Sierra Leone

Open Government Initiative town hall meeting in Port Loko District with the Presidency

07-11-2008

On Saturday, 7 November 2008, the third field visit to Port Loko Town in Port Loko District was conducted by the Open Government Initiative (OGI). The field visit consisted of two components;

1. Project and monitoring visit to Port Loko Teaches College

2. Town hall meeting with the people of Port Loko District

The field visit to Port Loko town is the third visit of the Initiative in its attempt to foster transparency and direct accountability through direct and open dialogue between the ordinary citizens and the Government. The field visit included participation by the President, Minister of Presidential and Public Affairs, Minister of Energy and Power, Minister of Information and Communication, Minister of Education, Minister of Labor, Deputy Minister of Local Government, and other public officials.

Project visit

In the morning, the Presidency and representatives from ministries made a visit to Port Loko Teachers College. There, the Presidency and the school personnel discussed and exchanged ideas on various development issues, particularly education for female students. The Minister of Education spoke on the need for teacher training and increase in their salaries in order to improve the quality of education. He also noted that while primary education is fundamental, on another level, secondary education must also be emphasized as the enrollment and attendance rates decline in secondary school. In his address to the school community, the President expressed concerns on gender inequality in education. In response, the President of student organization commented that the school trusts the Presidency will take measures to correct various issues that the school has such as electricity, water and sanitation, and transportation.

Town hall meeting

In the afternoon, the people of Port Loko gathered at the Bai Bureh Memorial Hall in Port Loko for a town hall meeting to discuss issues in education as well as other issues that concern the residents of Port Loko. Facing the people of Port Loko, the President spoke on the government strategies in three priority areas, energy, infrastructure and agriculture, especially in relation to the Port Loko District. Additionally, he emphasized the need for social development and lamented the low index in education and health. The people asked questions on wide range of issues including local political issues, education, health and information and communication. The Presidency and the Minister of education noted the need to rehabilitate school facilities in the district and commented that if subsidies were to be allocated, they would be for schools with high performance. The entire town hall meeting was broadcast nationwide by local radio stations. Click here to full report..