By Sulaiman Jalloh
A decisive step toward institutional reform and operational excellence, on July 4, 2025, the Sixth Parliament of Sierra Leone has concluded a four-day Mid-Term Planning and Orientation Retreat, held from July 1–4, 2025, at Companero Bureh Beach in Freetown.
The retreat, described by participants as a transformative engagement, brought together directors, deputy directors, and senior staff from all departments of parliament, the initiative was spearheaded by a cross-departmental planning committee led by Mohamed Alpha Jalloh, Director of training and strategy at the Centre for Strategy and Parliamentary Studies (CSPS).
The retreat centered on strengthening institutional coordination, improving service delivery, and aligning operations with Parliament’s long-term strategic goals, through mid-year performance reviews, SWOT analyses, and forward-looking strategy sessions, participants assessed the implementation of the 2021–2025 Parliamentary Strategic Plans.
Strategic planning consultant Mr. Daniel Kaindaneh facilitated key sessions that examined progress in areas such as governance, sustainability, and legislative operations, the sessions also laid the groundwork for the development of the 2026–2030 strategic plan, including the drafting of a revised vision and refreshed priority focus areas.
A major highlight of the retreat was the evaluation of Parliament’s Human Resource Manual, with discussions focused on its alignment with the 2023 parliament Act, the 2022 Employment Act, and international HR standards. Participants recommended full operationalization of the HR framework by 2026, emphasizing performance management, recruitment procedures, and staff development.
Notably, Parliament began developing it’s first-ever Risk Management Strategy. Principal risks were identified, risk owners were designated, and a framework was proposed to integrate risk assessment into the routine agenda of the Parliamentary Commission, departmental meetings, and the Management Board.
The retreat also addressed internal coordination by reviewing departmental mandates and forming strategic clusters for improved collaboration, Budgeting recommendations for 2026 and beyond were developed, aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and reinforcing institutional autonomy.
In a move to deepen public trust and transparency, participants designed a new approach to Parliament Open Day, scheduled for the last week of November 2025, the strategy puts Members of Parliament at the forefront of engagement, aiming to improve civic awareness and legislative accountability.
Parliamentary Commissioners Hon. Neneh Lebbie and Hon. Quinton Salia Konneh made key appearances during the retreat, representing a clear commitment from Speaker Hon. Segepoh Thomas to bridge administrative and legislative collaboration.
High-level administrative support was evident throughout the retreat, with Acting Clerk Mr. Gilbert Bosco Nhabay and Director General Mrs. Finda Findosia Fraser actively participating in all sessions, offering guidance, and helping shape strategic discussions.
The retreat was generously supported by International IDEA, reaffirming its commitment to democratic governance, capacity building, and institutional development in Sierra Leone.
This mid-term retreat marks a pivotal moment of reflection and recalibration for Sierra Leone’s parliament, with renewed clarity, operational upgrades, and a strategic focus on performance, parliament is positioning itself as a more responsive, transparent, and effective institution poised to meet the governance demands of the people it serves.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Wednsday,9th July, 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
