The Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) and the main opposition party, the All People’s Congress (APC), recently convened in Makeni to collaborate on strategic messaging regarding the key findings of a significant tripartite report.
This meeting, a rare instance of cooperation between the two major political parties, was aimed at developing unified messages on critical issues.
The sessions were organized by the International Republican Institute (IRI) in collaboration with the Ministry of Information and Civic Education (MoICE) and the National Democratic Institute (NDI).
Held
in both Makeni and Bo, the discussions spanned various regions of the country,
focusing on how best to communicate the report’s findings to the public.
The primary objective of these meetings was to craft messages centered on Electoral Management, Institutional Reform, and Legal Reform.
These messages are intended to be disseminated through multiple
channels, reaching a wide range of audiences across the nation. The collaborative
effort reflects a shared commitment to addressing the key issues highlighted in
the report and ensuring that the public is well-informed.
Jimmy Sankaituah, the Resident Director of IRI, emphasized the institute’s dedication to aligning these reforms with international standards.
The discussions saw active participation from crucial
institutions such as the Political Parties Registration Commission (PPRC), the
Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (EC-SL), and USAID, all of which played a
significant role in shaping the strategic messaging.
Guided by Dr. Francis Sowa, participants were organized into groups to develop targeted messages tailored to specific demographics, including political parties, women, youth, and persons with disabilities (PWDs).
The collaborative nature of this exercise was aimed at ensuring that the messages resonate with diverse segments of the population, promoting inclusivity and broad understanding. These sessions are part of a broader effort to influence public discourse and support ongoing reforms aimed at enhancing Sierra Leone’s political and electoral systems.
By working together, the SLPP and APC are demonstrating a commitment to improving the country's governance framework, with the hope that these reforms will lead to a more transparent, accountable, and effective political system.