By Sulaiman Jalloh
Chief Minister Dr David Sengeh has expressed reassurance of full implementation of Tripartite Committee report. Dr Sengeh was speaking at a national town hall meeting on peace and national cohesion organized by the Ministry of Information and Civic Education on Tuesday, August 27th, 2024, at the Brookfields Hotel in Freetown.
He noted that the implementation process is in progress as a steering committee was set up to achieve such.
Speaking on peace and inclusion, the Chief Minister said women and children play vital role in human capital development hence the need for radical inclusion, adding that people should embrace peace as a culture.
He emphasized that dialogue is the only way to speak about peace and national cohesion, saying the Ministry of Information and Civic Education has normalized dialogue and civic engagement.
Dr. David Monina Sengeh recalled that in August last year, the country’s legislature only had one political party in Parliament with only two opposition MPs, but that through a three-day dialogue, the recent state of the nation’s address by the President witnessed a fully constituted Parliament.
He mentioned that development partners are crucial in maintaining the country’s peace and development.
Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah, who chaired the meeting, said since the end of the war, the country has maintained the culture of peace while calling on everyone to continue upholding peace and unity regardless of social and political affiliations, emphasizing the message of one nation.
Hon. Daniel Koroma, deputy leader of the opposition in Parliament, said his party, the All People’s Congress, is ‘government in waiting’ and that they should be involved actively in the ongoing constitutional review process.
Chairman of the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion, Rev. Shodankeh Johnson, said peace is a continuous process, saying it should be included in the school curriculum so that children can learn and understand peace and its importance. “All political parties should prioritize peace,” he proffered.
Women’s Forum leader, Sally N. Adams, said her forum is crucial in cultivating the culture of peace, noting that they have been doing it for over thirty years.
She said violence against women and girls continues to be a challenge, calling on communities to stand in solidarity with young girls and women.
