By Fatima Kpaka
Freetown, January 21, 2026: The Parliament of Sierra Leone has convened its Annual Donor Meeting, bringing together key development partners to mobilize support for its 5-Year Strategic Plan aimed at strengthening democratic governance, accountability, and citizen engagement.
The meeting was attended by representatives from the Indian High Commission, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), European Union, World Bank, Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD), UNIDO, Irish Embassy, and other partners.
In his welcoming remarks, Clerk of Parliament Karmoh K. Conteh expressed gratitude to the partners for their continued support, noting that Parliament’s achievements in capacity building and infrastructure development have been made possible through their contributions. He emphasized the importance of sustained collaboration to ensure the successful implementation of the Strategic Plan.
Rt. Hon. Speaker Segepoh Solomon Thomas highlighted the significance of the engagement, describing it as part of Parliament’s co-creation initiatives to align visions and share ideas. He outlined the Strategic Plan’s three foundational pillars:
- Good Governance and Institutional Strengthening
- Democratic Accountability and Oversight of the Executive
- Legislative Scrutiny and Meaningful Citizens Engagements
“We invite you to engage deeply with our strategic priorities, align your support with our pillars, and join us in fostering political ownership and public accountability,” Speaker Thomas said.
Chinese Embassy: Zhang Dianbin, Minister Counselor, assured continued support in capacity building and infrastructure development.
Indian High Commission: Baisnab Charan Pradhan committed to supporting the Strategic Plan, offering training opportunities in India.
UNDP: Kevin Petrini, Deputy Resident Representative, highlighted support in digitalization, the E-Parliament drive, service delivery, transparency, and accountability.
European Union: Emilio Rossetti, Deputy Head of Mission, reaffirmed EU’s interest in supporting Parliament, citing ongoing collaborations and future commitments.
Other partners echoed similar commitments, with the meeting concluding in a group photo symbolizing unity and shared vision.
The engagement demonstrated Parliament’s dedication to collaboration, transparency, and transformative impact. The 5-Year Strategic Plan seeks to position Parliament as an engine of democratic governance, focusing on effective oversight, transparency, and citizen engagement.
With the support of development partners, Parliament is poised to drive reforms that promote accountability and good governance, setting the stage for meaningful partnerships and collective progress toward a more responsive governance system in Sierra Leone.