall, Makeni with the theme “Awareness Raising Campaign on NGO Accountability in the Bombali Shebora Chiefdom,” with participants drawn from all walks of life.
In his opening remarks, the Chairman of the ceremony, who is also the Administrative Officer of A.A-SL, Patrick M. Foray expressed hope that what participants will learn from the workshop will be of vital importance to the development aspiration of His Excellency, the President’s dream of Attitudinal and Behaviourial Change by all citizens of the country.
He appealed to participants to be credible in the execution of their duties and thus gain the respect and admiration of the community.
“In order for you to hold someone accountable, you also must have proven records of transparency and accountability in the execution of your duty. I implore you to work in the interest of the nation rather than self and forget about the ‘It is not my business’ attitude, which is an impediment to the development of a community,” appealed Mr. Foray.
Chairman Foray explained why they decided to target NGOs transparency and accountability, noting that community people have not been given the opportunity to take NGOs to task as they were not adequately informed about projects implemented in their various communities.
He explained that NGOs are operating because of the communities and therefore receive funding on behalf of the people to implement projects that are of vital importance to the community, noting that this was completely the opposite as communities are not encouraged to be part and parcel of the initial planning of projects.
“You are not beneficiaries as NGOs usually address you but rather you are partners in development because you contribute a lot to the implementation of such projects. You provide labour, sand, stones and water among others and therefore it is your responsibility to know the details of the project and monitor NGOs as well as take them to task if you think the project implemented in your community is not commensurate to the amount given by donors,” said Mr. Foray.
Representing the Makeni police was the Information Officer, Sgt. George Marah who dilated on the issue of corruption and the role of the police in past cases of corruption involving NGOs and government officials in the Bombali district. He informed participants that it is their role to report corrupt practice to the police, who will then take the necessary steps to investigate and refer matters where necessary.
Alusine Suma, Behavioral Change Officer-CARE and Madam Betty Alimamy Sesay also served as facilitators and lectured on Civic Responsibilities of Stakeholders on Accountability, their roles and responsibilities and Civic Responsibilities of Community People in holding Service Providers Responsible for Projects implemented in their Communities, respectively.
Councilor Haja Sento Conteh of the Makeni Town Council gave the vote of thanks after several participants have described the workshop as participatory and interactive.
By Abubakarr Kamara
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