Executive Director, Campaign for Good Governance Valnora Edwin Said they would continue to promote the content of the citizens’ manifesto adding that it not just for the 2018 elections but for the purpose of developing the country moving forward. She stated that there are seven key priorities in the manifesto that people want to see.
“the seven priorities and expectation that are in the citizen’s manifesto are asset declaration of presidential and MP candidate, women’s political representation, representation of persons with disability, citizens’ shares in mining and agricultural investments, transparency in campaign financing and commitment to the following targets in the first year of your administration, that came out clear throughout the consultation.” Valnora Edwin added.
She maintained that the consortium have made the job simple for politicians and that they could use it as a guide in preparing their manifesto, adding that the document happened to be the voice of the people.
This is the maiden edition of the citizen’s manifesto launched ahead of the general elections and the manifesto will be serving as a guide for all political party to know the demand of citizen in every district in the country.
Director of Governance and Institute Reform, Andrew Lavali highlighted five key points that need to actualize in other to achieve the success of the document and to ensure the happiness of everyone. He maintained that it would be a document that political party can consult.
Andrew Lavali stated that there are five key priorities that should be looked into; stating that if the said priorities not being achieved would destroy all what they have worked for. He mentioned that the election management body should take into cognizance of all what the people have presented to ensure that political parties have 40% representation of women. He reiterated that we should try and prevent violence in order to achieve the mentioned priorities, as that would encourage women to actively engage in politics.
He mentioned that Sierra Leoneans’ should avoid the politics of winner take-all and that power should be based on sharing, that the regional division should be a thing of the past and encouraged citizens to embrace one another. He furthered that the political parties should try to think of what they need from the people. He made a general plea to everyone that witnessed the launch of the manifesto to disseminate the information downward to their communities and localities.
Co-chair of the event Memunatu Pratt applauded the consortium for the laudable venture. She said that the document is the way forward in developing the country and that the decision to move the country forward is a collective one inclusive of the citizens and the politicians.
He confirmed that they would not tolerate it anymore for a small group of people to make decision for them, adding that it a come together thing for everyone in the country.
Political parties present at the launching ceremony made a brief response to the document and promised to follow the document to the letter. The launched was climax with a performance from Emerson and team, as they performed the song of the manifesto theme.
